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Meridian Northern Academy from Limpopo has been crowned as the premier school this past weekend following its victory in the Kay Motsepe Schools Championship held in Rustenburg, North West.

On Saturday, 28 September, Northern Academy’s U19 boys’ team won the Kay Motsepe Schools Championship in Rustenburg with a 2-1 victory over Eletsa Secondary from North West in the final, pocketing R3 million for infrastructure development. Additionally, the U13 boys team from the same school achieved a commendable third place in this esteemed national tournament.

Established in 2004 with the support of the South African Football Association (SAFA), the Kay Motsepe Schools Championship is the biggest national schools football tournament, uniting both public and independent schools from across South Africa in a quest for the title of school football champions. This year the tournament saw participation from 13 000 teams, representing over 5 000 schools, an initiative jointly funded by Sanlam and the Motsepe Foundation. With a total prize pool of R8.6 million, allocated for infrastructure development, the 2024 competition featured three divisions: U19 boys, U13 boys and U13 girls.

The Meridian Schools group is managed by Curro Holdings. Cobus Loubser, the CEO of Curro, is very proud of the Northern Academy teams.

“These champions exemplify the spirit of dedication and excellence of Northern Academy and underscores Curro’s commitment to invest in the potential of South Africa’s youth,” Loubser said.

Fergus Sampson, Business Executive for the Meridian schools, explained that the school that wins the U19 category nationally will receive R3 million for infrastructure development to benefit the teaching and learning at the school.

“Being part of the Curro Group means that we strive for excellence in everything we do, with exceptional results in academics, as well as in the sports and cultural arenas,” Sampson said.

“Our coaches have been working towards the goal of being the number one soccer school in South Africa for a while now. Northern Academy’s teams have been travelling to Gauteng since pre-season to prepare our teams. It was a big investment of time, energy and funds, but well worth it.”

“Limpopo is a province with exceptional talent, not just in soccer but in many other sports too,” Loubser added.

“Schools cannot always showcase their talent at a national level, but to have our teams come first and third in this competition shows that the talent is here. This tournament gave Northern Academy the opportunity to show that we have brilliant football players.

“We can’t wait to see where the sport will take these youngsters one day. We also wish them all the best with their final matric exams.”

The South African U20 men’s national team (Amajita) is through to the semi-finals of the Cosafa U20 Championship in Maputo after going unbeaten in the group phase.

On Tuesday, in their final Group C match, Amajita faced Comoros and recorded a 2-0 victory. Both goals were netted in the second half by midfielders, Kgosana Ofentse, from Kaizer Chiefs, and Siyabonga Mabena, from Mamelodi Sundowns.

In their previous match, on Sunday, Amajita recorded a resounding 6-0 victory over Lesotho. Shandre Campbell delivered an outstanding performance and earned man of the match recognition after scoring two goals, including a remarkable strike from outside the box.

Emile Witbooi also showcased his talent and entertained the fans in Maputo with his impressive skills. Additional goals were contributed by Lethlaku Kutlwano, Timba Sifiso, and Lee Jody Ahshene, along with an own goal from Lesotho, leaving South Africa as handsome winners.

Amajita were almost as dominant in their opening match on 27 September, defeating Malawi 5-0. South Africa showed in their opener that they are serious contenders, with Shakeel April netting a brace, while Lee Jody Ahshene, Kutlwano Letlhaku, Mbekezele Mbokazi added the rest.

South Africa’s reward is a midday meeting with Angola on Thursday at the ABB Stadium in Maputo. There is plenty at stake in the Mozambican capital, with the finalists of the Cosafa U20 Championship qualifying for the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

Alakhe Mdluli shines at Cosafa Cup

Alakhe Mdluli, a talented student from Glenwood High School and a member of the South African professional club, AmaZulu FC, has made a notable impression at the Cosafa Cup. Unfortunately, Mdluli and the Eswatini national team were unable to advance to the semi-finals after missing a crucial opportunity to take the lead against Botswana on Monday, September 30.

The match resulted in a 0-0 draw, with Eswatini failing to capitalise on a penalty that could have secured their place in the semi-finals. Mdluli took responsibility for the penalty kick, but his attempt was thwarted by Botswana’s goalkeeper, Frank Seleke Low, who saved the shot to his right. Following the rebound, Eswatini had another opportunity, but the ball went wide of the target.

