Akona: It’s still a dream
19 Jul 2006
Vodacom Blue Bulls wing Akona Ndungane gets another chance to prove himself for the Springboks after a disastrous debut Test against the Wallabies last weekend.
The Vodacom Tri-Nations Test will be remembered for all the wrong reasons and Ndungane will be hoping to put the match behind him as soon as possible. He has been retained on the right wing for the clash with New Zealand on Saturday.
For the dreadlocked winger though it is all still a dream, from the moment he heard the news of his call-up. “I was at Loftus waiting to see the doctor. I was extremely happy – it was the greatest news I’d heard, in a long time. My girlfriend was so excited that she was almost in tears,” Ndungane told keo.co.za from Wellington.
and although the Boks crashed to a 49-0 defeat – the second heaviest loss in their history, Ndungane, who originally hails from the Eastern Cape still had fond memories.
“Most special was standing there singing the national anthem, because I have always seen other guys doing it. To finally get the chance to sing it and represent my country was very special. The capping and receiving the blazer from the president of SA Rugby was just as special.”
Ndungane will have to mark Scott Hamilton on Saturday, also a relative newcomer to the Test arena, but vastly experienced nonetheless. “I am learning a lot about my game, where to improve and get things right to stay at this level.”
The dream though is not yet complete as Akona is hoping to one day run out in the green and gold with his twin brother Odwa by his side. “He is a good player. It is something we have been talking about since we started playing rugby. We have been working towards that.”
For now though the focus is on Saturday and somehow reversing the flagging fortunes of Jake White’s once tough Boks.
By Andrew Hollely
73 Comments
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19 Jul 2006, 11:19 am
please, no paulse…
19 Jul 2006, 11:32 am
did anyone notice the behaviour of JP Peterson in the final of u/21 ,he was a disgrace. He has lots of talent but needs to get his head sorted out.
19 Jul 2006, 11:33 am
Get a life?
The day you stop calling black players **** is the day I get a life.
Same applies to all you right wing yahoos.
19 Jul 2006, 11:35 am
And PS:
Simon doesn’t quote Keo’s articles you idiot.
They wait 24 hours then post it here.
Were you born that stupid? Eloise???
19 Jul 2006, 11:36 am
and that ugly?
19 Jul 2006, 11:37 am
Sharksboy dry your eyes and get back to school.
19 Jul 2006, 12:26 pm
His dream is our nightmare!!
19 Jul 2006, 12:46 pm
..still dreaming???
Ek wou se hy was van aan die slaap toe Tiquiri by hom verby is.
19 Jul 2006, 12:49 pm
dawn, even if he was purple he would still be ****
19 Jul 2006, 12:50 pm
The guy def has some talent and should be given a chance, as does his brother. I thought he was one of the few guys trying on Sat
53. Dawn- Agree
19 Jul 2006, 12:55 pm
Akona vs Odwa in S14
All stats on average per match
Akona Odwa
Metres 29 93
Tries 3 6
Linebreaks 0.49 1.64
Runs 3.7 9
Tackle breaks 0.10 0.58
Tackle efficiency 71.9% 75.7%
Although i am a bull – clearly the wrong brother was chosen
19 Jul 2006, 12:59 pm
Suparugby
And if you compare them to Russel?
19 Jul 2006, 13:01 pm
and although the Boks crashed to a 49-0 defeat – the second heaviest loss in their history, Ndungane, who originally hails from the Eastern Cape still had fond memories.
guess if you are going to break grammar rules and start sentences with “and”, you may aswell forego to the capital letter too.
can you try and keep some pretence up of being a respectable news site? or have you acknowledged that you are in fact a chat site now that simon “pulitzer” borchardt posts less?
cracker
19 Jul 2006, 13:03 pm
Brick
Russel
Metres 92
Tries 0
Linebreaks 1.39
Runs 8.6
Tackle breaks 0.20
Tackle efficiency 41.9% (thats the big problem)
19 Jul 2006, 13:13 pm
Midnight Oil
You’re ****.
19 Jul 2006, 13:32 pm
Akona is no world class wing but I would play him anyday over those wankers named Paulse and Snyman.
19 Jul 2006, 14:01 pm
suparugby
but I think if you delve into those numbers a bit more you will see that Russel has played less games, making it easy to have a bad tackling rate, and no tries and etc… The first coupl of games when youcome back for minjury, you are normally not on form? I am not defending the guy, just pointing out that stats are easy to misinterpret.
19 Jul 2006, 14:26 pm
sjambok
It might be true, but all these stats are on average per game. Im just giving the stats. If you play 2 games and only make 42% of the tackles it is still ****
19 Jul 2006, 15:50 pm
I dont believe he had a bad game at all, and you cant say our wings dont look for work! They are usually the first ones to the breakdown these days coz our fantastic forwards are too busy trying to be glory boys in the backline! The problem is that the ball either dies with the forwards or is kicked away. He will be a great asset.
19 Jul 2006, 17:21 pm
- 65 – yes i am and that is why i am not playing!!! dont get so defensive Yawn
19 Jul 2006, 18:45 pm
not a dream, its a nightmare…
19 Jul 2006, 18:48 pm
Both Ndungane’s should be there.
It is great that someone still sees it as an honour and a dream to represent his country.
Unlike the 24 chosen one’s with contract’s until next year.
20 Jul 2006, 10:01 am
At least someone is still serious about being a springbok
Saw someone comment on the fact that breyton was smiling after the game,i saw victor matfield also having a fat smile while congratulating the wallabies, at least akona still has pride in being a bok, did you see the players at the soccer world cup, when they lost a game they cried like babies,it hurt them to lose in there countries colours. shame on you bokke.i remember reading in corne kriges book when we lost 53-3 to england that guys were vomitting in the changeroom after the game.what happened to that pride
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