Sebastian Negri will go to the Rugby World Cup with Italy but was born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa. He will be key for the side, where they have a tough pool that includes hosts France and powerhouse New Zealand.
“When you get an opportunity later in life to represent those people who have helped you along the way, that adds passion and desire to make them proud.”
Sebastian Negri’s family were forced off their farm in Zimbabwe literally overnight, fleeing as gunshots rang around them, a memory that remains vivid for the then eight-year-old.
But that trauma set Negri on a path that would ultimately see the flanker capped by Italy at international level as he prepares to play in his second Rugby World Cup in France later this year.
It has been a long road to this point, his family found refuge in South Africa having been assisted financially by Italian relatives, and he was able to attend the prestigious Hilton College in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands in South Africa.
Initially he hoped to be an international cricketer, but as he kept growing he realized rugby was the game that could take him places, and it certainly has.
He was signed after school by Cape Town-town based Western Province, but the lure of playing for the Italian national team set him on the path to where he is now.
Zimbabwe was never really an option because the level they play at is so low, but he could have pushed to play for South Africa’s Springboks. He would have followed in the footsteps of former prop Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira if he had followed that path, while another Zimbabwean, David Pocock, had a distinguished career with Australia.
However, his heritage and the memory of how those Italian relatives had helped his family in their most difficult moment spurred him on to represent the Azzurri.
“My coach at Hilton College was Brad MacLeod-Henderson, who spent time playing in Italy and is very close with (Durban-born former Italy international) Roland de Marigny,” Negri tells FORBES AFRICA. “We stayed in touch and when I was contracted by Western Province after school, that interest (from Italy) grew.
“My hunger for playing for Italy also grew, and that became my biggest dream. When I was at Western Province, I got invited to a few camps over here (Italy) and the rest is history.
“Our family in Italy were there for us when we needed them. A lot of South Africans and Zimbabweans were also there for us. When you get an opportunity later in life to represent those people who have helped you along the way, that adds passion and desire to make them proud.”
Negri made his debut for Italy in 2016 and played against Canada and South Africa at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Now established as a regular in the team, and one of the more senior players as he approaches 50 caps, he will be key for the side at this year’s World Cup, where they have a tough pool that includes hosts France and powerhouse New Zealand.
“It’s always going to be tough for us,” Negri says. “The expectation probably is for us to get knocked over by the two big teams. But, you know, we’ve got to have that mindset and belief that we can go to the World Cup and cause upsets.
“We must continue with the way we playing, believe in what we’re doing. Then anything can happen, the bounce of the ball. There’s a firm belief in the group that we can knock over a big team.
“We proved that in the Six Nations, we’ve came very close to beating Ireland and France. One or two decisions go our way, or one or two moments in the game, and the result looks different.”
Italy were seen as whipping boys a few years ago, but the arrival of New Zealand coach Kieran Crowley, and the emergence of players like Negri, has turned them into a side every major power will be wary of, as recent wins over Wales and Australia show.
“There’s been a big mindset change over the last 12 to 18 months, and especially since Kieran has come in. Before that we had a difficult couple of years, but I think we’re on the right track, we’re starting to get that respect and credibility back,” Negri says.
“Why can’t we beat France or New Zealand? I think it’s important that we focus on ourselves and that we don’t worry too much about what other people are saying.
“There’s a firm belief in the group, it’s a really positive environment to be in. And we’re just going to go out there and, as Kieran always tells us, give it everything you’ve got and whatever happens, will happen.”