COVID-19 Diaries Part 29: Making music and staying fit

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people worldwide indoors, halting everyday life as we know it, and Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi is keeping strictly to his home workout schedule in Durban during the period of lockdown in South Africa, while also dabbling in a bit of music.

Nkosi, just like his Cell C Sharks and Springbok team-mates, is doing his best in isolation to be active and keep fit so that he can hopefully be ready when normality returns, hopefully sooner than later.

To this end, he is following his personal fitness programme very closely. The Cell C Sharks topped the overall Vodacom Super Rugby standings as well as the South African Conference when matches were suspended after six rounds.

His daily fitness regime is one way to keep him occupied during the period of isolation, admits the powerfully built Springbok speedster. Nkosi also uses technology to keep in touch with his circle of friends, team-mates and family members.

“Basically, social media has played a vital role in connecting us with our families, friends and our coaches,” said Nkosi to www.springboks.rugby.

“We’ve been using various platforms to communicate depending on the need – there’s different stuff for meetings with coaches, and obviously for friends and family you will use WhatsApp, Instagram and so on.”

Before lockdown, the Cell C Sharks players were each issued with pieces of gym equipment to use during social isolation.

“I have a small home gym and fortunately I have a little patch of running space at home,” said Nkosi.

“Also, I have been using the Wattbike frequently to try and stay as conditioned as I possibly can in this time. The training programme goes in hand with eating well and trying my best to stick to a good nutritional diet.”

Nkosi revealed that although he can also play the piano, doesn’t have one at home, so he is honing his other musical skills with his brother.

“My brother is a DJ and he is using this time to work on his music. So, I’m trying to help him out because I would like to think I have a little musical know-how myself,” he said with a chuckle.

“This is a difficult time for humanity, but I am sure we will be okay in the end if we all do our part to flatten the curve of infections. I want to appeal to everyone to #StayHome so that we can stop the spread of the virus. We are always #StrongerTogether,” emphasised Nkosi.