Dorfling Dorpers and SJF Dorpers Claim Regional Championship Honours at the Royal Show
Pictured with their 2026 RAS Grand Champion Dorper Ram and Grand Champion Dorper Ewe are (from left) Ané and Danica Dorfling, Janneli and Christo Dorfling, and handler Zakile.
Established Dorper breeder Christo Dorfling of Weenen added to his Royal Show record at the 2026 Dorper Regional Championship, while newcomer Luca Fardella of SJF Dorpers made an encouraging start with his recently registered White Dorper stud.
The championship took place on Wednesday, 7 October, at the Royal Agricultural Show's new home at Tweedie Hall, near Howick. Judging was conducted by Raymond Read.
The results highlighted two KwaZulu-Natal breeding operations at different stages of their development, with Dorfling Dorpers taking the principal black-headed Dorper awards and SJF Dorpers securing the White Dorper championship honours.
Dorfling Dorpers bred the RAS Grand Champion Dorper Ram and Reserve Grand Champion Dorper Ram, exhibited at the 2026 Royal Agricultural Show.
Dorfling Dorpers adds to its Royal Show record
Christo Dorfling, who farms in the Weenen district, is a familiar participant in the Royal's Dorper competitions, having exhibited at previous shows, including the 2024 championship.
This year, Dorfling Dorpers secured both the Grand Champion Dorper Ram and Grand Champion Dorper Ewe titles, together with the Reserve Grand Champion awards in both sections.
The stud also claimed the Junior and Senior Champion titles for rams and ewes, along with their corresponding Reserve Champion awards.
In the ewe section, a lamb in the 40–50 kg class was named Junior Champion before taking the Grand Champion Ewe title. The Reserve Junior Champion Ewe was subsequently awarded Reserve Grand Champion, while a four-tooth ewe secured the Senior Champion title.
Among the rams, a four-tooth animal was named Senior Champion and went on to receive the Grand Champion award. The Junior Champion Ram, selected from the 45–60 kg ram lamb class, took Reserve Grand Champion.
Dorfling Dorpers also won three group classes, including the Group of Three Ewe Lambs, Group of Three Ram Lambs and a breeding group comprising a ram, ewe and two lambs.
The combined results earned Dorfling the McBeans Floating Trophy, awarded to the exhibitor accumulating the most points in the Dorper classes.
Proven performance beyond the breed judging ring
Dorfling's Royal Show record also includes a notable achievement in commercial lamb production.
At the 2025 Royal Fat Stock Show and Carcass Competition, his Dorper was named Champion Super Lamb both on the hoof and on the hook.
The animal first won its title during live judging at the Lions River Sale Yard and subsequently achieved the highest score in its category during carcass evaluation.
It was a satisfying double achievement, with the same animal earning top honours through two distinct judging processes: one assessing the live lamb and the other the quality of its carcass.
Newcomers SJF Dorpers bred the RAS Grand Champion White Dorper Ram and Grand Champion White Dorper Ewe at the 2026 Royal Agricultural Show.
A promising start for SJF Dorpers
For Luca Fardella of SJF Dorpers, the 2026 Royal Show came just two months after he officially registered his White Dorper stud in August.
Based in Merrivale, a short distance from the new Royal Showgrounds at Tweedie, Fardella took the opportunity to present his breeding stock at the regional championship.
SJF Dorpers secured the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion White Dorper Ewe titles, along with the Grand Champion White Dorper Ram award.
The stud also won the Group of Three White Dorper Ewe Lambs and the White Dorper breeding group comprising a ram, ewe and two lambs.
For a breeder at the beginning of his stud breeding journey, the results mark an encouraging start and provide a foundation on which to develop his flock.
Fardella's participation also brought a welcome local connection to the Royal's first show at Tweedie, with his newly established stud situated virtually on the showgrounds' doorstep.
The 2026 RAS Grand Champion White Dorper Ewe was bred by Luca Fardella of SJF Dorpers in Merrivale.
Continuing a Royal Show tradition
Developed in South Africa, the Dorper is recognised internationally as a hardy, adaptable meat sheep, valued for its fertility, growth potential and ability to produce quality lamb under a wide range of farming conditions.
Breed championships provide an opportunity to assess breeding stock against established standards, with judges considering conformation, size, fat distribution, colour and overall breed type.
The 2026 Dorper Regional Championship continued the breed's association with the Royal Agricultural Society as it celebrated its 175th anniversary and established a new chapter in its history at Tweedie.
The Society congratulates Christo Dorfling of Dorfling Dorpers and Luca Fardella of SJF Dorpers on their achievements, and thanks both breeders for their continued support of Dorper showing at the Royal Agricultural Show.
The 2026 RAS Grand Champion White Dorper Ram was bred by Luca Fardella of SJF Dorpers in Merrivale.
