New Blues skipper Nqotyana ready to build on KV’s legacy

Cinga Nqotyana was not eligible to play Varsity Shield rugby in his first season with the Blues.

Having only just transferred to the University of Fort Hare from fierce rivals Walter Sisulu, competition rules prevented him from turning out for his new team in 2021.

But, only 12 months later, he was a Varsity Shield champion as Fort Hare became the first Eastern Cape tertiary institution to claim the coveted title.

“It was a surreal feeling, something you can’t put into words,” the 24-year-old, who recently took over the reins from the highly-rated Kamvelihle Fatyela, explains.

“Here I was coming from another school and a year later we are Varsity Shield winners. It was just one of those moments when the stars aligned.”

Thanks to Fort Hare’s all-conquering season in 2022, Nqotyana knows what it takes to win on the biggest of stages. This and other character-building experiences have led to his appointment as Blues captain following Fatyela’s departure. 

There is no question that he has big boots to fill. Fatyela, or simply “KV” to his teammates, was an inspirational leader whose impact will no doubt be remembered for years.

 With Nqotyana having had the opportunity to play a lot of rugby under the former skipper, he picked up on many of the aspects that made the latter successful on and off the pitch.

“KV was a great player, captain and teammate. He taught me about the importance of improving myself as a player and being a better asset for the team.

“He was someone who would wake up early to go to the gym, get the guys to rally around him or simply to exercise patience. He was the voice of reason and someone who led by example by making the first hit of the game.”

Nqotyana aims to pick up from where Fatyela has left off by emphasising these qualities so that UFH can achieve as a team.

The human movement science student plies his trade in the second row, though he will occasionally take his place at flank.

Playing lock, he says, requires a strong mind as the game has become very technical upfront.

“Sometimes you wish you were on the side of the scrum,” Nqotyana, who intends studying towards his honours next year, quips.

Though it has not been the easiest of starts to his tenure as captain (the Blues lost some games in the Border league they really should have won), he believes he has plenty to work with until the 2025 Varsity Shield comes around.

The tournament always features in his thinking, whether they are playing club rugby or competing in USSA competitions.

He constantly asks himself whether players are getting enough game time, if everyone understands the team goals and in what way these align with the bigger picture.

Nqotyana believes there is a lot to look forward to, given that the 11 debutants Fort Hare fielded this season now had Shield experience under their togs.

Being able to step in as captain at this stage “is exciting” as it is an opportunity for him to rally the troops in the same way Fatyela did.

Like his coach, Chase Morison, Nqotyana hopes Fort Hare can ascend to the ranks of the elite Varsity Cup in the foreseeable future.

He concedes additional resources will be needed for the Blues to compete at that level but, should it happen, it will be a “dream come true for the whole Alice community”.