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Tristin Galant rewarded with Investec invitation as leading Sunshine Tour Transformation Player

Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace are headed to Durban as part of a showcase of top South African talent, which will also include a special Investec invitation for Tristin Galant as the leading Sunshine Tour Transformation Player at the Investec South African Open at Durban Country Club, from 27 February to 2 March 2025.

Tickets are available to buy at https://sunshinetour.com/tickets

Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, and Grace, the 2020 Investec South African Open champion, have both confirmed their places in the second oldest national Open in golf. Galant, the highest ranked professional from the Sunshine Tour’s Papwa Sewgolum Class for transformation professionals and not otherwise exempt for this tournament, has been granted a special invitation to compete alongside the biggest names on the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour as part of Investec’s support of transformation in South African professional golf.

It will be a significant moment for Galant as he represents the Papwa Sewgolum Class at a Durban Country Club that formed a great part of Sewsunker “Papwa” Sewgolum’s career.

They’ll join defending Investec South African Open champion Dean Burmester in a strong local field that is focused on claiming a seventh consecutive South African victory in this tournament.

With the in-form Daniel van Tonder also in the field, this year’s Investec South African Open will now have three of the last five winners of the tournament at Durban Country Club.

The South African challenge will also feature Shaun Norris, currently the highest ranked South African on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai Rankings in fifth place, as well as last season’s winner of the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy and now a DP World Tour campaigner, Ryan van Velzen, and last season’s winner of the Fortress Rookie of the Year Award and now also a DP World Tour campaigner, Robin Williams.

Grace returns to home fairways having won the 2020 Investec South African Open when he beat close friend Louis Oosthuizen to the title.

“To win the second oldest Open in the world and with so much history is special. It also makes it special beating a player of Louis’s calibre,” said Grace.

Schwartzel is back for another shot at a title where he’s twice finished second – one of those a playoff defeat. “It would be an amazing tournament to win as the second oldest national Open in golf. As a South African it would be a privilege to have that under your belt. All golfers want to win their national Open and it would mean a lot to me to do so,” he said.

The fact that this year’s $1.5 million tournament – co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour – will be played at the historic and recently revamped Durban Country Club should also appeal to Schwartzel.

He finished second behind winner Tim Clark at Durban Country Club in the 2005 Investec South African Open, and on the last occasion the tournament was played here in 2010, he finished fourth behind winner Ernie Els.

As the headline sponsor of the Investec SA Open, Investec is dedicated to elevating local talent and showcasing South African golf talent on the international stage.

Jonsson Workwear is the official workwear partner of the Investec South African Open and the Sunshine Tour, joining other partners such as Hyundai, The Courier Guy, CIRCA, Airlink and Provantage as major brands supporting the national Open.

The Municipality of eThekwini is proud to have Durban as the Host City of the 2025 Investec South African Open.

The Sunshine Tour will tee off its new 2025/26 season with a showcase of champions throughout South African golf in the second edition of the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions, supported by Attacq and Waterfall City Management Company at Royal Johannesburg’s famed East Course from 22-25 May 2025.

The tournament will once again bring together the most diverse field of champions in South African golf, including amateurs and professionals in the men’s and women’s games, as well as the leading golfers within the South African Disabled Golf Association (SADGA).

The professionals, drawn from the Sunshine Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour, will again compete for a first prize of R1 million.

Last season saw a thrilling duel between Sunshine Tour star Louis Albertse and Sunshine Ladies Tour professional Casandra Alexander for the overall title, with Albertse winning.

The field will include, upon availability, the winner of the 2024/25 Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by the Courier Guy, the 2024/25 Fortress Rookie of the Year, the leading Papwa Sewgolum Class player from the 2024/25 Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by the Courier Guy not otherwise exempt, South African winners of international tournaments held outside of the borders of South Africa from 1 January 2024 until the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions, supported by Attacq and WCMC, the winner of the 2025 Sunshine Ladies Tour Order of Merit, Sunshine Ladies Tour winners from 2025, the winner of the 2024 Betway Big Easy Tour Order of Merit, the winner of the 2025 Africa Amateur, the leading amateur from the GolfRSA Order of Merit as nominated by GolfRSA, and five wild card entries.

The amateurs and professionals will compete over 72 holes of stroke play, while the SADGA golfers will compete over 36 holes of medal play.

There will be comprehensive TV coverage of the event on SuperSport Channel 213 Golf.

