The Engen Knockout Challenge draw for KwaZulu-Natal was finalised on Wednesday in Durban.
Durban Ladies, who achieved a historic three-peat in the KZN competition in 2025, have been placed in Group A, alongside TB Stars and Heroes, as they aim for a fourth consecutive title.
The KZN Engen Knockout Challenge features 24 teams – 12 in the boys’ competition and 12 in the girls’ competition – and kicks off at the King’s Park Grounds on Saturday.
The winners of the provincial event will represent KwaZulu-Natal at the Engen Champs of Champs later this year, where the national champions will be crowned.
Catch the KZN Engen Knockout Challenge on SuperSport Schools
In the girls’ competition, Durban Ladies will again be the team to beat. In 2025, some of their top performers included Okuhle Sithole, the Player of the Tournament, and Khwezi Khoza, who was named the Striker of the Tournament at the Engen Champs of Champs, where Durban Ladies lost in the final against the University of Johannesburg.
This year, however, neither of those players will be in the Durban Ladies’ line-up. Sithole has transferred to the University of Western Cape, and Khoza is now with the Durban University of Technology (DUT), which will compete in Group C against Sunflower and Ezemvelo.
Despite facing fierce competition, Durban Ladies is renowned for their strength and impressive track record and will be focused on returning to the national stage by winning the KZN knockout round again.
In Group B, Adams City, the Sharks Academy, and KwaMashu Sisters will battle for supremacy, while in Group D, Adams Academy, Lindelani Ladies, and Toti Ladies will face each other.
Last year’s winners of the boys’ competition at the KZN Engen Knockout Challenge, Junior Stars, will not be participating in this year’s provincial competition. However, among the favourites who will be in action on the weekend are AmaZulu, Durban City, and the KZN Academy.
Kusekhaya is in Group A and faces Senzokuhle and Empire United, while AmaZulu is in Group B and takes on Umkhanyakude and Future Stars.
Durban City tackles Ethekwini City Styles and Trouble Tigers in Group C, while the KZN Academy is in Group D with Midlands Warriors and Rovers United.
TEAMS
Boys’ Competition
Group A: Kusekhaya, Senzokuhle, Empire United
Group B: AmaZulu, Umkhanyakude, Future Stars
Group C: Durban City, Ethekwini, Trouble Tigers
Group D: KZN Academy, Midlands Warriors, Rovers United
Girls’ Competition
Group A: Durban Ladies, TB Stars, Heroes
Group B: Adams City, Sharks Academy, KwaMazhu Sisters
Group C: Sunflower, Durban University of Technology (DUT), Ezemvelo
Group D: Adams Academy, Lindelani Ladies, Toti Ladies
FIXTURES
Boys’ Competition
Saturday, 9 July
09:00
Kusekhaya vs Senzokuhle
AmaZulu vs Umkhanyakude
10:00
KZN Academy vs Midlands Warriors
Durban City vs Ethekwini City Styles
11:00
Empire United vs Kusekhaya
Future Stars vs AmaZulu
12:00
Trouble Tigers vs Durban City
Rovers United vs KZN Academy
14:00
Umkhanyakude vs Future Stars
Senzokuhle vs Empire United
15:00
Ethekwini City Styles vs Trouble Tigers
Midlands Warriors vs Rovers United
Girls’ Competition
Saturday, 11 July
09:00
Durban Ladies vs TB Stars
Adams City vs Sharks Academy
10:00
Adams Academy vs Lindelani Ladies
Sunflower vs DUT
11:00
Heroes vs Durban Ladies
KwaMashu Sisters vs Adams City
12:00
Toti Ladies vs Adams Academy
Ezemvelo vs Sunflower
14:00
TB Stars vs Heroes
Sharks Academy vs KwaMashu Sisters
15:00
Lindelani Ladies vs Toti Ladies
DUT vs Ezemvelo
