Theo Govender and Eric Narainasami have secured the main prize in South Africa, earning R150,000 after winning the final of the Goldrush World Series of Thunee 2026, which took place in Chatsworth.
This victory marked the culmination of an outstanding competition that showcased skill, strategic thinking, concentration, and sportsmanship. The tournament featured the country's top card players competing for a share of the main tournament's total prize pool of R250,000.
The final lived up to high expectations: finalists Gary Dylan Naidu and Ashley Hanuman displayed immense struggle and tactical resilience in a tense confrontation but were narrowly edged out in the final stage, allowing them to secure second place with a prize of R50,000.
Third place was taken by Nishlan Rungasami and Vinothan, who received R30,000. Justin Chetty and Jiran Danpall finished the top four, each receiving R20,000 for their participation in the tournament.
For Narainasami, winning the title was an unforgettable achievement. He noted: 'We had to compete with the best teams in KZN, and becoming World Series champions is something I will never forget.' He added that the pressure, competition, and level of play made the victory even more significant.
His teammate described the card game as a passion that developed over decades. Govender stated: 'We honed our skills since we were probably nine years old, and being crowned champions of the Goldrush World Series of Thunee 2026 finals is our biggest achievement.' He also expressed gratitude to the families and relevant leagues—Richards Bay Thunee League and Hotshots Thunee League—as well as his team Hex Pack, emphasizing that Thunee is a legacy where brotherhood and unity are formed.
The tournament gathered the best qualified participants from Durban, Johannesburg, and Chatsworth, with strong representation coming from Gauteng. Twenty-one teams, comprising 42 players, traveled hundreds of kilometers from Gauteng to KZN to test their tactical preparation against the best representatives of the host province.
Tournament director Jaya Naidoo highly praised the high level of competition and the dedication of all participants. She remarked: 'Great praise to these eight outstanding players. Reaching the final stages of a tournament of this magnitude required consistency, self-control, tactical brilliance, and the ability to perform under immense pressure.' She also specifically highlighted the contribution of players from Gauteng, who traveled long distances to represent Gauteng on the largest South African Thunee stage.
Representing the venue, Robbie Naidu from Goldrush highlighted the broader financial and cultural impact of the event, noting that the total prize fund for the entire series approached half a million rand. Robbie Naidu stated: 'Goldrush is very happy to be involved in the World Series of Thunee. It has been a landmark event for South Africa.' He concluded that the total prize money amounted to about half a million rand, and it was a team effort to give back to the community, hoping to host more tournaments across the country.
Beyond betting and intense rivalry at the tables, the World Series became a celebration of a historic card game passed down through generations, demonstrating the growing national influence and enduring cultural heritage of this game.