Sango Xamlashe, who is set to become the first black African to captain FNB UP-Tuks in the FNB Varsity Cup, constantly talks on the rugby field.
The 22-year-old centre enjoys encouraging and advising his teammates; comparing his continuous talking to a pilot coming in for a landing.
“There are always a lot of variables at stake when an aeroplane approaches the landing strip—no room for error. That’s why the captain must be informed at all times. I see my role on the rugby field as the same.
“I’m an excellent communicator. I could talk all day, on and off the field. I think communication brings calmness to everyone on the field as they need to know what’s happening. It’s when things become silent that things tend to go wrong."
Xamlashe does not shy away from extra responsibility, which is one of the reasons why FNB UP-Tuks head coach Nico Luus appointed him captain for their 2021 FNB Varsity Cup campaign. He will share the responsibility with Jaco Bezuidenhout.
Xamlashe will become the first black African to captain FNB UP-Tuks in the FNB Varsity Cup, with Nqubeko Zulu (who played in the 2011 and 2012 FNB Varsity Cup tournaments) having captained the university’s 1st XV in the Carlton Cup.
Xamlashe has an impressive CV. He represented the Junior Springboks in 2018 and was part of the Blue Bulls team that won the SA Rugby U21 Championship in 2019.
While he’s made his mark in the midfield, Xamlashe began his career at No 10.
“My DNA as a rugby player is still that of a flyhalf,” he says. “I strive towards being tactically astute.
"The one good thing about last year's Covid-19 pandemic lockdown was that it gave me time to reflect on the way rugby is changing and how you, as a player, must evolve to adapt to it. None of us can ever afford to rest on our laurels. There’s always something to improve on."
Xamlashe says he can't wait to take to the field again.
"It’s nearly a year since we last played. Needless to say, we are all dying for an opportunity to be between the four white lines. Especially since we don't know if we will get a chance to play rugby again after the Varsity Cup. We can only hope.”
Sprint canoeing is the FNB UP-Tuks captain's other big passion.
“Until the age of 18, I was an avid canoeist and competed provincially. When I was 16, I had an opportunity to be at a training camp in Germany. Unfortunately, I literally outgrew the sport. I got too big to fit in a sprint canoe, but I plan to take up the sport again after rugby."
Article courtesy TuksSport