Paarl Gimnasium captain Anja Smit says they want to be the first Western Cape school to win the DStv Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC), powered by Bestmed Medical Scheme.
Their neighbours, Paarl Girls High School, came close to winning the DSNC title in 2022 but only finished the competition with a silver medal. Gim had to fight off a determined Shayamoya Area Secondary School in the playoffs to secure a quarterfinal spot. They will face Hoërskool Rustenburg on the last day of the 2026 national finals taking place at the Hoërskool EG Jansen on 25 July.
The competition, launched in 2021, is divided into two streams, Botho and Ubuntu, for schools in both rural and urban areas, providing an equal opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage. Over the years, the competition has seen several scouts such as Amanda Mynhardt (University of Pretoria) and Jeanie Steyn (Nelson Mandela University) looking to strengthen their own squads.
Smit says the team has been working hard over the years and feels it’s time they win the competition.
“We would like to go to the final and take the gold medal home. It’s important for us to win because I know the work we have put in to get here, and that we really deserve it. We have put in hard work and we owe it to ourselves to win the tournament. This year my goal is to gain confidence in my shooting,” says Smit.
INSPIRED TO GO FOR GOLD
Defending Botho champions Hoërskool Menlopark will face Helpmekaar Kollege in the second quarterfinal while two-time champions Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria will take on Hoërskool Duineveld. Hoërskool Monument will square off with Paarl Girls in the last top eight match.
Another Western Cape team, Khanyolwethu Senior Secondary School, says it was inspired by last year’s Ubuntu champions, Nomzamo Secondary School, to go for gold. Khanyolwethu and Nomzamo are both based in Strand. Captain Inam Lumkwana says their neighbours made them believe that they too can conquer the competition.
Khanyolwethu are two steps closer to their dream. They beat DSNC nationals debutants Mashishing Secondary School to book their semifinal spot, where they will face Gauteng’s Thamsanqa Secondary School.
“We feel excited to have qualified for the semis. Last year’s title was won by a Western Cape team, and it’s a school in our area. So we are here to defend that title. They inspired us and beating the 2025 champions to get here is a big thing, it makes us believe we are going to win this. We want to win the tournament and take the trophy home,” says Lumkwana.
The other Ubuntu semifinal will be between Kwamziwentsha High School and Sobaba Secondary School.