
The Sol Plaatje University (SPU) campus played host to a spectacular weekend of rugby, on 23 and 24 September, in the USSA 7s tournament, with teams competing fiercely for the coveted titles. The tournament featured both women’s and men’s divisions, and the final day results left rugby fans on the edge of their seats, the North-West University (NWU) Eagles claimed both men’s and women’s titles as they battled it out in their respective hotly contested finals.
The tournament’s program featured a carefully planned schedule of events, starting with the arrival of teams at Windhoek Draught Park Stadium in Kimberley at 16:00. Teams lined up in alphabetical order at the side of the stadium followed by an exciting Jersey Parade. The official proceedings began a tad after 17h00 with an opening and welcome address by Ms Nicole Morris, Dean of Students (SPU), with the main address by SPU Vice-Chancellor: Professor Andrew M. Crouch, which signalled the official opening of the tournament.
A captivating musical performance by Amandla Dança Teatro ZA entertained all the university teams and attendees. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Mr. Bongo Nontshinga, University Sports South Africa (USSA) Rugby Chairperson followed by closing remarks from Ms. Nicole Morris.
The NWU women’s side outclassed the University of Pretoria (UP) in a one-sided showdown, 26-0 while their male counterparts had to contend with the talented University of the Western Cape (UWC) side, but the NWU Eagles edged them 21-5 in the end.
In the women’s division quarter-finals, NWU defeated the University of the Fort Hare 24-5, Maties dominated UWC, 32-0, the University of KwaZulu Natal edged past the University of Johannesburg 10-5, and the University of Pretoria’ Tuks secured a 26-5 victory against Nelson Mandela University (NMU).
In the semi-finals the NWU Eagles showcased their dominance by defeating Maties with a narrow 14-12 victory, while UP-Tuks cruised past UKZN 28-12 to set up a thrilling final.
The road to the semi-final for the NWU Eagles men’s side saw them outplay Tuks 27-14 in their quarter-final encounter, while the team from Potchefstroom beat CUT 31-12 in the semi-final. In the other men’s division quarter-final match-ups Central University of Technology (CUT) beat Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) with a score of 19-7, UWC narrowly defeated Witwatersrand University (Wits) 17-14 while Maties secured a close 19-15 win against University of the Free State (UFS).
In the semi-finals, the NWU men’s side faced off against CUT and triumphed with a score of 31-12. Meanwhile, UWC secured their spot in the final by defeating Maties, 26-0.
The 2023 USSA 7s Rugby Tournament was a showcase of exceptional rugby talent and intense competition. The North-West University Eagles claimed double honours as they secured the championship titles in both the women’s and men’s divisions. NWU dominated the women’s division with a powerful performance in the final, while NWU’s men’s team exhibited their prowess to clinch the title.
Congratulations to all the teams that participated in this exhilarating tournament, and a special salute to the North-West Eagles for their outstanding achievements in the world of university rugby.
The USSA 7s tournament at Sol Plaatje University will be remembered as a thrilling sporting spectacle that brought together the best university rugby talent in the country.