Growthpoint Squash Tournament: SACD and Northerns Men Ready to Clash

Gqeberha – The reigning champions, Cape Fruit SA Country Districts (SACD) A and Northerns A, are making significant strides towards the coveted title,

as both teams notched wins on the second day of the Growthpoint Jarvis-Kaplan interprovincial squash tournament in Gqeberha.

On Tuesday, 8 July 2025, following a single loss the previous day, the SACD team elevated their game, achieving a perfect score against Western Province A and accumulating 38 points after two rounds.

JP Brits’ squad showcased yet again their determination, proving it will take considerable effort to keep them from securing the Jarvis Cup for the fifth consecutive year.

However, the skilled Northerns team poses a serious threat to that goal after emerging victorious in a hard-fought match against local rivals Joburg Squash A, with a final score of 17-8.

Joburg Squash’s John Anderson set a strong pace for his team with a commanding 3-0 victory over Judah Phillips, but Northerns rallied back despite encountering considerable resistance.

Joburg’s No. 4 Ethan Robinson battled valiantly but eventually fell 3-1 to Connor Earl, narrowly losing the fourth game 15-13.

The following contest was also closely contested, with Northerns once again clinching victory as Nikhil Pather prevailed over Amukelani Zitha, sealing the match with an 11-3 score in the decisive game.

Jarrod Cousins of Northerns handled the challenges presented by Christo Potgieter, who won a game but ultimately could not conquer his younger rival.

This concluded the five winning points for Northerns, with Damian Groenewald sealing the match with a 3-1 win over Joburg’s Tristen Worth.

In the women’s Kaplan Cup, the Cape Fruit SA Country Districts A team made a powerful impression by defeating the host team, Eastern Province, winning four out of five matches.

Only Hayley Ward, the No. 1 from EP, secured a victory for her team as SACD continued to show their form, recording two wins out of two.

They did not drop a single game during their matches, signaling their competitive depth and solidifying their path to reclaiming the title.

Northerns A also reaffirmed their strength by overpowering a tenacious Border team, winning all five matches despite facing stiff opposition.

Border’s Kelly Emslie was able to win one game against Lara Patrick, while her teammate No. 5, Hayley Wyer, participated in an exciting duel against Northerns’ Elzandri Janse van Rensburg.

Three of the matches reached 10-10, but the young Northerns player showcased composure under pressure, winning 3-2 by clinching the final game with an 11-6 score.

Defending champions Western Province A rebounded from their opening day setback with a commanding clean sweep against Joburg Squash A.

The results were:

Women’s Kaplan Cup

Cape Fruit SACD A bt EP A 17-3 (SACD first): Alexa Pienaar lost to Hayley Ward 3-0 (11-3 11-2 11-7), Lizelle Muller bt Jacqui Ryder 3-0 (11-5 11-9 11-3), Shelomi Truter bt Janet Byrnes 3-0 (11-4 11-2 11-3), Keschia Schlebusch bt Anlen Jarman 3-0 (11-7 11-9 11-4), Alouise Campher bt Bianca Keeley 3-0 (11-9 11-7 11-7).

WP A bt Joburg Squash A 20-0 (WP first): Alex Commins bt Teagan Russell 3-0 (13-11 11-4 11-3), Juanette le Roux bt Bongi Seroto 3-0 (11-9 11-4 11-6), Katie Mayhew bt Tyla-Mae Roux 3-0 (11-4 11-5 11-2), Nicole Gliddon bt Giorgia Dates 3-0 (11-6 11-4 11-6), Rebecca Glanvill bt Marcail Wragg 3-0 (11-1 11-2 11-4).

Northerns A bt Border A 20-3 (Northerns first): Helena Hudson bt Michele van Zyl 3-0 (11-5 11-6 11-8), Kim McDonald bt Sorika Tait 3-0 (14-12 12-10 11-5), Lara Patrick bt Kelly Emslie 3-1 (11-9 11-5 11-13 11-2), Jordin Phillips bt Kate van Biljon 3-0 (11-9 11-5 11-2), Elzandri Janse van Rensburg bt Hayley Wyer 3-2 (11-7 13-15, 10-12 13-11 11-6).

Log after round two: Northerns A 37, SACD A 36, WP A 24, EP A 23, Border A 6, Joburg Squash A 0.

Men’s Jarvis Cup

Northerns A bt Joburg Squash A 17-8 (Northerns A first): Damian Groenewald bt Tristen Worth 3-1 (11-7 11-6 5-11 11-8), Jarrod Cousins bt Christo Potgieter 3-1 (11-6 11-4 8-11 11-6), Judah Phillips lost to John Anderson 3-0 (11-7 11-4 11-3), Connor Earl bt Ethan Robinson 3-1 (11-6 13-11 3-11 15-13), Nikhil Pather bt Amukelani Zitha 3-2 (11-6 9-11 11-7 9-11 11-3).

EP A bt KZN A 17-4 (EP A first): Gerard Mitchell bt Daniel Smith 3-0 (11-2 11-3 11-4), Dean Venter bt Luke Bakke 3-0 (12-10 11-6 11-6), Jason le Roux lost to Justin de Neef 3-0 (11-8 11-8 11-6), Sips Mpini bt Robert Moody 3-0 (11-8 11-5 11-8), Gershwin Forbes bt Alex Holmes 3-1 (7-11 11-7 11-8 12-10).

Cape Fruit SACD A bt WP A 20-1 (SACD first): Dewald van Niekerk bt Devon Osborne 3-0 (11-4 11-4 11-1), JP Brits bt Mighael Lombard 3-0 (11-7 11-6 11-7), Reuel Videler bt Nathan van der Westhuyzen 3-1 (11-7 11-4 12-14 11-5), Rudi van Niekerk bt Murray Commins 3-0 (12-10 11-7 11-7), Jonty Matthys bt Justin van der Poel 3-0 (11-6 11-6 11-6).

Log after round two: Cape Fruit SACD A 38, Northerns A 34, Joburg Squash A 28, EP A 21, WP A 6, KZN A 8.