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

UWC 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 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

to the ears of the UWC community as it stands the rugby squad in good stead to achieve its overall goal to remain in the tournament, with this year’s log being combined with the 2022 final log that will determine the two teams relegated to the Varsity Shield the following year. Last year, the University finished second-last when the competition was called off due to the coronavirus-enforced lockdown, and finished at the bottom of the log in their maiden season a year before. But coach Treu credits all past players and coaches for their recent success.

“It was lovely to be in a team that is a force to be reckoned with,” Swanepoel adds. “Just to finish like this after we struggled in the past, just to know that we have improved from the last years, is a high moment for us.”

So what worked for the team this season?

Knowing that relegation and promotion would be decided over the two seasons, Treu and his coaching staff devised their strategy accordingly. “What was important for us was results. We wanted to win as many games as possible but also give exposure to as many young players as possible. So when we went [in]to the first [bio-] bubble, we picked our strongest team. In the middle bio-bubble, we decided to give all the players an opportunity to experience the Varsity Cup to get some miles behind them because this is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. It’s not only about this year, it’s about next year as well.

“When you see some of the results, obviously, we lost some of those games but the youngsters really stepped up to the plate. And they played so well that we almost could have beaten those teams. In the last bubble, we picked the best teams for the first two games, which is why we could get good results. We wanted the results but also, in the long term, wanted to give experience and exposure to more youngsters.”

This strategy will likely help the team going forward as some of the senior players are in their final year of studies. “The minutes that these youngsters played this year will hopefully stand us in good stead next year,” the former Blitzbok mentor states. “Next year, we will be losing our entire front row who are all finishing their studies. We will try to convince some of these players to do a postgraduate programme but at the same time, there are also quite a few exciting new players, such as the Western Province duo of Lamla Nunu and Lukhanyo Vokozela. We’re very excited to see that kind of quality coming to UWC.”

Treu reveals that when he was appointed last year, one of the first things he wanted to challenge was UWC being viewed as a fallback, not a first choice. “The only way to change that is by the way we play and the kind of rugby we dish out for the fans. UWC is now different to what it was seen as before, and every coach and every player that came through the system contributed to our improved success this season.”

With the Varsity Cup out of the way and having pulled out of the Western Province Super League this year, the only competition that the rugby team is still expecting to take part in is the University Sports South Africa (USSA) week, scheduled this August.

The staff are also pulling all their resources together to ensure the players do well academically in order to obtain enough credits to make the team next year. Tutors were organised timeously to assist players and Treu said the team is grateful for that kind of support. “We are happy our tutors are helping our players to focus on their studies and hopefully they will make the required grades this year. Our academic support has been tremendous, especially in the bubble. It’s studies first, rugby second — that has always been our motto.”

Swanepoel adds that everything was in the right place this year and that made a lot of difference. “Now the talk in the team is about having enough credits to make the cut next year. You need to be sure your academic credits are in place, otherwise you’re just a normal student and you miss out on a once-a-year opportunity such as Varsity Cup.”

Going forward, there is a saying amongst the team: Keep on climbing the mountain. “This was a great campaign and a great start and we are looking forward to the new season,” says Treu. “Everybody — from our Director Mandla Gagayi and the Rector to the management team, the sport science department and the rest of the University community — has come to the party as it relates to our performances on the field.

“If it weren’t for the support from the University, I don’t think we would have been able to give the performance we did over the past two months. I hope we can continue with that kind of support and we will do our best to retain most of our players and continue to attract quality players to the University, making sure that we can be successful and stay in the Varsity Cup.”