Years from now, the statistics will show that Tuks’ rugby team has beaten Maties 26-21 in the 2025 USSA Tournament final.
It is the first time since 2019 that Tuks has won the USSA Tournament.
But numbers don’t always tell the whole story. What, for example, would be the numbers one uses to indicate courage and perseverance? It doesn’t matter what number you use, regardless of how many zeros it has; it doesn’t work.
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Guts is putting your body on the line for 80 minutes, never giving up. Even sometimes losing a little blood or breaking something in the body, and never complaining. It’s all about getting the team to win.
Tuks winger Kobus Janse van Rensburg puts it this way.
“The fact that we’ve been playing together as a team for almost two years counts for a lot. It’s different when you’re playing with someone who shares the most personal aspects of their life with you. You know what goes on in their house, and you understand how the guy thinks. It’s as if your teammate is your brother. You can’t help but give your all in a game because you are playing for the guy next to you. It is never about yourself or the crowd.”
Since last Monday, Coach Dewey Swartbooi has been praising the camaraderie in the team. Adding that it’s their best asset.
“The team does not rely on one or two players to win the game. Every time we played, it was a total team effort. For us to win is massive. There really are no words to describe it, especially the way we beat Maties. We knew that Maties would give them everything, and they did. We didn’t back down. It was a really good final.”
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The stand-in lock, Cayno February, believes that Tuks’ road to victory started on Wednesday with the fightback effort against Shimlas.
The last few minutes of Friday’s finals were filled with drama. With about five minutes left, Tuks were leading 19-14 at halftime and remained in the lead. But then Maties scored under the posts to lead 21-19 with only 80 seconds to play.
“I can’t describe to anyone the rollercoaster of emotions that I and probably every teammate experienced when Maties scored a try in the dying moments. Suddenly, it was dead quiet in the stadium,” is how Tuks captain Chad-Lee Valentine remembers things.
Shortly afterwards, Joshua Dampies (Tuks flyhalf) lined up to kick for posts from a penalty. The ball hit the upright post and bounced back into the hands of David Engongo (lock). He scored the winning try for Tuks.
“It was unbelievable. For a moment, I didn’t know whether to jump in the air, laugh or cry to celebrate the victory,” said Valentine.
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According to Swartbooi, he never doubted his team, not even in those last few minutes.
“Thanks to our conditioning coach, Naat Loubser, every player’s fitness is of the highest quality. This is what enables us to fight back every time our backs are against the wall. The final was the last time Naat helped us. After 10 years, he decided to move on. To show their gratitude, the players wanted to win the game for Naat.
“I would also like to thank the Tuine se Grizzlies and Naka Bulle players and officials who came to support us on Friday.”
The Tuks women’s team lost in their final against UJ. The score was 47-14.
