27 August 2025
Hoving into view, the Clifton Water Polo Tournament dives into action on Wednesday, 24 September, at the scenic Clifton Aquatic Centre in Durban. For five days, until Sunday, 28 September, 16 of the country’s finest water polo-playing schools will clash in one of South Africa’s leading boys’ water polo competitions.
The lineup is unchanged from 2024, but past editions have shown that the tournament rarely follows a script and it’s tough to identify a tournament favourite. Sure, there are some established powers, but, especially in 2025, the top tournament titles have been spread widely, making this year’s Clifton Water Polo Tournament one of the most unpredictable editions in years.
A Tradition of Excellence
Since its inception in 2005, the Clifton Water Polo Tournament has earned a deserved reputation as one of the toughest schools’ events in South Africa, which has helped to raise the bar for water polo in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Durban school has an established standard of excellence in the sport, with top coaching, excellent facilities and a culture that embraces the challenge of facing the very best. And it is blessed with one of the best water polo facilities in the country, which enhances the experience when the tournament is on the go. The setting, overlooking the Indian Ocean, is breathtaking.
Clifton has a proud record at their own event, winning it eight times. They last lifted the trophy in 2016, and though it has eluded them since, they remain perennial contenders. Their third-place finish in 2024 was the highest among the KZN sides, underlining their consistency at the top level.
The hosts’ goal is simple – to lift the trophy in front of their home supporters.
Clifton’s Challenge
If early 2025 has been slightly underwhelming by Clifton’s high standards, there are reasons for real optimism now. Head coach Pierre le Roux, who represented the South African national team as a player for over two decades, joined the programme late last year after a spell in New Zealand, and has now had a proper run-up to the event. He has deservedly earned a reputation as one of the country’s best coaches and one expects to see his influence starting to bear fruit .
He will have some interesting selection decisions to make, with Clifton’s junior ranks brimming with talent. The school won the KZN Top 10 titles at u14 and u15 level in 2024, and the u15 side finished second at the Ian Melliar Cup earlier this year, when facing many of the country’s best teams.
Hilton College and Kearsney College finished fifth and sixth respectively at the same tournament. What’s interesting about that is those two schools are, arguably, the top two in the open age in KwaZulu-Natal this year. The leading KZN schools are loaded with depth.
The Cape Powerhouses
If Clifton and KZN have aspirations of keeping the title at home, they know the Western Cape schools won’t make it easy. SACS, the champions in 2023 and 2024, are hunting a three-peat. They edged St John’s College 8-7 in last year’s final, with Nick Fall playing a starring role, to show that they know how to get it done in the clutch moments.
St John’s, though, will feel confident that they have a good shot at the title. Victorious in 2022 and the beaten finalists in 2024, they finished as the runner-up at the St Andrew’s Shield earlier this year. They are always in the mix. Few schools in South Africa can match their water polo pedigree.
Paul Roos Gimnasium, fourth last year and second in 2023, remains dangerous. They were inconsistent in the early part of 2025, but a fourth-place finish in the SACS Nite Series – ahead of the Clifton Water Polo Tournament champions, SACS – proved their potential.
Then there is Reddam House Constantia, who stunned SACS 15-7 in that same competition. That result speaks volumes about their potential. If they catch fire, they could easily go deep in Durban. They’ve done it before, winning the Clifton Water Polo Tournament in 2013.
KwaZulu-Natal’s Contenders
Eight KZN schools make up half the field, and there is a strong belief that the province’s water polo is stronger than ever and still ascending.
Kearsney College, the KZN Top 10 champions, boast continuity and pedigree. They beat Bishops in Johannesburg to lift the St Stithians Invitational late in 2024, which proved they could thrive outside the province against the best of the rest.
Hilton College, meanwhile, reached the KES Water Polo Tournament final in March, losing out to Bishops on penalties in the battle for the silverware. They’re serious contenders with serious firepower.
Durban High School (DHS) has emerged as a dark horse. With SA Schools’ defender Kirk Wilson marshalling their defence, they have made impressive strides this season.
But it’s not only at the top end that KZN water polo has improved. Westville Boys’ High, Michaelhouse, Northwood, and Maritzburg College all add depth and have the potential to spring surprises. There’s a strong sense that 2025 could be the year that a KZN team grabs the title.
Gauteng and the Eastern Cape
King Edward VII (KES) showed their quality in their home pool in March, in the KES Water Polo Tournament, where their results included beating Westville and Paul Roos, and only narrowly going down to Kearsney. They have a squad that could cause others’ problems.
Affies, their Pretoria neighbours, are a tough out. They lost by just a goal to Hilton in the playoff for seventh last year and went down by two to the champions, SACS. They will bring typical grit and fight.
From the Eastern Cape, Selborne College returns for a second year in succession. Ninth last year, they never hit top gear, but they’re a threat. At the Schools Water Polo South Africa Inter-Provincial Tournament, in East London, in December, the Buffalo City team, made up entirely of Selborne College players, finished fourth overall, with Liam Hansen and Thomas Caswell being included in the SA Schools squad.
Grey College completes the field. With no local opposition in the Free State, they face unique challenges, but their spirit and commitment are never in doubt. They play with pride, and while they may not be favourites, they always win respect.
More Than Just a Tournament
There’s plenty happening outside of the pool to enhance the Clifton Water Polo Tournament experience, and that includes a Parents/Supporters function on Friday, 26 September, which is a fantastic opportunity for the South African water polo community to come together. Details and tickets are available from Quicket.
Then, on Saturday, 27 September, the second last day of the tournament, the Springboks face Argentina at 15:00 in the Rugby Championship. Clifton has ensured that no one will miss it, with five big screen TVs set up around the venue.
Designated areas for athletes and spectators, along with an over-18 section complete with a stocked bar, add to the festive atmosphere. Nine sponsors – Bioteen, Sir Fruit Juice, Gigazone, Capitol Caterers, Varsity College, Waterhouse, The Press Club (Salta, eMdloti), Prime Human Performance Institute, and Thekwini Motor Group – underline the prestige of the event.
Pools
Pool A
Selborne College, Reddam House Constantia, Clifton College, Maritzburg College
Pool B
Northwood School, Kearsney College, Paul Roos Gimnasium, Grey College
Pool C
Durban High School, St John’s College, Westville Boys’ High, Affies
Pool D
Hilton College, SACS, Michaelhouse, KES
Leave a Reply