Aphiwe Dyantyi inspired by All Black legend
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Star Springbok winger Aphiwe Dyantyi has revealed the inspiration behind his trademark try celebration.
The rookie speedster burst onto the scene in opening stages of the Super Rugby season this year and went onto earn his test debut against England in June. He has also enjoyed a stellar debut Rugby Championship scoring five tries across five Rugby Championship tests.
Ahead of the clash with the All Blacks Dyantyi revealed that in 2005, he was mesmerised by the way former All Black captain Tana Umaga passionately led the first Kapa O Pango haka.
His signature try celebration symbolises the breaking of chains and comes from Umaga crossing his arms over his chest before releasing it.
“It [the celebration] comes from the adrenaline I feel in the moment, but the story behind it is that when I was growing up, I watched a lot of rugby with my brothers,” Dyantyi told media.
“As any spectator, one of the greatest moments is marvelling at the haka, and it was no different for me.
“Watching Tana Umaga do it with so much passion, I kind of got it from there, and then I tried to take it and make it my own, and incorporate it into who Aphiwe is.”
Dyantyi's outstanding start to his career has drawn comparisons to Springbok legend Bryan Habana and the youngster said he is flattered.
“I’m just really flattered by the comparison [to Habana], but that mainly comes from you guys [the media],” Dyantyi said.
“He [Habana] is a legend in his own right, and he’s proved himself on the biggest stages. But I’m Aphiwe at the end of the day, and I’m trying to carve my own path and make my own history.
“I want to enjoy every opportunity, because not everyone has this opportunity [to play for the Boks], so I just want to make the most of it.”
Aphiwe Dyantyi explains how he was inspired by Tana Umaga and the Haka
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Story via: Espn
