It was a glorious final day of the 7 th leg of the Zone VI Beach Tour for the South African contingent as 3 of its teams reached the finals of the competition viz. Leo Williams & Danilo von Ludwiger will square up against country men, Thokozizi Ndingi & Jonas Motlhobi in the men’s final while Palesa Sekhonyana & Natasha Webber take on the tournament favourites, Sinaportar & Muniango from Mozambique in the
women’s final. To-date the Mozambican pairing have not lost a match on the year-long Zonal Beach Tour. 

Match Report
DANILO VON LUDWIGER & LEO WILLIAMS VS THOKO NDINGI & JONAS MOTLHOBI (all South African)

With the scalp of the tournament’s top seeds, Ainadino & Monjane from Mozambique under their belt the South African pairing of Danilo von Ludwiger and Leo Williams were spurred on to make history as the first team from South Africa to win gold at the Zone VI Beach Tour.

However, their country -men, Thoko Ndingi and Jonas Motlhobi stood in their way to victory. Clearly Thoko and Jonas enjoyed great crowd support as Thoko is a resident of Durban and Jonas played club volleyball in KZN for many years. Taking advantage of the crowd support Thoko and Jonas were fired up to take on their more fancied opponents who hail from Cape Town (Leo) and Pretoria (Danilo).

While Jonas had a reputation of being a ‘master blaster’ attacker, he linked up well with Thoko whose clever use of the ‘cut shot’ and the occasion power drives kept them in the game against the team of Danilo & Leo that defeated the tournament’s number one seeds, Ainadino & Mojane from Mozambique in straight sets (2-0) in the semi-final stage to reach the final as the new favourites.

The opening set was tightly contested as both teams were probing each other weaknesses in order to exploit them to put quick points on the board. On several occasions the partisan crowd showed their appreciation equally with thunderous applause to both Jonas and Danillo when they fired home their trade mark bullet attacks. The fans enjoyed every minute of the hard fought rallies that kept the score
board ticking evenly.

Sadly for Thoko and Jonas when the scores were levelled at 13-13 they let the encounter slip through their fingers as unforced errors, especially poor service from Thoko at crucial times gave Danilo and Leo a 16-13 lead. With Danilo in superb attacking form he went on to close proceedings with a hard fought 21-17 score line.

The 2nd set was marred by a few ‘’suspect’’ calls from the referee against Danilo and Leo that put a momentary damper on their spirits. On the brighter side the power attacking ‘contest’ between Jonas and Danilo kept the crowd entertained. When ever crowd favourite, local lad Thoko popped up to execute his traditional ‘quick cut-shot’ it drew thunderous applause from the spectators.

Long rallies, solid blocking, deft touches into open spaces followed by desperate attempts to recover balls that came off the blockers hands kept the score board ticking. The crowd loved the ‘drama’ and salivated for more of that kind of action – packed volleyball.

With the scores at 18-16 in favour of Danilo and Leo, two (2) consecutive unforced errors from the crafty left handed maestro, Thoko Ndingi saw them staring at defeat. In the first instance a hard driven cross court – attack missed the side line by millimetres and zoomed out of bounds and into the spectators area (16-19). Losing his balance while moving away from the net resulted in Thoko ‘poking’ at the ball that
that failed to clear the height of the net (16-20). Refusing to roll over and play dead Jonas rose quickly of the burning sand and latched onto a short set off Thoko’s nimble fingers and powered off Danilo’s out stretched hands and out of bounds (17-20).

Coming out of a rally Danilo was poised to blast a quick set from Leo to close proceedings. However, Danilo chose to ‘roll the ball’ over Jonas’s huge block and landed ‘down the line’ in the back court area giving Thoko no chance of getting to the ball.

With a 2nd set 21-17 victory Danilo and Leo walked away with the zonal title as champions for the first time and a cash prize of $300. ‘’Hats-off’’ to the players, who despite the scorching Durban weather they did not fail to thrill and entertain the fans.

The final leg of the 8 leg Zone VI Beach Tour takes place in Vilanculos in Mozambique in February 2023.

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VSA SG

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The post MEN’s FINAL: ZONE VI BEACH TOUR<br>NORTH BEACH, DURBAN appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

It was a glorious final day of the 7 th leg of the Zone VI Beach Tour for the South African contingent as 3 of its teams reached the finals of the competition viz. Leo Williams & Danilo von Ludwiger will square up against country men, Thokozizi Ndingi & Jonas Motlhobi in the men’s final while Palesa Sekhonyana & Natasha Webber take on the tournament favourites, Sinaportar & Muniango from Mozambique in the
women’s final. To-date the Mozambican pairing have not lost a match on the year-long Zonal Beach Tour.

WOMEN’s FINAL
PALESA SEKHONYANA & NATASHA WEBBER (South Africa) V SINAPORTAR & MUNIANGO ( Mozambique)

As the tournament favourites, Sinaportar & Muniango from Mozambique were not going to allow their opponents from South Africa to prevent them from reaching the podium as the gold medallists. According to Sinaportar her Brazilian coach watched the South Africans’ semi-final encounter against the 3rd ranked team from Mozambique and has crafted a solid game plan for victory. What was very evident
from the outset was that the team from Mozambique had developed an excellent synergy after having played together for many years.

Taking the scorching weather conditions into account, Sinaportar & Muniango sacrificed power for ‘soft touches’ into open spaces that made the SA pairing work harder to recover balls that floated into the far reaches of the back court. Relying on their vast experience the Mozambican team took a 8-4 lead that immediately put undue pressure on their challengers.

