Jeppe clinches back-to-back Aitken Cup titles
The Aitken Cup wrapped up in style on Sunday afternoon at Wits, where Jeppe High School for Boys executed a clinical comeback to defeat a determined St Stithians College 4-2 in the final.
In an action-packed match, Jeppe came from a goal down to secure the Aitken Cup title for a second year in succession.
The win solidified their dominance of Johannesburg schoolboy hockey while extending their lead as the most successful side in the competition’s history.
Early pressure from Saints paid dividends when they took the lead in the opening chukka, but Jeppe’s response was furious. They levelled in the second chukka before striking three more times in the third chukka to take control of the contest.
The final was a repeat of the 2023 title decider. On that occasion, though, St Stithians won in a penalty shootout to end a 48-year title drought.
Speaking after the match, Jeppe captain Ethan Kapanda excitedly reflected on the significance of leading his side to back-to-back titles:
“The feeling of winning twice now as captain is something I can’t describe,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus. “It feels like all that we worked on in the last six months truly paid off.”
Kapanda said winning the Aitken Cup is special, not only for his team but for the school: “As I said before, being a part of Jeppe means that Aitken is more than just a trophy. Winning this cup really means a lot. It’s not just for us, but for all the Jeppe boys that came before us.”
In a show of gratitude, he praised his teammates for their efforts: “To my team, I’d really like to say thank you. We had to fight in every game, and we fought hard for each other, especially for the matrics who were playing their last Aitken.”
He went on to acknowledge the role that Jeppe’s rich hockey culture plays in their success, explaining: “Being part of a school like Jeppe, which has such a strong hockey history, gives us, as players, a real advantage.
“The level of coaching and the calibre of players around us is very high. It gives us the best possible environment for growth.”
Jeppe’s head coach, Siya Sityana, expressed similar sentiments. While reflecting on the pressure of defending the title, he said the competition had been a tough assignment: “There was definitely more pressure this year,” he said. “We’ve been consistent all season, but Saints, along with King Edward VII School (KES), really brought their A-game.
“Last year, it felt different. There weren’t as many top-performing teams from Joburg. Even when we lost 1-4 to St David’s Marist Inanda last year, I still felt confident in our form.”
Sityana credited his team’s discipline and squad depth for their sustained success: “What really worked for us was controlling every game and having the ability to rotate players. Not every school has the luxury of a big squad, and being able to share the load made a big difference.”
He also praised his players’ growth and hunger throughout the season: “The boys truly wanted it this year. They show up eager to improve every time we meet. They challenge each other and challenge me. They’ve grown immensely, and they’ve helped me grow as a coach, too.”
KES finished third after a dominant 4-0 victory over St David’s while St John’s College beat Helpmekaar Kollege 2-0 in the fifth-place playoff.
Last year’s beaten finalist, Parktown Boys’ High finished their tournament on a high note, cruising to a 4-0 win over St Benedict’s College to take seventh.
In the ninth-place playoff, Hoërskool Monument edged out Trinityhouse Rand Park Ridge 4-3.
There was further success for Jeppe in the Boden Cup, for u15 teams. Mirroring their senior side, they won all their games.
They began their title challenge with a 4-1 win over St. Stithians on Thursday. Then, on Friday, they ran riot, thumping St David’s Marist Inanda 10-0 before overwhelming Rand Park High 20-0.
That momentum carried on into Saturday’s matches. They brushed aside Helpmekaar 6-0 and also accounted for Parktown, winning 5-0.
In the title game, Jeppe downed St John’s College 4-1 to lift the Boden Cup.
FINAL STANDINGS
1. Jeppe High School for Boys
2. St Stithians College
3. King Edward VII School
4. St David’s Marist Inanda
5. St John’s College
6. Helpmekaar Kollege
7. Parktown Boys High School
8. St Benedict’s College
9. Hoërskool Monument
10. Trinityhouse Rand Park Ridge
