Eastern Province’s Hayley Ward and her SA Country Districts partner Alexa Pienaar retained their national title in a thrilling SA Nationals Doubles Squash Championships finale at the Country Club Johannesburg in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, Gauteng on Sunday, 8 February, 2026.
Ward completed a memorable double on the day, when she teamed up with Northerns’ Damian Groenewald to record a win in the mixed doubles, the two each distinguished by claiming two titles on finals day.
In the women’s doubles final, Ward and Pienaar dictated proceedings with the Northerns combination of Helena Hudson and Kim McDonald from the outset, setting a pattern that would persevere through the match. They raced to a 7-2 lead in the opening game and never allowed their opponents to settle.
The second game followed a similar script. Despite Hudson and McDonald’s efforts to create parity, Ward and Pienaar again built a 7-3 advantage, through accurate and aggressive strokeplay.
The defending champions’ precision and control proved too strong for Hudson and McDonald, as they powered to an 11-4, 11-4 victory, sealing the title in commanding fashion.
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Ward credited their growing partnership for the success. “It was awesome to play in the doubles again, and I think Alexa and I grooved quite well together,” she said.
“We played together for the first time last year, and again this year, we are really happy with how it turned out.”
Four-time SA Nationals Doubles Squash Champion, Hayley Ward
Pienaar echoed those sentiments. “This format is always a lot of fun, and it’s my second year playing with Hayley. I think every year we are a little bit more comfortable, and we read each other’s game a bit more,” she said.
“It’s also nice to see some younger players coming into the system, giving us a run for our money, and we are excited for next year.”
SA Nationals Doubles Squash Champion, Alexa Pienaar
The win secured a hat-trick of titles for the Gqeberha professional following successes in 2024 (with Kacey-Leigh Dodd) and 2025 (with Pienaar), and also marked Ward’s fourth women’s doubles crown overall.
Later, Ward combined with Groenewald to defend their mixed doubles title, producing a spirited fightback in the second game to defeat former champions Potgieter and Cheyna Wood (Joburg Squash) 11-6, 11-10.
The mixed final delivered yet another dramatic finish. Potgieter and Wood looked set to force a decider when they stormed to a 6-1 lead in the second game.
Ward and Groenewald, however, dug deep to reel them back in, levelling at 8-8. Even when Wood struck two superb winners into the nick to move ahead 10-8, the defending champions refused to buckle.
They saved both game points and, with sudden death at 10–10, sealed the title when Potgieter attempted a bold cross-court nick off the serve, only to clip the top of the tin.
Final Results of the 2026 SA National Doubles Squash Championships on Sunday, 8 February 2026
Women: Hayley Ward (EP), Alexa Pienaar (SACD) bt Helena Hudson (Northerns), Kim McDonald (Northerns) 2-0 (11-4 11-4)
Mixed: Hayley Ward (EP), Damian Groenewald (Northerns) bt Cheyna Wood (Joburg Squash), Christo Potgieter (Joburg Squash) 2-0 (11-6 11-10).
Original Copy: BLD Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Hayley Ward and Alexa Pienaar beat the pairing of Helena Hudson and Kim McDonald to defend their title and win the 2026 SA National Doubles Squash Championship at the Country Club Johannesburg in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, Gauteng on Sunday, 8 February 2026. All Photos: Reg Caldecott
Photo 2 Caption: 2026 champions (from left) Alexa Pienaar and Hayley Ward raise their trophy after retaining their SA women’s doubles squash title.
Photo 3 Caption: Ward doubled her stakes with the mixed doubles title alongside Damian Groenewald, beating Cheyna Wood and Christo Potgieter in straight sets.
