Morgan Muvhango, Sipho Velempini, Abram Masemola and Nomatter Muvhango playing under the Discovery BC (Sables) flag celebrate their historic BSA Fours title.
Image: Jane Malan
The 2026 Bowls South Africa Men’s Open Championship came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday, ending nine days of outstanding competition in Gauteng where Port Natal’s top bowlers tested themselves against the country’s finest on the quicker inland greens.
While several Port Natal players produced encouraging performances, Hillcrest Bowling Club’s Wayne Roberts emerged as the standout local competitor.
The bronze medalist advanced to the semi-finals of the open singles where he faced Nikša Benguric. Benguric had stormed through the playoff rounds in devastating form, recording winning margins of ten shots or more in every encounter leading up to the semi-final showdown.
The Wingate Park star maintained that momentum all the way to the final, where he defeated Edenvale’s Mathews Phiri to secure his second South African singles crown. Benguric will now represent South Africa alongside Harlequins’ Sue Tarr, winner of the SA Women’s Singles title, at the World Bowls Champion of Champions tournament at CluBarham in Australia this October.
Nikša Benguric the 2026 BSA Open singles champion.
Image: Jane Malan
The defining spectacle of finals day was the marathon Men’s Open Fours final that stretched beyond four gripping hours.
Spectators were treated to a contest of extraordinary intensity between Northern Cape’s composite side of Marco Geël (Beaconsfield Park), Franscois van der Walt (Hanover), Quintin Kock (Hanover) and Jan Marais (Beaconsfield Park) and the powerful combination of Morgan Muvhango (Discovery BC), Nomatter Muvhango (Bryanston CC), Sipho Velempini (Bryanston Sports Club) and Abram Masemola (Wingate Park CC).
The championship decider fully lived up to expectations as both teams displayed remarkable skill, tactical discipline and composure under immense pressure.
Geël’s team controlled much of the early exchanges, protecting a narrow lead while continually absorbing pressure from their determined opponents. The momentum shifted dramatically from the 15th end when Team Muvhango won five consecutive ends to edge ahead, their front rank playing exceptional drawing bowls, repeatedly laying the foundation and forcing the Northern Cape side onto the defensive.
Hillcrest’s Wayne Roberts with his BSA Open singles silver medal.
Image: Jane Malan
Geël’s men refused to surrender. Skip Marco Geël and third Franscois van der Walt produced bowls of tremendous quality in the closing stages, constantly rescuing difficult situations by burning five ends to prevent Team Muvhango from extending their lead.
Entering the final end, Northern Cape required three shots to claim victory. Van der Walt drew the shot, keeping their hopes alive and left the championship resting on the final two bowls of the tournament.
With the crowd transfixed, Geël stepped onto the mat needing one more shot to force an extra end. His final delivery was on line, but heartbreakingly came to rest mere centimetres short, sealing a dramatic 20-19 victory for Team Muvhango, crowning them the 2026 BSA Men’s Open Fours champions.
Erhardt Wagner, Bowls Gauteng North Event Committee member, praised the overall standard of the competition and highlighted the emergence of exciting young talent. 21-year-old Reece Nelson of Randburg BC claimed the pairs title alongside club mate Bobby Donnelly, while 19-year-old Luciano Foster of Wellington BC advanced to the semi-finals of the Open Singles.
“The 2026 Open results auger well for the future of bowls in South Africa,” Wagner remarked, a sentiment few who witnessed this unforgettable championship would dispute.