By It was a master-class in youthful fearlessness and timeless resilience. The 2026 GolfRSA Champion of Champions, delivered by The Courier Guy, proved once and for all that South African golf’s future is not just arriving—it has already taken centre stage at Vaal de Gráce.
In its ninth edition, this unique national showcase once again brought together the ultimate club champions from across the country’s 14 golf unions. But when the dust settled on the 36-hole National Final, the headlines belonged firmly to the extraordinary teenagers who rewrote the record books, alongside seasoned veterans and loyal caddies who keep the game’s heartbeat strong.
The Twelve-Year-Old History Makers
Nothing captured the imagination quite like the meteoric rise of the tournament’s youngest competitors. At just 12 years old, Pretoria Country Club’s Vezo Lion Ngcobo carved his name into the history books, becoming the youngest winner in the nine-year history of the event. Capitalizing on a season that already included a Fortress U13 Invitational victory and a club championship, Ngcobo fired rounds of 74 and 77 to claim the Men’s B-Division title.
Not to be outdone, fellow 12-year-old Leja Joubert of Waterkloof Golf Club ensured the girls matched the boys stride for stride. Making her debut at the Champion of Champions, Joubert carded rounds of 83 and 77 to lift the Women’s B-Division trophy.
The youth movement extended further up the age brackets. Polokwane Golf Club’s 14-year-old Nathan Faver dominated the Men’s C-Division with 73 points. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Lourenda Steyn delivered a title defense for the ages in the Women’s A-Division. Following an opening 71 with a stellar three-under-par 68, Steyn cruised to a 141 total, becoming the first player to win back-to-back Women’s A-Division titles since Sunshine Ladies Tour winner Caitlyn Macnab accomplished the feat in 2017 and 2018.
Experience and Grit Prevail
While the teenagers commanded headlines, experience proved that craft and composure still hold heavy currency at Vaal de Gráce.
In the premier Men’s A-Division, Thapelo Maichotlo orchestrated a triumph for Orkney Golf Club. Rounds of 72 and 71 gave him a one-under-par total of 143, keeping the coveted trophy at Orkney for the second consecutive year following Leonard Swart’s 2025 victory.
In the Caddie Division, Rustenburg Golf Club’s Shadrack Mokgatla produced clinical rounds of 73 and 74 to hold off former two-time champion Thabiso Dijo by two shots. At the other end of the demographic spectrum, senior golfer Rhona Topka of Woodhill Country Club showcased the inclusive spirit of the tournament by capturing the Women’s C-Division crown with 77 points.
In the provincial team competition, Free State’s quartet of Albert Weigelt and Caitlen van Heerden (A), Jurie Jerling and Jennifer du Plooy (B), JP Pieters and Redene Els (C), alongside Bafana Maisa (Caddie), put on a collective display to edge Gauteng North by 20 strokes.
Celebrating the Heartbeat of the Game
From club level to a national stage, the tournament remains a rare platform where everyday club golfers step out of the shadows and into the spotlight. The unique format spans gross stroke play for the A and B divisions, Individual Stableford for the C-divisions, and a dedicated Caddie Division, ensuring wide-ranging accessibility.
GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn emphasized the profound community value of the event.
“The Champion of Champions is special because it celebrates the heartbeat of our game: our clubs, our club golfers and the people who make golf happen across South Africa,” Hepburn noted.
Hepburn also paid tribute to the enduring support of corporate partners like The Courier Guy and Srixon | Cleveland Golf, as well as Paul and Brit Adams, who have poured boundless energy into organizing all nine editions.
For The Courier Guy CEO Graig Pitchers, the grassroots alignment is deeply personal.
“Backing champions today. Building champions for tomorrow,” Pitchers said. “Our commitment to the GolfRSA Champion of Champions is a partnership built for the long haul. It celebrates achievement at club level while giving golfers from across South Africa something bigger to aspire to.”
As the curtain falls on 2026, one thing is abundantly clear: there is no single mold for a South African golf champion. This year, that picture was painted with youth, passion, and an unmistakable look to the future.