While Palesa and Natasha are no strangers to this level of competition, they lacked game time together as a team to pose a real threat to the number one seeds. Given her experience Palesa knew that when things become decidedly uncomfortable one has to sacrifice power for controlled soft attacks into open spaces to pick up valuable points. With Palesa’s deft touches out of the reach of her opponents and Natasha’s
occasional power attacks the South Africans bounced back into contention. However, not to be out done Sinaportar and Muniango’s reliance on a variety of attacking options gave them the edge as they closed proceedings with a 21-13 first set win.

While the sizzling heat and the burning sand added to the woes of the South African pairing, Natasha Webber had to contend with an injured foot which she sustained during the semi-final match a day earlier. Normally an energetic athlete on court, Natasha mobility was hampered by her injury.

However, given the winning combination of the Mozambican pairing on the Zonal Beach Tour it came as no surprise when Palesa and Natasha succumbed to the top seeds by a 21-9 scoreline.

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The post ZONE VI BEACH TOUR 7 th LEG, AT DURBAN’s NORTH BEACH, 20 TO 22 January 2023. Final Day Match Report – Women appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

Durban’s North Beach is proving to be an excellent ‘’hunting ground’’ for the South African teams participating in the 7th leg of the Zone VI Beach Tour. After the end of the round robin stage on Day one of the tournament,four South African teams: Ndingi & Motlhobi; Williams & Danilo (all men) and Palesa & Natasha; Karina & Tatiana (all women) progressed into the quarter final stage of the Zonal championship. It was the first time that so many South African teams achieved such a feat in an international zonal competition.

However, in the first semi-final clash South Africans Leo Williams and Danilo von Ludwiger were pitted against Ainadino Martinho and Monjane from Mozambique, the tournament’s top seeds who have not been defeated at any of the six (6) legs of the Zonal Beach Tours they participated in. Unfazed about the hype around the top seeds Williams and Danilo entered the court determined to unseat the reigning champions. Their gusty play and will to win immediately put their opponents on the ‘back foot’ as they struggled to contain the rampant attacking of Danilo von Ludwiger and the solid blocking of Leo Williams who took care of matters at the net. Much to the delight of the partisan crowd, Williams and Danilo raced to an unassailable 11-3 lead in the opening set. Although the team from Mozambique made every effort to get back into contention, they were unable to get the upper hand against the South Africans who thrilled and entertained their fans with a sparkling performance. Unable to withstand the pressure Monjane served into the net at a crucial time that handed Williams and Danilo a 20-10 lead. Still reeling from his blunder, Monjane hammers a spike into the net to give the South Africans a resounding 21-10 victory.

With a change of mind set in the crucial 2nd set, Aindino and Monjane fought back and levelled the scores at 11:11. When Danilo posted a series of quick cross-courts attacks off Williams’ nimble fingers things became decidedly uncomfortable for Ainadino and Mojane. The South Africans lads took a slender 18-17 lead when Leo Williams fired home a cracking power attack that bounced off the base line. From that stage onwards it was an all Danilo ‘affair’ as the youngster powered past the number one seeds at will and closed proceedings with a blistering 21-19, 2nd set victory. In the 2nd men’s semi-final clash between Mondlane & Mongoi from Mozambique the tournament’s 3rd ranked team and South Africa’s Ndingi and Motlhobi it was the latter who clinched a place in the final when they won a hard- fought encounter against the lads from Mozambique. The opening set went in favour of Mondlane and Mongoi as they cleverly exploited the use of the soft attack over the blocker and found empty spaces down the line towards the back court. The South Africans failure to speedily overcome this set back saw them staring at defeat when the score was at 13-9 in Mozambique’s favour. Not to be out done Motlhobi’s occasional power attacks and Ndingi’s quick cross-court ‘cut shots’ brought them back into contention at 14-17.

However, Mondlane’s penchant for effortlessly choosing placement of attacks instead of power attacks befuddled the South African pairing who went on to succumb to a 21-19 first set loss. In the 2nd set the South Africans’ quick fire 5-1 lead was cut short when Mondlane and Mongoi combined well to level matters at 9-9. Spurred on by the fans the home side took a well -deserved 15-10 lead which they converted to a 21-15 ,2nd set win to level matters at 1-1. In the ‘do or die’ 3rd set Ndingi’s unforced service errors could have cost his team dearly. Eventually the South Africans triumphed with a 15-11 scoreline to meet their fellow country -men, Leo Williams and Danilo von Ludwiger in an all -South African men’s final at Durban’s North Beach on Sunday.

Entry to the matches is free.

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The post ZONE VI 2023 BEACH TOUR North Beach, Durban 20-22 January. appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

Durban’s North Beach, once a mecca of beach volleyball activities in the country came alive with the hosting of the 7th leg of the Zone VI Beach Tour from 20 to 22 January. In the set- up of the playing venue the organisers made sure that spectators have easy access to watch all the scintillating actions packed encounters on offer in all four courts during the three day event. Despite the blistering African sun, 17 men’s teams and 14 women’s teams rocked up at the hallowed North Beach arena to get a slice of the prize money and the coveted title of being zonal champions.

In the men’s category, the Beach Tour’s number one pairing of Ainadino Martinho and Manjane cruised through to the quarter-final stages with effortless victories against Keveshan and Shaylin (South Africa) whom they thrashed in straight sets, 21-8; 21-3. It was a case of ‘baptism of fire’ for the first timers at this level of competition. The champions went on to defeat Hazi and Hamzah, also from South Africa by a 21-12; 21-12 margin. A disappointing performance from Zimbabweans, Keni and Chidzwa resulted in their 21-8; 21-15 beating. In the women’s category, number one seeds Sinaportar and Muianga from Mozambique will be joined by Zimbabwe’s Marange and Gaza in the quarter-final stages of the tournament.

