The 2024 South African Hockey Interprovincial Tournament (IPT) started on Monday at St. Stithians College in Johannesburg, with teams competing across four divisions. The first day saw a mix of results, with teams setting the stage for the week-long competition.
Women’s B Section: Mixed Results in Round-Robin Format
In the Women’s B Section, seven teams are playing in a round-robin format where an early slip could cost a shot at the title.
SA Country Districts took an early lead against Mpumalanga with a goal from Lisa February, but Marche Swarts equalized in the second quarter, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
Eastern Province led the Northern Daisies 1-0 at halftime, courtesy of Asithandile Nama, but the Daisies turned the game around in the second half, winning 2-1 through goals by Nadia Kitshoff and Bulelwa Mzimela.
KZN Mynahs made a strong start, defeating Eastern Gauteng 10-1. Emily Macquet scored a hat-trick, while Jessica Fletcher added four goals in a one-sided affair.
Men’s B Section: Free State and SACD Make Early Impact
The Men’s B Section follows a similar round-robin format, but the top two teams will face off in a final.
Free State enjoyed a comfortable 6-0 win against Northern Cape, with Michael Baiden and Neilyandro van Schalkwyk scoring two goals each. Late strikes from Willie Pretorius and Matthias Visser added to the scoreline.
SG Nuggets took an early lead against SA Country Districts (SACD) through Miguel de Jesus, but SACD leveled the game before halftime thanks to Courtney Halle. The second half saw SACD pull away with a 5-1 victory, as Tjoff van Staden scored twice, and Robbie Corker and Tristaan Loock secured the win.
KZN Mynahs led 1-0 at halftime in their match against Northern Daisies, but a late goal from Devin Allen earned the Daisies a 1-1 draw.
Women’s A Section: SA Under-21 Outclass Defending Champions
In the Women’s A Section, which is divided into two pools, Western Province, the defending champions, faced a tough start, losing 4-0 to the SA Under-21 team. Goals came from Germarie Spershott, Olympian Ntsopa Mokoena, and a brace from Thabelani Metu.
North West had a strong showing with a 4-0 win over SG Witsies, with goals from Chanel Genis, Tarmarie Myburgh, Charne de Wet, and Kim Hubach. In Pool B, Northern Blues overcame KZN Raiders 3-1, with goals from Hanrie Louw, Jean-Leigh du Toit, and Maikemisetso Marokoane.
Southern Gauteng recorded a convincing 7-0 win against Free State, with contributions from Kiara Fitzhenry, Kiara Meyers, Shanna Medonca, Kelsey Stark, and Julianne Du Plessis.
Men’s A Section: Western Province and KZN Raiders Draw
The Men’s A Section also kicked off with competitive matches. Defending champions Western Province were held to a 2-2 draw by KZN Raiders. WP’s Hans Neethling and Nicholas Giger scored, while Tyler Tomsett and Nhlanhla Nyawo netted for Raiders to secure the draw.
In the second Pool A match, WP Peninsula dominated SG Witsies 6-2, with Ozair Pillai, Caleb Oliphant (2), Phindile Tsolekile, Tristan Cooke, and James Flint on the scoresheet. Witsies managed two consolation goals through Brynn Cleak and Tristan le Forrestier.
Northern Blues started their Pool B campaign with a 6-3 win against Eastern Province, with early goals from Brad Sherwood, Keanan Wax, Calvin Davis, and others. Eastern Province fought back with goals from Winray Christoffels and Jacques Potgieter, but Blues maintained control.
Southern Gauteng closed out the day with a 3-2 win over SA Under-21. Goals from Ross Breytenbach, Marvin Simons, and Liam Hermanus secured the win, despite a late challenge from the Under-21s.
