1.Varsitybeker gaan vir verrassings sorg
Rugbyliefhebbers moet 29 Januarie noukeurig in hulle dagboeke omkring, omdat die land se grootste en suksesvolste rugbytoernooi vir universiteite dan weer op dreef sal wees.
Verlede jaar het die NWU as verdedigende kampioen nie die pyp gerook nie, en moes hulle toekyk hoe hulle drome vir ’n tweede agtereenvolgende titel aan skerwe lê, met die dat hulle nie eers vir die halfeindstryde gekwalifiseer het nie.
Vanjaar kan Tuks as verdedigende kampioen ook in die slagyster trap, of ‘n buiteperd soos Wits mag dalk net op hulle goeie vorm bou en ‘n plek in die eindstryd losslaan.
Sprokies bestaan wel in sport en wat is beter vir SA rugby as ons vanjaar ‘n sterk en onvoorspelbare toernooi kry? Met die nuwe reëls en Powerplay-opsie waar ‘n span twee spelers van die opposisie vir ‘n sekere tydperk mag “afstuur”, kan daar net ‘n skok of twee wees.
2. Puma School of Speed Series will fast-track talent
The national Puma School of Speed Series will see local athletes between 14 and 19 participating for athletics supremacy on the track, this year. A big carrot in the form of a Puma contract will also be dangling at this event. The first event of this series will take place at the Kenneth McArthur Athletics track in Potchefstroom on 20 January. It will be up to these young athletes to take the opportunity by the scruff of the neck. There is no doubt that all local athletes should take this opportunity with both hands and sprinting feet.
3. Will the NWU emulate the purple power of past sporting stars?
A topic of discussion among alumni, students, sports enthusiasts and the broader Potchefstroom community for the past two months has been the NWU’s new purple identity. There has been a mixed reaction with some highlighting the need for something new while others enjoyed the traditional colours. In any case, these new colours present an opportunity for designers to create fresh-looking sporting kits for the respective sports teams. Purple will most definitely be the dominant colour and should stand out on the sporting field.
It’s not the most used colour for sporting sides with the traditional, red, white and blue being used more often than not. There have been a few purple-clad sides that are held in high regard: Kolkata Knight Riders (two-time Indian Premier League champions), Griffons (Purple People Eaters rugby union from Welkom), Joe Louis (Legendary World Heavyweight boxing champion took to the ring in purple trunks), Baltimore Ravens (2 time NFL Superbowl Champions), Los Angeles Lakers (16 times NBA Champions), Phoenix Suns (NBA team)
If you take this as evidence, then maybe purple could just continue the royal success of the past into the present and the future of this proud institution.