However, Mdluli exhibited outstanding skill to the fans present during the tournament’s opening match, where they defeated the host nation, Mozambique, by 5-4. Although they did not advance to the subsequent round of the tournament, Mdluli concluded their participation with two goals, one assist, and a man of the match accolade.

The SportZone at Kearsney College and the surrounding basketball courts were a hive of activity over the weekend, with 26 teams playing 104 matches over the three days of the annual Independent Schools’ Stayers Basketball Tournament (ISSBT).

It finished with Michael Mount Waldorf being crowned the A Division champions, while LIV Village won the B Division.

The event was divided into the 16-team A Division and 12-team B Division and included teams from across South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.

Traditionally, the competition between the top schools from KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng has been even. On this occasion, however, quite clearly, Gauteng ruled the roost. Hilton College, in seventh, was the best of the KZN schools.

Michael Mount, meanwhile, held off the defending champions, St Benedict’s College, 57-52 to take the title. While the Bryanston school kept their record clean throughout the tournament, they were extended in a number of their matches.

In pool play, they edged out St Stithians by only two points and Elite Sports and Cultural Academy (ESCA) by a single point. It turned out that Pool C was the strongest of the four.

Third place went to ESCA, who had their way with St Alban’s College, winning 53-29. Then, in a clash of traditional rivals, St Stithians defeated St John’s College 52-30 to secure fifth-place.

Hilton College scored a narrow 31-27 win over King’s School Linbro Park to end seventh, and St Charles College and Clifton College completed the top 10, with Saints beating Clifton 52-31 in their playoff contest.

None of the B Division teams went unscathed, with LIV Village, the champions, going down to Curro Hillcrest and St Nicholas Diocesan School in Pool A action. They also edged out Kingswood College by a single point. However, when the chips were down, during the playoffs, LIV Village produced their best form.

They cruised to a 33-point win over Marist Brothers Linmeyer in the quarterfinals. Pool B’s winner, St Peter’s College, who won all of their pool games, comfortably dealt with Curro Hillcrest, winning by 21 points. They won by 11 over St Nicholas in the semi-finals, while LIV Village edged out SAHETI School 22-18.

With the title on the line, LIV Village handed St Peter’s their only defeat of the tournament, running out 37-30 winners.

A DIVISION RESULTS

Pool A

St Benedict’s College 70-13 The Clan
St Charles College 49-55 Hilton College
St Benedict’s College 53-40 St Charles College
The Clan 33-73 Hilton College
Hilton College 39-57 St Benedict’s College
St Charles College 53-30 The Clan

Pool B

Kearsney College 32-36 King’s School Linbro Park
St David’s Marist Inanda 56-25 Usuthu Forest School
Kearsney College 50-23 St David’s Marist Inanda
King’s School Linbro Park 56-13 Usuthu Forest
Usuthu Forest 14-18 Kearsney College
St David’s Marist 23-41 Inanda King’s School Linbro Park

Pool C

St Stithians 40-42 Michael Mount
Michaelhouse 24-42 ESCA
Michael Mount 58-38 Michaelhouse
ESCA 49-43 St Stithians
St Stithians 51-27 Michaelhouse
Michael Mount 47-46 ESCA

Pool D

St Alban’s College 58-21 Peace Players International
St John’s College 53-38 Peace Players International
St Alban’s College 27-29 St John’s College
Clifton College 63-52 Peace Players International
Clifton College 23-32 St Alban’s College
St John’s College 51-40 Clifton College

Round of 16

King’s School Linbro Park 38-32 Michaelhouse
Michael Mount 76-17 Usuthu Forest School
St Benedict’s College 55-42 Peace Players International
St John’s College 60-26 The Clan
Hilton College 48-37 Clifton College
St Alban’s College 52-47 St Charles College
Kearsney College 34-48 ESCA
St Stithians College 58-34 St David’s Marist Inanda

Cross-Pool Matches

Michaelhouse 28-36 St Charles College
Clifton College 63-24 Usuthu Forest School
Peace Players International 30-33 St David’s Marist Inanda
Kearsney College 55-33 The Clan

Playoff Games

Quarterfinals

St Benedict’s College 55-41 St Stithians College
ESCA 39-36 St John’s College
King’s School Linbro Park 23-34 St Alban’s College
Hilton College 25-57 Michael Mount

Cross-Pool Matches

St Stithians College 35-36 King’s School Linbro Park
St John’s College 47-34 Hilton College

