After helping the Central Gauteng u16A girls to IPT glory last year, Cadha Mosehla will make the step up this year and represent the u19A girls team. Photo: Shot by Shani Photography
Recent years have been special for the Central Gauteng u19A girls’ water polo team, which has built up a formidable record of success.
After winning the Schools Water Polo South African (SWPSA) Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT) in 2022, the girls in red and black retained their title a year later in Gqeberha. In the final, at Grey High School, they defeated a very strong Western Province team, which was led by Nicola Plasket, 12-10.
Back then, Gauteng was under the guidance of Etienne Le Roux, who left the province in 2024 to join Rondebosch Boys’ High, in Cape Town.
His departure was felt, but it didn’t derail Gauteng’s winning train when coach Kelsey Thomson took over the reins. Under Thomson, the side won the South African Junior Water Polo Championship, better known as the Currie Cup, last year.
In the final of that tournament, in March, they, once again, defeated Western Province, winning 11-7 in East London.
Then, in December 2024, also in East London, Gauteng was back on the top step of the podium after they clinched another IPT title, again at Province’s expense, beating the Capetonians 7-3 in the final.
They’ll be favoured to go all the way again at the 2025 IPT, which takes place in Johannesburg from 6-10 December.
“The team is really excited for IPT to have come around again, and to have it at home gives us both comfort and even more to play for,” coach Thomson told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“With 11 Matric players and four grade 11s, this team has many years of Gauteng polo behind them.
“The 2025 group has been the most competitive that I have come across in years. Every player who made the A or B team, and even non-travelling reserves, pushed hard for their spots.
“I’m really chuffed at how these girls are getting along well, and I am also proud of how they all have been pushing through school academic finals while maintaining a high level of training. too.”
Central Gauteng u19A head coach Kelsey Thomson will be aiming to lead her side to a historic fourth-straight IPT title. Photo: Shot by Shani Photography
The hosts are drawn in Pool A with Buffalo City, Western Province B, and Nelson Mandela Bay.
Coach Thomson, who identified the qualities of grit, skill, pride, tenacity, and composure as keys to her side succeeding, expects some tough matches.
“It is going to be competitive, for sure,” she reckoned. “There are many good teams in our age group, with some incredible talent, from the players to the coaching staff. I am expecting fast-paced games with brute force in some.”
This year also marks the 50th edition of the Schools’ IPT, and having the support of their passionate home supporters will be an added boost, said the coach. “Gauteng supporters always come in strong, with the Lion Pride always behind us.
“It is so special to be at home, as more friends, families and supporters of Gauteng water polo will be able to see the hard work that has been put in with each team, as well as the organising committee of Gauteng and SWPSA.”
The u19A Gauteng girls open their IPT campaign against Buffalo City on Sunday, 7 December, at 09:00 at St Stithians College’s Olympic Pool.
When it comes to opening batsmen, one of their most valued qualities is consistency, and Bishops Diocesan College‘s Adnaan Lagadien has proved himself to be a dependable soldier in the opening overs with the bat.
He has retained his place in the Western Province Khaya Majola squad and is focused on producing the kind of form he showed for the SA u19 Emerging outfit last year at the inter-provincial tournament.
In a September 2024 clash against Zimbabwe, he top-scored with a hasty 112 runs off 87 deliveries, with his standout innings including 12 fours and three sixes, and that was but one of many outstanding innings by the opener.
Bishops’ Head Coach, Visser Gildenhuys, gave SuperSport Schools Plus some insight into Lagadien’s stoic ability to bat for long periods of time: “Off the field, he has put in a lot of work at the gym, adding to his power-hitting ability and overall conditioning.
“He also added to his skillset by becoming an off-spinner, making him a more complete player.
“One of his strengths is his ability to take the game forward and attack the bowler. He can access any part of the field, which makes him a massive asset in any format.”
Lagadien’s hard work has not only improved his game. The hard-hitting opener has also become a yardstick of quality against which all Bishops’ cricketers can measure themselves.
Gildenhuys explained: “Adnaan’s work rate and the number of hours he puts in has definitely had an impact on his fellow teammates and cricketers in the school. When the younger players in the school always see Adnaan in the nets outside of team practice, it inspires them to be like him.
“With the extra work he puts in, he helps cultivate a good work ethic and self-discipline among the school’s cricketers.”
Lagadien shared what ignited his passion for the sport: “My earliest memory of cricket was playing mini cricket for Ottoman (a cricket club in Cape Town). Ever since then I felt that cricket is for me, as it made me feel comfortable and happy,” he said.
That’s the past, but what lies in his future? “In the next five years, I want to make my Western Province men’s debut,” Lagadien shared. “In my personal life, I want to finish studying psychology and giving back to my community in any way I can.”
In the present, he has identified areas of his game on which he feels he needs to work. “Fitness is something I’m working on and can improve,” he reckoned. “I think when it comes to cricket, fitness plays a big role, as the fitter you are, the longer you stay focused.
“Another thing, from a batting point of view, is playing the pull shot. I think it’s just not one of my strengths, but I’m working on it.”
Adnaan Lagadien has set himself high standards, and he is intent on fulfilling his potential.
In Bloemfontein, from 16-21 December, he’ll be aiming to again be an influential contributor by leading Province’s title defence from the top of the order, with authority.
Westville captain Kyle McGough produced a superb innings in the final of the Switch Schools SA20 – Volume Two competition to lead his team to the KZN Coastal title. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Westville Boys’ High succeeded Northwood as the KZN Coastal champion of the Switch Schools SA20– Volume Two competition by beating the Knights by 50 runs in the final on Bowden’s Field, at Westville, on Saturday.
It was an outstanding win for the Griffins, who had staged a superb fightback to edge out Durban High School (DHS) by three wickets, with two balls to spare, in the semi-finals.
Northwood, meanwhile, had everything go their way in a 10-wicket win over Clifton College, which they achieved with a massive 12.3 over to spare.
Westville’s win in the title game was built upon two outstanding partnerships – for the first and second wickets – which produced just one run less than Northwood would go on to total in their innings.
Kai Cotton and Aidan Baudach put on 53 for the opening stand in just over seven overs before Ross McGlashan smartly stumped Cotton for 13 from 21 balls, with two fours, off the bowling of leg spinner Max Nicholson.
Cotton’s exit, however, didn’t ease up the pressure on Northwood, with Westville captain Kyle McGough immediately settling in and taking the attack to the Knights. He and Baudach spent eight overs together and lifted Westville to 107 before Baudach, a ball after reaching his fifty, holed out to Northwood captain Jamie Wimble on the long off boundary.
The Westville wicketkeeper had done a fine job by then, though. He faced 49 balls, dispatched four of them for four, and another for six.
With less than five overs remaining in their innings, and with eight wickets in hand, Westville hit out. Tristin Delvin perished for one, going for a big shot, while Liam de Villiers blasted Hamza Amla for a six, but was bowled the next ball by the left-arm spinner for seven from five.
Misbah Nair launched a sweetly timed six 20 metres over the long on boundary off Thabiso Mtambo, but when he caught an inside edge onto his pads and wasn’t sure where the ball had fallen, Mtambo raced down the pitch, snatched it up, and ran out Nair for eight from four.
Luca Roddan was unfortunate to be run out without scoring. Coming back for a second in pursuit of more runs, he was done in by a direct hit from Wimble, who threw down the wickets from the boundary.
Kyle McGough, though, was still powering along, and he smashed a couple of sixes to help boost his team to 159/6 after their 20 overs. He was 59 not out from just 38 deliveries, with five fours and two sixes. Ewan du Toit finished with two not out.
The Northwood bowlers came in for some stick, but Hamza Amla, with 2/13 in two, slowed the home side’s batsmen a touch. Thabiso Mtambo bowled better than his return of 1/27 from four might suggest.
If the Knights were to challenge Westville, they, like their opponent, would need a good start, but they didn’t get it, with Aarin Rasmussen damaging the visitors’ response early on. He bowled superbly, maintaining an outstanding line and length, which forced the Northwood batsmen to play within a limited arc.
Wicketkeeper Aidan Baudach celebrated the fall of Thomas Oosthuizen, who was bowled by Aarin Rasmussen. Photo: Brad Morgan.
He caught and bowled opener, David de Bruyn for one, and then bowled the dangerous Thomas Oosthuizen for a duck, leaving Northwood on 14/1 in the second over.
Ross McGlashan, meanwhile, gave the Northwood innings a boost, with anything that was bowled onto middle and leg getting the treatment. But he saw his captain and another dangerous hitter, Jamie Wimble, also removed for only a single.
Lwandile Bulose did the trick, having Wimble caught by Rasmussen at extra cover off the first ball he bowled. That left the visitors on 34/3 in the fifth over.
McGlashan and Josh Mills added only four more runs before McGlashan was out for 31 from 16, which featured four well-timed sixes.
Mills and Luc Boyall batted sensibly to restore some stability to Northwood’s innings, sharing a 41-run stand before Mills was run out for 21 from 21. When Boyall followed five runs later, caught and bowled Tristin Delvin for 19, the writing was on the wall.
Hamza Amla hit out, blasting left-arm spinner Ewan du Toit for a six, but Du Toit struck back, having Amla caught for 14 from 15, which reduced Northwood to 104/7. That was the beginning of the end.
Thabiso Mtambo was stumped off the bowling of Du Toit for a single. Then, Misbah Nair wrapped up the innings. He bowled Keegan Reeves for seven and then trapped Max Nicholson LBW for one as Northwood slid to 109 all out. They had lost their last four wickets for only five runs.
Aarin Rasmussen was the pick of the Westville bowlers, snapping up 3/16 in four, while Ewan du Toit returned 2/16 in three, and Misbah Nair put a bow on the Westville win with 2/8 in 1.5 overs.
The joy of victory! Westville Boys’ High celebrates winning the KZN Coastal Switch Schools SA20 title. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Both Westville and Northwood will head up to Pietermaritzburg in January to contest phase two of the Switch Schools SA20 – Volume Two competition, also taking on St Charles College and Hilton College for the honour of representing KwaZulu-Natal in the national final.
Northwood had their way with Clifton College in the semi-finals, with 18 wides the only blemish in their 10-wicket victory in which they struggled to adjust to the hard pink cricket ball.
The Knights won the toss and chose to field first, and that was the right option.
Keegan Reeves bowled Muhammed Malek in the third over for six before Yusuf Ahmed and Hayden Drieselmann shared a 40-run stand for the second wicket. When Drieselmann was caught by Thomas Oosthuizen off the bowling of Josh Mills for 29, which had featured three fours and six, Clifton’s innings fell apart, with Shiraz Perumal bowled by Mills the very next ball.
An over later, Clifton stuttered to 57/4, when Ahmed was LBW to Thabiso Mtambo. Northwood had the bit between their teeth, and they enjoyed consistent success with the ball.
Clifton’s next six wickets generated only 35 runs and after 15.4 overs they were bowled out for a modest 92. Apart from Drieselmann’s 29, only Yusuf Ahmed and Caleb Naicker, who both made 10, reached double figures.
Northwood’s bowlers shared the wickets around. Luc Boyall snared 2/8 in two overs, Keegan Reeves knocked back 2/12 in 2.4, and Josh Mills bagged 2/13 in two.
Ross McGlashan top scored for Northwood in both of their games and scored his runs at a healthy clip. Photo: Brad Morgan.
From the first ball of their innings, the Knights went on the attack, with Ross McGlashan leading the charge. Clifton had no answers to the onslaught. McGlashan and David de Bruyn, with controlled power hitting, took the Clifton attack apart.
McGlashan bashed three sixes and seven fours in his unbeaten 55 from just 29 deliveries, while De Bruyn struck two fours and two sixes in his 31 not out from only 18 balls.
