The Kloof High National Football Tournament concluded dramatically on Monday, with HTS Louis Botha being crowned the 2026 champions.
In a tense title game, they triumphed 5-4 in a penalty shootout against Durban High School (DHS) after regulation time ended in a goalless draw.
Cup
The last time HTS Louis Botha came close to securing the Kloof High title was in 2024, when they were defeated in the final by Nqabakazulu Comprehensive High School.
In 2025, Pinetown Boys’ High claimed the title by beating Virginia High in the final, while HTS Louis Botha placed sixth. Their title-winning campaign was led by Ofentse Kwiti, who was named the Player of the Tournament, and Letlotlo Nokha, who was included in the Team of the Tournament.
With the title on the line, they faced a resilient and determined DHS team, which advanced through the Kloof High Football Tournament undefeated. However, in the final, the Horseflies fell short, losing in a tense penalty shootout when the last of the spot kicks was saved.
Despite not going all the way, DHS can celebrate making the final of the prestigious tournament for the first time in 18 years. Among their standout players, Connor Quinn and Daniel Zeeman were rewarded with places in the Team of the Tournament.
After losing in the semifinals, Vuyiswa Mtolo and Nqabakazulu faced off in the bronze playoff, with Vuyiswa Mtolo producing an outstanding performance to score a 3-0 win over a team whose defence is usually watertight. Vuyiswa Mtolo’s Kwanele Gasa and Asande Nene were also celebrated for their contributions and named in the Team of the Tournament.
Mhleli Msomi, from Nqabakazulu, who was superb at goalkeeper throughout the tournament, received the Golden Glove award and a place in the Team of the Tournament, alongside his teammate Sibongakonke Mbambo.
Plate
New Forest High School and Nilgiri needed penalties to determine the winner of the Plate.
In challenging windy conditions, the match ended in a goalless draw, but New Forest grabbed the win 2-1 from the penalty spot to succeed Maritzburg College at the winners of the Plate.
In the playoff for third, Alexandra High claimed a 3-1 victory over Brettonwood.
Several powerhouses, including Paul Roos Gimnasium, Westville Boys’ High, and Maritzburg College, were eliminated from the Plate competition.
Paul Roos faced The Glen High in a playoff for 13th place and recorded a 2-0 victory, while Westville scored a 3-1 win over College to finish 15th.
Westville’s Malwande Chiliza was exceptional throughout the tournament, netting nine times to earn the Golden Boot. In 2025, the Golden Boot also went Westville’s way, with Dayyan Fudu netting 11 times to take that honour.
Shield
In the Shield final, there was next to nothing to separate neighbours, Hillcrest High and Kearsney College, with Hillcrest grinding out a 1-0 win.
In the playoff for third, St Francis College ran out to a 3-1 win over Ashton International College Ballito to finish in 19th place overall.
Spoon
Sarel Cilliers claimed the Spoon, thanks to a 2-1 victory over Amanzimtoti (Toti) in the final.
Third place went to Durban North College (DNC) after a 3-1 win over St Nicholas Diocesan School.
Team of the Tournament
Durban High School – Connor Quinn, Daniel Zeeman
Nqabakazulu – Mhleli Msomi, Sibongakonke Mbambo
Virginia High – Thato Kraal, Lehlohonolo Ntjana
Paul Roos Gimnasium – Marcus Ferreira, Zaiden Bell
HTS Louis Botha – Ofentse Kwiti, Letlotlo Nokha
Vuyiswa Mtolo – Kwanele Gasa, Asande Nene
Birdswood – Andile Mthiyane
Tuks Sport High – Rorisang Nkgabutle
Northwood – Daniel van Huyssteen
Nilgiri – Syanda Myeza
Maritzburg College – Yash Maharaj
Westville Boys’ High – Malwande Chiliza
Golden Boot – Malwande Chiliza (nine goals) – Westville Boys’ High
Golden Glove – Mhleli Msomi – Nqabakazulu
Player of the Tournament – Ofentse Kwiti – HTS Louis Botha
RESULTS
Monday, 29 June
Cup Competition
Semifinals
DHS (4) 0-0 (3) Nqabakazulu
HTS Louis Botha 3-2 Vuyiswa Mtolo
Final
HTS Louis Botha (5) 0-0 (4) DHS
Bronze Playoff
Vuyiswa Mtolo 3-0 Nqabakazulu
Position 5-6
Virginia High 3-0 Tuks
Position 7-8
Northwood 6-0 Birdswood
Plate Competition
Final
New Forest (2) 0-0 (1) Nilgiri
Plate 3rd/4th
Alexandra High 3-1 Brettonwood
Position 13-14
Paul Roos 2-0 The Glen High
Position 15-16
Westville 3-1 Maritzburg College
Shield Competition:
Final
Hillcrest High 1-0 Kearsney College
Shield 3th/4th Position
St Francis 3-1 Ashton
Position 21-22
Woodlands (3) 3-3 (1) Reddam House
Position 23-24
Bechet 3-2 Crawford La Lucia
Spoon Competition
Final
Sarel Cilliers 2-1 Amanzimtoti
Spoon 3rd/4th
Durban North College 3-1 St Nicholas
Position 29-30
Howick High 3-0 Kloof High
Position 31-32
Thomas More 7-0 Invitational Team
Final Rankings
1. HTS Louis Botha
2. Durban High School
3. Vuyiswa Mtolo
4. Nqabakazulu Comprehensive High School
5. Virginia High
6. Tuks Sport High
7. Northwood School
8. Birdswood
9. New Forest High School
10. Nilgiri
11. Alexandra High
12. Brettonwood
13. Paul Roos Gimnasium
14. The Glen High
15. Westville Boys’ High
16. Maritzburg College
17. Hillcrest High
18. Kearnsey College
19. St Francis College
20. Ashton International College Ballito
21. Woodlands International College
22. Reddam House Umhlanga
23. Bechet
24. Crawford International – La Lucia
25. Sarel Cilliers
26. Amanzimtoti
27. Durban North College
28. St Nicholas Diocesan School
29. Howick High
30. Kloof High
31. Thomas More College
32. Invitational Team
