Mtutuzeli Hlomela

Who is Mtutuzeli Hlomela?

Mtutuzeli Hlomela is the captain of the South African national Australian rules football team and since 2005 head coach of AFL South Africa and is of the most successful Aussie Rules players/coaches to come out of from South Africa.

Mtutu had played soccer at junior level and at age 17, won a "football" scholarship through the South Australian and Western Cape sports ministries. Mistakenly believing his application was a soccer position, and he was able to pass his interview from a quick crash course in the sport.

Arriving in Adelaide, Mtutu was able to successfully convert from soccer to Australian Football, playing for the Sturt Football Club in the South Australian National Football League.

The 167 cm, 72 kg, Hlomela, nicknamed "Tutu" and "Clifford" had developed accurate kicking and skilled ball handling, charismatic leadership qualities and a passion for the game.

After a season at Under 19 level in 1998 as part of his scholarship, Tutu returned to South Africa where he played for Eldorado Park in AFL South Africa.

Mtutu represented his country as part of the national team that competed in both the 2002 and 2005 Australian Football International Cups as captain/coach, where his outstanding performances earned him a spot on the All-International team.