Author: asawula

Joy, elation, and relief describe the final day of the Standard Bank Hibbert Shield at Grey High School for South African College High School (SACS).

That’s because SACS, the defending champion, was able to retain the title. The boys from Cape Town were pushed hard in the final but recorded a solid 5-2 victory over Parel Vallei High (PV) at the Rectory AstroTurf on Monday.

Both teams constructed similar runs to the title-deciding match, which included topping their groups before heading into the quarterfinals.

SACS met their southern suburbs’ rivals, Bishops, in the quarters and won 3-1, while PV thumped St Stithians College 5-0.

In the semi-finals, both were stretched, and penalty shootouts were needed to decide which sides progressed to the final. SACS won their shootout against Paul Roos Gimnasium 3-2, after their match had ended 1-1 in regulation time, and PV edged out Jeppe 2-1 after they had shared an entertaining 4-4 draw.

Good, structured hockey, plenty of goals, and a tactical battle were expected in the final, and it delivered.

SACS threatened in the early exchanges and were rewarded for their persistence when Jan Dijkstra latched onto a loose ball inside the circle to open the scoring.

Parel Vallei hit back almost immediately. Their reply looked a lot like the SACS’ opener, with Andrew Moreby beating goalkeeper Ethan October from a similar position to Dijkstra to level matters.

In the second chukka, SACS lifted their game further, and Cameron Cordeiro made it 2-0 before a spectacular solo effort from captain, Litha Kraai, boosted the Cape Town school into a 3-1 lead at the break.

The silky-skilled Kraai didn’t have matters all his own way, though, and his tussle with Stephan Malan added some spice to the contest.

Despite being challenged, the SACS talisman was unfazed, and he netted another blinder in the third chukka to make it 4-1 before Parel Vallei marksman, Luka Meets, pulled one back for the Somerset West boys.

Trailing by two in the final chukka, PV came out firing and took the game to SACS. Goalkeeper October stood his ground in the SACS’ goal, however, and kept Parel Vallei out.

At the opposite end of the field, Kraai caused the PV defenders problems. Another penetrating run into the circle resulted in a penalty stroke, and Kraai buried it to seal his hat-trick and the title for SACS.

With the 5-2 win, SACS matched Paul Roos’s record of three Hibbert Shield titles. The only other winner in the seven years of the Hibbert Shield is Grey High, who lifted the title in 2021.

Other matches

While spectators flocked to the Rectory AstroTurf for the final, there was also huge interest in the bronze medal match between Paul Roos Gimnasium and Jeppe High School for Boys.

After being eliminated in the semi-finals in shootouts, both were eager to end the tournament on a high note by clinching third place.

As expected, it was a tightly contested affair from the get-go with nothing to separate the two outfits.

Coach Michael Baker‘s Paul Roos was in the ascendancy in the first chukka and opened the scoring through Luke van der Merwe.

Jeppe worked their way into the contest and found their rhythm, and that brought them a reward in the third chukka when Sbonelo Dishi levelled.

Coach Gareth Heyns‘s boys then sealed the win in the fourth chukka, with a Kade Lottering drag flick ensuring that their debut at the Hibbert Shield was memorable.

Grey High also ended their campaign on a high note with an emphatic 5-0 win over Westville Boys’ High. Keegan Le Roux found the back of the net three times for the home side, while Michael Gillies and Dante Elkington added their names to the scoresheet.

There was joy for Bishops, who placed seventh after a 3-1 win over St Stithians College, courtesy of goals by Luc Dicey, Max Morgan, and Troy Stockdale.

Grey College, Durban High School, Pearson High and Garsfontein also finished with victories.

RESULTS  

1st/2nd – SACS 5-2 Parel Vallei
3rd/4th – Jeppe 2-1 Paul Roos
5th/6th- Grey High 5-0 Westville Boys’ High
7th/8th – Bishops 3-1 St Stithians College
9th/10th- Grey College 1-0 Selborne College
11th/12th- Pearson High 2-1 Clifton College
13th/14th – Durban High School 3-0 Paarl Gimnasium
15th/16th – Garsfontein 1-0 St Alban’s College

Individual awards 

Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Jeandre Cilliers (Paul Roos Gimnasium)
Player of the Tournament: Mohlodi Maseko (SACS)
Top Goalscorer: Luka Meets (Parel Vallei High School), 11 goals

History was made on Sunday, the third day of the Standard Bank Hibbert Shield, when Parel Vallei High School (PV) defeated Jeppe High School for Boys to claim a place in the final of the tournament at Grey High School in Gqeberha.

With both schools in with a chance to play for the silverware for the first time, PV edged out Jeppe 2-1 in a penalty shootout after a pulsating clash ended in a 4-4 draw.

The boys from Somerset West will take on their Western Cape counterparts, the defending champions, South African College High School (SACS), who were taken to a penalty shootout by their rivals, Paul Roos Gimnasium.  Their showdown finished 1-1 after regulation time, but SACS won through to the title game by a 3-2 shootout margin.

The day was filled with drama and breathtaking hockey, highlighted by the semi-finals. The first semi, as expected, was a heated battle between SACS and Paul Roos, who have dominated the tournament in recent years.

When they met in last year’s semi, a thrilling clash finished tied at 3-3, SACS then advanced to the final 5-4 after a penalty shootout and went on to beat Paarl Gimnasium 6-3 to lift the Hibbert Shield.

Both schools were given a good workout in their quarterfinals’ matches, with SACS defeating Bishops 3-1, while PRG sneaked past Grey High 3-2.

In the semi-final, SACS had the upper hand early on and enjoyed most of the possession and territory, but PRG’s defence held firm.

The Cape Town school made four circle entries in the first chukka, and they made one of those opportunities count. Positioned inside the D, Litha Kraai latched onto a pass from Joshua Azevedo van Dyk and scooped it past Jeandre Cilliers to open the scoring.

Playing with the lead, SACS controlled the contest, moving the ball with conviction, but PRG threatened, too. SACS net-minder Ethan October was called upon to make three crucial saves in the first chukka, while Cilliers was kept busy at the other end of the field.

PRG worked their way into the game in the second chukka, putting SACS under greater pressure with their hard-working press.

