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  • St Stithians, St John’s continue water polo dominance at St Alban’s

    St Stithians, St John’s continue water polo dominance at St Alban’s

    St Stithians College and St John’s College were dominant on Saturday, day two of the St Alban’s College Beach Water Polo Tournament, keeping their unbeaten records intact with a series of emphatic victories.

    Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

    Both sides impressed with their commanding performances, which left them top of their pools and solidified their status as the teams to beat.

    St John’s College bolstered their record with three wins, opening their account on Saturday with a 10-2 win over the hosts, St Alban’s College. They followed that with a 7-3 victory over their neighbours, King Edward VII School (KES). They, then, closed out their day in style cruising to a 11-3 victory over St Peter’s College to maintain their immaculate record and first place in Pool A.

    Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) also enjoyed a three-win day. They outplayed St Peter’s 9-1 in their first outing and followed that with a clear-cut 10-3 victory over Christian Brothers College (CBC) Bulawayo. They won by even more against Parktown Boys’ High, recording a comfortable 14-3 win to confirm their place in the semifinals.

    Those victories saw Affies finish in second spot in Pool A, with 15 points, having lost only to St John’s, who won 8-5 when they met on Friday KES placed third, St Alban’s fourth, followed by St Peter’s College and Parktown Boys’ High.

    Meanwhile, in Pool B, St Stithians College easily wrapped up top spot in Pool B, winning 9-2 against Pretoria Boys High on Saturday, 12-2 against St Benedict’s College, and 12-4 against the St John’s College’s second team.

    St David’s Marist Inanda was equally dominant, handing St Benedict’s a 12-3 loss before beating Jeppe 13-7. They also rolled to 10-1 wins overs over the St John’s and St Alban’s second teams.

    Jeppe placed third in the group, behind Saints and St John’s, with Pretoria Boys High in fourth.

    In Sunday’s semifinals, it’s St John’s against St David’s and St Stithians against Affies. While St John’s and St Stithians had a comfortable time of things in their group stage matches, they’ll surely be extended in their quests to qualify for the title game.

    DAY 2 RESULTS

    Pool A

    St John’s 10-2 St Alban’s
    KES 8-6 St Peter’s
    Parktown 4-9 CBC Zimbabwe
    St John’s 10-2 St Alban’s
    Affies 9-1 St Peter’s
    Parktown 4-15 KES
    Affies 10-3 CBC Zimbabwe
    St John’s 7-3 KES
    St Peter’s 3-11 St John’s
    St Alban’s 7-2 St Peter’s
    Affies 14-3 Parktown
    St Alban’s 8-4 CBC Zimbabwe

    Pool B:

    St Stithians 9-2 PBHS 2nd team
    St David’s 12-3 St Benedict’s
    St John’s 2nd team 8-2 St Alban’s 2nd team
    St Benedict’s 2-12 St Stithians
    PBHS 10-2 St Alban’s 2nd team
    St David’s 13-7; Jeppe
    PBHS 8-5 St Benedict’s
    St David’s 10-1 St John’s 2nd team
    Jeppe 10-1 St Alban’s 2nd team
    St John’s 2nd team 4-12 St Stithians
    St David’s 10-1 St Alban’s 2nd team
    Jeppe 7-4 PBHS

    Playoffs

    St Peter’s 4-6 St John’s 2nd team (6A vs 5B)

  • St John’s, St Stithians set the pace at St Alban’s Beach Water Polo Tournament

    St John’s, St Stithians set the pace at St Alban’s Beach Water Polo Tournament

    The opening day of the 3rd Annual Beach Water Polo Tournament got underway at St Alban’s College, in Pretoria, on Friday. The event, which features eight men’s clubs’ teams, and 14 open age group schools’ teams, runs through until Sunday.

    In Pool A, a familiar powerhouse, St John’s College, made a commanding start to their campaign, overpowering Parktown Boys’ High 19–0 before cruising to an 11-1 defeat of the Zimbabwean side, Christian Brothers College (CBC) Bulawayo.

    Earlier in the day, CBC had opened their challenge with an impressive 12-5 win over St Peter’s College.

