Five players to watch at the Hibbert Shield
The annual Standard Bank Hibbert Shield presents players with an opportunity to thrust themselves into the spotlight at a high-profile event that attracts widespread interest from across South Africa.
The 2026 tournament, hosted by Gqeberha’s Grey High School, runs from 24 to 27 April at Grey’s Rectory AstroTurf, with some matches taking place at Collegiate Girls’ High.
Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools.
A plethora of talented and skilled players will be in action throughout the weekend, and SuperSport Schools Plus has identified five players worthy of keeping an eye on.
Seth Paterson – Paul Roos Gimnasium
Seth Paterson is among the most exciting schoolboy hockey players in South Africa. The Paul Roos (PRG) captain, playing first-team hockey for a third year running, has grown and matured tremendously since making his debut in 2024.
Leading by example, Paterson is the midfield maestro for his side. He’s a constant source of consternation for opponents, particularly when he makes his trademark striking runs inside the 23-metre line and along the baseline.
His reading of the game has also improved, and he owns an accurate slap, which allows him to link up with his teammates easily. Paterson was on fire for PRG against Grey High on the Rectory AstroTurf last weekend, despite going down 1-2.
If PRG is to win a fourth Hibbert Shield title, their skipper will have a big role to play.
Keegan Le Roux – Grey High School
There will be many forwards who will impress at the tournament, and Keegan Le Roux will certainly be in that group.
The Grey striker has made a brilliant start to the season, scoring some fantastic goals and leading his side from the front.
Alongside James Chree, the experienced Le Roux is coming into his own this season and appears to be handling the pressure well.
He’s a serious threat in the opposition circle, offers Grey an option at PC time, and is cool as ice when penalty strokes need converting. His positional play in the circle often puts Le Roux in good positions to provide finishes.
Grey has won their tournament only once, in 2022, but Le Roux and his teammates, in a very unpredictable season, are aiming to change that narrative.
Avethandwa Manyonga – Selborne College
A simple Google search for Avethandwa Manyonga will lead to some of his prolific bowling displays for Selborne College. He’s not only an outstanding cricketer, though. He’s a solid hockey player.
Manyonga made his first-team debut last season, at the age of 16. He has since made one of the centre-back positions his own.
Lanky, strong, and aggressive, the defender has a presence about him, giving opposition forwards a tough ride. He’s a cool customer in one-on-one situations.
Apart from Manyonga’s work repelling attackers, his distribution from the back is another of his outstanding traits. He possesses a strong and accurate slap, making him a threat to pick out forwards in the other half of the field.
Selborne is a dark horse. To make an impact at the Hibbert Shield, they’ll need Manyonga to bring his A-game to Gqeberha.
Christopher Abrahams – Durban High School (DHS)
DHS has engineered a stellar start to the season, and central to their early-season success has been their skipper, Christopher Abrahams.
The midfield magician has orchestrated some of his team’s most dangerous plays thus far, ripping apart defences, doing so effortlessly at times.
Abrahams is not a flashy player, but he is very effective. He is direct and attacks the opposition with intent, focused on earning a positive outcome for his side.
He represented the KZN Coastal u18A side last year after playing for the SA u17 side at the Dato Mirnawan Cup in 2024.
A skilled indoor player, Abrahams brings those skills to the outdoor game, and it certainly helps to have SA indoor hockey star Keegan Hezlett coaching the Horseflies.
DHS finished in eighth place at last year’s Hibbert Shield. They’ll have higher ambitions this year, and Abrahams will be key in their quest.
Thomas Collins – St Stithians College
St Stithians College will lean on several of their senior players to steer their Hibbert Shield challenge, and Thomas Collins will be one of them.
Described by his coach, Pat Owgan, as a “ball-playing midfielder”, Collins will be aiming to make his mark on the biggest stage.
He first stepped into the first-team limelight at the age of 16 and has since gone on to be vice-captain of the Saints side. Last year, he was a member of the Southern Gauteng u16A side that won the SASHOC National Week.
He operates all over the pitch, and his work rate on and off the ball makes him difficult to play against. He also possesses the skill set to drive his team forward.
Apart from playing a creative role, Collins also regularly chips in with goals for his side.
Saints will look to him and Jason Joiner to drive their challenge for a maiden Hibbert Shield title.
Click HERE to see the full Hibbert Shield fixtures.
Click HERE to read the full Hibbert Shield preview.
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