Western Province A, KZN Coastal A, Northern Gauteng A, Eastern Province A, and Boland A ended Wednesday, day three of the SASHOC National Week, in high spirits after bagging crucial victories.
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All four teams impressed and picked up maximum points, which further strengthened their positions in Pool A and Pool B ahead of the final day of group-stage action.
The defending champions, Province, were far from their best on Tuesday in a goalless draw against KZN Inland A. They played with intensity on Wednesday when they took on their provincial counterparts, Western Province B, in a highly anticipated clash.
The sides have met several times at previous inter-provincial tournaments, with the A team reigning supreme. It was more of the same on this occasion.
Coach Jody Erasmus’s side got the job done, beating their opponents 4-0.
Daniel de Wet opened the scoring late in the first chukka before Callum Anderson of Bishops Diocesan College made it 2-0 at halftime.
Skipper Mohlodi Maseko netted his side’s third goal in the third quarter before Anderson completed his brace in the final chukka to seal the win.
While Province breezed past the Pens’ outfit, KZN Coastal A knew they needed a win against Mpumalanga to apply pressure on the log leaders.
Coach Harold Siyaya’s side had occupied second place overnight, but a goalless draw with KZN Inland A on the opening day cost them valuable points.
They came out firing against Mpumalanga, and Chris Abrahams of Durban High School showed his class with a well-taken brace.
Keegan de Jager got on the scoresheet in the second chukka before captain Ryde Brisset made it 4-0.
Mpumalanga pulled one back later on through Noah Erasmus, but Ethan James replied with a PC flick on the last play of the match.
In a shock result, Boland B scored a well-deserved 1-0 win over KZN Inland A.
It was the second year in succession that Boland B got the better of Inland A. Last year, they won 3-2. On this occasion, it was a far tighter contest.
Province B, after their loss to Western Province A, bounced back to edge Mpumalanga 2-1, courtesy of goals by SA u17 player Ryan Groenewald and Litha Mbiko.
To wrap up the day’s play, Province A, playing with confidence, beat Boland B 4-0, with goals scored by Loyiso Mletshe, Buhle Kama, Daniel de Wet, and Jacques van Dyk.
Pool B delivered some cracking showdowns, lots of goals, and a major upset.
Boland A, who were in pole position after day two, continued their impressive run, thumping KZN Coastal B 8-0.
The Michael van Rensburg-coached outfit was in sync throughout the match, and Caleb Cilliers of Paul Roos Gimnasium revelled, scoring a hat-trick.
The Parel Vallei duo of Luka Meets and Luca Jordaan both struck twice, while their PV teammate, Stephan Malan, also scored.
Boland looks set to progress to the semifinals, but they have one final hurdle to tackle on Thursday morning when they take on Southern Gauteng A.
Southerns’ chances of finishing in the top two and booking a semi-final place suffered a massive blow on Wednesday.
After losing to Eastern Province on day two, the boys from Johannesburg needed a positive result against Northern Gauteng A. Instead, coach Kyle Reddy‘s side succumbed 2-5 in the Gauteng derby, which boosted Northerns’ hopes of a top-two finish.
Rudolph Thiart was on fire for coach Steven Paulo‘s side and got his name onto the scoresheet twice before further goals from Lesego Msiza, Kean Cornelissen, and Bonanisango Booi sealed the win.
Eastern Province A won both of their matches on Wednesday, defeating Southern Free State A and KZN Coastal B.
EP leads the pool, ahead of Boland A, who have a game in hand, while Northern Gauteng is in third place. They have seven points, two behind EP, but level with Boland A, who have a better goal difference.
There’s still plenty to play for on day four, with Southern Gauteng standing a slim chance of progressing.
Results
Pool A
KZN Coastal A 5: Chris Abrahams (2), Ryde Brisset, Keegan de Jager, Ethan James. Mpumalanga 1: Noah Erasmus
Western Province A 4: Callum Anderson (2), Mohlodi Maseko, Daniel de Wet. Western Province B 0.
Boland B 1: Nathan Nissen. KZN Inland A 0.
Western Province B 2: Ryan Groenewald, Litha Mbiko. Mpumalanga A 1: Mogupurutsi Tladi.
Western Province A 2: Buhle Kama, Loyiso Mletshe, Daniel de Wet, Jacques van Dyk. Boland B 0.
Pool B
Boland A 8: Caleb Cilliers (3), Luka Meets (2), Luca Jordaan (2), Stephan Malan. KZN Coastal B 0.
Eastern Province A 4: Keegan Le Roux (2), Logan Goddard-Ford, James Chree. Southern Free State A 1: Raphael Kambanis
Northern Gauteng A 5: Rudolph Thiart (2), Lesego Msiza, Kean Cornelissen, Bonanisango Booi. Southern Gauteng A 2: Kade Lottering (2)
Eastern Province A 2: Keegan Le Roux and Logan Goddard-Ford. KZN Coastal B 1.
Day 4: Thursday, 2 July
Pool A
10:35 – Western Province B vs Boland B
12:00 – Western Province A vs KZN Coastal A
14:50 – KZN Inland A vs Mpumalanga A
Pool B
07:45 – Southern Gauteng A vs Boland A
09:10 – Southern Free State vs KZN Coastal B
13:25 – Eastern Province A vs Northern Gauteng A
14:50 – Boland A vs Southern Free State A
