Day Two of the 2026 South African Hockey U21 IPT brought another avalanche of goals, a few important responses and further evidence that the next generation of South African hockey is making the most of its stage in Gqeberha.
Western Province and North West continued to pile on the goals in the women’s tournament, while the SA U18 Girls produced another eye-catching victory. In the men’s competition, Western Province maintained their flying start, Northern Blues impressed, KZN Raiders responded emphatically and WP Peninsula picked up an important first win.
With every result now carrying a little more weight, the battle for position in the pools is beginning to take shape.
Women: U18 Girls Continue to Impress
Southern Gauteng got Day Two underway by bouncing back from their opening- day defeat with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over WP Peninsula. Captain Unathi Magudulela was amongst the scorers for Southern Gauteng as they secured an important first victory of the tournament and kept themselves firmly in the Pool A conversation.
Western Province, meanwhile, simply continued where they had left off. After an 8-0 victory over Eastern Province on Monday, Province produced the exact same scoreline against Free State to make it 16 goals scored and none conceded through their opening two matches. Ruby Kraus added another goal to her tournament tally as WP once again demonstrated the attacking depth that has made them one of the early teams to watch.
But perhaps the most compelling story in the women’s competition continues to be the SA U18 Girls.
Having already beaten Southern Gauteng 5-3 on the opening day, the national U18 side backed it up with an outstanding 3-0 victory over Northerns Blues. Marlene du Plessis doubled the advantage in the 44th minute before Amogelang Motlatle completed the scoring in the final minute. Two games, two wins and another performance that underlined just how valuable the opportunity to compete at this level is for the country’s leading schoolgirls.
North West then completed another emphatic afternoon of women’s hockey with a 10-0 victory over Eastern Province. Emily Wilson was amongst the scorers asNorth West followed their opening 8-0 victory over Free State with another dominant display. Eighteen goals across their first two matches tells its own story and sets up an intriguing battle for supremacy in Pool B.
Men: Province Roll On as KZN Hit Back
Northerns Blues produced the first statement of the men’s day with a convincing 5-0 victory over Free State. Ruard Booysen was amongst the goals for the Blues as they built on their opening-day victory over KZN Raiders and continued their perfect start to the competition.
Western Province were just as impressive against the SA U18 Boys. The U18s had been one of the stories of Day One after beating North West 3-0, but Province provided a stern reminder of the step up in level with a 6-1 victory.
Matthew de Oliveira was amongst the WP scorers, while Luc Boyall converted a penalty corner for the U18s. Province have now scored 23 goals across their opening three matches and have quickly established themselves as the team setting the pace in Pool A.
If KZN Raiders were disappointed with their narrow opening-day defeat to Northerns Blues, their response could hardly have been more emphatic.
The Raiders powered to a 6-1 victory over Southern Gauteng, turning what might have looked like a difficult Pool B assignment into one of the most decisive results of the day. Josh Beck was on target before Isaac Phiri struck twice in quick succession as KZN took control of the contest and put their first points on the board in emphatic fashion.
WP Peninsula also responded positively after defeat to their Western Province neighbours on Monday, securing a valuable 2-0 victory over North West. Ray Bonnet found the net for Peninsula as they opened their account and ensured that the battle for positions in Pool A remains very much alive heading into Wednesday’s programme.
Eastern Province and the SA U18 Boys then closed out the men’s programme with another entertaining contest, the national age-group side securing a 4-2 victory.
Captain Mohlodi Maseko led from the front with a brace as the U18s bounced back impressively from their earlier defeat to Western Province. With two wins from their opening three matches, the SA U18 Boys have shown they are more than capable of competing in the U21 environment and have added another compelling storyline to the tournament.
Two days down, and already the picture is changing quickly.There are teams beginning to establish themselves as genuine title contenders, others who have responded strongly after difficult opening results, and two SA U18 sides showing exactly why exposing the country’s best young players to this environment matters.
And with the pool stages moving rapidly towards their conclusion, the margins only get smaller from here.
