The one guaranteed way to get Tuks's Samkelo Mvimbi's adrenaline pumping is to give him a hockey stick and tell him there is a team's honour at stake.
He is sure to take to the challenge. As a midfielder the Tuks player lives for that moment, he gets to catch the opposition's defence off-guard and seeing the ball hit the back of the net. Mvimbi admits that every time he gets to score is a rush, but he is also quick to point out there is no "I" when spelling team.
"Playing hockey is always about what is best for the team. That is why I will never be obsessed with personal statistics. If the team wins, I win. Sometimes it is a bigger thrill setting up that scoring opportunity that changes the outcome of a game."
It is this tactical savviness and selflessness that led to Mvimbi consistently come through ranks representing South Africa in each age-group. Last year he got to make his big breakthrough when selected to play for the Proteas against Namibia. Since then he has gone on to play another seven tests.
Currently, he is part of the Protea-squad facing off against Germany. According to Mvimbi, it has changed his whole perception of the game.
"Playing against Germany for me is taking hockey to a whole new level. We got hammered in the first test. I now realise what it is going to take to be at your best at an international level."
There is a real chance that Mvimbi might be in the South African squad competing at the Tokyo Olympics. To the Tuks player, it will be a dream come true.
Peabo Lembethe who captained Tuks to glory two years ago in the Varsity Competition ought also to be in the Olympic team. Both Tuks players play as midfielders Mvimbi, however, does not perceive them to be rivals.
"Peabo and I bring something entirely different to the team. Peabo has got an unbelievable work rate and an ever sense of what is happening on the field. He is possibly one of the best distributors who will never pass the ball only for the sake of doing so. There is a clear plan with every pass. I aim to do the same, but I tend to be perhaps a bit more aggressive. I like to take the game forward, setting up scoring opportunities."
Mvimbi only started playing hockey when at Oakhill School in Knysna. It could be said that he had fallen in love with the game the first time he dribbled the ball past an opponent.
He still views Tuks winning the Varsity Tournament in 2018 as a personal highlight and rightly so. Within the first seven minutes of the final against Maties, he outfoxed Maties defence with brilliant foot and stick work to score a two-point goal. That set the tone for the rest of the game. Tuks ended up winning 5-0.
If Mvimbi can help Tuks defend the Varsity-title later this year, it would be mission accomplished as far as he is concerned.
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