Madibaz announce Andre Tredoux as new rugby coach

The Madibaz Rugby Club have announced Andre Tredoux as their new coach for the team’s return to the top-flight Varsity Cup competition next year.

The 42-year-old Tredoux is currently head coach of Russian club Moscow Slava, but is looking forward to a return to South Africa and working with the Madibaz outfit.

He said one of their priorities would be to ensure that the varsity capitalised on the talent which existed in the Eastern Cape.

“We want to ensure Madibaz rugby becomes the preferred destination for the local talent,” said Tredoux, “and to follow that up by helping quality student-athletes develop to their full potential.”

The new Madibaz coach spent time with South African provincial teams Free State Cheetahs and Leopards, while also working in Japan.

He had a stint with Varsity Cup team Shimlas from Bloemfontein and acknowledged the tough challenge they always faced in Port Elizabeth.

“There is a lot of passion when it comes to Madibaz rugby and it was always a hard game,” he said.

“Having played in the Varsity Cup semifinals two years in a row (2013 and 2014), they have a proud history.”

Tredoux places great emphasis on establishing relationships and said he tried to follow a “total smart rugby approach”.

“I have a huge passion for developing young men to reach their full potential, on and off the field. I’m always willing to walk the extra mile for my staff and players, and my coaching staff will work tirelessly to achieve the best possible results.”

Tredoux grew up in Amanzimtoti in KwaZulu-Natal and attended Free State University after matriculating from Kuswag High.

He turned out for Shimlas and College Rovers in Durban and developed an interest in coaching at schoolboy level while playing for Rovers.

When an injury ended his playing days he took his first job in 2003 as the Cheetahs U20 conditioning and skills coach. That proved the catalyst for his mentoring career.

He linked up with Slava Moscow as their head coach last year and has thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“But I must admit, it’s not ideal for family life over here and I was excited to get the chance to link up with Madibaz and to take on the challenges ahead,” he said.

“We look forward to the Friendly City and the beach and I can’t wait for a braai, biltong and building some great friendships.”

Madibaz Sport director Yoliswa Lumka said now that they had achieved their goal of regaining promotion to the Varsity Cup competition, they needed to ensure that they were competitive.

“Andre has the necessary rugby coaching experience and understanding of university sport and we believe he will be the adhesive of the team that takes us to higher ground,” she said.