Squash young guns ready to rattle the World

Hudson and Groenewald lead South Africa’s charge into a global squash cauldron

South Africa’s squash young guns are preparing to step into one of the sport’s fiercest arenas with the world watching.

The World Squash Federation World Team Championships in Cheongju, South Korea, from December 14 to 19 will pit South Africa’s men’s and women’s teams against the world’s elite, offering a stern examination of the country’s next generation.

For South Africa, this is about more than a tournament.

With squash making its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028, Cheongju represents another important rung on a road that could lead to Olympic glory.

Leading the women’s challenge will be Northerns’ Helena Hudson, with Western Province’s Kim McDonald (pictured above) and SA Country Districts’ Keschia Schlebusch completing the three-player squad.

Hudson knows precisely what awaits.

Having competed at the 2024 World Team Championships in Hong Kong, she returns with greater experience and believes her game has moved up another gear.

“It was a wonderful experience, with fantastic squash and extremely high levels of play,” Hudson said.

Her approach this time is suitably fearless.

“I enjoy playing against players who I’ve never played before and who are ranked higher than me, because then you have the underdog advantage and can play without pressure and fight for the win.”

That underdog mentality could be valuable when the rallies become brutal and every point feels heavier than a bag of squash balls.

The men’s squad will be headed by 2026 Growthpoint SA Nationals champion Damian Groenewald, who is preparing for his third World Team Championships after appearances in New Zealand and Hong Kong.

He will be joined by brother Luhann Groenewald, SA Country Districts’ Dewald van Niekerk and John Anderson of Joburg Squash.

For Damian, team chemistry could become one of South Africa’s secret weapons.

“We have quite a young team, but we all click,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how we will click together.”

The tournament could demand up to six matches from the players, creating a physical and mental marathon where concentration can become as precious as oxygen.

Groenewald expects the accumulated pressure to test every ounce of preparation.

“Even though it’s one match a day, by day five or six it is hard. But we have prepared for that.”

The absence of SA No 1 and Growthpoint SA Nationals champion Hayley Ward, who is unavailable for personal reasons, leaves Hudson with greater responsibility in the women’s team.

It also places the spotlight firmly on the development of the next wave of South African players.

Squash South Africa president Blaar Coetzee believes these teams can form part of a broader rebuilding process.

“Squash South Africa’s goal is to get South Africa back to a more competitive position in world squash,” Coetzee said.

The ambition is substantial. Coetzee wants South African players to eventually challenge and beat the world’s best, with Olympic success the ultimate destination.

The first hurdle arrives in Cheongju.

South Africa’s young stars will have to survive the pressure, absorb the experience and turn every hard-fought rally into another brick in the Olympic road.

The rackets are ready.

Now the world gets to see whether South Africa’s next generation can make some serious noise.