By Adnaan Mohamed
The glass courts at the V&A Waterfront are about to become a pressure cooker. From August 28 to 30, the Growthpoint Senior Nationals will see South Africa’s finest squash players chase silverware, sweat, and legacy in one of the sport’s most fiercely contested showdowns.
At the heart of the drama is defending champion Dewald van Niekerk. The Gqeberha-born powerhouse has turned this championship into his personal fortress.
Since 2021, no domestic player has managed to prise the trophy from his grasp. Now, at 28, he’s chasing a fifth consecutive title, a feat that would shatter Steve Coppinger’s streak of four and cement his place in squash history.
On paper, Van Niekerk is the immovable wall. In practice, he refuses to treat this as a forgone conclusion.
“Being the top seed doesn’t stop me from preparing thoroughly,” he said.
“This event is hugely important to me, and I always mark it as a priority on my calendar.”
That relentless reset has been his secret weapon. But history rarely comes easy, and his rivals are ready to rattle the fortress walls.
Chief among them is Northerns’ Damian Groenewald, the second seed who dragged Van Niekerk into a bruising four-game final last year.
“I have worked on my game in all aspects…mental, physical, tactical and technical,” said the SA Country Districts player, ranked 68 in the world.
If Van Niekerk is granite, Groenewald is the pickaxe.
“And I have developed a good level of confidence in my abilities.”
Add 2019 champion JP Brits to the mix, and the men’s draw looks primed for fireworks.
If Van Niekerk rules the men’s game, then the women’s side has its own queen.
Cape Town’s Alex Commins, once ranked 22 in the world, is chasing her sixth Growthpoint crown. Her first came a decade ago in 2015, her latest in 2024, and she shows no sign of slowing.
Unlike Van Niekerk, Commins competes with a different fire these days. Retirement from the PSA Tour has stripped away the grind while sharpening her joy.
“Fortunately, I haven’t lost that competitive edge, but I feel more relaxed since I retired,” she said.
“There is less pressure on training for matches and I am playing now because I enjoy it, so that’s been a really refreshing shift. I am still training hard and always on the go, but I do it now because I enjoy what I am doing and where I am at.”
It may sound like a softer approach, but opponents know better. Her chief challenger, Eastern Province’s Hayley Ward, ranked No 75 in the world, remains the one player who can push her closest. Last year’s 3–1 final showed Ward’s grit, but until she topples Commins, she’s still chasing shadows.
Their collision course is set once again, with Ward opening against Northerns’ Helena Hudson and Commins starting her campaign against Lara Patrick.
Yet the Nationals aren’t only about the heavyweights. Alongside the senior battles, South Africa’s rising stars will showcase their flair in the U15 section, where future champions take their first swings at glory.
Names like Milton Posthumus (WP), Cody Abrahams (Eden) and Rylee Howells (KZN) may one day echo in the same breath as Van Niekerk and Commins.
For Squash South Africa, the event remains a showpiece.
“Squash SA is looking forward to yet another successful tournament and we wish all participants the best,” said national manager Jennifer Sawyer.
Three days. Two reigning champions on the brink of history. A field of hungry rivals chasing them down. And a venue as iconic as the V&A Waterfront, where glass walls will turn into mirrors of ambition and pressure.
By the time the last ball dies in the nick, the question will be whether Van Niekerk and Commins extend their rule , or if a challenger finally smashes through.
Players to Watch
Dewald van Niekerk (SACD) – Four-time champ chasing history. The man to beat.
Damian Groenewald (Northerns) – Last year’s runner-up; fearless and fitter than ever.
JP Brits (SACD) – 2019 champion; knows what it takes to go all the way.
Alex Commins (WP) – Five-time women’s winner; relaxed but ruthless.
Hayley Ward (EP) – World No 75; Commins’ toughest rival.
Rylee Howells (KZN) – U15 top seed; the future star to keep an eye on.
The draws for Thursday, 28 August are:
Seniors:
Women: 12.00: 4-Teagan Russell (Joburg Squash) v 5-Shelomi Truter (SACD), 1pm 3-Alex Commins (WP) v 6-Lara Patrick (Northerns), 2pm: 2-Alexa Pienaar (SACD) v 7-Kim McDonald (Northerns), 3pm: 1-Hayley Ward (EP) v 8-Helena Hudson (Northerns).
Men: 12.30: 4-Luhann Groenewald (Northerns) v 5-Reuel Videler (SACD), 1.30pm: 3-JP Brits (SACD) v 6-John Anderson (Joburg Squash), 2.30pm: 2-Damian Groenewald (Northerns) v 7-Jonty Matthys (SACD), 3.30pm: 1-Dewald van Niekerk (SACD) v 8-Luke van Vuuren (SACD).
Juniors: U15
Girls: 8am: 1-Rylee Howells (KZN) v 8-Hanja Gildenhuys (Eden), 9am: 2-Alyssa Arcangeli (Northerns) v 7-Mienke Stander (Boland), 10am: 3-Genevieve Lang (WP) v 6-Nhlalala Masingi (Joburg Squash), 11am: 4-Jasmaine Rust (Free State) v 5-Faatima Packery (EP).
Boys: 8.30: 1-Liam Fehrsen (EP) v 8-Georg Hung (Free State), 9.30: 2-Cody Abrahams (Eden) v 7-Jeremy John (KZN), 10.30: 3-Tiaan Goosen (Northerns) v 6-Zander Smit (Boland), 11.30: 4-Milton Posthumus (WP) v 5-Ashton Burger (EP).
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