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USSA
News

2025 WUG Team Announcement




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





Posted by Staff Writer on 23 May, 2025
Source: USSA
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