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The South African
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
The making of Gino Cupido: A rising star in South African rugby
In a candid conversation, Gino Cupido opens up about his upbringing, his sporting achievements, and the passions that fuel his drive. Gino Cupido has quickly risen through the ranks of South African rugby. Known for his explosive speed and versatility, he made his mark as a standout age-grade player for Western Province, the Junior Springboks, and more recently, the Blitzboks. After debuting for the national sevens team at the 2025 Hong Kong Sevens, Cupido has already proven himself as one of South Africa's most promising young talents. But behind the rapid rise is a young man grounded in faith, community, humility — and a deep understanding that the road from a small village to the world stage is paved with far more than talent alone. The 19-year-old hails from Sir Lowry's Pass Village, a tight-knit coloured community tucked between Somerset West and Grabouw, and like so many others, is often forgotten in South Africa's rugby landscape. 'People think I'm from the Strand, but I'm actually from the Sir Lowry's. Our community club Sir Lowrians RFC is where it all started for me. And there are many other excellent players, just like me, at the club, who fall through the cracks because of lack of opportunities.' Growing up, Cupido never imagined becoming one of South Africa's most talked-about rugby prodigies and he is adamant what he represents is far bigger than personal success, it's pride for a community and hope for those who come from the same streets. 'It's a big deal, especially from our community. It's special to make my parents and our small town proud. I thank them for everything. Without them, I wouldn't be here.' From Hoërskool Strand, where he captained teams and sprinted on the athletics track, Cupido progressed through the Western Province age-group systems, starred at the 2022 Craven Week, and then burst onto the national radar in 2023 at the Commonwealth Youth Games and the U18 International Series – scoring tries, winning medals, and standing tall against top opposition. Then came 2024, and with it his senior Currie Cup debut for Western Province. Still a teenager, Cupido showed his quality in matches against seasoned opponents, gaining invaluable experience. He then earned a call-up to the Junior Boks U20 squad and later a place in the South Africa 'A' sevens squad for Dubai Invitational. But it was his 2025 Blitzboks debut that truly made headlines. Named in the squad for the Hong Kong Sevens, coach Philip Snyman called him an 'unknown quantity with great potential.' Within minutes of his debut, Cupido silenced any doubts, sprinting 95 metres to score a stunning try against Uruguay. He added three more in the tournament before injury briefly sidelined him. 'After I scored that first try, I kept watching the video on my phone, asking myself, 'Is that really me?' It's a moment I'll never forget,' he reflects. More recently, he starred for the Junior Boks in the U20 Rugby Championship and has since made the squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship. And even though he missed out on selection for South Africa's campaign opener against Australian, he was named in the team for Friday's showdown against England. Beyond rugby though, Gino speaks with striking maturity about the diversity, team culture, and human connection within this Junior Bok side. 'We all come from different backgrounds, so I get to know what other people's circumstances are. It's not just about rugby – I learn how to work with people, how to respect that not everyone is the same.' He talks about team dynamics with care: 'Sometimes you can joke, sometimes you can't. I'm learning day by day how to work with different personalities.' Cupido's humility is unshakable, even as fame begins to circle him. 'For me, it's not about being famous. I always pray to God to stay true to myself. Because that's all I can be.' 'Success for me is about becoming better in my sport and as a person. Everything has to be in balance.' It's this authenticity that endears him to coaches and teammates alike. 'Every coach I've worked with played a different role in my journey,' he says. From his school coaches to WP mentors and Blitzboks guru Philip Snyman, he names each with reverence. 'They all connect with players — there's love in how they coach. That's special.' Cupido is now a key figure in both the Blitzboks and Junior Springboks setups. Looking ahead, he aspires to lift the Currie Cup, compete in the URC, and ultimately wear the green and gold of the Springboks. But he knows there are no shortcuts. 'I have goals. Big ones. But I also know it's going to take hard work, day by day. That's what it's about.' He may be young. But Gino Cupido already carries the spirit of a veteran – steady, faithful, and fiercely determined. As he says, 'I'm playing for myself, my family, and my town. And I know what I have to do to succeed.' HAVE YOU SEEN GINO CUPIDO IN ACTION YET? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Middies stars set for Craven Week glory
