{"id":70978,"date":"2025-04-29T12:01:05","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T10:01:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=70978"},"modified":"2025-04-29T12:01:05","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T10:01:05","slug":"western-cape-teams-out-to-make-their-mark-at-hibbert-shield","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=70978","title":{"rendered":"Western Cape teams out to make their mark at Hibbert Shield"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Paul
Paul Roos will have their sights set on a third Hibbert Shield title in succession. Photo: Janco Saunders<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The last three finals of the annual\u00a0 Standard Bank Hibbert Shield Hockey Tournament<\/strong><\/a>, hosted by Grey High School<\/strong>, in Gqeberha, were contested by Western Cape sides.<\/p>\n

In 2022, South African College High School (SACS)<\/strong> defeated Bishops [Diocesan College]<\/strong> 3-1 in the final to lift the title.<\/p>\n

A year later, SACS was dethroned by Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG), and the boys from Stellenbosch returned in 2024 to claim back-to-back titles after beating SACS<\/a><\/strong> again.<\/p>\n

Frankly, it’s been the Western Cape show at Hibbert, and the only team outside the province that’s won it is Grey High School<\/strong>, back in 2021.<\/p>\n

This year’s tournament takes place from Wednesday, 30 April, to Saturday, 3 May. Included in the lineup are five strong Western Cape teams: SACS, PRG, Bishops, Paarl Gimnasium<\/strong>, and debutants, Parel Vallei High School<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

SuperSport Schools Plus<\/a><\/strong> hockey writer Avuyile Sawula<\/strong> takes a deep dive into each team’s current form, what to expect from them, and key talking points.<\/p>\n

Paul Roos Gimnasium<\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s only fair to begin with PRG, the reigning champions of the Hibbert Shield and three-time winners of the tournament.<\/p>\n

Coach Michael Baker’<\/strong>s boys, whether they like it or not, are considered one of the favourites to win the title. They’ve had a good start to the season and are unbeaten, despite having been forced to grind out some victories and sometimes win ugly.<\/p>\n

It’s a young PRG side that coach Baker has at his disposal, but they’re showing character, fight, and a desire to win against all odds.<\/p>\n

The last time they were in action, they scored a 3-2 win over Bishops, in Cape Town. Believe it or not, that was Baker’s first win in the city since joining PRG at the beginning of 2024.<\/p>\n

They have some quality players in their arsenal, including skipper Christo Swanepoel<\/strong> and vice-captain Seth Paterson<\/strong>. Reuben Gouws<\/strong> and Caleb Cilliers<\/strong> scored against Bishops, and if they’re given any space, they’ll punish the opposition.<\/p>\n

It should also be an interesting tournament for goalkeeper Josh Boden<\/strong>, who will be called upon to make crucial saves more often than usual when needed.<\/p>\n

They might be a young team, but PRG will bring the heat to Gqeberha. They’ve been drawn in Pool B and will face Clifton College<\/strong>, Maritzburg College<\/strong>, and Selborne College<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Mohlodi
Mohlodi Maseko is in his first season with the SACS first team and will be out to impress at the Hibbert Shield. Photo: Cape Town International Hockey Tournament.<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SACS<\/strong><\/p>\n

The start of the 2025 schoolboy hockey season in the Western Cape has been strange, in the sense that we’ve barely seen SACS in action. They were on an international tour to The Netherlands<\/strong> while other teams were in local action.<\/p>\n

Last Friday, SACS played their first match on South African soil against Parel Vallei<\/strong> and won that game 4-1, away from home. Reece Theunis<\/a><\/strong> scored a brace while skipper Jo Le Roux<\/strong> also found the back of the net, along with Cameron Cordeiro<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

SACS played far from their best game, but they managed to win, which is something that’s in their DNA. They conceded first, but the comeback was strong, and they used their opportunities at the other end of the park.<\/p>\n

Coach Sam Holmes’s<\/strong> side also has a new face in the team, Daniel de Wet<\/strong>, who joined the school this year from Namibia’s Private School Swakopmund<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The boys in blue and white will also be boosted by the return of Litha Kraai<\/a><\/strong> and Matthew Lassen<\/strong>, who missed Saturday’s match while participating in the Junior Africa Cup<\/a><\/strong> in Windhoek.<\/p>\n

Their Pool A opponents – St Alban’s College<\/strong>, Pearson High<\/strong>, and Grey College<\/strong> – know they face a huge challenge from the Cape Town powerhouse.<\/p>\n

\"Paarl
Paarl Gimnasium is not to be underestimated at the Hibbert Shield. Photo: Irma Ferreira SPORT & EVENT photography<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Paarl Gimnasium<\/strong><\/p>\n

