UCT water polo stars help SA claim silver at EU Nations Cup

For University of Cape Town (UCT) students Skye Murray and Morgan Christian, representing South Africa on the international stage was about more than competing for a medal. It was a chance to test themselves against some of Europe’s best, make their country proud, and bring valuable experience back to their university team.

The pair formed part of the South African women’s national water polo team that finished runners-up at the Eropean Union (EU) Nations Cup in the Czech Republic, which featured Finland, the British Hawks, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Sweden on 23 – 25 October.

South Africa’s only defeat came against Sweden in a closely contested match that was decided on penalties.

A senior milestone and a taste of international success

For Murray, a final-year Business Science Information Systems student and captain of the UCT women’s water polo team, the result was bittersweet.

“We came second. The only team we lost to was Sweden, and we lost on penalties. So we missed out on the gold medal by one point, which was really sad,” she said.

Despite the disappointment, she believes the team’s performance reflected significant improvement and was an achievement to be proud of.

Murray’s latest international outing adds to an already growing national career. After initially being selected for the junior national team but withdrawing because of matric final examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic, she made her Under-20 national debut in 2023. She subsequently represented the senior national team in 2024 and again in 2025.

Her latest selection was particularly significant given the uncertainty surrounding the sport’s administration in South Africa. The EU Nations Cup tour was organised under the newly established South African Water Polo (SAWP) structure, amid ongoing tensions in the sport’s governing structures.

With several experienced senior players having stepped away from international competition, Murray said selection was not guaranteed.

“You never know where you stand,” she said, reflecting on the competition for places in the squad.

For first-year Business Science Marketing student Christian, the tournament marked a major milestone: her first selection for the senior national team.

The 21-year-old has steadily progressed through the national ranks, representing provincial A-sides from age 13 and earning her first national selection at 15. Her junior international career included tours to Zimbabwe and the Czech Republic, followed by an U20 tour to Portugal, and she was part of the U20 South African tour to Brazil in 2025.

Her elevation to the senior team was therefore the culmination of years of commitment to the sport.

“With my team cheering on the sidelines and giving advice, I think that really helped improve everyone’s performance. It was a tough match, but we all played really well as a collective.”

Christian described the tournament as a significant moment for South African water polo, given that the team competed under the new SAWP structure.

“I think this committee is trying to bring about a lot of change and is really trying to focus on the athletes themselves,” she said. “We were the first team to be playing under this new committee. We basically made history.”

Lessons from the international stage

The team had a training camp in another Czech city before the tournament, which Christian believes helped the players adapt to their new surroundings and build confidence ahead of the competition.

One of her biggest highlights was the intense encounter against Sweden, where she experienced the importance of collective effort and encouragement.

“With my team cheering on the sidelines and giving advice, I think that really helped improve everyone’s performance. It was a tough match, but we all played really well as a collective,” she said.

Beyond the result, Christian returned with fresh tactical insights that she hopes to introduce to the UCT side. Playing against different international teams exposed her to alternative approaches, particularly in ball movement and creating attacking opportunities.

“Sometimes here in South Africa, we don’t necessarily look dangerous when shooting from the top. It’s more of a passing game,” she explained.

She hopes to encourage her UCT teammates to move the ball faster and create more movement to draw defenders out of position, potentially giving the team a competitive advantage against other universities and clubs.

Murray, meanwhile, sees international representation as an opportunity to strengthen her home club’s culture and aspirations.

“It’s nice to be able to bring it back to your home club and implement that into the team that you are in, because it also encourages them,” she said.

Both players credit their progress to the work that happens away from the spotlight. For Murray, success comes from the discipline and additional preparation required to keep pace with the demands of a fast-moving sport. Christian similarly emphasised the importance of getting up for early training sessions and completing additional swimming and conditioning work, even when motivation is lacking.

“I use sport almost like a breakaway and a rest from all the demanding tests and study sessions. It’s a way that I can just be myself and relieve a bit of the stress that I’m carrying.”

Balancing books, sport and giving back

Their sporting commitments also come with the challenge of balancing demanding university programmes.

Murray said water polo had taught her perseverance, structure and the importance of time management. Having learnt from earlier tours when she struggled to keep up with lectures and assignments, she now plans ahead, completes work before travelling and sets aside time to study while on tour.

Christian, who also plays netball at UCT, describes sport as an important outlet from the pressures of academic life.

“I use sport almost like a breakaway and a rest from all the demanding tests and study sessions. It’s a way that I can just be myself and relieve a bit of the stress that I’m carrying,” she said.

Her commitment to the sport extends beyond her own playing career. She also coaches at Herschel Girls’ High School and Primary School, where she shares her knowledge and experience with younger players.

Having attended Herschel herself, she regards coaching as an opportunity to give back to the schools that supported her academic and sporting development.

For Murray, the lessons extend beyond the pool. Water polo has taught her that failure is not the end of the road but an opportunity to grow.

“I’ve learnt that it’s okay to fail, because it just makes you stronger,” she said.