Meet the South African All Blacks fan who changed his name

A die-hard South African All Blacks fan has legally changed his name to reflect his love for his New Zealand kin. Winitana Mororiki – who is also a rugby player – was previously named Winston Small.

The Wellington man plays for the Roses Unity Rugby Club, which falls under the Boland Rugby Union.

ALL BLACKS SOUTH AFRICAN MAN CHANGES HIS NAME

According to reports, Winston Small – now named Winitana Mororiki – legally changed his name in support of his favourite national rugby team – New Zealand’s All Blacks.

The name is from the Māori language, belonging to the indigenous people of New Zealand. According to Winitana, the name was a “direct translation” from English to the Māori language.

The 31-year-old was among the crowd – who call themselves the “Cape Crusaders”, – who warmly welcomed the All Blacks to Cape Town on Friday, 31 July. 

“I’ve been a huge New Zealand supporter since I was a child. My parents were both full-blooded New Zealand supporters”, he told the media.

Ironically, his father, Willie Small, renounced his allegiance to the All Blacks in 2024 after taking up a post under SA Rugby’s executive council.

NEW ZEALAND PLAYER BOASTS SOUTH AFRICAN NAME!

Interestingly, an All Blacks player-  Du’Plessis Kirifi – has made headlines after he was named after a South African rugby player.

The Kiwki is the son of retired rugby player Jack Kirifi, who befriended former Springbok captain Morné du Plessis.

According to reports, Jack liked the name so much that he added an apostrophe and gave it to his firstborn son!

The 28-year-old later admitted that, as far as he could tell, he was the only Du’Plessis he knew. He added that many people who met him struggled to say his name.

The rugby player’s Instagram handle is @deepblueseeee, playing on the phonetics of his name.

According to his club, the Hurricanes, Du’Plessis is known by his nickname “Dupy” or “Dupes”.