Five players to watch at the KES Water Polo tournament
The 42nd edition of the King Edward VII (KES) Water Polo Tournament takes centre stage this weekend in Johannesburg.
The event runs from Friday, 28 February, to Sunday, 2 March, with matches being played at the Mark Stevens Aquatic Centre.
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It brings together a high-quality field, with many of the best teams in South Africa set to chase glory in the oldest schools’ water polo tournament of them all.
Those teams are littered with players boasting national and provincial colours. It promises to be a thrilling spectacle.
SuperSport Schools Plus takes a look at five players who could inspire their teams to glory.
Michael Mafunda (Diocesan College)
Too often, goalkeepers are overlooked in schoolboy water polo, but their impact on a match can be significant.
Michael Mafunda, who has taken over the goalkeeping reins for Bishops in 2025, has been outstanding, especially since he had to replace the outstanding Jordan De Sousa, who represented SA Schools and SA u18.
Not only has he not shrunk in the face of the challenge, Mafunda, affectionately known as “Money Mike”, has embraced it and has made it look as if he has been in the first team cage for years.
He has pulled off some miraculous saves for his side and recently helped them retain the SACS Nite Series after beating Rondebosch Boys’ High 14-9 in the final.
Mafunda also displays a calm and relaxed demeanour when confronted by penalties and penalty shootouts, which are vital attributes in tournaments. Bishops will lean on him to keep their opposition at bay.
James Pohl (Kearsney College)
Kearsney College will enter the KES Water Polo Tournament viewed by some as a side that could go all the way.
If they are to do that, it will be a team effort that wins them the tournament, but a name that stands out is James Pohl, a player who has shone for his team in recent seasons.
Pohl is not only the captain of the side but the enforcer and talisman, and he plays an unconventional game of water polo.
The KwaZulu-Natal and South African Schools star is described by his coach, Nicholas Rodda, as a “dynamic player with strong leadership qualities.”
One of Pohl’s strengths is his versatility, which allows him to play in any position. He links up well with his teammates and has the ability to isolate good players in opposing teams.
Look to “Chippa” Pohl to score goals and lead from the front.
Nicholas Searle (St John’s College)
St John’s College has fallen short at the final hurdle in several major tournaments in the past season or two.
This year, they were stopped by Rondebosch Boys’ High in the final of the St Andrew’s College Shield, going down 7-12. They suffered a similar result at KES last year, going down 7-11 to ‘Bosch, also.
They head into the KES Water Polo Tournament eager to take that final step. If they’re to succeed in that quest, their captain Nicholas Searle will be a key to realising their goal.
He has been one of St John’s standout players in 2025. His ability to read the game, assess situations, and make crucial decisions in split seconds sets him apart.
The Central Gauteng u19A player is also a top leader, who sets a fine example.
Calum Emslie (St Andrew’s College)
St Andrew’s College supporters will head to KES feeling optimistic after some strong results from their team recently.
They have good reason to feel that way because St Andrew’s has been on an upward trajectory after making a slow start at the SAC Shield in January.
Earlier this month, they impressed at the Vides Water Polo Tournament, where they claimed the silver medal.
One of their top performers has been the experienced and ever-present Calum Emslie. He’s one of the older heads in coach Grant Mackenzie‘s team after earning his 100th cap against Wynberg Boys’ High at Vides.
He’s also their dangerman in attack and can shape matches and make things happen for his side.
While many might have already ruled out St Andrew’s College as a title contender, Emslie and his troops will head into the tournament with a point to prove, determined to make waves.
Noah Reiback (Rondebosch Boys’ High)
One of the first names that would be on a list of players to watch, guaranteed, would be Noah Reiback.
Only in grade 10, he is one of the most talked about water polo players in the Western Cape, alongside the likes of his team-mate, Jack Robinson, and the Bishops’ duo of Matt Fenn and Timothy Young.
Reiback is an outrageously talented player and is the full package in the pool.
He has been in clinical form in 2025, scoring goals for fun and making life miserable for defenders.
Last year, when in grade 9, he was one of ‘Bosch’s standout players at the KES Water Polo Tournament and scored a hat-trick in the final as they claimed the title.
He will be hoping for a similar showing in 2025, especially after Bishops topped Rondebosch in the final of the SACS Nite Series on Wednesday.
Groups
Pool A: Bishops, Northwood, St Andrew’s College, St Stithians.
Pool B: Kearsney College, King Edward VII, Paul Roos, Westville Boys’ High.
Pool C: Clifton College, Jeppe High School for Boys, Rondebosch Boys’ High, Selborne College.
Pool D: Hilton College, Pretoria Boys High, SACS, St John’s College.
Fixtures
Friday, 28 February
07:00 – St Andrew’s vs St Stithians; 07:50 – Kearsney College vs Westville; 08:40 – Selborne College vs Rondebosch; 09:30 – St John’s College vs Hilton College; 10:20 – Bishops vs Northwood; 11:10 – KES vs Paul Roos; 12:00 – Clifton College vs Jeppe; 12:50 – SACS vs Pretoria Boys High; 13:40 – St Stithians vs Bishops; 14:30 – Westville vs Paul Roos; 15:20 – Selborne College vs Clifton College; 16:10 – St John’s College vs SACS; 17:00 – St Andrew’s vs Northwood; 17:50 – KES vs Kearsney; 18:40 – Rondebosch vs Jeppe; 19:30 – Pretoria Boys High vs Hilton College.
Saturday, 1 March
07:00 – St Andrew’s vs Bishops; 07:50 – Kearsney vs Paul Roos; 08:40 – Clifton vs Rondebosch; 09:30 – St John’s College vs Pretoria Boys High; 10:20 – St Stithians vs Northwood; 11:10 – KES vs Westville; 12:00 – Jeppe vs Selborne College; 12:50 – SACS vs Hilton College; 13:40 – 3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool B (Plate Quarterfinal 1); 14:10 – 3rd Pool B vs 4th Pool A (Plate Quarterfinal 1); 14:40 – 3rd Pool C vs 4th Pool D (Plate Quarterfinal 1); 15:10 – 3rd Pool D vs 4th Pool C (Plate Quarterfinal 1); 15:40 – 1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool B (Cup Quarterfinal 1); 16:30 – 1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool A (Cup Quarterfinal 2); 17:20 – 1st Pool C vs 2nd Pool D (Cup Quarterfinal 3); 18:10 – 1st Pool D vs 2nd Pool C (Cup Quarterfinal 4); 19:00 – Plate Playoff; 19:30 – Plate Playoff; 20:00 – Cup Playoff; 20:30 – Cup Playoff.
Sunday, 2 March
07:00 – Plate semifinal 1; 07:30 – Plate semifinal 2; 08:00 – Cup semifinal 1; 08:50 – Cup semifinal 2; 09:40 – Plate 7th/8th playoff match; 10:10 – Plate 5th/6th playoff match; 10:40 – Plate 3rd/4th playoff match; 11:10 – Plate final; 11:40 – Cup 7th/8th playoff match; 12:10 – Cup 5th/6th playoff match; 12:40 – 3rd/4th Playoff match; 13:30 – Final.
