South Africa's best ready to challenge for top honours
The 2024 Bowls South Africa Men's Nationals in Johannesburg is set to be one of the toughest challenges yet.
A large field is descending on the JBA district this week in preparation for the national championships played from 4 May to 12 May and headquartered at Bedfordview Country Club.
Over 2100 players will be in action over the course of the prestigious tournament which has all of the leading players looking to grab one of the three trophies on offer.
The standard was set in the Women's Nationals where Proteas players like Anneke Scheepers (Gold - Open Singles), Thabelo Muvhango (Gold - Pairs, Bronze - Fours) and Esme Kruger (Silver - Fours, Pairs) displayed their class. Now it's the turn of the likes of Jason Evans, Wayne Rittmuller and Bradley Robinson to try to emulate their international teammates.
On return from the World Indoor Championships, Evans was relaxed about heading into another tournament.
"I guess there's no substitute for match fitness, although the surfaces are vastly different going from outdoor to indoor and now outdoor again," said Evans.
The challenge is always there for Evans, who is always amongst the favourites heading into a tournament of this nature.
"Last year, it was a good one albeit slightly disappointing ending with two silvers (Singles and Pairs). But the Masters win was a big boost and I'm looking forward to getting down to business.
"Perhaps there will be some pressure from my lead - Shaun Thomas - in the pairs to make sure we make the final," he said with a laugh.
Thomas himself won the Open singles title two years ago and will be one to watch in the four-bowl format.
Another defending champion Wayne Roberts is back for more after winning the Fours alongside his Hillcrest teammates.
He's added a silver in the BSA Masters this year and is feeling confident.
Roberts said: "It's going to be a stern test, it always is when you are trying to win any national title. We won't change much in terms of playing style or preparation. It's going to be about trying to keep the same consistency, weather any bad breaks and then trust ourselves and our ability to see if we can make some finals matches."
Picking up a bronze in the BSA Masters, Bradley Robinson is "putting the band back together" for a repeat performance this year after winning the pairs alongside Gerry Baker.
"Yeah, it's never easy defending your title but that's why you play the game," said Robinson.
"Fortunately, we have some form going into the week and we know that when the pressure is on ... we have experience to rely on.
"I'm looking forward to playing with the legend [Gerry] again, it's always a good time when you are competing alongside one of the best ever to grace the greens."
While not a defending champion this year, Proteas ace Wayne Rittmuller has a strong record which was on full display when he won the Open singles title back to back in 2017 and 2018.
Rittmuller recently relocated to Johannesburg but it hasn't been that long for him to try to lean too much on hometown advantage.
"I'm really excited for the week. The national championships is always one of the toughest tests in the game," said Rittmuller.
Rittmuller won the pairs in 2022 and will draw on the experience for the 2024 event.
"Yeah, Edenvale wasn't actually long ago. But you know, in this game a lot can change in two years. I enjoy playing here and of course, if you want to win you are going to have to beat a lot of good players along the way such is the depth of the field."
The 2024 BSA Men's Nationals promises to be a thrill a minute with many of the leading players looking to stamp their class on the event. Of course, the field is full of aspiring players looking to not only beat the best but go all the way.
