27 September 2025
Clifton College brought the titleholders’ reign to an end in the quarterfinals of the Clifton Water Polo Tournament on Saturday, defeating SACS 11-6 to snuff out the Capetonians’ hopes of a third successive title.
Their reward was a semi-final meeting with St John’s College, and although the Durban side gave a good account of themselves, the Johannesburg boys edged through 8-6 to book a place in Sunday’s final against Hilton College.
A mouthwatering showdown awaits – St John’s with their smothering in-your-face defence and Hilton with their high-octane, free-scoring offence.
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In the first semi-final, Hilton, coached by Paul Martin, were at their ruthless best against Kearsney College. In recent years, the rivalry has produced tense, see-saw battles, but this time Hilton seized the initiative immediately.
They blitzed their way to a 6-2 first-chukka lead, with Tristan Uys delivering a hat-trick and Sebastian Laudenberg, Andrew Schnell, and Mitchel Garreau all adding to the tally. That start proved to be too much for Kearsney to claw back.
It was far tighter after the first chukka, however, but Hilton enjoyed a 6-4 advantage through the next three quarters, to come away with a convincing 12-6 victory.
St John’s faced a sterner test in their semi-final against the hosts, Clifton, whose young side, without a single matric in the lineup, once again played with fearlessness and enterprise.
Kyle Human‘s double put Clifton 2-0 up early, but the Johannesburg outfit absorbed the pressure and, through Simon Mussett and Christopher Chapman, wrestled control of the contest.
Clifton kept fighting but St John’s, after going ahead 4-3 just before halftime, remained out front the rest of the way.
Cheered on by their vocal home supporters, Clifton was able to pull to within 6-7 after Jamie Nicolau fired in from the penalty spot in the fourth chukka, but a late Chapman penalty sealed the deal for St John’s, who will make a return to the final. Last year, they fell 7-8 to SACS in the title decider.
The path to the semi-finals underlined just how strong the four pool winners were. Hilton outclassed Reddam House Constantia 13-7 in their quarterfinal, while St John’s saw off a dangerous Michaelhouse side 12-8. Clifton and Kearsney also impressed, with Clifton winning by five goals over SACS, while Kearsney hammered Selborne 13-4.
Sunday’s final should be a ripper, but don’t sleep on the playoff for third and fourth, either. Clifton versus Kearsney is a tasty treat. On another day, they could have won through to the final. They have the necessary quality, but it wasn’t enough to see off St John’s and Hilton on Saturday evening.
Among the other standout results on Saturday was a thrilling 12-11 win for DHS over Affies, and Maritzburg College‘s 13-11 victory over King Edward VII (KES).
RESULTS
Quarterfinals
Hilton 13-7 Reddam House Constantia
St John’s 12-8 Michaelhouse
Kearsney 13-4 Selborne
Clifton 11-6 SACS
Playoffs
Westville 8-6 Paul Roos
DHS 12-11 Affies
Maritzburg College 13-11 KES
Northwood 22-1 Grey College
Plate semi-finals
SACS 14-11 Michaelhouse
Selborne 8-6 Reddam
Cup semi-finals
Hilton 12-6 Kearsney
St John’s 8-6 Clifton
FIXTURES
Sunday, 28 September
Game 45 – 07:00 – 15/16 – Grey College vs KES
Game 46 – 07:50 – 13/14 – Northwood vs Maritzburg College
Game 47 – 08:40 – 11/12 – Paul Roos vs Affies
Game 48 – 09:30 – 9/10 – Westville vs DHS
Game 49 – 10:20 – 7/8 – Reddam vs Michaelhouse
Game 50 – 11:10 – 5/6 – Selborne vs SACS
Game 51 – 12:00 – 3/4 – Clifton vs Kearsney
Game 52 – 13:00 – 1/2 – Hilton vs St John’s
14:00 – Prize Giving
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