Willie Vos, CEO of Waterfall City Management Company, said: “We are very proud to be associated with the Sunshine Tour, which strives for excellence, as do Waterfall City Management Company and our associates. We also appreciate the innovative format of the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions. It echoes the innovation we apply to both the design and management of our city, which aligns perfectly with our mission of creating a place where people love to be.”

Michael Clampett, Asset and Property Management Executive at Attacq, said: “We are excited to welcome the Sunshine Tour back to Waterfall City. This tournament not only showcases South Africa’s exceptional golf talent but also embodies the values of inclusivity and opportunity that Attacq champions. We’re proud to partner with SADGA and the Sunshine Tour to bring this event to life and enabling all passionate golfers to participate in a prestigious televised golfing tournament.”

Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, said: “The first edition of the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions, supported by Attacq and WCMC, proved incredibly popular with the golfers and fans alike. It’s made its debut as something new and fresh on our schedule, and it certainly delivered. We’re looking forward to starting our season with another world-class showcase of the depth in South African golf, and giving our fans a look at what they can expect over the coming tournaments on the Sunshine Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour, but also from the rising stars within GolfRSA and the inspirational golfers from SADGA.”

Pieter Verwey, SADGA Non-Executive Director, said: “We are proud to be associated with the Sunshine Tour, Waterfall City, and Attacq. The success of last year’s event demonstrated the impact of providing our players with a platform to compete on a national scale. Through collaboration with sponsors and event owners, we continue to elevate disabled golf and create opportunities for talented players.”

About Waterfall City Management Company

Waterfall City Management Company (WCMC) is the property, asset and operational manager for the Waterfall City land. WCMC is responsible for managing and coordinating all the current and future developments on and for the Waterfall City development, on behalf of the Landowner. WCMC has been working with developers and investors since 2004, to create the largest mixed-use development in Africa. The company holds extensive expertise in the field of leasehold and as such are the appointed specialists in the leasing agreements for the developments in Waterfall City.

Each year sees Waterfall City expand, offering more top-notch facilities to its residents, commercial tenants, visitors and communities in the surrounding area, making it a truly remarkable development within Gauteng. It is a modern city that takes into consideration unique design aesthetics to ensure Waterfall City lives up to the development’s goal of offering integrated stay-work-play environments that provide unsurpassed quality of life in a vibrant urban setting.

www.waterfallcity.co.za

About Attacq

Attacq Limited is a South African Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and A2X Markets. At the heart of Attacq’s business is a commitment to creating a positive impact in its spaces and communities, generating sustainable value for all stakeholders involved.

Guided by our Horizon 2030 strategic framework, we aim to be South Africa’s top precinct developer, with a vision to be a client-focused, innovative, and trusted real estate business that places client needs and satisfaction at the forefront of our operations. Attacq’s portfolio focuses on three core areas: Waterfall City, which includes completed developments, projects under construction, and leasehold land; the Rest of South Africa, comprising our broader completed real estate portfolio; and Other Investments, such as a 4.0% stake in Lango Real Estate Limited and business diversification initiatives that complement our existing portfolio.

Our portfolio includes assets such as Mall of Africa, Garden Route Mall, Mooi Rivier Mall, Eikestad Mall, and Lynnwood Bridge Precinct. Attacq has strengthened its financial position through an R2.7 billion transaction with the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), which resulted in a 30% shareholding in Attacq Waterfall Investment Company and reduced gearing to 25.4%. Recent portfolio changes include the sale of non-core assets in the Rest of Africa and a 6.5% stake in MAS, with reinvestments focused on income-generating properties.

With a market cap of approximately R9.8 billion, Attacq remains committed to sustainability and innovation, as reflected in our strong credit ratings of A+[ZA] (long-term) and A1[ZA] (short-term) from Global Credit Ratings (GCR).

For more information, visit www.attacq.co.za or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

GEORGE, Western Cape – Wilco Nienaber produced the most dominant performance of his career as he won his second NTT DATA Pro-Am title by seven strokes at Fancourt on Sunday.

Nienaber closed out a wire-to-wire victory that began with a 60 in the first round and ended with a 70 on the Montagu course on Sunday for a winning score of 27 under par.

Jean-Paul Strydom finished second on 20 under par with a closing 66.

It was an emotional day for Nienaber, who paid tribute to his ill grandfather after his win.

“It’s not going well with my grandfather. He’s currently in a step down facility and has been diagnosed with cancer. It’s been a tough time because we are a tight family. I went and saw him on Monday before this tournament. He has played a big role in my career. He was always there and has always loved his sport. He would’ve been here today if he could’ve been,” said Nienaber.

