Former miner Grey strikes Kings gold with Super Rugby debut

FORMER gold miner Siyanda Grey is planning to strike it lucky in Bloemfontein when he makes his Super Rugby debut for the Southern Kings against the Cheetahs on Saturday (27/04/2013).

Dubbed the "Komga Comet” because of his electrifying speed, Komga-born Grey was called into the side because Sergeal Petersen is not 100% fit after suffering a groin strain last week.

"This is a dream come true for me. I have always wanted to play Super Rugby,” the Kings flyer said.

African Bombers general secretary Fezi Majola says Grey’s rise to the top is a heart-warming success story.

"How Siyanda made it to the professional ranks is an amazing story,” said Majola.

"Siyanda was working on a gold mine in Mpumalanga in 2008 when it came to the attention of our recruitment officer, Jackson Mdyogolo, that he was a promising player.

"We asked Siyanda to come to Port Elizabeth and he said he did not have enough money to travel back home.

"Jackson then sent him some money and he arrived in Port Elizabeth by bus. He soon made his mark on the rugby field and attracted the attention of the Kings. It is a great story of a young player succeeding.

"We are very proud of Siya’s selection after a long lay-off due to injury. The form he has displayed in the Vodacom Cup really deserves a call-up to the Southern Kings.”

Grey said he had recovered from a knee injury "and have my confidence back”.

"Now I will be playing against a Cheetahs star like Raymond Rhule who is regarded as a potential Springbok.

"This game gives me a chance to show I could also be a Springbok. I am very excited.”

Grey scored a try for the EP Kings when they beat a Sharks XI at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last Saturday and did enough to show the selectors he was ready to make the step up to Super Rugby.

But the team face a tough challenge in Bloemfontein today against a Cheetahs side who are making a strong bid for a Super Rugby playoff berth.

"My goal is to put in a good performance against the Cheetahs and retain my place in the team. This is a big opportunity,” Grey said.

"I want to make a name for myself, because I came from nowhere. I want people to know Siyanda – and also where I came from. I would also like to show everyone it does not matter if you come from a small place. You can still make it in life but you must be prepared to really work hard.”

During his early years at Komga’s Morgenster Primary School, Grey excelled at both soccer and rugby – and had teachers fighting over which sport he should concentrate on.

The explosive wing stole the headlines when the South African Kings won the IRB Nations Cup in Romania against tough international opposition.

With his electrifying pace, Grey scored six tries in three matches against Portugal, Romania and Georgia – and, by doing so, secured the coveted man-of-the-tournament trophy.

"That trophy now has pride of place at my mother Monica Nomcinci’s home at Komga.”