Tzaneen’s Motlotswa Rebotile Maake (left) scores two tries against England as South Africa close in on another world title.
By: Refilwe Sebola
Tzaneen-born rugby star Motlotswa Rebotile Maake has become the pride of Limpopo after delivering a match-winning performance for the Junior Springboks by scoring two tries in South Africa’s 53-37 victory over England in the semi-finals of the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia.
The 20-year-old loose forward has been one of the standout performers for the defending champions, who have once again stamped their authority on the global stage. South Africa opened the tournament with a record 104-7 victory over Uruguay before defeating hosts Georgia and Wales to finish top of their pool with a perfect record. Their impressive run continued with victory over England, setting up a World Rugby U20 Championship final against France.
For Maake, the remarkable journey began at Laerskool Tzaneen, where his rugby talent was first discovered.
His outstanding performances saw scholarship offers arrive from as early as Grade 7. After completing primary school, he accepted a rugby scholarship to King Edward VII School (KES) in Johannesburg, where he continued to excel and toured Dubai with the school’s rugby team.
Several of South Africa’s top rugby schools wanted to secure his signature, including rugby powerhouse Grey College in Bloemfontein. According to his father, calls from schools kept coming as his reputation grew.
Despite the interest, the family placed education at the centre of every decision.
“My priority was to find a school that would not only develop his rugby career but also challenge him academically,” said his father, Mohale Evans Maake, a former school teacher.
Maake’s rugby journey gathered further momentum while playing for the Lions. There he caught the attention of respected rugby mentor Craig Livingstone, who later introduced him to the Blue Bulls. While still in Grade 12, Maake was invited to Loftus Versfeld, where the Bulls offered him accommodation and an opportunity to join their structures after completing school.
Interestingly, rugby was not his only sporting talent. Maake was regarded as a gifted football player during his younger years before deciding to focus on rugby—a decision that has now earned him a place among South Africa’s brightest young talents.
Sport is deeply rooted in the Maake family. His father was a talented softball player during his school days at Kheale and Lebaka Secondary schools, while his mother excelled in netball. His elder brother, Keabetswi, also played rugby before choosing to concentrate on his education.
The youngest of five children—three girls and two boys—Maake was born in Tzaneen after the family relocated from Block 18, Ga-Mamatlepa in Bolobedu to Kgapane Township in 2000 before settling permanently in Tzaneen in 2001.
Away from rugby, Maake is known for his unwavering Christian faith. He currently worships at Rivers Church in Sandton while living in Johannesburg, while his family remains active members of Assemblies of God in Aquapark, Tzaneen.
An emotional Mohale said watching his son score twice on the world stage left him almost speechless.”He does extraordinary things,” he said proudly.
He also used the opportunity to encourage parents to support their children’s dreams.
“We must encourage children to participate in sport, but we must not choose the sporting code for them. We must spend time with our children and encourage them to take education seriously,” he said.
With the Junior Springboks now just one victory away from retaining the World Rugby U20 Championship title, Maake’s inspiring rise from the fields of Laerskool Tzaneen to the biggest stage in junior rugby has become a story of talent, hard work, faith and unwavering family support.
For Tzaneen, Bolobedu and the entire Limpopo province, the final against France will be more than just a rugby match—it will be another opportunity to watch one of their own chase world glory in the green and gold.
Motlotswa Rebotile Maake.