Vuyo Mbotho (born 28 September 1988 in King William's Town, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player for the Border Bulldogs in the Currie Cup and the Rugby Challenge.[1] His regular position is winger, but he has on occasion played as a fullback or outside centre.
| Date of birth | 28 September 1988 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | King William's Town, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 90 kg (14 st 2 lb; 198 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Lukhozi High School, Debe Nek | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of Fort Hare | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Career
editBorder Bulldogs
editHe made his first class debut for East London-based side Border Bulldogs during the 2011 Vodacom Cup, starting in their opening round match against the Sharks XV in Durban.[2] He made a total of six appearances during the competition and opened his scoring by scoring a try early in the second half in their match against the SWD Eagles in Beaufort West.[3]
In 2011, he was included in the Border Bulldogs squad for the 2011 Currie Cup First Division. He started their first match of the season against the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington to make his Currie Cup debut.[4] He played in all ten of their matches during the season and scored five tries – two of those in a match against the Eastern Province Kings in Port Elizabeth[5] – to finish as the Bulldogs' joint-top try scorer with Ntabeni Dukisa.[6]
At the start of 2012, he was selected for a Southern Kings side that played a trial match against the Cheetahs prior to the latter's 2012 Super Rugby season, scoring two tries in a 33–20 defeat.[7] He returned to action for the Bulldogs in the 2012 Vodacom Cup, scoring a single try in six starts, and made a further three appearances in the 2012 Currie Cup First Division.
Griffons
editFor the 2013 season, Mbotho made the move to Welkom to join the Griffons. He immediately became a regular in the side, starting all seven their matches during the 2013 Vodacom Cup competition, scoring tries in their matches against the Golden Lions[8] and the Falcons.[9] He played nine times for the side during the 2013 Currie Cup First Division season, failing to score any points as the Griffons finished in sixth spot.
He once again started all their matches in the 2014 Vodacom Cup and made a further five appearances during the 2014 Currie Cup qualification tournament, where the Griffons finished third to qualify for the 2014 Currie Cup First Division. He was a key member of their First Division-winning side. He played in the final and helped the Griffons win the match 23–21[10] to win their first trophy for six years.[11]
References
edit- ^ "SA Rugby Player Profile – Vuyo Mbotho". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Sharks XV 69–8 Border". South African Rugby Union. 26 February 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – SWD 39–30 Border". South African Rugby Union. 17 April 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Regent Boland Cavaliers 69–12 Border Bulldogs". South African Rugby Union. 16 July 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Eastern Province Kings 51–36 Border Bulldogs". South African Rugby Union. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ "SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2011 ABSA Currie Cup First Div". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ "Cheetahs fight back for win". Sport24. 29 January 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Down Touch Griffons 30–19 MTN Golden Lions". South African Rugby Union. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Down Touch Griffons 17–6 Valke". South African Rugby Union. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Down Touch Griffons 23–21 Valke". South African Rugby Union. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ "Currie Cup Griffons win First Division title". Sport24. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.