World Footy News

The inaugural South African National Championships were staged in Potchefstroom from 5th to 8th of July, with the country's oldest footy area, North West Province, fittingly taking out the open age title. Western Cape gave a strong showing in the grand final, before ultimately losing by 32 points. Pictured at left are Mtutuzeli Hlomela, Steven Malinga, Andre Swanepool and Reginald Mokotedi.

Australian football first got its South African start in North West, and that was followed by Gauteng. So just 18 months into the game's push into the additional provinces of KwaZulu Natal and Western Cape it's quite startling to see such competitive results for the new regions. In the high school division the results were even more surprising and a sign of exciting times ahead for the game.

The matches were played at AFL South Africa's home ground, Senwes Park, which is shared with the North West Cricket association and was previously known as Sedgars Park (naming rights going with sponsorship changes). Either way, from the photos it doesn't look like they've had much rain lately.

The footyWILD Extreme Final (open age) saw North West's experienced team (over half having represented South Africa) donning Dockers jumpers (Fremantle support their region) against Western Cape's Magpies (Collingwood backed). The Magpies had early success controlling the attacking game of the Dockers, and were still in touch at three quarter time, but their more experienced opponents booted clear for a deserved win.

Reginald Mokotedi, North West Dockers Coach, said of his team being crowned the inaugural footyWILD Extreme National Champions "I am personally delighted to be involved with this team and so proud of their win. The last 10 years of my involvement with footy in the North West Province have been some of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences of my life and winning the footyWILD Extreme National Title in its first year is testiment to the commitment and dedication of not only this team, but of all the coaches and volunteers who work together to make this Provincial Development Area as great as it is".

Based on the relatively close results, there must surely be a new wave of players looking to immediately break into the men's national team, potentially boosting South Africa up the international rankings as early as this year's International Cup. Mtutuzeli Hlomela, a champion player and very much the public face of Aussie Rules in South Africa, said "you could really sense that we are now much closer to unearthing the sort of raw talent that I just know is out there". On the flipside, one of South Africa's stalwarts, Benjamin Motuba, was named best player in the carnival. Whether that's a sign that the new wave is yet to fully arrive or simply Benji keeping ahead of the pack remains to be seen. We featured Benji's inspirational story several years ago - Long trek from Itsoseng to Riverland for Buffaloes vice captain.

Furthermore, in the high school age group, KZN caused a huge upset, defeating North West in the final by five points. Footy has been developed in North West schools for many years, with some impressive young players that knew what they were doing, so assuming their schools programs are still running full steam ahead, the NW junior players should be handy footballers. So to have KZN defeat them tells us that junior development really is moving fast right across the country. A name to watch for the future is Mandlakayise Mgoduka, with the KZN youngster named best player in the secondary (high) schools division. Another junior, Bayanda Sobetwa, is pictured at right.

The KZN Eagles (West Coast supported) were out the blocks early, looking to upset the red hot favourites. They led going into half time, only to have NW fight back to have the advantage at the final break. At this point the crowd gathered around the ground sensed something special in the air. In the closing moments of the fourth quarter the KwaZulu Natal Eagles forward Mandalkayise Mgoduka snatched a thrilling last minute goal to clinch victory and create footyWILD history. It is a game that will be long remembered by those lucky enough to watch it.

The Association for the Reduction of Tobacco-related Harm (ARTH), AusAID (the Australian Government’s Agency for International Development) and Costa Logistics support AFL SA and footyWILD across South Africa. Grandslots were the major partner for the National Championships.

Giovanni Rizzo, Group General Manager, Grandslots said "Grandslots is extremely proud, and excited to be investing in the development of footyWILD in this country and at being a Major partner of the inaugural footyWILD National Championships. With major ties to Australia, through Tattersalls, it seems only fitting for us to assist in raising the profile of Aussie Rules across South Africa".

The national men's team, freshly dubbed the Lions, was also named. More on that in the next few days.

Results of the finals on the last day

footyWILD High (Secondary Schools) – Consolation Final

Western Cape 9.6.60 defeated Gauteng 1.2.8

Best Players

Western Cape: Sikhulile Gamakhulu, Lebohang Lepheane, Sinethemba Dubulekwele, Siyabulela Maqethula, Lwando Nkqayana, Ayabulela Mphotye
Gauteng: Dalfon Stoffberg, Orders Sekete, Happy Mtshali, Sipho Phokola, Lebo Mmoneng, Glen Makgakwa

Goal-kickers

Western Cape: Lwando Nkqayana(3), Sikhulile Gamakhulu(2), Akhona Bhungqu(2), Nkosinathi Mana(1), Thembelani Jwara(1)
Gauteng: Orders Sekete(1)

footyWILD High (Secondary Schools) - Grand Final

Kwa Zulu Natal 6.7.43 defeated North West 5.8.38

Best Players

Kwa Zulu Natal: Thembinkosi Zwane, Nkululeko Ngcobo, Freedom Gumede, Mandlakayise Mgoduka, Sanele Ngema, Njabulo Ngcobo
North West: Monnapula Motuba, Mokaleng Itumeleng, Motang Nicolas, Mongwegi Joseph, Abueng Senyadi, Sediti Thapelo

Goal kickers:

Kwa Zulu Natal: Sanele Ngema(2), Freedom Gumede(2), Mandlakayise Mgoduka(1), Thuthukani Ndlovu(1)
North West: Mokaleng Itumeleng(1), Xego Vusi(1), Jonkers Happyboy(1), Isaac Sejeso(1), Rampho Obakeng(1)

footyWILD High Medalist – Mandla Mgoduka (KZN)

footyWILD Extreme (Open Age) Consolation Final

Gauteng 9.9.63 defeated Kwa Zulu Natal 4.9.33

Best Players

Gauteng: Tebogo Motlhaoleng, Benjamin Motuba, Brian Mitchell, Promise Shakoane, Matthew Nielson, Mishack Silindane
Kwa Zulu Natal: Lungisane Mtolo, Vukile Ndlela, Andile Sangweng, Mlungisi Manyoni, Sizwe Zulu, Mfanozi Gazu

Goal kickers:

Gauteng: Jason Zidel(2), Brian Mitchell(2), Prince Nepeswerane(1), Mishack Silindane(1), Bennie Springkaan(1)
Kwa Zulu Natal: Ndodla Kubeka(2), Mfanozi Gazu(1), Lungisani Mtolo(1)

footyWILD Extreme (Open Age) Grand Final

North West 9.11.65 defeated Western Cape 4.9.33

Best Players

North West: Modise Jankie, Shomolakgosi Kagiso, Steven Malinga, Julian Horn, Thabiso Phakedi, Kagiso Gaonosi
Western Cape: Benjamin Miller, Simphiwe Mbalo, Bayanda Sabetwa, Justin Miller, Sinethemba Boki, Thami Junior

Goalkickers :

North West: Steven Malinga(3),Steven Matshane(1), Keagile Garenamotse(1),Andre Swanepoel(1), Thabiso Phakedi(1), Tshepiso Mogakwe(1)
Western Cape: Bayanda Sabetwa(2), Thami Junior(1), Justin Miller(1)

footyWILD Extreme Medalist – Benjamin Motuba (Gauteng)