Rugby

Rugby has been played at the University of Fort Hare since the early 20^th century.

The institution has produced a host of provincial and national players, none greater than Grant Khomo who arrived at Fort Hare in the 1940s having never played the game before.

He went on to become a South African legend, blazing a trail for those who were to follow in his togged footsteps.

These days the university’s rugby programme is considered a production line for top-class players, both in the men’s and women’s game across the 15s, 10s and 7s formats.

Although women’s rugby only really came into its own in the 2014 season, Fort Hare annually produces Border and Springbok representatives at both junior and senior level.

Alumni who have gone on to wear the green-and-gold in the senior ranks include Lusanda Dumke, Zandile Khumalo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Nolusindiso Booi, Zintle Mpupha, Lamla Momoti, Nomaphelo Mayongo and Unam Tose.

At tertiary and club level, the men’s team – better known as the Blues – captured the Varsity Shield title in 2022 and the inaugural Border Rugby Union Top Ten crown in 2024.

Their female colleagues, the Baby Blues, won the national club championship in 2017 with triumph in the elite Varsity Cup coming in 2024.

The programme is as much about building character and well-rounded individuals as it is developing world-class players.

This is why the coaching teams emphasise the need for players to achieve on the field and in the lecture hall.