23 September 2025
Competitors at the Clifton Water Polo Tournament are set for a damp welcome to Durban on Wednesday, in and out of the pool, with a cold front sweeping into the city and rain almost guaranteed.
The weather might be chilly, but the action at the Clifton Aquatic Centre promises to be anything but.
The tournament opens with a run of all-KwaZulu-Natal clashes: Clifton versus Maritzburg College at 11:00, followed by Kearsney against Northwood, Durban High School (DHS) versus Westville, and Hilton College against Michaelhouse.
Then it’s the turn of the out-of-province contenders. Paul Roos locks horns with Grey College, Reddam House Constantia faces Selborne College, St John’s College meets Affies, and defending champions, SACS, chasing a hat-trick of titles, tackles King Edward VII (KES).
On paper, it looks to be one of the most open editions of the prestigious event in years. SACS, despite an inconsistent first term, remains a danger. Underestimate them at your peril. Reddam House Constantia, meanwhile, have emerged as a dark horse after making headlines with a commanding 15-7 win over SACS in the SACS Nite Series earlier this year.
Paul Roos and SACS both began 2025 with line-ups missing some of their long-time stars, but they have pedigree and will be stronger for their growing pains.
Selborne, led by SA Schools’ talents Liam Hansen and Thomas Caswell, boast experience and class, and could challenge for the title. Grey College, the Free State’s lone representative, will offer their trademark fight, although an extended run seems unlikely.
Johannesburg’s St John’s College, champions in 2022 and runners-up last year, lost SA Schools’ standouts Ross Rovelli and Greg Pryce at the end of 2024, but remain a proud polo school and perennial contenders. Their neighbours, KES, finished ahead of St John’s – and Clifton, Westville, Northwood, and Paul Roos – at their own tournament in March. They’re trending upward and will not be short on confidence.
Affies, the winners of the ITEC Grey College Tournament, are another side capable of catching opponents cold. With fine margins at play, they could yet fight their way into the closing stages.
The KwaZulu-Natal schools, meanwhile, are desperate to reclaim the title on home soil. Hilton College look especially strong, with Tristan Uys, voted the Best Attacker at the 2024 Schools Interprovincial Tournament, headlining a seasoned unit.
Kearsney, the winner of the St Stithians Invitational in 2024, bring proven resilience, while the hosts, Clifton, have the benefit of a full pre-season under coach Pierre le Roux. Their biggest test will be leadership, with no matric players in the squad.
Westville’s strong winter league form, DHS’s rise under the leadership of SA Schools’ defender Kirk Wilson, and Michaelhouse’s solid foundations behind KZN Schools’ goalkeeper Elliot Springate all underline the quality among the local challengers.
Maritzburg College are building steadily after a period of rebuilding, while Northwood, with SA Schools’ sharp-shooter Matthew Lortan, look a little further along in their development and could well spring a surprise.
It’s a packed programme, with one deliberate pause – on Saturday – for The Rugby Championship clash between the Springboks and Argentina. Fans can watch it live on five big screens at the Clifton Aquatic Centre while enjoying a wide range of food stalls.
FIXTURES
Wednesday, 24 September
Game 1 – 11:00 – Pool A – Clifton vs Maritzburg College
Game 2 – 11:50 – Pool B – Kearsney vs Northwood
Game 3 – 12:40 – Pool C – DHS vs Westville
Game 4 – 13:30 – Pool D – Hilton vs Michaelhouse
Game 5 – 14:20 – Pool B – Paul Roos vs Grey College
Game 6 – 15:10 – Pool A – Selborne vs Reddam Constantia
Game 7 – 16:00 – Pool C – St John’s vs Affies
Game 8 – 16:50 – Pool D – SACS vs KES
18:00 – Opening Ceremony
Thursday, 26 September
Game 9 – 07:00 – Pool D – Hilton vs KES
Game 10 – 07:50 – Pool C – St John’s vs DHS
Game 11 – 08:40 – Pool B – Kearsney vs Grey College
Game 12 – 09:30 – Pool A – Clifton vs Reddam Constantia
Game 13 – 10:20 – Pool D – Michaelhouse vs SACS
Game 14 – 11:10 – Pool C – Westville vs Affies
Game 15 – 12:00 – Pool B – Paul Roos vs Northwood
Game 16 – 12:50 – Pool A – Selborne vs Maritzburg College
Game 17 – 13:40 – Pool D – Hilton vs SACS
Game 18 – 14:30 – Pool C – St John’s vs Westville
Game 19 – 15:20 – Pool B – Kearsney vs Paul Roos
Game 20 – 16:10 – Pool A – Clifton vs Selborne
Game 21 – 17:00 – Pool D – KES vs Michaelhouse
Game 22 – 17:50 – Pool C – Affies vs DHS
Game 23 – 18:40 – Pool B – Grey College vs Northwood
Game 24 – 19:30 – Pool A – Reddam Constantia vs Maritzburg College
Friday, 26 September
Game 25 – 08:00 – 2nd Pool A vs 3rd Pool C
Game 26 – 09:00 – 2nd Pool B vs 3rd Pool D
Game 27 – 10:00 – 3rd Pool A vs 2nd Pool C
Game 28 – 11:00 – 3rd Pool B vs 2nd Pool D
Game 29 – 13:00 – Loser 25 vs 4th Pool D
Game 30 – 14:00 – Loser 26 – 4th Pool A
Game 31 – 15:00 – Loser 27 – 4th Pool B
Game 32 – 16:00 – Loser 28 – 4th Pool C
18:00 – Parents Social Evening
Saturday, 27 September
Game 33 – 07:00 – QF1 – 1st Pool D vs Winner 27
Game 34 – 08:00 – QF2 – 1st Pool C vs Winner 28
Game 35 – 09:00 – QF3 – 1st Pool B vs Winner 25
Game 36 – 10:00 – QF4 – 1st Pool 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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