GAME ON
Building
Developing
1 | Why Wits Sport. Why now?
Wits University stands at a defining moment in its sporting journey. With growing investment in Wits high-performance sport, improved performance across multiple sporting codes, and the development of world-class infrastructure such as the Wits Brian and Dorothy Zylstra Sports Complex, Wits is building a high-performance sport ecosystem that is competitive, ambitious, and future-focused.
Our student-athletes are already competing at the national level, demonstrating excellence not only in sport, but in the classroom and beyond. These are individuals who embody resilience, leadership, and discipline.
Wits Sport is on the rise. Your journey starts
Wits’ R10M Annual Investment in Sports Bursaries
Shield Champions National and International Representation
2 | Student-athletes at the core
We are dedicated to fostering a vibrant sporting culture that embraces students, staff, and alumni offering a variety of sporting disciplines. We strive to enrich the university experience through inclusive sport opportunities that promote teamwork, well-being, and community spirit.
Wits Sport offers an exciting array of over 20 sporting codes for students to choose from, catering to all skill levels-from beginners to elite competitors.
Our diverse programs promote a culture of inclusivity, and personal growth, encouraging everyone to find their passion in sports.
20+ SPORTING CODES
OUTDOOR SPORT INDOOR SPORT
• Aquatics (Social Swimming, Learn to Swim, Water Polo, Swimming)
• Cricket
• Football
• Hockey
• Mountain Climbing/ Bouldering
• Netball
• Orienteering
• Rowing
• Rugby
• Rugby 7’s
• Snow Skiing
• Tennis
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Yacht
• Aerobics
• Basketball
• Boxing
• Chess
• Fencing
• Gymnastics
• Karate (JKA)
• Tai Chi & Yuishinkai Kobujutsu
• Squash
• Table Tennis
• Tang Soo Do
• Volleyball
• E-Sports
• Cheerleading
3 | Why choose Wits?
Wits Sport is fundamentally student-centered
• Compete at provincial, national and international levels
• Balance academic excellence with elite sport
• Develop leadership, resilience and discipline
• Represent South Africa and Wits University
Balance of sport and academics
You don’t have to choose between excelling in your sport and succeeding in your studies.
Global reputation
Wits is one of South Africa’s leading universities, known for research excellence and producing well-rounded graduates.
Community and spirit
With the motto “Our blood is blue and gold”, Wits fosters a vibrant student culture where athletes are celebrated.
Future-focused support
Whether through bursaries or sporting goals, Wits invests in your long-term success.
4 | Wits sport performance
HIGHLIGHTS 2025-2026
RUGBY
• Varsity Shield Champions
• 3 student-athletes selected for Junior Springbok squad
• 1 student-athlete selected for the U20 Women’s Springbok squad
• Young Guns Varsity Cup Champions 2025
CRICKET
• 2 Wits woman cricket team players selected for the Lions Emerging Squad
• Promotion to highest club league in Johannesburg (CCL Prem A)
• SA University team selections
FENCING
• Silver medal at African Championships
• Participation in World Championships (junior and senior levels)
• SA’s No.1 female fencer at the 2026 Senior African Fencing Championships
HOCKEY
• 2 selected for SA Indoor Women’s Squad (2026)
• 2 selected for SA international tour to Malaysia
BASKETBALL
• University Sports South Africa (USSA) Champions (men’s and women’s teams)
• Women’s team won back-to-back USSA Championships
• Multiple individual accoladesAll Star, Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP), Tournament MVP
NETBALL
• 12 student-athletes selected at Telkom Netball League (TNL) secured gold medals at national championships
• Strong presence in U21 national squads
ROWING
• Women’s team 2nd at USSA Sprints
• Men’s team Top 5 at USSA Boatrace (since 2009)
• International competition exposure
SWIMMING AND VOLLEYBALL
• Consistent national-level representation
• Medal performances and selections
FOOTBALL
• Student-athletes progressing into professional football contracts (PSL)
5 | The Wits Brian and Dorothy Zylstra sports complex
The Wits Brian and Dorothy Zylstra Sports Complex represents a transformative investment in the future of South African university sport, health sciences, research, and high-performance athlete development.
This R300 million flagship development will position Wits University as a national hub for:
• High-performance sport
• Sports science research
• Rehabilitation and clinical practice
• Inter-university and national tournaments
• Elite athlete development
The world-class complex will feature:
THE ZYLSTRA SPORT AND HEALTH BUILDING THE AQUATICS CENTRE HIGH-PERFORMANCE GYM
INTEGRATED RESEARCH AND THERAPEUTIC FACILITIES
Made possible through the visionary legacy investment of the Zylstra family and the Skye Foundation, the complex marks the beginning of a new era for Wits Sport.
6 | Wits Sport Alumnifrom Wits to the world!
• Wandisile Simelane - Stormers | Western Province (Currie Cup), Bachelor of Arts
• Morne van den Berg - Lions | Golden Lions (Currie Cup), Bachelor of Arts degree
• Henco van Wyk - Lions | Golden Lions (Currie Cup), Bachelor of Arts
• Daniel Kasende - Ospreys, Bachelor of Arts
• Tshireletso Motsogi - Stellenbosch FC (PSL), BSc in Engineering (Metallurgy & Materials)
• Moses Mphekgoane - Orlando Pirates FC, Bachelor of Commerce
• Simangaliso Dlamini - Orlando Pirates FCBachelor of Commerce Honours
• Kgwadi Molepo - Orlando Pirates FC - BSc Urban & Regional Planning, current studies: Postgraduate Diploma in Property Development & Management
• Brylon Petersen - Kaizer Chiefs FC, BSc in Engineering (Mechanical)
• Wade Poole - Swallows FC, Bachelor of Arts
• Muhammed Carrim - AD Alcorcon B (Spain), Bachelor of Arts
• Erin Herz - TS Galaxy FC | Banyana Banyana, Bachelor of Education Honours
• Harry Saner - Olympian (South African Fencer) - BSc in Engineering Mechanical, current studies: Master’s in engineering
• Robyn Johnson - SA Hockey | Olympian, Bachelor of Education
• Reece Govender - SA Hockey, BSc Honours (Quantity Surveying), current studies: Master of Science in Building
• Shanna Mendonca - SA Hockey - Bachelor of Commerce, current studies: Honours in Psychology
• Morgan De Jager - SA Hockey - Bachelor of Commerce Honours Marketing, current studies: Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Business
7 | Sport bursary opportunities
• Awarded annually to talented student-athletes with proven sporting and academic ability.
• The focus is on high-performance sporting codes.
• Open to all fields of study at the undergraduate level and postgraduate level. Your degree choice doesn’t limit your eligibility.
• Includes academic monitoring and one-on-one support for sport bursary holders to foster studentathletes to succeed academically as well as in sport
• The bespoke Doug and Carolyn Smollan ‘Sport and Science Scholarship Endowment’ provides generous funding support for high-performing student-athletes pursuing qualifications in STEM disciplines.
• For more information and application please visit: https://www.wits.ac.za/sport/sport-bursaries/
• Applications for 2027 open 1 April 2026 and close 30 September 2026
