Author: ralsty

Grey High School delivered an impeccable display of rugby, with hooker Jon Hobson picking up a hattrick of tries, to help his side to an impressive 21-point victory over East London’s Selborne College on Saturday in Gqeberha.

The final score read 48-27 to the hosts, who enjoyed playing in front of a packed home crowd on Kolisi Field.

Rewatch all of the action on SuperSport School (www.supersportschools.com)

After last year’s close encounter, which Selborne edged 12-10, Grey was not going to be left wondering on the field named after the two-time World Cup-winning Springbok captain and old boy. They delivered a clinical performance to put the result beyond doubt.

At half-time, Grey led 33-17 after stringing together some impressive offensive plays. Selborne, too, had their moments, but the home team enjoyed a sizeable advantage heading into the second stanza.

Three try-scorer Hobson was well supported by flyhalf Meyer Prinsloo and Luke de Villiers, who went over twice each for five-pointers, and Prinsloo added four conversions for a personal match haul of 18 points.

Selborne’s scrumhalf Page Fennell partnered well with inside centre Siya Sakhele as the duo excelled for the visitors. Throughout the match, they worked well in tandem to challenge Grey’s defences. Fennell also converted three out of his five opportunities at poles, which included one penalty.

Meanwhile, Hudson Park High School handed Dale College a 24-17 loss. The visitors from Qonce came close to edging past Hudson, but the hosts held their nerve and clung on to claim victory.

The first half of the match was dominated by the home team, who crossed for three tries in quick succession to take a commanding 17-5 lead into the break.

Graeme College hurtled to a 19-point win over Muir College Boys’ High School, winning 38-19. Muir showed good fighting spirit, but Graeme led for most of the match and ultimately won convincingly.

Lock Ayola Mali picked up two tries for Graeme and was a force at the breakdowns, clearing out defenders with ferocious determination.

Muir bounced back well after half-time to score an additional 14 points, but Graeme was always in the driver’s seat and controlled the pace and tempo of the match. Their second half haul was an additional 21 points, with their forward pack spearheading that effort.

Point Scorers

Grey High School 48 (33) – Tries: Jon Hobson (3), Meyer Prinsloo (2), Luke de Villiers (2), Ross Atkinson. Conversions: Meyer Prinsloo (4). Selborne College 27 (17) – Tries: Siyamthanda Sakhela, Anjolauluwa Sogbanmu, Luke McGregor, Joshua Cloete. Conversions: Page Fennell (2). Penalties: Page Fennell.

Hudson Park High School 24 (17) – Tries: Dante Mey (2), Linamandla Sonjani, Siyamthanda Klass. Conversions: Landile Gidi (2). Dale College 17 (3) – Tries: Ebenezer Sarpong, Lakhanya Mbewu. Conversions: Angalakha Makwabe (2). Penalties: Angalakha Makwabe.

Graeme College 38 (17) – Tries: Ayola Mali (2), Fumani Baloyi, Ayamila Bill, Xolisa Mdyesha, Inathi Planga. Conversions: Cameron Doyle (4). Muir College Boys’ High School 19 (5) – Tries: Tyler Jansen, Chuma Bloouw, Rirhandzo Wagener. Conversions: Bulumko Kilani (2).

A fixture that dates back nearly a century in the Eastern Cape is set for a classic clash on the famous Kolisi Field when Grey High School hosts Selborne College in their annual derby day fixture on Saturday at 15:00.

Catch all the action live on SuperSport Schools and SuperSport Schools on DStv Channel 216.

Both schools started playing rugby in the late 1880s, but travel was not a simple task back then, so their first official game had to wait until 1926. Since then, there have been many memorable matches.

In 2014, a heart-stopping 20-18 victory to Grey followed a 45-0 romp for the Gqeberha boys the previous year. Last year, in a low-scoring clash, Selborne won 12-10. Grey had claimed a high-scoring 32-26 victory the previous year.

From 2000 to 2008, Grey was unbeaten against Selborne, winning all of those matches, both home and away, which was an impressive feat when one considers how much talent has passed through both schools.

Recent results this season make Saturday’s showdown a difficult game to call. Last weekend, Selborne fired on all cylinders and stormed to a big 63-5 win over Dale College. The week before, however, they went down to Queen’s College, losing 6-18.

