Passion for running and sacrifice of sleep saw a CPUT staffer winning a silver medal after finishing this year’s Comrades Marathon under seven hours.

Siyabonga Madala, a security guard on the District Six Campus, was awarded a silver medal for completing the ultra-marathon in six hours and 55 minutes.

Although Madala was very excited about the achievement, he said the time was not his target. “The target was sub-six hours as the intention was to improve on my 2018 time of six hours and 21 minutes,” he said.

“I participated in three other extra races in my 12 years of running,” added Madala. Every day after work he trains for an hour. “You need a passion for running, sacrifice of sleep and go to the road,” he said. “I have a group of runners and we meet on weekends for long runs,” added the Boxer Athletics Club member.

“[This was] an extremely impressive achievement for someone who works full-time and runs part time,” said Human Resource Management lecturer, Sihlangene Mgudlwa.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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Ten tries against Rhodes University scored FNB CPUT a win during their second match of the Varsity Shield tournament.  

Not even Gauteng lightening could stop the defending the Varsity Shield’s champions from defeating FNB Rhodes University at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium as they won 68 against eight.  

The boys were rampant in their set play as the Rhodents just could not match their physicality or rush defence and they often found themselves losing the ball recklessly.

FNB CPUT was leading with 21 points against eight at half-time after scoring three

 tries, thanks to a brace by centre Bjorkan Hendricks and lock Joshua Paris. Flyhalf Imibongo Mgijima converted all the tries.

Overall CPUT tries were scored by Björkan Hendricks (2), Joshua Paris, Onika Mgijima, Hughwan Engelbrecht, Phumlani Mkhaliphi, Asisipho Malotana (2) and Imibongo Vabaza, Butsha Mputa.

Imibongo successfully converted nine tries and deservedly was voted the FNB Player that Rocks.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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The defending champions dealt a huge blow to the FNB TUT Vikings’s unbeaten run in the 2021 Varsity Shield rugby tournament this week.

FNB CPUT continued its dominance of the tournament as they beat the Vikings 54 – 20 to seal their position at the top of the tournament’s log. The clash between the two unbeaten sides saw FNB CPUT dominating proceedings throughout the match. The boys from the peninsula attacked the gain line at will and in the process stifled the majority of the opponents’ attempts on attack. 

In the first half hooker Siyasanga “Carburettor” Ngubelanga bagged a brace of tries and eightman Sesona Macala, flank Ché Klaasen and wings  Asisipho Malotana  and Nathan Nkutu also crossed the line to record a bonus point for FNB CPUT before half-time. At half-time the score was 37 -6 in favour of the defending champions.

In the second half FNB TUT came stronger as FNB CPUT took a while to get back into the swing of things but it was not long before Sesona and Anenceba Salman scored more tries which were successfully converted by Feghon-Leigh Snyders and replacement utility back Imibongo Vabaza. 

Sesona was voted the FNB Player that Rocks at the end of the match.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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FNB CPUT claimed a fifth consecutive bonus-point win to entrench their position at the top of the FNB Varsity Shield log.

The Tekkies dominated the majority of the match, securing their bonus-point try just before half-time, although the Impi did show glimpses of their ability from time to time.

It took less than two minutes for the men from the Cape to score their opening try as Asisipho Malotana dotted down. However, the wing had to sit in the naughty chair in the 15th minute, which FNB UKZN exploited shortly after when outside centre Wandile Shabangu did brilliantly to score in the right corner.

It was blue and white after the first strategy break as the Tekkies attacked at will, with inside centre Lunathi Nxele, captain and flank Butsha Mputa and prop Matthew Coenraad all scoring tries. Flyhalf Feghon-Leigh Snyders added a conversion to push the lead to 22-5 at half-time.

FNB UKZN flank Menzi Mabaso showed great strength to power over early in the second half, but this proved to be the last time they would threaten the scoreboard.

The Tekkies' discipline was poor, yet it didn't seem to affect them all that much despite losing Nxele and wing Nathan Nkutu to yellow cards.

Scrumhalf Hugan Engelbrecht started an emphatic try-scoring spree for FNB CPUT as his efforts were followed by Nxele's brace, a second for Mputa while replacement back Björkan Hendricks and replacement lock Bradley van Boven completed an impressive haul.

