Brazil emerged victorious in the inaugural Surf & Turf Challenge at the 57th Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill, with the unique crossover event a massive crowd-pleaser. Hosted at Willard Beach on Thursday (16 July), the competition brought together football legends and professional surfers in an entertaining relay-format contest celebrating this year’s Waves of Unity theme.
“The inaugural Surf & Turf Challenge exceeded every expectation,” said O’Neill Brand Director Paul Canning. “The atmosphere on the beach was great as spectators watched football icons and professional surfers work together in a unique format. With the timing coinciding with South Africa’s return to the FIFA World Cup, it truly reflected our Waves of Unity theme, demonstrating how sport has the power to bring people together.”
A Unique Sporting Contest
Each team consisted of one football legend paired with two professional surfers, representing their respective countries. The competition opened with the football player attempting to score past former KwaDukuza Super Strikers goalkeeper Nkosi Zulu. Once a goal was scored, the first surfer paddled into the line-up to ride two scoring waves before returning to shore to tag their teammate, who completed another two rides. Surf judges combined the wave scores with the football challenge to determine the winning nation.
The competing teams were:
Brazilian surfers: Douglas Silva and Rafael Barbosa
Footballer: Kyle Deutschmann (South African National Beach Soccer Team, former Manning Rangers and African Wanderers)
South African surfers: Luke Thompson and Sarah Baum
Footballer: Simon Makubela (Former Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Manning Rangers and Bafana Bafana striker)
Moroccon surfers: Teva Bouchgua and Lillia Tebbai
Footballer: Ajibha Mtamela (Former AmaZulu FC, African Wanderers and Stanger United)
American surfers: Lucas Owston and Luke Guinaldo
Footballer: Vusi Nsele (Former Stanger United)
Australian surfers: Winter Vincent and Joel Vaughan
Footballer: Muzi SiMoroccangudu (AmaZulu coach working closely with Orlando Pirates and football agent Mike Makaab)
Portuguese surfers: Gui Ribeiro and Maria Salgado
Footballer: Wiseman Cele (Kwadukuza Youth Sports Manager)
Final results from the Surf & Turf Challenge:
1. Brazil
2. South Africa
3. Morocco
4. United States of America
5. Portugal
6. Australia
Celebrating the Next Generation of Football Talent
The day’s football celebrations also showcased the culmination of the KwaDukuza Behind Bafana Bafana U15 Soccer Development Programme, hosted in partnership with KwaDukuza Municipality. The programme began in June with qualifying five-a-side tournaments involving eight U15 teams identified through SAFA development structures, with the top teams advancing to the finals played at Willard Beach before enthusiastic Ballito Pro crowds.
Individual awards:
1. Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Sanele Xulu
2. Best Player: Andile Mngadi
3. Top Goal Scorer: Lindelani Madikizela
4. Administrator: Riccardo Moonsamy
Overall results:
• Shakashead FC
• Shayamoya FC
• Etete FC
Festival visitors have also enjoyed the Behind Bafana Bafana Fan Zone, where FIFA World Cup matches have been screened throughout the festival, bringing supporters together to celebrate football while enjoying the Ballito Pro atmosphere.
The Ballito Pro Festival Continues
While the Surf & Turf Challenge has become an instant festival favourite, there is still plenty to experience at the Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill before it concludes. Festivalgoers can still enjoy:
• World-class WSL Challenger Series surfing as competitors battle for Sunday’s finals.
• The Ballito Pro Music Concerts Presented by Corona.
• Corona Sunset Sessions and After Dark entertainment.
• Retail village, food vendors, beach activities and family entertainment.
• Red Bull BMX displays and extreme sports.
• Litter4Tokens recycling initiatives and the WESSA Stop the Strangle ocean conservation campaign.
• The Mandela Day 67 Minutes for the Ocean beach clean-up on Saturday, encouraging the public to help protect South Africa’s coastline.
The Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill is hosted in partnership with KwaDukuza Municipality, the World Surf League, Surfing South Africa, and public and private sector partners committed to youth development, tourism growth and sustainable coastal activation.
Ballito Pro FAQs
1. When and where is the Ballito Pro?
The 57th Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill takes place from 4 to 18 July 2026 at Willard Beach, Ballito on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. The event combines world-class surfing with a vibrant lifestyle festival featuring music, sport, family entertainment, conservation initiatives, and beach activities.
2. Is the Ballito Pro only for surfing fans?
Not at all. While the surfing is the headline attraction, the Ballito Pro is a festival designed for everyone. Visitors can enjoy free live music concerts, family entertainment, beach sports, skateboarding and BMX displays, environmental and ocean conservation activities, local food and retail stalls, cultural experiences, and community events, making it one of South Africa’s biggest winter beach festivals.
3. What is the Surf & Turf Challenge?
The Surf & Turf Challenge is a brand-new Ballito Pro event that combines football and surfing in one exciting team competition. Former Bafana Bafana stars will join professional surfers in a relay-style contest where football goals and surfing performances combine to determine the winning team.
Keep Updated on All the Action
Don’t miss any of the action at the 2026 Ballito Pro Presented by O’Neill Festival! #waveofunity #igagazi lobumbano/Lobunye
Watch LIVE The Challenger Series will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL app, and the WSL’s YouTube channel. Also, check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
To find out more about The Ballito Pro presented by O’Neill festival programme, visit:
Website: www.theballitopro.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theballitopro/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheBallitoPro
Instagram: www.instagram.com/TheBallitoPro
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/theballitopro
Snapchat: Username – TheBallitoPro
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Author: Agnes Matladi from Olivia Jones Communications on behalf of Ballito Pro.
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Edward-John Bottomley: Edward-John Bottomley is a South African journalist who has worked for The Star and The Sunday
Times. He is known for his reporting on business and finance.
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