Author: asawula

The KwaZulu-Natal u19 girls’ water polo team is bracing itself for a tough and competitive Schools Water Polo South Africa Inter-Provincial Tournament when they kick off their campaign in East London this coming weekend.

The much-anticipated tournament takes place from 7-11 December, with the u19 matches being played at the Joan Harrison Swimming Pools.

KZN heads into the tournament with a new face at the helm after Nicholas Rodda was appointed head coach.

He has taken over from Paul Martin, Clifton College‘s coach, who moves to Hilton College next year. Hilton’s Jason Sileno heads to St Stithians College.

Rodda will be looking to stamp his authority on the team after an extremely successful season with Kearsney College in 2024.

Their outstanding achievements included winning the Reef Cup, clinching gold at the Saints Invitational Tournament, and claiming the KZN Top 10 title.

“I’m very excited. This is my first u19 provincial side,” Rodda told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“I have coached u13, u14, u15, and u16 girls’ sides in Gauteng before. We have some really good players who are coming along nicely as a team.”

Rodda has a balanced and strong team with some familiar names at his disposal. It includes five players from Durban Girls’ College: Inge Southey, Josie Phillips, Kayla Andrews, Kayleigh Nieuwstad, and Lara Mervis.

Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High supplies Alwande Zondi and Jada Bishop to the provincial side, while Amber Lewis is the only player from Reddam House Umhlanga.

Gemma Malherbe and Megan Peters represent St Anne’s, while Georgina Strachan and goalkeeper Kate Swainston-Harrison are from St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls, Kloof.

Caitlin McMurray, from Thomas More College, completes the lineup.

“There are a number of St Anne’s girls who decided not to play IPT this year, which is a bit of a loss,” Rodda said, reflecting on a side that finished as the runner-up at their own St Anne’s Water Polo Tournament against many of the country’s best teams.

“However, the girls who have made the side have stepped up to fill that void and excel in it. The team selected themselves at the Top 10 tournament,” he added.

“We have been training well and working hard, both in the pool and the gym, which is new for a lot of the girls, who have never been in the gym for IPT training before this year.”

KZN will face all the top teams in the tournament in Pool A, which also features Western Province A, Buffalo City, Central Gauteng A, and Nelson Mandela Bay.

Coach Rodda believes playing strength versus strength will benefit all of those teams.

“This is the pinnacle of schools’ water polo,” he said. “Having more competitive games over the tournament only improves the water polo that is being played overall. It’s strength versus strength as opposed to runaway games.

“It will also benefit those teams in the opposite group, being more competitive. Yes, it will make it more difficult to make the final but, at the end of the day, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the rest.”

KZN finished fourth at last year’s tournament in Gqeberha. They followed that up with another fourth-place finish at the Currie Cup in March.

Rodda said the goal is to remain consistent and to possibly go one step further this time around.

“⁠Top four is the first goal,” he said. “If we make the semifinals, then we will adjust our goal for something further, but we, ultimately, will take it game by game.

“We will align our goals when we are in East London as a team. Playing as a unit and not as individuals will make this a success, but as soon as we don’t work as a unit, we will, unfortunately, fall short,” he warned.

KwaZulu-Natal u19 Girls Pool Fixtures

8 December

11:20 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Buffalo City
16:45 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Nelson Mandela Bay

9 December

09:10 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Central Gauteng A
14:35 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Western Province A

KwaZulu-Natal u19 Girls

Alwande Zondi, Jada Bishop (Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School), Amber Lewis (Reddam House Umhlanga), Caitlin McMurray (Thomas More College), Gemma Malherbe, Megan Peters (St Anne’s DSG), Georgina Strachan, Kate Swainston-Harrison (St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls, Kloof), Inge Southey, Josie Phillips, Kayla Andrews, Kayleigh Nieuwstad, Lara Mervis (Durban Girls’ College).

Non-Travelling reserves

Brogan Reid (Maris Stella), Chiara Collett, Kirsten Du Plessis, Erin Prato (Reddam House Umhlanga), Casey Macleod-Henderson (St Anne’s DSG).

The 2024 edition of the Schools Water Polo South Africa Inter-Provincial Tournament will see the Central Gauteng u19A girls’ team aiming to claim back-to-back titles.

The event takes place in East London from 7-11 December, and the u19 matches will be played at the Joan Harrison Swimming Pools.

