| Full Name | Wits University Football Club (later Bidvest Wits FC) |
| Nickname | The Clever Boys |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Based In | Braamfontein, Johannesburg |
| Stadium | Bidvest Stadium |
| Affiliation | University of the Witwatersrand |
| Topflight Status Ended | 2020 (Sold to TTM, club disbanded) |
| Major Trophies | 8 (PSL, Nedbank Cup x2, MTN8 x3, Telkom Knockout x2) |
| Notable Figures | Gavin Hunt, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Shaun Bartlett, Marks Maponyane, Daine Klate |
| Historic Contribution | Bridging academia and elite football, anti-apartheid team integration |
🟨 1. From the Lecture Halls to the Football Fields (1921–1974)
In a time when rugby and cricket ruled South African campuses, a small group of students at the University of the Witwatersrand decided in 1921 to form a football team. Their dream? To represent academia on the pitch with the same passion they brought to the classroom. Thus began the story of Wits University FC — one of the most unique and intellectually grounded football institutions in the country.
Foundational Facts:
- Founded: 1921 as a student amateur football team.
- Mission: Combine competitive football with university education.
- Early Competitions: Participated in regional university and amateur leagues.
- Early Advocates:
- Ronnie Schloss – Joined in 1962; became Secretary and then Chairman.
- Raymond Hack – Chairman (1968–2006); oversaw transition to professionalism.
🟨 2. Entering the Big Leagues (1975–1999)
Wits University’s football programme matured quickly, and in 1975, the team made history by being promoted to the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL). They were the first academically rooted club to reach South Africa’s top division, setting themselves apart with a culture of intelligence, structure, and discipline.
Milestones:
- 1975: Promoted to NPSL.
- 1978: Won the Mainstay Cup (later Nedbank Cup) — their first major trophy.
- 1983–1995:
- Continued growth with consistent Top 8 finishes.
- 1984: Won BP Top 8.
- 1985: JPS Knockout champions.
- 1992: Won M-Net Cup (now Telkom Knockout).
- 1995: Won Coca Cola Cup (Telkom Knockout era).
Key Players:
- Mike Mangena, Shakes Mashaba, Steven Barker, Eric Tinkler, Marks Maponyane
- Many played while also enrolled in academic programmes — rare in elite football.
🟨 3. The Bidvest Era and Championship Glory (2000–2020)
With the turn of the millennium, Wits FC found commercial backing. The club signed a landmark sponsorship deal with Bidvest Group in 2003, ushering in a golden era. Renamed Bidvest Wits, the club embraced professionalism while maintaining its scholarly DNA. The 2010s became the most successful decade in the club’s history.
Trophy Cabinet:
| Competition | Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Soccer League | 1 | 2016–17 |
| Nedbank Cup | 2 | 1978, 2010 |
| Telkom Knockout | 2 | 1995, 2017 |
| MTN 8 | 3 | 1984, 1995, 2016 |
Coaching & Success:
- Gavin Hunt – Head Coach (2013–2020); mastermind of 2016–17 PSL title.
- George Mogotsi – Long-serving general manager; key administrator from the 1980s onward.
Notable Players (2000s–2010s):
- Sibusiso Vilakazi, Rowen Fernandez, Daine Klate, Benjani Mwaruwari, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Gift Motupa, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Phumlani Ntshangase
🟨 4. Breaking Barriers During Apartheid
Long before Bafana Bafana was born, Wits FC played a significant role in fighting racial segregation in sport. Under the leadership of Ronnie Schloss, the club became the first white team to play in Soweto, fielding a racially mixed team at the height of apartheid.
Key Initiatives:
- Partnered with Kaizer Motaung and Irvin Khoza to bring Black players into the squad.
- Recruited Marks Maponyane, who would become a national icon.
- Adopted the stance: “We go as a unit or not at all” — refusing to attend racially exclusive venues or travel arrangements.
🟨 5. A Shock Exit: The Sale to TTM (2020)
Despite being in great form and boasting a solid structure, Bidvest Wits’ PSL status was sold in 2020 to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM). The decision — driven by business, not football — stunned the nation. Players and staff were scattered across the league. The club was disbanded, effectively ending 99 years of tradition.
Fallout:
- TTM took Wits’ top-flight spot.
- Bidvest Wits’ brand, stadium, and professional structures were dissolved.
- No official farewell — just a quiet exit from the biggest stage.
🟨 6. The Ongoing Legacy: Wits Lives On
Though the professional club is no longer active, Wits University Football Club continues to thrive at amateur, varsity, and youth levels. Their commitment to blending academics and sport still drives their mission.
Present-Day Programmes:
- Varsity Football & USSA Tournaments
- ABC Motsepe League, SAB League, and SAFA Sasol Women’s League
- Wits Junior Football Club: U/6 to U/23, based at Marks Park.
- Women’s Team: Active in MAP games and local leagues.
🟨 7. Club Identity & Philosophy
Wits was always more than a football team — it was a sporting institution. Their nickname “Clever Boys” wasn’t a marketing slogan — it was a lived ethos, representing players who could command both a locker room and a lecture hall.
What Made Wits Unique?
- Blue and White: Colours of dignity and intelligence.
- University-Based: Unique academic/professional hybrid model.
- Discipline and Structure: Known for solid defence, tactical rigor.
- Community-Oriented: Strong student and Joburg local support.
🟨 8. Notable Administrators and Leaders
| Name | Role | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Raymond Hack | Chairman (1968–2006) | Oversaw professionalism and commercial growth. |
| Ronnie Schloss | Secretary → Chairman (1962–1980s) | Broke racial barriers, developed club identity. |
| George Mogotsi | General Manager (1980s–2020) | Lifelong service to the club. |
| Gavin Hunt | Head Coach (2013–2020) | Delivered PSL title and multiple cups. |
🎓 Final Word: Brains, Boots, and a Bittersweet Goodbye
“We weren’t just footballers. We were students of the game — in every sense.” – Former Wits FC player
Wits University FC was not simply a club — it was a movement. From integrating football during apartheid to winning titles against corporate giants, the Clever Boys lived up to their name. Though no longer in the PSL, Wits’ values — education, equality, and excellence — continue to echo through South African football.
