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07 September 2023 | Story Jóhann Thormählen | Photo Stephen Collett
Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Free State, and Jacques Nienaber, Springbok head coach, met when South Africa played against Wales in Bloemfontein in 2022.

The University of the Free State (UFS) will be well represented on the biggest stage when the 2023 Rugby World Cup takes place in the next two months. UFS alumni count among those on the field, next to the field, and even as part of the officials in France.

The former Shimla Ox Nche represents South Africa at his first World Cup, while the former Kovsies Jacques Nienaber (head coach), Rassie Erasmus (South Africa’s Director of Rugby), Daan Human (scrum coach), and Bongani Tim Qumbu (strength and conditioning coach) are all part of the Springbok team management.

They all called Shimla Park – the home of UFS rugby – home when they started their careers.

Another UFS alumnus, Jaco Peyper, will represent South Africa as one of 12 referees at the World Cup. Peyper, regarded as one of the world’s best referees, will referee his second World Cup opening match when he takes charge of the first game between France and New Zealand (8 September 2023).

Message of support

In a letter to Nienaber, Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, sent the university’s s support to the Springboks and wished them all the best for the tournament on behalf of the staff and students at the university. 

 “We are extremely proud of the Springboks – especially with you at the helm of the team. As a Kovsie alumnus, we are truly proud of what you have achieved during your career in South African rugby. We are also proud of Rassie, Ox, Daan, Bongani, and Jaco,” Prof Petersen wrote. 

“I wish you and the team all the best in the tournament – I know that Sunday’s opening match will be played with vigour and determination. Like the rest of the country, we as Kovsies are behind you all the way!”

Making a difference

The 2023 World Cup starts on 8 September 2023, with the final on 28 October 2023. 

The Springboks are in Pool B with Scotland, Ireland, Tonga, and Romania. Their first game is against Scotland in Marseille on 10 September 2023, with Nche as replacement prop.

Jaco Swanepoel, Head of Rugby at KovsieSport, says the UFS is very proud of the former Kovsies representing their country.

“For us, it is exceptional to watch the Springboks play and know that there are so many guys involved,” he says.

“It is also our goal as a university to send people into society to be involved on a bigger stage and to make a difference. In this case, a big difference in sport. It is very special for us.”

Nienaber studied physiotherapy, was the Shimlas’ physio while studying, and later progressed to coach.

He took over the Springbok reigns from Erasmus in January 2020.

Erasmus – who steered South Africa to victory as coach in the 2019 World Cup – and Human both represented the Shimlas and Springboks.

Qumbu studied Human Movement Science and worked with the UFS Young Guns team while Nche was playing for the side.

From UFS Young Guns to Boks

Nche was part of the Shimlas that won the 2015 Varsity Cup and the UFS Young Guns that were crowned champions in 2014. He was named KovsieSport Junior Sportsman of the Year in 2015.

André Tredoux, the Shimlas’ head coach, scouted Nche as a promising youngster from HTS Louis Botha and coached him with the Free State U19 team, UFS Young Guns, and Shimlas.

“Ox has always been an unbelievable character and great person,” Tredoux says.

“What I noticed from a young age was his explosiveness and speed, but his work ethic is what set him apart from others.

“We are very proud of him and all the former Kovsies who are part of the Springbok management. We know they will make us proud.”

    News Archive

    Kovsies shine at USSA Cross Country Championships
    2009-10-15

    Thandi Malindi (far left) from the UFS and two Matie athletes, Elene Lourens and Mia Pienaar.
    Photo: Supplied

    Kovsie cross-country athletes Boy Soke and Thandi Malindi were included in the USSA squad for 2010 at the World Student Cross-Country Championships in Canada. The final team will be announced after the SA Cross-Country Championships. They recently participated in the USSA Cross-Country Championships that were held at the University of Johannesburg. According to Mr DB Prinsloo from KovsieSport at the University of the Free State, the UFS team did extremely well at the recent USSA Cross-Country Championships.

    Kovsies won the women long-race team competition (8 km), while the men came second in the men’s long-race team (10 km) competition. In the short-race team competitions (4 km for men and women) the UFS men finished fourth and women ended in fifth place respectively.

    Thandi Malindi, the UFS Women Cross-Country captain, was the first Kovsie over the line (third place), followed by Nelmarie Loubser (4th) and Maryna Swanepoel (6th), who also won the team competition in the 8 km (long race) with 13 penalty points against the 14 penalty points of the Maties who finished second.

    Mr DB Prinsloo from KovsieSport at the UFS praised the Kovsie athletes for the manner in which they ran the race. “Thandi gave her all; so much so that she had to be admitted to hospital due to dehydration. Nelmaré ran the hills with a smile on her face and Maryna, who suffered from low blood sugar, persevered until the end so that a Matie athlete could not pass her. You all showed to us what ‘vasbyt’ really means,” Mr Prinsloo said.

    Kovsies performed above expectation in the short race (4 km) for women. “Our women finished fifth in the team competition. If one takes into consideration that the Kovsies were represented by 400/800 athletes, i.e. Elri Richter (400/800), who came seventh, Anneri Ebersohn (400/400 hurdles), who ended in sixteenth place and Yvonne Eyssen (heptathlon) who ended in twentieth place, it makes this performance even better,” Mr Prinsloo commented.

    In the men’s short race (4 km) where the Kovsies were represented by young first-year 800 m athletes, the UFS did excellently by finishing in fourth place. Hanne Naudé (18th), Lebohang Mpure (19th), Abri Horak (26th) and Gerrit Viljoen (34st) ran their hearts out!

    The long race (10 km) for men, which was run on an extremely difficult course, was another highlight – also for the Kovsies. The Kovsies finished second in the team competition. Boy Soke (4th), Windy Jonas (8th), Schadrach Mochelenyane (10th) en Michael Tlhoro (21st) represented the Kovsies with honours. Unfortunately Johan Cronjé and Dumisane Hlaselo had to withdraw from the race due to injuries.

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