Students from Roedean, a prestigious Johannesburg-based girls\u2019 school, have been slated for their alleged refusal to play tennis against Jewish opponents.<\/p>\n
Reports emerged over the weekend that girls from the Roedean tennis team had refused to play King David because they were Jewish.<\/p>\n
There was reportedly a voice note from a coach and the King David principal, describing how the Roedean girls had refused to walk onto the court.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, 8 February 2026, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) condemned what they called a discriminatory refusal to play at a Jewish School.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe condemn the blatant prejudice shown by the Roedean, which refused to honour the fixture scheduled with the King David girls\u2019 team,\u201d the group said.<\/p>\n
The fixture was set to take place on the Roedean School for Girls\u2019 courts of their Parktown campus.<\/p>\n
According to the Jewish Board of Deputies, King David School has notified its parent body of this incident. It continues to engage with Isasa and Roedean to address it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis disturbing refusal to play Jewish learners is deeply upsetting for the Jewish tennis players,\u201d the South African Jewish Board of Deputies said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also conveys the message that hate and discrimination have become acceptable values at Roedean.\u201d<\/p>\n
It added that Roedean cannot claim to be \u201cguided by a strong set of values and principles\u201d when it violates the South African Constitution.<\/p>\n
\u201cSport has the potential to unite and harness diversity, but regrettably, Roedean flouted that opportunity by boycotting the Jewish school,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
The South African Board of Jewish Education told Newsday it is aware of the incident and is addressing it.<\/p>\n
It said this incident occurred during a scheduled inter-school tennis fixture involving our King David High School first and second teams earlier this week at Roedean.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe issue is being investigated and addressed through the appropriate channels,\u201d it said in a statement.<\/p>\n
It is in consultation with ISASA (The Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa) and the South African Jewish Board of Deputies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe SABJE is also meeting with Roedean, who have been very willing to engage,\u201d King David High School said.<\/p>\n
As this incident is ongoing, and out of respect for all parties involved, the school will not be commenting further at this time, it said.<\/p>\n
Newsday asked Roedean School for Girls for comment, and will add the feedback when received.<\/p>\n
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