Van Zyl and Phillips Secure U19 Championship at Growthpoint Nationals

Cape Town – Dene van Zyl and Judah Phillis secured the titles of U19 women’s and men’s champions, bringing an exciting conclusion to the Growthpoint SA Nationals Junior squash championships at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on Saturday.

In a competitive final held on the all-glass court at Makers Landing, Van Zyl defended her title with a solid 3-0 win against her cousin Chante Leppan from Northerns, finishing her junior career with a remarkable performance.

Van Zyl remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and rightfully claimed her title, although Leppan fought valiantly in the championship match. After being down 10-5 in the third game, Leppan made a fantastic comeback to level the score at 10-10, but Van Zyl regained her composure to clinch victory with scores of 11-5, 11-7, 12-10.

Leading men’s seed Judah Phillips from Northerns exhibited remarkable skill to earn his first national title, facing off against Western Province’s Thomas Boutall in the final after both remained unbeaten in preceding matches.

Despite the competitiveness of the match, Phillips controlled the play effectively, securing a comfortable win with scores of 11-6, 11-5, 11-5.

One of the standout moments of the tournament came when Free State’s Dean Katzin displayed remarkable energy and resilience to overcome Eden’s Christian Swanepoel in a grueling five-game match, clinching the boys’ U17 title.

This defeat marked a rare setback for Swanepoel, who had previously won the U15 title for two consecutive years.

On the verge of victory with three match points in the third game, Swanepoel demonstrated his determination by winning five consecutive points, tying the game at 12-10 and keeping his chances alive.

As the match intensified, Swanepoel’s impressive performance created palpable tension as they entered the crucial fifth game.

In a remarkable comeback, Katzin established a 5-1 lead in the final game.

Nonetheless, Swanepoel remained unfazed, leveling the score at 5-5 before Katzin rallied back, regaining a vital three-point lead and ultimately sealing victory on his fifth match point after an exhilarating showdown.

Post-match, Katzin expressed his astonishment at his comeback in the final game.

“Winning the title is unbelievable, and I can’t adequately express how I managed to prevail in the fifth,” he shared.

“I’m incredibly proud to be the champion, and I owe my gratitude to everyone who supported me on this journey.”

In the girls’ U17 final, Northerns’ star player Elzandri Janse van Rensburg defended her title convincingly against her long-time rival Makayla Naidoo from KZN, winning 11-9, 11-7, 11-7.

The left-handed champion was aggressive in her attacks, exploiting loose returns with a series of powerful drives that overwhelmed Naidoo.

At certain points, Janse van Rensburg displayed finesse at the front, and although Naidoo made a strong bid for a lead in the third game, Janse van Rensburg’s solid performance ultimately prevailed.

“I sometimes find the conditions of the all-glass court challenging, but I felt great today,” Janse van Rensburg remarked.

“Makayla and I have been competing against each other for years, and our matches are always tightly contested, so the outcome is often uncertain. However, I’m thrilled to have won today.”

Results:

Girls U17

Pool A: Elzandri Janse van Rensburg (Northerns) beat Makayla Naidoo (KZN) 3-0 (11-9 11-7 11-7), Starla Phillips (Northerns) beat Kate van Biljon (Border) 3-0 (11-6 11-4 12-10).

Final standings: 1 Elzandri Janse van Rensburg (Northerns), 2 Makayla Naidoo (KZN), 3 Starla Phillips (Northerns), 4 Kate van Biljon (Border).

Pool B: Tara Neville-Smyly (WP) beat Amelia Lubbe (Northerns) 3-0 (11-3 11-3 11-8), Vivienne van der Schyff (Free State) beat Hanrie Duits (Eden) 3-1 (11-4 3-11 12-10 11-7).

Final standings: 1 Vivienne van der Schyff (Free State), 2 Hanrie Duits (Eden), 3 Tara Neville-Smyly (WP), 4 Amelia Lubbe (Northerns).

Boys U17

Pool A: Dean Katzin (Free State) beat Christian Swanepoel (Eden) 3-2 (11-6 11-9 10-12 5-11 11-7), Malherbe van Niekerk (Boland) beat Dylan Keswell (WP) 3-1 (11-8 11-5 5-11 11-5).

Final standings: 1 Dean Katzin (Free State), 2 Christian Swanepoel (Eden), 3 Malherbe van Niekerk (Boland), 4 Dylan Keswell (WP).

Pool B: Logan Kidson (Northerns) beat Aiden McNeill (KZN) 3-2 (9-11 14-16 11-8 11-5 11-5). Milan Raffa (Northerns) beat Luke Goldschmidt (EP) 3-1 (11-4 11-8 9-11 11-1).

Final standings: 1 Milan Raffa (Northerns), 2 Logan Kidson (Northerns), 3 Luke Goldschmidt (EP), 4 Aiden McNeill (KZN).

Women U19

Pool A: Dene van Zyl (Boland) beat Chante Leppan (Northerns) 3-0 (11-5 11-7 12-10), Brianna Robinson (Easterns) beat Cevana Naidoo (KZN) 3-0 (11-6 11-4 11-2).

Final standings: 1 Dene van Zyl (Boland), 2 Brianna Robinson (Easterns), 3 Chante Leppan (Northerns), 4 Cevana Naidoo (KZN).

Pool B: Marlene van Wyk (Boland) beat Katelyn Walland (EP) 3-1 (10-12 11-8 11-4 11-5), Lucy Malherbe (WP) beat Benedette van Tonder (Free State) 3-0 (11-4 11-2 11-7).

Final standings: 1 Lucy Malherbe (WP), 2 Marlene van Wyk (Boland), 3 Benedette van Tonder (Free State), 4 Katelyn Walland (EP).

Men U19

Pool A: Judah Phillips (Northerns) beat Thomas Boutall (WP) 3-0 (11-6 11-5 11-5), Louis le Riche (Boland) beat Benji Newman (EP) 3-1 (11-6 7-11 11-8 11-5).

Final standings: 1 Judah Phillips (Northerns), 2 Thomas Boutall (WP), 3 Louis le Riche (Boland), 4 Benji Newman (EP).

Pool B: Anrieg Small (Boland) beat Heinu van Jaarsveld (Joburg Squash) 3-1 (11-6 11-8 4-11 11-8), Ruvay Ramdhin (KZN) beat Nicholas Basson (WP) 3-1 (4-11 12-10 11-7 12-10).

Final standings: 1 Ruvay Ramdhin (KZN), 2 Nicholas Basson (WP), 3 Anrieg Small (Boland), 4 Heinu van Jaarsveld (Joburg Squash).