CUCSA Games Archives | The Big Tip Off

Davids talks CUCSA Games gold and hopes for her women’s team

THESLINE Davids is one of South Africa’s most visible coaches on the sidelines. It shows up in her display of passion and celebration when a play she’s drawn out is executed to a tee by her players or a great defensive effort at the other end of the court.

While leading the national student women’s team to the 2024 CUCSA Games victory at the University of Pretoria (TUKS) the previous week, the Cape Town-born coach barely sat on the South African team bench, preferring to stand and eck her team as they marched from one victory to the next until the gold was secured.

Davids, who also coaches Tuks, says her energetic displays on the sidelines have been part of her DNA since she could play the game.

“I am a passionate coach. I played basketball. And because I love it so much, I celebrate every small or big thing we do on the court. What you saw at that tournament (CUCSA Games) was what I would do at a junior tournament. It’s all heart. And it means more when you do these things for your country,” said Davids.

“I am genuinely always locked in and showing my kids that I am with them every step of the way. When they take a charge, draw a foul or get a bucket, I celebrate that, but I am also hard on them. I also pick them up when they need a lift during games.”

The experienced coach continued: “That’s who I am. I am a passionate coach. I love my kids, basketball, and my country.”

Thesline Davids during a time out — **South African team coach Thesline Davids built her team into a cohesive unit. Pictures: The BTO**

The feeling of being a champion will take time to wear off on Davids, who listed a few adjectives to describe her jovial state. Winning the tournament at home also made it that extra special.

“It was emotional. I was happy. I was grateful and excited to see my kids achieve the goal. From the first camp, we set ourselves the goal of winning here at home. There is a certain feeling that you get when you play these competitions at home,” said Davids.

“Before, we were competing in Botswana, Zambia, or Malawi. So, this was the first time I got to coach a national team and have a home-court advantage. Also, going undefeated was massive for us. It spoke volumes about our commitment and heart. The kids put in a lot of work to get us over the finish line.”

What impressed Davids more about her team’s achievement was that despite most of them being rookies on the international stage, they acquitted themselves well.

“We have done exceptionally well given most of these girls have never played international basketball. I only had one player who played in AfroBasket qualifiers at the under-16 level in Botswana a few years ago,” said Davids.

“The rest of the players did not understand how this competition works. Playing at the CUCSAs meant so much because people could now see that kids who did not get these opportunities when they were younger compete and deliver for South Africa.”

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Talita Memani, crowned basketball tournament MVP, and national team captain Ulwethu Vacu, who earned All-Star honours, earned praise from Davids for contributing to the team’s success.

“Olwethu is the heart of the team. She drove us. It was awesome to finally get a chance to coach her rather than against her. She led by example. Whether it’s diving for the ball, fighting for a second possession or scoring a tough basket, she led by example. She made it easy for us because she is a great leader,” said Davids about the Vaal University of Technology point guard. “When she got the All-Star, I knew she would get it because she worked hard and everybody saw it. The number of bruises she had from the tournament when I last saw her showed what she was willing to do.”

Davids felt a sense of pride about the University of Western Cape centre Memani’s achievement as they both hail from the same city.

“Talita… I think she is just a special kid. I come from Cape Town. So, having her in the national team was a proud moment,” said the former University of Cape Town coach excitedly. “Seeing her footwork and her being in control of everything was incredible. She got double-doubles in every game and out-rebounded other bigs. She inspired the other post players to do better.”

CUCSA Games 2024 — **Thesline Davids was proud of the achievements of team South Africa captain Olwethu Vacu and Talita Memani during the 2024 CUCSA Games.**

The former Hershel Girls School coach felt bigs in the country are unappreciated and felt the tournament was the right platform to put their talents on a pedestal.

“This tournament was not about our guards. This tournament was about our post players. Also, remember here in South Africa, we do not respect our post players enough. So, I gave them a chance to show what they can do,” said Davids. “Her (Memani) backups like Chi (Eneanya), Nyeleti (Nyathi) and Umtha (Sibam) made a difference when they came in. Yeah, but Talita was the fire in the team… It was awesome to coach her.”

