The University of the Free State (UFS) had 11 current and former Kovsies competing at the Commonwealth Games in Australia and achieved a mixed bag of results.

None of them managed to earn a medal on the Gold Coast between 5 and 15 April. For many, however, this was the first time they had participated against steep competition of this quality.

The three Kovsies who came the closest to earning a medal were the South African Sevens rugby team, as well as athlete Juanelie Meijer. The Blitzbokke, coached and captained by former Kovsie Neil Powell and Philip Snyman respectively, lost in the play-off for third and fourth position.

Meijer (T38 long jump) was at her second Games and improved in both position and distance from 2014. Her best distance of 4.19m was only good enough for fourth spot.

The South African netball team that had vice-captain Karla Pretorius and Maryka Holtzhausen as two key members of the team, finished fifth. It was the Proteas’ best performance at the Games since 2002. The women’s hockey team with Nicole Walraven in their midst, ended sixth.

Badminton player Elmé de Villiers lost in the round of 32 in the women’s singles as well as the mixed doubles, but made it to the round of 16 in the women’s doubles. 

Ts’epang Sello who competed in the 800m for her country of birth, Lesotho, could not make it past the first stage. Her time of 2:06.54 was, however, just a fraction (0:00:14) short of her personal best.

Juanré Jenkinson finished eighth in the F38 shot put final.

Formers Kovsie Kate Roberts acted as manager of the triathlon team and Jan Wahl of the para-athletics team.