South Africa’s U/19 girls tug-of-war team from Melkbosstrand High School dominated at the World Championships and secured silver.
Nottingham, England (10 September 2025) – Tug-of-war is one of those games many remember from their school days. The sweaty palms and classmates cheering you on. Not to mention the thrill when one side finally gives way, but for a group of determined young women from Melkbosstrand High School, this “playground game” has become so much more. They have turned it into a sport of international prestige, and now, they are proudly bringing home a silver medal from the Tug of War World Championships.
The South African U/19 Girls team, made up entirely of Melkbosstrand High School pupils, claimed second place in the 480kg division, making them the second-best in the world. For one school in one small town to reach such heights is nothing short of remarkable.
Tug-of-war is still relatively unknown in South Africa. Despite being one of the oldest sports in history, it’s only just beginning to gain traction locally. Yet, these girls have shown what it means to take ownership of the sport, turning it into a platform for empowerment. Beyond strength, tug-of-war teaches trust, resilience, and unity. These are lessons that stretch far beyond the rope.
Their silver medal is much more than just a piece of metal. It’s a symbol of the sweat, sacrifice, and months of training that carried them across the finish line. A beacon of pride for Melkbosstrand High School, for the False Bay Tug of War Club, and for South Africa as a whole. On competition day, they stormed through every match, losing only to a powerhouse from Chinese Taipei and even then, they pushed their rivals to their very limits.
Behind this triumph stands Coach Kyle, whose guidance and belief inspired the girls to dig deeper and believe in their strength when it mattered most. Together, they have shown the world what South Africans can achieve when they pull as one.
The gold may have slipped away this time, but silver has never looked so bright!
Sources: Supplied
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