Kimberlites Sevens on a mission to unearth talent in the Northern Cape

When the Kimberlites Sevens Rugby team hit the local scene back in 2022, no one could have predicted the impact they would have on the local, national and even international rugby scene.

Just two years ago, the team had one mission: To discover and nurture local rugby talent, and catapult these young players onto the global stage.

And in just those two short years, the team’s mission is being realised as they have already achieved remarkable success, putting Kimberley back on the rugby map.

The DFA caught up with the mastermind behind this initiative, coach Elsheino ‘Bizzo’ Thomas, to learn more about the team’s journey so far.

“Kimberley is brimming with untapped talent,” Thomas explained. “When we invest in our local players and give them the support they need, incredible things happen.”

Early results

And incredible things have indeed already begun to happen.

Two standout players, Shakeel Rosen and Hilroy Baatjies, have secured one-year contracts in Germany, showcasing the international appeal of Kimberley’s rugby talent.

Meanwhile, another player, Keante Pienaar, has been selected for the prestigious Junior SA Academy, where he’ll spend 10 months training. If all goes well, Pienaar could also be heading overseas to further his career.

This past weekend, the Kimberlites Sevens team showed just how formidable they are on the field. Competing in a Sevens tournament in De Aar, they faced off against six other teams in a tough, physically demanding contest.

After some intense matches and a lot of bruises, the Kimberlites emerged as champions.

Their success hasn’t gone unnoticed. The team has now been invited to participate in the SA Academy Sevens tournament, set to take place in Pretoria from November 9. This invitation represents another opportunity for the Kimberlites to exhibit their skills on a bigger stage.

A bigger focus

Coach Thomas emphasised that the team’s mission goes beyond just winning tournaments.

“Our goal is to get as many players involved as possible. We want to get guys off the streets and into rugby,” Thomas said. With practices held three times a week, the Kimberlites offer a structured environment for aspiring rugby players to hone their skills.

If you or anyone you know are interested in joining the Kimberlites Sevens team, or if you want to support them as a sponsor for future events, contact coach Elsheino Thomas at 071 670 3920.

With more support, there’s no telling how far this team – and its players – can go. Indeed, as the saying goes, “The sky is the limit!”