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28 March 2022 | Story Jóhann Thormählen | Photo Supplied
Rassie Erasmus en Jacques Nienaber
A few Kovsies were winners at the South African Sports Awards. Rassie Erasmus (Coach of the Year) were among the current and former Kovsies honoured. Pictured here with Jacques Nienaber, Springbok Head Coach.
The influence of the University of the Free State (UFS) on the South African sporting landscape and the world stage is outstanding.

DB Prinsloo, Director of KovsieSport, says this was emphasised when a few Kovsies were among the winners at the South African Sports Awards held on 12 March 2022.

According to him, this is testament to the contribution that the university makes on a daily basis in the careers of sportsmen and -women.

The UFS shared in the spoils at the 15th version of the awards in Durban as former Shimla Rassie Erasmus was named Coach of the Year, while Miné de Klerk was the Newcomer of the Year. The young athlete, who is studying in America, is a member of the Kovsie Athletics Club.

The UFS also had a hand in the Team of the Year award, which went to the Springboks. Many former Kovsies are involved with the team.

Hard work pays off

“We are very proud of administrators, sportsmen and -women who excel in this way,” says Prinsloo.

“It is a reward to the individuals and teams for their infinite determination and focused hard work.”

He says it shows the university’s impact to the rest of the country. “The hours, days, months, and years of hard work have paid off.”

Erasmus is South Africa’s Director of Rugby and was the 45th Springbok produced by the UFS. He helped the Boks achieve success in 2021, including a series victory over the British and Irish Lions.

De Klerk won gold (shot put) and silver (discus) medals at the World Athletics U20 Championships last year.

Erasmus, Jacques Nienaber (Head Coach), and Daan Human (Scrum Coach) are all former Kovsies and part of the Springbok management, while the former Shimla, Ox Nché, plays for South Africa.

Attracting prospective students

Another Kovsie, Louzanne Coetzee (T11), was nominated for a SA Sports Award. 

The UFS Akasia Residence Head won silver (T11; 1 500 m) and bronze (T12; marathon) medals at the Paralympics.
She and her guides, Estean Badenhorst and Claus Kempen, were nominated for Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability. The sprinter Anruné Weyers (T47) took the honours.

Prinsloo says these achievements have an impact on prospective students. 

“Through this, they are made aware of the contribution that the UFS and KovsieSport make, and its attitude towards sport and the promotion thereof.”
Mine de Klerk

(Miné de Klerk was named Newcomer of the Year at 2022 SA Sports Awards. Photo: Dan Vernon (World Athletics) 

News Archive

Kovsie overturns 60-year tradition at karate championships
2010-05-06

Bruno Schalbach.
Photo: Supplied
Bruno Schwalbach, a first-year accounting student at the University of the Free State (UFS) returned home with a gold medal after his victory at the men’s open karate division at the South African JKA Championships that were recently held in Johannesburg.

According to Dr Pieter le Roux, Main Coach at the Kovsie Karate Club and also attached to the UFS’s Department of Soil- and Crop- and Climate Sciences, this is a truly remarkable achievement. Bruno is the first competitor from outside Johannesburg, in the past sixty years, who took this title home. What makes this achievement even more special is that Bruno has already won gold in his first year after leaving school.

Bruno, a third dan in karate, who has a string of international victories under his belt, as well as full Protea colours in Karate, is also an instructor at the Kovsie Karate Club.

Since 1964 the Kovsie Karate Club has produced 28 Proteas. This was also one of the most successful clubs that participated in the championships, because it was members of this club that walked off the two most important trophies at these championships.

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