The heraldic description of the UCT badge was first described (1859) and subsequently registered (1919) with the College of Arms as:

Party per fess undy, sable and azure
An anchor, murally crowned, or
Thereon an open book, argent
lettered Spes Bona of the first
And in chief a lighted lamp rayonnant of the fourth.

The subsequent, more recent registration with the (SA) State Herald has it as follows:

Party per fess wavy, Sable and Azure
An anchor ensigned by a mural crown Or
and surmounted by an open book Argent
thereon inscribed the words Spes Bona Sable
in chief a burning lamp Argent.