RS South Africa, a trading brand of RS Group plc (LSE: RS1), a global provider of product and service solutions for industrial customers, is celebrating the success of local student engineering teams following the announcement of the Formula Student Build Fund 2026 winners.
The global initiative, led by RS, supports student teams around the world as they transform ambitious engineering concepts into fully functional Formula Student race cars.
Through the Build Fund, RS is investing in future engineering talent by providing access to high-quality products, technical resources, and industry support. The programme forms part of RS’s wider commitment to education, innovation, and the development of sustainable engineering skills worldwide.
South African teams selected as winners
Among the global winners, three South African university teams were selected to receive funding support:
- Formula Student Africa UCT – University of Cape Town
- TUT Racing Team – Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
- UP Formula Student – University of Pretoria
Each team will receive £1 000 worth of RS products to support the design, manufacturing and testing of their Formula Student vehicles. In addition, the TUT Racing Team will receive a further £1 000 worth of RS PRO branded products, in recognition of their exceptional understanding of how RS PRO solutions can support vehicle performance, reliability and long-term team development.
This year’s competition attracted a record 137 applications from 33 countries, reflecting the growing ambition, technical excellence, innovation and sustainability focus within the global Formula Student community.
“The initiative reflects RS’s long-term commitment to engineering development,” says Erick Wessels, Sales Director at RS South Africa. “The Formula Student Build Fund is about building more than race cars it is about building futures. These students represent the next generation of engineers, innovators and industry leaders. RS is proud to support South African teams competing at a global level and to play a role in developing world-class engineering capability across Africa.”
According to the University of Pretoria, this support is the bridge between concept and its execution. “We are incredibly honoured to have the resources to take the next step. Most people can only dream of success, and this fund has given us the gift of the opportunity for success the opportunity to become globally recognised, no matter where in the world we are,” says a spokesperson.
“The TUT Racing Team is honoured to be recognised by the RS Formula Student Build Fund. This award provides our Mechanical and Mechatronics students with the essential resources to bring their F1-style designs to life. We are incredibly grateful for RS South Africa’s investment in the next generation of African engineers,” says Dr. Thandiwe Bongani Radebe, Team Leader & Lecturer, Tshwane University of Technology.
“Winning the RS Build Fund Competition does more than provide technical support; it validates our vision for a multi-generational South African racing programme. With RS’s backing, we gain the components to realise our designs, the recognition to fuel our momentum, and the professional legitimacy required to engage with global leaders in the automotive industry,” says a University of Cape Town spokesperson.
The RS Formula Student Build Fund forms part of RS’s global Engineers of Tomorrow programme, which supports STEM education, innovation and skills development worldwide. By connecting students with industry-grade products, real-world engineering challenges and professional support, RS helps bridge the gap between academic learning and industrial application.
South African teams benefit directly from this global platform, gaining access to international standards, technologies and opportunities that support long-term development and global competitiveness.
RS South Africa invites students, educators, industry partners and engineering professionals to engage with the Formula Student programme and support the development of the next generation of African engineers.
By backing student innovation, investing in engineering education and building global partnerships, RS continues to strengthen the engineering ecosystem that will power future industries.
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Author: Thobile Ndlovu from NGAGE on behalf of RS South Africa.
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