 He grew up playing rugby and cricket alongside his older brothers, Donald and Douglas (former Zimbabwe Test cricketer).Although he represented Zimbabwe at age-group level in cricket, Daniel is better known as a rugby player, forming a formidable centre-pairing at Harare Sports Club with Zimbabwe rugby great John Ewing in his early 20s.He was awarded a rugby scholarship at Hartpury College in the UK, where he excelled under Zimbabwean-born coach Liam Middleton, representing the British Universities Select Side (also coached by Middleton).