16 October 2026
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) will aim at capturing national honours when its boys’ teams contest the 51st Schools Water Polo South Africa (SWPSA) Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT) in Cape Town from 5 to 9 December, with the provincial squads now confirmed.
In recent years, KZN has won provincial titles at the U14, U15, and U16 levels, but the U19 title has eluded them. They’re hoping to change that this year.
U19
Northwood’s Scott Mantle takes the head coach’s reins, assisted by Jarred Applegryn. Together, they’ve helped the Knights enjoy an outstanding season in which they have challenged the traditional KZN powerhouses, Hilton College, Kearsney College, and Clifton College.
The U19A squad reflects the depth of water polo talent in the province, with no school contributing more than three players.
Clifton, the recent winners of the U19 title at the KZN Top 10 Water Polo Tournament, provides goalkeeper Izah Roux, Daniel Northard (feature photo), and Nabil Bejia, while Michaelhouse, the other school with three representatives, also provides a goalkeeper, Elliot Springate, as well as Jed Reilly and Tane Greene.
Kearsney’s Max Mills and James Whatmore, Westville Boys’ High‘s Drew Hollingsworth and Henry Harker, Hilton’s Bradley van Loggerenberg and Liam Casey, and Northwood’s Jake Jones and John Watkins complete the groups of two players from each school.
At last year’s IPT in Johannesburg, Central Gauteng edged out Western Province 12-11 in the gold medal game. KZN finished third after beating Northerns 14-7.
U16
Glenwood‘s Rob Ambler will lead the U16A team, with Northwood’s Connor Grant serving as his assistant.
Ambler brings valuable international experience to the role, having coached the South African U18 team that competed at the World Championships in Rio Maior, Portugal, earlier this year. He also guided KZN to the U16 IPT title in Gqeberha in 2023.
Last year, KZN claimed the U16 IPT title in Johannesburg.
Clifton and Hilton lead the way in the squad, with four players apiece. Kearsney contributes three, Northwood two, while Westville and Durban High School (DHS) each have one representative.
U15
KZN also won the U15 IPT title last year.
In the 2026 KZN squad, Kearsney’s outstanding U15A team is well represented, with four players earning selection after an impressive run of results. Their recent successes include winning the KZN Top 10 title and the Ian Melliar Water Polo Tournament at Wynberg Boys’ High, and also claiming the Nick U16 Rey Water Polo Tournament title with a squad containing only three U16 players.
Among Kearsney’s four selections is Cai Terblanche, who was named Player of the Tournament at the Ian Melliar event.
Hilton, which finished third at the Ian Melliar tournament, also has four players in the KZN U16A squad. Michaelhouse supplies three representatives, while Clifton and Westville each have one representative.
Maritzburg College’s Darren Sherriff is the head coach, assisted by Cameron Diedricks of DHS.
U14
KZN’s most recent U14 IPT title came just two years ago, in Buffalo City.
Hilton College’s success at the KZN Top 10 Water Polo Tournament last weekend has also been reflected in the U14 selections.
Fresh from winning the title, with a 7-3 victory over Kearsney in the final, Hilton has five players in the provincial side.
Kearsney has three players in the U14A squad, while Michaelhouse contributes two. Clifton, Maritzburg College, and Northwood each have one representative.
Glenwood’s Darren Stone will coach the U14A side, with Hilton’s James Bentley serving as his assistant.
SQUADS AND VENUES
U19A – Rondebosch Boys’ High and Newlands Main Pool
Bradley van Loggerenberg (Hilton), Daniel Nothard (Clifton), Drew Hollingsworth (Westville), Elliot Springate (Michaelhouse), Henry Harker (Westville), Izah Roux (Clifton), Jake Jones (Northwood), James Whatmore (Kearsney), Jed Reilly (Michaelhouse), John Watkins (Northwood), Liam Casey (Hilton), Max Mills (Kearsney), Nabil Bejia (Clifton), Tane Greene (Michaelhouse).
Head coach: Scott Mantle (Northwood). Assistant coach: Jarred Appelgryn (Northwood).
U16A – Bishops Main Pool
Benji Keeton (Hilton), Blake de Bruin (Northwood), Carter Seiler (Clifton), Casey Marks (Hilton), Cristiano Sandri (Kearsney), Cruz Chapman (Clifton), Dru Mills (Kearsney), Everraud Raynard (Westville), Finn Mallett (Northwood), Josh Watson (Clifton), Lincoln Burger (Hilton), Max Fowlds (Clifton), Michael Spooner (DHS), Oliver Hunter (Hilton).
Head coach: Rob Ambler (Glenwood). Assistant coach: Connor Grant (Northwood).
U15A – Westerford High School
Andrew van Onselen (Michaelhouse), Blake Gaines (Kearsney), Cai Terblanche (Kearsney), Cooper Morrison (Michaelhouse), Cruz Marks (Hilton), Eddy Harker (Westville), Isaac Mavulana (Michaelhouse), Jack Hill (Hilton), Jayden Dellar (Kearsney), Jonty Mun-Gavin (Clifton), Malachi Mogale (Hilton), Matthew Warner (Hilton), Nicholas Caley (Kearsney), Rupert Keeton (Hilton).
Head coach: Darren Sherriff (Maritzburg College). Assistant coach: Cameron Diedricks (DHS).
U14A – Western Province Preparatory School
Alwaba Ntantala (Hilton), Ben Raubenheimer (Hilton), Brad Bowen (Michaelhouse), Elvis Peltz (Hilton), Evan Halstead (Hilton), James Gaddi (Maritzburg College), Joel Keary (Kearsney), Mason Mamotte (Kearsney), Matthew Pomakov (Clifton), Milan Garach (Hilton), Mpilo Khomo (Michaelhouse), Noah Deeb (Northwood), Troy Botha (Kearsney), Tyler Nixon (Maritzburg College).
Head coach: Darren Stone (Glenwood). Assistant coach: James Bentley (Hilton).