Eric Zana (original) (raw)

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Rugby player

Eric Zana
Full name Eric Sydney Zana
Date of birth (1987-03-25) 25 March 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth George, South Africa
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Weight 70 kg (11 st 0 lb; 154 lb)
School Outeniqua High School, George
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half / FullbackYouth career2008 SWD EaglesAmateur team(s)Years Team Apps (Points)2007–2011Progress ()2011–2012Belhar ()Senior careerYears Team Apps **(Points)**2010–2011 SWD Eagles23(26)2012–2015 Boland Cavaliers59(310)2016–2018 Griquas45(34) Correct as of 27 October 2018

Eric Sydney Zana (born 25 March 1987) is a South African professional rugby union player who last played forGriquas in the Currie Cup and in the Rugby Challenge.[1] His regular position is fly-half or fullback.

Youth and amateur rugby

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Zana played predominantly club rugby for George-based Progress until 2009,[2] although he was part of the SWD U21 squad for the 2008 Under-18 Provincial Championship.

In 2010, Zana was one of ten club players identified by SWD Eagles Johann Lerm and was included in their squad for the 2010 Vodacom Cup competition.[3] He made his first class debut in the opening match of the SWD Eagles' season, a 13–22 home defeat to the Free State Cheetahs,[4] with Zana contributing eight points with his boot through two penalties and a conversion. He started the first four of the SWD Eagles' fixtures in the competition, scoring 26 points.

Zana's contribution was deemed enough to also warrant his inclusion in the SWD Eagles' squad for the 2010 Currie Cup First Division season.[5] Zana made his Currie Cup debut in the Eagles' first match of the season, a 33–12 victory over the Border Bulldogs.[6] Zana played off the bench for the entire season, making eleven appearances in their twelve matches, as the Eagles finished top of the log during the pool stages. However, Zana was an unused substitute in the final against the Eastern Province Kings, where his side narrowly lost 16–12.[7] He also played in both legs of the promotion/relegation play-offs, but could not prevent the SWD Eagles losing 65–54 on aggregate over two legs to remain in the First Division.

Zana once again returned for the 2011 Vodacom Cup season, making six appearances for the SWD Eagles.

In May 2011, Zana moved to the Western Cape where he joined club side Belhar.[8] He was subsequently included in the Boland Cavaliers side for the 2012 Currie Cup First Division season.[9] After playing off the bench twice, he then started in ten consecutive matches for the Cavaliers in the run-in of the season, scoring 22 points in the process, but couldn't help them qualify for the semi-finals. He was also included in the Boland Cavaliers sevens side that played at the 2012 7s Premier League in Zana's hometown, George.

Zana missed the 2013 Vodacom Cup competition through a shoulder injury,[10] but returned for the 2013 Currie Cup First Division, where he contributed 65 points in thirteen appearances to finish as the Cavaliers' top points scorer in the competition and ninth overall.[11]

Zana contributed a further 37 points during the 2014 Vodacom Cup competition and started the 2014 Currie Cup qualification tournament with a bang, as he scored 20 points (which included two tries) in their opening day defeat to the Griffons in Welkom.[12]

Zana joined Kimberley-based side Griquas for the 2016 season.[13]

  1. ^ "SA Rugby Player Profile – Eric Zana". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Agt spanne spook nog om halfeind-plek" (in Afrikaans). Die Burger. 22 June 2007. Archived from the original on 9 June 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  3. ^ "Lerm gee klubsterre kans" (in Afrikaans). Die Son. 4 February 2010. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  4. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – SWD 13–22 Free State". South African Rugby Union. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  5. ^ "Klubspelers wys hulle is reg vir Curriebeker" (in Afrikaans). Die Son. 20 April 2010. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  6. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – SWD 33–12 Border". South African Rugby Union. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  7. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – SWD 12–16 Eastern Province Kings". South African Rugby Union. 15 October 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  8. ^ "Barends by Walmer; verruil Suid-Kaap vir die WP" (in Afrikaans). Die Son. 7 June 2011. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  9. ^ "Zana by Boland; nóg vyf aanwinste maak reg vir Kings" (in Afrikaans). Die Son. 20 June 2012. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  10. ^ "Boland-spens 6 ryker; vyf studente, veteraan op pad na Wellington". Die Burger. 15 May 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  11. ^ "SA Rugby Top Scorers – 2013 Absa Currie Cup First Division". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  12. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Down Touch Griffons 27–25 Boland". South African Rugby Union. 7 June 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  13. ^ "VS o.21-losskakel beskikbaar vir Griekwas". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). 27 October 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2015.