Player Profile – Pabatso Sithole (Kearsney College)
Kearsney College‘s basketball team put together a strong showing in the first term. Not only were they one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most successful teams, but they were also one of the most entertaining sides, thanks to their technical team and their standout player, Pabatso Sithole.
In a remarkably consistent career in the first team, one of Sithole’s most memorable performances dates back to September 2025, when he led Kearsney to a narrow 57-56 victory over St John’s College in the final of the Independent Schools Stayers’ Basketball Tournament (ISSBT) at The Skweyiya SportZone.
In a tense title game, he scored 26 points, including a late free throw, and Kearsney triumphed after the clash had to go to a second overtime period to decide the winner.
Sithole relies on self-confidence to let his game flow in crucial moments, he told SuperSport Schools Plus.
He has dedicated extra hours to basketball, apart from team practices, refining his shooting skills and understanding court expectations. As a result, he has confidence in his shooting.
He recalled a key moment in the ISSBT final against St John’s where that dedication paid dividends: “There was a point in the game where we were down by two points, and they had the ball. I think there were a few seconds left, and we thought we had lost. But we continued to push, and then my teammate, Daniel Prinsloo, got the steal, and he managed to pass it to me. I scored, which sent us into overtime,” he said.
In early 2026, Kearsney College ranked among KZN’s top teams, finishing second in the KZN Top 10 Championship to Maritzburg College, arguably the top team in the country in the first term.
Sithole’s player evaluation identified areas for improvement against other top teams, including Northwood and Maritzburg College, which included a need to boost the team’s confidence, something their coaches actively fostered.
“Sometimes, I feel like we see the opponent and think that we’ve lost before the game has even started,” he admitted.
But, both he and the team have drawn confidence from their coaches, which bolsters the confidence he has grown through his own diligent practice habits.
His coaches have supported him, affirming that he is capable of achieving anything he sets his mind to do. When he struggles, they are there to uplift him, to make the most of his talent and potential.
Sithole admitted that he is sometimes not as focused on defence as he should be, losing track of his opponent, which allows scoring opportunities. Thus, having identified that shortcoming, he has put in work on his defence and on his concentration.
Sithole and his love for basketball
His passion for basketball comes from his older brother, who is an alumnus of Kearsney. He, too, was introduced to basketball at the Botha’s Hill school. When Pabatso was in the sixth grade, during the Covid-19 lockdown, their mother bought the brothers a couple of basketballs, and they played outside on the road.
Together, they began to appreciate the sport even more. Young Pabatso honed his skills against his older brother, and he turned to YouTube to learn more about the game, putting hours of practice into it.
When he was selected for his age group’s A-team at Kearsney in 2022, his game took another step forward, which he attributed to the guidance of the coaches. His confidence soared to new heights.
Sithole has already competed at a high level, which is evidenced by his impressive accolades.
He was a member of the u15 KZN Team in 2023 and served as the vice-captain of that squad. That same year, he led Kearsney to victory in the u15 Northwood tournament, where he was named the event’s MVP.
Despite those impressive achievements, he has continued to push ever harder, stating that such recognition has motivated him to strive to become an even better player.
Sithole said he is grateful for the support of his teammates, coaches, and fellow competitors, including Lusekho Sikhulume, from Westville Boys’ High, whom he regards as one of his closest friends. They represented the u15 KZN team together.
Another player who challenges him is Northwood’s Siya Shabalala. Matches against Northwood are always demanding, Sithole said, but competing against Shabalala, whom he acknowledges as a skilled player on a well-organised team, motivates him to perform at his best every time they face each other.
Pabatso Sithole’s Outstanding Achievements
2023
• u15 KZN (vice-captain),
• gold medal winner – SA Schools Summer Games
• u15 Northwood tournament winner
• u15 Northwood tournament MVP
2024
• u16 KZN Team
2025
• Kearsney half-colours
• u18 KZN training squad
• Independent Schools Stayers’ Basketball Tournament champions
• Westville tournament All-Star team
• Blignaut Family Trophy (Kearsney’s most improved player)
2026
• u19 KZN team
• Basketball Honours