Grey High had the toughest of challenges last Saturday, facing Grey College in Bloemfontein, where they gave a good account of themselves in a 27-41 loss. They, in fact, led for a large portion of the match. The weekend before that, less impressively, they fell 17-19 against Framesby, a good team, but not in Grey College’s league.

Grey High School is skippered by wing Lavela Pongolo, whose blistering pace down the sidelines has left many defenders in his wake this season. It’s his leadership, though, that has captured the attention of fans. Pongolo, hooker Jon Hobson, and lock Likona Sodlaka, all represented Eastern Province at the Stadio Craven Week this year.

Flank Gcina Puzi wears the captain’s armband for Selborne College. He’s been a regular try scorer this season, capitalising on Selborne’s momentum up front to get across the whitewash.

The East London school had six of their players selected for the Border Schools side, with backline players Chad de Beyer and Anjolauluwa Sogbanmu being joined by forwards Robert John-Osunkwo, Luke Stegmann, Andrew de Smidt and Luke McGregor in the provincial team.

How much will Grey’s visit to Bloemfontein have taken out of the Gqeberha school’s tank ahead of Selborne’s visit? That’s one of the key questions to be answered on Saturday. Of course, playing on Kolisi Field favours the home side, but derbies are not known to be the most predictable of contests.

FIXTURES

u14A: 9:00 – Grey High School vs Selborne College (Kolisi Field)
u15A: 10:10 – Grey High School vs Selborne College (Kolisi Field)
u16A: 11:20 – Grey High School vs Selborne College (Kolisi Field)
u19C: 12:30 – Grey High School vs Selborne College (Kolisi Field)
u19B: 13:40 – Grey High School vs Selborne College (Kolisi Field)
u19A: 15:00 – Grey High School vs Selborne College (Kolisi Field)

TEAMS

Grey High School: 15 Meyer Prinsloo, 14 Lavela Pongolo, 13 Kyle Callaghan, 12 Dylan Garrod, 11 Luc de Villiers, 10 Adam Holmboe, 9 Ray-Dylan Wilkinson, 8 Caylum Jansen, 7 Mpumelelo Magwaza, 6 Caylum Jansen, 5 Likona Sodlaka, 4 Blayton Ward, 3 Ross Atkinson, 2 Jon Hobson, 1 Evan Mucka.

Selborne College: 15 Ollie Schmidt, 14 Daniel Breetzke, 13 Cole Schonknecht, 12 Siyamthanda Sakhela, 11 Anjolauluwa Sogbanmu, 10 Chad de Beyer, 9 Page Fennell, 8 Joshua Cloete, 7 Gcina Puzi, 6 Liam Hansen, 5 Andrew de Smidt, 4 Thabo Sonamzi, 3 Luke Stegmann, 2 Luke McGregor, 1 Robert John-Osunkwo.

King Edward VII (KES) beat Maritzburg College 47-21, with left-wing Haniel Monkoti crossing for four tries to secure an important win for the Red Army on Saturday in Johannesburg.

It is thought that Monkoti’s 22 tries are a KES record, but some of the older record-keeping makes matters a little murky.

Rewatch all of the action on SuperSport School (www.supersportschools.com)

It was a tough challenge for Maritzburg College, who travelled up to Gauteng for a second weekend in succession. They had a few injuries in their ranks, while SA Schools’ loose-forward Kebotile Maake sat out for KES because of an ankle injury.

Monkoti’s magic, though, was a deciding factor in the battle between two of South Africa’s fiercest competitors. He took full advantage of a side that struggled to find its legs in the first half, which left the Red, Black and White trailing 0-19 with only 20 minutes played.

Monkoti raced in for two tries in rapid succession down the left-hand side, which were followed by scrumhalf Regan McGurk bursting away down the middle of the field to score under the posts.

One of the hallmarks of Monkoti’s exceptional try scoring record has been his partnership with flyhalf Vusi Moyo. Many of his tries have come from the Moyo’s bullet skip pass, which is testament to the wing’s good hands. Like peanut butter and jam on toast, the duo has proved itself a winning combination.

