SA national teams for Australian Youth Water Polo Championships announced
Schools Water Polo South Africa (SWPSA) has announced the national schools’ water polo teams – u16 and u18 boys’ and girls’ sides – that will represent South Africa at the Australia Youth Water Polo Championships, to be held in Brisbane, Australia, from 8-13 April 2026.
The team will depart for Australia on 1 April and will attend training camps with Australian-based coaches in the lead-up to the tournament.
The teams were selected following a comprehensive and rigorous selection process based on the players’ performances throughout the 2025 schools water polo season, with particular emphasis on the SA Schools Inter Provincial Tournament in December.
Selectors evaluated athletes on technical ability, tactical awareness, consistency, teamwork, and their demonstration of the values that underpin SWPSA.
The step up from provincial representation to national selection will see the chosen athletes not only representing their schools and their provinces but the country on an international stage, where they will act as ambassadors for the sport and the country.
SWPSA congratulated the selected players and extended its appreciation to the many athletes who were considered during the selection process.
“The depth of talent across the country continues to reflect the strength and growth of schools’ water polo in South Africa,” the organisation said. It, also, wished the selected teams every success when they compete against leading youth water polo nations in Brisbane.
“Selection to represent Schools Water Polo South Africa is a significant achievement and reflects the dedication shown by these athletes over a sustained period,” SWPSA stated.
“We are confident that the selected teams will compete with pride, discipline, and resilience, while continuing to build the international profile of South African schools’ water polo.”
Press release issued by SWPSA
TEAMS
u18 Boys
Benjamin Bigara (Western Province), Cooper Haworth (Central Gauteng), Dylan Wiggill (GK, Central Gauteng), Ettiene van der Merwe (Northern Gauteng), Jamie Nicolau (KwaZulu-Natal), Luca Orgill (Western Province), Matthew Fenn (Western Province), Max Mills (KwaZulu-Natal), Michael Mafunda (GK, Western Province), Noah Reiback (Western Province), Ruan Engelbrecht (Northern Gauteng), Thomas Aylward (KwaZulu-Natal), Thomas Francke (KwaZulu-Natal), Timothy Young (Western Province).
Non-travelling reserves
Adam Brown (Western Province), Blake Morton (Central Gauteng), Bradley van Loggerenberg (KwaZulu-Natal), Dane Paterson (Nelson Mandela Bay), Daniel Nothard (KwaZulu-Natal), Elliot Springate (GK, (KwaZulu-Natal), Ethan Baty (Central Gauteng), Fu-Nam Chen (Central Gauteng), James Swart (Western Province), Kian Sing (GK, Central Gauteng), Luca Whitehead (Eden).
Management
Travis Theron – Team Manager (Western Province)
Jon-Marc De Carvalho – Head Coach (Central Gauteng)
Juan-Claud Tribbelhorn – Assistant Coach (Northern Gauteng)
u18 Girls
Cadha Mosehla (Central Gauteng), Caitlyn Scrimgeour (Central Gauteng), Charlotte Wiltshire (Western Province), Danielle Sassenberg (Central Gauteng), Farran Elliot (KwaZulu-Natal), Gabriella Morrell (Central Gauteng), Hannah Savage (KwaZulu-Natal), Holly Strydom (Western Province), Inez Letschert (KwaZulu-Natal), Jenna Blaauw (Central Gauteng), Kara Battling (Buffalo City), Lucy Nagel (Nelson Mandela Bay), Madison Beetge (GK, KwaZulu-Natal), Ngcali Metu (GK, Central Gauteng).
Non-travelling reserves
Charlotte Jolley (Central Gauteng), Esmé du Plessis (Central Gauteng), Jade Jarvis (Western Province), Jemma Pearse (Western Province), June Stander (Central Gauteng), Kabo Maema (GK, Central Gauteng), Keira Holland (Central Gauteng), Kuhlesibonge Buthelezi (GK, Central Gauteng), Meegan Zomero (GK, Central Gauteng), Micha Danilewitz (Western Province), Motloduwa Makwane (KwaZulu-Natal), Olivia Attwell (Nelson Mandela Bay).
Management
Katie-Kayne Malcolm – Team Manager (Central Gauteng)
Megan Sileno – Head Coach (Central Gauteng)
Hannah Muller – Assistant Coach (Buffalo City)
u16 Boys
Adam Maggott (Western Province), Blake Galpin (Western Province), Casey Marks (KwaZulu-Natal), Cristiano Sandri (KwaZulu-Natal), Christopher Davidson (Central Gauteng), Dru Mills (KwaZulu-Natal), Josh Damstra (GK, Western Province), Josh Watson (KwaZulu-Natal), Lincoln Burger (KwaZulu-Natal), Max Fowlds (GK, KwaZulu-Natal), Nathan Corlett (Western Province), Ross Briers-Danks (Western Province), Thomas van Oerle (Nelson Mandela Bay), Timothy Barbeau (Central Gauteng), Zazi Mkandawire (Western Province).
Non-travelling reserves
Andrew Sinqishe (Western Province), Connor Kruger (Western Province), Cruz Chapman (KwaZulu-Natal), Finn Mallett (KwaZulu-Natal), Jasper Korver (Nelson Mandela Bay), Leo Bruinders (Central Gauteng), Lukah Charalambous (Western Province), Mitchell Rodgers (KwaZulu-Natal), Thomas Melling-Williams (Western Province), Yakub Fakir (Western Province).
Management
Ferdinand Postma – Team Manager (Northern Gauteng)
Nicholas Tinkler – Head Coach (Central Gauteng)
Cameron Laurenson – Assistant Coach (Boland)
Jarred Appelgryn – Assistant Coach (KwaZulu-Natal)
u16 Girls
Caylin Mackenzie (GK, Buffalo City), Emily Hattingh (Buffalo City), Hannah Hattingh (Buffalo City), Isabella Batistich (Western Province), Jodi Carr (Buffalo City), Kate van Biljon (Buffalo City), Kiera-Yenn Naidoo (Buffalo City), Makalya Ojo (KwaZulu-Natal), Mary Aylward (KwaZulu-Natal), Mia Gibson (Eden), Olivia Cairns (KwaZulu-Natal), Rosslyn Squair (Eden), Samantha van Hille (Central Gauteng), Sian Lester (GK, Western Province), Tayla Bosman (Western Province).
Non-travelling reserves
Alexis James (Central Gauteng), Emily Nienaber (GK, KwaZulu-Natal), Eva Hacking (Western Province), Kristin Bratby (Central Gauteng), Leah Kent (KwaZulu-Natal), Lily Collins (Nelson Mandela Bay), London Remley (KwaZulu-Natal), Michaela Morrison (KwaZulu-Natal), Michaela Sampson (Central Gauteng), Ruby Lumb (Western Province).
Management
Kate Meintjes – Team Manager (Western Province)
Ismaeel Essa – Head Coach (Western Province)
Jessica Brown – Assistant Coach (Western Province)