After only 7.3 overs, Northwood had won.
Westville Boys’ High vs Durban High School
On Bowden’s, DHS posted 130/3 after winning the toss and batting first against Westville Boys’ High. Their innings included a 75-run second wicket partnership between opening batsman Sulaimaan Jadwat and number three batsman, Josh van Biljon, in 12.1 overs.
At just better than a run a ball, it was more solid than spectacular, and Westville did a good job of dealing with the pressure of their bowlers going unrewarded for a long time. The stand was eventually ended when Kai Cotton caught Jadwat off the bowling of Liam de Villiers for 40. He had faced 47 deliveries and hit three fours.
The Griffins did a good job of containing Jadwat’s replacement, Taine Havermann, limiting him to only 13 not out from 18 balls, while Van Biljon fell to the last ball of the innings, out for 62 from 50 balls, two of which he had dispatched for six, while he sent another five to the boundary.
Kyle McDowell returned 1/5 from two overs as Westville used nine bowlers. The only other wicket-takers were Liam de Villiers, with 1/19 from three, and Misbah Nair, with 1/23 from three.
Westville’s reply began steadily enough, with Kai Cotton and Aidan Baudach putting on 27 for the first wicket before Baudach was caught by wicketkeeper Van Biljon off of Josh Morley for eight.
Tristan Quail bowled superbly, and his outstanding four-wicket haul would more often than not been a match-winning effort, but Westville weathered the storm and pulled through to record a tight win. Photo: Brad Morgan.
The Griffins hit headwinds, however, when leg-spinner, Tristan Quail, was introduced into the DHS attack. He bowled beautifully, exhibiting a good use of flight, along with a tidy line and length, and some turn, which caused the home side all kinds of problems. The next four wickets to fall all went his way.
Kyle McDowell was out for four, trapped in front, Cotton was also LBW, for 22, which included three fours. Misbah Nair was caught by Muhammad Asmall off Quail for two, and Liam de Villiers found Sulaimann Jadwat and was caught for nine, which included a towering six.
Quail’s superb spell put DHS in the driving seat, with Westville on 63/5 after 12.3 overs after De Villiers lost his wicket. The hosts, though, kept their composure and kept fighting, with left-hander Tristin Delvin leading the resistance.
He and Luca Roddan added 19 runs before Roddan was caught by Havermann of Aktar Basha for 13 from just 10 balls. The very next ball, Basha bowled Ewan du Toit, which left Westville floundering on 82/7 with 31 balls remaining in their innings. They needed 49 runs to win.
The fact that they made it with two balls to spare had plenty to do with Delvin, but also with Aarin Rasmussen, who was a fine foil to Delvin’s clean striking. They constructed an unbroken stand of 51 runs to deliver Westville to a thrilling victory in the last over of the contest.
Tristin Delvin hits out in his crucial unbeaten 44, which lifted Westville to victory over DHS. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Delvin was the star of the show, cracking four fours and a six in his unbeaten 44 from 33 balls. Rasmussen, meanwhile, chipped in with 17 not out from 15, with two fours.
It had, at one point, appeared likely that Westville would miss out on the final on their home field, but they held it together and pulled through with a courageous, battling effort to make it into the title decider.
Quail captured 4/17 from his four overs, while Aktar Basha claimed 2/11 in two, but Westville enjoyed success against the DHS opening bowlers, Josh Morley and Bonga Maphanga, towards the end of the innings to scramble their way to the win.
Summarised scorecards
Westville Boys’ High 159/6 (Kyle McGough 59*, Aidan Baudach 51; Hamza Amla 2/13); Northwood 109/10 (Ross McGlashan 31, Josh Mills 21; Aarin Rasmussen 3/16, Misbah Nair 2/8, Ewan du Toit 2/16). Westville won by 50 runs.
Clifton College 92/10 (Hayden Drieselmann 29; Luc Boyall 2/8, Keegan Reeves 2/12, Josh Mills 2/13); Northwood 93/0 (Ross McGlashan 55*, David de Bruyn 31*). Northwood won by 10 wickets.
Durban High School 130/3 (Josh van Biljon 62, Sulaimann Jadwat 40); Westville Boys’ High 133/7 (Tristin Delvin 44*, Kai Cotton 22; Tristan Quail 4/17, Aktar Basha 2/11). Westville won by three wickets.
Playing away from home, Stellenberg High won the toss and opted to bat first against Paarl Gimnasium in a T20 on Friday afternoon. That decision didn’t pay off.
The home side restricted Stellies to a low total and Gimmies then smashed their way to an emphatic nine-wicket win with plenty of balls to spare.
While the Jade Brigade initially struggled to get going, JJ Rothman’s arrival at 26/3 produced some sturdy resistance. The Stellenberg skipper cracked three fours and a six in a defiant innings of 33 runs from 38 balls. Around him, though, his fellow batsmen exited in quick succession.
After Rothman’s dismissal, the visitors fell to 96/8. They went on to complete their 20 overs on 107/9.
The Paarl Gim bowlers shared the wickets around, with Beon Swanepoel taking 2/16 in four overs, De Waal Vivier 2/17, and Charles King 2/18, also both in four.
Faced with a moderate total, Gim’s Wiaan Munnik and Matt Dippenaar went hard at the Stellies’ bowlers.
Dippenaar faced 37 balls, striking five fours and two sixes, before retiring hurt for an impactful 51. Munnik, meanwhile, went unbeaten, thumping two fours and two maximums in his 41 off 34. Together, the duo added 95 runs for the second wicket.
Aidan Pienaar claimed the sole wicket to fall when he had Beon Swanepeol caught by John Naudé for six.
When Gim overhauled Stellenberg High’s total, they had 36 balls still in hand.
Summarised Scorecards
Paarl Gimnasium 113/1 (Matt Dippenaar 51*, Wiaan Munnik 41*); Stellenberg High 107/9 (JJ Rothman 33; Beon Swanepoel 2/16, De Waal Vivier 2/17, Charles King 2/18). Paarl Gimnasium won by nine wickets.
