Stellenbosch University's staff chess team won the prestigious 2023 Universities South Africa Sport Association (USSA) trophy as winners in this year's tournament held on 6 and 7 October 2023 at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The four members, Gary Muizenheimer (SunCom Operations), Jermaine Hendricks (Facilities Management), Granton Koeberg (Human Resources Support Services Environments), and Joshwin Dreyer (Facilities Management), epitomized the university's unwavering dedication to excellence and made us proud with their victory. 

The team's remarkable accomplishments included a resounding victory in the chess finals, where they faced off against a formidable opponent, Limpopo University. This exceptional performance not only secured them the prestigious 2023 trophy but also solidified their commitment to defending this honour in the years to come. 

Established on April 16, 1994, the USSA fulfills its role as the officially recognised national governing body overseeing, administering, and aligning sports activities for staff and students across South Africa's tertiary education sector, spanning regional, provincial, and national levels. 

Within this prestigious annual event, Stellenbosch University (SU) emerged as a prominent participant, officially registering for competition in three distinct sports codes: Football, Netball, and Chess. ​