With his victory Nienaber joins an exclusive list of only four players to have won this title twice in its 30-year history, including Nick Price, Darren Fichardt and Oliver Bekker.

It was a victory made even sweeter by the fact that, unlike his last win in this event which came amidst the COVID pandemic, he could have his family with him to celebrate.

“It’s very cool to have them all here. This was a good performance. I wanted to get to 30 under par, but I’m proud of myself,” he said.

This was arguably Nienaber’s finest exhibition of golf considering the hold he had on this tournament from day one, and the fact that he came through 72 holes with only one bogey.

“It’s awesome. You dream of it. It’s nice to have a big lead like I did but you can’t really ever settle. It’s always in the back of your mind to not make a mistake. It’s nice to win early in the year though.” – Michael Vlismas

GEORGE, Western Cape – Wilco Nienaber will take a commanding six-stroke lead into Sunday’s final round of the NTT DATA Pro-Am as he seeks to become only the fourth golfer in the history of this tournament to win the title twice.

With a third round of 66 on Fancourt’s Montagu course on Saturday, Nienaber climbed to 25 under par overall and remained in control of a tournament that he has led from day one following an incredible opening round of 60.

His nearest challenger is Jacques Blaauw on 19 under par after he signed for a 69 on Saturday.

Nienaber won this Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour co-sanctioned title in 2021, and a victory on Sunday would see him join Nick Price, Darren Fichardt and Oliver Bekker as the only players to have won it twice in its 30-year history.

“I’m treating Sunday like just another golf day. I did think about my victory here in 2021 and just tried to get into that same headspace. This is a different position to be in because in 2021 I hadn’t thought of winning and then it just happened,” he said.

Nienaber started his third round with a bogey on the first, but it was his first bogey all week and he was able to quickly move past it as he made seven birdies thereafter, including three consecutive birdies to finish.

“I know I can make bogeys, but I also know I can make a lot of birdies. That shot on the first was average and then I got punished by being plugged in the bunker, so bogey was actually a good score there. At one point I did wonder if there were going to be many birdies out there today, but I just put that out of my mind and did my own thing. I’m really rolling the putter nicely,” he said.

Nienaber has done exceptionally well to keep himself in the present despite playing such dominant golf this week, and it’s something he hopes to continue doing on Sunday.

“There are obviously a lot of thoughts going through your mind during a round and there’s a lot of time between shots. It sounds like a cliché but you really just need to focus on every single shot. If I can do that, I’ll be fine.” – Michael Vlismas

GEORGE, Western Cape – Wilco Nienaber produced two of the finest days of golf that felt like one long day all on its own as he shot rounds of 60 and then 66 to lead the NTT DATA Pro-Am by three strokes at Fancourt on Friday.

Nienaber returned on Friday morning to complete his first round – which had been suspended on Thursday because of heavy rain – and did so with a remarkable 60 on the Outeniqua. That earned him a three-stroke lead over Jacques Blaauw and Eddie Pepperell on 12 under par.

After a short break he teed off his second round on The Links and signed for a 66 to climb to 19 under par overall, and yet to drop a shot in this year’s tournament.

Blaauw is his nearest challenger on 16 under following a 66 of his own on The Links, while Kyle Barker moved into contention on 13 under par and Jovan Rebula reached the halfway stage on 12 under par.

“That was a long two days, but very cool,” said Nienaber. “It was a long morning in the first round (with the delays) and we only teed off after 4pm. Outeniqua is always a tricky one because you know you have to score so if you don’t get off to a good start you feel like you’re chasing, so I was very happy with that.”

There is placing this week so his 60 is not an official course record, but it was nevertheless an incredible round of golf to witness.

Nienaber teed off his first round at the 10^th and was six under par through nine holes when darkness brought an end to play on Thursday. “The whole of that evening I was thinking about a 59,” he said.

He returned on Friday morning and eagled his second hole of the day. Then came four consecutive birdies on his way to his final hole of the round – the par-four ninth.

“But then I hit a poor putt on the last to finish with a par,” he said.

He carried his momentum onto The Links and cemented his place at the top of the leaderboard, and in a tournament which he won in 2021.

“I really like The Links. It’s very unique and it always feels like a privilege to play it. I’m in a good position for the weekend and I won’t change a thing.” – Michael Vlismas

GEORGE, Western Cape – Fancourt will be a true showcase of professional golf this week at the NTT DATA Men’s and Ladies’ Pro-Ams, with the men’s tournament celebrating its 30^th anniversary as one of the Sunshine Tour’s most historic tournaments with past champions including Major winners, Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup stars, and former world number ones.