After winning two major titles in the past 12 months, Central Gauteng is the team to beat. They claimed the honours at last year’s IPT in Gqeberha before winning the Currie Cup in East London in March. In both finals, they defeated Western Province.

However, a lot has changed since those triumphs. For starters, Central Gauteng is now led by coach Kelsey Thomson, who has taken over the reins from Etienne Le Roux.

Le Roux left St Stithians College and Central Gauteng to join Rondebosch Boys’ High in the Western Cape earlier this year.

Coach Thomson came on board in his stead and immediately made a positive impact when she inspired the team to Currie Cup glory.

She has been able to select the strongest possible squad for the IPTs and believes that combinations and players being familiar with each other will help their cause.

“This squad has depth, depth, depth, and more depth,” Thomson told SuperSport Schools Plus ahead of the tournament. “There are strong individual positions and then many utilities that are versatile in all aspects.

“These girls played lots together last year. They are also u16 gold medallists and  four matric girls that have played together for years.”

Preparation is a challenge for many provincial teams, with selected players attending schools far from their teammates, which means daily training is not possible. That is not the case for the Central Gauteng u19A side. Their team is made up of players from schools within close proximity to the others, with players from St Stithians College, Roedean School, St Dominic’s Catholic School, St Mary’s Waverley, Reddam House Bedfordview, and Kingsmead College in the lineup.

“In terms of preparation, we have had a successful winter programme that has run since May and then we have fine-tuned our A and B teams since the beginning of October,” Thomson said.

“There have been lots of matches versus younger male teams for fast reactions, which has helped.”

Gauteng will be tested in their title defence. The pool stage is structured so that the top teams face each other, which will make the competition tighter than ever.

That means the defending champs will take on Western Province A, Buffalo City A, KwaZulu-Natal, and Nelson Mandela Bay during the pool stage of the competition.

Her team heads into the tournament confident, but coach Thomson said they’re taking nothing for granted.

“It’s exciting, different pool structures with all the top teams in one pool,” she enthused.

“It bodes well for high-level competition throughout the tournament and not only once getting to the quarters.

“This age group is one of the strongest all around I have ever witnessed throughout all the provinces. KZN has great young players and a great new coach, too, in Nicholas Rodda. They are lucky to have him.

“Western Province is always a team to respect. They are lucky to have Etienne Le Roux with his wealth of water polo knowledge.

“Don’t forget [Nelson Mandela Bay’s] Grant Mackenzie, a legend coach, who develops great teams always. For me, it’s awesome to see so many young teams that have a lot to offer.”

Thomson will bid farewell to five players after the tournament, including captain Mia Loizides and vice-skipper, Amy Smith. They’ll be joined by Ruby Carlson, Francesca de Villiers, and Cecilia Peterson.

“These matrics have dedicated years to Gauteng Water Polo. It’s an honour for me to see them off in their last IPT, as I was their coach in their u14 and u15 years,” she recalled.

While Loizides and Smith are set to lead the u19A team, the u19B side will be captained by Peterson, with Aimee Hattingh and Taylor Billet serving as the vice-captains.

Central Gauteng u19A Girls

Courtney Calenborne (St Stithians), Emily Carle (St Stithians), Ruby Carlson (St Dominic’s), Lucy Davis (Kingsmead), Francesca de Villiers (Roedean), Anastasia Hambakis (Reddam Bedfordview), Isabella Imbriolo (St Stithians), Julia Joseph (St Mary’s), Mia Loizides (Roedean), Ogechi McMurray (St Dominic’s), Emma Pelicot (Roedean), Amy Smith (St Mary’s), Tori Tanner-Ellis (St Stithians).

Central Gauteng u19B Girls

Taylor Billett (Roedean), India-Rose Cope (Crawford Lonehill), Kiara Cronje (Roedean), Mia Duffy (Beaulieu), Holly Franks (Kingsmead), Amy Harmzen (St Dominic’s), Aimee Hattingh (Reddam Bedfordview), Mya Osei (Roedean), Cecilia Petersen (Roedean), Amy Stubbs (Roedean), Emily Townshend (Crawford Lonehill), Ziyanda Tshabalala (Roedean), Simphiwe Zulu (St Dominic’s).

Non-travelling reserves
Eryn Doyle (Beaulieu), Rachel Rostron (St Peter’s), Angela Smith (Parktown Girls), Shannon Spitsbaard (Crawford Lonehill).

