South African basketball squad ready to challenge at Region 5 Games
The South African u16 boys’ and girls’ basketball teams are part of a large contingent of 198 athletes selected to represent Team South Africa (SA) at the forthcoming 11th Region 5 Youth Games, which take place in Namibia from 4 July to 13 July.
The Region 5 Youth Games, an initiative of the African Union Sport Council, involves 10 participating countries – Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namiyibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The event also includes athletes with visual impairments and those competing in the Special Olympics.
Team South Africa will compete in a wide variety of sports, including athletics, visually impaired athletics, basketball, boxing, football, judo, karate, netball, Special Olympics (athletics), swimming, table tennis, tennis, and volleyball.
In the previous Region 5 Games, held in Lilongwe, Malawi, in 2022, Team South Africa excelled and finished top of the medal table with a total of 113, including 60 gold medals.
The Games have previously played host to athletes who gone on to fame on the world stage, including Olympic gold medallists, Wayde van Niekerk and Caster Semenya.
The South African basketball teams are eager to make their mark. Among the players is the somewhat reserved yet intensely competitive point guard Reza Creamer, from St John’s College, who also plays club basketball for the Jozi Stars and Westcliff Eagles. He will have a key role to play for South Africa.
In the girls’ team, watch out for Mamello Nalenyane and Bokang Lefakane, both from the Soweto Basketball Academy.
The South African lineup also includes Allie Rehaan and Thabo Marotola, from Cape Town.
Shafiek Allie, Rehaan’s father, who coaches both players, told SuperSport Schools Plus that Rehaan began his basketball journey at the age of six, and participated in his first u12 game at just eight years of age.
Rehaan, who attends Pinelands High School, was named the Jnr NBA MVP in 2023, Top Schools u14 MVP in 2023, Wynberg Boys Basketball Tournament u16 MVP in 2024, IPT March All Star that same year, IPT March All Star in 2025, and a Soweto Uprising Basketball Tournament All Star in 2025. He has represented Western Province since 2023.
Marotola joined the Montana Vikings Basketball Club 16 months ago, having begun his basketball career with Cape Waves, now known as Linge Basketball Academy. He has been part of the provincial team since 2023 and was named an IPT March 2025 All Star.
The South African u16 basketball teams fly out to Windhoek on Tuesday morning.
Team SA Basketball Squad
Girls: Jodi Stemmet, Bokang Lefakane, Mamello Nalenyane, Lethuxolo Mphaki, Aphelele Zulu, Amile Qavane, Saskia Johnson, Bogolo Koikoi, Kananelo Moloi, Kayleigh Sardien, Neo Rametse, Tintswalo Siwele.
Coaches/Management
Thesline Davids, Siphiwe Chitlango, Queen Ndlovu.
Boys: Thabo Maratola, Rehaan Allie, Reza Creamer, Simuthandile Radebe, Mpilenhle Sithole, Litha Madinda, Bhekwa Khwela, Redirile Makgoro, Mnqobi Mhlongo, Lesedi Ntlhokwa, Alexander Papadimas, Mahluli Ilunga.
Coaches/management
Sbusiso Williams, Tshepo Ntwagae, Mokhethi Khoantle.
