Sazi Sandi has become the voice of the Stormers in more ways than one, writes LINDIZ VAN ZILLA.
The prop, on the verge of his 50th Stormers cap, is also the man who leads the team’s post-match song – a tradition that has become a powerful symbol of unity within the squad.
“If I’m not there, I’m sure Hacjivah [Dayimani] can climb in, or Seabelo [Senatla],” said Sandi when asked who else could lead the team song “Impi amaSolja” (Soldier). “There are probably one or two other guys who can take over.”
But Sandi is the one who leads the song and he rarely misses the moment. His voice has been described as angelic by rugby fans.
“If it’s a home game, I’ll always be at the stadium – playing or not – so I’ll be there to sing it. I love being there.
“It’s great to cap off a game and a win. It unifies us and just gives us that grounding, that feeling that we all are together.”
“It’s a lekker song, it’s kind of a war cry, like you would normally sing before [a match], but for us it’s more of a celebration.
“We are saying, well done to the impi of the Stormers, well done to the Stormers soldiers. It’s quite lekker to sing it after a win, because you went to war and came out on top.”
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The Stormers will hope for another full-blooded rendition in the bowels of Cape Town Stadium come Saturday night after their Vodacom URC clash against Edinburgh.
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images