Coaches and Manager

Head coach: Kelsey Thomson
Assistant coach: Michaela Boaventura
Assistant coach: Wade Brand
Manager: Nicola MacLeod

Hoërskool Eldoraigne‘s Director of Hockey, Chadwin Petersen, says preparations for their annual 2nd Team Hockey Festival for 2025 are well underway, with 36 teams confirmed to participate in next year’s event.

The event takes place from 28-31 March, with matches being played at the Pretoria school’s AstroTurf.

The festival has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2022, which makes the 2025 iteration the fourth edition of the event.

Taking a leaf out of an idea very successfully implemented at the Fairweather Hockey Festival in KwaZulu-Natal, the event gives much-needed exposure to second-team boys’ and girls’ hockey players from schools around the Gauteng region and further afield in the northern regions of the country.

“The drive ultimately was to grow the game beyond the first or A team senior level in the traditional sense,” Petersen told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“We wanted to prove that sport and hockey are for everyone, and if we could find the means to create an elite tournament for second teams, this will give the same feel and vibe as what the major tournaments create around the country.”

The festival takes place amidst a busy schedule of first-team tournaments in the early part of the season, and it has attracted some noteworthy participants.

Among the top schools that will contest next year’s festival are Jeppe High School for Boys, Hoërskool Garsfontein, Helpmekaar College, St Alban’s College, Die Hoërskool Menlopark, and Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool.

This year, Affies won the girls’ section, while Jeppe claimed the top honours in the boys’ competition.

The tournament has been well received by the schools and parents and serves as an important building block for the players.

“One thing we’ve seen is the passion and pride that goes into each individual that represents their school,” Petersen said. “This event allows them to be treated like ‘elite’ players and gives them the platform to bring their best.”

It creates an opportunity for players in either their last year of school hockey or for those who narrowly missed out on first-team selection, to lay a foundation for their season, he explained.

Despite the success of previous editions of the festival, Petersen is adamant that there’s a lot to improve on from an organisational point of view.

“We always believe in adding value and creating an unforgettable experience for the players and staff on and off the field,” he explained.

“With a number of partners secured for 2025, that will be no different. An increase in interactive activities taking place throughout the day will keep players and staff engaged and entertained.

“One of the main features of the festival is no game will end up in a draw. If teams end up in a stalemate, they will share the points; however, there will be an extra point on offer in a three-player shootout post the game to acquire an additional point,” he concluded.

Hoërskool Eldoraigne Hockey Festival 2025 Pools

Boys

Pool A: Jeppe High School for Boys, Helpmekaar Kollege, Hoërskool Waterkloof, Potchefstroom Gimnasium

Pool B: Die Hoërskool Menlopark, St Alban’s College, Hoërskool Linden, Hoërskool Nelspruit

Pool C: Hoërskool Louis Trichardt, Hoërskool Garsfontein, Hoërskool Eldoraigne, Hoërskool Kemptonpark

Pool D: Sutherland High School, Hoërskool Zwartkop, Hoërskool Pietersburg, Hoërskool EG Jansen

Girls

Pool A: Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool, Hoërskool Eldoraigne, Hoërskool Zwartkop, Hoërskool EG Jansen, Hoërskool Louis Trichardt

Pool B: Die Hoërskool Menlopark, Hoërskool Pietersburg, Parktown High School for Girls, Sutherland High School, Hoërskool Nelspruit

Pool C: Hoërskool Waterkloof, Hoërskool Wonderboom, Hoërskool Overkruin, Hoërskool Kemptonpark, Potchefstroom Gimnasium

Pool D: Hoërskool Noordheuwel, Hoërskool Garsfontein, Helpmekaar Kollege, Hoërskool Linden, Hoërskool Eldoraigne (Invitational team)

Bloemfontein’s Grey College has appointed Dalan Phillips as the school’s new Director of Hockey from January 2025.

Phillips joins Grey from Pearson High School in Gqeberha, taking over the reins from Wayne Coetzee, who is making his way to Parel Vallei High School in the Western Cape.

The former Pearson first team coach makes the switch having spent two years at the Gqeberha school.

During his tenure at Pearson, he carved out a fresh identity, introduced his unorthodox philosophy, and built teams that competed against some of the country’s best.

He also produced provincial players, and in 2024 he had three of them selected in the u18 Eastern Province team for the SASHOC National Week.

Phillips was also heavily involved with the SA u16 boys’ team after the SASHOC National Week, which was won by Boland.