A clumsy tackle by Cameron Cordeiro resulted in a penalty corner for Paul Roos, but Luke van der Merwe‘s drag flick was off target, and SACS went into the break up 1-0.

PRG kept plugging away, and they were rewarded for their persistence and patience in attack when Van der Merwe slotted after some scrappy play inside the SACS circle. The defending champions, meanwhile, created goal-scoring chances, but they failed to take them.

Both sides pushed for a late winner, but neither defence broke again, and regulation time was completed at 1-1.

The penalty shootout was tense. SACS held their nerve, though, to convert three times through Litha Kraai, Luke Laver, and Matthew Lassen, who showed outstanding composure to win it for his side.

Ruben Gouws and Caleb Cilliers were on target for Paul Roos, but October repelled efforts by Jeandré van Zyl, Seth Paterson, and Logan Lackay.

The second semifinal dialled the action up a notch and delivered arguably the most entertaining clash of the tournament.

It was a memorable first meeting between Parel Vallei and Jeppe, and both sides will remember the match for many years to come.

Both had booked their semi-final places with confident victories in the quarterfinals: Jeppe defeated Westville Boys’ High 3-0, while PV thumped St Stithians College 5-0.

In the semi-final, PV opened the scoring late in the first chukka through their talisman Luka Meets, but his opener was soon cancelled out by Dylan de Kock‘s strike early in the second quarter.

It was adrenaline-pumping, end-to-end stuff after that, and Jeppe grabbed the lead, courtesy of a penalty stroke converted by Kgotsofalang Lehloenya.

With two minutes remaining in the half, however, it was all-square once more, with Meets scoring another blinder to make it 2-2 at halftime.

With a place in the title game beckoning, both sides upped the ante in the second half. Sbonelo Dishi joined in on the scoring action and thrust Jeppe into the lead again with a reverse stick shot, but PV was unrelenting, and Nicolas Havinga produced a moment of brilliance to draw his side level just a second after returning to the field following a yellow card.

The Somerset West crew thought they had won it in the fourth chukka when Meets intercepted a loose pass and buried the ball past Jason Pressly in the Jeppe goal.

Coach Gareth Heyns’s side, typical of Jeppe sports teams, has a never-say-die attitude, and, with seconds remaining in the clash, an Adam Lacy deflection made it 4-4.

The penalty shootout that followed was equally frenetic, with both goalkeepers performing superbly.

Parel Vallei’s Stephan Malan and Nathan Nissen had their attempts saved, while Adrian Laubsher and Tshimologo Mogale missed for Jeppe.

Luka Meets and Luca Jordaan were successful for PV, however. Then, when Thiering kept out Jayden Da Silva‘s attempt, coach Michael van Rensburg‘s boys were through to Monday’s final, which will kick off at 12:30.

RESULTS

Quarterfinals

SACS 3-1 Bishops
Paul Roos 3-2 Grey High
Jeppe 3-0 Westville Boys’ High
Parel Vallei 5-0 St Stithians College

Semifinals

SACS (3) 1-1 (2) Paul Roos
Parel Vallei (2) 4-4 (1) Jeppe

Bowl 

Selborne College 3-2 Durban High School
Pearson High 3-2 Garsfontein
Clifton College 8-0 St Alban’s College
Grey College 2-1 Paarl Gimnasium

Playoffs

Grey High 3-2 Bishops
Durban High School 4-2 Garsfontein
Selborne 2-1 Pearson
Westville Boys’ High (3) 2-2 (0) St Stithians College
Paarl Gimnasium 3-1 St Alban’s College
Grey College (2) 1-1 (1) Clifton College

The morning session on Sunday, the third day of the Standard Bank Hibbert Shield, saw four teams secure their places in the semifinals of the tournament at Grey High School in Gqeberha.

In the day’s first two matches, the defending champions, South African College High School (SACS), beat their southern suburbs’ rivals, Bishops, 3-1, while Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) overcame the hosts 3-2.

Jeppe High School for Boys, making their Hibbert Shield debut, outplayed Westville Boys’ High 3-0, and Parel Vallei put on a masterclass to beat St Stithians College 5-0

Quarterfinal recap

SACS vs Bishops

SACS’s 4-2 win over Garsfontein on Saturday meant they’d finish top of Pool C, ahead of Westville Boys’ High. That victory also set up a date with Bishops, Pool D’s second-placed side.

Their quarterfinal clash was a repeat of last week’s southern suburbs’ derby, which SACS won 4-2 at the Brewery AstroTurf in Cape Town.

In that game, SACS built up a 4-0 lead before Bishops struck twice in the final chukka. This time, Bishops started the brighter of the two and took the lead in the second chukka through Litha Mbiko.

That goal came after some slick play from Callum Anderson, whose tomahawk shot was tapped in by Mbiko at the far post.

After conceding, SACS sprang to life. They patiently built up from the back and played themselves into good positions.

Making good connections, they were rewarded with two goals before halftime, with Joshua Azevedo van Dyk providing the finish on both occasions to put his side in front.

In the third chukka, SACS scored another goal through Mohlodi Maseko. Then, they controlled play in the final quarter to see out the game.

Paul Roos vs Grey High

Paul Roos headed into the quarterfinals after scoring 20 goals in their group games, by far the most in the tournament.

They opened with a 7-1 win over Clifton College on the opening day, followed that with a 5-1 defeat of St Stithians College, and added an 8-1 thumping of Selborne College on Saturday.

Their last eight meeting with Grey produced a heated battle, similar to their Edgars Friday Nite Lights clash a week earlier, which Grey won 2-1 at the same venue.

The hosts got off to a cracking start when Logan Meyer showed excellent awareness to beat Jeandre Cilliers in the PRG goal.

Paul Roos responded almost immediately. Caleb Cilliers made a storming run down the field and raced into the circle to take on goalkeeper Ben Oosthuizen, one-on-one. When Oosthuizen fouled him, the umpire pointed to the penalty spot, and Logan Lackay took the shot to level matters.

Shortly after that, Luke van der Merwe put PRG in front, and they took that 2-1 advantage into halftime.

