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PRETORIA. – The Blue Bulls were crowned the unofficial champions of the annual u13 Craven Week for the first time since 2012.

The hosts defeated Western Province by 21-17 in the main match played at Hoërskool Menlopark’s main field in the Jacaranda City.

Western Province was the defending unofficial champions after they beat Boland 10-8 in last year’s main match in Pietermaritzburg.

The Blue Bulls’ flyhalf, George Terblanche, played a pivotal role in his side’s victory as he scored one of his side’s two tries, slotted three penalties and converted one of the tries.

Terblanche’s tally of 16 points in the main match took him to 43 in the tournament which made him the leading point scorer.

The home side’s flanker Luan MacDonald was once again prominent with his ball-carrying. He scored six tries during the tournament. On defence, it was the hooker, Paul Bester, and eighthman, Henrico van Zyl, who was their weight worth in gold for the Bulls.

For Western Province, their speedy winger Tyron Strauss was again a handful. He scored also his sixth try of the week in the main match. WP’s lock Christiaan van der Watt was probably his side’s best player on the day.

The top try scorer during the week was the Leopards’ flanker Dihan Booyens. He scored his seventh try in his side’s last match against the Valke to help them to a 21-12 victory.

The Free State managed to finish the week on a high thanks to a last-minute try by winger Zenzo Manana. He and the fullback, Lebohang Lephallo, scored a brace of tries as the Free Staters bagged a scintillating 38-33 victory over South Western Districts.

The team from the Garden Route’s winger Jordan Fortuin and fullback, Jovern Fortuin, both enjoyed a good tournament.

Scorers: 

Blue Bulls 21 (6) – Tries: George Terblanche, Rivan Lotriet. Conversion: Terblanche. Penalties: Terblanche (3). Western Province 17 (5) – Tries: Tyron Strauss, Chergeo Fransman, Mikaeel Frieslaar. Conversion: Zachery September.

Golden Lions 28 (22) – Tries: Cullen la Grange, Lorenzo Jardim, Kristen Steyn. Conversions: Ariel Meij, Jardim. Penalties: Jardim (3). Boland 7 (0) – Try: Caleb Phillipus. Conversion: Chanville Zaal.

Free State 38 (14) – Tries: Zenzo Manana (2), Lebohang Lephallo (2), Reuben Smit, Aiden Zwiegelaar. Conversions: Ludwig Knauff (4). South Western Districts 33 (12) – Tries: Whelan Maxim, Aqhamile Magxidolo, Luan Augustyn, Jameal van Staden, Jordan Fortuin. Conversions: Augustyn (4).

Pumas 12 (7) – Tries: Siphokuhle Malele, WC van Schalkwyk. Conversion: Loghan de Beer. Griffons 7 (7) – Try: Vincent Stadhouer. Conversion: Anthonie Pelser.

Griqualand West 23 (15) – Tries: Luan Coetzee (2), Guillermo Neels, Kaylon Eilerd. Penalty: Jayden Gossmann. Border 10 (10) – Try: Joshua van Heerden. Conversion: Jesse van Bronckhorst. Penalty: Van Bronckhorst.

Sharks 17 (5) – Tries: Wald Rossouw, Wandile Sithole, Max de Charmoy. Conversion: Willem Badenhorst. Eastern Province 3 (3) – Penalty: Hanno Winter.

Leopards 21 (14) – Tries: Dihan Booyens, Ethan Fourie, Keagan Gamba. Conversions: Dandré Allers (3). Valke 12 (7) – Tries: Rametsi Sebake, Kamo Motaung. Conversion: Dylan Nel.

Limpopo Blue Bulls 62 (36) – Tries: Mohau Sehlake (3), Trevor Sindana (2), Eli du Plessis, Ramathope Shai, PG Steenekamp, Antoon du Plessis, Mashudu Moraba. Conversions: Antoon du Plesssis (3), Divan Zietsman (3). Zimbabwe 0.

Namibia 52 (33) – Tries: Conroy van Wyk (2), Adrian van der Westhuizen (2), Keithen Humphries, Jean Botha, Tiaan du Plessis, Ruben Kotze. Conversions: Ryan Steyn (4), Jacques Bruwer. Border Country Districts 0.

B TEAMS 

Western Province B 26 (12) – Tries: Leighton Hendricks, Xolani Gobinca, Enoch Gold, Joshwin Jacobs. Conversions: Daniel Jackson (2), Carter Weber. Boland B 12 (7) – Tries: Martiens Labuschagne, Marlon Pretorius. Conversion: Duren Baron.

Blue Bulls 31 (31) – Tries: Stian Roets (2), Ruwald Cilliers, Keanu Engelbrecht, Christiaan Venter. Conversions: Roets (3). Sharks B 12 (0) – Tries: Blessing Mndaba, Connor Els. Conversion: Luyanda Mgabhi.

