South African school tennis celebrated its emerging champions after the 2026 RCS Rising Star Tennis National Schools Finals concluded in Benoni, with St Stithians Girls’ Preparatory School, Courtrai Primary School and Helen Frans Special School winning titles across the primary-school and wheelchair-tennis categories. The competition recorded 891 school-team entries nationwide, highlighting growing participation and the importance of accessible tennis development programmes for young South Africans.

South African School Tennis Celebrates Rising Stars as National Finals Crown 2026 Champions

South African school tennis celebrated an important milestone after the seventh annual RCS Rising Star Tennis National Schools Finals concluded in Benoni, Gauteng, with outstanding performances from primary-school players and wheelchair tennis competitors. The three-day championship brought together qualifying school teams and wildcard entrants from across the country, highlighting the growing popularity of tennis among young South Africans and reinforcing the importance of accessible sporting opportunities.

The competition produced memorable victories for St Stithians Girls’ Preparatory School, Courtrai Primary School and Helen Frans Special School, which emerged as champions in their respective divisions. Beyond the results, the tournament demonstrated how grassroots tennis programmes can encourage participation, develop sporting confidence and create pathways for young athletes with different abilities.

St Stithians and Courtrai Claim Primary School Titles

St Stithians Girls’ Preparatory School from Gauteng secured the primary-school girls’ championship after an impressive campaign at the national finals. The school’s achievement represented a significant accomplishment for its players, who competed against strong opposition from other provinces.

Laerskool Saamtrek from North West finished second, while George-Suid Laerskool from the Western Cape claimed third place. The results illustrated the geographical diversity of school tennis, with participating institutions representing different regions of South Africa.

In the primary-school boys’ competition, Courtrai Primary School from the Western Cape emerged victorious. The team demonstrated the competitive quality and determination required to succeed at a national championship.

Laerskool Mooirivier from North West finished second, while Highbury Preparatory School from KwaZulu-Natal secured third place.

These results highlighted the contribution of schools, teachers and coaches in preparing young players for competitive tennis. National tournaments provide an opportunity for learners to demonstrate the technical skills, discipline and teamwork developed through regular training and school competitions.

Helen Frans Special School Makes Wheelchair Tennis History

One of the most significant achievements of the championship came from Helen Frans Special School in Limpopo, which secured both the girls’ and boys’ wheelchair tennis titles.

The school’s double victory represented an outstanding performance and placed inclusive tennis development firmly in the spotlight.

In the girls’ wheelchair tennis category, Vukuzenzele Special School from the Eastern Cape finished second, while Ithembelihle LSEN School from Gauteng claimed third place.

The boys’ wheelchair tennis competition saw Kwazamokuhle School for the Disabled from KwaZulu-Natal secure second position, with Meerhof Special School from North West finishing third.

The results demonstrated the competitive opportunities available to learners participating in wheelchair tennis. They also highlighted the importance of creating sporting environments in which athletes with disabilities can develop their abilities, compete nationally and experience the recognition associated with championship success.

Wheelchair tennis requires technical skill, tactical awareness, movement control and determination. Players must adapt their positioning and shot selection to the movement demands of the sport while maintaining the same competitive focus expected in tennis.

By including wheelchair tennis alongside primary-school categories, the Rising Star programme contributes to a broader understanding of participation and sporting achievement.

Participation Reaches a New National Milestone

The 2026 edition of the RCS Rising Star Tennis programme recorded 891 school-team entries nationwide, representing a 6.7% increase compared with the previous year.

The participation figure marked the programme’s most expansive year to date and reflected sustained interest in school tennis.

Since its introduction during the 2019/20 season, when 361 school-team entries were recorded, the programme has more than doubled its participation. This growth represents an important development for grassroots tennis in South Africa.

Increasing participation matters because tennis can provide young learners with opportunities to develop physical fitness, coordination, concentration and emotional resilience. Competitive matches also teach athletes how to respond to pressure, manage disappointment and celebrate achievement responsibly.

The programme’s expansion suggests that more schools are recognising tennis as a valuable sporting activity. However, participation growth also places greater importance on maintaining quality coaching, suitable facilities and opportunities for learners to progress beyond introductory competitions.

Removing Financial Barriers to Tennis

A central feature of the RCS Rising Star Tennis initiative is its commitment to free participation for primary-school learners and learners attending special schools.

Financial barriers can prevent children from accessing organised sport, particularly where families face competing educational, transport and household expenses.

By offering free participation, the programme helps schools introduce learners to tennis without making competition fees the primary obstacle.

