CAPE TOWN CROWNS NEW SQUASH CHAMPIONS AT GROWTHPOINT SA NATIONALS
Cape Town served up a thrilling showcase of South African squash as the 2026 Growthpoint SA Senior Nationals came to a dramatic close at Makers Landing in the V&A Waterfront.
After several days of intense competition, new champions emerged, bringing an end to one era and the beginning of another.
The spotlight fell on two gripping finals that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
In the men’s championship match, Damian Groenewald delivered one of the tournament’s standout performances to defeat defending champion Dewald van Niekerk in a five-game battle.
The victory ended Van Niekerk’s remarkable five-year reign as national champion and crowned Groenewald as South Africa’s new men’s squash champion.
Becoming the new Growthpoint SA Nationals champion is an incredible feeling, especially after such a hard-fought final – Damien Groenewald.
The final game produced high drama, with Groenewald holding his nerve to secure a memorable 14-12 victory and complete a historic breakthrough.
The women’s final was equally captivating as Hayley Ward claimed her first Growthpoint SA Nationals title.
After finishing runner-up in the previous two editions, Ward finally reached the top of the podium with a hard-fought five-game win over Lizelle Muller.
The triumph marked a career-defining moment for Ward, who showed composure and determination to achieve a long-held dream in front of the Cape Town crowd.
Winning my first Growthpoint SA Nationals title is a dream come true, and I’m proud to be crowned the new national champion – Hayley Ward.
The championships also celebrated the country’s rising squash stars.
Chanel Leppan claimed the girls’ U15 title after an impressive campaign, while Zayd Badroodien was crowned the boys’ U15 champion following a closely contested competition.
Set against the backdrop of the V&A Waterfront, Makers Landing once again proved to be a spectacular stage for one of South Africa’s premier squash events.
The 2026 Growthpoint SA Nationals delivered unforgettable moments of triumph, heartbreak and sporting excellence, while celebrating the athletes who now carry the title of national champions.
2026 Growthpoint SA Nationals Champions
- Men’s Champion: Damian Groenewald (Northerns)
- Women’s Champion: Hayley Ward (Eastern Province)
- Girls U15 Champion: Chanel Leppan (Northerns)
- Boys U15 Champion: Zayd Badroodien (Western Province)
As the final ball was struck and the celebrations began, Cape Town once again demonstrated its ability to host world-class sporting events, providing the perfect setting for South Africa’s newest squash champions to make history.
