10 regional champions will descend on the St Mary’s DSG turf for the Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26.

A total of 34 schools participated in the 10 regional tournaments that culminate in this year’s Grand Finals.

For the first time in the tournament’s history, all 10 reigning regional champions have previously competed at the Grand Finals.

Former finalists chase another shot at glory

Travelling from Kokstad, Ugu and Sisonke regional winners St Patrick’s College will take to the turf for their third appearance.

From just up the road, Pietermaritzburg Central regional champions St John’s DSG will contest their fourth Grand Finals.

In their previous three appearances, they have improved their finishing position each time, placing fourth, then third, and finishing as runners-up last year.

Will they go one step further this year?

Since the tournament’s inception in 2011, only three teams have lifted the Grand Finals trophy.

This year, all three return, hoping to add another title to their name.

Host school and defending champions St Mary’s DSG, representing the Highway region, are hunting an eighth title, while Durban Central champions Durban Girls’ College return, determined to reclaim the crown.

Both St Mary’s and Durban Girls’ College will make their 13th appearance at the Grand Finals, making them the tournament’s two most decorated teams.

Stepping onto the turf for an 11th time, Pietermaritzburg North champions St Anne’s Diocesan College are the only other former champions in the field. They have featured in the medal matches at every Grand Finals they have contested.

Also making an 11th appearance are Northern KZN champions Ferrum High School, who continue their search for an elusive top-four finish.

The final team to secure their berth, uMvoti and oThukela champions Wartburg Kirchdorf School, will proudly make their eighth appearance.

Two teams return for their seventh outing: North Coast champions Grantleigh School and Durban South champions Amanzimtoti High School.

The first team to qualify, Durban North champions Our Lady of Fatima, remain the most consistent side in the history of the Grand Finals.

In each of their previous five appearances, they have finished fifth. Will their sixth appearance finally break that pattern?

Pools decided for Grand Finals

Joining the hosts in Pool A are St John’s DSG, Ferrum High School, St Patrick’s College and Amanzimtoti High School.

Pool B features St Anne’s Diocesan College, Durban Girls’ College, Our Lady of Fatima, Grantleigh School and Wartburg Kirchdorf School.

Grand Finals appearances

13th appearance:

• Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central regional winners) – Gold (2013, 2014, 2015, 2022, 2023); Silver (2012, 2016, 2017); Bronze (2019); Fourth (2011, 2018, 2024).
• St Mary’s DSG (Highway regional winners) – Gold (2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024, 2025); Silver (2022, 2023); Bronze (2011, 2013); Fourth (2015).

11th appearance:

• St Anne’s Diocesan College (Pietermaritzburg North regional winners) – Gold (2011); Silver (2014, 2018, 2019, 2025); Bronze (2015, 2016, 2017); Fourth (2013, 2022).
• Ferrum High School (Northern KZN regional winners) – Fifth (2012, 2015, 2025); Sixth (2011, 2018, 2024); Eighth (2019); Ninth (2017); 19th (2013, 2014).

Eighth appearance:

• Wartburg Kirchdorf School (uMvoti and oThukela regional winners) – Fifth (2016); Sixth (2015); Seventh (2017); Eighth (2013); Ninth (2014, 2019); 10th (2025).

Seventh appearance:

• Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South regional winners) – 10th (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019); Eighth (2018); Ninth (2024).
• Grantleigh School (North Coast regional winners) – Seventh (2022, 2023); Eighth (2011, 2016, 2017, 2024).

Sixth appearance:

• Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North regional winners) – Fifth (2011, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024).

Fourth appearance:

• St John’s DSG (Pietermaritzburg Central regional winners) – Silver (2024); Bronze (2022); Fourth (2017).

Third appearance:

• St Patrick’s College (Ugu and Sisonke regional winners) – Seventh (2024, 2025).

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