Challengers’ Cup title up for grabs
Hockey fans in Paarl, in the Western Cape, will be treated to high-quality hockey action this week when La Rochelle Girls’ High School hosts the 2025 edition of the Challengers’ Cup.
The much-anticipated event starts on Thursday, 7 August, with the final to be contested on Sunday, 10 August.
Matches will be played at La Rochelle’s and Paarl Girls’ High‘s main AstroTurfs.
Somerset College was victorious in last year’s competition after beating St Mary’s Waverley in the final, but they won’t be defending the title.
The event, nonetheless, features a stacked lineup, including six teams – St Mary’s Waverley, Rustenburg Girls’ High, Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool (Affies), Parel Vallei, Paarl Girls’ High and Fairmont High – who were part of last year’s event.
Joining them will be St Cyprian’s School, Hoërskool Outeniqua, Pretoria’s Hoërskool Garsfontein, Herschel Girls School, Springfield Convent School, and Durban Girls College (DGC).
It’s a fantastic opportunity for those teams to end their seasons on a high note.
In Pool A, Garsfontein and St Mary’s Waverley will face a stern challenge from four Cape Town schools – St Cyprians, Fairmont, Rustenburg, and Parel Vallei.
Garsies, who have enjoyed a superb season under the guidance of head coach Charlene Johnson, are among the favourites to go all the way.
They recently competed in the Pullen Cup in Johannesburg, where they finished as the runner-up, losing out to Affies after a penalty shootout was required to decide the final.
The four Western Cape sides should make the group interesting.
St Cyprian’s has been playing good hockey under head coach Natalie Esteves, while Parel Vallei and Rustenburg Girls are evenly matched. They recently played to a goalless draw.
Fairmont High should be a strong contender. They showed how well they can play tournament hockey when they won the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament earlier this year.
Pool B is, undoubtedly, the “group of death”. Herschel, Paarl Girls’ High, Affies and DGC appear likely to be the frontrunners, but Springfield and Outeniqua will have other ideas.
Affies finished in fourth place at the Challengers’ Cup last year, but they head into the tournament brimming with confidence after winning the Pullen Cup this past weekend.
For DGC and Paarl Girls’ High, the tournament presents an opportunity to add some gloss to their seasons, while coach Ziyaad Ismail and his Springfield outfit will be out to upset the apple cart.
Outeniqua are the dark horses. They’ve been in great form. A week ago, in their most recent outing, they scored an impressive 5-1 victory over Worcester Gimnasium.
It promises to be a cracking event, and tournament director Leani Neethling is optimistic everything will run smoothly.
“This will be the third year that we are hosting the Challengers’ Cup,” she told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“At La Rochelle, we pride ourselves on being accommodating to everyone and on hosting a prestigious and well-organised tournament. We go all out to ensure that it’s a memorable experience for every team, player, and supporter involved.”
Apart from ensuring there is smooth action on the AstroTurf, Neethling said the options alongside the fields will include a tasty variety of food and coffee tents to ensure players, supporters, and spectators are looked after well.
“From an organisational standpoint, spectators can expect a well-structured and seamless tournament experience,” she reckoned.
“Our on-site Feedem Café will be open throughout the tournament, along with additional vendors like E-Vida and Chip ‘n Dip to provide food and beverages.
“We invite parents, players, and spectators to be part of this annual event and enjoy a weekend of high-energy, quality hockey.”
All 42 matches will be broadcast LIVE on the SuperSport Schools App, and live scoring will be available via the Sportivo App for real-time updates.
Pool A
St Cyprian’s School, Hoërskool Garsfontein, St Mary’s Waverley, Parel Vallei, Fairmont High, Rustenburg Girls’ High
Pool B
Herschel Girls School, Durban Girls’ College, Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool, Hoërskool Outeniqua, Paarl Girls’ High, Springfield Convent School
FIXTURES
Thursday, 7 August
@La Rochelle
15:00 – Durban Girls College vs Affies; 16:00 – Outeniqua vs Paarl Girls’ High; 17:00 – St Mary’s Waverley vs Parel Vallei; 18:00 – Herschel vs Springfield; 19:00 – Fairmont vs Rustenburg Girls; 20:00 – St Cyprian’s vs Garsfontein.
Friday, 8 August
@La Rochelle
11:30 – Garsfontein vs St Mary’s Waverley; 12:30 – St Cyprian’s vs Fairmont; 13:30 – Rustenburg Girls’ High vs Parel Vallei; 15:00 – Garsfontein vs Fairmont; 16:00 – Parel Vallei vs St Cyprian’s; 17:00 – Rustenburg Girls’ High vs St Mary’s Waverley.
@Paarl Girls’ High
11:30 – Springfield vs Durban Girls’ College; 12:30 – Outeniqua vs Herschel; 13:30 – Paarl Girls’ High vs Affies; 15:00 – Herschel vs Durban Girls’ College; 16:00 – Outeniqua vs Affies; 17:00 – Paarl Girls’ High vs Springfield.
Saturday, 9 August
@La Rochelle
08:00 – Outeniqua vs Springfield; 09:00 – Durban Girls’ College vs Paarl Girls’ High; 10:00 – Herschel vs Affies; 12:00 – Outeniqua vs Durban Girls’ College; 13:00 – Springfield vs Affies; 14:00 – Paarl Girls’ High vs Herschel.
@Paarl Girls’ High
08:00 – St Cyprian’s vs Rustenburg Girls’; 09:00 – Parel Vallei vs Garsfontein; 10:00 – St Mary’s Waverley vs Fairmont; 12:00 – Rustenburg Girls’ High vs Garsfontein; 13:00 – St Mary’s Waverley vs St Cyprian’s; 14:00 – Fairmont vs Parel Vallei.
