Following a disappointing SASHOC Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT) campaign in 2025, the Boland u18A boys’ team will be chasing redemption in 2026.
The annual showpiece will be hosted at Hilton College from 29 June to 4 July.
Boland was expected to be a title challenger last year. However, after dropping points in their early matches, they mustered a sixth-place finish after placing behind Northern Blues A and Western Province B in Pool B.
It was a star-studded side that appeared out of sync, failing to convert their many goal-scoring opportunities that could’ve turned the tide.
This year’s team will be led by coach Michael van Rensburg of Parel Vallei High, assisted by Rowan McLachlan, from Paarl Boys’ High.
Dewald Raath of Paarl Gimnasium will perform the analyst duties, and Devin Titus will manage the side for a second year running.
It’s a well-balanced squad that features some of the season’s most consistently impressive players.
Paul Roos has nine representatives, including Adam Lietch, Caleb Cilliers, Danesh Titus, Jeandre Cilliers, Jeandre van Zyl, Logan Lackay, Ruben Gouws, Seth Paterson, and Tylor Carter.
The line-up is completed by the Parel Vallei trio of Luka Meets, Stephan Malan, and Luca Jordaan, along with Jamie Kock and Martin de Bruyn of Boishaai, and Buhle Mfunelwa from Somerset College.
“Picking this team was actually quite a simple task,” coach Michael van Rensburg told SuperSport Schools News.
“Having known the players and watching them progress through the age groups and their experiences over the season, we were able to pick them relatively easily,” he explained.
“We believe we picked the best players. We will work around the combinations, but because of the organic nature of how the team has been selected, the combinations also work.”
Being united and singing from the same hymn sheet will be key in Boland’s quest for silverware. Van Rensburg believes he’s got a united squad where everyone understands their role and responsibilities.
“Last year, the team went into the tournament with some off-the-field stuff that kind of dragged into IPT.
“This year, the priority was to make sure that we are all aligned before going. We had to ensure the culture is right, and that everything is in place so that everyone knows what’s expected of them.
“The leaders know what’s required of them and what the expectations are.”
Boland will contest Pool B alongside last year’s runner-up, Southern Gauteng A, Northern Gauteng A, Eastern Province A, Southern Free State A, and KZN Coastal B.
Van Rensburg admitted it will be tough to topple their opponents, but one of the team’s goals will be to improve with each game. “We will always take it game by game,” he said.
“It’s tournament hockey, and you can never get ahead of yourself, regardless of who you are playing.
“There are no easy fixtures when it comes to a national tournament, so for us, the most important task will be taking it as it comes.”
The coach added that Boland will aim to play an exciting brand of hockey and show character in crucial moments.
They’ll kick off their campaign against Eastern Province.
Team:
Adam Lietch, Caleb Cilliers, Danesh Titus, Jeandre Cilliers, Jeandre van Zyl, Logan Lackay, Ruben Gouws, Seth Paterson, Tylor Carter (all Paul Roos Gimnasium), Luka Meets, Stephan Malan, Luca Jordaan (all Parel Vallei), Jamie Kock and Martin de Bruyn (Paarl Boys’ High), Buhle Mfunelwa (Somerset College).
