Judo sessions and daily workshops on team standards and culture have become the norm for Madibaz rugby coach David Manuel's charges while preparing for the annual FNB Varsity Shield season. The students kick off their 2025 campaign against Varsity College in Durban on Valentine’s Day and they have been at it from dawn to dusk to avenge their nail-biting semifinal defeat to last season’s surprise package.
As is the Manuel way, there is a lot of love within the squad – albeit of the tough variety – and the players are certainly feeling it.
They have been up at 6.30am every day since assembling for their pre-competition camp on January 12 and, outside of breakfast, lunch and dinner times, have been living rugby and little else.
“We have our judo sessions in the afternoon to get our guys mentally-resilient and physically tough. I think we’ve sometimes missed that on the field,” he explained.
“Our 11am workshops are to make sure that everyone is clear on our standards and cultural pillars as Mandela University. There’s a lot of education on what our weeks will look like during the season and how each player prepares.”
“I need to make sure I’m on the money in terms of having guys who have played in different environments.”
Manuel acknowledged that this year’s Madibaz squad was very young – the average age is 22 – but the more he saw of them the more he believed he was on the right track.
Madibaz have had the added advantage of training with and playing against the Eastern Province senior team, now coached by former Springbok mentor Allister Coetzee.
On Sunday, the students managed to put one over the provincial outfit, winning 29-24. While they lost their opening warm-up game against the SWD Eagles at Mandela University’s George campus a week earlier, Manuel said he had got what he wanted out of these fixtures.
“The boys are tired but they are a bunch of warriors.”
Provisional Squad (subject to change):
Hlombe Luyanda, Aqhamile Limba, Lunathi Njara, Marco Nortjie, Bahle Cengani, Liyema Nyendwana, Raashied Conrad, AJ Flemmin, Emihle Zaza, Imibongo Mvuleni, Ntando Mavuso, Lemeul Kramer, Yolisa Dladla, Chulumanco Limana, Lwando Davane, Kyle Erasmus, Tlhalefo Kabelo Moleko, Lindokuhle Mba, Baphole Jennings, Dewald Gerber, Thando Nogaya, Calvin Bosch, Sean Van Zijl, Dandre Van Jaarsveld, De Wet Goedhals, Ambrose Scholtz, Martinus Strydom, Corne Cloete, Johan Van Zyl, Arno Seal, Leon van der Merwe, Xolani Hlatshwayo, Schalk Cannon, Curwin Casper, Reece Masimla, Cameron Doyle, Layron Milborrow, Dillan Gordon, Caleb Friskin, Jaden Witbooi, Craig Lottering, Edward Kruger, Keenan Jantjies, Luyolo Mba, Mvelo Fipaza, Bukho Pantsi.
Fixtures: HERE
Tickets: HERE
By: Jesica Slabbert
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