Urban Academy’s Super Soccer Schools Tournament goes bigger and better
The Urban Academy Private School, in Gqeberha, is one of the fastest-growing schools in South Africa. Although it was founded only 13 years ago, in 2012, it has already established a reputation for academic and sporting excellence.
Urban Academy’s football programme is among the fastest growing in the nation, and this year the school hosted the inaugural edition of the annual Super Soccer Schools Tournament in August
In September, Urban Academy the founding of a new club, the Urban Academy Football (UAFC), which will be up and running in 2026.
Next year, too, the Urban Academy Super Soccer Schools Tournament will unfold with competition at provincial level, with the top three from each province qualifying for the finals in Gqeberha in August.
SuperSport Schools Plus spoke with Dr. Estienne Cronjé, the Director of Urban Academy and President of the UAFC, about the tournament, including its vision and objectives.
The first edition of the tournament was a success, Cronjé said. De Kuilen High School, from Cape Town, was crowned the u19 boys’ champion, while Alexander Road High School, from Gqeberha, won the u19 girls’ title.
“It was an incredible season, especially with the broadcasting support from SuperSport Schools,” Cronjé said. “So many students, some who have never had the chance to play on a broadcast field, finally got visibility, and the atmosphere was unbelievable.
“Our stats for this season were only three provinces. In 2026, we are planning to invite schools from all provinces.
“The total number of matches played this year is as follows: 136, and 59 games were broadcast by SuperSport Schools. Our social reach across all our social media platforms [Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram] for the tournament was 12 547 925,” Cronjé revealed.
He said he was proud of Urban Academy’s vision of uniting South African schools, including those from privileged and disadvantaged backgrounds, on a single field, thus fostering a passion for football, along with unity and a sense of belonging.
During this year’s tournament, international scouts and eight local scouts were invited to witness South African schools’ talent. Among those in attendance were Mark Tommy, the Sports Manager at Nelson Mandela University; Elrio Van Heerden, the Head Coach of the Nelson Mandela University Football Team; Godfrey Tenoff, the Sports Manager from the University of Free State; and Kyle Zenoni, a former player and current Head Coach of the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks men’s soccer team.
Cronjé said Urban Academy doesn’t profit from scouted students, adding that scouts must seek permission from coaches before contacting players or parents. The reasons for that, he said, were professionalism, safety, and transparency.
“This is the heart of our tournament, providing and creating a platform for an opportunity. A player needs just one moment, one match, and one set of eyes on them to change their entire future,” Cronjé explained.
The tournament will be even bigger in 2026, he enthused. “We are introducing a new category, the u16 boys’ division, and for the first time, every field not covered by SuperSport Schools will be broadcast through our own AI cameras, ensuring as many games as possible are seen. That’s part of our drive for equal exposure.
“We remain committed to gender equality, so from 2026, all prizes, exposure, and opportunities will be 100 percent equal between boys and girls.
“We’ll once again include interviews with players, coaches, managers, and principals, as well as the national gala for principals, coaches, managers, and captains, followed by a braai for all teams on the first day of the tournament.”
Over 130 teams have requested entry for the 2026 tournament, with many having already confirmed their participation, including, among others, Wynberg Girls’ High, Urban Academy, De Kuilen High, CBC Mount Edmund, St Patrick’s CBC, Selly Park Secondary, Lowveld High, Pinelands High, Linkside High, Theodor Herzl High, Bridge House, Phandulwazi High, Westview School, and Saints Christian School.
Cronjé also thanked sponsors and partners. They made the tournament possible, he stated, and welcomed any organisation interested in being a part of the tournament to approach him.
“On a bigger note, we’ve been working for almost a year on registering the business and the tournament in the United States, with plans to expand into the US between 2028 and 2030.
“The goal is to have their top 10 nationally ranked SSS schools compete against South Africa’s top 10 for an international title on South African soil.
“Believe it or not, the full travel and stay package to SA is more valuable and affordable than 80 percent of their own tournaments, and that’s coming from the various schools we have been talking to, to start the pipeline,” Cronjé told SuperSport Schools Plus.
He also said Urban Academy will be launching a digital platform to enhance school football experiences and resources for players.
The Super Soccer Schools Tournament entries close at the end of January. Many schools will finalise their entries when they reopen next year. Only 16 spots per category per province are available, with the top three qualifying for nationals.
With all provinces included, Cronjé said that he expects over 1 000 matches to be played in 2026. The prize pot, including all medals, trophies, and monetary awards, will exceed R350 000.
“As with this year, the top three per category at Nationals get free access to BeBrilliant Academy,” the Urban Academy Director said. It is an online platform for a player or an immediate family member to do soft skill development that helps boost CVs, and which improves the chances of people getting hired. They may do any two courses of the 160 courses available.
“This is part of Urban Academy’s purpose and vision of opportunities and community upliftment,” Cronjé explained.
“We’re also building a fantastic long-term relationship with a major sponsor [still in the negotiation phase], which will help us grow the tournament into one of the biggest developmental sporting events in South Africa, one where opportunities are unlocked and futures are shaped,” he concluded.