Semi-finals

St Benedict’s College 45-32 St Alban’s College
ESCA 38-57 Michael Mount

Cross-Pool Matches

St David’s Marist Inanda 35-54 St Charles College
Clifton College 60-53 Kearsney College
Peace Players International 55-41 Michaelhouse
Usuthu Forest School 22-41 The Clan

Placement Games

15/16 – Michaelhouse 73-22 Usuthu Forest School
13/14 – Peace Players International 50-32 The Clan
11/12 – St David’s Marist Inanda 32-40 Kearsney College
9/10 – St Charles College 52-31 Clifton College
7/8 – King’s School Linbro Park 27-31 Hilton College
5/6 – St Stithians College 52-30 St John’s College
3/4 – St Alban’s College 29-53 ESCA
1/2 – St Benedict’s College 52-57 Michael Mount

B DIVISION RESULTS

Pool Games

Pool A

Curro Hillcrest 32-34 Kingswood College
St Nicholas Diocesan School 41-37 The Heritage School (Zim)
Thomas More College 34-49 LIV Village
Kingswood College 27-35 St Nicholas Diocesan School
The Heritage School (Zim) 39-20 Thomas More College
LIV Village 36-38 Curro Hillcrest
The Heritage School (Zim) 34-37 LIV Village
Thomas More College 27-51 Kingswood College
St Nicholas Diocesan School 47-25 Curro Hillcrest
Curro Hillcrest 51-11 Thomas More College
LIV Village 30-35 St Nicholas Diocesan School
Kingswood College 25-22 The Heritage School
The Heritage School 44-54 Curro Hillcrest
Kingswood College 30-31 LIV Village
Thomas More College 16-41 St Nicholas Diocesan School

Pool B

Enjabulweni 25-42 Marist Brothers Linmeyer
Saheti School 66-39 St Benedict School
St Peter’s College 40-18 Meridian Karino School
Marist Brothers Linmeyer 28-57 Saheti School
St Benedict School 14-52 St Peter’s College
Meridian Karino School 49-11 Enjabulweni
St Benedict School 40-29 Meridian Karino School
St Peter’s College 39-32 Marist Brothers Linmeyer
Saheti School 34-6 Enjabulweni
Enjabulweni 5-34 St Peter’s College
Meridian Karino School 28-57 Saheti School
Marist Brothers Linmeyer 26-21 St Benedict School
St Benedict’s School 41-32 Enjabulweni
Marist Brothers Linmeyer 47-45 Meridian Karino School
St Peter’s College 30-27 Saheti School

Playoff Games

Quarterfinals

St Nicholas Diocesan School 39-27 St Benedict School
LIV Village 59-26 Marist Brothers Linmeyer
Saheti School 48-12 Kingswood College
St Peter’s College 36-15 Curro Hillcrest

Cross-Pool Playoffs

The Heritage School 39-23 Enjabulweni
Meridian Karino School 19-25 Thomas More College

Semi-finals

St Nicholas Diocesan School 22-33 St Peter’s College
LIV Village 22-18 Saheti School

Cross-Pool Playoffs

St Benedict School 34-15 Curro Hillcrest
Marist Brothers Linmeyer 17-31 Kingswood College

Placement Games

11/12 – Enjabulweni 13-21 Meridan Karino School
9/10 – The Heritage School 37-17 Thomas More College
7/8 – Curro Hillcrest 34-11 Marist Brothers Linmeyer
5/6 – St Benedict School 29-26 Kingswood College
3/4 – St Nicholas Diocesan School 34-40 Saheti School
1/2 – St Peter’s College 30-37 LIV Village

Na ‘n dekade by Hoërskool Despatch, begin Theresa Prince ‘n opwindende nuwe reis as hoof van netbal by Hoërskool Pearson.

Met ’n nuwe seisoen op hande, sien sy uit na die wonderlike uitdagings wat op haar wag.

Netbal het nog altyd ‘n groot deel van Theresa se lewe uitgemaak. Sy het op sowel laer- as hoërskool vir die eerste span gespeel, en ook op provinsiale vlak meegeding.

Haar doelwit in hierdie nuwe rol is om ‘n genotvolle en innemende omgewing vir die netbalmeisies by Hoërskool Pearson te skep.

“Ek wil hê die meisies moet uitsien na naskoolse oefeninge,” sê sy. “Daar behoort groot opgewondenheid te heers oor Saterdag se wedstryde en ons toere moet ‘n onvergeetlike ervaring bied.”

