The study aimed to understand the recruitment and selection-productivity fit within a tertiary institution in South Africa. Essentially, by examining this relationship, it will be easier to obtain a better understanding of the essential components of recruitment and selection that contribute to the productivity of a tertiary institution. The unit of analysis of this study comprised academic and non-academic staff of the institution. This study adopted a quantitative approach utilising a Likert scale questionnaire to serve as the primary source of data collection. A future study could emphasise the development of a theoretical framework that links specifically to the peculiarities of the tertiary education sector in South Africa. A further study could also unpack how the components of recruitment and selection can be better harnessed to attract the interest of young South Africans to academe. The paper addresses a matter of significance both to HR practice and scholarship. The paper concludes thus: Recruitment and selection processes impact productivity; hence management MUST adopt best practice for these crucial HR functions.