Nama Xaba WP Player of the Year

We’re incredibly proud to share with you that Ikey legend, Nama Xaba has been named the Player of the Year for the Western Province’s Currie Cup campaign at the annual WPRFU awards.

Nama Xaba memorably captained the Ikeys in their 2019 Varsity Cup campaign. We interviewed him here ahead of the squad’s 2019 tour to Japan, where they successfully defended the World University Rugby Cup in the final against old foes Oxford University.

We continue to follow Nama’s career closely, and that he is excelling comes as no surprise. Following Nama receiving the award, Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani shared his admiration for the Ikey old boy from KZN.

“I started coaching him U19 at the WP Rugby Institute and quickly saw that he’s one of those smart guys. He was head boy at Glenwood High, played Sharks Craven Week, and then came to Cape Town where he went to UCT to study to be a land surveyor and play for Ikeys.

“He’s a very good kid, and as much as he focuses on his rugby, he also focuses on his education, and he’s almost done with his degree.

“He’s clearly a good leader, and coaches have recognised those traits along the way.

“His brain is his strength, and he matches that with a very high work rate. Nama makes very good decisions on the field – he’s a good student who learns quickly and always wants to improve because he’s hungry.

“And he’s also one of the guys that usually makes the most tackles, carries and poaches. The key to his poaching is that he does it well but also at crucial times.”

Get the full story here: https://thestormers.com/xaba-keeping-it-sharp-for-dhl-stormers/