RENALDO ‘Naledi’ Young is proof that hard work when everything else does not seem to go your way, pays off.
The nickname “Naledi” was given to him by his friends while he was dancing on Paarl’s famous Stoepe.
One of the newest contracted members of the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers squad has faced numerous uphill battles since he began dreaming of becoming a professional rugby player.
In 2023, the Paarl-born former New Orleans High School learner got his first taste of euphoria when a gesture from Springbok Sevens coach Philip Snyman made him think he was just a phone call away from the big time.
“It was the weekend of the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final, where I played in the Forward Faster Sevens tournament, Young recalls. “The Blitzboks also participated in the tournament, and I had the opportunity to play and test my skills against them.
“After my team’s semi-final game against them, I remember coach Philip giving me the thumbs up and later on asking for my contact details.”
The call to come and train unfortunately never came for Young, who, like during the Covid-19 pandemic, had once again been left pondering the ‘what-if’ question about when his big break would come.
During his high school years at New Orleans High School, there was no call-up to a Boland Schools or Boland Academy Schools side.
After school, Naledi had to go and work, starting with a 12-month leadership at an engineering company before getting a job in the control room of the Drakenstein Municipality’s law enforcement department.
During this time, he played for his boyhood club, Albions, in Western Province club rugby.
The winger then decided to make the move to the Boland Rugby Union after signing on to play for Hillcrest United in 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, bringing club rugby to a standstill.
Working at his third new job, as a lifeguard at a local municipal pool, he was again forced to park the dream of becoming a professional rugby player.
“The one advantage of working as a lifeguard at that stage, though, was that I spent a lot of time in the swimming pool, keeping up my fitness until rugby reopened.
“And when I heard WP clubs started playing again, I joined my home town team, Albions, before making the movie back to Hillies, where I played for a full two seasons.”
Boland Grootuitdaag, big dogs, Roses United, then came knocking on his door. Although Naledi’s new club did not have the greatest 2024 rugby season – missing out on qualifying for the Sanlam Boland Top 12 – the winger was pleasantly surprised when the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers coach invited him to a training session.
“Especially when Coach Hawies told me after one of the trainings with Boland that he is going to select me in his Boland invitational team to play a game against the Sanlam Boland Top 12 dream team.
“I recall that I was the only member of the invitational team not coming from a club that had made the Top 12.
“I felt honoured, because I was going to be playing in the colours of Boland for the first time, even though it was not for the real Boland side.”
Still employed at WeBuyCars as a driver at that stage, Young says he had to make a big choice. Go all in on the professional rugby dream, or dip your foot in both ponds as a working-class semi-professional player.
“I decided it was time to go all in.” In January, he signed with F7 Sports Management, which is run by Wellington-born agent Shafiek Mouton.
Young likens his relationship with Mouton to the one Jerry Maguire had with his players in the Hollywood blockbuster movie. He continues to discuss the impact of Mouton’s help in achieving his dream of becoming a professional player over the past six months.
“Shafiek has truly played a major role since I joined F7. If it weren’t for him, it would never have been possible to reach the point where I am now, a fully-fledged professional player.
“He is the type of guy who will always send me a message asking how I am doing and how my preparations are going. We have a very good understanding. He always tries to motivate me and advises me on the dos and don’ts as a pro athlete.”
Naledi made his official debut for the Cavas on 12 April, coming on as a replacement in the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers’ 52-3 SA Cup win against the Border Bulldogs in East London. His first full run-on debut came a week later at the Boland Rugby Stadium in Wellington in an 80-0 drubbing of the Leopards.
However, the speedster is yet to score his first official try in black and gold colours and believes that he will realise that dream should he get his chance in the Carling Currie Cup Premier Division.
“Firstly, I never thought that my debut for Boland would come so quickly, because there is a lot of competition on the wings. However, competition for a place in the team is what brings out the best in me, knowing that many players are challenging for a regular spot.
“I am excited to get the opportunity to play in the Currie Cup and put my best foot forward – I know the players on that level are going to be bigger and faster, but I can adapt.
“Now that I am here and can call myself a professional rugby player for Boland, this is where I feel I belong, and this is something that I don’t want to give up.”
But what if Blitzbok coach Philip Snyman does finally give Young that long-awaited call back?
“Well, I am not going to lie, since 2019, it has been one of my dreams to play for my country in sevens. And I would dearly love to get a shot to test myself against the best, but for now my dream is to help Boland retain its place as a giant of South African rugby,” Young says.