#TuksSport: Tuks wins big securing six titles at the USSA Winter Championships

Posted on July 08, 2024

For years to come, this year's USSA Winter Championships will be remembered as one of those special days in the history of TuksSport, as the university's sports gladiators clinched six USSA titles. 

The TuksHockey men’s and women’s teams, the TuksNetball team and the TuksVolleyball men's indoor teams, were victorious. Helena Hudson was crowned USSA Squash women’s champion - winning seven games and dropping only one set.  A cherish on top of TuksSquash’s success story was winning the Team’s Championships in Johannesburg.

The TuksNetball team proved there is truth in the sports saying about a particular fat lady who needs to sing before any result is final. In both the semifinal and the final, there was a moment when it seemed as if all was lost. But giving up was not an option for the Tuks "Girls". 

To say the final against UJ was a humdinger is no exaggeration. At the end of the third quarter, Tuks led 34–27. It seemed a foregone conclusion that Tuks would win, but like "slow poison", UJ fought themselves back into contention to win. 

With 80 seconds left to play, the score was 39-all. Kamogelo Maseko scored with 60 seconds left to give Tuks a one-goal lead. UJ equalised. Then, with about ten seconds left, Marichelle Visagie scored the winning goal for Tuks. 

Tuks’ semi-final clash against Kovsies was as intense. The Stripe Generation only got to score the winning goal in extra time. 

The Tuks men's hockey team continued their domination at the university level by beating Maties 6–4 in the final. It is the third time in four years that are crowned USSA champions. 

In the women's final, Tuks was victorious, beating North West 2–1. 

"A tough one," is how Inky Zondi Tuks's coach summarised the final. 

"The result proves that hard work and dedication do pay off. Especially considering that we are a young team. Eleven of our players are first-year students, but they stepped out when it mattered. The way they defended was brilliant. I am also excited how the goals were scored as it was something we practised during training."

Lilly-Anne Theron (Tuks) got the award as goalkeeper of the tournament, while Tuks's captain, Tegan Fourie, was the player of the tournament.

Fourie's award is no surprise as every time she runs on the Astroturf, she has a mindset of team first. 

"The team relies on me to stay composed. Distribution is a big part of my game. I am always looking to set up an attacking platform for the team. Being one of the older players, I bring experience and guidance," said Fourie, who has captained the side for the last three years.

The TuksVolleyball men's indoor team went one better than last year by beating the University of KwaZulu Natal in the final. Last year, Tuks won bronze. It was the first time that Tuks medalled at USSA's. While the TuksVolleyball women’s team were the plate winners.

The 2024 FNB Varsity Shield champions, TuksRugby finished third by beating Wits 22-3 in the third/fourth place playoffs match. In their first encounter, they beat UCT Ikeys 35-15. Their only loss was a 38-33 defeat against Kovsies. TuksWomensRugby finished fourth on their debut in the USSA Rugby Women's 10s Championships.

In Cape Town, TuksBadminton finished on the podium, clinching bronze as third-place finishers. 

TuksKarate guided by Meghan Smit head coach) and Wenette Jordaan (assistant coach), finished second overall at the 2024 #USSAKarate Championships in Vaal. 11 Tuks karatekas medalled at the 2024 USSA Karate Championships.

The 2024 USSA Basketball 3x3 Championships hosted at the Rembrandt Hall, TuksBasketball women's team defended the title and the men's team finished as bronze medalists in third place. 

- Author Wilhelm De Swardt

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