Both pairings are regular participants on the Zonal Beach Tour. South Africans, Palesa Sekhonyana and Natasha Webber made their intentions quite clear that they will be amongst the medallists when they won all their group matches defeating Phamotse and Tolofi from Lesotho by a 21-13; 21-19 score line and triumphed over Zimbabwe’s Muchaoona and Tsungie in straight sets, 21-4; 21-16. Palesa and Natasha will be joined by Karina and Tatiana in the quarter final stages of the event which are scheduled for day 2 of the championship. In the men’s category, South Africa’s ‘’dark horses’’, Jonas Motlhobi and Thoko Ndingi surprised their opponents by defeating one of the tournament favourites, Jack and Chiswaniso from Botswana, by 2 sets to 1, 21-12; 15-21; 15-13. The Botswana lads are ranked number 2 in the tournament. With the scalp of the number 2 seeds in their back pocket, Ndingi and Motlhobi went on to post comfortable scores against Krafft & Kesselmann from Namibia, 21-15; 21-13 and Valaitham and Kemoloide, (South Africa), 21-13; 21-4 to book their place in the quarter finals.

The newly formed South African pairing of Leo Williams and Danilo Ludwiger were made to fight all the way to get into the quarter finals. They had a morale boosting win against the much- fancied Zimbabwean pairing of Machona and Trymore with a 21-16; 21-15 score line. Their tightly contested encounter against Mozambique’s Mondlane & Mungoi ended in a 21-19; 21-17 win in the South Africans’ favour. The South Africans are in a celebratory mood at Durban’s North Beach as they have for the first time four of their teams in the quarter final stages of the Zone VI Beach Tour.

VSA President Mr.Anthony Mokoena was ecstatic with the results and promised to plough more resources in to the development of beach volleyball which is considered as the fastest developing sport on the African continent. In a television interview on SuperSport at the North Beach playing venue President Mokoena indicated that VSA awaits the arrival of a dedicated beach volleyball coach funded by the FIVB to fast-track the sport through -out South Africa.

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The post 7th LEG OF 2023 ZONE VI BEACH TOUR, DURBAN Day One: Results (Friday 20 January) appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

CAVB Zone VI hosted the Technical Meeting for the penultimate 7th leg of its Beach Tour on Thursday, 19 January at Durban’s Maharani Hotel. The meeting was well attended by the 17 men’s teams and 14 women’s teams from Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. In his address to the gathering, VSA President Mr.Anthony Mokoena was lavish in his praise for KZN Volleyball for graciously offering to host the Beach Tour after Gauteng Volleyball Union informed the National Federation of its difficulties in delivering the event.

In addition, the VSA President expressed his gratitude to all the sponsors which included Aqua Darshan and the Southern Suns Hotel Group. The hotel group made available their conference facility free of charge for the technical Meeting and provided a smorgasbord of culinary delights for all the guests. After the draws were done by the Zone’s President, Mr.Khalid Cassam from Mozambique, there was an air of quiet optimism from the ‘’heavy weights’’ of the competition from Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe as they weighed up their options against the rest of the ‘pack’ Seemingly their only threat on their way to the podium was the newly formed South African pairing of Leo Williams and Danilo von Ludwiger who were making their debut as a pairing at this level of competition. Leo Williams who plays professionally on the European Beach Volleyball Circuit responded as follows: ‘’Only time will tell.’’

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The post ZONE VI BEACH TOUR HOST TECHNICAL MEETING AT DURBAN’s MAHARANI HOTEL, Thursday 19 January 2023. appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

The penultimate 7th Leg of the 8 Leg Zone VI Beach Volleyball Tour gets underway at
Durban’s North Beach from 20-22 January. After an absence of almost three decades international beach volleyball returns to the mecca of the sport in Durban.

The Zonal hierarchy planned the Zonal Tour to be played by the ten member states to create interest in beach volleyball and at the same time boost the growth of beach volleyball in the Zone. Attractive cash incentives as prize money have increased the number of participants in the ‘’fastest growing sport’’ on the African Continent.

The 8 Leg Zonal Tour started in Maputo, Mozambique early in 2022 was followed up by a sparkling event in Johannesburg, South Africa. The curtain comes down on the 8 Leg Zonal Tour in Maputo, Mozambique in February 2023. At the final leg cash prizes in US dollars will be paid to the top contenders of the Zonal Tour.

Meanwhile a record number of teams from South Africa have registered for the event, knowing full well that the road to podium will not be an easy one. Beach volleyball in Mozambique has ‘’skyrocketed’’ after the country enlisted the services of a Beach Volleyball coach from Brazil. After having played in six events the teams from Mozambique lead the Zonal Tour log.

Given their past glories on the SA Beach circuit South Africa’s hopefuls, Palesa Sekhonyana and Natasha Webber are confident that they will be among the medallist in Durban.

In the male category, the vastly experienced Leo Williams who plies his trade on the FIVB European beach volleyball circuit has teamed up with youngster, Danilo von Ludwigger, a medical student from Pretoria. The dup realises the enormity of the task. Danillo is tipped to be among the young players category together with Deloshen Valaitham, Kemoloile Osteweleng and Heiko Guther as future beach volleyball prospects. Leo and Danilo realise the enormity of the task at hand especially against Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Regardless they plan to upset the top contenders.

