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15 June 2018 Photo Supplied
Kovsies dominate SA students athletics team
Marné Mentz is one of six Kovsie female athletes in the South African student team to the CUCSA Games.

Students of the University of the Free State (UFS) are well represented on the South African student teams for this year’s CUCSA Games.

The competition that takes places biennially is staged from 18 to 22 June 2018 in Gaborone, Botswana.

The Confederation of University and Colleges Sports Associations (CUCSA) comprises of the Africa Zone VI countries with its members being Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, who will all be a part of the action. 

The South African men’s and women’s teams will compete in athletics, basketball, soccer, table tennis and volleyball.

After UFS female athletes won the women’s competition at the University Sport South Africa (USSA) championships in April, it came as no surprise that they had produced the most athletes, with six out of the 17, in the national women’s athletics team. 

The athletes chosen are: Ané Erasmus (hurdles), Lynique Beneke (long jump), Marné Mentz, Tsepang Sello, Lara Orrock and Tyler Beling (all middle distances). Emmarie Fouché from KovsieSport will be one of the four athletics coaches at the games. Tsebo Matsoso (sprints), Ruan Jonck and Pakiso Mthembu (both middle distances) will form part of the men’s team.

Kovsies’ Gauta Mokati will captain the men’s football team. Jeranimo Power had initially been selected to play, but had to withdraw due to injury. Thabo Lesibe is another UFS player selected for the men’s team and Godfrey Tenoff of KovsieSport will serve as the assistant coach. Noxolo Magudu will represent Kovsies in the women’s football team.

Although there aren’t any UFS players in the CUCSA basketball teams, the men’s team will be managed by Clement Kock, an assistant coach for the Kovsies basketball team.

News Archive

Fun and camaraderie key to Vishuis rugby success
2017-09-27

Description: TEDxUFS   Tags: TEDxUFS

The forwards of Vishuis laid a strong foundation in
the K1 rugby final against Kagiso. This helped them
to secure a win of 38-16.
Photo: Marelize van Niekerk

They have not only been dominating the residence rugby scene at the University of the Free State over the past few years, but also nationally. Although they might experience added pressure as favourites, a key ingredient to Vishuis’ success story is their enjoyment of the game and their camaraderie.

According to Henco Posthumus, the Vishuis captain, they realise that it still remains residence rugby. “The guys pitch up at practice because they want to play, not because somebody begged them to.”

Comfortable triumph in final

Vishuis claimed their fifth Varsity Cup Koshuis title earlier this year, and will defend their national title after being crowned Kovsie residence champions on 8 September 2017. They beat Kagiso comfortably 38-16 in the K1 final, after leading by 31-9 at half-time.

Posthumus says the fun element is often forgotten, but not at Vishuis. He says it is not just about the first team either. “Almost every house member, no matter if he studies medicine or if he hasn’t played rugby before, is playing a bit of rugby on a Friday evening. That is also why we, as a fairly small residence, can field five teams.”

More than just a game

Although their proud record serves as motivation, it is about more than just rugby. “The guys grow together in different ways. It is an honour to see how they grow during a season, also spiritually.”

They have been lucky not to suffer many serious injuries over a number of seasons, Posthumus says. “We are privileged to have 110 years of history behind our residence, and people from within and outside buy into who we are.”

“Our (new) coach, Zane Botha, is also a valuable acquisition. He has taken our rugby to the next level.”

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