{"id":79181,"date":"2025-08-06T09:01:57","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T07:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=79181"},"modified":"2025-08-06T09:01:57","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T07:01:57","slug":"challengers-cup-title-up-for-grabs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=79181","title":{"rendered":"Challengers’ Cup title up for grabs"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Fairmont
Fairmont High School will be aiming to add the Challengers’ Cup title to the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament title they won earlier in the season. Photo: JB \u2013 LookonImages<\/strong><\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hockey fans in Paarl, in the Western Cape, will be treated to high-quality hockey action this week when La Rochelle Girls’ High School<\/strong> hosts the 2025 edition of the Challengers’ Cup<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n

The much-anticipated event starts on Thursday, 7 August, with the final to be contested on Sunday, 10 August.<\/span><\/p>\n

Matches will be played at La Rochelle’s and Paarl Girls’ High<\/strong>‘s main AstroTurfs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Somerset College was victorious in last year’s competition<\/a><\/strong> after beating St Mary’s Waverley<\/strong> in the final, but they won’t be defending the title. <\/span><\/p>\n

The event, nonetheless, features a stacked lineup, including six teams – St Mary\u2019s Waverley, Rustenburg Girls\u2019 High<\/strong>, Afrikaanse Ho\u00ebr Meisieskool<\/strong> (Affies)<\/strong>, Parel Vallei<\/strong>, Paarl Girls’ High<\/strong> and Fairmont High <\/strong>– who were part of last year’s event.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joining them will be St Cyprian’s School<\/strong>, Ho\u00ebrskool Outeniqua<\/strong>, Pretoria\u2019s Ho\u00ebrskool Garsfontein<\/strong>, Herschel Girls School<\/strong>, Springfield Convent School<\/strong>, and Durban Girls College (DGC)<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s a fantastic opportunity for those teams to end their seasons on a high note.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Pool A, Garsfontein and St Mary\u2019s Waverley will face a stern challenge from four Cape Town schools – St Cyprians, Fairmont, Rustenburg, and Parel Vallei.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ho\u00ebrskool
Pretoria League champions, Ho\u00ebrskool Garsfontein<\/strong><\/a>, will be eager to make a mark at the Challengers’ Cup. Photo: Ho\u00ebrskool Garsfontein<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Garsies<\/strong>, who have enjoyed a superb season under the guidance of head coach Charlene Johnson<\/strong>, are among the favourites to go all the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

They recently competed in the Pullen Cup<\/a><\/strong> in Johannesburg, where they finished as the runner-up, losing out to Affies after a penalty shootout was required to decide the final.<\/span><\/p>\n

The four Western Cape sides should make the group interesting.<\/span><\/p>\n

St Cyprian’s has been playing good hockey under head coach Natalie Esteves<\/strong>, while Parel Vallei and Rustenburg Girls are evenly matched. They recently played to a goalless draw.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fairmont High should be a strong contender. They showed how well they can play tournament hockey when they won the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament<\/a> <\/strong>earlier this year<\/span>.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Pool B is, undoubtedly, the “group of death”. <\/span>Herschel, Paarl Girls\u2019 High, Affies and DGC appear likely to be the frontrunners, but Springfield and Outeniqua will have other ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Affies finished in fourth place at the Challengers’ Cup last year, but they head into the tournament brimming with confidence after winning the Pullen Cup this past weekend.<\/span><\/p>\n

For DGC and Paarl Girls’ High, the tournament presents an opportunity to add some gloss to their seasons, while <\/span>coach Ziyaad Ismail<\/strong> and his Springfield outfit will be out to upset the apple cart<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Outeniqua<\/a><\/strong> are the dark horses. They’ve been in great form. A week ago, in their most recent outing, they scored <\/span>an impressive 5-1 victory over Worcester Gimnasium<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

It promises to be a cracking event, and tournament director Leani<\/strong><\/span> Neethling<\/strong> is optimistic everything will run smoothly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"After
After finishing tenth last year, Paarl Girls’ High will be aiming for a much-improved campaign in 2025. Photo: JB \u2013 LookonImages<\/strong><\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“This will be the third year that we are hosting the Challengers’ Cup,” she told SuperSport Schools Plus<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

