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Introducing the UFS Social Media Squad

23 November 2022 | Story Moeketsi Mogotsi | Photo Barend Nagel

UFS Social squad — Tyrone Willard, Nkosinathi-Mandla Zulu, Kai Carter, and Mella Ubedoble are the new UFS social media ambassadors. The UFS social media ambassadors initiave was formerly known as the #KovsieCyberSta.

Say hello to the UFS Social Media Squad. The team comprises a few new faces that will grace the UFS social media platforms from time to time.

The UFS Social Media Squad (also known as SMS) will cover events in and around the UFS, while giving the UFS community insight into these events across the UFS digital platforms.

This initiative was formerly known as the #KovsieCyberSta programme. You might have seen their faces somewhere before, but now you can hear how they feel about joining the SMS team.

Introducing Tyrone Willard, Nkosinathi-Mandla Zulu, Kai Carter, and Mella Ubedoble!

Nkosinathi-Mandla Zulu is a vibrant 21-year-old UFS ambassador working towards his Honours in Journalism and Media Studies. Mandla is a journalist, radio broadcaster, and marketing intern. While established as a runway and editorial model, he is also a social media influencer. He enjoys a good cup of matcha while reading a book.

Kai Carter: "I'm a tennis player, table tennis player, skateboarder, fashion enthusiast, boy next door, all-around cool kid. Basically, I’m everything and more, google me in five years to see what I'm up to." – Kai signing out!

Mella Ubedoble: "I have always been creative. I grew up enjoying being crafty with paper and decorating, and this background has led me to an evolving passion for fine arts. All my various creations have a similar foundation, which has a narrative approach where I use them as platforms to tell a conceptually inspired story ... Every experience is an adventure for me, especially if it is kept as media, since I believe that the camera is the keeper of memories."

Tyrone Willard is a master’s student at the University of the Free State. He has had the opportunity to serve the student community in student leadership and entertain the different campuses as an MC and speaker at many institutional and residence events. Tyrone is someone who strives to work hard and set a good example of being an all-rounder and looking after oneself. One will never feel bored or not entertained, as he loves to put and keep people in a positive and light mood.

News Archive

UFS study shows playing time in Super Rugby matches decreasing

2016-12-19

The study by Riaan Schoeman, (left), Prof Robert Schall,
and Prof Derik Coetzee from the University of the Free State
on variables in Super Rugby can provide coaches with
insight on how to approach the game.
Photo: Anja Aucamp

It is better for Super Rugby teams not to have the ball, which also leads to reduced overall playing time in matches.

This observation is from a study by the University of the Free State on the difference between winning and losing teams. Statistics between 2011 and 2015 show that Super Rugby winning teams kick more and their defence is better.

These statistics were applied by Riaan Schoeman, lecturer in Exercise and Sport Sciences, Prof Derik Coetzee, Head of Department: Exercise and Sport Sciences, and Prof Robert Schall, Department of Mathematics and Actuarial Sciences. The purpose of the study, Changes in match variables for winning and losing teams in Super Rugby from 2011 to 2015, was to observe changes. Data on 30 games (four from each team) per season, supplied by the Cheetahs via Verusco TryMaker Pro, were used.

About two minutes less action
“We found that the playing time has decreased. This is the time the ball is in play during 80 minutes,” says Schoeman. In 2011, the average playing time was 34.12 minutes and in 2015 it was 31.95.

“The winning team has less possession of the ball and doesn’t want it. They play more conservatively. They dominate with kicks and then they play,” says Prof Coetzee, who was the conditioning coach for the Springboks in 2007 when they won the World Cup.

Lineouts also more about kicking
As a result, the number of line-outs also increased (from 0.31 per minute in 2011 to 0.34 in 2015) and the winning teams are better in this regard.

“The winning team has less possession of the ball
and doesn’t want it. They play a more conservative
game. They dominate with kicks and then they play.”

Schoeman believes that rule changes could also have contributed to reduced playing time, since something like scrum work nowadays causes more problems. “When a scrum falls, the time thereafter is not playing time.”

According to Prof Coetzee, rucks and mauls have also increased, (rucks from 2.08 per minute in 2011 to 2.16 in 2015 and mauls from 0.07 per minute in 2011 to 0.10 in 2015). “The teams that win, dominate these areas,” he says.

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