Siya Sityana to leave Jeppe for rival school
Jeppe High School for Boys will bid farewell to their very successful first-team hockey coach Siya Sityana at the end of the year.
SuperSport Schools Plus understands that Sityana will be leaving the Kensington school to join their fierce rivals, King Edward VII School (KES).
While it’s yet to be confirmed, the former Dale College pupil is expected to assume the Red Sticks‘ head coach role, taking over from the experienced Sharmin Naidoo.
The unexpected move will come as a shock to many hockey enthusiasts, not only in the Gauteng region but across the country, considering the outstanding season Jeppe enjoyed under his tutelage in 2025.
The 30-year-old began his tenure with the Jeppe 1st XI in 2024 when he replaced Gilbert De Villiers, who moved to St John’s College. Next year, De Villiers will be on his way to Maritzburg College.
His first season in charge didn’t go smoothly, with Sityana undergoing a baptism of fire. The side’s results were somewhat inconsistent, but he led Jeppe to some famous victories, which included lifting the Aitken Cup after a 2-0 win over Parktown Boys’ High in the final.
It was during the 2025 season that Sityana came into his own as the coach of Jeppe, leading the school, long recognised one of the leading hockey-playing schools in the country, to one of its best seasons ever.
Under his tutelage, they played 31 matches, won 29 and drew only two, against Hilton College and Grey College, at the Nomads Hockey Festival in March.
He also led the side to victory in the Aitken Cup, with Jeppe claiming the silverware after a 4-2 win over St Stithians College 4-2 in the final.
To cap off an incredible season, he directed the Southern Gauteng u16A boys to gold at the SASHOC National Week in July. Their title-winning run ended with a one-sided thumping of Eastern Province in the final.
He wasn’t done yet, however. A month later, Sityana aided the SA u16B side to an unbeaten run against Zimbabwe during the Allistar Fredericks Africa Challenge.
His outstanding contributions were recognised when he was named the Boys’ Coach of the Year at the Hyundai Hockey on 216 Awards. Jeppe was, furthermore, nominated for the Team of the Year Award.
Sityana will undoubtedly add value to KES as they seek to improve their hockey programme and become a greater force in the schoolboy game.
His successor is yet to be confirmed, but SuperSport Schools Plus understands that an announcement from Jeppe is imminent.
