Top South African school allegedly refused to play tennis against Jewish opponents

Students from Roedean, a prestigious Johannesburg-based girls’ school, have been slated for their alleged refusal to play tennis against Jewish opponents.

Reports emerged over the weekend that girls from the Roedean tennis team had refused to play King David because they were Jewish.

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.

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.

“We condemn the blatant prejudice shown by the Roedean, which refused to honour the fixture scheduled with the King David girls’ team,” the group said.

The fixture was set to take place on the Roedean School for Girls’ courts of their Parktown campus.

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.

“This disturbing refusal to play Jewish learners is deeply upsetting for the Jewish tennis players,” the South African Jewish Board of Deputies said.

“It also conveys the message that hate and discrimination have become acceptable values at Roedean.”

It added that Roedean cannot claim to be “guided by a strong set of values and principles” when it violates the South African Constitution.

“Sport has the potential to unite and harness diversity, but regrettably, Roedean flouted that opportunity by boycotting the Jewish school,” it said.

King David School responds

The South African Board of Jewish Education told Newsday it is aware of the incident and is addressing it.

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.

“The issue is being investigated and addressed through the appropriate channels,” it said in a statement.

It is in consultation with ISASA (The Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa) and the South African Jewish Board of Deputies.

“The SABJE is also meeting with Roedean, who have been very willing to engage,” King David High School said.

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.

Roedean School for Girls responds

Roedean said it is aware of the circulation of a voice note relating to a scheduled inter-school tennis fixture with King David Linksfield that did not proceed as planned.

“We recognise the seriousness of the concerns that have been raised and the distress this matter has caused to students, families, and the wider school community,” it said.

It is engaging with King David Linksfield and ISASA to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the fixture are fully understood and addressed through the appropriate processes.

“In line with those engagements, it would be inappropriate to debate or litigate the facts publicly at this stage,” Roedean said.

It added that it has a long-standing commitment to inclusion and respect for all communities, and antisemitism has no place in our school.

“We will communicate further once the current process has concluded,” Roedean said.

Roedean School for Girls updated statement

On Sunday, 8 February 2026, Roedean School provided the update below, saying the accusation by King David Linksfield is incorrect.

Roedean has become aware of the circulation of a voice note attributed to a senior teacher at King David Linksfield, alleging anti-Semitic conduct by Roedean in relation to a tennis fixture that was forfeited.

Following an internal review, Roedean confirms that the contents of the voice note are factually incorrect and do not reflect the documented sequence of events. Roedean has a long-standing inter-school relationship with King David Linksfield and has participated in many events together.

On 2 February 2026, Roedean formally notified King David Linksfield in writing that we were unable to field a team for the fixture due to prior school commitments, including compulsory academic workshops, and requested either a postponement or, if not possible, then cancellation of the fixture.

King David acknowledged this communication and confirmed in writing that the fixture would be recorded as a forfeit in accordance with protocol. As such, no formal fixture was scheduled to take place on 3 February 2026.

Roedean is deeply committed to diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect. We reject unequivocally any allegation of anti-Semitism or discriminatory conduct.

We recognise that situations of this nature can cause concern and discomfort within school communities. Roedean is engaging directly with King David Linksfield and ISASA to ensure that the matter is properly understood and addressed through the appropriate processes.

In light of these engagements, it would be inappropriate to debate or litigate the facts publicly at this stage. We are committed to resolving this matter responsibly and constructively and will communicate further once the process has concluded.