The Stripe Generation are their tails swinging ahead of their tough encounter away to log leaders FNB Maties. Deway Swartbooi’s charges are seeded second on the log after their emphatic 26-17 victory over FNB NWU Eagles in front of a packed Tuks stadium. The victory finds Tuks just one-point away from playoff qualification.
Much of Tuks’ success in the current season came from sensational forward pack performance. One name that cannot be ignored is of the Vryheid born prop MJ ‘Dominee’ Nel.
Dominee as he affectionately known and Pretoria and now around South Africa’s rugby fans because of his agility and try scoring ability seems to be now reaping the successes of his patience and resilience.
“My first year out of high school I went to NWU Vaal Campus, but I came back to Pretoria a year after to study theology in University of Pretoria. It made financial sense to study in Pretoria closer to home. In my second week of training, I tore my ACL on my right knee which set me back for 13-months,” said the Tuks tighthead prop. “
Like Newcastle United story of winning their first major trophy in 74-years, the Hoërskool Garsfontein graduate Nel waited until his 3rd year to make his Tuks debut.
“Until in my third year that I got to play, I played for the Tuks reserve team for fitness and in just 15-minutes into the game the first team coaches called me and ask if I can be on the bench for the first team. We got relegated and they called me into the office for the Varsity Shield. I was over the moon as I waited for so long.”
Nel became Tuks’ key player in the front row in their FNB Varsity Shield triumph last season often paired with the then skipper Ethan Burger. The 130kg prop adores the former Springboks prop Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira and believes he was born to be a prop.
“Growing up we were always a family that loves rugby. I really looked up to the Beast (Tendai Mtawarira). I looked up to him so much that I even did a school project on him and his story. My mom still kept the projects at home. I was so sad when he announced his retirement, he is a legend of the game and as I grew older and playing prop, I also looked up to Frans Malherbe and Os du Rant,” he said.
“Scoring tries isn’t in many forwards vocabulary, last year Ethan Burger was one of the leading try scorers in the competition and when I got picked on loose head it came with so much pressure as he is now playing professionally in Exeter.
“I think it feels better than a backline when a forward scores a try, it feels great and special. Unfortunately, we could not get the results we wanted when we played UCT. In that moment it felt special, I just watched the video and when I dived over, I smashed the ground a few times.
Fixtures: HERE
Tickets: HERE
By: Lehlogonolo Ditshego
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