FNB Player That Rocks: Lunathi Nxele (FNB CPUT)

FNB CPUT – Tries: Asisipho Malotana, Lunathi Nxele (2), Butsha Mputa (2), Matthew Coenraad, Hugan Engelbrecht, Björkan Hendricks, Bradley van Boven. Conversions: Feghon-Leigh Snyders, Imibongo Vabaza (3).

FNB UKZN Impi – Tries: Wandile Shabangu, Menzi Mabaso; Conversions: Sibongile Novuka.

Defending champions FNB CPUT will go head to head with FNB WSU (Walter Sisulu University) in what promises to be an epic Varsity Shield final.

The final battle is scheduled to take place at 7 pm at Tuks Stadium on Sunday, 9 May and will be broadcast on Supersport channel 211.

The Tekkies, as the FNB CPUT is affectionately known, have been impressive this season and are second on the log. The team won all but one of their matches, losing only against their final opponent, FNB WSU in round 6.

The team performed as follows in the first six rounds:

• Round 1: FNB CPUT 36 – FNB UFH 20
• Round 2: FNB CPUT 68 – FNB Rhodes 8
• Round 3: FNB CPUT 109 – FNB DUT 6
• Round 4: FNB CPUT 54 – FNB TUT 20
• Round 5: FNB CPUT 53 – FNB UKZN 12
• Round 6: FNB CPUT 5 – FNB WSU 39

There will be no promotion or relegation after the 2021 season. Instead, the bottom two teams on the combined 2021-2022 FNB Varsity Cup log will be relegated to the FNB Varsity Shield, while the last-placed team on the combined 2021-2022 FNB Varsity Shield log will fall out of the tournament.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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FNB CPUT claimed victory last night after beating FNB WSU in a nail-biting Varsity Shield final at Tuks Stadium.

Winger Nathan Nkutu scored a late extra-time try to secure the win for the defending champions.  

Walter Sisulu University (WSU) had fought back from 23-6 down midway through the second half to draw level after 66 minutes. FNB WSU captain Litha Nkula then missed two late penalty goal attempts to win it, with the game going into extra time.

Nkula was on target with a penalty in the first half of extra time but it was Nkutu who snatched victory for FNB CPUT with a 99th-minute try.

It took five minutes of this match for the defending champions to show off their attacking prowess as they faked a driving maul to send the pass out wide to wing Asisipho Malotana, who threw off a tackle to touch down. Flyhalf Feghon-Leigh Snyders missed the extras but did add a penalty six minutes later to make it a two-score game. 

CPUT Tekkies were dealt a blow when hooker Siyasanga Ngubelanga was shown a yellow card for repeated team infringements, but their defence proved solid as a rock as WSU All Blacks could only land two penalties via the boot of Nkula.

Lock Ameer Hendricks then scored FNB CPUT's second try from a charged down kick as they took a 15-6 lead into the break.

Snyders upped the ante for the CPUT Tekkies in the second half, crossing for a brilliant five-pointer before knocking over a clutch drop goal minutes later.

The WSU All Blacks finally secured their first try just after the second strategy break when wing Sakhele Ngeno raced over the chalk so quickly that he had trouble stopping to actually score. Nkula had no issues in converting. 

FNB CPUT lost Mputa to a yellow card in the 62nd minute and FNB WSU did not need to RSVP to the party as Nkula slotted his third penalty before scrumhalf Eric Mcaphukana dotted down from a dominant 5m scrum. Nkula's conversion levelled the scores to ensure a spicy hot final 10 minutes. 

After a disallowed try to Nkula – who was penalised for kicking the ball out of an FNB WSU player's hands – and Nkula's two late penalty misses, the final was forced into two, 10-minute extra-time halves.

Nkula slotted a penalty within three minutes, but it was Nkutu who would determine the defending champions' fortune, racing into the right-hand corner to score the match-winner. 

Snyders added the conversion as the CPUT Tekkies successfully defended their 2019 title after last year's tournament was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

FNB CPUT’s Sesona Macala won the 2021 FNB Varsity Shield Overall Player That Rocks award.

 FNB CPUT hooker Siyasanga Ngubelanga won the FNB Forward That Rocks award. Ngubelanga scored six tries in this year’s FNB Varsity Shield, including four against the FNB DUT Rhinos and two against the FNB TUT Vikings.