Theresa is vasbeslote om ‘n lewenslange liefde vir netbal by haar spelers te kweek, met die hoop dat hulle sal voortgaan om hul passie vir die spel na te streef lank nadat hulle die skool verlaat het.

Theresa het regdeur haar netballoopbaan hoogte- en laagtepunte beleef. ‘n Beduidende hoogtepunt was om die hoogste skeidsregterskwalifikasie in Suid-Afrika, met ‘n A-gradering, te behaal.

In 2010 het sy internasionale status as skeidsregter verwerf en het sy as mentor op die skeidsregters se assesseringspaneel gedien. Met meer as 120 internasionale toetse agter haar naam, is sy nog die enigste Suid-Afrikaanse skeidsregter wat dié merkwaardige mylpaal kon bereik.

Theresa vetrek middel Oktober na Indië om skeidsregters te mentor en het verskeie Wêreldbeker- en Statebondspele bygewoon.

Sy het egter verlede jaar teleurstelling in die gesig gestaar toe sy as reserweskeidsregter by die Wêreldbekertoernooi in Kaapstad aangewys was. Sy erken dat dit ‘n ervaring was wat haar veerkragtigheid uitgedaag het.

Buiten haar prestasies as ‘n skeidsregter, is Theresa se leierskapsvaardighede duidelik in haar afrigtingsloopbaan. Sy het voorheen die eerste span by haar vorige skool afgerig, en hulle na verskeie Oos-Kaapse kampioenskappe gelei. Sy rig tans die o.21-span van Nelson Mandelabaai af, wat gereed maak vir die komende Suid-Afrikaanse kampioenskap in Johannesburg.

“Ek is trots op ál my prestasies as speler en afrigter,” erken sy.

Met haar uitgebreide ervaring en onwrikbare passie is Theresa gereed om die volgende generasie netbalspelers by Hoërskool Pearson te inspireer.

 

 

Former Orlando Pirates‘ goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo, was present at Marks Park on the weekend to watch the country’s most exciting youngsters go head-to-head.

The Engen Champ of Champs brand ambassador saw Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies win the boys’ and ladies’ tournaments against top teams from other regions of South Africa. He was impressed with the talent on display, Mhlongo said.

“This has been yet another exciting edition of the Engen Champ of Champs, where talent was given an opportunity to shine,” he enthused.

“It is encouraging to see how the gap has significantly narrowed in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions, proving that the tournament is becoming more and more competitive.”

Thabo Senong, another tournament brand ambassador, shared his satisfaction with the quality of the football played at the three-day tournament.

Senong, who recently took up a position with Fifa, touched on the quality of coaching at the tournament, saying that it has been truly exciting to witness young coaches implementing current coaching methods.

“The talent has been exceptional, but what is equally important to note is the quality of coaching that we have seen,” Senong explained.

“I have been encouraged to see how these young coaches, both in the boys’ and girls’ divisions, have been experimenting and implementing current coaching trends – a clear indication of a good future for South African coaches,” he added.

ENGEN CHAMP OF CHAMPS WINNERS

GIRLS

Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Aphiwe Msomi – Durban Ladies
Defender of the Tournament: Michaela Swartz – Mamelodi Sundowns
Midfielder of the Tournament: Siphesihle Magazi – Mamelodi Sundowns
Top Goalscorer: Kagiso Dintiwe – Cape Town Roses
Striker of the Tournament: Kwezi Khoza – Durban Ladies
Coach of the Tournament: Andisiwe Mgcoyi – Mamelodi Sundowns
Player of the Tournament: Kwezi Khoza -Durban Ladies
Match Official of the Tournament: Kgotso Mashamba

BOYS

Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Alizna Canca – Ebhayi FC
Defender of the Tournament: Tashiel Rugunanan – Kaizer Chiefs
Midfielder of the Tournament: Luthando Azasakhe – Stellenbosch FC
Top Goalscorer: Nizaam Fleux – Kaizer Chiefs FC
Striker of the Tournament: Tlotlang Gaseitisioe – Kaizer Chiefs FC
Coach of the Tournament: David Mathebula – Kaizer Chiefs FC
Player of the Tournament: Tashiel Rugunanan – Kaizer Chiefs

Engen, through their country-wide Knockout Challenge, has, for many years, provided a platform from which talented players and coaches have been able to flourish in their careers.

