FNB Varsity Cup
FNB Madibaz No 8 Mihlali Mosi aims to serve the Cheetahs with distinction when he joins them after the FNB Varsity Cup.
The 25-year-old recently signed a short-term contract with the Bloemfontein-based union and is set to make his senior provincial debut in the Currie Cup Premier Division.
Mosi is not only a talented rugby player but intelligent too. The former FNB WSU player earned a distinction for his BTech Internal Auditing, before switching tertiary institutions to chase a PGDip in Employment Relationship Management at Nelson Mandela University.
It's an incredible feat considering that many student-athletes struggle to find the balance between excelling in their code and in the lecture hall.
The former Muir College scholar, who represented Eastern Province at the U18 Academy Week in 2014, says he would not have come close to reaching his current heights without his strong support base.
"Mom and Dad are always the first and most important people in my life; they form the root of my very self," he tells VarsityCup.co.za. "Making them proud is first and foremost.
"Another important member of my team is Star of Hope coach Vuyo Nompondo, who backed me from day one and believed in me more than I did. His guidance and knowledge forged a love for rugby that runs deep inside me."
Mosi's performances in his final season of the FNB Varsity Cup (he has reached the tournament age limit) impressed Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie.
“Mihlali’s ball-carrying ability is exceptional," Fourie told VarsityCup.co.za recently. "He’s really explosive with ball in hand and his lineout work is excellent. He has a few things to work on, but he has a lot of attributes that will fit in with the way we play."
When asked about his goals at the Cheetahs, Mosi flashes a grin before returning to his more serious resting face.
"Simply put, I want to do enough to extend my contract [which runs until the end of October]. Playing professional rugby is a dream I've held onto since I was a boy.
Like my studies, I intend to serve with distinction and make a difference in the famous orange jersey."
– Mosi will make his final appearance for FNB Madibaz in Sunday's match against FNB UCT Ikeys (14:00, DStv Now channel 245).
