Eastern Cape-born Bulls veteran Akona Ndungane has hung up his boots.
The 34-year-old twin of Sharks winger, Odwa, has ended a 10- year career with the Bulls where he has featured in over 100 Super Rugby matches for the Pretoria side.
The winger joined the Bulls in 2005 from the Border Bulldogs, joining his brother who was also plying his trade at the Pretoria side at the time.
Ndungane represented the national Sevens team in 2004 and two years later made his debut for the Springboks, with whom he won the World Cup with Jake White’s side in France.
The former East London’s Hudson Park High School first XV player’s career was also marred by career-threatening injuries, but he managed to overcome them and remained one of the key members of the Bulls team, playing an instrumental role in the side’s Super Rugby success in 2007, 2009 and 2010.
Ndungane overcame two serious broken leg injuries and also was unlucky not to have participated in this year’s Super Rugby competition after initially a broken hand ruled him out of action.
The soft-spoken former Bulls vice-captain commanded respect wherever he went, and was a beacon of hope and hero to many aspiring black rugby players.
One player who holds Ndungane in high regard is Springbok hooker, former Dale College pupil, Bandise Maku.
“Akona has been massive for me and my career,” the Bulls hooker said.
“He took me under his wing when I was a junior because he cared as we both came from the Eastern Cape. He’s really looked after me. He’s inspired so many other black athletes out there. He’s certainly inspired me. I’d say for any black player, he has been the pinnacle.”
Ndungane will unfortunately not be able to bow out in front of the Pretoria crowd when the Bulls take on the Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld today.
A second string Stormers side will be out to add to the woes the Sharks have had to endure this season, while the Durban side will want to give some of their stars a worthy send-off.
The South African conference log leading Stormers will be visiting the Sharks at Kings Park in Durban at 7.10pm tonight in the hope of finishing their round-robin stages on a high.
The Cape side has already secured a spot in the Super Rugby playoffs, while the Sharks failed dismally in their campaign this season — they won six of their 15 matches and now occupy 11th place on the overall log.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee will field a new-look side for the clash after making a mammoth 14 changes to the team, as Nizaam Carr remains the only player from last weekend’s team that played to a draw against the Lions at Newlands Stadium.
The No8 will also lead the team as captain, while the majority of first-choice stars get some rest ahead of the play-offs.
The clash at the Shark Tank will also serve as the last hurrah for brothers Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis as well as loose- forward Willem Alberts, who will be playing their last Super Rugby match for the Durban side. The trio will move on to join overseas teams after the World Cup.
In a game that will mean very little at Loftus Versfeld, the Bulls will be hosting the Cheetahs as both sides bring the curtain down on their failed season. Only pride will be at stake between the two rival sides.
“I think the players have done well and we are aware of the situation we find ourselves in,” Bulls captain Pierre Spies reflected on the season.
“I think we have remained focused on what we want to achieve. I think the focus has stayed on the field.”
Early games today will start with the Brumbies hosting the Crusaders at GIO Stadium at 7.30am. The log-leading Hurricans, who have lost only two matches this season, will be away to the Chiefs at the Yarrow Stadium at 9.35am. The Waratahs will take on the Reds at home at the Allianz Stadium at 11.40am.
End of the road for Akona
The 34-year-old twin of Sharks winger, Odwa, has ended a 10- year career with the Bulls where he has featured in over 100 Super Rugby matches for the Pretoria side.
The winger joined the Bulls in 2005 from the Border Bulldogs, joining his brother who was also plying his trade at the Pretoria side at the time.
Ndungane represented the national Sevens team in 2004 and two years later made his debut for the Springboks, with whom he won the World Cup with Jake White’s side in France.
The former East London’s Hudson Park High School first XV player’s career was also marred by career-threatening injuries, but he managed to overcome them and remained one of the key members of the Bulls team, playing an instrumental role in the side’s Super Rugby success in 2007, 2009 and 2010.
Ndungane overcame two serious broken leg injuries and also was unlucky not to have participated in this year’s Super Rugby competition after initially a broken hand ruled him out of action.
The soft-spoken former Bulls vice-captain commanded respect wherever he went, and was a beacon of hope and hero to many aspiring black rugby players.
One player who holds Ndungane in high regard is Springbok hooker, former Dale College pupil, Bandise Maku.
“Akona has been massive for me and my career,” the Bulls hooker said.
“He took me under his wing when I was a junior because he cared as we both came from the Eastern Cape. He’s really looked after me. He’s inspired so many other black athletes out there. He’s certainly inspired me. I’d say for any black player, he has been the pinnacle.”
Ndungane will unfortunately not be able to bow out in front of the Pretoria crowd when the Bulls take on the Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld today.
A second string Stormers side will be out to add to the woes the Sharks have had to endure this season, while the Durban side will want to give some of their stars a worthy send-off.
The South African conference log leading Stormers will be visiting the Sharks at Kings Park in Durban at 7.10pm tonight in the hope of finishing their round-robin stages on a high.
The Cape side has already secured a spot in the Super Rugby playoffs, while the Sharks failed dismally in their campaign this season — they won six of their 15 matches and now occupy 11th place on the overall log.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee will field a new-look side for the clash after making a mammoth 14 changes to the team, as Nizaam Carr remains the only player from last weekend’s team that played to a draw against the Lions at Newlands Stadium.
The No8 will also lead the team as captain, while the majority of first-choice stars get some rest ahead of the play-offs.
The clash at the Shark Tank will also serve as the last hurrah for brothers Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis as well as loose- forward Willem Alberts, who will be playing their last Super Rugby match for the Durban side. The trio will move on to join overseas teams after the World Cup.
In a game that will mean very little at Loftus Versfeld, the Bulls will be hosting the Cheetahs as both sides bring the curtain down on their failed season. Only pride will be at stake between the two rival sides.
“I think the players have done well and we are aware of the situation we find ourselves in,” Bulls captain Pierre Spies reflected on the season.
“I think we have remained focused on what we want to achieve. I think the focus has stayed on the field.”
Early games today will start with the Brumbies hosting the Crusaders at GIO Stadium at 7.30am. The log-leading Hurricans, who have lost only two matches this season, will be away to the Chiefs at the Yarrow Stadium at 9.35am. The Waratahs will take on the Reds at home at the Allianz Stadium at 11.40am.
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