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KZN Coastal A booked a place in the SASHOC National Week final, courtesy of an outstanding 2-0 semi-final victory over Eastern Province A on Pape’s Astro, at Maritzburg College, on Friday afternoon.

“We are very privileged and honoured to be in the final,” Chardinay Penniston, the KZN Coastal coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus afterwards. “I think the girls have put in a big shift.

“Everything we’ve stuck to and our structures, and how we play and how we would like this process to look at the end, has finally come together. So, it’s a truly good experience and we’re looking forward to the final.”

Coastal will lock horns with Boland A in the title game, which takes place at 10:05 on Saturday morning.

Last year, the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal side finished third. They’re already assured of going at least one place better, but they have their sights set on lifting the trophy

Penniston’s charges reached the semifinals by fighting their way through a tough Pool B, where they faced serious challengers in KZN Inland A, Western Province A, and last year’s runner-up, Northern Gauteng A. They also had to deal with Western Province B and Border A.

“Our pool was exceptionally hard. We fell short against Inland. It’s a KZN derby, so that was really hard, but we picked ourselves up in the next few games,” Penniston said.

A 0-1 loss to Inland was sandwiched between two high-scoring victories, a 4-0 triumph over Province B and a 5-0 walloping of Border. However, Coastal showed true character when they fought back to secure a 3-3 draw against Western Province A after trailing 0-2.

Penniston said her team’s ability and willingness to stick to their structure is a major reason for their success.

Coastal’s players have also proved to be dynamic when they have needed to change their formations. Instead of trying to force matters, they have adapted to different conditions and have always tried to do what they felt was in the team’s best interests.

It worked for them in their semi-final showdown with the previously unbeaten Eastern Province. They installed a game plan that kept EP captain Abigail Holderness off the scoresheet.

With nine goals to her name, Holderness tops the tournament’s goalscoring charts. Her outstanding play had been the engine that has driven the EP challenge. On Friday, though, the KZN Coastal defenders denied her room to express herself.

The side’s dynamic midfielders and forwards also caused problems for Eastern Province, and one of their attacks resulted in a penalty stroke in the 23rd minute, which Jamie da Silva converted to give KZN Coastal the lead.

It remained tight as Coastal held onto a precarious one-goal advantage until the 59th minute. Then, Caprice Bengtson ended Eastern Province’s dreams of a comeback when she rammed in her first goal of the tournament. KZN Coastal led 2-0 and EP was unable to muster a response.

KZN Coastal will have a tough job on their hands when they go up against coach Chris Gerber and his Boland team in the final. The local lasses, though, have no intention of changing their winning formula. They’ll stick to their structure and adapt their play to the game’s demands.

Results

Western Province B (3) 3 – Tatum Malherbe, Kate Naiker, Inam Gungebele. Southern Gauteng B: (2) 3 – Dannika Ramroop (2), Kayla Williscroft
Border A: 2 – Busiwe Mayekiso, Kishka Baartman. Northern Gauteng B: 1 – Priella Nsubuga
Boland A: (3) 2 – Cassie Fairbairn, Leah du Plessis. Western Province A: (0) 2 – Nina Wides (2)
Northern Gauteng A: 2 – Lisa Grey, Andrea Groenewald. Southern Free State A: 0.
KZN Coastal A: 2 – Jamie da Silva, Caprice Bengtson. Eastern Province A: 0.
Southern Gauteng A: 4 – Tori Tanner-Ellis, Azania Petersen, Keovaan Jansen, Amber Fairon. KZN Inland A: 0.

Fixtures

07:30 – Southern Gauteng A vs Northern Gauteng A (5 and 6)
08:40 – Border A vs Western Province B (9 and 10)
08:40 – Northern Gauteng B vs Southern Gauteng B (11 and 12)
09:50 – KZN Inland A vs Southern Free State A (7 and 8)
10:20 – Boland A vs KZN Coastal A (final)
11:15 – Eastern Province A vs Western Province A (3 and 4)

Andrea Fortuin pulled off three outstanding saves in a penalty shootout to usher Boland A into the final of the SASHOC National Week.

