The road to Manila runs through Johannesburg, teams now set to battle for South Africa’s Red Bull Half Court titles and two coveted places at the World Final. Following three city qualifiers across the country, 10 men’s and eight women’s, have earned their place at the National Final in Johannesburg on Saturday, 22 August with wild cards teams. From there, two champions will secure their place at the Red Bull Half Court World Final in Manila, Philippines, on 5 December.

The National Final will be a full day of streetball at Klipspruit Sports Centre in Soweto, with spectators aged 18 and over invited to watch some of the country’s fastest 3×3 talent go possession for possession. Doors open at 12:00, with the action running through to 20:00 and a packed programme of basketball, music, a public dunk contest and a shooting challenge.

Defending Their Crown

On the men’s side, South Africa’s inaugural champions are back to defend their title. MBB Blue Soldiers won the crown at last year’s National Final before representing South Africa at the World Final in Dubai. This year, nine other men’s teams stand between them and a repeat trip to the World Final, this time in Manila.

The women’s crown is guaranteed to change hands in Johannesburg, with defending champions, Hoop Hustlers absent from this year’s field. Blue Flames, Buckets & Bruises, Ghiv Us, Size Nenye and The Takeover have their sights set to the national title and at tickets to Manila. 

More Than a Final

The National Final is bringing more than just basketball to Soweto, with a full day of music, entertainment and streetball action lined up for spectators. From a live set by Kamo Mphela to high-flying dunks and crowd challenges, there’s plenty happening beyond the court:

• Kamo Mphela live, bringing her energy to the National Final
• Red Bull Run The Racks with Lethal Shooter, putting the crowd’s shooting skills to the test
• A dunk contest open to all, giving players and spectators the chance to throw down
• A 1v1 side competition for players whose teams didn’t make the knockout rounds

Doors open at 10:00, with spectators able to RSVP for free and experience the action from the first tip-off through to the crowning of the national champions. Entry is open to those aged 18 and over.

 What’s at Stake

In Red Bull Half Court, every possession matters. Played three-on-three on a half court, games run for 10 minutes or until the first team reaches 21 points, whichever comes first. The format rewards teams that attack from the opening whistle, with the “Own the Court” bonus giving one additional team in each group a route through to the next round based on the most points scored across all its games, win or lose.

That means every bucket matters, every possession can change the standings, and the final buzzer can decide everything.

On 22 August, the men’s and women’s champions crowned in Johannesburg will earn the right to represent South Africa at the Red Bull Half Court World Final in Manila, Philippines, on 5 December 2026, where they will go head-to-head with national champions from around the world for the global title.

The Field

Men’s Teams

• Bucket Boys (Durban), captained by Prince Bambi
• Cape Town New Masters (Cape Town), captained by Vincent Ntunja
• Cape Town Thunder (Cape Town), captained by Stewart Morgan
• Elite Pace Academy (Johannesburg), captained by Oteng Khati
• Fantastic 4 (Durban), captained by Lehlohonolo Mhlongo
• LXG (Johannesburg), captained by Prince Dube
• MBB Blue Soldiers (Johannesburg), captained by Lebesa Selepe, the reigning 2025 national champions
• Seal Team 6 (Johannesburg), captained by Lesedi Letlotlo Mputle
• Spartans (Johannesburg), captained by Lebogang David Bassie
• Tala Hady (Johannesburg), captained by Thabo Bandile Gumede

Women’s Teams

• Blue Flames (Cape Town), captained by Alika Meyerkort
• Buckets & Bruises (Durban), captained by Fatimah Chiliza
• Ghiv Us (Johannesburg), captained by Ipeleng Nyatlo
• Size Nenye (Cape Town), captained by Chulumanco Yiko
• The Takeover (Johannesburg), captained by Lauren Fredericks

Event Details

Event: Red Bull Half Court South Africa, National Final

Date: Saturday, 22 August 2026

Time: From 12:00 till late.

Venue: Klipspruit Sports Centre, 1244 Mofokeng Street, Soweto

Entry: Free Tickets and event info: https://www.redbull.com/za-en/events/red-bull-half-court ages 18 and over