The newly formed pair of Sandile Mtolo and Bongani Ntinga fired a strong pre-Dusi warning shot with a win at the Bishopstowe to Dusi Bridge race this weekend.

The race was the final chance for paddlers to race in Dusi conditions and it was the whole of the day one route which gave paddlers a good idea of what to expect on 19 February.

The recent build up events have already hinted at the shape of this year’s contest, none more telling than the Bishopstowe to Dusi Bridge race. This year regarded as the final meaningful dress rehearsal before the main event, the race offered a revealing glimpse into paddlers’ pacing strategies and river familiarity.

The familiar opening stretch, mirroring day one of the Dusi itself, allowed contenders to test equipment choices, portage efficiency and partnerships under race pressure, while spectators gained an early look at who is carrying momentum into the big week.

There has been a recent shake up in the Dusi combinations as the Mtolo brothers are no longer paddling together. Another change has come as Ntinga and Sbonelo Khwela will also not be paddling together like they had done previously.

This has led to the formation of the pair of Sandile Mtolo and Bongani Ntinga and the reunification of the 2024 Dusi runner-up pairing of Msawenkosi Mtolo and Sbonelo Khwela.

It was the former pair of Mtolo and Ntinga who produced the paddle of the day to win comfortably by over two minutes ahead of Mtolo and Khwela.

Mthobisi Cele and Zamokhule Meyiwe finished in third place overall while the experienced pair of Thulani Mbanjwa and Shaun Rubenstein ended in firth.

In one of the performances of the day Siyabonga Ndlovu and Sbonelo Dube finished fourth overall and where the first Under 18 boat across the line.

One of the twists of the day came in the women’s race with Christie Mackenzie and Saskia Hockly finishing second behind Abby Solms and Robyn Groenink.

Solms and Groenink were in good form ending the race in seventh place overall and just under two minutes ahead of Mackenzie and Hockly who had been the dominant women’s pair throughout the Dusi build up.

Young Under 18 pair of Hana Newlands and Tayla Norton finished in third in the women’s race.

The final stretch of preparation is coming up ahead of the 75th Dusi Canoe Marathon from 19-21 February.