Cape Town Sports

Gone are the good ol’ days when mum would cart you off to your soccer practice or cricket match. Thankfully though, while childhood has passed you by, you can still enjoy all the fun of competitive sports as an adult at an amateur level.

From soccer and cricket teams to fishing and roller derby, Cape Town’s sports club options are seemingly endless. To find the perfect team, group or league to suit your sporting interest and your level of play, check out our guide below to the best amateur clubs in the Mother City.

As a general note to the inclusions, the larger leagues and associations mentioned host many branches throughout the greater Cape Town area. It is therefore advisable that players try out several clubs on a trial basis to find the best fit before paying membership fees.

Sports Clubs in Cape Town

Football/Soccer with the Cape Town Tygerberg Football Association

Football is arguably the most popular sport around the world, and certainly after the stadium in Green Point went up, many were living in the shadows of World Cup memories. If looking to have some fun on the pitch (outdoor only) playing 11 aside, get in touch with the Cape Town Tygerberg Football Association (CTTFA). There are nearly 50 amateur football clubs in this Mother City network (essentially one per suburb), so if this is the sport for you, you’ll never go far to find a team. As a bonus, most CTTFA clubs have a handful of teams for every age and ability—from under-7s up and over-65s to premier and ladies-only teams. New adult players typically start at the lowest division and work their way up, depending on skill; but, keep in mind, each club has their own policy when it comes to try-outs and joining. The football season runs from April to September each year, and membership fees cost up to R1000 per season. Check the CTTFA website (Capetowntygerbergfa.pitchero.com) for more information.
CTTFA Office | Grosvenor Road | Rondebosch | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 686 6006| [email protected]

Rugby with the Western Province Rugby Association

Soccer may be king the world over, but rugby is certainly the master of things in South Africa. Itching to try your hand at the rough and tumble activity? Then one of the Mother City’s many clubs may be the perfect place to invest your new amateur sporting interests. The Western Province Rugby Football Union is the over-arching organisational body for rugby in the region, and with over 80 amateur member clubs, there are many options for interested players to choose from. Most Cape Town suburbs have a rugby club with teams organised according to age and competition level; although, every new player begins at the bottom level and is only placed on a higher team if they show the appropriate level or skill. While membership fees vary per club, expect to pay between R200 and R500 per season, plus an insurance fee of roughly R20.The season runs from April to September, with pre-season training from January to March.
Western Province Rugby Football Association | 5th Floor | Newlands Terrace | 8 Boundary Road | Newlands | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 659 6600

Roller Derby with Cape Town Rollergirls

Sources tell us that roller derby is quite the hip and happening sport for women in the Mother City. While there is only one league in Cape Town, the Cape Town Rollergirls, the energetic members more than make up for lack of options. Don’t know much about the sport? Imagine skating at breakneck speeds on old-school skates in a full-contact competition not for the faint of heart. Keen? Even if you’ve never been on wheels before, Cape Town Rollergirls’ coaches are more than willing to teach you the ropes before throwing you into action. The season runs year-round, and fresh meat (newbies) are welcome to join on Open Nights. Minimum age is 18 years, and membership costs R230 per month. If interested, expect to practice three times per week at Sunningdale Sports Complex. Also, Wednesday evenings at 8pm are open nights—the perfect event for anyone interested in checking it out. Come out, give it a shot and have a drink with the team!
Sunningdale Sports Complex | Cnr. Waterville Street and Sunningdale Road | Blouberg | Cape Town | Wolverming: [email protected]

Drifting with D-Evo Drift Club

A relatively new and alternative activity in Cape Town, drifting is the perfect sporting option for petrol heads keen for some weekly camaraderie. The motorsport is essentially a technique of over-steering souped up cars in order to lose traction in the back wheels. If this sounds exciting, interesting or just plain cool (and if you have an RC drift car), then D-Evo Drifting Club, the Mother City’s largest and most established drifting club, may be calling your name. The group practices weekly on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm at their indoor facility in Stikland, and membership costs R200 per year. Practices then cost an additional R30 each time you attend. Competitions are hosted most Sundays and cost R50 to enter. Check out their Facebook page for more information, including demo times.
The Drift Factory | Farad Street | Stikland | Cape Town | +27 (0)82 679 6600

Running with Atlantic Athletic Club

What is your first impression when you think of a running club? Sweating and trying to keep up? Tiresome hours of jogging? Don’t let this idea intimidate you. In reality, running clubs are some of the coolest groups to get involved with. And if you’re worried about falling behind, there is nothing to stress over. At the Atlantic Athletic Club (AAC), an organisation ideal for those living in Cape Town city centre or on the Atlantic Seaboard, there are running groups to suit a range of abilities, from beginners to seasoned pros. The beginners group, called the Penguins, meets three times a week on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5:65pm (see the official Atlanticathletic.co.za website for the location of the different starting sites around the city centre). All Penguins runs are 5km, but there is a shorter walk-run option available, as well. The AAC also hosts longer runs (anywhere from 10km to 30km) each week if you are already a seasoned runner. You can purchase a membership and qualify to compete in their races after you’ve joined several runs (they encourage prospective members to try it out before paying). Membership costs R300 per year, plus an additional R180 for your race kit (mandatory if you plan to participate in races). Hint: we hear this running group is also quite the social bunch; they get together for drinks and snacks after races and practice runs.
Contact Radesh at [email protected] to get started with the AAC.

