Prabashnee Naidoo and Ester Baaitjies Named 2026 GSPORT Ambassadors

2026 gsport Supporter of the Year, Prabashnee Naidoo, and 2026 Woman in Radio finalist, Ester Baaitjies, have been officially unveiled as brand ambassadors as gsport looks to close out its monumental 20th milestone year on an absolute high.

Following a highly competitive week-long public nomination process launched across social media, the gsport digital and newsroom teams faced the difficult task of narrowing down a wave of passionate entries. tbzikra.org

Ultimately, Naidoo and Baaitjies were selected for their exceptional, all-round advocacy of the campaign, their uplifting digital presence, and their selfless support of their fellow finalists during the awards cycle.

Ambassadors for SPAR gsport Awards Revealed

The selection of these two ambassadors highlights the power of the platform to unearth new role models. As the gsport selection team noted, Prabashnee Naidoo has undergone a remarkable transformation within the community ecosystem. “Naidoo has gone from virtual unknown on social media last year before the Awards, to one of the most recognisable faces in women’s sport and a gsport Award winner this year.”

Her journey underscores the core mission of gsport: providing visibility to the people who passionately champion the women’s game from the sidelines and grandstands.

Meanwhile, Ester Baaitjies represents the grit and self-determination required to succeed in the modern sports media landscape. Emerging as a self-nominated powerhouse, she navigated stiff competition during the rigorous judging and public voting phases to secure a coveted finalist spot in the competitive Woman in Radio category for her exceptional broadcast work on CUT FM.

Operating from her base in Bloemfontein, Baaitjies has consistently proved that geographic location is no barrier to regional impact. She has used her platform to project her voice nationally, intentionally creating space and broadcast opportunities to celebrate, interview, and uplift other women in sport across the Free State and beyond.

The ambassador program holds a storied place in the platform’s history, evolving alongside South Africa’s sporting landscape. The first ever cohort was introduced in 2012 for the #SPARgsportAwards campaign – including six celebrities who used their voices to drive public support for the awards campaign.

That historic inaugural 2012 lineup tapped into broad cultural communities by featuring influential media and entertainment personalities, including Roxy Burger, Mpho Maboi, Anele Mdoda, Shashi Naidoo, Hulisani Ravele, and Liezel van der Westhuizen.

In 2023, the initiative underwent a strategic shift with the launch of the #gsport18 #PowerOfRecognition Ambassador Program. Rather than relying on outside celebrity voices, gsport began calling back its own former winners and finalists. This structural shift allowed alumni to step into paid influencer roles, host engaging digital discussions on platforms like Instagram Live, and share their firsthand experiences of being recognised on the national stage to encourage the public to discover local heroes.

gsport Founder, Kass Naidoo, noted that the 2026 cohort steps into a unique operational window, tasking the duo with a post-awards mandate to keep momentum alive.

“The role of the two ambassadors this year is slightly different in that the awards are already over,” explained Naidoo. “The challenge now is how to use this solid base to continue growing women’s sport and getting women in sport to believe in themselves.”

“Congratulations to both Prabashnee and Ester! The gsport team looks forward to working with them both to ensure that they get to powerfully use their voices to change the game, and that gsport continues to have a positive influence on their personal careers.”

As the global profile of South African women’s sport continues to surge, Naidoo has urged women across all sporting codes, administrations, and media houses to remain deeply connected with the platform’s digital networks.

“Reach out to the gsport team and ask for help. That’s why we are here. We want to see women in sport flourish and we have seen the gsport community rally and support those around them. Be part of the community and start believing in the power of your dreams!”

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Main Photo Caption: 2026 gsport Supporter of the Year, Prabashnee Naidoo, has been officially unveiled as a 2026 brand ambassador, transforming from a social media fan into one of the most recognisable advocates championing women’s sport across South Africa from the grandstands. All Photos: Supplied

Photo 2 Caption: 2026 Woman in Radio finalist Ester Baaitjies steps up gsport looks to close out its 20th milestone year on an high.

The post Prabashnee Naidoo and Ester Baaitjies Named 2026 GSPORT Ambassadors appeared first on gsport4girls.

The Springboks will head into their final home Test of 2026 this Saturday, but there is still plenty of action to look forward to over the final four months of the year.

Rassie Erasmus’ team will face the All Blacks twice more in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Series, before heading into a one-off Test against Australia at the end of September.

The Springboks then head on a new-look end-of-year tour as part of the Nations Championship tournament, which will see them face Italy, France and Ireland as well as one final opponent at the end of November.

For the Nations Championship, across the six pool-stage matches in July and November, teams from the southern and hemisphere will continue to compete against each other. Points earned from those matches determine a final one to six ranking for each hemisphere’s table, and the finals weekend pairs each team against their direct equivalent rank from the opposite conference.

• Championship Final: North #1 vs South #1 (Winner crowned Nations Championship champion)
• 3rd Place Playoff: North #2 vs South #2
• 5th Place Match: North #3 vs South #3
• 7th Place Match: North #4 vs South #4
• 9th Place Match: North #5 vs South #5
• 11th Place Match: North #6 vs South #6

SPRINGBOKS’ REMAINING FIXTURES AND KICK OFF TIMES THIS YEAR

• Saturday 5 September: Boks v All Blacks
  • Venue: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
  • Kick-off: 17:10
• Saturday 12 September: Boks v All Blacks
  • Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA
  • Kick off: 23:00 (SA time)

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Once-off Test

• Sunday 27 September: Wallabies v Boks
  • Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
  • Kick off: 11:30

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Nations Championship (End of Year Tour)

• Saturday 7 November: Italy v Boks
  • Venue: Allianz Stadium, Turin
  • Kick off: 16:00
• Friday 13 November: France v Boks
  • Venue: Stade de France, Paris
  • Kick off: 22:00
• Saturday 21 November: Ireland v Boks
  • Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
  • Kick off: 19:30
• 27–29 November: Finals Weekend
  • Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
  • Kick off: TBC

First things first

As the Springboks prepare for kick off in this Saturday’s third Test against New Zealand, lock Ruan Nortje – who will pair up with Eben Etzebeth in the engine room again – said the atmosphere in the Bok camp was good this week and that they were 100% focused on the task at hand.

