Author: asawula

The month of May has brought nothing but joy to the Stellenberg High School hockey community.

That’s because both their boys’ and girls’ first teams have picked up massive victories that have shaken the landscape of school hockey in the Western Cape.

The boys’ side, led by coach Kyle Esau, defeated Bishops 2-1, while the girls, under the guidance of coach Paulene de Bruin, edged out Herschel Girls School 3-2 in a league match last week.

It was the first time since 2016 that Stellenberg had achieved that feat against Herschel, with goals from Juane Meiring, Stella Zwiegers and Stephanie Lloyd doing the trick as Stellies twice came from behind.

“I was delighted to be part of the winning team,” coach De Bruin told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“Herschel has an incredible legacy, so to come out on top against them was truly remarkable. While we won the Western Province Girls League last year, that victory was largely influenced by the results of other teams.

“This time, it was great to finally break through Herschel’s incredibly strong defence and earn the win.”

The win for coach De Bruin and her side came at the right time after a difficult start to the season where they struggled to find their mojo.

They missed out on a podium finish at the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament, ending fifth, before picking up a top 10 finish at the Belgotex Sport Girls Challenge.

Despite the slow start, coach De Bruin said she’s pleased with how her team has progressed.

“Our girls are heavily involved in summer sports, such as athletics and tennis, which has had a significant impact on our preparations and impacted the start of our season. However, I am thrilled with the focus and commitment they have shown throughout the past three months of intense training for the league.

“They are currently maintaining an exceptionally high level of intensity in their training, and I hope they can sustain this until the end of the term.”

The ladies from Bellville will next shift their attention to DF Malan, a side that has struggled to keep up with the rest of the pack this season.

DF suffered a hefty 1-7 loss to St Cyprian’s School last week, before drawing 2-2 with Fairmont High School. Stellies, however, won’t be taking their northern suburbs’ rivals lightly when they lock horns on Saturday at 11:00.

“They are always a formidable challenge, given the intense rivalry of this northern suburbs’ school derby,” the coach said.

“The competition between the two schools has long been fierce, underpinned by a deep mutual respect for DF Malan.

“Known for their strong character and brave hearts, they boast many talented players whom we will need to watch closely.

“Our primary focus is to maintain solid team structures, uphold high intensity attacking strategies, and ensure our defensive disciplines remain strong.”

While their victories have come from good teamwork, there have been some standout players for Stellenberg this season.

In defence, Juane Meiring has been rock-solid alongside Minke Lourens. Ilke van Merwe has coordinated much of their play from midfield, while Zanay Gerber continues to be fearless and ruthless in front of goal.

Bea van den Berg also deserves a mention as a top performer. The side will be led out by skipper Helen de Kock.

WESTERN CAPE GIRLS’ FIXTURES

Friday, 30 May

18:15 – Paarl Girls’ High vs HMS Bloemhof
18:30 – Rustenburg Girls’ High vs Reddam House Constantia
19:10 – Fairmont High vs Herschel Girls School
19:45 – Durbanville vs St Cyprian’s School

Saturday, 31 May

10:30 – Wynberg Girls’ High vs Springfield Convent School
11:00 – Parel Vallei vs Rhenish Girls’ High School
11:00 – Stellenberg High vs DF Malan

The stage is set for a highly anticipated meeting between Paul Roos Gimnasium and South African College High School (SACS) this Friday in Stellenbosch.

The massive encounter will headline the week’s Hyundai Friday Nite Lights action. It’s scheduled for 19:15 at the iconic Maties AstroTurf.

The last meeting between the sides was at the Hibbert Shield, in Gqeberha, at the beginning of May. On that occasion, SACS came out on top, winning 6-5 on penalties after an enthralling clash ended deadlocked at 3-3.

There has been an intense build-up to Friday’s showdown, with both teams locked in and laser focused. Many regard their meeting as a battle between the two best teams in the country.

We take a look at some of the unsung heroes who will be out to make their marks on the big stage.

SACS

It’s no secret that SACS has several players with big-match temperament who can influence a game with one play or a moment of individual brilliance.

Players like Litha Kraai and Reece Theunis come to mind, but they can’t work their magic without the help of their teammates, who don’t grab as many headlines.

Zach Redfern is up there as one of the unsung heroes in the star-laden SACS side. Playing as a holding midfielder at times, Redfern’s composure on the ball and his ability to pick out his teammates with accurate passes creates ample opportunities for them.

He links up well with, among others, Mohlodi Maseko and Kraai, and defensively, he’s hard to beat.

Aiden Hughes, Matthew Lassen, and Cameron Cordeiro have been superb for coach Sam Holmes this season, bossing proceedings in midfield and at the back when needed, while skipper Jo le Roux needs no introduction. After a good rookie season in the first team in 2024, he has taken to the captaincy like a duck to water. 

Le Roux exudes calm and composure with and without the ball. He makes great reads, distributes well, and always gets his team onto the front foot.

Paul Roos

After the exodus of many experienced players at the end of last season, Paul Roos was forced into a rebuilding phase. 

Last year’s team had top individual talents, including Reuben Sendzul, Barend Geldenhuys, and Joshua Smit, who could change the tide of a game in the blink of an eye.

This season PRG’s focus has been about teamwork for coach Michael Baker and his troops. They’ve been in good form and helping them to succeed have been a number of players who’ve gone under the radar.

Starting at the back, Tylor Carter has been rock-solid for the Stellenbosch school, with the help of Danesh Titus and Logan Lackay.

Carter doesn’t get mentioned much, but that’s also a sign that he’s been doing his job consistently well. He’s a sound tackler and a good distributor from the back. He’ll come up against tough opposition from SACS, but he should hold his own.

The midfield battle will be interesting, and PRG will look to their vice-captain Seth Paterson and Ruben Gouws to produce the goods. More often than not, captain Christo Swanepoel grabs the headlines for being the “midfield maestro”, but Paterson and Gouws also pull the strings.

They are super energetic, gobbling up the ground as they traverse the turf, and they often put themselves in the right spaces to make a difference.

Up front, Charlie Boucher is another man who’ll be aiming to make his mark, and there’s no better fixture to do that in than against SACS.

Strong performances from the players mentioned above could determine which team snatches the bragging rights.

For a full, extensive preview of the clash between Paul Roos and SACS, click HERE.

Hoërskool Outeniqua‘s first-team boys’ and girls’ sides will make the trip from George to Thornhill this weekend to face Woodridge College in high spirits.

The much-anticipated derby features the boys in action at 16:00 on Friday and the girls taking to the turf at 11:00 on Saturday.

Both Outeniqua sides are favoured to win after enjoying a stellar month on the turf, which included bossing proceedings in their last two outings against Hoërskool Framesby and Glenwood House, respectively.

The boys’ side, led by coach Kirk Mendoza, thumped Framesby 7-0 before recording an emphatic 8-2 victory over Glenwood House during the week.

The girls, meanwhile, were also ruthless in front of goal and beat Framesby 4-0 before making light work of their town rivals, Glenwood House, winning 5-0.

The focus for the Kwaggas now shifts to a more challenging clash against Woodridge, away from home.

Speaking to SuperSport Schools Plus ahead of the game, coach Mendoza reflected on his team’s performances and highlighted areas in which he’d like to see improvement.

“Our main focus is to keep our structure and trust in our system,” he said. “Our movement of the ball is what has impressed me the most.

“The ability to keep structure and keep moving the ball like we do for four chukkas is the key to our success thus far, and that is very pleasant to see.”

Mendoza will need to get his side ready and fired up for Woodridge, who head into the match having beaten St Dominic’s Priory 2-1 in their most recent outing, which was preceded by a 2-2 draw with Victoria Park.

“Woodridge should be a good test for the guys,” he said.

“In that game, we would like to work on converting more circle entries with positive outcomes and improving our decision-making during the game. I believe this will improve our consistency and aid in growing our programme.”

The girls’ team, led by coach Niel Smit, will also be focused on continuing their impressive run.

They’ve created numerous opportunities in their last outings and found the back of the net with relative ease against Framesby. On the scoresheet were Maija Badenhorst (2), Mia Buxman, and Carlien Oosthuizen.

Despite their good run of form, coach Smit believes there are some key areas that Outeniqua needs to sharpen up.

Reflecting on the Framesby game, he said: “I think our passing was an area where we made a big difference. Connecting and finding each other helped create our chances and allowed us to score goals.

“Finishing is an area we want to improve on, including short corners, as it is a great opportunity to put some points on the board.”

Both teams will be eager to finish term two strongly before the learners shift their attention to the mid-year exams.

For many years, South African College High School (SACS) considered their hockey rivals to be the traditional southern suburbs’ schools, Wynberg Boys’ High, Bishops, and Rondebosch Boys’ High.

However, that has drastically changed over the past four years because of their newfound rivalry with Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG).

Now, don’t get me wrong, fixtures against the southern suburbs’ schools still get the respect they deserve, but the hype and buzz is through the roof when PRG comes to town or SACS travels to Stellenbosch.

This week will be no different when the two schoolboy hockey giants square off in a Hyundai Friday Nite Lights game at the Maties AstroTurf, in Stellenbosch.

