The History of the shaka shield

The first ever Shaka Shield took place in 2004 at the old Wizards Books and Games store in Edenvale, Johannesburg. It came off the back of a successful couple of seasons of running Da Leeg at the Warzone club and then deciding it would be fun to host a Blood Bowl tournament too. To my knowledge this was the first ever Blood Bowl tournament in South Africa (and probably all of Africa) but I can't back that up with any hard evidence.

By and large the tournament rules and detailed results have mostly been lost for the earlier tournaments, but I have managed to record the tournament winners at least. So lets jump back into the time machine and run through a brief history of the Shaka Shield. What follows is really just a collection of names and awards (with any notes that have survived), but if anyone reading played in these tournaments and would like to add any anecdotes or memories from the tournaments they took place in, that would be amazing - leave a comment! :D

2004 2/3 October – Wizards Books and Games Edenvale Shaka Shield Champions: Andrew Moore, Limp Wristed Elf Lords (Pro Elf)

Runner-up: Jonathan Merry, The Bunnygirls (Amazon)

2005 Not played

2006 7/8 October

Shaka Shield Champions: Jonathan Merry, Nekharan Scarabs (Khemri) Runner-up: Tiaan Winterbach, Warrentin Whitefurs (Skaven)

Most Feared (most casualties): Jonathan Merry, Nekharan Scarabs (Khemri)

Best painted team: Nuno Afonso, Soul Snatchers (Chaos)

The Baby Bowl for last place went to Martin Nortman, Da Orkz (Orcs)

The Nekharan Scarabs from Khemri defeated their Dwarven counterparts the Beerfontein Celtics 2-0 in the final of the Shaka Shield. The Celtics defeated the Scarabs 1-0 earlier in the tournament but were unable to duplicate that feat in the final. Despite a spirited attack, the Celtics could not breach the resolute Scarabs defence and the silent Khemri team budgeoned their way across the pitch to score a TD in each half. Solidy claiming the Shaka Shield trophy and the title of "Most Feared Team" for causing the most casualties in the tournament.

2007

13/14 October (9 Teams)

Shaka Shield Champions: Jonathan Merry, Mistwalkers (High Elf) Runner-up: Tiaan Winterbach, Numanium Black Scarabs (Khemri)

Most Feared: Ronald Grobler, We’re gonna stomp ya (Orc) (16 casualties)

Most Touchdowns: Jonathan Merry, Mistwalkers (High Elf) (13 TD)

Baby Bowl: Johan Jansen, World’s Greatest Orc Team (Orc) 2008

1/2 November (9 Teams)

Shaka Shield Champions: Johan Jansen, Sewer Destroyers (Skaven)

Runner-up: Tiaan Winterbach, Numanium Black Scarabs (Khemri)

Most Feared: Tiaan Winterbach, Numanium Black Scarabs (Khemri) (17 casualties) Most Touchdowns: Johan Jansen, Sewer Destroyers (Skaven) (17 TD) Baby Bowl: Sean Martins, Kadrin Dockers (Dwarf)

2009

Not played

2010

6/7 February, Warzone, Kensington (10 Teams)

Shaka Shield Champions: Jonathan Merry, White Bay Panthers (Elf Union)

Runner-up: Michael Williams, Da Hulk (Orc)

Most Feared: Robert Martins (15 casualties) Most Touchdowns: Jonathan Merry, White Bay Panthers (Elf Union) (22 TD)

Baby Bowl: David Jansen, Treebeard FC (Wood Elf)

Fans Favorite: Ryan Keyzer with a wonderful Goblin team that was full of character, the player names were all classics! (apparently) This was the first Shaka Shield to be NAF registered and the results can be viewed here https://member.thenaf.net/index.php?module=NAF&type=tournaments&func=view&id=885

2011

12/13 March (7 Teams)

Shaka Shield Champions: Jonathan Merry, Naggaroth Chill (Dark Elf)

Runner-up: Stanley Loo, Ra Stars (Khemri)

Most Feared: Ryan Keyser, Sartosa Doom Divers (Goblins) (14 casualties)

Most Touchdowns: Jonathan Merry, Naggaroth Chill (Dark Elf) (12 TD)

Fans Favorite: Ryan Keyser, Sartosa Doom Divers (Goblins) Baby Bowl: Mike Williams, Da Killers (Orcs)

The FINAL:

Naggaroth Chill (Jonathan Merry) - 4 vs 0 - Ra Stars (Stanley Loo)

An one-sided final where the Dark Elves made up for a poor performance earlier in the tournament where they lost 2-0 to the Khemri. In the final though the Chill could do no wrong and ran rings around the hapless Stars. This was one of the few tournaments that had an actual final to determine the winner. In another year Stanley Loo would have won the tournament by one point if determined purely by league standings.

