{"id":87614,"date":"2025-12-11T06:14:45","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T04:14:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=87614"},"modified":"2025-12-11T06:14:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T04:14:45","slug":"central-gauteng-bags-another-ipt-title-after-pipping-wp-in-dramatic-u19-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=87614","title":{"rendered":"Central Gauteng bags another IPT title after pipping WP in dramatic u19 final"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Twenty-three
Twenty-three goals were scored in the final, but in the end only one separated the champions, Central Gauteng A, from the runners-up, Western Province. Photo: Hannes Nienaber.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Chemistry”<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 That was the word used by Central Gauteng<\/strong> u19A boys’ coach, Jon-Marc De Carvalho<\/strong>, to describe his team after they successfully defended their Schools Water Polo South Africa<\/strong> (SWPSA) Inter-Provincial Tournament<\/strong> (IPT)<\/strong> title in Johannesburg on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Playing at home, Central Gauteng A defeated Western Province<\/strong> A 12-11 in the final at the St John\u2019s College Indoor Aquatic Centre<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

It was a drama-filled final day of IPT action, which including the title-deciding clash having to be moved midway through from the Jubilee Pool<\/strong> at St David’s Marist Inanda<\/strong> to St John’s because of lightning.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday night<\/a><\/strong>, both sides also played at St John’s after their semifinals had to be moved due to adverse weather.<\/p>\n

In the final four, Gauteng took on KwaZulu-Natal A<\/strong> in a repeat of 2024\u2019s final and sealed a 13-8 win, while Province put 14 goals past Northern Gauteng<\/strong> and won by eight to set up a date with their familiar foes.<\/p>\n

The last meeting between the teams in the final of an IPT was back in 2023. After an epic encounter, WP won on penalties.<\/p>\n

The stage was set, and the stands were filled to the rafters with a sea of red and black, in support of the home side, and plenty of blue and white, in support of Western Province.<\/p>\n

The game\u2019s first chukka had it all. There were outstanding goals and some mind-blowing skills on display, and both sides brought a high level of physicality.<\/p>\n

Gauteng quickly built scoreboard pressure by rushing into a 4-2 lead, courtesy of goals by James Crick<\/strong>, Fu-Nam Chen<\/strong>, and a brace by skipper Nicholas Searle<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n