Thanks to her heroics, Boland clinched a 3-0 victory over Western Province A on penalties on Pape’s Astro, at Maritzburg College, on Friday morning.

“She stepped up when it really mattered. She was phenomenal in the shootout,” Chris Gerber, the Boland coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus.

Boland will meet KZN Coastal in the final to be contested at 10:05 on Saturday morning.

Gerber’s charges asserted themselves from the first pushback of the contest. They forced Province onto the back foot and didn’t have to wait long before they were rewarded with a goal, with Cassie Fairbairn firing the ball into the back of the net just three minutes in.

Boland won five penalty corners in the first half, and four of those opportunities went begging. However, on their fifth attempt, they hit pay dirt. Captain Leah du Plessis drilled the ball past Province’s defence to double Boland’s lead in the final seconds of the first half.

It had all gone swimmingly well for Boland. Their defence was operating like a well-oiled machine, denying Province room to manoeuvre and smothering Province’s forwards when they entered the final third. However, Coach Natalie Esteves‘s side still had plenty of fight left in them.

“They had nothing to lose, and they threw everything at us. They had two opportunities and utilised both,” Gerber said.

Nina Wides kept Province in the hunt for a place in the final when struck eight minutes from the end of regulation time by converting her side’s fourth penalty corner with a sweetly struck shot.

That goal injected new life into Western Province, and they continued to pressure Boland. Just two minutes from the end, they equalised, and, like the first goal, it was Wides who scored, once again from a penalty corner. That sent the game into a penalty shootout.

“I told the girls to take a deep breath. We were in a moment that we had prepared and practiced for before,” Gerber said.

Boland took the first penalty and converted. Province would have issued an immediate response had Fortuin not been on top of her game. Unfortunately for them, she was. She didn’t just save Province’s first penalty attempt. She stymied them three times in succession.

Boland, meanwhile, converted three of their four penalties, and that was enough to secure a spot in the final.

Results

Western Province B (3 )3 – Tatum Malherbe, Kate Naiker, Inam Gungebele. Southern Gauteng B: (2) 3 – Dannika Ramroop (2), Kayla Williscroft
Border A: 2 – Busiwe Mayekiso, Kishka Baartman. Northern Gauteng B: 1 – Priella Nsubuga
Boland A: (3) 2 – Cassie Fairbairn, Leah du Plessis. Western Province A: (0) 2 – Nina Wides (2
Northern Gauteng A: 2 – Lisa Grey, Andrea Groenewald. Southern Free State A: 0.
KZN Coastal A: 2 – Jamie da Silva, Caprice Bengtson. Eastern Province A: 0.
Southern Gauteng A: 4 – Tori Tanner-Ellis, Azania Petersen, Keovaan Jansen, Amber Fairon. KZN Inland A: 0.

Fixtures:

07:30 – Southern Gauteng A vs Northern Gauteng A (5 and 6)
08:40 – Border A vs Western Province B (9 and 10)
08:40 – Northern Gauteng B vs Southern Gauteng B (11 and 12)
09:50 – KZN Inland A vs Southern Free State A (7 and 8)
10:20 – Boland A vs KZN Coastal A (final)
11:15 – Eastern Province A vs Western Province A (3 and 4)

The last time Southern Gauteng A was in the boys’ final of the u18 SASHOC National Week was in 2023, when they took on Western Province A for the title in Bloemfontein.

In that clash, Gauteng showed fight and resilience, but they were outplayed and defeated 3-1 by a star-studded Province side.

Two years on, the boys from Johannesburg will have another crack at Province after booking their spot in the 2025 title game at Maritzburg College.

The final takes place on Pape’s Astroturf, and pushback is at 11:45.

The Kyle Reddy-coached side defeated Western Province B 3-1 in the semifinals the disappointment of missing out on the final as was the case last year. They went on to finish fourth.

Southerns put together an impressive run in Pool A and finished in second place with four wins from their five outings.

They claimed the scalps of Eastern Province A (1-0), KZN Coastal B (5-1), Boland B (8-1), and KZN Inland A (2-0). However, they suffered a hefty 1-5 loss to WP.

The second-place finish in the pool guaranteed them a semi-final spot against an unpredictable WP B side that’s made waves throughout the tournament.

It was far from a walk in the park for Southerns. They found the going a tough slog in the first half despite dominating possession.

They had two peanlty corners awarded, but their execution let them down while the Province B defence held firm. Aidan Blatch also had a golden chance in front of the goal, but his shot went wide.

It was 0-0 at the halfway point, but that changed in the third chukka.

Province B brought the game to life when Jacques van Dyk converted from the top of the circle early in the chukka to set up an interesting finish.

That goal appeared to touch a nerve in the Southerns’ camp, and they responded almost immediately through their captain Ethan Kapanda.

The floodgates opened after that, and Zeyad Davids, who is in the form of his life, scored an outrageous Tomahawk to make it 2-1.

Juan Martin then took the outcome out of Province B’s reach in the final chukka after a smart PC variation with Blatch.

Speaking to SuperSport Schools Plus afterwards, coach Reddy gave his assessment of the match: “I think Western Province B came out well today,” he said.

“We struggled to break them down, and they kept us at bay with their scramble defence, and that took away a lot of opportunities from us.

“At the end of the day, with the coaching staff we have in Woody (Anthony Woodhouse) and Andy (Andy Aldred) and the group of boys we have, we showed grit and determination.”

Reddy said his halftime team talk was about getting the boys to stick together, press as one unit, and implement the game plan. It worked.

He’ll be hoping for a similar performance on Saturday against Western Province A.

“We have a point to prove against Province after coming out of the group with them and them beating us.

“We will prepare as best as we can and give it our best tomorrow.,” he said.

While Southerns were made to sweat for their semi-final win, Province posted a comfortable 5-0 win over a gutsy Northern Gauteng A in the second semi-final.

Coach Jody Erasmus’s side continued on their merry winning way after powering past their opponents in the group stages.

Litha Kraai netted a hat-trick, with two of his goals coming from penalty strokes, while captain Jo le Roux sent a thunderbolt drag flick past Northerns’ keeper Owen McMenamin, who has had a tournament to remember. Zachary Gibbon completed the dubbing in the 53rd minute.

“The big focus for us in this game was on short corner defence,” coach Erasmus said after the game.

“We knew Northerns had a threat there, and we must respect the ability and talent of Luken Brunette, but I think our ‘keeper, Marley Musasa, took charge well and had the guys running good lines.

“As much as we wanted to score, we understood the game might come down to how well we defended, and that was key for us.”

Province is hunting a fifth straight SASHOC National Week title, but they face the tricky task of beating Southern Gauteng for a second time.

Western Province claimed a convincing 5-1 win when they met earlier in the tournament, but Erasmus believes a different challenge awaits his team in the final.

“It’s easy to focus on the opposition because we’ve played them before, but we understand any team can give you a different look and energy in a final,” he said. “Hence, we want to focus on ourselves.

“We can’t over-prepare or under-prepare. We will want to score early and dictate the tempo of the game because Southerns are quick, and we’ll want to slow them down.”

Day 5 | Results and scorers

Southern Free State A 3: Gurshwin Matebesi (2), Cobus van Wyk. KZN Coastal B 2: Mesuli Msomi, Murray Wicks.

KZN Inland A 9: Gordon Deutscher (4), Tadi Hove (2), Reagan Mudau, Andile Lembethe, Siwa Sithembu. Southern Gauteng B 0.

Boland A 3: Bukhosi Mapethe, Ruben Gouws, Luka Meets. Eastern Province A 0.

