Cayno February promised himself that he would never be ordinary when playing rugby. 

He certainly is not when playing for Tuks in the 2024 FNB Varsity Shield competition. During the 80 minutes of play, you will see the lean forward ranking high in the lineouts to win the ball or running with the ball in hand, gaining metres for his team. At times he even caught his opponents napping and scored tries. Three, to be precise.

When asked about the passion with which he plays for Tuks, February said, "I don't want to play like every other player. I want to bring something unique to the game."

It will be no different tomorrow when Tuks face off against Varsity College in the final of the 2024 FNB Varsity Shield edition. It is guaranteed that February will be in the mix of things. 

The final is perceived to be a battle between "David (Varsity College) and Goliath (Tuks)" and "Goliath" winning this time. The Tuks head coach, Dewey Swartbooi, is not buying into this. 

"It is a final. I believe in the saying about a certain "Fat Lady" who needs to sing before anything is a done deal. The reality is that Varsity College is going to come hard at us. We are prepared for it. Last year in November, when we resumed training, we made a pact as coaches and players. That is to play every game as if it is final. As a coach, I am impressed with how the players stepped up in each game believing in the game plan."

According to February, they can do so because of the full contact sessions on Wednesdays. 

"We are lucky to have a lot of depth in our team. Any player can play for Tuks at any time. So, on Wednesdays, it is the real deal when the first team plays the second stringers. You have to be at your best. It is one of the reasons we have been able to be so consistent throughout the tournament."

February has played as a 7-flanker and 5-lock for Tuks in their Varsity Shield campaign. If he had a choice, he would prefer to play as a flanker, but he is also passionate about getting the upper hand in the lineouts. When playing for the Bulls under-21 side, he is sometimes tasked to call the lineouts. It means often, after a game, he and a coach would spend hours analysing lineout videos and strategising the best way to win the ball.

As a player, February makes a point of honing his skills by learning from the best. 

"I loved to watch how Sonny Bill Williams (All Blacks) played. He did not 'crash up' all the time. It was more important to him to put his teammates into the gaps. It is something I also try to do. I would be thrilled to have the same work rate as Pieter-Steph du Toit and carry the ball like Dalton Papalilii (All Blacks)."

The 2024 FNB Varsity Shield final played at Tuks Stadium, kicks off at 17:30.