Everything you need to know about the 2026 Hibbert Shield
The annual Hibbert Shield Hockey Tournament, sponsored by Standard Bank, is considered the pinnacle of schoolboy hockey in South Africa.
The 2026 event, hosted by Grey High School in Gqeberha, runs from 24 to 27 April at the iconic Rectory AstroTurf. Some matches will also be played at the nearby Collegiate Girls’ High.
Many of the country’s leading teams will be in attendance, aware that success at the Hibbert Shield will include them in the conversation about the best side in the country.
All the action will be LIVE on the SuperSport Schools App and DSTV Channel 216.
For results, match reports, and all the information, follow SuperSport Schools Plus Hockey.
With less than a week to go before the tournament, SuperSport Schools Plus hockey writer Avuyile Sawula shares everything you need to know about the event, taking a deep dive into the history of the tournament, the fixtures, venues, teams in action, and past winners.
HISTORY
Grey High School established the Hibbert Shield to give some of the country’s top teams an opportunity for game time and competitive play.
Named after the Hibbert family, it started with only six teams in 2019: Michaelhouse, Selborne College, Grey High, Paul Roos Gimnasium, Bishops [Diocesan College], and Hoërskool Garsfontein.
The inaugural tournament was won by Paul Roos, who defeated Bishops 4-2 in the final.
The following year, the event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It resumed in 2021.
When it returned, the tournament featured a different line-up, with Pearson High School, Paul Roos, St Stithians College, Grey College, South African College High School (SACS), and Grey High competing for the title.
The title that year went to Grey High. Since then, the tournament’s status has skyrocketed, with leading hockey-playing schools added as the event has gone from strength to strength.
TEAMS IN ACTION
In 2024, only 12 teams were in action at the Hibbert Shield, but that number increased to 16 sides for 2025 and 2026.
For hockey fans, it’s a must-watch. The event is stacked with teams that have established themselves as among the best in the country this season.
The host province, the Eastern Cape, will be represented by Grey High, Pearson High, and KuGompo City’s Selborne College.
The Western Cape provides a strong list of challengers, including the defending champions, SACS. Joining them are their provincial rivals: Paul Roos, Paarl Gimnasium, Bishops, and Parel Vallei High.
KwaZulu-Natal‘s contingent includes Westville Boys’ High, Clifton College, and Durban High School, with the latter the last remaining undefeated team in the 16-team field.
Gauteng, meanwhile, has four teams in action. Hoërskool Garsfontein, from the Noordvaal region, made the semi-finals in the last two editions. They’re joined by St Stithians College and St Alban’s College, who made their debut in 2025.
Jeppe High School for Boys is a newcomer, and they’ll be itching to make their mark, while Grey College is the sole representative from the Free State.
STRUCTURE
Unlike the previous format, in which teams that didn’t qualify for the Shield playoffs were eliminated, this year’s Hibbert Shield will continue with the Bowl section, which was introduced last year.
This means the top eight teams will progress to the quarterfinals and battle it out for the Hibbert Shield, while the bottom eight will contest the Bowl.
VENUES
With the tournament expanding from 12 to 16 teams, the Rectory AstroTurf, at Grey High, is no longer the only venue for Hibbert Shield matches.
The nearby Collegiate Girls’ High School AstroTurf will also host some games.
PAST WINNERS
2019 – Paul Roos Gimnasium
2021 – Grey High School
2022 – South African College High School (SACS)
2023 – Paul Roos Gimnasium
2024 – Paul Roos Gimnasium
2025 – South African College High School (SACS)
2025 FINAL STANDINGS
SACS
Paarl Gimnasium
Paul Roos Gimnasium
Garsfontein
St Stithians College
Grey College
Clifton College
DHS
Grey High School
Westville Boys’ High
Parel Vallei High School
St Alban’s College
Bishops
Pearson High
Maritzburg College
Selborne College
2026 FIXTURES
GROUPS
Pool A: Parel Vallei, St Alban’s College, Durban High School, Grey High School
Pool B: Paul Roos Gimnasium, Clifton College, St Stithians College, Selborne College
Pool C: SACS, Westville Boys’ High, Garsfontein, Grey College
Pool D: Jeppe High School for Boys, Paarl Gimnasium, Bishops, Pearson High
Friday, 24 April
@Grey High School
07:30 – St Alban’s vs DHS
08:45 – Parel Vallei vs Grey High
10:15 – Paul Roos vs Clifton
11:30 – Selborne vs St Stithians College
13:00 – SACS vs Westville
14:15 – St Alban’s vs Parel Vallei
15:45 – Jeppe vs Bishops
17:00 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Pearson High
18:30 – DHS vs Grey High
@Collegiate Girls
08:45 – Jeppe vs Paarl Gim
10:15 – Bishops vs Pearson
11:30 – Garsfontein vs Grey College
15:45 – Clifton vs Selborne
17:00 – Paul Roos vs St Stithians College
18:30 – SACS vs Grey College
Saturday, 25 April
@Grey High School
07:30 – Westville vs Garsfontein
08:45 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Bishops
10:15 – St Alban’s vs Grey High School
11:30 – DHS vs Parel Vallei
13:00 – Jeppe vs Pearson
14:15 – Clifton vs St Stithians College
15:45 – SACS vs Garsfontein
17:00 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Selborne
18:30 – Westville vs Grey College
Playoff fixtures will be provided at the conclusion of the pool stages.
