THE FNB Madibaz rugby squad are facing a Varsity Cup with a difference but are committed to making their mark when the tournament kicks off early next month.
The Nelson Mandela University outfit have returned to the top-flight after spending two years in the Varsity Shield tournament, gaining promotion following the truncated 2020 edition.
Under the guidance of new coach Andre Tredoux and his assistants, Lubabalo Lento and Luvuyo Mhlobiso, the players are looking forward to proving themselves at the highest varsity level.
This year’s tournament will take place at University of Pretoria where bio-secure bubbles will be created.
“We will play three games in seven days and then return to PE for a week, and then repeat the cycle to complete the nine pool games,” said Tredoux.
After several months of conditioning, the coach said there was “a positive vibe in the camp”.
“Over December and January we worked very hard on our fitness and due to Covid regulations the players had to do it on their own,” he said. “We have been hugely impressed by the improvements.
“This month we are working on skills and more fitness, and are a week into the contact phase of the preparations. The players are really working hard.”
The Madibaz mentor added he was pleased with the players’ attitude.
“The guys have responded well and I can see everyone is excited to be training and they are enjoying what they do.
“As a team we want to establish Madibaz as a Varsity Cup brand of the future and our expectations are to be competitive in every game.
“We know it will be a tough challenge, but we will focus on sticking to our processes as we aim to make the university proud.”
Tredoux has named loose forward Luyolo Dapula as the Madibaz captain.
“We want to be seen as a team rather than individuals but Luyolo (flank), along with Temba Boltina (hooker), Aya Oliphant (centre), Gavin Mills (scrumhalf) and Tiaan Schutte (centre), will be some of our key players,” he said.
Assistant coaches Lento and Mhlobiso have played important roles in the players’ preparations.
Lento pays attention to the scrum, team skills and defence, while backline coach Mhlobiso focuses on, among other things, strike moves and counter-attacks, game-specific planning and decision-making.
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