Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Categories
UFS News Media Release Research
Years
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Months
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Previous Archive
02 April 2021 | Story Ruan Bruwer | Photo Varsity Cup
Rewan Kruger, new captain of the Shimlas.
With a new coach, new captain, and not having played a competitive match in more than a year, there will be many eyes on the Shimlas when they take to the field on 5 April.

The popular Varsity Cup is back, having been cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The 2021 edition will be played in a secure bio-bubble at the University of Pretoria from 4 April to 24 May. The Shimlas will start with a clash against the University of the Western Cape. Matches will be played at the Tuks Stadium and Loftus Versfeld on Mondays, Thursdays, Sundays, and public holidays. 

There are high hopes after the return of Pote Human as head coach. He was previously in charge of the Shimlas from 2000 to 2004. Human knows what it takes to win the Varsity Cup, having done so with Tuks in 2017 before going on to coach the Bulls. 

Rewan Kruger, who is participating in his fourth campaign, will lead the team. 
The scrum half, who is studying BCom Accounting, said he felt humbled to lead the team.

“Hopefully I can lead in a way that takes this team forward. As a team, we strive to make a difference and the only way we can do that is if we play good rugby."
Kruger represented the Springbok U20 team at two Junior World Cups and captained the Free State U21 team in the past.

Human believes there is no shortage of talent in the squad. “I’m really excited to see what they can do. With most of the games being televised, they can make a name for themselves.”
“The guys have worked really hard during pre-season and are hungry to play rugby again. The set piece was a concern last year, but we have worked extremely hard on that.”

News Archive

Louzanne Coetzee breaks 16-year-old world record
2016-03-24

Description: Louzanne Coetzee kampioen Tags: Louzanne Coetzee kampioen

Louzanne Coetzee (left) running the 5 000 m at the Nedbank National Championships at the Free State Athletics stadium with her guide, Khotatso Mokone (right)
Photo: Celeste Klopper Photography

Whether it’s the 5 000 m or the 1 500 m, Louzanne Coetzee is breaking records in all her races. Fans of the University of the Free State (UFS) student were elated at her triumph with the 5 000 m T11 world record at the Nedbank National Championships for the Physically Disabled on Wednesday 23 March 2016.

The record, which has stood for 16 years, was shattered by Coetzee’s stellar 19:17.06 performance. Sigita Markeviciene’s long-standing mark of 20:05.81, set at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, was bettered by 48.75 seconds when Coetzee and her guide, Khotatso Mokone, sprinted hand in hand past the finish line. 

Coetzee’s coach is as elated as the world-class athlete’s fans over her officially becoming the first totally blind female to clock sub-20 minute in the 5 000 m. "I am proud and grateful. She earned it through and through. She worked hard for this,” said Rufus Botha.

The experience was a surreal one for Coetzee. “It was unreal but it is exciting to be the fastest in Africa and the world. I could not have done it without the support system that I have,” she said.

"I have seldom met a student with the character and humanity of Louzanne Coetzee; she represents the best of campus and country, and is a stunning example of what we canal  achieve despite the great challenges of the present," said Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS.

New African record holder

Two days before breaking the 5 000 m world record, Coetzee set a new African record in the 1 500 m. She lowered the mark from 5:27:21 to 5:18:44, which placed her at the number nine spot in the world.

On Friday 18 March 2016 Coetzee had broken her own South African record when she ran 5 000 m in less than 20 minutes at the Free State Championships. However, the race is not an official (International Paralympic Committee) meeting, and hence remains unofficial.

What’s next?

The gold medallist is currently preparing for the Athletics Grand Prix to be held in Switzerland in May for which she is raising funds. If she is selected by SASCOC (South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee), her next stop is the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, which is just six months away.

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept