Star-studded SA u18 squads named after SASHOC National Week
The South African Schools Hockey Association (SASHOC) on Saturday named star-studded SA u18 A and B squads after the boys’ final of the SASHOC National Week, in Pietermaritzburg.
Last year’s champions, Western Province A, dominated the boys’ A-section and claimed their fifth straight title after defeating Southern Gauteng A 2-1 in the title decider.
The boys from the Western Cape were rewarded for their excellence with seven players being included in the u18A side.
To no one’s surprise, Litha Kraai finished the week as the top goal scorer with 12 goals and also scooped up the Player of the Tournament accolade.
He was named in the team alongside his Western Province teammates, Zachary Gibbon and Joe Gitlin, and his SACS teammates Aidan Hughes, captain Jo le Roux, Maseko Mohlodi, and Reece Theunis.
Only three players from Southern Gauteng A cracked the nod. Zeyad Davids, from Parktown Boys’ High, was a top performer for Southerns throughout the week and was rewarded for his consistent excellence.
The St David’s Marist Inanda duo of goalkeeper Khotso Mabona and midfielder Matteo Stipcevich were also named in the 16-player squad.
Northern Gauteng A, who finished in an impressive third place, had their co-captains, Luken Brunette and Kabo Mulaudzi included, along with goalkeeper Owen McMenamin.
Hilton College’s Reagan Mudau and Jayden Roux, from KZN Inland A, were called up, too, as was Tyrique Cloete, from KZN Coastal A.
Christo Swanepoel is the only representative in the A-team from Boland A, while Neilyandro van Schalkwyk represents Southern Free State A.
The team will assemble at Kearsney College for a high-performance camp from 9-12 October.
The Director of Hockey at Kearsney, Keegan Pearce, has been appointed the SA u18 head coach. He will be assisted by Robin Jones, with Michaelhouse’s Jason Syce taking on the role of manager.
The convenor of selectors in the u18 age group was Igsaan Ajam, assisted by Julian Hykes and Colin Fielding, who was responsible for the goalkeeper selections.
SA u18A
Luken Brunette (Hoërskool Garsfontein, Northern Gauteng A), Tyrique Cloete (Durban High School, KZN Coastal A), Zeyad Davids (Parktown Boys’ High, Southern Gauteng A), Zachary Gibbon (Wynberg Boys’ High, Western Province A), Joe Gitlin (Reddam House Constantia, Western Province A), Aiden Hughes (SACS, Western Province A), Litha Kraai (SACS, Western Province A), Jo le Roux (SACS, Western Province A), Maseko Mohlodi (SACS, Western Province A), Reece Theunis (SACS, Western Province A), Khotso Mabona (St David’s Marist Inanda, Southern Gauteng A), Owen McMenamin (Pretoria Boys’ High, Northern Gauteng A), Reagan Mudau (Hilton College, KZN Inland A), Kabo Mulaudzi (Pretoria Boys’ High, Northern Gauteng A), Jayden Roux (Hilton College, KZN Inland A), Matteo Stipcevich (St David’s Marist Inanda, Southern Gauteng A), Christo Swanepoel (Paul Roos Gimnasium, Boland A), Neilyandro van Schalkwyk (Grey College, Southern Free State A).
SA u18B
Milan Bekapi (Langa Hockey Club, Western Province B), Bhavesh Naicker (Durban High School, KZN Coastal A), Aidan Blatch (St Stithians College, Southern Gauteng A), Kiano Broadhurst (Grey High School, Eastern Province A), Robert Burman (Hilton College, KZN Inland A), Ezray Stadt (Jeppe High School for Boys, Southern Gauteng A), Dane Jackson (Maritzburg College, KZN Inland A), Joshua Smith (St Stithians College, Southern Gauteng B), Khanyisa Kraai (Parktown Boys’ High, Southern Gauteng A), Raphael Madzivadondo (Jeppe High School for Boys, Southern Gauteng B), Juan Martin (Jeppe High School for Boys, Southern Gauteng A), Benjamin Simon (King Edward VII, Southern Gauteng A), Sitshaba Siyoyo (Durban High School, KZN Coastal A), Hayden Stellenberg (Stellenberg High School, Western Province B), Aadam Thompson (SACS, Western Province B), Duardt Tollig (Hoërskool Garsfontein, Northern Gauteng A), Callum van Oudtshoorn (Paul Roos Gimnasium, Boland A), Zach Williamson (Clifton College, KZN Coastal A).
Individual awards
Top goalscorer – Litha Kraai (Western Province A)
Best goalkeeper – Khotso Mabona (Southern Gauteng A)
Best defender – Jo le Roux (Western Province A)
Best midfielder – Christo Swanepoel (Boland A)
Best striker – Litha Kraai (Western Province A)
Player of the Tournament – Litha Kraai (Western Province A)
