Rapoo eyes growth under the guidance of Hotto and senior Pirates stars

Rapoo, who joined Pirates last month from Siwelele FC, is seen as a key figure in the Bucs camp going into the new season, but he also looks up to Hotto as someone who will be hugely influential to him this season. 

"The standard is great and the intensity of training is on a very high level, and as a young footballer you learn from guys like Deon Hotto, who is a great wingback. Now I need to work my way up and give my best everyday."

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Rapoo, who originally hails from Rustenburg, is excited by his new journey at Pirates, playing in the CAF Champions League and also being a defending league champion here at home...

"It's exciting and scary, but obviously it is the start of a new chapter, and I'm looking forward to it when the league starts."