The Rep 22 October 2021

THE Rep
SPORT
CONTACT
Friday 22 Oc to b e r, 202 1
US WITH SPORTS NEWS:
m j e k u l a l @ t h e re p.co. za
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Unforgettable day
with Bok Mapimpi
MK proud
of second
spot in final
Star player spends day with Maria Louw pupils and donates equipment
ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA
Maria Louw High School pupils last week
received a double portion of joy – sport
equipment valued at R25,000 and it
was handed to them by Springbok star winger
and Twizza ambassador Makazole Mapimpi.
Mapimpi was on a sport activation trip in
Komani on Friday.
Currently on a break from rugby, the 2019
Rugby World Cup history-maker had a one-onone
with some of the rugby players who asked
him questions about his career as a national team
m e m b e r.
After that he proceeded to the sports ground
where he taught them a thing or two.
“As a Twizza ambassador I am here to give
back and to interact with young people,” the star
rugby player said.
“It is always good to do so because I also
came from an underprivileged upbringing.
“I think meeting young athletes is crucial
when you have made it to a higher level; it
encourages them to believe in themselves, that
they have the same potential to make it in future.”
At the moment, he said, he was taking things
as they came in his rugby career.
Becoming a Springbok and being part of the
squad that made history by becoming the 2019
World Cup rugby champions will forever remain
a highlight in his career.
Twizza sport portfolio manager Christele
Barker said Mapimpi’s story was phenomenal
considering his background.
“As a brand we are all about chasing the
moment. There is talent here that needs to be
developed and the school needs the sport
equipment.
“It is an efficient starter kit which the school
will use for rugby and netball.
“We started our partnership with Mapimpi in
July which will continue next year,” Barker said.
SA HERO:
Maria Louw
High School
rugby players
are elated to
spend a day
meeting and
learning from
Springbok
winger and
Tw i z z a
ambassador
Makazole
Mapimpi
P i c t u re :
ABONGILE
S O L U N D WA N A
Ronan Brawill, eighth man and flank, said he
was grateful for the donation.
“I saw Mapimpi on TV just recently and to
meet him face-to-face means a lot to me.
“It is quite overwhelming,” said Brawill.
Maria Louw High acting principal Sandile
Mata said the school was grateful for the
contribution Twizza made, which would make a
positive impact on sport development.
Mata said the equipment included rugby and
soccer balls, cones, markers, beeps, resistor belts
and tackling bags.
“The impact will reflect on next year’s matrics
because pupils who are involved in sport acquire
discipline – a healthy body leads to a healthy
m i n d .”
Mata said the equipment received would not
only be restricted to rugby and netball, but would
be used for other sporting codes like soccer.
He hoped other local schools would benefit
in the same way.
ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA
MK Academy FC represented Chris Hani with
honour by finishing second in the provincial
Nedbank Cup, losing to Champions FC from
Lusikisiki in the final.
The two teams faced off in Aliwal North on
S u n d ay.
MK Academy did not start well when one of
the defenders created a penalty through a late
tackle inside the box, which gave Champions an
a dva n t a g e .
This led to a 1-0 score in the first 10 minutes.
Champions slotted their second goal 30
minutes later from a pass to the striker in the 18
area to increase the lead to 2-0.
More pressure was placed on MK Academy
when a third goal was netted by a Champions’
midfielder from a free kick just 10 minutes before
the end of the half.
MK Academy had to go back to the drawing
board ahead of the second stretch when they
sought to redeem themselves.
Striker Etho Ngxulelo managed to score from
a cross 10 minutes in, taking the score to 3-1.
Three minutes later, Champions returned with
an unanticipated fourth goal after stealing a ball
from an opponent. The score was 4-1.
MK Academy did not lose heart. Striker
Lwando Koti slotted a goal from a cross which
came from a counter-attack to make it 4-2.
The last goal came from Champion’s winger
from a counter attack, ending the game 5-2.
MK Academy coach Bulelani Cole Sindelo
said: “I was not happy with the penalty but the ref
has the final say. After the first half a lot of fixing
had to be done. When you are losing, the focus
shifts to attacking to equalise.
“It was tough; we had to push more players
forward because we were losing.”
On a positive note, Sindelo said he was happy
with the team’s performance for having made it
that far.
“To reach the finals of the province is an
achievement. We have to look at the positives
and leave the negatives aside. We represented
Chris Hani with honour.”
The team is now set for the upcoming SAB
League due to start before the end of October.
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