    St Peter’s, though, bounced back in style, showing strong character in a determined 11-6 win over Parktown Boys’ High.

    Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) played three tough matches and came away with two inspiring victories, defeating St Alban’s 8-5 and King Edward VII (KES) 7-3 before coming up short against St John’s, who improved their record to three from three with an 8-5 win.

    After going down to Affies, St Alban’s showed resilience when they outlasted KES 6–5 in a nail-biter. That was followed by a 14-3 dismantling of Parktown. KES suffered two hard-fought defeats, but they came out on the right side of another closely contested clash, scoring an 8-5 win over CBC Bulawayo.

    In Pool B, St Stithians College stamped their authority and staked their claim as the team to beat by going three for three. In their opener, a key clash against St David’s Marist Inanda, Saints came away with a 7-4 win.

    They enjoyed a routine 12-4 victory over the St Alban’s 2nd team before wrapping up their assignments with a 9-5 win over Jeppe High School for Boys to finish the day comfortably on top of the group standings.

    Jeppe ended the day in second spot, with Pretoria Boys High in third. Boys High beat the St John’s College 2nd team 6–2, but lost a nail-biter to St David’s, who snatched an 8-7 win in a tense, closely fought encounter. That victory left the Sandton school in fourth place after Friday’s action.

    St Benedict’s College picked up a narrow 5–4 win over the St Alban’s 2nd team but came up short in their other fixtures.

    POOLS

    Pool A
    St John’s College 1st team
    Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool
    St Alban’s College 1st team
    King Edward VII School
    St Peter’s College
    Parktown Boys High School
    Christian Brothers College Zimbabwe

    Pool B
    St Stithians College
    Jeppe High School for Boys
    St David’s Marist Inanda
    Pretoria Boys High School
    St Benedict’s College
    St John’s College 2nd Team
    St Alban’s College 2nd team

    RESULTS

    POOL A
    Affies 8-5 St Alban’s
    St Peter’s 5-12 CBC Bulawayo
    Parktown 0-19 St John’s
    Affies 7-3 KES
    CBC Bulawayo 1-11 St John’s
    St Peter’s 11-6 Parktown
    St John’s 8-5 Affies
    St Alban’s 6-5 KES
    St Alban’s 14-3 Parktown
    CBC Bulawayo 5-8 KES

    POOL B
    St David’s 8-7 Pretoria Boys High
    St Alban’s 2nd team 4-5 St Benedict’s
    St Stithians 7-4 St David’s
    Jeppe 6-0 St John’s 2nd team
    St Alban’s 2nd team 4-12 St Stithians
    St Benedict’s 2-6 Jeppe
    Pretoria Boys High 6-2 St John’s 2nd team
    St Stithians 9-5 Jeppe
    St John’s 2nd team 7-4 St Benedict’s

  • Coetzee proud to have led bar-raising Hoërskool Zwartkop team

    Coetzee proud to have led bar-raising Hoërskool Zwartkop team

    Hoërskool Zwartkop’s first team celebrates a runner-up finish in its first tilt at the Noordvaal A Cup. Photo: supplied

    After 37 matches that produced 27 victories, five draws, and only five defeats, Hoërskool Zwartkop‘s hockey programme is at an all-time high, and the school can look back with pride on the 2025 season as one of remarkable growth and great achievement.

    Captain Handré Coetzee described his side’s campaign as one filled with highlights and moments of which to be proud, including a first ever invitation to the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament, in Cape Town.

    “One of the standout moments for me was during our time at Belgotex,” he said. “It was our very first year representing Zwartkop, and we surpassed our own expectations by winning the league.

    “Another unforgettable moment came at the end of the season when we competed in the Noordvaal A Cup. To move up from being Noordvaal B winners last year to finishing second in Noordvaal A this year was truly special.”

    The Zwartkop skipper praised his teammates’ hard work and commitment to their goals. “I think we had an incredible season. The team exceeded my expectations, and I’m proud that we were able to make history for the school while reaching our goals.” he said.

    Leading the side was both an honour and a learning experience, Coetzee reckoned.

