Sport

NWU student helps Springboks claim The Rugby Africa Sevens title

BELINDA BANTHAM — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 07:48:52 +0000

NWU student helps Springboks claim The Rugby Africa Sevens title

BELINDA BANTHAM Fri, 07/04/2025 - 09:48

For Joubert Schoeman, a BCom Honours in Management Accounting student at the North-West University (NWU), representing South Africa on the global stage was not just a dream, but a goal he pursued with passion. His determination recently paid off when he helped the Springbok Sevens ‘A’ team win the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup in Mauritius.

Demonstrating remarkable resilience, the Springbok Sevens 'A' team triumphed over Madagascar in the thrilling 26-12 Rugby Africa Sevens tournament final, earning the title of continental champions. Held over two action-packed days at the Labourdonnais Sports Club in Mauritius on 21 and 22 June, the tournament brought together Africa’s finest. The South Africans cruised through the pool stages, securing victories over Nigeria, Zambia and Burkina Faso.

In the semi-finals, the Blitz Boks narrowly beat the Zimbabwe Cheetahs 19-12, while Madagascar comfortably beat Kenya, setting up a tense final between two strong teams.

Joubert Schoeman reflects on his experience:

What was the preparation like heading off to Mauritius?

“While we were training in Stellenbosch, our main focus was on two things: keeping things simple and making sure everyone was clear on their role. Once we had that nailed down, it was just about sticking to the plan and getting the basics right,” Schoeman explains.

How did the team manage the intensity and tight schedule over the weekend?

“After each game, we regrouped, reset and made sure we were mentally ready for the next one.”

How did the team adapt to the hot weather in Mauritius and the physicality of the competition?

“We had to stay hydrated due to the hot and humid climate. From the outset, we focused on sticking to our structure, which meant we didn’t have to work harder than necessary.”

What stood out the most for you?

“There were two moments that stood out for me. The first was during the signing session – just seeing children and thinking back to when I was younger and used to look up to players, dreaming of representing my country one day. The second was standing and singing our national anthem while representing South Africa, was a proud experience.”

What was going through your mind in the final?

“I was nervous, but once the whistle blew, I focused on my job and stayed in the moment.”

What does winning the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup mean to you?

“It means a huge deal for me. It is a feeling I shall never forget. Since we didn’t win the tournament last year, winning it this year made it even more special. Later, the team realised that it had been years since South Africa last won an Africa Cup. This made the victory even sweeter.”

How do you see your experience feeding into your future rugby aspirations?

“Playing for the Blitz Boks has always been a childhood dream of mine. I would love to be included in their training squad,” he says. “But I believe God has a plan for me, whether that’s playing rugby or doing something else.”

Do you have any messages you would like to share with your family, coaches, supporters, or peers?

“I would like to thank my family and friends for their support and for always being there for me. A big thank you to the coaching staff at NWU. Lastly, I would like to thank Dr Pieter van den Berg, who has played a significant role in my career. I have had the privilege of playing Sevens under him for the past two years.”

Joubert Schoeman says he was laser-focused throughout the tournament.

Human movement science students to gain hands-on exposure

BELINDA BANTHAM — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 06:29:44 +0000

Human movement science students to gain hands-on exposure

by Oscar Mosiane

BELINDA BANTHAM Mon, 06/30/2025 - 08:29

In a partnership that aims to provide students with hands-on experience and practical exposure aligned with their academic curriculum, the School of Human Movement Science at the Mahikeng Campus of the North-West University (NWU) has embarked on a transformative collaboration with the North West Provincial Department of Art, Culture, Sports and Recreation (DACSR).

Siyanda Mbatha, a lecturer and PhD student in the School of Human Movement Science, is leading this initiative to align theoretical learning with real-world application. “Our students must understand the relevance of what they are studying, not just within classroom walls, but also in real life, by gaining an understanding of the broader, professional landscape.” Siyanda kicked off her idea by approaching Dr George Marindi, chief director for sport and recreation at the DACSR. Her proposal of collaboration was warmly received, and has led to a dynamic and ongoing partnership.

“This initiative marks a significant step forward in producing well-rounded Human Movement Sciences graduates who are equipped to meet the demands of the sports industry,” she says.

One of the first fruits of this partnership will see Human Movement Science students participating in several provincial and national School Sports Championships, gaining first-hand experience in sports administration, athlete management and other key areas. The first group of selected students will travel with the North West team to the National School Sports Winter Championships. During this event, that will take place in Durban from 11 to 15 July 2025, these students will provide assistance in various operational roles.

NWU lecturer Siyanda Mbatha is passionate about providing students with hands-on experience and practical exposure.

