Eunice to take it a game at a time at Super 12
Eunice High School won’t get ahead of themselves when they contest the Fairtree Super 12 Tournament that runs from 7 to 9 August at Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje (Oranje), in Bloemfontein.
“We’re taking it one game at a time, staying focused, and aiming to be the best we can possibly be,” Nika Coertzen, the Eunice coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus.
Coertzen’s charges will be aiming to add a second Super 12 title after the school lifted the trophy in 2023.
When they won it that year, the girls in green were the first team in seven years to chart an unbeaten run through the tournament. After coming close on a number of previous occasions, they joined Oranje and Die Hoërskool Menlopark as tournament champions.
Eunice faces a very challenging campaign in Pool A, the tournament’s “pool of death”, where they are grouped with the reigning champions, Rhenish; Oranje, the most successful side in the event’s history, who last lifted the crown in 2022; and last year’s runner-up and St Mary’s Waverley Festival winners, St Mary’s DSG, Kloof. Perennial campaigners Bloemhof and Waterkloof, are also in the pool.
It won’t be easy, but Eunice heads into the tournament with the wind beneath their wings after a morale-boosting visit to Gqeberha, where they drew with Collegiate Girls’ High, who will also be at the Super 12, and trounced Pearson High School 5-1 in front of their home fans.
Bianca Rees-Gibbs led the way against Pearson with a brace, and Eunice will hope that she continues her brilliant form in the circle at the Super 12.
Rees-Gibbs, who was selected for the SA u18A team for a second year running after the u18 SASHOC National Week, was one of four Eunice players to earn national honours. Cale Potgieter and Georgia Kambanis made the SA u18B team, while Claire Volschenk was included in the SA u17 side.
Eunice fans will hope to see the best of that influential quartet in the Super 12 tournament, especially when they take on their great rivals, Oranje, in the ninth fixture of the event. It’s always a big game and Eunice, with victories in their last two clashes with Oranje, would love nothing more than to make it three on the trot.
They open their campaign against Waterkloof at 08:20 on Thursday and next face Oranje in their second match. A good start will be crucial to their hopes of making a splash.
Coach Coertzen has confidence in her players’ form: “Of course, there are still areas where we can improve, but that’s part of the journey,” she said. “We’ll keep building on this momentum, one step at a time.
“I believe our performances over the past few games have been very consistent, showing clear growth, both as a group and in our tactical approach.
“Beyond the hockey itself, this journey has been truly special – shared with an incredible group of girls,” she added.
