Tuks’ Varsity Cup champions share their joy with the university’s management
After a long and challenging Varsity Cup campaign, the team from Tuks was able to share their status as new champions with the rest of the university last week, after coming out of the bio-bubble in which they had to live until the final.
Despite several challenges since the 2021 Varsity Cup kicked off in the first week of April this year, Nico Luus’ team was last Monday able to be crowned champions for the fourth time in the 14-year existence of this prestigious tournament after 80 tough minutes in the final against the favourites, the Ikeys of the University of Cape Town.
On Wednesday last week, the team finally had the opportunity to present the coveted trophy to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Tawana Kupe, as well as several other leading figures of the university in front of the historic old Arts Building on the Tuks campus.
The university’s Sports Director, Mr Steven Ball, was also present to share in the triumphant team’s joy.
Photo: Ron Sibiya
Professor Kupe congratulated the players, while explaining what a frustration it was not being able to join the campaign with them due to the bio-bubble. He did, however, constantly communicate with the team via WhatsApp messages to wished them strength and good luck before matches.
Kupe assured the players that they had the support of every board member and every student and that everyone is proud of their achievement. He also emphasized that achievements such as these are in line with the university’s quest to be the best in South Africa at every level, but also to be a leader on the African continent among tertiary education institutions.
Some of the players were back on the training field that same afternoon. Tuks was playing against the Centurion Rugby Club in the Carlton Cup Tournament this past weekend.
“The preparation for the 2022 Varsity Cup Tournament starts this afternoon,” said coach Nico Luus, who can’t help but feel proud about what his team had achieved.
“I love it when a plan comes together. Our 34-27 victory over Ikeys in the Varsity Cup final is undoubtedly one of the gutsiest in the history of TuksRugby. The players never gave up. They fought to the last minute to ensure victory. That is what makes coaching worthwhile,” he said proudly.
It is the fourth time that Tuks won the Varsity Cup Tournament. They were also victorious in 2012, 2013 and 2017. Only Maties (5 times) have been more successful.
Tuks’s captain Sango Xamlashe who scored one of his team’s four tries in the final, thanked prof. Kupe and the university’s management for their support.
“It was a hard and long journey for the team. It all added up to the final. We want to thank our university leaders for the support, not only when we were on the field, but also in the period when the Corona virus threatened our campaign and one of our matches had to be cancelled. We are glad that we were able to give you the bragging rights and we look forward to next year’s tournament,” Xamlashe commented.
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