Gerhard and Jani Lourens of LGL Farming Co in Gauteng were crowned the winners of Lamb Champs Pretoria 2026 with their Persian lamb, following a fierce competition involving 110 sheep farmers from across South Africa.
More than 6,000 visitors gathered at Harlequins Rugby Club for the flagship event on the Lamb Champs calendar, celebrating exceptional lamb, family farming, live entertainment, and South Africa’s rich agricultural heritage.
The top five farmers were:
The participating farmers' lamb was evaluated by independent judges based on strict criteria, including appearance, aroma, tenderness, texture, juiciness, mouthfeel, and the overall eating experience.
Francois Rossouw, CEO of Saai, congratulated the winners and all the participating farmers. “Lamb Champs gives family farmers the opportunity to step into the spotlight and showcase the exceptional quality of their products. Every participating farmer contributed to the event's success and helped give consumers a better understanding of the skill, dedication, and care behind the lamb on their plates,” said Rossouw.
The event followed the announcement of the inaugural Lamb Champs Invitational, set to take place in Pretoria on 31 October 2026. This international competition will see a team of ten South African farmers go head-to-head against ten Namibian farmers.
Hennie Jonker, the 2025 national Lamb Champs winner, secured the first spot on the South African team, and Gawie van Heerden was appointed team captain. The top two farmers from the Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and Boland Lamb Champs events will qualify for the team, alongside Hennie Jonker and three captain’s picks. “The Invitational marks the next major chapter in the Lamb Champs story,” said Rossouw. “We want to create an international stage where farmers are recognized as national representatives and where agricultural excellence, food culture, and national pride converge. When South Africa faces Namibia, it won’t just be about which farmer produces the best lamb, but about which country takes the trophy home.”
Lamb Champs Pretoria also welcomed prominent guests from the agricultural, political, and diplomatic communities, including the South African Minister of Agriculture, Willie Aucamp, and the US Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III.
Visitors were entertained throughout the day by Juan Boucher, Demi Lee Moore, Jakkals Vibes, Henru & Schwabie, and WEST, while families enjoyed lamb tastings, exhibitions, competitions, and various other activities.
Lamb Champs is proudly sponsored by Pick n Pay; the retailer stocks Lamb Champs meat in all its corporate stores nationwide and recently launched a special Lamb Champs clothing range in Pick n Pay Clothing stores.
The Pretoria 2026 event was made possible through the support of valued partners, including Pick n Pay, Toyota, ZarBet, Zoetis, Buffelsfontein, and Castle Lager.
The next event in the national series, Lamb Champs Bloemfontein, will take place on 29 August 2026 at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
**Photos attached:
Winners: From left: Iné Bester (Operational Manager, Saai), Jani Lourens, Gerhard Lourens, Minki van der Westhuizen, and Tessa Chamberlain (Head of Strategic Partnerships, Pick n Pay).
3rd place: From left: Iné Bester (Operational Manager, Saai), Jaco Muller, Minki van der Westhuizen, and Tessa Chamberlain (Head of Strategic Partnerships, Pick n Pay).
