UP-Tuks athletes ensured they ended 2023 with a bang by winning five USSA Championships titles in December. 

One of the feel-good stories is undoubtedly the performance of the TuksFootball Women. Since the 2021 Women’s Varsity Football final, UWC consistently got their best result against Tuks. The Tuks "Girls" could not get the better of them. UWC has twice beaten Tuks 3-0 this season in the Hollywoodbets Super League. 

Giving up was never an option for the Tuks "Girls". In Cape Town, they finally managed to turn the tables on UWC, beating them on penalties in the USSA final. The score was tied at 0-0 at the end of full-time.

A few hours later, the TuksFootball Men outplayed Kovsies, winning 2-1. In doing so, Tuks sports history was made. It is the first time the men's and women's football teams have been crowned USSA champions in the same year. 

The same never-say-die attitude can be attributed to the Tuks men. Things were not looking up for Tuks at the start of the season as they failed to qualify to play the 2023 Varsity Football edition. To their credit, the team did not allow this setback to dampen their spirits. It actually motivated them.

TuksRoadRunning athletes triumphantly were crowned USSA Cross Country Championships in Bloemfontein, bagging nine medals (4 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze). 

Karabo Mailula won the women's 10km race, while Collins Kgadima was victorious in the men's race. Both athletes are coached by the legendary Caster Semenya. 

The Tuks cricket team is also USSA Champions after outplaying Northwest University in the final in Cape Town. 

North-West University batted, who batted first, was all out 184 runs in the 50th over. Matthew Boast bowled brilliantly, taking 4/35 in ten overs. Kundai Matiguma was equally impressive, with the ball taking 3/32 in ten overs. Merrick Brett took 2/29. 

Justifiably, the bowlers, Boast and Brett, steered Tuks to victory in the 45th over. Boast ended up unbeaten on 25 runs. Jack Lees played a captain's inning, scoring 54 runs. Lees ended the tournament by scoring 209 runs in four games at an average of 41.80. His best inning was his knock of 110 runs against UWC. 

Matiguma was the top bowler. In four matches, he took 14 wickets at an average of 9.36. 

Lees ascribed his team's success to every player stepping up at some stage during the tournament.

"The "senior" guys have taken the initiative to calm everyone down. We only get to play a little tournament cricket, so when we do, we make sure we make the most of this opportunity. Also, this is my last tournament, so what better way to end your university years as a USSA-winning captain?"

TuksBasketball Women won the USSA 3x3 Basketball tournaments, while the men’s team finished third in their division.

TuksWaterpolo Women finished on the podium as runner-up. The men’s team secured a third-place finish after their absence from the tournament in 2022.