By Anica Hattingh
26 May 1950 – Boxers
In 1950, six Maties’ boxers competed at the Intervarsity Championships in Johannesburg. Despite the June examinations approaching and three of their regular top performers being unable to compete, the team still performed well. Four of the six “small but determined Matie boxers” advanced to the final rounds. Middleweight Hennie Louw caused a “first-class upset” when he defeated P. van Aswegen, the 210 lb Pretoria heavyweight champion, by technical knockout in the third round.
21 April 1988 – Disappointment
Johan Viljoen, a Die Matie journalist, reported on the Matie athletes’ performance at the South African Senior Athletics Championships. The article described how the Maties – usually title holders and record breakers – endured a disappointing championship that year. Of the 24 Maties who competed, only one, Elana van Zyl, claimed a gold medal. She completed the 3000 m race in a comfortable time of 9:13.50, securing her place in the Springbok team.
24 February 1999 – Golf
Die Matie reported that Stellenbosch University’s golf club had enjoyed one of its most successful years ever and had “proven itself as one of the strongest golf clubs in the country.” From 30 November to 4 December 1998, the team competed in the South African Universities Tournament (SAU), with all four Matie golfers finishing among the top 26 of the tournament’s 96 individual competitors. Not only did the team secure the competition before the final day, but three players – Jaco Spies, Mark Brown and Gerlou Roux – were also selected for the SAU team. Scott Sullivan was named as the reserve player.
22 September 2010 – Selected
According to a Die Matie article published in 2010, Stellenbosch University (SU) hosted the National Paralympic Games, where approximately 350 athletes from eight provinces took part. The Games also served as a selection event for the South African team. The report highlighted that SU’s High Performance Sport Institute (SUSPI) hosted the event to further develop disability sport and provide greater exposure for athletes. The article reflected how SU was already playing an important role in promoting inclusive sport and Paralympic participation in South Africa.
10 May 2023 – Maties row
Anakin Curtis reported in Die Matie that Maties Rowing achieved its best results in more than a decade at the USSA-R Sprints. In the article, club president Dylan Schmidt said the performance marked “the best results in over a decade”, reflecting the team’s hard work and dedication. The article also highlighted the individual achievements of Lee-Anne Cundill and Campbell White, both of whom qualified for the prestigious Grudge Crew. White expressed his surprise at the achievement, saying: “I was very surprised to make it in; last year no Maties rower made it.” The report concluded that the success not only created momentum for the remainder of the season but also highlighted the growing community and promising future of Maties Rowing.
