Kikuyu (Cenchrus clandestinus) is a perennial grass widely used in grazing systems for beef and dairy production worldwide due to its rapid growth and adaptation to harsh conditions. However, the main Australian cultivar, Whittet, is extremely susceptible to the fungal diseases kikuyu yellows, caused by Verrucalvus flavofaciens, and black spot, caused by Bipolaris spp. There are currently no commercial fungicides to control kikuyu yellows and, although there are fungicides that are effective against black spot, fungicides are not economical for broadacre use. Therefore, breeding for resistance to these two diseases has been a focus when selecting for new kikuyu cultivars. A study was conducted to examine variation in resistance to black spot and kikuyu yellows in three promising kikuyu genotype selections with superior dry matter production and nutritive value in comparison with both Whittet and Fulkerson, a newly-released cultivar with some resistance to both diseases. Cultures of Bipolaris sp. and V. flavofaciens were isolated from diseased kikuyu leaves. For black spot, a spore suspension of Bipolaris sp. was inoculated onto kikuyu leaves of four replicate pots of each kikuyu cultivar or selection. Negative controls were inoculated with sterile distilled water. The pots were placed in a humid chamber for 48 hours to encourage infection. Black spot was assessed at 3, 5 and 8 days after inoculation. For kikuyu yellows, agar inoculum of the fungus was used to inoculate the root zone of kikuyu plants of four replicate pots of each of the above cultivars and selections. Controls were not inoculated with the pathogen. The kikuyu plants were rated for disease symptoms after 4, 4.5, 5 and 6 weeks. Results from these pot experiments could assist in deciding whether to further test the promising selections for disease resistance in the field before considering them for commercialisation.