RISING STARS

CAMERON MIELL|CAMERON WINNETT

-  Josh Graham

1 CAMERON MIELL

Age 19 (9 May 2004) Born Plettenberg Bay, SA Position Prop Club Leicester Country England 

When did you first play rugby?

My mum and dad took me down in Fish Hoek, Cape Town. I started in primary school, it was barefoot and freezing cold early mornings. I was a bit of a try-scorer then. If I scored X many tries, they would give me money or take me out for ice cream.

What attracted you to rugby? 

I liked to be busy, I wasn’t sat inside on my Xbox. 

Did you play other sports? 

Yes, loads. Water polo, cricket, hockey and a bit of football as a goalkeeper. 

Then I did swimming and judo. I travelled around the country for judo and won three SA championships in a row, but I dropped it at 17 to focus on first-team rugby at my school, Paul Roos Gymnasium. 

Positions played?

Prop, No 8, flanker. Going into high school I moved from prop to hooker, then back to tighthead. In my final year I got moved to lock for a few games. In my final game, I played loosehead.

Have you played any rep rugby?

I had high hopes of making Western Province U18 but I took it on the chin. I missed out on South Africa U18 too. Then I came over here and it was a goal to play for England and prove that I was (wrongly) overlooked. It’s a part of my journey. Everything happens for a reason. 

Any childhood heroes? 

In rugby, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Malcolm Marx. They don’t score incredible tries, it’s about their work-rate; the tough situations they put themselves in and come out on top.