Zain Davids

Mogamat Zaïn Davids (born 4 May 1997) is a Zaïn Davids

South African rugby union player, that competes
in both the 15-man and sevens variants of the
game. He is currently contracted by the South
African Rugby Union to play for the South
Africa Sevens national team.[1] His regular
position is in the loose-forward position, but he
also played as a centre at schoolboy level.

Rugby career

2013–2015: Schoolboy rugby

Davids was born and grew up in Cape Town. He
attended and played first team rugby for
Rondebosch Boys' High School in the city,[2] Davids at the 2024 Olympics quarter-final
and earned provincial colours on several
Full name Mogamat Zaïn Davids
occasions representing Western Province at
youth tournaments. In 2013, he was included in Date of birth 4 May 1997
their squad for the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week Place of birth Cape Town, South Africa
held in Vanderbijlpark,[3] scoring one try in their Height 1.81 m (5 ft 111⁄2 in)
50–12 victory over the Leopards.[4] In 2014, he
Weight 104 kg (229 lb; 16 st 5 lb)
was named in the Western Province squad for
South Africa's premier schools rugby union School Rondebosch Boys' High School
competition, the Under-18 Craven Week, held in Rugby union career
Middelburg.[5] He started all three of their Position(s) Flanker / Centre
matches and again scored one try, in a match
Current team South Africa Sevens
against the Free State.[6]
Youth career
He represented Western Province at the same 2013–2016 Western Province
tournaments a year later, as the team hosted the Senior career
event held in Stellenbosch. Davids helped the
Years Team Apps (Points)
team to reach the main match in the tournament,
2020 Sharks 0 (0)
where they beat their Eastern Province
counterparts 95–0 to become the unofficial 2020–2021 Sharks (Currie Cup) 1 (0)
champions.[7] After the tournament, Davids was Correct as of 28 April 2021
included in a South Africa Schools 'A' squad for International career
the Under-18 International Series held in August Years Team Apps (Points)
2015.[8] He scored a try in his side's 29–14
victory over Italy in their first match[9] and also 2015 South Africa Schools 'A' 2 (5)
started in their 8–33 defeat to England four days 2015 South Africa Schools 1 (0)
later.[10] Davids was promoted to the senior 2016 South Africa Under-20 8 (15)
South Africa Schools team following injuries to
2017–present South Africa Sevens 199 (185)
Ruben van Heerden and Cobus Wiese,[11] and he
Correct as of 29 April 2023
came on as a replacement in their final match of
the series, a 23–16 victory over England.[12] Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
2016: South Africa Under-20 and Representing South Africa
Western Province Under-19 Olympic Games

After high school, Davids joined Western 2024 Paris Team competition
Province's academy, the Western Province Commonwealth Games
Rugby Institute. [13] In March 2016, he was 2022 Birmingham Team competition
included in a South Africa Under-20 training Africa Men's Sevens
squad,[14] and made the cut for a reduced 2024 Mauritius Team Competition
provisional squad a week later.[15] On 10 May
2016, he was included in the final South Africa
Under-20 squad for the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship tournament to be held in Manchester
in England.[16] He started all three of their matches in Pool C of the competition; after scoring two tries in
their opening match, a 59–19 victory over Japan,[17] he was on the losing side in the second match, as
Argentina won the match 19–13.[18] He scored another try in their final match, a 40–31 victory over
France, try[19] that ensured South Africa qualified for the semi-finals as the best runner-up. Davids also
started their semi-final against hosts England, but could not prevent them from suffering a 17–39 loss[20]
and he was on the losing side again in the third-place play-off as South Africa lost to Argentina for the
second time in the tournament,[21] ending in fourth position overall. Davids' three tries ensured he
finished the tournament as South Africa's top try-scoring forward and joint-top try scorer alongside backs
Manie Libbok and Edwill van der Merwe.[22]

