Basketball at St Stithians College may not have started as a traditional school sport, but its journey over the past three decades has shaped one of the strongest programmes in the country.

According to Mandla Faku, head of basketball at the boys’ college, the sport’s beginnings were modest.

“When basketball started here in the early 90s, there was only one dusty court and only one team. There weren’t even formal practices. Most of the games were friendlies.”

Faku explains that basketball’s slow rise was not unique to Saints.

“Basketball has never been a traditional sport in private schools, so it took time to make an impression. What’s amazing now is how much it has grown.”

A major part of that growth is fuelled by school rivalries.

For Saints, the biggest of them all is St John’s College. “Our biggest rivalry, not just in basketball but across all sports, is St John’s. It’s a rich rivalry and a friendly one.

“We’ve got a great relationship with them, but it’s always one of the biggest fixtures on our calendar.”

He added that the rivalry is driven by similarities.

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“I think it’s because we are two big private schools and the boys interact off campus as well. Those similarities make the rivalry stronger.”

Beyond rivalries, Saints’ annual U16 tournament has become a standout event.

“I’ve been involved in organising the tournament for the past five years, and I’ve seen it grow from 14 teams to as many as 34.

“It’s the highlight of our programme and one of the biggest tournaments at that age group in the country.”

Past winners include Westville and St George’s from Zimbabwe, but one story stands above the rest.

“One of the most special moments was when we invited Morris Isaacson High School as a development team. “They weren’t well known, but they played all the way to the final and beat St John’s.”

Faku said the moment after the final was unforgettable.

“The St John’s players made a tunnel for the Soweto boys, and all the parents stood and applauded. That was special.”

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Asked about the best game he has witnessed, Faku pointed to Saints’ U16 final against Westville Boys’ High School.

“It went into multiple overtimes and was decided by a three-pointer in the last seconds. It was heartbreaking, but it was one of the best games of basketball I’ve ever seen.”

For Faku, these moments reflect how far Saints basketball has come, and why its story continues to grow.