Former SA Schools captain and Jeppe High School head boy Muzi Manyike has been reported as missing.
Manyike’s agents, In Touch Sports, announced on 8 September that the youngster was set to join the South African Sevens Academy. He was also invited to a Junior Springboks training camp in February, but had to withdraw due to injury.
His contract with the Lions concluded on 31 October, but an early release was granted at the player’s request.
Manyike is understood to have last been seen in Pretoria North on 18 November.
‘I’ve been in consistent contact with Muzi’s parents over the past few days,’ Manyike’s agent Kobus Porter told Sport24. ‘They became very concerned by the end of last week about his continued absence and got in contact with us. We’re all extremely concerned and his family, who’ll receive all our support, is in everyone’s thoughts.’
Previously, Manyike represented the Golden Lions at U12, U13, U16 and U18 levels, captaining the U16 team in 2016. He was elected as head boy of Jeppe High in 2018, when he played for the Lions’ Craven Week squad for a second time and earned a place as vice-captain of SA Schools, leading the team against Wales.
The 20-year-old utility back, who played most of his schoolboy rugby at centre, also represented South Africa’s U17 and U18 sevens team, winning the Capricorn sevens tournament in Windhoek in 2016.
A missing person’s report was reportedly filed for Manyike on 10 November at the Randfontein SAPS . Anyone with any information on Manyike’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the authorities immediately or can contact Douglas at 071 334 7531.
*More to follow on this developing story …
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
