The competition brought Boer goat, Kalahari Red, and Savanna breeders together at Nampo Park outside Bothaville for the first staging of the Super 10 format in South Africa.
Three breeds compete for honours
Maize Valley Savanna Goat Stud, near Hoopstad in the Free State, is owned by Andrew Roberts and his wife, Ju-mari. They also won the Boer goat section.
The Kalahari Red title was shared by Maize Valley and Albie Horn, owner of Albian Stud in Kuruman, Northern Cape, while Jannes Wasserman of Jewel of Africa in Ventersdorp, North West, province won the Savanna section.
The competition was judged by international small-stock judge Koenie Kotzé.
Speaking to Farmer’s Weekly, Roberts said the event attracted high-quality animals and provided a strong foundation for future competitions.
“I think it was a solid competition, and the quality of the animals was good. As a first show, it’s something that can grow in the future. We’re excited about the show and the potential it holds,” he said.
He added that the recognition associated with the competition was important to breeders and validated the selection decisions made throughout the season.
“The recognition plays a big role. It shows that the selections we make during the season work and that we must continue with what we’re doing.”
Demolisher proves Savannas are contenders
Roberts explained that winning the interbreed championship with a Savanna ram was particularly significant, as the breed is not traditionally considered a frontrunner against other meat-goat breeds.
“It was a big achievement to win with a Savanna ram. Many people think a Savannas can’t compete against the other breeds, but this shows that the breed is on the right path,” he noted.
Roberts and his wife breed Savannas, Kalahari Reds, and Boer goats, and they also farm Brangus cattle. Their Savanna stud produced the 2025 World Champion Savanna ram and Reserve World Champion ewe.
Compact format for changing conditions
According to Albert Loubser, livestock coordinator for Nampo Alfa, under the Super 10 format, each breeder could only enter 10 goats across 10 classes. Points were accumulated across the classes, with the breeder achieving the highest total named the winner of the respective breed section.
The competition was developed in response to the realities facing livestock exhibitors, including rising showing costs and the biosecurity risks associated with moving larger numbers of animals during the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease challenge.
Loubser compared the strategic selection of animals to playing a hand of cards.
“It’s like playing poker: gain as many points as possible to be named the winner of that breed,” he said.
Speaking at the BKB Super 10 Goat Show Function after the competition, Loubser said the introduction of the competition reflected the need for livestock events to continue adapting.
“There’s never a position of neutrality. You grow, or you go backwards. This BKB Super 10 is exactly that. In the environment in which we now live, with its challenges, we have to ask: what’s the next step?”
Competition set to intensify
Roberts said growth in the number of Savanna breeders is strengthening competition ahead of the breed’s next world show, scheduled to take place in Bloemfontein, Free State, in 2027.
“We’re excited about the future. New Savanna breeders have come on board, and there are some very good breeders among them.
“We’re already nervous about the next world show. The competition in 2027 is going to be challenging,” Roberts noted.
