A championship double, Varsity Cup qualification and a growing roll call of representative players have made this a landmark season for Sol Plaatje University rugby.
Sol Plaatje University (SPU) is celebrating a rugby season to remember, one that has put its student-athletes, its sporting programme and the Northern Cape firmly in the spotlight.
At a thank-you luncheon held on 14 October 2026, the University honoured the players, coaches and support staff whose dedication and resilience delivered exceptional results. The women’s team were crowned Pick n Pay Super League champions and secured qualification for the 2027 Varsity Cup. The men’s team also won the Super League and retained SPU’s place in the Varsity Shield for 2027.
For a young university, this is more than a successful season. It is a statement of ambition. SPU is punching above its weight, and its rugby teams are showing just how much can be achieved when talent, opportunity and determination come together.
THE SEASON AT A GLANCE
2 Super League championship titles | 31 players selected for Griquas representative teams | R98 000+ raised in ticket sales from two Varsity Shield matches |
Breaking boundaries and raising the bar
Director for Student Affairs, Dr Edwina Brooks, praised the athletes for breaking boundaries, particularly in women’s rugby, and for embodying SPU’s commitment to inclusion, opportunity and excellence. She encouraged the players to stay focused on their goals and assured them of the University’s support throughout their academic and sporting journeys.
The trophy presentation was also a moment to reflect on how far SPU rugby has come. Speakers highlighted the importance of developing emerging talent alongside experienced provincial and national players, giving students a pathway to grow and compete at increasingly higher levels.
Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Debra Meyer, said the teams’ impact reaches far beyond trophies and medals. By competing at provincial, national and international level, SPU’s student-athletes carry the University’s name with pride and strengthen its growing reputation.
“National trophies reward the final score on the field. Today’s recognition rewards your character, discipline and dedication as students of this University.”
Professor Meyer commended the athletes for balancing the demands of competitive sport with their academic responsibilities. Their discipline, sacrifice and determination, she said, have raised the bar for their peers and shown that ambition and excellence belong at the heart of the SPU experience.
A team behind every team
SPU’s success has been built collectively. Professor Meyer acknowledged the coaches, medical personnel, administrators and other support staff whose work makes high-performance sport possible. She also reaffirmed the University’s commitment to the practical needs of student-athletes, including adequate nutrition, financial support, sporting equipment and proper preparation for competition.
The strength of the programme is visible in the growing number of SPU players earning representative honours. Twelve student-athletes were selected for the Griquas Under-21 team, while 19 were chosen for the Griquas senior women’s team, a total of 31 selections that underline the depth of talent being developed at the University.
Support for SPU rugby is growing off the field too. The men’s team generated more than R98 000 in ticket sales from two Varsity Shield matches, with the proceeds earmarked for sporting equipment. It is a powerful sign of the energy gathering around the programme and of a community backing its teams.
Taking SPU and Kimberley with them
Professor Meyer encouraged the teams to bring more future fixtures to Kimberley. As an anchor institution in the Northern Cape, SPU has an important role to play in attracting visitors, creating local excitement and strengthening the city’s profile as a centre of activity and achievement.
In his vote of thanks, Mr Dumisani Dondashe expressed appreciation to the University leadership, coaches, medical team, administrators and student-athletes who made both the season and the celebration possible. He also urged the athletes to remain committed to their studies as their sporting journeys continue.
This is a season SPU can be proud of, and one worth celebrating loudly. The trophies, representative selections and national competition places tell a compelling story: Sol Plaatje University may be young, but it is already competing with confidence, building champions and punching above its weight.
Now, with the 2027 season on the horizon, SPU rugby is ready to go further.