South Western Districts B 22 (5) – Tries: Raywin Links (2), Reece Plaatjies. Conversions: Jordan Lourens (2). Penalty: Lourens. Golden Lions B 19 (12) – Tries: Chad Pollak, Japhet Motindola, Koghan Rangolie. Conversions: Jean-Luke Parsons, Divan Coetzee.

Free State B 24 (21) – Tries: Kobamelo Tloubatla (3). Conversions: Cullen Keuris (3). Penalty: Keuris. Valke B 17 (10) – Tries: Ruan Wolmarans (3). Conversion: Ricardo Wills.

Eastern Province B 34 (12) – Tries: Ruan Jacobs (2), Tyler Merrington (2), Jaydon Stoman, Lubabalo Ntshiza. Conversions: Waney Neff (2). Griffons B 7 (0) – Try: Lehlohonolo Mthembu. Conversion: Mbono Myemane.

Border B 12 (12) – Tries: Alwaba Mkabile (2). Conversion: Ubenathi Kapa. Limpopo Blue Bulls B 7 (0) – Try: Rudo Rheeders. Conversion: MJ Snyman.

Leopards B 24 (5) – Tries: Henku Botha (2), Dirk Odendaal, Zavier van Wyk. Conversions: Lappies Labuschagne (2). Pumas B 19 (19) – Tries: Ofentse Aphane, Letsena Ramushu, Drikus Scholtz. Conversions: Scholtz (2).

In a highly anticipated all-Western Cape derby, it was the Western Province u18A side that reigned supreme against a highly motivated Boland A team to claim the SASHOC National Week title in Bloemfontein on Friday.

Province secured a 3-2 win to retain the title they won in 2023. They also ended their campaign unbeaten to, once again, match the feats of last year’s champions.

For Boland, the defeat means their nine-year wait for a SASHOC National Week title continues. In 2023, they finished fourth.

Relive all the action on SuperSport Schools.

The teams’ journeys to the final were quite similar. Coach Bryce West‘s Western Province and coach Jacques Grobler‘s Boland were both drawn in Pool A, along with Border A, Western Province B, Southern Gauteng B, and KZN Coastal B.

Both breezed through the pool stage, with Province beating Boland 5-0 when they met on the second day of the tournament.

That handful of goals contributed to Province’s 30 goals during the week, with 18 of those coming from the field. They also converted 11 penalty corners and a single penalty stroke, which was scored by Litha Kraai.

The final started quietly, with neither team scoring in the first chukka. In the second, though, Ethan Lee put Province ahead. 

Lee, from Wynberg Boys’ High, had a quietish tournament but he stepped up when his team needed him the most. After latching onto a scrappy ball inside the circle, he found himself with some time and space and he made no mistake, dispatching the ball into the back of the net.

Minutes later, James Grieve took the attack to Boland down the right flank. He, then, picked out Litha Kraai. The SACS’ star dribbled past a couple of players before depositing the ball into the goalbox to make it 2-0.

Boland’s Reuben Sendzul cut the deficit to one at halftime after executing a thunderbolt of a penalty corner drag flick, much to the joy of the travelling Bolanders in the stands.

The third chukka was extremely competitive as coach Grobler’s Boland team upped their challenge, with Michael Du Toit, Matthew Temmis, and Christo Swanepoel becoming more influential.

With just under 11 minutes to play in the final chukka, Boland levelled matters at 2-2 to set up a tense finish.

However, it was that man, Kraai, who once again came to his side’s rescue.

For his second of the match, he struck with a well-calculated drag flick with only four minutes remaining to put Province ahead again.

There was a dramatic ending to the clash, with Boland being awarded a penalty corner with 54 seconds to play.

Their injection was good, the stop, though, was not the best, and Sendzul’s shot went wide, causing goalkeeper Noah Venter no problems.

Province held onto the ball in the dying seconds to clinch the win.

“We went 2-0 up, and there were big moments in the game. We attacked for a long period, had to defend, and then gave a PC away, and Reuben Sendzul scored,” West told SuperSport Schools Plus after the title-decider.

“We had our opportunities in the third chukka, and if we had slotted them, we could’ve buried the game.

“But credit must go to Boland. They fought and didn’t give up. We knew they were going to fight until the end. That’s how they set up and how they play

“I’m also happy about the big character shown by my guys. We made the call at the final PC, that we had to make it count, and Litha did the job.”

Western Province’s triumph means the side from Cape Town has now won the national title four times on the trot.

West credited the pool of talent and the culture which Western Province hockey has worked hard to cultivate over the years for their successes.

