Curro Krugersdorp learners made a mark at the 2025 Curro Clash National LAN, helping the event make history as the largest scholastic E-sports gathering ever held under one roof in South Africa.

The four-day tournament brought together over 500 learners from 73 teams across four provinces, showcasing how competitive gaming has matured into a serious sport requiring discipline, strategy, and cognitive strength.

According to Cindy van der Merwe, portfolio manager for Curro Sport, the tournament highlighted the best young gamers competing face-to-face across six game titles, including Minecraft, Overwatch 2, Apex Legends, Brawlhalla, Rocket League, and Valorant.

She added that from the first boot-up to the final ‘GG’ (Good Game), the event demonstrated teamwork, strategic thinking, and the rapidly maturing E-sports landscape in South African schools.

“Esports has become an unquestionable part of the sporting landscape. It’s not just about the game; it’s about developing the same mental toughness, teamwork, and strategic insight that all great athletes share. We are witnessing the emergence of a new kind of athlete. These learners train and compete with the same dedication as any traditional sportsperson. Their arena is digital, but the skills they’re developing – communication under pressure, split-second decision-making, and complex systems thinking – are the competencies that will define leadership in tomorrow’s workplace,” Cindy explained further.

The 2025 event was full of firsts. Over 150 scholastic Minecraft matches were held at this competitive level under one roof – a national record. Even more exciting was the participation of Grade Three learners in an exhibition match, highlighting Curro’s dedication to growing Esports from the grassroots.

Curro Krugersdorp Primary’s Valorant squad, which has been part of the competition since the inception of the Esports programme, competed at an exceptional level.

“The event’s success mirrors the growing recognition of Esports in South Africa. Earlier this year, Esports received formal acknowledgement alongside traditional university sporting codes, a major milestone for competitive gaming at university level,” Cindy added.

According to Magdeleen de Kock, Esports project manager at Curro Holdings, convincing some parents that this is a real sport remains part of the journey.

She said events like this show that Esports demand the same discipline, teamwork, and strategic thinking as any field or court.

“These are the athletes of a new era, defined by focus, skill, and passion played out on digital platforms. The question isn’t whether Esports belongs in schools, but whether we’re moving quickly enough to prepare learners for a future where digital fluency and virtual collaboration are essential. At Curro, we understand that the future belongs to those who are fluent in both technology and teamwork, and we’re equipping our learners to lead it,” Magdeleen concluded.