Over the weekend, South Africa chuckled at Gayton McKenzie’s post celebrating our U20 water polo team but behind the scenes, something truly meaningful was happening.
South Africa (24 June 2025) – South Africa’s U20 water polo team might’ve made waves this weekend with their 19th-place finish at the World Champs, thanks in no small part to Minister Gayton McKenzie’s emoji-soaked celebration that had the country giggling, groaning and grinning in equal measure, but the real victory for water polo in Mzansi has just been scored outside the pool.
And this one’s a game-changer.
In a landmark court ruling, South African Water Polo (SAWP) secured a massive legal win that could shape the future of the sport in ways far bigger than any Facebook post.
Over the weekend, we reported on Gayton McKenzie’s enthusiastic post celebrating the U20 team’s victory over New Zealand at the World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, a match that clinched 19th place. Yes, 19th. But don’t tell that to our Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, who posted with so much passion, pride and punctuation, it practically splashed off the screen.
“We are the best sporting nation in the world 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🕺🕺🕺🕺🕺🙏,” he wrote, seemingly unaware that it was a placement match far from the finals.
Our article poked a little fun at the fanfare, celebrating the moment with some good-natured humour and plenty of perspective. But here’s the twist… even though Gayton got the fine print a bit wrong, his viral enthusiasm has done something unexpected. It has shone a much-needed spotlight on a sport that rarely gets one.
And just like that, water polo was suddenly trending in South Africa.
While Gayton’s post was doing laps online, the Western Cape High Court was handing down a ruling that could reshape the future of water polo for good. According to reports, Swimming South Africa (SSA) had launched an urgent court application to stop SAWP from operating as an independent body, but the court said no.
Judge Judith Cloete ruled that SSA does not have an exclusive, forever-and-ever right to govern water polo in South Africa.
“The applicant (SSA) cannot seriously suggest that the respondents (SAWP) do not have the constitutionally entrenched right to freedom of association contained in S 18 of the Bill of Rights, and that the same applies to any individual water polo player wishing to join the respondents,” Judge Judith Cloete explained in the judgement.
The decision upheld SAWP’s right to exist, to operate, and to grow the sport with the support of over 1,200 members and regional bodies across the country.
SAWP interim CEO Robbie Taylor says the court’s decision is more than just a win for water polo; it’s a step forward for all South African sports communities working to create fairer, more focused federations that put athletes first.
“This win is important validation of the local water polo community’s mission to restore purpose and world-class excellence to the sport we love so much… Today isn’t just a win in the pool; it’s a win for every player, coach, parent, and fan who believes in a better future for our sport. This is about standing up, standing together, breaking the shackles of inept administration and building a brighter future,” said Taylor.
SAWP now has the legal breathing room to continue building national structures, creating development pathways and applying for international recognition in their own right. That means more support for athletes, more grassroots programmes, more local tournaments, and, one day, a legitimate shot at climbing the world rankings.
And if you ask anyone in the water polo community (or any sporting community), that’s what it’s always been about… giving young South Africans the chance to compete, grow and be seen.
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