Latest news with #MandelaUniversity
The Herald
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Van Niekerk breaks drought at Madibaz squash tournament
Gqeberha's Rudi van Niekerk went into full beast mode in the final against Jason le Roux to secure his first Madibaz Open squash title at Mandela University on Sunday. In a modified format, where each game was played to nine points with sudden death at 8-8, the Londt Park player triumphed 9-2 9-3 9-8 over his university rival. Along with the shorter games, tournament director Le Roux introduced an innovative bonus point system where players could select a point in each game which would score double should they win the rally. 'This was designed to create a fresh dynamic for the players, especially since they often compete in events with identical formats,' Le Roux said. 'The players really embraced it and we'll definitely consider using it again, depending on the tournament's level.' Though games were shorter, the round-robin format ensured players had more matches than in a traditional knockout tournament. Le Roux said the Madibaz Open would revert to the traditional scoring format when it served as a qualification event for the University Sports SA team, which it often does. The final proved an ideal showcase for the bonus-point feature, particularly in the tense third game. The 37-year-old Van Niekerk started strongly, using speed and attack to dominate the first two games. With a clear lead at seven points in each, he successfully nominated the bonus point to close out both games. Desperate to extend the match, Le Roux pushed back in the third. Leading 6-5, he called for the bonus point and won the rally to move to 8-5, which gave him three game points. But Van Niekerk, determined to avoid a fourth, rallied with two precise backhand drop shots to narrow the gap to 8-7. He then called for his bonus point to set up a potential match point. In a tense rally where both played cautiously, Van Niekerk ultimately forced an error from Le Roux to take the game 9-8 and, with it, the match. Van Niekerk, who represents SA Country Districts in provincial squash, was elated to secure the title after three previous runner-up finishes. 'It felt amazing to finally get the win. I really enjoyed the new format — it made you think more strategically,' he said. 'My plan was to start each game cautiously and then attack as I settled in.' Having ruptured his Achilles tendon in December 2023, Van Niekerk spent much of 2024 recovering and this victory marks a promising return to form. 'I'm feeling good now, though after a tough week on court I can still feel the effects,' he said. The Madibaz Open champion also had a strong showing at the recent SA Country Districts interprovincial, where he lost only one match. 'So I'm excited for what's ahead this year.' In the women's section, which featured mostly second- and third-league players, Madibaz student Tanith Moreton emerged top of the class. Former Madibaz student Hayley Ward and Janet Byrnes both competed in the men's A section, with Ward impressively finishing third overall. — Full Stop Communications The Herald
The Herald
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Biokineticist embraces dark side during mammoth endurance feat
Biokineticist Brandon Gill was forced to overcome some of the darkest moments of his life when he ran 27 consecutive hours for charity on his 27th birthday recently. In a remarkable feat of endurance and compassion, the Mandela University science graduate put his feet where his mouth was to raise funds for the Hope4Kids organisation. His effort was underscored by a BackaBuddy campaign under the banner of Run4Soulz. The raw statistics are impressive. Gill ran a total of 152km to raise R29,700 for his chosen cause. He started his journey into the unknown at 9am last Friday, his birthday, and finished at noon on the Saturday. He surpassed the combined distance of the Comrades and Two Oceans marathons (145km) during this time. What the numbers do not show is the physical and emotional toll. 'This was easily the hardest thing I've ever done,' Gill, who graduated in 2021 and now works with the Madibaz Netball club, said. 'Everything in my body was hurting, and I was constantly at war with myself.' Two key moments, which tested his mental and physical limits, stood out. 'The first was around lunchtime on Friday,' he recalled. 'Temperatures rose above 30 °C, and there was no shade on the track. I started suffering from heat stroke. 'I couldn't keep anything down. That was the moment I truly began to doubt whether I could finish.' Gill, supported by his girlfriend Jana Relihan, eventually found an 80-metre stretch of track at the Madibaz Stadium that was shaded by trees. Clinging to that reprieve, they walked back and forth for three hours until he felt ready to return to the main loop. 'Jana ran with me, motivated me and kept me going when I had nothing left to give,' he said. 'She was incredible.' The second defining stretch was the graveyard shift from midnight to 6am. 'It was cold, I was exhausted and I felt like I had nothing left,' he said. 'But the netball girls were incredible. Their encouragement through those hours kept me going. I'll always be grateful for their support.' During one of his lowest points, someone's message of motivation struck a chord with him: 'You aren't a quitter, so get your head in the game and finish this thing.' Those words, along with the efforts of his support team, helped him push on. He also paid tribute to his parents, Graeme and Sunae, who remained by his side for the duration. With the end in sight, the exhaustion was replaced by an overwhelming sense of purpose. 'The final two hours were the most enjoyable. About 60 children from Hope4Kids joined me on the track. 'To see the joy on their faces as they ran barefoot and smiling was priceless.' They crossed the finish line alongside him for an emotional climax that brought Gill to tears. 'Hearing them clap and sing as we finished, I broke down. It meant the world to me.' Though many have called him a hero, Gill describes himself as a regular guy who wanted to do something meaningful. 'Those kids, they are the real heroes. I'd do this all again.' With a background of competing in endurance events, including several half Ironman races and one full one, Gill brainstormed ideas that never quite came together. So he decided to 'just make something happen myself'. 'I'm proud to have partnered with Madibaz Netball. It was a true team effort.' Madibaz Sport netball manager Melinda Goosen played a key role in organising logistics while the players took on the toughest shift from 6pm on Friday to 6am on Saturday. Friends, colleagues and biokinetics students also joined in support. 'To see everyone coming together, and what we were able to achieve, was amazing.' — Full Stop Communications
The Herald
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Will it be third time lucky for the Madibaz?
Besides the obvious prize of top-tier rugby in 2026 for Mandela University, the coach also sees it as an opportunity to get a team from his province back into the cup. To do that, they will need to upstage UJ in terms of physicality, intensity and speed. 'This is a Varsity Cup team; they are big men and strong in the set piece with a powerful maul. They are used to the intense pressure of the game at that level,' he said. Manuel said the Joburg side also had several young players who thrived in the chaos produced by playing at pace. 'They don't mind taking quick taps and taking on their opponents in broken play.' The Madibaz lost to Varsity College in the Shield final on April 11 and have spent the intervening time on recovery and preparation. While mildly disappointed with the result, Manuel stressed how proud he was of the squad's growth this season after the departure of 10 senior players at the end of last year. 'That sort of contingent makes up the spine of the team, so these young players had to stand up and fill those gaps,' the coach said. 'They weren't ready for the first game (which they also lost to Varsity College) but as the season progressed, they grew immensely.' Thorough preparation and each player's understanding of his job within the team are key to his coaching strategy. 'These guys latched on to those lessons and kept growing throughout the season, so I'm massively impressed.' Seven wins from nine matches — including big victories over powerhouse teams UWC (twice) and CPUT — speak volumes in this regard. Manuel acknowledged the contribution by skipper and No 8 Leon van der Merwe, who was named the 'Player that Rocks' three times. 'He has been our man of steel and epitomises the type of player we want to produce through our elite rugby programme,' the coach said of their inspirational leader whose Varsity Shield career will, win or lose, draw to a close next week. 'Leon has been such a great leader. 'He doesn't speak a lot but knows when to say something. 'His tenacity and consistency, whether we are up or down, has never faded. 'He has been such an example of how to balance semi-pro rugby with academics. 'I definitely believe he can go places.' Kickoff is at 11am.
