South Africa names strong squad for 2025 FISU World University Games

University Sport South Africa (USSA) has announced its final team for the 2025 FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. The squad, unveiled at a movie-themed event in Pretoria, is poised to be one of South Africa’s most competitive delegations to date.

The FISU World University Games, scheduled from July 16-27, 2025, will host over 8,500 student athletes from more than 150 nations across 18 sports. South Africa will compete in eight disciplines: Athletics, Rowing, Swimming, Diving, Archery, Fencing, Tennis, and 3×3 Basketball for both men and women. This marks a historic inclusion for South Africa’s women’s 3×3 basketball team.

READ: Bayanda Walaza and Jessica Groenewald break SA records

The team blends experienced student-athletes with emerging talent. Rowing is set to finalize its squad on June 12 after its selection camp.

USSA President, Mr. Jerry Laka, emphasized the team’s significance, stating, “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.”

South Africa carries momentum from recent Games, having secured 21 medals at Chengdu 2021, surpassing their 20-medal haul from Napoli 2019.

Leading the charge are prominent athletes such as sprint sensation Bayanda Walaza, alongside other elite performers in athletics, swimming, archery, and rowing. The team also features continental medalists and international debutants, showcasing robust development systems within South African universities.

Mrs. Carole Adam, the newly appointed Chef de Mission, highlighted the team’s diverse composition. “The strength of this team lies in its diversity — not just across sporting codes, but also in character, background, and ambition,” she remarked. “Many of South Africa’s most celebrated Olympians first gained international experience through these Games.”

USSA CEO, Mrs. Marissa Langeni, extended gratitude to partners, sponsors, and university stakeholders, acknowledging their role in supporting student-athletes and competitive university sport.

Team South Africa now enters its final preparation phase, focusing on training camps and performance conditioning ahead of the July Games.

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South African Squad for 2025 FISU World University Games

Archery

• Joané Coetzee
• Wian Roux
• Conner James Young
• Hercules Albertus Aucamp (Altus)
• Jacobus Ignatius de Wet (Ignus)
• Gerda Roux (Team Manager)
• Septimus Holtzhausen Cilliers (Head Coach)

Athletics

• Bayanda Walaza
• Kyle Zinn
• Eckhart Potgieter
• Lythe Pillay
• Tumisang Shezi
• Renier de Villiers
• Christopher Swart
• Luan Munnik
• Keanu Domingo
• Caleb Williams
• Enoch Bokaba
• Matthew Forrester
• Rickus van Niekerk
• Mondray Barnard
• Franco le Roux
• Wernich van Rensburg
• Chris van Niekerk
• Aiden Smith
• Charl Greyling
• Aranda Aron Alverez
• Ewald Jansen
• Deysel Devoux
• Nikithemba Hani
• Dwight McCloen
• Peace Adedokun
• Thato Kgala
• Kyle Rademeyer
• Valco van Wyk
• Phemelo Ntoe
• Prince Madume
• Lusiti Lehlogonolo
• Neo Mosebi
• Tetshidiswe Mlenga
• Bradley Nkoana
• Antonie Nortje
• Mthi Mthimkhulu
• Viwe Jingqi
• Gabriella Marais
• Joviale Mbisha
• Anastayshia George
• Zeney Geldenhuys
• Marlie Viljoen
• Charné Swart
• Gené Coetzee
• Nadia Potgieter
• Karabo Mailula
• Kayla van der Bergh
• Hannah van Niekerk
• Colette Uys
• Miné de Klerk
• Ashely Erasmus
• Tyla Wasmuth
• Micyla van der Westhuizen
• Jana van Schalkwyk
• Phethisang Makhethe
• Karmen Fouche
• Rose Xeyi
• Kristi Perez-Snyman
• Mire Reinstorf
• Chardoné Smidt
• Leonette Vosloo
• Precious Molepo
• Angelique Strydom
• Hanlie Murray (Team Manager)
• Kesa Molotsane (Team Manager)
• Janita Eva (Coach-Throws)
• Mohamed Ally (Head Coach)
• Katlego Madiope
• Reneilwe Aphane (Coach-Sprints & Relays)
• Thubalethu Phaku (Coach – Middle Distance)
• Michael Seme (Coach – Long Distance & Walk)
• Lezlo Bramwill (Coach – Jumps)
• Shaun Bownes (Coach-Hurdles)

Basketball

• Sbongakonke Mkhwanazi
• Allan Mametja
• Thabang Ndlovu
• Matthew Williams
• Talita Memani
• Caroline Maine
• Thoriso Kotsane
• Lindokhuhle Nkabini
• Thanda Kweyama (Coach-Men)
• Thesline Davids (Coach-Women)
• Elizabeth Susanna le Roux (Elize) (Manager)

Diving

• Anathi Peaceful Shozi
• Bailey Savannah Heydra
• Grace Caitlin Brammer
• Kerry-Leigh Morrison
• Melinda Goosen (Team Manager)
• Aimee Nicole Gillis (Coach)

Fencing

• Christiaan Bester
• Rahul Van Manen
• Harry Saner
• Joseph Maluleke (Manager/Coach)

Rowing

• Stefan Breytenbach
• Ryan Dellbridge
• Katherine Williams
• Courtney Westley

Swimming

• Kate Meyer
• Hannah Pearse
• Leigh McMorran
• Hannah Robertson
• Dakota Tucker
• Olivia Nel
• Georgia Nel
• Stephanie Houtman
• Lara van Niekerk
• Michaela de Villiers
• Lise Coetzee
• Simone Moll
• Pieter Coetze
• Matthew Randle
• Arno Kruger
• Cameron Casali
• Owethu Mahan
• Shaun Thomas
• Dylan Wright
• Ruard van Renen
• Michael Houlie
• Guy Brooks
• Righardt Muller
• Marco Markgraaff (Head Coach)
• Keenan Riffel (Coach)
• Cheryl Kotze (Team Manager)

Tennis

• Dalien Kleinhans
• Lilitha Ndungane
• Erine Lategan
• Carl Roothman
• Damien Nazar
• Jason Fogle
• Makgotso Thobejane (Team Manager)
• Kyla Yelverton (Coach)
• Kgotso Mathsego (Coach)

General Delegation Management

• Mrs Carole Adam (Chef de Mission)
• Mr Dumisani Dondashe (Project Manager)
• Mrs Elize Everton (Logistics Officer)
• Ms Lerato Mokae (Logistics Officer)
• Ms Nadia Kroll (Sports Officer)
• Mr McArthur Wulana (Sport Assistant)
• Ms Vuyo Nxakala (Administrator)

Medical

• Dr Thabo Maleka (CMO)
• Ms Sanet van Zyl (Chief Physio)
• Prof Ankebe Kruger (Psychologist)
• Dr Nthabiseng Maesela (Sports Physician)
• Dr Kerry Ann Walton (Sports Physician)
• Dr Marcel Jooste (Sports Physician)
• Mr Dan Ntseke (Physiotherapist)
• Mr Keagan Lailvaux (Physiotherapist)
• Mr Lindokuhle Ntshaube (Physiotherapist)
• Ms Tshepi Letsholo (Physiotherapist)
• Mr Brent Hess (Physiotherapist)
• Ms Nontobeko Nyalunga (Physiotherapist)
• Mr Thabang Temo (Physiotherapist)
• Dr Prescott Mahlangu (Sport Scientist)
• Ms Minky Tshabalala (Sport Scientist)
• Mr Jacques Durand (Sport Scientist)

Media

• Mr Skhu Nkomphela (Head of Media)