KZN Inland champs! St Charles College comfortably beat Hilton College in the final of the Switch Schools SA20 – Volume Two phase one competition. Photo: Justin Waldman Sports Photography.
In 2024, Hilton Collegewon the KZN Inland Schools SA20 competition, beating Maritzburg College at home in the final. On Saturday, they took on St Charles College at Saintsin the final of the KZN Inland Switch Schools SA20 – Volume Two competition, and, once again, it was the home side that won.
St Charles did it in style, with the Pietermaritzburg school becoming the KZN Inland champion by dominating Hilton and racing to an eight-wicket victory with 12 overs to spare.
When Robert Burman, the Hilton captain, called incorrectly, Saints’ captain Thandolwethu Zama opted to bowl first, and the home side made it count. Only one of the first seven Hilton batsmen made it into double figures.
The problem for the visitors was that they lost wickets in clumps.
Their first went down on 12, when Sean Burman was caught by Connor Vogt off the bowling of Ryan Clarke for 10 from nine balls. Unfortunately for Hilton, that contribution was the second largest of their innings alongside Benoit Rey, who came in ninth in the order.
After losing their first wicket on 12, Hilton lost three more for the addition of only 10 runs, leaving them reeling on 22/4.
Barack Munawa was out for two, caught by Caleb Sharp off Vogt’s bowling, while Ben Wilson also made two and became the first of Kaiyuran Naidoo‘s four victims. Sharp, meanwhile, removed Cameron Hargroves for one, caught by Zama.
St Charles’ spin bowler Kaiyuran Naidoo had Hilton College’s number, snaring four wickets to destroy the visitors’ batting effort. Photo: Justin Waldman Sports Photography.
Luke Wilson and James Peattie lifted the total to 33 before Wilson was caught and bowled by Naidoo for seven. Another mini collapse followed, with Hilton slipping to 38/7 after Naidoo also removed Sange Qangule and James Peattie cheaply.
Robert Burman and Benoit Rey stopped the rot at last, if only temporarily, partnering for 22 runs for the eighth wicket before Rey’s resistance was ended by Zama executing a run out.
Burman stuck it out and helped to advance the total to 76 before he was out for the innings’ highest score of 21, which had included two fours. His brother, Sean, had scored the only other boundary of Hilton’s innings.
The visitors made it through their 20 overs, finishing on 79/9, but a victory target that required St Charles to bat at only four runs per over appeared to be a rather simple task.
Saints’ openers, Thandolwethu Zama and Matthew Weightman, soon made that appraisal appear accurate. They took the attack to the Hilton bowlers, Zama especially, and almost overhauled Hilton’s total all by themselves.
As the victory target of 80 came into view, Zama recognising that he needed only four runs to complete 1 000 for the season, chose to hit out in an effort to reach that massive milestone. It backfired and he was caught off the bowling of Cameron Hargroves for a two-runs-a-ball 46, which had featured four sixes and three fours.
Opening batsman Thandolwethu Zama made light work of the 80-run victory target with an aggressive and effective knock. Photo: Justin Waldman Sports Photography.
Hargroves, also, removed Keegan Vermaak without scoring, but the game was already pretty much done and dusted and St Charles soon clinched victory.
Weightman was 28 not out, with a six and four fours, while Ryan Clarke was unbeaten on four.
Hargroves, the only Hilton College bowler to enjoy success, finished with 2/17 from two overs. Not only was he the lone bowler to pick up wickets, but he was also Hilton’s most economical bowler, even though he went at 8.5 runs per over.
Both St Charles College and Hilton College will, nonetheless, have a shot at representing KwaZulu-Natal at the national finals of the Switch Schools SA20 – Volume Two competition next year. They’ll take on Westville Boys’ High and Northwood for that honour in Pietermaritzburg in January 2026.
Summarised scorecard
Hilton College 79/9 (Robert Burman 21; Kaiyuran Naidoo 4/11, Caleb Sharp 2/20); St Charles College 81/2 (Thandolwethu Zama 46, Matthew Weightman 28*; Cameron Hargroves 2/17). St Charles College won by eight wickets.
Dr. Estienne Cronjé, the Director of Urban Academy and the President and founder of the Urban Academy Football Club. Photo: Supplied.
The Urban Academy Private School, in Gqeberha, is one of the fastest-growing schools in South Africa. Although it was founded only 13 years ago, in 2012, it has already established a reputation for academic and sporting excellence.
In September, Urban Academy the founding of a new club, the Urban Academy Football (UAFC), which will be up and running in 2026.
Next year, too, the Urban Academy Super Soccer Schools Tournament will unfold with competition at provincial level, with the top three from each province qualifying for the finals in Gqeberha in August.
SuperSport Schools Plus spoke with Dr. Estienne Cronjé, the Director of Urban Academy and President of the UAFC, about the tournament, including its vision and objectives.
The first edition of the tournament was a success, Cronjé said. De Kuilen High School, from Cape Town, was crowned the u19 boys’ champion, while Alexander Road High School, from Gqeberha, won the u19 girls’ title.
“It was an incredible season, especially with the broadcasting support from SuperSport Schools,” Cronjé said. “So many students, some who have never had the chance to play on a broadcast field, finally got visibility, and the atmosphere was unbelievable.
“Our stats for this season were only three provinces. In 2026, we are planning to invite schools from all provinces.
“The total number of matches played this year is as follows: 136, and 59 games were broadcast by SuperSport Schools. Our social reach across all our social media platforms [Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram] for the tournament was 12 547 925,” Cronjé revealed.
He said he was proud of Urban Academy’s vision of uniting South African schools, including those from privileged and disadvantaged backgrounds, on a single field, thus fostering a passion for football, along with unity and a sense of belonging.
