Takudzwa Ngwenya


Takudzwa Ngwenya is a former rugby union player who played on the wing for the United States national rugby union team and Biarritz Olympique in the Top 14. He made his mark in the 2007 Rugby World Cup with tries against South Africa and Samoa.

Early career

Ngwenya was born in Harare, Zimbabwe. The oldest of three boys, Ngwenya first played rugby in Zimbabwe for the Mashonaland Club and for Vainona High School, from which he graduated in 2003. After moving to the United States, he played for the Plano Rugby Club in Plano, Texas and went on to play for the Dallas Athletic Rugby Club for a few years. He was clocked at 10.5 hand time for the 100 m dash. DARC Rugby sent him to play for the Texas Select Side and the USA Under 19 national team, then the national Sevens team that came first in Bangkok and the 2007 North America 4.

Professional career

Ngwenya was offered a one-month trial at Saracens in England's Guinness Premiership by new coach Eddie Jones. However, he got a considerably better offer from Biarritz in France's Top 14, initially signing a two-year contract with them on 6 November 2007.
Between 2007 and 2016 Ngwenya played regularly for Biarritz, as a winger.
Ngwenya scored 2 tries in the 2007-08 Heineken Cup.
In the 2009–10 Heineken Cup he helped the club make their first final since the 2006. He scored 6 tries in the competition which placed him as joint second top try scorer.
Ngwenya also had a stellar year in the 2009–10 Top 14 season, starting in 21 games and winning 7 tries.
In the 2010–11 Heineken Cup Ngwenya scored 5 tries, again tying for second.
During the 2011–12 Top 14 season Ngwenya collected five tries in the Top 14 and added 4 more in the Heineken Cup Ngwenya crossed the whitewash for Biarritz seven times in all competitions during both the 2012–13 and 2013–14 seasons.
After a season with the San Diego Breakers in the inaugural PRO Rugby season Ngwenya headed back to France and the Top 14 after signing with CA Brive.

Club statistics

International tries

TryOpposing teamVenueCompetitionDateResultScore
1Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne2007 Rugby World Cup26 September 2007Lost21–25
2Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier2007 Rugby World Cup30 September 2007Lost15–64
3Rio Tinto Stadium, SandyTest match08 November 2008Won43–9
4Mizuho Rugby Stadium, NagoyaTest match16 November 2008Lost19–29
5Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, TokyoTest match22 November 2008Lost17–32
6Infinity Park, Glendale2010 Churchill Cup05 June 2010Won39–22
7Estádio Universitário de Lisboa, LisbonTest match13 November 2010Won22–17
8BMO Field, TorontoTest match06 August 2011Lost22–28
9Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, BucharestTest match24 November 2012Won34–3
10BMO Field, Toronto2015 Rugby World Cup Qualifier24 August 2013Lost11–13
11Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, BucharestTest match08 November 2014Won27–17
12Stade de la Rabine, VannesTest match21 November 2014Lost14–20
13Kingsholm, Gloucester2015 Rugby World Cup11 October 2015Lost18–28
14BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston2016 Americas Rugby Championship06 February 2016Draw35–35