The Central University of Technology stands proudly in the heart of South Africa’s sporting heartland. Our campuses, fields, and tracks have long served as launchpads for extraordinary talent, nurturing both legendary figures whose names echo through sporting history and current student-athletes who are already representing the nation on regional, continental, and global stages.  

This page honours CUT’s Sporting Legends: those who have shaped the past, and those who are writing the next chapter, today. Together, they embody excellence, resilience, and leadership, reflecting our commitment to developing well-rounded individuals who excel in competition, in community, and in life.

Athletics

Tshepang Sello

Represented South Africa at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships, showcasing world-class sprinting talent and placing CUT on the global athletics map.

Masego Sesele

Champion of the 2016 SA Junior Southern Region Championships, Masego’s outstanding performances signaled the rise of a new generation of track and field stars from CUT.

Paralympian

Nicholas Newman

A Paralympic gold medallist and CUT alumnus, Nicholas Ian Newman is a distinguished athlete who has represented South Africa with excellence in para-athletics and paratriathlon. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, he competes in the F36 classification and has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance on the global stage.

He broke the senior world record in F36 javelin as a junior at the 2001 South African Games and shattered it again in 2003. At the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, Newman won gold in the F36/38 javelin, and returned in 2008 in Beijing to claim bronze while defending his title.

Expanding his athletic range, he went on to compete in multiple ITU World Triathlon Grand Finals and RSA National Paratriathlon Championships, winning the national title in 2018. He has also completed both 70.3 and full Ironman events, including the 2021 Ironman African Championships in Nelson Mandela Bay.

As a CUT graduate and hometown champion, Newman’s journey reflects the university’s values of resilience, excellence, and the courage to go beyond limits.

Olympians

Zola Pieterse (neé Budd)

The legendary long-distance runner, famously known as the “barefoot runner”, represented Great Britain and South Africa at the highest levels, including the Olympics. Her pioneering career continues to inspire generations of distance runners worldwide.

Thuso Mpuang

An Olympian at the 2008 IAAF World Championships, Thuso competed for both USSA National and Athletics South Africa (ASA) teams, building a distinguished career through speed, discipline, and determination.

Basketball

Job Mashwabathi

Represented both the USSA National Team and the Northern Cape Zebras, demonstrating versatility and leadership in South African basketball.

Vusi Sithole

A standout player for the Basketball South Africa (BSA) National Team, Free State Warriors, and Soweto Panthers, Vusi has been a consistent force in the domestic league.

Cricket

Nicky Boje

A dependable all-rounder for the Proteas, Nicky Boje represented South Africa in 43 test matches and 115 One-Day Internationals (ODIs). His left-arm spin and gritty batting made him a mainstay of the national side during a golden era of South African cricket.

Johan van der Wath

A powerful middle-order batsman and handy medium-pacer, Johan van der Wath brought explosive energy to the Proteas in both Tests and ODIs.

Dillon du Preez

A fast bowler with pace and aggression, Dillon du Preez represented South Africa in international cricket and remains a respected coach and mentor in the domestic circuit.

Football (Soccer)

Abraham Singonzo

Represented the USSA National Team with distinction, showcasing technical skill and unwavering dedication on the national stage.

Patrick Malokase

A versatile footballer who played professionally for Orlando Pirates, Free State Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic, and Platinum Stars. He also proudly represented the USSA National Team.

Rali Ramabodu

A seasoned player for Free State Stars, AmaZulu, and Bloemfontein Celtic, Rali Ramabodu extended his impact beyond the pitch as a member of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Board of Governors.

Steven Mantshiane

Demonstrated exceptional talent and commitment while playing for Glad Africa Free State Stars, contributing to local football development.

Mzwandile William Maforvane

A visionary football administrator, Maforvane plays a key role in shaping national talent development and governance through his work with SAFA.

Sello Ndona

Currently contributing to the growth of professional football as an administrator at Marumo Gallants FC, ensuring sustainable pathways for emerging players.

Choaro Khumisi 

A standout performer for the USSA National Women’s Football Team, Choaro combined athletic excellence with leadership, helping elevate women’s football in South Africa.

Viwe Mpeta

A key member of the USSA National Women’s Football Team, Viwe has been instrumental in advancing opportunities and visibility for female athletes in the sport.

Golf

Mojalefa Xaba

Winner of the 2022 Mangaung Open, Mojalefa exemplifies the strength and growing reputation of CUT’s golf program, blending precision, focus, and competitive spirit.

Netball

Karla Victor

Selected as a Spar Baby Protea for the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup, Karla represents the bright future of South African netball, and the promise of CUT’s emerging talent pipeline.

Rugby

Os du Randt

One of the most decorated forwards in Springbok history, Os du Randt earned 80 caps for South Africa and played a pivotal role in two Rugby World Cup victories (1995 and 2007). A stalwart of the Free State Cheetahs, his career spanned three World Cup tournaments (1995, 1999, 2007) and remains a benchmark of longevity and grit.

André Venter

A formidable presence in the Springbok back row, André Venter was renowned for his leadership, physicality, and tactical intelligence. He represented South Africa in the 1999 Rugby World Cup and remains a respected figure in the rugby community.

Jasper Wiese

A dynamic number 8 and current Springbok, Jasper Wiese continues to uphold CUT’s proud rugby tradition on the international stage with power, pace, and precision.

Trevor Nyakane

An experienced tighthead prop and current Springbok, Trevor Nyakane brings technical excellence and resilience to the highest level of the game, proudly carrying forward the Free State rugby legacy.

Gerrie Britz

A distinguished rugby player known for his consistency and impact at both club and national levels, Gerrie Britz left a lasting mark on South African rugby through his dedication and skill.

Helgard Müller

Renowned for his versatility, sportsmanship, and unwavering commitment, Helgard Müller built a legacy of excellence across multiple positions in provincial and national rugby. Today, he continues to shape the next generation of talent as Deputy Manager in CUT’s Operational Sport Unit, where he actively mentors and develops rugby players at the university.

Other notable Springboks with Free State and CUT connections:

Daan Human, Gerrie Britz, Pieter Müller, Philip Smit, AJ Venter, Ashley Johnston.