03/03/2026
Bonile Rabela — Reigning Blade Shearing World Champion 2023
The Golden Shears World Championship Committee is honoured to welcome Bonile Rabela of South Africa, the current Blade Shearing World Champion, to the 2026 World Championships in Masterton, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Bonile’s story is deeply rooted in the Karoo/Eastern Cape shearing tradition, where hand shearing remains a living craft passed down through generations. It is a region that shapes shearers through precision, patience, and pride from a young age — qualities that define Rabela’s calm, disciplined, and world-class competitive style.
At the 2023 Golden Shears World Championships at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, Bonile delivered one of the standout performances in modern blade shearing. He shore 6 sheep in 13 minutes 14 seconds, scoring 65.034 points to claim the individual world title, reaffirming South Africa’s long-held excellence in this historic craft.
His victory was more than a personal triumph — it was a moment of national pride, restoring South Africa’s place at the top of the blade shearing world and inspiring young shearers across the Karoo, Eastern Cape, and beyond.
As Bonile prepares to defend his title on New Zealand soil, we recognise the dedication, humility, and mastery he brings to the global stage. His presence in Masterton is a privilege for all who love and honour the craft of shearing.
We wish Bonile Rabela every success for the 2026 World Championships. Haere mai, Bonile — welcome to Aotearoa.
Golden Shears World Championships
4-7 March 2026
Masterton War Memorial Hall
2 Dixon Street, Masterton, North Island, New Zealand.
Those of you from afar, we have Livestreaming available for you: https://stream.goldenshears.co.nz/
