Dewald van Niekerk(pictured above) is ready to turn the glass court into his personal playground as he hunts a sixth straightGrowthpoint SA Senior Nationals crown at Makers Landing from August 20 to 22 at the V& A Waterfront in Cape Town.
The SA Country Districts star has been the man to beat since Rodney Durbach ended his run in 2020. Van Niekerk answered that defeat by winning his first national title in 2021 and has been swinging his racquet like a wrecking ball ever since.
Last year, he smashed through Steve Coppinger’s record of four consecutive titles, set between 2010 and 2013.
Now history is knocking again.
Standing in his way are the Groenewald brothers, Damian and Luhann, seeded second and third respectively.
Damian has already shown Van Niekerk can be pushed to the edge. He took the champion to five games at July’s Growthpoint Jarvis-Kaplan interprovincial tournament and will open against fellow Northerns player Judah Phillips.
Luhann, one of South Africa’s brightest young squash prospects, faces a baptism of fire against 2019 champion JP Brits.
Fourth seed John Anderson meets Eastern Province’s Dean Venter.
Six-time champion and defending champion Alex Commins is absent, leaving Eastern Province ace Hayley Ward with the No 1 seeding.
Hayley Ward (EP) heads the women’s field for the Growthpoint SA Senior Nationals squash championships to be played at Makers Landing at the V&A Waterfront from August 20 22. Picture credits: Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images
Northerns second seed Helena Hudson faces Keschia Schlebusch, while third seed and 2021 champion Lizelle Muller, Van Niekerk’s sister, takes on Lara Patrick.
Ward has finished runner-up for the past two years and will be desperate to turn silver into gold. Her first hurdle is Western Province’s Kim McDonald.
Fourth seed Alexa Pienaar faces former champion Milnay Louw in a mouth-watering opener.
Pienaar is a former University Sport SA champion, while Louw lifted the national crown in 2017 and 2019.
With reputations, records and bragging rights on the line, the all-glass court at the V&A Waterfront is set for three days of high-octane squash.
Growthpoint Properties Group CEO Estienne de Klerk said the tournament showcases the depth of South African talent.
“The Growthpoint SA Senior National Squash Championships brings together the very best of South African squash, from established champions to the next generation, showcasing the depth of talent in South African in this sport,” he said.
“Growthpoint is proud to provide Space to Thrive by supporting a championship that gives these athletes a national stage on which to compete at their best.”
City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the tournament had become an important part of the sporting calendar.
“The City of Cape Town is proud to continue its support for the Growthpoint SA Squash Nationals in 2026,” Smith said.
“The championships have become an important platform for raising the profile of squash while creating opportunities to develop the country’s most talented athletes.”
V&A Waterfront head of public relations Donald Kau said: “The Growthpoint SA Nationals tournament continues to bring incredible energy to our neighbourhood while showcasing the V&A Waterfront as a destination for world-class experiences.”
The U15 Nationals will also take place, giving the next generation their own taste of the national spotlight.
For Van Niekerk, the mission is brutally simple: win again.
Six titles are within reach. The squash ball is in his court.
The Joburg Squash player recovered from 2-1 down to beat Northerns’ Elzandri Janse van Rensburg 3-2 in a gripping U19 women’s final.
Robinson found her rhythm when the match entered its business end, moving with purpose and using the court like a chessboard as she pinned Janse van Rensburg deep before finishing the job 11-6, 11-5 in the final two games.
The victory fulfilled a goal Robinson has carried since first competing at the tournament.
“This has been a big goal for me since I started playing this tournament, so I’m very proud to have got the win,” she said.
“I am so grateful to everyone who has helped me over the past few years to make this sort of result possible.”
Janse van Rensburg, the Growthpoint U17 champion in 2024 and 2025, had to settle for third after KwaZulu-Natal’s Makayla Naidoo beat Boland’s Dane Meintjies 3-0 to finish second.
