SA Juniors Primed for African Challenge

Twenty-five of South Africa’s brightest junior golf stars will star in two prestigious golf championships on the African continent this April.

Two Protea sides are set to continue the nation’s dominant run at the 2025 All Africa Junior Team Championship in Tunisia, while 16 up-and-coming juniors will tee it up in the Zimbabwe Junior Open in Harare.

South Africa has a proud legacy in the prestigious All Africa Junior Team Championship, taking place at The Residence Golf Club in Tunisia from April 24 to 27. The boys’ team boasts an unbroken streak of 17 titles, while the girls’ team remains undefeated since the inception of the girls’ competition in 2017.

At stake is more than just continental glory, with the top two teams from the championship earning qualification for the Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan later this year.

This year’s boys’ team features Dewan de Bruin, Roelof Craig, Johndre Ludick, and newcomer Marno Lange. They will go head-to-head with junior golfers from 13 other African countries. Representing South Africa in the girls’ division are Kesha Louw, Lisa Coetzer, and debutant Casey Twidale, competing against seven other nations.

The teams will be managed by Southern Cape Golf Union operations manager Heinrich Lourens and Women’s Golf South Africa Vice-President Madeleine de Wet, both bringing invaluable experience and leadership to the campaign.

Situated just outside Tunis, The Residence Golf Club is renowned as one of North Africa’s premier golf venues. Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones II, the course is flanked by a nature reserve and saltwater lake on one side, and the Mediterranean Sea on the other—promising a scenic yet demanding challenge for players of all skill levels.

POTENTIAL FOR SUCCESS

GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and potential for success.

“The All Africa Junior Team Championship plays a pivotal role in the growth of junior golf, both in South Africa and across the continent,” Hepburn said. “It’s a platform for emerging talent to shine and opens the door to future international competition.”

“All seven players are enrolled in our High Performance National Squad and have shown great promise. We’re proud to give them this opportunity and have no doubt they will represent South Africa with pride. We wish them every success in Tunisia.”

The 16 juniors heading to Zimbabwe will challenge some of the continent’s best and some stiff international competition at the Borrowdale Brooke Golf Estate from 25-27 April, marking an expansion of South Africa’s junior golf presence.

“Our juniors have excelled in past two editions, with Devon Valentine and Charlotte Millard winning back-to-back boys and girls titles, and we have enjoyed multiple top-10 finishes,” said GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn.

“Thanks to funding from the National Lotteries Commission and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, we have been able to grow our golf development programme and launch our Tournament Support Programme.

"Through the GolfRSA National Squad programme, we have seen how much international competition benefits the development of our players and we are excited to be sending a much larger group to Zimbabwe this year.”

The group competing in Zimbabwe include Alessia Goussard and Tynan Vermeulen (Boland), Thabang Simon and Vuyisani Makama (Central Gauteng), Lourenda Steyn, Megan Marais, Orateng Maphake, Phenyo Sebata, Zane Fourie, and Zinan Maimane (Gauteng North), Kairav Maduray (KwaZulu-Natal), and Western Province representatives Jayden Daniels, Josh Daniels, Tristan Boise, Zayaan Hendricks, and Zoey Rhoda.

The delegation will be accompanied by GolfRSA’s Laetitia Higgs and Greg de Doncker.

“These international tournaments provide young golfers with valuable experience and the chance to compete at the highest level,” added Hepburn. “They also foster collaboration between African nations to drive the growth of the sport on the continent.

“With South Africa’s strong track record in junior golf, these upcoming events will be key in shaping the next generation of golfing champions.”