Northern Cape bowlers clinch back-to-back Quadrangular titles in Klerksdorp

The Northern Cape’s top bowlers once again proved their class over the weekend as they secured the overall title at the 2025 Central Districts Champion of Champions Quadrangular tournament.

The event, held in Klerksdorp, brought together the finest talent from Northern Free State, Southern Free State, North West, and the Northern Cape – quite an impressive gathering, yet when the final bowls were played, it was clear: Northern Cape had done it again.

Their victory marked a significant milestone, back-to-back Quadrangular championships, and came on the heels of CP Mathewson’s breakthrough triumph in the Champion of Champions Singles earlier on Friday.

Women’s Fours Lead from the Front

Among the weekend’s standout performances was the Northern Cape Women's fours team. The quartet of Annelie Mathewson, René van Niekerk, Helena Janse, and Nadine Dames put in a dominant showing, finishing the tournament unbeaten.

From the first match, the synergy between the players was clear. Their communication, understanding, and strategic execution on the green made a big difference. Whether it was consistent drawing or timely aggression, they controlled matches with calm assurance.

Their unity and composure set the tone for the entire Northern Cape squad.

Unbeaten Pairs Run for Quinton and Franscois

The men’s pairs saw another dominant display but this time from the experienced duo of Quinton Kock and Franscois van der Walt. After narrowly missing out on top honours in the previous edition, Van der Walt was determined to make it count this year. With years of shared experience, including in the Northern Cape Open side, the pair navigated every challenge with confidence.

Their unbeaten run not only brought them the title but also reinforced the value of persistence, familiarity, and trust between teammates.

A Stunning Comeback from the Smits

Perhaps the most dramatic storyline of the weekend belonged to the mixed pairs competition. Orsiela and Wihan Smit, a mother-and-son duo, delivered a comeback that had the crowd buzzing. After losing their first two games and falling behind 21–6 in their final match, the odds were firmly stacked against them.

But something shifted. A passionate pep talk from Wihan turned the tide. They changed tactics, regained focus, and clawed their way back to take a 22–21 lead after just five ends. They held firm to close out the match and secure a memorable win. Their performance not only inspired teammates but also raised expectations ahead of the upcoming BSA Mixed Pairs competition.

Narrow Margins in the Other Disciplines

While not every match ended in victory, the Northern Cape players fought hard in every discipline.

The men’s fours, LeRoux Fourie, Wessel Fourie, Werner Mathee, and Michael Siepker, struggled to find their footing in the early stages but never gave up. Their perseverance was rewarded with a win over Northern Free State in their final match, a strong finish that highlighted their resilience.

In the Women's pairs, Namibian international Marietjie van den Berg teamed up with rising star Nadia Botes. The pair began strongly with two wins on Saturday and had their sights on the title. Their deciding match on Sunday turned into a tense affair, ending in heartbreak as they lost by a single shot on the final end.

Despite the result, their effort and consistency showed great promise for future competitions.

A United Front and a Winning Spirit

The weekend in Klerksdorp went beyond medals and trophies, as it was a celebration of teamwork, perseverance, and shared passion for the sport of bowls. From seasoned internationals to up-and-coming talents, the Northern Cape squad came together with a single purpose and this helped them succeed.

With performances that ranged from dominant to inspiring, the players proved once again that the Northern Cape is a force to be reckoned with in South African bowls. Their victory shone the spotlight on their individual brilliance for sure, but beyond that, the collective strength of a team that supports, believes in, and lifts one another shone even brighter.