By Lavinia Shapumba
The Kowie River in Port Alfred once again became the stage for South Africa’s premier student rowing showdown as the RMB Universities’ Boat Race took place from 11 to 13 September 2025. Organised with the support of University Sport South Africa (USSA), the event remains one of the country’s most fiercely contested university regattas.
Over 500 athletes from 10 universities raced in eight-man boats steered by coxswains. The crews represented Rhodes University, Stellenbosch University (Maties), the University of Cape Town (UCT), University of Pretoria (Tuks), University of Johannesburg (UJ), University of the Western Cape (UWC), Walter Sisulu University (WSU), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), University of Fort Hare (UFH), and Nelson Mandela University (NMU). For many students, Boat Race is not just a competition, but the pinnacle of the rowing calendar – and a launchpad to national selection.
UCT defended their Men’s A Division crown, while Tuks dominated women’s rowing by winning both the A and B races. Maties claimed bronze in the men’s and women’s A divisions, added bronze in the Men’s B, and made history with silver in the Women’s B – putting all four of their crews on the podium.
For Stellenbosch, the 2025 regatta marked a milestone. All four Maties crews reached the podium, with their Women’s B crew making history by reaching the A final and finishing second – the club’s best-ever performance at this level. According to Lailah Bald, Maties Rowing chairperson, “This has been an outstanding year for our women’s squad. For the first time in nearly a decade, we were able to field two full women’s crews – and both of them secured podium finishes. Our Women’s B crew made history by reaching the A final and finishing 2nd, marking the best-ever result for our club at this level.”
Behind the results lay months of training on water and indoors, with many athletes arriving fresh from the FISU World University Games and U23 World Championships. Bald mentioned, “Over the past few months, our crews have been training with our coaches both on the water and indoors, focusing on technique and fitness. After a strong performance at the USSA Sprints earlier this year, our team carried that momentum and determination into Boat Race.”
Since its inception in 1980, the Boat Race has embodied both tradition and transformation. This year’s event confirmed its enduring legacy while spotlighting South Africa’s next generation of rowing talent.
