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South African youth lead the way in international cue sports and athletics
South African youth lead the way in international cue sports and athletics
South Africa continues to make a significant impact on the global sports stage, with notable achievements across a variety of international and continental competitions.
On the continental front, South Africa topped the medal table at the 3rd CAA African U18/U20 Combined Championships held in Nigeria, showcasing the depth of young athletic talent on the continent.
Internationally, South African sprinters Akani Simbine and Zakithi Nene competed at the prestigious Diamond League meeting in London, aiming for gold medals.
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Simbine finished fifth in the men's 100m dash with a time of 10.11 seconds, while Nene secured third place in the men's 400m race, adding to the country's strong showing on the track.
In a different sporting arena, pool enthusiasts gathered in Mauritius for the inaugural Commonwealth Billiards Championships, a week-long celebration of cue sports.
Team South Africa featured a strong lineup, including Craig Bouwer, Marina Jacobs, Senzo Gumede, Suzette Booysen, Elzette Koen, Jason Theron, Joy Willenberg, Kris Pillay, and Kyle Akloo, among others.
The championships featured four disciplines: Snooker, Blackball, 8-Ball, and 10-Ball.
Back home, the Cue Sport Centre in Primrose hosted the 2024/2025 Junior SA Blackball Championships, managed by Flames Pub and Grill, which also runs its own leagues.
In the U15 singles, Phumelo Marumulo took home the trophy, medal, and a special 43-year-old cue stick donated by Bruce Cilliers.
In the U18 singles, Samkelo Khumalo from Gauteng was runner-up after a tough match against Western Cape's Irfaan Williams, who dominated with a whitewash victory.
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'Winning was amazing because I'd put in countless hours of practice,' Williams said. 'I practiced for nearly ten hours, and after winning the third round, I knew the title was mine.' Williams, who turned 17 on July 18, had previously won the U15 title without a coach, practicing with his brother at home.
Khumalo admitted that he lost due to silly mistakes. 'After losing the third round, I knew I'd lost. Coming from Zone 1 Soweto, my goal is to continue learning and become more comfortable with the game, overcoming my nerves,' he said.
'I initially played for fun, but since 2021, I've taken it seriously. I've qualified for nationals four times in a row since then and represented South Africa at the World Championships in Morocco, reaching the semi-finals in 2022. As a learner from President High School, I would have dedicated the trophy to my family.'
Billiards South Africa (BSA) Development Manager Liza Ngxenge highlighted that 13 South African players competed in Mauritius and noted that the country is set to host the Blackball World Championships in 2026, provided plans stay on track. Ngxenge emphasised the intensity of provincial qualifications, where a single bad day can cost players their spot.
Life CueSports Academy was well represented, with 6-7 players on Gauteng's team, making the province a strong contender. Ngxenge pointed out that Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are growing rapidly and challenging Gauteng's dominance, although the main competition remains between Western Cape and Gauteng — with Western Cape edging ahead this time.
'This sport needs all the support it can get, as it is often still viewed as a tavern activity. However, with competitors as young as seven years old participating, it's clear that the younger generation is taking pool seriously and pushing it beyond its tavern roots,' Ngxenge said.
Beatrice Monjake from Room 8 in Soweto, part of Team Gauteng and operating under Qlife, has been guiding young players.
She praised pool for having a positive impact on children by keeping them off the streets and teaching discipline. Monjake brought nine players from Room 8 who have grown to match her skill level. She also commended BSA for supporting the children with essentials like food and accommodation during competitions.
The Commonwealth gold medalists in billiards are Craig Bouwer (South Africa) in 10-Ball, Senzo Gumede (South Africa) in Blackball, and Chandiga Ceaser (Uganda) in Heyball.
