Approximately 2 months ago Vuyolwetu Zangqa popularly known as Vuyo or Vic as referred to by the beautiful Mrs. Siyanda Zangqa; was featured in the IRB Series of ‘Sevens Uncovered’ as the brains behind Kenya Sevens improved tactical approach during their 2013/14 HSBC World Series.
‘Since the introduction of Paul Treu and Vuyo Zangqa, Kenya has become the most disciplined team in the HSBC World Series. They have tightened up how they address contact area and breakdowns. They have removed tactical errors’ – Phil Dune from IRB game analysis.
An ex South Africa 7s player under the coaching of Paul Treu, Vuyo’s transition to coaching from playing was circumstantial. In 2009, just 2 years after making his debut for the South Africa Sevens team, he got into a road accident that left him with an injury to his left eye.
Some say he started seeing the world in a different light or maybe when his life flashed before his eyes, he knew he had to make some changes. OSBKE sat with Vuyo to get to know what exactly happened.
I took up coaching because at the moment it was my best option… I was trying to avoid hitting another car when the accident happened. I must admit that to a certain extent my perspective of the world changed a lot.
I made most of my life changing decisions after being discharged. Taking up coaching was 1 of them. I also tied the knot with the woman after my heart and mother to my son soon after. I believed that coaching was the way to go, after my doctor cautioned me on the possibility of completely losing my eyesight in the event of another injury to my eye.
I was fortunate to have the support of my team mates and especially coach Paul who was quick to offer me my position back to the team when I recovered. I respect Paul Treu a lot and I think he is one of the best coaches in the world. I had no second guesses in my mind when I opted to work as a coach and it was an honour to work under a great man like Paul.
I played soccer…. I was born in Umtata on 26th of June 1981 to a big family of 8. I have 4 brothers and 1 sister. My dad and brothers played soccer and being the middle child, I followed suit. I played midfield and sometimes doubled up as a striker. I’m a Manchester United fan and support Brazil in the World Cup.
I got introduced to rugby in 1995 during the Rugby World Cup hosted in South Africa that swept a wave across the nation. It was the first Rugby World Cup that had all games played in one country, South Africa was united in supporting their team who later won the trophy.
I was fascinated by the tournament and I knew from then that I would want to wear the green and gold and represent my country. One of my big brothers was already playing some rugby and he reeled me in.
My greatest rugby playing moment was.. when I ran out of the tunnel in 2007 as a South Africa Sevens player in Hong Kong 7s leg of the HSBC World Series. I had always dreamt of playing in Hong Kong since the beginning of my rugby playing career.
Then there was that time when we won the HSBC World Series in the 2008/9 season. It’s tough to mention all those great moments I had but those two stand out for me.
My young coaching career highlights were… being a part of the South Africa Sevens technical bench that won the London and Scotland double in 2011/12 HSBC World Series Season and most recently in 2013 when I took a young SA Sevens team to the World games as head coach and won it.
I aspire to be a Head Coach before I turn 40. I take a big-brother approach to coaching where apart from coaching I offer the players someone to look upto when they need advice or just a shoulder to lean on.
My family is my support system… from the time I chose to play rugby, through my transition to coaching and on my decision to work with Kenya Sevens. I made a lot of friends from my team mates and we still keep in touch to date. My wife is my number 1 fan and in everything I do, I put her and my son to mind – I do everything for them.
On moving to Kenya... I love working with the Kenya Sevens and enjoy the hospitality of the Kenyans most. The working environment is very conducive for me and I sure look forward to working here for longer.
Parting shot... I believe good things happen to good people.
Apart from coaching Vuyo enjoys watching other sports and enjoys cooking with family or having a barbecue with friends.
He has since influenced the dress code of the Kenya Sevens boys off the pitch introducing a colourful trend that is difficult not to notice whenever the team hangs out.