“I think there’s a lot of talent around the country, but what sets us apart is the culture and the family we have in the group,” he explained.

“As Steph (captain Stephan Meyer), said, we are a family that’s known each other since 12 or 13 years old.

“Even though the boys are at opposing schools, when it comes to Province, we become one. We don’t have internal battles. We play for each other and the badge.”

Final Scorers

Western Province 3 (2): Litha Kraai (2), Ethan Lee. Boland 1 (2): Reuben Sendzul (2)

Day 6 | Results

Western Province A 3-2 Boland A (1st/2nd)
KZN Coastal A 1-0 Southern Gauteng A (3rd/4th)
KZN Inland 3-0 Southern Free State A (5th/6th)
Southern Gauteng B 1-0 KZN Coastal B (7th/8th)
Eastern Province 1-0 Northern Gauteng A (9th/10th)
Western Province B 5-4 Border A (11th/12th)

Final Standings

Western Province
Boland
KZN Coastal A
Southern Gauteng A
KZN Inland A
Southern Free State A
Southern Gauteng B
KZN Coastal B
Eastern Province A
Northern Gauteng
Western Province B
Border A

On Sunday, 23 June, Marks Park, in Johannesburg, will serve as the venue for Gauteng Engen Cup Ladies qualifiers.

Football excitement is expected to peak as the provincial Engen qualifiers come to a close in Gauteng. This weekend, the Eastern Cape will also host qualifiers.

The Gauteng event is set to be highly competitive, with teams from various leagues in action, including the Gauteng SASOL League and the Gauteng Development League.

Each team boasts an impressive profile and a proven track record of success in big games and competitions.

There is plenty of intrigue and suspense as the weekend’s action nears. The ultimate goal will be to qualify for the Engen Champs of Champs, which will feature all of the provincial winners in action to see which team is crowned the best.

Group A Fixtures
Home		Away	Kick-off	Venue
Old Parks FC	vs	Springs Home Sweepers	08:00	Marks Park Field A
Kenneth Football Club	vs	Diepkloof Ladies	09:30	Marks Park Field A
Springs Home Sweepers	vs	Diepkloof Ladies	11:00	Marks Park Field A
Kenneth Football Club	vs	Old Parks FC	12:30	Marks Park Field A
Diepkloof Ladies	vs	Old Parks FC	14:00	Markspark Field A
Springs Home Sweepers	vs	Kenneth Football Club	15:00	Marks Park Field A
Group B Fixtures
Home		Away	Kick-off	Venue
Rosina Sedibane	vs	Blue Birds Ladies	08:00	Marks Park Field B
Panorama Ladies	vs	Riverside View	09:30	Marks Park Field B
Blue Birds Ladies	vs	Riverside View	11:00	Marks Park Field B
Panorama Ladies	vs	Rosina Sedibane	12:30	Marks Park Field B
Riverside View	vs	Rosina Sedibane	14:00	Marks Park Field B
Panorama Ladies	vs	Panorama Ladies	15:00	Marks Park Field B
Group C Fixtures
Home		Away	Kick-off	Venue
Eldorado Park Ladies	vs	Future Stars Ladies	08:00	Marks Park Field C
Velocity FC	vs	Kempton Park	09:30	Marks Park Field C
Future Stars Ladies	vs	Kempton Park	11:00	Marks Park Field C
Velocity FC	vs	Eldorado Park Ladies	12:30	Marks Park Field C
Kempton Park	vs	Eldorado Park Ladies	14:00	Marks Park Field C
Future Stars Ladies	vs	Velocity FC	15:00	Marks Park Field C
Group D Fixtures
Home		Away	Kick-off	Venue
Emmarentia Pirates	vs	Napoli FC	08:00	Marks Park Field D
Bantwana Ladies	vs	Randburg AFC	09:30	Marks Park Field D
Napoli FC	vs	Randburg AFC	11:00	Marks Park Field D
Bantwana Ladies	vs	Emmarentia Pirates	12:30	Marks Park Field D
Randburg AFC	vs	Emmarentia Pirates	14:00	Marks Park Field D
Napoli FC	vs	Bantwana Ladies	15:h00	Marks Park Field D
Group E Fixtures
Home		Away	Kick-off	Venue
Springs United Ladies	vs	Thembalethu Ladies	08h00	Markspark Field E
Real Peace Ladies	vs	Mito Stars Ladies	09h30	Markspark Field E
Thembalethu Ladies	vs	Mito Stars Ladies	11h00	Markspark Field E
Real Peace Ladies	vs	Springs United Ladies	12h30	Markspark Field E
Mito Stars Ladies	vs	Springs United Ladies	14h00	Markspark Field E
Thembalethu Ladies	vs	Real Peace Ladies	15h00	Markspark Field E

KwaZulu-Natal Coastal A produced a strong to performance to defeat a gritty Southern Gauteng B team and lay claim to third place at the u18 SASHOC National Week in Bloemfontein on Friday.