This approach can be particularly meaningful for communities where sporting facilities, equipment and coaching opportunities are limited.

Tennis traditionally requires access to courts, rackets, balls and organised training. Consequently, initiatives that reduce participation costs can help broaden the pool of children who experience the sport.

Nevertheless, sustainable development requires continued attention to equipment availability, coaching support, transportation and the maintenance of accessible facilities.

The programme’s national growth demonstrates the potential value of partnerships between sporting organisations, schools and corporate sponsors.

Corporate Sponsorship Supports Grassroots Development

RCS, the programme’s sponsor, congratulated the participating schools and highlighted the importance of supporting young talent.

Regan Adams, RCS chief executive officer, expressed pride in the opportunities created for children through the initiative. The company emphasised the potential for young learners to develop their abilities and realise opportunities both on and off the court.

Corporate sponsorship can play an important role in sporting development when it supports meaningful participation rather than focusing exclusively on elite competition.

Grassroots programmes need resources to organise tournaments, provide equipment, support participating schools and encourage continued involvement.

The Rising Star initiative illustrates how partnerships between businesses and sporting organisations can contribute to youth development.

However, the long-term value of sponsorship is best measured not only through participation numbers but also through the opportunities learners receive to continue playing tennis after the school competition concludes.

Tennis South Africa Emphasises Inclusion and Future Champions

Tennis South Africa general manager Anthony Moruthane highlighted the programme’s role in expanding opportunities for children from different backgrounds and abilities.

Moruthane congratulated the champions and participants while acknowledging the contribution of RCS, schools, teachers, parents and coaches.

The organisation’s emphasis on inclusion reflects an important principle in sporting development: future champions can emerge from communities that previously had limited access to organised tennis.

National school competitions can also help coaches identify promising young players who may benefit from additional training and development opportunities.

At the same time, participation itself remains valuable. Children who do not pursue professional tennis can still gain physical, educational and social benefits through regular sporting activity.

A successful grassroots programme therefore needs to balance competitive pathways with opportunities for recreational participation.

Schools and Coaches Remain Central to Development

The success of the national finals depended on the participation and preparation of school teams.

Teachers and coaches play an essential role in introducing learners to tennis, developing basic techniques and helping young athletes understand competition.

Parents also contribute through encouragement, transportation and support for regular practice.

For many school players, a national championship provides their first experience of competing against learners from different provinces. Such opportunities can broaden sporting ambitions and strengthen confidence.

Schools that establish sustainable tennis programmes may also encourage greater participation among learners who have not previously considered the sport.

Continued investment in coaching development, accessible courts and school partnerships will be important in translating tournament participation into lasting sporting engagement.

The Importance of Inclusive Sporting Opportunities

The wheelchair tennis results offered a particularly powerful example of how sporting programmes can expand opportunities.

Helen Frans Special School’s victories demonstrated that learners with disabilities can achieve exceptional competitive success when appropriate opportunities are available.

Inclusive sport also encourages schools and communities to recognise athletic ability across different forms of participation.

The continued presence of wheelchair tennis in national school competitions can support greater awareness, encourage new players and help strengthen pathways into more advanced competition.

Developing inclusive tennis requires appropriate facilities, accessible transportation, equipment and trained coaches. These considerations are important for ensuring that participation is sustainable rather than limited to occasional events.

The national finals provided an opportunity to celebrate achievement while drawing attention to the practical support needed to maintain inclusive sporting programmes.

Looking Ahead to the Next Edition

The 2026 national finals concluded with celebrations for the winning schools and recognition of the learners who participated.

The programme now looks towards its eighth edition, with Tennis South Africa reaffirming its commitment to expanding opportunities and making tennis accessible to more children.

The growth from 361 school-team entries in 2019/20 to 891 in 2026 represents encouraging progress. Maintaining that momentum will require continued collaboration among schools, sponsors, coaches, parents and sporting administrators.

Future editions could build on this progress through stronger regional competitions, additional coaching opportunities and greater access to tennis facilities.

For young players, the national finals represent more than a competition. They provide a platform for achievement, friendship, learning and sporting ambition.

The 2026 championship ultimately delivered a clear message: South African school tennis continues to grow, and inclusive grassroots programmes can create meaningful opportunities for the next generation.

As St Stithians Girls’ Preparatory School, Courtrai Primary School and Helen Frans Special School celebrate their championship victories, the wider school tennis community can also take pride in the participation of hundreds of teams across the country.

The continued expansion of the Rising Star programme offers encouraging prospects for South African tennis, particularly when participation, inclusion and player development remain at the centre of its ambitions.