Final Day Recap: Moments That Matter

Final Day Recap: Moments That Matter

Belgotex Sport Girls Challenge 2025

After 156 matches, rainstorms, rising stars, shootouts, and a feast of finals — the Belgotex Sport Girls Challenge has crowned its inaugural champions. But long after the last whistle faded, it won’t just be the scores that linger — it will be the moments.

The clutch flick.
The nervy shootout.
The tears of triumph.
The hugs in defeat.
These are the moments that matter — and the Class of 2025 delivered them in spades.

U19 Final: Paarl Gim Seize the Shootout

After a weekend of power play and poise, it was always going to be a grand final worthy of history. Herschel had stormed past Pearson with a composed 3-0 semifinal win, while Paarl Gim edged past St. Mary’s Kloof 2-1 in a high-pressure thriller.

The final itself was a masterclass in intensity — two sides cancelling each other out across four quarters of cagey, electric hockey. After 60 minutes, not even a whisper of a goal. It would be the dreaded — or for some, the divine — shootout.

The tension built with each flick. Herschel and Paarl Gim traded misses and scores, but it was Paarl Gim who held their nerve when it mattered most, winning the shootout 3-2 and claiming the title of first-ever U19 Belgotex Sport Girls Challenge champions.

U19 Individual awards:
Player of the Tournament - Kerrin Gillies (Collegiate)
Goalkeeper of the Tournament - Dane Janse Van Vuuren (Oranje)
Top Goalscorer - Alanda Rademeyer (Paarl Gimnasium)

U16 Final: Penalty Corners and Pure Class from Paarl Gim

The U16 final belonged to one team — Paarl Gim.

They booked their spot with a dominant 3-0 semifinal win over Affies, while Rhenish edged past Waterkloof in a tighter battle. But the final was one-way traffic, with Paarl Gim delivering a performance of clinical control and creative flair.

Annika Mouton scored twice, and Nina Colyn added another in a 3-0 win, with goals that could fill a highlights reel. One in particular — a flick over the stick and a reverse volley finish — was the kind of brilliance that makes the difference on the biggest stage.

U16 Individual awards:
Player of the Tournament - Marilu Hamman (Paarl Gimnasium)
Goalkeeper of the Tournament - Taylin Hillard-Lomas (Rhenish)
Top Goalscorer - Annika Mouton (Paarl Gimnasium)

U14 Final: Affies Show Heart in a Five-Goal Final

The youngest stars saved some of the most thrilling moments for last.

Affies had clawed their way into the final via a nerve-shredding shootout win over St. Stithians, while Rhenish had eased past Herschel with a 4-1 win.

The final was a rollercoaster. Affies struck first with individual brilliance. Rhenish levelled from a penalty corner, and then took the lead with another. But Affies refused to fold. A dazzling solo dribble brought them level again, before a penalty stroke early in the final quarter gave them the chance to win it.

They didn’t blink. 3-2, full-time, and a new name on the trophy — Affies, U14 champions.

U14 Individual awards:
Player of the Tournament - Niah Durand (Affies)
Goalkeeper of the Tournament - Peyton Finlay (Rhenish)
Top Goalscorer - Rana Khan (Herschel)

156 Matches. 3 Divisions. 1 Unforgettable Tournament.

Over three days, the Belgotex Sport Girls Challenge wasn’t just a tournament. It was a showcase. A celebration. A proving ground for the future of South African girls hockey.

From shootouts to screamers, purple socks to penalty corners — thank you to every player, coach, umpire, manager, medic, parent and partner who made this possible.

Because in the end, it’s not just about who won.
It’s about the moments that mattered.
And this tournament gave us more than we could count.