In the third quarter, captain Seth Paterson netted again for Paul Roos, but Grey High closed the gap to one goal through Michael Gillies.

It was end-to-end stuff in the final chukka, and Oosthuizen was called upon to make some crucial saves in the latter stages of the game.

Grey had a sniff late on, but Logan Goddard-Ford just missed the ball at the far post with a diving attempt to divert it past Cilliers. PRG defended for their lives and held on to win.

Their reward is a big semi-final showdown with SACS.

Jeppe High School for Boys vs Westville

When Jeppe hosted Westville in Johannesburg last week, the boys from Kensington sneaked a 1-0 win late in the fourth chukka, thanks to a goal by Blake Sator.

Westville sought redemption in the Hibbert Shield quarterfinal, but Jeppe handled their challenge confidently.

They controlled the tempo of the match, moving the ball quickly, which kept Westville under pressure for most of the first half.

Jeppe had a short corner opportunity early on, but goalkeeper Bryce Powell-Ress rejected Kgotso Lehloenya’s shot.

Powell-Rees was called upon twice more when Jayden Da Silva found himself in a one-on-one situation with the goalie, only for his shot to go wide.

The Westville goalie stood strong and kept Jeppe out until the third chukka. Their skipper, Cole Stanbury, broke the deadlock, and a thunderbolt drag flick from Kade Lottering, just before the final chukka, flew into the back of the net after Rees-Powell was shown a yellow card.

Westville had a couple of penalty corner opportunities of their own but were let down by a lack of execution.

With six minutes remaining, Lehloenya made it 3-0 to Jeppe to make sure that the Gauteng side marched on.

Parel Vallei vs St Stithians College

Parel Vallei continued their impressive run at the tournament, adding an impressive win over St Stithians to their strong run.

After the boys from Somerset West topped Pool A with two wins and a draw, standing in their way of a place in the semifinals for the first time was Saints. They were blown away.

PV started like a house on fire and found the back of the net twice in the first chukka, with Nathan Nissen and Luca Jordaan on target for coach Michael van Rensburg‘s charges. They created more chances could’ve scored more, but the St Stithians’ defence held firm.

Saints had their fair share of chances, including being awarded seven penalty corners in the first two chukkas, compared to PV’s one, but they were unable to convert any.

They were made to rue those missed opportunities when Jordaan punished them by scoring from the top of the D to make it 3-0. Parel Vallei kept pressing, upping the intensity, and that brought them further rewards, with goals from Andrew Moreby and Luka Meets making the final score 5-0.

Semifinal Fixtures

15:30 – SACS vs Paul Roos
18:15 – Jeppe vs Parel Vallei

Quarterfinals’ Scorers

SACS 3: Joshua Azevedo van Dyk (2), Mohlodi Maseko. Bishops 1: Litha Mbiko.

Paul Roos 3: Logan Lackay, Luke van der Merwe, Seth Paterson. Grey High 2: Logan Meyer, Michael Gillies,

Jeppe High School for Boys 3: Cole Stanbury, Kade Lottering, Kgotso Lehloenya. Westville Boys’ High 0.

Parel Vallei 5: Luca Jordaan (2), Nathan Nissen, Andrew Moreby, Luka Meets. St Stithians College 0.

Two of the most successful teams at the Standard Bank Hibbert Shield, Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) and South African College High School (SACS), kept their title hopes alive on Saturday, day two of the tournament, at Grey High School in Gqeberha.

The Western Cape duo advanced to the quarterfinals after topping their respective pools with strong performances in the final matches of the round-robin pool fixtures.

Paul Roos delivered a dominant display in their last pool match, overpowering Selborne College 8-1. SACS was pushed hard but secured a 4–2 victory over a gritty Garsfontein outfit.

They were joined in the last eight by St Stithians College, who finished second in Pool B, and Westville Boys’ High, the runners-up in Pool C.

Earlier in the day, Parel Vallei, Grey High, Jeppe High School for Boys, and Bishops booked their spots in the quarterfinals (click here to read more on those matches).

Watch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools. 

RECAP

SACS entered their Pool C clash against Garsfontein needing a win after a 2–2 draw with Westville and a commanding 7–0 victory over Grey College on Friday.

Coach Sam Holmes‘s side started slowly and conceded a goal in the first chukka, with Leon Venter finishing a well-worked penalty corner variation.

The defending champions responded well. Litha Kraai struck from a penalty corner, and the reliable Mohlodi Maseko slotted a blinder to give the Cape Town school the lead.

Cameron Cordeiro extended the SACS’ advantage to 3-1, but Stian Wissing pulled one back for Garsies to set up a tense finish.

Daniel de Wet scored the defending champs’ fourth to ensure SACS bagged an important win, which secured first place in their pool.

Their reward is a quarterfinal showdown with their southern suburbs’ rivals, Bishops, in a repeat of last week’s Edgars Friday Nite Lights clash, which SACS won 4-2.

Paul Roos was in a different boat in Pool B, having already booked their place in the quarterfinals before their last group game against Selborne College. With a 7-1 win over Clifton College and a 5-1 defeat of St Stithians, PRG boasted a very healthy goal difference, and they padded it even further with a masterclass in their last group assignment.

They were ruthless from the get-go, and Selborne was made to chase shadows for the majority of the clash. PRG made a whopping 30 circle entries, took 16 shots, and made eight of them count.

Caleb Cilliers scored a hat-trick while Louis Kriel bagged a brace. Other goal-scoring contributions came from Danesh Titus, Daniel de Waal, and the skipper, Seth Paterson.

Daelin Hendricks scored Selborne’s solitary goal, but they finished bottom of the Pool B log.

Paul Roos takes on Grey High in the quarterfinals. The clash will be a repeat of last Friday’s match, which the hosts won 2-1.

Other matches

While the two Western Cape sides progressed, St Stithians College and Westville joined them in the quarterfinals.

Saints needed to beat Clifton to stay in the running for the Hibbert Shield, and a Jason Joiner brace, alongside a strike by Christian Bernhardi, got the job done for coach Pat Owgan‘s charges.

Westville, despite losing 1-2 to Grey College, advanced with four points from their three outings.

