The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has been crowned the 2026 Varsity Football Women champions after a 5–0 victory over UP-Tuks at UJ Soweto Stadium on 19 August.
The final result brought an exciting season of university football to a close and marked SportPesa’s second year supporting the women’s competition. From the opening weekend on 1 August to the championship match, the tournament offered a national platform for talented university athletes to showcase the growing strength of women’s football in South Africa.
Throughout the season, SportPesa worked to bring players and supporters closer to the action through matchday activations and fan engagement. The sponsorship also helped recognize standout performances during the competition. Mho Dlaimini won the Goal Rush Award following an impressive tournament, scoring UJ’s first goal in the final.
“Congratulations to UJ on an outstanding championship performance and to every team that helped make the season such a success. SportPesa is proud to play a part in a competition that gives talented players a platform to perform, connect with supporters and make their mark,” said Gareth Rosslee, Sponsorships & Partnerships Lead at SportPesa South Africa.
SportPesa’s support for Varsity Football forms part of a three-year partnership aimed at nurturing the next generation of South African football talent, with a particular focus on the women’s game. University competitions play an important role in connecting emerging athletes with higher levels of competition, while providing the experience and exposure needed to progress.
The talent, intensity and passion shown during the 2026 tournament demonstrated why continued investment in women’s sport matters. By supporting structured competitions and creating opportunities for athletes to be seen, SportPesa is helping strengthen sporting pathways and raise the profile of women’s football across the country.
SportPesa’s commitment to supporting South African sports and athletes includes a range of partnerships, such as DHL Stormers, Cape Town City FC, long-distance runner John April, and world cup-winning rugby legend Cobus Reinach. Together, these partnerships help create stronger pathways for local athletes to develop, compete, and make their mark.