The KZN side shone in Pool B, winning all five of their group-stage games.

They opened their challenge with a 3-1 win over Eastern Province on Sunday.

On Monday, they had a double-header. They made light work of Northern Free State, scorching to an 8-1 victory as Elizabeth Anderson and Ruby Kraus scored two goals each. Then, a 1-0 win over Boland in the afternoon put them in the pound seats.

Further victories over Southern Gauteng B (1-0) and KZN Inland A (2-1) left Coastal the pool winners with a full haul of 15 points.

Relive the action on SuperSport Schools

Coach Jacinta Wedderburn lauded her girls’ performance. “It means so much. You know, we were discussing that at the end of seven games we had only one loss. That’s exceptional.

“The girls have played unbelievable hockey and they have done it together as a group, and that was our objective from day one: If we are going to this, we are going to it together,” she told SuperSport Schools Plus.

KZN Coastal was unbeaten until the semifinals. They played well and controlled much of their final four showdown with Northern Gauteng A, but the contest went to a penalty shootout after the teams deadlocked at 1-1 after regulation time. In the shootout, Northerns came away with a 3-2 victory.

That defeat set up KZN Coastal for a rematch with Southern Gauteng B, this time with third place on the line.

In cold and windy weather in Bloemfontein on Friday morning, they were made to work hard for their win. They made sure of it with a couple of fourth chukka goals.

After a goalless first chukka, Cassandra Forbes nailed a penalty corner nine minutes into the second chukka to give Coastal the lead. Then, in the 39th minute, Emily Macquet doubled their advantage.

The game was made safe when Tara Pakendorf struck in the 51st minute. Then, Ruby Kraus, one of the tournament’s top scorers, put the cherry on the top with a fourth goal, just a minute before the hour-mark.

“It was a fantastic game. The girls came out ready to play. We knew that whoever brought that kind of energy in the first five minutes would control of the game, and that’s exactly what the girls did. They came out hard and firing,” Wedderburn said.

Meanwhile, defeat for Lance Louw‘s brave South Gauteng B side left them in a highly commendable fourth place. They were beaten three times during the course of the event, with two of those coming against KZN Coastal and the other against their senior side, Southern Gauteng A, the champions.

KWAZULU- NATAL COASTAL RESULTS

Pool B

Eastern Province A 1-3 KwaZulu-Natal Coastal A
KwaZulu-Natal Coastal A 8-1 Northern Free State
Boland A 0 -1 KwaZulu-Natal Coastal A
KwaZulu-Natal Coastal A 1-0 Southern Gauteng B
KwaZulu-Natal Inland A 1-2 KwaZulu-Natal Coastal A

Semi-finals

Northern Gauteng A 1-1 (3-2 SO) KwaZulu-Natal Coastal A

3rd/4th
KwaZulu-Natal Coastal A 4-0 Southern Gauteng B

Reabitswe Phume and Ilanie Dutton starred in the u18 SASHOC National Week final to help Southern Gauteng A lift the Sandra Jordaan Trophy in Bloemfontein on Friday.

Southerns edged out Northern Gauteng A 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout, which was decided by sudden death strokes. The sides were level at 2-2 after regulation time.

With the win, Southerns ended a 14-year wait for the title. When last they lifted the coveted trophy, their captain, Phume, was only three years old.

Relive the action on SuperSport Schools

Never in the history of the tournament has a province been as dominant as Gauteng was in Bloemfontein. Three teams from the province made the semifinals: It was, however, Natasha le Roux‘s Southerns A team, which set the pace throughout the event.

Prior to the final, Southerns had scored 18 goals without conceding one. They had also committed so few fouls and mistakes that opposition teams hadn’t tallied even a handful of penalty corners against them.

While proud of her side’s achievements in the lead-up to the title-decider, Le Roux hoped that her team would not turn into one of those outfits that sweeps all of their games only to lose in the final. Fortunately, for, her, they were not.

Two of the main reasons for Southerns’ success were the team’s talent and discipline.

“We have been rock-solid as a unit. So, we have been a good defence and a solid unit. The defence and midfield were strong,” Le Roux said after the final.

“Every player is going to make a mistake at some stage, and when one slipped there was always someone else to cover. They were always there for each other, cleaning up after the next player. We just had to back our buddy, make her look good because she also makes us look good.”

That mindset did not happen overnight. It was something that the players worked on game by game throughout the SASHOC National Week. They had to learn how to play with and for each other. Despite recording positive results right off the bat, Southerns had some teething problems in their first match.

