‘Richard inspired me’

Inducted into the International Rugby Board Hall of Fame two years ago, Kennedy Tsimba (KT), is one of Zimbabwe’s finest sportspersons. Styn Kombayi (SK) spoke to the former Sables captain on how his late brother Richard inspired him, his time in South Africa and the foiled attempt to turn out for Springboks.

SK: Take us through the early stages of your rugby career.
KT: I started playing rugby at the age of seven and continued playing at Prince Edward High School. Just as my brothers Richard and Martin did, I played centre, but I was too clever for that position (laughs) so I moved to Fly Half.  After school in 1994, I went to England on a travel holiday and returned home in 1996. It was then that I began to take my rugby seriously. My first contract was in 1998 with Bath Rugby Club which won the European Cup that year. I learnt a lot about rugby during my two-year stint in England. In the same year, I was selected captain of the national team for the 1999 World Cup African qualifiers. The same year I got my second contract, but with Free State Cheetahs, this was a seven year contract which expired in 2006. I moved to Blue Bulls on a two-year contract.  Then I returned to Free State Cheetahs/Griffons for two years and ended in 2010. I officially retired from professional rugby in 2011. Now I travel around the world playing for the Springbok Legends.

SK: What part, if any, did your brothers play in your rugby career?
KT: Initially my interests were in other things such as art. Rugby came into the picture because of Richard. He inspired me to focus on the game when he noticed that I had potential. He supported me in all ways possible so that I could convert that potential into reality.

SK: Being Richard’s brother, did this bring pressure on you?
KT: I only faced the pressure during the school phase of my career. At that time it was believed that Richard had set the standard, and the question was, can Kennedy match or do better than Richard? The discussion of who is better Richard or Kennedy, continues to this day (laughs).

SK: How did you end up in South Africa?
KT: It’s a long unbelievable story, but to sum it up “belief, vision, rugby boots and a leap of faith” says it all.

SK: Would you say you are better known for your rugby in South Africa than in Zimbabwe?
KT: Yes, as I had to overcome my brother’s legacy in Zimbabwe, in South Africa I am pictured as a pioneer of the unknown in rugby terms.

SK: How would you describe your time at the Cheetahs’ rugby Franchise?
KT: The Free State Cheetahs can best be described as being my rugby home. Not only was I successful, but it was a success that I enjoy immensely. Everything I tried on field worked.

SK: You attempted to turn out for the Springboks, what happened?
KT: When I moved to South Africa, the rugby laws stated that if a player moved to another country and played rugby for three consecutive years in that country he could be eligible to represent his new country of residency at international level. Hence Adrian Garvey was able to play for the Springboks even though he had played for Zimbabwe. So in the middle of my three-year qualification period in South Africa the International Rugby Board (IRB) changed the law. Today, a player can only play for one country in his lifetime. South African Rugby made a special application for me which was turned down by the IRB. The younger players after me have learnt not to play for the national team if their ambition is to play for the Springboks.

SK: After Tendai Mutawariria, Brian Mujati and Tendai Chivanga,  do you see anymore black Zimbabweans playing for the Springboks?
KT: Yes, as long as nothing progressive is setup in Zimbabwe the chances are high.

SK: What is your assessment of rugby in Zimbabwe?
KT: With the little resources available, Zimbabwe Rugby Union is trying, the sooner the gap between school and club rugby is addressed the better.

SK: Do you see Zimbabwean rugby returning to the heights it was in the days your brother played?
KT: Yes, if we can retain players from a successful U19 group and enhance them with all the professional information gained from successful Zimbabwean players around the world, we will return to the heights of yesteryear.

SK: Are you in anyway involved in the development of rugby in Zimbabwe?
KT: Not at the moment.

SK: What have you been up to since you left Cheetahs?
KT: I have been paying my dues and earning my stripes as a Coach for Impala Rugby Club. I am also running one of the most unique Rugby Academies in the world which is funded by Implats.

SK: Do you do any scouting for franchise teams?
KT: Yes, I do for the Cheetahs and the Crusaders of New Zealand

SK: Are you a family man?
KT: Yes, I have two daughters so no pressure in rugby terms (laughs).

SK: Who do you think will win the next Rugby World Cup?
KT: New Zealand, but dark horse is England.

newsdesk@fingaz.co.zw