St David’s Marist Inanda Challenge expands to three divisions
Renowned for delivering exhilarating football action, the 21st annual St David’s Marist Inanda Challenge is poised to captivate spectators from Friday, 8 August, to Sunday, 10 August.
Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools
The event, one of South Africa’s premier youth football tournaments, takes place at St David’s, in Sandton, and is proudly sponsored by Nedbank. It was first played in 2003.
Mike Thiel, the Executive Headmaster of St David’s Marist Inanda, described the Challenge Cup as an event that transcends being a football tournament only. It serves as a celebration of youth excellence, discipline, and unity, he said.
“As a Marist school, we believe in nurturing well-rounded young people through sport, academies, and service,” he added.
In a recent press statement, Thiel said the event offers a platform for growth, connection, and pride in every participating school and player.
“We are honoured to welcome our guests and to continue building a legacy that goes beyond the pitch,” he said.
The tournament expands in 2025 to include an u12 competition, which lifts the overall number of competing teams to 38. The u19 Challenge Cup features 16 teams. There are 16 sides in the u15 division, and six teams in the u12 section.
Bradley Ireland, the Deputy Head of Extra Curricular at St David’s, said in a statement that the school was excited to add a junior component to the tournament.
“The growth of the tournament reflects our commitment to inclusive development from a young age,” he said. “The Challenge Cup continues to embody the values of Marist education – teamwork, humility, and striving for excellence – on and off the pitch.”
The Head of Group Sponsorship and Events at Nedbank, Elvin Smith, said that Nedbank is committed to unlocking South Africa’s potential through investment in youth development and education.
“The Challenge Cup echoes our belief that sport has the power to transform lives, shape futures and foster inclusive communities. Supporting this tournament allows us to stand alongside young athletes, educators, families, and society at large in building a future that reflects the best of what South Africa can achieve,” Smith explained.
The lineup for the u19 Challenge Cup includes Jeppe High School for Boys, Hilton College, the 2024 winners Grey College, and the 2023 champions, Brebner High School, and St Stithians, the winners of the Nedbank Grey College Soccer Tournament in 2023 and 2024.
Grey College, who won the u15 category in 2022, returns to compete in the age group again.
Supporters, families, and football enthusiasts are invited by St David’s as the Challenge Cup presents a festive, family-oriented environment, highlighting the strength of school sports and the influence of community.
u19 Pools
Pool A: Clifton College, Grey College, Hilton College, Jeppe High School for Boys
Pool B: Brebner High, Marist Brothers Linmeyer, St Alban’s College, St Stithians College
Pool C: King Edward VII, Michaelhouse, St Andrew’s College, St John’s College
Pool D: Norkem Park High, St Benedict’s College, St David’s Marist Inanda, St Peter’s College
Friday, 8 August, u19 Fixtures
La Valla Oval: Field A
08:00 – Grey College vs Clifton College
10:20 – St David’s vs St Benedict’s
12:40 – St Stithians vs Marist Linmeyer
15:00 – St David’s vs St Peter’s
La Valla Oval: Field B
08:00 – St Stithians vs Brebner
10:20 – St John’s vs St Andrew’s
12:40 – Grey vs Hilton
15:00 – St John’s vs KES
Grier Oval: Field C
08:00 – St Alban’s vs Marist Linmeyer
10:20 – Norkem Park vs St Peter’s
12:40 – Jeppe vs Clifton
15:00 – Michaelhouse vs St Andrew’s
Gier Oval: Field D
08:00 – Jeppe vs Hilton
10:20 – Michaelhouse vs KES
12:40 – St Alban’s vs Brebner
15:00 – Norkem Park vs St Benedict’s
Saturday, 9 August, u19 Fixtures
La Valla Oval: Field A
10:00 – St David’s vs Norkem Park
11:20 – St Peter’s vs St Benedict’s
La Valla Oval: Field B
10:00 – St Stithians vs St Alban’s
11:20 – Marist Linmeyer vs Brebner
Gier Oval: Field C
10:00 – St John’s vs Michaelhouse
11:20 – KES vs St Andrew’s
Quarterfinals
La Valla Oval: Field A
15:00 – QF4 – A2 vs D1
La Valla Oval: Field B
15:00 – QF3 – C1 vs B2
Gier Oval: Field C
15:00 – QF2 – C2 vs B1
Gier Oval: Field D
15:00 – QF1 – A1 vs D2
Sunday, 10 August, u19 Fixtures
Semifinals
La Valla Oval: Field A
09:00 – SF1 – Winner QF1 vs Winner QF2
La Valla Oval: Field B
09:00 – Winner QF3 vs Winner QF4
Gier Oval: Field C
09:00 – SF3 – Loser QF1 vs Loser QF4
Final: Position 1 and 2
La Valla Oval: Field A
13:50 – Winner SF1 vs Winner SF1
Bronze/Position 3 and 4
La Valla Oval: Field B
13:50 – Loser SF1 vs Loser SF2
Position 5 and 6
Gier Oval: Field
13:50 – Winner SF3 vs Winner SF4
Position 7 and 8
Gier Oval: Field D
13:50 – Loser SF3 vs Loser SF4
