The group stages reached their conclusion on Thursday at the South African Hockey IPT in Johannesburg. The semi-final line-up is now confirmed, while the relegation battle is equally set as teams discovered the fate of their remaining battles.
Header Image: Marcel Sigg
In the men’s tournament, Western Province secured top spot in Pool A with a resounding victory over KZN Raiders. Both sides had already qualified for the semi-finals, which perhaps took a little edge out of the contest. Niel Raath continued his prolific scoring run, while Kenton Melville, Carlon Mentoor, Luthando Jonas and Damian Knott all added goals in a comfortable one-sided victory.
Northerns Blues and SG Witsies were locked in a battle for third place in the pool and, with it, the “easier” relegation playoff. They produced a gripping contest that swung both ways, but neither side could find the breakthrough. That was until the 59th minute when Keanan Wax looked to have won it for Witsies with a dramatic late strike. The Blues, however, surged forward one final time and Ruard Booysensnatched an equaliser with the final play of the game.
WP Peninsula needed victory against Eastern Province to secure a semi-final place and twice found themselves staring down the barrel in the second half. They trailed to the free-scoring Sachin Paydachee before their own leading scorer James Flint levelled matters. At the end of the third quarter they were behind again as Kian Camber restored the EP lead. But Peninsula dug deep and goals from Daniel Bruynsand Thomas Sickle completed a remarkable comeback to seal a semi-final berth.
Southern Gauteng secured top spot in their pool with a hard-fought victory over Free State. The Free State side came out firing and tested the favourites throughout. Despite trailing to a Gerald Mpopo strike, they found a leveller in the final five minutes. They could not hold on though, as Liam Hermanus stole the winner to preserve Southern Gauteng’s perfect record.
Men’s 5–8 Playoffs
09:00 – Northerns Blues vs Eastern Province
11:00 – Free State vs SG Witsies
Men’s Semi-Finals
15:00 – Western Province vs WP Peninsula
19:00 – Southern Gauteng vs KZN Raiders
North West took on KZN Raiders in a virtual quarter-final early on Thursday. They got the perfect start through Jasmin Kelly in the 11th minute, but neither side could add to the score before half-time. Early in the second half Cerian Fourie levelled matters, before Emily Wilson restored the North West lead late in the third quarter. Charne de Wet added the insurance goal late on to secure North West’s place in the semi-finals.
Northerns Blues were far too strong for Eastern Province, recording a remarkable 11-0 victory. A brace from Angele Vogel was supported by nine different goal scorers as the Blues attack repeatedly broke through. Laiken Brisset, Edith Molikoe, Emily Macquet, Lenique Vogel, Cassandra Forbes, Ntsopa Mokoena, Caylinn den Bakker, Nicola Forbes and Anja Tromp all found the back of the net in an emphatic performance.
Western Province made it three wins from three as the defending champions continued their dominant form. Charne Maddocks, Rebecca Kaps and Ashleigh Thomas all scored as WP Peninsula settled for fourth place in Pool B.
Southern Gauteng had already secured a semi-final spot before taking on Free State, but they still delivered another commanding performance. Paris-Gail Isaacs and Tamlyn Kock scored either side of a Bianca Wood hat-trick, before Hayley Kilfoiladded further gloss to the scoreline as Southerns completed the group stage in style.
Women’s 5–8 Playoffs
09:00 – Free State vs WP Peninsula
11:00 – KZN Raiders vs Eastern Province
Women’s Semi-Finals
13:00 – Northerns Blues vs North West
17:00 – Western Province vs Southern Gauteng