He brings a wealth of experience to Grey College, which is aiming to reach higher heights in South African schoolboy hockey.

“I’m thrilled and deeply thankful for this exciting new opportunity,” Phillips told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“Embarking on a fresh journey always comes with a mix of emotions, but, for me, it’s primarily about embracing the chance to grow and take on new challenges.

“While I’ve greatly valued my time here [at Pearson] and built a deep connection with the community, this opportunity aligns perfectly with my aspirations to embrace new challenges and expand my horizons. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s the right step forward for me and my family.”

Phillips will assume responsibility for a hockey programme that has been well-developed through all age groups and is already firing on all cylinders.

In 2024, the Grey College 1st XI was one of the top teams in the country, and Phillips will have a sound foundation to build upon in 2025.

“This opportunity offers a platform to work in an environment where excellence is not only encouraged but expected,” he said.

“My aim is to build on the programme’s existing achievements while introducing innovative ideas to drive continuous improvement.

“Ultimately, my goal is to leave a meaningful legacy by empowering both players and coaches to reach their full potential.”

The coach also had a message for Pearson, the school’s players and the parents, who supported his vision during his two-year stint.

“I’ve been privileged to work with a good group of athletes and had the backing of the entire staff, which made my job a little easier.

“The boys I’ve coached have shown immense dedication and growth. I’m confident they’ll continue to thrive under the solid foundation we’ve built together,” he ended.

Western Province u19 boys’ water polo captain, Conor Melling-Williams, is relishing the opportunity of leading his team at the Schools Water Polo South Africa Interprovincial Tournament in East London.

The much-anticipated annual event, which features boys’ and girls’ competition in the u13, u14, u15, u16, and u19 age groups, runs from 7-11 December. The u19 matches will be played at the Joan Harrison Swimming Pools.

Province are the favourites to win the u19 title alongside Central Gauteng A and KwaZulu-Natal. However, Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Bay will not be a walk in the park. Playing in familiar waters, they’ll be eager to upset the usual title challengers.

Melling-Williams is one of the returning stars from last year’s group that claimed gold in Gqeberha. In that tournament, Province was led by coach Jabulani Sibiya and dominated during the pool stages, seemingly scoring goals at will.

They came up against a strong Central Gauteng A side in the final, and after it ended 8-8, they went on to record a nervy 8-7 win in a penalty shootout.

A lot has changed since that final, and it’s an almost revamped Province team that will take to the pool in this year’s event. Only five players, including Melling-Williams, have survived from 2023.

“The team is extremely excited to get going at IPT this year,” Melling-Williams told SuperSport Schools Plus. “After successful school seasons all around for the boys, IPT provides one last bite at the cherry for a gold medal this year.

“The preparation has been intense and proper under the dedicated guidance of our coach, Jabulani Sibiya. We’ve been training really hard and are now preparing for the last push in the build-up to tournament time.”

A noticeable absentee from the Province team is goalkeeper Jordan De Sousa, who has been an influential presence for both Bishops, and Western Province throughout his water polo career, and who was selected for the SA Schools side after last year’s IPT.

Melling-Williams is not naïve and recognised that De Sousa’s shoes are going to be tough to fill, but he backed the goalkeepers selected to get the job done.

“Yes, Jordan is missing out this year. However, our goalkeepers, Pierre Du Plessis and Adam Lawrence, are some of the best in the country,” he insisted.

“The team has full belief and confidence in their abilities to keep our opponent’s scores low.”

Province’s last proper outing as a unit was at the Currie Cup in March, which was also hosted in Buffalo City.

There, Melling-Williams and his teammates didn’t quite live up to expectations and finished with the bronze medal after losing to Central Gauteng in the semifinals.

The skipper believes he and his team have learnt from that disappointing tournament and they will not replicate some of the mistakes they made there.

“The Currie Cup was a bit of a disappointment for our WP side earlier this year,” he acknowledged. “That is now in the past, though, and we’ve definitely taken lessons from that experience, which will hopefully stand us in good stead coming into the IPT.

“I think the main lesson learnt was probably the need to be awake and focused throughout the entirety of every game. Drop-offs in this regard can easily swing results out of your favour.”

The Western Province team is stacked with matric learners out for a last hurrah. Playing in their last Schools Water Polo South Africa Interprovincial Tournament alongside the skipper are Ross Stewart (vc), Adam October, Arkin Marias, Nicholas Fall, Pierre du Plessis, Bradley Warneke, Thomas Truter, Zack Cicero, Mac Lecuona, and Matthew De Villiers.

