Siviwe Sonwabile “Shakes” Soyizwapi is a South African professional rugby union player best known as a dynamic winger and long-serving captain of the South Africa Sevens (Blitzboks). Renowned for his pace, intelligence, and finishing ability in space, he has been one of the most influential players in South African sevens rugby over the past decade.

Soyizwapi attended Dale College Boys’ High School, in the Eastern Cape. He initially played multiple positions in his youth, including forward roles, before developing into a backline strike player. He rose through Border youth structures and later joined the Eastern Province Kings academy, where he made a strong impression at U21 level, finishing as one of the top try scorers in the 2013 Provincial U21 Championship.

Soyizwapi began his professional career in fifteens rugby with the Eastern Province Kings, making his senior debut in 2012 during the Currie Cup promotion/relegation series. He later featured in the Vodacom Cup (2013), the Currie Cup First Division (2013) and Super Rugby with the Southern Kings (2013–2014). He briefly joined the Stormers on loan in 2014, before returning to the Kings setup.

Soyizwapi’s career trajectory changed significantly when he transitioned into the South Africa Sevens system (Blitzboks). First involved in national sevens setups around 2013. He later became a regular squad member in 2015/2016 and eventually made his World Sevens Series debut during the 2015/2016 season. From there, he became a core member of one of the most successful eras in Blitzboks history.

Soyizwapi is one of the most capped and respected players in South Africa Sevens history. With over 200+ World Series matches and 150+ career tries, he is regarded as a true leader of a golden generation of Blitzboks players, a consistent performer across multiple Olympic cycles, one of South Africa’s most experienced sevens internationals and a captain known for culture, discipline, and team identity.