Valke skipper Stamper proud of SA Cup growth
Valke SA Cup 2026 Captain Mihlali Stamper was honoured with the captaincy for the 2026 season.
Through his dedication, hard work and leadership skills, Mihlali Stamper was honoured with the role of captain for the Valke in the SA Cup for the 2026 season.
He said leading the team changed his perception of the game, benefiting both him and the squad.
The captain has always believed in leading from the front, taking accountability, fostering a culture of clear communication, and actively listening to his teammates.
“It was a huge honour for me to captain the Valke team in the SA Cup. Having the responsibility to lead the team gave me the opportunity to view the game in a different way.
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“For me, it was all about leading by example and creating belief within the team. Personally, captaining the team brought out the best in me. I grew in so many ways on and off the field,” Stamper said.
According to Stamper, the Valke had a slow start in the SA Cup, winning only one of their first five matches.
However, the team gradually improved, addressed key areas and built stronger cohesion as the season progressed.
Although they missed out on qualifying for the Currie Cup Premier Division by three points, Stamper said he remains proud of how the team turned their season around, including a memorable victory over the Cheetahs in front of a packed Barnard Stadium.
He added that one of their biggest challenges was a lack of clinical execution in key moments.
“We would create so many opportunities but not take them, and that sometimes led to errors. We also had a slow start to the season, which could be linked to our pre-season, when we won only one of three matches.
“Team chemistry also took time to develop, which eventually came together in the middle of the SA Cup,” Stamper said.
He noted that the team improved significantly in second-half performances compared to the previous year, allowing them to stay composed under pressure and close out matches.
Stamper also acknowledged several teammates for standout performances during the SA Cup, including Xander van der Merwe, Sergio Stalmeester, Dash Mafuma, Musawenkosi Tshabalala and Mbembe Payi.
Looking ahead to the Currie Cup First Division, Stamper believes that improving consistency and sharpening set-piece play will put the team in a strong position.
He began playing rugby at the age of 10, initially unaware of the sport beyond knowing it was “dangerous,” as his mother often described it.
After making a big tackle during his first training session, he said he immediately knew he wanted to take the sport seriously.
“I can’t exactly single out individuals as there are a lot of people who had an impact on my career, but I can never forget my first rugby coach, who also became my first team coach, Mr Naude.
“The key highlights in my career have to be when I was at Tuks and winning the Varsity Cup twice,” Stamper said.