“One word our coach kept repeating was click, that we needed to click, so we just wanted to click. I think that’s what we did in the final,” captain Reabitswe Phume said. “The teamwork has been phenomenal and, if you look at our scorers, we have a variety, which shows a team working together and the talent we have in the side.”

In the final, Southerns opened their account through Emily Weaver seven minutes into the first chukka. They headed into the contest with the knowledge that they had beaten Northerns earlier in the tournament, winning 3-0 in their second match on the opening day.

However, they were not about to let that victory undermine their title aspirations. They had seen Northerns upset a strong KwaZulu-Natal Coastal team in the semi-finals.

After scoring the contest’s first goal, Southerns fought for every possession and drove forward looking for a second goal. They got it through Amber Fairon, their leading goal scorer and the tournament’s third-most prolific striker, in the 44^th minute.

Their two-goal cushion didn’t last long, however, as Northerns struck back immediately after the final chukka had started.

In the last five minutes, Southerns was reduced to 10 players, and their opponents removed their goalkeeper for an extra forward as they went in search of an equaliser. Coach Sinoxolo Mbekeni’s charges piled on the pressure. They were rewarded with a penalty corner in the final minute, and they converted it.

With the teams level at 2-2, the contest went to a penalty shootout.

“I think if you want to make it difficult for yourself, that is the way to do it. You go a man down. Rightfully so, Northerns pulled their goalie and then we started running in the midfield, instead of running in the corners or just getting it away from the box,” a relieved Le Roux said after the shootout.

“Kudos to Northerns for a very good final and, secondly, for using their opportunities. I thought we had it with a minute left and, all of a sudden, we had to fight for it in sudden death.”

Northerns scored from the first stroke. However, Ilanie Dutton saved the next two to keep her side in the contest.

Southerns scored their first two, missed the next two, and converted the last one, to send the shootout to sudden death. Phume, who had converted her first stroke, made no mistake the second time around, and Dutton kept Danielle McCann’s effort out to secure her side the win.

“You have to stay focused throughout the whole game and throughout the whole tournament. You must be in the game all the time, keeping your head in the game, and keeping your eye on the ball every time. You also need to keep your composure,” Dutton said.

“For that, I tell myself just to enjoy it. It’s a very stressful situation and a lot of pressure, but you have to believe in yourself and your teammates to score, as well. Back yourself and go all out,” she reckoned.

“I am at a loss for words. I am so proud of these girls. I am walking away a happy captain,” an elated Phume said.

Her emotions were shared by coach Natasha le Roux. Together, they had helped to bring a 14-year wait to an end.

Scorers: 

Namibia 31 (19) – Tries: Jaydrian Jansen (2), Louis de Wet, Pedri Lacante, Lian Kittler. Conversions: Lacante (3). Zimbabwe 10 (3) – Try: Sebastiaan du Toit. Conversion: Zivai Makunike. Penalty: Makunike.

Leopards 20 (10) – Tries: Wian du Preez (2), De Wet Grobler (2). Pumas 13 (3) – Tries: Kamogelo Monkwe, Zian Hughes. Penalty: Andile Mphanhlaza.

Lions 66 (33) – Tries: Juandre Ehlers (2), Jeandre van der Merwe, Armand van Eck, Paballo Mocketsane, Joel Akilo, Jaydon Viljoen, Phano Letsie, Mako Mandizha, Luyanda Mbadamana. Conversions: Jaydon Viljoen (8). Border 24 (10) – Tries: Zearan Booysen, Snage Kraai, Yamkela Molose, Ahlumile Gqwetya. Conversions: Liyema Tsoko (2).

Valke 60 (33) – Tries: Luca du Plooy (2), Matthew van Deventer (2), Duwayne Zeekoei (2), Mongezi Mthizi (2), Vaughn Steynvaart, Zian Ueckermann. Conversions: Ueckermann (4). Border Country Districts 15 (3) – Tries: Ahlume Gxamesi, Kamva Nkwentsha. Conversion: Indiphinde Ngoma. Penalty: Ngoma.

Free State 33 (21) – Unathi Ntuli (2), Henru Erasmus, Lamia Mgedzi. Conversions: O’Ryan Kleyn (4). Boland 15 (3) – Tries: Darren Makeza, Harold de Silva. Conversion: Joshua Arnoldus. Penalty: Arnoldus.

Free State XV 31 (12) – Tries: Jannes Krause (2), Juan Swart (2), Siyabonga Bulwane. Conversions: Neo Lephailo (2). Ayden Cloete. Griffons 20 (10) – Tries: Caleb Butler, Katleho Xaba, Johannes van Niekerk. Conversion: Johannes Pretorius. Penalty: Pretorius.

