Words: Sipho Siso. Article from July 2015 issue of Bona Magazine.

Meet SA’s rising stars in sport, from the track to field

Rugby Player- Howard Mnisi (26)

Up-and-coming Lions rugby star, Howard ‘Howie’ Mnisi, born in Elukwatini in Mpumalanga, became a rugby player by accident while at Standerton High School. “I used to play basketball at school but my teacher insisted I try rugby as well. I did and got hooked,” says Howard.

Soon after matriculating in 2007, he joined the Sharks Academy in Durban and played in the Vodacom Rugby Cup in 2011. Howard studied public relations at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth from 2012 to 2013. While studying, he played in the Varsity Cup before moving to the Griquas where he played Currie Cup rugby and Super Rugby for the Cheetahs.

Howard, who moved to Lions in 2014, hopes to don the green and gold jersey for South Africa. “I hope to make a breakthrough into the ranks of the Springboks,” he says.

His idols are New Zealander, Tana Umaga from the All Blacks, and Western Province player, Gcobani Bobo. “I am happy to be part of the Lions; I hope to take my rugby career to new heights,” he says.

Soccer player – Sifiso Nkosi (20)

Sifiso Nkosi, North West University’s Vaal Campus Football Club player, is South Africa’s next star. Sifiso is part of 45 players that were scouted by former Bafana Bafana players, Neil Tovey and Phil Masinga for the Castle Lager Football Academy. Sifiso ultimately made the cut to be part of the final 23-man squad. He was also one of the academy’s five graduates selected to train with Bafana Bafana, and due to face Nigeria in a friendly match in Mbombela, Mpumalanga. Bafana coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba extended an invitation to the five players, describing them as the most promising national stars. “I would like to give them an opportunity to train with the senior national team,” Ephraim said.

Sifiso’s skills shone when he engineered his team’s unexpected victory against an experienced Alexandra United football team at a recent ABC Motsepe League match at the Balfour Park Stadium. The striker’s football career is riding the crest of a wave and continues to evolve as he was again called up to make the 18-man squad of the national U23 team that travelled to Palestine, en route to Khartoum, to take on Sudan in their first Olympic qualifier match in March.

“When we scouted him, I immediately realised that he was a superbly talented boy,” says an impressed Neil.

Athlete – Diana- Lebo Phalula (32)

Top middle-distance runner, Diana-Lebo Phalula is a legend in the making. The Soweto-born athlete is making waves in the Spar 10km Women’s Race series in the country.

She’s in phenomenal form after winning the first two legs of the series in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. She later bagged the Pretoria race, before being crowned overall points winner of the five-city series.

Lebo ran her fastest 10km in South Africa, clocking 32 minutes and 27 seconds in the Port Elizabeth leg, and also impressed and won in the other three, though not on record time. Now coached by the renowned Michael ‘Sponge’ Seme, Diana-Lebo said she was not under pressure because she had done her homework. “I’m ready to win in all the four races,” she predicted before indeed winning all of them.

“We have all the big guns coming, and they also want to do well to get more points to win. For me, the biggest challenge will come from my twin sister, Lebogang, who is in great form after returning from maternity leave,” she said. Lebogang is also another rising runner, and the twins form a formidable force in the Spar races.

The pairs’ athletic talents were spotted in school competitions, and were encouraged to chase their dreams. “My sister and I will not swap running for anything. We love the sport and it has become part of our lives,” said Lebogang.

In all the five races of the series, only South African runners qualify for the grand prix prize by accumulating points in all the races.

Cricketer – Kagiso Rabada (20)

One of the leading lights in cricket is future Proteas player, Kagiso ‘KG’ abada – a member of the Junior Proteas, affectionately known by his  fans as the ‘Baby Proteas’. Kagiso participated in the recent junior cricket world cup, the International Cricket Council U19 World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Based in Fourways, Johannesburg, Kagiso also bowled for the Junior Proteas in the U19 Cricket World Cup finals in February 2014. He returned with remarkable figures of 6/25, propelling his team to the finals against Pakistan, before demolishing the Pakistanis to bag the trophy at the Dubai Cricket Stadium. The Junior Proteas posted a competitive 230/9 after electing to bat first in the final. KG demolished all before him, including cricket power houses Australia, West Indies, Pakistan and Zimbabwe; all the competing teams in the group couldn’t contend with his skilful pace. In the tournament, Kagiso dismissed the top three batsmen for 12 runs, leaving the Aussies floundering on 33/3 after nine overs. An ecstatic Junior Proteas captain, Aiden Markram described Kagiso as the star of the tournament. “He’s a special bowler; he’s got a bright future ahead of him if he continues this way.”

The young cricket world champs were honoured by Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, who described them as the ‘cricket bunch of winners’, and KG, a former pupil at St Stithians Boys’ College, had a special mention for being a pivotal player in ensuring his team’s win. Aiden also predicted that Kagiso could be the next Makhaya Ntini. And for their win, the minister handed the Junior Proteas and technical staff a R200 000 cheque.

To show his determination in making something of his cricketing career, KG decided to take a gap year in 2014 so he could concentrate on the sport. Forever humble, all Kagiso could say in reply to all the praise he’s been showered with is, “I owe all my achievements and accolades in the World Cup to my teammates.