Eden defeats Mpumalanga in nail-biting final in White River

With skill, determination and athleticism, the South African Country District Men’s Hockey Week had it all.

Eden and Mpumalanga faced each other in a thrilling final fixture on Saturday, in what may be regarded as the perfect ending to a successful tournament.
The match, held at a packed Astroturf at Uplands College in White River, showcased the talents of two formidable teams vying for the coveted title. With both sides displaying exceptional hockey skills and strategic gameplay, the final proved to be an enthralling contest from start to finish.

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“It was by far the most competitive game of hockey I have played at this level,” Keith Erasmus, the captain of the Mpumalanga men’s A side and chairman of Ehlanzeni hockey, said after their final encounter against South Western Districts Eden.

Both teams exhibited a fiery start, demonstrating their proficiency with quick passes, good ball control and swift movements. The intensity of the game was palpable as the ball moved swiftly between the contested territories of the field.

The home side took an early lead, courtesy of Tjoff van Staden, who slotted one into the net. Eden pulled one back in the second quarter, after which Van Staden struck again to keep his team ahead. Robbie Corker found the goal box to draw level, and the scoreboard stood still at two a piece for most of the last 15 minutes.

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It was, however, Eden’s Sean Slater who drew last blood in the last minute of the encounter to hand his team the victory, 3-2.

“It was an extremely tough game and could have gone either way,” Erasmus said. “The Mpumalanga boys should be extremely proud of themselves. One of the biggest takeaways for me is the sportsmanship shown on the field.”

Erasmus, who has been involved in hockey in the province and district for some 20 years, closed the doors on his playing career after the final hooter went.

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Looking back on his career and especially his last fixture with the team, he remarked that it’s “something that I’ll remember forever”.

He also said that looking back, it’s a two-sided coin.

“From a tournament perspective, I’m going to miss it, a lot. But from a development and transformation point of view, we’ve done really well to develop hockey within Ehlanzeni specifically,” said Erasmus.

Although the loss in the final was a bitter pill to swallow, 2024 brings with it a new opportunity to put their skills to the test.

In the meantime, Erasmus has been named coach of the South African Country Districts national side. The side comprises of a mixture of the players that participated in the tournament in White River.

Other members of the Mpumalanga side who will represent the province in the country districts’ national side are as follows:
• Jaques Burger
• Mike Gill
• Tjoff van Staden – captain
• Clayton Tait
• Cameron Jacobs
• Keagan du Preez
• Millile Labe