Johannesburg, South Africa: The inaugural Track+Field high schools athletics series came to a spectacular close on Friday, with Hoërskool Rob Ferreira and Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool being crowned overall champions in the boys' and girls' divisions at the National Final held at UJ Stadium in Johannesburg.
Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoerskool of Free State were crowned 2025 girls' champions at the Track+Field High School National Final on Friday, 11 April 2025 at University of Johannesburg. Picutred with the team holding the trophy is Siviwe Gwarube, Minister of Basic Education. Picture credit Cecilia van BersIn the girl's competition, Bethlehem Voortrekker of Free State (who led overnight) held on for victory on the second day of action, raking in a total of 739 points.
Hoërskool Stellenbosch did well to finish second, just 34 points behind, earning a total of 704, and Rob Ferreira ended third with 596.
Among the boys, Rob Ferreira of Mpumalanga (also overnight leaders) emerged as overall victors with a total of 625 points, with Stellenbosch showcasing their all-round ability to take the runner-up spot (605) and TuksSport High School earning third place (585).
Rob Ferreira High School of Mpumalanga were crowned 2025 boys' champions at the Track+Field High School National Final on Friday, 11 April 2025 at University of Johannesburg. Picutred with the team holding the trophy is Siviwe Gwarube, Minister of Basic Education. Picture credit Seyms Brugger PhotographyThe winning schools were each awarded a trophy for their efforts, as well as a R50,000 cheque courtesy of SuperSport.
In individual events, Carise van Rooyen (Bethlehem Voortrekker) produced the best performance among the girls over the two days of competition, winning the U19 800m race in 2:07.93.
Another middle-distance runner from Bethlehem Voortrekker, Lisa Kruger, also stood out after taking the U15 girls 800m contest in 2:13.33.
Thabo Molete- Track+Field Series Commentator (Afrikaans)
And there were impressive double victories by sprinters Selena Rocha (Tuks Sport) and Oluchi Ndubueze (Rand Park High School).
Rocha won the 100m (11.78 seconds) and 200m (24.16) sprints in the U19 age group, while Ndubueze triumphed in the 100m (11.85) and long jump (6.00m) competitions in the U17 age group.
Zaun Marthinus (Stellenbosch) delivered the best result of all the boys' events, winning the U17 shot put with a best heave of 17.09m.
Bulela Mganu (TuksSport) also shone in the U15 1500m race, charging to victory in 4:10.12.
There was a thrilling contest in the U17 boys long jump, with Tom Gurupira (Hilton College) clinching victory with a 6.98m leap, edging out Devan de Klerk (Barkly East) who landed at 6.84m to take the runner-up spot.
Joshua Jordaan (Queens College) won the U19 400m sprint in 47.68 and Olerato Masiloane (TuksSport) triumphed in the U17 1500m race in 4:09.89.
Dignitaries, elite senior stars, and legends of the sport attended the two-day T+F National Final, closing out a memorable season which saw the series stopping in all nine provinces.
Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube attended the prizegiving to congratulate the athletes and the various schools on their performances and present the trophies.
"I think the Track+Field series is incredible. Each one of the schools here have come through the provinces and showcased themselves as champions," Gwarube said.
MS Siviwe Gwarube- Minister of Basic Education (IsiXhosa)
"But this event is also important because we're not only talking about individual skills but also emphasising the value of teamwork, so I think that's really great.
"It's also an incredible platform for children coming from various parts of the country and this could be a life-changing catalyst for them, so to be given this opportunity is amazing and we're grateful to all the partners who have come on board to make this happen."
World indoor 800m champion Prudence Sekgodiso also attended the second day of competition to cheer on the nation's rising stars.
In addition, former middle-distance superstar Zola Budd was in the stands, supporting the athletes from Hoërskool Stellenbosch where she now assists as a coach.
Mathew Quinn, co-founder of the T+F series - a joint venture between SuperSport, SA Schools Athletics and Athletics South Africa - said the organisers and their partners were delighted with the success of the inaugural campaign.
"This series was launched with the intention to not only find the top track and field school in South Africa, but also to provide opportunities to young athletes and unearth untapped talent across the country," said Quinn, a former Olympic sprinter.
"Some very talented athletes have been given a chance to showcase their ability, and it has been a tremendous success.
"Well done to Hoërskool Rob Ferreira and Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool for winning the overall titles and to all the schools that qualified for the T+F National Final."
Final Leaderboard
Girls
- Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool 739
- Hoërskool Stellenbosch 704
- Hoërskool Rob Ferreira 596
- Tuks Sports High School 570
- Hoërskool Suid-Natal High School 427
- Rand Park High School 386
- Bergvliet High School 375
- Cambridge High School 305
- Barkly East High School 208
- Capricorn High School 189
- Diamantveld Hoërskool 148
- Penryn College 131
- St Annes DSG 123
Boys
- Hoërskool Rob Ferreira 625
- Hoërskool Stellenbosch 605
- Tuks Sport High School 585
- Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool 547
- Queens College 474
- Hilton College 399
- Maritzburg College 396
- Hoërskool Vryburg 380
- Bergvliet High School 272
- Capricorn High School 262
- Barkly East High School 243
- Rand Park High School 173
- Penryn College 74
- Diamantveld Hoërskool 33
