Scrums, song and sacrifice: Sazi Sandi’s journey to 50 Stormers caps

Stormers tighthead prop Sazi Sandi is set to reach a significant milestone this weekend, earning his 50th cap for the Cape side in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash against Edinburgh.

Getting the opportunity in the starting line-up means Sandi will lead the team onto the field — just as he does almost every weekend when he leads the squad in song with their “war cry”, Impi yamaStormer, after victories at DHL Stadium.

As a prop, the 27-year-old might not typically be associated with singing, but just as he commands the scrum with authority, his voice carries powerfully through the stands. And the burly No. 3 will be hoping to do the same on Saturday as he celebrates his half-century of appearances.

But his journey to professional rugby very nearly didn’t happen.

Sandi endured a long road, marked by injuries during his time in the Cape and before that, while also navigating his father Bonisile’s hopes for him to pursue a tertiary qualification and a more traditional career. His father, a lawyer and judge in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), passed away in 2017.

“My dad was a bit reluctant because of maybe a lack of knowledge and not understanding the rugby landscape in the early 2000s, and he didn’t see it as a career,” Sandi explained.

“He was more focused on us growing up, going to university, getting a degree and finding a job. And he loved his job. He was very influential to us. However, he could see that I was keen from a young age, and my brother also got into his ear, spoke to him, and he was excited that I was doing well — but he needed more information about it.

“At the end of matric, we visited a few unions and then came down to the Stormers. We got to Newlands, my dad asked all the questions he wanted, and he was sold — he became very excited.”

After that visit, Sandi and his father sat down to map out his path to the top — from U19 rugby all the way to the Springboks. It was a defining moment.

“It was kind of my dad saying, ‘Go for it — and if you’re going to go for it, go for all of it’. He passed away shortly after that. Being on 49 games, it would be great to look back on that story on Saturday and say, ‘Dad, I’m still on my way’,” Sandi added.

“My dad was a very hard worker, and that rubbed off on me. As a youngster at school, during the holidays, I’d always go into town to train and do extras because I would see him at three o’clock in the morning in his study, working through his notes — always meticulous, always taking pride in what he did.

“He never said, ‘You must be like this’. He just led by example. One of his big things was that whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability and give everything towards it to create a platform for success.

“He took great pride in his work and truly loved what he did.”

On Saturday, Sandi will have the chance to test himself against Scotland loosehead Pierre Schoeman, with a potential second-half battle against Springbok Boan Venter also on the cards.

For the Stormers anchor, however, the focus remains firmly on providing a solid platform in the scrum and proving himself against top-quality opposition. The Cape side dominated in the scrums against the Dragons last weekend and will be aiming to carry that momentum into their clash with the Scottish outfit.

“It’s going to be a big challenge. Pierre and Boan are both very good, and they’ve shown that on the international stage. It’s a great opportunity for our pack, and for me, to put my best foot forward.

“We have a great scrum culture here. As props, we love it when the back five tell us, ‘Let’s go for it’. It gives you that confidence, knowing the guys are behind you — then you just have to do your job.

“As a youngster, I learned the hard way and took a few knocks. But we’ve got excellent scrum coaches here, and over the years you refine your craft. I feel I’ve taken the right steps forward. It also helps having experienced players like Frans Malherbe, Neethling Fouché and Ali Vermaak around you.”