This year marks the transition from what was formerly the Dimension Data Pro-Am to the rebranded NTT DATA Pro-Am, continuing a tradition that dates back to the first men’s tournament in 1996 and the first ladies’ tournament in 2014.

The respective tournaments each offer a wealth of opportunity.

The Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour professionals will compete in the men’s tournament from Thursday to Sunday for a total purse of R7 million on the three courses of The Links, Montagu and Outeniqua, while the Sunshine Ladies Tour professionals will compete from Friday to Sunday for total prize money of R2.5 million on the Montagu and Outeniqua.

Both tournaments will also feature live coverage on SuperSport.

The men’s tournament has drawn a strong field of stars including the in-form Daniel van Tonder, twice a winner on the HotelPlanner Tour this year already, former NTT DATA Pro-Am champions Oliver Bekker and Wilco Nienaber, multiple Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour winners Shaun Norris, Brandon Stone and George Coetzee, and former European Ryder Cup star Jamie Donaldson.

The ladies’ tournament, where both NTT DATA and Standard Bank have placed significant emphasis on elevating the awareness of women’s professional golf on the Sunshine Ladies Tour through increased prize money and greater televised coverage on SuperSport, is equally competitive.

The field includes former NTT DATA Ladies’ Pro-Am champions Kylie Henry, Lee-Anne Pace, Stacy Bregman and Nobuhle Dlamini, as well as Sunshine Ladies Tour champions Cara Gorlei, Gabrielle Venter and Helen Kreuzer.

Along with a sizeable presence of sports stars and celebrities competing, the 2025 NTT DATA Pro-Am will indeed be a showcase of world-class golf.

This year’s event will also again feature a focus on global sustainability through the partnership with Chedza to help raise funds for solar backpacks and stationery packs for the underprivileged community of George. Last year the event contributed to a donation of 250 backpacks, with the goal to double that figure this year.

“The NTT DATA Pro-Am represents more than just world-class competition—it’s a celebration of excellence, inclusivity, and impact, both on and off the course. We are especially excited about our ongoing commitment to sustainability and community upliftment through our partnership with Chedza. Together, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the underprivileged community of George while showcasing the best of professional golf,” said Thembeka Ngugi, SVP Marketing at NTT DATA in Middle East & Africa.

About NTT DATA

 NTT DATA is a $30+ billion trusted global innovator of business and technology services. We serve 75% of the Fortune Global 100 and are committed to helping clients innovate, optimize and transform for long-term success. As a Global Top Employer, we have diverse experts in more than 50 countries and a robust partner ecosystem of established and start-up companies. Our services include business and technology consulting, data and artificial intelligence, industry solutions, as well as the development, implementation and management of applications, infrastructure and connectivity. We are also one of the leading providers of digital and AI infrastructure in the world. NTT DATA is part of NTT Group, which invests over $3.6 billion each year in R&D to help organizations and society move confidently and sustainably into the digital future. Visit us at nttdata.com.

CAPE TOWN, Western Cape – England’s Jamie Rutherford claimed his maiden victory on the Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour with a two-stroke triumph in the Cell C Cape Town Open in association with Honor at Royal Cape Golf Club on Sunday.

Jeff and Sarah Rutherford, his parents who had flown out from England to support their son on the final day, broke down in tears as they watched him close out a composed final round of 69 in windy conditions to win on 14 under par.

“It’s been a long time coming. He’s been so consistent. Today’s such a great achievement for him. He works so hard,” said his father Jeff.

For Rutherford, it was indeed a moment to savour.

“I’m ecstatic. My family have supported me the whole way. To travel halfway around the world to come and watch me play shows you much they support me. And for me to win when they are here is really special,” he said.

South Africa’s Keenan Davidse finished second on 12 under par with a final round of 67.

It was a confident performance from Rutherford in very tricky conditions. He made three key birdies on the front nine and two on the back nine that allowed him the two bogeys he also made over the final nine holes.

“I’m really pleased with how I played in such tough conditions. I was very good off the tee, and my putting was really good as well. I made some really important putts coming down the stretch. I’ve worked really hard on not being too hard on myself during a round. I’ve worked on controlling my emotions and staying in the present, and I did that today,” he said

“I’ve had so many good finishes, top-10s and opportunities, but the win has been missing. I’ve been working hard and playing on the HotelPlanner Tour for a few years now, so to win now is brilliant. I love this golf course. I love Cape Town. And I love coming to South Africa. It’s a great way to start the year. The hospitality here is just so amazing.” – Michael Vlismas