De Kock thrilled after leading Stellenberg to back-to-back league titles
Stellenberg High School first-team hockey captain, Helen de Kock, declared herself proud to have captained her side to their second straight Western Province Premier League title over the weekend.
The Bellville-based outfit drew 2-2 with St Cyprian’s School on Friday night on home turf, and the point they picked up from the draw was enough to seal the title.
“Honestly, it feels amazing and unreal at the same time,” she told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“I’m so incredibly proud of every single girl and the amount of work they’ve put in since mid-January.
“Leading this team has been very special, and being able to win the league again this year shows each girl’s determination and love for the team.”
The Western Province Premier League is a hotly contested competition, which sees the best hockey-playing schools in the region locking horns every week, and Stellenberg went unbeaten, playing nine, winning six, and drawing three.
They were followed in the standings by St Cyprian’s, Herschel Girls School, Fairmont High, Reddam House Constantia, Springfield Convent School, Hoërskool Durbanville, Rustenburg Girls’ High, Hoërskool DF Malan, and Wynberg Girls’ High.
De Kock said a second successive title was evidence of how strong the Stellies‘ hockey programme has become.
“We know the level of competition in the Western Cape is very high, so for us to prove ourselves against all those schools and come out on top truly means a lot, both for us as a team and for Stellenberg,” she said.
“Our team is a family. We love each other and always push for one another. Our coaches push us hard, but it’s because they believe in us and know we can do it.”
De Kock used the word “determined” to describe her teammates. They certainly reflected that in the 2025 season.
“Our main goal this season was to grow together as a team and to play our hearts out for each other,” she explained.
“At the start of the season, we had two [other] goals in mind: to win the league and Interschools against Durbanville. I’m happy to say we achieved both.
“My highlight would definitely be the tough matches where we were tired and sore but still kept fighting for each other right until the final whistle.”
Stellenberg’s final league match was also a special occasion for goalkeeper Mari Klopper and striker Bea van den Berg, who received their 100th caps for the side.
Stellies’ hockey also bade farewell to skipper De Kock, who played her final game for the school, along with her fellow grade 12 learners Minke Lourens (vc), Stephanie Lloyd, Ilke van der Merwe and Lenae Wessels.
