The newly appointed Tuks men’s hockey coach, "Sigz" Ntuli, might have only turned 30 last week but it already seems as if he has got the “Midas-touch”.

Over the last five years, he has coached the KZN Raiders to winning the national, provincial tournament twice in succession. Last year he got the Dragons to win the PHL. He has also helped the South African under-18 schools team to qualify for the Youth Olympic Games. 

A personal highlight from a learning perspective was getting the opportunity to be the assistant coach of South Africa’s men’s team during the World Cup Tournament in India over December.

In spite of all what he has achieved Ntuli does not believe in overnight success stories. He is quick to point out that the first year he coached the Raiders they finished fifth, and when he started with the Dragons they ended up being last. Success is for him getting the team culture right.

“It is never just my way or the highway. I might be the head coach, but my captain, vice-captain and a few senior players will always be the core with which I discuss ideas. 

“There will never be a day when I will be able to sit back and say now I know it all. I am learning something new about the game every day, and I hope to continue doing so until the day I decide to retire. As a coach I constantly remind myself what it was like to be a player as it helps me to have an open and honest relationship with the players,” explained Ntuli who played for South Africa’s under-16 and under-18 school sides, as well as South Africa’s under-21 team. 

He went onto being part of the South African men’s senior squad. Unfortunately, due to various consistent lower back injury niggles he was forced to retire as a player when only 23. His younger brother, Bili, is continuing his legacy playing international hockey.
 
Ntuli is looking forward to the challenge of taking the Tuks men’s side to play at the next level. Last year Tuks won the Varsity Tournament, but Ntuli believes the team is capable of even bigger feats. However, he is not prepared to say how they will go about doing so. 

“Currently the players and I are still in discussion phase. Getting to know each other which is important.” 

Ntuli indicated that he views penalty corners as an integral part of hockey. One of the things that do concern him is that it would seem as if drag-flicking is becoming a dying art in South African hockey.

“I think the last real drag-flickers to play for South Africa were Justin Reid-Ross and Mathew Guise-Brown who both learned their trade at Tuks. That was quite a few years ago. 

“The last World Cup Tournament illustrated the importance for teams to have at least one recognised drag-flicker. If things go awry, there is always a chance of still winning as long as a team gets to force penalty corners.  I see the drag-flicker as the 'banker'.

“I have had a look at some of the Tuks videos from last year.  Bradley Sherwood and Peabo Lembethe seemed to have the makings to become real drag flick artists. Guy Morgan and Cody Posthumus proved themselves at a school level to be masters of the art. Both of them will be playing for Tuks this season.”