Thalea Smidt is used to acing exams, but in two weeks from now she has set her sights on achieving something she is never done before, and that is to hold the Varsity Women's Football trophy aloft. 

Playing for UWC, she came close on two occasions losing out in the 2015 and 2016 Varsity-finals. Last year she captained Tuks to play the semi-finals. Unfortunately, TUT ended their dreams of playing the final. Tuks was third overall. 

Smidt, however, is not someone to forsake on any goal. She views last year's performance as Tuks having paid its dues.

"There is no reason why we can't go one better this time around. Our team is nearly unchanged from last year. Everyone realises now what Varsity Football is about.  It is, without a doubt, one of the toughest tournaments. You can end up playing four games in three days and then there is still the final to play the following week," explains Smidt who graduated with BSc Biotechnology degree and completed her honours in BSc Plant Sciences. 

Currently, she is busy doing a postgraduate diploma. Next year she is planning to do her master. Possibly in Informations and communications technology. 

Football is something she is quite passionate about. It all started when as a little girl she went to watch at first her dad play for Strandfontein AFC and later her brother. It was next to the sidelines she got to master the necessary skills of dribbling the ball. By the age of eight, she was hooked. 

The Tuks captain has so far played for the South African under-20 side as well as the South African student's team. The ultimate would be if she can get a professional contract, but she realises the importance of patience is a virtue. It is a case of first things first. That is why winning the Varsity Tournament is important.

She plays centre midfield describing her role as being the team's playmaker.  

"It is an exciting challenge as you got to be able to think on your feet all the time hoping to identify a weakness in the opposition's defence that can be exploited. Being a centre midfielder means you don't get to score goals that often but when I get to do so, it is always special." 

Smidt loves the challenge of captaining. 

"Not only do I need to step up as a player, but I also got inspire my teammates, ensuring we are all focussed on the goal at hand. There are times when I need to be harsh, brutally honest, but in the end, it is all about what is best for the team."

The women's Varsity Football Tournament's round-robin games, as well as semi-finals, will be played from 19 September to 21 September in Potchefstroom. Tuks's opening game is against TUT.