Khayelitsha born Akha Mjawule: from FNB Varsity Cup ball boy to Tuks rising star

The FNB Varsity Cup is well known for being a breeding ground of future stars who went on to realise their dreams of playing for the Springboks and top teams around the world. Players like Handre Pollard, Bongi Mbonambi and RG Snyman have donned the Tuks jersey and now another potential star is in the making and his journey is a true grassroots to greatness story.

Khayelitsha born Akha Mjawule went from being a FNB Varsity Cup ball boy to representing FNB TUKS in the 2026 tournament where the Stripe Generation are unbeaten after four rounds.

In 2019 Mjawule was a volunteer ball boy at a Ikey Tigers game and this season he has made his FNB Varsity Cup debut for Tuks.

“Growing up in Khayelitsha, I started playing rugby when I was young and joined Connect Academy where they helped me sharpen and develop my skill and understand the game better. 2016 I got an opportunity to represent the Western Province U12 team and a year later I was invited to play for Western Province U13 Sevens team. when I got a scholarship to join SACS is when things changed and my hard work started paying off. It was another important step in my rugby journey, being at a school with strong rugby culture helped me improve and compete at the highest level.” said Mjawule

“One of the most special part of my story is going from being a ball boy to playing Varsity Cup rugby. In 2019 I volunteered to be a ball boy at a UCT Varsity Cup game, at the time I was just happy to be closer to the field and watch the players play, I never imaged that I would playing in the same competition.”

He went on to represent the Bull at junior level and then made the move to 5 time champs FNB Tuks last year.

“I joined the Blue Bulls U19 junior team on a three-year contract, in late November 2025 I did not know what I wanted to do after the contract ends, until I got a call from one of the Tuks coaches November last year. I had an opportunity to join the team, and it is a proud moment when I was a ball boy and now a player. Rugby has changed my life in many ways, it gave me education and allowed me to travel the country,” he said.

“Being named in the line-up for my debut was a very proud moment for me. I was excited but also a bit nervous because it was a big opportunity playing in front of our home crowd. On the day since it was a 19:00 game in the evening I started my morning with going to classes after classes, I tried to stay calm and focus on doing my job for the team."

His journey is far from over.

By: Lehlogonolo Ditshego