SA U21 IPT Day 2 Recap: Semi-Final Spots Secured & Pressure Mounting
The intensity at Cornwall Hill College climbed another level on Day 2 of the SA Hockey U21 IPT. With semi-final places up for grabs, some teams rose to the moment — others now face must-win clashes on Day 3.
Men’s Tournament
Pool A:
The semi-final picture is already locked in as North West and Northern Blues both made it two wins from two.
- North West 6-1 Mpumalanga:
NW stormed into a 5-0 half-time lead, showing ruthless control through goals from Marco Grobler, Mathlatse Sebake, Reece Gordon, Jaydon Brooker, and Diahn Alberts-Flynn. Mpumalanga’s Kelvin Marshall offered resistance, but Brooker’s second sealed a convincing win. - Northern Blues 6-2 Eastern Province:
After a tense goalless first half-hour, David Diemont and Roan van Rensburg got the hosts going before Corne Burger exploded with four goals. EP managed two late strikes from Mika-eel Osman and Kian Cambier, but it was too little, too late.
Pool B:
- KZN Raiders 6-3 Free State:
The Raiders dominated early, racing to a 5-1 half-time lead. Tristan Boyall, Veeshan Govender, Isaac Phiri, and Lethabo Bogacwi led the charge. Free State fought back with goals from Jayden Leech and Luke Mosala, but Kade Burns sealed it late for the Raiders. - Western Province 3-0 Southern Gauteng:
A serious injury impacted the rhythm, but WP bounced back from Day 1 defeat. Goals from Kearabetswe Khoele, Zeke Hougaard, and Joshua Mettler kept their semi-final hopes alive.
Women’s Tournament
Pool A:
- Southern Gauteng 6-1 Mpumalanga:
Southerns booked their place in the semis in dominant fashion. Hannah Quinton (2), Emily Weaver, Hannah Smyth, Unathi Magudulela, and Sabeehah Mia made sure of the result. Jean-Mare van der Merwe netted a consolation for Mpumalanga. - North West 1-1 KZN Raiders:
A thrilling draw between two sides in the semi-final mix. Ane Janse van Vuuren gave the defending champs the lead, but Georgia Swart equalised soon after. The deadlock held in a high-stakes, hard-fought contest.
Pool B:
- Free State 2-0 Eastern Province:
Amy Kotze and Solange Jacobs delivered a crucial win for Free State, who stay in the semi-final hunt. - Northern Blues 3-2 Western Province:
One of the best matches of the day. Arista van Zyl opened for the hosts, Lane Barnard responded for WP. In the final quarter, Anja Tromp and Elizabeth Porter pushed Blues clear, before Ruby Kraus made it a tense finish. The Blues’ win puts them in pole position for a semi-final spot.
Day 3 Fixtures To Watch
With spots still up for grabs, Day 3 promises high drama:
Women’s Key Clash:
13:00 – Southern Gauteng vs North West: Top of Pool A on the line. A potential preview of the final?
Men’s Showdown:
17:45 – North West vs Northern Blues: Both unbeaten. Who tops Pool A?
Every result now shapes the knockout path.
Semi-final places are within reach — or slipping away.
