Drama. That was the hallmark of the North-West University (NWU) Eagles march into the semi-finals of the Varsity Cup after they beat the CUT Ixias 35-32 on Tuesday afternoon.

It is a weekday. The morning dew is melting and Johannesburg is still half asleep.  The relative calm is peaceful before the storm of the day hits. However, no calm for Annemie Bester. Where she turns into Emirates Airline Park – still called Ellis Park by the fans – she does not want to be anywhere else.

The country’s netball teams are once more infused with NWU spices, with current and former students whose names are found on all the lists of national teams.

It is with the deepest regret that the North-West University (NWU) has to say farewell to Tiaan Bezuidenhout who tragically passed away in a car accident on Saturday, 8 May.

Tiaan (26) was the captain of the NWU’s Varsity Cup side who reached the final of the 2018 tournament.

He was travelling to his mother when tragedy struck on the N4 near Kroondal.

The university would like to express its sincere condolences to Tiaan’s family and friends. It is always sad to lose a member of the larger NWU family.

Memorable exploits on the cricket pitch can take many forms. A sublimely timed cover drive to bring up a century in the most trying of circumstances, a catch that defies the laws of physics, or an over bowled with such venom and resolve that the opposition is unable to secure the winning runs.

Sharks legend Jacques Botes has been contracted as part of Burger van der Westhuizen’s coaching staff for the upcoming club rugby competitions, which – given his abundance of experience – can prove to be an astute signing.

There are two flights of stairs leading to the first floor of the North-West University’s High Performance Institute. Traversing these stairs you will find, on the one side, photographs of the sports managers who have led the NWU to the top echelons of varsity glory. Helené Botha guided the NWU netball squad to Varsity Cup glory, as did Conrad de Swardt with cricket, Mervyn Taylor and Ronel Emms with rugby, Terseus Liebenberg with athletics.

North-West University (NWU) alumnus Thulani Tlhapi has proven that netball is not a sport only women can excel in.

Jean Verster’s enthusiasm is contagious. World champions can attest to this – just ask Caster Semenya and many others.

Chederick van Wyk was born in the year of champions, and that is what he has become. The world first met this future sprinter on 18 February 1995, a few months before the Springboks lifted the Web Ellis Trophy on a historic afternoon at Ellis Park. Destiny also had a plan for the young boy from Prieska.