The last time Southern Gauteng lifted the SASHOC Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT) title was in 2024 in Bloemfontein.
In that tournament, the girls from Gauteng were a cut above the rest and dominated their opposition before edging out Northern Gauteng in a penalty shootout to lift the title.
Going back-to-back was always going to prove difficult, and they were unable to replicate their title-winning form last year in Pietermaritzburg.
Despite a valiant effort, they finished in sixth place after losing to their provincial rivals, Northern Gauteng A, on the final day.
This year’s outfit will aim to follow in the footsteps of their senior side, which emphatically won the senior IPT in May.
Coach Leon Keulder of Hoërskool Linden will lead the team, with Thabang Diole of Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge serving as the assistant coach.
With less than a week to go until the action kicks off, Coach Keulder said he’s satisfied with Southerns’ preparations.
“Our preparations have gone very well,” he told SuperSport Schools News.
“The group has shown tremendous commitment throughout the training period, and the players have embraced the standards and expectations we set from the beginning.
“We have focused not only on technical and tactical aspects but also on building a strong team culture, fitness, resilience, and trust within the squad.”
He added: “There is a genuine belief and excitement within the team as we head into the tournament.”
The squad selected to do battle for Gauteng is a mixture of youth and experience, with five players – Charlie Dalling, Khanyisa Ndamase, Kristen Cikes, Azania Petersen, and Bokamoso Swazi – having represented the side last year.
The squad is well-balanced, but Keulder admitted that it was difficult selecting the group because of the depth of talent at their disposal. That depth resulted in players from 12 schools being included.
“Selection was certainly not easy. Southern Gauteng has a strong player base, and there were several players who made a very strong case for selection.
“Ultimately, the selected squad consistently demonstrated the qualities we were looking for in terms of skill, game understanding, adaptability, attitude, and commitment to the team’s playing identity.
“While some players undoubtedly stood out and made selection easier, there were many difficult conversations along the way.
“The positive aspect is that the depth within Southern Gauteng girls’ hockey continues to improve, which is encouraging for the future.”
Southern Gauteng has been drawn in a tough Pool B, where they’ll face Western Province A, Southern Free State, Border, KZN Coastal A, and Northern Gauteng B.
Keulder said their focus would be on taking it one game at a time and playing an entertaining brand of hockey.
“We want to play a modern, proactive brand of hockey. We aim to be aggressive without the ball, disciplined in our defensive structures, and intelligent in possession.
“We want opponents to see a team that works relentlessly for one another and competes for every moment of the game.
“At IPT, there are no easy matches, and every team has earned the right to be there. We have tremendous respect for all the teams in our pool.
“Our focus is firmly on the first game against Southern Free State. Once that game is finished, our attention will shift to the next challenge.
“We believe that staying present, focusing on what is directly in front of us, and controlling the things within our control gives us the best chance of success.”
Squad:
Charlie Dalling (Kingsmead College), Khanyisa Ndamase (Parktown Girls’ High), Marjunè Loggenberg (Helpmekaar Kollege), Kristen Cikes (Brescia), Addison van der Byl (Beaulieu College), Dannika Ramroop (St Teresa’s), Cristina de Castro, Azania Petersen (St Andrew’s School for Girls), Hannah Terbrugge, Nicole Chikweshe (St Stithians College), Faatimah Ebrahim, Bokamoso Swazi (St Mary’s Waverley), Daniélle Fourie (Hoërskool Dr Malan), Emily Quinton (Hoërskool Monument), Gia Abrahams, Raffael Abraham (Steyn City).
