{"id":82242,"date":"2025-09-04T07:41:50","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T05:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=82242"},"modified":"2025-09-04T07:41:50","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T05:41:50","slug":"the-cream-of-the-crop-honoured-at-the-hockey-on-216-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=82242","title":{"rendered":"The cream of the crop honoured at the Hockey on 216 Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Rebecca
Rebecca Haswell, Litha Kraai, Leah du Plessis and Khotso Mabona all walked away with big prizes during the inaugural Hockey on 216 Awards. Photos: TeamPhotoSA\/Ray Chaplin\/Marnus Prinsloo\/St David\u2019s Marist Inanda Photography Club<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Litha Kraai<\/strong>, of South African College High School<\/strong> (SACS), was named the Boys’ Player of the Year<\/strong>, while Leah du Plessis<\/strong>, from Rhenish Girls’ High<\/strong>, and Abigail Holderness,<\/strong> of DSG Makhanda<\/strong>, shared the Girls’ Player of the Year Award<\/strong>, at the inaugural Hyundai Hockey on 216<\/strong> Awards<\/strong>, in Johannesburg, on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

The awards, which aired on DStv channel 216<\/strong> and the SABC Plus App<\/strong>, honoured the best hockey players in the country after a thrilling 2025 season.<\/p>\n

The winners were selected by the Hockey on 216 panel, which consisted of Kelvin Watt<\/strong> and co-hosts Bridgett Kee<\/strong>, Krinesan Moodley<\/strong>, and Manny Segale<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

There were some tough decisions to be made and twice it was decided that awards should be shared in the categories of Girls’ Player of the Year and Boys’ Goalkeeper of the Year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The breakdown<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Abigail
Abigail Holderness, of DSG Makhanda, shared the Girls’ Player of the Year with Leah du Plessis, from Rhenish Girls’ High. Photo: Marnus Prinsloo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Players of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

The winning trio – Kraai, Du Plessis, and Holderness – were outstanding from the first match of the season to the last, whether in action for their schools or their provincial teams at the SASHOC National Week<\/strong>, and all three scored a bucketload of goals while serving as the engines that drove their sides.<\/p>\n

Kraai, whose name is arguably the most recognisable in the schoolboy game, was at the forefront of another superb season for SACS, in which they played 35 matches, won 33 matches, and drew only two<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

He also helped Western Province u18A<\/strong><\/a> to win their fifth straight SASHOC National Week title and made the SA Schools u18A<\/strong> side. He, furthermore, represented the SA u21 team, and early in the year won a bronze medal at the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup with the SA Men’s Indoor team<\/strong>, which was the best result in the history of South African men’s indoor hockey.<\/p>\n

Du Plessis and Holderness were equally effective for their sides as Rhenish and DSG dominated the schoolgirls’ hockey scene.<\/p>\n

The Rhenish skipper led her side to 38 victories<\/strong> in 45 matches this season. They drew seven matches and scored a whopping 140 goals while only conceding 15. On three occasions, they lost out in a penalty shootout, but they were never bettered in regulation time.<\/p>\n

Du Plessis also played a leading role in helping the Boland u18A side to claim the SASHOC National Week title<\/a> <\/strong>after beating KZN Coastal A<\/strong> 3-0 in the final.<\/p>\n

As for Holderness, she was at the heart of DSG’s outstanding season, playing arguably the best hockey of her career yet.<\/p>\n

DSG finished as the best team in the Eastern Cape after beating Collegiate Girls’ High 4-1<\/a><\/strong> in a key showdown in June before finishing in fourth place at the Fairtree Super 12 Tournament<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Holderness also put together a splendid run with the Eastern Province u18A side at the SASHOC National Week, but they just missed out on a podium finish, ending fourth.<\/p>\n

\"Owen
Owen McMenamin shared the Goalkeeper of the Year Award with Khotso Mabona, from St David’s Marist Inanda. Photo: Pretoria Boys High on Facebook<\/strong><\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Goalkeepers of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the boys’ section, Khotso Mabona<\/strong>, from St David’s Marist Inanda<\/strong> shared the Goalkeeper of the Year accolade with Owen McMenamin<\/strong> from Pretoria Boys High<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Both shot stoppers were influential, reliable, and sometimes spectacular performers for their schools, and they represented Southern Gauteng<\/strong> and Northern Gauteng<\/strong> respectively at the SASHOC National Week.<\/p>\n

Mabona was named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament, after helping Southerns to a runner-up finish at the SASHOC National Week, while McMenamin pulled off some incredible saves to help his side to a somewhat unexpected third place and the bronze medal under the guidance of coach Steven Paulo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In the girls’ category, Rebecca Haswell<\/strong>, from Pearson High School<\/strong>, took home the prize. Although Pearson didn’t have the best of seasons, Haswell was a rock-solid performer in the last line of defence.<\/p>\n

She also starred for Eastern Province and was rewarded with a place in the u18A SA Schools<\/a> <\/strong>side.<\/p>\n

Several good goalkeepers missed out, which proved how safe goalkeeping is in South Africa.<\/p>\n

\"Jeppe
Jeppe High School for Boys captain Ethan Kapanda takes home Defender of the Year at the Hockey on 216 awards. Photo: Chriso van Deventer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Defenders of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