“Yes, it is our ‘last dance’ for Western Province, and it has been an absolute honour to represent WP on multiple occasions throughout my polo career,” Melling-Williams added.

“I must extend a special thank you to all the people behind the scenes who work tirelessly organising kit, transport, and accommodation to make the players’ experiences so easy and enjoyable.

“Furthermore, the dedicated coaches who give up so much of their time to ensure the players are prepared to put on a show. And to the parents, who make these opportunities possible for everyone, thank you for your sacrifices!

“To end on a high note in taking home that last gold medal would be super special and a great way to finish our WP careers. It is definitely not a given, though, as the competition is fierce, but we’ll give it our best shot, that’s for sure,” he concluded.

WESTERN PROVINCE U19A SQUAD

Luke Burger, Matthew de Villiers, Pierre du Plessis, Bradley Warneke (Rondebosch Boys’ High), Zack Cicero, Nicholas Fall, Mac Lecuona, Jandro Rojo-Ross, Connor Melling-Williams (SACS), Adam October, Adam Lawrence, Arkin Marias (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Thomas Truter, and Ross Stewart (Bishops Diocesan College).

The Western Province u19 girls’ water polo team will be focused on taking it one step further when the Schools Water Polo South Africa Inter-Provincial Tournament kicks off in East London early next month.

The event takes place from 7-11 December at the Joan Harrison Swimming Pools.

Province has a score to settle after suffering a 10-12 defeat in last year’s final against Central Gauteng in Gqeberha.

That team, which was led by coach Nicola Barrett, gave a good account of themselves in an electric title game, pushing their opposition all the way while playing some of their best water polo of the tournament.

Mia Loizides scored five goals for the eventual champions, while Hannah Banks found the back of the net four times for Province. Both players will again represent their provinces this year.

The 2024 event will also provide an unfamiliar sight for water polo enthusiasts around the country. That’s because, for the first time at the tournament, coach Etienne Le Roux will not be coaching a Central Gauteng side.

Le Roux bid farewell to St Stithians College and Central Gauteng earlier this year to join Rondebosch Boys’ High and Western Province.

He constructed an impeccable track record during his time in Gauteng, leaving with a stacked CV that included winning several IPT titles while leading Central Gauteng to some milestone wins over their rivals.

He has been thrown into the deep end and has been charged with replicating his past success in the Western Cape.

“It has been a challenging year for me and my family with lots of changes,” Le Roux told SuperSport Schools Plus ahead of the IPT.

“But the people in the Cape, and specifically at Rondebosch, have been very welcoming and supportive. We are loving our new life and looking forward to what lies ahead.”

Le Roux, an animated and passionate presence at poolside, takes over the coaching reins from Connor Whiting, who led the Western Province side at the Currie Cup in March, which was also held in Buffalo City.

“They [the team] are great,” Le Roux enthused. “We have been working really hard as a squad, with both the A and B teams pushing hard at sessions.

“The players are learning lots, and we are growing nicely as a team. They are a talented group who have a lot to prove.

“They have also been receptive to my style of coaching and have taken on all the challenges I have thrown at them with an open mind and the willingness to push through.

“The entire team is improving each and every week, and we will be coming in strong and fit for IPT.”

Le Roux’s side will be tested by Central Gauteng A, Buffalo City A, KwaZulu-Natal, and Nelson Mandela Bay in the group stage of the event.

The coach is expecting a tough tournament and will lean on his vast knowledge of the Gauteng players when he comes up against his former team.

“I think it is going to be great. The u19 girls’ section is going to be super competitive this year, and we will need to be at our best throughout the tournament.

“Gauteng, I am sure, will be a tough game, but this time I truly know my competition inside and out, which may help us a bit in planning, if you know what I mean.”

Western Province u19A team

Alexa de Villiers, Nicole Bantom, Grace Sales, Amy van Breda, Emily Van Heerden, Sophie Vickers (Herschel Girls School), Iviwe Tracy Oduore, Hannah Banks, Emma Catto, Julia Luckoff, Roxanne Uys (Reddam House Constantia), Sofia Walker, Bella Murray, and Isabella Tooley (Rhenish Girls’ High School).

Preparations for the Schools Water Polo South Africa Inter-Provincial Tournament are well underway, with just two weeks remaining before the u19 event kicks off at the Joan Harrison Swimming Pools in East London.

