Semi-Final Friday at Cornwall Hill College delivered everything a championship week could ask for — tension, comebacks, drama, shootouts, and moments of brilliance that will live long in memory. The final line-ups are now confirmed — and both are packed with narrative.
MEN’S FINAL: Northern Blues vs Western Province
Northern Blues 4-2 Southern Gauteng
It looked like Southern Gauteng were on the verge of something special. Kristofer Watt gave them a first-half lead, and Tyler-Reed Napier doubled it early in the second half. But trailing 2-1 with 10 minutes to go, Corne Burger flipped the script entirely. A hat-trick in six electrifying minutes turned the tie on its head and booked the defending champions into another final. Ice in the veins. One of the great semi-final performances.
Western Province 3-2 North West
A heavyweight battle lived up to its billing. Dean Carrick struck first for Province, only for Reece Gordon to equalise before halftime. The second half became a penalty corner duel — James Flint edged WP ahead, Jaydon Brooker hit back, but it was Flint’s third lead that finally stuck. Western Province return to the final for the second year running — determined to go one better this time.
Men’s Bronze Medal Match: Southern Gauteng vs North West
Men’s Gold Medal Final: Northern Blues vs Western Province
WOMEN’S FINAL: Northern Blues vs Western Province
Western Province (3) 2-2 (2) North West – WP win in Shootout
In a repeat of last year’s final, the script was rewritten. Lane Barnard gave WP an early lead, but North West surged back through Ane Janse van Vuuren and Emily Wilson in a one-minute blitz. With the clock dying, Mia Andrew struck a dramatic equaliser to force shootouts. In the most thrilling finish of the tournament so far, Manisha Desai pulled off a clutch save and Ruby Kraus equalised in the fourth round. Then in sudden death, Jamie Gillies etched her name into IPT folklore, firing WP into the final and knocking out the defending champs.
Northern Blues 1-0 Southern Gauteng
Defence wins championships — and Northern Blues proved that again. Disciplined, calm and calculated, they blunted everything SG threw at them. And then, when one chance came, Ella Shuttleworth took it with precision in the 48th minute. A clinical performance sees the hosts into the final with three straight clean sheets.
Women’s Bronze Medal Match: Southern Gauteng vs North West
Women’s Gold Medal Final: Northern Blues vs Western Province
FINAL DAY FIXTURES – SATURDAY 3 MAY
WOMEN:
09:00 – 7th/8th: Eastern Province vs Mpumalanga
10:00 – Bronze Medal: Southern Gauteng vs North West
12:30 – 5th/6th: KZN Raiders vs Free State
13:30 – Gold Medal Final: Northern Blues vs Western Province
MEN:
10:45 – 7th/8th: Free State vs Mpumalanga
11:45 – 5th/6th: KZN Raiders vs Eastern Province
14:15 – Bronze Medal: Southern Gauteng vs North West
15:15 – Gold Medal Final: Northern Blues vs Western Province
Two dream finals. Four incredible teams. One final chapter.
History will be made in Centurion.
