25 September 2025
One of the defining moments of the Clifton Water Polo Tournament arrived early on Thursday morning when Michaelhouse stunned the two-time defending champions, SACS, 9-6 in a Pool D encounter.
SACS never found their rhythm, but much of that came down to the pressure Michaelhouse exerted. Clinical in defence and composed in attack, they delivered a statement win that immediately altered the complexion of the group.
The importance of that upset grew later in the day when Hilton College edged out SACS 10-9 to finish pool play unbeaten. And when Michaelhouse followed up with a gritty 10-8 victory over King Edward VII (KES), the champions of the past two years were thrust into a do-or-die playoff on Friday against their Western Cape rivals, Paul Roos Gimnasium.
Hilton’s path to the last eight was smooth, highlighted by a 14-8 victory over Michaelhouse on day one. If coach Paul Martin has reason for pause, it lies in the number of goals conceded, an average of nine per game, but with enviable attacking firepower at his disposal, Hilton has been able to outscore anyone put in front of them.
Michaelhouse, meanwhile, rode the momentum of their double win on Thursday to join their arch-rivals in the quarters.
In Pool A, the hosts Clifton College looked measured and assured. Less flamboyant than Hilton going forward, they’ve impressed with their organisation and steely defence. They conceded just four goals in each of their Thursday victories – 8-4 over Reddam House Constantia and 7-4 against Selborne College. That defensive strength had also been on display on day one when they crushed Maritzburg College 21-4.
Goalkeeper Caleb Malumbete, one of three Clifton players selected for the KZN Schools u19 side, alongside Jamie Nicolau and Nathan Burger, has been immense between the posts, marshalling a defence that works tirelessly in front of him. Up front, Grade 10 dynamo Nabil Beija, a KZN u16A cap, has added spark and a creative finishing touch.
Selborne, after nipping Reddam 10-9 on the opening day, backed that up with an 11-8 win over Maritzburg to book their quarterfinal ticket alongside Clifton. Reddam closed pool play with a win over 19-11 College, but the Red, Black, and White left with credit after pushing both Selborne and Reddam hard.
Pool B produced another standout in Kearsney College. After a nail-biting 12-11 win over Northwood to start, they hit their stride on Thursday with a ruthless 14-0 dismantling of Grey College, followed by a convincing 13-10 triumph over Paul Roos Gimnasium.
With three KZN u19 stars – Oliver Ludwig, Thomas Francke, and Thomas Aylward—plus SA Schools standout James Pohl, Kearsney is loaded with talent and intent.
Paul Roos, for their part, secured the second Cup quarterfinal berth thanks to a tense 10-9 win over Northwood, a result that left the Knights on the wrong end of two one-goal defeats. Still, their progression as a programme is clear, and they remain a dangerous prospect for any opponent.
Pool C was the tightest of the lot. Last year’s runner-up, St John’s College, emerged unbeaten, but they had to fight every step of the way, scraping past Affies 6-5, outlasting DHS 10-7, and squeezing by Westville Boys’ High 11-10.
The battle for second went down to the wire. Affies edged Westville 8-6, Westville shaded DHS 9-8, and DHS beat Affies 10-9. That left all three sides level on points, with goal difference the decider. By the narrowest of margins, Affies advanced, consigning both DHS and Westville to heartbreaking exits from the Cup competition.
RESULTS
Pool A
Clifton 8-4 Reddam House Constantia
Selborne 11-8 Maritzburg College
Clifton 7-4 Selborne
Reddam House 19-11 Constantia Maritzburg College
Pool B
Kearsney 14-0 Grey College
Paul Roos 10-9 Northwood
Kearsney 13-10 Paul Roos
Northwood 12-3 Grey College
Pool C
St John’s 10-7 DHS
Affies 8-6 Westville
St John’s 11-10 Westville
DHS 10-9 Affies
Pool D
Hilton 16-11 KES
Michaelhouse 9-6 SACS
Hilton 10-9 SACS
Michaelhouse 10-8 KES
FIXTURES
Game 25 – 08:00 – Selborne (2nd A) vs Westville (3rd C)
Game 26 – 09:00 – Paul Roos (2nd B) vs SACS (3rd D)
Game 27 – 10:00 – Reddam Constantia (3rdA) vs Affies (2nd C)
Game 28 – 11:00 – Northwood (3rd B) vs Michaelhouse (2nd D)
Game 29 – 13:00 – Loser 25 vs KES (4th D)
Game 30 – 14:00 – Loser 26 – Maritzburg College (4th A)
Game 31 – 15:00 – Loser 27 – Grey College (4th B)
Game 32 – 16:00 – Loser 28 – DHS (4th C)
18:00 – Parents Social Evening
Saturday, 27 September
Game 33 – 07:00 – QF1 – Hilton (1st D) vs Winner 27
Game 34 – 08:00 – QF2 – St John’s (1st C) vs Winner 28
Game 35 – 09:00 – QF3 – Kearsney (1st B) vs Winner 25
Game 36 – 10:00 – QF4 – Clifton (1st A) vs Winner 26
Game 37 – 11:00 – Winner 29 vs Winner 30
Game 38 – 12:00 – Winner 31 vs Winner 32
Game 39 – 13:00 – Loser 29 vs Loser 30
Game 40 – 14:00 – Loser 31 vs Loser 32
Game 41 – 15:00 – Plate SF 1 – Loser 33 vs Loser 35
Game 42 – 16:00 – Plate SF 2 – Loser 34 vs Loser 36
South Africa vs Argentina – Viewing on five big screen TVs
Game 43 – 19:30 – SF 1 – Winner 33 vs Winner 35
Game 44 – 20:30 – SF 2 – Winner 34 vs Winner 36
Sunday, 28 September
Game 45 – 07:00 – 15/16 – Loser 40 vs Loser 39
Game 46 – 07:50 – 13/14 – Winner 40 vs Winner 39
Game 47 – 08:40 – 11/12 – Loser 37 vs Loser 38
Game 48 – 09:30 – 9/10 – Winner 37 vs Winner 38
Game 49 – 10:20 – 7/8 – Loser 41 vs Loser 42
Game 50 – 11:10 – 5/6 – Winner 41 vs Winner 42
Game 51 – 12:00 – 3/4 – Loser 44 vs Loser 43
Game 52 – 13:00 – 1/2 – Winner 44 vs Winner 43
14:00 – Prize Giving
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