For many athletes, the love of the game begins with a single influence. For one of the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) rising cricket stars, Ryan Maritz, that journey began in Grade 5 at Laerskool Muldersdrift. Encouraged by his first-team primary school coach, he stepped onto the pitch and never looked back, beginning a trajectory that would see him evolve from a multi-sport enthusiast into a high-performance cricketer.
Off the pitch, he is equally focused; he recently graduated with a Diploma in Operations Management at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). A patient and hardworking player, Maritz believes things workout well when people “trust the process and continuously do the right things.”
Growing up in Krugersdorp, the West Rand native was a natural athlete, competing in rugby, athletics, and tennis. However, by the time he reached his matric year at Hoërskool Noordheuwel, the choice was clear. He stepped away from the tennis court to dedicate himself entirely to his cricketing career – a path deeply rooted in his heritage.
“Cricket has been in my family for ages,” he reflects. “It has always been my family who inspired me and helped me foster a love for the game.”
Legacy and leadership at UJ
Following in the footsteps of his childhood idol, Jacques Kallis, he operates as an all-rounder, mirroring the legendary Protea’s dual-threat capability. Since joining the UJ Cricket Club during his matric year in 2022, he has found more than just a training ground; UJ is his home for sport and academics.
His tenure at UJ has already yielded significant milestones. At the start of 2026, he was named both Batsman and Player of the Tournament at the National Club Championships. His prowess has also been recognised at the semi-professional level, where he has earned 10 caps for the DP World Lions. In the most recent season, he was entrusted with the captaincy, further cementing his reputation as a leader within the UJ Cricket Club structures.
The Balancing Act: Graduating with a Diploma in Operations Management
A future-focused optimist, Maritz has set his sights, apart from cricket, on a field with broad industrial applications.
“One thing I love about Operations Management is how practical it is,” Maritz says. “You’re constantly looking at real-world processes and figuring out how to make them more efficient. Whether it’s improving systems or optimizing performance, it feels like solving meaningful problems that businesses face every day.”
The life of a student-athlete is demanding, requiring immense discipline to navigate the pressures of high-performance sport and academic rigor. However, Maritz credits the competitive yet supportive environment at UJ for his growth as both a player and an individual.
Looking forward
While his ultimate dream is to represent the DP World Lions at the professional level, he is grounded by a solid academic foundation. Should his path lead away from the pitch, he intends to apply his expertise to the corporate sector within operations.
Regardless of where the future leads, his message to fellow student-athletes remains one of relentless pursuit: “Always dream big and make sure you give everything to make that dream a reality. Never give up and believe in yourself!”
For this UJ cricketer, the journey is about more than just personal accolades; it is about contributing to the rich history of the club and building a lasting legacy within the “Orange Army” family.
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