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Boland gunning for glory at SASHOC National Week

By Avuyile Sawula , in Hockey | Featured Hockey | News , at 2024-06-04 Tags: , , , , , , , ,

The Boland u18 A squad during their capping ceremony. Photo supplied.
The Boland u18 A squad during their capping ceremony. Photo supplied.

After narrowly missing out on a bronze medal at last year’s u18 SASHOC National Week, Boland will approach this year’s event, which again takes place in Bloemfontein, eager to go even further, and maybe even bring home the silverware.

Boland has been drawn in Pool A and will play their matches at the University of Free State Astroturf. The tournament starts on 16 June and runs through to 21 June.

In 2023, Boland entered the tournament as one of the favourites and, under the leadership of head coach Jacques “Stevo” Grobler, they started brightly with a 5-1 win over Eastern Province and a 1-0 win against KZN Inland B.

They, then, went down 0-2 to KZN Coastal A, beat KZN Coastal B 3-1, and drew 1-1 with a tough KZN Inland A outfit.

In the semi-finals, they lost 2-4 to the eventual champions, Western Province A. KZN Coastal A then beat Boland 1-0 in the third/fourth play-off match.

This year, the Bolanders will again be coached by Paarl Gimnasium‘s Jacques Grobler, who will be assisted by Worcester Gimnasium‘s Director of Hockey, Frederick Oliver.

Paul Roos Gimnasium‘s Director of Hockey, Michael Baker, who guided KZN Coastal A to two wins over Boland last year, will serve as the video analyst, while Anwell Botha, from Bridgehouse, will manage the squad.

Paul Roos has the largest representation in the lineup, with six players. Beor van Reenen, Josh Smit, Reuben Sendzul, and Keith Siebrits return from the 2023 side, and they’re joined by Louán van Zyl and Christo Swanepoel this time around.

Sendzul and Smit represented South Africa at the u17 Mirnawan Cup in Malaysia last November, and their experience of playing in a high-pressure environment should serve Boland well.

Paarl Gim has three players – their captain, LD Nel, John Coetzee, and the free-scoring Juan Swanepoel – in the squad.

Beyond Gim and PRG, the selectors cast their net wide, which has led to the inclusions of Heymish Zyster, from Hugenote, Overberg High‘s Duran de Wee, and Ethan Leonard, from Hoërskool Strand.

Worcester Gimnasium will be represented by Thyler Timm and Caleb de Lange, while Parel Vallei Director of Hockey, Michael Van Rensberg, will be proud of Matthew Temmis, who was also named in the strong squad.

Somerset College‘s influential leader, Michael du Toit cracked the nod for a second year in succession. He will lead the side and will enjoy the support of Reuben Sendzul and LD Nel, who captain Paul Roos and Paarl Gimnasium respectively

Boland opens their campaign against an unpredictable Border side in the tournament’s opening match on 16 June.

Their key fixture will likely be a showdown with the defending champions, Western Province A, on the morning of Tuesday, 18 June.

Boland u18A Team

Juan Swanepoel (Paarl Gimnasium), LD Nel (Paarl Gimnasium), John Coetzee (Paarl Gimnasium), Beor van Reenen (GK) (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Joshua Smit (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Louán van Zyl (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Christo Swanepoel (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Keith Siebrits (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Reuben Sendzul (Paul Roos Gimnasium, Thyler Timm (Worcester Gimnasium), Caleb de Lange (Worcester Gimnasium), Michael du Toit (Somerset College), Matthew Temmis (Parel Vallei), Heymish Zyster (Hugenote), Duran de Wee (Overberg High School), Ethan Leonard (HS Strand).

POOL FIXTURES

Sunday, 16 June
08:30 – Boland A vs Border

Monday, 17 June
13:00 – Boland A vs Western Province B

Tuesday, 18 June
09:55 – Boland A vs Western Province A
17:00 – Boland A vs Southern Gauteng B

Wednesday, 19 June
13:00 – Boland A vs KZN Coastal B

Avuyile Sawula
error: Sorry ol' chap, those shenanigans are not permissible.