During this year’s tournament, international scouts and eight local scouts were invited to witness South African schools’ talent. Among those in attendance were Mark Tommy, the Sports Manager at Nelson Mandela University; Elrio Van Heerden, the Head Coach of the Nelson Mandela University Football Team; Godfrey Tenoff, the Sports Manager from the University of Free State; and Kyle Zenoni, a former player and current Head Coach of the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks men’s soccer team.
Kagan Assam, Headmaster of Urban Academy and Director of Urban Football Club Academy. Photo: Supplied.
Cronjé said Urban Academy doesn’t profit from scouted students, adding that scouts must seek permission from coaches before contacting players or parents. The reasons for that, he said, were professionalism, safety, and transparency.
“This is the heart of our tournament, providing and creating a platform for an opportunity. A player needs just one moment, one match, and one set of eyes on them to change their entire future,” Cronjé explained.
The tournament will be even bigger in 2026, he enthused. “We are introducing a new category, the u16 boys’ division, and for the first time, every field not covered by SuperSport Schools will be broadcast through our own AI cameras, ensuring as many games as possible are seen. That’s part of our drive for equal exposure.
“We remain committed to gender equality, so from 2026, all prizes, exposure, and opportunities will be 100 percent equal between boys and girls.
“We’ll once again include interviews with players, coaches, managers, and principals, as well as the national gala for principals, coaches, managers, and captains, followed by a braai for all teams on the first day of the tournament.”
Over 130 teams have requested entry for the 2026 tournament, with many having already confirmed their participation, including, among others, Wynberg Girls’ High, Urban Academy, De Kuilen High, CBC Mount Edmund, St Patrick’s CBC, Selly Park Secondary, Lowveld High, Pinelands High, Linkside High, Theodor Herzl High, Bridge House, Phandulwazi High, Westview School, and Saints Christian School.
Cronjé also thanked sponsors and partners. They made the tournament possible, he stated, and welcomed any organisation interested in being a part of the tournament to approach him.
“On a bigger note, we’ve been working for almost a year on registering the business and the tournament in the United States, with plans to expand into the US between 2028 and 2030.
“The goal is to have their top 10 nationally ranked SSS schools compete against South Africa’s top 10 for an international title on South African soil.
“Believe it or not, the full travel and stay package to SA is more valuable and affordable than 80 percent of their own tournaments, and that’s coming from the various schools we have been talking to, to start the pipeline,” Cronjé told SuperSport Schools Plus.
He also said Urban Academy will be launching a digital platform to enhance school football experiences and resources for players.
The Super Soccer Schools Tournament entries close at the end of January. Many schools will finalise their entries when they reopen next year. Only 16 spots per category per province are available, with the top three qualifying for nationals.
With all provinces included, Cronjé said that he expects over 1 000 matches to be played in 2026. The prize pot, including all medals, trophies, and monetary awards, will exceed R350 000.
The Urban Academy Football Team has shown impressive growth over the past two years in the Eastern Cape. This photograph captures their celebration at the 2023 Victoria Park Soccer Tournament in Gqeberha. Since then, they have aimed to compete nationally with top football schools. Photo: Siya Pongco.
“As with this year, the top three per category at Nationals get free access to BeBrilliant Academy,” the Urban Academy Director said. It is an online platform for a player or an immediate family member to do soft skill development that helps boost CVs, and which improves the chances of people getting hired. They may do any two courses of the 160 courses available.
“This is part of Urban Academy’s purpose and vision of opportunities and community upliftment,” Cronjé explained.
“We’re also building a fantastic long-term relationship with a major sponsor [still in the negotiation phase], which will help us grow the tournament into one of the biggest developmental sporting events in South Africa, one where opportunities are unlocked and futures are shaped,” he concluded.
Provincial Playoff and Qualifiers
Western Cape – 10-12 April – Pinelands High
Northern Cape – 19-19 April – St Patrick’s CBC – Kimberley
Free State – 17-19 April – University of the Free State
Eastern Cape – 24-26 April – Urban Academy
Gauteng – 8-10 May – CBC Mount Edmund
North West – 8-10 May – Selly Park Secondary School
Limpopo and Mpumalanga – 15-17 May – Lowveld High
KwaZulu-Natal – 26-28 June – Venue/Host: TBC
NB: The Nationals Finals of the tournament are scheduled to take place from 7-10 August at Urban Academy, in Gqeberha
List of all entries thus far
The Vaal High School – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
Bergsig Academy – Boys u16, Boys u19
Heathfield High School – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
Saints Christian School – Boys u16, Girls u19
Selly Park Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
Kimberley Girls High School – Girls u19
Oscar Mpetha High School – Boys u19
Roedean School (SA) – Girls u19
Mokwatedi – Boys u16, Boys u19
Tetlanyo High School – Boys u19
Stutterheim High School – Boys u19
Umvuzo Secondary School – Boys u19
Bridge House School – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
Relebohile Sibulele Combined School – Boys u19
Acudeo College Thornview Secondary – Boys u16
Bainsvlei Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
Absolute Hope Academy – Boys u16, Boys u19
Ayanda Senior Secondary School – Boys u19
Cofimvaba S.S.S – Boys u16, Boys u19
Crystal Park High School – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
Douglas High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Emdeni Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Emmanuel Secondary School – Boys u19
Esokwazi Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Funda Secondary School – Boys u19
Glenhaven Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Good Hope Secondary School – Boys u19
Gugulethu Comprehensive High School – Boys u19
Hans Kekana Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Harrismith Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Helen Bowden Nursing College – Girls u19
Highveld Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Hoërskool Kathu – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
Holy Trinity High School – Girls u19
