Port Natal bowlers shine on national and international stage - IOL
THERE was plenty for Port Natal to celebrate last week as bowlers from the district made their mark at both national and international level, producing performances that reflected the depth of talent and commitment within the district.
In Welkom, at the BSA U35 Inter-District Tournament, Port Natal’s Under 35 teams showed that the future of the district is in capable hands. Managed by Ed Steffens, the young bowlers competed with determination throughout the tournament, with the U35 A side going all the way to the medal stages.
Ruaan Victor, Troy Garland, Keegan Bauristhene and Siya Mkize produced an outstanding sectional performance, recording eight wins from nine games to finish three points clear of the second-placed district and claim their section.
Their success earned them a place in the semi-finals against the eventual gold medallists, Border A.
Going into the final end, Port Natal were trailing 10–16. With only Victor still to bowl, the PNB contenders were holding a maximum six shots — an outcome that would have forced an extra end.
Before Victor could add to the tally, however, Border skip drove at the head and scattered the bowls, bringing the Port Natal rally to an end.
Despite the disappointment, the performance demonstrated not only the ability of the young Port Natal bowlers, but also the composure and competitive spirit required when representing their district at the highest level.
President of the Zambia Bowling Association Dalyson Mweetwa, David Hamer (President of BSA), Wayne Roberts (Men’s Singles Champion) and Sumbwa Musunsa (National Sports Council of Zambia CEO).
The second Port Natal combination of Brad Claassens, Jarred Bauristhene, Troy McDowell and Thube Mwandla faced a particularly demanding section and finished fourth after the sectional rounds. Although they did not progress to the medal stages, their performance provided valuable experience and an opportunity to test themselves against some of the country’s emerging talent.
While Port Natal’s Under 35s were making their presence felt at national level, two of the district’s more experienced representatives were producing remarkable results on the international stage.
Wayne Roberts returned from Zambia after representing South Africa at the Africa States Tournament with three medals to his name. Roberts claimed bronze in the Pairs before striking gold in the Men’s Singles. He then added a second gold medal as part of the South African team that secured overall victory in the tournament.
It was a memorable campaign for Roberts and another notable achievement for the Port Natal and Hillcrest bowler.
Susan Nel had the responsibility of managing the Protea women, and under her guidance South Africa produced a remarkable clean sweep, claiming gold in the Fours, Trips, Pairs and Singles.
With last week’s successes still fresh in the memory, attention now turns to another demanding fixture on the Port Natal calendar — the 2026 PNB Masters Championships.
The men will take to the greens at Stella Park Bowling Club from Friday through Sunday, while the women will compete at Hillary Bowling Club on Saturday and Sunday.
The Masters competitions are invariably characterised by closely fought encounters, tactical bowls and narrow margins, with experience often proving just as important as technical ability.
With the tournaments providing another opportunity for the district’s top bowlers to showcase their talent, spectators can expect plenty of competitive action as the contenders battle for the 2026 titles.