Luken Brunette (Garsfontein)<\/a><\/strong>, Jo le Roux<\/strong> (SACS), and Ethan Kapanda<\/strong> (Jeppe) were the three defenders nominated in the boys’ category.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Jehan Abrahams (Wynberg Girls’ High)<\/a><\/strong> and the Rhenish duo of Puck Bakker<\/strong> and Katherine Sickle<\/strong> were nominated in the girls’ section.<\/p>\n

The awards went to Kapanda and Bakker, who played monumental roles at the back for Jeppe and Rhenish, respectively.<\/p>\n

Kapanda led his side to an unbelievable season in which they won 29 games out of 31<\/a><\/strong>, while Bakker was the fulcrum around which the Rhenish defence turned.<\/p>\n

Midfielders of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Midfielder of the Year<\/strong> category was hotly contested, and it was an unenviable challenge to separate the nominated players.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the selectors went with Christo Swanepoel<\/a><\/strong>, from Paul Roos Gimnasium<\/strong> (PRG), and Abigail Holderness<\/strong>, from DSG Makhanda<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Swanepoel, who put together an impressive season with the Stellenbosch school, was selected ahead of the SACS duo of Litha Kraai and Mohlodi Maseko.<\/p>\n

Holderness, meanwhile, just edged out Rhenish’s Pippa Viljoen<\/strong> and Paarl Gimnasium<\/strong> skipper, Jon\u00e9 De Winnaar<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Reece
Reece Theunis was named boys’ forward of the year at the Hyundai Hockey on 216 awards. Photo: Ray Chaplin Media<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Forwards of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Forwards of the Year<\/strong> awards were given to Reece Theunis<\/strong>, of SACS, and Leah du Plessis<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Theunis, in his second season at first-team level, came into his own and owned the striker position in a star-studded SACS outfit.<\/p>\n

He scored some outrageous goals and was a constant source of stress for defenders.<\/p>\n

Young Players of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

The special awards of boys’ and girls’ Young Players of the Year<\/strong> went to Alanda Rademeyer<\/strong>, of Paarl Gimnasium<\/strong>, and Callum Anderson<\/strong>, from Bishops Diocesan College<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Jeppe
Jeppe High School for Boys head coach Siya Sityana is the boys’ coach of the year. Photo: Christo van Deventer<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Coaches of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the boys’ category, Siya<\/strong> Sityana<\/strong>,<\/a> from Jeppe High School for Boys<\/strong>, received the award.<\/p>\n

He oversaw a memorable unbeaten season for the Kensington school and also led the Southern Gauteng u16A<\/a><\/strong> boys’ side to IPT glory at Hilton College, in July.<\/p>\n

Chris Gerber<\/strong>, from Rhenish Girls’ High, won the girls’ award. Throughout the season, Rhenish set the standard, and Gerber also guided the Boland u18A side to the SASHOC National Week title.<\/p>\n

HOCKEY ON 216 AWARD WINNERS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Teams of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

SACS and Rhenish Girls’ High<\/p>\n

SACS record in 2025:<\/strong> Played 32, Won 33, Drew 2.
\nRhenish record in 2025:<\/strong> Played 45, Won 38, Drew 7.<\/p>\n

Tournaments of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

Boys<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hibbert Shield<\/p>\n

Girls<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spar KZN Challenge<\/p>\n

Best hospitality experience<\/strong><\/p>\n

St Stithians College – Easter Festival<\/p>\n

BOYS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Goalkeepers of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

Khotso Mabona – St David’s Marist Inanda
\nOwen McMenamin – Pretoria Boys High<\/p>\n

Defender of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ethan Kapanda – Jeppe High School for Boys<\/p>\n

Midfielder of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

Christo Swanepoel – Paul Roos Gimnasium<\/p>\n

Forward of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reece Theunis – SACS<\/p>\n

Player of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

Litha Kraai – SACS<\/p>\n

GIRLS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Goalkeeper of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rebecca Haswell – Pearson High School<\/p>\n

Defender of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

Puck Bakker – Rhenish Girls’ High<\/p>\n

Midfielder of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abigail Holderness – DSG Makhnada<\/p>\n

Forward of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leah du Plessis – Rhenish Girls’ High<\/p>\n

Players of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leah du Plessis – Rhenish Girls\u2019 High
\nAbigail Holderness – DSG Makhanda<\/p>\n

Young Player of the Year \u2013 Boys<\/strong>
\nCallum Anderson – Bishops Diocesan College<\/p>\n

Young Player of the Year \u2013 Girls<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alanda Rademeyer – Paarl Gimnasium<\/p>\n

Coach of the Year \u2013 Boys<\/strong><\/p>\n

Siya Sityana – Jeppe High School for Boys<\/p>\n

Coach of the Year \u2013 Girls<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chris Gerber – Rhenish Girls’ High<\/p>\n

Teams of the Year <\/strong><\/p>\n

SACS and Rhenish Girls’ High<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Litha Kraai, of South African College High School (SACS), was named the Boys’ Player of the Year, while Leah du Plessis, from Rhenish Girls’ High, and Abigail Holderness, of DSG Makhanda, shared the Girls’ Player of the Year Award, at the inaugural Hyundai Hockey on 216 Awards, in Johannesburg, on Wednesday. The awards, which aired […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":82252,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-82242","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\/82242","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=82242"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82242\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/82252"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=82242"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=82242"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=82242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}