Upon Davids' return to South Africa, he was named in the Western Province U19 squad that competed in
the 2016 Under-19 Provincial Championship.[23] He played in six of their twelve matches during the
regular season, scoring one try in their match against the Leopards U19 team[24] en route to finishing top
of the log, with ten wins and just two defeats.[25] Davids played off the bench in their 30–15 semi-final
victory over Free State U19 in the semi-final[26] and started in the final, where his team suffered a heavy
defeat, losing 19–60 to Golden Lions U19.[27] At the end of the season, Davids won the BrightRock U21
Bounce Player of the Year award at Western Province's end-of-year awards ceremony.[28]

2016–present: Sevens
In November 2016, Davids was included in a South Africa Sevens Academy squad; after being included
in the squad for a local tournament,[29] he earned a place in the squad that played at an International
Invitational tournament that was held as part of the 2016 Dubai Sevens,[30] helping the team reach the
final of the tournament.[31]

In January 2017, Davids was included in the senior South Africa Sevens squad for the 2017 Wellington
Sevens tournament as a replacement for the injured former captain Kyle Brown.[32]
In 2022, He was part of the South African team that won their second Commonwealth Games gold medal
in Birmingham.[33][34][35][36]

He competed for South Africa at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.[37][38] They defeated Australia to
win the bronze medal final.[39][40]

