Rising star Soboois challenges for WBO Africa boxing title in February

With news of Simamkele Tutsheni set to challenge for the IBO world title in March, Cape Town boxing could be on the verge of reaching new heights.

The excitement is even greater within the women’s ranks, where another Khayelitsha-based boxer is preparing to take a significant step on the international stage.

Before Tutsheni gets her shot at global glory, Sibulele Soboois will be aiming to bring another belt back to the Mother City when she challenges for the WBO Africa Flyweight title later in February.

Tutsheni already holds an All Africa crown, the IBO version, underlining the growing presence of Cape Town’s female boxers on the continental and world stage.

Soboois heads into the bout with just four professional fights to her name, but she faces what is undoubtedly the toughest test of her career so far. On Saturday, February 28, in Pretoria, she will need to deliver the performance of her life if she is to meet the high expectations that have followed her since turning professional.

Standing across the ring will be seasoned campaigner Simangele Hadebe, who brings a wealth of experience with 21 professional fights. Hadebe has won 15 of those bouts, five by stoppage.

Soboois, by contrast, only made her professional debut less than two years ago but has already compiled an unbeaten 4–0 record, including one stoppage victory.

Despite her limited time in the professional ranks, she is widely viewed as a fighter with a high ceiling, backed by a decorated amateur career that saw her crowned South African champion on multiple occasions.

Her last outing came in September 2025, when she outpointed Zizo Sikoti in Wynberg, a performance that further strengthened belief in her potential.

Should Soboois live up to the hype surrounding her rise, she could yet prove that limited experience does not always tell the full story.

If there is a fighter capable of upsetting the odds on sheer talent and belief, Soboois should be counted among them.