Most Feared:

The Sartosa Doom Divers (Ryan Keyser) came from nowhere in the last game to claim the title of 'most feared' at the Shaka Shield, with an amazing 9 casualties in their final game. This left them well clear at the top of the 'most casualties caused' table with 14 in total.

Fans Favourite:

In a very popular win, the Goblins of the Sartosa Doom Divers (Ryan Keyser) were awarded the title of the Fans Favourite team in the Shaka Shield. No doubt their popular appeal was helped by their 9 casualties caused in their final game, but the general mayhem of deadly, secret weapons and the sight of Goblins being tossed from one end of the pitch to the other played a large part in earning them a place in the fan's hearts.

Baby Bowl:

The 'prize' for coming last in the tournament was claimed by the Orc team Da Killers. Despite winning their final game against the much hated Dwarves, Da Killers came up just a single point short of avoiding the embarrassment of being crowned the Baby Bowl winners.

2012 to 2016 No records but I do think a tournament happened in 2012... any memories welcome!

2017 25 March, NEXUS (10 teams)

Shaka Shield Champions: Douw Pretorius/Shadow_Blaze (23695) (Dark Elf)

Runner up - Nic Nel/Greval (23693) (Norse)

Most Feared: Chaplain_Steve (23697) (Chaos Chosen) (14 casualties)

Most Touchdowns: Douw Pretorius/Shadow_Blaze (23695) (Dark Elf) (9 TD)

Best Painted: Decaysa (23696) (Orc)

Baby Bowl: Charles Krynauw/CharlesK (23699) (Dwarf) NAF link: https://member.thenaf.net/index.php?module=NAF&type=tournaments&func=view&id=3133

2018

10/11 November, 3+ Club (7 Teams)

Shaka Shield Champions: Stanley Loo/psiclone (14266) (Necromantic Horror)

Runner up: Jonathan Merry/Da_Imp (5817) (Tomb Kings)

Most Feared: Stanley Loo/psiclone (14266) (Necromantic Horror) (11 casualties)

Most Touchdowns: Gabriel Cross/Stupid_Gabe (26784) (Wood Elf) (10 TD) Fan's Favourite: Ryan Young/Greater_Fishy (15448) (Dwarf)

Best Defence: Stanley Loo/psiclone (14266) (Necromantic Horror)

Baby Bowl: Dian Brits/deebee12 (26570) (Human) NAF link: https://member.thenaf.net/index.php?module=NAF&type=tournaments&func=view&id=4362

2019 9 March, Jeppe Quondam (8 teams)

Shaka Shield Champions: Jonathan Merry/Da_Imp (5817) (Amazon)

Runner up: Charles Krynauw/CharlesK (23699) (Chaos Dwarf)

Most Touchdowns: 4Cough (27486) (Shambling Undead)

Most Casualties: Charles Krynauw/CharlesK (23699) (Chaos Dwarf)

Stunty Cup: Nic Nel/Greval (23693) (Ogre)

Best Painted: Dian Brits/deebee12 (26570) (Elf Union)

Baby Bowl: Greater_Fishy (Goblin) NAF link: https://member.thenaf.net/index.php?module=NAF&type=tournaments&func=view&id=4525

2020 14/15 March, Timeless Board Games (14 Teams)

Shaka Shield Champions: Andreas Kaftan/sir_twist_089 (19749) (Orc)

Runner up: Stanley Loo/psiclone (14266) (Underworld Denizens)

Most Feared: Andreas Kaftan/sir_twist_089 (19749) (Orc) (16 casualties)

Most Touchdowns: Christopher Schmitt/Sputnik (68) (Wood Elf) (11 TD)

Best Painted: Best Painted: Dian Brits/deebee12 (26570) (Wood Elf)

Fan Favourites: Jonathan Merry/Da_Imp (5817) (Chaos Chosen)

Filthy Git - Most Sent Off: 4Cough (27486) (Shambling Undead)

