The SA Hockey IPT B Section began a new chapter on Monday as it got underway as a standalone tournament for the first time at The Hockey Farm in Emalahleni.
The tournament is the first national-level hockey event to be hosted in the region, with the champions of both the men’s and women’s competitions earning promotion to the SA Hockey IPT A Section in 2027.
SACD made the perfect start to the women’s competition with a controlled 2–0 victory over the KZN Mynahs. The Country Districts side needed only three minutes to open the scoring, with Chenelle Roux finding the back of the net to give her team an early advantage. Roux struck again in the 19th minute, doubling both her tally and SACD’s lead.
Despite the Mynahs’ efforts to find a route back into the contest, there were no further goals as SACD protected their advantage and secured the opening three points of the tournament.
North West B also began their women’s campaign with a 2–0 victory, overcoming hosts Mpumalanga in the second women’s encounter of the day. After a goalless opening quarter, Marika Neethling broke the deadlock during the second period. North West then doubled their advantage through Erik Neuhoff, who converted a penalty corner after the half-time hooter to give the visitors a commanding lead at the interval.
As in the opening match, the second half produced no further scoring. North West managed the game well to close out the victory and join SACD on three points after the opening round.
The first men’s match produced a much tighter contest as SACD and North West shared the spoils following an entertaining 1–1 draw. Neither side could find a breakthrough during the opening half, but North West struck first after the interval through Matthew Greyling.
SACD continued to push for a response and were handed an opportunity in the final quarter when North West were reduced to ten players following a yellow card. The Country Districts side made the numerical advantage count, with Jarryd Appel finding the equaliser. Neither team could produce a late winner, leaving the points shared after a fiercely contested opening encounter.
The final game of the day delivered the most goals and the most dramatic finish as hosts Mpumalanga faced their neighbours, the SG Nuggets. The Nuggets produced a superb opening half and raced into a three-goal lead. Clayton Tait opened the scoring before Duncan Eloff and Justin van Rooyen added their names to the scoresheet, leaving the Johannesburg side seemingly in complete control.
Mpumalanga, however, emerged for the second half with renewed energy and determination. Ruduan Roux pulled one back for the hosts before Kwazi Sibisi reduced the deficit further, setting up a grandstand finish at The Hockey Farm. The home side pushed desperately for an equaliser, but the Nuggets held firm under the late pressure to secure an entertaining 3–2 victory and end a historic opening day on top of the men’s standings.
After four competitive encounters and a memorable first day of national-level hockey in Emalahleni, the battle for promotion is officially underway.
SA Hockey IPT B Section – Day 1 Results
Women
SACD 2-0 KZN Mynahs
Mpumalanga 0-2 North West B
Men
SACD 1-1 North West
Mpumalanga 2-3 SG Nuggets
SA Hockey IPT B Section – Day 2 Fixtures
09:00 – Men – North West vs. KZN Mynahs
10:45 – Women – KZN Mynahs vs. North West B
12:30 – Men – SACD vs. SG Nuggets
14:15 – Women – Mpumalanga vs. SACD
16:00 – Men – Mpumalanga vs. KZN Mynahs
