It has been a case of “so close, yet so far” for Southern Gauteng‘s u18A boys’ teams in recent years at the SASHOC Inter-Provincial Tournaments. That’s because they have come just short of the title several times despite fielding some of the most talented and skilled players in the country.
In last year’s tournament, the boys from Gauteng were supremely talented, which helped them make the final, where they went down 1-2 against Western Province.
In 2024, they finished in fourth place and missed out on the podium after going down to the KZN Coastal A in the bronze medal showdown.
They were ever so close in 2023, but Province again stood in their way, beating them 3-1 in a pulsating final in Bloemfontein.
In 2022, they finished in a disappointing fifth place.
They have an opportunity to rewrite history when they contest the IPT at Hilton College from 29 June to 4 July.
The side will be coached by Kyle Reddy of Parktown Boys’ High for a second year running. He’ll be assisted by St John’s College’s Anthony Woodhouse and St David’s Marist Inanda‘s hockey director, Andy Aldred.
It’s a star-studded squad that they’ve assembled for the task, featuring players from Jeppe High School for Boys, King Edward VII (KES), St David’s Marist Inanda, Parktown Boys’ High, and St Stithians College.
Jeppe has the largest number of representatives, with Cole Stanbury, Jarryd Gordon-Watt, Kade Lottering, Kgontsafalang Lehloenya, Matthew McKenzie, and Tshimologo Mogale included in the line-up.
KES supplies Blaine Candy, Kamohelo Tsoka, Matthew Bromley, and Rohfi Mathabi.
The team is completed by Hayden Ewing and Milan Stipcevich of St David’s Marist Inanda; Jason Joiner from St Stithians College; and the Parktown trio of Ndyebo Pongwana, Rayhaan Thokan, and Siya Dube.
While the squad is talented, it is also relatively young, with only Stanbury, McKenzie, and Pongwana returning from last year’s Southern Gauteng u18A side.
Standbury serves as captain, with Pongwana his deputy. They’ll play a crucial role in marshalling their troops throughout the tournament.
Southern Gauteng is in a tough Pool B and will face Boland A, Eastern Province A, Northern Gauteng A, Southern Free State A, and KZN Coastal B.
They open their account against KZN Coastal B on day one, and they’ll view a positive start as non-negotiable as they face a double-header on day two when they tackle Southern Free State and Eastern Province, respectively.
Day three brings them a Gauteng derby against Northern Gauteng, before arguably their toughest challenge against Boland on day four.
Southerns are among the title favourites for the tournament, but they’ll hope for that bit of luck that all title-winning teams need.
Team:
Blaine Candy, Kamohelo Tsoka, Matthew Bromley, and Rohfi Mathabi (all King Edward VII School), Cole Stanbury, Jarryd Gordon-Watt, Kade Lottering, Kgontsafalang Lehloenya, Matthew McKenzie, Tshimologo Mogale (all Jeppe High School for Boys), Hayden Ewing, Milan Stipcevich (St Davids Marist Inanda), Jason Joiner (St Stithians College), Ndyebo Pongwana, Rayhaan Thokan, Siya Dube (Parktown Boys’ High School).