NWU alumnus finds footing in pro football as Durban City FC’s conditioning coach

BELINDA BANTHAM — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 06:36:57 +0000

NWU alumnus finds footing in pro football as Durban City FC’s conditioning coach

by Phenyo Mokgothu

BELINDA BANTHAM Thu, 06/12/2025 - 08:36

A former NWU Soccer Institute player, Michael Radebe has made the transition from the pitch to the training room, now serving as strength and conditioning coach at Durban City Football Club. The club was recently promoted to the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL).

“Studying sport science at NWU laid a good foundation for my current role,” says Radebe. “The sports science programme helped with theoretical knowledge and practical experience in programme designing and player monitoring, which is one of the critical factors in conditioning.”

At Durban City FC, he is responsible for planning and delivering strength and conditioning sessions, implementing injury prevention strategies, conducting fitness testing, and monitoring player load and recovery. He collaborates with both the medical and technical teams to ensure players are physically prepared for their training and match demands.

“My contribution lies in ensuring players remain at optimal fitness levels throughout the season, minimising injury risk and improving physical performance,” he says. “I must ensure that every registered player in the team is fit, fresh and available for the selection of the team every week.”

He credits both the NWU’s academic setup and his time as a player for shaping his approach as the club’s conditioning coach. “The exposure to real-life performance environments gave me a solid understanding of how to apply classroom principles in the field.”

His background as a former player has helped bridge the gap between athlete and coach. “I can understand the players’ behavioural patterns and pressure relating to performance,” he says. “This assists me in designing sessions that are scientifically sound, practical and beneficial.”

Communication and discipline, he adds, are values he carries over from his playing days. “It helps me create a culture where athletes feel heard, understood, and pushed to their highest potential.”

Durban City FC’s promotion to the PSL marks a new chapter for the club. For Radebe, it also marks a new level of responsibility, one he says he is equipped to handle, both in the classroom and on the field.

Michael Radebe is now serving as strength and conditioning coach at Durban City Football Club.

Congratulations! Tete Dijana wins Comrades Marathon … again

MARELIZE SANTANA — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 09:36:50 +0000

Congratulations! Tete Dijana wins Comrades Marathon … again

by Bertie Jacobs

MARELIZE SANTANA Sun, 06/08/2025 - 11:36

Comrades Marathon superstar Tete Dijana went supernova on Sunday 8 June when he won his third Comrades Marathon, following back-to-back victories in 2022 and 2023.

Dijana is an employee of Mi7, which is an external security service provider to the North-West University (NWU), and his reassuring presence on the Mahikeng Campus has made him a beloved member of the NWU family.

It was a stellar performance from Dijana who completed the 98.98 km distance from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in a time of five hours, 25 minutes and 28 seconds.

“The NWU is beyond proud of Tete and his remarkable achievement. Last year he struggled with cramps and injury niggles during the up-run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, where he finished in 14th position, but did he give up? No, he came back stronger than ever which shows his commitment and determination. There are so many lessons for us to not only learn from, but to try to and emulate in Tete’s journey. Congratulations Tete, you are a true ambassador of the NWU and an inspiration to all South Africans,” said Prof Bismark Tyobeka, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the NWU.

Prof Tyobeka also gave his support and well-wishes to all the staff, alumni, students and friends of the NWU who is competing in the 98th edition of the world’s oldest and most well-known ultramarathon.

South African boxers are in good hands at championships in Guinea

BELINDA BANTHAM — Tue, 20 May 2025 07:48:19 +0000

South African boxers are in good hands at championships in Guinea

by Phenyo Mokgothu

BELINDA BANTHAM Tue, 05/20/2025 - 09:48

Young South African boxers competing in the African Boxing Confederation’s (AFBC’s) Youth Championships in Conakry, Guinea, could not be in better hands. Their team manager is Keorapetse Mashimo, an alumnus of the North-West University (NWU).

Keorapetse completed his BEd degree at the Mahikeng Campus.

A seasoned boxing referee and administrator, he is managing the South African youth men’s and women's boxing team competing in Guinea from 16 to 26 May.

Besides Keorapetse, the team consists of three female and seven male boxers, alongside two coaches.

His appointment as team manager comes shortly after his election as treasurer of the North West Provincial Sports Confederation.

He has been officiating since 2018, and has built a remarkable career in boxing, recently earning the trophy for Best Male Referee and Judge at the 2024 National Youth and Elites Championships in Durban. The event, organised by South African National Boxing Organisation, saw participation from all nine provinces.

Keorapetse contributions to boxing include serving as the spokesperson for the provincial Boxing Federation from 2018 to 2022, the year in which he was elected as its secretary-general.

The AFBC Youth Championships serve as a critical platform for young boxers to showcase their talent and gain international experience, and Keorapetse says being appointed team manager marks a significant milestone in his career in the boxing world.

