Gelofte Start 2026 With a Statement

Gelofte High School Set the Tone for 2026 After Championship Success

2026 has officially kicked off, and one of KwaZulu-Natal’s leading Tier 2 schools, Gelofte High School in Pinetown, has wasted no time in making their intentions clear they are here to compete, and they are here to win.

After being crowned Night Series Champions in 2025, the bar has been set high. Speaking to head coach Steven van Dyk, it’s clear that the mindset hasn’t changed. The focus for 2026 remains the same: consistency, preparation, and competing at the highest possible level.

Strong Pre-Season Foundations

Gelofte hosted their pre-season camp from 8 January to 11 January 2026, and the feedback coming out of the camp has been extremely positive.

One of the standout takeaways was the performance of the newly selected players stepping into the 1st Team environment for the first time. They showed real promise, adapted quickly to the intensity, and proved that the next generation of Gelofte rugby is ready to step up.

Adding to this strength, Gelofte are proud to have four players in the 2026 squad who are entering their third consecutive year playing for the 1st Team. This level of experience and continuity is rare at Tier 2 level and speaks volumes about the quality of talent coming through at this Pinetown-based school.

There is no doubt — there is serious rugby talent at Gelofte.

Leadership and Energy in the Right Place

In conversations with Renier Botha, head coach Steven van Dyk, and team manager Naudé Piernaar, one thing stood out clearly: the energy, alignment, and focus within the management group are exactly where they need to be heading into the season.

Leadership on the field is equally strong. Captain Kian Zwanepoel and vice-captain Jano Botha have been selected to lead the team as they run out in the 2026 Night Series, continuing the culture of accountability and standards that brought success last year.

Continuing the Partnership With mySport360

Gelofte will once again be using the mySport360 platform in 2026, building on a successful 2025 season.

Based on insights gathered last year, the mySport360 team identified areas where teams could be supported even better. As a result, new Fitness and Skill Assessment features have been introduced to the platform this season.

These enhancements allow:

  • Improved tracking of player fitness and skill development

  • Clear performance benchmarks for players and coaches

  • More informed, data-driven coaching decisions

For mySport360, it’s about more than technology , it’s about helping teams unlock their full potential.

Looking Ahead to 2026

With championship experience, strong leadership, exciting young talent, and improved performance tools in place, Gelofte are positioning themselves for another big year.

From all of us at mySport360, we can’t wait to see what Gelofte achieve in 2026. If the early signs are anything to go by, this is a team with the right mindset, the right people, and the right focus to make this season count.

Take the First Step Today

Visit www.mysport360.co.za to learn more, or reach out to see how we can help your school become part of the MySport360 network.

Let’s change the game, together.