The massive match will be broadcast LIVE on the SuperSport Schools App, DSTV Channel 216, and the SABC Plus App. Pushback is at 19:45.

As part of our extensive coverage, SuperSport Schools Plus hockey writer Avuyile Sawula takes a look at five key talking points you should know about ahead of the crunch clash.

The coaches’ battle: Baker vs Holmes 

Culture vs Tactics

One of the most interesting aspects of this match will be the battle between the coaches, Michael Baker (PRG) and Sam Holmes (SACS).

They have a different style of coaching, but both get the best out of their teams, week in and out.

In his first-ever interview with SuperSport Schools Plus, Baker described himself as “a coach who believes in building culture”, while the calm and relaxed Holmes has been labelled a “mastermind tactician” by some of his players.

While the rivalry is between the schools, it’s important to note, as well, that we’re experiencing the teams to be a reflection of their coaches. Since arriving at PRG at the start of 2024, Baker has faced Holmes more than any other coach in the country.

To date, their teams have played against each other four times, and two of those were at the Hibbert Shield, while the other two took place in the Western Cape.

SACS has won two of the four meetings, with PRG claiming victory once, and the other ended in a pulsating 2-2 draw last year, in July. The last meeting between the sides was a nail-biter, won by SACS 5-4 on penalties after their semi-final clash at the Hibbert Shield, in May, ended 3-3.

Will it be the culture cultivated by Baker that will triumph, or will the SACS boys successfully put to work the tactics shared by Holmes? 

Discipline will be crucial

The fewer cards, the better

When we previewed the Paul Roos vs. SACS clash last year in July, one of the things we mentioned was the importance of discipline from both teams.

It turned out that the discipline in that high-takes clash was awful, to say the least. Both sides were reckless in their tackles, they talked back to the umpires on numerous occasions, and, as a result, yellow and red cards were dished out.

PRG was forced to play the majority of the clash with a man down after Louan Van Zyl was given his marching orders early on. Reece Theunis and Litha Kraai, of SACS, were also shown cards. It was messy.

After the game, both coaches lamented the poor discipline that had cost their sides an opportunity to secure a win.

This year will be no different. The stakes will be high. There will be electricity in the air. Discipline will be one of the most important aspects of the game. Cool, calm and relaxed heads will be needed, especially with PRG’s home supporters sure to be make their presence known.

Physicality levels will, also, be high, which was evident in the Hibbert Shield semifinal. Both sides will need to be careful.

As a neutral, I would love to see a tightly contested clash where the treatment of umpires is of a high standard, especially after the South African Hockey Association (SAHA) released a memorandum about the problem of the mistreatment of officials.

It will be a heated clash. That’s for sure. But both coaching groups will need to preach the importance of discipline all week long. They surely have.

Players must step up 

Time to prove a point

Instagram posts, WhatsApp stories, and motivational quotes will mean very little the minute the teams make contact with the AstroTurf on Friday night.

All that will matter for the players is showing up, balling out, and putting their best foot forward. 

Big games are made for big players, and each side will need their leading stars to bring their A-game from the get-go.

For the home side, their defence will be key, and at the back, Tylor Carter will be tested, so he’ll need to exert his influence. Carter, along with Jeandre Van Zyl and Danesh Titus, has steered the PRG ship well this season, but SACS poses a different challenge to any other team Paul Roos has faced.

Another player who needs to step to the fore is Paul Roos skipper Christo Swanepoel. He’s played a massive role as the midfield maestro for his side, and he’ll be aiming to boss proceedings.

Up front, Matthew Cardoza, Caleb Cilliers, Callum van Oudtshoorn and the reliable Reuben Gouws will key the PRG attack.

For SACS, many are expecting, rightfully, Litha Kraai to lead their challenge. But Reece Theunis is a dangerous player who will also want to prove a point against a quality side. He has been deadly in front of goal this season and he’ll be keen to take the form he has shown against others into the showdown with PRG.

Mohlodi Maseko is another player who has sparkled for SACS. The little magician has enjoyed a great start to his first-team career, and he’ll want to keep up his playmaking against a well-drilled unit.

SACS has had to make a change at goalkeeper, with their first-choice, Ethan October, ruled out of the contest after sustaining an injury in their 9-1 win over Rondebosch Boys’ High.

With October sidelined, Lorenzo Virisimo took over in the goalbox in their 10-0 win over DF Malan last time out. Up against Paul Roos, he has an excellent opportunity to repay the trust shown in him by coach Holmes. 

Set-piece accuracy will be key

“Shorty…..”

While fans at the ground would love to see a flurry of field goals, the reality is that set pieces will play a major role in the clash.

The modern game has evolved in a way that teams rely on set-piece opportunities to make the difference in tight contests.

