The DF Akademie will come alive this weekend, as it hosts the last of the DStv Schools Netball Challenge, powered by Bestmed Medical Scheme, provincial finals.
A total of 15 schools will gather at the Bellville-based school for the five available spots for the Western Cape. The schools will be battling for the honours to represent the province at this year’s DSNC national finals scheduled for 23 to 25 July at Hoërskool Dr E.G. Jansen in Boksburg.
The province boasts two national finals silver medalists and has seen a number of players rise to the national platform. Renezia Andrews, Jade Atkins, Kyla Dames and Zahrah Noah donned the green and gold for South Africa’s Spar Baby Proteas at the 2025 Netball Youth World Cup after representing their schools in the DSNC.
Western Cape Schools Netball Convenor (of) Secondary, Petrusa Marais believes that these two teams will bring the heat on the day.
"We are anticipating a very strong competition, especially between the Cape Town and Cape Winelands schools.
"These are the schools to look out for, Paarl Gimnasium (2025) and Paarl Girls High (2026), they have both reached the national finals, while Stellenberg (High School) and (Hoërskool) Durbanville will also be ones to watch out for.
"We must not forget Manzomthombo (Secondary School) to look out for in the Ubuntu section. We are quite excited about the provincial finals," said Marais.
The DSNC is a partnership between MultiChoice and South African Schools Netball, launched in 2021 with the aim of unearthing future Spar Proteas stars while also creating a competition that will give rise to new school rivalries, ensuring that all schools, urban and rural, get to experience the sport at the same level.
The competition, in its sixth edition, is divided into two streams, Botho and Ubuntu, which offer an opportunity for the haves and have-nots to go to the top of the competition.
Participating schools
Ubuntu
Manzomthombo Secondary, Weston Sekondêre, Qhayiya Secondary School, Khanyolwethu Secondary School, Die Kruine Sekondêre Skool
Botho
Paarl Gimnasium, Paarl Girls High School, Hoërskool Durbanville, Stellenberg High School, DF Akademie, La Rochelle Girls High School, Hoërskool Swartland, Hoërskool Langenhoven, Hoërskool Outeniqua, Hermanus High School