10-07-2025
Roberts to represent SA in the World Cup in Malaysia
The buzz in Port Natal bowls circles this week is the thrilling news that Hillcrest Bowling Club's Wayne Roberts has been selected to represent South Africa in the inaugural World Bowls World Cup, to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from November 4 to 8.
This premier tournament is designed as a preparation event for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and has generated great anticipation across the world bowls community.
The World Cup, a platinum event on the World Bowls Series calendar, will be hosted at the prestigious Bukit Kiara National Lawn Bowl Centre—a world-class venue that staged the lawn bowls competition during the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
A total of twelve nations will participate, including the host country Malaysia and the top 11 countries from the 2023 World Championships.
The format is as elite as it is inclusive: six-person teams comprising two Open Women, two Open Men and two Para athletes (one male and one female), competing across seven events including singles and pairs in each section.
Roberts' selection is well-earned. In November 2024, he donned the green and gold at the World Champion of Champions tournament at Brown's Bay Bowling Club in Auckland, New Zealand and earlier this year, he secured the Fairtree PBA Singles title.
In Malaysia, he will compete in the open men's singles and pair up with Jason Evans (Johannesburg Bowling Association) in the men's pairs.
The full team is a blend of experience and talent: Evans and Roberts in the Open Men's division, Anneke Scheepers (Western Province) and Bridget Herselman (Sables) in the Open Ladies' division, and Jared James (Ekurhuleni) and Margie Palmer (Western Province) representing the physically disabled category.
Susan Nel of Amanzimtoti Bowling Club will coach the ladies' squad and accompany the team when they depart on October 31 to allow for practice and acclimatisation on indoor greens.
Roberts is seen as a shining inspiration for young bowlers across South Africa. His dedication, work ethic and composure on the green are widely admired. Within the Port Natal bowling community, his selection has been met with pride and high expectations.
Port Natal League action heats up
Meanwhile, on the local scene, the Port Natal Inter-Club leagues kicked off on Saturday 5 July. In the Men's A Division, Westville BC bagged 15 out of 17 points in a convincing win over Amanzimtoti BC, and Umhlali CC matched that score against Stella Park BC. Thanks to a slightly superior shot difference, Westville tops the league table.
This weekend promises a gripping double-header: on Saturday, Westville travel to Parkhill BC, who currently sit third, while on Sunday they host Northlands BC. Umhlali, sitting in second, face Hillary BC on Saturday and Hillcrest BC—keen to upset the log leaders—on Sunday.
In the Ladies A Division, Stella Park claimed 10 out of 12 points in their clash against Umhlali, placing them firmly at the top. All first division clubs head to Mount Edgecombe on Saturday, where Stella Park will take on the hosts in another key showdown.