College’s first points came from Ntsika Mkhize, who chased down a ball that had been charged down and pounced on it in the in-goal area to grab a try. At half-time, though, the visitors trailed 7-26.

KES, then, padded their lead early in the second half, before College hit back with a powerful scrum, which put scrumhalf Rayke Maartens in for an easy five-pointer. James Slevin added the extras, leaving the Red Army in a 33-14 lead.

Soon, Monkoti darted through College’s defences to notch his fourth try of the match, which gave him the KES try-scoring record. The conversion was an easy one and the home team was cruising at 40-14.

The KES coaches said whether or not Monkoti holds the record is not that important in a team game. What matters is that he a good, humble young man who deserves the accolades that he has received.

Nkululeko Sithole scored a consolation try for College, but by then the result had long ago been decided.

For KES, their SA Schools’ flyhalf Vusi Moyo orchestrated the backline with precision, directing play with crisp passes and strategic kicks. The number 10 converted four tries before being rested in the second half.

The fixture list did not help College. Making two long trips to Gauteng on successive weekends, ferrying 700 boys, is quite some task, and a rethink about such demands is probably on the cards.

Down the road, Jeppe High School for Boys was dominant against Parktown Boys’ High School, cantering to a 69-7 win in their final match of the season on Collard Field.

With eight different players scoring tries, it was a points’ fest for the black and white. Inside centre Khuthadzo Rasivhaga notched a hattrick, ripping apart Parktown’s defences, while wing Leruo Dithagiso crossed for a brace. The referee also awarded Jeppe a penalty try.

In the first half, the hosts eased into a 31-point lead. After the break, they were brutal, maintaining their intensity as they took the game to Parktown.

The visitors, at least, managed a second half try from lock Kingsley Okonkwo and flyhalf Kelvin Kotey added a conversion to prevent a shutout.

Point Scorers

KES 47 (19) – Tries: Haniel Monkoti (4), Regan McGurk, Olunje Mehlomakulu, Chinedu Amadi. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (4), Andrew Jackson (2). Maritzburg College 21 (7) – Tries: Rayke Maartens, Nkululeko Sithole. Ntsika Mkhize. Conversions: James Slevin (2), Jordan Thackeray.

Jeppe 69 (31) – Tries: Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (3), Leruo Dithagiso (2), Risima Khosa, Nathan Claasen, Sanele Simelane, Luca Trevisan, Talent Sithole, Penalty try. Conversions: Matthew Coetzee (6), McMillen Mongwana. Parktown 7 (0) – Try: Kingsley Okonkwo. Conversion: Kelvin Kotey.

Affies’ hooker Ethan Van Dyk delivered a massive performance to help drive the visitors to big a 48-5 victory over their city rivals Pretoria Boys High School in their annual derby.

The number two scored three tries during Saturday’s second half on Brooks Field and tallied an incredible five for the match.

Van Dyk was also the instigator of many of his tries, with his pinpoint lineout throwing setting up driving mauls from which he was driven over the try line.

Rewatch all of the action on SuperSport Schools. 

Boys High put in some strong hits in the early going in an attempt to slow the visitors’ momentum. Tension boiled like a kettle on a stove. Bit it was the Wit Bulle who drew first blood with a well-executed lineout and strong driving maul, a feature of Affies’ play on the day, putting Van Dyk over for his first score.

It appeared like déjà vu when Van Dyk crossed for another five points, with the accurate boot of flyhalf Ruben Pienaar pinning Boys High in a corner to create the try-scoring opportunity for Affies.

Then, with brute force, Affies’ lock JD Hattingh drove through the defensive line and powered over for the visitors’ third five-pointer to ensure they went into the break with momentum on their side. They led 17-0, with Pienaar successful with only one of his three conversion attempts.

The Candies’ coach Paul Anthony must have shared some inspirational words with his charges during the break because soon after the restart Boys High scored their only points of the match. Giving Affies some of their own medicine, they forced their way over from a lineout, with the throw-in cleanly collected by captain Tshepiso Shikhibana and the move finished off by prop Jeffrey Singo.

