South Africa’s football future is about to get a major boost with the launch of the prestigious Curro Halala Cup – a high-intensity under-19 school football tournament designed to showcase exciting talent and thrill with fierce competition.
Set to kick off in April 2025, the Curro Halala Cup will bring together 64 of the country’s top school football teams – public and private – for a battle of skill, determination, and dreams. With national glory and a R100 000 grand prize at stake, expect electrifying matches featuring incredible skill, which may even result in professional signings. The next generation of football greats is ready.
The idea for the Curro Halala Cup was sparked in the wake of Curro Northern Academy’s historic triumph at the 2024 Kay Motsepe Schools Championships, where they were crowned under-19 national champions. Curro Holdings has been nurturing football in its schools and recognises immense potential for the sport.
“We have the national champions within our portfolio of schools – why not create a tournament that gives more teams the chance to prove themselves on a national stage?” says Cobus Loubser, CEO of Curro Holdings. “With our successful Podium athletics events, we’ve shown how to host top-tier school competitions, and now we’re bringing that expertise and enthusiasm to football. It is time to elevate the game much more at school level. And let’s be honest – who wouldn’t want to compete against the best?”
The road to glory
The Curro Halala Cup tournament structure is fast-paced and unforgiving. The 64 teams will battle through regional knockout rounds hosted at Curro schools in April and May 2025, with the top 16 advancing to the national finals in August 2025 at HeronBridge College, Johannesburg.
In addition to 19 Curro schools participating in the first round, South Africa’s football and sporting powerhouses have already been invited, including Clapham High School, Durban High School, Westville Boys’ High School, Paul Roos Gymnasium, Grey College and Krugersdorp High School.
With professional scouts watching closely, the Curro Halala Cup could be the launchpad for South Africa’s next breakout football stars.
A football legacy in the making
Curro is no stranger to football development. In 2023, the group partnered with the Pitso Mosimane Soccer Schools programme, bringing elite coaching to Curro primary schools. The programme has exploded in growth, expanding from just two schools to 18, cementing strong football foundations.
“The Curro Halala Cup is not just about winning – it’s about building a football pipeline and legacy,” says Loubser. “It’s about creating opportunities, showcasing talent, and giving every player a shot at something even bigger. The lessons these young footballers learn – teamwork, resilience, discipline – will serve them long after the final whistle blows.”
With the best school teams, top-tier competition, and the chance to be scouted for professional football, the Curro Halala Cup is set to revolutionise school football in South Africa. The question is: Who will rise, who will dominate, and who will claim the ultimate prize? The journey to football greatness begins now. See you on the pitch …
THE MEANING OF ‘HALALA’
“Halala” can mean “welcome” in isiZulu and “celebration” in isiXhosa and is commonly used across South Africa in small or large gatherings to say “well done! or “you are amazing!”. In this context, Curro welcomes many other schools across South Africa to celebrate football talent with us.
Halala South Africa, halala!
