Le Roux Backing his Boytjies

World Cup-winning centre Hennie Le Roux - an NMMU Old Boy - has praised the Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, labelling the tournament a 'wonderful platform' for young players to showcase their abilities.

Whilst business commitments have cut down on his Varsity Cup-watching time this season, the former Springbok star is still a massive fan of the tournament - which is now in its third year of existence.

"There is no doubt that the Varsity Cup has a massive role in South Africa rugby," Le Roux told varsitycup.co.za. "It's a wonderful platform for student players to develop their game and it's a great stepping stone for players to go on to a higher level."

Le Roux also praised the sponsors of the tournament for investing in a concept that he believes will bear fruit for South African rugby in the not-too-distant future.

"The massive success of the Varsity Cup is an accolade to FNB and Steinhoff, and the rest of the sponsors, who developed a concept that SA Rugby will see the real benefit of in the next couple of years," he added.

As a former student at the University of Port Elizabeth (which, of course, is now the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University), Le Roux finds it a bit difficult to watch the Madibas struggle - but he knows that it is a tough ask for any side form the Eastern Cape to compete with teams from the so-called 'big unions'.

"Given all the talent in the region, Eastern Province should be among the top four or five rugby provinces in the country," said Le Roux, who helped out at NMMU - as a technical advisor - during last season's Varsity Cup.

"It's a pity to see both the professional and lower sides struggling and I hope that soon we will start to see the potential in the region coming through," he added.

The No.12 maestro, who formed a formidable centre combination with Japie Mulder at the '95 World Cup, had some words of encouragement for the young and inexperienced NMMU side, who host UCT's Ikey Tigers in a third-round Varsity Cup this coming Monday.

"Every team goes through good and bad cycles," he said.

"But it's all about committing to yourself and to your team... and that you [then] give your all in order to achieve a collective goal - no matter what that goal might be."

By Tim Human