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18 October 2019 | Story Ruan Bruwer | Photo Getty Images
Jaco Peyper
Jaco Peyper, former Kovsie, will handle a quarter-final match at the Rugby World Cup. It will also be his 50th test match.

With the appointment of Jaco Peyper as referee there will be Kovsie alumni among the referees, players and coaches in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan on 20 October.

Lappies Labuschagné will start on the flank for Japan in their clash against the Springboks on Sunday. Labuschagné, a former Shimla captain, is second on the list for tackles made in the tournament thus far.
In the Springbok camp there are former University of the Free State (UFS) students in Rassie Erasmus (head coach) and Jacques Nienaber (defence coach).

UFS alumnus Jaco Peyper has been entrusted with the whistle in Sunday’s other quarter-final between Wales and France. It will be a memorable match for Peyper as it will be his 50th test appearance as the 31st man on the field – making him only the third South African to achieve this feat.

Peyper, who is the only South African among the 12 referees at the tournament, made his World Cup debut in 2015 when he officiated the opening match. In total he has handled six World Cup encounters. 

His illustrious career has seen him become only the fourth referee in history to officiate in 100 Super Rugby matches earlier in the year, in which he also handled the final (his fourth Super Rugby final). Peyper scooped the SA Referee of the Year award in 2018 for a third time, a year in which he took charge of his fourth Currie Cup Final.

“The fact that he is only the third South African referee to take charge of 50 tests indicates what a special achievement this is. It takes years of hard work and dedication to reach this level as a referee, and to maintain this standard year-in and year-out is even more challenging as it requires one to produce effective performances consistently,” said Jurie Roux, the CEO of SA Rugby.

News Archive

Shining as bright as her crown
2017-05-31

Description:Prudence Mahlaba  first Black Rag Queen  Tags: Prudence Mahlaba  first Black Rag Queen

The radiant beauty, Prudence
Mahlaba, during a photoshoot
for her #PeopleOfKovsies billboard.
Photo: Sonia Small

The bubbly personality of Prudence Mahlaba gave us a peep into her life. Many may have seen her face on the latest billboard by the main gate of the Bloemfontein Campus, but today we take a look at the person behind the crown.

I am a kind-hearted person. What you see, is what you get, no matter how bad a day I am having,” says Prudence Mahlaba, the first Black Rag Queen in the history of Kovsies. 

Aspiring lawyer a role model for others

This fourth-year LLB student and residence committee member of Akasia, says she always presents her true self. “You are someone else’s role model, so you have to be affirmative.”

“I don’t say that I wanted to do it, but I did achieve to become the first black Rag Queen ever,” she says. Prudence knew that she would make a positive impact and achieve great things. She also hopes to travel as soon as she gets the opportunity. Her relationship with God provides her with a healthy lifestyle, and she confesses that she hardly ever sees the inside of a gym. She spends most of her free time on YouTube watching reality shows.

Empowerment of women important

“Seeing a person, especially a young woman, who is broken and lost, causes me stress and anxiety.”  She believes in the empowerment of young women.

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