KwaZulu Natal will crown a new Ubuntu champion in the provincial round of the 2025 DStv Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC), powered by Bestmed Medical Scheme. Last year’s eventual national winners, Khombindlela High School, will miss this weekend’s round as they were eliminated in the district rounds of the competition.
There are three spots at stake for the Netball Challenge national finals, 12 schools will gather in Hoy Park, in Durban, and contest to represent KwaZulu Natal in the Boksburg at the Hoërskool Dr. E.G. Jansen on 25-27 July.
The fifth annual competition is a platform that provides young athletes an equal opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage. The DSNC is divided into two streams, Botho and Ubuntu, it has been a platform for national coaches and selectors to spot and observe talent.
KwaZulu Natal Schools Netball chairperson, Beauty Saunders believes competition in the province has improved. Shayamoya Area Secondary School, a school from a rural and disadvantaged in Kokstad, put up impressive performances at the nationals last year beating more established teams such as Hoërskool Secunda and Paarl Girls' High. Saunders is excited about the growth of sport in the province.
“Netball in the province has grown so much. We have new schools that are coming up to play. They play brilliant netball. An example is a school called Fatima, they are new but they play well. Shayamoya is still good, they have tall and strong players. The sport is growing in the province and there is great competition,” says Saunders.
Saunders says Khombindlela’s absence opens new doors for other schools to shine. Their stellar year saw them being named the School of the Year at the KwaZulu-Natal Sports Awards last year.
“The competition is now open for other teams. They were beaten in their district. The old players have gone to university, there are new players and they are now starting (from scratch) again. On Saturday, we will see new schools coming up,” she says.
Botho
Ashton International College Ballito,
Shayamoya Area Secondary School
Welabasha High School
Epworth School
Isikhalisezwe High School
Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School
Ubuntu
Velangezwi Secondary School
Masibonisane High School
Thembalethu Senior Secondary School
Siphosethu High School
Sabela Senior Secondary School
Umlazi Comtech High School