The possibility of seeing another team other than Western Province A lifting the U18A Boys’ SASHOC Inter-Provincial Tournament title appears to be stronger than it has been in recent years.
That’s because the teams that will be in action when this year’s event kicks off in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday, 29 June, are all stacked and will back themselves to go all the way.
The tournament runs until Saturday, 4 July, and takes place at Hilton College’s picturesque Mansergh AstroTurf and at St Anne’s DSG.
Western Province has dominated the last five tournaments, winning the title every year since 2019.
The boys from Cape Town will face a tough challenge this year, though, and tackle KZN Coastal A, Boland B, KZN Inland A, Mpumalanga A, and their provincial counterparts, Western Province B, in Pool A.
The side, under the guidance of coach Jody Erasmus, is stacked with talented players who hail from different schools but who are united by a common goal.
Their most difficult tests will likely be posed by the home province’s KZN Coastal A and KZN Inland A.
In recent years, both KZN outfits have come up short of their goals. In 2025, Coastal placed fifth, while Inland A stumbled to a ninth-place finish.
The Coastal outfit will be led by coach Harold Siyaya of Westville Boys’ High, while Nick Bérichon, from Michaelhouse, takes charge of Inland A.
Both coaches will aim to inject some fire into their charges and inspire them to represent the home province with pride.
Western Province B, Boland B, and Mpumalanga have nothing to lose, and they will most definitely give it all they’ve got.
Province B, better known as the Pens, finished in an impressive fourth place last year after upsetting some big guns and finishing top of their pool.
Boland B was also a surprise package, and they’ll be focused on staying in the A-Section with the help of coaches Matthew Smith and Kyran Fortuin.
Newly promoted, Mpumalanga will arrive as an unknown, and that could work in their favour.
Pool B, much like Pool A, will be hotly contested, and some hearts will be broken after the pool stages.
Only two teams can progress to the semifinals, with Boland A, Southern Gauteng A, and Eastern Province A the likely frontrunners.
Boland endured an underwhelming campaign last year and failed in their quest for a semi-final place. Ultimately, they finished sixth. For them, this year is all about redemption.
They possess a talented squad, led by coach Michael van Rensburg, but their challenge will be put to a stiff test by Southern Gauteng A. It could be Southerns’ year if they gel as a unit from their first outing.
The boys from Johannesburg have played second fiddle to Province for many years and came close in last year’s final, losing only 1-2. They have a strong team, but as is the case for title-contending sides, they will need some breaks to go their way.
Eastern Province hasn’t played to its potential in recent IPTs, but an opportunity to fix that this year beckons.
In past years, they’ve had decent teams, but for the first time in a while, they have a squad that could make it into the final four and, perhaps, make the title game.
They also have a new sheriff in town, with Andrew Beynon taking over the coaching reins. Beynon previously won an IPT title with the u16 EP girls. How that title-winning experience translates to the u18 boys’ level remains to be seen.
Northern Gauteng A and Southern Free State A will also want to give good accounts of themselves. Northerns took home the bronze medal last year, and matching that feat in 2026 will be a tough ask. However, tournament hockey is unpredictable, so anything is possible.
It’s safe to say, though, that the competition is as wide open as it has been for many years.
Fixtures:
DAY 1: Monday, 29 June
Pool A @ Hilton College
07:45 – KZN Inland A vs Western Province B
09:10 – KZN Coastal A vs Boland B
13:25 – Western Province A vs Mpumalanga
14:50 – KZN Coastal A vs KZN Inland A
Pool B @ St Anne’s
10:35 – Boland A vs Eastern Province A
12:00 – KZN Coastal B vs Southern Gauteng A
16:15 – Southern Free State A vs Northern Gauteng A
Day 2: Tuesday, 30 June
Pool A @ St Anne’s
10:35 – KZN Inland A vs Western Province A
13:35 – Boland B vs Mpumalanga
16:15 – Western Province B vs KZN Coastal A
Pool B @ Hilton
07:45 – Southern Gauteng A vs Southern Free State A
09:10 – Eastern Province A vs KZN Coastal B
12:00 – Boland A vs Northern Gauteng A
14:50 – Southern Gauteng A vs Eastern Province A
16:15 – Western Province B vs KZN Coastal A
Day 3: Wednesday, 1 July
Pool A @ Hilton
07:45 – KZN Coastal A vs Mpumalanga
09:10 – Western Province A vs Western Province B
13:25 – Boland B vs KZN Inland A
14:50 – Mpumalanga vs Western Province B
19:05 – Western Province A vs Boland B
Pool B @ St Anne’s
10:35 – Boland A vs KZN Coastal B
12:00 – Eastern Province A vs Southern Free State A
14:50 – Northern Gauteng A vs Southern Gauteng A
Day 4: Thursday, 2 July
Pool A
10:35 – Western Province B vs Boland B
12:00 – Western Province A vs KZN Coastal A
14:50 – KZN Inland A vs Mpumalanga A
Pool B
07:45 – Southern Gauteng A vs Boland A
09:10 – Southern Free State vs KZN Coastal B
13:25 – Eastern Province A vs Northern Gauteng A
14:50 – Boland A vs Southern Free State A
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