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Former WSU All Blacks captain, Phumlani Blaauw, whose at the infancy of his coaching career has encouraged the current crop of WSU All Blacks players to show commitment and heart, but not forget to enjoy the game during this year’s season of the FNB Varsity Shield tournament.
Blaauw’s addition to the technical team has made a massive impact owing to his own participation and experience in the FNB Varsity Shield tournament.
“I had the privilege of leading this great team during the 2018 and 2019 season – an experience I treasure and am grateful for to this day because of the invaluable experience I gained as a player and leader. The fact that I had to make crucial decisions on the spot that affected the team helped me grow as a player as this experience honed by ability as a leader, “ said Blaauw.
A tighthead prop in his heyday, the former skipper was first introduced to rugby at the tender age of seven by his former teacher in the small town of Thornhill,
Blaauw, who graduated and obtained a BTech degree in Public Management in 2021 in his reflections as a FNB Varsity Shield player, highlighted the importance of dedication, commitment and discipline in striving for success.
“What I enjoyed most about the competition was the atmosphere and the fanfare of the crowds. It’s a feeling that one cannot describe – it’s just great. And of course, the travelling across the country to different cities and spaces and meeting different people from different backgrounds with different perspectives was also a joy to witness,“ he said.
It was in 2019 that Blaauw started helping out with the team as an unofficial and additional resource to the technical team – acutely looking at the team spirit and comradery amongst the players.
He enjoyed the experience so much that he started expounding on his technical and tactical insight of the game under the tutelage of head coaches who led the team.
“As part of the technical team I really enjoy the plans and strategies learnt at practice and later coming together at the game. That’s the most fulfilling thing about coaching,“ he said.
Blaauw highlights his participation in the Currie Cup on the Blue Bulls side as his highest achievement of his rugby career.
By Thando Cezula
