White Rhino Mike feels at home
Michael Bodenstein kicks off his professional rugby career in Zululand.
ANOTHER talented young gun joining the Empangeni Rugby Football Club this season, is Michael Bodenstein (18).
Fresh from Nelspruit High School, Bodenstein is excited about the new opportunities and challenges in store for him in Zululand.
He is an utility back equally at home at flyhalf, midfield and fullback.
He has a five-year plan with the ultimate goal of putting on a Sharks jersey, but wouldn’t mind if he was invited to play for the Toulon Rugby Club in France or Saracens in England where many South Africans ply their trade.
As an ocean lover, he believes Zululand is the perfect place to kick off his professional career.
‘My high school’s first team is called the White Rhinos, so I thought it was fitting to come here and play for the Rhinos’, says Bodenstein.
To keep his game up, this youngster swears by keeping a balance between a healthy diet, training and sleeping.
He also makes sure there is a fair amount of time for recreational activities, especially fishing.
Even though his family is disappointed to have him move so far away from home, Bodenstein says they have always been proud of him and support him 100%.
‘Now it is time to work hard and see where it takes me.’
