Malcolm Marx's impact on new Junior Bok skipper Mnebelele
SPOTLIGHT: Newly appointed Junior Springbok captain Siphosethu Mnebelele revealed the impact double World Cup winner Malcolm Marx had on his game.
Hooker Mnebelele made his senior debut in Bok colours this past weekend, playing for the SA ‘A’ side against the Zimbabwe Sables in Gqeberha and racking up 61 minutes before departing the field for replacement Liam van Wyk.
The former King Edward’s secondary pupil addressed the media at Cape Town International Airport on Monday afternoon ahead of their departure to Georgia, where the Junior Boks will defend their World Rugby Under-20 Championship.
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Mnebelele highlighted his experience being in the national camp and the impact KES alma mater Marx had on him during that time.
“Yes, 100 percent, he’s [Marx] always been someone I’ve looked up to.
“When we were in camp, I was rooming with [Vusi] Moyo, and I just kept telling him how much I look up to Malcolm Marx.
“Seeing them and being able to take tips from them [fellow Bok hookers], I was just paying the closest attention to detail on the things they do.
“The way he [Marx] warms up and goes about his business… it’s just a huge privilege to be in that environment and see how those guys do things.”
Mnebelele added: “I do try to mould my game around the way Marx plays.
“He’s got it all – his line-out throwing is good as well as his general game.
“I’m trying to soak in some of his on-field and off-field stuff.”
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The 2025 U20 World Championship winner elaborated on his experience in the national set-up.
“It was a huge honour and privilege for me. When you’re in an environment like that, it’s so hard not to learn from guys who played rugby for most of their lives.
“For me, it was just about taking in as much as I possibly could from everyone in the squad.
“We trained against the Springboks, and I had Malcolm Marx to ask for a couple of tips, and the same for Andre-Hugo Venter and JJ Kotze.
“They’re guys who played the game for a while, so for me it was a huge privilege and honour to be in that environment to take in as much as I can from them.”
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