The fierce rivalry continued as the top two teams battled it out in the final of the North Coast Regional at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on Saturday 2 May, with host school, Grantleigh School, reclaiming the title.

In the last eight regional finals, Grantleigh have met Felixton College seven times. Out of these seven clashes, the title has been decided by a nail-biting penalty shootout three times. In an action-packed conclusion, the 2026 edition unfolded with a shootout after the teams drew with the scoreline sitting at 1 all at the final whistle. In 2022 Grantleigh edged out Felixton in the 8 seconds, and in last years dramatic final, Felixton managed to earn their third title.

Grantleigh were first to score in the ninth minute, piercing the Felixton defence in the third short corner of the game. Their feisty little playmaker, Klaradyn Kotzé was in the right spot at the right time, slotting in Grantleigh’s opening goal. Felixton responded with various attacks, capitalising on a burst down the right. The ball rapidly moved to Storm Weaver, camped out at the top D. Wasting no time, she rocketed off a shot as soon as she stepped into the circle – levelling the score.

In the first round of the shootout, Grantleigh’s Izzy Currie slotted in her attempt, while Zara van der Merwe’s angle was cut down by home team keeper, Casey Lee, with the shot veering wide. In the second round, Smilesihle ‘Smile’ Sibiya deflected Leandri Marius’s effort. Felixton’s Emihle Nkosi utlised all of her 8 seconds as she rounded Lee and ran the ball right over the goal line to level the score. In the final round, the pocket rocket, Kotzé made sure with a no-frills run directly into the circle before knocking in her second goal of the final. Captain for Felixton, Kathryn Johnston charged in, trying to draw Lee out, drifting right. Her cunning plan unfortunately fizzled out as she quickly ran out space to fire in an equaliser. The final shootout score of 2-1 giving Grantleigh a well deserved victory after a long, hot day of hockey.

In the build up to the finals, 46 goals were scored in the 15 games with Felixton netting a total of 16 goals in their five fixtures while Grantleigh scored 13. In the opening match, the two opponents took to the field in a dress rehearsal for the final, with Grantleigh narrowly taking the win 1 nil.

Off the ball, Empangeni High School’s Surita Ackerman took ownership of a beautiful Princess hockey stick which she won in the fun lucky draw ‘scavenger hunt’. Khethelo Ntuli, representing Empangeni High School, was acknowledged for his skills with the whistle, being awarded the Umpire of the Day.

Earning their eighth title, Grantleigh now heads to the Grand Finals where they will take on nine other regional champions at the Grand Finals taking place in July at St Mary’s D.S.G. Six other teams have already secured their spot with three more tournaments still to play to reveal the final contenders. Grantleigh join Our Lady of Fatima, (Durban North Regional); Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South Regional); St John’s D.S.G. (Pietermaritzburg Central Regional); St Anne’s Diocesan College (Pietermaritzburg North Regional) and St Mary’s D.S.G. (Highway Regional) and Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional).