August 29 @ 6:00 am – August 30 @ 11:30 pm
The pressure is already on.
When the gates drop at Gallina Motocross Park in Windhoek on 29–30 August, Team South Africa will arrive at the FIM Africa Motocross of African Nations 2026 carrying something every team wants: the title of reigning champions.
But defending a championship can be harder than winning one.
South Africa‘s 2026 squad brings riders from a wide range of classes, combining young developing talent with competitors ready to battle for national honours. With around 180 riders expected from across Africa, the MXoAN promises a weekend where speed, consistency and national pride collide.
And for Team South Africa, there is nowhere to hide.
A Target on South Africa’s Back
Winning once proves you can reach the top. Returning as champions means everyone knows exactly who they have to beat.
That creates a different kind of pressure.
Every start, every corner and every jump at Gallina will contribute to the team’s overall challenge. A mistake that costs a few positions can become much more significant when the results are being counted for national glory.
South Africa isn’t arriving in Windhoek simply to participate. The mission is to defend the crown.
The team is also dealing with an unfortunate change before the championship, with Coby Kretzmann ruled out after suffering an injury the previous weekend. His absence is a blow to the squad, but the remaining riders will now have to shoulder even more responsibility.
A Deep South African Line-Up
The team features a broad spread of talent across the championship classes.
In the 50cc class, South Africa will be represented by Nate Small, Gianno Ferreira, Paul Graven, Garry Hamer, Casper Kruger and Esminé Labuschagne.
The 65cc squad features Richard Smith, Joshua Naude, Rohan Wessels and Brayden Tucker, while the MX Lites line-up includes Brody Bircher, Aiden Retief, Ross Mackenzie and Seth van der Walt.
In 125cc, Trent Valsecchi, Evan Frost, Caden Weise, Blake Frost and Trenton Kretzmann will carry the South African colours.
The women’s contingent will also be firmly in the fight, with Mackenzie Bam, Genevieve Edwards, Jessica Osner, Zoe Botha and Chloe Odendaal representing South Africa in WMX.
Completing the announced line-up are Luke Grundy, Tristan Durow, Garrick Henley and Matthew Correia in MX2.
It is a team built across generations, with the youngest riders getting a taste of international motocross alongside competitors already accustomed to the intensity of high-level racing.
More Than Just Another Race Weekend
MXoAN 2026 is set to be about much more than lap times.
For the riders, it is an opportunity to represent their country. For families and supporters, it is a chance to watch African motocross talent compete on one stage. And for the sport itself, bringing the championship to Windhoek creates another major platform for motocross across the continent.
Gallina Motocross Park will become the meeting point for different countries, classes and racing styles—with every rider chasing the same ultimate objective.
One continent. One championship. One massive weekend.
Fans unable to make the trip to Windhoek will also be able to follow the action through the announced live streams on the MXoAN Namibia Facebook page, FIM Africa Facebook and FIM Africa YouTube.
For those heading to Gallina, however, nothing replaces being trackside when the bikes fire up, the gates fall and the battle begins.
South Africa has a title to defend.
Africa is coming for it.
