Former Junior Springbok loose forward Sibusiso ‘Sbu’ Sangweni’s rugby career has received a second lease of life after signing a permanent contract with the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers.
This, after being seen as surplus to requirements at his former team, the Emirates Lions, following his representation of the Johannesburg outfit in 29 United Rugby Championship and 23 Currie Cup Premier Division games.
And for Durban’s Inanda township-born flanker, it was somewhat of a bitter pill to swallow as Sangweni saw himself growing into a regular for the Lions for years to come.
“It was a very tough situation that I was in,” Sangweni says.
“When I made my debut at the Lions, you kind of want to play for that team forever. Unfortunately, sports do not work like that, you know. It is very competitive; you get cut, opinions change, coaches change, and the backing also changes.
“At the Lions, I was no longer getting backed and just parted ways after they decided not to renew my contract.
“It was very devastating, and I think it was mentally challenging to be very honest. You go from making your debut at a young age (20) to suddenly not being backed. You start questioning yourself as a player, you know.
“You start to wonder what it is you are doing wrong and all of those things.”
Sangweni then received a lifeline after being invited to join Western Province for the 2024 Currie Cup Premier Division campaign, making four appearances for the Cape Town-based side before finding himself on the outskirts of professional rugby for the second time early in his career.
And what made this second snub even more difficult was the fact that Sangweni found himself away from familiar home comforts after spending close to five years in Johannesburg at the Lions, where home comforts were just an hour’s flight away from KZN.
His big move down south was, however, not in vain as the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers head coach, Hawies Fourie, came knocking and asked if the former Junior Bok wanted to be part of Boland’s big project of qualifying for this year’s Currie Cup Premier Division.
It was, however, not the case for the 24-year-old Sangweni, who joined the Cavas knowing that it would be for match fees only.
“For me, it was a step up in the sense of my game. Since joining [Sanlam] Boland [Cavaliers], my game has grown, and coach Hawies has given me the platform to express myself once again and find my feet.”
“What has kept me going is my support structure. I have a very good relationship with my two brothers, and they just kept me grounded.
After making his debut off the bench for the Cavas in a SA Cup clash, Sangweni quickly found himself a regular in Fourie’s plans after making his run-on debut in Wellington in the 71-21 hammering of the Phangela SWD Eagles.
“The change of environment has been really good to me,” he continues. “You must remember, coming from Inanda in KZN, it was the first time ever [that] I had been to Wellington.
“It is a whole culture change, change of scenery, change of people, you know, you actually realise how healthy that can be for you, just to get a change of environment. I have the ability to start fresh again, which is very difficult for players once you have been up there (URC) and taking four steps back and starting again.
Since joining the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers, Sangweni has been very expressive as a player under Fourie: “I feel appreciated as a player, especially working under coach Hawies, it has been amazing for me.
“He is a very good coach, a good human being, you know, and he always wants you just to go out on the field and express yourself. He gives you that freedom, but it comes with responsibility also.
“He allows us to express ourselves, and I think for me it has been honestly amazing, and I just want to keep on pushing and see how far I can take it.”
But it is not just on the training pitch where Sangweni says he has found a new lease of life after making Wellington his new home and becoming part of a close-knit community. Something that reminds him a lot of his rural upbringing in Inanda.
“One thing I enjoy is the mountains and surroundings, you know, the hiking trails, we have beautiful hiking trails here,” Sangweni says.
“It is a very small but loving community, and everyone is just like very passionate [about rugby] and everyone knows everyone here in Wellington, you know. Very different compared to Joburg, which is big and Cape Town. It has been really nice for me, and it’s been a very warm and welcoming environment, especially from the players.
“I got the honour to play a SA Cup game with Cornal Hendricks before he passed away, and players like Garth April, Xavier Mitchell, Sidney Tobias, Ash [Ashlon Davids], and James Tedder just made it very, very welcoming.
“They have made my settling in here very easy.”
Despite his time at the Lions coming to a sad end last year, Sangweni will always cherish the special memories he made at his former union, with one standout highlight being the opportunity to play against the British & Irish Lions in 2021.
Sangweni remembers that game fondly and makes sure to exchange jerseys with one of his childhood rugby heroes.
“I was but 20 years old when I got that special honour to play against them. Players like Courtney Lawes, Stuart Hogg, and Owen Farrell, it was during the Covid-19 lockdown times and something I did not expect.
“The wisdom and knowledge you get from playing in those games and facing those guys, it was amazing for me and something that sits in my heart. Not everyone in their career gets to play against the Lions, and I am very fortunate to have gotten that opportunity.”
“I got the honour to swap jerseys with Courtney Lawes, Sangweni says. It was very special because to get something like that from a seasoned player and a person who has kind of done everything in rugby. He is one of the players who made me fall in love with the game of rugby.”