{"id":87499,"date":"2025-12-10T08:00:25","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T06:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=87499"},"modified":"2025-12-10T08:00:25","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T06:00:25","slug":"old-foes-central-gauteng-and-wp-to-tangle-for-ipt-glory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=87499","title":{"rendered":"Old foes Central Gauteng and WP to tangle for IPT glory"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Cooper Haworth was on fire for Central Gauteng on day four of the IPT. He scored two goals in their semifinal clash against KZN A. Photo: Frans Lombard<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The last time the Western Province<\/strong> (WP)<\/strong> u19A boys’ side faced Central Gauteng A<\/strong> in the final of the Schools Water Polo South Africa (SWPSA) Inter-Provincial Tournament<\/a><\/strong> (IPT) was<\/span> in 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n

That clash took place at Grey High School<\/strong>, in Gqeberha.\u00a0<\/span>It was a nail-biting thriller that more than lived up to expectations, and WP did just enough to win it 8-7 on penalties after the game ended tied 8-8<\/a> <\/strong>after regular time. <\/span><\/p>\n

Two years on, and the fierce rivalry between the provincial rivals will be reignited when they go at it in the final at St David\u2019s Marist Inanda<\/strong>‘s Jubilee Pool<\/strong> on Wednesday at 13:10.<\/span><\/p>\n

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The finalists booked their spots in the <\/span>big game after <\/span>a weather-stricken day four <\/span>that was<\/span> affected by lightning, delays, and a change of <\/span>venues<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Their respective journeys to the title decider were quite similar.\u00a0<\/span>Both finished the group stages unbeaten, <\/span>as<\/span> Central Gauteng A <\/span>swept<\/span> through Group A<\/span>, <\/span>while<\/span> Province <\/span>was<\/span>\u00a0almost untouchable in Pool B.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the last eight, Central Gauteng A met Western Province B<\/strong> and made light work of their opponents.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coach <\/span>Jon-Marc De Carvalho’<\/span><\/strong>s side scored a whopping 21 goals and conceded just four as Harry Wilkins<\/strong> scored five times, while Cooper Haworth<\/strong> netted four, and Aiden Khoury<\/strong>, Erik Arwidi<\/strong>, and Chris Chapman<\/strong> all fired in hat-tricks.<\/span><\/p>\n

That victory set up a semifinal date with KwaZulu-Natal A<\/strong>, who were made to sweat for their 12-8 victory over Central Gauteng B<\/strong> in the quarterfinals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Due to the bad weather, their showdown was played at St John’s College<\/strong>‘s Indoor Aquatic Centre<\/strong>. It was a cracker!\u00a0<\/span>From the first chukka, it was end-to-end stuff.<\/span><\/p>\n