Twin and Frost create optical illusions

One can’t blame the Sharks Sevens rugby side’s opponents’ initial concerns when they trot onto the field against the Surf City speedsters.

Their fear that a bout of double vision being the result of too much pre-match partying or the onset of some serious ailment, is not totally unfounded.

What confuses is the fact that when they tackle one of the men in black, the very same player, by what must be some magic, is found racing through a gap a second later.

But then all becomes clear. Causing the optical illusion are homebred identical twins Thulani Cedric and Thokozani Cyral Mdluli.

Known by their friends as Frost (Thulani) and Twin (Thokozani), these two are built for the kill and just as lethal as the burly Du Plessis brothers (Bismarck and Jannie) who play for the Sharks senior squad.

Born in Empangeni on 30 January 1985, double trouble was always on the cards. Being inseparable and wearing identical clothes to match, they enjoyed fooling everyone, even up to today.

Serious competition between the pair started at an early age, from simple Playstation games to the sports fields – and nowadays even girlfriends.

Their love for rugby, combined with dedicated hard work, have reaped rewards, both being given the opportunity to play for the Sharks Sevens side this year.

But this passion started way back when they were little lads.

During high school the twins played first team rugby, as well as representing KZN in junior rugby and soccer.

Thokozani took it a step further, representing KZN and SA in soccer and athletics.

After matriculating in 2004, the Sharks Academy snapped up the talented duo while they were playing for the Rhinos.

In 2007 they both moved to Jaquars Rugby Club in Durban to try and urther their rugby careers.

in 2008 Thulani came back to the Rhinos, with Thokozani moving to Cape Town for a season. The twins then made it to the Wildebeest squad after their return to the Rhinos in 2009.

‘Playing together comes easy as I know exactly what my brother expects of me and he knows what my next move is,’ says Thulani.

Though identical in so many ways, the duo have different sets of friends, with Frost being into motorbikes and Twin into music.

They are always late for rugby matches, which they say is their trademark.

‘Our motto is we don’t believe in steroids, we simply train twice as hard and hate coming second. If someone is better we will acknowledge it, but come back bigger and better to prove we are the best.’

Scoreboard

Fastest time recorded over 100m: Thokozani – 10.55 seconds

Most rugby tries: Thulani

Girlfriends: even

This proves how well balanced they are.