South African rowing delivered a series of standout performances this past weekend at two prestigious international competitions – the U23 World Rowing Championships in Poznan, Poland, and the World University Games in Germany – showcasing the nation’s growing talent and depth in the sport.

U23 World Championships – Silver and Strong Finishes in Poland

Leading the charge in Poznan was Chloe Cresswell, who captured a silver medal in the lightweight women’s single sculls, highlighting her technical prowess and competitive spirit. Her training partner at Tuks University, Doné Erasmus (competing for Zimbabwe), finished a commendable sixth, marking a proud moment for African women’s rowing.

In the women’s single sculls, Danelia Price-Hughes secured 8th place, continuing her rise after last year’s junior silver. Meanwhile, Braden Howard finished 11th out of 28 boats in the men’s single sculls, confirming his potential as one of the country’s most promising young talents. Both athletes, just 19 years old, are expected to contend for U23 medals in the coming years.

The squad’s strong performance was guided by coaches Caitlin Reed and Thato Mokoena, who helped the young rowers navigate the high-stakes environment of international racing.

World University Games – Silver for Women’s Pair and Strong Crews All Around

Meanwhile, in Germany, South African university rowers turned heads with a string of impressive results. The standout performance came from Courtney Westley and Katherine Williams, who claimed silver in the women’s pair, narrowly missing gold by just one second after a determined sprint to the finish.

The men’s pair of Phumi Tshabalala and Jordan Craig won the B Final, finishing 7th overall. The Stellenbosch University men’s four – Ehros Smith, Robert Hirschson, Merwe Engelbrecht, and Brian Thomson – placed 9th overall, while UCT’s Ryan Dellbridge and Stellenbosch’s Stefan Breytenbach finished 18th in the men’s double.

Despite the elite level of competition, the South African crews showed exceptional grit, teamwork, and growing international competitiveness.

Momentum for the Future

The weekend’s results have energized South Africa’s rowing community. With athletes gaining international experience, strong university programmes in Gauteng and the Western Cape, and increasing support from local clubs and coaches, the sport continues its upward trajectory.

U23 Head Coach Thato Mokoena summed it up best: “Without other people, you’ll never go rowing.”

The future of South African rowing looks bright, with a new generation of athletes ready to take on the world.

For more updates, visit rowsa.co.za or follow @rowingrsa and @rmbnationalsquad on social media.