Sunday’s action starts bright and early, with the first quarterfinal being played at 7:30.

FIXTURES

Quarterfinals @ Rectory AstroTurf

07:30 – SACS vs Bishops
08:45 – Grey High vs Paul Roos
10:15 – Westville Boys’ High vs Jeppe High School for Boys
11:30 – Parel Vallei vs St Stithians College

Bowl @ Collegiate Girls’ High 

07:30 – Durban High School vs Selborne College
08:45 – Garsfontein vs Pearson High
10:15 – St Alban’s College vs Clifton College
11:30 – Grey College vs Paarl Gimnasium

RESULTS

Pool A
Grey High 2-0 St Alban’s College
Parel Vallei 3-3 DHS

Pool B
Paul Roos Gimnasium 8-1 Selborne
Clifton 2-3 St Stithians College

Pool C
Westville Boys’ High 4-0 Garsfontein
SACS 4-2 Garsfontein
Grey College 2-1 Westville

Pool D
Bishops 1-0 Paarl Gimnasium
Jeppe 7-2 Pearson High

Click HERE to view Day 1 results.
Click HERE to read the report on the first five games on day two.

Parel Vallei High School (PV), Grey High, Jeppe High School for Boys, and Bishops secured their places in the quarterfinals of the Standard Bank Hibbert Shield on Saturday.

PV finished atop Pool A, while Grey claimed second place in the group, edging out Durban High School (DHS) by the slightest of goal differences.

Jeppe, meanwhile, topped Pool D, and Bishops took the runners-up spot.

Pool A, a group which was touted as the “Pool of Death”, delivered fireworks on the second day at the Rectory AstroTurf.

Heading into the day’s play, PV led the group with six points after wins over Grey High (5-1) and St Alban’s College (3-0) on the opening day.

The hosts and DHS were joint second and separated by goal difference, while St Alban’s propped up the standings.

Grey, after their loss to PV, rebounded with a resounding 5-1 win over DHS Friday night, but they still needed a positive result against St Alban’s to send themselves into the last eight.

Playing under pressure, coach Andrew Beynon’s charges delivered when it mattered the most and sealed a 2-0 win, courtesy of goals by Logan Meyer and Michael Gillies.

That meant DHS had to beat Parel Vallei to stand a chance of progressing. However, it wasn’t that simple. DHS had to make sure they scored five or more goals while also preventing coach Michael van Rensburg‘s charges from finding the back of the net.

The boys from KwaZulu-Natal showed intent and started like a house on fire, scoring goals through Jessie van Wyk, Matt Potgieter, and Eben Peters.

PV were far from their best, but they switched on in the second half. Tristan Rautenbach led the comeback before a late Luka Meets brace levelled matters. With the double, Meets lifted his tally to seven goals in the tournament.

The 3-3 results confirmed Parel Vallei’s place at the top of the table. It also ensured the home side retained its chance of lifting the Hibbert Shield for a second time.

PV will face either St Stithians College or Clifton College, from Pool B, while Grey faces Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) in a rematch of their clash played only a week earlier, which Grey won 2-1. The Stellenbosch school has been in top form at the Hibbert Shield, though, comfortably dealing with Clifton and Saints on day one, and making their case as one of the teams to beat.

Jeppe defeated Pearson High 7-2 in their final match of the day to top Pool D thanks to a hat-trick by Adam Breytenbach and contributions by Adrian Laubsher, Jarryd Gordon-Watt, Kade Lottering and skipper Cole Stanbury. They will take on Westville Boys’ High.

Click HERE to read the updated article after the day’s play.

RESULTS

Westville Boys’ High 4-0 Garsfontein
Bishops 1-0 Paarl Gimnasium
Grey High 2-0 St Alban’s College
Parel Vallei 3-3 DHS
Jeppe 7-2 Pearson High
Clifton 2-3 St Stithians College
SACS 4-2 Garsfontein
Paul Roos Gimnasium 8-1 Selborne
Grey College 2-1 Westville

When the 16 teams competing in the Standard Bank Hibbert Shield arrived in Gqeberha, one thing was clear: no team was safe, and for the first time in years, the tournament was wide open.

The opening day’s play, on Friday, proved that statement true, and if the results were a measure of what’s to come over the weekend, then shockwaves will be sent through the schoolboy hockey landscape.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

Upsets and cracking goals filled the day, with top-notch hockey lighting up Grey High’s Rectory AstroTurf and the Collegiate Girls’ High Astro.

Here’s a look at the action:

Pool A

Parel Vallei High School, from Somerset West, fell into the dark horse category in the lead-up to the tournament. However, they quickly changed that narrative to thrust themselves into the conversation about title contenders.

Coach Michael van Rensburg‘s side recorded back-to-back wins, outplaying the hosts, Grey High, 5-2 in a cracking affair before recording a 3-0 win over St Alban’s College.

Against Grey, the boys from the Western Cape were a class apart, even though they had to come from behind after conceding an early goal to James Chree.

Luka Meets began the fightback, exhibiting some outstanding 3D skills and dribbling past a couple of defenders to pull one back for his side.

That solo effort energised PV, and Meets, who is one of the most dangerous forwards in the school game, soon had a second. Late in the second chukka, he completed his hat-trick from a short corner.

Grey skipper Dante Elkington made it 2-3, but the home side’s joy was cut short when Tristan Rautenbach tapped in on the far post.

Meets wasn’t done yet, and scored his fourth in the third chukka. PV’s shot-stopper, Julian Thiering, also pulled off multiple saves to keep the score unchanged as the visitors stunned their hosts in an unexpected turn of events.

In their second match of the day, Parel Vallei defeated St Alban’s, thanks to goals from Benjamin Traut, Nicolas Havinga and Meets.

While PV made a statement, Durban High School (DHS) produced mixed results. 

Coach Keegan Hezlett‘s boys edged St Alban’s 2-1 in the tournament opener, courtesy of strikes from Jessie van Wyk and Bonga Maphanga.

They met Grey in their second outing of the day and were beaten 5-1 as the hosts bounced back emphatically and ended the Horseflies‘ unbeaten season.

