SQUASH MEDIA RELEASE: RACE FOR GROWTHPOINT NATIONALS GLORY BEGINS WITH QUALIFIERS
WEDNESDAY, 04 JUNE 2025
Race for Growthpoint Nationals glory begins with qualifiers
Defending champs Van Niekerk, Commins favoured to book spots
Johannesburg, Gauteng: The first shots in the battle for Growthpoint SA Nationals squash supremacy will be fired this weekend as regional qualifiers take place across the country from June 6 to 8.
Led by defending champions Dewald van Niekerk and Alex Commins, the nation’s top squash players will compete in eight regional hub tournaments, which will determine the men’s and women’s fields for the Growthpoint Nationals finals, set for August 28 to 30 at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront.
The draws are stacked with a mix of South Africa’s most seasoned campaigners and a rising generation of young stars eager to make their mark on the senior stage.
One such standout is the unorthodox Luhann Groenewald, an 18-year-old from Northerns known for his unique double-handed playing style.
Already a two-time Growthpoint Nationals U19 champion, Groenewald is now beginning to establish himself among the country’s elite.
He’ll be joined among the younger challengers by his older brother, 21-year-old Damian Groenewald, who heads the seedings in the Northerns hub. Luhann and provincial teammate Nikhil Pather, another exciting 21-year-old prospect, will contest the Free State event.
In the women’s draw, Dene van Zyl, 18, representing SA Country Districts and last year’s U19 champion, will aim to prove herself against top senior opposition. Joining her is Lara Patrick (23) from Northerns, who will be eyeing a breakthrough to her first-ever Nationals final.
Across all hubs, the competition will be fierce as South Africa’s squash elite chase a place in the prestigious Cape Town showdown.
Topping the men’s field is none other than SA No 1 and four-time defending champion Dewald van Niekerk.
The Gqeberha-born player will be in action in the Eastern Province hub, returning from a successful international stint that included qualifying for the British Open – a testament to his growing stature on the global stage.
Despite an early exit there, Van Niekerk remains the benchmark for local challengers and the firm favourite to secure his spot in the Nationals finals.
Among the seasoned competitors is former national champion JP Brits, who lifted the title in 2019. Now 34, Brits remains a formidable force and will compete in the Eden hub, where he’s currently based in Mossel Bay.
On the women’s side, Alex Commins, who previously competed as Alex Fuller, will look to defend her title after capturing her third Growthpoint Nationals crown in 2024 with a win over Hayley Ward.
Both players continue to set the standard in South African women’s squash. Despite their experience and success, they approach the tournament with humility and determination, knowing that nothing is guaranteed at the highest level of competition.
As the road to Cape Town begins, the stage is set for a thrilling weekend of squash action, where the next generation hopes to challenge the established order and rewrite the script.
The hubs and top seeds for the Growthpoint regional qualifiers are:
Eden hub– (Mossel Bay)
Men: 1 JP Brits (SACD), 2 Jimmy Schlebusch (SACD); women: 1 Megan Shannon (Northerns), 2 Keschia Schlebusch (SACD).
EP hub– (Gqeberha)
Men: 1 Dewald van Niekerk (SACD), 2 Gerard Mitchell (EP); women: 1 Hayley Ward (EP), 2 Jacqui Ryder (EP).
Free State hub– (Bloemfontein)
Men: 1 Luhann Groenewald (Northerns), 2 Nikhil Pather (Northerns); women: 1 Lara Patrick (Northerns), 2 Jordin Phillips (Northerns).
Joburg hub– (Parkview)
Men: 1 Jonty Matthys (SACD), 2 John Anderson (Joburg Squash); women: 1 Teagan Russell (Joburg Squash), 2 Shelomi Truter (SACD).
Northerns hub– (Pretoria)
Men: 1 Damian Groenewald (Northerns), 2 Connor Earl (Northerns); women: 1 Helena Hudson (Northerns), 2 Elzandri Janse van Rensburg (Northerns).
North West hub– (Potchefstroom)
Men: 1 Reuel Videler (SACD), 2 Johan Venter (SACD); women: 1 Alexa Pienaar (SACD), 2 Elske Garbers (SACD).
Western Province hub (1)– (Cape Town)
Men: 1 Jarrod Cousins (Northerns), 2 Luke van Vuuren (SACD); women: 1 Alex Commins (WP), 2 Juanette le Roux (WP).
Western Province hub (2)– 9Cape Town)
Men: 1 Mighael Lombard (WP), 2 Devon Osborne (WP); women: 1 Kimberley McDonald (Northerns), Dene van Zyl (SACD).
Ends.
FREE TO USE PICTURES WITH CAPTIONS
Nikhil Pather- Nikhil Pather of Northens will be participating in the Growthpoint Nationals qualifiers at the Free State hub in Bloemfontein this weekend from 6-8 June 2025.
Dewald van Niekerk- Defending Growthpoint National men’s champion, Dewald van Niekerk of South African Country Districts will be participating in the Growthpoint Nationals qualifiers in the Eastern Province hub in Gqeberha this weekend from 6-8 June 2025.
Alexandra Commins- Defending Growthpoint National women’s champion, Alex Commins (nee Fuller) of Western Province will be participating in the Growthpoint Nationals qualifiers in the Western Province hub in Cape Town this weekend from 6-8 June 2025.
Photo credits: Petri Oeschger