Formidable Gauteng u19 girls hunt fourth-straight IPT title in home waters
Recent years have been special for the Central Gauteng u19A girls’ water polo team, which has built up a formidable record of success.
After winning the Schools Water Polo South African (SWPSA) Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT) in 2022, the girls in red and black retained their title a year later in Gqeberha. In the final, at Grey High School, they defeated a very strong Western Province team, which was led by Nicola Plasket, 12-10.
Back then, Gauteng was under the guidance of Etienne Le Roux, who left the province in 2024 to join Rondebosch Boys’ High, in Cape Town.
His departure was felt, but it didn’t derail Gauteng’s winning train when coach Kelsey Thomson took over the reins. Under Thomson, the side won the South African Junior Water Polo Championship, better known as the Currie Cup, last year.
In the final of that tournament, in March, they, once again, defeated Western Province, winning 11-7 in East London.
Then, in December 2024, also in East London, Gauteng was back on the top step of the podium after they clinched another IPT title, again at Province’s expense, beating the Capetonians 7-3 in the final.
They’ll be favoured to go all the way again at the 2025 IPT, which takes place in Johannesburg from 6-10 December.
“The team is really excited for IPT to have come around again, and to have it at home gives us both comfort and even more to play for,” coach Thomson told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“With 11 Matric players and four grade 11s, this team has many years of Gauteng polo behind them.
“The 2025 group has been the most competitive that I have come across in years. Every player who made the A or B team, and even non-travelling reserves, pushed hard for their spots.
“I’m really chuffed at how these girls are getting along well, and I am also proud of how they all have been pushing through school academic finals while maintaining a high level of training. too.”
The hosts are drawn in Pool A with Buffalo City, Western Province B, and Nelson Mandela Bay.
Coach Thomson, who identified the qualities of grit, skill, pride, tenacity, and composure as keys to her side succeeding, expects some tough matches.
“It is going to be competitive, for sure,” she reckoned. “There are many good teams in our age group, with some incredible talent, from the players to the coaching staff. I am expecting fast-paced games with brute force in some.”
This year also marks the 50th edition of the Schools’ IPT, and having the support of their passionate home supporters will be an added boost, said the coach. “Gauteng supporters always come in strong, with the Lion Pride always behind us.
“It is so special to be at home, as more friends, families and supporters of Gauteng water polo will be able to see the hard work that has been put in with each team, as well as the organising committee of Gauteng and SWPSA.”
The u19A Gauteng girls open their IPT campaign against Buffalo City on Sunday, 7 December, at 09:00 at St Stithians College’s Olympic Pool.
The action will be live on SuperSport Schools.
GAUTENG TEAMS
u19A
Taylor Billett (Roedean), Jenna Blaauw (St Mary’s), Emily Carle (St Stithians), Lucy Davis (Kingsmead), Anastasia Hambakis (Reddam Bedfordview), Isabella Imbriolo (St Stithians), Julia Joseph (St Mary’s), Gabriella Morrell (Roedean), Cadha Mosehla (St Stithians), Emma Pelicot (Roedean), Caitlin Scrimgeour (Reddam Bedfordview), Amy Stubbs (Roedean), Tori Tanner-Ellis (St Stithians), Ziyanda Tshabalala (Roedean)
Head Coach: Kelsey Thomson
Assistant Coach: Oluchi McMurray
Manager: Caitlyn O’Shaughnessy
u19B
Kuhlesibonge Buthelezi (Roedean), India-Rose Cope (Crawford Lonehill), Ané du Plessis (Roedean), Esmé du Plessis (Roedean), Isabella Duffy (Beaulieu), Meegan Zomero (Crawford Lonehill), Mia Duffy (Beaulieu), Ambrin McEwan (Roedean), Annabelle Morton (Reddam Bedfordview), Iminathi Njokwana (Crawford Lonehill), Rylee Rogers (Steyn City), Danielle Sassenberg (St Stithians), Anna Springer (St Stithians), Kathryn Thorburn (St Mary’s)
Head Coach: Siyabonga Guzana
Assistant Coach: Oluchi McMurray
Manager: Caitlyn O’Shaughnessy
