FNB Wits star player Dan Kasende signs to Griquas Rugby
- Tshepiso Mametela
WITS 1st team XV rugby player Daniel Kasende, who burgeons with potential and possesses the sizzling pace of a track athlete, has recently been awarded a contract by the Griquas Rugby Union, which participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament.
Kasende joined the FNB Wits rugby ranks in 2015 en route to making a significant contribution to the institution’s on-field successes over a number of seasons. The star player will now embark on the next chapter of his career as a provincial player, where the grandiosity of earning your stripes, is the ultimate badge of honour.
Wits Sport caught up with Kasende and Wits 1st team rugby coach, Hugo van As, to discuss the now-departing Wits player’s signing, what it means to Wits Rugby from a continuity standpoint, and how the player will embark on tackling this newest challenge in a developing career.
WHAT THEY SAID
The Player
What was your initial reaction to the news of your signing? How were you notified?
I was very happy with the news and I was glad that [a provincial contract] came through. I got the news from my agent.
Has it always been what you’d hoped for having come so much into your own at Wits Rugby over the last while?
Yes. I always knew that there would come a time for me to part ways with Wits Rugby, and I had always hoped that when that time came, it would come with the opportunity of playing at an even higher level.
Does this count as the biggest milestone of your career thus far?
Without a doubt – it’s a very pivotal step in my journey and I think the opportunities ahead are quite grand.
What are you looking forward to the most on the journey at the Griquas?
As it is a new adventure and a new environment, I look forward to the challenges that come with it i.e. having to relocate and starting out afresh somewhere different. I look forward to proving myself and earning the trust of my new teammates and coaches, both on and off the field.
The coach
Can enough ever be said about the enormous talent that is Daniel Kasende?
Obviously, when he joined us a young man, Daniel had ample talent and I think his biggest asset was his pace and his acceleration. But he had a long way to go and worked hard on his game. I truly believe he’s got amazing talent and has what it takes to cut it as a Currie Cup or provincial player.
What does it mean for the institution whenever a player, especially of such a calibre, is contracted by a South African rugby union?
For us, it’s great being that our primary job is to get players in, develop them and add value to their lives by working with them for two or three years. They day that a player gets a provincial agreement then we know we have done something right.
Does this development go down as a loss or a gain for Wits Rugby?
Losing a player of Daniel’s potential is a loss but we understand that we get players in we have a [short to medium-term] bite at them. So, we will feel his departure in our club but he’s added value to our environment and we’re very excited about this new page or season of his life.
What words of encouragement can you offer to a seemingly already-motivated player like Daniel, ahead of his journey as a rugby union player?
Becoming a [Varsity Rugby] player is one thing but becoming a good Test or provincial player is the challenge. I would encourage him to keep on working hard; he has to understand that it will be a little bit quicker and he will have a little less time to make decisions at that level … We want to encourage him to keep his feet on the ground and to stay the humble man that he has been.
Player information
Age: 24
Height: 188cm
Weight: 91kg
Position: Utility back
Place of birth: DR Congo
Institution: Wits University
Programme: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Year of Study: Final year