WeeklySA_AdminTUSSLE: RMB financial support ensures more students of all backgrounds participate in boat race
By Priscilla Malinga
The 2025 RMB Universities’ Boat Race was at the weekend brought to its successful conclusion at the Kowie River.
The event delivered a three-day thrilling competition, with all competitors putting their best foot forward. The rivalries were fierce, accompanied by outstanding performances that showcased the depth of the country’s universities rowing capabilities.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) was head and shoulder above the rest, powering to the Men’s A division victory, taking home with great joy the prestigious Cambridge Rudder trophy.
In the Women’s A division, the University of Pretoria (TUKS), successfully defended their crown with another dominant performance, overshadowing all opposition. For their efforts, they earned themselves the prized Isis Blade trophy.
Stellenbosch University (Maties) secured a third spot across both Men’s and Women’s divisions, underlining their strength and depth.
More than 300 athletes representing 36 crews from 10 universities across multiple categories, with every race showing high-intensity action and a highly competitive never-say-die spirit.
In an interview with Michael Edwards, lead spokesperson for RMB, the sponsoring marketing company, said the organisation have been “a proud sponsor of the event for ten years”.
“We have a proud partner rowing South Africa for 10 years. The partnership includes sponsorship of multiple regattas (sporting event consisting of a series of boat or yacht races), including the RMB Universities Boat Race events, and the RMB National squad. As such, we are invested at all levels of the sport – from schools, to universities, to the very pinnacle of elite rowing in the country,” Edwards said.
Referring to the RMB Universities Boat Race, he said: “We provide financial support which enables more universities and more students from across the country to attend and compete.”
Asked why the sponsorship to the universities’ boat race deserved sponsoring, Edwards said the competition reflected the country’s diverse outlook, and that the universities and students represented the future of our society.
“From a sporting standpoint, RMB Universities Boat Race represents the critical bridge between schools rowing events and the elite level of the sport, competing in Olympic games and World Championships among other international competitions.
“The boat race ensures that incredible talent we have in this country has a pathway [for participants]to follow their ambitions should they wish to do so. “Ultimately equipping talent we have with the necessary attributes to tackle whatever career they choose to follow beyond their studies.
“The RMB’s financial support ensures more universities and more students, representative of South Africa’s rich diversity, are able to take part in what has traditionally been a sport with perceived barriers to entry,” he said.
Edwards noted that sponsorship will contribute to the company’s broader goals – which includes a long-term partnership to drive meaningful and measurable impact, and to celebrate the incredible talent the country possesses.
“Events such as the RMB Universities Boat Race align to our values, grow our brand awareness, resonate with our clients, employees, contributing to the unearthing of future talent,” said Edwards.
The participants – in the men’s and women’s categories – were presented with trophies including the prestigious Cambridge Rudder and Isis Blade associated with the world-famous Oxford Cambridge Boat Race.
Special recognition was presented to the most improved universities and to top coxswains [persons who steer racing boat], who are a critical component to boat racing.
This year, the sponsors introduced lion plush toys to winners – a nod to the company’s brand symbol inspired by the prestigious lion awarded to the wearer of the Yellow Jersey at the Tour de France.
Asked how the company would describe the public’s interest and engagement with rowing as a sport, Edwards said: “The popularity of rowing in the country is attributable to the performance of our RMB National Squad which for a long time have punched above their weight, winning multiple medals at the Olympic Games and World Championships.”
He continued: “At all levels – schools to universities to juniors – this inspires and motivates the next generation of talent which, in turn, puts a spotlight on the sport in this country, piques interest, and growth in participation. It’s a sport defined by grit, resilience, commitment, and excellence; and I think the sport fans and the general public resonate deeply with that once they immerse themselves in it.”
Looking ahead, Edwards said “long-term partnerships were strong partnerships”
“We are constantly looking for ways to innovate and grow an event like RMB Universities Boat Race to ensure it continues to contribute to the growth of the sport. We hope to creates a platform to identify and celebrate talent and provide an opportunity for participation from all corners of the country.”
The event wrapped up with a standout moment in which Chloe Cresswell, fresh from her silver medal win at the World Rowing Under-23 Championships achievement, had her efforts lionised, and hailed as the highlight of the country’s endeavour to “punch above its weight”.
In the end, the UCT’s men showed composure and power in their final sprint to claim the A Division title.
Also significant, and in its debut, Walter Sisulu University (WSU) impressed, pushing seasoned opposition to the line, earning plaudits for its outstanding performance.
Chief umpire Gordon Dodge praised the crews and said: “This year’s RMB Universities’ Boat Race was a phenomenal showcase of grit, determination and teamwork.
Conditions were challenging, but we were treated to a series of thrilling, hard-fought races with many crews showing remarkable improvement. RMB once again went above and beyond to make the event truly memorable for our university athletes.”
The event marked the 10th edition since RMB became headline sponsors in 2015, witnessing the strongest women’s field in years, with multiple universities entering more than one crew – a clear sign of the sport’s growth and transformation.
“RMB is proud to support the athletes, universities, and rowing community that made this event possible,” quipped Edwards.