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The post ZONE VI BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOUR, DURBAN, 20-22 January 2023 appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

Deloshen Valaitham from Team South Africa is the youngest player to watch at the World Beach Volleyball Pro-Tour which is arranged to kickstart from tomorrow, 2nd to the 6th of November 2022 here in Cape Town Grand Parade. Deloshen, a 15-year-old youngest star hails from Durban and he’s currently doing Grade 10 at Greenbury secondary School. Valaitham Deloshen and the partner Thandolwethu Ngobese are in the qualification draw and they will lock horns with top teams in the world. Deloshen expressed that he is very happy to participate in the tourney of this magnitude. According by to him the tournament will be used to learn some new skills and, in a nutshell, to experience. Besides the local tourneys, Deloshen, represented South Africa at the U/19 World Beach Volleyball Champiknships which were held in Turkey.

Jacob Thamaga

VSA Media/PR Director

thamagajacob@gmail.com/0725945972

The post DELOSHEN VALAITHAM FROM TEAM SOUTH AFRICA IS THE YOUNGEST PLAYER TO WATCH ON THE MEN’S CATEGORY AT THE WORLD BEACH VOLLEYBALL CAPE PRO-TOUR. appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

Thandolwethu Ngobese is amongst the SA’s young stars expected to participate in the 2022 World Beach Volleyball Pro Tour set to take place on 2-6 November 2022 in Cape Town. Thandolwethu, a 25-years-old young star hails from KwaZulu Natal, Durban and he is one of the University of Kwazulu Natal’s senior players. Thandowethu Ngobese will partner with Deloshen Valaitham as they battle up against world’s top-teams in the qualification draw.

Thandolwethu Ngobese has attained the following accolades:

• Attained Bronze at the 2019 National Beach Volleyball League
• Emerged as the Champion at the 2019 University Sport South Africa (USSA Championships)
• Finished on the 4th place at the 2018 and 2019 Volleyball South Africa Splash festival

Jacob Thamaga

VSA Media/PR Director

thamagajacob@gmail.com/0725945972

The post THANDOLWETHU NGOBESE IS AMONGST THE SA’S YOUNG STARS EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2022 WORLD BEACH VOLLEYBALL PRO TOUR appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

Tatiana Simopoulos is the South African’s youngest star to watch on the women’s side at the World
Beach Volleyball Pro Tour scheduled to be held on 2-6 November 2022 in South Africa, Cape Town.
Playing in the qualification draw, Tatiana Simopoulos will be paired with Tamlyn Thomas as they face
high-ranking teams from various parts of the world such as Brazil, USA, Czech Republic, Canada,
China, Austria, Japan, Slovenia, Ukraine, and Mozambique.

Tatiana stressed that, she will be playing the 2nd tournament with her partner Tamlyn Thomas but
she’s looking forward to gaining experience with her at that level. “I am very excited to be gaining
an amazing experience with Tamlyn Thomas and learn how it is to compete on an international
level”, Tatiana alluded.

Tatiana Simopoulos, a 20-years-old young star hails from Gauteng, and she is currently studying
Biokinetics at the University of Johannesburg.

Tatiana Simopoulos’s Beach Volleyball highlights!

Tatian is new in Beach Volleyball, but she was fortunate to win a Bronze Medal at the 2nd Leg of
CAVB Zone IV Beach Volleyball Tour which was hosted in South Africa, Johannesburg in April 2022.
Besides the above-mentioned tour, Tatiana also participated at the other two CAVB Zone IV Beach
Volleyball Tours as follows;

 Mozambique 1st Leg of the CAVB Zone IV Tour
 Lesotho 6th Leg of CAVB Zone IV Tour

Jacob Thamaga

VSA PR/Media Director

thamagajacob@gmail.com/0725945972

The post TATIANA SIMOPOULOS: 20 YEARS OLD, IS SA’S YOUNGEST STAR TO WATCH AT THE 2022 WORLD BEACH VOLLEYBALL PRO TOUR appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

The SA starlets Tamlyn Thomas alluded that she is ready to compete up against top teams in the world, at the FIVB Beach Volleyball Pro-Tour set to take place in Cape Town on 2-6 November 2022. “I am aiming to be competitive against the world’s best and hopefully end the competition with great results,” said Tamlyn. Thomas a 25-year-old starlets hails from Cape Town and she’s currently studying B-Education Degree at the University of the Western Cape.

Thomas and the partner Tatiana Simopolous will be the only South African women’s team participating in this year’s prominent tourney. The duo will be expected to face top-ranking opponents in the qualification draw.

Tamlyn Thomas’s Beach Volleyball highlights are as follows:
 Participated at the 2022 FISU World Students Beach Volleyball Championships
 Partook at the recent 2022 Zone IV Beach Volleyball Tour in Lesotho
 Represented South Africa at the 2017 U/21 Volleyball World Championships in China
 Took part at the 2017 U/21 African Nation Cup in Egypt
 Participated at the 2017 CAVB Zonal Qualifiers which took place in Mozambique
 Competed at the 2017 SA U21 Splash Beach Volleyball in Port Elizabeth

Tickets are from R100 for general access:
https://www.whatsonincapetown.com/post/beach-volleyball-protour-cape-making.

Jacob Thamaga

VSA Media/PR Director

thamagajacob@gmail.com/0725945972

The post TAMLYN THOMAS: I AM READY TO COMPETE UP AGAINST TOP TEAMS IN THE WORLD appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

The South African young star Lukholo Jooste expressed that he just wants to play, have fun,
and enjoy his first ever Beach Volleyball Pro-Tour. According to Lukholo, qualifying to
participate in the main draw will be a dream come true. Lukhulo a 22-year-old young star
hails from Cape Town and he is doing 2 nd year of BA Education at the University of the
Western Cape. Lukholo Jooste and the partner Danilo von Ludwiger willto first battle up
against the top countries in the world, to secure the spot into have the Elite 16 main draw of
the Beach Volleyball Pro Tour.

