Jeppe Boys achieve rare unbeaten season
The 2025 season will go down in history as one of the most memorable and successful campaigns for Jeppe High School for Boys’ hockey team under the guidance of coach Siya Sityana.
The Kensington-based powerhouse delivered a flawless run of form, finishing the season unbeaten in both league and cup competitions, a remarkable turnaround from the challenges they faced in the previous year.
For Sityana, who has steadily built a culture of discipline and resilience in the side, this achievement was more than just about results; it was about transformation.
“We won 29 out of 31 games and drew two — against Grey College and Hilton College at the Nomads Tournament,” Sityana reflected.
“It is a relief, to be honest, especially when you start counting the wins; it felt like we were putting more pressure on ourselves. But the boys showed tremendous character to keep it going.”
The coach admitted that part of the magic behind this season’s success lay in the players’ attitude and hunger to adapt. He compared the current group’s mindset to that of last year’s squad, noting the difference in approach.
“Last year’s group was difficult to manage compared to this group because they struggled with change,” Sityana said.
“They often fell back on ‘we’re not used to this, we are used to that.’ But this year’s team was just unbelievable. It was a group of boys who were open and willing to learn. They gave their all.”
The discipline and adaptability translated into dominance on the field. From clinical attacking plays to solid defensive structures, Jeppe rarely allowed their opponents a way back into games.
The two draws were the only blemishes on what otherwise was a spotless campaign, and even in those matches, the boys demonstrated their composure against strong opposition.
To seal their stellar season, Jeppe emerged with a resounding 5–2 victory in their final outing against arch-rivals, Parktown Boys High School. Juan Martin emerged as the hero of the day, netting four goals in a dazzling individual performance.
Sityana admitted that he entered the clash with nerves, given Parktown’s reputation for resilience.
“Going into the game, I was a bit nervous, especially because we’ve never had a satisfying performance against Parktown,” he said.
“They are just so difficult to play against. They’ve got that die-hard spirit, and they don’t stop — even when they concede goals, they keep going. So they are a difficult team to play against.
“With us winning, I was worried about complacency, especially since we had beaten them twice already.”
The contest didn’t start smoothly for Jeppe, either. After taking an early 1–0 lead, Parktown equalised to make it 1–1. But that moment sparked Jeppe into life.
“Once they equalised, that’s when we started to play. We turned the score to make it 5-1, and they scored at the end to make it 5-2,” Sityana recalled.
For the players, parents and the entire Jeppe community, the 2025 season will be spoken about for years to come. Beyond the silverware and the unbeaten streak, it showcased what can be achieved when talent is matched with teamwork, discipline and the right mindset.
Sityana was quick to highlight that this success was not his alone.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be coaching at a school of such prestige — it’s not something that happens every day.
“I must commend the boys for their incredible season and extend my gratitude to my colleagues and coaching staff. They were superb and played a massive role in everything. The parents, as well as many other external individuals, have helped a lot since last year. They were very supportive and played a huge role in everything we achieved this year.
“Indeed, it takes a village.”
- Coach Flowers celebrates a historic season for Hoërskool Zwartkop - 2025-08-26
- Brown reflects on St Mary’s Waverley’s season of growth - 2025-08-25
- Jeppe Boys achieve rare unbeaten season - 2025-08-21
