Absa Wildeklawer has a new champion: Virginia High School
The Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament has a new king sitting on the throne after four days of all-out action, with Virginia High School becoming the third school to be crowned the champion of the prestigious tournament.
In an evenly contested final, Virginia defeated the Wildeklawer Academy 4-3 from the penalty spot after the teams had ended regulation time level at 2-2.
Throughout the tournament, both sides delivered exceptional performances, and both topped their groups.
Wildeklawer Academy, competing in Group A, picked up three wins and a draw, while Virginia High, in Group C, finished with a similar record.
The 2025 edition of the event was, arguably, the most exciting and unpredictable of the last three Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournaments, and some big names fell long before they were expected to be challenged. Maritzburg College failed to make it beyond the group stage, while Grey College was knocked out in the quarterfinals.
On Saturday, after the competition was narrowed down to four teams from an initial 20, Virginia High School took on two-time champions, HTS Louis Botha, in the semifinals, while the Wildeklawer Academy had a date with Clapham High School, the defending champions.
In a hard-fought contest, Virginia halted their fellow Free Staters, recording a narrow 1-0 win to secure their place in the title decider.
Wildeklawer Academy’s fairytale run continued when they overcame Clapham 2-0 to advance to the gold medal match.
In a contest replete with outstanding skills, both teams netted twice, but that necessitated a penalty shootout to determine the winner. It went Virginia High School’s way by a 4-3 margin and the title was theirs.
In the bronze medal playoff, Clapham handed HTS Louis Botha a 1-0 loss to follow up 2024’s title win with third place in 2025.
Virginia High School’s outstanding performances were reflected in the Team of the Tournament, with six of their players cracking the nod for the 11-player lineup. Three players from the Wildeklawer Academy were included, and one each from HTS Louis Botha and Paul Roos Gimnasium.
AWARDS
TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT
Goalkeeper
Sello Mokhobo – Virginia High School
Defenders
Katleho Monyabi – Virginia High School
Thato Kraal – Virginia High School
Cronan Willis – Paul Roos Gimnasium
Mozwakhe Flatela – Virginia High School
Midfielders
Tina Mbuma – HTS Louis Botha
Mpho Mhlokoe – Virginia High School
Junior Papier – Wildeklawer Academy
Forwards
Lehlohonolo Khanas – Virginia High School
Atlegang Manqele – Wildeklawer Academy
Beyondre Bok – Wildeklawer Academy
Player of the Tournament
Mpho Mhlokoe – Virginia High School
Top Goal scorer
Beyondre Bok – Wildeklawer Academy
Goalkeeper of the Tournament
Sello Mokhobo – Virginia High School
Coach of the Tournament
Christopher Minnies – Wildeklawer Academy
Final Standings
- Virginia High School
- Wildeklawer Academy
- Clapham High School
- HTS Louis Botha
- Navalsig High School
- Grey College
- Paul Roos Gimnasium
- Norkem Park High School
- Emmang Mmogo
- Glenwood High School
- Kimberley Boys’ High
- Northern Academy
- Brebner High School
- Maritzburg College
- Jeppe High School for Boys
- Victoria Park High School
- Reddam House Bedfordview
- Border High Schools
- Potchefstroom High School for Boys
- Northwood School
Saturday, 3 May
Semifinals
Virginia High School 1-0 HTS Louis Botha
Wildeklawer Academy 2-0 Clapham High School
3rd/4th Playoff
Clapham 1-0 HTS Louis Botha
Final
Virginia High School (4) 2-2 (3) Wildeklawer Academy