Southern Gauteng A 3: Ethan Kapanda, Zeyad Davids, Juan Martin. Western Province B 1: Jacques van Dyk

KZN Coastal A 2: Seth Simpson, Joshua Mungherera. Boland B 1: Noah Hendricks.

Western Province A 5: Litha Kraai (3), Jo le Roux, Zachary Gibbon. Northern Gauteng A 0.

DAY 6 FIXTURES

07:30 – KZN Coastal B vs Southern Gauteng B (11th/12th position) @Epworth School
08:55 – Southern Free State A vs KZN Inland A (9th/10th position) @Epworth School
08:55 – Northern Gauteng A vs Western Province B (3rd/4th position) @Maritzburg College
10:05 – Eastern Province A vs Boland B (7th/8th position) @Epworth School
11:15 – Boland A vs KZN Coastal A (5th/6th position) @Epworth School
11:45 – Southern Gauteng A vs Western Province A (Final) @Maritzburg College

It was exactly the flair-filled performance the Sharks needed to beat the defending champions, Western Province, in the unofficial final of the 2025 Grant Khomo Week, at St Alban’s College in Pretoria.

Relive all the Grant Khomo action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

After surviving a scare on the second day and drawing 29-29 with the Blue Bulls, the Sharks produced the display of the week to comprehensively dethrone WP with a final score of 51-28.

This feat marks the KwaZulu-Natal Union’s first Grant Khomo title since 2006. Prior to that, they reigned victorious once, claiming the title during the inaugural week back in 2003.

Sharks flyhalf Daniel Miskey and the rest of the Sharks back division made it crystal clear that they were there to play. From the outset, the KZN backline gave the ball air, putting WP under all sorts of pressure.

Miskey delivered a masterful performance in the 10 jumper.

His vision and flair on attack gave the likes of Lisa Sijadu the freedom to run in a brace of tries, while prop forward Nyakallo Masiloane was in marauding form with two tries of his own. In addition, Miskey had a near flawless performance from the kicking tee, slotting five conversions and two penalties for a personal contribution of 16 points.

The defending champions did show signs of putting up a valiant fightback with an energetic spell shortly before and after halftime. Lock Rocco Buchanan gave 100 percent with a tireless outing upfront, but the onslaught from the Sharks’ livewires out wide would ultimately prove too much for the side from the Cape.

The wounded Blue Bulls redeemed themselves with a well-rounded team performance to wallop Western Province XV 43-12. Hooker, Hendré Ehlers, and No. 8, Caleb Pretorius, did the bulk of the damage for the Pretoria-based side with a brace each.

Free State recorded their first victory of the week, beating neighbours Griquas 45-34 in another high-scoring affair. Trailing 10-15 at the break, the Free State outfit finally hit their straps in sensational fashion during the second half.

Through a hat-trick by Rossouw de Waal, the first and only of the final day, the Free Staters managed to amass 35 points in the second stanza. Griquas’ Franklin Stevens ensured some consolation for Griquas with two tries of his own.

The Limpopo Blue Bulls left the best for last as they overcame traditional rivals, the Leopards, by 30-12. Hoërskool Ellisras’ Tino Roberts led the way with a brace of tries, while Johan van Biljon slotted three conversions and three penalties to contribute half of his side’s total.

Scorers: 

Moshate Field: 

Sharks 51 (38) – Tries: Nyako Masiloane (2), Lisa Sijadu (2), Bulelani Cebani, Nala Shabangu, Aobakwe Moeng. Conversions: Daniel Miskey (5). Penalties: Miskey (2). Western Province 28 (21) – Tries: Rocco Buchanan, Corné Ferreira, James Sale, Thomas Meyer. Conversions: Jake Dave (3), Caleb Clark.

Blue Bulls 43 (22) – Tries: Hendré Ehlers (2), Caleb Pretorius (2), Dandré Brink, Kyle van Staden, Luhan Hattingh. Conversions: Kyle van Staden (3), Reuben Smith. Western Province XV 12 (7) – Tries: Hadley Erasmus, Liam Philander. Conversions: Divan Meyer.

