Various athletes from Stellenbosch University (SU), as well as a coach from Maties Sports, are currently representing South Africa at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
This is according to Kimara Singh, spokesperson for Maties Sport.
The representatives consist of six student-athletes from various sports, including para athletics, rugby, netball and swimming, said Singh. One of SU’s coaches, Daniel Damon, is coaching the South African para throwers team at the games, she stated.
The games are taking place from 28 July to 8 August, according to Singh.
GRAPHIC: Supplied/MatiesSport
Maties rugby on going global
Bianca Augustyn is a Maties athlete who is currently competing at the Commonwealth Games in the South African women’s sevens rugby squad, as announced by Maties Rugby.
Augustyn attended two Springbok sevens camps, where she was selected by the coach, Paul Delport, to join the training squad for the games, Augustyn said via WhatsApp correspondence with MatieMedia. After an additional month-long camp, she was selected for the team, she said.
“I have mixed emotions [on competing in the games]. I’m very excited but also nervous at the same time, because this will be the first time that I’ll be representing my country,” said Augustyn.
The first women’s sevens rugby match was this past Friday, where South Africa lost 0-38 against Australia.
“I think it’s fantastic for her. It’s kind of a reward for all of the hours she’s put in,” said Johan Zeier, coach of the Maties rugby women’s team, in reference to Bianca Augustyn, a Maties rugby player. Augustyn is currently representing South Africa at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.Zeier has been Augustus’ coach since she started playing for Maties Rugby in 2018. AUDIO: Tamia Retief
Augustyn is currently pursuing her masters in engineering at SU and has been a player for Maties Rugby since 2018, according to Drikus Hancke, head of rugby for the Maties Rugby Club.
“The Maties Rugby Club is extremely proud of [Augustyn]. We wish her all the best for the Commonwealth Games,” said Hancke via email correspondence with MatieMedia.
“[The club is] super proud of [Augustyn] for being selected to go to the Commonwealth Games,” Johann Zeier, head coach of Maties women’s rugby, told MatieMedia via WhatsApp correspondence. “I think it’s a fantastic opportunity and it also provides her really good exposure to rugby on an international level as a student.”
Representing across the pond
This is the first year that the games will be hosted in Birmingham, England, with participants ranging from sports teams from 72 member nations and territories. This is according to the Commonwealth Games Federation website
“It is one of the highest achievements to don the country’s colours and we wish everyone all the best as they compete and fly the Matie flag high while doing so,” said Singh.
Maties Sport is proud of the student-athletes and Maties coach who are currently competing in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, according to Kimara Singh, spokesperson for Maties Sport. PHOTO: Tamia Retief