Historic All-South African Surf Final at Punta Roca
The first all-South African surf final on a world tour since 1984 took place this past weekend in El Salvador, featuring veteran Jordy Smith (37) against Matt McGillivray (28). The right-hand point break at Punta Roca, often compared to a mini-J-Bay, set the stage for both Jeffrey’s Bay residents to excel in their heats.
According to Smith, a 17-year world tour veteran, he faced tough competition, having to defeat world number one Italo Ferreira and in-form Leo Fioravanti to reach the final. McGillivray, on the other hand, had to overcome Brazilian phenom Yago Dora and California’s Griffin Colapinto to set up the unlikely all-South African showdown. Smith dominated the final by scoring two high waves early on, ultimately closing out the contest. Remarkably, Smith’s last tour win was in 2017, marking the end of a seven-year drought. For McGillivray, this was his first appearance in a WSL Championship Tour final, a promising experience for his future.
Once back on dry land, the significance of the all-South African surf final began to resonate. An emotional moment unfolded when the ‘San Clemente crew,’ including young surfers Cole Houshmand and the Colapinto brothers, lifted Smith onto their shoulders for a traditional victory lap. This display of sportsmanship was notable, as the entire crew had been eliminated by Smith and McGillivray earlier in the competition.
Looking ahead, both surfers are eager to carry their momentum into the next critical events. The WSL tour transitions from Central America to Australia for the ‘treble,’ starting April 18-28, 2025, at Bell’s Beach, Victoria. The subsequent contests at the Gold Coast and Margaret River in Western Australia are expected to suit Smith and McGillivray’s powerful front-side styles.
Following his victory, Smith surged to fifth in the WSL world rankings, while McGillivray climbed to 13th, positioning him above the ‘mid-season cut’ that eliminates half the men’s field after the Australian leg.
According to Smith, a 17-year world tour veteran, he faced tough competition, having to defeat world number one Italo Ferreira and in-form Leo Fioravanti to reach the final. McGillivray, on the other hand, had to overcome Brazilian phenom Yago Dora and California’s Griffin Colapinto to set up the unlikely all-South African showdown. Smith dominated the final by scoring two high waves early on, ultimately closing out the contest. Remarkably, Smith’s last tour win was in 2017, marking the end of a seven-year drought. For McGillivray, this was his first appearance in a WSL Championship Tour final, a promising experience for his future.
Once back on dry land, the significance of the all-South African surf final began to resonate. An emotional moment unfolded when the ‘San Clemente crew,’ including young surfers Cole Houshmand and the Colapinto brothers, lifted Smith onto their shoulders for a traditional victory lap. This display of sportsmanship was notable, as the entire crew had been eliminated by Smith and McGillivray earlier in the competition.
Looking ahead, both surfers are eager to carry their momentum into the next critical events. The WSL tour transitions from Central America to Australia for the ‘treble,’ starting April 18-28, 2025, at Bell’s Beach, Victoria. The subsequent contests at the Gold Coast and Margaret River in Western Australia are expected to suit Smith and McGillivray’s powerful front-side styles.
Following his victory, Smith surged to fifth in the WSL world rankings, while McGillivray climbed to 13th, positioning him above the ‘mid-season cut’ that eliminates half the men’s field after the Australian leg.
