Craig Bouwer Makes History with Gold at Commonwealth Debut

Photo Credit: Supplied

First-ever Commonwealth Billiards Championship crowns SA star Craig Bouwer in thrilling final against Canada’s Darcy McGinley.

Mauritius (11 July 2025) – Let’s cue in the celebrations! South Africa has a new cue sports champion! Craig Bouwer delivered a performance for the ages. Making history at the inaugural Commonwealth Billiards Championship 2025, Bouwer defeated Canada’s Darcy McGinley 9-6 in a thrilling Men’s 10-Ball Pool final to claim gold and a place in the record books.

With mixed precision, power and composure, Bouwer was laser-focused, taking early control of the game. His opponent, McGinely, known for his creativity and control, did not go down without a fight. This is evident in how tight the score was at the end. The Canadian clawed his way back into the match mid-way, narrowing the gap and applying pressure. However, Bouwer never lost his edge. He sealed the deal in style, sinking the final 10-ball and raising his cue in victory.

Craig Bouwer is now the first-ever Commonwealth Men’s 10-Ball Pool Champion, marking a landmark moment for South African cue sports.

But wait, what exactly is cue sports?

Also known as billiard sports, include games like pool, snooker, blackball and heyball. Any sport played on a felt-covered table using a cue stick to strike balls. It is all about strategy and accuracy. South Africa proved that they are masters of these skills at this year’s Commonwealth debut event.

What makes this achievement so special is that Bouwer was not the only one shining. Team South Africa delivered a stunning overall performance, finishing with a string of medals across multiple cue disciplines:

Craig Bouwer- Men’s 10-Ball Pool- (Gold)
Senzo Gumede- Men’s Blackball- (Gold)
Marina Jacobs- Women’s Heyball (Silver)
Erin Maree Lazarus- Women’s Blackball (Silver)
Jason Theron- Men’s Heyball (Bronze)

This year was the very first Commonwealth Billiards Championship, held in the tropical Mauritius, and South Africa wasted no time in making its presence felt. As the first competition of its kind, it drew athletes from all corners of the globe, bringing visibility and recognition to the growing sport. With golds, slivers and bronze, South Africa is cueing up for a bright future in cue sports.