Day two’s action will decide which team finishes top of the pool when Parel Vallei faces DHS, while Grey takes on St Alban’s in a must-win encounter. Saturday’s showdown will also be an opportunity for PV to avenge a 3-6 loss to DHS at the Coastal Cup.

Pool B

Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) headed to the Hibbert Shield off the back of a 1-2 loss against Grey High in Gqeberha last week.

Coach Michael Baker’s charges dominated that clash but failed to take their chances and turn possession and territory into goals.

They were far more clinical on Friday, powering their way to two convincing victories: 7-1 over Clifton College and 5-1 over St Stithians College.

At half-time, against Clifton, PRG held a narrow lead. In the second stanza, they pulled away. Luke van der Merwe bagged a brace while Ruben Gouws, Caleb Cilliers, Seth Paterson, Christiaan Fouché and Daniel de Waal also chipped in to seal a big win. Tye Milne scored the solitary goal for Clifton.

St Stithians, despite going down to PRG, did mark a tick in the W column after outplaying Selborne College 3-0, with Didier le Roux, Sebastien Poussin and Christian Bernhardi getting their names onto the scoresheet.

Clifton also bounced back, grabbing a close 3-2 win over Selborne.

With their two wins, PRG is already assured of a place in the quarterfinals. Clifton and Saints will battle it out for the second spot in the last eight. They previously met at the St Stithians Easter Festival, where Clifton claimed a tight 1-0 win.

Pool C

The defending champion, South African College High School (SACS), was held to a 2-2 draw by Westville Boys’ High in their opening match.

That result opened Pool C wide, ensuring there’s everything to play for on the second day.

SACS was considered the favourite heading into the clash, but the boys from KwaZulu-Natal had other ideas and were intent on making a statement.

The Capetonians opened the scoring through Luke Laver. However, his strike was cancelled out by a beautifully lofted shot from Bo Mokoena, who showed great awareness to pick up the scraps from a short corner and lift the ball past Ethan October. 

Litha Kraai snatched back the lead for his side in the third chukka, and SACS looked set to see the game out with a one-goal win.

Westville, however, has been playing some entertaining, winning hockey under coach Harold Siyaya, and they refused to give in. With a minute remaining in the final chukka, Connor Lilford, who was added to the team at the eleventh hour, found himself in space inside the circle and pounced on a rebound to level matters.

SACS came back firing in their second match, thumping Grey College 7-0. Earlier in the day, the Bloemfontein boys put up a good fight but fell 1-2 to Garsfontein.

Pool D

At a glance, before the start of the Hibbert Shield, it appeared that Pool D would be an entertaining group. It’s safe to say it lived up to those expectations on Friday.

The group, featuring Paarl Gimnasium, Pearson High, Bishops, and the debutants, Jeppe High School for Boys, dished up drama and suspense.

The day, however, belonged to Jeppe and Paarl Gim, who both finished it with four points, which included a 1-1 draw between the pair at Collegiate Girls’ High in the morning.

Jeppe, eager to claim a first-ever win at the tournament, faced Bishops in the afternoon. They were on song and finished well while maintaining a solid defence, coming away with a comfortable 4-0 victory. 

The Kensington school dominated possession and territory, but what stood out the most was how they converted their opportunities into goals when it mattered most.

Kade Lottering led the charge with a hat-trick of goals, all of which came from penalty corners, while Matthew Mackenzie was on the end of a beautifully worked team goal.

Paarl Gim, meanwhile, outplayed Pearson High School 4-0 in their second match of the day.

Despite going down to Jeppe, Bishops ended the day with three points. They picked up a win in their first outing, with goals from Litha Mbiko, Robert Vincent, and Max Morgan carrying them to a 3-0 win over Pearson.

Pearson is out of quarterfinal contention, but there’s next to nothing separating the top three in the group as they head into crucial fixtures on Saturday.

RESULTS

Pool A

DHS 2-1 St Alban’s College
Parel Vallei 5-2 Grey High
Parel Vallei 3-0 St Alban’s College
Grey High 5-1 DHS

Pool B

Paul Roos 7-1 Clifton
St Stithians College 3-0 Selborne
Paul Roos 5-1 St Stithians College
Clifton 3-2 Selborne

Pool C

SACS 2-2 Westville
Garsfontein 2-1 Grey College
SACS 7-0 Grey College

Pool D

Paarl Gimnasium 1-1 Jeppe
Bishops 3-0 Pearson
Jeppe 4-0 Bishops
Paarl Gimnasium 4-0 Pearson High

Saturday, 25 April 

@Grey High School 

07:30 – Westville vs Garsfontein
08:45 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Bishops
10:15 – St Alban’s vs Grey High School
11:30 – DHS vs Parel Vallei
13:00 – Jeppe vs Pearson
14:15 – Clifton vs St Stithians College
15:45 – SACS vs Garsfontein
17:00 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Selborne
18:30 – Westville vs Grey College

Playoff fixtures will be provided at the conclusion of the pool stages. 

The annual Standard Bank Hibbert Shield presents players with an opportunity to thrust themselves into the spotlight at a high-profile event that attracts widespread interest from across South Africa.

The 2026 tournament, hosted by Gqeberha’s Grey High School, runs from 24 to 27 April at Grey’s Rectory AstroTurf, with some matches taking place at Collegiate Girls’ High.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools.

A plethora of talented and skilled players will be in action throughout the weekend, and SuperSport Schools Plus has identified five players worthy of keeping an eye on.

Seth Paterson – Paul Roos Gimnasium

Seth Paterson is among the most exciting schoolboy hockey players in South Africa. The Paul Roos (PRG) captain, playing first-team hockey for a third year running, has grown and matured tremendously since making his debut in 2024.

Leading by example, Paterson is the midfield maestro for his side. He’s a constant source of consternation for opponents, particularly when he makes his trademark striking runs inside the 23-metre line and along the baseline.

His reading of the game has also improved, and he owns an accurate slap, which allows him to link up with his teammates easily. Paterson was on fire for PRG against Grey High on the Rectory AstroTurf last weekend, despite going down 1-2.

If PRG is to win a fourth Hibbert Shield title, their skipper will have a big role to play.

