Omphile Morweng’s eyes shine with ambition as he speaks. To him, rugby is more than a sport: it’s a promise, a hope for the future. In the Old Dog | New Dog video series, Optimizor Dog Food gets to know this up-and-coming player alongside the legendary Bakkies Botha, discovering that a true passion for the game is timeless. “I’ll never give up playing this sport,” states Morweng, exemplifying the kind of fighting spirit found only on a rugby field. 

Optimizor’s Old Dog | New Dog video series proves that seasoned player Bakkies Botha still has a few tricks up his sleeve as he shares his experience with rising star Morweng. A student at Parktown Boys in Johannesburg, Morweng has a bright future ahead of him. Yet, he carries himself with humility, eagerly gleaning all he can from Botha’s war stories.

Who is Omphile Morweng?

“I don’t think anyone ever imagined me playing this sport,” Morweng starts, explaining that rugby wasn’t the favoured sport at home. He recalls moving around frequently as a child, with his mother always looking for jobs and places for them to stay. Sport was likely the last thing on her mind in those days. Still, his zeal persisted, and eventually, his destiny became an undeniable reality.

Today, sitting on a bench in the changing room, there is no doubt that this young man possesses a distinct fervour, an unquenched desire to get out onto the field, a genuine love of the game.

The power of encouragement

Morweng attended a training session in primary school once. There a rugby coach he fondly refers to as “Mr. D” approached him, inviting him to return the following week. “He thought I would be a good match for the game,” Morweng recounts. And that was it – the beginning of a journey that hasn’t yet found its end and probably never will. “Mr. D taught me a lot of things,” laughs Morweng. Most importantly, he taught him to love the game. “He used to tell me how he’d like to see me play club rugby one day.”

Years later, Mr. D’s vision was realised with Morweng joining the Pirates rugby club. That’s where another coach profoundly impacted this young player’s life, proving that a little encouragement goes a long way. Morweng beams with pride as he reminisces: “Rugby started to pick up for me from there. Coach Rob believed in me so much, and I’m so grateful that he did.”

Finding freedom on the field

“Rugby quickly became everything to me,” Morweng explains, as struggles at home made him long for an escape. He found freedom on the rugby field: an open space where he could progress, surrounded by a band of brothers united by the same fire inside their bones. “I went on to play provincial rugby for the Golden Lions in my Junior Year, and I’ve just been loving the sport ever since.”

A band of brothers

“We’re a unit,” Morweng describes the camaraderie on the rugby field. “Out there, you know that your brothers have your back – and that, to me, is my pride.” When referring to unity among a team, Morweng uses the Afrikaans word “gees” to capture the essence of the game: a passion that unites, unifies, and builds a nation. With regards to the current World Cup, Morweng backs his boys: “The Springboks are such an example of that unity, that ‘gees’… I rate we’re gonna take it home.”

Rubbing shoulders with a legend

In the Old Dog | New Dog video series, Morweng had the opportunity to spend time on the field with the legendary former Springbok, Bakkies Botha. The series was produced by Optimizor, a dog food brand loved and praised for the high-quality protein products it produces. These lighthearted videos pit Omphile and Bakkies against each other to talk about the old and new ways of the game and see whose skills come out on top. From Botha’s Kamp Staaldraad tales to advice on keeping your head in the game, it’s a must-watch for rugby fans, young and old.

Stars in his eyes

“Each and every province has a unique style of play, and that brings more ‘gees’ to the game– you know, that healthy competition. It keeps you glued to the screen,” he says, and his excitement is contagious.“I would love to wear the green and gold one day.”

A call for more “gees”

“Rugby has evolved, allowing so many different people to come and show us what they have,” Morweng explains, referring to the iconic Chester Williams, a trailblazer for the game in South Africa. “You could be next,” Morweng believes, urging young players to show the world their skills.

With Optimizor’s New Top Dogs competition, your rugby team could win R100 000 in cash, a training day with Bakkies Botha, and customised kit.

Optimizor is looking for South Africa’s top rugby young talent. Enter our competition by sharing a video of your rugby team showing off your talents on the field, or showing us your team spirit.

Post your video on your Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok accounts and tag  #OptimizorTopDogs.

Capture it, post it, hashtag it, and get your community to LIKE it. The video with the most likes wins it all!

Head to optimizordogfood.co.za for more details.

The future of rugby is a bright one, with rising stars like Omphile Morweng leading the way to a world where “gees” is the name of the day.