Navalsig’s win keeps Absa Wildeklawer Soccer title in the Free State

The Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament title will remain in the Free State. That fact was known before the final because Bloemfontein’s Navalsig and Grey College met in the title game. Navalsig ended Grey’s unbeaten run, winning 2-0, to succeed Virginia High as the Wildeklawer champion.

Before the tournament kicked off, SuperSport Schools Plus posed a question: would the annual Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament go Free State’s way again? Since the event’s inception, the province has dominated the competition. HTS Louis Botha won back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023 – the first two years of the tournament.

In 2025, Virginia High claimed the title by defeating the Wildeklawer Academy in the final, which was the third time the championship went to a Free State school. Only Clapham, in 2024, halted the Free State’s run of titles.

In 2026, the Free State ruled the roost again. Navalsig qualified for the final with a narrow 1-0 win over the hosts, Kimberley Boys’ High, while Grey College and Clapham shared a goalless draw before Grey won in a dramatic penalty shootout 8-7.

The final was a repeat of last year’s Curro Halala Cup Bronze playoff at HeronBridge College, where Grey College won 3-1 from the spot after regulation time finished level at 1-1.

Both teams also contest the same league in Bloemfontein. Thus, with the familiarity of the players, a tight contest was expected, but Navalsig took their chance to lay claim to the title.

Individual Awards

Player of the Tournament – Lehlohonolo Ntjana – Virginia High
Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Unathi Mdladla – Navalsig
Coach of the Tournament -Patrick Malokasi – Grey College
Fair play -Grey College
Top Goalscorer -Nkateko Ntimane – Reddam House Bedfordview
Sportsmanship – Shala Phetlu – Grey College
Most Promising Player – Omphile Makaudi – Kimberley Boys’ High

Semifinals 

Navalsig 1-0 Kimberley Boys’ High
Grey College (8) 0-0 (7) Clapham

Final

Navalsig 2-0 Grey College

Final Standings

1. Navalsig
2. Grey College
3. Clapham
4. Kimberley Boys’ High
5. Paul Roos Gimnasium
6. Northern Academy
7. Virginia High
8. Emmang Mmogo
9. HTS Louis Botha
10. Wildeklawer Academy
11. Reddam House Bedfordview
12. Victoria Park
13. Vaal High
14. Brebner
15. Jeppe High School for Boys
16. Norkem Park High
17. Springs Boys’ High
18. Northwood
19. Maritzburg College
20. Queen’s College

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Siya Pongco

A passionate reader and dedicated writer, Siya possesses three degrees from Rhodes University including a Postgraduate Diploma at Rhodes University. He also played amateur cricket and soccer, both during his university years. While honing his journalism skills at Grocott’s Mail in Makhanda, he developed a profound interest in the community’s response to crime. Additionally, he covered topics such as art/culture and student politics at Rhodes University in 2022. In his spare time, Siya can be found exploring galleries, dining at restaurants, indulging in literature, taking photographs or savouring his favourite dish, spaghetti.

Latest posts by Siya Pongco (see all)

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