• FNB Player That Rocks: Nathan Nkutu (FNB CPUT)
  FNB CPUT – Tries: Asisipho Malotana, Mogamat Ameer Hendricks, Feghon-Leigh Snyders, Nathan Nkutu. Conversions: Snyders (2). Penalty: Snyders. Drop goal: Snyders.
  FNB WSU All Blacks – Tries: Sakhele Ngeno, Eric Mcaphukana. Conversions: Litha Nkula (2). Penalties: Nkula (4).

Written by CPUT News

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Matthew Coenraad, who has been drafted into the Western Province (WP) U/21 team, has set his eyes on wearing the green and gold colours of the Springboks one day.

Following his invitation to join the Western Province U/21, Matthew says: “It's an opportunity to take my rugby to the next level and learn and improve my skill set… I am quite proud of myself for this achievement, but I also know that it's just a stepping stone to go to the next level of rugby.” He also concedes that his career journey has been “very up and down.”

“It's tough because you always try to improve yourself and stay disciplined. I'd say what helped me a lot in my career so far is the support I've had from my father because he always pushes me and tells me that I can achieve whatever I put my mind to and also all the coaches who've I worked with  throughout the year and have helped me improve.”

The Kuils River-born 21-year-old CPUT rugby player attended many different primary schools but he finished his primary school career in Pretoria at Laerskool Doringkloof. After finishing high school, Matthew went to the Western Province Rugby Academy in 2020 before joining CPUT in 2021.

“Well funnily enough, my mother didn't want me to play rugby in the beginning and my family pretty much had to beg her to let me [play] and I started playing in Grade 4. I just wanted to play rugby because I remember sitting with my father watching the Springboks play and I just wanted to play,” Matthew continues.

“Just sitting and watching rugby with [my] father made me love the game and the more I played the more my passion for the game grew.”

He is motivated to play rugby by the constant need to be better and to just play the game. “The motivation to better myself as a person as well as all the important people in my life.”

Winning the Varsity Shield as a first-year student for CPUT in 2021 is one of his best memories of his career.  However, this didn’t come without any challenges. “I've faced many challenges from being told I'm too small to being told I'm overweight and  this dips in confidence and during the outbreak of covid-19 I wanted to stop playing but I had people in my life that kept me going and pushing through.”

Matthew has many people who are mentor figures in his life. “To name a few, Alastair Theys, Head Coach: CPUT, Jason Hector, Coach: WP and Western Province Rugby Academy, Jerome Paarwater: Coach: WP, Paul Anthony: Director of rugby: Pretoria Boys’ High. All of these men have helped me grow as a player and pushed me to get be where I am now.”

Matthew continues: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.”

He is also optimistic that CPUT can expect some good rugby and hopefully another Varsity Shield trophy in 2023 and promotion to the Varsity Cup.  “My message to CPUT community is to never give up and always work towards your goals and dreams because if you don't put in the work no one else will.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Four dedicated CPUT boxers will be jetting off to Turkey this week where they hope to pack a punch at the 2022 FISU University World Cup Combat Sports.

The four boxers are: Oyisa Gxekani, Lisakhanya Mcosana, Likho Nxele and Thabiso Ndlovu.

At a recent send-off event, team manager Mvemve Mdingi, said CPUT is recognised in the province as one of the best institutions in boxing.

He said that last year the institution went to the University Sports South Africa Championships with 15 boxers and came back with nine medals, including one gold. This year the institution went with a team of 12 and came back with nine medals, this time including five gold medals.

Likho, an Education student, has set her sights on bringing home a gold medal. “I’m looking forward to get a gold, I want a gold medal.”

Lisakhanya, a Mathematical Sciences student who only started boxing last year, said she was very excited about the opportunity. “I’m going to do my best to perform well”.

Oyisa, a Mechanical Engineering student, has been boxing for seven years and said the trip would be his first one overseas.

Thabiso, a Public Administration student said: “It’s a big opportunity for me to expose my abilities”.

During the send-off event held at the Bellville campus, the team received well wishes from the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, the acting Dean of Student Affairs, Nonkosi Tyolwana, The Acting Head of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Cherice Mangiagalli and the Student Representative Council.

Nhlapo said he was both humbled and moved by the achievements of the team, adding that it was an honour to bid them farewell.

He thanked the technical team and staff in the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for their role in the boxers’ success.

“At CPUT we are winners and that is something that I’m seeing coming out of the institution on all fronts.”

Tyolwana said the students were flying the CPUT and South African flag high.

“This is the beginning of great things for you, take the opportunity and run with it.”