Both PRG and SACS have, however, scored most of their goals this season from open play, but that doesn’t mean they don’t value short corners or spend hours trying to perfect drag flicks or cook up variations.

SACS has three flickers in Kraai, Theunis, and skipper Jo le Roux. All are tried and tested – and they’ll be ready to fire on Friday night.

PRG, meanwhile, is still trying to find its groove at PC time. They were blessed with Reuben Sendzul as their specialist flicker in 2024. This year, in his absence, they’ve taken on more variations.

Those variations have worked well, but they also have, in Reuben Gouws, someone who can score by going the direct drag flick route.

Is this the battle for top spot?

Jeppe might have something to say about that

For the past two seasons, Paul Roos and SACS have been at the centre of the rankings’ conversation, and rightfully so.

They have consistently played some amazing hockey and taken down many of the top teams from across the country. Their meetings have been nail-biters.

Are they among the best three teams in the country? According to statistics, yes, and by statistics I don’t mean the controversial rankings that spark debates in school corridors and staffrooms.

These sides have proven time and again that they deserve all the hype they receive, and that’s because of everything they’ve done on the turf.

Yes, the rankings will be a massive talking point this week, but they will mean little once the umpire’s whistle signals the start of play on Friday night.

This article is titled: “The Battle for Schoolboy Hockey Supremacy” because the team that wins this one will have the upper hand heading into their second meeting in term three.

There’s no place to hide ladies, and gentlemen. This will be a cracker so don’t miss it!

Last five meetings between Paul Roos and SACS

2025: SACS (5) 3-3 (4) Paul Roos

2024: Paul Roos 2-2 SACS
2024: SACS 6-2 Paul Roos
2024: Paul Roos (6) 3-3 (5) SACS

2023: SACS 8-1 Paul Roos

TEAMS

Paul Roos: Jeandre Cilliers, Jeandre Van Zyl, Danesh Titus, Tylor Carter, Seth Paterson, Reuben Gouws, Caleb Cilliers, Callum Van Oudtshoorn, Christo Swanepoel (c), Logan Lackay, Matthew Cardoza, Rico Esterhuyse, Christiaan Fouche, Charlie Boucher, Ruan Strauss, Luc Botha.

SACS: Lorenzo Virisimo, Jo le Roux (c), James Engelbrecht, Cameron Groves, Aiden Hughes, Matthew Lassen, Litha Kraai, Mohlodi Maseko, Zach Redfern, Adam Thompson, Daniel Graser, Cameron Cordeiro, Reece Theunis, Reegan Wille, Chavez Sanger. 

Hudson Park High School’s first-team hockey captain, Helio Ruiters, believes a desire to win, pristine execution and discipline, will be the keys to his side’s quest for glory against Queen’s College, in East London, on Friday afternoon.

The sides’ meeting will take place at the Clarendon AstroTurf, and proceedings start at 16:50 sharp.

Queen’s will arrive in the coastal city looking to bounce back after a 2-5 defeat against Grey High School last week. Hudson, meanwhile, wants to add another tick to their win column after a 4-0 victory over Merrifield College.

Speaking to SuperSport Schools Plus ahead of the game, Ruiters said his team is geared up and eager to tackle the task ahead of them.

“It’s going to be an exciting fixture,” he said. “We played them in pre-season and won 2-0, so they have a score to settle.

“We are confident because we haven’t lost any of our derby games this season, but we know we are going to have to fight to get the desired result against the boys of Komani. As a team, we believe it will be down to who wants it more.”

Hudson Park, under the tutelage of head coach Sipe Matafeni, has enjoyed a good season in the Eastern Cape.

They started their campaign superbly during the Border Schools Day and went on to pick up an impressive top-10 finish at the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament, in Cape Town, in April.

In their derby games, they’ve picked up wins against Cambridge High School (4-1) and Hoërskool Framesby (2-1) and also shared a pulsating 4-4 draw with Victoria Park.

“Our key factor in winning all those games has to be our discipline.” the Hudson Park captain explained.

“Our coach, Mr Matafeni, has trained us for endless hours and put in a good shift to get us into the season. Therefore, all praise goes to him, as we are no longer underdogs but a force to be reckoned with in the Border Region.”

Hudson’s hockey fortunes have been on the up in the last couple of seasons. They’ve conquered Stirling High and Cambridge, in East London, and they’ll be taking a massive swing at Queen’s and Selborne.

They drew 2-2 with Queen’s last year, and Friday’s match will present them with a chance to make a big statement. That’s something that excites Ruiters.

“It all comes down to who wants it more and which team is willing to give their 100 percent and leave everything on the Astro.

