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A WSU sports administrator together with one of the university’s most talented rugby players recently departed for the South of France to participate in the annual FISU World University Championships Rugby Sevens tournament following their selection to the national university squad.
Both WSU All Blacks inside centre, Hlumelo Zitha, together with institutional sports department administrator Bhongo Nontshinga will be fitted in the famous green and gold as they take up their respective roles as player and Head of Delegation during the tournament set to take place in the city of Aix-en-Provence from 10 – 12 June.
“I feel deeply honoured and very excited to be representing my country, and at the same time quite emotional because owing to how tough the selection camp was. I honestly did not expect to make the final team just because of how talented many of the other players were during the camp,” said Zitha, a second-year sports management student at the Buffalo City Campus.
His roles in this squad, as prop, will be drastically different from his normal inside-centre position in the 15-man version of the game as his strength and size will be used to establish a foundation for the backline to launch their attacks.
Zitha, who hails from the rural village of KwaNoncampa just outside Qonce, amidst his gleeful excitement highlilghts the importance his father and his brothers played in him taking up the sport owing to their love of rugby as both players, and enthusiasts.
“I started playing rugby in primary school due to my looking up to my father and elder brothers who were rugby players in their own right. I love the sport because it has introduced me to so many wonderful people from all different walks of life,” he said.
As both a rugby player and administrator, the team’s Head of Delegation, Nontshinga, has had a long and illustrious career after earning both provincial and national colours throughout a decorated 30-year run.
His career began back in 1994 during his teaching days as sport master at Thubalethu High School in Fort Beaufort before he migrated to the tertiary education sector to take his position as sports administrator at the then Border Technikon.
“It feels absolutely great to represent my country and I appreciate the opportunity ive been given to lead such an important endeavour. Of course wherever I go I make sure that I raise and fly the WSU flag up high to signal to the world that this university has what it takes to produce the best in all spheres,” said Nontshinga.
The veteran boasts an impressive and extensive resumé , currently occupying the chairpersonship of University Sport South Africa Rugby; a sitting member of the SA Rugby Council having, a former member of the Varsity Cup Board; and a former SA Rugby Schools and Junior Boks selector.
By Thando Cezula
