"Proud and happy" are the words Dewey Swartbooi used to describe his feelings as his first season as head coach of Tuks' rugby team came to a close.

He is justified to feel this way. With his appointment, Swartbooi was tasked to get Tuks to play Varsity Cup Rugby again. The mission was accomplished when Tuks beat Varsity College 95–21 in the final. It is the most points scored in a Varsity Shield final, as was the 15 tries.

Tuks also contested the semi-finals at the USSA Rugby 15s Championships, finishing third. Tuks put up a brave fight right up to the final whistle, losing 33–28 after extra time.

This past weekend, Tuks lost in the semi-finals of the Carlton Cup Tournament. Northam Rhinos won 35–30. However, scores on their own tend not to always reflect the actual story. Tuks' 2024 Carlton campaign will be remembered as one of the most heroic in the club's history. After eight games, the team was down and out, having only won once. 

But the Tuks players remained true to their word. At the start of the season, every player committed to restoring the pride of TuksRugby, no matter what it takes. They did precisely that in the Carlton Cup. Tuks won their last five games. A definite highlight was beating the Naka Bulls, who are the national club champions. Tuks has not been able to do so for quite a few years.

"It would have been nice if we had played the USSA or Carlton final, but it was not meant to be. I could not have asked more of the players. There are no words to describe the commitment of the boys. Everyone had put their bodies on the line when we trained and played. I am so proud of them. I can't help but be excited for next year's Varsity Cup Tournament, especially for how our younger players have put up their hands in the last two tournaments," explained Swartbooi.

Swartbooi has one last ask for his players: to be utterly focused on their studies to the year-end exams. 

"If everyone passes, about 70% of our players would be eligible to play Varsity Cup rugby next year."

According to Swartbooi, due to the Varsity Cup organiser's decision to lower the playing age for players to 24, the likes of Kyle Cyster, Juandre Jooste and Dean Coetzee won't be able to play as next year they will be 25. 

Tuks' captain, Ethan Burger, is set for a new chapter having signed to play for Britain's Exeter Chiefs. 

"Ethan was undoubtedly the team's backbone on and off the field with how he played and led from the front as captain. Considering that we played in the Varsity Shield, I see it as a feather in the cap of Tuks rugby that he had been signed by an international team. Kudos to him. Ethan has proved anything is possible."

When pressured to single out another who had impressed him this season, Swartbooi named Kobus van Rensburg. 

"When he got his opportunity to play for Tuks, he grabbed it with 'three hands'. He is an exciting young centre who always finds a gap in the opponent's defence. Kobus might not be one of the biggest players, but he has a physical presence on the field. His work rate is unbelievable. No wonder he has been signed to play for the Bulls under-21 side."