Hannes Scheepers heads to the iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on 13-14 November with one hand on the 2026 Astron Energy Polo Cup trophy. After eight race victories and four further podiums, the Dainfern Dental Studio driver arrives at the seventh and final round with a 42-point championship lead and the opportunity to secure his maiden Polo Cup title.
The championship standings see Scheepers on 241 points, with Charl Smalberger and Mauro Da Luz both on 199. With 43 points available at the final meeting, two more points would put the title beyond reach.
Scheepers built that advantage with six consecutive victories. He won both races at Killarney in March and repeated the double at Red Star Raceway in April before taking the opening two heats of May's Zwartkops triple-header. He finished third in the final race there, keeping his podium run intact after Smalberger ended his winning streak.
A second place and another victory followed at Aldo Scribante in June. On his return visit in August, he added fourth and third before the Worx Motorsport SA driver strengthened his position with a win and second place at Zwartkops on 17 October. He also took the overall victory at that penultimate meeting.
His path to a national championship began in regional racing. Scheepers won his maiden title in 2022, competing in the VW Challenge’s Class B while finishing third overall. He came close to defending his Class B title in 2023, falling just short and finishing the season as runner-up.
In 2024, Scheepers moved up to national competition in the Astron Energy Polo Cup. Seventh and eighth in his first Polo Cup races at Killarney introduced him to the national series, and he finished his rookie season sixth in the championship. His first Polo Cup victory came at Killarney in September 2025. Another win at the Zwartkops finale helped him finish third in that year's championship.
Scheepers is, however, familiar with the Johannesburg circuit. Scheepers contested the 2024 Polo Cup round there and returned for the Blockbuster Extreme Festival on 12 April 2025. On that visit, he qualified tenth, finished sixth and fourth in the two races and placed fourth overall.
The 4.522 km circuit now offers a different opportunity: the chance to complete his most successful Polo Cup season with the title. The championship's final two races form part of the South African Endurance Series finale, with both scheduled for Saturday 14 November.
His 2026 achievements before Kyalami:
Eight victories from 13 races, including six consecutive wins to start the season.
Twelve podium finishes: eight wins, two second places and two thirds.
Finished all 13 races, every one inside the top five.
Three fastest-lap bonus points and one qualifying bonus point.
Championship leader on 241 points, 42 ahead of his nearest rivals.
Polo Cup schedule — all times SAST
Friday 13 November
Practice 1 - 07:30–07:45
Practice 2 - 10:35–10:50
Practice 3 - 14:00–14:15
Qualifying 15:35–15:55
Saturday 14 November
Warm-up 07:25–07:35
Race 1 10:40–10:55
Race 2 - 14:15–14:30
Official programme: View the Kyalami event programme
Livestream: SAES Racing YouTube channel
Ticket Sales: https://computicket-boxoffice.com/e/nine-hours-of-kyalami-m9s0Fd/tickets
Motorsport Fanatix™ — Showcasing SA Talent.
