Bertie Jacobs

Bertie Jacobs

The Netherlands won, but hockey triumphed. When the final whistle blew on Tuesday, 12 April, it was the Dutch fans who cheered and the players clad in orange who celebrated as the Netherlands beat Germany conclusively 3–1 in the final of the FIH Women’s Hockey Junior World Cup at the Astroturf of the North-West University (NWU) in Potchefstroom.

Bertie Jacobs

Oh my goodness, it is going to be a very close call. On Monday evening, 4 April the Eagles kept their playoff hopes alive in a sopping wet Bloemfontein by beating the CUT Ixias by 33–14.

Bertie Jacobs

Bertie Jacobs

It is no joke. From 1 April, the North-West University (NWU) will host the 2022 Women's FIH Hockey Junior World Cup at the Astroturf fields in Potchefstroom.

This is the ninth time the event has been presented, and it would have taken place in December, but the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus put paid to those plans.

Now, 16 teams comprising the best under-21 hockey players on the planet will come together next to the Mooi River from 1 to 12 April.

The virtues of the style of rugby that the Shimlas have been playing has been extolled from all corners. Pundits praised their enterprising playing style and willingness to run with the ball. A loss against Wits exposed some cracks preventing an impressive win, and then, on Monday, 14 March in Bloemfontein, the NWU Eagles caused a quake with a 32–22 win against the men from the University of the Free State.

The Eagles got off to a rollicking start and led 20–0 after outside centre Tino Swanepoel had dotted down twice. Nivan Petersen slotted two penalties and two conversions.

It was a Wednesday night and after the rain had yet again pelted down, the playing field at the North-West University’s campus in Vanderbijlpark was soaking wet. And draped in darkness. If it wasn’t bad enough that the elements conspired against the first rugby team of the campus training in acceptable conditions, Eskom had decided to throw its weight behind Mother Nature as well. Loadshedding is a friend of neither coach nor rugby player.

This win meant the world. Not only did the NWU Eagles beat former champions and perennial finalists UP-Tuks 17–8 during their Varsity Cup clash in Potchefstroom on Monday, 7 March, they also got their 2022 campaign back on track. 

After joining Mpumalanga-based TS Galaxy FC, North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute alumnus Orebotse “Bobo” Mongae is back to play in South Africa’s top league, the DSTV Premier Soccer League.

The North-West University (NWU) is continuing to strive to promote the wonderful sport that is hockey by hosting the Men’s FIH Pro League in Potchefstroom.