Players to watch at the Michaelhouse Hockey Tournament
The inaugural Michaelhouse Hockey Tournament promises to serve up four days of high-octane, thrilling hockey.
The competition, which runs from 23 to 27 April, features 10 of the country’s top hockey-playing schools. Here’s a look at some of the players to watch out for:
Henry Yeadon (Michaelhouse) – “Henry Yeadon suffered a shoulder injury in January that sidelined him for eight weeks and cast real doubt over his season. He showed tremendous resilience and commitment to fight his way back.
“Through consistent hard work and determination, he has returned at exactly the right time and is now hitting top form,” Nick Bérichon, the Michaelhouse coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus.
On the field, Yeadon is a dynamic, attack-minded player, always aiming to go forward. He confidently eliminates defenders and creates scoring opportunities. However, it is inside the circle where he is at his most dangerous, thanks to his attacking instincts and ability to finish chances.
Yeadon, a left-hander, has an unorthodox style that makes him difficult to read and defend. His high work rate means that Michaelhouse always has an extra body in defence.
“He contributes significantly on the defensive side of the ball and brings a strong physical presence to the field,” Bérichon said.
Martin de Bruyn (Paarl Boys’ High) – Martin de Bruyn is one of the most explosive forwards in the game at present. He complements a burst of speed with an excellent eye for goal. He owns a strong hockey IQ and gets himself into good positions, whether in possession or not.
The Paarl Boys’ High captain leads by example and is not shy to put in the work on the defensive front. He tracks back consistently.
Last year, De Bruyn represented Boland in provincial competition and levelled up when he was selected for the SA u16 side. He went on to play for the SA u17 squad at the Dato Mirnawan Cup in Malaysia.
Luke Mason (St Andrew’s College) – Luke Mason is a dynamic and intelligent attacking midfielder who consistently influences the outcome of games. The number 10 combines exceptional game awareness with technical skill and composure under pressure.
His ability to eliminate defenders is a great asset for St Andrew’s College. He creates attacking opportunities and steps up in key moments.
Mason reads the game well, has a high work rate and maintains it with his off-the-ball movement, too. That ensures he is constantly involved in play. His skills haven’t gone unnoticed, earning him Eastern Province colours.
Tadi Hove (Hilton College) – Hove was Hilton’s most lethal striker last year. His goal-scoring acumen earned him a call-up to the KwaZulu-Natal Inland 2025 SASHOC u18 IPT team, and he impressed at the tournament.
This season, after a somewhat slow start, Hove found his groove at the Nomads and St Stithians Hockey Festivals, where he was instrumental in his team’s victories. Hilton’s goal-scoring machine looks menacing again.
Hove has a great presence in the circle and understands how to position himself well in transitions. His speed makes him difficult to contain.
The Hilton striker is also not shy about tracking back and putting in the defensive hard yards. That’s an attribute that fits perfectly with Hilton’s all-hands-on-deck approach in attack and defence.
Wian van Niekerk (Affies) – Affies has made a strong start to the season, with their individually talented players combining well as a team. However, if there is one player whose contributions have been impossible to ignore, it is Wian van Niekerk.
He’s the glue in the Affies’ defence. Van Niekerk’s positional play is one of his strengths, and he seldom concedes possession. His calm and confident approach to the game enables Affies to organise a resilient defence.
Van Niekerk is also a tireless workhorse. As Colin Mendoza, the Affies director of hockey, said: “He never stops running and is essential for our success. If Wium is good, Affies is a tough team to beat.”
Rory Schirge (Maritzburg College) – Maritzburg College boasts some promising and exciting players, including Rory Schirge.
An experienced campaigner, the College defender is solid at the back, and his calm approach to the game helps the KwaZulu-Natal side maintain their defensive shape.
He brings many good qualities to the Red, Black, and White‘s game. His high work rate makes him an asset in attack, he traps at penalty corner time, and is a strong short corner defensive runner.
Greg Rodwell (St Andrew’s College) – With St Andrew’s College hailing from Makhanda, they’re a team seen less often by KZN hockey enthusiasts. Therefore, we also had to include Greg Rodwell among the players to watch at the Michaelhouse Hockey Tournament.
The centre-back has an excellent hockey IQ, reads the game well, and makes it tough on attackers with his good positional play. He has a calm head and performs well under pressure.
Rodwell is effective in tight spaces, possesses strong stick skills, and contributes to his side’s build-up play and attacking penalty corners. His high level of conditioning means his engine never falters as he traverses the Astro.
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