Day three of the Curro Halala Cup delivered nail-biting finishes and surprise turnarounds as 16 teams competed at HeronBridge College. The day's matches brought a flurry of goals and decisive moments, with final positions decided as eight schools advanced to the Cup play-offs, while the remaining eight battled for Plate glory.
As we head into the final day, both the Cup and Plate competitions reach their climactic stages. The Cup Division quarterfinals determined which four teams would advance to compete for the tournament's top honours, while the Plate Division quarterfinals shape the battle for the best of the rest.
The beauty of this format lies in its inclusivity; no team goes home empty-handed or without purpose. Every side plays through to completion, ensuring six matches per team and a final ranking from first to sixteenth place. Whether competing for Cup glory or Plate pride, the quarterfinals delivered the performance and intensity that have defined this tournament from the very first whistle.
Edge-of-your-seat moments at HeronBridge College
HeronBridge College was alive with tension and excitement, as teams battled for their place in the tournament's decisive final day.
The day began with the Cup Division quarterfinals, where Curro Soshanguve and Norkem High School delivered a thriller. Norkem struck first, but Curro Soshanguve equalised in the dying moments to force a 1-1 draw. Penalties followed, with Norkem holding their nerve to win 3-1 in the shootout. Meridian Pinehurst wasted no chances in their quarter-final, clinically dispatching Westering High 4-1. In contrast, Mondeor dominated possession but failed to convert against Grey College, who punished them with four late goals to seal a 4-1 victory.
In the Cup semi-finals, Glenwood High fell 3-2 to a disciplined Hillcrest High side that prioritised efficiency over flair. Navalsig High produced one of the tournament's standout moments, toppling provincial heavyweights Clapham High School, ranked among the best in the province, in a famous win. In the final Cup semi-finals of the day, Norkem Park and Northern Academy showed incredible resolve, each winning their matches through intense penalty shootouts to secure their place in the Cup final.
The Plate Division was equally thrilling. Flora Park High dominated from the first whistle after a delayed start against Westering, powering to a 6-1 win. Mondeor bounced back from earlier disappointment with a commanding 5-1 victory over Camps Bay, displaying relentless attacking intent.
As the tournament heads into its grand finale, the stakes could not be higher. The coveted R100 000 prize is now within reach, and every player will be looking to leave it all on the field.
From the Western Cape to Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal to the Eastern Cape, every province left its mark on day three. The players gave it everything, knowing that the stakes would be at their highest for the coveted R100 000 prize now within reach.
Over the past three days, teams have competed for national glory. Supporters can look forward to action-packed matches showcasing skill, determination, and commitment at the finals. Alongside the championship title, several individual and team honours will be presented: the Golden Glove Award for the best goalkeeper, the Golden Boot Award for the top goal scorer, and the Halala Cup Spirit Award for the team that consistently displays exceptional sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
Below are the fixtures from the matches:
