Rugby pioneer placed among legends

• Published date: 09 December 2020
• Date: 09 December 2020
• Publication title: Athlone News

And, Mbiko is a worthy recipient. An excellent sportsman and administrator in his day, he didn't have a chance to represent a united Springbok team but certainly left his mark at club, provincial, national and international level.

He captained the Leopards, which was the blacks-only South African rugby team, during those days. When Athlone News visited his home, the illustrious player displayed wit and humour as sharp as his ball-handling skills used to be, even faking a dummy pass when having his picture taken.

When asked if it was okay for him to travel to go and collect his award, his answer cut directly to the point. "I don't see why not," he said.

The accolades that adorn the walls in his home bear testimony to the respect and admiration he commands from people who knew him as a teammate and opponent.

He says he started playing in 1962, while at Langa High School and earned a spot on the SA black school team following a national tournament in Port Elizabeth.

A year later, in 1964, he made his debut for the senior Western Province Board and helped the side to victory in 1965.

He wrote his name in SA rugby history when he became a black Springbok in 1966 and would eventually captain the side in 1968. He was also part of the squad that would eventually become the first SA black team to face a foreign touring side, when they faced England in 1972. He also played against Italy in 1973 and France in 1975 and against the all-conquering British Lions during their 1974 tour. The Lions, which pretty much destroyed everyone they met on the field that year, beat them 56-1. Although the team lost, Mbiko made sure he did not come away empty-handed as he slotted home two penalties.

In an interview with SABC Sport, earlier this year, SA Rugby senior manager, Khaya Mayedwa, paid tribute to Mbiko and his peers, who paved the way for future generations. "We are heavily indebted to players like Norman. The magnitude of the work they have done in their time, cannot be quantified. We stand upon the shoulders of these heroes, for what they have done. And Norman, considering his past at SA Rugby, from captain to coach, is just enormous and an inspiration to us," he said.

Mbiko's contribution to the development of the game is well-known and he also served the game with distinction, in post-apartheid South Africa. During South Africa's victorious 1995 Rugby World Cup campaign, for instance, he was there.

His role was that of a technical advisor to that team's manager, Morné du...