Baloyi A-Field: 

Free State 45 (10) – Tries: Rossouw de Waal (3), Niel du Randt (2), Guiteau Petrus, Frans Trotskie. Conversions: Zachery Walburgh (5). Griquas 34 (15) – Tries: Franklin Stevens (2), LJ Buys, Jay-Dee Isaacs, Stephan Fourie. Conversions: Isaacs (3). Penalty: Isaacs.

Baloyi B-Field: 

Limpopo Blue Bulls 30 (27) – Tries: Tino Roberts (2), Letlgonolo Mojapelo. Conversions: Johan van Biljon (3). Penalty: Van Biljon (3), SH van Zyl. Leopards 12 (12) – Tries: Chadwin Garnett, Karabello Kgamanyake. Conversion: Johann von Moltke.

The South Western District Eagles recovered well from their 21-29 defeat at the hands of Western Province on the second day, to cap off a successful 2025 Grant Khomo Week with a hard-fought 15-5 victory over the Golden Lions in Pretoria.

Relive all the Grant Khomo action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

The highlight of the intensely physical 60 minutes came shortly before the final whistle. Stepping up with the kicking tee, the Eagles’ loosehead prop, Keaton Olivier, showed why front-rowers regularly practice their goal-kicking before training sessions.

Delivering the final blow, Olivier slotted his only penalty for the week, nearly from halfway, to secure a 10-point buffer for the Eagles to reign victorious. Apart from this unusual feat, Oliver was a standout performer on the attack for the side from the Southern Cape throughout the three days of action.

The Eagles’ backline, marshalled superbly for one last time by flyhalf Tanwill Onkers, gave the Lions countless headaches through their entertaining brand of running rugby, which supporters at this year’s tournament had become accustomed to.

Eastern Province, too, recovered well after their first-day loss against the Eagles (10-27), to achieve two from two in their following two encounters. The side from the Eastern Cape handled a dangerous Griffons side relatively comfortably, cruising to a 35-16 win. Grey High School’s Keanu Linch dived across twice for the first brace on the final day.

Flyhalf Nathan Trystman, who was flown in for the injured Alexander Stewart, had a fruitful day with the boot, slotting three conversions and three penalties for a valuable contribution of 15 points.

On the Baloyi A-Field, the Pumas thumped the Valke 29-0 to record their first victory of the week. Loose forwards, Marule Siphesihle (Uplands College) and Hoërskool Middelburg No. 8, Menzi Siyaya, again produced standout performances, allowing their fluent backs acres of space with which to wreak havoc.

Zimbabwe reigned victorious in their international against Namibia, scoring five tries to Namibia’s one in a runaway victory of 34-5. Ethan Zhou stole the limelight, crossing the whitewash twice.

The Iqhawe XV recorded a historical victory, smashing Border Country Districts by 43-11 in the opener of the final day on the Baloyi B-Field, achieving their first ever victory at a National Week.

Scorers: 

Moshate Field: 

South Western Districts 15 (7) – Tries: A-Jay Julies, Rufagon Hendricks. Conversion: Tanwill Onkers. Penalty: Keaton Olivier. Golden Lions 5 (5) – Try: Ray-Nathin van Kolver.

Eastern Province 35 (17) – Tries: Keanu Linch (2), Jarno Nel, Sibulele Ngebulana. Conversions: Nathan Trytsman (3). Penalties: Trystman (3). Griffons 16 (7) – Try: Jayden-Daniel Bienas. Conversions: Theuns van Rensburg. Penalty: Van Rensburg (3).

Baloyi A-Field: 

Pumas 29 (15) – Tries: Ryan Blake, Marcel Lindeque, Menzi Siyaya, Thubelihle Marule. Conversions: Kgontse Masisela (2), Cornelius Erasmus. Penalty: Masisela. Valke 0.