Iqhayiya High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Ithetha School – Boys u16
John Bisseker Senior Secondary School – Boys u19
Jongilizwe Technical School – Boys u19
Kangala High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Kgomotso High School – Boys u19
Khwezana S.S.S – Boys u19
Kingsridge High School – Girls u19
Klipfontein View Primary School – Boys u16
Koekenaap High School – Boys u19
Komani High School – Boys u19
Kouga Sports School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Kwamandla High School – Boys u19
KwaNobuhle High School – Boys u19
Kwanomzamo High School – Boys u19
Letlhabile Primary School – Boys u16
Lilyfontein High School – Boys u19, Girls u19
Lukhanyo High School – Boys u19
Lulekani High School – Boys u19
Lusemanzi High School – Boys u19
Mabatho High School – Boys u19
Mahlontebe Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Makhuvha Secondary School – Boys u19
Mamelodi High School – Boys u19
Maphutha High School – Boys u19
Masiphumelele High School – Boys u19
Masizakhe High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Mbekweni Secondary School – Boys u19
Mdantsane High School – Boys u19
Mhlontlo High School – Boys u19
Midrand High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Mncube Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Mnqanduli High School – Boys u19
Moses Mabhida High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Mothotlung Primary – Boys u16
Mpheko High School – Boys u19
Mthatha Technical High School – Boys u19
Mthimkhulu High School – Boys u19
Mzinoni High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Ndzondelelo High School – Boys u19
Ngangelizwe High School – Boys u19
Ngqeleni High School – Boys u19
Nkqubela High School – Boys u19
Nonzame High School – Boys u19
Ntsonkotha High School – Boys u19
Paballong High School – Boys u19
Paterson High School – Boys u19
Pearson High School – Boys u19
Phakamisa High School – Boys u19
Phalaborwa Rise – Boys u16
Philippi High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Qhayiya High School – Boys u19
Queensburgh High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Qumbu High School – Boys u19
Reddersburg High School – Boys u19
Rhodes High School – Boys u19
Richmond High School – Boys u19
Rista Primary – Boys u16
Samora Machel S.S.S – Boys u19
Sasolburg High School – Boys u19
Saxonsea Secondary – Boys u19
Sebe Secondary School – Boys u19
Senqu Secondary School – Boys u19
Setotolwane Secondary – Boys u16
Sibabalwe S.S.S – Boys u19
Siphumelele Secondary School – Boys u19
Sipho Maseko S.S.S – Boys u19
SJ Van der Merwe Technical – Boys u16, Boys u19
Sondla High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Southview High School – Boys u19
Springfield Convent Senior School – Girls u19
Swellendam High School – Boys u19
Tembisa Secondary School – Boys u19
Thandokhulu High School – Boys u19
Thandolwethu High School – Boys u19
Thembalabantu High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Thomas Ntaba High School – Boys u19
Thubalethu High School – Boys u19
Tlokwe Secondary School – Boys U/19
Tsako Thabo High School – Boys u19
Tselanyane High School – Boys u19
Tulani Secondary School – Boys u19
Umlazi ComTech – Boys u19
Umthombo S.S.S – Boys u19
Vastrap Primary – Boys u16
Vezubuhle Secondary School – Boys u19
Vulamazibuko Secondary – Boys u19
Warrenton High School – Boys u19
Wesbank High School – Boys u19
Windsor High School – Boys u19
Wittedrift High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Wynberg Girls’ High School – Girls u19
Idutywa School of Excellence – Boys u19, Girls u19
Masibambane Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
Fezekile Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
Voorbrug Secondary High School – Boys u19
Gamagara High School – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
South Peninsula High School – Boys u19, Girls u19
Vuvumutshena Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
St Andrew’s delivered a polished performance to defeat Grey High and lift the Eastern Province Switch Schools SA20 – Volume Two title. Photo: Supplied.
Rhys Wiblin produced a sensational all-round performance to steer St Andrew’s College to a comfortable 24-run win over Grey High in the final of the Eastern Province leg of the Switch Schools SA20 – Volume Two tournament.
Wiblin, the St Andrew’s captain, won the toss at Nelson Mandela University, in Gqeberha, on Friday afternoon and elected to bat first.
He, then, struck a rapid unbeaten half-century to shepherd his side to 174/4 in their 20 overs and followed that up with a tidy three-wicket haul to help restrict Grey High to 150/8 in reply.
Wiblin, who was recently included in the Eastern Province Khaya Majola side, struck nine fours and a pair of sixes in his unbeaten 87, which came off of only 56 balls.
He and Thomas Lake, who made 18, set St Andrew’s on course for a healthy total with a splendid 53-run opening partnership off 50 balls. Grey High fought by capturing three wickets for 21 runs from 3.5 overs, courtesy of good bowling from Matthew Marshbank and Matthew Tinley.
St Andrew’s counterpunched with a 32-run fourth wicket stand between Wiblin and Callum Taggart, who chipped in with 15. Their partnership proved to be the launching pad St Andrew’s needed as they headed into the death overs.
After Taggart exited, Wiblin and William Stevens unleashed a reign of terror upon the Grey High bowlers, adding 68 runs from only 26 balls to catapult St Andrew’s to a total that proved to be unassailable.
Both batsmen were aggressive and effective, with Wiblin blasting 31 runs from 12 balls during their unbroken fifth-wicket stand, while Stevens clubbed 32 from 14.
Set a target of 8.9 runs per over to win, Grey High suffered an early setback, losing their first wicket in the second over of their reply. They never quite found their way back into the contest.
Cullen Marais did his best to hold things together, but the fact that his other partners were scoring at a strike rate below 100 meant that his 27-ball 35 didn’t boost Grey High’s run chase enough.
Anfred Jansen, who made it to the crease in the 11th over, gave the Grey High innings some impetus with a gutsy 16-ball 30. However, the local side was behind the required run rate, and they were unable to close the gap
Jansen’s stay lasted only 3.2 overs, and it was cut short by Thomas Bussiahn, who has developed a knack for taking crucial wicketsfor St Andrew’s. He also accounted for Marais, Grey’s top scorer.
However, Wiblin was the most successful of the St Andrew’s College bowlers, with his leg spin undoing the Grey High middle order. He dismissed Matthew Marshbank and LoganGoddard-Ford before they settled in, on his way to a decisive return of 3/17 from four overs.
Thomas Bussiahn and James Badenhorst grabbed two wickets apiece, while Oli Whitaker nabbed one.
