Tongaat’s rising volleyball star Shridhaan Lahldas is set to make history as one of the youngest members of the South African Under-19 national team at the ongoing AUSC Region 5 Games in Namibia.
The specialist setter, following in the footsteps of his father, former national team standout Ryaan “Spits” Lahldas, is determined to make his mark on the international stage.
“This is the most important event in my career so far. Wearing the national colours for the first time is a dream come true. I want to prove to my town, my country, and my school that I can compete at the highest level,” said Lahldas.
The Lahldas family will also etch their name in South African volleyball history as the first father-son duo to represent the country in the sport. Shridhaan’s journey has been one of perseverance, highlighted by his standout performances at provincial level. In 2022, he was part of the KZN Schools Under-14 team that triumphed in Cape Town. Two years later, he earned the Best Setter award at the KZN Schools U17 tournament in Pretoria, despite a narrow loss in the final.
One of his most emotional victories came in 2024 after Shridhaan and his elder brother Avidhaar, led the KZN U19 team to glory in Mpumalanga—just weeks after their home was destroyed by a tornado. “It was a tough time, but we pushed through as a family. Winning that tournament together was special,” said Shridhaan.
Now, as he prepares for the Region 5 Games, the young setter embraces a competitive mindset instilled by his father. He said: “I’ll connect with friends there, but once the games start, I’m there to win. Why can’t we? We’re the South African volleyball team, after all.”
Beyond the court, he is also an accomplished angler, having earned KZN colours and competed in the inter-provincial tournament in Mossel Bay earlier this year. His next goal? National colours in fishing—another milestone in his remarkable sporting journey.
