With just two rounds left in the FNB Varsity Shield 2025, FNB WSU coach, Thembani Mkhokeli has reflected on the season so far, and what’s to come next.
The WSU All-Blacks have recorded one victory in this year’s tournament and it came against FNB SPU on home soil in round four.
Besides that, win, the current season has proved challenging for FNB WSU, and coach Mkhokeli says they’ve seen improvements despite results not going their way.
“We knew that this season wasn’t going to be easy for us especially with the new and young players coming into the set-up.
“We know that results haven’t gone our way, and people will always judge us on that. However, we have seen improvements in terms of where we were at the start of the season to where we are now.”
The biggest challenge for FNB WSU this season has been integrating young and inexperienced players into the team and getting them up to speed with the systems.
Mkhokeli admitted that some players have struggled to adapt to the FNB Varsity Shield and the level of professionalism it comes with.
“Players aren’t used to this type of programme. It’s new to them, and they are still adapting to everything, not just the game plan but the whole environment.”
“Now we also understand that our recruitment is something we have to work hard on if we want to change things around.”
FNB WSU are fighting to stay in the FNB Varsity Shield, and they currently sit second bottom on the log table with rivals, FNB UFH looming.
The two teams will meet in round six in what is described as the relegation battle. Mkhokeli says they have reflected on their past outings and are confident heading to Alice.
“We have been very honest with each other because we have let ourselves down this season.
“It’s not that we have played better opponents but it’s our mistakes and that’s been quite disappointing from our side.
“But the confidence is there, the push is there, and we need to focus on the remaining matches,” he ended.