Lukholo Jooste’s Beach Volleyball remarkable moments!
Lukholo rose through the ranks of the SA Beach Volleyball as he participated in the domestic
beach volleyball events and represented SA at various international juniors’ competitions as
follows:
o Participated at the 2022 FISU World Student Beach Volleyball Games (Brazil)
o Participated at the 2021 Volleyball South Africa’s Beach Volleyball National Tours
o Took part at the 2022 Zone VI Beach Volleyball Tours as follows:

• Finished 5 th at the Maputo 1 st Leg
• Finished in Group Stages at the Johannesburg 2 nd Leg
• Finished 5 th at the Maseru 6 th Tour
  o Attained Silverware at the 2022 Volleyball South Africa’s Open Splash Festival (Port
  Elizabeth)
  o Finished 2nd at his first University Sports South Africa’s Beach Volleyball Championships
  2021
  o Finished 2 nd at his first South African Senior National Volleyball League (2019)
  o Emerged as the Champions at the 2018 Volleyball South Africa’s U/23 Inter Provincial
  Tournament
  o Attained silverware at the U/19 World Beach Volleyball Championships Qualifiers
  (Congo DRC)
  o Participated at the 2018 World Beach Volleyball Championships (China).
  o Competed at the 2017 U/21 Youth Continental Cup (Egypt).
  o Partook at the 2017 U/19 Youth Commonwealth Games (Bahamas).

Get your tickets to watch some beautiful beach volleyball actions in Cape Town from the 2 nd
to the 6 th of November 2022.

Jacob Thamaga

VSA PR/Media Director

thamagajacob@gmail.com/0725945972

The post LUKHOLO JOOSTE: I JUST WANT TO PLAY, HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE FIRST EVER BEACH<br>VOLLEYBALL PRO-TOUR appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

The South African’s young star Danilo von Ludwiger expressed that, he cannot wait to
participate at the prestigious FIVB Beach Volleyball Pro Tour to be held on the 2-6
November 2022 in South Africa, Cape Town. Danilo a 22-year-old young star is currently
doing his 4 th year of MBChB at the University of Pretoria and this where he spends most of
his time playing volleyball. Danilo and his partner Lukholo Jooste will be expected to fight
against their counterparts by the likes of USA, France, Australia, Turkey, Mexico,
Mozambique, and many other high-ranking teams to secure the spot into the main draw.
Danilo von Ludwiger’s Beach Volleyball Profile
Even though Danilo is still new in this game, he has recorded some exciting beach volleyball
highlights as follows:
o Represented South Africa at the 2022 FISU World Student Games (Brazil)
o He was part of the South African National Olympic Qualifying Squad for 2020 Tokyo
Olympic Qualifiers
o Participated at the 2021 Volleyball South Africa’s Tours and he won the below-
mentioned accolades:

• Attained Gold at the 2 nd Leg of Cape Town Tour
• Finished 2 nd at the 3 rd Leg of Cape Town Tour
• Obtained 4 th position at the 4 th Leg of the Cape Town Tour
• Won Gold at the 5 th Leg of Durban Tour
• Won Silver at the 6 th Leg of the Durban Tour
  o Took part at the 2022 Zone VI Beach Volleyball Tours as follows:
• Finished 5 th at the Maputo 1 st Leg
• Finished in Group Stages at the Johannesburg 2 nd Leg
• Finished 5 th at the Maseru 6 th Tour
  o Attained Silverware at the 2022 Volleyball South Africa’s Open Splash Festival (Port
  Elizabeth)
  Get your tickets to watch some beautiful beach volleyball actions in Cape Town from the 2 nd
  to the 6 th of November 2022.

Jacob Thamaga

VSA PR/Media Director

thamagajacob@gmail.com/0725945972

The post THE SA’s YOUNG STAR DANILO VON LUDWIGER CAN’T WAIT TO PARTICIPATE AT THE FIVB<br>BEACH VOLLEYBALL PRO TOUR appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

Grant Goldschmidt’s Beach Volleyball highlights
Grant Goldschmidt is a 39-year-old Olympian who hails from Western Cape in Mitchell’s Plain. Don’t miss
out the actions as Grant Goldschmidt and his partner Leo Williams will be locking horns with the top notch teams from various parts of the World in Cape Town.
Grant besides being a Beach Volleyball Olympian he has attained several accolades as follows:
 2 nd position at the 2022 African Continent Commonwealth Qualifiers (Ghana)
 Participated at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (England)
 Reached the Final Leg of the 2021 Olympic Qualifiers (Morocco)
 2nd position at the 2019 FIVB World Tour (Cambodia)
 Finished on 4th position at the 2019 FIVB World Tour (Italy)
 Finished on 4th position at the 2019 All Africa Games (Morocco)
 Participated at the 2015 World Championships (Netherlands)
 Won Gold at the 2011 All Africa Games (Mozambique)
 Obtained position 1 at the 2011 Usedom German Cup (Germany)
 Acquired Gold at the 2010 Montpellier French Cup (France)
 Emerged as the 2012 Continental Cup winners (Mauritius)
 Competed at the 2012 London Olympics (England)
 Finished on 9 th position at the 2014 FIVB Mangaung Open (South Africa)

Let us buy tickets to support the SA teams participating at this prestigious Pro Beach Volleyball Tour.

