The Lamb Champs Invitational is officially set following the final regional qualifier on 24 September in Paarl, where Kyla Wasserman (1st place with a Dohne Merino) claimed top honours, securing her spot alongside the country’s top livestock producers.
On 31 October 2026, Pretoria’s Silverlakes Farm Hotel will host the inaugural Lamb Champs Invitational, a landmark head-to-head culinary showdown pitting South Africa’s premier livestock producers directly against top sheep farmers from Namibia. Initiated by Southern African family farming organization Saai, Lamb Champs has expanded from a regional spit-braai contest into an international showcase. The event celebrates grassroots producers, allowing livestock farmers to step into the spotlight while connecting directly with consumers.
A Cross-Border Showdown
The core format brings a fierce national rivalry to the spit-braai ring, featuring a 10-member South African squad facing off against 10 elite Namibian farmers.
Team Namibia’s squad was finalized under the newly launched NamLamb initiative following an official selection launch in Windhoek. Founder Lenn de Jager leads Team Namibia alongside a formidable roster of regional producers:
- Lenn de Jager (Team Captain, Khomas – White Dorper & Van Rooy cross)
- Hannes Agenbach (Aranos – Dorper)
- Franco Burger (Leonardville – Dorper & Persian cross)
- Andries Steenkamp (Gochas – White Dorper)
- Louis de Jager (Khomas – Dorper & Persian cross)
- Eddie Agenbach (Aranos – Dorper & Persian cross)
- Wilbie Mostert (Southern Kalahari – Dorper & Van Rooy cross)
- Hannes Visagie (Lower Nossob – Dorper)
- Koos Bredenkamp (Otjiwarongo – Damara)
- Danie Steenkamp (Aranos – Dorper)
Captained by Gawie van Heerden, Team South Africa features national standouts including:
- Hennie Jonker (2025 National Champion – Hampshire Downs)
- Gerhard and Jani Lourens (Pretoria Champions – Persians)
- Daan and Tharin Malan (Pretoria Qualifiers – Dormers)
- Paul van Rooyen (Bloemfontein Champion – Meatmasters)
- Hendri Punt and Jess Kessel (Bloemfontein Qualifiers – SA Mutton Merinos)
- Kyla Wasserman (Boland Champion – Dohne Merino)
- PK Uys (Boland Qualifier – Dormer)
Captain Van Heerden will complete the national roster with his remaining strategic wildcard selections to finalize the squad.
Lamb Champs 2026: Die Grootste Wes-Kaapse Fees Ooit Wink op Erfenisdag!
Culinary Excellence & Culture
The competitive judging remains strictly objective, evaluating tenderness, fat distribution, aroma, and flavour profile as standard charcoal and uniform seasoning are applied across all open-fire cooking stations. For attendees, the Invitational offers unlimited tasting portions, live music, agricultural vendor hubs, and traditional crowd favourites—such as the popular regional skaapkop eating competition. Above all, the event celebrates family farming and the shared agricultural heritage of Southern Africa.