The pathway into first-team basketball
Top 10 U16 Tournament
The Top 10 U16 Tournament brings the country's strongest U16 school programmes together from 26 to 28 March 2027, with separate boys and girls divisions. It is the first tournament we host in 2027, our first for both boys and girls, and the first Top 10 Tournament for junior teams from across South Africa.
U16 girls nominations
Divisions
U16 Boys and U16 Girls · ten schools
Format
Ten schools per division, FIBA rules, pools and play-offs
Status
Nominations and invitations open closer to the date
- Separate U16 boys and girls divisions
- Ten boys teams and ten girls teams
- Two indoor courts
- FIBA rules with pools and play-offs
- Per-game player statistics and lasting player profiles
About the tournament
The first national U16 championship of its kind
From 26 to 28 March 2027, ten boys teams and ten girls teams from public and private schools across South Africa meet for the first Top 10 Tournament open to junior sides. It is the first national event where state and independent schools are matched in the same draw, across two indoor courts.
26 to 28 March 2027
Three days of tournament basketball, Friday to Sunday.
10 boys and 10 girls teams
Twenty teams in total, selected through nominations, rankings and invitations.
Two indoor courts
Full-court FIBA-rules play running side by side all weekend.
After the season
The last tournament of the U16 season, when teams are at their strongest.
How teams are selected
From nomination to confirmed team
The Top 10 U16 Tournament is filled through nominations, rankings and direct invitations. Boys and girls are selected separately, so a school may confirm one team, both teams, or neither.
01 · Nominations
Schools, coaches, players and families nominate teams for the U16 boys and U16 girls divisions. Every nomination is reviewed and added to the shortlist of schools under consideration.
02 · Rankings
National and provincial school sport rankings, tournament results and verified records are used to judge the strength of each nominated team in its division.
03 · Invitations
Direct invitations go to the strongest nominated schools. A team is confirmed once its school accepts the invitation and commits to the tournament.
The final ten boys teams and ten girls teams are announced on this page and on our social channels once invitations close.
The road to the Top 10
Shortlisted schools
Nominations, rankings and invitations narrow the shortlist to a final ten teams in each division. Boys and girls are selected separately, so a school may be in one division or both.
ASIJ
Gauteng · Invited
Bishops (Diocesan College)
Western Cape · Invited
Clapham High School
Gauteng · Shortlisted
Croydon House School
Gauteng · Invited
DHS (Durban High School)
KwaZulu-Natal · Invited
ESCA
Gauteng · Invited
Grey High School
Eastern Cape · Invited
Hilton College
KwaZulu-Natal · Invited
Jeppe High School for Boys
Gauteng · Shortlisted
Kearsney College
KwaZulu-Natal · Invited
KES (King Edward VII School)
Gauteng · Invited
Kingswood College
Eastern Cape · Invited
Maritzburg College
KwaZulu-Natal · Invited
Michaelhouse
KwaZulu-Natal · Invited
Northwood School
KwaZulu-Natal · Invited
Pinelands High School
Western Cape · Shortlisted
Pretoria Boys High School
Gauteng · Shortlisted
Rondebosch Boys High School
Western Cape · Invited
Sacred Heart College
Gauteng · Invited
SACS High School
Western Cape · Invited
Selborne College
Eastern Cape · Shortlisted
St Andrew's College
Eastern Cape · Invited
St Benedict's College
Gauteng · Invited
St David's Marist Inanda
Gauteng · Shortlisted
St John's College
Gauteng · Shortlisted
St Peter's College
Gauteng · Shortlisted
St Stithians College
Gauteng · Shortlisted
The King's School Linbro Park
Gauteng · Invited
Tisand Technical High School
KwaZulu-Natal · Invited
Westerford High School
Western Cape · Invited
Westville Boys High School
KwaZulu-Natal · Shortlisted
Wynberg Boys High School
Western Cape · Invited
Rules and resources
Official FIBA rules
Every game at the Top 10 Tournament is played under the FIBA Official Basketball Rules, the only basketball rules recognised internationally. The current edition is valid from 1 October 2026 and covers court and equipment, playing regulations, violations and fouls.
On TikTok
Top 10 in your feed
Follow Top 10 Tournament. Like your favourites and share with your team.
Featured story · Fri, 23 Oct
Recognising Greatness: Gemini Sports Brand Partners for the All-Star Awards
Gemini Sports Brand is the official partner of the 2026 Top 10 Tournament All-Star Awards.
Read the story →Official U16 store
Wear the first Top 10 U16
Hoodies, tees, warm-up tops and caps in the U16 kit. Order online and collect at the tournament, or have it couriered anywhere in South Africa.
Sponsorship opportunities
The first Top 10 Tournament for junior teams — ten U16 boys and ten U16 girls teams from across South Africa, 26–28 March 2027. Put your brand in front of the next generation of players, their schools, families and fans, at the venue, across social media and on a platform that stays online long after.
3 days · 2 courts
Ten boys and ten girls teams, with parents, schools and fans in the stands
Boys and girls
Our first tournament for both — reach two school communities at once
National reach
Shortlisted schools from across South Africa following along
Evergreen platform
Stats, profiles and results stay online as permanent player CVs
Select a section to reveal the packages, then choose a package to see everything included and send an enquiry
Beyond the venue
Online and social media coverage
Families, schools and fans across South Africa follow every game, wherever they are.
Live streams
Games streamed on YouTube and Facebook, with replays that stay online.
Live stats
Box scores, leaderboards and player profiles that remain as permanent player CVs.
Social media
Daily highlights, Player of the Game cards and school features on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X and YouTube.
Website and news
Fixtures, results and news on top10tournament.co.za before, during and after the event.
Want a bespoke package? Email info@top10tournament.co.za.