McGaffen's first-game butterflies
He has a full season of rock-hard Carlton League rugby on his ‘Rugby CV’ – but Tuks’ third scrumhalf of the season, Zylon McGaffen, still has the proverbial butterflies in his stomach as an unwanted ‘ally’ on the day of his Varsity Cup debut.
FNB Tuks play FNB TUT Vikings this afternoon in the third round of the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International (kick-off 4.30pm) and debutant McGaffen is shaping up as a key man.
“I am exited but also nervous, for sure,” the little No.9 told varsitycup.co.za.
“I was fresh from school when I played for Harlequins in the tough-as-nails Carlton Cup League last year,” he added, “but the Varsity Cup competition has no comparison on club level as it is faster and more intense than anything I have experienced in my short career (of senior rugby).”
There can be no doubt that he will add value to the Tuks line-up, as his strongest attribute is getting quick ball to his flyhalf. And McGaffen – who went to school at Stanford Lake College near Haernetsburg in Limpopo – will pull out all the stops today, as he believes “this could well be my big break”.
McGaffen – who has represented the Limpopo Blue Bulls at Under-16 and Under-18 level – is a BSc Geo Informatics student in his second year.
He wants to use his degree to get involved in water resource management.
ZYLON’S FAVOURITES:
Food: My mom’s roast lamb.
Drink: Coke (on the rocks!).
Pastime: Social cricket.
Movie: Man of Fire.
Music: Chilled Rock.
Player: Justin Marshall.
Team: Springboks.
Stadium: Mmm… Maybe Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
By Morris Gilbert
