The action begins at 07:30, with top-ranked Rhenish from Stellenbosch taking on St Mary’s Kloof. At 08:20, local favourites Eunice face Waterkloof from Pretoria, followed by hosts Oranje going up against Bloemhof from Stellenbosch at 09:10.

Georgia Kambanis. Photo: Morgan Piek

The pick of the Day 1 matches sees long-standing rivals Oranje and Eunice clash at 14:10 on Thursday. It will be the fourth meeting this season between the two Bloemfontein powerhouses. The most recent encounter was as recent as Tuesday, when Oranje edged Eunice 2–1 in the City League final played at the Eunice Astros.

Back in May, the teams drew 1–1 in the round-robin stage of the same league. Earlier this year, Eunice clinched a 1–0 victory over Oranje in the 5th/6th place playoff at the All Girls' National Festival, hosted by Wynberg Girls' High School in Cape Town.

The Eunice matrics after their last home game. Jomari Visser, Bianca Rees-Gibbs, Georgia Kambanis, Anebel Venter, Cale Potgieter, and Gemma Cronjé. Photo: Eunice

This tournament also marks the end of an era for Eunice hockey, with six matrics set to represent the school for the final time. Bianca Rees-Gibbs, Cale Potgieter, Gemma Cronjé, Georgia Kambanis, Anebel Venter, and Jomari Visser will all be playing in their farewell tournament. While none of them have anything left to prove, they’ll no doubt be determined to bow out in style.

Rees-Gibbs, Kambanis, Potgieter, and Venter have each played over 150 matches for Eunice’s first team, while Cronjé has also passed the 100-cap milestone.

Cale Potgieter. Photo: Morgan Piek

Eunice coach Nika Coertzen told OFM Sport this tournament brings a special chapter to a close.

“It’s been one of the greatest honours to coach this team. We’re heading into a week of tough fixtures against the top schools in South Africa,” said Coertzen.

“Every team wants to win and we’re no different. But regardless of the results, we’ll leave everything out on the field. We play with passion, with pride, and with the knowledge that God has already written the result. That truth gives us freedom to play, to enjoy, and to cherish every moment.

There’s a real sense of excitement, but also a tinge of sadness, knowing that these will be the last games for our matrics. They’ve been pillars of strength and inspiration – leaders in every sense.”

Thursday, 7 August – Fixtures
Fairtree Super 12 Hockey Tournament – Day 1

Round 1
• 07:30 – Rhenish vs St Mary’s Kloof
• 08:20 – Eunice vs Waterkloof
• 09:10 – Oranje vs Bloemhof
• 10:00 – DSG vs St Anne’s
• 10:50 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Our Lady of Fatima
• 11:40 – Collegiate vs Menlopark

Round 2
• 12:30 – Rhenish vs Waterkloof
• 13:20 – Bloemhof vs St Mary’s Kloof
• 14:10 – Eunice vs Oranje
• 15:00 – DSG vs Our Lady of Fatima
• 15:50 – Menlopark vs St Anne’s
• 16:40 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Collegiate

Round 3
• 17:30 – Rhenish vs Bloemhof
• 18:20 – Oranje vs Waterkloof
• 19:10 – Eunice vs St Mary’s Kloof
• 20:00 – DSG vs Menlopark

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg