THE Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture in the Chris Hani District in partnership with South African Black Rugby Legends Association visited 91-year-old former Border Rugby player, Sidumo Vanqa, at his home in Mgulwana Village in Indwe.
The purpose of the visit was to go down memory lane with last surviving member of the Border Rugby Team of the late 1940s.
Vanqa was the only player to score a try in the 1947 final when Border Rugby won the Knockout Tournament against Eastern Province in Gqeberha.
“My dream was to become a Springbok, but it was not possible during that time as I was black. But I am happy that people still think about me even though I am an old man in the rural areas.
“I want to thank the department and the association for this visit because it reminded me of the olden days,” said the former Border player.
He started playing rugby at school in King Williams Town’s Forbes Grant, taught by his teacher Robert Mangcu.
He then proceeded to Gqeberha where he played for Union Rugby Football Club and was stolen by his brother to go and play for Swallows RFC in East London.
He excelled in his wing position where he was picked to play for Border playing against the likes of Eastern Province, Transvaal, Boland, and other clubs.
He remembered his former teammates at Border while chatting with the South African Black Rugby Legends Association Secretary, General Tandabantu August.
“I played with good players during that time, the likes of Foreman Skunana who was playing as a centre, Ntethi Gawushe, and others,” remembers Vanqa.
In 2017 Vanqa was honoured by Border Rugby Union with a blazer and tie, and he was wearing them during the visit.
When the conversation was coming to an end, this rugby legend said that he would be pleased to have the Border Flag and Swallows fly over his coffin at his funeral.
