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28 October 2023 | Story Jóhann Thormählen

The University of the Free State (UFS) is tremendously proud of the Springboks for claiming a record fourth title and for once again having former Kovsies part of a World Cup champion side.

Jacques Nienaber – the Boks’ head coach and UFS alumnus – and his rugby team united the country when South Africa became the first team in history to win the William Webb Ellis trophy a fourth time. They are also the first South African side to win consecutive World Cup tournaments.

The UFS community celebrates this remarkable achievement with the rest of South Africa and cannot wait to welcome back the latest world champions after defeating New Zealand 12-11 in the final in Paris on Saturday (28 October 2023).

It is truly incredible! The victory means so much to our country. And for our university it also means a lot, especially with all the former Kovsies involved in the planning and execution of the whole World Cup campaign. Congratulations to the Springboks! It is awesome - Jaco Swanepoel (Head of Rugby at KovsieSport)

UFS alumni at helm

The triumph in France is also the second time in four years that a Kovsie has steered the Boks to World Cup victory. In 2019 in Japan, Rassie Erasmus was the head coach.

Erasmus still counts among a handful of former Shimlas and Kovsies in the class of 2023.

The former Springbok player, together with Nienaber, Daan Human (scrum coach), and Bongani Tim Qumbu (strength and conditioning coach) are all in the Bok management, while the former Shimla Ox Nche helped the team beat the All Blacks on the field.

The final was also the last game as head coach for Nienaber, who studied physiotherapy at the UFS and later became a coach. He will be joining the Irish club Leinster as an assistant coach.

Another UFS alumnus, Jaco Peyper, represented South Africa as a World Cup referee in 2023. He refereed his second World Cup opening match and was in charge of the quarter-final between Wales and Argentina, where he was unfortunately injured.

Jaco Swanepoel, Head of Rugby at KovsieSport, congratulated the Springboks. He said it takes determination, planning, and hard work – from the players, coaches, and all involved.

“It is truly incredible! The victory means so much to our country,” he said.

“And for our university it also means a lot, especially with all the former Kovsies involved in the planning and execution of the whole World Cup campaign.”

“Congratulations to the Springboks! It is awesome!”

Kovsies part of all four World Cup victories

The UFS not only had former Kovsies in the 2023 Bok side, but also in all three previous South African World Cup winning teams (1995, 2007, and 2019) – either as players or team management.

“The UFS Rugby Club is very proud of the Springboks, and of course the former Kovsies involved, for winning the World Cup again,” said Marius van Rensburg, UFS Rugby Club Chairman.

He said a Bok jersey from the 2007 World Cup winning team, signed by all the UFS alumni involved, is part of the memorabilia in the Shimla Room at Shimla Park.

“It would be great if we could get another Springbok jersey – signed by all the Kovsies who won the 2023 World Cup –to add to our collection.

News Archive

Student leaders' hard work rewarded
2013-05-01

Four student leaders on our Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses each received a scholarship of R15 000. Handré Hay, Estine Cronje, Tsepang Lenka and Jean Vermaas were rewarded for the positive impact they had on the student community in the past three years or more. Student Affairs' scholarship programme acknowledges the contribution of student leaders in the upliftment of the student community.

Read what the four have to say about leadership:

Handré Hay:

Handré Hay, a third-year BSc Physiotherapy student who holds several leadership positions on our Bloemfontein Campus, served for two consecutive years on the committee of Armentum residence. He was also a member of the executive council in the Students' Representative Council (SRC) and served in two SRC portfolios. "Leadership is about being able to serve. When people see that you are willing to put other people's interests above your own and that you are willing to serve unselfishly, despite a position of authority, you will get far," said Handré.

Estine Cronje:

Estine Cronje is the current prime of Marjolein residence. This was the second time the fifth-year Psychology student were re-elected to this position."Leadership is very important to me. One needs leaders in everything you do. I believe a leader should never think herself better than the rest and should work as hard as her team. She should command respect, be disciplined, an example to others, accessible and open to the opinions of other people.

Tsepang Lenka:

Tsepang Lenka is the SRC President of our Qwaqwa Campus. Tsepang, who was twice elected as prime of his residence, has already obtained his BA degree in Public and Business Management. He is currently working on his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). "To me leadership means to serve. As a leader you don't lie to people when things are taking the wrong direction, you stand firm and tell the truth; in that way, people don't lose trust in you. The scholarship inspires me to work even harder," Tsepang said.

Jean Vermaas:

Jean Vermaas is a former SRC member who is currently studying for his LLB degree. Some of Jean's achievements include leadership positions of the Juridical Society and the Broad Students' Transformation Forum. In 2012 he was a founder member of the Student Elders' Council."Leadership is of extreme importance to me. It formed me into the person I am now. Leadership isn't always easy, but in the challenges you face you grow as a leader and as an individual."

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