“The vibe has been really good – I wouldn’t say it’s very different to last week,” said Nortje.

“Every week is a Test week. In our camp, it’s all about sticking to our processes and working hard during the week, and when we work, we work as hard as possible.”

Zooming in on the lineouts, Nortje said: “The set pieces were good last week, but we’ll never be satisfied with just good. We always want to be better.

“We were happy with how the lineouts went, but this is a new week. We’ve put in a lot of effort working out what we want to do since Sunday, and during the week we execute it in training. But once one gets into the game it’s about adapting, and if we’re under pressure, to look at what to do differently and adjust.

“A lot of credit has to go to the coaches and players in that process. But this is a new week and a fresh challenge.”

The Honey Deuce may have begun life in restauranteur and mixologist Nick Mautone’s kitchen, but two decades later its cult status has grown into something few cocktails ever achieve: a drink so famous that it overshadows the tennis it was designed to accompany.

Wander through the bustling concourses at the US Open and you’ll inevitably witness a quintessentially Flushing Meadows spectacle: thousands of spectators balancing towering stacks of acrylic Honey Deuce cups – a viral tradition known as Honey Deuce “jenga”.

The pink‑purple cocktail, topped with three honeydew melon balls, has become as recognisable as the blue courts themselves.

Watched the drink transform

At the heart of this phenomenon is the man who has overseen its rise for the past decade.

Daniel Velez Gomez, manager of the US Open’s main Honey Deuce concession bar, has watched the drink transform from a hand‑crafted novelty into a multimillion‑dollar cultural juggernaut.

The South African’s Amisha Savani spoke to Gomez on a bustling afternoon on Day 2 of this year’s tournament.

“This is my house. This is my baby,” Gomez says proudly.

“My bar can make any drink you want, but my goal is to see everybody with one Honey Deuce in their hands.”

From fruit salad to cult status

The drink’s origin story is now US Open folklore.

Created in 2006 after the USTA commissioned Mautone to design a tennis‑themed cocktail, the Honey Deuce was born out of serendipity.

While preparing a fruit salad, Mautone noticed that scooped honeydew melon spheres resembled tennis balls – and a star was born.

The cocktail – Grey Goose vodka, lemonade and Chambord raspberry liqueur, topped with three melon balls – has since inspired a merchandising empire: caps, t‑shirts, cushions, fridge magnets, pins and even scented candles.

The shift to draft & 2025 prices

Still priced at $23 (R370), the Honey Deuce has undergone a major behind‑the‑scenes evolution.

Gone are the days of bartenders hand‑pouring vodka and lemonade into shakers.

Today, a dual‑keg draft tap system keeps queues moving.

“We have two kegs: one is lemonade, one is vodka,” Gomez explains.

The mix is poured from the tap, before bartenders add the signature Chambord float and the trio of melon balls by hand.

“People love lemonade, people love vodka,” he says.

“And it’s a signature drink for the Open. Even if you don’t like it, I always tell people, try it out.”

The souvenir glass that launched thousands of TikToks

The refreshing cocktail, a mix of sweet lemonade, tart raspberry, and cooling melon has created a frenzy driven by the commemorative acrylic cup.

Printed with the US Open logo and a list of past champions, the cup has become a badge of honour for fans attending the Open.

“I see people who don’t even drink, but they want the glass,” Gomez says.

“People ask to buy empty cups, but we don’t sell them empty. I want to see product in there! Empty or full, it’s $23.”

Last year, the US Open sold 738 459 Honey Deuces, generating an estimated $16.98 million in gross sales.

But the glass shortage that hits every second week isn’t caused by supply chain issues – it’s deliberate.

“The situation isn’t that they run out of glasses; the glasses are reclaimed by Grey Goose for their official site,” Gomez reveals.

“Because the year is stamped on the glass, they’d rather go short than end up with leftover garbage once the tournament ends.”

For those lucky enough to collect them, Gomez offers a warning: “Don’t put them in the dishwasher. They’re acrylic, they will crack!”

Even the pros stash them

Players are just as obsessed.

Last year, South Africa’s Lloyd Harris was gifted two Honey Deuce glasses by The South African.

When teased that he could use them for protein shakes, he laughed: “I want the real thing!”

And when asked if he’d give them to friends or family, he was emphatic: “They’re going straight into my apartment!”

Looking to the future

With wellness trends rising, I ask Gomez whether a zero‑alcohol Honey Deuce might be coming.

“I think there is a potential, and they could make a lot of money,” he admits – though no plans exist yet.

A new contender

The Honey Deuce isn’t the only drink vying for attention.

Maestro Dobel Tequila’s Paloma: tequila, lime, grapefruit juice and black salt is gaining traction.

“Before we had Aperol Spritz,” Gomez says.

“Now it’s gone, because they wanted to push Paloma. They want to push just tequila and vodka.”

And yes, the Paloma has its own collectible glass, though without the Honey Deuce’s historical detail.

Unsurprisingly, Gomez has his own stash at home from the past decade, with any spares sent to his mother.

The Honey Deuce remains the undisputed king of Flushing Meadows. The tennis may be world‑class, but the Honey Deuce is the show that everyone drinks.

Amisha Savani is reporting exclusively for The South African from the 2026 US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York