KEVIN VAN DER LIST
The FNB Varsity Cup, one of the biggest events on the university sporting calendar, is currently underway. Tuks had an impressive campaign last year, but unfortunately lost in the final to UCT. Perdeby caught up with last year’s Bulls under 21 Currie Cup winner, captain and Tuks 1 player, Jono Ross, for his views on Tuks’s Varsity Cup campaign this year.
Which high school did you go to? St Stithians College in Johannesburg.
What are your hobbies? Golf is my only hobby. Although I struggle, it’s still great fun.
How will your Bulls under 21 experience help you this year? I think having captained the side that was coached by Nollis Marais (who is also the Tuks 1 coach) will help massively as we have a good mutual understanding. It is also helpful to have a few of the players who won the under 21 Currie Cup in the Tuks side. However, this is a new year, a new competition with new challenges.
What will Tuks bring to this year’s Varsity Cup that other teams may be lacking? No one team is bigger competition than the other. We will take it one game at a time and prepare for each game to the best of our abilities.
What are your hopes for Tuks in the Varsity Cup this year? We wouldn’t be in the competition if we wanted anything other than winning the cup. It won’t be easy. There are great teams, but I think there is a quiet confidence in the team.
What are Tuks’s chances of winning the trophy this year? This is a very long competition and we will take it step by step.
What is your dream for the future as a rugby player? I think every rugby player is aspiring to be a Springbok. I would be lying if I said that that is not the ultimate goal. However, there’s a lot to achieve before then, so for now I’m focused on the Varsity Cup.
What is your most memorable moment in a Tuks rugby jersey? Last year was filled with ups and downs, but beating Maties at home was the most memorable. The support we received in the final at home against UCT was also right up there.
What do you enjoy doing after a tough rugby game? The team often goes out and has a good night out, or alternatively, some good old rest.
Photo: Marius Veldhuyzen van Zaten
