It’s a thrilling season wrap!

As we come to the end of rugby season 2024, we have much to be proud of. Varsity Cup this year saw our team improve each week and finish second on the log to secure a home semifinal.

The loss in that match hurt but we take the lessons and will be back stronger next year. Our Women’s team performed exceptionally well. They were unbeaten in the tournament but unfortunately lost in an exciting final to Fort Hare.

We had mixed performances in the Western Province League this year. Maties 1st team, coached by Kabamba Floors and Craig Barry, finished 4th on the log just six points behind Hamiltons, ending their league run in the semi-finals.

Our Victorians 2nd team, coached by Enrico Swartz and Louis Blom, finished 2nd, eight points behind winners False Bay, and Cravens 3rd team, coached by Greg Nel and Lucas Roothman, finished 4th, six points behind winners Durbell. Our Junior Maties, coached by Eddie Fredericks, Matimu Maganyi and Clinton van Rensburg, also finished 4th in their log, 10 points behind winners Hamiltons.

We are especially proud of our Women’s Sevens team who fought valiantly in the finals of the USSA Sevens Championship in Kimberley against Pukke to take the Silver Medal. Our men had a tougher tournament but took the shield in their final match against TUT.

Adding to Maties’ illustrious line-up of Springboks, we congratulate Ben-Jason Dixon, Edwill van der Merwe, and Andre Hugo Venter. They have all left a lasting impression at the club and they are fantastic role models for players and potential student-athletes. They show that it is possible to attain an academic qualification while continuing on your path of rugby development.

The Maroon Machine is a finely-tuned operation and we welcome to new staff talent: Aneesah Adams – Women’s Rugby Head Coach, Clinton van Rensburg – Young Guns Coach, and Johnwin Lewis – Facilities Assistant.

We have one of the best university clubs in the world and continue to thrive thanks to the generous support of donors and sponsors. And this month, we are delighted to have signed a headline sponsorship deal with Mitchum.

Welcome also to our first Maties Rugby Newsletter which we are sending out via our WhatsApp groups but you can also find it in full format for an easier read on this webpage. Our aim is to connect our rugby community of players, student fans, alumni, supporters and sponsors through news and insights which we hope to bring you every two months.

Read on to find out more about our Head Coach, our Mitchum partnership, and all the stats from the ever-popular Campus Rugby season. Also, take note of important dates so that you can turn up in person or virtually to show your support.