SOUTH AFRICA-BASED Zimbabwean rugby starlet Tadiwanashe Murewa is relishing the opportunity to take his rugby career to the next level after committing to the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada.
The 21-year-old rising star, who usually plays as an inside centre, was mainly utilised at flyhalf in his final year with the University of Pretoria’s Under-20 side (Tuks's Young Guns), as he played a key role during the team’s run to FNB Varsity Young Guns U-20 competition title.
Murewa is now poised to take his talents to Canada, where in addition to playing for the University of Guelph’s men’s rugby team he will also have an opportunity to continue his tertiary studies.
The former Zimbabwe youth international revealed that he attracted interest from the Guelph Gryphons men's rugby team after impressing their scouts in 2018 during a tour to America with Zambezi Steelers, a local invitational rugby team.
“I am honestly so happy that I have committed with them and in addition to playing rugby I’ll be studying for a degree in economics with a major in food and agriculture,” Murewa said in an interview with The Sports Hub.
“It’s always been a move that I’ve wanted ever since 2018 when I went on tour to America with Zambezi Steelers. We played a team called Toronto Reds and I spoke to the guys who were from Canada. They were such friendly guys, they told me how lovely their country was. I was particularly pretty close to one of the guys and he told me about Guelph. I’ve had extensive conversations with the coaches and players. It honestly feels so good to be joining a university that has a great rugby heritage,” he added.
The move to Canada is a big step in Murewa’s fledgling rugby journey which blossomed during his time at St George’s College in the capital, Harare and earned him a call-up to the Zimbabwe Under-13 side for the annual Craven Week.
Murewa’s sterling performances during the Craven Week in South Africa secured him a bursary at the Johannesburg-based St Stithians Boys' College, which has over the last few years acted as a springboard for several talented Zimbabwean rugby players.
During the 2019 season at St Stithians, he had a stellar campaign, leading in line breaks for the school.
After establishing himself as a key player in the St Stithians College’s first team it didn’t come as a surprise when he progressed to the University of Pretoria after completing his high school studies.
While with Tuks's Young Guns, Murewa had the opportunity to play under the mentorship of iconic Zimbabwe rugby legend Kennedy Tsimba, who was the head coach of the side.
Tsimba, who was inducted Into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2012, still holds the record of being the quickest to score 1000 points in all competitions (Currie Cup, Vodacom Cup and Super Rugby).
Murewa believes the exposure he has gained from playing at various age group levels in South Africa has made him a better rugby player.
“My rugby ability has elevated during my time in South Africa. Physically, mentally, and skilfully it’s gotten better year in and year out. Balancing my rugby and studies has however not been easy but starting the day off early has always made it easier for me. Academically I’ve been around amazing professors and teachers. With rugby, I’ve also been around top coaches who have pushed me to where I am today,” he said.
He also has very fond memories of representing the country at a very young age and would welcome the opportunity to don the Sables jersey in the future, if the opportunity comes.
“I have represented the Junior Sables at younger age groups and it was an absolutely amazing experience,” he said.
“This is where I was exposed to the main stage of rugby, and I am forever grateful for this. Zimbabwe really has talented rugby players around the world and most of them have also come through this Junior Sables way. Definitely, I would love to represent my country one day, I have been playing my rugby out of Zimbabwe for a long time. If the opportunity does come one day I would definitely come and represent my country with pride.”
As he prepares to embark on his big move to Canada, Murewa says he is grateful for the support he has received along the way from his coaches and most importantly his family.
“The support has been immense from both my parents, they have both flown in and out of South Africa to watch my games. When I was still at St George’s if I recall properly, they never missed a game except against Falcon away. They have really been my rock when it’s gotten hard both academically and sports-wise. An honourable mention for other people would be Grant Ball, my first team coach in 2019. He was the first coach who really believed in me and really expanded my game, my all-time favourite coach!”
Young Tadiwa is the son of well-respected Zimbabwean golf rules official Alec Murewa.