Curro Halala Cup 2026 Introduces Elite Under 19 Girls’ Tournament
18 December 2025Curro is proud to announce the 2026 edition of the Curro Halala Cup, an exciting national school football competition that brings together top talent from across South Africa.
Following a successful inaugural event in 2025, the competition will expand to include an elite, invitational under 19 girls’ division – a significant step in the tournament’s continued growth.
While founded by Curro, the Halala Cup is open to top-performing schools nationwide, providing a competitive national platform for the country’s most promising young footballers.
Elevating girls’ football to a national stage
Cindy van der Merwe, Portfolio Manager: Curro Sport, explains the significance of this expansion: ‘In just its second year, the Halala Cup has already established itself as the top school football event in the country. The introduction of the under 19 girls' division represents our commitment to creating equal opportunities in competitive sport and showcasing female football talent at the highest level.’
The tournament reflects Curro's position as a quality independent education provider that recognises sport as integral to developing well-rounded individuals.
‘Providing young women with access to leading, structured football competition – builds confidence, leadership and resilience,’ says Van der Merwe. ‘This is about creating a national platform where female footballers can compete, be recognised and reach their full potential.’
Under 19 girls' elite invitational – tournament structure
The inaugural girls' tournament will feature 16 of South Africa's top school teams, selected by invitation to ensure the highest calibre of competition. Teams will compete in a round-robin format before advancing to the play-offs at the Grand Finale weekend.
Tournament details:
- Dates: 14 to 16 August 2026
- Venue: HeronBridge College, Johannesburg
- Format: Round-robin group stage followed by knockout play-offs
- Teams: 16 elite invitational schools from across South Africa
‘This isn't simply about participation, it's about excellence,’ emphasises Van der Merwe. ‘We're bringing together the country's best young female footballers to compete on a national stage, providing them with the recognition and opportunities their talent deserves.’
Boys’ tournament returns with proven format
The boys' division maintains the competitive structure that made 2025 successful, featuring:
- 16 teams qualifying through regional tournaments
- Four Curro-selected wildcard entries
- Automatic qualification for the top four finalists from 2025
- A total of 24 teams competing at the Grand Finale
Boys’ tournament timeline:
- Regional qualifiers: 17 to 19 April 2026 (hosted nationally)
- Round-robin and play-offs: 23 May 2026
- Grand Finale: HeronBridge College, Johannesburg
A platform for sporting excellence and development
The Curro Halala Cup is structured to balance high-level competition with long-term athlete development. Alongside technical performance, the tournament places emphasis on teamwork, discipline and resilience.
‘At this level, football demands more than technical skill,’ Van der Merwe explains. ‘These young athletes learn to perform under pressure, work cohesively as teams, and demonstrate the character that creates future leaders both on and off the field.’
The round-robin format ensures that all teams gain meaningful match experience, supporting development rather than short-format elimination.
Creating opportunity through school sport
As a national competition, the Halala Cup offers increased visibility for emerging talent while promoting gender equality in competitive sport. The tournament creates pathways for young women to pursue football at the highest levels, demonstrating that excellence in female sport deserves the same platform, recognition, and opportunity as male sport.
‘Year two is about raising standards and expanding opportunity,’ says Van der Merwe.
‘The under 19 girls’ tournament is not simply an expansion – it is a clear statement about the future of female football in South Africa. These young women deserve to compete at an elite level and the Halala Cup provides exactly that platform.’