By Jana Gous
Student athletes are among the most disciplined people on campus. While many students juggle academic deadlines and a social life, student athletes must do so while training, travelling and competing at a high level. Die Matie spoke to several Maties athletes to understand how they not only survive, but thrive under pressure.
For Maties hockey player Sego Motswasele, a fourth-year BCom (International Business) student, careful planning is non-negotiable.
“It’s not always possible to have academics, sport and a social life at the same time,” he explains. During peak moments in the semester, something has to give, and studies often take the strain when matches and assessments overlap. Still, Motswasele has no regrets. “Being a student athlete is a different kind of student life,” he says.
Third-year BCom (Econometrics) student and Maties football midfielder Alicia Aebes shares a similar reality. She relies heavily on routine and time management to stay on track. “My life is not always balanced,” she admits, “But each week is a learning curve.” One of her biggest challenges is maintaining proper nutrition: essential for recovery, but can be costly in Stellenbosch. Despite the pressures, Aebes believes the experience is worth it, noting that football has introduced her to opportunities she would not have encountered otherwise.
For Josh Reyneke, a second-year Theology student and Division 1 water polo player, discipline starts with rest. “Sleep gives me the capacity to function,” he says. Early mornings and intense training sessions leave little room for spontaneity, but Reyneke is comfortable with the sacrifices. Guided by a Jim Elliot quote that Tim Keller used in one of his sermons, “Wherever you are, be all there,” he remains present in both sport and academics. He remains grounded through his faith, saying, “I play waterpolo for the glory of God, and I believe that only by His grace have I been given the talent to compete at this level.”
Rugby scrumhalf Ezekiel Ngobeni, a BCom (Agricultural Economics) graduate, emphasises perspective by separating his sport from his identity. “Time management is key,” he says, adding that planning ahead allows him to give each commitment the attention it deserves.
All four athletes agree that Stellenbosch University (SU) provides strong support when sport and academics clash, through flexible assessments, workshops and understanding coaches. Their advice to first-year student athletes is unanimous: be patient, ask for help, manage your time wisely and enjoy the journey.
