Versatile Strand rugby player Kyle Cyster was named player of the tournament in Division A at the recent University Sport SA week, but acknowledged the role of his teammates in earning the accolade.
The 22-year-old, who can play full-back or wing, was one of the key members of the Nelson Mandela University outfit in Pretoria, where they defeated UWC, but lost to Wits and Free State Shimlas.
Playing on the wing, the Madibaz star scored four tries in the three matches, including a hat-trick in the opening game against Wits. The rising star is pleased with his form.
“It was really very special for me because I had an injury earlier this year and wasn’t sure if I would be able to show the same form that I did in the Varsity Cup,” said Cyster, who is studying towards an advanced diploma in business studies.
“But luckily I pulled through and played to the best of my ability. However, I would not have achieved any of this if it weren’t for my teammates so I am very grateful to them all for their efforts during the week. I really appreciate the work Madibaz Rugby has been putting in for us as a team and this achievement was very satisfying for me.”
Cyster, who also scored a hat-trick in the Varsity Cup when Madibaz beat Central University of Technology in March, felt his team had improved this season.
“Besides my personal performances, I am happy with the team as a whole, as we have grown since the Varsity Cup. We have become very close and we knew what our goals were in Pretoria,” he related.
“The match against Wits was very close and a few errors at the wrong time saw us lose by five points. Against UWC we played really well as a team and went in with a better mindset. In the Shimlas game we had lost some players to injuries and were not able to match them.”
The speedster said his best rugby memories had come with Madibaz, because he only started playing the sport in Grade 8 at Hottentots-Holland High School. “Before that I played only soccer, but I started enjoying rugby, even though I wasn’t that good at first,” Cyster said.
“I made lots of friends through the sport and was able to bond with different people and coaches. Working in a group, as you must do in rugby, also helped me to become a better person. Madibaz is the first club I have been with for any length of time and my teammates are very close to my heart – they are more like brothers than just friends.”
Cyster, who has played for the Eastern Province under-20 team, said another source of inspiration was making his parents happy. “I love it when I can make them proud and put a smile on their faces when I perform well,” he said. “So that’s all the motivation I need to play my best.”
His main focus now is to try to help Madibaz excel in the EP Grand Challenge competition, while his long-term aim is to give back to society. “I want to make the most of my rugby career, but also want to help people back home,” the youngster pointed out.
“It is not easy to make it from the area where I come from because you don’t always get the opportunities, but I want to try to help the people of that community in any way I can.”
