Belgotex Easter Hockey Tournament – Day 3: The Great Escape

Belgotex Easter Hockey Tournament – Day 3: The Great Escape

If Day 1 set the tempo and Day 2 built the map, Day 3 was the Escape Room - full of riddles, last-minute reveals, and clutch moments that cracked the code. Some teams stared down elimination, others walked a tightrope, but when the final locks clicked, the doors opened to six finals per gender - each one earned, not given.

Thanks to the support of Belgotex Sport (Headline Sponsor), WP Motors, Enhanced Sports, Princess & Ozzo, World Wide Scholarships, Cape Tents, ES Media, and the SuperSport Schools team, this maze of matchups has been a show of champions in the making.

Let’s look at the teams who solved the puzzle and booked their spot in the final room...

BOYS FINALS – WHO CRACKED THE CODE?

CUP FINAL (1st): STELLENBERG vs FAIRMONT
Stellenberg didn’t blink in a group decider against Langehoven, claiming a 3-0 win with Ben Marais dropping two cold finishers. But their real test came in a semi-final classic against Monument. Twice they trailed, twice they found answers - and Jacques van Dyk became the breakout hero as they escaped 4-3 victors.
Fairmont’s route? Nothing short of a rollercoaster. They beat DF Malan 4-3 in a comeback thriller with Ryan Groenwald hitting a hat-trick, then went down to the wire again in the semi-final. Trailing 1-0 to Worcester Gim, they found a late equaliser, held their nerve in the shootout, and picked the final lock.

PLATE FINAL (9th): OUTENIQUA vs BRIDGE HOUSE
Outeniqua beat Curro Durbanville 1-0, thanks to Wehan Meyer’s cool finish.
Bridge House matched that tone - also winning 1-0, with Jack Kiewitt grabbing the all-important goal against SACS Invitational.

SHIELD FINAL (17th): ST JOHN’S vs MIDDELBURG
SUPERBOWL FINAL (25th): STIRLING vs ZWARTKOP
BOWL FINAL (33rd): HERMANUS vs HUGENOTE
SWORD FINAL (41st): CHARLIE HOFMEYER vs PETERHOUSE

GIRLS FINALS – THE LAST DOOR AWAITS

CUP FINAL (1st): FAIRMONT vs ST. PAUL’S
Fairmont had to pull off something big on Day 3 - and they did just that. Facing a must-win clash vs Durbanville, they brought the fire, with Madison Ackerman’s brace leading a statement 3-1 win. In the semi, they blitzed a highly-rated EG Jansen side, cruising to a 5-1 win behind a confident Camryn Corner double.
St. Paul’s could’ve played for a draw against Peterhouse but went one better - Abigail Rowles netting two to seal a 2-1 win. The semi against Rustenburg Girls was tight as a padlock, but Tamara Grogli found the magic key with the only goal of the game.

PLATE FINAL (9th): MONUMENT vs NELSPRUIT
Monument were clinical in their semi, smashing DF Malan 3-0, with Keira-Marie Heintjie shining bright with two goals.
Nelspruit, having edged their way into the Plate semis via goal difference, made the most of the opportunity. Levandi Hough delivered the winning moment in a 1-0 win over Peterhouse.

SHIELD FINAL (17th): ASHTON COLLEGE vs YORK
SUPER BOWL FINAL (25th): GLENWOOD HOUSE vs KINGSWOOD
BOWL FINAL (33rd): FAIRMONT INV. vs PUNT
SWORD FINAL (41st): UPINGTON vs CURRO DURBANVILLE

All Roads Lead to Saturday

It’s been a test of teamwork, resilience, and a bit of mystery-solving magic - but we’ve got our finalists. Each team has picked the locks, dodged the traps, and now stands on the brink of glory.

Tomorrow, it’s no longer about escaping. It’s about conquering.

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