Thembani Mkokeli

Thembani Moeren Mkokeli (born 12 March 1984 in East London, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player, currently playing with the Border Bulldogs.[1] He is a utility back that predominantly play as a fly-half or fullback, but also occasionally as a winger or centre.

Thembani Mkokeli
Full nameThembani Moeren Mkokeli
Date of birth (1984-03-12) 12 March 1984
Place of birthEast London, South Africa
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10+1⁄2 in)
Weight77 kg (12 st 2 lb; 170 lb)
SchoolMsobomvu High School, Butterworth
UniversityDamelin College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half / Fullback
Current team Border Bulldogs
Youth career
2000–2004 Border Bulldogs
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2003–present Border Bulldogs 120 (93)
Correct as of 22 July 2016
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2001–2002 S.A. Schools
2003 South Africa Under-19
Correct as of 10 May 2015

Career

Youth

Mkokeli played for the Border Bulldogs side at the 2000 Under-18 Craven Week tournament in Port Elizabeth.[2] He played for the Border U19 side in 2001 (as a 17-year-old) and 2002 and earned a call-up to the South African Schools sides in the same seasons.[3] In 2002, he was also named in the South African Under-19 side that played in the 2002 Under 19 Rugby World Championship in Italy[4] and was once again included in the team for the 2003 tournament in Paris,[5] from which the team returned victorious, their first win since 1994.[6]

Border Bulldogs

Upon his return from the Under-19 Rugby World Championship, Mkokeli was also included in the senior squad for the first time and made his first team debut in the 2003 Currie Cup against the Leopards in Potchefstroom.[7] He quickly established himself as a regular for the Bulldogs and became a regular fixture in the Border Bulldogs side over the next decade.

During the 2014 Currie Cup qualification series, Mkokeli reached a personal milestone by playing in his hundredth first class match for the Border Bulldogs.[8]

References
  1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Thembani Mkokeli". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  2. "OP se Craven Week begin op laagtepunt" (in Afrikaans). Die Burger. 11 June 2000. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  3. "Vyftienjarige gekies vir SA Skolespan" (in Afrikaans). Die Burger. 15 July 2002. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  4. "Jong Bokkies slyp in Kaap vir Italië" (in Afrikaans). Die Burger. 8 March 2002. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  5. "SA o.19-span vertrek" (in Afrikaans). Die Burger. 8 April 2003. Archived from the original on 14 May 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  6. "Jong Bokkies kry helde-ontvangs" (in Afrikaans). Die Burger. 23 April 2003. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  7. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Leopards 46–30 Spoornet Bulldogs". South African Rugby Union. 29 August 2003. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  8. "Mylpaal wink vir Mkokeli" (in Afrikaans). Beeld. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
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