After yet another powerful driving maul, Affies’ scrumhalf Hendré Schoeman fed Pienaar, who showcased his tactical awareness by exploiting a gap in the defensive line with a convincingly sold dummy. He ran in the try and converted it, too, to extend the Wit Bulle’s lead to 19 points,

Two more tries in quick succession from Van Dyk further extended Affies’ big advantage. It was all Affies, with Boys High forced to defend against wave after wave of attacks.

The Candies were also afforded few chances to counterattack as their city neighbours clamped down on their attacking intentions.

With 10 minutes to go, referee Toit du Toit consulted with one of his assistants, which ended with a yellow card for the home side. That one-man disadvantage created even more space for the rampant Affies’ team.

In the last six minutes, the floodgates opened, with the Wit Bulle running in a further three tries, which included a fifth for Van Dyk.

The try of the day, though, came from a beautifully judged chip from Pienaar, which found the outstretched hands of wing Nico Grobler. He realised he wasn’t able to make it to the try line on his own, so he offloaded to his fellow wing, Eagan Roux, who dotted down to complete a fine sweeping move.

After the first half, Boys High were still in the game, but Affies’ class on the offensive shone through and the weight of their unceasing attacks came to bear fruit.

Pretoria Boys High 5 (0) – Try: Jeffery Singo. Affies 48 (17) – Tries: Ethan Van Dyk (5), JD Hattingh, Ruben Pienaar, Eagan Roux,.Conversions: Ruben Pienaar (4).

In a big blow, King Edward VII (KES) will be without their SA Schools’ loose-forward Kebotile Maake for the visit of Maritzburg College on Saturday.

Maake rolled an ankle in last weekend’s 13-23 defeat to Jeppe. His place is taken by Siya Radebe.

College makes a trip up the escarpment for a second week in succession for a big clash on Reds Field, which kicks off at 13:15.

Catch all the action live on SuperSport School (www.supersportschools.com).

The Red, Black and White beat Pretoria Boys High School (PBHS) on Brooks Field last weekend, scraping a 19-18 victory. There is one change to their starting lineup, with Sharks’ Craven Week lock Jake Jansen taking over from Naz Isaacs in the second row.

The midlands outfit has put together a middling season, winning nine of their 16 matches. They’ve been a bit up and down, but at their best they’re capable of hanging with anyone.

KES has enjoyed a strong year, recording eight victories, which included six in a row, before they were held to a 36-36 draw by Westville in one of the games of the season. Last weekend, they went down to Jeppe after having won 38-28 on Collard Field on 27 April.

Maritzburg College played one of their best matches of 2024 when they beat that same Westville team 41-10 at the KZN High Schools Rugby Day in late April. Last year, when they hosted KES on Goldstone’s, College won by nine points, claiming a 33-24 victory.

College have shown they enjoy a trip up to the highveld – they beat Affies and Pretoria Boys High in Pretoria last year and won last weekend against PBHS on Brooks Field – with flyhalf James Slevin enjoying the higher altitude and the further distance it affords kickers.

The Red Army’s SA Schools’ flyhalf Vusi Moyo will be a good challenge for Slevin, who shone playing opposite Blue Bulls’ no. 10 Ruben Pienaar when College and Affies clashed in a classic on 13 July. Moyo employs an educated boot, and his tactical kicking will, no doubt, challenge the visitors. He’s set up a number of tries this season with astute kicks and his combination with the speedy left-wing Haniel Monkoti is a dangerous one.

PJ Nel will take the whistle for the big game.

Meanwhile, Jeppe High School for Boys has named an unchanged team for their match against Parktown Boys’ High School. It will be a last outing on Collard Field for Jeppe’s grade 12 learners and they’ll be chasing an impressive victory ahead of a testing final fixture against Durban High School (DHS) next weekend in Durban.

Parktown Boys’ High recently beat Northcliff High School 20-10 to reverse a defeat to the same opposition early in April. Tsepiso Tladi dotted down twice for Parktown in the win and will be a key figure in their match at Jeppe. 

In the latter stages of the season, Parktown has found some form but, in the biggest blemish on their record, KES overwhelmed them 80-0 on 13 April. Jeppe, meanwhile, shared the season’s spoils with KES.

Jeppe has enjoyed a stellar year, recording some noteworthy victories, which have included toppling KES last weekend and beating Grey College and Hoërskool Monument.

With seven wins on the trot, Jeppe is on a roll and they’re the firm favourites. A defeat appears extremely unlikely.

There’s is a settled line-up, and some fireworks should be expected from the exciting Jeppe backline. But it is the home side’s pack that will pose the biggest threat to Parktown.

Watch out for SA Schools’ A prop André Poulton. He packs a serious punch. He’s immensely strong and has also been a dynamo around the field, adept at clearing out defenders from rucks and securing quick ball for his side.

With the season drawing towards its conclusion, the opportunities to create unforgettable memories are dwindling, but that’s all the more reason to expect some excellent rugby over the next couple of weeks.

FIXTURES

KES vs Maritzburg College

u14A: 9:00 – KES vs Maritzburg (John Hurry 1)
u15A: 09:50 – KES vs Maritzburg (John Hurry 2)
u16A: 10:45 – KES vs Maritzburg (Reds Field)
u19B: 12:00 – KES vs Maritzburg (Reds Field)
u19A: 13:15 – KES vs Maritzburg (Reds Field)

Jeppe vs Parktown

u14A: 8:00 – Jeppe vs Parktown (White Field)
u15A: 10:00 – Jeppe vs Parktown (White Field)
u16A: 11:00 – Jeppe vs Parktown (Collard Field)
u19B: 10:00 – Jeppe vs Parktown (Collard Field)
u19A: 13:20 – Jeppe vs Parktown (Collard Field)

TEAMS

King Edward VII: 15 Tristan Maugeri, 14 Jarrel Mbuyi, 13 Sky Segal, 12 Olunje Mehlomakulu, 11 Haniel Monkoti, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Regan McGurk, 8 Siya Radebe 7 Chinedu Amadi, 6 James Kobrowisky, 5 Michael Bownes, 4 Thomas Beling, 3 Nathan Frank vd Merwe, 2 Esethu Mnebelele, 1 Connor White.

Maritzburg College: 15 Luyanda Kunene, 14 Ntsika Mkhize, 13 Swelithle Mbatha, 12 Nkululeko Sithole, 11 Amahle Hadebe, 10 James Slevin, 9 Rayke Maartens, 8 Imivuyo Kemke, 7 Wasi Vyambwera, 6 Struan Oosthuizen, 5 Jake Jansen, 4 Bohlale Maphisa, 3 Alande Ngubane, 2 Siya Nyathi, 1 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka.

Jeppe High School for Boys: 15 Sanele Simelane, 14 Lindelani Nkambule, 13 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 12 McMillen Mongwana, 11 Leruo Dithagiso, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Talent Sithole, 8 Risima Khosa, 7 Nathan Claasen, 6 Grady Ngui, 5 Luke Cannon, 4 Lagan Leisher, 3 Luca Trevisan, 2 Joseph Zulu, 1 André Poulton.

Parktown Boys’ High School: 15 Muna Imenda, 14 Owami Phambuka, 13 Benjamin Nettleton, 12 Lisasa Mnukiso, 11 Christian Cele, 10 Kelvin Kotey, 9 Tshepiso Tladi, 8 Siya Masinga, 7 Keith Mncube, 6 Vuyo Ndlovu, 5 Sibu Dyi, 4 Kingsley Okonkwo, 3 Azola Peter, 2 Lethoko Mallane, 1 Manuel Motsi.

The last time Pretoria Boys High won against Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) was in 2019, before the arrival of Covid-19. That year, they scored a dramatic 38-21 victory on Brooks Field.

They head into another Pretoria derby against Affies on Saturday as the underdogs, but it’s that status that gives fans, pundits and critics something to talk about in the build-up to the match.

Think about Japan beating the Springboks at the 2015 Rugby World Cup or Buster Douglas beating the feared heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Mike Tyson, in an upset for the ages in 1990. What about Leicester City winning the English Premier League in the 2015/2016 season? Sport is filled with such achievements, which prove that anything is possible on the day.

If Boys High is to add another chapter to an inspiring list of underdog victories, it’s going to take a similarly big upset.

At 13:30 on Saturday, the Candies will try to upset the odds when they face the Wit Bulle on Brooks Field, in front of their home supporters.

