Global Waters Await - South Africa's Rowing Squad Competes in Lucerne and Now Heads to Henley

Global Waters Await: South Africa’s Rowing Squad Competes in Lucerne and Now Heads to Henley

As the chill of winter grips Roodeplaat Dam, the home of Rowing South Africa, the RMB National Squad has been heating up the international stage. Fresh off their campaign at World Rowing Cup II in Lucerne (27-29 June), the team is now in the United Kingdom for the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta (1-6 July), one of the most iconic events on the global rowing calendar.

After months of focused, high-volume endurance training, the squad departed for Europe to test their speed against the world’s best. These back-to-back international showdowns are more than just racing; they are critical proving grounds on the road to the 2025 World Rowing Championships in Shanghai.

Lucerne Recap: Strong Finishes Against Elite Fields The RMB National Squad showed grit and promise in Switzerland: • Paige Badenhorst raced to second place in the B Final, placing 8th overall in the women’s single scull. • The men’s pair of Christopher Baxter and Damien Bonhage-Koen delivered a powerful performance, finishing fourth in the A Final - narrowly missing out on a podium finish.

Flying the Flag: SA Rowers to Watch at Henley Royal Regatta

Few events in rowing match the prestige and pageantry of the Henley Royal Regatta (HRR) -a cornerstone of the sport since 1839, held annually on the Thames and steeped in tradition, elegance, and elite-level racing. For South African rowing, Henley has long been more than a race - it’s a proving ground. Over the years, it has seen the rise of legendary athletes and memorable performances in green and gold. Now, a new generation takes its place on one of rowing’s most revered stages.

• Paige Badenhorst, Team SA’s 2024 Olympic sculler, takes on the Princess Royal Challenge Cup in the women’s single scull, facing a fiercely competitive field in one of the regatta’s blue-ribbon events.
• Christopher Baxter and Damien Bonhage-Koen will race in the Silver Goblets & Nickalls’ Challenge Cup - a nod to South Africa’s deep heritage in the pair, following in the footsteps of rowing legends and 2004 Athens Olympic bronze medallists Ramon di Clemente and Donovan Cech.

This year’s HRR is shaping up to be the biggest ever, with 768 entries and 179 international crews from 19 countries. It’s a stacked field and a global stage - and the RMB National Squad is ready.

Powered by Partnership

At the heart of this campaign is the steadfast support of Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) - a partner whose vision for South African excellence goes well beyond the waterline. Through RMB’s continued investment in high-performance sport, Rowing South Africa is able to take its place on the world stage, prepared and fully equipped to compete against the best.

“South Africa has a rich history of competing against the best international sporting talent. Few examples shine as brightly as our accomplishments in rowing. RMB is proud to support local rowing talent, from grassroots to the pinnacle of the sport, shining a spotlight on that talent at iconic events like the Henley Royal Regatta and rowing World Cups,” says Michael Edwards, Sponsorships Marketing Lead.

Eyes on Shanghai

Every race in Europe is part of a much larger journey, leading to the 2025 World Rowing Championships in Shanghai. These regattas are vital testing grounds, where crews refine their combinations, sharpen their edge, and prove they belong on the global podium.

South Africa stands alone as the only African nation consistently fielding internationally competitive crews. That legacy is not taken lightly - it’s carried forward by athletes who row not just for victory, but for a vision of what’s possible.

As the 2025 season reaches full throttle, Team SA moves forward with unity, resilience, and a nation behind them - ready to rise, ready to race, and ready to inspire.

For more information, visit rowsa.co.za or follow @rowingrsa/@rmbnationalsquad on social media.