    “It was a great privilege to captain this group throughout the season. The journey taught me a lot, especially during a challenging low point in the season, and I am glad I had the opportunity to lead the team. I would do it a thousand times over again without hesitation.”

    After playing a key role in Zwartkop’s best-ever season, he was asked what his message was to those players staying on and those who will come into the side next year.

    “Something I would like to say to the team and coach is to continue building on what we have accomplished this season as a team. Keep forming an unbreakable bond with each other. Build friendships on the field as well as off the field,” Coetzee said.

    “Play for each other and play for what is on the front of your jersey, not the back.

    “Remember who was with us during the whole season and who will never leave your side. The Lord is with each player and remember where your strength comes from. Sterkte manne, hou ons naam hoog.”

  • Reddam House Waterfall’s storybook season highlighted by Graetz League win

    Reddam House Waterfall’s storybook season highlighted by Graetz League win

    The Reddam House Waterfall 1st XI celebrates their biggest moment of the season, winning the Graetz League title. Photo: Supplied

    The past hockey season was a highly rewarding one for Reddam House Waterfall. In their first year of competing in the A-Section of the Graetz League, they went all the way to the title.

    Led by coach Tetelo Maphaka and captain Thomas McMurdo, Reddam enjoyed a fairytale run in their first-ever season in the A Section, winning the majority of their matches and losing only once despite a demanding schedule.

    In 2024, Reddam House Waterfall won the B-League. Incredibly, a year later, they hoisted the A-League trophy high after edging out Rand Park High in a tense final. It ended 1-1, but Reddam then triumphed 6-5 in a penalty shootout.

    Coach Maphaka described the title-winning success as one of the school’s best achievements. “Winning the B-League last year and being promoted to the A-League was a great achievement for Reddam House Waterfall. But the cherry on top was winning the A League in our very first season,” he said.

    “Beaulieu College had been champions for two consecutive years, so to dethrone them made this victory even more special.”

    In total, Reddam played 20 matches, winning 15, drawing four, and losing only one. Those successes took them through to the league final, which featured a round-robin competition among the top four teams. There. they stayed focused and composed and came away with the title.

    “The highlight of the season was definitely winning the league in our final game,” Maphaka stated. “To see the boys lift the trophy after a shootout was incredible and, beyond that, having one of our learners, Qhawe Fipaza, selected to represent the Southern Gauteng U18C team was another proud moment for the school.”

    For the team’s captain, Thomas McMurdo, the season was a reward for his commitment and dedication to the sport, and his leadership played a key role in the side’s outstanding results.

    Looking back on the year, Reddam House Waterfall’s Director of Sport, Reece Prinsloo, praised the commitment of the players and staff.

    “We are extremely proud of what the boys achieved this season,” he said. “To step up to the A-Section and win it straight away is no small feat.

    “I want to thank our coaching staff and students for their relentless effort and passion throughout the campaign. We are excited to build on this success and look forward to an even bigger 2026.”

    The next challenge that awaits Reddam House Waterfall is that of sustaining success. The building blocks are in place. Their successes have built belief. They’ve given the 2026 team all the motivation they could ask for to make next season another one to remember.

  • South Africa swimmers shine at World Aquatics Junior Championships

    South Africa swimmers shine at World Aquatics Junior Championships

    Kris Mihaylov on the podium after winning the gold medal at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships. Photo: Team South Africa

    St Benedict’s College and Durban High School (DHS) have every reason to celebrate after two of their learners, Kris Mihaylov and Cole Martin, delivered exceptional performances at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Bucharest, Romania.

    The event ran over six days from 19 to 24 August and brought together the world’s best junior swimmers.

    Mihaylov stole the spotlight by clinching gold in the 200m butterfly.

    His victory follows closely on the heels of Pieter Coetze‘s record-breaking backstroke triumphs at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore – gold in the 100m backstroke and silver in the 50m and 200m backstroke – and shines a bright light on South Africa’s swimming future.

    Mihaylov, who is better known for his freestyle achievements and is coached by former world 50m freestyle record holder, Peter Williams, qualified for the final with an outstanding swim in the morning heats, stopping the clock at 1:58.17.

