6 SEPTEMBER 2026 | SILVERSTONE & BATHURST
A year ago, South Africa got its first taste of the Tri Nations Esports Cup. This year, the team is back, and there is unfinished business.
The 2025 competition started with three days of online time trials. Drivers put in countless laps in the McLaren 720S GT3, chasing every tenth of a second as they battled for one of the 10 places on the South African team.
It was not just about being fast. Drivers shared information, helped each other and worked together, while still pushing themselves to the limit. When the qualifying finally closed, the nerves kicked in as everyone waited to find out who would be wearing the green and gold.
The 10 selected drivers went on to give South Africa plenty to be proud of, finishing third overall against some very strong international competition.
That first event also helped build something beyond the racing. Drivers from the different nations connected, shared their experience and created a competition that has grown into something worth coming back for.
Now, a year later, South Africa is back and the line-up looks very different.
Only three drivers from last year’s team return, with Michael Donaldson, Jarques Eva and Cameron De Batos once again taking up the challenge. Joining them are some of the country’s strongest current sim racers, all looking to make their mark on the international stage.
Justin Eloff, the 2026 MSA Esport F4 National Champion, joins the team, while Johan Van Der Merwe, the 2026 MSA Esport GT3 National Champion, brings his recent championship-winning form with him.
Essie Esterhuyse, the 2026 Africa Sim Racing Festival GT3 Champion, is also looking to carry his winning form into the Tri Nations competition.
There are plenty of new faces too.
Josh Joubert has been pushing hard to get towards the front of the field and has shown plenty of pace along the way.
Darren Lobb returns to South African racing and brings some serious experience with him. Werner Schoeman is currently the only South African driver with an official iRacing Pro License, earned through his efforts in the iRacing Porsche Cup and looks to fight for SA pride.
Dewald Leuvennink have also been putting in the work, with Leuvennink showing strong progress during the team’s practice sessions as he continues to find more time.
And then there are the drivers just outside the top 10.
Missing out on selection does not mean the work stops. Daniel Lambrechts has continued to improve during practice and has already started turning a few heads among the selected drivers. He is certainly one to keep an eye on should the opportunity come his way.
Noor Hendricks has also remained heavily involved with the team. While he narrowly missed out on the championship win, he has been putting his experience to good use, working through telemetry and data with the drivers and helping them find those small gains that can make all the difference.
Now it comes down to race day.
South Africa will face some of the best sim racing talent from Australia and the United Kingdom, with the action taking place at two of the biggest names in motorsport, Silverstone and Bathurst.
Last year South Africa finished third.
This year, third is not the target.
The team has more experience, a strong mix of returning drivers and new talent, and a year of knowing exactly what the Tri Nations competition is all about.
South Africa is going for the win.
The sim racing community is behind the team. Motorsport South Africa is behind the team. Now it is time for the country to get behind them too.
On 6 September, the green and gold will take on Australia and the UK with one goal in mind:
Bring the Tri Nations Esports Cup crown home.
The Tri Nations Esports Cup 2026 will be broadcast live on YouTube by RaceSpot TV.
One team. One country. One shot at the crown.
Published by: Steven Kernick
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