Participating in the 2024 FNB Varsity Cup has been an awakening of note for FNB UWC as the 2023 FNB Varsity Shield champions find themselves at the bottom of the log.
Paul Treu and his coaching staff worked hard in the off-season and knew they were the underdogs. They still managed to put together a formidable squad, who despite being winless, have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience. Players like Conwill Conradie, Aaron Swartz, Romuad Nsombamanya, Wian van der Sandt, and Louan de Lange have made a huge impact.
Assistant coach Lionel Langenhoven says they are still positive.
"The team remains positive despite where we find ourselves on the log.
“We need to continue honing the skills of the players and help them realise their potential on the field. This is a key for everyone in the UWC team environment, to never slow down on learning from this beautiful game."
UWC came close, a few seasons back in 2019, in beating FNB UCT at home when World Cup-winning Springbok Kurt-Lee Arendse was on fire for the Bellville outfit that Monday night at the Green Mile. Hopefully, they can outperform their Cape neighbours in their upcoming fixture (Monday 25 March) when they welcome the Ikey Tigers to Bellville.
The match against FNB CUT in round three was a glimpse of what UWC could achieve if they were given more time to play against the best South African university teams. After trailing 33-7 at halftime, UWC came back hard and restricted the visitors to a single second-half try.
The 2024 chapter for UWC will be one layered in experience gains and learning from the best university rugby programmes in the country. Despite losing their captain, Tasriq Mynhardt, in the first-round encounter against FNB Wits, Nsombamanya and other players have stepped up tremendously in leadership roles within the squad.
by Lyndon Julius
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