17 March 2023
Durban High School’s hockey success story keeps getting better, with the latest boost coming from matric learner, Lerou Ditlhakanyane, who played a starring role as the South African under-21 team captured the Junior Africa Cup title in Ismailia, Egypt, on Thursday.
In a tense final, South Africa sneaked a 4-3 win over the hosts in a penalty shootout after the teams had finished level at 2-2 in regulation time, with one of the South African goals being scored by Lerou.
The tournament served as a direct qualifier for the 2023 Junior World Cup, which will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in December. Both the winners and runners-up qualified.
Tournament results
While the final was a nail-biting affair, South Africa convincingly won their pool games. They opened with a 6-0 win over Zimbabwe, blanked Egypt, usually their toughest opposition, 3-0, and handed Kenya a 6-1 drubbing.
(Side note, the South African men’s success came after the South African women’s under-21 team defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 in their final)
Action on the Blue and Gold Astro
Meanwhile, DHS plays its first official 1st XI match of 2023 on the new Blue and Gold AstroTurf on Saturday.
Saint Charles will be in Durban to take on School at 10:15. The showdown between the two first teams will be preceded on the Astro by the under-14 A teams at 08:00 and the under-16 A sides at 09:00.
For more on the Blue and Gold AstroTurf, check out “Blue and Gold Astro a Big Win for DHS and KZN Hockey”
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