WSU ALL BLACKS CAPTAIN AND DEPUTY LEAD FROM THE FRONT AFTER BACK-TO-BACK “PLAYER THAT ROCKS” HONOURS

Leadership, in rugby as in life, is measured less by words than by deeds. For the FNB Walter Sisulu University (WSU) All Blacks, the opening two rounds of the 2026 Varsity Shield have offered compelling proof of that truth.

Captain Lukhangele Tshayi and his deputy, Vice-Captain Sipho Hobosch, have not merely worn their leadership titles, but have embodied them. In consecutive fixtures, the pair claimed the coveted “Player That Rocks” accolade, stamping their authority on the early stages of the campaign and setting a formidable standard for the squad.

The season opener against FNB Wits at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium unfolded as a tale of brilliance tinged with frustration. Having surged to a commanding 24–5 lead at halftime, the WSU All Blacks appeared poised for a statement victory before the contest slipped into a 27-27 draw after the final whistle was blown.

Yet amid the shifting momentum, Tshayi’s performance remained unmatched.

Astute and composed at flyhalf, he dictated tempo with rare foresight, slicing through defensive lines with surgical precision. So effervescent was his style that teammates affectionately call him “Shampopo”, a nod to champagne, in tribute to the sparkle he brings to the field. With the ball in hand, he moved with poise and calculation, leaving defenders wrong-footed and spectators enthralled.

“During games, my focus is on doing my job first, which is to put my all in the game,” Shayi reflected. “When I perform, it naturally lifts the team. Leadership isn’t just about talking, but about staying disciplined, working hard, and setting an example through actions on the field.”

It is a philosophy he lives by. Yet the captain did not cloak the team’s shortcomings in platitudes. Instead, he confronted them directly, particularly the troubling second-half lapses that have crept into their performances.

“This trend all comes down to game management and maintaining intensity for the full 80 minutes. Sometimes we relax after a strong first half, which allows the opposition back in the game. As a team, we’re working hard on improving our conditioning, mental focus, and making smarter decisions under pressure so we can close out matches properly,” said Tshayi.

If the captain orchestrates with elegance, his deputy enforces with authority.

In the second-round clash against SPU in Kimberley, during a commanding 48–22 victory for the All Blacks, the imposing eighth man delivered a performance of bruising intensity. Towering in defence and relentless at the breakdown, Hobosch rallied his forward pack with uncompromising physicality, ensuring the team did not succumb to another second-half fade.

“The coaches have noticed it, and we are working on improving,” Hobosch said of the team’s consistency challenges. “On fixing it, we are working on trying to adapt fast to the situation after the first half to be ready to go.”

Beyond the collisions and carries, Hobosch’s message echoed a deeper ethos: shared responsibility.

He emphasised that sustained success demands accountability across the squad, and that leadership cannot rest solely on the captain and vice-captain, but must be diffused throughout the team.

“It’s a team effort. We are a set of different leaders in our roles, so they're making our roles as captain and vice-captain easy, which makes our individual performance stand out,” said Hobosch.

The Vice-Captain was equally reflective about his own evolution, acknowledging a marked tactical shift in his responsibilities this season. Where once he functioned primarily as a disciplined cog within a larger system, executing structure with technical precision, he now finds himself entrusted with far greater attacking licence.

“The role I played last season was getting the system right and executing when needed. This year, I’m playing more of an attacking role going forward,” he explained.

The transformation has been visible. No longer confined to the unseen mechanics of structure and alignment, Hobosch has emerged as a dynamic offensive catalyst, carrying with intent, linking play with confidence, and imposing himself as a forward capable of bending defensive lines rather than merely absorbing pressure.

It is a shift that mirrors the All Blacks’ broader ambition this season: not simply to function efficiently within a system, but to assert themselves with purpose and authority.

By Thando Cezula