Siviwe Soyizwapi to "Shake(s)" things up in Australia

Siviwe “Shakes” Soyizwapi has been called up to the Southern Kings touring squad following the injury to Hadleigh Parkes. I shall not dwell on the injury situation, but rather a positive step that the Kings have taken

A bit of information on the promising 20 year old born and bred Eastern Cape youngster. Shakes Soyizwapi was educated at one of the region’s school rugby powerhouses, Dale College. He boast an impressive schoolboy record, he represented the Dale College 1st XV, affectionately known as “Amadoda”, for 2 years in 2010 and 2011. He was selected at fullback in a very impressive u18 Border Academy team in 2010, a number of eye-catching performances resulted in him being selected for the SA u18 High Performance squad, a squad from which no less than 5 players have gone on to play on the Super Rugby stage, Johan Goosen (Cheetahs), Etienne Oosthuizen (Brumbies), Paul Jordaan (Sharks), Ruan Botha (Lions) and Steven Kitshoff (Stormers).

Shakes matriculated at Dale in 2011 after yet another impressive season with the Dale 1st XV. He moved to PE to join the Kings Academy in 2012 and he continued his steady rise through the ranks, once again a standout in an impressive EP Kings u21 side in the Currie Cup B Division which was unlucky not to earn promotion to the A Division. He eventually earned his 1st senior cap for the Kings in the 2nd leg of the Currie Cup promotion relegation match starting on the left wing. He began 2013 as part of the Southern Kings’ Extended Super Rugby squad, he’s been on the fringes of the squad and has been playing for the Vodacom Cup side for the past few weeks.

I’ve been lucky enough to follow Soyizwapi’s progress for the last 4 odd years. He’s an impressive fullback, gifted with the ability to make something out of nothing, he’s fantastic on the counter attack and very dangerous when joining the line using a combination of good stepping, deceptive pace and a wonderful body swerve. He’s also strong on his feet and thrives when given space. He’s no slouch defensively either and perhaps the only real weakness of his game is his kicking, such is his ability with ball in hand that it seldom is necessary, but am sure it’s an aspect he’ll be working on rectifying.

I highlighted that this was primarily about a positive step the Kings have taken. Shakes covers two areas for which the Kings have under scrutiny for in recent times with regards to the Super Rugby squad. The Kings were always about bringing about transformation and also about promoting local talent on the big stage. Shakes a black youngster who as I have already mentioned is a born and bred EC player has come through the Kings Academy. I think this will go a long way in assuring the detractors that the Kings plan on achieving their objectives. It is worth noting that he hasn’t made his debut yet and should he play on the tour he’ll only be the 3rd player to represent the Kings who has come through the Academy. A small number, but it is a work in progress and many will come through in the future.

I’m sure all in the Kings fraternity join me in wishing Shakes Soziwapi the best of luck in Australia, hopefully he’ll get some time on the field before they head home depending on the coaches’ plans and fitness of some of the players. I hope to be able to catch up with him later on in the week after he’s settled in with rest of the squad for his thoughts with the call up.

Ludumo Nkabi (Ludz)