Pretoria, 23 May 2025
Lights, Camera, Team SA! University Sport South Africa Unveils Final Squad
for the 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany
Pretoria, South Africa - In a cinematic celebration of talent,
passion, and national pride, University Sport South Africa (USSA) tonight
officially revealed the final team that will represent the nation at the 2025
FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. The team announcement was
made in a movie-themed showcase at a cinema in Brooklyn, Pretoria, setting the
stage for what promises to be one of South Africa’s most competitive delegations
to date.
The FISU World University Games, previously known as the Universiade, are a
prestigious international multi-sport event organized by the International
University Sports Federation (FISU). Held biennially, the Games brings together
thousands of the world’s best student athletes to compete at the highest level
while representing their universities and countries with pride. The 2025
edition, hosted in the scenic Rhine-Ruhr region of Germany, will run from 16 to
27 July, featuring 18 sports, ranging from athletics and swimming to fencing,
basketball, and rowing.
The South African contingent will be competing among more than 8,500 athletes
from over 150 nations, making this one of the most diverse and competitive
editions of the Games yet. Out of the 18 sporting codes being contested at the
2025 FISU World University Games, South Africa will proudly compete in eight
disciplines: Athletics, Rowing, Swimming, Diving, Archery, Fencing, Tennis, and
3x3 Basketball for both men and women. This strategic selection reflects a focus
on disciplines where South Africa has both strong historical performance and
promising emerging talent. Notably, this marks the first time that South
Africa’s women’s 3x3 basketball team will be included in the World University
Games squad - a historic milestone that speaks to the growing depth and
development of women’s basketball at the university level. By narrowing the
scope to these eight codes, USSA aims to concentrate resources, enhance
preparation, and maximize the country’s medal potential on the international
stage.
While most codes have finalized their squads, Rowing is expected to announce
its final pool of athletes on 12 June, following the conclusion of their final
selection camp. The full team list reflects a balance of experienced
student-athletes and emerging talent, with several medal contenders across the selected disciplines. Addressing the media,
athletes, and dignitaries gathered at the premiere-style announcement, USSA
President Mr. Jerry Laka emphasized the broader significance of the team’s
participation:
"This moment is more than just an announcement - it’s a national statement.
Each athlete selected has earned their place through discipline, sacrifice, and
extraordinary talent. They are not only ambassadors of their universities but
also torchbearers of South Africa’s sporting legacy. We are immensely proud of
what this team represents: a blend of academic achievement and athletic
excellence. We send them to Germany with the full support and hope of a nation
behind them."
Team South Africa enters the 2025 Games with confidence, having achieved
remarkable success in previous editions. At the Chengdu 2021 Games, the team
brought home 21 medals, surpassing their 20-medal haul from Napoli 2019. That
momentum has laid a strong
foundation for this year’s campaign.
Among the high-profile names on the 2025 team is Bayanda Walaza, a rising
sprint sensation and household name in South African athletics. Walaza,
alongside a contingent of elite performers across athletics, swimming, archery,
and rowing, is expected to lead the
medal charge.
The team also features athletes who have already achieved podium finishes in
continental competitions, as well as newcomers making their international debut
- a reflection of the robust development systems in place at South Africa’s
leading universities.
The newly appointed Chef de Mission, Mrs. Carole Adam, expressed pride in the
well-rounded composition of the team, which reflects a careful balance of
emerging stars and seasoned competitors:
"The strength of this team lies in its diversity - not just across sporting
codes, but also in character, background, and ambition. Many of South Africa’s
most celebrated Olympians first gained international experience through these
Games. From the track to the pool, from the mat to the court - this team carries
on that proud tradition. I believe we are sending a squad that is not only
competitive but also inspirational."
CEO of USSA, Mrs. Marissa Langeni, took a moment to thank the federation’s
partners, sponsors, and university stakeholders who continue to invest in
student-athletes and the growth of competitive university sport in South Africa:
"None of this would be possible without the dedication and belief of our
partners. Your support does more than fund kits and airfares - it fuels dreams
and transforms lives. Investing in university sport is investing in leadership,
discipline, and national unity. This team is a product of a vision that goes
beyond the field of play. We thank you for walking this journey with us."
With the July Games drawing nearer, Team South Africa will soon enter the
final phase of preparation camps and performance conditioning. The athletes,
coaches, and administrators alike are laser-focused on not just participation,
but podium finishes and personal bests.
USSA will provide regular updates on training, athlete profiles, and
behind-the-scenes stories in the lead-up to and during the Games. Fans are
encouraged to follow the journey across USSA’s digital platforms and to show
their support for these student-athletes who
carry the hopes of a nation.
END
For more information, interviews, or media inquiries, please contact:
Media Contact: Mr Skhu Nkomphela
Email: media@ussa.org.za
Phone: 069 884 5957
Website: ussa.org.za
Issued by University Sport South Africa (USSA) Download full team list
HERE
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