The U/14 and U/16 squads secure top finishes across all singles events at the Gaborone Zonal Championships and now face the upcoming team competition with momentum.
Gaborone, Botswana (14 January 2026) – South Africa’s future tennis stars are making plenty of noise on the courts in Gaborone, serving up a confident display of their skills at the ITF/CAT Zonal Competition for the U/14 and U/16 age groups.
With rackets in hand, the junior squads have embraced the challenge of international competition, showcasing just how much depth and talent continue to emerge within South African tennis. Competing across both boys’ and girls’ divisions, the young players have combined sharp shot-making with an impressive competitive edge.
The U/14 boys team features Tristan Summers, Alec Koch and Mpho Bowers, while Gabriella Coetzee, Wendy Modiba and Kamogelo Plaatjie are flying the flag for the girls. In the U/16 age group, Jamie Roux, Jack Thornhill and Veer Trikamjee are representing the boys, with Charlotte Bouwer, Lyndsey Philipps and Morakane Molaoa anchoring the girls’ side.
Guided by a strong coaching unit comprising Terrey Schweitzer, Kyla Yelverton, Kgotso Matshego and Sabelo Mathebula, the players have benefited from steady leadership and technical support throughout the tournament.
The individual events have already delivered standout results, with Team South Africa dominating the podium across multiple categories. In the U/16 girls’ singles, Charlotte Bouwer led the charge with gold, followed closely by Morakane Molaoa in second and Lyndsey Philipps in third. The U/14 girls produced another clean sweep, with Wendy Modiba claiming top honours ahead of Gabriella Coetzee and Kamogelo Plaatjie.
The boys matched that momentum. Jamie Roux topped the U/16 singles standings, with Jack Thornhill securing second place, while Veer Trikamjee added a solid finish. In the U/14 division, Tristan Summers emerged victorious, with Alec Koch and Mpho Bowers completing an all-South African podium.
With individual success already secured, the focus now shifts to the team competition. If the early performances are anything to go by, the team competition promises to be just as thrilling.
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