Van Niekerk and Mack ride Dolphin Coast wave of form to lead at Sun Sibaya

The South African duo of Danie van Niekerk and James Mack set the pace with their rounds of four-under-par 67 to lead Wednesday’s first round of the Sunbet Challenge hosted by Sun Sibaya at the Umhlali Country Club.

Van Niekerk had the benefit of an early start and took advantage of the favourable weather conditions on the Dolphin Coast.

“Today’s round was pretty good. Starting in the morning, we had good conditions and the course wasn’t playing that hard,” Van Niekerk said.

With five birdies and one bogey, Van Niekerk took the early clubhouse lead and was later joined by fellow South African James Mack.

Sound up 🔊, play the last two holes with joint leader, James Mack mic’d up. 🎤 #SunbetChallenge pic.twitter.com/JqaQ0pAhty

— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) September 17, 2025

They are one stroke clear of the experienced Lyle Rowe and Indonesia’s Eric Wowor, while amateur Ruben van der Berg made a great start with his round of two-under-par 69 to put him inside the top five early on. Oliver Bekker is also well placed on two under.

“I’m pretty happy with the five birdies and the lone bogey,” added Van Niekerk. “It’s a bit better than my previous weeks where I’ve been battling on the greens. I made a few up-and-downs today to save par, which is also great.”

Van Niekerk is still searching for a maiden victory on the Sunshine Tour, and has put himself in a strong position to do so in this 54-hole tournament.

“I’m just going to keep doing the same for the rest of the week. There is plenty of golf to be played and this is a crazy game we play. The focus will be on taking it one shot at a time, to not get ahead of myself, and to just stay in the moment,” he said.

SCORES

67 - Danie Van Niekerk, James Mack

68 - Lyle Rowe, Eric Wowor

69 - Ruben Van Der Berg, Wynand Dingle, Hayden Griffiths, Oliver Bekker, Kyle Barker, Christiaan Burke, Tyran Snyders, Jaco Prinsloo, Keagan Thomas, Otto Van Buynder

70 - Quintin Wilsnach, Jacques P de Villiers, Tyrone Ryan, Keelan van Wyk, Jordan Burnand, Thabiso Ngcobo, Astin Arthur, Luke Brown, Peter Karmis, Samuel Simpson, Ruan Conradie, Louis Albertse, Tristen Strydom

71 - Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa, Pierre Viallaneix, Tyron Davidowitz, Slade Pickering, Robson Chinhoi, Pieter Moolman, JJ Senekal, Christiaan Basson, James Pennington, Keegan Mclachlan, Simon du Plooy, Stals Swart, Nikhil Rama, Colin Nel, Anthony Michael, Thanda Mavundla

72 - Zachary Chegwidden, Jason Broomhead, Rowan Lester, Gerhard Pepler, Ricky Hendler, Rhys West, Jean Hugo, Ruan Korb, Kyle McClatchie, Jack Hawksby, Benjamin Van Wyk, Stuart Krog, Ryan van der Klis, Matthew Spacey, MJ Viljoen, Hennie O'Kennedy, Estiaan Conradie, Paul Boshoff, Allen John, Jacquin Hess, Ruan de Smidt

73 - Franklin Manchest, Dylan Mostert, Brandon Stone, Herman Loubser, Keenan Davidse, Alex Haindl, Graham van der Merwe, Kyle De Beer, Joe Knox, Mikkel Antonsen, Tomas Gana, Ethan Smith, Neil Schietekat

74 - Toto Thimba Jnr, Sentanio Minnie, Liam Grehan, Heinrich Bruiners, Adilson Da Silva, Altin van der Merwe, Doug McGuigan, Leon Vorster, Richard Kruger, Ronald Rugumayo, Martin Vorster, Haydn Porteous, Xander Basson

75 - Albert Venter, CJ du Plessis, Malcolm Mitchell, Luis Carrera, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Jonathan Broomhead, Jordan Duminy, Nick Cunningham, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Jean-Paul Strydom, Keanu Pestana, Marcus Sandile Taylor, Marcel Steyn Scholtz

76 - Sean Cronje, Stephen Ferreira, Thomas Spreadborough, Karabo Mokoena, Ruan Groenewald, Rourke van der Spuy, Daniel van Tonder, Austin Bautista, Conner Mackenzie, Christian Kriek

77 - Luke Mayo, Rupert Kaminski, Brandon Meads

78 - Mandla Dlamini Jnr, Gregory Mckay, Luca Filippi, Siyanda Mwandla, Warwick Purchase, Michael Hollick

79 - Jason Roets, Luke Jerling

80 - Umar Davids, Jacques Blaauw

82 - Lindani Ndwandwe

84 - Werner Deyzel