Nine emerging South African table tennis players are preparing to take their talents onto the international stage when they compete at the WTT Youth Contender in Gaborone, Botswana, from 11 to 14 November 2026.
The South African Table Tennis Board (SATTB) announced the selected squad on 4 November, describing the tournament as an important opportunity for the young athletes to gain international exposure, test their abilities against regional competition and further develop their skills. The team features athletes competing in the Under-15 and Under-19 categories.
In the boys’ Under-15 division, Rupert Bester and Binyamin Salie will represent South Africa, while Refilwe Phoofolo will compete in the girls’ Under-15 category. The boys’ Under-19 team comprises Ruan Sholtz, Sphelele Sithole and Kgalalelo Phekonyae. Meanwhile, Bhavna Heeralal, Karen Pillay and Sarah Morsner will compete in the girls’ Under-19 division. The delegation will be led by coach Sameera Maal, with Keegan Reddy serving as team manager.
For the selected players, the competition represents an opportunity to gain experience beyond their local and provincial competitions while measuring themselves against some of the promising young players in the region. According to SATTB, representing the country goes beyond competing at the table, as the athletes will carry the pride of their families, clubs, provinces and South Africa.
The board congratulated the selected players and officials, encouraging the wider South African table tennis community to support the team as they prepare for the four-day competition. The tournament will form part of the young athletes’ continued development as they work towards establishing themselves in the sport.
South Africa will be hoping the experience in Gaborone provides the players with valuable lessons, confidence and an opportunity to showcase their talent on the international stage.
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