“Last year, we could not convert our chances, but I am confident that this year will be different. Friday is going to be a battle between two teams that want to make their schools proud.

“Regardless of the result, I am glad that I will be part of this game. I am proud of my team, and I back every one of them,” he ended.

Other matches

While Queen’s makes the trip to East London, Selborne College will also be on the road, in Bloemfontein, to face Grey College.

Coach KJ Friend‘s side has enjoyed a good run of form lately, winning two matches on the trot, beating Dale College 5-1 and St Andrew’s College 1-0.

They face a tough challenge from a Grey College side that was last in action two weeks ago and outplayed Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) 4-1 on home soil.

Selborne is undoubtedly the underdog heading into the clash but, as they’ve shown all season long, they have some tricks up their sleeve.

Grey High School will also be in action on Friday night when they host St Andrew’s College, in Gqeberha.

Woodridge faces a high-flying Hoërskool Outeniqua, while Stirling High takes on Cambridge.

On Saturday, there will be a massive interschools clash between Hoërskool Framesby and Pearson High.

FIXTURES

Friday, 30 May

16:00 – Woodridge College vs Outeniqua
16:50 – Hudson Park vs Queen’s College
18:00 – Stirling High vs Cambridge High School
18:35 – Grey High School vs St Andrew’s College
19:00 – Grey College vs Selborne College

Saturday, 31 May

09:45 – Framesby vs Pearson High School

Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) and South African College High School (SACS) will reignite their rivalry when they square off in a Hyundai Friday Nite Lights clash in Stellenbosch this week.

The meeting between the two of the giants of South African schoolboy hockey will be, arguably, the most anticipated match of the season.

It will be broadcast live on SuperSport Schools, DStv Channel 216, and on the SABC Plus App.

It’s an encounter that’s gripped the imagination of hockey enthusiasts in the country. Many regard it as a clash of the top two sides.

With the build-up and excitement intensifying, SuperSport Schools Hockey scribe Avuyile Sawula looks at everything you need to know about the clash.

Venue and Time

Paul Roos and SACS meet twice annually, except when playing each other in tournaments.

This year’s first in-season clash will take place at the Maties AstroTurf, in Stellenbosch, on Friday, 30 May, and pushback is at 19:15.

How has each team fared ahead of the match?

Both sides have had interesting seasons so far and recorded impressive results while playing exciting brands of hockey.

The home side, PRG, has suffered just one loss, and it came against SACS after a shootout in the semi-finals of the Standard Bank Hibbert Shield, in Gqeberha, earlier this month.

Aside from that defeat, coach Michael Baker‘s troops have run rampant against their opponents, and their last outing resulted in a 2-0 win over Paarl Boys’ High.

As for SACS, they had an unorthodox start to the local season because they toured The Netherlands before taking on South African opposition.

After returning to South Africa, they picked up from where they left off in 2024, dominating every team in front of them up until the Hibbert Shield.

They breezed through their group stage opponents in Gqeberha but were tested by PRG in the semis, with that game finishing 3-3 after regulation time. SACS won the Hibbert Shield by outplaying Paarl Gimnasium 6-3 in the final.

Both teams are in red-hot form heading into this one.

Last 5 fixtures

Paul Roos

Paul Roos 2-0 Paarl Boys’ High – Derby
Paul Roos 6-2 Paarl Gimnasium – Derby
Paul Roos 2-1 Hoërskool Garsfontein – Hibbert Shield bronze medal match
Paul Roos (4) 3-3 (5) SACS – Hibbert Shield semifinal
Paul Roos (3) 1–1 (2) St Stithians College – Hibbert Shield quarterfinal

SACS

SACS 10-0 DF Malan – League
SACS 9-1 Rondebosch Boys’ High – League
SACS 4-1 Bishops – League
SACS 9-1 Stellenberg High School – League
SACS 6-3 Paarl Gimnasium – Hibbert Shield final

Last five meetings between Paul Roos and SACS

2025: SACS (5) 3-3 (4) Paul Roos

2024: Paul Roos 2-2 SACS
2024: SACS 6-2 Paul Roos
2024: Paul Roos (6) 3-3 (5) SACS

2023: SACS 8-1 Paul Roos

TEAMS 

Please note: The Paul Roos team is subject to change. The SACS team, however, has been confirmed.

Paul Roos: Jeandre Cilliers, Jeandre Van Zyl, Danesh Titus, Tylor Carter, Seth Paterson, Reuben Gouws, Caleb Cilliers, Callum Van Oudtshoorn, Christo Swanepoel (c), Logan Lackay, Matthew Cardoza, Rico Esterhuyse, Christiaan Fouche, Charlie Boucher, Ruan Strauss, Luc Botha.

