Northern Cape bowls stars thrive at national open

Northern Cape Bowls (NCB) has made a strong showing at the 2025 Bowls South Africa Open, currently under way in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) from May 17 to 25. 

With 10 players competing across multiple disciplines, the province’s largest recent contingent has delivered a string of impressive results as the tournament enters its final stages.

Sectional play in the singles, pairs, and fours is now complete, and the knockout rounds are bringing fresh intensity to the greens – with several Northern Cape players still in contention.

Steenkamp and Abbott lead the charge in pairs

One of the standout combinations of the week has been the in-form duo of Pieter Steenkamp (Upington) and Juan Abbott (Kathu). The pair topped their section with consistent performances, setting the tone with tactical precision and steady shot-making.

Their momentum continued into the knockout phase, where they claimed a dramatic win in their first play-off. They now face a stern test against former Proteas player Donald Piketh and his partner Mike Herbert from Johannesburg – a Last 16 showdown that could prove pivotal in their campaign.

Strong singles showings from Mathewson and vd Walt

In the singles discipline, both Andries van der Walt (Hanover) and CP Mathewson (Kimberley) delivered solid group-stage performances, each finishing at the top of their sections.

Van der Walt’s journey came to a narrow end in the play-offs, while Mathewson is still awaiting his knockout fixture. His form in the early rounds suggests he could be a serious contender in the days to come.

Mathewson features again in unbeaten fours team

Mathewson has also made his presence felt in the fours, where he teamed up with Driaan van Niekerk (Kimberley) and Gauteng North duo Niksa Benguric and Wayne Perry. The mixed team dominated their section with an unbeaten run and have advanced to the Last 16 – another promising path for the province as the tournament progresses.

Support builds as knockouts continue

With the business end of the tournament now in full swing, local interest is building around the Northern Cape players still in the mix. Whether in singles, pairs, or fours, several names have already raised the province’s profile on the national stage – and could yet go further.

The closing days of the competition promise more tight finishes and tactical battles, as NCB’s representatives continue to carry the hopes of their home greens.

Northern Cape women shine in Gauteng

Meanwhile. earlier this month, the province’s women’s team turned heads at the Bowls South Africa Women’s Open, held in Gauteng. The fours team of Marietjie van den Bergh, Marie Pretorius, Estelle van der Walt, and Berna van der Westhuizen topped their section and progressed to the quarter-finals following a confident Last 16 win.

Though they were edged out in the quarters, the team’s performance marked one of the Northern Cape’s best results at the national level in recent years and continues to resonate within the province’s bowls community.