The team’s head coach is Sivuyile Ngwevela and the assistant coaches are: Sinethemba Madikazi, Anele Mkhondweni and Lumka Mswelanto.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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CPUT Table Tennis coach, Mfundo Marasi, was recently elected as the chairperson of University Sports South Africa (USSA) Table Tennis.

Marasi, who hails from Ezibeleni, Komani, in the Eastern Cape, said he felt humbled and honoured to be nominated for the position and to be representing CPUT at national level.

“I won my first gold medal in 1999 at the SASSU (SA Student Sports Union) Games and ever since then I've been a coach/manager/mentor for CPUT Table Tennis on a voluntary basis until I was formally appointed last year.”

His role as USSA table tennis chairperson will be to lead and manage all table tennis activities at university level.

Marasi said the role would also include ensuring that the status of table tennis is elevated from being a recreational sport to being a competitive sport that produces champions to represent the country at national, continental and international level.

Furthermore, his role would be to assemble, manage and prepare a team that will represent South Africa at the World Student Games in 2023.

“Our role at university level is to nurture and develop table tennis to be a sport of choice and [for it to be] treated on the same level as popular sports like football, rugby, soccer and netball. My role is to develop a sport-orientated university community that shows interest in table tennis and balance their time wisely with their academic commitment. We encourage more women participation and involvement in the sport.”

He said strong bonds needed to be formed with local table tennis clubs and federations and good relationships had to be established with the South African Table Tennis Board (SATTB).

“Table Tennis is a great sport that helps and contributes to one's health. It should be played at school, at work, in churches and at all recreational facilities. Creating a healthy sporting nation, will help decrease the level of crime, take kids out of drugs, decrease the high teenage pregnancy rate and also helps kids at school with a healthy body and mind. Only then, academic excellency will be guaranteed.”

Marasi is a father of two daughters, Kamo and Uzuko and describes himself as a change agent.

“I’m a mentor, leader, an optimist by birth, a traditional healer, who is proud of his Xhosa culture. I'm a multi-talented child of God who plays and manages the following sports: rugby, football, athletics, hiking, table tennis and karate. I'm an international volunteer who prides himself about encouraging and promoting the spirit of giving back to my community without expectations.” He said he would give his all to his new role.

“Many thanks and appreciation to Mr Siyabulela Mkhwalo and Mr Mohamed Ally for their support thus far and ensuring CPUT management endorsed and supported my nomination He said he would give his best to represent my CPUT and serve all institutions with humility, pride and distinction.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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In recognition of the university’s dedication to rugby development, the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) has announced the CPUT team’s admission as a fully-fledged competitor in the provincial league. 

The Union made the announcement recently during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CPUT on the Bellville Campus. The agreement will see the optimal utilisation of the campus’ sporting facilities to be used by regional schools.

WPRFU President Thelo Wakefield said the signing was a great moment for the Union to announce CPUT’s promotion to the provincial league as UCT, UWC and Stellenbosch University are already in partnerships with the Union.

Wakefield said the university will become a full member of the Union with effect from January 2019 and CPUT would in future compete alongside other universities without having to be attached to another team, as was the case previously.

Wakefield congratulated Dr Chris Nhlapo on his appointment as the university’s Vice-Chancellor. He recalled a day ten years ago on which he inducted Nhlapo to the university as the then newly-appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships.

“We have the resources,” he assured CPUT. “The goal is to turn CPUT rugby into a professional sport. Thank you for allowing us to partner with you.”
He urged the university to play its home matches on the Bellville Campus as he argued that rugby brings life to campus.

Nhlapo said the university is more than ready to play its matches on campus and added that the involvement of university students in sports would help undo the effects of the unrest of the last three years.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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The FNB CPUT rugby team is ready and raring for their first home game in the FNB Varsity Shield tournament and call on the whole CPUT community to back their boys.

The team will go head to head with FNB TUT at the CPUT Sports Stadium in Bellville at 6.30PM on Thursday 21 February.

After a defeat against the FNB Madibaz earlier this week the team is hoping for a home ground advantage and call on their supporters to fill the stadium.

Head coach Ricky Petersen said the team has adopted the slogan one team, one family. As part of their preparations the team has been attending training camps. “We may not go into this competition as the favourites but we will surely go into this competition as proud ambassadors of CPUT. We have a good and talented squad of players and a good team captain in Lunathi Nxele and he will be surrounded by good leaders like Ralton October and Keadon Consol just to name a few.”

