Lucky No.7 for Ikey Kyle
'The final whistle against Fiji was the highlight of the Vegas Sevens Cup,' said current South African Sevens Player of the Year Kyle Brown - a former Varsity Cup star and lifelong supporter of this great tournament.
Born and raised in the Western Cape, Kyle Brown is just like most university students... with one big difference; he is the Springbok Sevens captain and under his captaincy the Blitz Bokke - for the first time - took the 2011 Vegas Sevens Cup earlier this year.
Brown was part of the Ikeys team that lost the dramatic 2008 Varsity Cup Final to the Maties at the Danie Craven Stadium; a springboard to bigger and greater things for the former Sacs scholar.
While at UCT he enrolled in Business Science - majoring in finance - before the demands of professional rugby took him around the world.
However, a firm believer in the importance of education, Brown is currently is completing his studies through Unisa.
He told varsitycup.co.za: "Getting a qualification is extremely important because a rugby career can last for about ten years, then after that you have your whole life."
When asked about life as a full-time rugby player and part-time student, he admitted: "Juggling my studies and my duties with the Springboks is difficult.
"Coming back from long training sessions or a game and then having to study takes its toll, but it has to be done. Getting my degree is that important."
He took the transition from the 15-man format with ease for his career-path included playing for Boland Under-19 and U21 in 2006 and 2007, respectively. In 2008 he not only played in the Varsity Cup, but was part of the WP Under-21 squad.
Kyle sees the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International as a great arena to be noticed. Both the exposure and the level of rugby played is what got Brown to be noticed by SA Sevens boss Paul Treu.
Brown, as always, has been at the Green Mile this season to support his Ikeys teammates.
One of the matches he watched was UCT's disappointing 22-34 home loss to UJ, who will be hosting one of Monday's semifinals (against Tuks) - UCT, of course, will be hosting the other (against Shimlas).
Kyle, who is currently leading the Blitz Bokke at the Hong Kong Sevens, believes his Ikeys teammates have what it takes to challenge for the title this season.
By Kate Nokwe
* Follow Kyle Brown and his ventures around the world on Twitter - @kylegbrown