Hoërskool Middelburg will not only be the host of this year's Craven Week and Academy Week from July 6–12, but they also have a big group of players who will be in action as part of the team. • CW Hanekom, known between the players as 'Balsteel Hanekom', will be playing number six, flanker, for the u/18 Puma team that will partake in the Craven Week. He said he has been playing rugby since he was six years old and that it has been one of his biggest dreams to play in the Craven Week, 'I would really like to try to get a contract after school, but if I don't, I would really like to play for Maties, Tuks or Pukke.' He thinks that the Western Province will be their biggest opponent this year, and his favourite player is Ardie Savea. • Keabetswe Nkgadima, better known as 'Beast', is the scrum-half for the team. He has been playing rugby for nine years and said the dream has always been Craven Week. He hopes for a rugby scholarship at one of the big universities next year, and has been trying to improve his skills every day. He also thinks Western Province will be the toughest competition. His favourite rugby player is Grant Williams. • Katlego Baloyi, also known as 'KP', is a fullback. 'It all started in the backyard. I first grasped a rugby ball with trembling hands and wild-eyed wonder beside my brother. He was my first teammate and fiercest rival. The grass soon ignited a roaring inferno of passion within me, and the untamed thrill of the game became my heartbeat. By the age of six, I was no longer just playing, I was living rugby, each match, each pass a promise to chase greatness. Partaking in the 2025 Craven Week is a prayer answered in yet another step closer towards greatness.' After school, he said he will pursue a career in rugby 'because it is more than a dream, it's a calling'. His favourite rugby player is Damian Willemse. • Matthew Abbey, known as Matt on the field, is the fly-half. 'I have been playing rugby since I was in Grade One. Since I was in Grade Eight, it has been my goal to be chosen for the Craven Week. It kept me motivated to keep on working, and I was dedicated to achieving my goal.' Their first match is against the Limpopo Blue Bulls, 'We will prepare well and take it match by match.' His favourite rugby player is Finn Russell. • Roux Grobler, who is called Roux'ie by his friends, is the hooker for the team. 'I've been playing rugby since I was a young boy. It has always been a dream of mine to make the Craven Week team, it's something I've worked towards for years.' He would like to continue playing rugby after school and, hopefully, take it to a professional level one day. 'I think our strongest opponents will be the Western Province and the Cheetahs. Schools from the Cape are very strong, and teams like Grey always bring serious competition.' His favourite rugby player is Malcolm Marx. Kefilwe Phamotse, or 'Jet Shoes' on the field, is the wing for the team. 'I have been playing rugby for seven years, and the dream of playing in the Craven Week only began when my coach, Mr Tertius Harmse, scouted me to play for his u/15A team at MHS. He would love to play rugby professionally after school. 'In the week, everybody will come with guns blazing, and every game will be a tough game!' His favourite rugby player is Rieko Ioane. • Khensani Buthelezi (lock and open side flanker) is called Kenny on the field. 'I've been playing rugby since I was in Grade One, and seeing all the Craven Week players as a youngster, it was always a dream to make the Craven Week team.' He said he does have plans on continuing playing rugby in probably a university like Maties after school. 'Our preparation for the Craven Week is really good, and we are doing great after the practice games. I am confident with the team, and our biggest challenge is going to be WP, if we play against them.' His favourite rugby player is Siya Kolisi, 'I really look up to him, and he's a great leader too.' • Lungelo Maseko, better known as Lungi, is the inside centre. 'I started playing rugby in Grade Five, but started loving it in Grade Seven, and since then, I've always wanted to play for the Pumas in the Craven Week.' If the opportunity presents itself, he would like to go on with his rugby career after school. 'Our toughest game is against every team in Craven Week, because every team has something to prove!' His favourite rugby player is Rieko Ioane. The following players were selected for the Academy Week: Buhle Mphahlaza (Skhebe) as flyhalf or fullback, Dewald du Toit (Dewies) as tighthead prop, Hencoe Janse van Rensburg (Choek) as eighth man, Siboniso Mahlangu (Biggy) as outside centre, Zanempilo Mahlangu (Brood) as lock and loose forward, and Lesego Rakale (Raaks) as wing or fullback. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Is Markus Muller South Africa's Greatest-Ever Schoolboy Rugby Talent?
Markus Muller is rewriting the standards for schoolboy rugby in South Africa – drawing comparisons to past prodigies like Handré Pollard and Frans Steyn. Like Pollard at Paarl Gim and Steyn at Grey College, Muller has combined raw physicality with on-field maturity to dominate at first-team level. Over the weekend, he scored five tries and nailed nine out of ten kicks in Paarl Gim's emphatic 80–19 win over Boland Landbou. That 43-point individual haul wasn't just another big performance – it marked a career milestone. Muller officially reached 50 tries for Paarl Gim's 1st XV, a feat that few, if any, schoolboys have matched at this level. Earlier this season, he led his side to a 43‑31 victory over Grey College, scoring two decisive tries to hand the Bloemfontein powerhouse its first home defeat since 2017. His influence extends beyond scoring; Muller regularly creates line breaks, assists tries, and marshals the midfield defence with confidence that belies his age. As he continues to rack up records and national recognition, many in the rugby world are asking the same question: is Markus Muller the greatest schoolboy talent South Africa has ever seen? Muller has amassed over 50 tries in the past two seasons alone, including a five-try-haul, four hat-tricks and three braces in 2025. With each game, he adds to a growing body of work that positions him as one of the most productive schoolboy backs in South African rugby history. At the 2024 Wildeklawer tournament, he scored twice in a commanding 31–10 win, further proving his ability to perform under pressure against top-tier opposition. His latest 43-point performance underlines the breadth of his game – blending try-scoring ability with accurate goal-kicking and tactical awareness. No longer just a standout in the midfield, Muller now performs like a complete backline general. Muller's form earned him selection for SA Schools in 2024, where he competes for the No 13 jersey with Grey College's Ethan Adams. National selectors have flagged him as a probable starter in the SA Schools team, and the Stormers have already signed him for their 2026 intake. He's expected to develop alongside Springboks Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, adding depth and dynamism to an already talented midfield pool. Muller also starred on the international U18 stage, scoring a crucial try in South Africa's 38‑26 win over Ireland, having helped build a 21‑12 halftime lead. He earlier represented the WP XV at Craven Week, where he impressed with both ball-in-hand and organisational play. As he prepares for the remainder of the 2025 season, one question becomes harder to ignore: are we witnessing the best schoolboy rugby player South Africa has ever produced? HAVE YOU WATCHED MARKUS MULLER PLAY YET? