Khanyolwethu Senior Secondary School and Paarl Gimnasium were able to steer their ships back to winning ways. Both sides managed to obtain convincing wins over Bromsgrove High School in their third matches of their United Kingdom tour.
The 2026 DStv Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC), powered by Bestmed Medical Scheme, champions are currently in the UK as part of their prize for winning the sixth edition of the competition. Gim were the winners of the Botho stream while Khanyolwethu took gold in the Ubuntu division.
Both South African schools won their opening matches against Millfield High School before losing to Loughborough University on the second match day.
Khanyolwethu played the first match against Bromsgrove and were comfortably in control, taking a 63-24 win. Captain Inam Lumkwana said she is pleased with how her side was able to take the win.
“The match wasn’t that easy. It was a matter of polishing and fixing mistakes from our previous match. We wanted to fix those before our last match of the tour. The match against the first high school was quite competitive, a bit different to the one against Bromsgrove today,” says Lumkwana.
Gimmies continued the Mzansi onslaught in their match, winning 54-24. Captain Anja Smit says it was important that the team keep their composure in order to take victory at the end of the whistle.
“Match three against Bromsgrove High was a really nice experience. Even though we won by a larger margin than the previous match, it still was a match where we had to stay composed and fight together. It was easier. We kept the intensity high as we strive to always do and in that way we could pull through a bit easier than the previous high school match. We have learnt to stay composed throughout the whole match and to adapt quicker to the calls of the umpires,” says Smit
The last match of the tour is against the England under-18 side and both captains are looking forward to end the tour with positive results. Lumkwana said she is looking forward to being challenged to the limits.
“I am looking forward to seeing how they will play against us, in defence and how they would probably require us to think outside of the box. I have heard that they are quite a competitive side and I want them to challenge us in every way so that we can see what we have learnt,” said Lumkwana.
Smit said she is excited to experience a physically challenging game.
“I am truly excited to experience the physicality of their best under-18 players and being able to compete as a unit and showing them our grit. The English style of play is definitely a lot quicker than what we are used to back home. They mostly play give-and-go, running with the ball and playing more physical netball, a lot more on your body,” explained Smit.