Youthful Buffalo City eager to make waves at IPT
After finishing in fourth place at last year’s Schools Water Polo South Africa (SWPSA) Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT) in East London, the Buffalo City u19 boys’ water polo team has set its sights on, at least, matching that achievement in 2025.
Guided by coach Storm Siebert, the Eastern Cape outfit will be aiming to spring a couple of surprises when the tournament kicks off in Johannesburg next month.
The 2025 event marks the 50th edition of the Schools Water Polo South Africa IPT. It runs from 6-10 December, with the u19 boys’ matches taking place at St David’s Marist Inanda.
With less than a month to go before the first blast of the whistle, SuperSport Schools Plus caught up with coach Siebert to discuss his team and the tournament.
“The prep has been good so far,” he said. “We’ve managed to start pretty early as a team and got lots of hard work done early.
“There is still a lot to get done in this last month leading up to IPT. I’d say our goal would definitely be a top four finish, and anything else, we wouldn’t be happy with.”
It’s a fairly young and inexperienced side that will take to the pool for Buffalo City. Only SA Schools’ player, Thomas Caswell, and Samuel van der Venter featured in last year’s team.
Siebert, however, isn’t too concerned about his charges’ lack of experience, and he believes the young players will deliver a fresh and exciting challenge.
“We only have two players in the team who played in the tournament last year. There’s a lot of young and new blood coming in,” he said. “That brings some excitement and energy into the team for IPT.”
Buffalo City have been drawn into a tough Pool A alongside Central Gauteng A and B and their Eastern Cape provincial rivals, Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB).
Depending on where they finish in their pool, they could face either KwaZulu-Natal or Western Province in the cross-pool playoffs. That’s a possibility that coach Siebert isn’t ruling out.
“The top provinces, such as KZN, Gauteng and Western Province, will always be tough to beat at any age group, as well as NMB, who have a good team this year.
“I’m expecting well-drilled opposition across the board. We’re going to have to stick to our own game plan rather than letting our opponents dictate how we play.
“We must be prepared and be strong enough when we get pressed and stay calm on our attack.
“I’m excited to see how this group of players goes, and we will once again happily wear that underdog tag with pride,” he concluded.
Buffalo City Team
Thomas Caswell, Aaron James, Joshua Lentz, Cullen Mortlock, Samuel van der Venter, Daniel Woodin (all Selborne College), David Emslie, Thando Frans, Daniel Stead (all Merrifield College), Lutho Mbiza, Matthew Wiseman (both Stirling High School).
Non-travelling reserves
Gino De Ascencao, Michael Oliver (both Stirling High School), Abakhe Ngamlana (Merrifield College).
Coach: Storm Siebert
Manager: Jaco Jacobs
