Jukskei

Jukskei is a 270-year-old folk sport (Afrikaans: Boeresport) developed and played in South Africa and the forerunner of American Horseshoe Pitching.

History

Jukskei is believed to have originated around 1743 in the Cape, South Africa, developed by "transport riders" who traveled with ox-drawn wagons. They used the wooden pins of the yokes (Afrikaans: Skei) of the oxen to throw at a stick that was planted into the ground. The game was also played during the Great Trek. It was also played by the farmers from the Boland on beaches. Jukskei became an organized sport around 1939, when the first unions were established and rules were formalized.

Today

The sport is traditionally associated with the Afrikaners and in 2001 it was chosen by the SA government as one of the sports to be included in the Indigenous Games Project. Since then the game has started to gain popularity with young people of all cultures. There is usually a team of 4 players, of whom one is the captain, but it can also be played in pairs or singles. Jukskei in South Africa is played at schools, club and provincial level, and there is an annual tournament in Kroonstad in the Free State. Jukskei is also being played in Namibia and the USA. The three countries are affiliated to the International Jukskei Federation (IJF).