There were no major upsets on Monday, the opening day of the u18 SASHOC National Week in KwaZulu-Natal.
The inter-provincial tournament (IPT), which kicked off in wonderful playing conditions at Hilton College and St Anne’s DSG, runs until Saturday, 4 July.
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Making a good start was a common goal on teams’ schedules, and some met the brief, delivering impressive performances to build early momentum. Some of those touted as players to watch were to the fore.
In Pool A, Western Province’s defence of the title started on a positive note, with a 3-0 win over newcomers, Mpumalanga.
It was far from easy for Province, who had to deal with Mpumalanga’s low block in the first half, which they struggled to break down.
Jacque van Dyk of Stellenberg High finally broke the deadlock just before halftime to give Province a 1-0 lead at the break.
Western Province extended their advantage in the third chukka when Liam Dammes found space inside the circle and placed the ball past Ulrich Reingruber in the Mpumalanga goal to make it 2-0.
With three minutes, Van Dyk found the back of the net again to seal the win for coach Jody Erasmus‘s side.
Much was expected from the home province’s KZN Coastal A and KZN Inland A on the opening day.
The KZN duo, who are also in Pool A, entered the day eager to start on a high and potentially challenge Province for the top two positions.
In their first game of the day, Inland A was held to a 2-2 draw by Western Province B.
Ben Wilson found the back of the net twice for coach Nick Berichon‘s side, while Gerrard Matthews-Boukoua and Josh Goudling scored for Province B.
Later in the day, Inland A took on KZN Coastal A, who had opened their challenge with a 4-1 win over Boland B behind a Luc Boyall brace and further strikes by Chris Abrahams and Tye Milne.
Coach Harold Siyaya‘s boys found their KZN rivals a tougher nut to crack and had to settle for a goalless draw.
That means, after the opening day, KZN Coastal A tops Pool A on four points, with Western Province A in second place, on three points, and Inland A in third, with two points.
Pool B, dubbed “the group of death” ahead of the tournament, lived up to its billing on Monday.
Boland A started like a house on fire, dismantling Eastern Province A 4-2 thanks to some cracking goals scored by Luka Meets (2), Caleb Cilliers, and Luca Jordaan.
Meets opened the scoring early in the first chukka before his teammates joined the scoring action soon after.
For EP, the Grey High duo of Logan Goddard-Ford and Keegan Le Roux found the back of the net.
Another encounter that caught the eye was the clash between Southern Gauteng A and KZN Coastal B. Southerns entered the game as the favourite, and they didn’t disappoint, scoring an impressive 5-3 victory.
Blaine Candy opened the scoring in the fifth minute before goals by Jason Joiner and Kamohelo Tsoka lifted the Gautengers into a 3-1 lead at the break.
Milan Stipcevich, the brother of Matteo Stipcevich, who played for the side in 2025, added his name to the scoresheet in the 45th minute before Tsoka completed his brace late in the game to seal the win.
Northern Gauteng A joined their provincial rivals at the top of the pool after winning their first match. Third last year, Northerns made a smooth start, beating Southern Free State A 3-0.
After a goalless first half, coach Steven Paulo‘s boys upped the ante in the third quarter, with Rudolph Thiart opening the scoring before Kean Cornelissen and Milan Booysen secured the win.
Day two’s action will kick off with a clash between Southern Gauteng A and Southern Free State A at 07:45.
Results
Pool A @ Hilton College
KZN Inland A 2: Ben Wilson (2). Western Province B 2: Gerrard Matthews-Boukoua, Josh Goudling.
KZN Coastal A 4: Luc Boyall (2), Chris Abrahams, Tye Milne. Boland B 1: Jordan White.
Western Province A 3: Jacques van Dyk (2), Liam Dammes. Mpumalanga 0.
KZN Coastal A 0-0 KZN Inland A
Pool B @ St Anne’s
Boland A 4: Luka Meets (2), Caleb Cilliers, Luca Jordaan. Eastern Province A 2: Logan Goddard-Ford, Keegan Le Roux.
Southern Gauteng A 4: Kamohelo Tsoka (2), Jason Joiner, Blaine Candy, Milan Stipcevich. KZN Coastal B 1: Murray Wicks (2), Caleb Phipson.
Northern Gauteng A 3: Rudolph Thiart, Kean Cornelissen, Milan Booysen. Southern Free State A 0.
Fixtures
Day 2: Tuesday, 30 June
Pool A @ St Anne’s
10:35 – KZN Inland A vs Western Province A
13:35 – Boland B vs Mpumalanga
16:15 – Western Province B vs KZN Coastal A
Pool B @ Hilton
07:45 – Southern Gauteng A vs Southern Free State A
09:10 – Eastern Province A vs KZN Coastal B
12:00 – Boland A vs Northern Gauteng A
14:50 – Southern Gauteng A vs Eastern Province A
16:15 – Western Province B vs KZN Coastal A
Avuyile Sawula is a multimedia sports journalist, broadcaster, and writer. He possesses a journalism degree from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. During his time in the media industry, he has worked for various online media publications covering a variety of sporting codes. He also has a broadcasting background. His reporting beats include hockey, rugby, water polo, and cricket. Apart from writing, he has a knack for creating sports content, video editing and running.
Avuyile Sawula
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