The post GRANT GOLDSCHMIDT IS AMONG THE TOP ATHLETES TO WATCH AT THE FIVB BEACH<br>VOLLEYBALL PRO TOUR WHICH WILL BE STAGED ON 2-6 NOVEMBER 2022 IN SOUTH AFRICA,<br>CAPE TOWN appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

Leo Williams’ Beach Volleyball Profile

Leo Williams will partner with Grant Goldschimdt and they are already in the main draw through wildcard to battle up against the likes of Norway, Netherlands, USA, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Austria and many other top rankings countries in the world. Williams is 37 years old and he hails from Western Cape, Cape Town but he is currently based in Czech Republic. Leo is a highly experienced beach volleyball star and he has attained several accolades as follows: • 2nd position at the 2022 African Continent Commonwealth Qualifiers (Ghana) • Participated at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (England) • Reached the Final Leg of the 2021 Olympic Qualifiers (Morocco) • 2nd position at the 2019 FIVB World Tour (Cambodia) • 4th Position at the 2019 FIVB World Tour (Italy) • 1st position in 2018/2019 National Tours (Austrian and Czech Republic) • 1st position in 2019 Santa Monica event (USA) • 2nd Position at the African Championships 2015 & 2017 • Participated at the World Championships, Netherlands 2015 & Austria 2017 • 3rd position at the All-Africa Games 2015 • 9th Position at the 2014 FIVB Open in Mangaung, South Africa • 5th Position at the 2013 World Cup in Campinas, Brazil • Dominated all the SA domestic Beach Volleyball events Spectators are therefore encouraged to buy tickets in support of the South African Teams going to participate in the tourney which is history in the making.

Jacob Thamaga

VSA PR/Media Director

thamagajacob@gmail.com/0725945972

The post KNOW THE SA STARS AHEAD OF THE FIVB BEACH VOLLEYBALL PRO TOUR WHICH WILL BE STAGED ON 2-6 NOVEMBER 2022 IN SOUTH AFRICA, CAPE TOWN appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

It was double celebrations for tournament favourites, Gauteng women and men’s senior volleyball teams when they reached the podium as gold medallists in the 2022 National Volleyball League (NVL) finals hosted at the Tempe Military Base Sports Centre in Bloemfontein on Friday, 30 September.

In the women’s final Gauteng triumphed over Mpumalanga, the debutants at this level of competition in straight sets, 25-12; 25-17; 25-13. The slow- paced opening encounter came alive when Nelia Thembe, skipper Makhosazana Dlamini and Tatiana Simopoulos combined well to blast their way past
the debutant blockers to register a commanding 25-12 first set win. In the 2nd set Ellen Maloisane pitched in with a few solid attacks that rebounded off the Mpumalanga blockers’ outstretched hands and zoomed out of bounds. Nelia Thembe and Tatiana Simopoulos had a field day posting valuable points through clinical finishing from both the power and utility positions on the court. The duo went
on to clinch the 2 nd set by a 25-17 margin.

With no prospect of losing the final coach G.P.Fourie used the 3rd set to ring the changes to give as many of his players the opportunity to get game time. Fourie’s young charges won the 3 rd set by a 25-13 margin to march to the podium as the tournament’s gold medallists.

The men’s final between Gauteng and the Western Cape was a real humdinger. Gauteng’s star performers Danilo von Ludwiger and Baholo Mokhomo latched onto to playmaker Khutso Mamabolo well placed sets to take a 25-20 first set win. While the Western Cape Cranes’ Clinton Stemmet was in fiery form scoring points when ever he was serviced by his setter, it was Danilo von Ludwiger and Baholo Mokhomo who ran riot with the Cranes’ defence at the net to register a 25-142 nd set win to what was thought to be an assailable (2-0) lead in a 5 set final.

The fiercely contested crucial 3 rd set deadlocked at 19-19 as both teams chose the route of exchanging an explosive attacking strategies that excited the crowd. They soon showed greater allegiance to the team from the south. With part of the crowd firmly behind the Cape side the score board was kept ticking evenly. At 24-23 in favour of the Cranes it was their skipper Clinton Stemmet who quickly latched onto a
shoot set from Antonio Roussouw and blasted his way to close the set with a nail biting 25-23 victory.

Continuing with their winning ways the Cranes sped to a 17-12 lead which they went on to close proceedings with a 25-19 win to force the final into a deciding 5th set. However, when Gauteng focused on their game plan and took the fight to their opponents, it immediately boosted their chances of victory. Although the score reached 10-5 in favour of Gauteng, Stemmet and his lads soldiered on trying to
salvage the situation. It was evident that the Gauteng lads had a greater reservoir of energy to quicken the pace of the game to force the veteran players in the Cape side to wilt through the onset fatigue.
Gauteng ‘stepped on the gas’ and pushed the score line to 13 -8 which they converted to a hard fought 15-8 score line to pick up the coveted 2022 NVL silverware.

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The post NVL 2022 WOMEN & MEN’s FINALS appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

The old adage, ‘the cream floats to the top’ best describes the contestants in the semi-final stages of the 2022 NVL hosted by Volleyball South Africa at the Tempe Military Base Sports Centre in Bloemfontein from 26 to 30 September.

In the first women’s semi-final clash between Mpumalanga and Limpopo the former dominated from the first whistle and secured a commanding 26-15 win in the opening set. A spirited fight back in the 2nd set almost led to Mpumalanga’s untimely defeat. Sheer determination to contain the rampant Limpopo attackers paid off. Mpumalanga went on to grab a hard fought 26-24 victory, much to the dismay of the
Limpopo fans. Mpumalanga secured their place at Friday’s final when they comfortably defeated their opponents by a 25-17 margin.

The 2nd semi-final match between tournament favourites, Gauteng and KZN proved to be too powerful for the hapless KZN outfit who were demolished in straight sets (3-0); (25-12; 25-11; 25-10) to meet Mpumalanga in the finals of the 2022 National Volleyball League women’s final. The Gauteng men’s team coach, Shaldrack Maitisa had the luxury of depth among the players on the substitution bench, which many of the provincial teams envied. Faced with a ‘healthy headache’ Maitisa’s players knew that they will have to go the extra few kilometres to secure a place in the team. To this end the players displayed
sheer guts and determination to win every encounter.

