Pictured from left are Prof Lourens Van Staden, Vice-Chancellor and Principal; Shadrack Nthangeni, Director of Sport and Recreation and Kaya Malotana, the new TUT rugby Head Coach, during a media briefing and the team’s send-off.
Kaya was the first African player in the national rugby team (springboks) who participated in the 1999 world cup. He was roped in to help the Vikings gain promotion back into the varsity cup this year. They will compete in the 2020 varsity shield competition starting on Valentine’s Day.
According to Shadrack Nthangeni, the Director of Sport and Recreation, the arrival of Kaya, signals the dawn of a new era, as he brings with him a wealth of experience after playing rugby at the highest level.
Speaking at the media briefing, Professor Lourens Van Staden, Vice-Chancellor and Principal said, as a former president of the TUT rugby club and a former rugby player himself, he is convinced that TUT, with the potential that it has, will bounce back to the Varsity Cup.
“I want to encourage you to work hard and give your best. Rugby is a team sport, therefore, let’s look out for one another and make the most of every opportunity. We are extremely privileged to have a former Springbok player as our new coach - he is not only a coach, but also a role model from whom you can learn a lot,” added Prof Van Staden.