“At La Rochelle, we pride ourselves on being accommodating to everyone and on hosting a prestigious and well-organised tournament. We go all out to ensure that it’s a memorable experience for every team, player, and supporter involved.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Apart from ensuring there is smooth action on the AstroTurf, Neethling said the options alongside the fields will include a tasty variety of food and coffee tents to ensure players, supporters, and spectators are looked after well.<\/span><\/p>\n

“From an organisational standpoint, spectators can expect a well-structured and seamless tournament experience,” she reckoned. <\/span><\/p>\n

“Our on-site Feedem Caf\u00e9 will be open throughout the tournament, along with additional vendors like E-Vida and Chip ‘n Dip to provide food and beverages.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We invite parents, players, and spectators to be part of this annual event and enjoy a weekend of high-energy, quality hockey.”<\/span><\/p>\n

All 42 matches will be broadcast LIVE on the SuperSport Schools App<\/strong>, and live scoring will be available via the Sportivo App<\/strong> for real-time updates.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pool A<\/strong><\/p>\n

St Cyprian’s School, Ho\u00ebrskool Garsfontein, St Mary’s Waverley, Parel Vallei, Fairmont High, Rustenburg Girls’ High<\/p>\n

Pool B<\/strong><\/p>\n

Herschel Girls School, Durban Girls’ College, Afrikaanse Ho\u00ebr Meisieskool, Ho\u00ebrskool Outeniqua, Paarl Girls’ High, Springfield Convent School<\/p>\n

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

Thursday, 7 August<\/strong><\/p>\n

@La Rochelle\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

15:00<\/strong> – Durban Girls College vs Affies; 16:00<\/strong> – Outeniqua vs Paarl Girls’ High; 17:00 \u2013<\/strong> St Mary’s Waverley vs Parel Vallei;\u00a018:00<\/strong> \u2013 Herschel vs Springfield;\u00a019:00<\/strong> – Fairmont vs Rustenburg Girls;\u00a020:00<\/strong> – St Cyprian’s vs Garsfontein.<\/p>\n

Friday, 8 August<\/strong><\/p>\n

@La Rochelle\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

11:30<\/strong> – Garsfontein vs St Mary’s Waverley;\u00a012:30<\/strong> – St Cyprian’s vs Fairmont; 13:30<\/strong> – Rustenburg Girls’ High vs Parel Vallei; 15:00<\/strong> – Garsfontein vs Fairmont;\u00a016:00<\/strong> – Parel Vallei vs St Cyprian’s; 17:00<\/strong> – Rustenburg Girls’ High vs St Mary’s Waverley.<\/p>\n

@Paarl Girls’ High\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

11:30<\/strong> – Springfield vs Durban Girls’ College; 12:30<\/strong> – Outeniqua vs Herschel;\u00a013:30<\/strong> – Paarl Girls’ High vs Affies;\u00a015:00<\/strong> – Herschel vs Durban Girls’ College; 16:00<\/strong> – Outeniqua vs Affies;\u00a017:00<\/strong> – Paarl Girls’ High vs Springfield.<\/p>\n

Saturday, 9 August<\/strong><\/p>\n

@La Rochelle\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

08:00<\/strong> – Outeniqua vs Springfield;\u00a009:00<\/strong> – Durban Girls’ College vs Paarl Girls’ High; 10:00<\/strong> – Herschel vs Affies; 12:00<\/strong> \u2013 Outeniqua vs Durban Girls’ College; 13:00<\/strong> – Springfield vs Affies; 14:00 \u2013 <\/b>Paarl\u00a0Girls’ High vs Herschel.<\/p>\n

@Paarl Girls’ High\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

08:00<\/strong> – St Cyprian’s vs Rustenburg Girls’; 09:00<\/strong> – Parel Vallei vs Garsfontein;\u00a010:00<\/strong> – St Mary’s Waverley vs Fairmont;\u00a012:00<\/strong> – Rustenburg Girls’ High vs Garsfontein; 13:00<\/strong> – St Mary’s Waverley vs St Cyprian’s; 14:00<\/strong> \u2013 Fairmont vs Parel Vallei.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hockey fans in Paarl, in the Western Cape, will be treated to high-quality hockey action this week when La Rochelle Girls’ High School hosts the 2025 edition of the Challengers’ Cup. The much-anticipated event starts on Thursday, 7 August, with the final to be contested on Sunday, 10 August. Matches will be played at La […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":79394,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-79181","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\/79181","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=79181"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79181\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/79394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=79181"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=79181"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=79181"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}