    In the final, he swam a strong first 100m split of 55.52 seconds, which left him 0.71 seconds clear of Hungary’s David Antal, and more than two seconds up on the rest.

    He, then, powered home to touch the wall in 1:56.16, which bettered his personal best of 1:58.18 by more than two seconds. Behind him, Antal claimed silver in 1:56.87, while Turkey’s Tuncer Erturk took bronze in 1:58.14.

    The 17-year-old’s Mihaylov’s remarkable swim delivered South Africa’s only gold medal, but DHS standout, Cole Martin, at only 15 years of age, caught the eye in breaststroke events.

    Competing over all three distances, he produced superb times of 30:36 from the 50m, 1:06.24 for the 100m, and 2:28.35 for the 200m. With time on his side, he’ll be someone to watch out for over the next couple of years.

  • Coach Flowers celebrates a historic season for Hoërskool Zwartkop

    Coach Flowers celebrates a historic season for Hoërskool Zwartkop

    The Hoërskool Zwartkop team after finishing second in the Noordvaal A Competition. Photo: Supplied

    The 2025 season will go down as one of the finest for Hoërskool Zwartkop’s u19A hockey side, which made huge strides.

    Coach Connor Flowers’ charges made their presence felt with their desire to play an entertain and exciting brand of hockey, and it brought them many successes.

    From the start, the focus was on the process and not the results, but looking after the process led to good results.

    Flowers said the season wasn’t about chasing silverware but about developing a unique identity, one that celebrated skill, confidence, and community.

    “We aimed to harness the talent offered by a humble group and to give it back to the community through displays of confident performances,” he explained.

    “As the team progressed in its technical and tactical ability, we gained momentum and confidence in our ability to sustain high-level performance. Furthermore, we developed a healthy hunger for winning.

    “It became clear that our primary goal for intrinsic satisfaction could be expanded to longitudinal success. We identified that qualification and subsequently competing in the Noordvaal A tournament would be our secondary goal.” he said.

    As the season unfolded, Zwartkop’s growth was evident. Their progress, fuelled by hunger and resilience, showed itself in almost every match. Then, what had started as a mission of growth and enjoyment evolved into something greater, a pursuit of historical achievement.

    The team’s consistency in the local league paid off when they clinched a second-place qualification spot for the prestigious Noordvaal A competition, which marked the first time in the school’s history that Zwartkop had qualifed for the A section playoffs.

    “This was already a success in itself,” Flowers said. “To qualify was a blessing, and every minute on the field from then on was a privilege.”

    The Noordvaal tournament, held from August 7 to 9, proved to be a true test of character and Zwartkop showed they weren’t there to merely make up the numbers.

    They overcame successive slow starts to win both of their pool matches, which left them top of the group and propelled them into the quarterfinals. Another win earned Zwarries a shot at playing for a place in the final.

    They faced the hosts, Hoërskool Pietersburg, in the semi-finals. It was a nerve-wracking contest that ended goalless, but Zwartkop kept their composure to triumph in a penalty shootout, which guaranteed them a medal in their very first shot at the Noordvaal A-League competition.

    In the title game, they took on the defending champion, Hoërskool Monument. At last, their groundbreaking journey was halted, with Monnas comfortably defending their crown with a 3-0 victory. Zwarries, though, had done themselves proud and had shown they could mix it up with the best teams in the region.

    Beyond the successes of the team, some of the players also celebrated memorable milestones, including captain Handré Coetzee and vice-captain Roche Oberholzer, who both received their 100th caps for the first team during the season.

    “This is a huge testimony to their commitment, love for the game, and perseverance,” Flowers remarked.

    Summarising how his squad had played, Flowers spoke of “tremendous growth, heart, and passion”.

    Apart from Coetzee and Oberholzer, he added: “Other players were also able to showcase their ability and talent, achieving other personal triumphs that did not go unrecognised.”

    Directing a message at the team, he said: “To the players, I cannot thank you enough for the time, the commitment, and the love you shared with me. I am proud of you, and I ask only that you be proud of yourselves.