SACS: Lorenzo Virisimo, Jo le Roux (c), James Engelbrecht, Cameron Groves, Aiden Hughes, Matthew Lassen, Litha Kraai, Mohlodi Maseko, Zach Redfern, Adam Thompson, Daniel Graser, Cameron Cordeiro, Reece Theunis, Reegan Wille, Chavez Sanger. 

Collegiate Girls’ High School maintained their unbeaten run in the Eastern Cape when they outplayed Pearson High School to record an impressive 4-0 win on Friday night, in Gqeberha.

The highly anticipated clash was deemed the match to watch in the province, and it duly delivered as the sides produced a spectacle at Pearson’s Top AstroTurf.

Heading into the encounter, Collegiate was the favourite and high in confidence after some comfortable victories in recent weeks.

They defeated Union High 9-0 earlier this month and, a week ago, brushed off Makhanda’s Kingswood College, winning 4-0.

Pearson, meanwhile, had suffered a 1-2 loss at the hands of DSG Makhanda, but they bounced back with an emphatic 5-0 win over Hudson Park High School.

The stage was set, and the atmosphere at the ground was electric, with both the home and away stands filled to the rafters.

After a cautious opening chukka, during which the sides tested each other out, trying to get a feel for the game, things took a turn in the second quarter.

Collegiate dominated ball possession and territory, and when they received a short corner with two minutes played, there was a sense that something special was on the cards.

Instead of going for a drag flick, they played a variation, and the ball landed comfortably for Jana Prinsloo on the right-hand side. With a simple touch off her stick, she gave her side the lead.

Collegiate doubled their tally soon after from another penalty corner. This time around, Kerrin Gillies sent the ball flying into the back of the net with a sweet drag flick, much to the delight of the travelling supporters.

Gillies, who has been in formidable form for coach Michael Abrahams’ team this season, got her second in the third chukka in a similar fashion.

The Eastern Province u18A representative completed her hat-trick in the fourth chukka, again flicking past the Pearson goalie.

The hosts had their chances late in the game, but Collegiate was strong defensively, with Anna Porter and Jade Grobler rock-solid at the back.

They held on for the win and will take confidence into their next clash, a big showdown with DSG Makhanda next weekend.

DSG was, meanwhile, in action, at home on the Webster AstroTurf, where they romped to a 7-0 win over Clarendon High School for Girls. Abigail Holderness led the way with a hattrick, while her sister, Lucy, was also on the score sheet where they were joined by Anna Olivier, Jocelyn Appel, and Ava van der Walt.

Hudson Park, after a rough week, returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Merrifield College, courtesy of strikes by Mackenzie Goss and Hannah Faro.

Kingswood College also won, beating Stirling High 2-1, while Woodridge College downed Victoria Park 2-0, and Kingsridge Girls’ High, from Qonce, edged out Cambridge High 4-3.

RESULTS

Collegiate Girls’ High 4-0 Pearson High
Woodridge College 2-0 Victoria Park
Kingswood College 2-1 Stirling High
Hudson Park 2-0 Merrifield
Kingsridge Girls’ High 4-3 Cambridge High School
DSG Makhanda 7-0 Clarendon

Schoolboy hockey is often the topic of discussion in the Western Cape, and rightfully so because the province produces some of the best players and teams in the country.

However, in recent years, the girls’ game has improved tremendously with teams across the province asserting their dominance and putting on a show for spectators every week.

The past weekend’s action was a testament to how far girls’ hockey has come in the Western Cape with top sides meeting in local derbies and crucial league fixtures and putting on a show.

On Friday night, the matches that stood out were the meetings between Parel Vallei and Paarl Gimnasium, and Rhenish Girls’ High School against Paarl Girls’ High, in Stellenbosch.

Paarl Gim had a bye the previous week and returned to action seeking to make a statement against coach Wayne Coetzee’s Parel Vallei side.

They proved to be too strong for PV, and a brace by Imke Koegelenberg, followed by a goal from Anya Swanepoel, sealed a 3-1 win away from home.

In Stellenbosch, Rhenish was on fire in an 8-0 dismantling of Paarl Girls’ High. Rhenish’s Stellenbosch rivals, HMS Bloemhof, outclassed Rustenburg Girls’ High to claim a 4-0 win.

It was a clinical performance from coach Chris Gerber‘s Rhenish side, who went into Friday’s clash off the back of an impressive 6-0 victory over St Cyprian’s School the previous week.

They were ruthless in attack and played an expensive brand of hockey but, most importantly, they capitalised on the chances they created inside their opponent’s circle.

Leah du Plessis led from the front with a hat-trick, while vice-captain Frankie Henn grabbed two of her own. Lilly Newton, who was on the scoresheet against St Cyprian’s, scored again, and Nicola van der Merwe and Katherine Sickle sealed the comprehensive win.

