South Africa’s top school netball teams competed for national honours as the DStv Schools Netball Challenge crowned champions and celebrated emerging sporting talent.
The DStv Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC), powered by Bestmed Medical Scheme, concluded its 2026 National Finals after three days of competition at Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen in Boksburg, showcasing the country’s leading school netball talent.
Now in its sixth edition, the tournament has become one of South Africa’s premier school sporting competitions, creating opportunities for thousands of young athletes since launching in 2021. Many former participants have progressed to provincial teams, the Telkom Netball League and South Africa’s national age-group structures.
The National Finals brought together qualifying teams from all nine provinces across the Botho and Ubuntu streams, ensuring learners from both urban and rural communities have an equal opportunity to compete at the highest level of school netball.
Khanyolwethu Senior Secondary School claimed the Ubuntu Stream title after defeating Kwamziwentsha High School 36-27 in the final, becoming first-time national champions.
“I would like to thank DStv, MultiChoice, a CANAL+ Company, Bestmed and everyone who contributed to the success of this tournament. It feels amazing to have won and receive a boarding pass to the United Kingdom. We have been in the DSNC tournament since 2023 with no luck of winning, and look now, God made it happen. Thank you very much,” said Khanyolwethu coach Dimpho Lephallo.
In the Botho Stream final, Hoërskool Paarl Gimnasium defeated Helpmekaar Kollege 22-16 to secure the national title.
“I’m very proud. We are excited for the opportunity to go overseas and represent South Africa. We are also very grateful for the opportunity to take part in the DStv Schools Netball Challenge. It has been an absolute privilege,” said Paarl Gimnasium coach Juline van der Merwe.
As part of their reward, both championship teams will travel to the United Kingdom during the September school holidays for a skills development tour. Based at Loughborough University in Leicestershire, the teams will train and compete in friendly matches against Loughborough University’s Under-18 team and England’s Under-18 side before visiting London and South Africa House.
“In order to be a winner, to be someone who does what is important and makes a difference, you need to go out to explore the possible opportunities the world has to offer. Congratulations to these young ladies, they played really well,” said Di Woolley, President of South African School Netball.
Litlhare Moteetee, Vice President: Africa Corporate Communications at CANAL+ Group, said the competition continues to strengthen the country’s school sport landscape.
“The DStv Schools Netball Challenge has now become an important part of the school sport calendar. Every year we see young players from across the country come together, compete at a high level and represent their schools with pride. Together with Bestmed Medical Scheme, we are proud to support a tournament that gives young netball players the chance to test themselves against the best, build confidence and take the next step in their sporting journey.”
Ahead of the finals, the tournament invested in player development through coaching clinics in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and the Northern Cape. Former Spar Proteas stars Phumza Maweni and Bongiwe Msomi led technical coaching, mentorship and life-skills sessions in partnership with the Bongi Msomi Legacy Project and the Phumza Maweni Foundation.
The tournament has also helped develop future national players, with Baby Proteas goal shooter Mbali Diphoko and Proteas player Kyla Dames both crediting the competition for providing valuable exposure and creating pathways from school sport to higher levels of competition.