Griquas 50 (7) – Tries: Rivaldo Ruiter (2), Gadrin Assegaai, Tiaan Serfontein, Jeandre Kuhn, Duran Makoni, Heinrich Swart, Ezlin Swartz. Conversions: Duran Makoni (6). Limpopo Blue Bulls 12 (12) – Tries: Ziahn Lombaard (2). Conversion: Juan Randall.

Eastern Province 36 (21) – Tries: Ciaran Carolus (3), Zanick Carolus, Lucritia Magua. Conversions: William Stevens (3). Tristan Kemp. Penalty: Stevens. Western Province XV 33 (18) – Tries: Jacques Hutton, Pierre Dreyer, Alvin Machinga, Laeeq Davids, Adrian Faul. Conversions: Achmat Behardien (2). Penalties: Behardien (2). Drop Goal: Cayden Snyman.

Sharks 20 (5) – Tries: Ben Coetzee, Nathan Aneke, Lwandle Mkhize. Conversion: Lwazi Mbede. Penalty: Mbede. South Western Districts 19 (12) – Tries: Jacobus de Villiers (2), Qlin Booyse. Conversions: Caleb Williams (2).

Western Province 31 (19) – Tries: Sian van Heerden, Tiaan Basson, Ruan Lindeque, Dayyaan Conrad, Kwaza Combinca. Conversions: Travis Pheiffer (3). Blue Bulls 22 (15) – Tries: Yuvrah George (3). Conversions: Dylan Stumke (2). Penalty: Vihan Pretorius.

Scorers: 

Blue Bulls 21 (6) – Tries: George Terblanche, Rivan Lotriet. Conversion: Terblanche. Penalties: Terblanche (3). Western Province 17 (5) – Tries: Tyron Strauss, Chergeo Fransman, Mikaeel Frieslaar. Conversion: Zachery September.

Golden Lions 28 (22) – Tries: Cullen la Grange, Lorenzo Jardim, Kristen Steyn. Conversions: Ariel Meij, Jardim. Penalties: Jardim (3). Boland 7 (0) – Try: Caleb Phillipus. Conversion: Chanville Zaal.

Free State 38 (14) – Tries: Zenzo Manana (2), Lebohang Lephallo (2), Reuben Smit, Aiden Zwiegelaar. Conversions: Ludwig Knauff (4). South Western Districts 33 (12) – Tries: Whelan Maxim, Aqhamile Magxidolo, Luan Augustyn, Jameal van Staden, Jordan Fortuin. Conversions: Augustyn (4).

Pumas 12 (7) – Tries: Siphokuhle Malele, WC van Schalkwyk. Conversion: Loghan de Beer. Griffons 7 (7) – Try: Vincent Stadhouer. Conversion: Anthonie Pelser.

Griqualand West 23 (15) – Tries: Luan Coetzee (2), Guillermo Neels, Kaylon Eilerd. Penalty: Jayden Gossmann. Border 10 (10) – Try: Joshua van Heerden. Conversion: Jesse van Bronckhorst. Penalty: Van Bronckhorst.

Sharks 17 (5) – Tries: Wald Rossouw, Wandile Sithole, Max de Charmoy. Conversion: Willem Badenhorst. Eastern Province 3 (3) – Penalty: Hanno Winter.

Leopards 21 (14) – Tries: Dihan Booyens, Ethan Fourie, Keagan Gamba. Conversions: Dandré Allers (3). Valke 12 (7) – Tries: Rametsi Sebake, Kamo Motaung. Conversion: Dylan Nel.

Limpopo Blue Bulls 62 (36) – Tries: Mohau Sehlake (3), Trevor Sindana (2), Eli du Plessis, Ramathope Shai, PG Steenekamp, Antoon du Plessis, Mashudu Moraba. Conversions: Antoon du Plesssis (3), Divan Zietsman (3). Zimbabwe 0.

Namibia 52 (33) – Tries: Conroy van Wyk (2), Adrian van der Westhuizen (2), Keithen Humphries, Jean Botha, Tiaan du Plessis, Ruben Kotze. Conversions: Ryan Steyn (4), Jacques Bruwer. Border Country Districts 0.

B TEAMS 

Western Province B 26 (12) – Tries: Leighton Hendricks, Xolani Gobinca, Enoch Gold, Joshwin Jacobs. Conversions: Daniel Jackson (2), Carter Weber. Boland B 12 (7) – Tries: Martiens Labuschagne, Marlon Pretorius. Conversion: Duren Baron.

Blue Bulls 31 (31) – Tries: Stian Roets (2), Ruwald Cilliers, Keanu Engelbrecht, Christiaan Venter. Conversions: Roets (3). Sharks B 12 (0) – Tries: Blessing Mndaba, Connor Els. Conversion: Luyanda Mgabhi.