There have been players, coaches, and administrators, too, whose fortunes have catapulted after featuring in the tournament, which entered its 22nd year of existence in 2024.

The latest example of that is Pimville-born Thabo Senong, who is an Engen ambassador. His history with the tournament stretches back to 2010, when he served as a youth coach with Orlando Pirates.

The 44-year-old has since taken the next step in his career, being handpicked Arsene Wenger to form part of Fifa’s Technical Development Scheme.

“I’ve just joined Fifa in August as a Fifa talent coach, which is a programme that falls under the technical development scheme, which is the idea pioneered by the Chiefs of Global Development at Fifa, coach Arsene Wenger,” said Senong.

“He wants to improve countries that are struggling and close the gap between developing countries and the leading nations in football,” he added.

Senong, who will be stationed in Malawi, has given credit to Engen for the platform they have provided, not only for himself but for coaches who are currently making headway in the Premier Soccer League, as well as up-and-coming coaches who are making a name for themselves in youth football.

“We are all products of this tournament and that’s where we started. I was at Pirates under Professor [Augusto] Palacios. We won it twice,” said Senong.

“It has produced a lot of coaches. Coach Kwanele Kopo is coaching Chippa United, and he has coached in this tournament a number of times. [There is also] coach Arthur Zwane at Kaizer Chiefs, so this tournament has produced a lot of coaches, and there are more up-and-coming coaches like coach ‘DVD‘ (David Mathebula), coach Andisiwe Mcgoyi (Mamelodi Sundowns), and a whole lot of others.

“You can see that it is a well-rounded tournament that gives us experts from the administration and technical sides, not only players,” he explained.

After helping her side to some impressive results in 2024, DSG Makhanda star Abigail Holderness will be aiming to turn it up a notch when she captains her side in the 2025 hockey season.

Holderness, who made her first team debut for the school as a grade nine pupil in 2022, has been given the responsibility to lead the team next year by head coach Geowynne Gamiet.

Apart from her leadership duties on the field, Holderness will also assume the responsibility of being the Head Day Girl and will be involved in the Sports Prefects Portfolio.

All of this comes after a stellar season during which she shone for her school and the provincial team at the annual SASHOC National Week in Bloemfontein in June. She played a pivotal role in several matches, found the back of the net regularly, played alongside her sister, Lucy, and was included in the SA Schools’ u17 squad to top off a season to remember.

Speaking to SuperSport Schools Plus, she reflected on the year that was for the DSG first side. “It was a really good season. It had its ups and downs, but I enjoyed it,” said Holderness.

“We played some of our best hockey. I do think we were unfortunate in many matches when we didn’t take our chances, but all in all, I think we did well, and I’m happy with how it went.”

The 17-year-old started playing hockey outside her home at the age of four, trying things out with a stick and ball. Growing up, she attended Junior Prep when she was of pre-primary age. Then, in grade four, she moved to DSG.

“I made my first team debut after the Covid-19 pandemic died down a bit, and it was very difficult,” Holderness said.

“It had always been a dream for me to play for DSG. I remember when I was young in Junior Prep, I used to look up to the first team girls, and I would always watch their matches sitting on the benches.

“After my first game, I never looked back, and I’ve been very happy representing my school, and helping my team in every way I can.”

In June, she represented the Eastern Province u18A side at the SASHOC National Week. Afterwards, she was named in the SA Schools’ u17 side.

Previously, Holderness had represented the province at inter-provincial tournaments in 2022 and 2023, during which time she made the SA Schools’ u16A side.

Coming from a small town like Makhanda has its challenges for hockey players. “I’ve had my ups and downs, I’ve had many challenges, and I have to remind myself all the time that great things take time – that’s a quote I reflect on,” Holderness said.

“It hasn’t always been easy. It’s been pretty difficult sometimes, but I love the journey and process of working hard to achieve my goals.

“In Makhanda, we don’t always have a lot of opportunities, and sometimes it’s a struggle to find places to play, and people to train with if, you want to get better. Many times I’ve had to work a lot on my own, and do my training with my sister and dad.”

Despite those challenges, Holderness has excelled and separated herself from the pack. Since her debut, she’s scored 82 goals for the first team, and 42 of those came this season, during which she also inspired her side to the Spar Hockey Challenge title in July.

She has also enjoyed playing in the same team with her sister, Lucy, and Abigail believes it helps to have a family member to lift her when things aren’t going her way.

Casting an eye towards next season, Holderness said she wants to lead her team honourably and to continue to contribute as much as she can.

