While the North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute celebrated their promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship in Mthatha this past week, one of its student-athletes returned home with an additional accolade that underscored the successful campaign of the team.
Sport is an integral part of South African culture and young athletes work hard to reach the pinnacle of their sport disciplines. Unfortunately, their emotional wellbeing can be severely impacted by the pressures of high-level competitive sports, especially at school level.
The North-West University’s (NWU) Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP) is shedding light on the psychological demands placed on children in sport and the importance of balancing performance with healthy development.
When the NWU Eagles team from the NWU Soccer Institute arrived in Mthatha for the 2026 ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs, the mission was clear. Four matches stood between the North West champions and a place in professional football.
On Saturday afternoon, that mission became reality.
The NWU defeated KwaZulu-Natal champions Mkhambathi FC 2-1 in a tense semi-final to secure promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship and book a place in the national final.
The North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute is just 90 minutes away from securing its place in South African professional football.
After topping Group A of the ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs in Mthatha, the North West champions have booked a semi-final showdown against KwaZulu-Natal champions Mkhambathi FC, with promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship at stake.
The NWU Eagles from the NWU Soccer Institute secured a place in the semifinals of the 2026 ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs after defeating Gauteng champions La Masia 3–2 in a decisive Group A encounter in Mthatha on Wednesday.
The victory saw the NWU finish level on four points with Mpumalanga champions Luthuli Brigades, but the Eagles progressed to the knockout stage at the top of the group on goal difference.
Koketso Mafate will travel to Gaborone, Botswana, to represent the USSA b
The North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute opened its ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs campaign with a goalless draw against Mpumalanga champions Luthuli Brigades at Mthatha Stadium in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday, leaving coach Nkululeko Malgas confident that his side remains on course for promotion.
The tennis courts at the North-West University (NWU) Tennis Club became a playground of movement, learning and discovery when young players gathered for the first Rainbow Kidz competition of 2026 on 16 and 17 May.
Coach Nkululenko Malgas guided the North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute to the ABC Motsepe League national playoffs. He will now take another step in university football after receiving a national appointment to lead the University Sport South Africa (USSA) football team at the 2026 Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Association (CUCSA) Games in Gaborone, Botswana, from 28 June to 5 July. Alongside him, Buhle July will join the national setup as the team physiotherapist.
The North-West University (NWU) Soccer Institute heads to Mthatha carrying more than a provincial title. The team enters the 2026 ABC Motsepe League National Playoffs with hopes of securing professional football status and reshaping the future of the institute ahead of its 20th anniversary next year.