Blue Soldiers go back-to-back as The Takeover win women’s title
MBB Blue Soldiers defended their Red Bull Half Court national title in Soweto, while The Takeover claimed the women’s crown, earning both teams a place at the Red Bull Half Court World Final in Manila in December.
The MBB Blue Soldiers successfully defended their Red Bull Half Court title in front of a home crowd at the Klipspruit Sports Centre, Soweto, on August 22.
They became South Africa’s first back-to-back national champions since the competition launched in the country in 2025.
In the women’s event, The Takeover claimed the national title after 2025 champions, Hoop Hustlers, did not return to defend their crown, leaving the field wide open.
Both teams will represent South Africa at the Red Bull Half Court World Final in Manila, Philippines, on December 5. They will compete with national champions from around the world for the global title.
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Lebesa Selepe, player of the MBB Blue Soldiers who grew up a few streets away from Klipspruit Sports Centre, returned to the venue and left as a national champion once again. He highlighted the importance of playing in front of a home crowd in Soweto.
“This is an amazing feeling. We came out here as defending champions, which is difficult. To win one championship is difficult, but what’s even harder is to defend your title. That’s exactly what we did,” said Selepe.
“I have been going to events in this city for almost 20 years, and I’ve never seen it look so beautiful and perfect,” he said ahead of the final.
Selepe’s title defence was supported by a squad boasting significant experience. Arinze Nino Dim has two Basketball Africa League seasons under his belt, two South African club championships and a former university national tournament MVP award.
Neo Mothiba has more than 50 senior national team caps and five Afrobasket campaigns, while Rabbi Belolo-Loussaloussou is a two-time South African club champion who also travelled to Dubai with the squad in 2025.
“An event like this is vital for the growth of 3 X 3 basketball in South Africa. It brings out different players from around the country to compete for the opportunity,” said Nino Dim.
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The women’s title changes hands
The women’s competition was wide open. Size Nenye, the 2025 women’s club champions and 2025 Red Bull Half Court runners-up, arrived as one of the leading contenders in a five-team field that included Blue Flames, Buckets and Bruises, Ghiv Us, MBB Blue Soldiers and Takeover.
Shooting guard Liamisha Aboo (18) described the victory as the product of a hard-fought final, saying: “I feel amazing. We really wanted this, and it showed on court. We did not give up. It was a big fight the whole way, and I am just so excited.’’
MBB Blue Soldiers and The Takeover now focus on Manila, where they will represent South Africa against the world’s best.