There was more five-game drama in the U19 men’s final, where Northerns top seed Juan-Corne Brand edged Western Province’s Joseph Feast 3-2.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 15: Juan-Corne Brand in his match against Joseph Feast during day 3 of the Growthpoint SA Squash Nationals 2026 – Juniors at Makers Landing, V&A Waterfront on August 15, 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images)
Feast appeared to have the match in his grasp after Brand squandered a match point in the fourth game, forcing a decider. Brand steadied himself, raced into an early lead and held his nerve to win 11-6 in the fifth.
The scoreline, 3-11, 12-10, 12-10, 10-12, 11-6, underlined a final played at full throttle.
The U17 girls’ final produced another test of nerve.
Northerns left-hander Starla Phillips recovered from losing the opening game 11-8 to beat Border’s Kate van Biljon 3-1. Phillips repeatedly found the back corners with precision length before unleashing a sharp short game.
She survived a late wobble after allowing three match points to disappear while leading 10-6 in the fourth, then sealed the title with a winning backhand drop.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 15: Starla Philips in her match against Kate van Biljon during day 3 of the Growthpoint SA Squash Nationals 2026 – Juniors at Makers Landing, V&A Waterfront on August 15, 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images)
“I’m feeling good and very happy right now,” Phillips said.
“I’ve had some good results this year, and also a few bad ones, but I am glad I was able to finish it off today.”
Phillips was particularly pleased to settle an old score against Van Biljon, who beat her in the 2024 Growthpoint U15 girls’ final.
“Kate and I have been playing each other for many years and always have a good game, so I’m happy to get the win today.”
Christian Swanepoel completed the U17 winners’ list by beating provincial teammate Ruan Botha 3-0 in the boys’ final.
Christian Swanepoel Photo by Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images
The championships produced a healthy dose of sweat, skill and sporting theatre, with South Africa’s emerging squash stars showing that when the pressure cooker starts whistling, composure can be the sharpest weapon in the racket bag.
Inspired by Cape Town’s running culture and coastal identity, the range blends performance apparel with bold African-inspired design. The collection features Dusky Petrol and Lucid Aquamarine colourways, complemented by gold detailing symbolising the marathon’s growing global ambition.
The range includes technical race jackets, training T-shirts, caps, visors and the latest version of the adizero Boston 13 running shoe.
The Boston 13 features adidas’ Lightstrike Pro midsole and energy rod system, alongside a uniquely African print design created specifically for the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.
The collection is available online and at selected adidas stores nationwide.
“Every year theSanlam Cape Town Marathon takes a stride forward with regards to its scale and stature. This race is unique as it is distinctly African symbol of community, culture, and world-class running,” said Tom Brown.
“This collection allows runners and supporters alike to celebrate this special moment as Cape Town continues its push toward becoming Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major.”
As part of the build-up to race weekend, adidas will also host a marathon activation at the historic Union Castle Building square at the V&A Waterfront from 16 to 24 May.
The pop-up hub will stock official marathon merchandise and serve as a gathering point for runners through a series of daily events and community activities.
Among the scheduled events are long runs, recovery sessions, taper runs and shakeout runs, alongside product customisation opportunities. A DHL Stormerssigning session is also planned for 19 May.
Runners preparing for race weekend will also have access to pre-race hair and nail services, while finishers can return with their medals for free engraving after the event.
The activation is aimed at creating a race-week atmosphere for local and international runners visiting Cape Town ahead of one of Africa’s flagship road running events.
The Growthpoint Nationals in Cape Town served up rallies of grit and guile on Friday, with Dewald van Niekerk and Alex Commins keeping their championship bids firmly in play, while the Groenewald brothers showed that the future of South African squash is already pressing hard at the glass.
Defending champion Van Niekerk, the man who has ruled the domestic court for nearly half a decade, fended off 19-year-old Luhann Groenewald in a semifinal that was as much a passing-of-the-torch preview as it was a title bout.
The Northerns teenager swung with courage and stamina, but Van Niekerk’s control and precision were like a player who always finds the perfect length after eventually wearing his opponent down 11-3, 11-8, 11-9 in 37 lung-busting minutes.
That victory sets up a repeat final against Luhann’s elder brother Damian, who played the immaculate straight drive to sink former champ JP Brits 3-0.
