{"id":76158,"date":"2025-06-24T12:26:26","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T10:26:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=76158"},"modified":"2025-06-24T12:26:26","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T10:26:26","slug":"here-is-the-stars-from-gauteng-to-watch-during-the-sashoc-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=76158","title":{"rendered":"Here are the stars from Gauteng to watch during the SASHOC Nationals"},"content":{"rendered":"
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St David’s Marist Inanda’s Matteo, who will be representing Southern Gauteng u18A in the IPTS. Photo: Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the SASHOC Nationals<\/strong> approach, Gauteng\u2019s u18A boys are heading to Maritzburg College<\/strong> from 29 June to 5 July with their sights set firmly on a podium finish at least. With a blend of experience, chemistry, and high-intensity preparation, the team looks interesting and promising to make a serious statement this year.<\/p>\n

Among the standout names to watch from the Southern and Northern Gauteng u18A teams are Owethu Sishuba<\/strong>, Aiden Blatch<\/strong>, Matteo Stipcevich<\/strong>, Luken Brunette<\/strong>, Owen McMennamin<\/strong>, and Clayton Koorbanally<\/strong> \u2014 all these young charges bring unique strengths to their respective teams.<\/p>\n

St David’s Marist Inanda<\/strong>‘s midfielder Stipcevich<\/strong> said this tournament is more than just a competition; it’s\u00a0a moment of personal pride.
\n\u201cAs a U14, you really look up to the U18S and I feel proud and honoured to be one now,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n

After playing for the U18B team last year, this marks his debut with the A side, a step up he has embraced with good preparation.
\n\u201cI\u2019ve prepared myself with daily skills and conditioning training, as well as playing club Premier League for MCC,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The talented midfielder went on to explain his role in the heart of the Astro: \u201cMy job is to both facilitate and build up attacks, as well as come back to help the defence and assist with outletting. I think we are well prepared with a variety of presses and good connections between players. We\u2019ve all played together somewhere or somehow, so we know each other well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite identifying Western Province A and KZN Inland A as two of the toughest opponents to watch out for, Matteo highlighted that the ultimate team goal is to finish in the top three and bring home a medal.\u00a0\u201cThis year, we\u2019re going to finish what we started. There\u2019s no pressure, we know we\u2019re better and ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alongside him, we have identified five more players to watch who will be representing the Gauteng Province.<\/p>\n

SOUTHERN GAUTENG<\/strong><\/p>\n

Matteo Stipcevich\u2013 St David’s Marist Inanda<\/strong>
\nMatteo brings both technical precision and leadership to Gauteng\u2019s midfield. After playing for the U18B team last year, he\u2019s stepped up to the A squad with noticeable growth, backed by intense skills training and club-level experience at MCC Premier League.
\n\u201cMy role is to facilitate and build attacks, while also helping defensively and with outletting,\u201d he says.
\nMatteo is known for his vision, work rate, and ability to control the tempo. He will be one of the key players in transitioning the team from defence to attack.<\/p>\n

Owethu Sishuba\u2013 St John\u2019s College<\/strong>
\nAnother dynamic, creative, and deadly player in the circle who also brings leadership qualities. Sishuba is one of the most exciting and solid defenders in the squad. His ability to close the back line with speed and flair makes him a nightmare for strikers. As a team Captain at St John’s, the young, driven star also brings his leadership skills to the team, and he will be at the heart of Gauteng\u2019s offensive firepower.<\/p>\n

Aiden Blatch \u2013 St Stithians College<\/strong>
\nAiden from the side has been well this season in both leagues and Derby clashes. He brings a cool head and a sharp mind to the field. As a playmaker, he is instrumental in linking the backline and forward unit. Blatch is excellent at spotting space, delivering pinpoint passes, and maintaining structure under pressure.
\nHis ability to dictate play makes him one of Gauteng\u2019s most trusted assets and a player to watch in big moments.<\/p>\n

NORTHERN GAUTENG<\/strong><\/p>\n

Owen McMennamin\u2013 Pretoria Boys High<\/strong>
\nIn goal, Northern Gauteng have a reliable and fearless shot-stopper in Owen. Calm under pressure. He graces his position with confidence. His ability to pull off clutch saves could be the difference in tight matches, especially against tough opposition like Western Province A.
\nKeep an eye out for his penalty corner defence and quick distribution that often sparks counter-attacks.<\/p>\n

Clayton Koorbanally \u2013 St Alban\u2019s College<\/strong><\/p>\n

The fact that he is the only player selected from his school makes the young and talented athlete stand out among the players to watch in this year’s tournament.
\nKnown for being strong in tackles and smart in positioning, Clayton has been a regular in\u00a0 Alban’s, and he received the 50th cap honours with his school’s first team last week.
\nHe is disciplined, reads the game well. His ability to intercept, block and launch counter-attacks will play a key role, especially against high-pressing teams.
\nClayton has been pivotal for St Alban\u2019s College, particularly with his leadership. He has led the front line with courage, being at the forefront of high-quality defensive IQ. His understanding, work ethic and discipline will put him in good stead for this year’s national U18 IPT.<\/p>\n

Luken Brunette \u2013 Ho\u00ebrskool Garsfontein<\/strong><\/p>\n

Brunette will be co-captaining the Northerns. The Garsies star brings the energy and versatility that make him an invaluable asset. He covers ground tirelessly. With high hockey intelligence and consistent effort, Luken is often the glue that holds transitions together.
\nHe thrives in high-pressure environments and will no doubt leave his mark in crucial\u00a0moments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the SASHOC Nationals approach, Gauteng\u2019s u18A boys are heading to Maritzburg College from 29 June to 5 July with their sights set firmly on a podium finish at least. With a blend of experience, chemistry, and high-intensity preparation, the team looks interesting and promising to make a serious statement this year. Among the standout […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":76160,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76158","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\/76158","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\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=76158"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76158\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/76160"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=76158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=76158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=76158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}