A new name was etched into history when the Northern Blues defeated Western Province 5–3 to secure a landmark triumph and lift the SA Indoor IPT powered by Spar trophy for the first time ever at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Westville in Durban on Saturday, 28 February 2026.
History finally belongs to Northern Blues following years of growth which culminated in a breakthrough 2026 national title campaign where, in a pulsating final, the Blues defeated defending champions Western Province 5–3 to claim their first-ever Women’s A Section Indoor IPT title.
The match exploded into life from the opening whistle. Cailie den Bakker struck twice inside the first minute to hand Northern Blues a dream start and stun the defending champions.
Western Province steadied through Malikah Hamza in the 13th minute before Andrea Leader converted a penalty corner in the 24th to level the match at 2–2. The final had found its rhythm.
Cassandra Forbes restored the Blues’ lead in the 26th minute before Leader again responded for WP in the 34th to make it 3–3, setting up a grandstand finish. But champions are defined in moments and Northern Blues seized theirs.
SA Hockey legend Celia Seerane converted a penalty corner in the 35th minute to swing momentum decisively, and in the final seconds she added another field goal to seal a famous victory.
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Southern Gauteng earned the bronze medal after their 4-2 win over WP Peninsula, while the KZN Mynahs women secured promotion to the A Section after winning their B Section finals.
A Section Pool Round Results of the 2026 SA Hockey Indoor IPT at UKZN in Durban on 25 February, 2026
M1: Mpumalanga 0-14 Northern Blues (Pool B)
M2: Southern Gauteng 6-1 SG Witsies (Pool B)
M3: Western Province 5-1 WP Peninsula (Pool A)
M4: KZN Raiders 6-1 KZN Inland (Pool A)
A Section Pool Round Results of the 2026 SA Hockey Indoor IPT at UKZN in Durban on 26 February, 2026
M5: Northern Blues 6-1 SG Witsies (Pool B)
M6: WP Peninsula 2-1 KZN Raiders (Pool A)
M7: Western Province 5-0 KZN Inland (Pool A)
M8: Southern Gauteng 5-1 Mpumalanga (Pool B)
M9: WP Peninsula 5-2 KZN Inland (Pool A)
M10: Mpumalanga 2-4 SG Witsies (Pool B)
M11: Southern Gauteng 2-4 Northern Blues (Pool B)
M12: Western Province 3-1 KZN Raiders (Pool A)
A Section Pool Standings on Thursday, 26 February
Pool A
1. Western Province (+11) 9pts
2. WP Peninsula (0) 6pts
3. KZN Raiders (+2) 3pts
4. KZN Inland (-13) 0pts
Pool B
1. Northern Blues (+23) 9pts
2. Southern Gauteng (+5) 6pts
3. SG Witsies (-8) 3pts
4. Mpumalanga (-20) 0pts
2026 SA Hockey Indoor IPT Knockout Matches on 27 February, 2026
A Section Fifth to Eighth Place Play-Offs
M13: SG Witsies 4-3 KZN Inland
M14: KZN Raiders 6-0 Mpumalanga
A Section Semi-Finals
M15: Western Province 3-2 Southern Gauteng
M16: Northern Blues 5-1 WP Peninsula
A Section Seventh and Eighth Place Play-Off
M17: KZN Inland 3-6 Mpumalanga
A Section Fifth and Sixth Place Play-Off
M18: SG Witsies 0-6 KZN Raiders
2026 SA Hockey Indoor IPT Medal Matches on 28 February, 2026
A Section Bronze Medal Match
M19: Southern Gauteng 4-2 WP Peninsula
A Section 2026 SA Hockey Indoor IPT Final
M20: Northern Blues 5–3 Western Province
2026 SA Hockey Indoor IPT Individual Awards
A Section Player of the Tournament: Laiken Brissett (Northern Blues)
A Section Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Sarah Paget (Southern Gauteng)
B Section Player of the Tournament: Amy van Rooyen (NG)
B Section Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Enyenhle Nzama (KZN Mynahs)
Original Copy: SA Hockey, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: History was made as Northern Blues secured their first-ever Women’s A Section Indoor IPT title, defeating defending champions Western Province in a pulsating final to claim the landmark 2026 trophy at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Westville in Durban on Saturday, 28 February 2026. All Photos: Ray Chaplin
Photo 2 Caption: Maiden champions Northern Blues saw their Laiken Brissett claim the tournament’s A Section Player of the Tournament award.
Photo 3 Caption: Bronze medalists Southern Gauteng saw their stopper Sarah Paget awarded the tournament’s A Section Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.
