SHARE
Tshwane, South Africa – Pieter Coetzé was named Bestmed Sportsman of the Year at the 2025 TuksSport Colours & Awards ceremony which took place on Friday 24 October, while Kaylene Corbett received the honour of Bestmed Sportswoman of the Year. Rocco Meiring was recognised as Coach of the Year (Individual Sport), and TuksSwimming earned the title of Club of the Year.
As said by Steven Ball, TuksSport Director & Acting CEO of hpc; “Performance is far greater than one person, one team, or one entity. ” Having a sports system is far greater than simply winning or losing,” he continued. “Behind every success is a dedicated network of professionals whose tireless efforts create a nurturing, high-performance environment that allows athletes to thrive.”
“We are incredibly proud of these athletes, knowing that they will one day represent South Africa and serve as an inspiration to young children,” said Karen Pienaar, Bestmed Sponsorship and CSI Specialist. “We’ve been fortunate to be part of the DStv Netball Challenge, through MultiChoice, and we’ve seen first hand the impact that athletes, the very ones you see on TV, have on young girls. We know that our athletes at TuksSport will continue to be a powerful source of inspiration across many sporting codes in South Africa, motivating others to always give their best.”
Coetzé is only the second South African swimmer to win three medals at a World Championships. He is the 100m backstroke world champion and was second in the 200m backstroke and the 50m backstroke. In the space of seven days, he improved the African record in the 50m backstroke (24.17s), 100m backstroke (51.85s), and 200m backstroke (1:53.36) during the World Championships. At the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany, he won the 50 m and 100 m backstroke events. He was second in the 100 m freestyle.
Coetzé attributes his success to a competitive nature.
My competitiveness comes from a young age. I was born with it. I always say I’m not built for training. The times I swim during training are just average. I’m more of a racer. When I race, I am in a different mindset, says the first-year psychology studen
It wouldn’t be wrong to say “cometh the moment, cometh the swimmer” to describe the way Kaylene Corbett steps up to win bronze in the 200m breaststroke at the World Championships.
When I compete internationally, it’s about more than just myself. I want to give my best for South Africa. This is something Tatjana (Smith) and I have talked about a lot, said Corbett.
Meiring is the only South African coach to have led more than one swimmer to a World Championship medal. He also coached Smith, the Tokyo 2020 200m breaststroke champion and world record holder.
Meiring is not one to brag about himself. He answers the question that drives him, mockingly, by saying, I’m not employable for another job. On the other hand, it could be a selfish career thing. I saddled the horse, and now I have to ride it.
Page 2 of
But then he confesses that, to him, there is no greater satisfaction than when his swimmers achieve the goals they have set themselves.
“I like the challenge that comes with coaching. It’s stimulating.”
Colette Uys, the Bestmed Student Sportswoman of the Year, won a bronze medal in the women’s shot put at the FISU World University Games in Germany.
Earlier this season, during the South African Senior Track & Field Championships in Potchefstroom, she achieved what few athletes have ever done. Colette medalled in three events. She won gold in the shot put and discus events and silver in the hammer throw. At the USSA Athletics Championships in Tshwane, she won all three events.
Calvin Davis is the Bestmed Student Sportsman of the Year. In the past five years, Tuks have been crowned USSA champions four times. Davis played in three of those finals. He has captained the team in the last two finals and also represented South Africa on the international stage.
Lizanne Jacobs, who coached the TuksWomensRugby 15s team to contest the 2025 FNB Women’s Varsity Cup and USSA Rugby finals, is the Coach of the Year (Team Sport). Under her guidance, Tuks clinched the Women’s Carlton League title.
About TuksSport
TuksSport, the Sport Department at the University of Pretoria, has positioned itself, both locally and internationally, as a leader in the fields of participation in sport and managing and coaching sport. We offer a professional home for athletes and volunteers who participate in our programmes. As a catalyst for the development of sport, TuksSport adds value and contributes towards sustainable sport programmes for the broader South African community.
With a diverse range of over 30 sporting codes, our campus offers something for everyone. Whether you are a beginner seeking to explore a new sport or an athlete with a high-level profile, our home provides exceptional sporting opportunities worldwide.
We not only focus on top performers but also on club contestants and recreational participants. The high-performance programme provides services that range from scientific and medical to sports testing, fitness,technical and tactical expertise, sports injuries, and sport psychology support.
INFO SUPPLIED.