Marx and Grobbelaar lead Oranje to St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival title
Estelle Marx and Daniella Grobbelaar were on target in Oranje’s 2-0 win over Die Hoërskool Menlopark in the final of the St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival on Sunday.
“I am very proud of this group. They have played with great consistency and decision-making under pressure,” Morne Odendaal, the Oranje coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus after guiding his charges to a record eighth St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival title.
The champions also collected two individual medals. Their midfield general, Marichelle Crous, was named the runner-up to the Player of the Tournament, and their shot stopper, Dané Janse van Vuuren, also took home the runner-up for the Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
Oranje previously claimed the winners’ trophy in 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022. An eighth victory underscores their dominance at the annual showpiece. The hosts, St Mary’s Waverley, with five, have the second-most titles.
“It is extremely special for the girls because it’s the start of a new chapter and legacy for Oranje,” said Odendaal, “and they are part of the revival of Oranje dominance. Claiming the title with a team that already has an unbreakable bond makes it even more memorable.”
Odendaal, who recently returned to Bloemfontein to take over the reins at Oranje after a spectacularly impressive run with the 1st XI, which brought them 36 victories in 38 tournaments and 380 wins in 400 matches over 10 years, shared the team’s motto: “Are you happy because you are winning, or are you winning because you are happy?” Odendaal said he was confident the team was winning because they were happy.
Captained by Marlene du Plessis, Oranje scripted an unbeaten run on their way to glory. They topped Pool B and then placed first in their playoff group, Pool F, in the first two rounds of action before cantering to a 3-0 win over Our Lady of Fatima in the quarterfinals.
Oranje faced their sternest test in the semi-finals when they went up against a determined and unyielding Rhenish team. The match ended 0-0 after regulation time, and five minutes of extra time did nothing to separate the sides. That sent the contest to a penalty shootout, with Oranje prevailing 3-2.
“We’ve spoken a lot about staying composed, making good choices on the ball, and not forcing moments, and they’ve executed that really well,” Odendaal said.
In the final, against Menlopark, his players matched the brief. Du Plessis and company maintained a good structure both in and out of possession, which allowed them to control the tempo of the match. Their patience was rewarded nine minutes into the title decider when Estelle Marx gave them the lead with a lovely strike.
Oranje almost doubled their advantage from a penalty corner three minutes later. Goalkeeper Annika Klopper, who had an outstanding campaign for Menlo, denied them a goal with a brilliant save. She was again called on to keep Oranje at bay a minute later.
Menlopark mustered several forays into the Oranje half and got off a few shots on goal, coming close in the 19th minute when they were denied by Kristin Booysen, who made a goal-line clearance.
Coach Brad Brook removed Klopper to send on an extra player in the field with five minutes left on the clock. Two minutes later, Oranje took advantage of that situation.
After piercing Menlopark’s defensive wall, they fed the ball to Grobbelaar, who was lying in wait in the final third. She beat her marker before slotting the second goal of the final.
“There’s been a real sense of togetherness in the group,” coach Odendaal said. “The spirit in the team has been outstanding.
“They genuinely enjoy being around each other, and that’s coming through in how they play. They’ve embraced the idea of being present, having fun, and fully being in the moment, and I think that’s allowed them to play with freedom and confidence.”
With their win against an elite 32-team field, Oranje has made its case as the team to beat in 2026. They’ll be eager to press on and continue to build upon the impressive form they showed at St Mary’s.
Some serious challenges await them. The St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival proved that an enticing season is in store for fans of the schoolgirl game.
Results
1/2: Oranje 2-0 Menlopark
3/4: St Mary’s DSG Kloof 0-0 Rhenish
5/6: Paarl Gim 1-0 Our Lady of Fatima
7/8: Waterkloof 1-0 Collegiate
9/10: St John’s DSG 0-0 Garsfontein
11/12: St Cyprian’s 1-1 St Anne’s
13/14: Herschel 1-0 St Mary’s Waverley
15/16: Parel Vallei 0-0 Reddam House Constantia
17/18: Pearson 1-0 Eunice
19/20: St Stithians 0-0 Bloemhof
21/22: Durban Girls’ College 3-0 St Andrew’s School for Girls
23/24: Paarl Girls’ High 2-0 Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High
25/26: The Wykeham Collegiate 3-0 St Mary’s Waverley Festival XI
27/28: Somerset College 5-0 Windhoek High
29/30: Affies 2-0 Penryn
31/32: Roedean 1-1 Clarendon
