The Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen in Boksburg will be a hive of activity this weekend as the best schools battle it out in the national finals of the DStv Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC), powered by Bestmed Medical Scheme.
A total of 42 schools from around the country will battle it out for the title of South Africa's best netball schools from 23 to 25 July, and new Ubuntu champions will be crowned, as last year’s winners Nomzamo Secondary School from the Western Cape were eliminated from the competition in the provincial level.
However, Hoërskool Menlopark is back to defend their Botho title.
This will be the sixth edition of the DSNC , which was launched in 2021 aimed at uncovering and nurturing young talent across the country while providing an equal footing for players from all backgrounds.
The competition 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.
The 2026 edition will see a number of national finals debutants especially in the Ubuntu division including Hoërskool Aggeneys, Mashishing Secondary School and Thamsanqa Secondary School.
Thamsanqa captain, Zanele Kubheka believes that playing in nationals will help them improve.
“We want to do well at the nationals because we want to learn from other experienced schools so that we can grow and become a better team too. We are happy to have qualified for the nationals for the first time,” says Kubheka.
Returning, Friersdale Combined School are hoping to improve on their previous efforts in the competition.
The Northern Cape side have qualified for the nationals for the fifth time. Their best finish in the competition was eighth position.
Goalkeeper Dominique Van Der Byl says she hopes her schools improves on the previous finish of 16th position.
"I hope, when we get to the nationals, we are going to perform better than we have before. I am really hoping for the best," says Van Der Byl.
The Botho title will also be highly contested with former winners such as Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool and 2022 silver medalists all looking to get their hands on the coveted trophy.
Affies will be hoping to become the first team to win three DSNC titles. Affies and Hlabi Secondary School are the only teams that have multiple titles.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
UBUNTU
Thamsanqa Secondary School, Tswelopele Secondary School, Tholulwazi Secondary School, Ikaheng Zakheni Secondary School, Tlotlisong Secondary School, Mashishing Secondary School, Chief Ampie Mayisa Secondary School, Khanyisa High school, Sobaba Secondary School, Friersdale Combined School, Hoërskool Aggeneys, Fumane Secondary School, Kgaphamadi Secondary School, Sebakanaga Secondary School, Makgofe Secondary School, Kwamziwentsha Secondary School, Sizanani Secondary School, De Kruine, Khanyolwethu Secondary School
BOTHO
Helpmekaar Kollege, Hoërskool Monument, Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool, Hoërskool Monument and Hoërskool Menlopark, C&N Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje, Witteberg Secondary School, Hoërskool Sentraal, Hoërskool Duineveld, Hoërskool Diamantveld, Pearson High School, Hoërskool Framesby, Hoërskool Middelburg, Hoërskool Nelspruit, Danville Park Girls' High School, Shayamoya Area Secondary, Paarl Gimnasium, Paarl Girls' High, Stellenberg High School, Hoërskool Rustenburg, Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom, Hoërskool Potchefstroom Gimnasium, Tom Naude Technical Secondary School Hoërskool Pietersburg