How rugby has given the Marule twins purpose in life

In three years of playing rugby, Siphesihle Marule and his twin brother Thubelihle, have climbed the ranks to play a significant role in the Team SA rugby sevens squad that won the silver medal at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

Before the route to the final, in which Team SA went down narrowly to France for the gold medal, Marule spoke of the journey he and his brother have been on and the support they have received to help them overcome the adversities blocking their potential.

“My first memory in rugby came in Grade 8 when I received the ball and I went through a few players, avoiding their tackles and when I was faced with the final defender, I jumped over him for the try. I remember not knowing if that was allowed and I was so proud when the referee signalled for the try. My brother and I have been playing together since then.”

The 17-year-old and his brother attended a primary school that did not offer rugby. The school only offered football and cricket which the pair did not take to. When they moved to Uplands College in Mpumalanga, they began playing the sport they were built for, rugby. Of course, as you find in any sibling dynamic, there is always rivalry.

“We are very competitive. We always want to be the better one in a match but it does not get in the way of us helping the team. As much as we like to compete with one another, we love supporting each other on the field and in our journey through rugby.”

The tall and muscular brothers believe they have found their calling and Marule spoke of the impact that discovering rugby has had on them. “We love this sport. Before we were playing, we felt a bit lost in the world, but rugby has given us purpose. We now understand that although we may not have had every opportunity in the past, we are so privileged to be in the position we are in. There are many kids just like us that dream of being where we are today and we owe it to them to try our best and work as hard as we can.”

The opportunity to represent Team SA in Senegal did not fall into their laps. Their hard work and humility earned their spots in the team. Marule explained that there have been many sacrifices made to support their dream and he shared one recent example.

“When we found out we had been selected for the squad, we had to travel to Cape Town for the jersey handover and capping ceremony. Our mom could not afford to make the trip down which was upsetting but our coach, Bongani Qumbu, offered to help her make the trip. It was so special to have her there with us and we are beyond grateful to coach Qumbu for that.”

The Marule twins have everything it takes to become successful senior rugby players and their unrelenting drive and passion for the sport that has given them purpose will see them fight for their dreams until the very end.