• Anyone who wishes to attend the game can buy their tickets at the Bellville, District Six and Wellington campus cash offices before 2pm on match day, or between 2pm and 7pm at the Stadium.
• Tickets are R10 for students who present their student card and R20 for everyone else. Grand stand tickets cost R30. Students who need transport from their campus (leaving 4.30pm on match day from Wellington and District Six campus) to Bellville pay an extra R10.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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The FNB CPUT team is ready to rock in this year’s FNB Varsity Shield competition, which officially kicks off in just one week. 

Seven teams are participating in this year’s tournament and the CPUT team will face the FNB Madibaz at the Madibaz Stadium in Port Elizabeth on February 18 at 18:30.

The team will then go head to head against FNB TUT in their first home game at the CPUT Sports Stadium in Bellville on February 21 at 18:30.

Staff and students can come out to show their support during three lunchtime activations this week.

The first will take place at the District Six campus today, followed by Wellington campus on Wednesday and Bellville on Friday.

This year’s team captain is Lunathi Nexele.

For the full fixtures and logs go to http://www.varsitycup.co.za/varsity-cup-fixtures-logs

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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The CPUT men’s rugby team has won the B division of the University Sports South Africa tournament held recently at Wits University, Johannesburg. 

The high-scoring team won all of its three matches during the Rugby Week with convincing margins and was rewarded with medals for their efforts. 

The team beat the University of Fort Hare 50 - 37 during its opening game, then Tshwane University of Technology 34 - 24 after a heavily contested match and lastly, Rhodes University 57 - 19.

“For the first half of the Rhodes’ game the coaches gave all CPUT players who did not yet have an opportunity to start a game to be in the starting line-up,” says Student Development Officer Bulelani Mlakalaka.

“That decision put us on the back foot and the coaches had to make changes during the break, after which the team performed much better.”

During the second half, CPUT’s changed combinations dished out the best rugby of the tournament. No wonder the final score was 53 - 19 in CPUT’s favour.

CPUT Captain Henrico Jacobs received the best player of the tournament accolade in the B division.

“Physiotherapy work in the mornings and evenings ensured that all our players were in the best condition to perform, even on the days during which they rested,” brags Mlakalaka.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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CPUT students and staff members came out in force to #backourboytjies for the university’s inaugural match in the FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International.

Students, in their blue supporters T-shirts, travelled from far and wide for the Cape Derby to support the team as they squared off against our neighbours UWC yesterday.

The match was broadcast live on Supersport 1 and was a nail biting affair with FNB UWC ultimately winning the Cape Derby by a slim margin of 26 to 23.

Commentators commended the resilience of the CPUT team as they ably squared up to the experienced UWC squad, who were favourites to win after making it into the finals last year.

CPUTs fighting spirit was awarded when Christiaan Smit won the Player that Rocks award.

The match was closely analysed by Head of Western Province Rugby Thelo Wakefield and Currie Cup coach John Dobson who took time out of their busy schedules to meet the CPUT team a few hours before kick-off to do a jersey handover and pep talk.

Wakefield told the team that Western Province Rugby would be partnering with the CPUT team to transfer some of the extensive knowledge they had.

“You worked hard to be the owner of that jersey for 80 minutes. We came here to support you because we believe in you,” he told the team.

Dobson commended the support from CPUT management saying the backing from the top is critical for the future success of rugby at the institution.

“For the first time you have broken into this competition so you have nothing to lose and everything to win.”

The team’s next game will take place on Monday when they will face FNB Rhodes at the Rhodes Great Field.

The first opportunity to see our boys playing on home turf will be on February 27 when they will face off against FNB UKZN in Wellington. This match is scheduled to start at 18:30.

To view the fixtures and results go to:http://varsitycup.co.za/varsity-shield-fixtures/

See more photos on our Facebook album

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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CPUT’s dynamic rugby team will make their debut in the hotly contested FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International this week when they will square off against UWC in the opening match.

FNB CPUT is making history as the first-ever from the institution to qualify for the competition and the captain and his team are appealing to the CPUT community to back our boytjies.

“CPUT students must be proud of this institution. It’s our first time to enter Varsity Shield so they must come to support us. I think they are excited to see us playing in Varsity Shield and we will do our best,” said team captain, Camagu Dlisani, a third-year Human Resource Management student.

He said the team had been training hard and their preparations had included a training camp.