“I have been given the opportunity to captain my team next year, and I’m looking forward to playing with my sister again, having a new team, and new goals.”

“It’s sort of a fresh start to make the most of everything. I’ve got my personal goals that I would like to achieve, but the main thing is to go out there, have fun, enjoy my matric year, help the team, and put DSG on the map,” she concluded.

Ntando Soni and JJ Basson bowled South Africa u19 Emerging to a dominant nine-wicket win over Zimbabwe u19 Emerging in their fifth and final 50-over contest at Queen’s Sports Club, in Bulawayo, on Sunday.

Lethabo Phahlamohlaka was handed the South African captaincy, and the Cornwall Hill College learner asked the hosts to bat first.

His bowlers did not disappoint as they bundled out Zimbabwe for only 119 runs in 32.4 overs. When they came in to bat, South Africa needed a mere 11 overs to race to 120/1 and claim victory.

Malibongwe Maketa’s charges swept the five-match series 5 0, and their comprehensive victory in the final encounter was a reflection of the series: South Africa was dominant from the first match to the last.

As they had done throughout the series, Zimbabwe’s opening pair made a start but did not convert. Nathaniel Hlabangana (23) decided that the only way to deal with South Africa’s new ball bowlers was to fight fire with fire. He raced to a brisk 16-ball 23 before JJ Basson accounted for his wicket.

Following Hlabangana’s 26-run opening stand with Kupakwashe Muradzi (29), Zimbabwe added 40 runs for the second wicket. Basson again broke the partnership and, after that, the host’s innings became an utter shamble.

Ntando Soni and Jason Rowles bowled an incredible 10-over spell between the 16th and 26th overs that had the Zimbabwean batsmen stuck in quicksand. They strung together a long list of single-digit scores as they lost six wickets for 23 runs.

The home side, who had been on 66/2 at one time, were now on 89/8 and looked in danger of registering a sub-100 total. They managed to get to three figures and totalled 119, thanks to Ryan Moyo’s 18 off 21.

Soni was in fine form and finished the match with three wickets for 15 runs from five overs. Basson, his new ball partner, also bagged three wickets at a cost of 32 runs in eight overs, while Rowles was almost unplayable in his six overs, snaring two wickets for five runs.

During the run chase, Muhammed Bulbulia played like he had a plane to catch, charging his way to 45 runs from only 25 deliveries to set South Africa on course for an easy win.

After his dismissal, Jorich van Schalkwyk and Daniel Bosman shared an unbeaten 62-run second-wicket partnership to see South Africa home. Van Schalkwyk finished with an unbeaten 44 off 29 balls and Bosman was undefeated on 24 from 12 deliveries.

Summarised Scorecards

Zimbabwe u19 Emerging 119/10 (Kupakwashe Muradzi 29, Nathaniel Hlabangana 23; Ntando Soni 3/15, JJ Basson 3/32) South Africa U19 Emerging 120/1 (Muhammed Bulbulia 45, Jorich van Schalkwyk 44*; Kirby Madharamete 1/22) South Africa u19 Emerging won by 9 wickets.

SACS fought their way to an 8-7 victory over St John’s College to lift the Clifton Water Polo Tournament trophy for a second year in a row in a humdinger of a contest at the Clifton Aquatic Centre on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts, Clifton College, bagged the bronze medal after they overcame Paul Roos in another close encounter, edging out the Stellenbosch boys after a dramatic penalty shootout.

Each quarter of the final produced very different scripts

Near the end of the first chukka, St John’s threw the first punch to lead 1-0 after Ross Rovelli superbly picked out Fedor Sadovnik in front of the SACS goal, and he redirected the pass over the goal-line.

The sides spent the rest of the first chukka feeling each other out, trying to figure out the opposition’s weak points. Just before it ended, Ben Bigara struck for SACS.

The Cape Town school took to taking long-range efforts in the second chukka and, with some accurate shooting, were very well rewarded. Devon Card’s charges dominated and found the back of the net five times. Matt Forbes got the Capetonians on the board, bouncing the ball off the water to goalkeeper Kamogelo Thobejane‘s right and into the back of the net.

While St John’s added only one goal during the chukka, it was special. Nicholas Searle, under pressure from two defenders, twirled 360 degrees to spin past them and then picked out Christopher Chapman, who provided the finish Searle’s silky skill deserved.