Paarl Gimnasium<\/strong> has put together some outstanding seasons in recent years, and it feels as if this could be another of them.<\/p>\n

Coached by the experienced Jacques Grobler<\/strong>, the boys from Paarl have enjoyed a steady start to the 2025 campaign and they’re coming into their own as it progresses.<\/p>\n

Festival hockey isn’t always an indicator of a team’s direction, and that was evident at the Founders Hockey Festival<\/a>, <\/strong>where they recorded a mixed bag of results.<\/p>\n

It’s in their derby clashes, however, where they’ve come alive. In the past three weeks, they’ve handed Affies <\/strong>a 4-1 defeat and beat Grey College 4-2 in Bloemfontein<\/a> <\/strong>in their most recent outing.<\/p>\n

Gim is a side that often flies under the radar; they don’t do too much talking, but they always turn up when a challenge awaits.<\/p>\n

They were considered the underdogs against Grey College because Grey produced a “promising” Nomads Hockey Festival<\/a><\/strong> showing in March. Again, though, coach Grobler\u2019s side rose to the occasion and did all their talking on the AstroTurf.<\/p>\n

What I\u2019m getting at is that this Paarl Gim side shouldn\u2019t be underestimated. They may not have the presence of a big star, like Litha Kraai, but their trust and belief in one another means they will come out firing as a unit.<\/p>\n

Gim is in Pool C and will face Grey High<\/strong>, Westville Boys’ High<\/strong>, and St Stithians College<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Parel
Parel Vallei will be chomping at the bit and eager to make their mark at the Hibbert Shield. Photo: Parel Vallei High School<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Parel Vallei High School<\/strong><\/p>\n

The term “surprise package” is often bandied about, and in 2025, Parel Vallei<\/a> <\/strong>could be given that title, although, given the quality in their ranks, their success is hardly a surprise.<\/p>\n

The boys from Somerset West will make their debut at the Hibbert Shield this year, and much is expected from them after a strong start to the season.<\/p>\n

Led by coach Michael van Rensburg<\/strong>, Parel Vallei is becoming a force to be reckoned with. Underestimate them at your peril!<\/p>\n

Their last outing might have resulted in a 1-4 loss to SACS, but there were many positives to take away from that game, including how they pressed and restricted SACS from scoring field goals. They also posed a threat when on the counterattack.<\/p>\n

The one element of their game coach Van Rensburg will want to work on is the ability of his charges to bounce back and remain in the fight after conceding early or surrendering a lead.<\/p>\n

Parel Vallei is blessed with some very talented players, including skipper JP van der Walt<\/strong>, Luka Meets, Stephan Malan,<\/strong> and Luca Jordan<\/strong>, who played his 50th game for the school last Friday.<\/p>\n

Their debut tournament will see them face Bishops<\/strong>, Ho\u00ebrskool Garsfontein<\/strong>, and Durban High School<\/strong> (DHS)<\/strong> in Pool D.<\/p>\n

\"Bishops
The Bishops’ 1st XI has been ascending as the season has progressed. They could be a dangerous opponent at the Hibbert Shield. Photo: St Alban’s College.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bishops [Diocesan College]<\/strong><\/p>\n

While the other Western Cape sides head to Hibbert in good form, Bishops will be aiming to make a big statement in Gqeberha.<\/p>\n

The southern suburbs’ team is slowly but surely finding its feet after a bumpy pre-season.<\/p>\n

They recorded some positive results at the Independent Schools Hockey Festival<\/a><\/strong> in Johannesburg, earlier this month, and topped that up with a win over Durbanville<\/strong> in the Western Cape league.<\/p>\n

A 2-3 loss against a high-quality opponent, Paul Roos,<\/strong> last weekend will hurt, but that result will also serve as encouragement to Bishops that they are there or thereabouts.<\/p>\n

Coach Ryan Julius<\/strong> was disappointed last year when they went down in the quarterfinals against Garsfontein<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0They will again face the Pretoria school this year in a pool match. No doubt, they would like to avenge that costly defeat.<\/p>\n

Bishops has a young team and one feels it’s only a matter of time before they find their rhythm, start clicking, and firing on all cylinders.<\/p>\n

Their Pool D opponents are Parel Vallei, Garsfontein, and Durban High School.<\/p>\n

GROUPS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pool A:<\/strong> SACS, St Alban’s College, Pearson High School, Grey College
\nPool B:<\/strong> Paul Roos Gimnasium, Clifton College, Maritzburg College, Selborne College
\nPool C:<\/strong> Grey High, Paarl Gimnasium, Westville Boys’ High, St Stithians College
\nPool D:<\/strong> Durban High School, Bishops Diocesan College, Parel Vallei, Ho\u00ebrskool Garsfontein<\/p>\n

