By Johnathan Paoli
The country’s summer sports calendar burst into life this past weekend, with school teams and touring visitors producing a series of contests that combined drama, grit, and fine individual performances.
From nail-biting water polo finals in Hilton and Durban to a commanding cricket display in Cape Town, the weekend’s events underlined the strength of youth sport in the country.
At the St Anne’s Diocesan College Water Polo Tournament in Hilton, former head coach Megan Sileno made a victorious return, this time at the helm of Johannesburg powerhouse St Stithians.
Reflecting on the success of the event, St Anne’s head coach Cameron Wiid praised the high standard of play.
“With all top medal matches and even the 5th/6th playoff going to penalties, it’s clear that the level of women’s water polo in South Africa is on the rise,” he said.
In a dramatic final on Sunday, Saints edged out Roedean 7–6 in a penalty shootout after the teams were locked at 4–4 in regulation time.
The run for the title included an 8–6 quarterfinal victory over Durban Girls’ College, winners of both the KZN Top 10 and Mackenzie Cup tournaments, and a semi-final triumph over Herschel Girls, also decided on penalties.
On the other side of the draw, Roedean ended hosts St Anne’s unbeaten run with an 8–6 semi-final win. In the bronze medal playoff, Herschel defeated St Anne’s 7–6 on penalties after a 5–5 stalemate.
Tournament honours were shared, with St Stithians’ Isabella Imbriolo earning Defender of the Tournament, while Danielle Sassenberg was named Most Valuable Player.
Wiid said that hosting 16 of the country’s top U19 teams created a unique competitive atmosphere, further elevated by the calibre of match officials, several of whom had officiated at World Championships and Olympic Games.
While the girls battled it out in Hilton, the Clifton Aquatic Centre in Durban hosted the prestigious boys’ tournament, where Hilton College lifted the title after a 10–8 victory over St John’s College.
Guided by coach Paul Martin, who spent a decade leading Clifton’s programme, Hilton impressed with their sharp attacking responses and defensive strategy.
The standout was striker Tristan Uys, who netted five goals, before being red-carded midway through the game.
Mitchel Garreau stepped up late, scoring twice from penalties to keep Hilton in front, while goalkeepers Trent Chubb and Garrick Phillips made critical stops in a tense finish.
Clifton College claimed third place with a 9–7 win over Kearsney College, while South African College Schools took fifth after a comfortable 9–3 win over Selborne.
Further down, Michaelhouse ended seventh, Durban High School ninth, and Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool 11th, while King Edward VI avoided a winless campaign with a 17–3 rout of Grey College in the 15th place playoff.
If water polo offered tension and fine margins, Wynberg Boys’ High School delivered dominance on the cricket field at its Jacques Kallis Oval.
Hosting New Zealand visitors Palmerston North, the Cape Town side powered to a 95-run victory in a 45-over clash.
Openers Matthew Saunders and Fawaaz Hendricks gave Wynberg a strong start with a 68-run stand, before Saunders went on to anchor the innings with a composed 81 off 115 balls, including seven fours and a six.
Supported by Michail Tarentaal’s quick-fire 36 and helped along by 38 extras conceded by the tourists, Wynberg posted 238/9.
Palmerston North’s Lucas Kempthorne impressed with the ball, taking 4/46, but his teammates struggled for accuracy, sending down 21 wides.
Chasing 239 runs, the visitors faltered, with only Sean Rowe (29) and Max Culleton (34 off 34 balls) offering resistance.
Wynberg’s Damien Harris tore through the lower order with figures of 4/15, while Jiyaad Abrahams and Luke Kleinsmith shared four wickets between them, bowling out Palmerston North for 143.
The victory was Wynberg’s second in as many days, following a 36-run win over Paarl Gimnasium on Saturday, underlining their fine early-season form.
INSIDE EDUCATION
