Former NWU squash player, Dewald van Niekerk, defended his men’s singles title with back to back SA men’s singles squash titles at the Growthpoint SA Nationals that took place at the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town on Sunday, 11 September.
In a grueling men’s final over 44 minutes, Van Niekerk took his second title in a row as he outgunned World Masters over-35 champion Christo Potgieter, a former Potchefstroomer, in straight games in a battle which was as much mental as it was physical.
Having successfully grown his game to become the country’s best player, Van Niekerk now plans to try to move to the next level and will look to campaign overseas in 2023.
He was delighted to win his second national title, repeating his win of 2021 over Potgieter, but admitting that it had been much tougher this year.
“Christo is obviously a very good player and I had to be extremely disciplined about not opening the court too much for him and giving him time to play his shots at the front of the court,” Van Niekerk said.
The result was arguably decided in a marathon second game of 24 minutes when Potgieter knew he had to try to match his younger opponent’s discipline and gave Van Niekerk little pace to work with.
Through sheer determination, he worked his way to a game point at 10-9 with a superb drop into the nick.
Yet Van Niekerk was equal to the task, delivering a winning backhand volley before a drop shot error by Potgieter and another Van Niekerk volley winner gave him a telling 2-0 lead.
He then took control of the third game and was delighted to win his second title.
“It was another dream come true, especially against a guy like Christo,” Van Niekerk said. “I had to push hard in that second game or else I was in trouble, but congratulations to Christo for his efforts.”
Potgieter was a former mentor and coach of Van Niekerk – this victory showcasing that the apprentice had once against gotten the better of his former master.
Men
Final: Dewald van Niekerk (SACD) bt Christo Potgieter 3-0 (11-2 12-10 11-3)
3rd place: Tristen Worth (SACD) walkover (Ruan Olivier, Northerns, ill)
5th place: JP Brits (SACD) bt Rodney Durbach (WP) 3-0 (11-7 12-10 11-6)
7th place: Matthew Boote (KZN) walkover (Thoboki Mohohlo, Joburg Squash, injured)
Results:
Women
Final: Alex Fuller (WP) bt Lizelle Muller (SACD) 3-0 (11-4 11-6 11-5)
3rd place: Siyoli Waters (WP) bt Alexa Pienaar (SACD) 3-1 (11-4 9-11 11-8 11-4)
5th place: Teagan Roux (Joburg Squash) bt Helena Coetzee (Northerns) 3-1 (11-9 2-11 11-2 11-9)
7th place: Shelomi Truter walkover (Hayley Ward, EP, injured)
