FNB Madibaz loose forward Mihlali Mosi adopted a “never-say-die” attitude which led to him receiving significant recognition after the first block of Varsity Cup rugby matches during last week.
The Nelson Mandela University outfit were defeated in their three fixtures, but Mosi was at the forefront of some fighting performances on their return to the top flight.
This led to the eighth man being named Back Row Breaker of the first three matches in a list of 10 categories decided by the Varsity Cup organisers.
The 25-year-old was pleased at the recognition and said he went onto the field with the sole purpose of producing his best performances.
“Yes, receiving that acknowledgement does make me feel good, just to know that my ability and performances on the field were appreciated,” said Mosi, who is doing a post-graduate diploma in employment relationship management.
“My objective during our matches was just to have a never-say-die attitude. Even when things weren’t going our way, I continued to play and give it my best.”
Mosi lives in KwaNobuhle near Uitenhage and started his schooling at Hombakazi Primary before going to Molly Blackburn Senior Secondary from Grade 8 to 10.
“Through rugby recruitment I then completed my high school education phase at Muir College,” said the player whose preferred position is eighth man but who can also turn out on the side of the scrum as an openside flank.
He is having his first taste of the Varsity Cup, which is a step up from the Varsity Shield competition where he turned out for Walter Sisulu University for several seasons.
Coming up against the cream of the country’s student sides, Mosi said he was experiencing the game at the next level.
“The standard of the rugby is right up there and the game is played at an extremely high intensity throughout,” he said.
“It’s a lot more challenging because all the teams are well-coached and the players are all well-conditioned.”
Despite the three defeats, Mosi said they were learning all the time.
“From the three matches I’ve played I have discovered that the game is only over in the 80th minute and not a second before that,” he said.
“At this stage we are just trying to right our wrongs and, by doing that, we hope to secure a win in the second block of matches.”
Madibaz will return to Pretoria for the second phase, opening against University of Johannesburg on April 22. That will be followed by clashes with Wits (April 27) and Free State University (April 30).
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