"This is not just a personal achievement, but also a reflection of the work we are doing to develop boxing talent in the province and beyond.”

Keorapetse Mashimo.

Phenomenal Bradley and Elroy continue to soar

BELINDA BANTHAM — Fri, 16 May 2025 08:59:46 +0000

Phenomenal Bradley and Elroy continue to soar

by Bertie Jacobs

BELINDA BANTHAM Fri, 05/16/2025 - 10:59

He did it again! On Sunday, 11 May, the Olympic superstar and proud North-West University (NWU) Eagle Bradley Nkoana was part of the South African 4x100 m relay team that won gold at the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China.

Nkoana, Akani Simbine, Bayanda Walaza and Sinesipho Dambile beat their opponents from the US, Canada and Japan to achieve a season's best time of 37.61 seconds.

Nkoana, who studies Sports Science at the NWU, together with Simbine and Walaza, is no stranger to the relay podium, having also bagged silver in the 4x100 m finals at the 2024 Olympic Games in France.

Splendid, just splendid.

Also on Sunday 27 April, NWU staff member Elroy Gelant shattered the South African marathon record at the Hamburg Marathon, showing that father time has no hold on him. Gelant crossed the finish line in 2:05:36. In doing so, he beat Gert Thys’ 26-ear-old South African record by 57 seconds.

Considering Gelant’s late switch to competitive marathon running, this is a remarkable achievement.

His marathon times continue to improve, so the best may still be to come for this veteran runner.

NWU Eagles Young Guns to face UCT in Varsity Cup semi-final

BELINDA BANTHAM — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 12:51:57 +0000

NWU Eagles Young Guns to face UCT in Varsity Cup semi-final

by Steve Maphakathe

BELINDA BANTHAM Thu, 04/03/2025 - 14:51

The North-West University (NWU) Eagles Young Guns (YGs) are looking to defend their Varsity Cup title after securing a crucial home semi-final. The Eagles will take on the University of Cape Town (UCT) YGs at the Fanie Du Toit Sportsgrounds on Monday 7 April at 16:00.

The Eagles’ journey to the semi-finals has been nothing short of spectacular, as they finished top of Group A with 24 points. Their latest victory came in a thrilling away encounter against Maties at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on Monday 31 March. The Eagles edged out their opponents 24-21 in the match to seal their place as the frontrunners heading into the knockout stages of the competition.

With their sights firmly set on retaining their crown, the Eagles will be looking to take advantage of their home turf in what promises to be an intense semi-final clash against UCT. The NWU Eagles have shown strength and skill throughout the competition and will need to bring their best performance to overcome the UCT Ikeys.

The Purple Army’s success to date has been driven by their fortitude and consistency and they are sure to give it their all on match day.

117 reasons to remember a season of passion and pride

BELINDA BANTHAM — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 12:58:02 +0000

117 reasons to remember a season of passion and pride

by Steve Maphakathe

BELINDA BANTHAM Tue, 04/01/2025 - 14:58

They may have exited the 2025 Varsity Cup, but the North-West University (NWU) Eagles did so in spectacular fashion, making a lasting impression on the competition. In their last match of the tournament, at the well-lit Fanie Du Toit Sports Ground on Monday, 31 March, the Eagles destroyed Central University of Technology (CUT) with a stunning 117-19 victory, setting a new record.

A season filled with determination

Despite finishing fifth on the log with 21 points, barely short of a semi-final position, the Eagles demonstrated unswerving commitment throughout the season. The fans resonated with their perseverance, enthusiasm and never-say-die attitude. Even though they have been eliminated from the Varsity Cup, their offensive brilliance made them the only team this season to reach 100 points in a single game.

Dominance over CUT

The Eagles faced a difficult start to the game against CUT as the visitors took an early 5-0 lead after drawing first blood in the fourth minute. The hosts responded quickly, levelling the score in the ninth minute and never looking back. They went ahead 21-5 by the 13th minute and, two minutes later, were dominating at 27-5.

By halftime, the Eagles had put the result beyond doubt, leading 52-12. They continued their attacking prowess in the second half and were too good for the CUT defence, becoming the only team this season to reach the century mark and leave a footprint in Varsity Cup history.

Their stunning 117–19 victory served as an act of intent, demonstrating that even if their hopes of winning the title were over, their will to battle never faltered.

A legacy to remember

While the Varsity Cup dream may have faded this year, the Eagles’ fearless strategy and spectacular performance will live on. They have set the standard for upcoming seasons with their courageous attack and persistent dedication to perfection.

The NWU Eagles gave their all and showed they will never be out of the fight.