    “To the parents, thank you for providing such a healthy environment. Your time and commitment lay the foundation for these players’ success, not only throughout the hockey season, but also for the well-being and prospects of these young men.

    “To Zwartkop and the staff behind the scenes, your effort and willingness to contribute to a successful hockey programme are instrumental in building the blocks required to sustain a healthy environment for the benefit of young athletes and young adults.”

    Looking ahead, Flowers said the 2025 first team has set a high bar for future teams to aim at. “Although we are proud and satisfied, this is the new standard we have set for ourselves,” he said. “There is still so much that Hoërskool Zwartkop can offer. We look forward to sharing our love for hockey and competing against the best again next season.”

  • Brown reflects on St Mary’s Waverley’s season of growth

    Brown reflects on St Mary’s Waverley’s season of growth

    The St Mary’s Waverley first team in full voice. Photo: Loretta Hope Photography.

    Head coach, Cindy Brown, has reflected on a season defined by growth and resilience for the St Mary’s Waverley first hockey team.

    Her side took on a demanding calendar of tournaments and league fixtures, producing some moments of brilliance while also learning valuable lessons from tough encounters.

    St Mary’s wrapped up their season, which included playing some of the country’s leading sides, with a record of 28 wins, 16 losses, and 13 draws.

    Brown was open in her assessment of the campaign, noting that while the team delivered flashes of outstanding hockey, their biggest challenge had been in converting their chances into goals.

    “The season was very up and down,” Brown admitted. “I think we played pretty well against some of the top teams, and at times we struggled against some of our opposition. But overall, we played some really good hockey.

    “We just struggled to score. That said, we had some really good wins. It was a good season, with a very strong team spirit. The girls worked incredibly hard. It was a good season all round.”

    The team’s campaign concluded at the Challengers Cup Tournament earlier this month, where St Mary’s finished fourth overall. Despite battling fatigue from a long season, they left their mark with their spirited performances.

    St Mary Waverley during the Challengers Cup clash. Photo: Loretta Hope Photography.

    “At the Challengers Cup, we had some really good wins against strong opposition,” Brown said.

    “Our last game was against Hoërskool Garsfontein, a side we had met a number of times this season. Unfortunately, we went down 2–1. But it was a good game of hockey.

    “By the seventh game of the tournament, teams are always a bit fatigued, but we fought until the very end.

    “Particularly in the last two chukkas, we finished strongly, played some good build-up hockey, and made good connections. We just struggled to put the ball in the box.”

    Looking back on 2025’s campaign, Brown singled out several moments that stood out.

    “The highlight of the season would definitely be the derby win against St Stithians College,” she said with pride. “A game against Saints is always a big occasion, and to come away with a victory was special for the girls.

    “Another highlight was the St Mary’s Waverley Festival, which is always such an important tournament for us. We performed well there and collected good results against strong opposition.”

    Brown also drew satisfaction from her team’s performances against some of the country’s powerhouses. “There were some big matches,” she said. “We faced Paarl Gimnasium for the first time in a long while and, although we lost 2–0, I think we played really well against such a strong side.

    “For me, what stood out most this season was the team spirit. The way the girls supported each other on and off the field really made the difference.”

    With lessons learned in front of the goal and confidence gained from testing themselves against some of the country’s finest schools, Brown believes her charges have laid a strong foundation for the future.

  • Jeppe Boys achieve rare unbeaten season

    Jeppe Boys achieve rare unbeaten season

    Players of Jeppe High School for Boys celebrate after scoring a vital goal. Photo: shotsby.doeboy_ 

    The 2025 season will go down in history as one of the most memorable and successful campaigns for Jeppe High School for Boys’ hockey team under the guidance of coach Siya Sityana.

    The Kensington-based powerhouse delivered a flawless run of form, finishing the season unbeaten in both league and cup competitions, a remarkable turnaround from the challenges they faced in the previous year.

    For Sityana, who has steadily built a culture of discipline and resilience in the side, this achievement was more than just about results; it was about transformation.

    “We won 29 out of 31 games and drew two — against Grey College and Hilton College at the Nomads Tournament,” Sityana reflected.

