A week of high drama, rising stars, and unforgettable moments came to a close at Cornwall Hill College with two finals that told two very different stories. For Western Province and Northern Blues, the gold medals came with history, heart, and hero moments. Let’s wrap up the 2025 SA Hockey U21 IPT.
WOMEN’S FINAL: Northern Blues 1-0 Western Province
It was a match that lived up to the weight of the occasion — tight, tactical, and nervy throughout. The first half was played largely between the 25s, with both teams struggling to carve out clear-cut chances. A single penalty corner chance for WP in the first half was safely dealt with, and it was goalless at the break.
Early in the second half, both sides traded short corners again, but still the deadlock held — until one key moment. A re-awarded corner gave the hosts another bite, and Emily Macquet stepped up to drill it home, igniting the crowd and giving Northerns a crucial lead.
Western Province, in their second final in two years, threw everything forward in the closing minutes. But Manisha Desai and her defence stood firm, with WP unable to convert a string of late penalty corners. Jubilation for the Northern Blues, who lift the title unbeaten — and heartbreak for WP, who once again settle for silver.
Final Standings – Women
- Northern Blues
- Western Province
- North West
- Southern Gauteng
- KZN Raiders
- Free State
- Eastern Province
- Mpumalanga
Women’s Individual Awards
Player of the Tournament – Hannah Quinton (Southern Gauteng)
Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Manisha Desai (Western Province)
Top Goal Scorer – Elizabeth Anderson (KZN Raiders)
MEN’S FINAL: Western Province 7-2 Northern Blues
Western Province entered the final with memories of 2024’s disappointment still fresh — and they played like a team on a mission. Inside the opening quarter, they delivered a devastating blow: a James Flint double from set pieces and a stunning aerial finish from Matt Rout made it 3-0 before Blues could blink.
Corne Burger, the tournament’s leading scorer, offered the hosts a lifeline, but Nathan Msakiwe restored the gap just before halftime at 4-1. Flint would go on to complete his hat-trick, and Msakiwe added a second with a brilliant deflection to make it 6-1.
Roan van Rensburg found a consolation for Blues, but it was Alex Blows, the WP captain, who fittingly had the final say with a late tap-in — lifting the trophy after an emphatic performance and a dominant final.
Final Standings – Men
- Western Province
- Northern Blues
- Southern Gauteng
- North West
- Eastern Province
- KZN Raiders
- Free State
- Mpumalanga
Men’s Individual Awards
Player of the Tournament – James Flint (Western Province)
Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Jean Schoeman (Northern Blues)
Top Goal Scorer – Corne Burger (Northern Blues)
The 2025 SA U21 IPT closes with two unforgettable champions — Northern Blues winning the women’s crown on home soil, and Western Province erasing last year’s pain with a statement final in the men’s division.
To every team, player, coach, umpire, volunteer and fan — thank you for making this week a celebration of the future of South African hockey.
