“Discipline + Sacrifice + Goals + Productive Habits = Success” – this is the formula shared by an aspiring rugby player who is on his way to success. Impressively, his formula is applicable to several areas of life where anyone would want to succeed, not only sport. After years of discipline, sacrifice, goal setting and productive habits, the student in question has celebrated one of his many milestones in life, qualifying to represent his institution in the Varsity Cup, which broadens his horizons in the industry. He has also shared that one of the important assets to success is a strong support system.

Alizwa Mngqeta, 22, is a Civil Engineering student who hails from Butterworth, Eastern Cape. He is a determined young athlete who prioritizes his mental health, academics, rugby, physical wellbeing, family and social life. Mngqeta has an amazing support structure that comprises his mother, his closest friend Gabriel and the Ikey Tigers Director of Rugby, Johny Bierman-Pam. 

He smiled from ear to ear when he answered, “My interest in rugby was sparked by my late cousin who wanted me to play from age 12, but I only joined the sport seriously aged 18 in 2019 even though I managed to play for my province in 2017 (Border CD)”. When asked about his future aspirations, the budding rugby player cheerfully expressed that he wishes to make it into the professional scene of rugby, he added that he wishes to land a contract with the rugby union team to grow in the sport and hopefully be a part of the Boks in the future. No one can dispute that Mngqeta is currently on the right track.

On the 14th of February 2022, Mngqeta was part of the team that represented UCT in the 2022 Varsity Cup, with his stellar performance airing nationwide on SuperSport. Alizwa shared that after qualifying to play at Varsity Cup, the first person he broke the news to was his mother. Beaming with excitement in his eyes, he added that the experience was out of this world, touring different universities and playing against the best student rugby players was a dream come true. The inspirational gentleman also seems to have swayed his mother’s feelings about the sport as she initially hated it because of the injuries but became very supportive when Alizwa needed her most. Sharing words of wisdom and inspiration for upcoming rugby players, Alizwa noted, “The biggest thing is that you have to love the sport and be disciplined, be ready to make sacrifices to grow in the sport, spend more time in the gym, eat right and limit alcohol intake”. 

Mngqeta, who has been dubbed as the Eagle of The Semester at his student residence, advises anyone who is interested in rugby to hone their love for the sport and master being disciplined. “The Dietician” is the nickname Alizwa got from his friends, following his love for tasty and meticulously prepared food. He added that there is a lot to benefit from the rugby club which includes gym membership, physiotherapy and accommodation. Alizwa emphasized that it is never too late to start, one of his favourite athletes is Lizo Gqoboza who started his career late, in university, and is now playing for the Bulls, after having trained with the Springboks in the past. Alizwa speaks about rugby with a lot of enthusiasm, proving that you do not work hard when you do what you love, you work passionately, with will and eagerness to succeed.