22 August 2019
WATCH: Aphiwe Dyantyi shares his Grassroots story
Winner of the 2018 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award, Springbok winger Aphiwe Dyantyi’s journey to the national team is a real-life Grassroots tale.
He started out life in a small village and went on to play for his country. In this exclusive interview, Dyantyi recalls life-changing experiences at school, how he remained true to himself and some of the biggest lessons he’s learned over the years.
“I always felt if I told them I come from a village I wouldn’t fit in. I then told myself I need to be true to myself and who I am.
“It was partly due to experiences at the school that drove me to say, you know what, if I’m going to make a success out of my life, and give myself a chance, I need to start being true to myself. When I started being true to who I am and where I’m from, just owning that, that’s when things just fell together.”
More about Grassroots
Grassroots is a Showmax and 1Magic Original series. In this coming-of-age drama, two boys are forced to overcome a family feud and work together when they’re sent from their rural town in the Eastern Cape to a posh private school in Johannesburg.
Rugby is the ticket to a new life for Asanda and Monwabisi, who’ve both earned scholarships to St Sebastian’s. As they adjust to life in the tough school, they realise they’ll have to put their historic differences aside if they’re going to survive.
Untied, coming to Showmax
The Real Housewives of Durban S5, now streaming
More Mzansi gold
Sorisha Naidoo on being an OG of The Real Housewives of Durban
Sorisha Naidoo reflects on her journey in The Real Housewives of Durban ahead of the highly anticipated Season 5 reunion, airing in two parts on Showmax, on 4 July and 11 July 2025.
Made in South Africa
Een Keer Om Die Son S1
Over the course of a year, the Van Wyks mourn the loss of a loved one and struggle with divorce, illness, forgiveness, high school and secrets as they heal and find each other again.
Made in South Africa
Nonku opens up about Untied, now streaming on Showmax
Nonku Williams spills the tea on why she agreed to be on the new Showmax Original talk show, Untied. Catch new episodes every Tuesday on Showmax, hosted by Relebogile Mabotja.
South African
Untied S1
An eye-opening reality talk show that follows beloved South African celebrities as they navigate the highs and lows of divorce. New episodes every Tuesday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa