Author: hnienaber

BLOEMFONTEIN – A new champion will be crowned this year at the annual Khaya Majola Cricket Week (for u19 players).

The Tuskers have, for the first time since 2022, managed to reach the main match of the week. The team from KwaZulu-Natal Inland defeated the defending champions, Western Province, by six wickets in the semi-final at the Johan Volsteedt Oval.

WP batted first and were bowled out for 174 thanks to excellent bowling by Rowen Rajah (3/48), Sechaba Gude (2/11), and Samuel Hughes (2/27).

The Tuskers’ Ben Hockly (58) led his team’s charge with another fine innings. This pushed his tournament total to 229 runs at an average of 76.3.

Gauteng will face the Tuskers in the final. The team won its semi-final against the Titans by 36 runs.

Ombesa Matsha (93) and Armaan Manack (61) laid the foundation for their team with a 113-run partnership for the second wicket, enabling them to post 291/6 in their allotted 50 overs.

Manack’s brother, Morteza (56), also scored a half-century before taking two wickets for just 31 runs. However, the best bowling performances for the winning team came from Jason Rowles (3/41) and Tahseen Hanslo (3/42).

The Titans‘ opening batsman, Reuben van Zyl (64), smashed his runs off just 39 deliveries before Hanslo rearranged his stumps. Had Van Zyl managed to score his third consecutive century in the City of Roses, the Titans would likely have played in the final.

Van Zyl boasts 350 runs in his team’s four matches so far in the tournament.

Eastern Province will face North West on the last day of the tournament in a promotion/relegation clash. The team from the Eastern Cape lost by 26 runs to Boland.

Boland’s Gideon du Toit (73*) remained unbeaten, while Luca Plekker (54) and Liam Basson (47) helped their team post 264/7 in their 50 overs.

EP’s Randy Syce (87) continued his fine form with the bat, but Taywin Adams (4/28) and Ryall Julies (2/20) caused havoc among his teammates.

North West’s Eduard Dreyer (151) scored the only century of the fourth day against Mpumalanga. The opener struck 16 fours and smashed three sixes over the boundary rope.

Mpumalanga were bowled out for 111, with Omphile Rangwaga (4/12) standing on a perfect hat-trick after dismissing Zeeshan Ebrahim (0) and Xavier Visagie (0) with the last two deliveries of the 26th over.

He had also removed Gavin Genis (12) with the first delivery of that over. Other bad news for EP is that South African u19 fast bowler Carl Fryer (2/10) is clearly firing on all cylinders.

Summarised Scorecards: 

Western Province 174 (Unathi Magoloza 32, Waco Bassick 30*, Sibahle Sigabi 25, Daniel Bosman 25, Qaeed Shaik 23; Rowen Rajah 3/48, Sechaba Gude 2/11, Samuel Hughes 2/27); Tuskers 178/4 (Ben Hockley 58, Daniel Nadasan 28, Ethan Muir 25*, Siphosethu Ngcobo 20, Extras 20; Paul James 1/15). Tuskers won by six wickets. 

Central Gauteng Lions 291/6 (Ombesa Matsha 93, Armaan Manack 61, Morteza Manack 56, Corné Botha 30*; Neoentle Makwela 1/30); Titans 255 (Reuben van Zyl 64, Vihan Pretorius 44, Rico van der Walt 37, Tshepang Laka 36, Darius Maritz 33, Lesedi Mabena 22; Jason Rowles 3/41, Tahseen Hanslo 3/42, Morteza Manack 2/31, Corné Botha 2/37). Central Gauteng Lions won by 36 runs. 

Boland 264/7 (Gideon du Toit 73*, Luca Plekker 54, Liam Basson 47, Extras 20; Daveric Petersen 1/50); Eastern Province 238 (Randy Syce 87, Myles Sansom 32, Dawid Vermaak 26, Samuel Scheckter 26, Cayden Wilson 25, Cullen Marais 23; Taywin Adams 4/28, Ryall Julies 2/20, Inam Bula 2/47). Boland won by 26 runs.  

Free State 213 (Henru de Wet 85, Aiden Dodd 37, Naudé Botha 25, FG Botha 25; Dayalan Boyce 4/36); Dolphins 195 (Seth Simpson 56, Bandile Mbatha 47; Cullen Kakora 3/41, Nikhil Sukraj 3/44, FG Botha /29). Free State won by 18 runs. 

CSA Invitational XI 291/7 (JP Botha 75, Corbin Tidbury 63, Noah Heath 49, Riley Miller 33, Enrique Strydom 26, Nkosana Sibiya 20; Abdullah Tadwala 4/46, Clayton Horlick 2/61); Easterns 272/7 (Kenan Shaw 58*, Clayton Horlick 46, Xavier Coetzee 45, Paul Matlala 38*, Nkosibonile Sibisi 27, Jaden Govender 26; Jalen Mannikam 2/36). CSA Invitational XI won by 19 runs. 

North West 287/9 (Eduard Dreyer 151, Prince Marumagae 25, Louis van Wyk 23, Olebogeng Scott 22, Henré Cronjé 20; Umair Cheema 3/31, Eduan Strydom 2/47); Mpumalanga 111 (Eduan Strydom 37, Extras 29; Omphile Rangwaga 4/12, Caiden Seleka 2/7, Carl Fryer 2/10, Henré Cronjé 2/14). North West won by 176 runs.  

Limpopo 222 (Stephan Swanepoel 58, Jannes van Zyl 37, Ruben Pohl 33, Rayyan Malji 32, Ntshuxeko Sebata 22; Faizaan Kajee 4/23, Nathan Baird 3/40, Hanru Rademeyer 2/59); Northern Cape 111 (Noah Breyl 27*, Faizaan Kajee 21, Extras 21); Timothy Baker 3/22, Stephan Swanepoel 3/27, Rito Rikhotso 2/25). Limpopo won by 111 runs.  

Eastern Cape Iinyathi 175 (Awonke Mgini 40, Aaron Senekal 37, Extras 29, Ingathi Mafanga 27; Shirwin Plaaitjies 3/15, Enathi Kitshini 3/25, Keano Coerecius 2/42); Garden Route Badgers 177/9 (Extras 45, Daniel du Plessis 40, Shirwin Plaaitjies 29*, Keano Coerecius 24; Jaun Nel 3/27, Lukhanyo Hlathuka 3/35). Garden Route Badgers won by one wicket. 

BLOEMFONTEIN. – Titans‘ opening batter Reuben van Zyl is in red-hot form.

Van Zyl struck his second consecutive century of the Khaya Majola Cricket Week with a superb 166 against Free State on the Johan Volsteedt Oval on Thursday.

His innings is the third-highest score in the history of the tournament. The record belongs to Free State‘s Rilee Rossouw, who smashed a whirlwind 182 against Kei in 2006.

Rossouw, who went on to play 36 One-Day Internationals for South Africa, played most of his school cricket on the very same Johan Volsteedt Oval.

Van Zyl shared an opening partnership of 81 runs with Tshepang Laka (14) before combining with Mohammad Rasool (67*) in a commanding 172-run stand for the second wicket to take control of the contest.

The Titans won the match by eight wickets to book a semi-final meeting with Gauteng.

Van Zyl’s innings lasted 114 deliveries and included 18 fours and eight sixes.

Free State would not have been too dissatisfied after posting 261/5 in their 50 overs, thanks to half-centuries from Aiden Dodd (78), Christian Kind (76) and FG Botha (55).

Defending champions Western Province remain unbeaten after their two-wicket victory over Boland. They will face the Tuskers in the other semi-final.

The Tuskers slipped into the semi-finals through the back door, with their three-wicket win over Eastern Province lifting their net run rate to 0.164.

That victory, coupled with the Dolphins‘ six-wicket defeat to Gauteng, meant the Dolphins, Tuskers and Eastern Province all finished level on four log points. The Tuskers progressed to the semi-finals on a better net run-rate.

Dolphins’ batter Seth Simpson‘s century (102) was not enough to secure a win for his side. Gauteng’s Armaan Manack (103) led his team’s and shared a 137-run second-wicket partnership with Ombesa Matsha (75).

Summarised Scorecards:  

Boland 183/9 (Francois Prins 48, Extras 39, Luca Plekker 33; Joshua Prince 3/41, Unathi Magoloza 2/13, Timothy Short 2/23, Michail Tarentaal 2/45); Western Province 184/8 (Qaeed  Shaik 82, Daniel Cooke 29, Michail Tarentaal 27; Taywin Cole 3/42, Mila Silamsi 2/18). Western Province won by two wickets. 

Free State 261/5 (Aiden Dodd 78, Christian Kind 76, FG Botha 55; Xander Venter 2/31); Titans 263/2 (Reuben van Zyl 166, Mohammad Rasool 67*; Bokang Mohasa 2/29). Titans won by eight wickets. 

Dolphins 258/6 (Seth Simpson 102, Ismaeel Omar 50, Kyle White 31, Bayanda Majola 28; Wade McQuinn 2/34, JJ Basson 2/40); Central Gauteng Lions 262/4 (Armaan Manack 103, Ombesa Matsha 75, Troy Gordon 45*). Central Gauteng Lions won by six wickets. 

Eastern Province 182 (Cayden Wilson 67, Daveric Petersen 33, Yaaseen Khazi 21; Reece Wilson 4/23, Kaiyuran Naidoo 3/21); Tuskers 183/7 (Thandolwethu Zama 46, Ethan Muir 30, Extras 30, Ben Hockley 22; Sulaymaan Gangat 3/33, Dawid Vermaak 2/43). Tuskers won by three wickets.  

CSA Invitational XI  247/9 (Riley Miller 69, Noah Heath 48, Bulumko Magatya 25, Jalen Mannikam 23, Taine Havemann 22; Prince Marumagae 3/56, Jahndré Coetzee 2/39, Olefa Padi 2/59); North West 122 (Louis van Wyk 46; Jalen Mannikam 3/28, Corbin Tidbury 2/12, Armin Snyman 2/34). CSA Invitational XI won by 125 runs. 

Eastern Iinyathi 159 (Extras 35, Linda Ambesa 27; Mahlodi Sekuba 4/39, Timothy Baker 3/15, Stephan Swanepoel 2/45); Limpopo 160/4 (Jannes van Zyl 61*, Luka Heinlein 40*, Stephan Swanepoel 25; Landile Gidi 2/29). Limpopo won by six wickets.  

Easterns 187 (Jaden Govender 70, Aiden Shaw 26, Clayton Horlick 25; Josh Karelse 3/32, Keano Coerecius 3/50, Shirwin Plaaitjies 2/21, Liviwe Bawulie 2/41); Garden Route Badgers 169 (Joof Enslin 51, Igcobe Khitshini 24, Kurt Botha 23; Paul Matlala 2/28, Kristian du Plessis 2/29, Abdullah Tadwala 2/29). Easterns won by 18 runs. 

Mpumalanga 218 (Janco Breyl 58, Extras 40, Herman Potgieter 39, Umar Badat 31, Zeeshan Ebrahim 25; Nathan Baird 4/57, Faizaan Kajee 2/25); Northern Cape 145 (Hanru Rademeyer 37, Nathan Baird 34*; Gavin Genis 3/14, Leam van Zyl 2/11, Xavier Visagie 2/26). Mpumalanga won by 73 runs. 

BLOEMFONTEIN. – Defending champions of the Khaya Majola Cricket Week, Western Province, booked their place in this year’s semi-finals here with a 111-run victory over the Titans.

WP’s Paul James (102) and Daniel Bosman (93) spearheaded their team’s win. The pair shared a 143-run partnership for the fourth wicket on the Johan Volsteedt Oval.

Titans’ opening batsman Reuben van Zyl (110) scored the bulk of his side’s 200 runs with his century.

All matches on the second day of the tournament were shortened due to a morning rain shower. The clash between North West and Limpopo could not take place at all.

The hosts, Free State, came unstuck against Boland on the Mangaung Oval, losing by three wickets. The home side was bowled out for just 89 runs, with Gideon du Toit (3/9) and Taywin Adams (2/21) doing most of the damage with the ball.

Free State’s Otto Krause, at least, had reason to smile after claiming four wickets for just 22 runs.

Ben Hockley’s (133*) unbeaten century for the Tuskers was not enough to inspire his team to victory over Gauteng. He and Thandolwethu Zama (36) shared an opening partnership of 109 runs.

Gauteng were in deep trouble at 51/5 before their lower-order batsmen, led by Wade McQuinn (54*), managed to guide the team over the line with seven deliveries to spare.

Tahseen Hanslo (33), Corné Botha (52) and Sipho Potsane (29) supported McQuinn well and also maintained a healthy strike rate.

Eastern Province kept their semi-final hopes alive by edging the Dolphins by three runs. William Beamish (51) and Daveric Petersen (75*) shared an 87-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Beamish (3/28) also played a significant role in the victory with the ball.

Northern Cape defeated the Garden Route Badgers by eight runs. The winning team’s Faizaan Kajee (4/14) ran through the South Cape side’s batting line-up.

SA u19 player Enathi Kitshini (4/22) put in a strong performance for the losing team.

Summarised Scorecards:  

Western Province 311/6 (Paul James 102, Daniel Bosman 93, Daniel Cooke 24, Joshua Prince 21; Keamogetswe Semenya 1/38); Titans 200/9 (Reuben van Zyl 110, Extras 20; Daniel Bosman 2/27, Joshua Prince 2/37). Western Province won by 111 runs.  

Free State 89 (Christian Kind 35; Gideon du Toit 3/9, Taywin Adams 2/21); Boland 91/7 (Francois Prins 23; Otto Krause 4/22, Cullen Kakora 2/41). Boland won by three wickets. 

Tuskers 223/3 (Ben Hockley 133*, Thandolwethu Zama 36, Ethan Muir 23; Morteza Manack 1/21); Central Gauteng Lions 224/8 (Wade McQuinn 54*, Corné Botha 52, Sipho Potsane 29, Morteza Manack 23; Samuel Hughes 2/15, Rowen Rajah 2/31). Central Gauteng Lions won by two wickets. 

Eastern Province 208/6 (Daveric Petersen 75*, William Beamish 51, Dawid Vermaak 36*; Dayalan Boyce 2/27, Bandile Mbatha 2/47); Dolphins 205 (Ethan Cooper 57, Ismaeel Omar 33, Extras 30, Bonga Mapanga 27*, Seth Simpson 24, Josh van Biljon 20; William Beamish 3/28, Sulaymaan Gangat 3/34, Tylo Maleiba 3/36). Eastern Province won by three runs. 

Northern Cape 113 (Thidiso Mpofu 22, Extras 21; Enathi Kitshini 4/22, Daniel Venter 2/7); Garden Route Badgers 105 (Keano Coerecius 24, Extras 23; Faizaan Kajee 4/14, Tebogo Mgobo 2/21, Nathan Baird 2/23). Northern Cape won by eight runs.  

CSA Invitation XI 281/8 (Nkosana Sibiya 52, Bulumko Magatya 48, Corbin Tidbury 48, Riley Miller 45, Extras 41, Munib Ayob 20*; Lihlumile Ncukana 3/45, AJ Durrheim 2/63); Eastern Cape Iinyathi 78 (Aaron Senekal 30; Armin Snyman 3/12, Munib Ayob 2/13, Taine Havemann 2/18). CSA Invitational XI won by 203 runs. 

Easterns 143 (Xavier Coetzee 56, Paul Matlala 20; Herman Potgieter 3/17, Zeeshan Ebrahim 2/22, Leam van Zyl 2/31); Mpumalanga 147/8 (Mfundo Mthimunye 45, Bulelani Mugevu 37, Extras 21; Kristian du Plessis 2/13, Paul Matlala 2/22). Mpumalanga won by two wickets. 

The match between North West and Limpopo was abandoned without a ball being bowled. 

BLOEMFONTEIN – No fewer than five centuries were recorded on the opening day of the Khaya Majola Cricket Week, which got off to a spectacular start in Bloemfontein.

Andrew Sobiech (Free State), Daniel Cooke (Western Province), Francois Prins (Boland), Daniel du Plessis (Garden Route Badgers) and Xavier Coetzee (Easterns) all began the tournament in the best possible fashion with hundreds on day one.

Western Province cruised to a convincing nine-wicket victory over the hosts, Free State, thanks to an unbeaten 151-run partnership for the second wicket between Daniel Cooke (104*) and Paul James (62*). Cooke faced just 83 deliveries, striking nine fours and two sixes in a dominant knock.

For Free State, Andrew Sobiech (103) anchored the innings with a well-compiled century.

Boland‘s Francois Prins (121) guided his side to a solid 231/8 in their 50 overs. The Titans were on 187/5 when play was halted due to lightning. After the application of the Duckworth-Lewis method, the Titans were awarded a 27-run victory.

The highest individual score of the day belonged to Daniel du Plessis, who struck a superb 132 for the Garden Route Badgers. He shared a 121-run opening partnership with Igcobe Kitshini (50) against Mpumalanga, helping the Southern Cape side to 282/6 in their allotted overs. Mpumalanga’s Eduan Strydom (4/60) was the standout with the ball.

The Garden Route Badgers eventually claimed an 88-run victory via the DLS method.

The first century of the tournament was recorded by Xavier Coetzee (103) of the Eastern Storm, as his side powered to a massive 232-run win over Northern Cape.

Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) Invitational XI‘s Corbin Tidbury (5/18) was in devastating form in his team’s nine-wicket victory over Limpopo. Tidbury captained Eastern Province at last week’s CSA u16 Week, where he walked away with the awards for Bowler of the Tournament and All-Rounder of the Tournament.

Gauteng’s Jason Rowles (51), supported by Troy Gordon (22), helped his side withstand a strong challenge from Eastern Province. Gauteng eventually emerged victorious by just five runs under the DLS system.

For the losing side, Randy Syce (82) and William Beamish (50) stood out with the bat.

Summarised Scorecards: 

Eastern Province 254/6 (Randy Syce 82, William Beamish 50, Rhys Wiblin 45, Extras 43; Wade McQuinn 3/36); Central Gauteng Lions 175/5 (Jason Rowles 51, Wade McQuinn 31, Troy Gordon 22; Dawid Vermaak 2/24). Central Gauteng Lions won by five runs (D/L-method).  

Free State 199 (Andrew Sobiech 103, Aiden Dodd 28; Daniel Bosman 3/57, Michael Kruiskamp 2/19); Western Province 200/1 (Daniel Cooke 104*, Paul James 62*; Andrew Sobiech 1/32). Western Province won by nine wickets. 

Tuskers 234/8 (Thandolwethu Zama 79, Samuel Hughes 28, Daniel Nadasan 27, Sphamandla Dzanibe 26; Bayanda Majola 3/43, Tristan Delvin 2/40); Dolphins 235/3 (Ismaeel Omar 75*, Bandile Mbatha 60, Josh van Biljon 59, Extras 20; Ethan Muir 2/41). Dolphins won by seven wickets. 

Boland 231/8 (Francois Prins 121, Gideon du Toit 29, Liam Basson 21; Neoentle Makwela 3/53, Keamogetswe Semenya 2/43); Titans 187/5 (Vihan Pretorius 38, Lesedi Mabena 34*, Mohammad Rasool 30*, Timothy Gordon 30, Rico van der Walt 25, Extras 20). Titans won by 27 runs (D/L-method). 

Garden Route Badgers 282/6 (Daniel du Plessis 132, Igcobe Kitshini 50, Extras 34, Simgunzi Blou 25; Eduan Strydom 4/60, Zeeshan Ebrahim 2/48); Mpumalanga 166/8 (Mfundo Mthimunye 49, Janco Breyl 34, Nhlakanipo Mosehlane 22; Enathi Kitshini 3/20, Simgunzi Blou 2/18, Liviwe Bawulie 2/30). Garden Route Badgers won by 88 runs (D/L-method).  

Eastern Cape Iinyathi 175 (Juan Nel 68, Awonke Mgini 45; Prince Marumagae 3/17, Jahndre Coetzee 3/22); North West 176/5 (Olebogeng Scott 55, Christivan Coetzer 27, Louis van Wyk 23, Themba Sontjane 22; AJ Durrheim 2/11. Awonke Mgini 2/57). North West won by five wickets.  

Easterns 313/6 (Xavier Coetzee 103, Clayton Horlick 80, Nkosibonile Sibisi 50, Stephan Vermaak 35, Extras 23); Northern Cape 81 (Nathan Baird 19; Abdullah Tadwala 4/13, Kristian du Plessis 2/6, Paul Matlala 2/21). Easterns won by 232 runs. 

Limpopo 84 (Jannes van Zyl 24; Corbin Tidbury 5/18, Munib Ayob 2/15); CSA Invitational 86/1 (Nkosana Sibiya 26*, JP Botha 25*). CSA Invitational won by nine wickets.  

Dit is vanjaar weer ‘n verkiesingsjaar in SA Skole-rugby.

Daar sal na vandag se verkiesing tydens die Suid-Afrikaanse Skolerugby-vereniging (SASRV) se jaarvergadering in Kaapstad ‘n nuwe voorsitter aan stuur van die vereniging staan.

Die huidige voorsitter, Noel Ingle (Glenwood Preparatory) tree af na hy aan die einde van 2015 leiding van die SASRV oorgeneem het. Tinus Diedericks (Northcliff High, Leeus) en Kervin Grove (Kraaifontein High School, Western Province) is die twee nominasies wat dit om die postitel sal uitspook.

Dit sal ook die eerste keer in meer as ‘n dekade wees wat die SASRV deur ‘n voorsitter vanuit die hoërskole gely word. Voor Ingle het Thys Bezuidenhout (Laerskool Bekker) en Lindsay Mould (Grey Kollege Primër) die organisasie gelei. Skolerugby op hoërskoolvlak het sedertdien ‘n gedaantewisseling ondergaan.

Diedericks is tans die tesourier van die SASRV asook voorsitter van die Goue Leeus Skolerugby-vereniging asook die Noordvaal skolerugby-vereniging. Laasgenoemde het onder die leierskap van Diedericks die afgelope drie jaar van krag-tot-krag gegaan.

Grove beklee tans die pos as sekretaris van die SASRV.

Albei die ondervoorsitters, Katiso Mosioua (hoërskole) en Granville Joseph (laerskole), sal onbestrede herkies word.

In die pos vir sekretaris sal Shirese Jordaan (Oostelike Provinsie) en Francin September (Boland) saam met Grove staan indien hy nie as voorsitter verkies word nie.

Diedericks is ook steeds beskikbaar as tesourier indien hy nie die voorsitterstoel inneem nie. Dean Moodley (Kearsney College) is die enigste ander nominasie vir dié pos.

Moodley is tans ‘n addisionele lid saam met Ofentse Moeng (St Alban’s College). Rodney Thomas (Suidwestelike Distrikte) is ook genomineer om een van die twee poste te beklee.

Die ses SA Skole-keurders sal ook natuurlik tydens die vergadering verkies word. Vier van die huidige keurders Henkie Green (Boland), Gerald Pyoos (Glenwood Prep), Janse van der Ryst (Queen’s College) en Ruan Jacobs (Affies) het hulself weer verkiesbaar gestel.

Onder die nuwe nominasies is Bobby Joubert (Grey College), Johan du Toit (Hoërskool Durbanville), Jaco Janse van Rensburg (Outeniqua) en Walt Bohme (Hoërskool Oudtshoorn).

Keurders wat reeds bereik het wat hul wou as afrigters op skoolvlak en nie meer met werwing van spelers vir hul onderskeie skole betrokke is nie, maak gewoonlik betroubare keurders wat die stelsel dien.

The defending champions of the annual Wildeklawer Diamantveld T20 tournament, Hoërskool Garsfontein, started off their 2025 campaign with an emphatic 110-run victory over Outeniqua in their opening match.

The Ysbere from Pretoria posted a solid 171/5 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to contributions by Riaan Boshoff (39*), Xander Venter (31), Reuben van Zyl (28) and Righardt Joubert (27).

Captain Venter (3/13) and Reinard Niebuhr (4/13) then caused problems with Outeniqua’s batting line-up, bowling them out for only 62 runs.

The champions of 2023, Potchefstroom Volkskool, also started their campaign off with a solid victory of 47 runs over Helpmekaar Kollege. Volkies recorded 182/7 in their allotted overs with Louis van Wyk (65) and Riekert Kruger (61) weighing in with half-centuries.

Van Wyk and Kruger shared a 96-run partnership over the second wicket to lay the foundation for the victory. Helpies reached a respectable 135/6 thanks to Zuan Joubert (38) and Sebastian Kloek (36) getting proper starts.

Potch Volkies lost against Garsfontein in last year’s final in Kimberley by 41 runs.

Paarl Boys’ High will definitely also be a title contender this year. They started their tournament in the City of Diamonds off with a commanding 73-run victory over Parel Vallei from Somerset West.

Boishaai’s Ullrich Drotschie (63*) and AB Jacobs (63) top-scoring with half-centuries. The team from Paarl reached 192/4 in their 20 overs with Jacobs and Daniel Franke (34) sharing a 94-run partnership from only 52 deliveries over the second wicket.

Drotschie and Aden Batt (9*) had an unbeaten 63-run partnership over the fifth wicket.

Summarised Scorecards:

Diamantveld 70/8 (Francois Holtzhausen 25, Ruben Viljoen 16*; Francois Prins 2/12, Gunther Schmidt 2/14); Boland Landbou 74/4 (Matthew Geldenhuys 18; Hanru Rademeyer 2/23). Boland Landbou won by six wickets.

Paarl Boys’ High 192/4 (Ullrich Drotschie 63*, AB Jacobs 63, Daniel Franke 34); Parel Vallei 119/8 (Sevi Barlow 24, Ruben du Plessis 21; Reese Petersen 3/16, Schalk van der Merwe 2/10). Paarl Boys’ High won by 73 runs.

Garsfontein 171/5 (Riaan Boshoff 39*, Xander Venter 31, Reuben van Zyl 28, Righardt Joubert 27; Kobus Boshoff 2/19, Nathan Best 2/32); Outeniqua 62 (Hanno Swart 22; Reinard Niebuhr 4/13, Xander Venter 3/13). Garsfontein won by 110 runs.

Potchefstroom Volkskool 182/7 (Louis van Wyk 65, Riekert Kruger 61, Eduan van der Merwe 20; Zuan Joubert 2/34, Rudolph Odendaal 2/41); Helpmekaar 135/6 (Zuan Joubert 38, Sebastian Kloek 36, Dominic Tait 22; Eduan van der Merwe 2/19, Olefa Padi 2/25). Potchefstroom Volkskool won by 47 runs.

Monument 99 (André van Niekerk 31*; Renquin Goliath 4/26, Logan Fleetwood 3/11); Framesby 101/4 (Dandré Henwick 23*; Zian Maritz 3/20). Framesby won by six wickets.

The defending champions of the annual u17 Interprovincial Sevens tournament, South Western Districts, did not manage to come out unscathed in their pool matches on the opening day of this year’s event.

They lost by 17-26 against Griqualand West in their second pool match. They did however, beat the Leopards (26-19) and Boland II (31-19) to secure their place in the quarterfinal.

This year’s tournament is hosted at Trappes Park in Worcester by HTS Drostdy.

The slip-up against Griquas did set them up with a tough encounter for the quarterfinal against the Blue Bulls.

The Bulls won their group by coming out on top against the Griffons (29-28), Wynland Invitational (17-12) and Eastern Province (35-22).

The Purple People Eaters finished second in this pool despite losing their encounter against the Wynland Invitational by 17-19, thanks to a better points difference.

The most successful team since the inaugural tournament, the Free State, didn’t manage to reach the quarterfinals of the main draw. They will now have set their sights on being crowned Bowl-champions.

The Golden Lions and Boland reached the quarterfinals for the Cup-section in Pool C. The Lions will face Western Province in a clash that will be titanic in the next round. Boland will face Namibia in the other quarterfinal.

Three provinces are not in attendance – KwaZulu-Natal (last year’s runners-up), Valke and Border. Hopefully these unions get their affairs in order to support this tournament in future.

All the Results | Day 1 

Pool A: South Western Districts 26, Leopards 19; Griqualand West 24, Boland II 10; Griqualand West 26, South Western Districts 17; Boland II 35, Leopards 17; South Western Districts 31, Boland II 19; Griqualand West 35, Leopards 22.

Pool B: Western Province 29, Pumas 7; Namibia 10, Limpopo Blue Bulls 5; Western Province 19, Limpopo Blue Bulls 17; Pumas 19, Namibia 19; Western Province 31, Namibia 19; Limpopo Blue Bulls 14, Pumas 12.

Pool  C: Golden Lions 21, Free State 14; Boland 38, West Coast Invitational 5; Boland 29, Free State 29; Golden Lions 45, West Coast Invitational 0; Free State 53, West Coast Invitational 5; Boland 31, Golden Lions 26.

Pool  D: Blue Bulls 29, Griffons 28; Eastern Province 28, Wynland Invitational 21; Griffons 17, Eastern Province 7; Blue Bulls 17, Wynland Invitational 12; Wynland Invitational 19, Griffons 17; Blue Bulls 35, Eastern Province 22.

The annual Champion of Champions tournament of the High School Sevens Series, proudly sponsored by Toyota, will take place in Potchefstroom from Friday.

The defending champions, Grey College of Bloemfontein, will be in attendance to defend their title. The school hosted the previous two Champion of Champions tournaments in the City of Roses.

They will face Dale College, Jeppe High School for Boys, Hoërskool Rustenburg and the Forward Foundation in their four pool matches in this year’s competition.

Grey College defeated Monument of Krugersdorp by 31-21 in last year’s final.

Monument is also in attendance and will face Diamantveld, Fichardtpark, Potchefstroom Gimnasium and Hentie Cilliers in Pool D.

In Pool B, Helpmekaar Kollege and Welkom Gimnasium could emerge as title contenders. Other schools within this pool are Westville Boys’ High, Merensky and Wesvalia.

The Pools: 

Pool A: Grey College, Dale College, Jeppe High School for Boys, Hoërskool Rustenburg, Forward Foundation.
Pool B: Westville Boys’ High, Wesvalia, Helpmekaar, Merensky, Welkom Gimnasium.
Pool C: Sentraal, Potchefstroom Volkskool, Witteberg, Northwood, Waterkloof.
Pool D: Fichardtpark, Diamantveld, Potchefstroom Gimnasium, Monument, Hentie Cilliers.

The Fixtures

Friday, 19 September 2025

A-Field

16:20 – Jeppe High School for Boys vs Grey College; 16:40 – Helpmekaar vs Westville Boys’ High; 17:00 – Northwood vs Sentraal; 17:20 – Monument vs Fichardtpark; 17:40 – Forward Foundation vs Hoërskool Rustenburg; 18:00 – Merensky vs Welkom Gimnasium; 18:20 – Witteberg vs Waterkloof; 18:40 – Potchefstroom Gimnasium vs Hentie Cilliers; 19:00 – Dale College vs Forward Foundation; 19:20 – Wesvalia vs Merensky; 19:40 – Potchefstroom Volkskool vs Witteberg; 20:00 – Diamantveld vs Potchefstroom Gimnasium.

C-Field 

16:20 – Hoërskool Rustenburg vs Dale College; 16:40 – Welkom Gimnasium vs Wesvalia; 17:00 – Waterkloof vs Potchefstroom Volkskool; 17:20 – Hentie Cilliers vs Diamantveld; 17:40 – Dale College vs Jeppe High School for Boys; 18:00 – Wesvalia vs Helpmekaar; 18:20 – Potchefstroom Volkskool vs Northwood; 18:40 – Diamantveld vs Monument; 19:00 – Hoërskool Rustenburg vs Grey College; 19:20 – Welkom Gimnasium vs Westville Boys’ High; 19:40 – Waterkloof vs Sentraal; 20:00 – Hentie Cilliers vs Fichardtpark.

Saturday, 20 September 2025 

A-Field

09:20 – Grey College vs Dale College; 09:40 – Westville Boys’ High vs Wesvalia; 10:00 – Sentraal vs Potchefstroom Volkskool; 10:20 – Fichardtpark vs Diamantveld; 10:40 – Jeppe High School for Boys vs Hoërskool Rustenburg; 11:00 – Helpmekaar vs Welkom Gimnasium; 11:20 – Northwood vs Waterkloof; 11:40 – Monument vs Hentie Cilliers.

B-field 

09:20 – Jeppe High School for Boys vs Forward Foundation; 09:40 – Merensky vs Helpmekaar; 10:00 – Witteberg vs Northwood; 10:20 – Potchefstroom Gimnasium vs Monument; 10:40 – Grey College vs Forward Foundation; 11:00 – Westville Boys’ High vs Merensky; 11:20 – Sentraal vs Witteberg; 11:40 – Fichardtpark vs Potchefstroom Gimnasium.

Results

[ninja_tables id=”79182″]

Players: Ethan Adams, Xander Smit, Darius Erwee, Lamla Mgedezi, Adem Nieuwoudt, Benjamin van den Berg, O’Ryan Klein, AJ Meyer, Tian Fourie, Toriq Schambreel, Claude Steyn, Alexi Tyropollis, Eddie Mabena, Siyabonga Kenny, Sherwin Buys, Thristan Maree, Marinus Ooshuizen, JG Badenhorst, David Hayidakis, AJ Hendriks, Bernard Wessels, AJ Booysen, Steven Muller, Prestan Bennett, Jan-Hendrik van der Linden.

Coaches: Jannie Geldenhuys and Tiaan Liebenberg.