Summarised Scorecard
St Andrew’s College 174/4 (Rhys Wiblin 87*, William Stevens 32*; Matthew Tinley 2/33, Matthew Marshbank 1/24). Grey High 150/8 (Cullen Marais 35, Anfred Jansen 30; Rhys Wiblin 3/17, James Badenhorst 2/18, Thomas Bussiahn 2/39) St Andrew’s won by 24 runs.
Nicola is aangewys as beste verdediger by die Wildeklawer toernooi.
Wanneer topverdedigers in skolenetbal ter sprake kom, staan die naam Nicola van Heerden voorop.
Dié ster van Paarl Gimnasium het in graad een haar eerste tree op ’n netbalbaan gegee, destyds slegs aangesien dit die wintersport was waarvoor sy ingeskryf was. Met elke jaar wat verbygegaan het, het die sport egter vir haar veel meer geword as bloot ’n aktiwiteit.
Dit het ’n gemeenskap geword, ‘n plek waar sy behoort, groei, verbind en floreer. Daardie samehorigheidsgevoel en groter doel is wat haar liefde vir die spel laat ontbrand het.
‘n Verdediger wat die spel lees soos min…
Nicola is in haar element wanneer sy verdedig – dit is daar waar sy die vrugte pluk van ure se harde werk en oefening, nie net haar eie nie, maar ook dié van haar span. Om ’n wedstryd te kan swaai met ’n deurslaggewende omkeer van besit of ’n strategiese lees van die spel, is waaroor dit vir haar gaan.
“Om daardie tipe impak te kan maak is baie spesiaal,” sê sy, en haar spel wys dit elke keer.
Een van haar uitstaande oomblikke van die seisoen was teen Oranje tydens die jaarlikse derby, waar haar briljante lees van die spel ’n beduidende rol gespeel het in haar span se momentum. Dit het ook as die perfekte voorbereiding gedien vir die Wildeklawer-toernooi. ’n Verdere hoogtepunt was die Gauteng-wedstryd by die TNC, waar sy op HV gekies is en haarself bewys het as ’n verdediger van formaat.
Paarl Gim se eerste span bestaan uit uiteenlopende persoonlikhede, maar juis daarin lê hul krag. Nicola onthou hoe haar spanmaats mekaar voortdurend gedra het, op goeie én slegte dae. Wanneer sy ’n afdag beleef het, het die span haar gemotiveer en aangevul.
“Hulle het gesorg dat dit wat ek nie kon doen nie, gedoen word,” vertel sy met waardering. Hierdie kultuur van samehorigheid was die fondament van hul sukses.
Nicola het ambisie, vasbeslotenheid en ’n duidelike visie vir die pad vorentoe. Twee van haar grootste doelwitte is om Suid-Afrika op senior nasionale vlak te verteenwoordig en om professionele netbal oorsee te speel. Met haar talent, werksetiek en geestelike fokus, is dit duidelik dat sy stewig op pad is om hierdie drome waar te maak.
Aan jong netbalspelers het sy eenvoudige, maar kragtige raad: speel omdat jy daarvan hou, nie omdat jy voel jy móét nie. En onthou dat jy altyd vir iets groter as jouself speel – vir jou span, jou skool, jou provinsie en om die Here te eer met jou talente.
Sy leef self volgens die aanmoediging van een van haar afrigters: “Brand die skepe” en “Maak jou tenk leeg”. Gee alles. Elke keer. Of dit nou ’n wedstryd of ’n oefening is. Dit is ’n les wat sy ook in haar daaglikse lewe toepas.
Buite die baan is haar grootste inspirasie haar ma, ’n vrou met ’n indrukwekkende uithouvermoë, ’n werksetiek van 120%, en ’n hart vol omgee. “Sy maak klaar wat sy begin,” sê Nicola met trots.
Op die baan kyk sy op na haar afrigter, Juline van der Merwe, wie se passie vir netbal aansteeklik is. Juline het Nicola en haar span daagliks harder gedruk en altyd meer van hulle verwag, maar nooit op ’n wyse wat hulle oorweldig het nie. Sy het die perfekte balans gehandhaaf tussen dissipline en ondersteuning, en dit het Nicola geleer om enige uitdaging, op of van die baan af, met vasberadenheid en wysheid aan te pak.
In that final day meeting, Lara Mervis and Kayla Andrews, both of Durban Girls’ College, scored four goals each, while Gemma Malherbe also contributed late to seal the win.
Marvis, the captain this year, and Malherbe, along with Inge Southey, are players from 2024’s unit in the 14-player squad set to do duty in Johannesburg.
“I am very excited for the event as a whole,” coach Wiid told SuperSport Schools Plus. “With it being the 50th edition of these IPTs, it’s a massive privilege to be a part of history.
“The ladies are looking forward to the water polo. For a lot of them, it is the highlight of the water polo calendar, and being able to represent their province at the highest level is something they are extremely excited about.”
While KZN missed out on a podium finish last year, they were not far off of it. They played some entertaining water polo but were also somewhat inconsistent.
It was in certain match situations that they let themselves down, like their inability to recover when under pressure, or their inability to put teams away when they had produced a dominant start.
In preparation for this year’s tournament, Wiid said the focus has been on playing as a unit. “So far, I have been pleased with the intensity at our sessions,” he added, and intensity is what they’ll need to better manage those match situations.
“As a coach, it’s very rewarding working at a provincial level, as naturally you have the opportunity to work with athletes who are already highly motivated and competitive with one another.
“This, coupled with the talent in the team, has made the training sessions and scrimmage matches extremely beneficial for the group. I personally love to focus on transition when it comes to gameplay.
“I enjoy fast-paced, counter-attacking water polo, with a major emphasis on playing together as a team with structured attacks.
“Without giving too much away, I’m looking forward to seeing how the ladies interpret my philosophy of the game and add their own creativity to it throughout the tournament.”