South Western Districts B 22 (5) – Tries: Raywin Links (2), Reece Plaatjies. Conversions: Jordan Lourens (2). Penalty: Lourens. Golden Lions B 19 (12) – Tries: Chad Pollak, Japhet Motindola, Koghan Rangolie. Conversions: Jean-Luke Parsons, Divan Coetzee.

Free State B 24 (21) – Tries: Kobamelo Tloubatla (3). Conversions: Cullen Keuris (3). Penalty: Keuris. Valke B 17 (10) – Tries: Ruan Wolmarans (3). Conversion: Ricardo Wills.

Eastern Province B 34 (12) – Tries: Ruan Jacobs (2), Tyler Merrington (2), Jaydon Stoman, Lubabalo Ntshiza. Conversions: Waney Neff (2). Griffons B 7 (0) – Try: Lehlohonolo Mthembu. Conversion: Mbono Myemane.

Border B 12 (12) – Tries: Alwaba Mkabile (2). Conversion: Ubenathi Kapa. Limpopo Blue Bulls B 7 (0) – Try: Rudo Rheeders. Conversion: MJ Snyman.

Leopards B 24 (5) – Tries: Henku Botha (2), Dirk Odendaal, Zavier van Wyk. Conversions: Lappies Labuschagne (2). Pumas B 19 (19) – Tries: Ofentse Aphane, Letsena Ramushu, Drikus Scholtz. Conversions: Scholtz (2).

Southern Gauteng A edged out their counterparts Southern Gauteng B 2-0 in a thrilling semifinal on Thursday in Bloemfontein to book their ticket to the final of the SASHOC National Week.

They will duel with Northern Gauteng A for the Sandra Jordaan Trophy at 09:55 on Friday morning.

Incredibly, given their rich history, Southerns last won the title in 2010, but they have high hopes of bringing an end to that title drought.

Catch the final live on SuperSport Schools

Many of the players in the Southern Gauteng A team were part of the u16 side that reached the final of that age group’s inter-provincial tournament last year. They hope to put the experience they gained from that campaign to good use and to go one better than in 2023.

While the scoreline gives an illusion of a comfortable win, given that Southern Gauteng A had a two-goal cushion when the match ended, the reality on the University of the Free State Astro was different.

Lance Louw‘s Southern Gauteng B fought fire with fire and enjoyed as much possession as their opponents. The contest was so close that Natasha Le Roux’s side scored their first goal with only four minutes of the third chukka remaining.

“If you play against Wits, on any given day it’s going to be a tough day. There were moments in that match where either team could have taken it,” the Southern Gauteng A coach reckoned.

While spectators and other teams might have looked at Southern Gauteng B as a lesser side due to its B team status, Le Roux and her charges refused to be complacent. “We haven’t called them a B side the entire week, and our entire team talk was around the fact that we cannot underestimate them, even if they carry the B side label. If they were a true B side, they wouldn’t have played the way they played today,” she said.

Not only did Southern Gauteng B match their opposition’s work rate, but they also found ways to work around the plans the Reabitswe Phume-captained side had.

“We know every player in their team, and we sort of had our expectations on what they were going to do, and they hit us with something very unexpected. It was a tough game but very enjoyable,” Amber Fairon beamed after the semifinal clash.

Southern Gauteng A’s fortunes turned in the third chukka, thanks to a halftime team talk that brought about a change in their approach. Le Roux, firstly, asked her charges not to be outworked by their opponents. Their work rate off the ball was not as high as she would have wanted it to be. They were working hard, but they ran the risk of being outworked by Southern Gauteng B.

“We also changed the press a little bit, which created a bit more time for our strikers to set up a shape that we wanted. Luckily, it worked out and we got our first goal,” Le Roux said.

Transformed, Southern Gauteng A made a breakthrough via Hannah Quinton, who opened the scoring for her side in the 41^st minute. Although Le Roux’s side does not boast a high penalty corner conversion rate in the tournament, when they have been successful, Quinton has been one of the players to find success at the set piece. Her goal against Wits was her third of the tournament.

Instead of being deflated by conceding, Southern Gauteng B appeared reinvigorated as they hunted for an equaliser. To put the contest to bed, Southerns’ A needed a second goal. It took them 19 minutes to create it.

Fairon is Southern Gauteng A’s leading goal scorer, with four to her name. She scored her first goal of the tournament in the first match her team played against Boland; a last-minute strike helped her side register a convincing 3-0 win over Northern Gauteng A. She followed that up with two goals in their fourth match, a 4-0 win over Western Province B. However, she counted her final-minute strike against Southern Gauteng B as her best of the tournament.

“I love scoring, but I haven’t been scoring as much as I would love to this whole tournament, so getting that second goal was a weight off my chest,” she admitted. “It was all the more important for me that the goal came in the semifinal against a tough side. I love that goal!”