The future is bright for this group of players, says Davids. She hopes there will be exposure to more opportunity in the coming year.

“I hope this encourages people to see that more competition is needed for the national team. I hope we can get to the World Student Games in Germany next year,” said Davids. “If we expose these kids to more basketball, they can only get better. Most of the players are under the age of 23… So they have a lot years to give to us. They have put in the work. Hopefully, they will continue to inspire the next generation to do the same.”

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Matsie, Kweyama focus on big picture ahead of CUCSA Games

TSHEPO Matsie and Thanda Kweyama usually sit at opposing ends of benches during basketball games. Still, for the next couple of days, the two men will work hand in hand to plot South Africa’s success in the 2024 CUCSA Games starting on Monday in the country’s capital, Tshwane.

Matsie, head coach of the Tshwane University Technology (TUT) men’s team and Kweyama, who sits at the helm of rivals University Pretoria, have fought many battles against each other on the court.

But on Sunday after a scrimmage game against Egoli Magic at the University of Pretoria’s Rembrandt Hall, both men sang from the same hymn sheet about the national cause being a priority. National team head coach Matsie says he and his assistant Kweyama have a friendship off the court.

“We both understand what is required… Despite the basketball stuff, he and I (Kweyama) are actually good friends off the court. Apart from that, USSA has appointed us to lead the team, so things like rivalry must be put aside. Right now the focus is to represent the country to the best of our abilities,” said Matsie.

**Tshepo Matsie will rely on the experienced heads of his team for this year’s CUCSA Games. Pictures: The BTO**

Kweyama noted that while the coaches are from opposing institutions – it is the same for the players. He also pointed out that they are learning from each other.

“We are working towards a common goal, so there is no clash of egos… Like ‘You beat me or I beat you this many times’. There is a common goal,” said Kweyama. “Also, most of the guys here are from rival schools, so it’s a good learning experience and where we get to share ideas and impart wisdom.”

Kweyama, a former TUT student and Pretoria Boys High School pupil will be experiencing his first taste of international basketball. He described getting the opportunity as a “dream come true”.

“It’s a dream come true. As the saying goes, patience is a virtue, so when you quietly and eagerly wait, these opportunities will come at the right time. So this is exciting for me,” said Kweyama.

“This is a learning process and I am getting used to the requirements at this level. So, this is also a humbling moment.

Matsie, while a first-time head coach, has had experience at the international level. The former Tshwane Suns player was an assistant to Mandla Ngema during the FISU World Student Games in China last year.

South African team assistant coach Thanda Kweyama — **South African assistant coach Thanda Kweyama is excited to coach the CUCSA Games.**

The two-time BNL champion says the Games in China were an eye-opener for him and gave him important insights on where South Africa needs to focus on, in its development curve.

“The level of basketball played around the world is different. Knowing what the international standards look like was great and when we returned home, we knew the adjustments we needed to make,” said Matsie.

“If you looked at the game we played (against the Magic), the intensity was high, meaning we can play at this level. It’s also good we have players who have competed at that level (FISU Games) returning to the team. We need that experience and it’s a big plus for us.”

Basketball in South Africa has been experiencing somewhat of a revival. Having hosted one leg of the Basketball Africa League and with the U18 AfroBasket for men and women coming to the country in a couple of months, it is clear that basketball in South Africa will be the big winner.

“This is huge for us. I think we are at a point where basketball is growing in the country. Hosting these kinds of tournaments will give confidence to players who play and those that aspire to play the game. They will see that there is an outlet for them,” said Matsie. “We are hosting the CUCSA Games now. Soon we will be hosting the U18 AfroBasket. From a basketball perspective in our country, we need this.”

The last word went to Kweyama. “It’s exciting times. I wish this happened every other year. People have the opportunity to see the value of the sport. If we can build on this momentum then we can have more people invest in basketball in the country,” concluded Kweyama.

Today’s games:

Women: South Africa vs Malawi at 6 pm (South Africa time)

Men: South Africa vs Zimbabwe at 8 pm (South Africa time)