Southern Gauteng Crowned SA Hockey IPT 2026 Champions for First Time Since 2021 – gsport4girls

The SA Hockey IPT 2026 reached its conclusion under the lights at the University of Johannesburg in Johannesburg on Saturday, 9 May 2026, with two outstanding women’s medal matches bringing the curtain down on a week of elite provincial hockey.

In the women’s final, it was a thrilling Gauteng derby as Southern Gauteng and Northern Blues battled for national supremacy in a tense and fiercely contested encounter. 

Clear opportunities were few and far between in the opening half, although Southern Gauteng came closest when a dangerous deflection crashed against the crossbar.

The game was desperate for a moment of brilliance and Bianca Wood delivered exactly that. The Southern Gauteng star produced a sensational finish, lifting the ball emphatically into the roof of the net to ignite the packed crowd at the University of Johannesburg.

Northern Blues threw everything forward in search of an equaliser and came agonisingly close when Ntsopa Mokoena missed a golden chance to level matters. 

Southern Gauteng punished the miss moments later, when skipper Hayley Kilfoil reacted quickest to a looping ball inside the circle to hammer home and seal a famous 2-0 victory, confirming Southern Gauteng as champions of South Africa for the first time since 2021.

Western Province claimed the bronze medal after edging North West in a shootout following a goalless draw, while WP Peninsula secured fifth place with a 3-0 victory over KZN Raiders, and Free State finished seventh after defeating Eastern Province 1-0.

Bianca Wood was named Top Goal Scorer of the women’s tournament, with Marlise van Tonder of Western Province awarded Best Goalkeeper. Northern Blues teenager Baylee Engelke claimed the Best Young Player accolade, while Southern Gauteng captain Paris-Gail Isaacs was named Player of the Tournament to cap a memorable week for the new champions.

Results of the SA Hockey Interprovincial Tournament 2026

Tuesday, 5 May 2026 at the University of Johannesburg

Northern Blues 5-1 Free State (Pool B)
North West 3-1 WP Peninsula (Pool A)
Western Province 7-0 KZN Raiders (Pool A)
Southern Gauteng 5-0 Eastern Province (Pool B)

Wednesday, 6 May 2026 at the University of Johannesburg

Eastern Province 2-0 Free State (Pool B)
KZN Raiders 1-0 WP Peninsula (Pool A)
Western Province 4-2 North West (Pool A)
Southern Gauteng 1-1 Northern Blues (Pool B)

Thursday, 7 May 2026 at the University of Johannesburg

North West 3-1 KZN Raiders (Pool A)
Northern Blues 11-0 Eastern Province (Pool B)
WP Peninsula 0-3 Western Province (Pool A)
Free State 0-7 Southern Gauteng (Pool B)

Friday, 8 May 2026

5th-8th Place Play-Off: WP Peninsula 3-0 Free State at Hoërskool Linden
5th-8th Place Play-Off: KZN Raiders 5-1 Eastern Province at Hoërskool Linden
Semi-Final 1: Western Province 1 (2) – 1 (3) Southern Gauteng at UJ
Semi-Final 2: Northern Blues 2-0 North West at UJ

Saturday, 9 May 2026

7th Place Play-Off: Eastern Province 0-1 Free State at Hoërskool Linden
5th Place Play-Off: KZN Raiders 0-3 WP Peninsula at UJ
Bronze Medal Match: Western Province (3) 0-0 (2) North West at UJ
Final: Northern Blues 0-2 Southern Gauteng at UJ

2026 SA Hockey IPT Teams List

Pool A

KZN Raiders
North West
Western Province
WP Peninsula

Pool B

Eastern Province
Free State
Northern Blues
Southern Gauteng


Original Copy: Hockey SA, with editing by gsport

Main Photo Caption: Southern Gauteng were crowned SA Hockey IPT 2026 champions after a 2-0 victory over Northern Blues in a thrilling Gauteng derby final at the University of Johannesburg on Saturday, 9 May 2026. All Photos: Marcel Sigg / SA Hockey

Photo 2 Caption: Bianca Wood was named Top Goal Scorer of the SA Hockey IPT 2026 as Southern Gauteng claimed their first national title since 2021.

Photo 3 Caption: Bronze medallists Western Provinces’ Marlise van Tonder was declared Goalkeeper of the Tournament in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Photo 4 Caption: Northerns teenager Baylee Engelke was also recognised in the women’s individual awards as the Young Player of the Tournament.

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