Wandile Mjekevu as soon as appeared destined for a prolific senior rugby profession, having earned numerous call-ups to junior South African sides as a teen.
He was chosen in a South African Under-18 Elite Squad in addition to the ultimate South African Schools squad in 2008. The following yr he was included in a South African Under-18 High Performance Squad, whereas he was a outstanding member of the South Africa Under-20 crew that performed within the 2010 and 2011 IRB Junior World Championships.
With a strong bodily body, Mjekevu boasted all of the uncooked attributes that many felt would result in larger honours with the Springboks.
After taking over a senior contract with the Lions, he scored a surprising hat-trick in simply his second Super 14 sport for the franchise, however not lengthy after Mjekevu returned to his hometown of Durban to hitch the Sharks.
However, from there, his profession started to stall.
With Mjekevu battling to interrupt into the first-choice Sharks squad, he performed some membership rugby for the Durban-based College Rovers earlier than signing a deal to hitch French Top 14 facet Perpignan in 2013.
Mjekevu spent two seasons with Perpignan, and eventually achieved some consistency in game-time, whereas racking up 16 tries in 36 matches.
In 2015, Mjekevu returned to South Africa for a second stint with the Sharks. However, after once more failing to safe an everyday spot, he was loaned to the Southern Kings for the rest of the season.
He then bounced between France and South Africa, enjoying for Toulouse and Perpignan earlier than stints with Sporting Club Albigeois and Stade Olympique Chambérien Rugby within the Nationale, the third tier of the French league system.
Since 2022, although, he has been with Sporting Club Albigeois, having firmly settled as a French citizen.
Wandile Mjekevu: Lost within the rugby wilderness
Mjekevu’s profession has additionally been beset by accidents at completely different time, however there is little doubt that his profession – no less than partially – is one in all unfulfilled potential.
“I’ve lived away from home from a young age so I’ve always been quite independent,” he informed SA Rugby magazine in an interview not lengthy after settling down in France. “Of course, leaving a rustic behind, versus a metropolis, was robust, and there have been rising pains, however I’m simply loving residing in France. It’s a good looking nation.
“It was such a learning experience overseas, and I feel like I’ve gained so much and changed for the better.”
