The stage is set for another thrilling showdown as South Africa’s top squash provinces converge on Gqeberha for the 65th edition of the Growthpoint Jarvis-Kaplan Interprovincial Tournament, starting on Monday (July 7).
This prestigious annual tournament, which showcases the best players in the country, has deep roots in the Eastern Cape.
It was in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) that the first men’s interprovincial competition was staged in 1960, following the donation of the Jarvis Cup by the family of the late AK Jarvis.
In the same year, Cecil Kaplan and his wife, Dorothy, introduced a trophy for the women’s competition, initially held in Johannesburg.
The two events remained separate until 1968, when organisers opted to run them concurrently at a single venue – a move that established what has become the highlight of South African squash for more than six decades.
This year, the action returns to its Eastern Cape birthplace, where Cape Fruit SA Country Districts (SACD) will go in search of a fifth successive men’s title, while a new-look Western Province women’s outfit aim to defend the Kaplan Cup after ending an 11-year drought in Cape Town last year.
The tournament, running from 7 to 11 July, will once again provide a supreme test for the defending champions as provincial rivals attempt to wrest away the coveted trophies.
WP women’s selection convener Sacha West acknowledged that her team faced a stiff challenge after several senior players stepped down following last year’s triumph.
STALWARTS INSTRUMENTAL
Stalwarts such as Siyoli Waters, Karen Schultz, Miranda Lang and West herself were instrumental in WP’s success over the years, but the baton has now been passed to a new generation.
“It’s true that we’re in a rebuilding phase, but it’s also an opportunity for our younger players to prove themselves at this level,” West said.
“We’re fortunate to still have experienced players like Alex Commins, Juanette le Roux and Katie Mayhew in the side, but it’s going to be a tough week.”
She added that the team were looking forward to returning to the coast and competing in Gqeberha’s familiar conditions.
Meanwhile, SACD men’s captain JP Brits is equally upbeat ahead of the tournament, while fully aware that his team are now the ones to beat.
With South African No 1 Dewald van Niekerk leading the charge and Brits still a key presence on court, they boast a formidable line-up as they chase another Jarvis Cup.
“I’ve played in many Jarvis tournaments and none of them have been easy,” said Brits.
“We know the other teams have been strengthening their squads and we’ll have to be at our best again to come out on top.”
Despite SACD drawing players from across the country, Brits said team cohesion had not been an issue.
“We had a fantastic SA Country Districts Closed tournament, which helped us build some great gees (spirit) for the week. With Dewald at the top of the order, we’re ready to fire in Gqeberha.”
In addition to the elite A sections, the tournament will feature B, C and D divisions in the men’s competition and a B section for the women, ensuring a full week of top-class squash action across all levels.
The A section teams are:
Women’s Kaplan Cup: Border A, Eastern Province A, Joburg Squash A, Northerns A, SA Country Districts A, Western Province A.
Men’s Jarvis Cup: Eastern Province A, Joburg Squash A, KwaZulu-Natal A, Northerns A, SA Country Districts A, Western Province A.