The annual competition, which features boys and girls competing in the u13, u14, u15, u16, and u19 age groups, takes place from 7-11 December and brings together the top provinces from across South Africa, plus the Aussie Crocs, a team from Queensland, who will be competing in the u19 IPT for the first time.

Western Province won the boys’ title in Gqeberha last year. They will have to wiggle their way past tough opposition if they are to go back-to-back under coach Jabulani Sibiya.

It’s an open race, with KwaZulu-Natal, Central Gauteng, and Buffalo City among the strong challengers vying for spots on the podium.

A team that wants to include themselves in that conversation is Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB). The boys from Gqeberha will enter the tournament seeking to improve on their seventh-place finish in 2023, which was followed by fifth place at the Currie Cup, in March.

Coach Daniel Ward is the man entrusted to lead the team after taking over the reins from Seth Harty.

In his team, Ward has named five players from St Andrew’s College: Adam Nurse, Coel Trollip, Joshua Hinks, vice-captain Calum Emslie, and soccer sensation Asante Chivere.

From Pearson High, he has selected captain Daylan van Niekerk, along with Rolan Swanevelder, Zandre Botha, Jacques De Koker, and Josh Groener.

Two players from Grey High – Spencer Adshade and Blake Peinke – have been included in the lineup, while Oliver Martin, from Woodridge College, completes the squad.

“The team selection for the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) u19 boys came from me and a strong group of coaches on the selection panel at trials,” Ward told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“There are exciting combinations from St Andrew’s College and Pearson High School. Fortunately, most of the boys played together last year at the u16 IPT.”

Seven members of the squad featured for NMB at the Currie Cup, so cohesion should not be an issue. An area of concern, however, has been their preparation, with half of the team based in Gqeberha, while others are in Makhanda, over 120km away.

The players have had to stay disciplined and train on their own, as Ward explained: “Preparations for IPTs are never easy when you’re trying to find time between end-of-year exams and getting players from Gqeberha and Makhanda together at the same time.

“The players have been able to keep fit during the week at their schools, but having the whole team together regularly has been difficult.”

The majority of the players were members of the Nelson Mandela Bay u16 side that finished fifth at the IPT in Gqeberha last year. Despite moving up an age group, the coach believes his players can replicate that good showing.

“There is a point to prove,” he said. “We’re going into the tournament with a goal, and we’ll take it one step at a time.

“We know what competition lies ahead of us. Our biggest battle will be our mentality going into the games. The team has great potential, but they can’t lose the game before they get into the pool.

“It would be a great achievement for them to make it into a semifinal,” he concluded.

Nelson Mandela Bay u19 team

Adam Nurse, Asante Chivere, Calum Emslie (vc), Coel Trollip, Joshua Hinks (St Andrews College), Daylan van Niekerk (c), Zandre Botha, Jacques De Koker, Josh Groener, Rolan Swanevelder  (Pearson High), Spencer Adshade, Blake Peinke (Grey High School), Oliver Martin (Woodridge College).

Head coach: Daniel Ward
Manager: Bryce Jennings

Western Province, KwaZulu-Natal, and Central Gauteng lead the pack as the favourites for the Schools Water Polo South Africa Inter-Provincial Water Polo Tournament, and rightfully so.

That trio will enter the annual tournament, which takes place in East London from 7-11 December, high in confidence and with a spring in their step after showcasing some of their best water polo in 2024.

In their respective squads, they boast many players who represent some of the top schools’ teams in the country, including some who played for the South African team at the World Aquatics Men’s u18 Water Polo Championships in Argentina in July.

Province are known for their unorthodox approach to tournaments under coach Jabulani Sibiya, while KZN and Central Gauteng are no strangers to the big leagues. Earlier this year, they contested the Currie Cup final, which Gauteng won 8-6.

A team that will have a point to prove, however, is Buffalo City, who will host the inter-provincial u18 tournament at the Joan Harrison Swimming Pools.

The Eastern Cape side is on a mission to reignite water polo in the region by mixing it up with the big guns and forcing their way into the conversation about title contenders.

They finished a solid fifth at last year’s IPT in Gqeberha and followed that up with a fourth-place finish at the Currie Cup earlier this year.

Buffalo City has shown progress, and the forthcoming tournament will provide them with a chance to again prove their competitiveness against the best teams from around the country. And they’ll boosted by their passionate home supporters.