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

Wednesday, 30 April<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grey High School<\/strong><\/p>\n

07:30<\/strong> – SACS vs St Alban’s College
\n08:45<\/strong> – Paul Roos vs Selborne College
\n10:15 <\/strong>– Grey High vs Paarl Gimnasium
\n11:30<\/strong> – DHS vs Bishops
\n13:00<\/strong> –\u00a0 Parell Vallei vs Garsfontein
\n14:15<\/strong> – Westville vs St Stithians College
\n15:45<\/strong> – SACS vs Pearson
\n17:00<\/strong> – Paul Roos vs Clifton College
\n19:00<\/strong> – Grey High vs St Stithians College<\/p>\n

Collegiate AstroTurf<\/strong><\/p>\n

09:00<\/strong> – Grey College vs Pearson
\n10:15<\/strong> – Maritzburg College vs Clifton College
\n18:15<\/strong> – DHS vs Garsfontein<\/p>\n

Thursday, 1 May\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grey High School<\/strong><\/p>\n

07:30<\/strong> – Selborne College vs Clifton College
\n08:45<\/strong> – SACS vs Grey College
\n10:15<\/strong> – Paul Roos vs Maritzburg College
\n11:30<\/strong> – Bishops vs Garsfontein
\n13:00<\/strong> – DHS vs Parel Vallei
\n14:15<\/strong> – Grey High vs Westville
\n15:45<\/strong> – St Alban’s College vs Grey College
\n17:00<\/strong> – Selborne College vs Maritzburg College
\n18:30<\/strong> – Bishops vs Parel Vallei<\/p>\n

Collegiate AstroTurf<\/strong><\/p>\n

08:00<\/strong> – Paarl Gimnasium vs Westville
\n09:45<\/strong> – Pearson High vs St Alban’s College
\n14:00<\/strong> – Paarl Gimnasium vs St Stithians College<\/p>\n

Friday, 2 May\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grey High School<\/strong><\/p>\n

07:30<\/strong> – 1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool D
\n08:45<\/strong> – 1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool C
\n10:15<\/strong> – 2nd Pool A vs 1st Pool D
\n11:30<\/strong> – 2nd Pool B vs 1st Pool C
\n15:00<\/strong> – Loser of quarterfinal 1
\n16:15<\/strong> – Loser of quarterfinal 2
\n17:45<\/strong> – Semifinal 1
\n19:00<\/strong> – Semifinal 2<\/p>\n

Collegiate AstroTurf<\/strong><\/p>\n

07:30<\/strong> – 3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool D
\n08:45 <\/strong>-3rd Pool B vs 4th Pool C
\n10:15 <\/strong>– 4th Pool A vs 3rd Pool D
\n11:30<\/strong> – 4th Pool B vs 3rd Pool C
\n15:00<\/strong> – Loser 3rd Pool A\/4th Pool D vs Loser 3rd Pool B vs 4th Pool C
\n16:15<\/strong> – Loser 4th Pool A vs 3rd Pool D vs Loser 4th Pool B vs 3rd Pool C
\n17:45<\/strong> – Winner 3rd Pool A\/4th Pool D vs Winner 3rd Pool B vs 4th Pool C
\n19:00<\/strong> -Winner 4th Pool A vs 3rd Pool D vs Winner 4th Pool B vs 3rd Pool C<\/p>\n

Saturday, 3 May<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grey High School<\/strong><\/p>\n

07:30<\/strong> – 13th Place vs 14th Place
\n08:45<\/strong> – 11th Place vs 12th Place
\n11:30<\/strong> – 5th Place vs 6th Place
\n13:00<\/strong> – Bowl Final
\n14:15 <\/strong>– 3rd\/4th Play-off match
\n15:45<\/strong> – u14 Final
\n17:00<\/strong> – u16 Final
\n19:00<\/strong> – Final<\/p>\n

Collegiate AstroTurf<\/strong><\/p>\n

10:15<\/strong> -15th Place vs 16th Place<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The last three finals of the annual\u00a0 Standard Bank Hibbert Shield Hockey Tournament, hosted by Grey High School, in Gqeberha, were contested by Western Cape sides. In 2022, South African College High School (SACS) defeated Bishops [Diocesan College] 3-1 in the final to lift the title. A year later, SACS was dethroned by Paul Roos […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":70996,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-70978","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\/70978","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=70978"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70978\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/70996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=70978"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=70978"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=70978"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}