St John’s College honoured Old Johannian Mr Owen Nkumane (OJ, Clayton, 1994) by naming the terraces above Burger Field The Owen Nkumane Terrace at Gaudy Day in 2019.
SA Rugby Legends caught up with Owen to chat about his rugby career, being honoured by his alma mater, and his time at St John's College.
Owen Nkumane enjoyed an illustrious sporting career at St John’s. He played football for the Prep 2nd and 3rd XIs and cricket for the 2nd XIs. In the College he played rugby for the U14 As in 1990, the U15 As in 1991, the 2nd XV in 1992 and the 1st XV in 1993 and in 1994 as captain. In fact, under his captaincy, the 1st XV recorded a 17-0 victory over Paarl Boys’ High, the only occasion that St John's College has ever recorded a victory over Paarl Boys’. He also played cricket for the 2nd XI from 1992 to 1994.
Owen matriculated from St John's College in 1994. He was the first black African to captain the Blues at St John's College and went on to be the first black African to be selected to represent the Springboks. To this end, Owen has served as an inspiring role model to the subsequent generations of young black South Africans.
His team mates from the Blues of '94 were in attendance as Owen spoke fondly of time at St John's College and about being part of the greater St John's family.