South Africa returned to the top of the podium at the FISU World University Championship Rugby Sevens, defeating Uganda 34-7 in the final at Stellenbosch's Danie Craven Stadium to claim their first title at this event since 2018. The tournament ran from 4–6 September, and the victory showcased the strength of university pathways and coaching talent from the Eastern Cape.
Eastern Cape players and coach take centre stage
The winning side featured important contributions from Simthembile Zozi and Lukhangele Tshayi of Walter Sisulu University, while University of Fort Hare men’s head coach Sabelo Kolanisi served as an assistant coach for the national university team. Tshayi, 23, finished the competition among South Africa's top try-scorers and said the experience gave him confidence to express his talent on a larger stage.
"To win such a big tournament, especially an international one, has me overjoyed. It’s so special and it’s my first major title," Tshayi said.
Kolanisi, a Zwelitsha-born coach, reflected on the reward of seeing players buy into a game plan and deliver on the field. He brought international coaching experience to the set-up, having worked as an assistant coach for the Russian national team and as head coach of the Lithuanian sevens team.
Road to gold
South Africa navigated the group phase with wins over Norway and Chile, then booked a final berth with a convincing semi-final victory over Japan, 38-5. The clear margins in the knockout games suggested a team peaking at the right moment.
- Group stage: Wins against Norway and Chile
- Semi-final: Beat Japan 38-5
- Final: Beat Uganda 34-7
The result ends an eight-year wait for FISU sevens gold and highlights how tertiary institutions continue to feed talent into higher levels of the game. University competitions serve as crucial exposure for players who may not yet be in professional setups but can perform strongly on the international stage.
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| Semi-final v Japan | 38-5 |
| Final v Uganda | 34-7 |
What it means for South African sevens pathways
The triumph underscores the value of university programmes as talent incubators. For a player like Tshayi, who admitted the tournament allowed him to stop holding back, the platform can be career-defining. Coaches such as Kolanisi bring a mix of local knowledge and overseas exposure, a combination that can accelerate development in tournament environments where quick adjustments and clear plans matter.
Beyond individual accolades, the coaching experience translates into more robust structures at universities and provincial unions. Kolanisi’s international CV—working with Russia and Lithuania—adds tactical nuance and wider perspective to local coaching circles, which may benefit players returning to their universities and provinces after the tournament.
For the Eastern Cape, the presence of two players from Walter Sisulu University and a Fort Hare coach on the winning side is a point of regional pride and a reminder that high-performance outcomes can emerge outside traditional hubs. It also reinforces the case for continued investment in university sport and talent identification programmes across provinces.
The FISU World University Championship provided a timely showcase for emerging players and their mentors. With the next season of domestic and representative rugby ahead, several performers from Stellenbosch can expect fresh attention from provinces and franchises looking for athletic, tournament-hardened talent.
The final whistle in Stellenbosch did more than hand South Africa gold; it signalled the strength of a pathway that mixes university competition, experienced coaching and the hunger of players ready to step up when given the chance.