At the helm will be newly appointed head coach Storm Siebert, who has taken over the reins from Khanyisa Mpumlwana.

Siebert is also the first team coach at Selborne College and has enjoyed success with the side in recent seasons. He’s been promoted within the provincial structures after a stint with the u16 team.

The Buffalo City team he’ll lead boasts a mixture of experience and youth and Siebert believes they stand a chance of making an impact despite facing some challenges ahead of the tournament.

“I believe the team that has been chosen is the strongest team possible, and the boys play together regularly at school level,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“The chemistry and synergy will be there at IPT.

“Our preparation has been good so far, with us being able to practice quite often. But I must say, match time is an issue due to where we are situated and not much opposition to play against.”

In the Buffalo City region, only a limited number of schools – Selborne College, Hudson Park, Merrifield College, and Stirling High School – have a fully functioning boys’ water polo programme. The 2024 Buffalo City team is made up entirely of players from Selborne.

Siebert has been forced to deal with the cards that he’s been dealt and, instead of complaining, he has embraced the opportunity and set realistic expectations for his team.

“Being the underdogs is definitely something we will be embracing throughout the tournament. These boys thrive on the underdog label and we will have absolutely nothing to lose,” he said.

“I firmly believe a top-four finish is a realistic goal if everything goes according to plan and the boys show up in those important moments.

“The boys are extremely excited to compete at IPT, and they are a group of boys that will fight for each other until the very last whistle. I can’t wait to see what they produce this year, and I know, regardless of the end result, I’ll be extremely proud of their efforts.”

The team will be captained by Daniel Breetzke and Kairon Roux, who will be playing in their final IPT alongside Sean Audie.

The tournament also marks a milestone in Siebert’s coaching career. It will be the first time he leads a senior team at an IPT, and that’s something he’s excited about.

“I was absolutely stoked with the opportunity to coach the u19 Buffalo City Boys team for the first time,” he admitted.

“It is a big step up from age group level coaching, and I can’t wait to learn and grow as a coach over this IPT.”

Buffalo City u19 team

Eythan Assam, Sean Audie, Matthew Bean, Daniel Breetzke, Thomas Caswell, Liam Hansen, Mitchell Holl, Connor Maree, Rodney Mashaya, Kairon Roux, Dominic Stegmann, Samuel van der Venter (all Selborne College).

Non-travelling reserves

Gino De Ascencao (Stirling High), Michael Oliver (Stirling High), Daniel Stead (Merrifield College), Luke Stegmann (Selborne College).

Head coach: Storm Siebert
Manager: Joshua Carr

The South African u17 girls’ hockey team fell just short of finishing on the podium at the Dato Mirnawan Cup after going down 3-4 to South Korea in the bronze medal match.

The tournament, which began on 1 November, concluded on Sunday at the Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

There was joy for the hosts, after their boys’ team claimed gold, beating South Korea 3-2 in the final, while Japan defeated Australia, also by a 3-2 margin, to win the girls’ title.

The South African girls were a little unfortunate to miss out after making it through to the semi-finals.

Coach Omari-Pienaar Geyer’s side was drawn in Group Y alongside Japan and the Malaysia Tigresses. The SA girls scored a statement 4-0 win over the hosts in their opener before slipping to a 2-4 defeat against the eventual winners, Japan.

They had done enough, however, to secure a semi-final showdown with a tough Australian side that had won two of its three matches in Group X.

Coach Pienaar-Geyer’s team produced a valiant effort against the Aussies but went down 1-3 to set up a clash with South Korea on the final day.

With a bronze medal on the line, South Africa fought hard and competed until the final whistle but were squeezed out, losing by the odd goal in seven. Last year, the SA girls’ side suffered a similar fate, losing 0-2 to India in the bronze medal game.

Despite her charges not picking up a medal, coach Piernaar-Geyer praised the side and said she was pleased with the effort shown by the players throughout the week.

“I’m proud of the team,” she declared. “It’s a testament to their hard work, dedication, and skill,” she told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“Being in a different country, where they’re far from family and eat and sleep differently, is a massive challenge. Whether they win or not, competing at that level is a huge accomplishment.”

The leadership responsibilities in the team were split, with coach Pienaar-Geyer opting for two captains and a vice-captain.

Jehan Abrahams and Amber Fairon co-captained the side, while Caprice Bengston served as the vice-captain.

