PEOPLE ARE OUR POWER
UWC’s rugby team continues to thrive — and it’s all thanks to the community support they receive By Myolisi Gophe | Photography: Peter Herring, Skhu Nkomphela
U
WC rugby had only two objectives going into this year’s Varsity Cup season: to finish in the mid-table in the final log standings and to obtain at least 20 points in the process. The men in blue and gold did not only achieve their goals but did so in style, dishing out one of the most exciting brands of rugby
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in the competition and winning the hearts of many followers, both locally and internationally. As a result, two players have caught the eyes of clubs in the Currie Cup while a few players took home awards. “It was pleasing that we managed to achieve those goals,” notes Paul Treu, head of the University of the
Western Cape’s (UWC) rugby. “But, like I said to the players, it’s not what we’ve achieved this year but how we did it. I think the players really expressed themselves on the field, and I think the manner in which they conducted themselves and the exciting brand of rugby that we played matters most. “It warms my heart to know we won so many hearts of so many rugby-loving supporters in South Africa and internationally. Our name is out there as a team to be reckoned with.’’ Among the games that were the highlights for UWC was the 60-19 thrashing of Central University of Technology (CUT) when they beat the Bloemfontein side for the first time, and the thrilling Chester Williams Memorial Trophy, which they narrowly lost 55-58 to the University of Cape Town (UCT). Captain Pieter-Steyl Swanepoel acknowledges that in addition to achieving the trophy to remember the late UWC coach, it has always been a big motivation to play against the neighbouring universities. “It’s always been a massive battle to play the neighbouring universities, a battle that we always want to come out on top in. In fact, in all games, the team was motivated to show that we didn’t go to the tournament to make up the numbers. And we surprised a lot of teams.” Finishing sixth in the 10-team Varsity Cup mini-league is music