Keegan Le Roux – Grey High School

There will be many forwards who will impress at the tournament, and Keegan Le Roux will certainly be in that group.

The Grey striker has made a brilliant start to the season, scoring some fantastic goals and leading his side from the front.

Alongside James Chree, the experienced Le Roux is coming into his own this season and appears to be handling the pressure well.

He’s a serious threat in the opposition circle, offers Grey an option at PC time, and is cool as ice when penalty strokes need converting. His positional play in the circle often puts Le Roux in good positions to provide finishes.

Grey has won their tournament only once, in 2022, but Le Roux and his teammates, in a very unpredictable season, are aiming to change that narrative.

Avethandwa Manyonga – Selborne College

A simple Google search for Avethandwa Manyonga will lead to some of his prolific bowling displays for Selborne College. He’s not only an outstanding cricketer, though. He’s a solid hockey player.

Manyonga made his first-team debut last season, at the age of 16. He has since made one of the centre-back positions his own.

Lanky, strong, and aggressive, the defender has a presence about him, giving opposition forwards a tough ride. He’s a cool customer in one-on-one situations.

Apart from Manyonga’s work repelling attackers, his distribution from the back is another of his outstanding traits. He possesses a strong and accurate slap, making him a threat to pick out forwards in the other half of the field.

Selborne is a dark horse. To make an impact at the Hibbert Shield, they’ll need Manyonga to bring his A-game to Gqeberha.

Christopher Abrahams – Durban High School (DHS)

DHS has engineered a stellar start to the season, and central to their early-season success has been their skipper, Christopher Abrahams.

The midfield magician has orchestrated some of his team’s most dangerous plays thus far, ripping apart defences, doing so effortlessly at times.

Abrahams is not a flashy player, but he is very effective. He is direct and attacks the opposition with intent, focused on earning a positive outcome for his side.

He represented the KZN Coastal u18A side last year after playing for the SA u17 side at the Dato Mirnawan Cup in 2024.

A skilled indoor player, Abrahams brings those skills to the outdoor game, and it certainly helps to have SA indoor hockey star Keegan Hezlett coaching the Horseflies.

DHS finished in eighth place at last year’s Hibbert Shield. They’ll have higher ambitions this year, and Abrahams will be key in their quest.

Thomas Collins – St Stithians College 

St Stithians College will lean on several of their senior players to steer their Hibbert Shield challenge, and Thomas Collins will be one of them.

Described by his coach, Pat Owgan, as a “ball-playing midfielder”, Collins will be aiming to make his mark on the biggest stage.

He first stepped into the first-team limelight at the age of 16 and has since gone on to be vice-captain of the Saints side. Last year, he was a member of the Southern Gauteng u16A side that won the SASHOC National Week.

He operates all over the pitch, and his work rate on and off the ball makes him difficult to play against. He also possesses the skill set to drive his team forward.

Apart from playing a creative role, Collins also regularly chips in with goals for his side.

Saints will look to him and Jason Joiner to drive their challenge for a maiden Hibbert Shield title.

Click HERE to see the full Hibbert Shield fixtures.
Click HERE to read the full Hibbert Shield preview.

Jeppe High School for Boys make their Standard Bank Hibbert Shield debut in Gqeberha this weekend, and the side’s coach, Gareth Heyns, says his team is eager to get the ball rolling.

The annual tournament, hosted by Grey High, runs from 24 to 27 April. Grey’s Rectory AstroTurf will host most of the matches, with some being played at Collegiate Girls’ High.

Of the 16 teams in action, Jeppe will be the only side playing at the event for the first time. They take over from Maritzburg College, who will be playing at the newly established Michaelhouse Hockey Tournament.

Long regarded as one of South Africa’s leading hockey nurseries, Jeppe arrives in the Windy City eager to live up to that status against some of the country’s top sides.

After making a slow start to the season, which included a loss at the Nomads Hockey Festival and a defeat against King Edward VII in their derby, the Kensington Kids appear to be on the up.

Last Friday, facing an in-form Westville Boys’ High, who, like Jeppe, had started slowly but played themselves into form, a Blake Sartor strike in the fourth chukka gave Heyns’ charges a hard-fought 1-0 win on the Boden AstroTurf.

“We were very pleased with the outcome of the game against Westville,” coach Heyns told SuperSport Schools Plus. “We managed to take one of our chances in the D, which is always a positive.

“We also rolled the ball well, played a team game, and didn’t get stuck in individual battles for most parts of the game. The guys just did the hard work.

“Against KES, we went quite individually, and I don’t think we put in the effort, but in the Westville game, it was the complete opposite.”

Jeppe will contest Pool D at the Hibbert Shield, where they’ll be up against Pearson High School, Paarl Gimnasium, and Bishops. The top two finishers will progress to the quarterfinals, while the bottom two will move on to the Bowl.

While Heyns was impressed with the progress he saw against Westville, he admitted there was still work to be done in preparation for the tournament in Gqeberha.

“There are a few things we want to work on, but I think all our preparation has been pretty done up until now.

“We will just fine-tune certain elements and make sure the guys are ready for as many scenarios as we might come across.

“At the end of the day, it’s a tournament, and anything can happen in that environment.”

Pressed for his side’s goal for the tournament, Heyns replied: “We want to go there and give a good account of ourselves and see what it’s like to play against some guys we don’t generally play against.

“We are excited. It will be a good weekend to play good hockey against top opposition, and hopefully we can carry on growing as a group.”

Jeppe’s Hibbert Shield campaign kicks off against Paarl Gimnasium on Thursday at 08:45 at Collegiate Girls’ High.

Click HERE to see the full Hibbert Shield fixtures.
Click HERE to read the full Hibbert Shied preview.

The Standard Bank Hibbert Shield, sometimes referred to as the “Champions League” of schoolboy hockey, is once again upon us.

The prestigious annual tournament, hosted by Grey High in Gqeberha, runs from 24 to 27 April. Matches will be played at the Rectory AstroTurf and at Collegiate Girls’ High.

It’s a tournament that sees the cream of the crop assembling in the Windy City for competitive action with the famous Shield up for grabs.

