It was as unexpected as a lightning bolt on a sunny day. The North-West University (NWU) Eagles were playing against Wits in a warm-up game a few months ago.

Talismanic captain Ruan “Sampie” Swiegers was leading the charge. The tighthead prop had cemented his position as the Eagles’ de facto leader, having captained the Eagles during the 2022 Varsity Cup. Then, tragedy struck. He busted his knee.

With the 2023 Varsity Cup looming and time not a commodity to be wasted – the Eagles played their first game on 20 February – a leader was needed.

He wore his heart on his sleeve. Fearless. A short temper. Emotional. A naughty devil. Playboy. Formidable firebrand. He was notorious. Journalists loved his antics and this talented wing produced them with abandon. James Terence Small – 47 tests, 20 tries. The first South African to be sent from the field with a card. It was 1993 and the South Africans were pitting their strength against Australia. Bosom friend and scrum half Robert du Preez was penalised by the English referee, Ed Morrison, and the visitors were not very happy with the decision.

Olé, Olé, Olé! Now that got the blood flowing, didn’t it? The North-West University (NWU) Eagles clawed their way to a 41-28 win over the University of Johannesburg (UJ) on Monday night in Potchefstroom after having their feathers ruffled by the visitors from Johannesburg in the first half.

In doing so, the Eagles got their 2023 Varsity Cup campaign off to a splendid start, scoring six tries to their opponents’ three. Still, as stated, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. UJ led 18-15 going into the break after Eagles’ flanker Gustav Erlank was sinbinned in the 15th minute.

How long will cricket still be known as the “Gentleman’s Game”, or is that nickname already a thing of the past? Women’s cricket has grown by leaps and bounds and this trend has continued in 2023 with the ICC Women’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

The event, which was staged in South Africa, took place at three venues, namely the North-West University Oval (NWU Oval) and the JB Marks Oval – both in Potchefstroom – as well as at Willowmore Park in Benoni.

It is a sizzler of a Thursday afternoon with the mercury as high as load-shedding tempers. However, the team room of the Rugby Institute at the North-West University (NWU) – no, the war room – is cool. A table-sized replica of a rugby field greets you as you enter the room, as does Burger van der Westhuizen, the new Varsity Cup coach for the NWU Eagles.

Another player of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Soccer Institute has been scooped up by a professional team. Tshepiso Mahlangu joined Tuks FC in January 2023.

Tuks FC, a South African Association football club representing the University of Pretoria, currently plays in the National First Division.

Tshepiso, who captained the NWU team during the 2022 Varsity Football tournament is the second Soccer Institute player to be signed by the Pretoria-based team. Thabo Mnyamane joined Tuks FC in 2013.

His name is synonymous with hard defence, smooth skills and an indestructible engine without a reverse gear. Andre Fouché is steel moulded in the forge of the NWU Rugby Institute, and this year his play is the talk of the town.

She is the current, defending and undisputed javelin champion of the North-West University (NWU), and Jo-Ané van Dyk was recently crowned the Potchefstroom Campus Sportswoman of the Year again. This excellent javelin thrower showed her steel on the international stage once more in 2022 when she represented South Africa at the African Games, the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships.

He is a legend who rewrote the record books. A diehard speed glutton who exhibited his talent on the global stage until he was in his late 30s. Shaun Bownes, the former hurdles champion of the African continent, is carved from granite.

He may not have been able to escape the injuries or stay ahead of Father Time, but heaven knows, he tried. That bald pate of his was a constant on televisions screens.

The North-West University (NWU) Eagles may have been unable to secure a trophy in any of the recently completed Varsity Sports tournaments, but they sure have given a good account of themselves.