Oakdale Bulls from Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale crowned three-time World Tug-of-War Champions

Lester Kiewit speaks to proud principal of Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale in Riversdale, about their tug-of-war team being crowned world champs three years in a row, following a recent international tournament in Germany.

"Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie..."  

The Oakdale Bulls from Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale in Riversdale can proudly proclaim this iconic phrase after they dominated at the International Federation World Championship in the annual tug-of-war tournament in Germany.

This U/19 toutrek team defended their title and brought home a win for the third time for their weight division. 

"We are very proud, the team has worked very hard... it's not easy to win it once but we did it three times in a row."

- Willem du Buisson, Principal - Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale 

Tug-of-war has been a sport at Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale since the early 2000s when a local farmer passionate about the sport requested that it be introduced at the school.

Since then the sport has flourished at the school and has since grown into a three-time championship team.

He says the sport is hard work and requires the same fitness levels as any other athlete.

"It's given the boys a chance to get involved in a very demanding sport. At the level we compete, it's very tough... the boys must be as fit and as committed as any other first team athlete... it requires hard work, mental and physical toughness and lots of self-discipline."

- Willem du Buisson, Principal - Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale 

Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale proudly shares what their winning squad, the 560kg team and World Champions for their weight division can do... 

Other youth teams also made their home country proud, including the U/23 mixed squad who scored silver and the U/19 Girls who claimed bronze.

"We are very excited about the growth of this sport for women and girls too."

- Willem du Buisson, Principal - Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale