“St Stithians, Courtrai and Helen Franz crowned at South Africa’s Rising Star Tennis National Schools FinalsSt Stithians Girls’ Preparatory School, Courtrai Primary School and Helen Franz Special School emerged as champions at the 2026 RCS Rising Star Tennis National Schools Finals, which concluded in Benoni on 1 November. The competition celebrated South African school tennis, with Helen Franz Special School retaining its wheelchair tennis girls’ title and demonstrating the importance of inclusive sporting opportunities.”
St Stithians, Courtrai and Helen Franz Crowned at South Africa’s Rising Star Tennis National Schools Finals
South African School Tennis Celebrates Champions, Growing Participation and Inclusive Sporting Opportunities
South African school tennis celebrated an important milestone following the conclusion of the seventh annual RCS Rising Star Tennis National Schools Finals, which brought together talented young players from across the country at the Gauteng East Tennis Complex in Benoni. The three-day competition concluded on Sunday, 1 November 2026, with St Stithians Girls’ Preparatory School, Courtrai Primary School and Helen Franz Special School among the outstanding champions recognised for their performances.
The national tournament highlighted the growing popularity of school tennis in South Africa while reinforcing the importance of developing young athletes through accessible, competitive and inclusive sporting programmes. With participation increasing and wheelchair tennis continuing to receive meaningful attention, the championships provided an encouraging picture of the country’s tennis development landscape.
St Stithians Girls’ Preparatory School Claims Primary Girls’ Championship
St Stithians Girls’ Preparatory School emerged victorious in the primary school girls’ category after delivering an impressive performance throughout the national finals. The Gauteng school defeated Laerskool Saamtrek from North West 2-0 in the final, securing the championship through determined play and effective teamwork.
Georgia Frankish was among the players who contributed to St Stithians’ successful campaign, winning her match against Lua Pfister of Laerskool Saamtrek. Her performance helped establish the foundation for the school’s decisive victory.
Laerskool Saamtrek nevertheless enjoyed an impressive tournament. The North West representatives reached the final as ninth seeds, demonstrating the unpredictable and competitive nature of school tennis.
Their achievement was particularly significant because they eliminated top-seeded Laerskool George-Suid from the Western Cape in the semi-finals. Saamtrek won that encounter 2-1, overturning expectations and securing a place in the championship match.
Laerskool George-Suid subsequently finished third in the primary school girls’ category.
The final standings reflected the quality and depth of competition among participating schools, with St Stithians finishing first, Laerskool Saamtrek second and Laerskool George-Suid third.
Helen Franz Special School Retains Wheelchair Tennis Title
Helen Franz Special School from Limpopo delivered another outstanding performance in the wheelchair tennis girls’ division, retaining the national championship it won in 2025.
The school demonstrated its continued strength in inclusive tennis, establishing itself as an important participant in the development of wheelchair tennis among young South African athletes.
Vukuzenzele Special School from the Eastern Cape finished second, while Ithembelihle LSEN School from Gauteng secured third place.
The wheelchair tennis competition provided an important platform for athletes with disabilities to demonstrate their sporting ability, determination and competitive spirit.
By incorporating wheelchair tennis into the national schools championship, the Rising Star programme continues to recognise that sporting opportunities should be available to learners of different abilities.
This approach also reinforces the importance of inclusive participation in South African sport, ensuring that talent development is not restricted by disability or background.
The achievements of Helen Franz Special School were therefore significant beyond the final standings, illustrating the value of sustained opportunities for young wheelchair tennis players.
Rising Star Tennis Records Strong National Participation
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.
This participation growth demonstrated the programme’s expanding reach and the increasing interest in tennis among South African school communities.
Since its introduction during the 2019/20 season, when 361 school teams entered, the initiative has more than doubled in size.
The growth highlights the importance of structured school competitions in introducing children to tennis and providing opportunities for them to develop their abilities.
Participation at this level also creates an environment in which young players can learn valuable lessons about discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship and perseverance.
For many learners, school competitions provide their first experience of organised national sporting events.
The Rising Star programme consequently plays a meaningful role in building interest in tennis while supporting the development of future players.
Removing Financial Barriers to Tennis Participation
One of the programme’s defining characteristics is its commitment to accessible participation.
The RCS Rising Star Tennis initiative offers free participation to primary school learners and learners attending special schools, helping reduce financial barriers that might otherwise prevent children from participating in organised tennis.
This approach is particularly important in a country where access to sporting facilities, equipment and organised competitions differs considerably between communities.
By reducing participation costs, the programme helps schools introduce more learners to tennis without making financial circumstances the determining factor in whether children can compete.
The initiative also encourages schools, teachers, parents and coaches to work together in developing young athletes.
Such partnerships are essential because successful school sports programmes depend on more than competition days. They require sustained encouragement, training opportunities, equipment, access to courts and supportive learning environments.
The continued expansion of Rising Star Tennis suggests that accessible sporting initiatives can help increase participation and strengthen the foundations of tennis development.
Tennis South Africa Highlights the Importance of Inclusion
Tennis South Africa General Manager Anthony Moruthane welcomed the achievements of participating schools and highlighted the programme’s broader developmental significance.
Moruthane emphasised that the success of Rising Star Tennis lies in creating opportunities for children from different backgrounds and abilities.
His message reflected the organisation’s commitment to developing future tennis players while ensuring that participation remains accessible to a wider population.
The programme’s combination of primary school tennis and wheelchair tennis demonstrates how inclusive competition can contribute to the growth of the sport.
Rather than focusing exclusively on established players or elite tournaments, the national schools finals provide opportunities for young athletes to develop through competitive experience.
This grassroots approach is important for identifying promising talent and encouraging children to continue participating in tennis beyond their school years.
It also strengthens the relationship between schools and the wider tennis development structure.
RCS Continues Supporting Young Sporting Talent
The competition’s title sponsor, RCS, also celebrated the achievements of the participating athletes.
RCS Chief Executive Officer Regan Adams congratulated the champions and recognised the enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by the young competitors.
The company’s support for Rising Star Tennis reflects its involvement in creating opportunities for emerging sporting talent.
Sponsorship plays an important role in school sports because national competitions require resources, organisation and coordination.
Partnerships between sporting organisations, commercial sponsors and educational institutions can help ensure that young athletes receive meaningful opportunities to compete.
The continued involvement of RCS provides an important foundation for the programme’s expansion and future editions.
School Tennis and the Future of South African Sport
The 2026 national schools finals highlighted the importance of grassroots tennis in South Africa’s wider sporting development.
While professional tennis attracts significant attention through international tournaments and elite athletes, school competitions remain essential for introducing children to the sport.
Young players who participate in structured competitions develop technical skills while learning how to manage pressure, respond to setbacks and compete fairly.
These experiences can help build confidence both on and off the court.
School tennis also creates opportunities for teachers and coaches to identify talent at an early stage.
As participation increases, more learners may gain access to coaching, regional competitions and potentially higher levels of competitive tennis.
However, continued development will depend on maintaining accessible opportunities and ensuring that schools have the necessary support to participate.
The Rising Star programme’s emphasis on free participation is therefore particularly valuable.
Its inclusive structure also offers an important model for other sporting initiatives seeking to expand participation among children with disabilities.
Looking Ahead to the Next Edition
Following the successful conclusion of the 2026 championships, attention will turn towards the next edition of Rising Star Tennis.
The organisers’ continued commitment to developing young athletes and broadening access to tennis provides a foundation for future growth.
Maintaining participation levels, strengthening school partnerships and supporting wheelchair tennis will remain important considerations as the programme develops.
The experience gained by athletes during the national finals could also encourage greater involvement in tennis within their schools and communities.
For the champions, the tournament represents a significant achievement and an opportunity to build on their competitive experience.
For the other participating schools, the event provides motivation to return stronger in future competitions.
A Significant Achievement for South African School Tennis
The RCS Rising Star Tennis National Schools Finals concluded with impressive performances, growing participation and meaningful recognition of inclusive sporting opportunities.
St Stithians Girls’ Preparatory School celebrated victory in the primary school girls’ category, while Helen Franz Special School retained its wheelchair tennis girls’ championship. Courtrai Primary School also emerged among the champions across the competition’s categories.
With 891 school-team entries recorded nationwide, the 2026 edition demonstrated the programme’s growing influence in South African school sport.
Ultimately, the championship was about more than winning trophies. It celebrated young athletes, encouraged participation, supported inclusion and strengthened the foundations of tennis development.
As South African tennis continues to develop, programmes such as Rising Star Tennis will remain important in introducing the next generation to the sport and creating opportunities for future champions.
The successful conclusion of the Benoni championships therefore represents both a celebration of current achievements and an encouraging step towards the continued growth of school tennis in South Africa.
