The 2026 South African Indoor Hockey IPT, powered by SPAR & Tops at SPAR, moved firmly into knockout territory on Friday as the A Section semi-finals delivered intensity, composure under pressure and defining moments that have now set up two blockbuster finals.
WOMEN’S A SEMI-FINALS
Western Province 3–2 Southern Gauteng
Western Province secured their place in the final with a composed 3–2 victory over Southern Gauteng, built on ruthless penalty corner efficiency.
WP struck twice in quick succession early on. Malikah Hamza converted from a penalty corner in the 6th minute before Andrea Leader doubled the advantage just a minute later, again from a set piece.
Southern Gauteng responded in the third quarter when Amber Fairon calmly slotted a penalty stroke in the 25th minute to reduce the deficit to 2–1.
Western Province answered through Chelsey Woolf, whose 31st-minute penalty corner restored the two-goal cushion at 3–1.
Fairon was not done, converting a penalty corner in the 39th minute to bring Southern Gauteng within one. A tense final passage followed, but WP managed the closing stages superbly to secure the win.
Three penalty corner goals ultimately proved decisive.
Northerns Blues 5–1 WP Peninsula
Northerns Blues produced a commanding performance to book their place in the final with a 5–1 victory over WP Peninsula.
Cailie den Bakker opened the scoring in the 5th minute from open play before Elizabeth Porter doubled the advantage from a penalty corner in the 13th minute.
Den Bakker added her second field goal in the 19th minute, and Laiken Brisset extended the lead to 4–0 in the 24th.
Emily Macquet converted a penalty stroke in the 25th minute to make it 5–0 and effectively seal the contest.
WP Peninsula pulled one back late through Sarah-Ellen Groenewald in the 38th minute, but Northerns Blues were in full control throughout.
Relentless attacking pressure and circle efficiency underlined their title credentials.
MEN’S A SEMI-FINALS
Western Province 4–3 WP Peninsula
Western Province survived a late surge to defeat WP Peninsula 4–3 in a gripping semi-final.
Brett Horn struck twice in quick succession in the 16th and 19th minutes to give WP a 2–0 lead. Idrees Abdulla extended the margin to 3–0 in the 23rd minute before Hans Neethling made it 4–0 just three minutes later.
WP Peninsula fought back strongly. Luthando Jonas converted a penalty stroke in the 29th minute, Ray Bonnet pulled another back in the 34th, and Jody Erasmus added a third in the 38th minute to set up a tense finish.
Despite the late pressure, Western Province held firm to secure their place in the final.
Southern Gauteng 10–5 KZN Raiders
Southern Gauteng delivered an attacking masterclass in a high-scoring 10–5 victory over KZN Raiders.
John-Paul Britz opened from a penalty corner in the 8th minute, but Raiders responded through Randal Govender and Daniel den Bakker to take a 2–1 lead.
Britz levelled again from a penalty corner before Liam Hermanus gave Southern Gauteng the lead. Britz added another from a penalty corner to make it 4–2 before Ryan Mann struck twice in quick succession to stretch the lead to 6–2.
Hermanus added two more goals in the 28th minute to take the tally to 8–2. Keegan Hezlett pulled one back for Raiders, but Dalpiarro Langford converted a penalty corner to make it 9–3.
Daniel den Bakker scored again for Raiders, Michael Horan responded for Southern Gauteng, and Hezlett added a late fifth for Raiders to complete a frenetic encounter.
Southern Gauteng’s depth and attacking firepower proved decisive in one of the tournament’s most explosive matches.
Finals Confirmed
Women’s Final: Western Province vs Northern Blues
Men’s Final: Western Province vs Southern Gauteng
Two heavyweight clashes.
Four teams in form.
Champions to be decided.
