The Tuks men's hockey side is no strangers to winning tournaments. Last year they were victorious in the Varsity Tournament final however reclaiming the USSA Tournament trophy has been alluding them over the previous four years. 

All of that might change from Monday when Tuks plays in Stellenbosch as in coach Sigz Ntuli they might have an X-factor. 

The 30-year old Ntuli who hails from KwaZulu-Natal seems to be a coach who gets things done on the Astroturf. He has helped the KZN Raiders to win the provincial tournament twice in succession. Last year he got the Dragons to win the PHL. +

Earlier this season he guided the Northerns under-21-side to winning the provincial tournament. It is a result that excites him as it was basically an all Tuks team. 

"It was important to me that the Tuks players get tested in tournament conditions before we play USSA's as it easy to be tactically astute during training. In match situations, there is real pressure, and that is when things can go wrong. I was impressed with how the players rose to the challenge."

Ntuli who started coaching at the University of Pretoria at the beginning of the year remembers quite clearly the last time Tuks won the USSA Tournament. It was in 2015 in Pietermaritzburg.  He was there to support his brother, Bili, playing for Maties.  

Ntuli is realistic to the challenge that awaits him and his players at USSA's as according to him; there is never such a thing as an easy game.

"My coaching philosophy is to take control of any game right from the start, which means every player got to be on top of their game. The aim will be to try and play an expansive brand of hockey. Our play from set pieces is going to be a threat to whoever we are facing."

Ntuli indicated that he views penalty corners as an integral part of hockey.

"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. 

"Unfortunately Bradley won't be playing due to an injury, but luckily at Tuks, we got depth. Guy Morgan and Cody Posthumus proved themselves at a school level to be masters of the art."

Tuks will be playing NMU, Maties and Varsity College (Durban) during the USSA pool games. 
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