On 28 July, a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) went viral, gaining 350 000 views. A user questioned, “Every second South African participant at these Olympics has University of Pretoria links. From rowing to rugby, hockey to athletics…. How is that varsity good at every sport?” Anyone keeping up with the Olympic Games would have noticed that many of the South African athletes are affiliated with UP, including standout Tatjana Smith, a UP and TuksSwim alumna who has won gold and silver medals. Smith is just one of many TuksSport affiliates who participated in the 2024 Olympic Games, which raises the question: how does TuksSport achieve such success?
According to the TuksSport website, the organisation has established itself as a leader in sports participation, management, and coaching. With over 30 sporting codes, TuksSport caters not only to elite athletes but also to club competitors and recreational participants. Their high-performance programme offers a comprehensive range of services, including scientific and medical support, sports testing, fitness training, technical and tactical expertise, injury management and sports psychology.
The TuksSport facilities are extensive, featuring several indoor facilities, including two gyms, a 12-metre heated pool, a gymnastics hall as well as spaces for judo, karate, taekwondo, and badminton. The outdoor facilities range from a 50-metre swimming pool and a 25-metre heated swimming pool at the HPC (High Performance Centre), to an archery range, basketball and netball courts as well as a beach volleyball court.
The impressive facilities at TuksSport contribute to the department’s competitive edge, striving for excellence both on and off the field. However, the foundation of TuksSport’s success extends beyond its tertiary-level offerings. The University of Pretoria also operates TuksSport High School, a co-ed institution for grades 8 to 12 located on the sports campus. This high school provides a unique environment for student athletes to pursue their sporting passions while receiving a quality education.
TuksSport High School develops independent learning skills, preparing students to transition to university-level sports at UP. Many successful high school athletes continue their journey at the university, having already embraced the competitive nature and discipline that TuksSport fosters.
In 2021, Steven Ball was appointed as TuksSport director. With early experiences that included intense athletic training and studies, Ball joined TuksSport in 2001 and has held various roles, culminating in his current position. Under his leadership, TuksSport has achieved significant success, including dominating Varsity Sport and USSA (University Sports South Africa) tournaments. In an interview, author Wilhelm de Swardt stated that it is becoming the norm for people to talk about UP when it comes to South Africa’s sporting success. Ball then credited this to the culture of playing for the “Stripe”, which comes with responsibility and having to learn to be competitive and conditioned. Ball continued by saying that the success in TuksSport comes with long, hard hours when no one is watching, and the goal for athletes when exiting the university should always be to leave the “Stripe” at a better place and higher level for the next generation.
TuksSport’s success is rooted in its top-notch facilities, comprehensive support programmes, and strong culture of excellence. Under Steven Ball’s leadership, TuksSport continues to excel both nationally and internationally, setting a high standard for developing talented athletes.
