KZN Raiders power to SPAR SA Hockey Indoor IPT Final

2022 Runners up Western Province were the KZN side’s challengers in the semi-final on Friday.

Leading goal scorer Malikah Hamza guided the hosts to dominance but the Cape side leveled the playing field through Angela Welham.

2020 & 2022 double defending champions’ Lilian du Plessis struck a field goal after a  missed stroke to put the Raiders in the lead again. Goals from Hamza and Cailyn den Bakker fired the hosts to safety in their race to defend their title in the final.

They will face the Western Province Peninsulas in Saturday's final at 16:00.

Western Province Pens, the B side for WP, head into the final as underdogs after a penalty shootout win against the Northern Blues. Baylee Engelke gave the out-of-towners the lead just before halftime in their semi-final.

Northern Blues Kiana Cormack equalized in the final quarter to bring the score to 1-1 before heading into penalties. 

Western province will fight for the title for the second time after beating the Raiders in the men's semi-final. Despite SPAR Proteas’ Jethro Eustice’s efforts to seek glory for the KZN team, WP gave the Raiders no chance as they showed consistency in their goal scoring thanks to the Cassiem brothers who netted a brace each while Luthando Jonas, Kyle Esau and Zenani Kraai added to the score line.

Mpumalanga were not strong enough to succeed in their maiden playoff against Southern Gauteng. 

Spencer Botes made his shot in the second quarter for the Gauteng side. Their final spot was secured by brace goals courtesy of JP Britz and Dalpiarro Langford.

SPAR South African Hockey Indoor IPT 2023 Finals - Thomas More College

Saturday, 4 March 

Women’s Final: KwaZulu-Natal Raiders vs Western Province Peninsulas at 16:00

Men’s Final: Western Province vs Southern Gauteng - TBA