South African champions were crowned in four girls’ age group divisions on Sunday, with players from across the country showcasing their immense talent in the finals of the American Express Junior National Championships at Oranje Meisieskool in Mangaung on Sunday, 6 April 2026.
The standout result of the day came in the Girls U18 final, where No. 5 seed Meri Sandenbergh (Recreation Tennis Club, Western Cape) produced a commanding performance to defeat unseeded Cara le Grange (Hoopstad Skool, Free State) 6-1, 6-3 and claim the South African title.
“I’m very proud of myself for winning this tournament. It was an amazing experience and I played really well this week. Winning was such a nice privilege and I’m very grateful.”
American Express Junior National Championships U18 Champion, Meri Sandenbergh
Looking ahead to the next chapter of her career, the new champion has a clear goal in mind. “My next goal is to try to get my junior ranking up so I can play at the US Open at the end of the year, so I will try my best, stay positive and fight hard for that,” she said.
In the Girls U16 final, No. 3 seed Charlotte Bouwer delivered a composed performance across three sets to defeat No. 11 seed Lika Claassens 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 and secure the title.
There was an upset in the Girls U14 final, where No. 7 seed Ariana van der Westhuizen produced a dominant display to defeat top seed Winnie Masemola (Hammanskraal Tennis Club, Gauteng) 6-2, 6-1 and claim the national title.
In the Girls U12 final, top seed Linja Erasmus (Strand, Western Cape) capped a successful week with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over No. 3 seed Lesedi Lamola to be crowned the national champion.
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Players who reached the finals at the American Express Junior National Championships received wildcard entries from Tennis South Africa for various international tournaments to be contested later this year.
Final Results of the American Express SA Tennis Junior National Championships at Oranje Meisieskool in Mangaung on Sunday, 6 April 2026
Girls U18: [5] Meri Sandenbergh beat Cara le Grange 6-1, 6-3
Girls U16: [3] Charlotte Bouwer beat [11] Lika Claassens 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
Girls U14: [7] Ariana van der Westhuizen beat [1] Winnie Masemola 6-2, 6-1
Girls U12: [1] Linja Erasmus beat [3] Lesedi Lamola 6-1, 6-3
Original Copy: Tennis SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: No. 5 seed Meri Sandenbergh produced a commanding performance to defeat unseeded Cara le Grange 6-1, 6-3 to claim the South African Girls U18 title at Oranje Meisieskool in Mangaung on Sunday, 6 April 2026. All Photos: Barco Greeff
Photo 2 Caption: Number three-seed Charlotte Bouwer perservered for a three-sets win over 11th seeded Lika Claassens for the 2026 Girls U16 title.
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