Toti rugby player joins Sharks Youth Club U14 squad
“I was excited to be selected again, because it is my second year and I will receive honours at my school." - Lynton van Schalkwyk.
Long-standing Amanzimtoti Rugby Club player, Lynton van Schalkwyk was selected for the Sharks Youth Club U14 squad. This follows his selection to the U13 squad last year.
Lynton, 13, started junior club rugby in 2010, playing for the club’s U6/U7 team. At the time he was only four-years-old, turning five in March that year. He has never missed a club season. He is currently still playing for Amanzimtoti Youth Rugby Club and did battle for the U15s this year.
“I was excited to be selected again, because it is my second year and I will receive honours at my school,” he said.
At 1.73-metres tall, the youngster is perfectly built for his position at lock. “Besides lock, I have played flank, eighth man and fullback, but with my height, I am good at stealing the ball in lineouts.
“At an inter-provincial tournament (IPT) last year, we finished fourth out of five teams, but this year we stand a better chance, because I think we are going to have a few bigger guys and we are very fit.”
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Lynton is also striving in academics. He attended Kuswag Primary School from Grade 1 to 7, where he received numerous awards such as sportsman of the year and player of the year for hockey. He played for the school’s first team and was selected for the Upper South Coast hockey team. He was also deputy head boy in 2018.
He has moved to Amanzimtoti High and his parents, Fly and Benita, who are part of the driving force behind Toti junior rugby, said this was a big step as Lynton is Afrikaans and he had to start Grade 8 in a English school. Proving that hard work pays off, he finished in the top 40 pupils in his grade in the first and second terms.
He was selected for Amanzimtoti High’s U14 squad for the Glenwood Rugby Festival in the March school holidays. He also made the cut for the UGU district schools hockey trials and made it through to the KZN coastal country district trials, and was selected for his school’s first team touring side to Margate in 2020.
“I have been fascinated by rugby for a long time and I like any sport with a ball. I like being part of a team and rugby teaches you discipline, respect and communication. While playing rugby, you also make friends for life.
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“I prefer hockey, because it takes more skill. I am usually a striker, but I can play any position. If I ever have to choose between the two sports, I would choose rugby because I go further with it than hockey. My hobbies include experimenting with building stuff, tenpin bowling and electronic gaming. To relax I watch TV and play games.”
Lynton first needs to raise about R7 500 for the upcoming IPT tour and he needs the community’s help. If you can help, call Benita on 074-440-6666 or Fly on 084-667-7832.
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