The nine times-capped Springbok rugby player Odwa Ndungane is one of the Hollywoodbets brand ambassadors who was given the right to name a Hollywood Syndicate horse and he is loving being associated with the ultra promising twice-winner Isivunguvungu (What A Winter).

 

He spoke to Turf Talk at the races on Saturday.

 

He decided upon the name with the help of his kids and said, “There were a lot of names floating around but we finished off on Isivunguvungu, which is like storm, thunder, lightning, because we wanted a name of something that is destructive, something that is powerful. Having watched Isivunguvungu running a few times I think the name is fitting.”

 

His previous experience of horseracing had been limited to attending the Durban July. 

 

He confirmed, “I didn’t know much but now thanks to Hollywood I am learning a little bit about racing and it is something I am really enjoying. I would encourage people to come out when there is a race, especially a big one like the Hollywoodbets Durban July in a couple of weeks. They can come and enjoy the occasion and get to know a little bit about horseracing as a sport. It takes a lot of skill. The jockeys … we must take our hats off to them. It is a very high speed, high adrenalin sport, so it is nice and fast and quick. It finishes in a heartbeat, so it is a very enjoyable outing.”

 

Odwa’s first meeting with the Narrow Creek Stud-bred Isivunguvungu was at Summerveld, where he is trained by Peter Muscutt.

 

He recalled, “I was very impressed with his size and he looked strong. I really enjoyed that day. I took my kids with me and my daughter was scared … it was the first time she had seen a horse that close!”

 

He certainly is a big and powerful horse, so they did well to come up with such an appropriate name. 

 

Odwa said, like most owners, he had become attached to his horse.

 

He said, “You are so excited when he is about to run and you want him to do well. And you also get nervous because you don’t know what is going to happen. That’s how I felt today, excited but nervous.”

 

Isivunguvungu showed his usual good pace in the Rising Sun Durban Dash for three-year-olds but was caught one wide without cover. He hit the front in the straight but was reeled in by the classy William Robertson and the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint winner Master Archie also overtook him late.

 

It was a level weights event over 1100m and he was beaten 4,20 lengths by William Robertson and only 0,30 lengths by the 125 merit-rated Master Archie, so it was a good performance.

 

Odwa, after a discussion with the connections, agreed having better cover would have helped him as he could then have waited and come out for his run at the right time. 

 

But he added, “Nonetheless he finished third in a very good field, so we are quite happy with the way he is at the moment. He’s a horse who shows a lot of potential and I think he has a lot in him, he can win so many more, so we are quite excited for what is to come.”

 

The 103-rated powerhouse Isivunguvungu definitely looks to be one to follow.

 

Odwa and his twin brother and fellow Springbok Akona come from the Eastern Cape, which is known as a cradle of rugby talent in the country.

 

Odwa elaborated, “If you look at the 2019 World Cup, captain Siya Kolisi comes from the Eastern Cape and also Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi.”

 

Am delivered the pass to Mapimpi which resulted in the Springboks first ever try in a world cup final and the accompanying, unforgettable words, “Shampompo Shampizi!”, of the now late commentator Kaunda Ntunja led to the naming of another Hollywood-owned horse.

 

Odwa and Akona were born in Umtata and used to watch their father play rugby and played around with the ball themselves.

 

However, their formal rugby careers started at U14 level at Hudson Park High school in East London.

 

They took part in athletics too.

 

He said, “We used to race each other and it pains me to say he used to beat me quite a few times!”

 

They were always backline players in rugby.

 

He said, “I am thankful for that. The forwards are way too big and too physical, so I was happy where I was out wide!” 

 

They both represented the Springboks on the right wing.

 

Akona was in the victorious 2007 World Cup winning squad and Odwa was in the 2011 World Cup squad, who were unlucky losers in the quarter finals to Australia when referee Bryce Lawrence infamously took the law into his own hands.