EZIBELENI’S Ubumbo Sports Academy are the champions of the inaugural u/16 Edwin ‘Nutse’ Ngculu Annual Heritage Rugby Tournament, which was held at Mlungisi Stadium, in Komani, on Heritage Day.
The Ezibeleni-based sports academy won the tournament after beating Komani in the final 15-12, with 14-year-old Siyavuya August crossing the line twice for Ubumbo, while the other try came from Bukho Lembese.
The six-team tournament was hosted by Komani Rugby Development, which is headed by Hlela Mbasane, who also plays as forward for Breakers Rugby Football Club.
The hosts also invited the Max Bokoyi Foundation from Khayelitsha, Cape Town, to take part in this tournament.
Other teams who graced this event were the Mdantsane Hurricanes, from East London, and Lions RFC, from Ngqamakhwe.
“The aim of the tournament is to provide opportunities for up-and-coming players from the Chris Hani District to showcase their talents on the rugby field,” said Mbasane.
Mbasane also gave clarity on the name of the tournament, which is named after legendary former coach, Edwin ‘Nutse’ Ngculu, who is the former Breakers coach.
He is most famous for overseeing most rugby talent in Komani in the late ’90s.
“We want to salute Edwin ‘Nutse’ Ngculu by naming this tournament in his honour. This is just recognition for a coach who has made an invaluable contribution to rugby in the Komani and Border region.”
