SuperSport Schools Plus

The countdown to the 20th St John’s College Basketball Tournament is on


Northwood's Knights celebrate being crowned the champions after a brilliant performance in the 2024 final of the St John's Basketball Tournament.
Northwood’s Knights celebrate being crowned the champions after a brilliant performance in the 2024 final of the St John’s Basketball Tournament.

The official dates of the 20th edition of the St John’s College Basketball Tournament brought to you by Standard Bank have been announced, with the tournament set to be played from 20 to 23 February.

The St John’s College Basketball Tournament is the largest boys’ schools’ tournament in southern Africa and features elite basketball-playing schools and academies.

Over four days, 64 teams, made up of 764 players, will compete in the u19, u15, and u13 age groups on six basketball courts, contesting 176 games.

Renowned for its lively atmosphere both on and off the court, the tournament fosters fierce rivalries and competition among premier schools from the southern African region. It creates a fun and festive atmosphere for the players, spectators, and parents alike.

Last year, in the 19th edition of the St John’s College Basketball Tournament, Northwood School delivered a commanding performance against King Edward VII School in the gold medal match, overpowering their opponents 85-43.

Led by Doug Nedab, Northwood’s Director of Basketball, and first-team coach Kent VanderYacht, the team maintained an impeccable record throughout the tournament. Key players, including Lusanda Hlongwane, who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), and Chadley Hargreaves, who was included in the u19 All-Star Team, along with Hlongwane, made significant contributions to the Knights‘ success

Also included in the All-Star lineup were Taite Hendricks (St Charles College), Onea Bvumi (St Alban’s College), and Raymond Gordon (King Edward VII School).

In the u15 final, a Gauteng versus KwaZulu-Natal clash, featuring St John’s and Hilton College, it was the visitors who triumphed.

Although St John’s College featured some outstanding players, like Reza Creamer, they were unable to withstand the physical dominance of Hilton College, which the KZN boys effectively leveraged to gain the upper hand over the hosts in an 11-point victory.

The 2025 fixtures have yet to be finalised. However, in its 20th year, and with leading schools and academies from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, Free State, and North West in action, as well as participants from Eswatini and Zimbabwe, keen competition and plenty of action are expected.

U19 TEAMS

Gauteng – American International School of Johannesburg (Gauteng), Jeppe High School for Boys, King Edward VII School, Michael Mount Waldorf School, Parktown Boys’ High School, Sacred Heart College, Pretoria Boys High, St Alban’s College, St Benedict’s College, St John’s College, St Peter’s College.

KwaZulu-Natal – Clifton College, Hilton College, Maritzburg College, Northwood School

Eastern Cape – St Andrew’s College

North West – International School of South Africa,

Zimbabwe – Falcon College, St College’s College

Eswatini – Waterford Kamhlaba

U15 TEAMS

Gauteng – American International School of Johannesburg, Jeppe High School, King Edward VII School, The King’s High School Linbro Park, Michael Mount Waldorf School, Pretoria Boys High, Redhill School, Sacred Heart College, Saheti School, Soweto Basketball Academy, St Alban’s College, St Benedict’s College, St David’s Marist Inanda, St John’s College, St Peter’s College, St Stithians College.

KwaZulu-Natal – Clifton College, Hilton College, Kearsney College, Maritzburg College, Northwood School, St Charles College

Free State – Mangaung Knights

Eastern Cape – St Andrew’s College

U13 TEAMS

Gauteng – The King’s School Linbro Park, Michael Mount Waldorf School, Pridwin Preparatory School, Redhill School, Sacred Heart College, Soweto Basketball Academy, St Benedict’s College, St David’s Marist Inanda, St John’s Preparatory, St Peter’s Preparatory,
St Stithians College, The Ridge School

North West – Independent School of South Africa

Free State – Mangaung Knights

Siya Pongco
error: Sorry ol' chap, those shenanigans are not permissible.