Varsity Shield is played in round robin format while the final games will be knock outs.

Last year’s competition was won by the Wits team who beat UWC in the final.

Seven teams are competing for the title this year.

Thursday’s opening match between FNB CPUT and FNB UWC will be hosted by UWC and is scheduled to start at 16.45. It will be broadcast live on Supersport 1.

The CPUT team’s first home game will be on February 27 when they’ll face off against FNB UKZN in Wellington.

To view the fixtures go to: http://varsitycup.co.za/varsity-shield-fixtures/

Tickets on sale at the UWC Sports Stadium, R10 when you produce your staff or student card or R20 without.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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“When getting a chance in wearing the CPUT jersey just remember the okes that played before you. It's all about the legacy you want to leave behind.”

This is the message to up-and-coming players, from Bjorkan Hendricks, one of four CPUT players who recently signed professional contracts to play rugby at a higher level. Che` Klaasen, Ameer Hendricks and Bjorkan Hendricks all landed contracts with the Boland Cavaliers, while Lunathi Nxele signed with the side from George, South Western Districts (SWD) Eagles. Both unions will be competing in the Currie Cup division.

Sports Development Officer, Bulelani Mlakalaka reveals that Lunathi will join former CPUT player, Ralton October, who is also playing for SWD Eagles.  “For Lunathi and Ameer, it is a great way to end off their rugby career with CPUT as they now will play in a higher division,” Mlakalaka continues.

“The CPUT rugby team’s stellar performance [winners] in the 2021 Varsity Shield campaign has yielded more dividends with four players signing professional contracts to play rugby at a higher level.”

Bjorkan, a 21-year-old centre from Wellington, played for Boland in the U/13 Craven week before departing to Pretoria where he studied at Hoërskool Garsfontein, one of the top schools in the Blue Bulls Union. “I got the opportunity to represent Blue Bulls at Grant Khomo U/16 in 2015 and Academy Week in 2016 and 2017 where we won the tournament, beating Western Province in the final,” he continues.

“I signed my contract after the Varsity Shield and that feeling of all the hard work I had to put in even before the Varsity Shield started paying off and I am so grateful for where I am at the moment. Living my dream and passion. It is also nice to be back home after so long and representing my town and union.” 

Che`, raised by a single mother from Grabouw says since he finished school, he always wanted to take his rugby to the next level. However, he encountered many disappointments throughout the years, “But I never gave up. What that taught me was to always work hard and make sure I give my dream my everything. Winning Varsity Shield with CPUT this year has certainly opened doors for me and I’ll make sure I make the best of it.” 

Che` joined the Boland Currie Cup squad a month before the Currie Cup first division started. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play for them. Coming from a town in the Boland it is always a special feeling to represent the Union.”

The Kariega born, Lunathi says “people that know me know the love I have for the game. Honestly speaking, playing rugby is one of the professions I wanted to follow so badly. I’m still working towards where I still want to be. I’m not there yet! But I’m grateful to be where I’m at the moment.” The 25-year-old centre sees himself playing for one of the bigger unions in South Africa. The marketing student, who was also the captain of the Varsity Shield champions in 2019, says he is ready for the new challenge at SWD Eagles. “It’s something that will make me a better person and player.”

The Mitchells Plain-born lock, Ameer comes from humble beginnings and a family that is really passionate about rugby. He says: “One thing I can say is that my journey was a tough one, however, I enjoy the challenges that come with this ride and my biggest motivation has to be my family they are the reason behind my drive and willingness to keep on going, no matter how impossible my dream may seem.”

Ameer adds: “I’m really grateful to Boland for the opportunity they have given me, it's something I always dreamt of but thought it would probably never happen.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Accountancy student Julio 'Beast' Bianchi has made history by becoming the first South African to qualify for the FIFAe World Cup.

The event is scheduled to take place in London next month and for Julio, it will be an honour and a privilege to represent his country.

“It's really special to be a part of history as the first South African to achieve this. I feel a great sense of pride and gratitude.”

After a failed football career, Julio, who hails from Uitsig, started pursuing a career in esports and was scouted by his team, Goliath Gaming, while competing in the qualifiers of a major local FIFA competition. 

He competed against some of the best FIFA players in the West Asia region in the qualifiers. Julio made it through to the grand finals of the qualifiers where he went head to head with FIFA World Cup champion, Mosaad ‘Msdossary’ Aldossary and both players secured a spot in the FIFAe World Cup.