All the matches will be LIVE on the SuperSport Schools App and on DSTV Channel 216.

With only days remaining before the first push-back, SuperSport Schools Plus writer Avuyile Sawula takes a deep dive into the groups, casting an eye over the teams, the interesting talking points, and what to expect.

Pool A

The hosts, Grey High, Parel Vallei, St Alban’s College, and Durban High School (DHS) will contest Pool A.

At first glance, it appears to be a relatively straightforward group for the top sides. However, a closer look suggests this could be the pool of death.

That’s because three teams – Grey High, Parel Vallei, and DHS – are playing outstanding hockey this season, while St Alban’s has also made significant progress.

DHS will arrive in the Eastern Cape as the only unbeaten team among the 16 sides taking to the field. Coach Keegan Hezlett and his charges have been in excellent form, securing notable victories over Parel Vallei and Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) at the Belgotex Coastal Cup and, more recently, Northwood School.

Grey High will be looking to end their Hibbert Shield hoodoo, having last lifted the title in 2021.

Last year, coach Andrew Beynon‘s side had to settle for ninth place after a difficult tournament. However, they enter this year’s event among the favourites after starting the season strongly.

Last Friday, they defeated PRG 2–1 on the Rectory Astro. Their challenge will be to back up that performance.

Parel Vallei will make their second appearance at the tournament. Last year, they finished just outside the top 10 on debut. Coach Michael van Rensburg will be hoping they can improve significantly on that showing this time around. PV boasts a solid squad, featuring some outstandingly talented players, who will trouble their opponents.

The opening Pool A clash sees St Alban’s take on DHS at 07:30 on day one.

Pool B

After bowing out in the semifinals of last year’s tournament, PRG will aim to go one step further in 2026 to have a crack at winning the event for a fourth time.

Coach Michael Baker and his charges are in Pool B for a second year and will take on Clifton College, St Stithians College, and Selborne College.

PRG defeated both Clifton and Selborne last year but will lock horns with Saints for the first time.

It’s been a relatively slow start to the season for the Stellenbosch side, who have suffered losses to DHS and Grey High so far. Tournament hockey, however, is where PRG tends to come alive, and coach Baker will be urging his troops to bring their A-game.

It won’t be an easy ride with the other three sides also eager to make an impression. Clifton, under coach Calvin Price, finished seventh last year, and they’re playing better hockey this year.

After impressing at the Saints Easter Hockey Festival, they played to a thrilling 3-3 draw with Glenwood High last week – a fixture that provided them with good preparation ahead of the Hibbert Shield, and also a reminder that they will need to be at their best to beat the best.

Selborne has looked promising, but coach KJ Friend‘s side has not yet hit its stride this season, although their best win of the season, 1-0 over Jeppe at the Nomads Festival, was an eye-catching result.

They went down 1-2 to Pearson in their last outing and will aim to use the Hibbert Shield to dial up some confidence. Meanwhile, Saints will be chasing synchronicity after a lengthy break.

Pool C

The defending champions, SACS, are in Pool C, where they will face Westville Boys’ High, Garsfontein, and Grey College.

SACS won their second Hibbert Shield title last year after beating Paarl Gimnasium 6-3 in the final.

As they pursue a third title, coach Sam Holmes will know that progressing from the group won’t be easy.

On paper, the Cape Town outfit should finish in the top two positions, but with the shock results that this season has produced, anything could happen.

Westville will likely be their biggest challenger. After starting the season slowly, the Griffins have found their form and are performing well under coach Harold Siyaya.

They had put together a nice run of victories before succumbing to a narrow 0-1 defeat to Jeppe High School for Boys in Johannesburg on Friday, so they’ll be eager to get back to winning ways immediately.

Westville doesn’t have the best record at the Hibbert Shield, but they appear to be in a position to change that narrative in 2026.

For Garsfontein, consistency and improvement will be the items on their agenda.

The Pretoria school sparkled, reaching back-to-back semifinals in 2024 and 2025, but coach Steven Paulo will ask for more from his players.

Their schedule includes a meeting with Grey College, whom they beat in last year’s quarterfinal. It has been an up-and-down season thus far for the Bloemfontein boys, but their clash with Garsfontein should be an interesting, cagey affair.

Pool D

In an unpredictable Pool D, it could come down to goal difference to determine which sides progress to the quarterfinals.

The group will be contested by Paarl Gimnasium, who made the final last year, Bishops, Pearson High, and the newcomers, Jeppe High School for Boys.

The addition of Jeppe has been greeted with excitement and anticipation from hockey enthusiasts. They further bolster an already loaded 16-team field.

Unbeaten in 2025, Jeppe has made an uneven start to 2026 under coach Gareth Heyns, but last week’s win over an in-form Westville side was a welcome boost before the challenge of the Hibbert Shield.

They’ll have to navigate tricky opponents in Bishops, Pearson, and Paarl Gim.

Bishops might have lost 2-4 against SACS last Friday, but they showed great improvement, played some good hockey in patches, and fought to the last whistle, scoring twice in the fourth chukka.

Pearson, meanwhile, has been on a fantastic run, which included a clean record at the KES Easter Festival. After beating Selborne earlier this month, they were victorious against Outeniqua in George last weekend.

Paarl Gim will also be buzzing heading into Hibbert Shield after recently claiming a hard-fought 3-2 win over Grey College. Pool D, just like all the groups, will be hotly contested.