References
1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Zain Davids" (http://www.sarugby.co.za/playerprofile.aspx?id=12
0774&fullview=true). South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
2. "SACS take down Rondebosch" (http://sacsrugby.com/sacs-take-down-rondebosch). South
African College Schools. 18 May 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
3. "SA Rugby Squad – Western Province : 2013 U16 Grant Khomo Week" (http://www.sarugby.
co.za/teams.aspx?id=13684&leagueid=1384). South African Rugby Union. Retrieved
18 January 2017.
4. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Western Province 50–12 Leopards" (http://www.sarugby.co.za/m
atchbreakdown.aspx?id=108184&homeid=13684&awayid=13694&leagueid=1384&fullview=
true&template=true). South African Rugby Union. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
5. "SA Rugby Squad – Western Province : 2014 U18 Craven Week" (http://www.sarugby.co.za/
teams.aspx?id=21834&leagueid=2094). South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 18 January
2017.
6. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Western Province 37–29 Free State" (http://www.sarugby.co.za/
matchbreakdown.aspx?id=132584&homeid=21834&awayid=21934&leagueid=2094&fullvie
w=true&template=true). South African Rugby Union. 19 July 2014. Retrieved 18 January
2017.
7. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Western Province U18 95–0 Eastern Province U18" (http://www.
sarugby.co.za/matchbreakdown.aspx?id=153704&homeid=27604&awayid=27574&leagueid
=2584&fullview=true&template=true). South African Rugby Union. 18 July 2015. Retrieved
17 January 2017.
8. "SA Schools and SA Schools A squads announced" (https://web.archive.org/web/201701181
42253/http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=3121454&leagueid=2694). South African
Rugby Union. 31 July 2016. Archived from the original (http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.asp
x?id=3121454&leagueid=2694) on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
9. "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa U18 A 29–14 Italy U18" (http://www.sarugby.co.za/
matchbreakdown.aspx?id=153804&homeid=29574&awayid=29564&leagueid=2694&fullvie
w=true&template=true). South African Rugby Union. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 18 January
2017.
10. "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa U18 A 8–33 England U18" (http://www.sarugby.co.z
a/matchbreakdown.aspx?id=153854&homeid=29574&awayid=29544&leagueid=2694&fullvi
ew=true&template=true). South African Rugby Union. 11 August 2015. Retrieved
17 January 2017.
11. "Injuries force changes to SA Schools teams" (https://web.archive.org/web/2017011814252
8/http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=3140444&leagueid=2694). South African Rugby
Union. 13 August 2016. Archived from the original (http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id
=3140444&leagueid=2694) on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
12. "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa U18 23–16 England U18" (http://www.sarugby.co.z
a/matchbreakdown.aspx?id=153844&homeid=29524&awayid=29544&leagueid=2694&fullvi
ew=true&template=true). South African Rugby Union. 15 August 2015. Retrieved
17 January 2017.
13. "SA Schools stars headline 2016 WPRI intake" (http://wprugby.com/sa-schools-stars-headlin
e-2016-wpri-intake) (Press release). Western Province. 10 December 2015. Retrieved
18 January 2017.
14. "Large group invited to Junior Springbok trials camp" (https://web.archive.org/web/20160531
082024/http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=3455814&leagueid=2904). South African
Rugby Union. 24 March 2016. Archived from the original (http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.as
px?id=3455814&leagueid=2904) on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
15. "Theron names provisional Junior Springbok squad" (https://web.archive.org/web/20160531
083247/http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=3466224&leagueid=2904). South African
Rugby Union. 1 April 2016. Archived from the original (http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.asp
x?id=3466224&leagueid=2904) on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
16. "Ward to lead Junior Springboks in England" (https://web.archive.org/web/20160531082028/
http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=3521484&leagueid=2904). South African Rugby
Union. 10 May 2016. Archived from the original (http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=35
21484&leagueid=2904) on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
17. "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa U20 59–19 Japan U20" (http://www.sarugby.co.za/
matchbreakdown.aspx?id=161584&homeid=31594&awayid=31604&leagueid=2904&fullvie
w=true&template=true). South African Rugby Union. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 17 January
2017.
18. "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa U20 13–19 Argentina U20" (http://www.sarugby.co.z
a/matchbreakdown.aspx?id=161594&homeid=31594&awayid=31624&leagueid=2904&fullvi
ew=true&template=true). South African Rugby Union. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 17 January
2017.
19. "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa U20 40–31 France U20" (http://www.sarugby.co.za/
matchbreakdown.aspx?id=161604&homeid=31594&awayid=31614&leagueid=2904&fullvie
w=true&template=true). South African Rugby Union. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 17 January
2017.
20. "SA Rugby Match Centre – England U20 39–17 South Africa U20" (http://www.sarugby.co.z
a/matchbreakdown.aspx?id=163854&homeid=32184&awayid=31594&leagueid=2904&fullvi
ew=true&template=true). South African Rugby Union. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 17 January
2017.
21. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Argentina U20 49–19 South Africa U20" (http://www.sarugby.co.z
a/matchbreakdown.aspx?id=163904&homeid=31624&awayid=31594&leagueid=2904&fullvi
ew=true&template=true). South African Rugby Union. 25 June 2016. Retrieved 17 January
2017.
22. "SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2016 World Rugby U20 Championship" (http://www.sarugby.co.za/
tryscorers.aspx?leagueid=2904&fullview=true). South African Rugby Union. Retrieved
17 January 2017.
23. "SA Rugby Squad – WP U19 : 2016 SA Rugby U19 Provincial Champs" (http://www.sarugb
y.co.za/teams.aspx?id=32064&leagueid=2874). South African Rugby Union. Retrieved
18 January 2017.
24. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Leopards U19 5–66 WP U19" (http://www.sarugby.co.za/matchb
reakdown.aspx?id=162514&homeid=32044&awayid=32064&leagueid=2874&fullview=true&
template=true). South African Rugby Union. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
25. "SA Rugby Log – 2016 SA Rugby U19 Provincial Champs" (http://www.sarugby.co.za/logs.a
spx?leagueid=2874&fullview=true). South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
26. "SA Rugby Match Centre – WP U19 30–15 Free State U19" (http://www.sarugby.co.za/matc
hbreakdown.aspx?id=167454&homeid=32064&awayid=32014&leagueid=2874&fullview=tru
e&template=true). South African Rugby Union. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 17 January
2017.
27. "SA Rugby Match Centre – WP U19 19–60 Golden Lions U19" (http://www.sarugby.co.za/m
atchbreakdown.aspx?id=167404&homeid=32064&awayid=32054&leagueid=2874&fullview=
true&template=true). South African Rugby Union. 22 October 2016. Retrieved 17 January
2017.
28. "Pieter-Steph du Toit wins Stormers' MVP award" (http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/rugby/20
16/10/05/Pieter-Steph-du-Toit-wins-Stormers-MVP-award). Times Live. 5 October 2016.
Retrieved 18 January 2017.
29. "Smith, Senatla to stretch sevens legs" (http://www.sarugby.net/news/smith-senatla-stretch-s
evens-legs) (Press release). South African Rugby Union. 18 November 2016. Retrieved
18 January 2017.
30. "Davids can add some blitz to Sevens" (http://www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/davids-can-add-so
me-blitz-to-sevens-2094511). IOL Sport. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
31. "International Invitation Men" (https://dubairugby7s.com/schedule-results/results/2016-emira
tes-airline-dubai-rugby-sevens/international-invitation-men/schedule). Dubai Rugby 7s.
Retrieved 18 January 2017.
32. "Davids to make Blitzbok debut in Wellington" (https://web.archive.org/web/2017011811390
7/http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=3851394&leagueid=3124). South African Rugby
Union. 18 January 2017. Archived from the original (http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id
=3851394&leagueid=3124) on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
33. Mostert, Herman. "Team SA squad named for 2022 Commonwealth Games" (https://www.n
ews24.com/sport/othersport/team-sa-squad-named-for-2022-commonwealth-games-202206
08). news24.com. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
34. "Soyizwapi, Plaatjies to lead SA Sevens teams at Commonwealth Games" (https://www.saru
gby.co.za/news-features/articles/2022/07/21/soyizwapi-plaatjies-to-lead-sa-sevens-teams-at
-commonwealth-games/). sarugby.co.za. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
35. "South Africa stun Fiji to win men's rugby sevens Commonwealth gold" (https://www.theguar
dian.com/sport/2022/jul/31/south-africa-stun-fiji-to-win-mens-rugby-sevens-commonwealth-g
old). the Guardian. 31 July 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
36. "Australia and South Africa win rugby sevens gold at Commonwealth Games" (https://www.
world.rugby/sevens-series/news/735452?lang=en). www.world.rugby. 31 July 2022.
Retrieved 8 August 2022.
37. "Springbok Sevens squad named for 2024 Olympic Games" (https://saru-umbraco.azurewe
bsites.net//news-features/articles/2024/07/10/springbok-sevens-squad-named-for-2024-oly
mpic-games/). SA Rugby. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
38. "South Africa - Rugby Sevens Olympic Games Paris 2024" (https://www.world.rugby/tourna
ments/olympics/paris-2024/participating-nations/south-africa). www.world.rugby. 2024.
Retrieved 27 July 2024.
39. Glover, Ben; Bone, Alyssa (27 July 2024). "Aussie devastation as captain's send-off turns
clash for bronze" (https://www.nine.com.au/sport/olympics/paris-2024-mens-rugby-sevens-b
ronze-medal-match-australia-v-south-africa-result-20240728-p5jx3k.html). Nine. Retrieved
4 August 2024.
40. Baloyi, Charles (28 July 2024). "Men's rugby sevens clinch Team South Africa's first medal
in Paris" (https://www.sabcsport.com/rugby/news/men-s-rugby-sevens-clinch-team-south-afr
ica-s-first-medal-in-paris). SABC. Retrieved 4 August 2024.

External links
Zain Davids (https://www.sarugby.co.za/match-centre/player-detail/?playerId=07fc5661-138
b-4238-8704-92e0ebb7e50a&teamId=110e9d67-7a38-4bf7-ac2c-74cea777f6f7) at
Springbok Sevens
 Zain Davids (https://web.archive.org/web/20230101/https://www.world.rugby/sevens-series/
player/mens/57843) at the World Rugby Men's Sevens Series (archived)
Mogamat Zaïn Davids (https://www.itsrugby.co.uk/players/mogamatzain-davids-37805.html)
at ItsRugby.co.uk
Zaïn Davids (https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/146476) at Olympedia
Zain Davids (https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/zain-davids_1574109) at the Paris
2024 Summer Olympics
Zain Davids (https://results.birmingham2022.com/#/athlete-details/59656) at the
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
Mogamat Zain (https://www.instagram.com/davidszain/) on Instagram

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zain_Davids&oldid=1269131529"