Western Cape Bridge Union

The Western Cape Bridge Union (WCBU) headquarters is situated at the Bridge Centre in Green Point, Cape Town in the shadow of Lion’s Head adjoining Table Mountain.

The WCBU is one of the unions in South Africa under the auspices of the South African Bridge Federation (SABF) which is affiliated to the African Bridge Federation (ABF) and the World Bridge Federation (WBF). The SABF sends bridge players to represent South Africa in the ABF and WBF high level tournaments on a regular basis.

There are a number of affiliated clubs in greater Cape Town and outlying areas that belong to the WCBU. The WCBU supports competitive events at the various clubs and also provides funding and support for beginner bridge players as well as more established bridge players who are new to the competitive environment.

During the summer season in South Africa, we have a number of “swallows” from the Northern hemisphere who spend a few months of the year in Cape Town and they have become an integral part of competitive bridge in Cape Town. We welcome bridge playing visitors to come to our clubs when they are in this part of the world.

SAWBA - the National Women's Congress - will be held online in the middle of November. The tournament is open to all SABF women bridge players. Details about dates and format can be found here. Enter online at www.sabfonline.co.za.

Open & Ladies Trials - Johannesburg: 22 February - 1 March

Mixed Teams Trials - Cape Town: 16 - 22 March

Congress - Johannesburg: 18 - 25 May

Details re venues and format to follow.

Duncan Keet, under the auspices of the WCBU, has initiated an extensive Bridge Development Programme at Bonteheuwel/Matroosfontein Primary Schools which commenced in June 2024 at the Bonteheuwel Library when Duncan, Imtiaz Kaprey and Stephen McBride started training coaching assistants. These coaching assistants are retired persons who work to uplift their communities and they will be going into the schools during the course of each week to teach the children the basics of bridge.

The programme was initially aimed at six primary schools with 16 learners from each institution + 40 learners from Matroosfontein, making up a total of 136 learners. The enthusiasm, however, was overwhelming and there are now over a dozen schools involved with a waiting list of many more.

This is a very exciting development and a wonderful opportunity for young learners to become engaged with the game of bridge. We look forward to seeing them at the bridge clubs in future!

Members of the WCBU and players in WCBU tournaments can Login here to Pianola in order to update your membership profile, view and analyse your results or find a partner.

If you have not previously registered on Pianola, then click here in order to send the WCBU a registration request and we will send you an E-mail with instructions on how to register.

Western Cape clubs run a Friendship Club to assist members who cannot afford to pay annual subs or playing fees.

Any players who require assistance are encouraged to contact one of the following organisers of the Friendship Club: Joyce Hessen (021 433-2436 or 084 670-4989), Shirley Phillips (072 673-4248) or Shirley Karon (021 439-4178 or 084 439-4178). All requests are dealt with in the strictest confidence.

A bank account has been set up and donations would be greatly appreciated: Friendship Club / ABSA / Sea Point Branch / Account Number 9323720421.