Pirates Club in Greenside, one of Johannesburg’s oldest sporting institutions, continues to strengthen its position as a leading multi-code sports and social venue, balancing a rich history with steady growth and modern development.
Founded in 1888, the club has, over the past few years, expanded its facilities, membership base and event offerings, attracting both dedicated sportspeople and members of the wider community.
Today, Pirates Club caters for a broad range of sporting codes, including bowls, cricket, hockey, rugby, running, squash and tennis, while also offering social memberships and youth sports programmes across several disciplines.
Read more: Locals are encouraged to polish their bowling skills at Pirates Club
In addition to its sporting activities, the club has become a popular venue for private and corporate events. Various spaces are available for birthday parties, nappy braais, teambuilding functions and sporting events linked to bowls and padel.
Pirates has also hosted a number of its own events, including international rugby viewings and road races, with its annual 21km run scheduled for February 15 and a 10km later in the year.
Recent years have seen the club receive significant recognition. Pirates Club was named Best of Joburg Sports Club or Venue for three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025 and received the Best Neighbourhood Pub award in 2025. It was also recognised as a runner-up for the best place to watch major sporting events, reflecting its popularity on Springbok match days.
Sporting achievements have mirrored this success. A new astro, opened in 2025, has supported the growth of hockey at the club, while the men’s hockey first team achieved promotion to the Premier League following a strong 2025 season.
Rugby remains a key focus, with the first team winning the Pirates Grand Challenge in 2023 and reaching the finals in both 2024 and 2025. The running section also recorded a milestone last year, with 137 members completing the Comrades Marathon.
Also read: Wanderers Club badminton star shines at 2025 African Youth Games
Beyond sport, the club offers additional facilities including padel courts, five-a-side soccer, a gym, restaurants and multiple bars, and is home to several community initiatives.
This versatility was highlighted on December 4, when the Caxton Joburg North branch hosted its end-of-year Mardi Gras-themed murder mystery function at Pirates Club, underscoring its role as both a sporting and social hub open to members and non-members alike.
The club’s on-site gym further enhances its all-round offering, providing members with access to affordable monthly rates and a wide range of training options.
In addition to general fitness facilities, the gym offers CrossFit, Muay Thai, powerlifting and personal training, with a chiropractor recently joining the team to support members’ performance, recovery and overall wellbeing.
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