Five players to watch at the Hibbert Shield
The Standard Bank Hibbert Shield, to be hosted by Grey High School in Gqeberha, from Wednesday, 30 April, will feature some of the country’s best players in action.
The tournament, which concludes on Saturday, 3 May, features the strongest lineup of any schoolboy hockey event in South Africa.
It promises entertaining matchups and competitive action in the battle for the prestigious shield.
Paul Roos Gimnasiumis the defending champion, and they’ll be aiming for a fourth title and their third in succession. However, with the level of competition rising, it won’t be smooth sailing.
There will be an abundance of talent on display at the Rectory AstroTurf. We take a look at five senior players you should keep an eye on.
Jo Le Roux – SACS
While many SuperSport Schools Hockey readers would’ve expected to see a different name under SACS, Jo Le Roux is the man we’ve chosen to highlight.
The SACS skipper has come into his own over the past two seasons and is playing some great hockey with the added responsibility of wearing the captain’s armband.
He’s made a good start to the season and led his troops to an unbeaten run on their international tour to The Netherlands last month.
Le Roux is also one of many versatile players in the SACS camp and can operate in different positions, from centre-back to midfield, and on the wing when needed.
He’s calm in defence, composed and encouraging when lifting his teammates, and a reliable threat at the top of the D, with his drag flicking.
Winning the Hibbert Shield requires teamwork, and Le Roux will need to be at his best and lead from the front to give his side a chance at glory.
Aidan Blatch – St Stithians College
Not much has been said about St Stithians College ahead of the Hibbert Shield, and the boys from Johannesburg will like that.
They’ll enter the tournament as underdogs, but they have some fantastic players who will be aiming to make their mark against top opposition.
One of those players is Aidan Blatch. The lanky, strong, and powerful forward is a force to be reckoned with and will cause problems for any team going up against Saints.
He starred for the hosts during the Saints Easter Hockey Festival and scored a hat-trick against Hilton College in their opener. They went on to complete an unbeaten run on home turf.
Blatch is a serial threat; he flicks well, has a powerful shot, and can turn the tide of a game in an instant. His ability to find spaces also makes him dangerous. Teams should be wary of this fellow.
Uyanda Dlamini – Maritzburg College
Maritzburg College will be making its debut at the Hibbert Shield, and they’re one of those sides that could cause several upsets.
Under the leadership of Uyanda Dlamini, the boys from Pietermaritzburg have enjoyed a steady rise this season after a stuttering start to their campaign.
Credit for their early-season success must go to Dlamini, who is another key player to watch at the Rectory AstroTurf.
He is calm and unrelenting, and his desire to win translates into his leadership. He has silky hands and a change of speed to go with it, which makes him one of the most dangerous players in the country.
Based on their current form, College is a dark horse contender at Hibbert after impressing at the KES Easter Hockey Festival and, most recently, beating Pretoria Boys High 2-1 on the weekend. Dlamini will spearhead their challenge.
Kiano Broadhurst – Grey High School
In a tournament like the Hibbert Shield where anything can happen, goalkeepers have a crucial role to play. They’re usually busier than they are at most other times of the season.
That’s why Kiano Broadhurst features in this list because he will be crucial for the home side if they are to go all the way and win their first title on home turf since 2019.
The South African u17 goalkeeper featured for Grey in last year’s event in which his side went out in the semifinals against SACS after a penalty shootout. He would’ve taken lessons from that game and worked on his one-on-one saves.
In his last two outings for Grey, he conceded just one goal in a 5-1 win over Dale College while he kept a clean sheet against Pearson High School. Forwards, links, and wings are often game-changers, but coaches will state the obvious when they tell you that a good goalkeeper is a must-have. Backed up by sound defenders, Broadhurst won’t be beaten easily, that’s for sure.
Neilyandro van Schalkwyk – Grey College
Grey College has put together an impressive start to the season under the tutelage of head coach Dalan Phillips, who joined them this year from Pearson High School.
Phillips hasn’t changed much and has taken charge of a team that includes many players who featured in 2024, including Neilyandro van Schalkwyk.
Affectionately known as “Neli” by Grey’s parents, Van Schalkwyk is a key player in the new structure and the manner of play that Phillips has introduced to the boys from Bloemfontein.
He might not be one of the top goalscorers, but he makes his presence felt in midfield with strong carries, powerful runs, and big tackles. He shines and contributes to his team alongside other key performers, including Matthias Visser, captain Andrew Koupis, and Waldo Konig.
Grey heads into the tournament off the back of a 2-4 loss against Paarl Gimnasium, so they’ll be looking to bounce back quickly at the Hibbert Shield.
