South Africa’s synchronised skating champions take local sport to international heights, and they’re calling on the nation to back their journey through their BackaBuddy page.
Pretoria, South Africa (18 September 2025) – South Africa’s 2025 synchronised skating champions, Team Illusion, are showing the country the beauty of skating on the ice. The all-female mixed-age team from Gauteng North, coached by Konrad Giering and Lejeanne Hennessy and is captained by Mathilda du Plessis, proudly describes itself as a family.
“Truly united as one, with strong bonds that ensure no one is ever left out.”
It’s that same family spirit that has carried them through tough training days and nerves on competition day. Their victory at Nationals felt like a dream fulfilled, with one skater describing it as “like putting the last piece into a 4000-piece puzzle.”
Team Illusion is made up of 15 skaters aged 14 to 21, representing cultures as varied as Taiwanese, Dutch, Flemish, Portuguese, Afrikaans, and Zulu. Despite their different backgrounds and levels of experience, they skate to a single standard, with older teammates mentoring the younger ones.
“Synchronised skating builds teamwork, friendship, and trust. Qualities that go far beyond the rink,” says coach Lejeanne.
Coach Konrad also added on the power of different backgrounds.
“Team Illusion represents the power of unity. It shows how individuals from different ages and cultures can come together as one family to create something greater than themselves.”
For captain du Plessis, the role is deeply personal.
“To me, Team Illusion represents sisterhood, and as captain, it’s an honour to lead a family that carries every weight together and embodies the true spirit of South African skating.”
Looking ahead, the team’s goals are to defend their national title, push their technical and artistic boundaries, and remain internationally competitive.
Team Illusion is calling on South Africans for support. Contributions can be made through their BackaBuddy page, helping them take their skill of creating magic onto the global ice.
Sources: Supplied
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