Born and bred in the heart of Thabong, a rugby enthusiast from a young age has been appointed as the first coach of colour in the Welkom Club rugby family.
Sephetho Bernard Ndobela is the coach of the Welkom Club second team. He played for his school’s first rugby team and matriculated from the Lebogang Secondary School in 1998.
It was while he was still at school that his journey though development rugby began, and after school he worked his way through the Griffons Rugby Union development structures.
He has also played for the Thabong Rugby Club, Bobby’s Rugby Club, and then the Welkom Club.
Ndobela started his coaching career by completing a number of coaching courses, local and international.
He has also completed the Cheetahs Rugby Union’s coaching courses and attained a State Guarding Essentials diploma through Rugby World.
“The Welkom Club gave me my first opportunity in 2003 when they appointed me as the coach of the women’s team. Now in 2025 main coach Eric Herbert has appointed me as the second team’s coach.
“It is a big honour that management has given me this big opportunity in a club with such a rich rugby history. This team plays in the Leopard League and are curently in position 3,” says a proud Ndobela.
In 2025 his team has played six games, of which they have won three, lost two, and drawn one. Now they are through to the second round and will play the Rustenburg Impalas this weekend.
“We aim to win and eventually make it through to the finals as the victors of the league.”
