It will take a significant effort from Tuks to win the 2022 Varsity 7s Rugby edition. Since the tournament's inception in 2012, Tuks was only victorious on one occasion. They have crowned champions in 2018. In 2019, Tuks finished third. 

The TuksRugby 7s head coach, Dabeon Draghoender's biggest concern is that his players might not have had enough game time as a build-up to the Varsity 7s Rugby Tournament. 

"We played five games during the recent USSA Tournament. That is it. We all know you can train all you want, but in the end, it is during games that you genuinely get to hone your skills. Our goal from Friday will be to take it one game at a time."

Tuks will also be without one of the stalwarts, Stephan Smit. He has been described as the player any coach could go to war with. And with good reason. He never seems to tire, always willing to put his body on the line time and time again.

When it comes to the defence, for Smit, it is a case that the bigger you are, the harder you are going down. He will often execute three to four massive tackles in mere minutes - saving matches. He also seems to have real anticipation for the game, popping up at the right moment to take a vital pass. When that happens, it usually means points on the scoreboard. Smit has also signed a professional contract to play for the Griquas. 

"Stephan wanted to play for Tuks, but I told him not to because he has worked so hard to play professionally. I want him to succeed. That is why he is not playing."

Draghoender's other concern is whether Stephan Coetzee will recover in time to play the Varsity 7s Rugby. He got injured during the USSA Rugby 7s Championships in Kimberley. The "Big Man" would be missed. With his speed and strength, he is guaranteed to score tries. 

Tharquinn Manuel is 1.74 metres tall and weighs about 84kg. He will form part of the TuksRugby squad for the upcoming tournament. There would be those who would consider him too small to play rugby, but it is not the size of a man but the size of his heart that matters. The Tuks BEd student has proved it countless times on the field. Putting his body on the line to make big tackles or sidestepping opponents to put a teammate away to score, or scoring himself. 

Last year and this year, he was part of the TuksRugby team that won the Varsity Cup title. From Friday, a new challenge awaits the versatile back. If he can have his way, Tuks will also win the Varsity 7s Rugby tournament. 

Getting to play sevens rugby for Tuks is to Manuel the first step in the footsteps of his role model Cheslin Kolbe.

"I have known Cheslin since I was 12. He has always been my go-to guy when I am uncertain about the decisions concerning my rugby career. From our conversations, I concluded that one of the best decisions Cheslin made was to play sevens rugby. Playing for the Blitzboks allowed him to make a name for himself. Cheslin is also considered small as a rugby player," said Manuel, who made his Currie Cup debut earlier this season for the Bulls. 

Visit varsitysportssa.com, for all 2022 Varsity 7s Rugby fixtures