The 2026 DStv Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC) champions are preparing to take their game beyond South Africa, with Khanyolwethu Senior Secondary School and Hoërskool Paarl Gimnasium heading to the United Kingdom during the September school holidays for a skills development and international competition tour.
Khanyolwethu Senior Secondary School, winners of the Ubuntu Stream, and Hoërskool Paarl Gimnasium, winners of the Botho Stream, claimed the top honours at this year’s national finals, held at Hoërskool Dr E.G. Jansen in Boksburg.
Now in its sixth edition, the DStv Schools Netball Challenge, powered by Bestmed Medical Scheme, has become one of South Africa’s leading school sporting competitions, creating opportunities for thousands of young athletes since its launch in 2021. The tournament has also become an important pathway for emerging players, with former participants progressing to provincial teams, the Telkom Netball League and South Africa’s national age-group structures.
As part of their reward, both championship teams will travel to the UK for a skills development and cultural exchange programme that will combine international competition, training and exposure to new sporting environments.
INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE
Litlhare Moteetee, Vice President: Africa Corporate Communications at CANAL+ Group, says the UK tour is an extension of the opportunities the tournament aims to create for young athletes.
“The DStv Schools Netball Challenge has grown into much more than a school netball tournament. It is creating opportunities for young women to test themselves, build confidence and see what is possible beyond the school courts. This UK tour takes that opportunity to another level by giving our champions international exposure and the chance to learn from different playing environments and cultures. We are incredibly proud of Khanyolwethu Senior Secondary School and Hoërskool Paarl Gimnasium and look forward to seeing them represent South Africa on the international stage.”
The teams will travel across the United Kingdom, where they will train and compete in a series of friendly matches against leading schools and youth opposition, including the England Under-18 side.
'DIFFERENT NETBALL ENVIRONMENT'
For Di Woolley, President of South African Schools Netball, the experience represents an opportunity for the players to broaden their horizons through sport.
“Winning the DStv Schools Netball Challenge is an incredible achievement, but the opportunity that follows is just as important. These young players now get to travel, compete against international opposition and experience a different netball environment. Sport has the power to open doors and broaden young people's understanding of what they can achieve. We want them to embrace every part of this experience, on and off the court, and return home inspired to continue developing themselves and contributing to the growth of netball in South Africa.”
The teams will arrive in London on 27 September, where the tour will begin with a programme combining cultural experiences and visits to significant South African and UK landmarks. Highlights include a Buckingham Palace tour, a visit to South Africa House and the South African Embassy, a London Eye River Cruise and a Nottingham city walking tour.
The competitive programme begins on 30 September at Millfield School in Somerset, where the teams will play Millfield High School.
The tour will continue with fixtures at Loughborough University and Bromsgrove High School in Worcestershire, before concluding with a match against the England Under-18 team at Loughborough University.
UK TOUR AT A GLANCE
27 September: Teams arrive in London
27–29 September: London and cultural programme, including South Africa House, the South African Embassy, Buckingham Palace and London Eye River Cruise
30 September: Match against Millfield High School, Somerset
Match Day 2: Loughborough University
Match Day 3: Bromsgrove High School, Worcestershire
Match Day 4: Loughborough University v England Under-18
4 October: Return to South Africa
The UK experience will give the players an opportunity to compete against international opposition, experience different approaches to the game and build relationships beyond the South African school netball environment.
For the DStv Schools Netball Challenge, the tour reflects the competition’s broader commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young athletes – from the school courts to international sporting experiences.