Gauteng’s attacking trio, Danilo von Ludwiger, Baholo Makhomo and Kgotatso Mamabolo were in fine form as they posted an effortless straight sets win (3-0), (25-16; 25-17,25-20) to advance to the men’s final on Friday. However, the match of the day was between the defending champions KZN and the
Western Cape Cranes which the latter won by 3 sets to 1 (25-21; 25-20; 14-25; 25-21). KZN’s Reo Ramdeen was in superb form, posting a number of crucial points.

Sadly, Ramdeen alone could not stop the Cranes power attacker, Clinton Stemmet, SA National team stalwart from running riot in attack. The Cranes won the first two sets putting them in pole position to join Gauteng in the final.

In the 3 rd set the battle at the net brought loud cheers from the crowd who showed their appreciation every step of the way by encouraging their favourite teams. KZN’s Hinesh Purbhoo and Kiveshan Bhagwandeen turned the tables on the Cranes with a 25-14 thrashing.

It was the attacking prowess of skipper Clinton Stemmet and the vast experience of setter Antonio Roussouw and veteran middle blocker Margo Daniels that helped the Western Cape outfit to secure a hard fought 25-21 win to meet Gauteng in the men’s final on Friday at the Tempe Military Base in Bloemfontein.

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Playing on ‘home turf’ with a vociferous partisan crowd support the Free State ladies team were almost guaranteed of victory against Gauteng who led Group A at that stage. Sadly, for the home side Gauteng’s veteran coach, G.P Fourie had other plans to overcome the challenges and keep his young charges focused on the ‘job at hand’, to win the encounter and maintain their unbeaten run in the round robin stage of the 2022 NVL.

Absorbing the pressure of the occasion the Gauteng ladies stuck to their game plan and maintained a slender lead (11-9) despite the partisan crowd’s loud cheering and thunderous support when ever the home side executed a block or grounded an attack. When the Free State’s ‘big hitting’ attacker, Kgomotso Mothopi’s consecutive services troubled Gauteng’s back court receivers, the alarm bells were sounded.

Although the loss of points levelled the scores at 14-14 the Gauteng team stepped up a few gears through Tatiana Simopoulos whose trade mark down the line spikes picked up valuable points. At crucial times setter Vanessa Sardinha-da Silva chose her middle attackers Jeanette Mokoatla and Makhosazana Dlamini to keep the team ahead on points when ever the ‘goings got tough’. Not to be out done, Free State’s Malwase Khoboko responded with venom when she connected with setter Mamoipone Kgomamajatsane well- crafted sets. The problem for the Free State was that their setter did not service Khoboko with regularity to pick up much needed points. An error for which the team will regret dearly.

When the first set score reached a breath taking 19-18, it was the Gauteng ladies’ determination to register a morale boosting win gave them the edge to wrap up proceedings with a 25-20 score line.
Gauteng’s shaky start in the 2 nd set gave the Free State ladies the opportunity to race to a 7-2 lead. The partisan crowd loved every second of the encounter as their favourite team were in the driving seat. When the Gauteng coach, G.P.Fourie introduced Nelia Tembe, his lanky middle attacker to the fray, things turned in favour of the Gauteng team. Janka Meyer pitched in with power attacks to the far ends of
the court and outside the reach of the cover players to keep the score board ticking.

From a 7-2 deficit Gauteng fought their way back into contention largely through Nelia Tembe, Tshedi Dlamini and middle attackers Mokoatla and Makhosazana to take a commanding 21-14 lead. Tshedi Dlamini three consecutive power services gave Gauteng a 24-15 lead which they converted to a 25-15 2 nd set win to take a 2-0 lead.

In the 3 rd set coach Fourie brought on first team setter Vanessa Sardinha-da Silva and moved Tshedi Dlamini into the utility position to give his team depth in attack. The move paid off well for Fourie’s team. However, a series of unforced service errors added to the woes of the home side.

With Nelia Tembe in devastating form, the Free State team had no chance of an upset victory against the high riding Gauteng ladies’ team. When the score reached 24-15 Nelia Tembe rose majestically and pounded the set almost off her setter’s outstretched hands to post a 25-15 3 rd set win.

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The post NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE Day 2: Match Report: GAUTENG v FREE STATE (Women) appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

Defending champions, KZN brushed aside challenges from the North West Province in straight sets (3-0) to square up against the hard -hitting team from Limpopo on day 2 of the NVL. Those who watched the KZN lads in devastating form against North West would have no doubt that the defending champions were on track to retain the coveted NVL silverware.

The court was set alight when Quwin Naidoo’s KZN locked horns with Jonas Motlhobi’s Limpopo to stake a place in the semi-final stage of the 2022 NVL. Fiery attacking exchanges and crucial blocking were the hall marks of the bruising encounter. While Limpopo relied heavily on Jonas Motlhobi, their star attacker to score quick points, KZN had the luxury of using their attackers from every position on the court to keep the score board ticking. In the first set in particular attacker Hinesh Purbhoo was a constant thorn in the side of the Limpopo lads as his quick cross court attacking befuddled the blockers at the net.

When the Limpopo cover players struggled in receiving KZN’s well placed power service the former went on to lose valuable points. Despite this set back Limpopo led on two occasions when the scores were at 19-18 and 21-20 respectively. The opening set was poised on a knife’s edge in favour of KZN at 24-23 when Limpopo’s Jonas Motlhobi’s ‘nervous’ service failed to cross the net into the opposition’s court.
KZN expressed their joy for winning the breath-taking set by a 25-23 margin.

