Michaelhouse are back-to-back Jody Momplé Cup champs
Winning the Jody Momplé Cup is a tough ask. One slip in the knockout event and you’re out of the running.
Winning it two years in succession and coming out on top in penalty shootouts in both the semi-finals and final is not luck. That’s mettle, and Michaelhouse demonstrated plenty of it in repeating as champions.
The competition, played over two days at Hilton College, brought together 24 schools from across the Pietermaritzburg and KZN Midlands region.
They clashed in eight groups of three after which the participants continued in the Cup, Plate, and Bowl competition on the second day.
Only wins would do if a team was to lay claim to the prestigious Cup.
From day one, ‘House was on their game, breezing past Weston Agricultural College (3-0) and Grace College (4-0) in their pool matches. On Sunday, though, they faced a serious challenge in the quarterfinals from Carter High, who had finished as the runner-up in the Jody Momplé Cup in 2023.
In a tight contest, Michaelhouse triumphed 1-0. Then, the margins of victory became even slimmer in their subsequent games.
In the semi-finals, against St Charles College, ‘House fell 0-1 behind in the second half and needed a late goal to force a penalty shootout. Luke Mitchell, who was in goal when they won the title in a shootout in 2024, made the difference again, with the boys in red and white getting by Saints 4-2 from the spot.
Then, in the final, against Maritzburg College, Michaelhouse was subjected to a thorough examination by the Red, Black, and White, whose quick passing game worked well on the lush surface of Zungu Field. ‘House stuck with their more direct approach and worked to attack down the flanks, where they enjoyed some success.
There were moments of concern for both defences, but it was goalless at the end of regulation time and that meant the title would be decided from the spot.
College went ahead from the first kick, but Michaelhouse pulled one back and then, when Mitchell saved another, they were champions again, with the goalie charging ecstatically towards his team-mates, who rushed the field to celebrate their outstanding achievement with him.
Afterwards, Mitchell was deservedly named the Player of the Final. Speaking with SuperSport Schools Plus, he admitted he had visions of the shootout in the 2024 final going through his mind.
“I just tried to stay as calm as I possibly could,” he said, “and I took it one penalty at a time. I did the best I could for the team.
“There were thoughts of last year, but I stayed in the moment.
“All of the [shootout] experiences I’ve had so far have helped me to get to where I am now. Last year helped me in today’s game.”
Michaelhouse’s success, though, was very much a team effort. Their hard work in closing down defenders and making them feel uncomfortable on the ball paid off. Unfortunately for Maritzburg College, it came at their expense in the final.
The 2025 season has been one of mixed fortunes for College but, playing on the thick grass of the football-only surface of Zungu Field, they blossomed and delivered a fine performance. However, Michaelhouse’s tenacity and BMT won the day.
College had accounted for the Primo Big 10 champion, Hilton College, in the semi-finals, also from the penalty spot. Both teams created opportunities to win it in regulation time with the best of them falling to College after a shot on goal from sharpshooter Mazithi Qasha was parried by the goalkeeper.
It fell kindly for College, but the follow-up shot from a fellow forward was thumped into the crossbar. Sometimes a feathered touch is more effective than a powerful blast.
In the other semi-final, St Charles played some fine football and, after a goalless first half took the lead with a header from Ethan Apollos at the back post off of a corner.
Saints, though, then appeared to focus on keeping Michaelhouse out, happy to clear the ball down the field in the hope of preserving their lead. That gave ‘House enough possession to create a goal of their own.
At the conclusion of event, Qasha and Hilton’s Tadi Hove were the joint winners of the Bryce Moon Top Scorer Trophy, which was donated by the former College boy and Bafana Bafana representative.
There was joy for first-timers, Nomaswazi High, who captured the Bowl, edging out Riverwood College in the title game. Nomaswazi’s heartwarming success also underlined the value of the Jody Momplé Cup in spreading the game.
For a second year in succession, Haythorne Secondary lifted the Plate. They showed tremendous grit and determination to overcome a 0-2 deficit and finish 2-2 against Linpark, which forced a penalty shootout. Then, they took it from the spot, winning 5-4.
RESULTS
BOWL
Bowl Quarterfinals
Newton School 1-0 Wartburg Kirchdorf School
Etham College (2) 1-1 (4) Nomaswazi High
Riverwood College 3-0 Grace College
Treverton College 3-2 St Nicholas Diocesan School
Bowl Semi-finals
Newton School (4) 2-2 (5) Nomaswazi High
Riverwood College 3-0 Treverton College
Bowl Final
Nomaswazi High 2-1 Riverwood College
PLATE
Plate Quarterfinals
Greytown High 2-3 Linpark High
Haythorne Secondary 1-0 Howick High
Umvuzo Secondary 3-1 Weston Agricultural College
Edendale Technical High 0-2 Ixopo Secondary
Plate Semi-finals
Linpark High (4) 2-2 (5) Haythorne Secondary
Umvuzo Secondary (5) 0-0 (4) Ixopo Secondary
Plate Final
Haythorne Secondary (5) 1-1 (4) Umvuzo Secondary
CUP
Cup Quarterfinals
Hilton College (8) 1-1 (7) Alexandra High
Maritzburg Christian School 0-4 Maritzburg College
Carter High 0-1 Michaelhouse
St Charles College 1-0 ML Sultan Secondary
Cup Semi-finals
Hilton College (4) 0-0 (5) Maritzburg College
Michaelhouse (4) 1-1 (2) St Charles College
Cup Final
Michaelhouse (4) 0-0 (3) Maritzburg College
