From sprinting at the Diamond League to blackball glory in Gauteng, young South Africans are making their mark
South Africa’s emerging athletes are showing no signs of slowing down — literally or figuratively. From track lanes in London to cue tables in Mauritius and Gauteng, young sports stars are rising with confidence, grit, and plenty of gold medals to back it up.
In a week filled with standout performances, youth athletes across disciplines are proving that the country’s future in sports is not only bright — it’s already here.
Dominant showing at African U18/U20 Championships
Let’s start on the track, where South Africa dominated the 3rd African U18/U20 Combined Championships in Nigeria. It wasn’t just a good showing. It was a clean sweep — with South Africa topping the medal table ahead of some of the continent’s most formidable athletics programs.
Short bursts of talent? Absolutely.
The young athletes racked up medals across sprints, jumps, and relays. Coaches at home praised their discipline, especially considering the limited training opportunities many of them faced during South Africa’s recent power and facility shortages.
One-line paragraph:
“That podium was dripping with green and gold,” said a local athletics official who traveled with the team.
It’s worth noting — this isn’t an anomaly. South Africa has invested steadily in youth athletics development post-COVID, and results like these prove it’s paying off.
Diamond League stage sees Simbine and Nene deliver steady performances
Over in London, the mood was more electric than celebratory, as Akani Simbine and Zakithi Nene took on some of the world’s fastest men at the Diamond League meet.
Simbine, clocking 10.11 seconds in the 100m, didn’t land on the podium but held his own against the global sprinting elite. For Nene, it was third place in the 400m — a race that had fans in Pretoria and Durban watching live streams with clenched fists.
Their coach told media afterward, “We came here to test where we are. And now we know — we’re almost there.”
The two athletes, though not part of the U18 squad, serve as crucial role models for the younger generation — and they’re not far removed from youth competitions themselves.
Irfaan Williams becomes Junior Blackball champion
While track stars burned rubber abroad, a quieter but no less competitive battle unfolded at the Junior SA Blackball Championships in Gauteng.
And from the Western Cape, a new name emerged.
Seventeen-year-old Irfaan Williams outplayed Soweto’s Samkelo Khumalo to claim the 2024/25 U18 singles title — one of the most prestigious youth accolades in South African cue sports.
Williams, from Mitchells Plain, kept his cool in a tense final, showing maturity well beyond his age. Khumalo, his rival, gave him a proper fight — and the sportsmanship between the two teens was one of the tournament’s highlights.
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Cue sports, often overlooked in mainstream media, are thriving quietly but confidently across townships and suburbs alike.
Commonwealth Billiards: South Africa’s cue talents shine in Mauritius
Meanwhile, Mauritius played host to the inaugural Commonwealth Billiards Championships — a week-long international cue sports showdown.
South Africa didn’t just show up. It showed out.
The delegation included a diverse group of talent, many of whom have represented the country multiple times. This time, it was more than just participation — there were real results, with strong performances from both men’s and women’s divisions.
Notable names included:
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Craig Bouwer
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Marina Jacobs
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Senzo Gumede
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Suzette Booysen
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Elzette Koen
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Jason Theron
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Joy Willenberg
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Kris Pillay
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Kyle Akloo
One South African official called it a “breakout year” for the country’s cue sports visibility in the Commonwealth circuit.
How it all stacks up: medals, rankings, and momentum
The momentum is real. Whether it’s athletics or billiards, South African youth are climbing global rankings and earning serious respect.
Let’s lay it out clearly:
| Competition | Location | Result for South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| African U18/U20 Championships | Nigeria | Topped medal table |
| Diamond League (100m/400m) | London | 5th (Simbine), 3rd (Nene) |
| Junior SA Blackball Championships | Gauteng | U18 Singles Champion: Williams |
| Commonwealth Billiards Championships | Mauritius | Multiple high placements |
Add to that the rising number of youth academies and grassroots programs — and the pipeline seems not just promising, but powerful.
What’s next for South Africa’s sporting teens?
More eyes are now turning toward upcoming qualifiers for the Youth Commonwealth Games and the World Junior Athletics Championships. Both events are expected to see larger South African contingents than in previous years.
Meanwhile, in cue sports, South African players are planning to attend invitational events in Asia later this year — a big step considering the traditionally Euro-centric nature of international blackball and billiards.
And for athletes like Irfaan Williams and Zakithi Nene, it’s not just about winning now. It’s about representing a country whose sporting culture is deeply rooted, yet often undervalued.
One last one-liner:
“Winning’s great, but showing kids in my neighbourhood that they can dream — that’s even better,” Williams said after lifting his trophy.
