MTBS

DTBS
GenreSchools athletics
DateFebruary
VenueCape Town stadium and Green Point Athletics Track (Athletics)
CountrySouth Africa
Years active32
FounderFrans du Toit
Previous event7 February 2026
Next eventFebruary 2027
Participants2,000 (athletes and students on pavilion)
Attendance12,000 (Spectators)[1]

DTBS is an annual interschools athletics competition held between four high schools located in Bellville, Western Cape. It was created by the late Frans du Toit, a retired teacher from JG Meiring High School in Goodwood and a part time sports journalist.[2] The competition is mainly an athletics meeting and includes cheerleading and flashes.[1] These schools are: DF Akademie, Tygerberg High School, Bellville High School and Stellenberg High School.[3] The name is a derived acronym from the names of the schools in that order. The first DTBS took place in 1994.

The flashes consist of each school showing their images while sitting on the pavilion.[4] This performance consists of a medley of songs during which the pupils create a "human LCD screen" on the pavilion. This is achieved by the students opening and closing their school blazers at unique pre-determined moments, with each student functioning like an individual pixel and thus allowing images and animations to be displayed. Other parts of the school uniform (such as dresses and socks) may also be used, but no other props (such as cards) are allowed. Each school' adheres to a specific theme that has been chosen by that particular school. The annual attendance is an estimated 12,000 spectators. The athletics and flashes are attended by the whole community. The event receives coverage by South African newspapers Die Burger, Tygerburger and Rapport. It has also been broadcast on national television channel SABC 2.[1] Similar events exist: most notably in South Korea. Different athletics items take place throughout the day; including short distance sprints, long distance running, hurdles shot put, javelin, long jump, discus, high jump, triple jump and relay races. Two athletes from each school take part in an event, adding up to 8 athletes in each event.

Points are rewarded as follows:

  • 8th place - 1 point
  • 7th Place - 2 points
  • 6th place - 3 points
  • 5th place - 4 points
  • 4th place - 5 points
  • 3rd place - 6 points
  • 2nd place -7 points
  • 1st place - 9 points

Awards for each age group are rewarded at the end of the day.

Athletics: Flashes Best Spirit
1994 DF Malan DF Malan
1995 DF Malan DF Malan
1996 Bellville Stellenberg
1997 Bellville Stellenberg
1998 DF Malan DF Malan
1999 DF Malan Stellenberg
2000 DF Malan DF Malan
2001 DF Malan Stellenberg
2002 DF Malan DF Malan
2003 DF Malan Bellville
2004 No Competition Bellville
2005 Tygerberg No Competition
2006 DF Malan Bellville
2007 DF Malan DF Malan
2008 DF Malan Bellville
2009 DF Malan Stellenberg
2010 DF Malan Stellenberg
2011 DF Malan Stellenberg
2012 DF Malan Stellenberg
2013 Stellenberg Stellenberg
2014 Stellenberg Stellenberg
2015 Stellenberg No Competition
2016 Stellenberg No Competition
2017 Stellenberg DF Malan DF Malan
2018 Stellenberg Stellenberg DF Malan
2019 Stellenberg DF Malan & Bellville DF Malan
2020 Stellenberg DF Malan DF Malan
2021 No Competition No Competition No Competition
2022 Bellville No Competition No Competition
2023 Stellenberg Stellenberg Stellenberg
2024 Stellenberg DF Malan No Competition[5]
2025 Stellenberg Stellenberg DF Malan
2026 Stellenberg DF Akademie DF Akademie

From 1994 to 2016, there were only 2 categories (Athletics and Flashes) in the competition. (excl. 2004, 2005, 2015, 2016)[6] The Athletics cup is awarded to the school with the highest total score, according to the scoring system. The winners of the Flashes and Best Spirit categories are independently judged. If a school wins both, it is called "double gold". In 2017, the Best spirit category was added. If a school wins all three categories, it is called "triple gold".[7][8][9]

Times won :

School Athletics Flashes Best Spirit
DF Malan 15 11 6
Stellenberg 11 13 1
Bellville 3 6
Tygerberg 1

Double gold :

School Times
DF Malan 10
Stellenberg 6

Consecutive wins :

School Athletics Flashes Best spirt
Stellenberg 8 6
DF Malan 7 2 6
Bellville 2 2

References

  1. ^ a b c "DTBS Info". Official DF Malan Website. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  2. ^ "Frans du Toit: A Tribute". 2 June 2009.
  3. ^ "We chat to all 4 DTBS schools ahead of the massive event". Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  4. ^ "All cylinders firing for DTBS showdown". Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  5. ^ "Awsum DTBS 2024 Edition by AWSUM News - Issuu". issuu.com. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  6. ^ DTBS Booklet
  7. ^ Arrangements made by participating schools
  8. ^ DTBS History
  9. ^ "Awsum DTBS 2024 Edition by AWSUM News - Issuu". issuu.com. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2025.