Potchefstroom Primary and Saints Christian School can both sleep easily this week knowing that the Kay Motsepe U13 provincial soccer trophies and a R100 000 cheque are in their possession.

Potch Primary won the u13 boys’ section, while Saints Christian School won the U13 girls’ section at the prestigious Kay Motsepe Provincial Finals soccer tournament held in Rustenburg on Saturday, August 15. Ventersdorp’s Thuto Boswa Secondary School won the U19 boys section making it a clean sweep of trophies for the JB Marks region.

Both primary schools were unbeaten in their three matches in their quest for the top provincial prize. Saints beat Thibogang 2-1, Maokaneng 3-0 and drew 1-1 with TK Mokonanye.

Potch Primary started with a bang, thrashing Molelwaneng 4-1 before drawing 0-0 with Rekopane and Thibogang. What makes Potch Primary’s victory even more memorable is the fact that soccer was only started at the school in 2025. In just a year, they are provincial champions.

According to Potch Primary U13 boys’ head coach Themba Twala, his boys have been dominating the local football scene at local and district level and had to show mental toughness against strong opponents at provincial level.

“At provincial level, it was not just their playing performance that won us the championship; it was their character and mental fortitude. This shows not only my dedication and passion for the sport, but also that of the whole soccer committee at Potch Primary for putting in the work. Winning the Kay Motsepe Provincial competition is the result of that.”

Twala also thanked his acting principal, Mrs Waldina Tshounyane, for her continuous support and encouragement in making soccer great again.

Three of Potch Primary’s players were not allowed to play due to document issues, which took a knock on the players mentally. Against all odds, they rose above that and came home with the prize.

“We truly deserve this after all the work we have put in over the past few months. For the school, it means the beginning of a new era as it solidifies Potch Primary as a top soccer school.”

According to Saints U13 girls’ soccer head coach and sporting director Claudio Lucas, his team showed fantastic character, grit and determination.

“We went down in the first game 1-0 and we came back to win 2-1, which was a massive result because that set us up for victory at the end of the day. That was a very, very big one to make sure that we did get that victory right off the bat and get all three points in the first game.”

Saints’ captain, Siphumelele “Ice Tea” Duma, led from the front and inspired her team. Jazlyn Naidoo also impressed, scoring two goals. Joy Olaniran (10) also performed brilliantly as one of the juniors in the team. She won Player of the Match in one of the games.

“I think the competition was definitely stronger than last year. So you can see schools are taking it a lot more seriously,” added Lucas.

Lucas also expressed his appreciation for his coaching team of Thato Legoete, Valencia Green and Shiloh Vorster.

“I was very happy with how everything ran off the field, and on the field was fantastic. I also just want to thank all our coaches here at Saints for the hard work and dedication. The tournament was well run at Bergsig Academy by the Kay Motsepe Foundation and the Department of Education and Sports, Arts and Culture Department.”