Catch all the action live on SuperSport Schools and SuperSport Schools on DStv Channel 216.

Boys High enters the contest off the back of a one-point loss against Maritzburg College (18-19), which College might have felt somewhat fortunate to snatch.

Affies, meanwhile, have enjoyed a strong season. A week before the PBHS vs College game, they grabbed a nail-biting win over the Pietermaritzburg school, with their Craven Week flyhalf Reuben Pienaar landing a penalty 30 seconds from time to seal a 39-37 victory on Goldstone’s.

The Wit Bulle stampeded to a 43-28 win over Hoërskool Waterkloof last weekend, adding another big win to a season that has included a good number of them. That victory followed a 52-26 defeat of a strong King Edward VII side just before the winter holidays.

The historical record and the team’s respective 2024 records favour Affies but, with the grit and fight Boys High showed in narrow losses to Maritzburg College and Jeppe, one cannot rule out an upset. The Candies’ performances have tended upwards during the course of the season, and they have become a far tougher out than they were in its early going.

Before their narrow defeat against Maritzburg College, Boys High staged a second half comeback to beat St John’s College 36-24.

To date, Affies have scored 67 wins to the 42 of Boys High. During this time there have been 9 draws between the two sides. The last time it happened was in 2007, when the contest ended 20-20.

Last year, Affies powered their way to a 76-24 victory at home, despite being reduced to 13 men at one stage of the second half. Up to 13 players who will be in action on Saturday were part of last season’s match.

While Affies is renowned for its potent pack, they also have a formidable backline this year. Everything, though, stems from the quality ball that is provided by the forwards.

Last year, SA Schools A scrumhalf Hendré Schoeman enjoyed himself against Boys High, crossing for a hattrick of tries, while captain and SA Schools’ centre Janco Purchase also starred.

On the other side of the railway line, the Candies have struggled to reach their full potential given the quality of the players in their squad. They’ve played a particularly tough schedule, which has seen a number of results tilt the opposition’s way. There have, though, been moments of brilliance. They’re especially dynamic and exciting in space.

Lineouts will be a crucial area of contestation and Boys High will look to their captain and lock Tshepiso Shikhibana to stand tall in the set piece. Throughout the season, the Candies have enjoyed success with their driving mauls off of lineouts, and they’ll need more of the same to challenge Affies.

Fullback Itu Baloyi is one of a number of speedy, exciting runners in the host’s backline. He showed his flair last weekend, using lightning-fast footwork to dance through the Maritzbrug College defence.

The match will also bring together recent teammates, who represented the Blue Bulls at the Craven Week in July. Affies had seven players included in the squad, while Boys High contributed five. That creates additional challenges for both sides, given the knowledge the players have of one another.

[ninja_tables id=”53415″]

FIXTURES

u14A: 9:00 – Pretoria Boys High vs Affies (Dorey Near)
u15A: 10:00 – Pretoria Boys High vs Affies (Oehley Far Field)
u16A: 11:00 – Pretoria Boys High vs Affies (Oehley Near Field)
u19B: 12:15 – Pretoria Boys High vs Affies (Brooks Field)
u19A: 13:30 – Pretoria Boys High vs Affies (Brooks Field)

 TEAMS

Pretoria Boys High School: 15 Itu Baloyi, 14 Ntsako Ndlovu, 13 Motheo Dimpe, 12 Tyler Mason, 11 Ompfuna Tsanwani, 10 Kwanda Mabuza, 9 Tumisho Motswi, 8 Katlego Shebu, 7 Akin Akingbola, 6 Panyaiotis Ellinas, 5 Tshepiso Shikhibana, 4 Stephen Adams, 3 Ofentse Moeng, 2 Thapelo Mphela, 1 Jeffery Singo.

Affies: 15 Ruben Groenewald, 14 Nico Grobler, 13 Theuns Maritz, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Eagan Roux, 10 Ruben Pienaar, 9 Hendré Schoeman, 8 Ruan Lippold, 7 Albert Smit, 6 Luhan Potgieter, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Munting Hamman, 3 Deon Botes, 2 Ethan Van Dyk, 1 Werner Vrey.

Maritzburg College enjoyed a second win of the season over Pretoria Boys High School, claiming a very close 19-18 victory on Brooks Field on Saturday after trailing for most of the match.

