“Fearless. Mature far beyond his age. Such confidence — a Protea in the making.”

The skill level of young Bellville bowler Thando Mraji (16) had opponents and spectators in awe on Youth Day last week at Edgemead Bowling Club.

In the play-offs of the WP Men’s Pairs, Thando played skip alongside his father, Alfred (56), greenkeeper at Bellville Bowling Club.

They easily swept aside heavyweight WP bowlers on their way to the final.

Beat two top bowlers

At this final hurdle they handsomely beat two of Durbanville’s top bowlers, Bräsler van Schoor and Adré Barnard, by 23–9 to win gold.

Bellville Bowling Club (BBC) president Barrie Eksteen hailed their young star. “More than once we saw his opposing skip lift his arms in despair and say something like ‘There is nothing I can do to beat him’!” Eksteen told TygerBurger.

“He may be the youngest player to win a title at this level, but there are no statistics to prove it.

“Thando was Bellville’s open champion last season.”

The youngest ever, at fifteen years young,” said Eksteen.

By winning he represented his club at the WP Champion of Champions tournament in 2025.

Thando also won the WP Masters u-18 title earlier this year. Before that, he claimed a number of WP u-15 and u-18 interdistrict medals.

Started playing at four

A proud Alfred Mraji said his son had started playing bowls at only four years old.

Mraji has been BBC’s greenkeeper for 23 years.

Thando, a Grade 10 learner at Settlers High School, also plays hockey at school.

“His grades are good as well,” said his proud father.

“He dreams of winning Protea colours and competing across the world. He also aims to one day make his mark in sport coaching.”

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