    “It is a relief, to be honest, especially when you start counting the wins; it felt like we were putting more pressure on ourselves. But the boys showed tremendous character to keep it going.”

    The coach admitted that part of the magic behind this season’s success lay in the players’ attitude and hunger to adapt. He compared the current group’s mindset to that of last year’s squad, noting the difference in approach.

    “Last year’s group was difficult to manage compared to this group because they struggled with change,” Sityana said.

    “They often fell back on ‘we’re not used to this, we are used to that.’ But this year’s team was just unbelievable. It was a group of boys who were open and willing to learn. They gave their all.”

    The discipline and adaptability translated into dominance on the field. From clinical attacking plays to solid defensive structures, Jeppe rarely allowed their opponents a way back into games.

    The two draws were the only blemishes on what otherwise was a spotless campaign, and even in those matches, the boys demonstrated their composure against strong opposition.

    To seal their stellar season, Jeppe emerged with a resounding 5–2 victory in their final outing against arch-rivals, Parktown Boys High School. Juan Martin emerged as the hero of the day, netting four goals in a dazzling individual performance.

    Sityana admitted that he entered the clash with nerves, given Parktown’s reputation for resilience.

    “Going into the game, I was a bit nervous, especially because we’ve never had a satisfying performance against Parktown,” he said.

    “They are just so difficult to play against. They’ve got that die-hard spirit, and they don’t stop — even when they concede goals, they keep going. So they are a difficult team to play against.

    “With us winning, I was worried about complacency, especially since we had beaten them twice already.”

    The contest didn’t start smoothly for Jeppe, either. After taking an early 1–0 lead, Parktown equalised to make it 1–1. But that moment sparked Jeppe into life.

    “Once they equalised, that’s when we started to play. We turned the score to make it 5-1, and they scored at the end to make it 5-2,” Sityana recalled.

    For the players, parents and the entire Jeppe community, the 2025 season will be spoken about for years to come. Beyond the silverware and the unbeaten streak, it showcased what can be achieved when talent is matched with teamwork, discipline and the right mindset.

    Sityana was quick to highlight that this success was not his alone.

    “I’m grateful for the opportunity to be coaching at a school of such prestige — it’s not something that happens every day.

    “I must commend the boys for their incredible season and extend my gratitude to my colleagues and coaching staff. They were superb and played a massive role in everything. The parents, as well as many other external individuals, have helped a lot since last year. They were very supportive and played a huge role in everything we achieved this year.

    “Indeed, it takes a village.”

  • Parktown Boys’ close out a season of growth and resilience

    Parktown Boys’ close out a season of growth and resilience

    Parktown Boys’ High School Hockey 1st team. Photo: Parktown Boys High School

    Though they ended their campaign with a tough 2-5 defeat at the hands of an unbeaten Jeppe High for Boys, Parktown Boys’ High School can look back on a season filled with progress, pride, and memorable moments.

    Parktown played 28 matches during the season, securing 10 victories and five draws against some of the country’s top hockey schools, while suffering 13 defeats. Captain Zeyad Davids believes the numbers only tell part of the story.

    “On paper, the results may not fully reflect the quality of hockey that we played. In several games, we completely outplayed our opponents but did not take our chances. That, more than anything else, was what cost us at crucial moments,” Davids said.

    The skipper, who represented Southern Gauteng at the SASHOC Nationals, was proud of the collective strides his side made throughout the year.

    “Looking back, I believe we had a great season. There were plenty of ups and downs, but what stood out most was how we continued to improve as a team. We faced tough opponents, including one of the strongest Jeppe sides we’ve seen in years, and had hard-fought draws against schools like Rondebosch and Selborne. Despite the challenges, I’m incredibly proud of the boys and what we achieved.”

    Their final fixture against Jeppe, played on August 9 under a special theme to raise awareness against gender-based violence, was a spirited battle. According to Davids, the team entered the clash with heaps of confidence.

