The Bowls South Africa Masters, widely regarded as the country’s premier singles lawn bowls championship, once again delivered bowls of the highest calibre when the tournament was staged at Wingate Park Bowling Club in Pretoria from 6 to 8 February. The Masters is an invitation-only event, reserved for the nation’s elite bowlers.
Invitations are extended by the Bowls SA selection committee, taking into account players’ performances in singles and pairs competitions over a three-year period. Simply receiving an invitation is regarded as one of the highest honours in South African bowls.
Competition takes place across six divisions. U30 men and women, open men and women, and veteran men and women for players over the age of 60. Wingate Park, which boasts five immaculate greens, has become the established home of the Masters in recent years. Only 16 players compete in each open division, while 12 players qualify in each of the U30 and veteran categories, making competition fierce from the first bowl.
Produced exceptional forms in sectional play
Among the regular names at the Masters is Northern Cape star Charles Peter “CP” Mathewson, whose record over the past decade has made him one of the country’s most consistent singles competitors. Mathewson previously competed in the U25 Masters, later restructured as the U30 division, before becoming a fixture in the open event.
His credentials speak for themselves: multiple Northern Cape Open Singles titles, Masters titles, Junior Masters victories, and success in the Quadrangular Singles, contested between champions from Northern Cape, Southern Free State, Northern Free State and North West. Internationally, he has also represented South Africa as a Protea player at events including the Multi Nations tournament in Australia and the African States.
Despite his pedigree, Masters success had previously proved elusive, with a silver medal in the U30 division and bronze in the open division among his best finishes.
This year, competing in the open division, Mathewson produced exceptional form in sectional play, winning six of his seven matches against the country’s best singles players. His only defeat came in a narrow 21–20 loss to last year’s silver medallist Wayne Rittmuller. By the end of the opening day, many observers began to tip Mathewson as the tournament’s dark horse. Throughout sectional play, he combined accurate drawing with the devastating driving shot that has become his trademark, while commentators noted the calm and maturity he displayed under pressure.
Packed crown lined banks for final
Topping his section earned Mathewson a place in the final against local favourite Cecil Bornmann of Wingate Park. Bornmann had secured his spot in the Open division by winning last year’s U30 title.
A packed crowd lined the banks for the final, with the majority backing the home-club player. Chants of support for Bowls Gauteng North echoed across the greens as the match began, creating a challenging atmosphere for the visiting Mathewson.
Unfazed, he quickly settled into rhythm, applying pressure with precise drawing and repeatedly escaping difficult positions with well-timed drives. He surged into a commanding 16–8 lead, appearing to have the match firmly under control.
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Bornmann, however, fought back strongly, narrowing the gap to 16–14 and reigniting the home support. Under mounting pressure, Mathewson remained composed, regaining momentum and ultimately sealing a 21–15 victory to claim the 2026 Bowls South Africa Men’s Open Masters title.
Mathewson to represent South Africa in Australia
The celebrations did not end there. During the prize-giving ceremony, it was also announced that Mathewson would represent South Africa later this year at the World Bowls Indoor Championships in Australia.
Congratulatory messages poured in from across the country, particularly from his home district in the Northern Cape. Speaking after the final, Mathewson revealed he had promised his daughter he would bring home a big trophy, a promise he proudly fulfilled.
At just 30 years old, Mathewson’s career still holds many chapters to be written. For now, however, the Northern Cape bowls fraternity can celebrate one of its finest sporting achievements, as one of its own stands atop South African bowls.
Super proud
Braam van der Westhuizen, president of Northern Cape Bowls, says the province’s bowls fraternity is super proud of Mathewson of the Beaconsfield Club in Kimberley.
“Once again, CP has shown that the countryside does not have to be inferior to any major unions,” Van der Westhuizen comments. In a month it will be the SA Interdistrict competitions again where six teams from the Northern Cape will play at different locations in the country. What makes it so incredible is that due to a lack of funds, players have to pay themselves and then still come out successful, just think how the Northern Cape will flourish with funds?”
Driaan van Niekerk
novanews.co.za
