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Kovsie classmates keeping Boks, Bafana, and Proteas fit

23 December 2022 | Story Jóhann Thormählen | Photo Supplied

They were ambitious students, in the same study group, and graduated together at the UFS. Only a few years later, three friends from the class of 2015 are in charge of the strength and conditioning of three top sports teams in South Africa.

The former classmates Bongani Tim Qumbu (Springboks), Kopano Melesi (Bafana Bafana), and Tumi Masekela (Proteas men’s cricket) are making sure the best in the country is in shape to compete internationally.

And the trio are not the only sport scientists from their class to excel. Others like Obakeng Molopyane, who did Wayde van Niekerk’s conditioning, are also part of this special group. It all started while doing their honours in Human Movement Science and being mentored by some of the best in the business, like Prof Derik Coetzee, who was the conditioning coach when the Boks won the 2007 World Cup.

Melesi says Prof Coetzee played a big role in their development as they had a good road map to follow. “He exposed us to things in the professional world that a normal student could only dream of. We worked with national teams, domestic and international professional teams.”

“When we went out there, we were not unsure about our abilities and capabilities to execute.” According to Masekela, they were keen students and had great UFS lecturers.

“We would meet up most afternoons after lectures to break down the lesson that we had until we understood exactly what the lesson was about.”

“This included digging into the history of how certain theories came about, then debating on our own thoughts on the topic,” he says.

All three gained experience while still studying. Qumbu worked with the Kovsie Young Guns and Irawas, Melesi with the Kovsie soccer team, and Masekela with the UFS cricket team.

Melesi says early exposure, through ‘volunteering’ at local teams, is key if you want to reach the top.

“I would advise aspiring students to engage with their lecturers as much as possible in class, as they have a lot of practical knowledge about sport science that you will not read in a book,” says Masekela.


Kopano Melesi has been involved with teams such as the USSA U21, South African U20 and U23 sides, and works at the Mahd Sports Academy in Saudi Arabia.	Tumi Masekela played cricket for the University of the Free State, Northerns, the Knights and Titans. He is now the strength and conditioning coach of the Proteas.	Bongani Tim Qumbu (left) worked his way to the top. He now looks after some of the best rugby players in SA like the Springbok captain Siya Kolisi. Here they are at a Bok training session.
Photo: Supplied	Photo: Cricket South Africa	Photo: Supplied

News Archive

Additional and ad hoc examinations as well as results

2017-01-11

Additional Examination

Additional examinations will be arranged for students who are unable to write the main examination during the period 24 November 2016 to 14 December 2016 (excluding the Faculty of Health Sciences).

The additional examinations will take place from 4 January 2017 to 16 January 2017.
Application forms are available at the Examination Department and online at KovsieLife.

Closing date for all additional examination applications: 14 December 2016.
The Examination Department will notify students of the outcome via e-mail.

Procedure:
•   Completed applications will be handed in at the Examination Department.
•   The Examination Department will notify students of the outcome via e-mail.
•   Students must refer to the official examination timetable for their personal timetable.

For more information, please contact Anneline Dyers on dyersaf@ufs.ac.za

Ad hoc Examinations

Ad hoc examinations will be arranged for students who are unable to write the main and additional examinations in the periods 24 November to 14 December and 4 January 2017 to 16 January 2017, respectively (excluding the Faculty of Health Sciences).

The ad hoc examinations will take place from 23 to 27 January 2017.
Application forms are available at the Examination Department.

Closing date for all ad hoc applications: 14 December 2016.
The Examination Department will notify students of the outcome via e-mail.

Procedure:
•   Completed applications must be handed in at the Examination Department.
•   The Examination Department will electronically send applications, including supporting documents, to the respective deans and the Registrar (Governance) for approval.
•   The Examination Department will notify students of the outcome via e-mail.
•   The Examination Department will arrange a venue for the examinations.

For more information, please contact Alfredine Majiedt on majiedtay@ufs.ac.za

Results

Provisional examination results for the main and additional examinations will be posted onto a student’s record seven (7) working days after the relevant examination. Should students require their provisional results, they may access it via Self-Service on KovsieLife.

Official examination results will only be available on 1 February 2017.

For more information, please contact Edwin Crouch on crouchej@ufs.ac.za

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