Five youngsters aiming to impress at the Hibbert Shield
The annual Standard Bank Hibbert Shield presents players with an opportunity to thrust their names into the spotlight at a high-profile event that attracts widespread interest from across South Africa.
The 2025 edition of the tournament, hosted by Grey High School, in Gqeberha, runs from Wednesday, 30 April, and concludes with the final on Saturday, 3 May, at the Rectory AstroTurf.
The Hibbert Shield will be broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Schools.
While the teams have experienced players to rely upon, many also include exciting juniors who will be playing in the prestigious tournament for the first time in their careers.
In this piece, we take a look at five young players who will be out to make their mark as they step into the pinnacle of schoolboy hockey.
James Chree – Grey High School
Grey High School is known for regularly producing some of the country’s most exciting hockey talent, and James Chree is set to become the latest in that excellent production line.
In his debut season under the guidance of coach Andrew Beynon, Chree has seized the opportunity with both hands and has introduced himself in some style.
He scored a hat-trick against Paul Roos Gimnasium in a thrilling 4-4 draw in Stellenbosch earlier this month and found the back of the net in his side’s 5-1 victory over Dale College, in their most recent match.
Chree is strong defensively and makes great reads, but his biggest threat is posed at penalty corner time. His drag flicks carry serious zip, and every time he’s at the top of the D, he’s expected to score.
He also brings some indoor hockey skills to his game, which gives him an extra edge. As young as he is, Chree will cause problems for top teams.
Callum Anderson – Bishops [Diocesan College]
Bishops is on a rebuilding mission this year, and a player who has put his hand up as someone to rely on is Callum Anderson.
The grade 10 pupil can be a game-changer by taking a contest by the scruff of the neck and exerting his skills upon it. His extraordinary spatial awareness helps him read play well and take good options to drive his team forward.
Anderson has a great engine and never runs out of gas, and he makes his teammates look good by expressing himself on the turf.
He will surely add value to Bishops, who are aiming to go further than last year’s quarterfinal place.
Zayd Mohanlall – St Alban’s College
Zayd Mohanlall is a grade nine learner and is representing the St Alban’s College 1st XI for the first time this year.
He recently turned 15. Yet, even at his young age, has become an integral member of the side, which has enjoyed considerable success this season, including at the Independent Schools Hockey Festival, which the school hosted.
He has slotted in smoothly at 1st XI level and has started every game for his team, covering multiple positions.
Mohanlall’s calm and composed approach has provided stability to the team when they’ve been in possession, and he has also defended with a high level of maturity.
Ethan James – Westville Boys’ High
Westville Boys’ High hasn’t had a great start to the season, but they’re a young bunch, with some talented youngsters, and one player who has stood out early on is Ethan James.
The centre-back has been a key player for the KwaZulu-Natal side, and he is rapidly going from strength to strength as he adds experience game by game.
James possesses exceptional distribution skills, he’s athletic, loves the game, and he’s coming into his own as the season progresses. Apart from defending and distributing, he also owns a decent flick, which he is sometimes called on to exercise at penalty corner time.
Andrea Clerihew – Hoërskool Garsfontein
Hoërskool Garsfontein pulled off a massive upset at last year’s tournament when they defeated a high-flying Bishops team in the quarterfinals to progress to the last four.
There, they fell to the eventual winner, Paul Roos, and went on to finish a sterling fourth.
Garsies returns to the Hibbert Shield knowing, through their own example, that anything is possible. If they’re to match last year’s run, or even better it, one young player who’ll be crucial to their challenge will be Andrea Clerihew.
He exhibits great composure and makes good decisions. He is also a versatile player, able to play anywhere on the field.
His reading of the game has been a real asset for the Garsfontein defence, and his ability to eliminate players and connect with forwards has helped drive the Pretoria school’s counterattacks.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FIXTURES
