Cilliers shines as SA u16 boys breeze past Zimbabwe
Caleb Cilliers, from Paul Roos Gimnasium, scored a whopping five goals to lead the South African u16B side to a comprehensive 10-0 win over Zimbabwe on day one of the Allistar Fredericks Africa Challenge, in Johannesburg, on Tuesday.
The event, organised by South African Schools Hockey (SASHOC), is being held at St David’s Marist Inanda and runs through until Friday, 15 August.
It was a successful opening day for the SA u16 boys. Apart from the B team running riot against Zim’s u16A before, the u16A team posted a 3-0 win over Zimbabwe’s u18A team.
The B-team, led by coaches, Siya Sityana, from Jeppe High School for Boys, and Siya Lusiba, from Queen’s College made an early statement in their first outing.
They dominated Zimbabwe in the early exchanges, scored some brilliant team goals, and at the break, led 4-0.
Skipper Jason Joiner opened the scoring in the first chukka after Caleb Cilliers won a penalty stroke. A minute later, Cilliers got his name on the scoresheet when he linked up well with Buhle Kama before calmly placing the ball in the back of the net.”
Kama and Cilliers were at it again and combined for the game’s third just before the second chukka.
South Africa, then, netted another goal in the second quarter through Kamohelo Tsoka, who latched on to a loose ball inside the circle after a piece of individual brilliance by Michael Meiring.
The home side was just getting started and they came out firing in the second stanza.
Limani Makeleni, from Cape Town’s Langa Hockey Club, was at the right place at the right time to tap in at the far post and make it 5-0.
Zim struggled to outlet, and South Africa’s press worked effectively as they turned over the ball with relative ease, which ensured that the visitors remained under heavy pressure.
After Cilliers made it 6-0, the floodgates opened up, and Tsoka completed his brace before Kama scored arguably the goal of the day when he smashed a tomahawk into the back of the net.
Cilliers wasn’t done and netted two late goals to complete his fiver and make it 10 for his side.
The sides meet again on Wednesday at 14:00.
The second boys’ game featured SA u16A against Zimbabwe’s u18A side.
The home side made a blistering start, with Stephan Malan converting from a short corner to give them the lead.
Blaine Candy made it 2-0 in the second chukka before Malan, from Parel Vallei High, completed his brace in the third quarter.
South Africa pushed for a fourth, with Callum Anderson and Kgotsofalang Lehloenya bossing proceedings, but Zimbabwe’’ defence remained resolute.
Anderson, from Bishops Diocesan College, was named the Player of the Match, and he will aim to continue playing a vital role in South Africa’s quest for more glory.
The coaches in charge, Dalan Phillips and Anthony Woodhouse, would’ve been pleased with the win but will demand more from their boys as the series continues and intensifies.
Results and scorers
SA u16B 10: Caleb Cilliers (5), Kamohelo Tsoka (2), Buhle Kama, Limani Makeleni, Jason Joiner. Zimbabwe 0.
SA u16A 3: Stephan Malan (2), Blaine Candy. Zimbabwe 0.
Day 2 fixtures, Wednesday, 13 August
14:00 – South Africa u16B vs Zimbabwe u16A
17:00 – South Africa u16A vs Zimbabwe u18A