    “Facing a team like Jeppe is never easy. They enjoyed an outstanding Aitken tournament and boasted several players who represented Southern Gauteng A, which gave them a lot of momentum. Still, we went into the game confidently

    Parktown Boys’ captain, Zeyad Davids. Photo: Supplied

    and excited to test ourselves.”

    Juan Martin opened the scoring for the visitors with a superb flick from a short corner. Parktown equalised swiftly, before Jeppe edged ahead again just before halftime. During the second half, Jeppe’s quality shone through as they scored three more goals, sealing a 5–2 win. Parktown’s final goal came from a penalty stroke, converted by Davids.

    Reflecting on the season’s highlights, Davids pointed to moments that defined the squad’s character and achievements.

    “Highlights included three of our matric players and two Grade 11s reaching 50 caps – a massive achievement. Drawing with Paarl Gim and beating Glenwood on their home turf were also standout moments,” he said.

    As the curtain comes down on the season, the captain expressed heartfelt gratitude.

    “To Mr. Grace and Mr. Bailey, thank you for being incredible coaches. Your support, belief and motivation pushed us through the toughest moments and helped shape us not just as players, but as people.”

    He also shared some parting words with his teammates:

    “Thank you for the memories, the friendships and the resilience we showed together. We faced every challenge head-on, and I’ll always be grateful for this journey. Best of luck to everyone for the future.”

  • South Africa dominates Allistar Fredericks African Challenge

    South Africa dominates Allistar Fredericks African Challenge

    South Africa u16B on the attack against Zimbabwe u16A on the last day of the Allistar Fredericks Africa Challenge. Photo: TeamphotoSA.

    South Africa’s u16A boys’ hockey team produced a commanding display to end the Allistar Fredericks African Challenge with a 5-1 win over Zimbabwe’s u18A side on Friday, at St David’s Marist Inanda, in Sandton.

    The hosts wasted no time in taking control of the clash, dominating from the first whistle.

    Blaine Candy got the scoreboard moving, netting two brilliant goals in quick succession to give South Africa the early lead and ignite the home crowd.

    South Africa’s blistering start continued when Dante Elkington struck, followed by Kade Lottering, which made it 4-0 before the end of the first chukka.

    The visitors regrouped in the second chukka. They were more composed and tightened their defensive shape, and they were rewarded when Dean Muzengeza pulled a goal back to make it 4-1.

    The third chukka was end-to-end, with both sides creating opportunities but failing to finish, thanks to disciplined defending and sharp goalkeeping.

    Luc Boyall rounded off the scoring in the fourth chukka, slotting South Africa’s fifth to put the cherry on the top of an impressive performance by the home team.

    South Africa‘s u16B side also impressed, cruising to a 6-0 win over Zimbabwe’s U16A team.

    Buhle Mfunelwa opened the scoring and penalty corner conversions from Caleb Cilliers and Kaden Henderson stretched the lead to 3-0 in the second chukka. Kamohelo Tsoka added a fourth with a fine field goal.

    Zimbabwe was feeling the pressure, and their task was made more difficult when Raymond Sipani was shown a green card, which left them a man down for two minutes.

    South Africa capitalised immediately, with captain Jason Joiner converting a penalty corner to put his side 5-0 ahead. Buhle Kama completed a resounding 6-0 win with the final goal of the game and the series.

    South Africa’s Ben Wilson was named the man of the match. He expressed his gratitude to his team, saying: “I am just grateful to be with this team. There is so much talent in this team and support from the coaches, so I am grateful.”

    SA captain Jason Joiner said the South African national team had performed well throughout the series. “This team is amazing,” he reckoned. “We have learned a lot from each other because everyone has got the skill.

    “(Coach) Siya (Sityana) has been amazing. He has taught us a lot of stuff during this week, and I think we all grew as players.”

    Results

    SA u16 A: 5 Blaine Candy (2), Dante Elkington, Kade Lottering, Luc Boyall
    Zimbabwe U18A: 1 Dean Muzengeza

    SA u16B: 6 Buhle Mfunelwa, Caleb Cilliers, Kaden Hinderson, Kamohelo Tsoka, Jason Joiner, Buhle Kama
    Zimbabwe u16A: 0