The penultimate day of the South African Hockey IPT delivered everything expected of finals weekend. Dramatic shootouts, dominant displays, heartbreak and relief all unfolded as the finalists were confirmed and the relegation battle reached its conclusion.
Header Image: Marcel Sigg
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 Southerns 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 Northerns 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 Northerns secured their place in the gold medal match.
In the women’s relegation games, Cerian Fourie starred with a hat-trick while Tatum Kroutzadded a brace in a commanding 5-1 victory for KZN Raiders over Eastern Province. ThandileDeyi grabbed the consolation for EP, but the result confirmed Eastern Province’s relegation to the B Section in 2027 while the Raiders secured survival.
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 Booysen goal to seal a 3-0 victory.
Women’s Final Day Fixtures
In the men’s competition the defending champions Western Province delivered a ruthless performance in a repeat of the 2025 final against WP Peninsula. Niel Raath and Carlon Mentoor both scored hat-tricks while Brett Horn and Reuben Sendzul added further goals in an emphatic victory. Liam Sorensen netted a late consolation for Peninsula.
The second semi-final between Southern Gauteng and KZN Raiders was far tighter, with the breakthrough only arriving shortly before half-time when Marvin Simons produced a clinical finish to hand Southerns the lead. In the second half a brilliantly dinked finish by Cameron le Forestier doubled the lead. Lumi Matwele breathed life into the game with a brilliant reverse stick strike to half the deficit. Southerns had a late goal disallowed but held on for the win and a place in the final.
Earlier in the relegation battle Northerns Blues came from behind to preserve their A Section status with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Eastern Province. Luken Brunette opened the scoring before EP turned the game on its head in a devastating 60-second spell through Xander Elkington and Kian Cambier. The Blues responded brilliantly as Taine Tanner-Ellis levelled matters before Ruard Booysen scored the decisive goal to secure survival.
Free State also confirmed their place in the A Section for 2027 with a 5-2 victory over SG Witsies. Ross Breytenbach and Melrick Maddocks both scored braces while Kaden Henderson added another. Neil van Onselen and Keanan Wax replied for Witsies, who now drop to the B Section.
Men’s Final Day Fixtures
