The penultimate day of the SA Hockey IPT 2026 delivered everything expected of finals weekend at the University of Johannesburg and Hoërskool Linden in Johannesburg on Friday, 8 May 2026, with dramatic shootouts, dominant displays, heartbreak and relief all unfolding as the women’s finalists were confirmed and the relegation battle reached its conclusion.
In the first women’s semi-final, Southern Gauteng and Western Province produced a pulsating contest that kept spectators on the edge of their seats throughout. Western Province struck first through Rebecca Kaps to take the lead into half-time, but Bianca Wood hauled Southern Gauteng level in the final quarter to send the match to a shootout.
Western Province looked in complete control when they raced into a 2-0 lead in the shootout, but Southern Gauteng clawed their way back to force sudden death. Tamlyn Kock and Morgan de Jager held their nerve as Southern Gauteng completed a remarkable comeback to eliminate the defending champions and book their place in the final.
The second semi-final saw Northern Blues and North West battle fiercely for control early on, but it was the Pretoria side who settled quickest. Ntsopa Mokoena broke the deadlock with a powerful finish before Baylee Engelke doubled the advantage in the third quarter. North West threw everything forward in response but could not find a way through as Northern Blues secured their place in the gold medal match with a 2-0 victory.
In the women’s relegation play-offs, Cerian Fourie starred with a hat-trick while Tatum Kroutz added a brace in a commanding 5-1 victory for KZN Raiders over Eastern Province. Thandile Deyi grabbed the consolation for Eastern Province, but the result confirmed Eastern Province’s relegation to the B Section in 2027 while KZN Raiders secured survival.
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WP Peninsula also retained their A Section status after a strong final quarter display against Free State. Khanyisile Gusha struck twice either side of an Isabella Booyens goal to seal a 3-0 victory.
With the final line-up confirmed, Southern Gauteng will face Northern Blues for the 2026 women’s title on Saturday, 9 May 2026, while Western Province take on North West in the Bronze Medal Match.
Results and Fixtures for 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
09h00: 7th Place Play-Off: Eastern Province v Free State at Hoërskool Linden
09h00: 5th Place Play-Off: KZN Raiders v WP Peninsula at UJ
13h00: Bronze Medal Match: Western Province v North West at UJ
17h15: Final: Northern Blues v 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: Reabetswe Phume converted Southern Gauteng’s final of five Shootout Goals to take the SA Hockey IPT 2026 first semi-final against Western Province to a sudden death finale, after the sides were tied 1-all at the fulltime whistle and after the first Shootout, which Southern Gauteng’s Tamlyn Kock then sealed in their favour to face Northern Blues in Saturday’s final. All Photos: Marcel Sigg / SA Hockey
Photo 2 Caption: Bookend goals from Ntsopa Mokoena (pictured) and Baylee Engelke sealed the Northern Blues their place in the SA Hockey IPT final.
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