They were the only players left over from last year’s group, and the coach praised them for leading from the front.

“It was great to see our leaders step up, especially since all three experienced the same tournament with me last year,” she said.

“So, it was kind of expected. It was also good to see how the others fed off their energy and effort.

“However, I’m really happy with how every single player rose to the occasion and led in their way.”

Assessing what needed to be improved for next year’s tournament, Pienaar-Geyer identified several areas of need. “One of the key learnings from the tournament is the urgent need for high-performance programmes in our regions,” she said.

“Developing our goalkeepers is crucial, as they play a vital role in the team’s success. Additionally, we need to focus on improving our defensive strategies, particularly in winning one-on-one situations.

“Fostering overall connections among players will enhance teamwork and performance. Training and playing together more often will always be a challenge but will be something we try and create more often with SA regional sessions.”

Pienaar-Geyer will have a strong base to build on for next year, with the majority of the players still eligible for selection.

Out of the 18-player squad, five were in the u17 category, while there were seven u16 players and six u15s.

There is, however, no guarantee that the players who toured Malaysia this year will again be selected in 2025. It will all come down to them performing well for their schools and provinces.

A top player who missed out on the tournament was Bianca Rees-Gibbs, from Eunice, who suffered a life-threatening medical issue but is now recovering.

Pienaar-Geyer had a message for her: “A special shoutout to Bianca Rees-Gibbs, who unfortunately couldn’t participate in this tournament with us. We wish her all the best for her upcoming operation and a smooth recovery journey ahead. We can’t wait to see you on the field again,” she concluded.

The South African u17 boys’ hockey team will, unfortunately, feel a sense of let-down after a fifth-place finish at the Dato Mirnawan Cup, which concluded on Sunday in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia claimed gold in the boys’ section, beating South Korea 3-2 in the final, while Japan defeated Australia, also by a 3-2 margin, to win the girls’ title.

While results didn’t go the way the South African team would have hoped, they will, nonetheless, take away valuable lessons from the experience.

In last year’s tournament, South Africa finished as the runner-up after losing 3-4 to India in the title decider. In 2024, only Reece Theunis, the captain, remained from the 2023 side.

It all began swimmingly for Theunis and company, who got their challenge off to a scorching start by overwhelming Canada 9-1 in their opening match.

The competition stiffened quickly, though, with the Malaysia Tigers beating South Africa 3-1 in their second outing. Then, after a tremendous tussle and a gutsy fightback, the South Africans went down 3-4 against South Korea.

In the playoffs, for fifth to eighth places, South Africa played some smart hockey to claim a sweet 3-2 victory over Australia.

That win put Justin Collins’ charges into the playoff for fifth against Canada, the team they had so handsomely beaten in their first match of the tournament.

Once more, it was South Africa’s day. They slotted five goals, kept a clean sheet, and ended their tournament on a high.

Reflecting on the event, head coach Justin Collins said he was pleased with his team’s fighting spirit, which never faltered despite the side losing two of their three group matches, both of which came against the eventual finalists.

“I am very proud of the boys and the character they showed. We were never out of the contest in any game during the week,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“We just had small moments that we slipped up, and this has created even more of a learning environment for our boys.

“We always knew we had to fight, but the two losses in the pool stages created an inner drive for the team and the staff.”

In both of their group losses, the margin between winning and losing was razor-thin. Slight lapses of concentration cost South Africa victory. Collins lamented those moments and said he believes his side could’ve done better.

“It was disappointing sitting and watching the final,” he admitted, “especially because both these teams were in our pool.

“We were so close against South Korea, losing 3-4 after showing lots of character and fighting back from 1-3 down to go 3-3, then to lose in the dying moments.

“Malaysia won the tournament after we ran them close. We weren’t good in the first half of that game, but showed fight, again.”

For the majority of the South African players, it was a case of one, and done. They’ll be moving on to older age groups, but several players, who are currently 16 years old, will be keen to stake a claim to a seat on the plane to next year’s Dato Mirnawan Cup.

“There were, definitely, some players that put up their hands up this week and stood up when needed,” Collins said.

“It’s always great winning games, and I truly believe our school structure is creating an incredible base for players to develop,” he added.

“We have top coaches around the country based at different schools. We just need to play better hockey for longer phases and be braver in difficult situations.

“Our defensive systems need some care and more work needs to be done across the board in terms of our angles of engagement and tracking of runners,” he concluded.