20 or more points in a match 

21 – Darius Erwee vs Selborne College (1 try, 8 conversions)
21 – Darius Erwee vs Helpmekaar (1 try, 8 conversions)
20 – Darius Erwee vs Garsfontein (1 try, 6 conversions, 1 penalty)

3 or more tries in a match: 

3 – Thristan Maree vs Selborne College
3 – O’Ryan Kleyn vs Selborne College
3 – Lamla Mgedezi vs Noordheuwel
3 – Xander Smit vs Jeppe High School for Boys

Point Scorers

115 – Darius Erwee (4 tries, 43 conversions, 3 penalties)
34 – O’Ryan Klein (4 tries, 7 conversions)
30 – Jan-Hendrik van der Linden (1 try, 11 conversions, 1 penalty)

Try Scorers

16 – Lamla Mgedezi
11 – Ethan Adams, Xander Smit
9 – Thristan Maree
6 – AJ Meyer, JG Badenhorst, Benjamin van den Berg, Sherwin Buys
5 – Alexi Tyropollis
4 – Darius Erwee, O’Ryan Klein, Eddie Mabena
3 – Toriq Schambreel, Tiaan Fourie
2 – Adem Nieuwoudt, Steven Muller, Preston Bennett, AJ Hendriks
1 – Siyabonga Kenny, Claude Steyn, Bernard Wessels, AJ Booysen, Jan-Hendrik van der Linden, Penalty Try

Die Kovsiestreekkompetisie se Irawa-liga is een van die opwindenste ligas in Suid-Afrikaanse skolerugby.

Ja die liga is feitlik slegs twee weke lank, maar die spanne wat aan die liga deelneem speel meestal opwindende rugby. Die feit dat meeste van die spanne vanuit die platteland van die Noord-Kaap en Vrystaat kom dra gewis ook by tot die romantiek van hierdie liga.

Vanjaar se twee spanne in die eindstryd, Wilgerivier van Frankfort en Hoërskool Prieska, het boonop verlede week ‘n ruskans in die halfeindronde geniet. So die twee spanne behoort slaggereed en uitgerus vir Saterdag se eindstryd op Shimlapark in Bloemfontein te wees.

Prieska as die Griekwa se mediumskole-kampioen moes teen St Andrews van Bloemfontein in die halfeindronde te staan kom. Saints wat in die Vrystaatse B-liga teen Hoërskool Bloemfontein die knie gebuig het, het na die nederlaag besluit dat dit wyser sou wees van die reeks vir vanjaar te onttrek.

Die feit dat Saints se krieketspan hierdie naweek ook aan die jaarlikse Fasken-toernooi van St David’s Marist in Johannesburg deelneem, het waarskynlik ook ‘n deurslaggewende rol in die besluit gespeel.

Hoërskool Bloemfontein sal vandag in die streekkompetisie se Colt-liga eindstryd teen St Annes in aksie wees.

Prieska het in die Griekwa-eindstryd vir De Aar met 36-27 die loef afgesteek.

Wilgerivier moes teen De Aar in sy halfeindstryd in Welkom kragte meet. Die span vanuit die Noord-Kaap moes egter onttrek na die tragiese afsterwe van een van sy spelers, AJ Samson.

Hy het by ‘n trapreëling by die skool afgegly en geval ‘n dag voor sy span se eindstryd teen Prieska. Hy is die Dinsdag na die eindstryd oorlede.

Die Wilgies het hul plek in die uitspeelrondes van die reeks met ‘n klinkende sege van 51-14 oor Ficksburg in die Vrystaatse Platteland-eindstryd bespreek. Wilgerivier is oor die jare heen die mees suksesvolste span in die Irawa-liga en sal vanjaar ook as gunsteling op die veld draf.

Die span van Frankfort sal wel goed bewus wees van wat Prieska se losskakel, Aidan Gadeija, kan verwag. Hy was vroeër vanjaar een van die Griekwas se staatmakers tydens die Cravenweek vir hoërskole in Middelburg. Hy het tydens die toernooi nie gesukkel om die Poubloues se teenstanders se verdediging te ontsluit nie.

Die spanne is: 

Wilgerivier: 15 Tlhompo Motsapi, 14 SJ Naudé, 13 Phaladi Matsole, 12 Wessel Bibbey, 11 Kenneth Sumner, 10 Pedri Graaff, 9 Craydon Bibbey, 8 Rohan de Beer, 7 Tshepo Nyause, 6 Paseka Motsoeneng, 5 John Stadler, 4 Drihan Engelbrecht, 3 Jannie Havenga, 2 DP Erasmus, 1 HJ Pelster.

Prieska: 15 Dino Maliqua, 14 Rowan Arries, 13 Armstong Zenani, 12 Denvin Beukes, 11 Logan Klaaste, 10 Aidan Gadeija, 9 Shumandre May, 8 Willem Oosthuizen, 7 Chaden Kasper, 6 Calib Makaleni, 5 Clyde Rooifontein, 4 Jayden Julies, 3 Ayin Fourie, 2 JJ van der Berg, 1 FC van Vuuren.

Afskop: 13:25