Inge Southey is one of the returning players from last year’s team in the KZN u19 side. Photo: Shot by Shani Photography
The team comprises players from five schools, with two producing the majority of the line-up. St Anne’s Diocesan College has six representatives, while Durban Girls’ College will be represented by five players.
The squad is completed by one player each from St Mary’s DSG (Kloof), Thomas More College, and Reddam House Umhlanga.
Coach Wiid says they’ve gelled well and are working brilliantly as a unit. “Fortunately, with the u19 age group, we have the luxury that, for most of these ladies, it is not their first provincial tournament, and many have been playing together throughout the various age groups.
“They are quite close outside of the water and often spend time together away from the water polo environment. This has allowed the culture in the team to remain very inclusive. and it enables us to push each other to improve at our training sessions without anybody feeling left out or targeted.”
The coach made the transition from boys’ to girls’ water polo this year. He’s keen to see how the province performs overall at the IPT. “I am extremely excited to see how well the province as a whole can do at this edition of the event,” he said.
“In the boys’ section, if we look at last year’s medal positions, KZN was the best-performing province, and, unfortunately, we were unable to win the overall trophy due to a couple of disappointing results on the girls’ side of the tournament.
“This year, we will be looking to take the trophy away from the tournament hosts and hopefully secure the overall best-performing province, which I don’t think KZN has won in a very long time.
“Of course, an achievement like this is never easy, but I feel that with the level of coaching and the talent pool available within our province, a goal such as this should be something we are striving for every year. There is an extremely high level of talent within our province, and it is spread throughout all of our age groups.”
The KZN u19 girls are drawn in Pool B and will open their campaign against Zimbabwe on Sunday, 7 December, at 11:10.
Westville Boys’ High secured their place in the KZN Coastal semi-finals of the Switch Schools SA20 – Volume Two competition on Thursday after a scoring comfortable 36-run win over Glenwood High. Westville skipper Kyle McGough led the way with a hard-hitting 73.
When Glenwood captain Kreesan Pillai called incorrectly at the coin clip, McGough opted to bat first on Bowden’s Field.
Wicketkeeper Aidan Baudach fell in the fourth over, but his fellow opener, Kai Cotton, and McGough, in at the fall of the first wicket, then set about the visitors’ bowling, adding 42 runs in four overs before Cotton was trapped LBW by left-arm spinner Esihle Gasa for 23 from 19 balls, which had included four fours.
Tristin Delvin tried to hit out early in his knock and was caught in the deep off Bayanda Xulu for five. McGough, though, was going well.
He was eventually out to the last ball of the 15th over, run out for 73 from 47 deliveries. He had struck seven fours and two sixes. While he was at the crease, Westville added exactly 100 runs in only 70 balls.
Despite McGough’s departure, Westville continued to race along, thanks mainly to an aggressive knock from Liam de Villiers. In just 12 balls, he smashed four sixes and a four, making 31, before trying one big shot too many and being bowled by Pillai.
De Villiers had, nonetheless, delivered an important boost to the Griffins‘ innings and, together with Misbah Nair, added 41 runs for the fifth wicket in only 19 balls.
Nair followed a run after the exit of De Villiers for 16 from 17, another victim of Pillai, which left Westville on 161/6.
They went on to finish on healthy 177/6 eight balls later.
Pillai, the Glenwood skipper, finished with 2/25 from his four overs, while Bayanda Xulu picked up 2/31 in three. Esihle Gasa came in for some stick towards the end of his spell, but he bowled well, returning 1/29 from four.
Glenwood faced a stiff required run rate of 8.9 per over to win and that tough task looked even tougher only three overs into their response when they were reduced to 7/2.
Never doubt the fighting spirit of the Green Machine, though, and Pillai and Mishael Gunawardana showed plenty of it as they advanced the total by 56 runs in nine overs.
Pillai was, then, unfortunate to lose his wicket. He received a loose and inviting full toss from left-arm spinner Tristin Delvin but didn’t get hold of it and was caught on the boundary by Misbah Nair. He had scored 32 from 38 balls, with three fours.
Gunawardana and Elgenio Oerson continued the fight, sharing a 39-run partnership before Oerson fell, caught by Delvin off the bowling of Nair for 17, which had included two sweetly struck straight sixes. That left Glenwood, on 102/4, needing 76 runs to win from only 29 balls.
In the scramble for boundaries and quick runs, they lost four more wickets, with Nair cashing in and grabbing three of them, including a smart stumping by Aidan Baudach, standing up to the medium pacer.
Lwandle Bulose, meanwhile, ended Mishael Gunawardana’s impressive innings, caught by Ashton Kidgell for 54 from only 43 balls, which had included five fours and two sixes.
Nair dismissed Neel Patel off the final ball of the innings to finish with an outstanding 4/20 from his four overs, with Glenwood limited to 141/8.
The opening bowlers, Kyle McGough and Aarin Rasmussen did a tidy job, claiming 1/6 in two and 1/8 in two respectively. Tristin Delvin chipped in with 1/7 in two, and Lwandle Bulose ended with 1/24 in four.
Action in the Switch Schools SA20 – Volume Two returns to Westville Boys’ High on Saturday, with Clifton College facing Northwood in the semi-finals, and Westville taking on Durban High School (DHS) in the second semi.
Summarised scorecard
Westville Boys’ High 177/6 (Kyle McGough 73, Liam de Villiers 32, Kai Cotton 23; Kreesan Pillai 2/25, Bayanda Xulu 2/31); Glenwood High 141/8 (Mishael Gunawardana 54, Kreesan Pillai 32; Misbah Nair 4/20). Westville Boys’ High won by 36 runs.
Playing away from home, Stellenberg High won the toss and opted to bat first against Paarl Gimnasium in a T20 on Friday afternoon. That decision didn’t pay off.
Westville Boys’ High secured their place in the KZN Coastal semi-finals of the Switch Schools SA20 – Volume Two competition on Thursday after a scoring comfortable 36-run win over Glenwood High. Westville skipper Kyle McGough led the way with a hard-hitting 73.