Dwayne Atkins has been on fire in his debut FNB Varsity Shield season for FNB CPUT.
His playmaking ability has led to two tries and earned him the respect of his new teammates and the CPUT faithful. Atkins was schooled at Esselenpark and matriculated at Worcester Gimnasium.
It’s been a great season for CPUT with four victories from six matches. The 50-8 drubbing of FNB UKZN at home in Cape Town in round 1 was their biggest victory (watch the highlights HERE).
Atkins says he is thankful for the opportunity to tell his story.
"I am a proud son of Worcester, and I have been a sports fanatic since I was a child."
Raised in a single-parent home, Atkins could have easily become a statistic but thanks to his inspirational mother he has always given his best, even more so on the rugby field.
"I am studying towards a tourism qualification, and I am very grateful for the influence of my mother, Rozanne. She was an avid and very good athlete, hearing her stories always inspires me to make her proud."
Apart from his mother, Dwayne aspires to always honour the memory of his late grandfather Granwill Atkins.
"My mom always wanted to give us her level best. My late grandfather Granwill Atkins, who passed away about seven years ago, is someone whose memory I want to honour, and I feel at times that I need to continue to make him proud."
Atkins not only has the support of his family and community but it is his hometown rugby club, Alberts RFC, that has shown its unwavering support for the CPUT recruit. Whenever CPUT have a home game, the boys from Alberts make the hour-long trip from Worcester to Bellville.
Atkins is known as the 'Poster Boy' within the Alberts club.
"Everyone at Alberts is like family. I am very grateful for the support I get from the members. They keep me grounded."
Atkins hopes to continue to play well enough for a Blitzboks call-up, and that his mom and extended family will be proud of what he achieves both on and off the field.
"My main priority is to continue to make my mom and family proud by obtaining a tertiary qualification. Hopefully, I can grow and develop enough as a player at CPUT that results in me becoming part of the Springbok Sevens group."
by Lyndon Julius
