What Astron Energy Polo Cup 2026 Round 3 Preview
Where Zwartkops Raceway, Pretoria
When Saturday 23 May 2026
Community South Africa National
Hannes Scheepers heads to Pretoria unbeaten
There will be one man to beat when the 30th Anniversary Astron Energy Polo Cup marches to Pretoria for round 3 of the National Extreme Festival at the Zwartkops Raceway on Saturday 23 May. Hannes Scheepers remains unbeaten in the four races so far in 2026, while Wayne Masters has won three out of four as he continues in his quest to secure an Astron Energy Polo Masters hat trick.
Scheepers may have dropped two or three pole position and fastest laps in his Dainfern Dental Studio Polo Cup, but come the races, he has proven peerless to take a very handy 17-point championship lead to Zwartkops. Twice second and twice third, Roshaan Goodman sits second in his Upward Spiral 1471 entry, a further 12 points clear of pole man and twice a close second last time, experienced Charl Smalberger and his Sabertek OMP Polo. Charl is keen to put a forgettable opening round behind him with an overdue win at Zwartkops.
Zwartkops is also a curve ball in that the short but challenging circuit is home base to most of the 30th Birthday Astron Energy Polo Cup pack. Which means that some less experienced drivers may be less compromised on home ground, so there’s all the more chance of an unexpected result. Automobile Association lad Jayden Goosen is a case in point. Seventh in the chase, the rookie won at Zwartkops on debut last time there in the final race of 2025. But he’s just one of a number of young guns ready to impress his partisan fans.
Volkswagen Rookie Cup graduate Mauro Da Luz has for instance put in a remarkably consistent run through the cauldron of the Astron Energy Polo Cup mid pack to sit a fine fourth in the chase by just a couple of points in his Topshirt Nathans car. Experienced duo, Shiren Rajpaul’s Goldwagen Polo Cup and FSS International driver Pierluigi Muzzulini are also well placed, tied respectively in the fifth and sixth position ahead of Goosen. Second season racer Milan Emslie’s Triton entry and Astron Energy Volkswagen Rookie Cup champion Christopher Tait are intent on making a step up on more familiar ground.
Nirav Singh’s Kyalami Exhausts car sits tenth in the chase from Union Power driver Bjorn Bertholdt, rookie racing drivers Berlin Robinson’s AF Fans Polo, Cyril Jacobs Jr.’s Auto Perfect Team Red, Joshua Moore’s Worx BPW Polos, Liam Crystal and Norbrake entry Dean Ross, who impressed on debut last time out at Red Star.
Racing just behind the Polo Cup youngsters, the over-50 Astron Energy Polo Masters focus will be on Performance Masters veteran Wayne Masters. Double reigning champion Wayne has won two of the three races so far with Charl’s dad Derick Smalberger taking the fourth win and the other three seconds in Sabertek OMP car. Habot Performance Lubricants entry John Kruger will want to break his streak of four third place finishes, while PABAR man Mike Barbaglia, newcomer Albert Moffatt was and FSS man Elio Muzzulini will always be a factor at Zwartkops.
Racing its thirtieth season in 2026, Astron Energy Polo Cup promises to thrill spectators at Zwartkops Raceway on Saturday 23 May. With qualifying more important than ever at this circuit and a grid packed with literally anyone who can win, there will be little better Saturday entertainment than what the Polo pack promises in Pretoria this weekend…
*Volkswagen Motorsport salutes its Polo Cup partners, naming rights sponsor Astron Energy, Dunlop, Pabar and Ferodo.
Issued on behalf of Volkswagen Motorsport
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