{"id":92630,"date":"2026-03-30T06:59:36","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T04:59:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=92630"},"modified":"2026-03-30T06:59:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T04:59:36","slug":"marx-and-grobbelaar-lead-oranje-to-st-marys-waverley-hockey-festival-title","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=92630","title":{"rendered":"Marx and Grobbelaar lead Oranje to St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival title"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Oranje secured a record eighth St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival title with a polished victory over Menlopark. Photo: Oranje on Facebook<\/strong><\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Estelle Marx<\/strong> and Daniella Grobbelaar<\/strong> were on target in Oranje’<\/strong>s 2-0 win over Die Ho\u00ebrskool Menlopark<\/strong> in the final of the St Mary\u2019s Waverley Hockey Festival <\/strong>on Sunday.<\/p>\n

“I am very proud of this group. They have played with great consistency and decision-making under pressure,” Morne Odendaal,<\/strong> the Oranje coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus<\/strong><\/a> after guiding his charges to a record eighth St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival title.<\/p>\n

The champions also collected two individual medals. Their midfield general, Marichelle Crous<\/strong>, was named the runner-up to the Player of the Tournament<\/strong>, and their shot stopper, Dan\u00e9\u00a0Janse van Vuuren,<\/strong> also took home the runner-up for the Goalkeeper of the Tournament.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oranje previously claimed the winners’ trophy in 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022. An eighth victory underscores their dominance at the annual showpiece. The hosts, St Mary\u2019s Waverley<\/strong>, with five, have the second-most titles.<\/p>\n

“It is extremely special for the girls because it’s the start of a new chapter and legacy for Oranje,” said Odendaal, “and they are part of the revival of Oranje dominance. Claiming the title with a team that already has an unbreakable bond makes it even more memorable.”<\/p>\n

Odendaal, who recently returned to Bloemfontein to take over the reins at Oranje after a spectacularly impressive run with the 1st XI, which brought them 36 victories in 38 tournaments and 380 wins in 400 matches over 10 years, shared the team’s motto: “Are you happy because you are winning, or are you winning because you are happy?” Odendaal said he was confident the team was winning because they were happy.<\/p>\n

Captained by Marlene du Plessis<\/strong>, Oranje scripted an unbeaten run on their way to glory. They topped Pool B and then placed first in their playoff group, Pool F, in the first two rounds of action before cantering to a 3-0 win over Our Lady of Fatima<\/strong> in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n