For the past 20 years, SA School Sports has proudly produced and refined the  school hockey rankings — the original school sports rankings platform in South Africa. What started as a simple way to track results has grown into a trusted, nationwide benchmark for performance, prestige, and progress in the game.

As we launch the 2026 Girls U16 Hockey Rankings, we look forward to once again building excitement, debate, and recognition for the outstanding talent emerging through the ranks of school hockey.

How the Rankings Are Calculated

The rankings are built on a proven, data-driven system that rewards performance over time. While the formula behind the scenes is sophisticated, the key principles are simple and fair:

1. Match Results Matter Most

At its core, the system is driven by results.

• Wins earn valuable points

• Draws provide smaller returns

• Losses impact a team’s overall rating

Consistency is key.

2. Strength of Opposition

Not all victories carry the same weight.
Beating stronger,  teams earns significantly more points than defeating  weaker weighted opposition. This ensures that teams are rewarded for quality performances.

3. Margin of Victory

The system factors in how convincingly a team performs.

• Strong wins provide an added boost

• Narrow losses to top teams are not heavily punished

This creates a more accurate reflection of overall ability.

4. Ongoing Weekly Updates

The rankings evolve week by week as results are submitted and processed. Every match has the potential to shift positions, making the table a true reflection of current form.

5.  Weighting

There is no carry-over from the previous year. Teams begin the season with a weighting influenced by their performances in the previous year, ie where their U14’s and U16’s were ranked. This provides early structure to the rankings and a guide to the potential strength of a team, but as the season progresses, current results quickly take over.

High Stakes in the U16 Race

These rankings carry significant weight — and in 2026, there is plenty on the line.

Qualification and invitation to two prestigious U16 girls hockey tournaments will be determined entirely by the SA School Sports Hockey Rankings, making every match and every result crucial.

Paarl Gim Top Schools Tournament

The top 12 ranked teams will earn an invitation to this elite competition, where the very best U16 sides in the country go head-to-head.

👉 See more: Paarl Gim Top Schools Tournament

DSG Rising Champions Challengers Cup

Teams ranked 13–25 will qualify for the Challengers Cup — a tournament that provides a platform for rising teams to make their mark.

👉 See more: DSG Rising Champions Challengers Cup

The cut-off for qualification is the 3rd of June 2026.

The Season Unfolds

With so much at stake, the race is already underway. Every result contributes to the bigger picture, and as the weeks progress, the rankings will begin to take shape.

Please note: Only teams who have played a minimum of three matches are included in this week’s rankings. As more fixtures are completed, expect more teams to enter the table and the competition to intensify.