Languages: 
The FNB WSU All Blacks’ bitter last-minute defeat to FNB CPUT during extra time of last year’s FNB Varsity Shield final is a pain that lingers, not to sow doubt in the team’s ranks, but to build character.
It is with this painfully gained character that last year’s runner-ups will mount yet another challenge for the Varsity Shield trophy in a bid to ascend to the country top university rugby competition, the FNB Varsity Cup.
“There were indeed some problems off the field last year but we’ve since overcame those and drastically improved on our administrative processes and this will mean the team can concentrate solely on what they have to do on the field,” said WSU Vice-Chancellor and Principle Prof Rushiella Songca.
Addressing the team during the capping ceremony held in East London on Monday 28 February, Prof Songca said the team would enjoy support from the university throughout the campaign with officials following the teams throughout the country to watch the do battle in the different fortresses.
According to the team’s captain and outside centre, Sicelo Tole (24), it is from this long-enjoyed support from the WSU community that the team will once again look to propel themselves to the latter stages of this year’s competition.
Tole, a third-year sports management student at the Buffalo City Campus, said the team would have to adopt a “ruthless mentality” should they seek to capture the varsity shield.
“We must play every game like it’s our last and not give an inch on the field. There cannot be an air of hesitation or space for complacency if we’re to win this competition. Every second of every match needs us to focus and believe,” he said.
In a heartfelt address, team coach Thembani Mkhokheli implored the players to remain cognisant of the fact that they’re the “heartbeat of WSU sport”.
He said the success of the rugby team, which brings with it exposure and prestige for the university, has the potential to see the stature of other sporting codes being raised as a result of greater attention being paid to sport at the university.
The All Blacks kick off their campaign against a plucky UKZN Impi outfit at Rhodes University’s Rhodes Great Field on Friday 4 March before squaring up against the TUT Vikings on Sunday 6 March at the very same venue.
Both matches will be broadcast live on Supersport.
By Thando Cezula
