The University of Fort Hare’s Baby Wolves are champions. A 2-1 win over City Lads on Saturday, 7 November, sealed the Hollywoodbets Super League Super Rise Stream title and set up a showdown with Mamelodi Sundowns on 12 December.

It completes one of the great turnarounds of the season. The women from Alice sat fifth at the halfway mark, with many supporters doubting they could even match last year’s top-four finish. They answered with nine straight wins.

Michelle Sampson opened the scoring in the 31st minute, and Kesha Hendricks doubled the lead two minutes after the break. Sampson was named player of the match.

The Wolves set the tone with their pressing, hunting in packs and giving City Lads little time on the ball.

“We wanted total dominance,” said Simphiwe Mafene (Head Coach).

The final whistle capped a run that had everything. In Bloemfontein, Hendricks struck twice to beat Ezemvelo 2-1, powering home a header from Rennika Khoza’s free kick for the winner. At Wits, Sampson coolly converted a penalty with seconds of added time left to beat JVW and send the Wolves top of the log. In Mpumalanga, Hendricks scored again and goalkeeper Mosima Dikgopa saved a penalty to see off TUT 1-0.

The numbers tell the story of a side that found its edge when it mattered most: nine wins, four draws and just one defeat from 14 matches, with 17 goals scored and only eight conceded, for 31 points.

Mafene said the turnaround was built on the training pitch, after a first round in which the team had prepared poorly and missed too many chances.

“We had to work on the final third and be clinical, especially after the game against JVW in the first round. That also boosted our confidence for the second leg.”

The title is the latest chapter in a remarkable climb. Four seasons ago, the Baby Wolves strung together 21 consecutive victories to win the Sasol League, the country’s second-tier competition, earning their golden ticket to the Hollywoodbets Super League. They finished ninth in their debut season in 2024 and fourth in 2025. Now they are champions of their stream.

Behind the results are students who juggle lectures and assignments with a demanding league programme that has taken them to Bloemfontein, Johannesburg and Mpumalanga this season alone.

“The University of Fort Hare has helped them become better football players, but has also shaped them into stronger, more confident and responsible women who can succeed both in sport and in life,” sport officer Sibabalo Feni said last week.

November said the title belongs to everyone who made it possible.

“We are all thrilled and overwhelmed by the result of this season. This is a great achievement for UFH, for the community of Alice and eDikeni, and for all the players, the technical team and everyone involved with the team. We are so proud of the ladies. They outdid themselves. Mandate delivered.”

The biggest test is still to come. The Wolves meet Mamelodi Sundowns on 12 December, with the time and venue to be confirmed. The winner qualifies for the 2027 CAF competition through the COSAFA qualifying stage.

For a team that has made a habit of defying the odds this season, it is a final worth tuning in for. Fans can follow the match on the Hollywoodbets YouTube channel and SABC Sport.