Varsity Cup at NWU opens doors for players
The Varsity Cup rugby competition is seen as a tournament that enriches young talented rugby players of universities in South Africa. The North-West University (NWU) uses Varsity Cup to not only develop rugby players, but also to create opportunities for players to be noticed by professional rugby unions.
The Varsity Cup tournament has been around since 18 February 2008. Each year the NWU performs exceptionally well and maintains its status as one of the elite sporting universities in the country. The NWU has produced a good number of rugby players who still study at the university.
NWU Eagles lock forward Malembe Mpofu (25) is the latest player to have signed a professional rugby union contract with the New Nations Pumas at the end of the Varsity Cup competition this year. Mpofu, who is studying towards a postgraduate diploma in management, is looking forward to senior rugby in Mpumalanga.
“When the opportunity came for me to receive a contract from a professional rugby union, it was one that I could not refuse,” said Mpofu
Mpofu said that while he is excited about going into professional rugby for the New Nations Pumas, the NWU has contributed towards that success. “I felt the NWU is the right place for any athlete looking to come into university with a positive mindset and a willingness to learn from great coaches,” said Mpofu.
NWU Varsity Cup assistant coach and the man in charge of the forwards, Chaka Willemse (53), knows what it takes to make it to the top. Willemse played for various South African clubs like the Pumas, Lions as well as the local Leopards.
Now turned coach, Willemse understands that players want to be at the NWU because they have seen how previous students have taken their rugby to greater heights. “For me, the facilities are just world-class. Seeing the names of high-class athletes who trained here on an everyday basis truly is inspirational,” said Willemse.
As much as sport and in particular rugby is an important factor, leaving with a degree or diploma is just as important for Willemse. “This university is special, unlike the other sporting universities in our country. At the NWU we make sure that all our athletes get the quality education to also leave you as a complete athlete and an educated student,” said Willemse.
As much as the university offers a platform for athletes to shine, credit would have to go to the agents who manage these athletes as well. In rugby, particularly, some sport organisations have agents who represent the players and are the driving force behind the scenes, ensuring that players can get the necessary exposure needed to succeed out of university.
Monya Greyvenstein (31) is the founder of Grey Group Co, an athlete and entertainment management company that uses its service to manage athletes. Greyvenstein said that the company goes above and beyond for their clients. “We don’t want to be known as a sport agency because I know we do more than that. The organisation makes sure that it caters to all aspects of sport, to marketing and also to the media side of things,” Greyvenstein said.
Even though being a student means you must do everything yourself when playing sport, Greyvenstein knows that its smarter to have an agent. “It’s smarter to have an organisation that backs you and can make contributions towards a player’s success in and out of rugby,” Greyvenstein said.
Tapiwa Mafura (25), NWU alumnus and current New Nations Pumas player, already knows how playing for the university can open doors for you. “The NWU gives plenty of opportunities to all the sporting codes. It allows students to have doors opened in a professional career after studying,” Mafura said.