To balance his career and his studies requires balance from the 23-year-old and Julio dedicates Mondays to Thursdays to his studies and weekends to gaming.

The FIFAe World Cup will feature 32 of the best players from across the world battling it out for part of its $500,000 prize pool. Taking place from August 6th to 9th, the tournament will feature four groups of eight players each, as players face off to finish in the top four of their respective groups. Those who qualify will enter into a single-elimination knockout stage. Whilst the prize pool totals $500,000, the winner of the FIFAe World Cup 2021 can look forward to claiming $250,000 of the pool just for themselves. FIFA has confirmed that it will continue to monitor the global health situation leading up to the event.

You can follow Julio at:

https://twitter.com/TheBeastBianchi
https://www.facebook.com/JulioBeastBianchi

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Being the first female deputy referee in Africa to officiate at the Olympics Games for table tennis is a heavy responsibility for Intermediate Phase Education Lecturer, Genevieve Lentz, who is 'entirely prepared for'. 

The excited PhD candidate in Education is set to participate in the 2020 Summer Olympics, branded as Tokyo 2020, scheduled to be held from 23 July to 8 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. The 2020 Olympics and Paralympics were postponed from last year because of the outbreak of Covid-19. The Bonteheuwel-born referee says: “I hope to be an asset to the refereeing team and offer the players and officials a successful Olympics Games. This is also my ‘Neil Armstrong’ moment in history as my success is a step for women but a leap for womankind in sport. There can only be seven women in the world representing each continent that can rightfully take up the position as I am, as the first referee.

“I am privileged and honoured to be representing Africa as the first female referee.”

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo applauds Lentz on her selection as deputy referee in table tennis for the Tokyo Olympics. Nhlapo says her selection enriches an already illustrious sporting career that has taken “you around the globe”.  “As a former CPUT student and now staff member, I really take pride in your exceptional talent and the hard work it must have taken to acquire your blue badge for umpiring. I do hope you enjoy the experience and stay safe while travelling,” says Nhlapo.

Lentz, who recently obtained her Master’s in Education summa cum laude, has officiated as an umpire at three Olympics events, which include Beijing Paralympics; First Youth Olympics and London Olympics, and this time around she will officiate her fourth Olympics as Deputy Referee which is “the highlight of my career”.Her success has evolved over 20 years, having started in table tennis as a player after she was introduced to the sport at primary school and “I played it over weekends on our kitchen table”. Lentz continued playing at Arcadia Senior Secondary School before joining the Boundary Table Tennis Club for whom she played league games.

Whilst playing for Boundary, the young Lentz realised that she had a knack for umpiring and pursued qualifying herself as a professional umpire. Lentz started with the League Exam then the Provincial Exam and proceeded to the National Exam before she officiated on all levels in South Africa. In 2006, the opportunity arose to write the International Umpires Exam which “I embraced and successfully qualified as an International Umpire”.In 2011, she became the first South African female to obtain a Blue Badge Umpire status which is seen as the elite umpires eligible to officiate at the Olympics. In 2017, Lentz became the first female referee in Africa for table tennis.

The difference between an umpire and a referee is that an umpire has jurisdiction of the court, which includes the players in the match and the referee has jurisdiction of the whole tournament, which means that all players, coaches and officials fall under the referee. The very dedicated nGAP Lecturer says Hajera Kajee, Vice President of Administration for the South African Table Tennis Board, was very instrumental in the fast-tracking of her career as an official. “Her heartbeat is gender equity and she wholeheartedly supported me and motivated me throughout my journey. Furthermore, my mother has taught me and my siblings to be principled and have integrity, thus always having a strong work ethic.”Lentz is also mindful that this year’s Olympics will be like no other, taking place during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I feel confident that the IOC and LOC of Japan have implemented all safety protocols and implement safety plans to keep all the participants safe. Each of us has the responsibility to keep ourselves safe by adhering to the social distancing and all other covid-19 protocols.”Lentz is optimistic about the opportunity afforded to her. “I will be an asset to the Referee Team, gain invaluable experience which I can bring back to South Africa and the African continent to share with my colleagues.”Her mission is to ensure that development takes place on the grassroots level and that more women are capacitated to become officials.

“My word of encouragement, particularly to women, is that you are good enough and have the potential to achieve anything you set your mind to. Stay focused on your goals and silence the white noise around you. You will be successful and rise above and beyond your circumstances.” 

