Wingate quartet clinches 2025 BSA Men’s Open Fours title in epic comeback victory

In what can only be described as a rollercoaster finish to a thrilling tournament, the Wingate Park men’s fours team was crowned champions of the 2025 Bowls South Africa Men’s Open Fours in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) on Sunday after mounting a sensational comeback in the final.

The star-studded quartet, consisting of CP Mathewson and Driaan van Niekerk from Northern Cape Bowls, alongside Gauteng North’s Nikša Benguric and Wayne Perry, cemented their place in national bowls history with a gritty 20-13 win over a powerful Westville team from Durban.

The week-long competition, hosted from 25 May, saw South Africa’s best bowlers gather in the Windy City for a shot at national glory. And from the outset, the Wingate fours signalled their intent, going unbeaten in the round-robin stages before storming through the knockouts with commanding wins.

But the final was a very different beast.

From the first bowl, it was clear that the showdown would be a war of nerves and finesse. Westville came out firing, stunning Wingate with an 8-0 lead in the early exchanges. It was a rough start for the eventual champions, with the coastal breeze adding another layer of complexity to the already high-stakes environment.

Speaking after the final, Benguric, the Wingate skip, admitted the conditions were tricky: “The green was running beautifully, but the wind was unpredictable. We knew we had to stay calm and adapt quickly. Every shot mattered.”

Adapt they did.

With steely focus and sharp communication, the team began to chip away at the deficit. By the 15th end, they had clawed back to a tense 13-13 deadlock, putting the pressure squarely back on their opponents.

The turning point came on the 19th end.

With the score tight and nerves stretched thin, Wayne Perry delivered what many are calling the shot of the tournament — a thunderous running bowl that shifted the jack and turned the head in Wingate’s favour. It set the stage for a four-shot swing, giving Wingate a crucial 17-13 lead with only two ends to play.

Westville tried to rally on the 20th, with their lead and second applying early pressure. But Mathewson stepped up with trademark precision, driving the head clean and opening the door. Benguric sealed the deal with a perfectly weighted delivery that left Westville skip Paul White with too much to do.

When the final bowl missed its mark, the Wingate celebration was immediate — fists in the air, hugs all around, and tears of triumph from a team that had poured everything into their campaign.

The crowd, made up of fans from all over the country, rose to their feet in applause, acknowledging a final that delivered everything — drama, brilliance, and heart.

This victory marks a significant moment for South African bowls. Not only did the Wingate team showcase remarkable skill and chemistry, but they also embodied the spirit of unity across provinces. Their lineup, drawn from both the Northern Cape and Gauteng North, is a glowing example of collaboration and shared ambition paying off.

Praise has poured in from all corners of the bowls community. From social media tributes to congratulatory messages from clubs and associations, the sentiment is clear — this win was earned, deserved, and celebrated by many.

While the 2025 Men’s Open Fours will be remembered for its high level of competition, it will be the Wingate quartet’s resilience, teamwork, and never-say-die attitude that defines the legacy of this year’s championship.