Unique opportunity offered to elite SA players at Renault Clay Courts Challenge in conjunction with NWU

RONEL ROSCHER — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 09:00:52 +0000

Unique opportunity offered to elite SA players at Renault Clay Courts Challenge in conjunction with NWU RONEL ROSCHER Mon, 03/31/2025 - 11:00

Tennis players across South Africa will be given a chance to compete on clay courts for the first time on home soil when the inaugural Renault Clay Courts Challenge series is held at the North-West University (NWU) in Potchefstroom between 9 May and 10 August 2025.

A joint venture between the NWU, Tennis South Africa (TSA) and Renault South Africa, the inaugural series will feature day and night matches across a range of age groups, with Under-12, 14, 16, and Open competitions being held.

Providing a chance for SA's elite players across four age divisions to gain valuable experience, the NWU will host this unique series of tournaments, making available the only five Italian clay courts in the country.

With entries now open, the top eight players in each age group in the SA rankings will compete across the four tournaments in the doubles and singles divisions for boys, girls, men, and women.

While SA players have always had opportunities to compete on hard courts, this series offers the chance for the country's top players to participate on Italian red clay courts. Anthony Moruthane, the TSA General Manager, hopes the Renault Clay Courts Challenge will assist players in becoming more accustomed to the slower surface, in preparation for international clay court tournaments.

"We are excited to partner with Renault and the North-West University to bring the first-ever clay courts tournaments to South Africa," Moruthane said.

"These tournaments not only mark a historic moment for tennis in our country but also underscore our shared commitment to growing the sport and providing local players with competitive opportunities on varying surfaces.

"This wouldn’t be possible without the North-West University’s world-class Italian red clay facilities, which will enable our players to experience the unique challenge of playing on clay courts right here at home. Equally, we thank Renault South Africa for their continued backing and support of local tennis, which has been instrumental in driving the sport since the launch of our partnership earlier this year.

"The inclusion of both day and night matches will also add an exciting dynamic to the competition. We invite players and fans alike to join us for this inaugural tournament."

Prof Daryl Balia, deputy vice-chancellor for Information Technology and Potchefstroom Campus operations at the NWU, described the opportunity to host the upcoming tournament as yet another testimony to the fact that the NWU’s sports facilities are second to none on the entire continent and annually attract hundreds of international athletes.

“The North-West University takes tennis as a sport very seriously, thus our support and cooperation in this regard,” Balia said.
Nosipho Manitshana, Vice President: Marketing and Communication at Renault South Africa, added: "As a brand that drives excellence, Renault South Africa is committed to developing local tennis talent by investing in opportunities that prepare players for clay court competition. This initiative aligns with international standards and the playing conditions of Roland Garros, the prestigious Grand Slam Tournament proudly sponsored by Renault globally."

Renault Clay Courts Challenge fixtures:

U-16 and Open: 9–11 May 2025
U-12 and U-14: 20–22 June 2025
U-12 and U-14: 1–3 August 2025
U-16 and Open: 8–10 August 2025

Anthony Moruthane and Prof Daryl Balia shaking hands on closing the deal.

Some of the clay courts which will be used during the tournament.

NWU Young Guns Eagles defeat Wits to secure semifinal spot

BELINDA BANTHAM — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 06:44:50 +0000

NWU Young Guns Eagles defeat Wits to secure semifinal spot

by Steve Maphakathe

BELINDA BANTHAM Fri, 03/28/2025 - 08:44

The North-West University (NWU) Eagles Young Guns secured their semifinal spot with a commanding 27–8 victory over the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in a thrilling Varsity Cup clash at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground on Monday, March 24. The Eagles bounced back in style after their narrow defeat to a stubborn University of Pretoria (Tuks) side the previous week at the Tuks Stadium.

The Eagles set the tone early, with fly-half Duan du Toit displaying his kicking prowess. Within the first six minutes of the game, he had already put the Eagles 6–0 ahead. The hosts maintained an aggressive game plan, piling pressure on their visitors. 13 Minutes into the game, the hosts were leading 13 -3, and at the 19-minute mark, the Eagles were awarded a penalty, which du Toit expertly converted, extending their lead to 16–3.

The first try of the game came in the 23rd minute, further cementing the Eagles’ dominance and pushing the score to 21–3. Du Toit added yet another successful penalty eight minutes later, taking the tally to 24–3. Wits managed to respond just before halftime with a try of their own, reducing the gap to 24–8 at the break.

Du Toit converted another penalty in the second half, extending the lead to 27-8 and sealing the well-deserved victory for the hosts. Reflecting on the team’s performance, Coach Hannes Esterhuizen emphasised the significance of the results, saying: “We are happy with the win; it was crucial for reaching the semifinals. The boys managed the game well and highlighted great patience throughout.”

Now as the Eagles prepare for their next challenge against Maties in Stellenbosch, they will look to maintain their momentum and push forward in their quest for Varsity Cup glory.