While Southern Gauteng A convincingly won their game against Northerns on the first day of the tournament, Sunday, they’re highly motivated to do the double over their neighbours.

Coach, captain, and the rest of the squad all acknowledge that beating a team twice in a single tournament is not easy. They will be pulling out all the stops in the final to do that and to take possession of the trophy.

Northern Gauteng A became the first team to book a spot to compete for the Sandra Jordaan Trophy at the u18 SASHOC National Week in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

In a tightly contested semi-final, they deadlocked 1-1 with KwaZulu-Natal Coastal, before edging out their opponents 3-2 in the subsequent penalty shootout.

Northerns will face Southern Gauteng A for the title. It is the first time in many years that sides from the same province will duel for the trophy.

Catch the final live on SuperSport Schools

Northerns were one of the less fancied outfits in Pool A, where the defending champions, Southern Free State A, and Southern Gauteng A were expected to be the dominant sides.

However, Sinoxolo Mbekeni’s charges proved themselves to the dark horses of the tournament. Now, heading into Friday, they have a 50-50 chance of winning the title. They also have an opportunity to avenge a 0-3 defeat they suffered at the hands of Southern Gauteng A in their second pool match.

Up against KZN Coastal in the semi-finals, they were facing one of the more clinical outfits in the circle. After going behind very early in the match, the KZN girls desperately hunted for an equaliser. They enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and dictated the tempo in their pursuit of a goal, but they couldn’t land a final punch. They won several penalty corners and all but one was closed down by Northerns.

“Our brief was to let them play, but let them play in front of us,” Mbekeni shared. “That’s why we went that deep and tried to compress the space. They are a good side. They have scored a lot of goals and we wanted to eliminate the 1-v-1 battles.”

Northerns’ leading goal scorer, Arista van Zyl, had her side on the front foot with a fourth-minute strike. The Garsfontein learner chased down a Coastal defender, forced an error and capitalised on the opportunity.

Coastal reacted well to the setback, launching foray after foray into the Northerns’ half. Jacinta Wedderburn’s side, however, had to chase the game for 34 of the 60 minutes of the contest.

“They have a strong team and keep the ball so well. We tried to not give away any penalty corners in defence because we know how good they are,” Northerns’ Daniella McCann said after the match. “We knew, from the beginning, there was going to be pressure. We knew they were going to come hard at us.”

McCann, who spoke highly of Northerns’ team culture, said the side’s players became cheerleaders for one another as they built of wall of defence to repel the KZN team’s attacks. McCann, a forward, found herself taking on a greater defensive role than usual, working hard to make life tough for the Coastal defenders as they tried to exit.

The Northerns’ cohort has been a team that few have given a second glance. Luane Janssen, their goalkeeper, said most of the girls have played together since they were Grade 6 learners, but they had never finished higher than eighth at a provincial tournament.

“We have never won anything and so our main goal was to make the semifinals,” the Waterkloof learner admitted. “That would have been a big win for us.”

However, after winning in the semis, they are now daring to dream bigger, and they hope to realise their dream of being crowned the champions by adhering to good defence principles.

“Throughout the week there have been quarters where we were under a lot of pressure, and I think we have learned from that. The girls are not robots. They are not going to automatically be calm under pressure, but I think they have become better at handling pressure with each passing game,” Mbekeni said.

After withstanding the pressure exerted by KZN Coastal during regulation time, Northerns backed themselves to handle the pressure of the shootout. When the KZN team missed its first shootout opportunity, Northerns’ belief swelled. They converted their first chance, but went on to miss their next three, while Coastal scored two of their next three.

Janssen needed to prevent Coastal’s Caprice Bengston from converting her eight-second penalty to keep Northerns’ dreams alive. She stopped her. Then, Andrea Groenewald needed to beat Ella Carstens to keep the Gauteng side’s quest alive. She also succeeded, and that sent the teams to sudden death. That is when Daniella McCann stepped up.

“You don’t go into a shootout alone; you go with the rest of the team behind you. We also have one of the best goalkeepers in the tournament, so I think that also helps us to stay calm under pressure,” McCann said. She converted her stroke.

After making three good saves, Janssen was required to make one more critical stop. Facing her was the talented Emily Macquet.

“A shootout is always stressful for everyone,” Janssen said. “It is stressful for me, the ‘keeper, and I also know that it is stressful for the striker against me. But knowing that my team backs me is also great for my confidence and it helps me to back my training. I train hard for moments like this,” she shared after stopping Macquet.

Northerns will go into the final as the underdogs, but that hasn’t held them back yet, and they have high hopes of upstaging Southern Gauteng A in the Jukskei Derby on Friday.