Cape Town also hosted Hyundai Friday Nite Lights action, with Reddam House Constantia facing Springfield Convent School, and St Cyprian’s hosting DF Malan.

It was a cracker between Reddam and Springfield, who were both aiming to return to winning ways after defeats against Bloemhof and Herschel Girls School, respectively.

At the end, though, the sides could not be separated after they had played to a sizzling 3-3 draw, with Courtney Thomas, Jess Bester, and Juliet Macgregor finding the back of the net for Reddam.

Bella Amm put on a masterclass for Springfield, scoring a hat-trick to ensure her side didn’t take a home loss.

While Friday night’s five fixtures entertained, the action was far from done and it continued on Saturday morning.

The Durbanville versus Tygerberg High match was cancelled, but three others were played. Fairmont High School kicked off proceedings against Rustenburg Girls’ High.

After playing to a 2-2 draw with DF Malan the previous weekend, Fairmont had their eyes set on collecting maximum points at home.

Under the guidance of coach Bryce West, Liza Duckitt, and Jody Lang, the girls in green secured an impressive 2-1 victory, with Camryn Corner scoring both goals for her side.

It was also a special occasion for Madison Ackerman, who made her 100th appearance for the school, and celebrated it with a win.

Stellenberg High School, meanwhile, shook up things in their match against Herschel.

Coach Paulene de Bruin’s side has made massive strides, and they entered their clash against an in-form Herschel after a 7-0 win over Wynberg Girls’ High last time out.

Herschel had, meanwhile, defeated Springfield in the Herschfield Derby, so they were confident, and they expected to get the job done.

However, Stellenberg took a page out of their boys’ book. Last week, Stellies upset Bishops, winning 2-1 at the Woodlands AstroTurf. On this occasion, the girls stunned Herschel, pulling off an upset 3-2 win.

Juane Meiring, Stella Zwiegers and Stephanie Lloyd were the heroes for the Bellville school, who will next turn their attention to a meeting with DF Malan.

Wynberg Girls’ High got back to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Curro Durbanville. Captain Jehan Abrahams scored for Wynberg, as did Kailin Heath and Michaela Doyle.

There was also action in George, where York High beat Langenhoven Gimnasium 4-1, while Hoërskool Outeniqua thumped Gqeberha’s Hoërskool Framesby 4-0.

RESULTS

York High School 4-1 Langenhoven Gimnasium
Reddam House 3-3 Springfield Convent School
HMS Bloemhof 4-0 Rustenburg Girls’ High School
Paarl Gimnasium 3-1 Parel Vallei
St Cyprian’s School 7-1 DF Malan
Rhenish Girls’ High 8-0 Paarl Girls’ High
Fairmont High School 2-1 Rustenburg Girls’ High
Wynberg Girls’ High 3-1 Curro Durbanville
Stellenberg 3-2 Herschel Girls School
Outeniqua 4-0 Framesby

Callum van Oudtshoorn and Ruan Strauss scored in the second half to seal a nervy 2-0 win for Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) over Paarl Boys’ High, in Paarl, on Friday night.

Although it lacked goals, the clash between the two powerhouses delivered moments of excitement and gave spectators a taste of what’s to come from Boland at the SASHOC National Week.

PRG was favoured heading into the game after thumping Paarl Gim 6-2 two weeks ago. Boys’ High, meanwhile, suffered a close 2-3 loss against Wynberg Boys’ High last week.

Playing at home, in front of their supporters and vocal schoolmates, was always going to be an added advantage for coach Rowan McLachlan and his side, and they made full use of that advantage in the opening half, frustrating the visitors by limiting their chances and keeping them scoreless.

The midfield battle was heated, with Christo Swanepoel and AJ Mostert locking horns before shaking hands after the game and posing for an Instagram photo.

On the field, though, they were fierce rivals for 60 minutes, and Swanepoel was the happier captain when his side opened the scoring in the third chukka.

Van Oudtshoorn beat Luan Bornman in the Paarl Boys’ High goal, much to the satisfaction of the travelling PRG supporters.

The home side tried to play from the back numerous times, but their outlet was sloppy, and PRG’s forwards were ready to pounce on misdirected passes.

A surging run into the circle minutes later by Matthew Cardoza found Strauss unmarked, and he buried the ball into the back of the net for his side’s second.

Boys’ High kept battling away and had their chances to get back into the game, but PRG held on for the win.

Coach Michael Baker and his PRG boys will next shift their attention to a mouthwatering showdown with South African College High School (SACS) while Boys’ High prepares to face Stellenberg High.