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Schools rugby spectacle brings country's best u.16 players to Pretoria
The national Grant Khomo schools rugby week for provincial u16 teams is coming of age this year and rugby fans from Pretoria have the privilege of supporting the country's best u16 rugby players right here on their doorstep. This year marks only the second time in the tournament's 21-year history that it will be hosted in Pretoria. The previous time was in 2014, when it was hosted at the Tshwane University of Technology sports grounds in Pretoria West. The prestigious tournament was started by SA Rugby in 2003 to serve as a stepping stone for young players between the u13 Craven Week and the u18 Craven Week, as well as to identify and develop young rugby talent within the u16 age group as part of SA Rugby's official development programmes. This year, the Grant Khomo week will be presented on the sports fields of St Alban's College in Lynnwood Glen, Pretoria. In addition to other first-class facilities, which will fit a tournament like this like a glove, the school boasts two very well-maintained rugby fields, on which the tournament's matches will be played. Although St Alban's rugby teams do not participate in an official league, the school's rugby players have the opportunity to travel nationwide and play against similar schools in almost every major city in South Africa. Locally, their derby against Pretoria Boys High School is a true school rugby festival every year. The school has 13 rugby teams. These include five senior teams, two u16 teams, three u15 teams and three u14 teams. The first team is known as The Hoops, while the second team is called The Greys. St Alban's College has already produced two Springboks, namely the double World Cup winner, Bongi Mbonambi and the former Bulls lock, Jason Jenkins, who currently plays for the Sharks. The Grant Khomo tournament is held over a period of one week, but action only takes place on three days. This year, the tournament kicks off on Monday, June 30, with matches also being played on Wednesday July 2 (Day 2) and Friday July 4 (Day 3). As is the case with all national schools weeks, only the fixtures for Day One are determined in advance. The fixtures for Day Two and Day Three are then determined according to the results of each day. On Monday June 30, the action at the tournament will kick off at 09:00 in the morning, when the Zimbabwe and Border Country Districts teams will play on the B field. Half an hour later, the first match will kick off on the A field, when Border and the Leopards will face each other. The Bulls team will play their first match on Monday at 13:30 on the A-field against Boland, after which the official opening ceremony will take place. Following the opening ceremony, the main match of the day will be played between WP and Free State. This match is scheduled to start at 15:15. Other matches to be decided on the A-field on Monday are those between South Western Districts and Eastern Province (10:50), as well as the Sharks against the Golden Lions (12:10). On the B-field, the opening match will be followed by the Falcons vs Limpopo Blue Bulls (10:20); Griffons vs Namibia (11:40); WP XV vs Pumas (13:00) and the Iqhawe Week team vs Griquas (15:15). Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Girls' rugby talent on show as 2025 FNB Youth Week kicks off in Johannesburg
Girls' rugby talent on show as 2025 FNB Youth Week kicks off in Johannesburg Girls' rugby will take centre stage in Johannesburg as the 2025 U16 and U18 FNB Girls Week kicks off from June 30 to July 4 at Queens High School in Bezuidenhout Valley. Five learners from the host school will feature in the U16 Lions. Johanna Kolifaya, Sharon Muine, Praise Tochie, Melissa Dhliwayo and Katleho Mabote began training last week on their home field with the remaining Lions team members. Hosted by the Golden Lions Rugby Union, the tournament promises a thrilling showcase of South Africa's emerging female rugby talent. Also read: Former Queens High learner selected to represent SA in NY The event forms part of SA Rugby's national Youth Weeks calendar, alongside the U18 Craven Week and U16 Grant Khomo Week. The girls' tournament plays a vital role in growing the women's game, offering a platform for players to gain provincial and national recognition. Also read: Development rugby takes centre stage at Saints SportsFest day 4 Day one features a full schedule of U16 matches, including: Border (Urban) vs Lions Invitational Sharks vs Limpopo Western Province vs Leopards Boland vs Griquas Golden Lions vs Valke U18 clashes will include: Western Province vs Valke Sharks vs Griffons Zimbabwe vs Griquas Limpopo vs Boland Golden Lions (Johannesburg) vs Free State (14:00, after the 13:30 opening ceremony). As interest in women's sport continues to grow, FNB Girls Week serves as a key driver of development, transformation and future success in South African rugby. Queens High School is expected to be a hive of excitement as families, learners and supporters gather to back the rising stars of the game. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
