Pushing the Limits: SA Champ Eyes World Blackball Crown

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At just 21, Ms Erin Lazarus, a Business Science (Finance) student at UKZN, is already a national blackball champion, proving that academic excellence and elite sport can go hand in hand.

Erin’s love for blackball began in Westville, watching her dad play at the local club. A home pool table and early family coaching soon ignited a passion that saw her rise rapidly through national rankings. In 2024, she claimed the South African National Blackball title, in her hometown of Durban, just weeks after a hospital stay and surgery. ‘I wasn’t sure I’d recover in time, but I believed I had a fighting chance,’ Erin recalls. That belief paid off, with a hard-fought final against one of South Africa’s top-ranked players. Balancing a demanding degree with national competition hasn’t been easy.

‘There have been many sleepless nights,’ she admits. But with UKZN’s academic support and a sports scholarship, Erin continues to thrive. ‘It means a lot that UKZN recognises my achievements,’ she says.

UKZN sports staff member Ms Roshnee Govender praises Erin’s maturity: ‘She’s eased her playing schedule to focus more on studies this year, showing real dedication to both her academics and sport.’

Looking ahead, Erin aims to represent South Africa at the 2025 Commonwealth and All Africa Games, with her sights eventually set on the 2026 World Championships, after exams, of course.

Her message to fellow students: ‘Follow your passion. It’s possible to excel in both academics and personal goals if you stay disciplined and ask for help when needed.’

When not competing or studying, Erin enjoys time with her family, friends, and dogs, and watching Manchester United games with her dad.

Words: Nduduzo Duma

Photograph: Supplied