Zimbabwe 34 (3) – Tries: Ethan Zhou (2), Liam Britten, Alexander Mubata, Miguel Mavera. Conversions: Maver (3), Gray van der Merwe. Namibia 5 (5) – Try: Mias Nieuwoudt.

Baloyi B-Field: 

Boland 36 (24) – Tries: Ewan Alberts, Wernard de Villiers, Tristin Syster, Chris-Will du Toit, Ruan Nortjé, Chrisjan de Bod. Conversions: Ruan Nortjé (3). Border 12 (0) – Tries: Josh Wilkie, Rosh Els. Conversion: Wilkie.

Iqhawe XV 43 (24) – Tries: Kungalo Mpambani (2), Wailin Papier, Abdul Isaacs, Tshegofatso Nkgame, Zacharius Zide, Kabelo Motlharo. Conversions: Luthando Marangxa (3), Emerick Oliver. Border Country Districts 11 (6) – Try: Kungawo Gabula. Penalties: Luke Groepe (3).

Western Province edged the Golden Lions in the final match of the FNB U18 Girls Week while Border Country Districts snatched a late draw against the Blue Bulls in the last round of the FNB U16 Girls Week at Queens High School in Johannesburg on Friday.

WP and the Bulls claimed wins on Friday to finish the U18 Girls Week unbeaten, while Eastern Province, the Limpopo Blue Bulls, South Western Districts, the Pumas, Border and KwaZulu-Natal secured third-round victories to end their campaigns on a high.

WP got off to a slow start in the final match against the Lions, but cracked into gear after half-time. The girls from the Cape scored five unanswered tries and 31 points in the second stanza, with flyhalf Nuha Levy contributing a try as well as three conversions.

Earlier in the day, No 8 Amanda Seokotsa scored a hat-trick in the Limpopo Blue Bulls’ 31-15 win over the Griffons, while loosehead prop Jessica Ejeleonu touched down three times for the Valke in the East Rand outfit’s 27-25 loss to the Pumas.

In the final round of the U16 Girls Week, the Lions beat WP 17-7 to finish their campaign with three consecutive wins.

Border Country Districts drew 12-12 with the Bulls in the last game of the tournament, with the Eastern Cape side ending their campaign unbeaten.

The girls from Border CD led 7-0 at the break, before the Bulls hit back with two tries after half-time. Just as the game was slipping away, loosehead prop Endinako Fetumane crossed the line for Border, ensuring that her side came away with a draw.

FNB U18 Girls Week day three results (Friday, 4 July 2025):

EP 12 (5) Zimbabwe 0 (0)
Griffons 15 (0) Limpopo Blue Bulls 31 (12)
Leopards 12 (12) SWD 22 (0)
Valke 25 (15) Pumas 27 (0)
Griquas 0 (0) Border 41 (12)
Blue Bulls 19 (12) Boland 12 (0)
Free State 0 (0) KwaZulu-Natal 38 (17)
WP 31 (0) Golden Lions 5 (5)

 FNB U16 Girls Week day three results (Friday, 4 July 2025):

Free State 0 (0) Zimbabwe 5 (0)
Griquas 0 (0) Griffons 17 (5)
Border 17 (12) Pumas 7 (0)
SWD 20 (10) Limpopo Blue Bulls 27 (0)Valke 0 (0)
Golden Lions Invitational XV 20 (10)
Leopards 0 (0) KwaZulu-Natal 38 (24)
Golden Lions 17 (12) WP 7 (0)
Boland 7 (0) EP 13 (13)
Border Country Districts 12 (7) Blue Bulls 12 (0)

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

He is a fighter, a natural-born leader who refuses to give way, and that is how Vincent Tshituka crossed borders, obstacles and paperwork to pursue an unlikely path to become Northcliff High School‘s first-ever Springbok

Tshituka has already had a taste of top-tier international rugby, making his unofficial debut for the Springboks last Saturday against the Barbarians at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

He also represented a South African XV in 2021, following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the recent accolades and excitement in his young career, the 26-year-old’s journey has been far from easy.

Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Tshituka family relocated to Johannesburg in 2002 amid political turmoil in their homeland, unaware that both Vincent and his brother, Emmanuel, would one day become influential figures in South African rugby.

By then, sport had already played a central role in Vincent’s life.

He initially pursued football as a goalkeeper, but his career path changed significantly when he enrolled at Northcliff High School. In Grade 8, he picked up a rugby ball for the first time.

“When he first started playing, he was already a massive human being,” recalled Tinus Diedericks, current Chairman of the Noordvaal Schools Rugby Association and a long-time mentor at Northcliff.

“Initially, Vincent played for the C and B teams, but he quickly found his feet. By the end of that year, he was running out for the A team. As coaches, we kept refining his skills and, with his incredible hunger to learn, he soon became a formidable weapon.”

Tshituka’s first breakthrough came in his matric year, 2016, when he was selected by the Golden Lions selectors to represent the union at the Academy Week at Kearsney College in KwaZulu-Natal. But it was two years earlier, as an under-16 player, that his spark had ignited.

Despite missing out on selection for any of the Lions’ u16 teams, he made it to the final trials, a turning point in his belief that he was good enough to make it.

Diedericks emphasised that Vincent’s immense mental strength made him a natural leader, complementing his already impressive physical presence. This, too, established him as a key player for Northcliff in a short space of time.

Although he left school nearly a decade ago, Tshituka still speaks highly of the impact Northcliff had on his life.

“He’s building an incredible legacy. In every interview and social media appearance, he reminds people where his rugby journey began. That, in turn, instils great confidence in our current Northcliff boys, serving as a reminder that they, too, can achieve their dreams,” Diedericks added.

Despite a string of setbacks, including the long struggle to obtain South African citizenship to qualify for Springbok selection, Tshituka remained relentless at franchise level, performing week in and week out, patiently biding his time.

And now, from humble beginnings in Blackheath, Johannesburg, a new Springbok star has been born.

South Africa’s top young girls’ hockey talent heated up the Gauteng winter at the 2025 u13 SASHOC National Week, which concluded at King Edward VII School, in Johannesburg, on Wednesday.

Western Province, the dominant hockey power in South Africa in recent years, reaffirmed their status by winning both the boys’ and girls’ titles.

The Western Province girls were in a class of their own, delivering a flawless campaign from the first whistle to the last whistle that signalled the end of the final.

Their dominance was on full display in the title decider, with Province claiming a commanding 3-0 win over KZN Coastal to take the honours.

Their journey began with a double-header on day one at Parktown Boys’ High, but Province navigated that challenge smoothly, posting back-to-back wins to lay a sound foundation for their title bid.

They kicked things off with a composed 2-0 victory over Eastern Gauteng and followed that up with a stunning 7-0 rout of Northern Cape, which sent out an early warning to their rivals.

On the second day, they continued their high-scoring form by putting four past Eastern Province, whom they beat 4-1. Leah McGregor and Olivia Garces then combined to deal with Border, which put the Western Cape side through to a semi-final showdown with the tournament hosts, Southern Gauteng.

It proved to be a nail-biter between the provincial powerhouses. In a tightly contested battle, Gemma Fillies broke the deadlock with a decisive field goal to send Western Province into the final following a 1-0 win.

Southerns went on to finish third after a tight 2-1 victory over Southern Free State in a thrilling encounter.

It was an impressive turnaround from coach Craig Pinetown’s side, whose campaign had spluttered in the early going. They won only one of their three group matches, beating Limpopo 3-1. In their other group games, they drew 1-1 with Mpumalanga and were beaten 1-0 by KZN Inland.

They rose to the occasion in their quarterfinal clash with their neighbours, Northern Gauteng, however, and picked up a 2-0 win.

