Mohlodi Maseko of South African College High School (SACS), Ryde Brisset (Clifton College), and Jeandre van Zyl (Paul Roos Gimnasium) were among the 11 schoolboy hockey players included in a 38-player SA u21 Men’s training squad, which was announced on Wednesday.
The squad has been assembled to begin preparations for the Junior Africa Cup of Nations, which takes place in January 2027.
The SA U21 men’s side, like the SA U21 Women’s team, won the African competition last year, defeating Namibia 5-0 in the final.
Former Jeppe captain, Jaydon Brooker, scored a brace in the final, while Ross Montgomery, formerly of Clifton College, also contributed a goal.
The other two goals were scored by Ruben Sendzul (formerly Paul Roos) and Viwe Mbatha (formerly Wynberg Boys’ High).
Litha Kraai was a no-doubt inclusion after producing another incredible season for SACS and the Western Province u21 Men‘s side.
Besides Brisset, the Player of the Tournament at the U18 SASHOC National Week, KwaZulu-Natal Coastal also had Christopher Abrahams, from Durban High School (DHS), and Westville Boys’ High‘s Tyhil Naidoo named, while KZN Inland’s Maritzburg College’s Viwe Ndlovu also cracked the nod.
Brisset, Abrahams, and Naidoo played a massive role in helping the KZN Coastal A side win the u18 SASHOC National Week title after beating Western Province in an electric final.
Paul Roos is represented by Van Zyl, Logan Lackay, and 17-year-old forward Caleb Cilliers, who is the youngest player in the squad.
Luca Jordaan, of Parel Vallei High, has also been rewarded for his outstanding performances at school and for Boland at the SASHOC National Week; meanwhile, Neilyandro Van Schalkwyk is the only player from Grey College.
“The training squad marks the opening phase of South Africa’s campaign to secure its place on the global stage,” SA Hockey said in a statement.
“This group brings together players identified through the national pathway and the 2026 U21 Inter-Provincial Tournament.
“The extended training squad will allow the national programme to assess combinations, develop depth, and create strong competition for places ahead of the continental qualifier.”
Besides the nine schoolboys, the rest of the squad features some of the country’s most talented players, who were in school not too long ago.
Aiden Blatch (formerly St Stithians College) is in the squad after impressing in Stellenbosch University‘s colours during the USSA competition this year.
He’s joined by the likes of Christo Swanepoel (formerly Paul Roos), James Grieve (formerly Bishops), Josh le Roux (formerly SACS), Joshua Mettler (formerly Bishops), and Kiano Broadhurst (formerly Grey High).
Some others to watch out for include former Garsfontein and Northern Gauteng skipper Luken Brunette, Reagan Mudau (formerly Hilton College), and Reece Theunis (formerly SACS).
Experienced campaigners like Lumi Matwele, Lethabo Bogacwi, and Ziya Davids need no introduction, while Tre’ Gilbert will look to show the world why he was considered the Eastern Cape’s best during his school days at Selborne College.
Squad (and the schools they attend/attended):
Aiden Blatch (St Stithians), Bhavesh Naicker (DHS), Caden Skinnette (Grey High), Caleb Cilliers (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Christo Swanepoel (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Christopher Abrahams (DHS), James Grieve (Bishops), Jeandre van Zyl (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Joe Gitlin (Reddam House Constantia), Josh Beck (Westville Boys’ High), Joshua Le Roux (SACS), Joshua Mettler (Bishops), Joshua Smit (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Kadin Jenkins (Maritzburg College), Kaino Broadhurst (Grey High), Khotso Mabona (St David’s Marist Inanda), Kian Cambier (Grey High), Lethabo Bogacwi (DHS), Litha Kraai (SACS), Logan Lackay (Paul Roos), Luca Jordaan (Parel Vallei), Luke Mosala (Grey College), Luken Brunette (Garsfontein), Lumi Matwele (DHS), Matthew De Oliveira (Kearsney College), Mohlodi Maseko (SACS), Neilyandro Van Schalkwyk (Grey College), Owen McMenamin (Pretoria Boys High), Reagan Mudau (Hilton College), Reece Theunis (SACS), Reuben Sendzul (Paul Roos), Ruard Booysen (Pretoria Boys High), Ryde Brisset (Clifton College), Tre’ Gilbert (Selborne College), Tyhil Naidoo (Westville Boys’ High), Tyler-Reed Napier (Home schooled), Viwe Ndlovu (Maritzburg College), and Ziya Davids (Pinelands High School).
