The University of Fort Hare rugby side, Luma Ke Blues, has a new man at its helm, Sabelo Kolanisi. Recently appointed as the new head coach, his connection to the team runs deep, as he once played for the Blues as a winger during his playing career.
The Zwelitsha-born coach brings a wealth of experience, having previously coached Port Rex High School, the Border Academy under-18s for two seasons, the Border Craven Week team, and the Border women’s 7s. His coaching journey has also included stints at high-flying Dale College, UFH Blues archrivals Walter Sisulu All Blacks, the Border Bulldogs, South Western Districts, and the Griffons, among others.
Coach Sabelo’s career also carries an international footprint, as he was appointed head coach of the Lithuanian national team in 2018, and later served as assistant coach of the Russian national team during the 2022/23 season.
The coach acknowledges the legacy of skill transfer he benefited from during his own playing days, particularly from a team whose style of play he greatly admires. He believes he is in sync with the Blues’ playing philosophy and has already identified key areas for improvement.
He is determined to improve game techniques, drawing on his personal coaching experience, and is eager to deliver exciting rugby for supporters. “We consider them as part of our team spirit. We promise them good-quality rugby that is full of entertainment, and we will do our best to achieve the best results as our primary goal,” he said.
He believes the squad is competitive, noting that “the team is competitive enough with decent chances when compared to its competitors; however, reaching full potential will require hard work and dedication from both the coaching staff and the players.”
When asked about his coaching drive, he had this to say: “I am a coach because of my passion for my work. I believe coaching is a calling, it is something that you have inside that drives you to coach. I can foster the growth of my players through the numerous opportunities that I am fortunate to provide. I am willing to learn, ask for help where I need assistance, observe, experiment with new things, and continuously want to know more about the game. Being honest with your players about their game helps to create healthy competition among players and builds a trusting relationship between the coach and the players.”
He also noted that players are responding positively. “We have recently surpassed the introductory stages. We are now in a relational phase and are looking forward to a more intense level of commitment throughout the season.”
Two warm-up games are scheduled, starting with a clash against rivals Walter Sisulu University, tomorrow, 24 January, followed by a fixture against Gardens Rugby Club in Kariega.