Nine FNB Wits players debut for Sigma Lions in Carling Currie Cup
- Tshepiso Mametela
Nine FNB Wits first team players are fresh from making their debut run at provincial rugby level in the ongoing Carling Currie Cup competition as they featured for the Sigma Lions.
The group sees the rising star power of Jordan Hendrikse, Travis Gordon, Morné Brandon, Aidynn Cupido, Banele Mthenjane, Sibusiso Sangweni, Henco Van Wyk, Mark Snyman and Emmanuel Tshituka joining former Witsies Tyrone Green, who now runs out as a utility back for the Harlequins in Premiership Rugby, Wandisile Simelane, Gianni Lombard and PJ Steenkamp, as provincial or junior national team products from the University.
Wits Sport caught up with four of the current Wits players to get their insights into what the development means for them and their burgeoning rugby careers.
An upbeat Gordon said running out for the Sigma Lions on a stage such as the Currie Cup competition is a feather in the cap and the culmination of a dream. “It’s a privilege to be able to represent the Lions. It’s been a dream of mine to play in the Currie Cup since I was a youngster,” expressed Gordon.
He added that the experience gained in the colours of FNB Wits cannot be underscored as he moves forward in his career. “Playing for Wits has helped me grow my confidence. Especially coming back from injury, it’s helped me regain some match fitness,” he said.
Brandon, whose regular position is hooker, was named in the Lions squad for the Pro14 Rainbow Cup SA competition before making his debut in the first round against the Bulls. Reminiscing on his experience at Wits, he waxed lyrical of the potency of the FNB Varsity Cup competition.
“My time at Wits was golden for my career. However, with lockdown, my game time was very little over the past year but playing in the Varsity Cup made a massive shift in my career. I’ve made a lot of friends in my time at Wits and will never forget the time spent with them,” Brandon recalled.
Cupido, another one of Wits Rugby’s foot soldiers and a former UWC star who won two Varsity Shield titles before joining Wits ahead of the 2020 season, in terms of his own game and the objectives for this season, said he is always eyeing to make a massive contribution.
“Whenever I get the opportunity, I want to contribute as much as I can to the team, whether it be in terms of reviews or the value which is added on the field. Obviously, I have set my own personal goals for the season so, hopefully, I can achieve them while helping the team achieve its goals,” said Cupido.
“In terms of the long term, I'm working towards finding myself in the United Championship squad and then try to become a constant starter in the team, establish myself as a senior player in the system and, of course, the end goal is to wear the green and gold.”
The coronavirus has forced a different approach to sports event hosting and game preparation, and in the case of South Africa, this has now persisted for close to 18 months. Mthenjane, however, said he has not noted a sharp change to the team dynamic and how he fits into it in the midst of the pandemic.
He said his role and the expectations attached to it are the same as before the advent of the new normal. “I [personally] don’t think so; everyone is pretty much the same except that team selection is not really guaranteed because should one test positive, you can’t be part of the team for a period of 10 days, etc., but either than that, I think it’s still the same.”
Mthenjane added that he hopes to have an impact on the wider South African rugby landscape in the long-term, not only on a high-performance platform such as the Currie Cup but also on other stages, including representing the Springboks.
“I would still want to stake claim on all the upcoming senior rugby competitions, to become a household name and to eventually wear the green and gold,” said the prop.
Travis Gordon at the Varsity Cup Competiton (Credit:Varsity Cup)
Aidynn Cupido at the Varsity Cup Competiton (Credit:Varsity Cup)