Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa: The SPAR & TOPS at SPAR Indoor Hockey Interprovincial (IPT) 2024 has reached its halfway point, hosted at the Wynberg Military Base and University of Cape Town (UCT) in the Western Cape. Western Province teams have emerged as the dominant force, shaping the narrative of both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
In the women’s tournament, Western Province delivered an exceptional performance, clinching a 2-1 victory against the formidable KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Raiders. This marked the first defeat for the KZN Raiders in 20 games at the Indoor IPT, tracing back to the 2019 final against Southern Gauteng. Daniella de Oliveira gave Western Province the lead, countered by Lilian du Plessis for the KZN Raiders. Michelle Winter secured the historic win with a goal in the 38th minute, propelling Western Province to the top spot in Pool A.
Both teams have secured spots in the semi-finals alongside Northern Blues and Northwest. The latter secured their place with a narrow 3-2 victory over Mpumalanga, highlighted by a crucial penalty stroke save by Leane Mclaren when the scores were level at 1-1.
Southern Gauteng seized a morale-boosting victory over Wits, gearing up for the 5-8 playoffs where they will face Western Province (WP) Peninsula, still seeking their first win of 2024.
In the men’s tournament, the day culminated in a highly anticipated clash between the KZN Raiders and Western Province. Western Province seized an early lead through Ryan Julius and demonstrated championship prowess with Mustapha Cassiem netting four goals, securing a convincing victory.
Earlier matches saw KZN Raiders maintain their perfect record with a 2-1 victory over SG Wits, while Northern Blues and Witsies engaged in a thrilling 10-goal encounter. Mpumalanga secured their first victory with a late 6-5-win, courtesy of captain Michael Kendall’s double.
Southern Gauteng secured a 4-1 victory against Mpumalanga in their morning fixture, positioning themselves second in the pool standings by the end of the second day.
As the tournament progresses, the women’s finalists will soon be determined, while the men’s finalists’ positions are nearing confirmation. Following Friday’s games, the inaugural South African Indoor Hockey awards will be hosted, marking a milestone moment in the sport’s history.
SPAR & TOPS at SPAR Indoor Hockey IPT 2024 – Day 2 Results
Men’s A Section
Western Province 14-1 Northern Blues
KZN Raiders 2-1 SG Witsies
Southern Gauteng 4-1 Mpumalanga
SG Witsies 4-6 Northern Blues
Mpumalanga 6-5 KZN Mynahs
Western Province 7-3 KZN Raiders
Men’s B Section
WP Peninsula 10-0 Northern Daisies
Eastern Province 8-6 WP Disa
WP Peninsula 4-1 Eastern Province
Northern Daisies 0-17 WP Disa
Women’s A Section
KZN Raiders 6-1 Southern Gauteng
Northwest 3-2 Mpumalanga
KZN Raiders 1-2 Western Province
Southern Gauteng 6-0 SG Witsies
WP Peninsula 0-3 Northern Blues
Western Province 6-0 SG Witsies
Women’s B Section
Eastern Gauteng B 0-8 WP Disa
KZN Mynahs 3-4 Northerns Daisies
Eastern Gauteng A 2-1 Eastern Province
Eastern Gauteng A 1-3 WP Disa
KZN Mynahs 5-2 Eastern Province
Eastern Gauteng B 1-6 Northerns Daisies
SPAR & TOPSs at SPAR Indoor Hockey IPT 2024 – Day 3 Fixtures
Men’s A Secton
SG Witsies vs. KZN Mynahs
KZN Raiders vs. Mpumalanga
Western Province vs. Southern Gauteng
Western Province vs. KZN Mynahs
Southern Gauteng vs. SG Witsies
Mpumalanga vs. Northern Blues
Men’s B Section
Semi-Final – WP Disa Vs. Northern Daisies
Semi-Final – WP Peninsula Vs. Eastern Province
Women’s A Section
5-8 Playoff – Mpumalanga vs. SG Witsies
5-8 Playoff – Southern Gauteng vs. WP Peninsula
Semi-Final – Northern Blues vs. KZN Raiders
Semi-Final – Western Province vs. Northwest
Women’s B Section
Northerns Daisies vs. WP Disa
KZN Mynahs vs. Eastern Gauteng A
Eastern Province vs. Eastern Gauteng B
Semi-Final – 1st Pool A vs. 4th Pool A
Semi-Final – 2nd Pool A vs. 3rd Pool A
5th Pool A vs. 6th Pool A
Audio Bites
· Michelle Winter – WP Women’s Player – English
· Luke Thonissen – WP Women’s Coach – English
· Calvin Price – KZN Raiders Women’s Coach – English
· Michael Horan – SG Witsies Men’s Captain – English
· Bongumusa Mngoma – KZN Raiders Men’s Goalkeeper – English & Zulu
· Nomsa Mzizi – Northwest Women – Zulu
· Juane Keulder – Northwest Women – Afrikaans
· Kirsty Adams – Northwest Women’s Captain – English
· Tracey Flower – Mpumalanga Women’s Coach – English
End.
FREE TO USE PICTURES
Captions:
1 – Jessica Lardant of the KZN Raiders is challenged by Western Province duo Michelle Winter and Chelsea Jeffrey on day two of the SPAR and TOPS at SPAR indoor Hockey IPT in Wynberg
2 – Sarah Paget of Southern Gauteng clears the ball in action on day 2 of the SPAR and TOPS at SPAR indoor Hockey IPT in Wynberg
3 – Sasha Sivertsen plays the ball across for Western Province in their SPAR and TOPS at SPAR indoor Hockey IPT Day two match against KZN Raiders
4 – FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 2023 Young Player of the tournament Mustapha Cassiem celebrates his second goal against Northern Blues at the SPAR and TOPS at SPAR indoor Hockey IPT in Wynberg
5 – Siyathokoza Makhanya passes the ball across the circle as the KZN Raiders secured a 2-1 win against SG Wits on Day 2 of the SPAR and TOPS at SPAR indoor Hockey IPT in Wynberg
6 – Northern Blues captain Dario Lourenco looks to pick out a pass in out of their game on day 2 of SPAR and TOPS at SPAR indoor Hockey IPT in Wynberg
Photo credits: Zach Zinn / ES Media
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Siya Cele
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This media release was sent out on behalf of the South African Hockey Association by BLD Communications.