The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is set for a major presence on the international stage, with eight members of its university community selected to represent Team South Africa at the 2026 FISU World University Championship Rugby Sevens.
The tournament will be hosted in South Africa at Stellenbosch University’s Coetzenburg Campus from 4–6 September 2026, bringing some of the world’s leading university rugby nations together.
UJ representation across the South African teams
UJ’s contribution extends beyond the playing field.
Patrick Ross-Allen has been appointed head coach of the South African men’s team, while Wolta Mtsweni will serve as a medical specialist and Bongani Mashiya as team manager.
Five UJ student-athletes have also earned selection for the national squads.
The men’s team includes John Ford, Ughan Afrika and Couniee Koekman, while Siyonela Macamba and Thobile Msizazwe will represent South Africa’s women’s team.
The selections underline UJ’s growing influence in university rugby and provide its athletes and staff with an opportunity to compete at the highest level of international university sport.
South Africa chasing redemption on home soil
The South African men’s team will enter the tournament with unfinished business after narrowly missing out on the title in 2024.
At the previous championship in France, South Africa went unbeaten through to the final before losing 22–15 to the hosts.
With the 2026 competition taking place on home soil, Ross-Allen says the target is straightforward: win the championship.
“Our goal as the host nation is singular: to win the tournament.”
The coach also highlighted the depth of talent available during the selection process, saying choosing the final squad was particularly challenging because of the quality across the country.
Global university rugby comes to South Africa
The men’s tournament will feature nine nations:
🇿🇦 South Africa
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇦🇺 Australia
🇨🇱 Chile
🇯🇵 Japan
🇲🇽 Mexico
🇳🇴 Norway
🇺🇬 Uganda
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
The women’s competition will feature:
🇿🇦 South Africa
🇦🇺 Australia
🇧🇼 Botswana
🇨🇦 Canada
🇫🇷 France
🇮🇪 Ireland
🇯🇵 Japan
🇺🇸 USA
For UJ, the tournament represents more than an opportunity for sporting success. It places the university’s athletes, coaches and support staff at the centre of a global university sporting event while giving them the chance to compete against international opposition.
With South Africa hosting the championship, expectations will be high — and UJ’s representatives will play an important role in the country’s bid for glory.