GROUPS

Pool A: Parel Vallei, St Alban’s College, Durban High School, Grey High School
Pool B: Paul Roos Gimnasium, Clifton College, St Stithians College, Selborne College
Pool C: SACS, Westville Boys’ High, Garsfontein, Grey College
Pool D: Jeppe High School for Boys, Paarl Gimnasium, Bishops, Pearson High

FIXTURES

Friday, 24 April 

@Grey High School 

07:30 – St Alban’s vs DHS
08:45 – Parel Vallei vs Grey High
10:15 – Paul Roos vs Clifton
11:30 – Selborne vs St Stithians College
13:00 – SACS vs Westville
14:15 – St Alban’s vs Parel Vallei
15:45 – Jeppe vs Bishops
17:00 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Pearson High
18:30 – DHS vs Grey High

@Collegiate Girls 

08:45 – Jeppe vs Paarl Gim
10:15 – Bishops vs Pearson
11:30 – Garsfontein vs Grey College
15:45 – Clifton vs Selborne
17:00 – Paul Roos vs St Stithians College
18:30 – SACS vs Grey College

Saturday, 25 April 

@Grey High School 

07:30 – Westville vs Garsfontein
08:45 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Bishops
10:15 – St Alban’s vs Grey High School
11:30 – DHS vs Parel Vallei
13:00 – Jeppe vs Pearson
14:15 – Clifton vs St Stithians College
15:45 – SACS vs Garsfontein
17:00 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Selborne
18:30 – Westville vs Grey College

Playoff fixtures will be provided at the conclusion of the pool stages. 

The annual Hibbert Shield Hockey Tournament, sponsored by Standard Bank, is considered the pinnacle of schoolboy hockey in South Africa.

The 2026 event, hosted by Grey High School in Gqeberha, runs from 24 to 27 April at the iconic Rectory AstroTurf. Some matches will also be played at the nearby Collegiate Girls’ High.

Many of the country’s leading teams will be in attendance, aware that success at the Hibbert Shield will include them in the conversation about the best side in the country.

All the action will be LIVE on the SuperSport Schools App and DSTV Channel 216.

For results, match reports, and all the information, follow SuperSport Schools Plus Hockey.

With less than a week to go before the tournament, SuperSport Schools Plus hockey writer Avuyile Sawula shares everything you need to know about the event, taking a deep dive into the history of the tournament, the fixtures, venues, teams in action, and past winners.

HISTORY

Grey High School established the Hibbert Shield to give some of the country’s top teams an opportunity for game time and competitive play.

Named after the Hibbert family, it started with only six teams in 2019: Michaelhouse, Selborne College, Grey High, Paul Roos Gimnasium, Bishops [Diocesan College], and Hoërskool Garsfontein.

The inaugural tournament was won by Paul Roos, who defeated Bishops 4-2 in the final.

The following year, the event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It resumed in 2021.

When it returned, the tournament featured a different line-up, with Pearson High School, Paul Roos, St Stithians College, Grey College, South African College High School (SACS), and Grey High competing for the title.

The title that year went to Grey High. Since then, the tournament’s status has skyrocketed, with leading hockey-playing schools added as the event has gone from strength to strength.

TEAMS IN ACTION

In 2024, only 12 teams were in action at the Hibbert Shield, but that number increased to 16 sides for 2025 and 2026.

For hockey fans, it’s a must-watch. The event is stacked with teams that have established themselves as among the best in the country this season.

The host province, the Eastern Cape, will be represented by Grey High, Pearson High, and KuGompo City’s Selborne College.

The Western Cape provides a strong list of challengers, including the defending champions, SACS. Joining them are their provincial rivals: Paul Roos, Paarl Gimnasium, Bishops, and Parel Vallei High.

KwaZulu-Natal‘s contingent includes Westville Boys’ High, Clifton College, and Durban High School, with the latter the last remaining undefeated team in the 16-team field.

Gauteng, meanwhile, has four teams in action. Hoërskool Garsfontein, from the Noordvaal region, made the semi-finals in the last two editions. They’re joined by St Stithians College and St Alban’s College, who made their debut in 2025.

Jeppe High School for Boys is a newcomer, and they’ll be itching to make their mark, while Grey College is the sole representative from the Free State.

STRUCTURE

Unlike the previous format, in which teams that didn’t qualify for the Shield playoffs were eliminated, this year’s Hibbert Shield will continue with the Bowl section, which was introduced last year.

This means the top eight teams will progress to the quarterfinals and battle it out for the Hibbert Shield, while the bottom eight will contest the Bowl.

VENUES 

With the tournament expanding from 12 to 16 teams, the Rectory AstroTurf, at Grey High, is no longer the only venue for Hibbert Shield matches.

The nearby Collegiate Girls’ High School AstroTurf will also host some games.

PAST WINNERS

2019 – Paul Roos Gimnasium
2021 – Grey High School
2022 – South African College High School (SACS)
2023 – Paul Roos Gimnasium
2024 – Paul Roos Gimnasium
2025 – South African College High School (SACS)

2025 FINAL STANDINGS 

SACS
Paarl Gimnasium
Paul Roos Gimnasium
Garsfontein
St Stithians College
Grey College
Clifton College
DHS
Grey High School
Westville Boys’ High
Parel Vallei High School
St Alban’s College
Bishops
Pearson High
Maritzburg College
Selborne College

2026 FIXTURES

GROUPS

Pool A: Parel Vallei, St Alban’s College, Durban High School, Grey High School
Pool B: Paul Roos Gimnasium, Clifton College, St Stithians College, Selborne College
Pool C: SACS, Westville Boys’ High, Garsfontein, Grey College
Pool D: Jeppe High School for Boys, Paarl Gimnasium, Bishops, Pearson High

Friday, 24 April 

@Grey High School 

07:30 – St Alban’s vs DHS
08:45 – Parel Vallei vs Grey High
10:15 – Paul Roos vs Clifton
11:30 – Selborne vs St Stithians College
13:00 – SACS vs Westville
14:15 – St Alban’s vs Parel Vallei
15:45 – Jeppe vs Bishops
17:00 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Pearson High
18:30 – DHS vs Grey High

@Collegiate Girls 

08:45 – Jeppe vs Paarl Gim
10:15 – Bishops vs Pearson
11:30 – Garsfontein vs Grey College
15:45 – Clifton vs Selborne
17:00 – Paul Roos vs St Stithians College
18:30 – SACS vs Grey College

Saturday, 25 April 

@Grey High School 

07:30 – Westville vs Garsfontein
08:45 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Bishops
10:15 – St Alban’s vs Grey High School
11:30 – DHS vs Parel Vallei
13:00 – Jeppe vs Pearson
14:15 – Clifton vs St Stithians College
15:45 – SACS vs Garsfontein
17:00 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Selborne
18:30 – Westville vs Grey College

Playoff fixtures will be provided at the conclusion of the pool stages.