Maya de Vries of Curro Nelspruit and Reyneke van Heerden of White River Primary spearheaded Mpumalanga’s medal tally at the 2026 Cycling South Africa XCO National Finals in Stellenbosch.
Maya secured gold in the interhigh category and silver in the interprovincial event, while Reyneke raced to fourth place in the sprog boys U11 interschools category and third in the interprovincial race.
4 days of intense competition in Stellenbosch
The mountain bike event took place in Stellenbosch from September 30 to October 3.
The four-day competition began with the interprimary schools event on day one, followed by the interprovincial primary schools competition on day two, the interhigh schools race on day three, and concluded with the interprovincial high schools team race on day four.
Team Mpumalanga claimed second place in the provincial high school division, with Western Cape crowned champions and Gauteng finishing third.
Secunda leads national high school rankings
Hoërskool Secunda won the interhigh schools category for the best five riders with 950 points, ahead of Paul Roos Gymnasium in second on 870 and Paarl Boys’ High in third on 850.
Hoërskool Secunda was also crowned the national mixed champions (top three boys and top two girls) with 950 points, followed by Ashton Ballito College on 584 and Hoërskool Waterkloof on 578.
In the girls’ category, Secunda took top honours with 600 points, with Waterkloof second on 550 and Afrikaans Hoër Meisies Skool third on 530.
Hoërskool Nelspruit claimed 10th place in the girls’ category with 285 points.
Laerskool Secunda excels in primary school standings
Laerskool Secunda was also among the top primary schools in South Africa, finishing second in the top schools ranking for the best five riders, fifth in the team ranking (best three boys and top two girls), eighth in the boys’ category, and second in the girls’ category.
Mpumalanga riders podium placings: Interprimary
• 3rd: Emma Willemse (Secunda) – third, nipper girls U9
• 3rd: John van der Walt (Laerskool JJ van der Merwe) – third, nipper boys U9
• 2nd: Nian van Vuuren (Secunda) – second, sprog girls U12
Mpumalanga riders podium placings: Interprovincial primary schools
• 2nd: Emma Willemse
• 3rd: Ennike du Plessis (subjunior girls)
• 3rd: Reyneke van Heerden (sprog boys U11)
Mpumalanga riders podium placings: Interhigh
• 1st: Lu-mari du Plessis (Secunda) – first, junior girls U18/U19
• 1st: Maya de Vries (Curro Nelspruit) – first, youth girls U16
• 2nd: Leyla De Oliveira (Secunda) – second, subjunior girls
• 1st: Brand Reinhard du Plessis (Secunda) – first, youth boys U15
• 3rd: Xander Ferreira (Secunda) – third, youth boys U16
Mpumalanga riders podium positions: Interprovincial high schools
• 1st: Lu-mari du Plessis
• 2nd: Maya de Vries
• 3rd: Leyla De Oliveira
• 1st: Brand Reinhard du Plessis
• 2nd: Xander Ferreira.
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markkinnear
www.citizen.co.za
