The 2026 Telkom Netball League (TNL) will see 19 DStv Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC), powered by Bestmed, alumnae making their debut at the highly anticipated competition.
These players competed at last year’s DSNC at various levels, including the national finals which were held at Hoërskool Florida.
The first leg of the 2026 TNL edition began on 24 April and will run until 15 June through three Power Weeks. The competition is being held in two provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
The DSNC is a partnership between MultiChoice and the SA Schools Netball. It is a platform that provides players, from both rural and urban areas, the opportunity to compete at a high-performance level.
The competition often attracts scouts and selectors from universities and national teams.
The debutants include 2024 Botho winning captain Amia Roux, who led her side, Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria, to a second successive title victory.
Over the years, a number of the DSNC graduates have gone on to do well in various netball competitions.
Most recently the Baby Spar Proteas coach, Precious Mthembu, took a total of 12 former DSNC players to the 2025 Netball World Youth to complete her 15-player squad.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIRLS
The team made history at the World Cup by becoming the first South African team to reach the semifinals of the competition. Other alumnae like Karla Victor, Mbali Diphoko and Kyla Dames are also making their names.
Diphoko is currently in Malaysia competing in the Netball Super League for Selangor Angels before returning home, where she will make her debut in the TNL for the KwaZulu-Natal Kingdom Stars.
“The DStv Schools Netball Challenge, powered by Bestmed, has over the last five years, played a pivotal role in the growth of netball in the country firstly, ensuring that the sport (even at school level) gets much-needed TV exposure through live broadcast on SuperSport,” says Sandile Luthuli Multichoice, CSI Manager for Sports programmes.
“Secondly, MultiChoice’s support of Schools Netball has ensured that the game is inclusive, with a much wider reach to all corners of the country. Rural, township and urban schools all get to experience and participate in the sport on an equal footing. This is something we all should be striving for. Equal opportunities for the girl child to participate in sports.
“Lastly, it’s the strides of the talent emerging out of the tournament that we’re proud of. MultiChoice’s purpose in supporting grassroots development sports like the DSNC is to assist in creating a pathway to professional sports for the talent of tomorrow. Players like the recently capped Spar Protea Kyla Dames have successfully taken this pathway, which for us is the realisation of our purpose,” says Luthuli.
DSNC ALUMNAE IN 2026 TNL
Gauteng Golden Fireballs: Shiane Fouche, Georgia Leppan
Gauteng Jaguars: Kgomotso Maleho, Khensani Mashaba, Kiara Van Eeden, Luané Smith
Western Cape Southern Stings: Zahrah Noah
Limpopo Baobabs: Haley Jose
North West Tshukudu: Timeke Prinsloo, Laurike Mynhardt, Amia Roux
Free State Sonoblomo: Lisa van Vuuren, Thegan Kuyler
North West Flames: Kwezi Lubisi
KwaZulu Natal Kingdom Stars: Mbali Diphoko
Northern Cape Diamonds: Dimpho Totola
Eastern Cape Comets: Amber Lister
Free State Crinums: Siyamthanda Sambo, Natasha Watson