Southern Gauteng, Western Province set up 2026 SA Indoor Hockey IPT finals showdown

Defending champions Southern Gauteng thrashed hosts KZN Raiders 10-5 on Friday to book their place in the men’s A Section final of the 2026 South African Indoor Hockey IPT in Durban. They will face Western Province, who edged WP Peninsular 4-3 in a tense semi-final at UKZN Westville Campus.

The Western Province women also advanced to the A Section decider, keeping their title defence on track with a 3-2 win over Southern Gauteng. They will meet Northern Blues, who beat WP Peninsula 5-1 in the other semi-final.

Southern Gauteng produced an attacking masterclass in a breathless encounter with the Raiders. John-Paul Britz opened from a penalty corner, but the hosts hit back through Randal Govender and Daniel den Bakker to lead 2-1. Britz levelled from another set-piece before Liam Hermanus edged Southern Gauteng ahead.

Britz completed his hat-trick from a penalty corner, and Ryan Mann struck twice in quick succession to stretch the lead to 6-2. Hermanus added two more to make it 8-2. Although Keegan Hezlett and Den Bakker responded for the Raiders, goals from Dalpiarro Langford and Michael Horan ensured Southern Gauteng powered into the final despite a late fifth from Hezlett.

Province looked comfortable at 4-0 against WP Peninsular, courtesy of a Brett Horn brace, but had to withstand a late surge that cut the deficit to one.

In the women’s section, national stalwart Malikah Hamza opened from a penalty corner before Andrea Leader doubled Province’s lead. Amber Faron’s fierce late strike ensured a nervy finish, but Province held on.

Northern Blues were dominant in their semi-final, with Cailie den Bakker scoring twice and Laiken Brisset among the goals before Emily Macquet’s penalty stroke sealed the result.

Saturday’s finals promise more high-quality action between four of South Africa’s indoor hockey heavyweights.