In another big clash, Parel Vallei High School recorded a massive 3-2 win over Paarl Gimnasium in Somerset.

Coach Michael van Rensburg‘s troops battled hard against their Boland counterparts and claimed victory, courtesy of goals by Stephan Malan, Paul Roux, and Liyema Jijana.

Wynberg Boys’ High also won, beating their southern suburbs rivals Bishops 3-1 on the Astro of Dreams.

Chad Julius, Ethan Daniels and Ethan Smith were the goal scorers for the winners.

There were also victories for Rondebosch Boys’ High and SACS against Fairmont High School and DF Malan, respectively.

‘Bosch downed Fairmont 2-0, while SACS thumped DF 10-0. Litha Kraai scored a whopping six goals for the boys in blue and white. Mohlodi Maseko netted a brace, while Reece Theunis and Jo le Roux also struck, to complete the drubbing.

In George, York High was held to a 1-1 draw by Langenhoven Gimnasium. Hoërskool Outeniqua, meanwhile, overran Hoërskool Framesby 7-0.

RESULTS

Outeniqua 7-0 Framesby
York High School 1-1 Langenhoven Gimnasium
Durbanville 4-2 Reddam House Constantia
Wynberg Boys’ High 3-1 Bishops Diocesan College
Paul Roos Gimnasium 2-0 Paarl Boys’ High
SACS 10-0 DF Malan
Rondebosch Boys’ High 2-0 Fairmont High
Parel Vallei 3-2 Paarl Gimnasium

It was a far from perfect performance by Grey High School, but four goals in the second half sealed a gritty 5-2 victory over Queen’s College, in Komani, on Friday.

Selborne College, meanwhile, picked up their biggest win of the season so far when they won 1-0 at St Andrew’s College.

The action on Friday night began in Komani, though, where Grey High faced a Queen’s side looking to get back to winning ways after suffering a hefty 1-5 loss against St Andrew’s last time out. Grey was coming off a bye.

It was a cagey affair from the outset, with the hosts feeding off the home support at the Chris Harker AstroTurf.

They started brightly and opened the scoring in the first chukka through Asi Vena, who found himself in space and scored after picking up a loose ball inside the circle.

That goal was immediately matched when Grey went on the attack and was awarded a peanlty corner after the ball struck a Queen’s foot inside the host’s circle.

All season long, James Chree has been the go-to man during short corner time for Grey, and it was business as usual. This time, though, his flick was kept out by goalkeeper Rowan Miles, and a rebound shot was also saved before the ball landed comfortably for Ameer Muller, who turned it into the goalbox to level matters.

The two sides returned for a lacklustre second chukka, which was clouded by inaccuracies and unforced errors, resulting in the tempo of the game dropping.

That worked in favour of Queen’s, who frustrated Grey. Around the Astro, the home team’s supporters started to believe something special was on the cards.

That belief, however, was quickly shut down in the third chukka; coach Andrew Beynon must’ve given his team a serious halftime talk.

His boys came out firing and upped the ante with two goals in quick succession, scored by Chree and captain Luke Tait.

Two goals to the good, Grey refused to rest on their laurels and finished the game off in the final chukka. Athi Voigt, who made his 50th appearance against Wynberg Boys’ High earlier this month, got his name on the scoresheet.

Queen’s responded late through Liso Mtalaliso, but Dante Elkington, who was in fine form all night, deservedly scored a goal to seal a 5-2 win.

While Grey dominated in Komani, Selborne College pulled off an upset in Makhanda.

Coming off an impressive 5-1 win over Dale College, coach KJ Friend’s boys entered the St Andrew’s game as the underdog but came out on top.

It was a close encounter, with very little between the sides, which is usually the case when they meet.

It took a third chukka drag flick by the reliable Reid Drake to seal the win for Selborne, and they’ll travel to Bloemfontein next weekend to face Grey College in high spirits.

In an East London derby, Hudson Park High School scored a 4-0 victory over Merrifield College.

Helio Ruiters, who netted a hat-trick a week ago versus Victoria Park, was back to his old ways and scored three again. Hlomla Ndlovu netted to complete the drubbing.

Dale College also got back to winning ways with an emphatic 5-1 triumph against Cambridge High School.

Coach Andrew Senekal’s charges were clinical and made good use of their chances. Captain Sibongisile Nzima led from the front and scored four goals, while Lihlumelo Nchukana also netted.

In Friday’s final match, Kingwood College beat Stirling High 2-1 in East London.

RESULTS

Grey High 5-2 Queen’s College
Selborne College 1-0 St Andrew’s College
Hudson Park 4-0 Merrifield College
Kingswood College 2-1 Stirling High School
Dale College 5-1 Cambridge High School