{"id":68134,"date":"2025-03-26T13:06:13","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T11:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=68134"},"modified":"2025-03-26T13:06:13","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T11:06:13","slug":"western-cape-teams-wary-of-coastal-cups-stiff-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=68134","title":{"rendered":"Western Cape teams wary of Coastal Cup’s “stiff competition”"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Parel
Parel Vallei is a talent-laden side which could make some noise at the Coastal Cup. Photo: Janco Saunders<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Parel Vallei High School<\/strong>, Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG)<\/strong>, and Paarl Boys’ High<\/strong> will represent the Western Cape at the Belgotex Coastal Cup<\/strong>, in Durban, this weekend.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Matches will be played at the Riverside Sports Club, from Friday to Monday,<\/p>\n

The competition will be as stiff as it has ever been, with some of the country’s top teams in action.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s another opportunity for the trio to get their systems in place, test combinations, and finalise their squads before the new season gets into full gear.<\/p>\n

SuperSport Schools Plus<\/a><\/strong> hockey writer, Avuyile Sawula<\/a><\/strong> caught up with the coaches of the Western Cape trio to get their insights, expectations, and thoughts ahead of the festival.<\/p>\n

Parel Vallei – Michael van Rensburg<\/strong><\/p>\n

Parel Vallei<\/a><\/strong>, under the guidance of coach Michael van Rensburg, is an intriguing team.<\/p>\n

They played their first matches at the Parel Vallei Hockey Festival<\/a><\/strong> earlier this month and scored three dominant victories, netting 13 times.<\/p>\n

Before heading to Durban, they faced Diocesan College (Bishops)<\/strong> at the Woodlands AstroTurf<\/strong> and made a massive statement, thumping the southern suburbs team 7-2.<\/p>\n

Coach Van Rensburg said he’s pleased with the preparations of his team, but there\u2019s still a lot of work to be done.<\/p>\n

“The boys have worked hard in preparation for the season ahead; I am happy with the way preparation has gone,” he said.<\/p>\n

“We are looking forward to travelling to Durban for the Coastal Cup, and we are expecting four tough games, with each team bringing its style of play, as well as its unique challenges.<\/p>\n

“As always, we are quietly optimistic as we go about our work.”<\/p>\n

\"Paul
Paul Roos Gimnasium’s Coastal Cup schedule will include a showdown with Durban High School, where their coach, Michael Baker, formerly led the hockey programme. Photo: Janco Saunders<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) \u2013 Michael Baker<\/strong><\/p>\n

Coach Michael Baker will return to familiar surroundings this weekend with his young and exciting team.<\/p>\n

Paul Roos<\/a><\/strong> has also made a promising start to the season while trying to find the right balance as young players are integrated into the team.<\/p>\n

At the Parel Vallei Festival, they breezed past Somerset College<\/strong>, Outeniqua<\/strong>, and Reddam House Constantia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Coastal Cup, however, will provide a different level of competition for Baker and his boys, and that’s a challenge they’re relishing.<\/p>\n

“We are super excited to get the season started with some competitive fixtures at the Coastal Cup,” he shared.<\/p>\n

“We don’t have one easy game. The four schools we are up against have great programmes and heads of hockey, so they will all be well-prepared for us. So as a neutral, you will be in for a treat.<\/p>\n

“Our preparation, for the most part, has been good. We have had numerous injuries and setbacks continuously, which has been disruptive. We are just excited to be tested properly and gain massive experience before the Cape season begins.”<\/p>\n

\"Paarl
Paarl Boys’ High sparkled at the Cape Co-Ed Festival. Photo: ES Media<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Paarl Boys’ High (Boishaai) \u2013 Rowan McLachlan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Paarl Boys’ High will head into the Coastal Cup feeling optimistic and confident after being properly tested in the pre-season.<\/p>\n

Coach Rowan McLachlan’s side participated in the Cape Co-Ed Festival this month and picked up three wins<\/a><\/strong> from four matches.<\/p>\n

Last week, they were tested at an unofficial pre-season festival by PRG, Wynberg Boys’ High<\/strong>, and Paarl Gimnasium<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

McLachlan said his side is excited to test itself against top teams in Durban.<\/p>\n

“I’m expecting stiff competition, as some of the best coaches in the country will all be facing off against each other, so there’s honestly no poor teams attending,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Every game will be fast-paced, with all teams looking to get the top result. I’m also excited to see what our u16 side can produce, given we have five u16s playing in the first team this year, so it’s going to be a good challenge for our youngsters as well.<\/p>\n

“All I’m expecting from my side is a process-driven attitude, one that never gives up and does not get caught up in uncontrollable situations. If we can get that right with our young side, then we\u2019re headed in the right direction.”<\/p>\n

FIXTURES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Friday, 28 March<\/strong><\/p>\n

15:00 – Parel Vallei vs Michaelhouse
\n16:30 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Clifton College
\n18:00 – Paul Roos vs Westville Boys’ High<\/p>\n

Saturday, 29 March<\/strong><\/p>\n

09:30 – Paul Roos vs St Alban’s College
\n14:00 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Glenwood
\n15:30 – Parel Vallei vs Menlopark
\n18:30 – Paul Roos vs Durban High School<\/p>\n

Sunday, 30 March<\/strong><\/p>\n

14:00 – Parel Vallei vs Garsfontein
\n17:00 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Durban High School
\n18:30 – Paul Roos vs Michaelhouse<\/p>\n

Monday, 31 March<\/strong><\/p>\n

09:30 – Parel Vallei vs Clifton College
\n11:00 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Westville Boys’ High<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Parel Vallei High School, Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG), and Paarl Boys’ High will represent the Western Cape at the Belgotex Coastal Cup, in Durban, this weekend. Matches will be played at the Riverside Sports Club, from Friday to Monday, The competition will be as stiff as it has ever been, with some of the country’s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":68149,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-68134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68134","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=68134"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68134\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/68149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=68134"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=68134"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=68134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}