Provincial Playoff and Qualifiers
Western Cape – 10-12 April – Pinelands High
Northern Cape – 19-19 April – St Patrick’s CBC – Kimberley
Free State – 17-19 April – University of the Free State
Eastern Cape – 24-26 April – Urban Academy
Gauteng – 8-10 May – CBC Mount Edmund
North West – 8-10 May – Selly Park Secondary School
Limpopo and Mpumalanga – 15-17 May – Lowveld High
KwaZulu-Natal – 26-28 June – Venue/Host: TBC
NB: The Nationals Finals of the tournament are scheduled to take place from 7-10 August at Urban Academy, in Gqeberha
List of all entries thus far
- The Vaal High School – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
- Bergsig Academy – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Heathfield High School – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
- Saints Christian School – Boys u16, Girls u19
- Selly Park Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
- Kimberley Girls High School – Girls u19
- Oscar Mpetha High School – Boys u19
- Roedean School (SA) – Girls u19
- Mokwatedi – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Tetlanyo High School – Boys u19
- Stutterheim High School – Boys u19
- Umvuzo Secondary School – Boys u19
- Bridge House School – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
- Relebohile Sibulele Combined School – Boys u19
- Acudeo College Thornview Secondary – Boys u16
- Bainsvlei Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
- Absolute Hope Academy – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Ayanda Senior Secondary School – Boys u19
- Cofimvaba S.S.S – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Crystal Park High School – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
- Douglas High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Emdeni Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Emmanuel Secondary School – Boys u19
- Esokwazi Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Funda Secondary School – Boys u19
- Glenhaven Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Good Hope Secondary School – Boys u19
- Gugulethu Comprehensive High School – Boys u19
- Hans Kekana Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Harrismith Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Helen Bowden Nursing College – Girls u19
- Highveld Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Hoërskool Kathu – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
- Holy Trinity High School – Girls u19
- Iqhayiya High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Ithetha School – Boys u16
- John Bisseker Senior Secondary School – Boys u19
- Jongilizwe Technical School – Boys u19
- Kangala High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Kgomotso High School – Boys u19
- Khwezana S.S.S – Boys u19
- Kingsridge High School – Girls u19
- Klipfontein View Primary School – Boys u16
- Koekenaap High School – Boys u19
- Komani High School – Boys u19
- Kouga Sports School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Kwamandla High School – Boys u19
- KwaNobuhle High School – Boys u19
- Kwanomzamo High School – Boys u19
- Letlhabile Primary School – Boys u16
- Lilyfontein High School – Boys u19, Girls u19
- Lukhanyo High School – Boys u19
- Lulekani High School – Boys u19
- Lusemanzi High School – Boys u19
- Mabatho High School – Boys u19
- Mahlontebe Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Makhuvha Secondary School – Boys u19
- Mamelodi High School – Boys u19
- Maphutha High School – Boys u19
- Masiphumelele High School – Boys u19
- Masizakhe High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Mbekweni Secondary School – Boys u19
- Mdantsane High School – Boys u19
- Mhlontlo High School – Boys u19
- Midrand High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Mncube Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Mnqanduli High School – Boys u19
- Moses Mabhida High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Mothotlung Primary – Boys u16
- Mpheko High School – Boys u19
- Mthatha Technical High School – Boys u19
- Mthimkhulu High School – Boys u19
- Mzinoni High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Ndzondelelo High School – Boys u19
- Ngangelizwe High School – Boys u19
- Ngqeleni High School – Boys u19
- Nkqubela High School – Boys u19
- Nonzame High School – Boys u19
- Ntsonkotha High School – Boys u19
- Paballong High School – Boys u19
- Paterson High School – Boys u19
- Pearson High School – Boys u19
- Phakamisa High School – Boys u19
- Phalaborwa Rise – Boys u16
- Philippi High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Qhayiya High School – Boys u19
- Queensburgh High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Qumbu High School – Boys u19
- Reddersburg High School – Boys u19
- Rhodes High School – Boys u19
- Richmond High School – Boys u19
- Rista Primary – Boys u16
- Samora Machel S.S.S – Boys u19
- Sasolburg High School – Boys u19
- Saxonsea Secondary – Boys u19
- Sebe Secondary School – Boys u19
- Senqu Secondary School – Boys u19
- Setotolwane Secondary – Boys u16
- Sibabalwe S.S.S – Boys u19
- Siphumelele Secondary School – Boys u19
- Sipho Maseko S.S.S – Boys u19
- SJ Van der Merwe Technical – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Sondla High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Southview High School – Boys u19
- Springfield Convent Senior School – Girls u19
- Swellendam High School – Boys u19
- Tembisa Secondary School – Boys u19
- Thandokhulu High School – Boys u19
- Thandolwethu High School – Boys u19
- Thembalabantu High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Thomas Ntaba High School – Boys u19
- Thubalethu High School – Boys u19
- Tlokwe Secondary School – Boys U/19
- Tsako Thabo High School – Boys u19
- Tselanyane High School – Boys u19
- Tulani Secondary School – Boys u19
- Umlazi ComTech – Boys u19
- Umthombo S.S.S – Boys u19
- Vastrap Primary – Boys u16
- Vezubuhle Secondary School – Boys u19
- Vulamazibuko Secondary – Boys u19
- Warrenton High School – Boys u19
- Wesbank High School – Boys u19
- Windsor High School – Boys u19
- Wittedrift High School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Wynberg Girls’ High School – Girls u19
- Idutywa School of Excellence – Boys u19, Girls u19
- Masibambane Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
- Fezekile Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
- Voorbrug Secondary High School – Boys u19
- Gamagara High School – Boys u16, Boys u19, Girls u19
- South Peninsula High School – Boys u19, Girls u19
- Vuvumutshena Secondary School – Boys u16, Boys u19
