Collegiate eager to end superb season in style against Clarendon
The 2025 hockey season has been a very successful one for Collegiate Girls’ High School.
The girls, coached by Michael Abrahams, have delivered a stellar campaign in which they’ve showcased their skills on big stages and competed against some of the best teams in the country.
They will be intent on ending their season with a win when they go up against Clarendon High School for Girls in a Hyundai Friday Nite Lights clash in East London.
Push-back is at 16:55 and the match will be live on DStv Channel 216, the SuperSport Schools App, and the SABC Plus App.
Collegiate heads into the game off the back of facing the toughest opposition in the country at the Fairtree Super 12 Tournament, which was hosted by Oranje Meisieskool, in Bloemfontein last week.
There, they finished seventh after beating St Anne’s DSG 2-0 on the final day.
“It was a tough tournament but also an incredible experience,” Collegiate skipper Gemma Bower told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“The Super 12 is the most competitive tournament in South African school girls’ hockey. To be recognised as one of the top schools in the country means so much to us.
“Representing Collegiate hockey is also a huge privilege, and the girls worked hard to achieve that goal.”
Before heading to the Super 12, the Gqeberha school recorded some impressive results, including thumping Hoërskool Framesby 11-0 and beating York High 2-0 before drawing 1-1 with Oranje and 2-2 with Eunice at home.
Earlier in this season, they were outstanding in most of their outings and even added silverware to their cabinet after winning the All Girls’ Festival in Cape Town.
“This season has truly been amazing,” Bower said.
“The All Girls’ Festival was a standout moment for us. Winning the tournament after many years was filled with passion, sweat and tears. Making history for our school is a moment that I simply can’t put into words.
“Another highlight has been the Top 12. Since the start of the year, it was our main objective to work towards, and we finally achieved that. There have been ups and downs but, as a unit, we always trusted the process.
“The support has also been unreal. Just knowing that it’s all for the girls that have come before us and the girls that will come after us made those moments much more meaningful.”
There is no question that Collegiate hockey has exhibited a massive uptick in its fortunes in 2025. Last year, they were in a rebuilding phase and endured a topsy-turvy season.
Twelve months later, they’re among the best teams in the country, having only lost one game in the Eastern Cape against DSG Makhanda.
Bower and her teammates now prepare to face Clarendon, a team that’s known for its exciting and expensive brand of hockey.
The skipper said they’re not underestimating their opponents. “As a team, we are very excited,” she shared.
“We have gone through so much together, so it is bittersweet, as it is the matriculants’ last game for the school, but we are ready to finish the season off on a high note.
“It’s never an easy game against the girls from East London, but we know that if we stick to the process, the result will take care of itself.”
Bower is one of the players who will be representing her school for the final time.
Other matriculants in the team are the vice-captains, Anna Porter and Tayla Paxton, Darcey Brown, Cassidy Williams, and Aimee Pienaar.
It will also be a special occasion for Porter, who will make her 100th appearance for the school on Friday.
TEAMS
Clarendon: Soyama Dzengwa, Jessica Schaefer (vc), Kate Booyens, Quinn Carr, Keira Botha, Lara Schwedhelm, Hannah Viviers, Megan Phillips, Caroline Kretzmann, Cara Knott ©, Hannah Hattingh, Amber Viviers, Chadlyn Johannes, Holly McClure, Kiara Dart.
Collegiate: Amy Wilmot, Kate Brennan, Anna Porter, Jenna Coetzee, Taryn Peltenburg, Tayla Paxton, Eden Jade Oliver, Jade Grobler, Jana Prinsloo, Gemma Bower ©, Aimee Pienaar, Kerrin Gillies, Ayanda Klass, Cassidy Williams, Darcey Brown.
Eastern Cape fixtures
Friday, 15 August
17:00 – Clarendon vs Collegiate
Saturday, 16 August
11:15 – Merrifield College vs Stirling High
11:15 – Kingsridge Girls High vs Hudson Park
