KZN Inland assembles a strong SASHOC National Week squad
The 2025 edition of the SASHOC Inter-Provincial Tournament will be held in KwaZulu-Natal, and the host province, KwaZulu-Natal Inland, has assembled a side that it hopes will challenge for the title on home turf.
Maritzburg College will be the host the u18 boys’ matches on Pape’s Astro from 29 June to 5 July. The u18 girls’ tournament will run concurrently with the boys’ event, with matches being played at St Anne’s DSG, in Hilton.
Hilton College will be the venue for the u16 boys’ event from 7-13 July, while the u16 girls’ tournament takes place on the same dates at St Anne’s.
Hilton College’s Damian Kimfley will take the reins as the head coach of the Inland u18A boys’ team. He’ll be able to lean on assistant coach Mark Sanders, team analyst Nick Bérichon, and team manager, Jason Syce, for support.
That’s an impressive quartet: Sanders is the Director of Hockey and 1st XI coach at Maritzburg College. Bérichon is Michaelhouse’s head coach, and Syce is the SA u18A team manager.
“Selecting a team is never easy, and I’d like to extend my gratitude to everyone involved for their time and efforts. Our coaching staff boasts a wealth of experience, with familiar faces returning from last year,” Kimfley told Supersport Schools Plus.
KZN Inland’s experience is not limited to the coaching staff. They have a blend of seasoned talent and promising youth in their ranks. Five of their players – Reagan Mudau, Kadin Jenkins, Dane Jackson, Gordon Deutscher, and Jayden Roux – were part of the u18A team last year. Roux was one of their top performers in 2024 and earned selection to the SA u17 team.
Siwa Sithembu and Thandanani Zuma, who represented the national u16 side last year, take a step up to join the senior ranks.
Viwe Ndlovu will man the goalbox, for KZN Inland, while Matthew Thomas, Jayden Roux, Robert Burman, Gregor von Mayer, and Dane Jackson will line up in defence. Reagan Mudau, Xavier Enslin, Ben Heuer, Andile Lembethe, and Siwe Sithembu will hold the fort in the middle of the park.
Thandanani Zuma and Kadin Jenkins will put their talents to good use in the midfield and up front, working hand-in-hand with the talented trio of Tadi Hove, Gordon Deutscher, and Lynton Fitz, who are the team’s dedicated forwards.
“As Head Coach for the third year, I’ve seen steady progress,” Kimfley said, “from sixth place to fifth place last year. Although we narrowly missed the top four, losing only one game, I’m confident we’ll build on that momentum.
“This year, we’ll continue to refine our attacking style and aim for a medal. With a strong team and coaching staff, I’m excited to see what the tournament holds,” Kimfley concluded on an optimistic note.
KZN Inland u18A
Robert Burman (Hilton College), Gordon Deutscher (Michaelhouse), Xavier Enslin (Hilton College), Lynton Fitz (Maritzburg College), Ben Heuer (Michaelhouse), Tadi Hove (Hilton College), Dane Jackson (Maritzburg College), Kadin Jenkins (Maritzburg College), Andile Lembethe (Maritzburg College), Reagan Mudau (Hilton College), Viwe Ndlovu (Maritzburg College), Jayden Roux (Hilton College), Siwe Sithembu (Maritzburg College), Matthew Thomas (Hilton College), Gregor von Mayer (Michaelhouse), Thandanani Zuma (Michaelhouse).
Head Coach – Damian Kimfley (Hilton College)
Assistant Coach – Mark Sanders (Maritzburg College)
Performance Analyst – Nick Bérichon (Michaelhouse)
Team Manager – Jason Syce
