Former Westville learner excited to lead in the Varsity Shield competition
It’s going to be a watershed moment for The IIE’s Varsity College as their rugby side ventures into the national competition for the first time.
FORMER Westville Boys’ High School learner, scrumhalf Abande ‘AB’ Mthembu, has been nominated by the rugby squad and coaching staff as the captain ahead of the monumental debut in the FNB Varsity Shield.
FNB Varsity College will get their campaign underway with a home clash against FNB Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) on Friday, February 23 at The IIE’s Varsity College Durban North campus.
Mthembu, a former head boy, is no stranger to the role going into the Varsity Shield but is looking forward to leading his side into what is a relatively unknown.
“It’s a real honour for me to be the captain for the FNB Varsity College side in the Varsity Shield,” said Mthembu.
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“Being nominated during the University Sports South Africa (USSA) week last year by my teammates, and given the history I have with coach Jeremy (McLaren), makes it even more special to me. It’s a huge privilege for me to be able to represent this team both on and off the field.”
He comes into the squad with Varsity Cup experience, having played for FNB Maties in 2021 and returns to Durban to lead the FNB Varsity College side which adds another Durban-based team in the FNB Varsity Shield.
“They say that things come full circle – I was schooled here, and now, I’m back here, representing this team in my hometown – it is a fantastic opportunity for me.
“We are showing people that there are opportunities here in Durban for players that want to make it, and we want to create a legacy where players can come and express themselves. We want to build a platform for guys to succeed both on and off the field,” said a proud Mthembu.
With less than a month to go until the FNB Varsity College team begin their campaign, Mthembu believes that his side is heading in the right direction to be prepared for their first match.
“Our preparation has been great, and our fitness is right where it needs to be at this stage, and we can only grow from here.
“We are taking it step by step, and everything that we are doing is one day at a time, one session at a time until we get to where we need to be,” he added.
All teams want to play exciting rugby and entertain the crowds. For Mthembu, he’s confident that his team will produce their own unique style of rugby.
“If we had to say what our brand of rugby is, I would say it’s about expressing ourselves,” said Mthembu.
The FNB Varsity Shield gets underway on Friday, February 23, when FNB Varsity College play FNB TUT at The IIE’s Varsity College Durban North campus.
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