The Western Cape ruled the courts at the national finals of the 2026 DStv Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC), powered by Bestmed Medical Scheme.
Khanyolwethu Secondary School and Paarl Gimnasium are the new DSNC champions. Apart from walking away with their gold medals, the two schools have also won an all-expenses paid trip to the United Kingdom.
The champions will travel to England between 26 September and 4 October and they will be based in Leicestershire’s Loughborough University. They will play against the England national Under-18 side as well as Loughborough.
While in the UK, the team will get to visit London for sightseeing, they will also get to visit the South Africa House. Khanyolwethu had an impressive run in their campaign over the weekend. They played a total of nine matches, including the group stages, and only lost to 2021 Botho champions, Potchefstroom Gimnasium in the round robin stage. They continued to be dominant in the Ubuntu final against KwaZulu-Natal’s Kwamziwentsha High School and defeated them 36-27. Captain Inam Lumkwana says it was important to take the title back to the Strand where last year’s winners, Nomzamo Secondary School, are from.
“I feel so excited, I am so happy that we have won the title. What made us win today was the teamwork we showed. We worked towards the common goal of taking the title back to the Western Cape. We are happy that we will be going to England. It will be the first time that most of us go on a flight, only one player in our team has beenon a flight before. We are so happy and I don’t even know how to describe thefeeling,” says Lumkwana.
Gauteng’s Thamsanqa Secondary School took home the bronze medal. Gimmies had a solid final match against Helpmekaar Kollege. Although at some points of the game the teams were head to head, the Cape side managed to turn more balls and use them to their advantage. They beat them 22-16 to walk away with the title for the first time.
Captain Anja Smit admits that the competition was tough but she is glad the team was able to finish top.“It feels really special and I am grateful that we got the opportunity to walk away as winners. The tournament was tough and we had to fight through a couple of games but I am glad we pulled through. I am grateful that I was able to do it with a special bunch of girls. We are really excited about winning the trip as well,” says Smit.
2024 champions Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria took the bronze medal. Canal+ Group’s Vice President: Africa Corporate Communications Litlhare Moteetee- Murendo says she has been inspired by the growth of the competition over the years.
“What an incredible day on the courts! The girls showed up and showed out. It is an absolute pleasure to be a sponsor of this event, we can see firsthand what it means to these girls. To all participants, thank you and well done on making it this far. To our 2026 Champions, congratulations. Over the years we have watched this platform grow into one of South Africa’s most important pathways for emerging netball talent.
We have seen players progress from school courts to provincial teams and international competitions. The same progress is imminent for you,” says Moteetee- Murendo.Bestmed Medical Scheme Sponsorship, Corporate Social Investment (CSI), and Public Relations Specialist, Karen Pienaar, says the brand is proud to be part of this incredible competition.
"As we celebrate another outstanding DStv Schools Netball Challenge National Finals, we are reminded that this tournament is about so much more than winning trophies. It is about creating opportunities, inspiring confidence, and giving young women a platform to realise their potential. At Bestmed, we are incredibly proud to support a programme that is shaping the future of South African netball while promoting healthy, active lifestyles. Congratulations to every player, coach, official and school who made this year's competition such a remarkable success.
The future of netball in South Africa is undoubtedly in good hands,” Pienaar.The Netball Challenge is a partnership between MultiChoice, a Canal+ and SA Schools Netball, with support from Bestmed Medical Scheme has become one of South Africa's premier youth netball platforms. Launched in 2021, the tournament offers talented players from across the country, including rural and township schools, a chance to compete at the highest school level and be scouted by national selectors.