The 2023 FNB Young Guns campaign began early this month and Tuks has secured three successive wins. 

The Tuks Young Guns head coach, Allen ‘Major’ Soutter, is upbeat about his team's chances to retain the Varsity Young Guns title. Tuks has fallen short once and that was against NWU away.

“Credit must go to North West, making their opportunities to score count. It is what set up their victory. Still, I am excited about how our players opened up gaps. Unfortunately, ever so often, a vital pass went awry. It is not the way to win a match…Something else we will need to focus on is our defence against rolling mauls.

"What excited me is how the players backed each other. It was a case of one for all and all for one. Dillion Smith (vice-captain) was outstanding throughout the game."

As an avid student of military history, the "Major" strives to learn from what happens in history but not to repeat the mistakes made. To him, the FNB Young Guns tournament boils down to a "war" with battles that must be won. 

It was the first time Soutter acted as head coach for a Tuks team in a Varsity tournament. Last year, he was an assistant coach to Kennedy Tsimba. 

Rugby has been his passion for a long time. As a player, he represented Transvaal Schools and played for the South African Defence Force (SANDF) team and North West as a flanker or eighth man. When his playing days ended, he started to coach first. A definite highlight was being the assistant coach of the SANDF team that toured Britain in 2015. The team contested in the playoffs. 

Soutter was also been instrumental in getting the Fezelas to win the Bulls' Carlton Cup second league.

He seems to be a self-acclaimed "momma's boy". When asked who considers being a role model or mentor, he immediately mentioned his mom, Betty. 

"My dad died when I was young. It took a strong woman to bring up a young boy. She did a good job. My mom taught me that being disciplined is essential to being successful. Also, life is about continuously setting goals and giving 100% to achieve them."

Motor biking is his other passion. He is the proud owner of a Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa. He confesses to being a "petrolhead."

"A big bike, per say, is not dangerous. How you drive the bike can put lives at risk."