Netball alumni shines in first English season

Former Maties netball players Nichole Taljaard and Nicola Smith have just finished their first season as players in England’s Netball Super League. Taljaard played for London Pulse, and Smith represented Loughborough Lighting. Both Taljaard and Smith also earned National contracts for 2024. Loughborough Lighting and London Pulse finished second and third, respectively, in the final…

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Maties Rugby win USSA, while Hockey and Netball secure top 3 spots

Maties Sport fared well at the recent University Sport of South Africa (USSA) Championships, claiming medals in multiple sporting codes. The Maroon Machine took home gold in men’s 15s rugby with notable silver medals for the Maties men’s hockey side and Maties 2 netball team while adding a number of additional silver and bronze medals…

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Maties Chess Player Makes International Debut

Stellenbosch University second-year international studies student Simamnkele Hemeni has been named in the University Sport South Africa (USSA) Chess team for the FISU Mind Games World University Championships, which will take place from 25-27 June in Uganda, Entebbe. Born and raised in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch, 21-year-old Simamnkele played chess since he was a young boy in…

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Stellenbosch University receives Platinum certification for FISU Healthy Campus

Stellenbosch University (SU) is the first university in South Africa to officially receive a Platinum Certification for Healthy Campus from the Federation of International University Sport (FISU) in June 2024. This certification aims to enhance all aspects of well-being for students and the campus community at large. “Receiving the Platinum certification as a FISU Healthy…

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Edwill, Ben-Jason’s Springbok dreams become reality

Legendary Maties rugby player Edwill van der Merwe will make his Springbok debut this coming weekend against Wales at Twickenham. Edwill played 37 Varsity Cup matches for Maties and still holds the record for the most tries—23—in this series. He was a key player in the teams that won the trophy in 2018 and 2019.…

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SU to host South Africa’s first FISU rugby sevens championship in 2026

For the first time since its inception, South Africa will be the host nation for the The International University Sports Federation’s (FISU) 2026 Rugby Sevens Championship and Stellenbosch University (SU) will have the honour of becoming only the second African University to host this biannual international university rugby showpiece. The University of Namibia hosted the…

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A day in the life of Drikus Hancke

As the Head of Rugby at Maties Sport, Drikus Hancke channels his deep passion for the game into enhancing the Maties Rugby programme. His strategic leadership not only advances our teams’ performance on the field but also strengthens the vibrant sports culture at Stellenbosch University (SU). As we started May celebrating Workers’ Day, we dedicate this series…

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