Fireworks expected as North West schools vie for DSNC nationals

North West’s best schools' netball team will be contesting for the provincial title and the chance to represent the platinum province at the national finals of the 2025 DSTV Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC), powered by Bestmed.

The inaugural DSNC Botho winners, Potchefstroom Gimnasium, will host the North West leg of the provincial finals, where 16 schools will be aiming for the five available spots to represent the province in the nationals. Hoërskool Dr. E.G. Jansen, Boksburg, will host this year’s Netball Challenge national finals on 25-27 July.

Launched in 2021, the DSNC is a partnership between Multichoice and South African Schools Netball with the aim of unearthing future Spar Proteas and Baby Proteas stars. The competition is divided into two streams, Botho and Ubuntu, which offer the same platform for schools in both urban and rural areas to experience the sport on the same level.

All four districts in the province will have representatives in both streams. North West secondary schools convenor, Merinda Du Preez, says having previous DSNC winners, Potchefstroom Gimnasium (Gimmies), in the province breeds healthy and competitive netball.

“They are a big school in netball in our province. Even though they have new people in the team (staff and players) they are still doing really well. Netball in the North West is very strong and healthy. It really helps,” explains du Preez.

She says the province is expecting fireworks on the court, especially in the Botho section where Gimmies have won the provincial title a few times.

“Everything is going well. All teams have been notified and all plans have been finalised. We always have a big competition between Gimmies, Rustenburg, Volkskool, Bergsig, and Wesvalia. There is always major competition and any one of these schools can walk away with the trophy on Saturday. Rustenburg and Gimmies are the favourites but all the schools are in a good position (to win),” she says.

Participating schools

Ubuntu

Matlaisane Secondary School, Iketleetso Secondary School, Khumosejo Secondary School,

Kanana Secondary School, Kgaphamadi Secondary School, Ramotshere High School, Le Rona Secondary School

Botho

Gekombineerde Skool Christiana, Hoërskool Rustenburg, Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom, Hoërskool Bergsig, Hoërskool Hartbeespoort, Potchefstroom Gimnasium, Hoërskool Lichtenburg, Hoërskool Klerksdorp, Hoërskool Zeerust