Defending champs stunned on day one of St John’s Basketball Tournament
The first day of the St John’s College Basketball Tournament was nothing short of remarkable, featuring huge upsets, including a loss for the two-time defending champion, Northwood. While the Knights tasted defeat, some strong contenders caught the eye, including King Edward VII School (KES).
Catch the LIVE Action on SuperSport Schools
u19 Category A
The defending champions, Northwood, who won the annual St John’s College Basketball Tournament in both 202 and 2025, entered the tournament fresh off a hard-fought win over Westville Boys’ High. However, a recent loss to Durban High School (DHS), their first at home since 2020, suggested they might not be quite the powerhouse they had been for the past two seasons.
On Thursday, St Stithians College enhanced that narrative with a comfortable 48-35 win over the Durban school. Then, astonishingly, Northwood suffered a second defeat in the evening, going down 43-51 against The King’s School Linbro Park.
All is not yet lost for the Knights, but they won’t be able to afford any more slip-ups in their quest for a third successive title.
In other Group A matches, Saints followed up their win over Northwood with a 61-28 defeat of Falcon College. The Zimbabweans bounced back with a 53-22 victory over Curro Helderwyk in their next outing. Earlier on Thursday, The King’s School Linbro Park downed Curro Helderwyk 62-32.
In Group B, St Benedict’s College made their case as a team to watch by scoring two tight victories. They opened with a 46-42 win over Hilton College and added a 45-41 victory over St Andrew’s College in the evening. The Makhanda school suffered another defeat, losing by 10 points to Jeppe High School for Boys, 47-57.
Jeppe, similar to Bennies, added a second win, holding off Michael Mount Waldorf 34-32. Michael Mount quickly got their challenge back on track with a solid 56-41 victory over Hilton College.
In Group C, KES made it evident that they have their sights set on a run at the title. They came close in 2024, losing to Northwood in the final.
KES kicked off the day with a 39-29 win over Michaelhouse. That was the first of three wins for St John’s neighbours. They also beat Crawford College (Sandton) 52-30, and rounded off a strong opening day with a decisive 55-38 win over St David’s Marist Inanda.
Pretoria Boys High School (PHBS), also in Group C, impressed. They defeated St David’s 46-32 in the morning and added a 47-38 victory over Crawford College later in the day.
St David’s, beaten by KES, picked up a win, beating Michaelhouse 46-35. Earlier this month, ‘House won 36-32 at St David’s, so that was a pleasing turnaround for the Sandton school.
Group D stands out as one of the most intriguing and challenging groups of the tournament. St Charles College, the 2023 champion, is in the group alongside the tournament hosts, St John’s College, St Alban’s College, Parktown Boys’ High, and Harare’s St George’s College.
St Charles College has not been convincing thus far this season, while St Alban’s College is rebuilding after a disappointing 2025 and has shown significant improvement. St John’s College, the runner-up to Northwood last year, has produced mixed results this season.
On Thursday, though, St Charles College got their challenge off to a winning start, outplaying Parktown Boys’ High 53-40. Then, in the evening, they comfortably handled St John’s, recording a 63-46 win.
The hosts were stretched in their opener, scoring a 46-43 win over St George’s College, but the Harare school returned to the court and chalked up a sharp 44-29 victory over Parktown.
St Alban’s College, like St Charles, celebrated wins over St George’s College and Parktown Boys’ High, beating the former 38-34 and the latter 47-36.
u19 Category B
In the 19 Category B competition, Group A started with Redhill School scoring a 59-50 victory over the YUT Basketball Academy. Later in the evening, Redhill continued their success by defeating Saheti, 43-40. Saheti had earlier edged past Sacred Heart College 50-47.
Maritzburg College B picked up a 38-19 victory over the YUT Basketball Academy.
In Group B, St Peter’s College scored a commanding 52-20 win over Alma Mater International School before handing St John’s College B a 40-34 loss.
Lomagundi College won 44-34 against Alma Mater, and Crawford Lonehill secured a 39-25 victory over Lomagundi College.
RESULTS
u19 Category A
Group A
King’s Linbro 62-32 Curro Helderwyk
St Stithians College 61-28 Falcon College
St Stithians College 48-35 Northwood
Falcon College 53-22 Curro Helderwyk
King’s Linbro 51-43 Northwood College
Group B
St Benedict’s College 46-42 Hilton College
Jeppe 34-32 Michael Mount
St Benedict’s College 31-29 Michael Mount
Jeppe 57-48 St Andrew’s College
St Benedict’s College 45-41 St Andrew’s College
Michael Mount 56-41 Hilton College
Group C
KES 39-29 Michaelhouse
PHBS 46-32 St David’s
KES 52-30 Crawford College (Sandton)
St David’s 46-35 Michaelhouse
PHBS 47-38 Crawford College (Sandton)
KES 55-38 St David’s
Group D
St Charles College 53-40 Parktown Boys’ High
St Alban’s College 38-34 St George’s College 34
St John’s College 46-43 St George’s College
St Alban’s College 47-36 Parktown Boys’ High
St Charles College 63-46 St John’s College
St George’s College 44-29 Parktown Boys’ High
u19 Category B
Group A
Redhill 59-50 YUT Basketball Academy
Saheti 50-47 Sacred Heart College
Maritzburg College B 38-19 YUT Basketball Academy
Redhill 43-40 Saheti
Group B
St Peter’s College 52-20 Alma Mater
St Peter’s College 40-34 St John’s College B
Lomagundi College 44-34 Alma Mater
Crawford Lonehill 39-25 Lomagundi College
