While tug-of-war may not command the same spotlight as rugby or cricket, the sport is thriving across South Africa — and a record-smashing national junior championship in Robertson has underlined just how far it has come. A remarkable 405 teams featuring 1,635 primary and high school participants descended on the Western Cape town, making it the largest edition of the event to date.
Beyond the competitors gripping the rope with fierce determination, some 250 coaches and an estimated 2,000 spectators turned out to witness the action, lending a vibrant atmosphere to proceedings. Anton Botha, president of the South African Tug of War Federation (SATF), hailed the tournament as a landmark moment for school sport on the continent.
"The organisation, spirit and level of the competition was of the highest quality. It was honestly a celebration of school sport at its best and it just confirms once again that it is the biggest single sport school event in Africa."
Western Cape schools dominate top divisions
Several standout performances caught the eye over the course of the championship. Robertson High School claimed the under-19 mixed team title in the 520 kg category, while HTS Drostdy triumphed in the under-19 boys' 560 kg division. Swellendam High School rounded out the marquee results by securing the under-19 girls' crown at 480 kg.
Botha noted that these winning outfits demonstrated the impressive calibre of junior tug-of-war in the country. All three teams have now earned the right to represent South Africa at the World Championship in Mossel Bay later this year. He singled out Robertson High School for particular praise, pointing out the difficulty of balancing hosting duties with competing at the highest level — yet the school managed to win the mixed division with relative ease.
"The team represented their school and community with pride. Together they are an incredible unit and they won the division with relative ease."
The Robertson squad's success has been two years in the making, with the core of the team training together consistently over that period. Their achievement, Botha said, demonstrates that dedication and commitment matter far more than the size of a school. Cooperation, sound technique and discipline remain the essential building blocks of any successful tug-of-war side.
World Championship preparations gather pace
Botha also stressed that tug-of-war demands far more than brute strength, describing it as the ultimate test of collective endeavour. He believes the sport occupies a unique position in the team-sport landscape.
"A good tug-of-war team doesn't just pull together; they think, move and believe together. It is rightly considered the pinnacle of team sports."
Looking ahead, preparations for the World Championship are progressing smoothly. The top 20 tug-of-war nations will converge on the ATKV amphitheatre in Hartenbos from 16 to 19 September, promising what Botha described as an unforgettable showcase of international sport on South African soil.
The record turnout at Robertson signals that grassroots sport development is reaching communities well beyond traditional disciplines, offering thousands of young South Africans structured competition, teamwork skills and pathways to international representation. Small-town economies also benefit, as events of this scale draw coaches, families and spectators who spend locally on accommodation and services. With the World Championship headed to Mossel Bay in September, the sport stands to gain further visibility and sponsorship interest nationwide.
