Gauteng schools’ hockey back with a bang
Gauteng’s top hockey-playing schools return to action this week with a tasty lineup of intriguing matches.
The third term brings a different energy, especially from the senior players, who will be aiming to end their school careers on a high note.
For the younger players, it’s an opportunity to take on more prominent roles, with one eye cast towards the future.
On Wednesday, high-flying Jeppe High School for Boys faces off against Helpmekaar Kollege at Wits University.
In another interesting clash, Parktown Boys’ High School goes up against King Edward VII School (KES) in a friendly fixture ahead of a derby clash with Northcliff High School on Saturday.
Jeppe, under the leadership of coach Siya Sityana, remain the dominant force in Gauteng schoolboy hockey. They went into the mid-year break on a high after edging out Pretoria Boys High to maintain their unbeaten run.
Their fixture against Helpmekaar is an opportunity for the Kensington school to find their momentum once more and bolster their outstanding record.
Helpmekaar are no pushovers, however, and Wednesday’s game will be the 100th for the school’s 1st XI for the talented Jaundré Verwey.
Verwey is a key player in the midfield, who plays with a commanding presence. He and his teammates will be pushed hard by Jeppe, but they would love nothing more than to upset the apple cart and take down Jeppe to celebrate Verwey’s 100th cap.
Jeppe will be back in action on the Bowden AstroTurf on Friday when they host Durban High School (DHS). Recent clashes between the teams have been high-tempo and highly intense, with both sides loaded with provincial representatives.
In Pretoria, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) hits the ground running. They’re hosting Maritzburg College in one of the largest derbies – rugby and hockey – in the country on 25 and 26 July, while Pretoria Boys High School will face KES.
There will be some feelings of uncertainty following a pause in their schedule for the national hockey weeks during the holiday, but Affies will feel confident after ending the second term with a morale-boosting 4-1 win over Hoërskool Menlopark.
