Holderness enters into DSG history books with 100th cap
The year 2025 is turning out to be a big one for some of South Africa’s leading school hockey players.
Apart from treating spectators to thrilling clashes, scoring outrageous goals, and impressing every weekend, some players have taken it up a notch and are achieving rare feats for their schools.
Just last week, Paul Roos Gimnasium captain, Christo Swanepoel, celebrated playing his 100th game for the school.
Earlier this month, SA u17 star Jehan Abrahams, from Wynberg Girls’ High, also reached the milestone during the All Girls’ Festival in Cape Town.
Fast forward to this week, and a player that will join them in the centurion club is DSG Makhanda’s Abigail Holderness.
Holderness, who is one of the country’s most exciting players, will achieve the feat when leading her side out against Queenstown Girls’ High, at home, on Saturday, at 10:40.
Speaking to SuperSport Schools Plus ahead of the game, she said, “I am feeling excited to play. Any opportunity to play for the girls in green is such an honour.
“I am starting to realise that I am coming to the end of my hockey journey at DSG, so I am grateful for all the opportunities I have had, for the friends, and the fun memories I have.”
Holderness has played an integral role for DSG over the past three years since making her debut in 2022.
Back then, she was in grade nine and first donned the green and white at the Saints Easter Festival. She hasn’t looked back and reached her 50th cap last year against Eunice High School at the Greg Beling Festival, in East London.
“I always really looked up to the first-team hockey girls and always dreamed of playing for DSG since I was a young girl. My first ever game was when I was in grade nine. I was called up to play in the St Stithians Festival. This was a dream come true for me.
“I have loved the culture, my teammates, and being able to improve as a player. It is hard to believe that this chapter has gone so quickly.”
The skipper who always leads by the example she sets, has quite the hockey CV, having represented Easter Province in all age groups and pulled on the green and gold for the SA u17 team last year.
Along the way, she’s also made memories with her sister, Lucy, who reached her 50th cap for DSG along with Jessica Stevens, Mia Jenner, Jocelyn Appel, Megan Plumbridge, and Catherine Bowker, against Pearson High School last week.
She’ll share her 100th cap with Lucy on Saturday morning, and watching along will be her family, head coach Geowynne Gamiet, and others who have helped her achieve the milestone.
“I have loved everything about my hockey journey at DSG. Some of my favourite moments have been playing with my sister, playing high-level schoolgirl hockey, and making new friends.
“I have also really enjoyed the input from my coaches – from Mrs Hibbert in u9, to Mr Gamiet in the first team. I am looking forward to giving it my all in the games to come,” she concluded.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 17 May
10:30 – Woodridge College vs Alexander Road
10:40 – DSG Makhanda vs Queenstown Girls’ High
11:45 – Collegiate Girls’ High vs Kingswood College
13:55 – DSG Makhanda vs Hudson Park