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The first woman in Africa to officiate as a deputy referee in table tennis at the Olympic Games believes there have been inroads in the participation of women in sport and, more importantly, women taking up leadership roles.

Intermediate Phase Education Lecturer, Genevieve Lentz recently returned home from the 2020 Summer Olympics, branded as Tokyo 2020, which were held from 23 July to 8 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.  She says: “I have seen a progressive increase in women pursuing academia. The gender dynamics are changing swiftly and women are realising they can do it all from being a lecturer to being head of departments and deans.”

Being at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games as Deputy Referee is a stand-alone highlight for Lentz. In terms of Table Tennis, she started with the Singles Event, “very exciting matches to watch the world's greatest perform meters away from where you are seated”.  Lentz continues.

“It was good to see that Africa did well and that Omar Assar from Egypt performed exceptionally well competing in the Quarter Finals.”  It was exciting to see how well the players performed, the Medal Ceremony was extra special as one observed the emotional gratitude these players displayed towards their respective countries.”

Reflecting on her career-best moments, Lentz highlights the event where she received her International Table Tennis Referee Pin, after qualifying as an International Referee in Egypt.  “It was also monumental moment, receiving the pin at the Tokyo Olympics.” Being able to be in the Athletics Stadium and walking on the running track was very exciting for Lentz as “this is where champions break world records and become Olympians.  I think the treasured moment at the end of each day was that I religiously received encouraging voice notes from my family and friends,” she continues.

“The most special voice note being my six-year-old nephew, Calum Noah Sparks – I would listen to his voice note each night before I go to sleep.”

Looking back on her trip to Japan, Lentz reveals that before she left for Tokyo she had to take two Covid-19 Tests: 96 hours and 72 hours prior to her departure. Her traveling itinerary was in three phases: she took a domestic flight to Johannesburg on Tuesday, 20th July, and later that afternoon flew to Doha. From Doha, she then took a flight to Tokyo. her travelling hours were 36 hours and on arrival in Tokyo, she spent about five to six hours at the airport for testing purposes.

Her role as a referee is to oversee the tournament. “In my role as Deputy Referee, I was responsible for ensuring that all went well during the scheduled matches.”

Reflecting on the impact of COVID-19 on the games, Lentz states that all officials and umpires had to “religiously” do the Covid-19 test each morning. “We wore our masks throughout the day, at all times. In the Official’s dining room, they had cubicles which were partitioned with plastic screens in which the officials could remove their masks and enjoy their meals.”

For the first time, South Africa will be hosting the 2023 World Table Tennis Championships in Durban, and in her role as Technical Convenor, Lentz is responsible for the training and development of umpires and referees.

Her message to women would be that they have the God-given potential within them to be and achieve all that they set their minds to. “Never allow anyone to place an expiry date on your dreams and pursue it with all that you have.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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He boasts more than 60 caps for SA’s prolific Blitzbok squad and now star player Chris Dry can add another feather to his cap.

The Springbok Sevens forward is among more than 2 000 graduates whose hard work and sacrifices will be celebrated during CPUT’s Autumn Graduation on April 19 and 20.

And despite his hectic schedule, the B.Tech in Construction Management will be the second B.Tech he has earned in three years - Dry graduated with a B.Tech in Quantity Surveying in 2015.

He admits that it was quite a balancing act to juggle so many balls at once.

After a gruelling day of training, he would make the commute to Bellville to attend evening classes or to write exams.

When travelling with the team overseas he had to miss classes and communicated with his lecturers via email.

“It was especially difficult in the beginning.  We spend a lot of time overseas so I had to inform the lecturers of my schedule ahead of time and I had to fit in my work whenever I had a moment. The hardest part for me was when I had to do my research and I had missed the classes. But, somehow I managed.”

Dry encourages other sportsmen and women to pursue their studies.

“Don’t use the excuse that you don’t have enough time. You have enough time. You can only play professional rugby for maybe 10 years. You need to be prepared for your life thereafter.”

Asked why he had decided to complete two B.Tech degrees, Dry said he was hoping to work in property development.

“I wanted to be well prepared so I decided to get the necessary knowledge in both sectors.”

Dry suffered an injury at the end of last year, which ruled him out for several months.

“I’m working hard at the moment doing full-time rehab. I’m focused on coming back and want to play in the Rugby World Cup Sevens.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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