Border confirms strong team for SASHOC National Week in Bloemfontein
Just under a month before the SASHOC National Week (formally known as the IPT) kicks off in Bloemfontein, the Border Schools Hockey Association has finalised a strong-looking squad to battle against the country’s best for the provincial honours.
The tournament kicks off on 16 June, with the final scheduled for 21 June.
The event will be played at five different venues, including the University of the Free State, St Andrew’s School, St Michael’s School for Girls, Grey College, and Eunice High School.
In last year’s edition, Border featured an experienced team, under the guidance of Queen’s College’s Director of Hockey, Siya Lusiba.
Lusiba, who, as the former Director of Hockey at St Andrew’s School, is familiar with Bloemfontein, will again take charge of the side and will be assisted by the current head coach of Queen’s, Michael Baiden.
In 2023, under the guidance of the duo, the Eastern Cape side placed ninth, finishing above Southern Free State, Eastern Province, and the KZN Inland B team.
They got off to a rather rocky start, losing to formidable opponents, Southern Gauteng, Western Province A and Western Province B, before rescuing their campaign with wins over KZN Inland B (3-0) and Free-State (2-0).
This year, they’ll look to those last two performances as inspiration and building blocks for their challenge.
They have a solid-looking squad, which features four players from the 2023 lineup, including the Selborne College trio of Tre’ Gilbert, who will captain the side, Waeden Plaatjies, and Daniel Sirgel. They’re joined by Queen’s College’s Luke du Preez, who will serve as one of the two vice-captains.
There are seven Selborne boys in total in the Border squad, with Daniel Conroy, Shane Stagg, Gray van Heerden, and Nathan Amos-Brown also cracking the SASHOC National Week nod.
Queen’s, apart from Du Preez, is represented by Asi Tybosch and Brett Hoffman, while Rowan Miles and Aiden van Jaarsveld are non-travelling reserves.
Stirling High will also be represented in Bloemfontein. Impressive performances this season by Josh Williams and Hisharm Pillay have earned the duo their places in the 16-player lineup.
Dale College, after having no representation in last year’s A side, had two players included. Unfortunately, Sibongile Nzima broke a hand and has been forced to withdraw. He’s been replaced by Hudson Park‘s Helio Ruiters, leaving Amangile Songelwa as the sole representative from Dale.
The squad is completed by Aqhama Mdlulwa, who has been having an impressive season for Cambridge High, and Mtha Mboniswa, from Merrifield College, who will also serve as vice-captain of the team, alongside Luke du Preez.
Border has again been drawn in Section A, Pool A, and they will open their challenge on day one with a serious test against a tough Boland side at 08:30.
Border u18A Team
Luke du Preez (Queen’s College, c), Tre’ Gilbert (Selborne College), Waeden Plaatjies (Selborne College), Mtha Mboniswa (Merrifield College), Daniel Conroy (Selborne College), Aqhama Mdlulwa (Cambridge High School), Asi Tybosch (Queen’s College), Daniel Sirgel (Selborne College), Shane Stagg (Selborne College), Sibongile Nzima (Dale College), Hisharm Pillay (Stirling High School), Brett Hoffman (Queen’s College), Amangile Songelwa (Dale College), Gray van Heerden (Selborne College), Nathan Amon-Brown (Selborne College), Josh Williams (Stirling High School).
Pool Fixtures
Sunday, 16 June
08:30 – Border vs Boland A
17:00 – Western Province B vs Border
Monday, 17 June
14:25 – Border vs Western Province A
Tuesday, 18 June
11:20 – Border vs KZN Coastal B
Wednesday, 19 June
14:25- Border vs Southern Gauteng B
