The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has concluded a highly successful 2025 University Sport South Africa (USSA) campaign, turning the tide from previous years to secure an impressive five gold, two silver, and two bronze medals. This stellar performance highlights UJ’s growing dominance across various sporting codes.

Senior Manager for UJ Sport Clubs, Ms. Nompilo Zondi, said that the teams have presented the University with a moment to celebrate and a legacy to honour for years to come. “We celebrate with full hearts the incredible achievements of our university sports teams at the USSA National Championships. Every single sporting code stood proudly on the podium, a reflection of the dedication, sacrifice and relentless spirit of the Orange Army!” she said.

She said that the UJ student-athletes sacrificed a lot to balance their sport and academic demands. “Our appreciation also goes to the support staff, sponsors and parents. Thank you for walking every step of this journey with our teams. We celebrate UJ’s 20^th anniversary with these milestones, well done champions!”

Netball reigns supreme with double gold

UJ’s netball teams were a force to be reckoned with, securing two gold medals. The Senior Men’s Netball Team was unstoppable, winning all seven of their matches en route to the championship. They defeated the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Men’s Team 55-38 in the semi-finals and clinched the gold with a 40-36 victory over the University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks) in a thrilling final.

The UJ Senior Women’s Netball Team also displayed immense grit and determination. After a group stage that included a 42-42 draw against UP-Tuks and a 33-48 loss to the University of Free State (UFS Kovsies), they remarkably turned the tables on UFS Kovsies in the final, snatching victory after a nail-biting 42-41 scoreline.

Squash smashes to gold

UJ’s squash contingent delivered an outstanding performance in Gqeberha. Gergia Dates showcased individual brilliance, claiming the gold medal in the women’s B section final with a 3-1 win against Stellenbosch University. Luke Jacoby secured a silver medal in the men’s A section final, narrowly losing 3-2 to North-West University. Not to be outdone, Diodivine Mkhize added a bronze medal to UJ’s tally with a commanding 3-0 victory against Stellenbosch University in the men’s A section 3rd/4th playoff.

Hockey hops to second consecutive bronze

The UJ Senior Men’s Hockey Team demonstrated remarkable resilience in Stellenbosch, securing a second consecutive bronze medal. The UJ Men’s Hockey Team secured a the bronze after beating Nelson Mandela University (NMU) 3-2 in the 3^rd/4^th playoffs.

The UJ Senior Women’s Hockey Team struggled in the three consecutive matches on Days 1-3, losing 5-1 to NWU Potchefstroom, 5-0 against Stellenbosch University, and 2-1 against the University of Cape Town. However, they recouped their energies and won two games against Varsity College in a penalty shootout (2-2 draw, then 4-2 shootout) and then UCT in the 5th/6th playoff (2-1 shootout).

Senior Women’s Rugby Team secure gold, men avoid relegation

The UJ Senior Women’s Rugby Team had an exceptional tournament in Tshwane, leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of gold. They were crowned champions after winning all three of their fixtures, including a dominant 32-0 victory over NMU, a 32-12 semi-final win against the University of the Western Cape, and a resounding 45-19 triumph over UP-Tuks in the final. Their male counterparts, the Senior Men’s Rugby Team, managed to avoid relegation by beating IIE Varsity College 54-14 in the 6th/7th place playoff.

Basketball 3×3: Another Gold for the Orange Wave

The UJ Men’s Basketball 3×3 team, affectionately known as the UJ Orange Wave, clinched their third consecutive title in Johannesburg, beating the UP-Tuks Men’s Team 21-18 in an entertaining final. Despite a tough start with a 13-14 loss to UP-Tuks in their opening match, the men regrouped to dominate their remaining games. The UJ Galaxy, their female counterparts, also had a strong tournament, earning a silver medal after a narrow 14-16 loss to UP-Tuks Women in the final.

In this tournament, three UJ players were selected for individual accolades and the 2025 national USSA team. Sbongakonke Mkhwanazi and Nelly Mahara were named the All-Star Player of the Tournament from the men’s and women’s sections, respectively. Malik Munjodzi, playing his first Basketball 3×3 tournament, earned the Finals Most Valuable Player award.

UJ’s Medal Haul: A Testament to Excellence

Overall, the University of Johannesburg’s sports teams delivered an outstanding performance at the 2025 USSA championships, bringing home a total of nine medals:

• UJ Netball: 2 Gold medals
• UJ Basketball: 1 Gold and 1 Silver medal
• UJ Squash: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, and 1 Bronze medal
• UJ Rugby: 1 Gold medal
• UJ Hockey: 1 Bronze medal

UJ Sport continues to impress on the national stage, showcasing the dedication and talent of its athletes.

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