Big 5 chasing Sunbet Challenge glory at Sun Sibaya

Young stars Benjamin van Wyk and Tyran Snyders have played their way into a five-way tie for the lead and will chase their maiden Sunshine Tour titles in Friday’s final round of the Sunbet Challenge hosted by Sun Sibaya at Umhlali Country Club.

Van Wyk signed for a second round of 64 and Snyders posted a 67 to see them share the lead on six under par with the experienced Jaco Prinsloo (67), Louis Albertse (66) and Pieter Moolman (65).

They are one stroke clear of the field.

Jaco Prinsloo is firmly in contention with 18-holes to play at Umhlali Country Club. 📊 🗣️ #SunbetChallenge #SunbetChallengeSibaya pic.twitter.com/C29XE7oe4t

— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) September 18, 2025

Van Wyk, who recently graduated from college in America, finds himself in contention a month after he finished sixth on the Vodacom Origins of Golf series.

“I had an awesome day with my caddie, Jeff. I think I made 19 putts, which is by far the least I’ve had. I hit some good iron shots after I made a slight swing adjustment before the round. I’m really enjoying it.

Playing pro golf is a lot of fun. It’s nice to be on the Sunshine Tour to see what I can do,” he said.

Snyders has also shown signs of finding his feet on Tour, with finishes of seventh, eighth and 12th in three of his last four tournaments before this week.

“Life on the Sunshine Tour so far has been fun. It’s almost full circle as I’m meeting up with old friends again. I try not to make golf bigger than it is. It’s the same game I’ve played as a youngster,” he said.

With a five-way tie for the lead and as many as 17 players within three shots of the lead, including last week’s champion Haydn Porteous, it’s going to be a thrilling final round on Friday.

“I always like a stacked leaderboard. It makes it fun to watch,” said Van Wyk. “I’ll just stick to my routine and try and keep it simple and try to make lots of putts. I am super exited.”

Snyders is hoping for something similar.

“On this course there are a lot of guys that are still in it. I will just focus on what I can do and play like I did today – almost boring golf and take advantage of opportunities,” he said.

SCORES

136 - Benjamin Van Wyk 72 64, Jaco Prinsloo 69 67, Tyran Snyders 69 67, Louis Albertse 70 66, Pieter Moolman 71 65

137 - Kyle Barker 69 68, Keagan Thomas 69 68

138 - Hayden Griffiths 69 69, Haydn Porteous 74 64, Robson Chinhoi 71 67, Ruben Van Der Berg 69 69, Jacques P de Villiers 70 68

139 - MJ Viljoen 72 67, Hennie O'Kennedy 72 67, Lyle Rowe 68 71, Gerhard Pepler 72 67, Tyrone Ryan 70 69

140 - Ryan van der Klis 72 68, Martin Vorster 74 66, Estiaan Conradie 72 68, Anthony Michael 71 69

141 - Stuart Krog 72 69, Luke Brown 70 71, Astin Arthur 70 71, Samuel Simpson 70 71, Christiaan Burke 69 72, Ruan Conradie 70 71, Tristen Strydom 70 71, Ruan de Smidt 72 69, Pierre Viallaneix 71 70, Luis Carrera 75 66, Jonathan Broomhead 75 66, Brandon Stone 73 68, Kyle McClatchie 72 69

142 - Allen John 72 70, James Mack 67 75, Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa 71 71, Rowan Lester 72 70, JJ Senekal 71 71, Keenan Davidse 73 69, Altin van der Merwe 74 68, Doug McGuigan 74 68, Leon Vorster 74 68

143 - Thabiso Ngcobo 70 73, Tomas Gana 73 70, Nikhil Rama 71 72, Colin Nel 71 72, Jean-Paul Strydom 75 68, Ricky Hendler 72 71, Ruan Korb 72 71, Wynand Dingle 69 74, Keelan van Wyk 70 73, James Pennington 71 72

MISSED THE CUT:-

144 - Keegan Mclachlan 71 73, Oliver Bekker 69 75, Xander Basson 74 70, Paul Boshoff 72 72, Keanu Pestana 75 69, Adilson Da Silva 74 70, Graham van der Merwe 73 71, Jack Hawksby 72 72

145 - Matthew Spacey 72 73, Ethan Smith 73 72, Peter Karmis 70 75, Austin Bautista 76 69, Eric Wowor 68 77, Otto Van Buynder 69 76, Thanda Mavundla 71 74, Jason Broomhead 72 73, Slade Pickering 71 74, Jordan Duminy 75 70, Danie Van Niekerk 67 78

146 - Jacquin Hess 72 74, Franklin Manchest 73 73, Sean Cronje 76 70, CJ du Plessis 75 71

147 - Trevor Fisher Jnr 75 72, Neil Schietekat 73 74, Rupert Kaminski 77 70, Christian Kriek 76 71, Jason Roets 79 68, Liam Grehan 74 73, Quintin Wilsnach 70 77, Rhys West 72 75, Malcolm Mitchell 75 72, Jean Hugo 72 75

148 - Ronald Rugumayo 74 74, Stals Swart 71 77, Michael Hollick 78 70, Marcel Steyn Scholtz 75 73, Sentanio Minnie 74 74, Albert Venter 75 73, Dylan Mostert 73 75, Herman Loubser 73 75, Kyle De Beer 73 75, Mikkel Antonsen 73 75, Jordan Burnand 70 78, Christiaan Basson 71 77

149 - Richard Kruger 74 75, Simon du Plooy 71 78, Rourke van der Spuy 76 73, Marcus Sandile Taylor 75 74, Tyron Davidowitz 71 78, Toto Thimba Jnr 74 75, Heinrich Bruiners 74 75

150 - Brandon Meads 77 73, Zachary Chegwidden 72 78, Gregory Mckay 78 72, Stephen Ferreira 76 74

151 - Karabo Mokoena 76 75, Ruan Groenewald 76 75, Alex Haindl 73 78, Joe Knox 73 78

152 - Warwick Purchase 78 74, Jacques Blaauw 80 72, Luke Jerling 79 73, Thomas Spreadborough 76 76, Nick Cunningham 75 77

153 - Siyanda Mwandla 78 75, Conner Mackenzie 76 77, Stefan Wears-Taylor 75 78

155 - Luke Mayo 77 78

156 - Werner Deyzel 84 72, Lindani Ndwandwe 82 74, Mandla Dlamini Jnr 78 78

158 - Umar Davids 80 78

WDN - Daniel van Tonder 76 WDN, Luca Filippi 78 WDN