GolfRSA names quartet to represent South Africa at 2026 Spirit International

GOLF NEWS - GolfRSA has selected an accomplished quartet of Bryan Newman, Jack Buchanan, Kyra van Kan and Samantha Whateley to represent South Africa at the 2026 Spirit International Amateur Golf Championship.

Experienced quartet selected for prestigious international event

The biennial tournament will take place at Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity, Texas, from 10 to 15 November 2026.

South Africa is one of only three countries, alongside the United States and Mexico, to have competed in every edition of the tournament since its inception.

Strong team boasts continental champions

The team features two reigning continental champions, two former South African amateur champions and four players with experience competing in the highly competitive NCAA collegiate system in the United States.

Newman, from North West, earned his selection following another outstanding season, which included victory in the 2025 Africa Amateur Championship and the 2026 South African Stroke Play Championship.

The Arizona State University freshman has quickly established himself among South Africa's leading amateurs with his all-round game.

Western Province's Buchanan heads to Texas as the reigning Africa Amateur champion after another impressive collegiate season with the University of Southern California.

He shared medallist honours with Stanford's Dean Greyserman at the 79th Western Intercollegiate at Pasatiempo, represented the victorious International Team in the 2026 Palmer Cup and earned NCAA Division I PING All-Region honours.

Van Kan brings international experience

Ekurhuleni's Van Kan brings extensive international experience to the women's team.

The former South African Amateur Stroke Play and Match Play champion and inaugural Africa Amateur Women's Invitational winner enjoyed a breakthrough season with the University of Tennessee.

She helped the Lady Vols win the first SEC Women's Golf Championship in the programme's history in 2025, earned All-American honours and claimed her maiden collegiate title at the Paradise Invitational.

Central Gauteng's Whateley completes the quartet after another impressive season in the United States.

The former South African Women's Stroke Play champion and North Carolina Women's Amateur champion claimed her first collegiate victory at the Mason Rudolph Women's Championship with a nine-under-par winning total.

She has also qualified for the US Women's Amateur twice.

GolfRSA confident in strong team

GolfRSA CEO Grant Hepburn said the team was well equipped to continue South Africa's proud tradition at one of amateur golf's most prestigious international events.

"We are proud to announce another exceptionally strong team to represent South Africa at the Spirit International," Hepburn said.

"Bryan, Jack, Kyra and Samantha have all earned this opportunity through sustained excellence both at home and in the United States collegiate system.

"They have demonstrated the quality, consistency and character we value in our national teams, and we are confident they will represent South Africa with distinction."

Hepburn said the tournament would provide the players with an opportunity to compete against some of the world's leading amateurs.

Mixed format puts focus on teamwork

Women's Golf South Africa President and team manager Madeleine de Wet said the unique mixed-team format made the Spirit International particularly rewarding.

"The Spirit International is unlike any other event in amateur golf," De Wet said.

"It places equal emphasis on the men's and women's teams, with every score contributing towards the overall international competition, and that makes teamwork absolutely essential."

De Wet said all four players had experience competing at the highest level, either for South Africa or through the demands of NCAA golf.

"South Africa has produced some memorable performances at the Spirit International, and this group has every opportunity to add another proud chapter to that history," she said.

South Africa's Spirit International record

South Africa has enjoyed several strong performances at the Spirit International. The Proteas' best overall finishes came in 2011 and 2013, when they placed tied fifth.

Martin Vorster and Sam Simpson claimed the men's team silver medal in 2019, while Christo Lamprecht and Kieron van Wyk combined for the tournament's lowest final round during South Africa's top-10 finish in 2021.

The 2024 South African team finished ninth overall.

Five competitions contested in Texas

The 2026 Spirit International will feature leading amateur golfers from 20 countries, competing over 54 holes of better-ball competition at Whispering Pines Golf Club.

Five competitions will be contested simultaneously: the International Team Championship, Men's Team Championship, Women's Team Championship, Men's Individual Championship and Women's Individual Championship.

Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded in each category.