Mpho Mbiyozo Talks Kenya XV

It’s a chilly morning at the RFUEA as the Kenya XVs gather for their breakfast after a hard gym session. Despite their weariness the pack seems to be in high spirits fuelled by their enthusiasm at the chance to take Kenya to the Rugby World Cup.

Mpho Mbiyozo
Mpho Mbiyozo

The technical bench is as enthusiastic as the team and enjoys a hearty chat over breakfast. Two new faces stand out, that of Graham Bentz, current Strength and conditioning coach of the Kenya 7s.

A keen follower of rugby would recognize the face of Mpho Mbiyozo, former SA sevens Western Province and Southern Kings player, now skills and line-out coach with the Western Province.

Born on 7th February 1983 Mpho Mbiyozo boasts of a colourful rugby CV having started playing rugby at the tender age of 14 at Grey High School in Port Elizabeth. He represented Western Province in various youth competitions until being included in the 2005 Vodacom Cup squad.

He was part of the 2009 SA squad that lifted the IRB sevens circuit, later that year he became the first player to score a try for the newly created Southern Kings rugby franchise, dsuring the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa. Mpho also featured in the Kings squad that played in the 2013 Super rugby competition.

He worked with the Kenya 15s earlier in the year during the Vodacom Cup. He continues to work with the team in preparation for their world cup qualifiers.

“It isn’t about the money or fame…..no one ever remembers the player they are remember the man”

Why rugby?

Mpho: I played soccer before and somewhere along the line I wanted to play tennis. I asked my mum to get me a racket to play tennis but she wasn’t able to.

The next thing I asked her was for a pair of boots to play rugby as many of my peers at that time were playing. When I got my first pair of boots and played rugby for the first time, I knew that will be the sport I play going forward. I never looked back.

What influence did the people around you have on shaping what would be your career?

Mpho: I remember when my mum got me my first pair of boots, she cried then said it wasn’t her wish to see me play rugby but I should remember that she’ll always be there for me. I have a very supportive wife who just made my journey a smooth sailing.

What would you describe as the highlight of your playing career?

Mpho: The friendships I made. Rugby instilled in me the values that guide my day to day life. The words of my high school coach shaped who I am today – It isn’t about the money or fame. No one ever remembers the player they are remember the man.

On coaching…

Mpho: I enjoy coaching a lot. I am passionate about my work. It is one thing to play the game and another to be able to impact the same or even better knowledge to many more people. I look up to my High School coach Mike Hull and the Chiefs technical assistant Wayne Smith.

On Kenya Fifteens…..     

Mpho: Any coach would love working with Kenya Fifteens. They are one of the most hard working players I have worked with so far. I look forward to working with them on a long term basis. Kenya is definitely a hub of a lot of rugby talent, if what I have encountered so far is anything to go by.

The comments on Kenya Fifteens mark the end of the interview as the conversation drifts off to his observations of the team so far. Clearly Mpho is enjoying his time with the Kenya fifteens as he passionately talks about each player as if he had known them longer than the few months he has spent with them.

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