KHS set to host netball showdown of the year
More than 160 high school and nearly 140 primary school teams will compete at Krugersdorp High School when the Best of the West Netball Festival returns.
Krugersdorp High School (KHS) will welcome athletes, parents and netball supporters to its annual Best of the West Netball Festival.
According to the school’s head of marketing, Lauren Coetsee, the event is regarded as a premier pre-season sports festival and one of the largest of its kind in South Africa.
“The Best of the West Netball Festival has a long-standing reputation for bringing together schools from across Gauteng and neighbouring provinces,” Coetsee said.
“It provides young athletes with the opportunity to test their skills, build team cohesion and gain competitive match experience ahead of the official league season.”
Festival format and participation
The festival spans two weekends and features divisions for both primary and high school teams. For the 2026 season, 161 high school teams will compete across nine courts on March 6 and 7, while 138 primary school teams are set to participate on February 27, making it one of the country’s largest netball events.
The round-robin format allows each team to play multiple matches, giving players valuable preparation time before league fixtures begin. Regular participating schools include Curro Krugersdorp, Hoërskool Florida and St Peter’s College.
The netball tournament forms part of the broader Best of the West Festival, which also includes hockey and rugby tournaments hosted at KHS.
Growth and achievements
Over the past two decades, the Best of the West Festival has grown significantly in scale and stature. In 2025, more than 2 600 athletes participated across the various sporting codes.
Recent highlights include Saint Teresa’s School’s U14 team finishing undefeated at the 2025 netball tournament, while Curro Krugersdorp fielded teams from U14 through to first team level. St Peter’s College also drew attention for its sportsmanship and competitive spirit.
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KHS netball has also recorded notable achievements in recent years:
• In 2025, KHS won the Krugersdorp league titles
• Karabo Motaung secured gold at the U19 Mix 6s and 7s Inter-Provincial Tournament, was named Player of the Final, and was selected for the South African U19 Mixed National Squad
• Mandy Mpofu earned selection to the West Rand U19 team
• KHS has previously won the U14 and U17 categories at the Best of the West Tournament
• In 2024, Karabo Motaung and Bokamoso Segele ranked among the top 35 nationally for U16 team selection
• The school was nominated as Secondary Sport School of the Year in 2019
Community focus
Coetsee emphasised that the festival extends beyond competition.
“The Best of the West Festival brings the community together. Parents, friends and sports enthusiasts gather to support the athletes, fostering school pride, teamwork and a shared passion for sport,” she said.
The festival also provides players with opportunities for provincial and national exposure, while helping them develop discipline, resilience and teamwork.
With the event approaching, KHS has encouraged families and community members to attend and support the young athletes as they compete in what promises to be a weekend of high-level pre-season sport.
