Fort Hare Blues centre Somila Jho is aiming to guide the team to Varsity Shield glory this year as the team’s star player settles into life in Alice, following his move from Port Elizabeth.
Jho had previously turned out for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Madibaz in the Varsity Cup and had also played for the Eastern Province Kings in last year’s Currie Cup qualifiers.
His focus now, however, will be on helping the Blues realise their potential in the competitive Varsity Shield.
“I have spent time looking at the performance of the team and had hoped to join the team at some point in time. This became real when my friend approached me to come to Fort Hare,” said Jho.
“It’s been good joining the Fort Hare Blues family and I have settled in well. They have welcomed me with warm hands.”
Jho has proved his value already for the Blues, particularly in their second match of the competition where he was the player that rocks, helping Fort Hare claim an impressive 32-31 win over the University of the Western Cape who were last year’s Shield runners-up.
His performance was typified by a superb attack and rock solid defence that helped the Blues get up and running in the competition after losing their opening match against the Walter Sisulu University All Blacks.
In the Blues’ latest match against Rhodes University on Monday night, Jho was again integral in helping the team to a bonus point win.
He suffered a slight knock in the warm-up so, as a precaution, the coaching staff made him play off the bench. However, as soon as they saw he was fine they put him on at the start of the second half and, with the team 5-0 ahead at that stage, the spark Jho brought to the team saw them run out 30-10 victors in the end.
“My performances for the team have been great and I have been consistent, which has helped me,” said Jho.
“I have enjoyed playing for the team so far and it has been a good journey.”
So far the Blues have won two and lost two of their matches so far. However, with them third on the table a bonus point win over the Tshwane University of Technology Vikings in their next match in Alice would put them right on the brink of qualifying for the semifinals.
The Vikings have not had the greatest start to this year’s competition, so they will be eager for the win to stay in the running. However, the Blues should be confident of getting the win back on their home turf.
“Compared to previous years I think this year’s team is one that is full of talent,” said Jho.
“The Varsity Shield has been great so far playing with competitive sides in the competition. We have had ups and downs in the competition but, as a team, we have not given up at all, and we have a great chance to reach the final.”
Jho, however, has big goals that he wants to achieve with the Blues and he will be aiming to reach them with the side over the coming years.
“Being promoted to the next level, which is Varsity Cup is a big goal for us,” said Jho.
“My major goal in my rugby career that I am working towards is always to play at a higher level.”
Fort Hare’s next match is next week Monday against TUT in Alice.
It's falling into place for Jho
Jho had previously turned out for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Madibaz in the Varsity Cup and had also played for the Eastern Province Kings in last year’s Currie Cup qualifiers.
His focus now, however, will be on helping the Blues realise their potential in the competitive Varsity Shield.
“I have spent time looking at the performance of the team and had hoped to join the team at some point in time. This became real when my friend approached me to come to Fort Hare,” said Jho.
“It’s been good joining the Fort Hare Blues family and I have settled in well. They have welcomed me with warm hands.”
Jho has proved his value already for the Blues, particularly in their second match of the competition where he was the player that rocks, helping Fort Hare claim an impressive 32-31 win over the University of the Western Cape who were last year’s Shield runners-up.
His performance was typified by a superb attack and rock solid defence that helped the Blues get up and running in the competition after losing their opening match against the Walter Sisulu University All Blacks.
In the Blues’ latest match against Rhodes University on Monday night, Jho was again integral in helping the team to a bonus point win.
He suffered a slight knock in the warm-up so, as a precaution, the coaching staff made him play off the bench. However, as soon as they saw he was fine they put him on at the start of the second half and, with the team 5-0 ahead at that stage, the spark Jho brought to the team saw them run out 30-10 victors in the end.
“My performances for the team have been great and I have been consistent, which has helped me,” said Jho.
“I have enjoyed playing for the team so far and it has been a good journey.”
So far the Blues have won two and lost two of their matches so far. However, with them third on the table a bonus point win over the Tshwane University of Technology Vikings in their next match in Alice would put them right on the brink of qualifying for the semifinals.
The Vikings have not had the greatest start to this year’s competition, so they will be eager for the win to stay in the running. However, the Blues should be confident of getting the win back on their home turf.
“Compared to previous years I think this year’s team is one that is full of talent,” said Jho.
“The Varsity Shield has been great so far playing with competitive sides in the competition. We have had ups and downs in the competition but, as a team, we have not given up at all, and we have a great chance to reach the final.”
Jho, however, has big goals that he wants to achieve with the Blues and he will be aiming to reach them with the side over the coming years.
“Being promoted to the next level, which is Varsity Cup is a big goal for us,” said Jho.
“My major goal in my rugby career that I am working towards is always to play at a higher level.”
Fort Hare’s next match is next week Monday against TUT in Alice.
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