Sport
UFH Sport Department: Your Gateway to Athletic Success
Overview
Producing leaders on and off the field of play
The sports tradition at the University of Fort Hare is as proud as the institution itself.
From former South African president Nelson Mandela boxing in the local heavyweight division to rugby legends Grant Khomo and Preston Vuyisile Maneli turning out for the Blues, top-class sport has always been a pillar of campus life.
Fort Hare continues to produce sportsmen and women of the highest calibre and is frequently heralded as a breeding ground for provincial and national representatives.
The institution, which is a proud member of University Sports South Africa, competes annually at USSA events across myriad codes. By virtue of this status, Fort Hare also qualifies for the elite Varsity Sports competitions.
Its men’s rugby team won the coveted Varsity Shield tournament in 2022 while their female counterparts, the Baby Blues, made history when they claimed the Varsity Cup for the first time in 2024.
The university is also a powerhouse on the football pitch with its women’s team competing in the Hollywoodbets Super League, the top tier of the game in SA, following their unbeaten title run in the Sasol Women’s League in 2023.
The UFH-CSA Academy, a partnership between Fort Hare, Cricket SA and Border Cricket, is producing a host of provincial and international cricketers at its Alice-campus headquarters.
Recent graduates include Proteas Ayabonga Khaka and Nqaba Peter.
Sports participation at Fort Hare is an important contributor to the holistic development of its student-athletes as it promotes excellence on and off the field of play.
They can choose from an array of codes (Link to PAGE: CLUBS) offered at the Alice and East London campuses.
Vision, Mission & Values
Keeping our Eye on the Ball for Sporting Success
Vision: Fort Hare Sport promotes sports development in pursuit of excellence across local, student, provincial and international competitions, while upholding the core values of the university.
Mission: Promoting all the sports codes to foster a healthy and balanced environment in which student and community leaders can be developed.
Join The Team
UFH Sports Codes
Whether it’s high performance, developmental, competitive or recreational and entertaining, there’s sporting activities for all students to compete, play, thrive and bring their A game.
Our Clubs
Bodybuilding
Boxing
Chess
Cricket
Dancesports
E-sport
Football
Rugby
Elevate Your Game
Facilities & Venues
Fort Hare’s sports facilities meet the high standards and requirements of Varsity Sports events as well as elite national competitions like the Hollywoodbets Super League.
The Davidson Stadium is the university’s spiritual home of rugby and football and known throughout the country for the passionate, sell-out crowds that support the Blues, Baby Blues, Baby Wolves and a variety of other disciplines.
The sports complex hosts codes such as basketball, bodybuilding, boxing, chess, dancesport, handball, judo, karate, netball, squash, Supa-Pool, table tennis and volleyball. Its vastness, plus an extended court, means that two different codes can be played at any given time. The inside space can be set up as three basketball, netball or volleyball courts.
The Krish Mackerdhuj Cricket Field, which services both the high-performance UFH-CSA Cricket Academy and the university’s various cricket teams, is close by.
The Alice campus also boasts three additional fields for rugby, cricket and football.
Facilities and Venues
Sports Council
Champions of the Spirit of Sports
Every sport club on campus is represented by two dedicated members, ideally the Chairperson and Secretary. Under the leadership of the SRC Sport and Culture Officer, we work together to promote and enhance our vibrant sports community. Our council elects an Executive Committee that collaborates closely with the Sport Department, ensuring we meet regularly to address important matters. The ASCO chairperson also participates in Sport Department staff meetings, advocating for student interests and ensuring our voices are heard. Connect with the team that champions the spirit of sports on campus!
