Helena Hudson and Teagan Russell Eye a New Era at Growthpoint Nationals
The race for national squash glory has moved into sharp focus, with South Africa’s leading women players securing their places for the Growthpoint SA Nationals, which will be staged at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront from 20 to 22 August 2026.
Eight regional qualifying hubs hosted playoffs around the country at the weekend, producing a women’s field that blends established champions, current stars and a wave of emerging talent eager to make their mark on the biggest domestic stage of the year.
Leading the charge is top seed Hayley Ward of Eastern Province, who reinforced her credentials with a commanding performance in her regional qualifier. Ward was in complete control at the Gqeberha hub, where she defeated fellow Eastern Province player Jacqui Ryder 3-0. She will, however, have no illusions about the challenge awaiting her in Cape Town.
The women’s draw, which this year does not include defending champion and six-time winner Alex Commins, boasts a formidable blend of experience and youthful ambition.
Former champions Milnay Louw and Lizelle Muller arrive knowing exactly what it takes to win a national title. Louw, who lifted the trophy in 2017 and 2019, booked her place by overcoming Megan Shannon 3-1 in the Western Province qualifier in Cape Town, recovering from a third-game setback along the way. Muller, the 2021 champion, topped the Eden hub in Mossel Bay, where she finished ahead of Hanrie Duits.
Helena Hudson Leads Home Charge to Women’s Assore Tour Quarter-Finals
Leading South African Helena Hudson surged into the quarter-finals alongside Lojayn Gohary (Egypt), Elske Garbers…
Hayley Ward and Alexa Pienaar Retain National Doubles Squash Title in Johannesburg
Defending champions Hayley Ward and Alexa Pienaar dominated play to retain their SA Nationals Doubles…
Invest in Young, Black Female Athletes to Pave the Way for Future Stars – Awande Malinga
Former SA U19 squash champion Awande Malinga will continue to pursue personal sponsorships after having…
Laura Wolvaardt Eager for ODI Series against Australia
The stage is set for a thrilling encounter at the iconic Adelaide Oval as the…
Teen Sensation Savannah Ingledew Makes SA Squash Nationals History
Congratulations to Savannah Ingledew who became the first teenager to win the SA Nationals squash…
Malinga Wins SA Schools Squash Closed Title
Awande Malinga, Momentum, gsport, squash, tournament, Balwin Properties, champion, SA Schools Squash Closed 2021 championship,…
Among those hoping to usher in a new era are second seed Helena Hudson and Joburg Squash’s Teagan Russell. Hudson continued her impressive rise by winning the Northerns qualifier in Pretoria, coming through ahead of Lara Patrick, while Russell emerged victorious in Johannesburg with a hub win over Brianna Robinson.
The field is further strengthened by the presence of Alexa Pienaar, Kim McDonald and Keschia Schlebusch, all of whom claimed qualification victories over the weekend and will believe they are capable of upsetting the higher seeds. Pienaar took the Free State title in Bloemfontein ahead of Jordin Phillips, while McDonald came through the KZN Midlands hub in Maritzburg, edging out Maxine Gouweloos.
Several of the qualifying tournaments produced gripping encounters. Schlebusch showed real resilience in the North West final, recovering from the loss of the opening game to defeat Elske Garbers 3-1, while Louw’s three-game-to-one win over Shannon in Cape Town underlined the competitiveness running right through the regional draws.
The qualifying campaign spread the contest right across the country, with hubs staged in Gqeberha, Mossel Bay, Bloemfontein, Maritzburg, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Potchefstroom and Cape Town. That national footprint has handed the women’s draw a genuine cross-section of the country’s best, from the established names of Eastern Province, SA Country Districts and Western Province to the rising challengers coming through Northerns and Joburg Squash.
SA U19 Women Named for First-Ever Youth T20I Tour to Pakistan
History beckons as the SA U19 Women, led by captain Mieke van Voorst, embark on…
Galaxy Queens, Ramatlaohle Ladies and Fort Hare FC Secure HBSL Wins
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and JVW FC finish on top as the second Hollywoodbets Super League…
Sarah Baum and Anastasia Venter Crown a Golden Day for South Africa
Champions at home, as Sarah Baum claimed the Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro Qualifying…
Marizanne Kapp Masterclass Sends Proteas Women Past India at Old Trafford
Marizanne Kapp struck an unbeaten 81 to power the Proteas Women to a thrilling six-wicket…
JVW Cruise and UWC Climb as the Hollywoodbets Super League Festival Rolls On
Gabriela Salgado-Moodaly’s brace fired JVW FC to a 4-0 win over City Lads at the…
Three South Africans Carry the Flag into Vic Bay Surf Pro Semifinals on Sunday
The home side has plenty to cheer at the Rip Curl Vic Bay Surf Pro,…
The eight qualifiers have set the seedings for the August showpiece. Ward heads the draw ahead of Hudson, with Muller and Russell seeded third and fourth, and Louw, Pienaar, McDonald and Schlebusch completing the top eight. Each will fancy her chances of going deep, and several of the lower seeds have shown over the qualifying weekend that they have the form to trouble anyone in the field.
The 2026 South African Regional Qualifying Results
Eden Hub (Mossel Bay)
Women: 1 Lizelle Muller (SACD); 2 Hanrie Duits (SACD)
EP Hub (Gqeberha)
Women: Hayley Ward (EP) bt Jacqui Ryder (EP) 3-0 (11-2 11-7 11-3)
Free State Hub (Bloemfontein)
Women: 1 Alexa Pienaar (SACD); 2 Jordin Phillips (Northerns)
KZN Midlands Hub (Maritzburg)
Women: 1 Kim McDonald (Northerns); 2 Maxine Gouweloos (KZN Midlands)
Joburg Squash Hub (Johannesburg)
Women: 1 Teagan Russell (Joburg Squash); 2 Brianna Robinson (Joburg Squash)
Northerns Hub (Pretoria)
Women: 1 Helena Hudson (Northerns); 2 Lara Patrick (Northerns)
North West Hub (Potchefstroom)
Women: Keschia Schlebusch (SACD) bt Elske Garbers (SACD) 3-1 (10-12 11-6 11-9 11-4)
WP Hub (Cape Town)
Women: Milnay Louw (WP) bt Megan Shannon (WP) 3-1 (11-5 11-4 9-11 11-5)
Original Copy: BLD Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Helena Hudson has booked her place at the Growthpoint SA Nationals as the number two seed after winning the Northerns women’s qualifier, with the championship set for Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront from 20 to 22 August 2026. Photo: Petri Oeschger
Crédito: Link de origem