Border placed fifth in another meeting of rivals and neighbours. In a hard-fought contest, they finished regulation time knotted at 1-1 with Eastern Province but then prevailed 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout.

With both their girls and boys lifting the u13 provincial trophies, Western Province left no doubt, it remains the benchmark in South African school hockey.

FINAL STANDINGS

Western Province
KZN Coastal
Southern Gauteng
Southern Free State
Border
Eastern Province
Northern Blues
KZN Inland
Eastern Gauteng
Boland
Eden
Limpopo
North West
Mpumalanga
Northern Cape

Main Matches of the u13 Craven Week (2010-2024)

[ninja_tables id=”76531″]

Scorers: 

Sharks 51 (38) – Tries: Nyako Masiloane (2), Lisa Sijadu (2), Bulelani Cebani, Nala Shabangu, Aobakwe Moeng. Conversions: Daniel Miskey (5). Penalties: Miskey (2). Western Province 28 (21) – Tries: Rocco Buchanan, Corné Ferreira, James Sale, Thomas Meyer. Conversions: Jake Dave (3), Caleb Clark.

Blue Bulls 43 (22) – Tries: Hendré Ehlers (2), Caleb Pretorius (2), Dandré Brink, Kyle van Staden, Luhan Hattingh. Conversions: Kyle van Staden (3), Reuben Smith. Western Province XV 12 (7) – Tries: Hadley Erasmus, Liam Philander. Conversions: Divan Meyer.

Free State 45 (10) – Tries: Rossouw de Waal (3), Niel du Randt (2), Guiteau Petrus, Frans Trotskie. Conversions: Zachery Walburgh (5). Griquas 34 (10) – Tries: Franklin Stevens (2), LJ Buys, Jay-Dee Isaacs, Stephan Fourie. Conversions: Isaacs (3). Penalty: Isaacs.

Limpopo Blue Bulls 30 (27) – Tries: Tino Roberts (2), Letlgonolo Mojapelo. Conversions: Johan van Biljon (3). Penalty: Van Biljon (3), SH van Zyl. Leopards 12 (12) – Tries: Chadwin Garnett, Karabello Kgamanyake. Conversion: Johann von Moltke.

South Western Districts 15 (7) – Tries: A-Jay Julies, Rufagon Hendricks. Conversion: Tanwill Onkers. Penalty: Keaton Olivier. Golden Lions 5 (5) – Try: Ray-Nathin van Kolver.

Pumas 29 (15) – Tries: Ryan Blake, Marcel Lindeque, Menzi Siyaya, Thubelihle Marule. Conversions: Kgontse Masisela (2), Cornelius Erasmus. Penalty: Masisela. Valke 0. 

Boland 36 (24) – Tries: Ewan Alberts, Wernard de Villiers, Tristin Syster, Chris-Will du Toit, Ruan Nortjé, Chrisjan de Bod. Conversions: Ruan Nortjé (3). Border 12 (0) – Tries: Josh Wilkie, Rosh Els. Conversion: Wilkie.

Eastern Province 35 (17) – Tries: Keanu Linch (2), Jarno Nel, Sibulele Ngebulana. Conversions: Nathan Trytsman (3). Penalties: Trystman (3). Griffons 16 (7) – Try: Jayden-Daniel Bienas. Conversions: Theuns van Rensburg. Penalty: Van Rensburg (3).

Zimbabwe 34 (3) – Tries: Ethan Zhou (2), Liam Britten, Alexander Mubata, Miguel Mavera. Conversions: Maver (3), Gray van der Merwe. Namibia 5 (5) – Try: Mias Nieuwoudt.

Iqhawe XV 43 (24) – Tries: Kungalo Mpambani (2), Wailin Papier, Abdul Isaacs, Tshegofatso Nkgame, Zacharius Zide, Kabelo Motlharo. Conversions: Luthando Marangxa (3), Emerick Oliver. Border Country Districts 11 (6) – Try: Kungawo Gabula. Penalties: Luke Groepe (3).