The Tuks Varsity Cup vice-captain, Jaco Bezuidenhout, has a good reason why he loves playing rugby. For that 80 or so minutes, he is allowed to go for the "big hits". 

Tackling is his game. Last year's FNB Varsity Cup statistics prove it. His percentage for tackles made was 88%.

"Every time I take to the field, my goal is to make as many tackles as I can. But I am not only tackling for the sake of tackling. I go in hard to dominate. The aim is to get the opposition to go backwards," Bezuidenhout explained. 

The big number-8's talent is not only restricted to "big hits". Bezuidenhout is also a good ball carrier. During last year's FNB Varsity Cup tournament, he gained 137 metres with the ball in hand. He is quite effective in the lineouts.  

The Tuks vice-captain admits to being a big fan of New Zealand's Richie McCaw.

"I consider him to be one of the best loose-forwards ever. I admired him because he was also prepared to push the boundaries, finding new ways to gain an advantage on the field. It has led to me also starting to analyse games to see how different referees interpret the rules.

"Duane Vermeulen is another role model. To me, he is a true leader. I try to 'mirror' some of the things he does to change the outcome of the game."

Bezuidenhout's efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Blue Bulls coach, Jake White, has taken note. This season, he was invited to train with the Bulls' Currie Cup team. On a greater note, he would have played for the Bulls if it was not for a glitch that led to his COVID-19 test result being delayed.

The Tuks Varsity Cup vice-captain is not one to wonder about what could have been. He is confident there will be another opportunity to play for the Bulls. He only needs to keep on being merciless on the rugby field. 

For now, however, his main priority is to help Tuks race to the 2021 FNB Varsity Cup-final, especially since the tournament is played on his home turf, in a bio-bubble format.

One of the team's strengths is how the loose-forward trio - Bezuidenhout, 'Karools' Smit and Hanru Sirgel - complement each other's play. Smit might not be the "biggest" player, but he does "pack a punch. He is the grafter with an absolute love for making big tackles, while Sirgel can catch any team's defence off-guard with the ball in hand. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, this year’s FNB Varsity Cup tournament is totally new "ball game". The stands are nearly empty. Teams might have even changed the way they warm up and arrive at the stadium. 

According to Bezuidenhout, he does not worried much about the new guidelines and restrictions. The important thing is to play rugby again. It has been nearly a year since most of the players took the field.

"We all missed the onfield camaraderie. We tried to make up for it during the Covid-lockdown by having Zoom training sessions, but it is not the same as being on the field. Now that we are being allowed to make physical contact, it is as if everyone can't wait to go for a tackle.

"It is going to be strange to play in empty stadiums. One of the standout things about Varsity Cup rugby is the carnival atmosphere with loud music and passionate crowd support. We are, however, leaving nothing to chance. Our coaches are preparing for us to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations."