The Madibaz squash team claimed the silver medal after losing in the final of the University Sport South Africa tournament in Port Elizabeth last week.
The annual event was held at Nelson Mandela University and the local team came up against University of Johannesburg in the tournament decider, going down 4-2 to the defending champions.
Despite the loss, coach Jason le Roux said they had delivered a fighting performance in the final.
Madibaz No 1 Hayley Ward received the award for the most promising player at the University Sport South Africa squash championships at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth last week. Picture: Brittany Blaauw
“I feel it was a very good week for the team and we competed really well in the final.
“In fact, we were 2-2 in matches in the final and our No 2 Brendan Basset was 10-8 up in each of the first two games of his match.
“He ended up losing 3-0, but it could so easily have gone to 3-3 in matches and then to a games count.”
The Madibaz mentor said the final was competitive until the last encounter.
Mandela University players did well in the tough individual competition, with John Kuhn ending fifth and Hayley Ward finishing third.
“Players and organisers said this was one of the strongest individual competitions they had seen in more than a decade.
“There was very good squash on display and we ran a bit late at times because of the long and tight matches.”
Ward was named the most promising player, and No 2 player Bianca Brown was included in the USSA best of the rest team in her position. This team excludes players from the tournament champions.
Furthermore, Kuhn and Ward were included in the USSA squad to play in the World University Championships in September.
However, Le Roux said there were still some play-offs to take place before the national squad was finalised.