Universal Rugby Football Club celebrates 140 years of community spirit in Kimberley

WHETHER it’s primary school, secondary school, university, or provincial rugby, Kimberlites love the game. It’s as if the game and culture of rugby is part of Kimberley’s very DNA. And that’s no accident. This rugby DNA has deep roots that were planted more than a century ago.

Long before professional rugby structures, sponsorship deals or modern leagues, Universal Rugby Football Club was already part of Kimberley life. Founded in 1886, the club will this month mark 140 years of uninterrupted existence, cementing its place among South Africa’s oldest rugby institutions.

The club has endured through nearly a century and a half of change, remaining a familiar presence in Kimberley life across eras, communities and rugby generations. 

To mark the anniversary, Universal RFC will host a Thanksgiving and Remembrance Church Service on Sunday, February 8, at TD Church in New Park, starting at 11am.

The service is expected to bring together former and current players, administrators, supporters and community members — many of whom trace personal milestones, friendships and memories back to the club. Organisers say the gathering is intended as a time of reflection and gratitude, recognising those who built and sustained Universal RFC through decades of shifting social and sporting landscapes.

Former players and administrators will be acknowledged, with special tribute paid to members who have passed on. Their families will also be honoured, underscoring the close personal ties that have long defined the club and extended well beyond the touchlines.

Universal RFC’s journey reflects that of many community rugby clubs in the Northern Cape, where progress was shaped more by commitment and volunteerism than by resources. Through changing rugby structures and evolving community dynamics, the club managed to preserve its identity and continuity, earning respect within Kimberley’s rugby tradition and beyond.

Club leaders say the 140-year milestone is an opportunity to reaffirm the values that carried Universal RFC through generations. Discipline, unity and service to the community remain central to the club’s outlook, and officials believe these principles will continue to guide its role in Kimberley’s rugby and community circles.

The Thanksgiving and Remembrance Service will formally open a year of commemorative activities linked to the anniversary, creating space to honour the past while looking ahead. 

Community members, former players, supporters and friends of Universal RFC have been invited to attend and take part in recognising a significant chapter in Kimberley’s sporting history.