The South African Open Championship Predictions - 4 selections for the title in Stellenbosch

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

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Brad Newcomb 1 hour ago

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The Investec South African Open Championship takes place between 26-1 March
The tournament takes place at the Stellenbosch Golf Club, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Key contenders include Jayden Schaper, Branden Grace, Oliver Lindell, and Martin Couvra.

Jayden Schaper has won twice on the DP World Tour this season (Getty Images)

The South African Open Championship returns to the Stellenbosch Golf Club for the first time since 1999, where a strong field will be competing for top honours this weekend. Who will secure victory in the latest round of the DP World Tour come Sunday?

Dylan Naidoo is back to defend his title after a play-off victory over Laurie Canter in 2025.

Past Major winners Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel and Ernie Els are in the field, including past champions Dean Burmester, Thriston Lawrence, Daniel van Tonder, Branden Grace, Brandon Stone, and Andy Sullivan.

These are our four selections that could win the title this weekend.

Jayden Schaper

Jayden Schaper has been in exceptional form on the DP World Tour this season, placing T2 at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, winning the Alfred Dunhill Championship, winning the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, T20 at the Dubai Invitational, T4 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, T52 at the Bahrain Championship and T9 at the Qatar Masters.

Other notable results achieved by Schaper in 2025 include a T9 at the Joburg Open, a T5 at the Austrian Alpine Open, 3rd at the KLM Open, a T10 at the Italian Open, 9th at the FedEx Open de France, a T5 at the Open de Espana, a T6 at the DP World India Championship, and a T20 at the DP World Tour Championship.

The two-time DP World Tour winner has compiled an excellent record at the South African Open Championship, placing T6 in 2020, T9 in 2023, T5 in 2023, and T16 in 2025.

Schaper is in great touch and has claims to win the title at the Stellenbosch Golf Club this weekend.

Branden Grace

Branden Grace has been in ultra-consistent form on the Asian Tour, the DP World Tour, and the LIV Golf League lately, placing T5 at the PIF Saudi International, T9 at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, T9 in Riyadh, and T8 in Adelaide.

Additional highlights achieved by Grace last year include a T20 in Hong Kong, a T19 in Virginia, a T4 in Andalucia, a T21 in the United Kingdom, a T5 in Chicago, and a T4 in Indianapolis.

The nine-time DP World Tour winner has been in outstanding form at the Investec South African Open Championship in his last six starts, placing T15 in 2014, 2nd in 2018, T7 in 2018, winning in 2020, WD in 2022, and T4 in 2025.

Grace is a strong contender to take the title in Stellenbosch this weekend based on his recent good form.

Oliver Lindell

Oliver Lindell has rediscovered his touch in his last four outings on the DP World Tour, placing T15 at the Dubai Invitational, T26 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, T9 at the Bahrain Championship, and T5 at the Qatar Masters.

Other prominent performances achieved by Lindell last season include finishing T12 at the Turkish Airlines Open, T25 at the Soudal Open, T13 at the Austrian Alpine Open, T10 at the Italian Open, T7 at the Nexo Championship, T8 at the Danish Golf Championship, T17 at the Omega European Masters, 7th at the Amgen Irish Open, and T13 at the BMW PGA Championship.

The 27-year-old missed the cut at the Investec South African Open Championship on debut.

Lindell has been playing well lately and could win his maiden DP World Tour title in South Africa this weekend.

Martin Couvra

Martin Couvra has been in decent nick on the DP World Tour this season, placing T30 at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, T7 at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, T42 at the Dubai Invitational, T10 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, T24 at the Bahrain Championship, and MC at the Qatar Masters.

Other noteworthy results achieved by Couvra last year include a T14 at the Porsche Singapore Open, 5th at the Hainan Classic, a victory at the Turkish Airlines Open, a T8 at the Austrian Alpine Open, a 2nd at the Italian Open, a T13 at the BMW PGA Championship, a T17 at the DP World India Championship, and a T23 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

The Frenchman has made four appearances at the South African Open Championship, finishing T12 in 2023 before missing the cut at the 2025 edition.

Couvra has been threatening to produce a big performance lately and make the frame in South Africa come Sunday.

Verdict

South African Open Championship

Schaper will fancy his chances to win his third tournament of the season at the Stellenbosch Club come Sunday.

Grace has not been far off from returning to winning ways and should enter calculations at the South African Open Championship this weekend.

Lindell has been in solid form lately and will fancy his chances to take home the winner's cheque in South Africa this weekend.

Couvra has been there and thereabouts this season and could cause an upset victory in Stellenbosch come Sunday.

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Martin Couvra

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