Damian Groenewald Picture credit: Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images
The 21-year-old held his nerve, showing patience and placement, while forcing the 34-year-old into wild, risky shots. It was the kind of disciplined squash that announces a player not just chasing the ball, but chasing greatness.
On the women’s side, Commins gave a ruthless reminder of why she once climbed to 22 in the world rankings. Playing with the sharpness of a volley kill, she dismantled Kim McDonald 11-2, 11-3, 11-3, conceding only eight points in a flawless display. For Commins, every outing is about raising the bar higher:
“You just have to find a way to get the job done. You can’t relax against anyone.” Tomorrow, she meets Hayley Ward, who justified her top seed with a commanding 3-0 victory over Teagan Russell, injecting pace and aggression at every opening.
Beyond the senior spotlight, the juniors added fresh bounce to the tournament. KZN’s top seed Rylee Howells tightened her grip on the U15 girls’ crown with back-to-back wins, while the boys’ U15 division is heading for a nail-biting finish, with all four contenders locked at one win apiece—Saturday’s final matches will decide who stands tall when the dust settles.
The Growthpoint SA Nationals opened with a bang at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront as seventh seed Kim McDonald stunned second seed Alexa Pienaar in straight games, 11-7, 11-9, 11-7.
McDonald, a qualified doctor working in Eswatini, played with surgical precision to cut through Pienaar’s game. Her variation and attacking intent never allowed her opponent to settle.
“We’ve had some really good matches in the past and I know Alexa is a fierce competitor,” McDonald said. “When you play her, you have to make sure your belief is high. I just had to take my chances because the front of the court can be quite dead, and I focused on mixing it up with a solid length.”
For McDonald, the victory was as unexpected as it was satisfying.
“At the moment I get some squash in over the weekends and do some trail running to keep sane, but to come here and get a win is something I will treasure,” the 29-year-old admitted.
Her next opponent is defending champion Alex Commins, who breezed past Lara Patrick in three games.
Seeds Stay Firm
Elsewhere, the tournament’s top names stayed solid. Dewald van Niekerk, chasing a record fifth consecutive title, demolished teammate Luke van Vuuren 11-2, 11-2, 11-5, while women’s top seed Hayley Ward survived some testing moments against Helena Hudson before winning 11-4, 11-5, 11-8.
Teenager Steps Up
The men’s draw also saw a breakthrough from Luhann Groenewald. The 19-year-old Northerns prodigy, twice an U19 champion, marked his senior debut with a composed 3-0 win over fifth seed Reuel Videler.
Luhann Groenewald Picture credit: Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images
“That takes a bit of pressure off, and I just aim to go out and give it my best against Dewald tomorrow,” he said.
“I was happy with the way I played today, although I fell off a bit in the last game before coming back. But I’ll take that win and look forward to the next challenge.”
Junior Fireworks
The day’s most dramatic encounter unfolded in the U15 boys’ section, where Eastern Province’s Ashton Burger pulled off a miraculous comeback against Western Province’s Milton Posthumus.
Ashton Burger Picture credit: Petri Oeschger/Gallo Images
Posthumus led 2-1 and had four game points in the fourth, only for Burger to rally. Then, in the decider, Posthumus stood on the brink at 10-4 up before Burger reeled off eight consecutive points for an astonishing 12-10 win.
“I just decided that I wasn’t going to give in,” Burger said. “It was about not looking too far ahead and just keeping my concentration.”
He joined EP teammate and top seed Liam Fehrsen, who cruised past Free State’s 12-year-old George Hung. In the girls’ U15s, KwaZulu-Natal’s Rylee Howells was too strong for Eden’s Hanja Gildenhuys, winning 3-0.
Opening Day Verdict
From McDonald’s clinical takedown of Pienaar, to Groenewald’s fearless senior debut, to Burger’s Houdini act in the juniors, day one served a reminder: squash at the Nationals is never scripted.
Momentum swings faster than a ball off the tin, and as the week unfolds, fans can expect more drama, more upsets, and more proof that in this game, no seed is truly safe.
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).