SACS, though, had the bit between their teeth and, at 5-2 ahead at half-time, they were sitting pretty.

Whatever it is that Jon-Marc De Carvalho said at halftime resonated with his charges. St John’s came out firing in the third quarter and almost immediately cut the deficit to two goals with an early goal. The Johannesburg side kept up the pressure and by the end of the third chukka it was 5-5. Game on! SACS could have regained the lead in the final seconds of the quarter, but the woodwork, which was given a thorough working over during the tournament, denied them.

It was back-and-forth in the final chukka, with neither side able to establish dominance, but Ross Rovelli, a standout for St John’s on both ends of the pool, fired them into the lead only 30 seconds into it. Only 30 seconds later, though, Jandro Rojo-Roos had SACS back on level terms with a powerful long-range effort.

In the second chukka, SACS had inflicted damage on St John’s through their long-range shooting and they used that ploy to again take the lead with just over four minutes left in the match. It was their talisman, Nicholas Fall, who scored, firing the ball from the right with his left-arm howitzer across the face of the goalkeeper and into the top corner.

It looked as if SACS was for another goal with a breakout, but the impressive Rovelli nicked the ball away just in the nick of time.

St John’s was not ready to concede defeat and they equalised a minute later through Christopher Chapman, whose shot from the right bounced high off the water and rocketed into the top of the net.

The game was there for the taking and SACS took it, with Rojo-Roos executing a beautiful lob to score a superb winner. St John’s kept at it until the final whistle, but their efforts were in vain.

Earlier in the day, Clifton won the third and fourth-place playoff in an equally tight contest against Paul Roos.

The sides played out a 5-5 draw in regulation time, which sent the match to penalties. There, they shared 12 shots between them, with the home side converting five and Paul Roos four.

Clifton’s Ross Strauss, who was deservedly named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament, was the hero for the hosts.

The Attacker of the Tournament went to Nicholas Fall of SACS, and the Defender of the Tournament went to St John’s captain Greg Pryce, which matched the awards at the Inter-Provincial Tournament at the end of 2023. Ross Rovelli was named the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Results

1st/2nd: SACS 8–7 St John’s
3rd/4th: Clifton (5) 5-5 (4) Paul Roos
5th/6th: Kearsney 6–7 Westville
7th/8th: Hilton 8–7 Affies
9th/10th: Selborne 9–6 Northwood
11th/12th: Reddam House Constantia 8–9 DHS
13th/14th: Michaelhouse 8–7 KES
15th/16th: Maritzburg College 9–6 Grey College

Kaizer Chiefs captured the 2024 Engen Champ of Champs, their second trophy of the season, when they beat Stellenbosch FC 1-0 at Marks Park on Sunday, courtesy of a stunning goal from Neo Bohloko.

Who would’ve seen this successful run unfolding for the mighty Soweto giants a year or two ago?

Perhaps only coach David Mathebula would have had the vision for it in his mind but certainly, even with a coach of his ambition, he would have had moments of doubt as his team was far away from being as clinical as they are now on the pitch.

Locally, Chiefs were nowhere near being the best club in Gauteng as Highlands Park and Mamelodi Sundowns brutally asserted their dominance in the under-19 division in the province.

However, Mathebula, in an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus 11 months ago, whispered, “We want to dominate”.

A year later, Mathebula has successfully added two trophies to the Amakhosi’s cabinet, the Gauteng leg of the Engen Knockout Challenge and the national Engen Champ of Champs this past weekend.

On their way to the final at Marks Park, Chiefs faced stiff competition and got past all of their opposition relatively unscathed.

In the group stages, they registered victories over Virginia Sports Academy and Shayamoya FC, while they settled for draws against eBhayi FC and Tlhotlhokwe FC to top Group 1 and qualify for a semi-final showdown with Galeshewe FC.

Mathebula’s team dealt comfortably with Galeshewe FC, scoring a dominant 2-0 victory, to book their spot in the final and eventually win the tournament.

While Stellenbosch heads back to the Western Cape as the runner-up, the Port Elizabeth-based eBhayi FC took third place after beating Galeshewe FC 5-3 in a penalty shootout.

Chiefs’ dominance in the tournament was further highlighted with Bohloko walking away with the Top Goal Scorer Award. At the same time, another brilliant youngster, Tashiel Rugunanan, secured the Defender of the Tournament Award.

In the Ladies division, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies walked away with the trophy after beating Durban Ladies 1-0.