Sailing with Imperial Yacht Club

Looking to spend days out on the water but afraid of sailing alone? Join a sailing club and learn the ins and outs of sailing in a fun and informative environment. Muizenberg’s Imperial Yacht Club – it’s been around for more than 100 years – is arguably the most beginner-friendly yacht club in Cape Town, and it offers sailing lessons and regattas for its members. While the group has a large emphasis on youth sailing, classes of all levels are available for adults too. The season usually runs from the end of August to the end of May; although, sailing lessons for beginners are often held during the winter months when the wind is less fierce. Most members sail their own boats, but beginners are urged to use the club boats until they are suitably committed to the sport. Membership for a single adult costs R1250 per season, R570 for a tertiary student per season and R1700 for a family membership per season (a steal since this package includes coverage for parents and any number of their children!). New members also pay a once-off registration fee of R230; use of the club’s boats is free.
Imperial Yacht Club | 1 Promenade Avenue | Muizenberg | Cape Town | Linsay: +27 (0) 82 675 7856

Rock Climbing and Hiking with the Mountain Club of South Africa

If you think clinging to rock faces, embarking on full-day hikes and scrambling up steep cliffs seem like amazing pastimes, join the Mountain Club of South Africa’s (MCSA) Cape Town sector. This outdoorsy group meets several times a week, to make a total of 200 sessions per year, to go on different hiking expeditions all across the Cape Peninsula. What’s more, climbing and bouldering training sessions take place on designated days, and meets are organised on a monthly basis (join their email list to find out about upcoming events); routes vary in grade and difficulty level. As a bonus, MCSA members are also entitled to unlimited climbing on the bouldering and climbing walls at both their clubhouse and in UCT. Beginners are always welcome, and part of the fun is learning from experienced mountain guides and climbing amateurs. Initial registration fees cost R175 for over 26s and R50 for 17 to 26-year-olds; annual club membership is an extra R635 per year. Please be advised that joining any of the advertised hiking expeditions/climbs require you to be a member and to have pre-booked via phone or email [email protected].
The Mountain Club of South Africa | 97 Hatfield Street | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 665 3612

Angling with the Western Cape Shore Angling Association

If your idea of the ultimate weekend involves sitting by the water with a fishing pole, then joining an angling club may take this hobby to a new competitive level. Under the guidance of the Western Cape Shore Angling Association, 10 clubs scattered across the Western Cape invite like-minded individuals from around Cape Town to learn, join and enjoy the sport of angling. Although the clubs are geared towards competitive angling, beginners are welcome, as more advanced members will gladly instruct others. Thus, all ages and levels are normally accepted – no tryouts necessary, and competitions are held bi-weekly (the season runs from October to April). View the ‘member clubs’ page of the WCSAA website (WPAngling.co.za) for links and contact numbers of clubs in your area, as well as membership procedures. Expect to pay approximately R800 for membership per season; though, fees vary depending on club. Those keen to compete will also need to make a one-time payment of R500 for a competition kit.

Cricket with the Western Province Cricket Association

If some old-school British cricket is your sport of preference, consider getting involved with the Western Province Cricket Association’s (WPCA) Cape Town clubs. The association’s 68 clubs – they’re as far reaching as Fish Hoek, Milnerton and Atlantis (as well as many more in the city centre and surrounding suburbs) – offers a wealth of opportunity for any budding player or more seasoned pro. Although every WPCA club runs things a little differently, expect to practice two days or more per week; matches run throughout the summer months, from October to March. When you have found the club of your dreams (coaches will evaluate your skills over the course of the first season to place you in an appropriate level, from beginning to advanced) and want to commit, membership fees will apply. Expect to pay up to R900 per season, depending on the club you decide to join. As all the clubs are at amateur level, most are open to any beginner looking to learn. See the WPCA’s ‘Club Cricket’ page on their website (WPCA.org.za) for more information and contact numbers.
Sahara Park Newlands | Campground Road | Newlands | Cape Town| +27 (0)21 657 2063

Hockey with the Western Province Hockey Union

Always fancied hockey or hockey players? Give this interest a chance to become something great with one of the many recreational hockey teams in the Mother City. The Western Province Hockey Union (WPHC) has nearly 30 clubs based all around Cape Town and surrounds, from Somerset West and Langa to Bellville and Fish Hoek. As a bonus, most hockey groups have teams for beginners to advanced players, so anyone is welcome. Practices are typically two times per week for beginners or more for skilled teams. Expect to pay between R900 and R2000 per year for membership dues, depending on the club and your age. Visit the WPHC website for a listing of all the member clubs’ locations and contact numbers.
Western Province Hockey Union | Hartleyvale Stadium | Liesbeek Par Road | Observatory | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 668 2656