A sparkling display of well disguised sets by mercurial playmaker Quwin Naidoo put pressure on the Limpopo lads as they had to work doubly hard to contain KZN’s rampant attack force. The situation became dire for Limpopo when poor service reception reared its ugly head once more. KZN’s middle blockers Yuvir Ramjit and Kiveshan Bhagwandeen took care of matters at the net and equally blasted their way past the opposition blockers to post a 25-19 win to take a 2-0 lead.

Refusing to take the ‘foot off the pedal’, the KZN team took an unassailable 20-6 lead in double quick time in the 3 rd set and went on to wrap proceedings with a 25-9 thrashing of the team from Limpopo.

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The post NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE (NVL),2022 Tempe Military Base, Bloemfontein. Day 2: Match Report: KZN v LIMPOPO (Men) appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

The opening fixture of the 2022 NVL staged at the Tempe Military Base Sports Arena between Gauteng Thunderbolts and the Western Cape Cranes was a fiery encounter that thrilled and excited the spectators. The quality of the exchanges between the teams was a clear indication of the high standard of volleyball in their respective provinces.

The Thunderbolts made their intentions clear that they were determined to take the coveted NVL silverware to Gauteng, the ‘’home of the champions’’. Spurred on by their determination to reach the podium as the tournament’s gold medallists the Gauteng lads got off to a sparkling start when they fired a series of ‘thunderbolts’ at their opponents.

Riding on the crest of the wave the Gauteng team posted a runaway lead, much to the delight of their fans. However, things became horribly uncomfortably for the Thunderbolts when the Cranes fought back through Clinton Stemmet, the former SA National team power attacker who was unstoppable from position 4 whenever playmaker Antonio Rossouw directed sets to him. Through Stemmet’s solo efforts
the Western Cape Cranes closed the points gap to 19-17’ When the quick hitting Danilo von Ludwigger joined in the attack with Baholo Makhomo it kept Gauteng’s hopes alive of a first set win. The fans applauded Mokohomo every time ‘’he pulled the trigger’ and unleashed his trade mark power cross court ‘scorching’ attacks that gave his opponents no hope of stopping him at the net. Mokohomo’s celebration after blasting his way past the blockers brought loud cheers from the spectators. Gauteng won the first set when skipper Lehlohonolo Pheko rose quickly to meet a short set in the middle from setter Khutso Mamabolo to hammer home a 25-20 score line.

Much to the disappointment of the high riding Gauteng Thunderbolts the Western Cape Cranes turned the tables on their more fancied opponents. Unable to contain Clinton Stemmet and his attackers the Gauteng lads slid to a 17-9 deficit ,starring at defeat. Veteran middle blocker, Margo Daniels pitched in with well executed blocks to keep the pressure on Gauteng. Clinton Stemmet sealed the 2 nd set with a fiery attack that wrapped up proceedings by a 25-16 ‘’hiding’’. The scores were levelled at 1-1.

Although the 3 rd set was closely contested the Thunderbolts used the strength of its attack force led by Danilo von Ludwigger and Baholo Makhomo to take a 2-1 lead when they posted a 25-20 score line.
It came as no surprise when the Thunderbolts lived up to their name and ‘’thundered’’ their way past the Cranes defence at the net with a 25-15 4th set win. Gauteng will square up against Free State in their 2nd round robin match.

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The post NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE (NVL) Tempe Military Base Sports Arena, 26 to 30 September 2022 Day 1 Men’s Fixture: Gauteng Thunderbolts V. Western Cape Cranes appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.

All nine province’s senior women and men’s teams will be heading for Bloemfontein on Monday, 26 September to participate in the 2022 National Volleyball League (NVL), Volleyball South Africa’s prestigious inter-provincial championship. As a- rule it is mandatory for each provincial team to include a minimum of two under 19 players in their line up to afford the youngsters the opportunity of gaining experience of ‘rubbing shoulders’ with the senior counterparts.

VSA’s National Volleyball League (NVL) Project Manager, Vinesh Maharaj was oozing with confidence that the 2022 edition of the NVL will surpass the previous ones hosted in Durban (2018) and Johannesburg (2019).

According to the Project Manager months of preparations have paid off as its all systems go for the prestigious event to be staged at the Tempe Military Base volleyball arena in Bloemfontein from 26 to 30 September. Apart from ‘bragging rights’ provincial teams will lock horns for the title for the best volleyball playing province for 2022.

KZN and Gauteng who are the defending champions in the men and women’s categories respectively are determined to retain their number one spot in the national inter-provincial competition.

After perusing through the team sheets submitted by the provinces, VSA’s General Manager, Thierry Mabeka had no doubt that the Gauteng women’s team coached by G.P. Fourie will retain their title as the team has an excellent blend of youth and experience to march to the podium as the tournament’s gold medallists.

‘’Following closely behind the Gauteng team will be Mpumalanga and the North West whose teams have included many under 19 players in their final list of 12 players,’’ said Mabeka.

The VSA GM went on to say that KZN, the defending champions in the men’s category will face an uphill battle against a rampant Gauteng team and dark horses Limpopo who are tipped to be among the medallists at this year’s NVL.

Matches will be live streamed on Tuesday and Wednesday on VSA Facebook Page, there-after on Thursday and Friday there will be live coverage of the matches by Vision View TV. Download & Subscribe to the VisionViewTV app to watch the games. www.visionview.tv

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The post VSA’s NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE (NVL) SET TO TAKE OFF AT THE TEMPE MILITARY BASE IN BLOEMFONTEIN appeared first on Volleyball South Africa.