Best Defence: Gavin Meek/GavinM (23698) (Lizardmen) Baby Bowl: Shane Do Souto (Dark Elf) This tournament featured our first two international travellers, both from Germany, in the form of Andreas and Christopher. Andreas becoming the first non-South African to win the tournament. NAF link: https://member.thenaf.net/index.php?module=NAF&type=tournaments&func=view&id=5393

2021

No event (thanks Covid)

2022

30 May - 1 April, Timeless Board Games (7 Teams)

Shaka Shield Champions: Shane Do Souto/ShaneDS (29436) (Dark Elf)

Runner up: Stanley Loo/psiclone (14266) (Imperial Nobility)

Most Feared: Mark Myburgh/WolfKahn (29437) (Lizardmen) (17 casualties)

Most Touchdowns: Shane Do Souto/ShaneDS (29436) (Dark Elf) (8 TD)

Best Painted: Jonathan Merry/Da_Imp (5817) (Old World Alliance)

and Dian Brits/deebee12 (26570) (Snotling) Baby Bowl: Nuno Afonso (Dwarf) NAF link: https://member.thenaf.net/index.php?module=NAF&type=tournaments&func=view&id=6431

2023

18/19 March, 3+ Club (8 Teams) Shaka Shield Champions: Nic Nel/Greval (23693) (High Elf)

Runner up: Stanley Loo/psiclone (14266) (Necromantic Horror)

Most Feared: Stanley Loo/psiclone (14266) (Necromantic Horror) (12 casualties)

Most Touchdowns: Stanley Loo/psiclone (14266) (Necromantic Horror) (7 TD)

Best Painted: Dian Brits/deebee12 (26570) (Necromantic Horror)

Baby Bowl: Charles Krynauw (Dark Elf)

NAF link: https://member.thenaf.net/index.php?module=NAF&type=tournaments&func=view&id=7451

2024

23/24 March, 3+ Club (8 Teams)

Shaka Shield Champions: Gabriel Cross (Shambling Undead)

Runner up: Jonathan Merry (Lizardmen)

Most Feared: Redecter (Khorne) (12 casualties) Most Touchdowns: 3-way tie (9 TD)

Fan Favourite: Dian Brits (Norse)

Most Sent-off: Jonathan Merry (Lizardmen)

Baby Bowl: Vernon van der Merwe (Human) NAF link: https://member.thenaf.net/index.php?module=NAF&type=tournaments&func=view&id=8524

2025

5/6 April, 3+ Club (10 Teams)

Shaka Shield Champions: Jonathan Merry (Shambling Undead)

Runner up: Dian Brits (Amazon)

Most Feared: Shane Do Souto (Khorne) (20 casualties)

Most Touchdowns: Jonathan Merry (Shambling Undead) (9 TD)

Best Painted: Dian Brits (Amazon)

Best defence: Gavin Meek (Orc)

Fan favourite: Nuno Afonso (Chaos Renegade)

Baby Bowl: Conrad Strydom (Orc) NAF link: https://member.thenaf.net/index.php?module=NAF&type=tournaments&func=view&id=9776

Some stats on the Shaka Shield

Winners: Jonathan Merry x6 Gabriel Cross Nic Nel Shane Do Souto Andreas Kaftan Stanley Loo Douw Pretorius Johan Jansen Andrew Moore Winning Teams:

Dark Elf x3 Shambling Undead x2 High Elf x2 Elf Union x2 Orc Amazon Necromantic Horror

Skaven Khemri

Shaka Shield records:

Biggest win: 7-0

Jonathan Merry: White Bay Panthers 7 vs 0 Treebeard FC (David Jansen) - 2010

Most TDs in a game (total): 7

Jonathan Merry + David Jansen: White Bay Panthers 7 vs 0 Treebeard FC - 2010

Tiaan Winterbach + David Jansen: Old World Reapers 5 vs 2 Treebeard FC - 2010

Most casualties in a game: 9

Ryan Keyzer: Sartosa Doomdivers: Cas 9 vs Greenleaf United (David Jansen) - 2011

Most casualties in a game (total): 14

Ryan Keyzer + David Jansen: Sartosa Doomdivers: Cas 9 vs Cas 5 Greenleaf United - 2011

Most TDs in a tournament: 22

Jonathan Merry: White Bay Panthers - 22 touchdowns - 2010

Most Casualties in a tournament: 20

Shane Do Souto: Khorne Hub All Stars (Khorne) - 20 casualties - 2025

Most kills in a tournament: 4

Vernon van der Merwe (Human) - 4 kills - 2024