The Sunday Mail
TONDERAI CHAVHANGA returned home mid last week to a lukewarm, almost invisible, reception.
Missing were the welcome party and whistles one would expect to greet the long-awaited return of one the country’s greatest rugby exports.
As the former Springbok returned home there were also no representatives from the Zimbabwe Rugby Union.
However, a minute into what turned to be a very long and eye-opening chat with the Zimbabwe-born former Springbok winger; it was clear that Tonde, as he is known within rugby circles, wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
“I am not that kind of a guy,” said the 34-year old.
“Of course, every now and then I do get people who recognise me, particularly in Cape Town where I spent most of my time, but I just don’t make a fuss of the whole celebrity lifestyle. It’s not how I was raised.”
All it took to make this homecoming special was a chance encounter with a hero of his – Sean De Souza, the Prince Edward alum and current rugby coach.
“De Souza is a legend at Prince Edward,” said Chavhanga, sounding like a teenage fan.
“He was hero of mine, when I went there, and I remember he had a couple of songs composed in his honour.
“We used to sing those songs whenever he got the ball on the pitch or when he was on the athletics track.”
Chavhanga was the headline act in yesterday’s Legend’s Cup clash between the Zambezi Steelers and the Vodacom Blue Bulls.
It was probably one of his last acts on the pitch before he rides off into the sunset at peace with both his career and life choices.
“Would I have loved to have played more games for the Springboks or a longer career? Of course, yes,” said Chavhanga who made his Boks debut in 2005.
“Unfortunately, life and countless injuries had other plans. I still consider myself blessed because I managed to achieve my lifelong goal and that was to play professional rugby.
“How many people, South Africans for that matter, can actually say that they managed to do that? I have no regrets about the life choices I made during my career, from choosing to play for South Africa over Zimbabwe to how that choice panned out.”
Chavhanga is not interested in being a coach.
“When Kisset (Chirengende) called me up to ask if I would want to play for the Zambezi Steelers I was a bit sceptical but I accepted the offer to come play here for two reasons.
“First, I love Zimbabwe and I’m willing to help grow the sport here, in any way I can. Just not coaching.
“With the arrival of Peter de Villiers, whom I know personally and have played under, the country is in safe hands.”
