19 September 2026
(Feature photo: Clifton College’s Jamie Nicolau fires off a shot in his side’s demolition of Paul Roos Gimnasium in the quarterfinals of the Clifton Water Polo Tournament)
The Clifton Water Polo Tournament burst into its playoff phase on Saturday in Durban, as the sun burst through after two days of rain. A series of gripping contests unfolded, resulting in Kearsney College and defending champions Hilton College emerging as Sunday’s finalists.
Kearsney secured their place in the title decider in extraordinary fashion, edging out the hosts, Clifton College, 4-3 on penalties after an astonishing semifinal that swung dramatically from one side to the other.
Hilton, meanwhile, were far more clinical in their last-four clash, producing a composed performance to beat Affies 13-6.
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The defending champions looked every bit the experienced outfit as they dealt with the Pretoria school, taking control early and never allowing Affies to establish a foothold in the contest.
Affies had produced one of the biggest upsets of the event, knocking out SACS, who had finished top of Pool D ahead of Hilton, in the quarterfinals.
The Pretoria side dominated the first three chukkas of the clash before a furious fightback left the Capetonians the losers by a narrow 7-8 margin. The truth be told, though, coach JC Tribelhorn‘s boys were comfortably in control until late in the match.
Hilton’s route to the semifinals was equally demanding. They faced St John’s College, the Pool C winners, in a repeat of last year’s final, and again came out on top.
Hilton established an early advantage and then held off a determined late assault from the Johannesburg powerhouse to win 8-7.
That set up the semifinal against Affies, where coach Paul Martin‘s charges were in complete control. There was some concern that Affies might not be able to get up for their semi-final against the defending champs after producing an outstanding effort against SACS, and they were unable to match that standard against the well-drilled KZN Midlands’ school.
Hilton’s high press caused problems from the outset and helped them establish an early lead, while their defensive organisation meant Affies were unable to build any sustained momentum.
The Pretoria school increased its scoring output in the fourth chukka, but by then the outcome was effectively beyond doubt.
Hilton’s collective performance impressed as the champions executed their game plan with discipline.
Clifton College began the day impressively, sweeping aside Paul Roos Gimnasium 14-0 in the first quarterfinal, with a complete performance, while Kearsney had to work considerably harder to overcome Reddam House Constantia, eventually winning 19-14.
Those results set up a mouth-watering semifinal between the hosts and Kearsney, and the match lived up to its billing.
Clifton made the brighter start, racing into a 3-1 lead, but Kearsney quickly found their rhythm. Early in the second chukka, they drew level at 4-4.
Clifton immediately responded through Daniel Nothard, and his goal sparked a remarkable spell for the hosts. They scored four times without reply to take control of the contest. Early in the second half, Jake Frederic extended their advantage to 9-4.
Kearsney, though, refused to go quietly.
With Tom Aylward leading the fightback, the Botha’s Hill side produced an extraordinary response, scoring six unanswered goals to turn a five-goal deficit into a 10-9 lead.
The momentum had swung completely.
A thunderous effort from Jamie Nicolau brought Clifton level again, only for Max Mills to restore Kearsney’s advantage with just a minute remaining. It appeared that Kearsney had done enough.
Then came one of the most dramatic moments of the tournament. With just one second remaining on the clock, Nathan Burger found the net for Clifton, sending the semifinal into a penalty shootout.
The home side earned an early advantage when Izah Roux saved from Mills. Kearsney goalkeeper Rourke Stacey, however, responded by denying Frederic, bringing the shootout level at 3-3.
Aylward then stepped up for Kearsney. With trademark composure, he converted.
Stacey was the hero again with the next save, denying Mitchell Mun-Gavin to send Kearsney through to the final, 4-3 on penalties.
After a semifinal that had seen Clifton race into a commanding lead, surrender it and then snatch the contest back from the brink with one second remaining, Kearsney had somehow found a way through.
They will now face Hilton for the prestigious title.
Sunday’s action begins at 07:00, with Michaelhouse looking to avenge Friday’s defeat to Clifton 2, a result that prevented them from reaching the quarterfinals.
Paul Roos showed great character to bounce back from their heavy loss to Clifton, edging Reddam House Constantia in a penalty shootout to secure a place in the 5th/6th playoff against St John’s.
St John’s, meanwhile, beat SACS 8-6, sending the Capetonians into the 7th/8th playoff against Reddam.
RESULTS
Quarterfinals
Clifton 14-0 Paul Roos
Kearsney 19-14 Reddam House Constantia
Hilton College 8-7 SACS
Affies 8-7 SACS
Playoffs
Michaelhouse 8-5 Durban High School
Clifton 2 6-5 Selborne College
Westville 10-8 Northwood
KES 20-11 Maritzburg College
Paul Roos 9-8 Reddam House Constantia
St John’s 8-6 SACS
Semifinals
Kearsney 15-14 Clifton
Hilton 13-6 Affies
Sunday Fixtures
07:00 – Clifton 2 vs Michaelhouse
07:50 – Westville vs KES
08:40 – DHS vs Selborne
09:30 – Northwood vs Maritzburg College
10:20 – 9th/10th playoff
11:10 – 11th/12th playoff
12:00 – 13th/14th playoff
12:50 – 15th/16th playoff
13:40 – Paul Roos vs St John’s 5th/6th
14:30 – Reddam vs SACS 7th/8th
15:20 – Clifton vs Affies 3rd/4th
16:10 – Kearsney vs Hilton 1st/2nd