With four minutes left of the contest, fullback Luyanda Kunene scored for the visitors to leave the Candies scratching their heads as College sneaked past the hosts to clinch a victory from the jaws of defeat.

Flyhalf James Slevin continued his run of good form by stepping up and calmly slotting the crucial conversion to put his team ahead as time wound down.

Maritzburg College Director of Rugby, Hendré Marnitz, commented afterwards: “Boys High came out all guns blazing. Their line-out mauls put us under pressure. We had to work very hard to get the win.”

Rewatch all of the action on SuperSport Schools. 

The Red, Black and White were first on the board, with Kunene, who was selected for SA Schools in 2024 (he wasn’t eligible this year), scoring an excellent try after breaking through the Boys High backline.

The home team quickly countered from the restart and rustled up a try of their own after a strong driving maul, which ended with prop Jeffery Singo diving over the line.

After a high tackle resulted in the visitors conceding a penalty, shouts from the side of the field called for the Candies to kick for poles. A well-judged kick from Kwanda Mabuza put them into the lead.

Then, South African Schools A wing Ntsako Ndhlovu scored after a magnificent run down the middle of the of pitch. He covered half the length of the field before cruising across the try line. Mabuza added the extras to extend Boys High’s lead.

At half-time, the Candies led 15-5. On 13 April, they had been soundly beaten 42-15 in Pietermaritzburg, but with a 10-point lead heading into the second half, and playing at home, they would have felt confident they could go on to victory.

Playing with patience, College attacked, but Boys High kept them at bay. Eventually, however, the pressure told, and hooker Siya Nyathi came around the corner to crash over for a try. Slevin made it a seven-point haul with a successful conversion.

The hosts found a reply almost immediately, with Mabuza on target once more from a penalty.

Kunene, though, made it a double with his late try, and Slevin sealed the deal with his cool as a cucumber conversion.

Referee Rodney Böck was kept on his toes as Rambo Kubheka and company worked to further extended their winning margin, but the Candies remained stubborn on defence, although Singo was shown a yellow card for going about it the wrong way.

Even without a few of their star players, College was able to guts it out and claim a hard-fought victory.

The match was played in good spirit and both schools showed respect for their opponents after the final whistle was blown.

Despite the loss, Boys High put in a much stronger performance compared to their first outing earlier in the year when they visited Pietermaritzburg. On Goldstone’s, they ran out of steam in the second half. On this occasion, they fought hard right to the end and manfully fended off wave after wave of College attacks.

The Candies face Affies next weekend in a Pretoria derby. It would a major upset if they were to beat their in-form city rivals. Maritzburg College, meanwhile, tackles King Edward VII. That should deliver another cracking game of rugby.

Point Scorers

Pretoria Boys High School 18 (15) – Tries: Jeffrey Singo, Ntsako Ndhlovu. Conversions: Kwanda Mabuza. Penalities: Kwanda Mabuza (2).

Maritzburg College 19 (5) – Tries: Kunene (2), Nyathi. Conversions: James Slevin (2).

Results

u19A: Pretoria Boys 18-19 Maritzburg College
u19B: Pretoria Boys 14-21 Maritzburg College
u16A: Pretoria Boys 14-29 Maritzburg College
u15A: Pretoria Boys 7-15 Maritzburg College
u14A: Pretoria Boys 14-7 Maritzburg College

With the momentum in the match swinging like a pendulum in motion, Jeppe High School for Boys claimed a 23-13 victory over their great rivals, King Edward VII (KES), after an epic battle between two quality sides on the Reds Field on Saturday.

With the win, Jeppe evened the season’s series at 1-1, following KES’s 38-28 victory on Collard Field on 27 April. Since then, Jeppe hasn’t lost.

Front-rankers André Poulton, Joseph Zulu and Luca Trevisan dominated for the black and white in the scrums throughout the match and played a huge role in preventing the Red Army from mounting a full-blown attack.

Rewatch all of the action on SuperSport Schools. 

King Edward, though, was the first onto the scoreboard after Vusi Moyo slotted a penalty for the home side following a slightly late dump tackle from Jeppe’s skipper Rasivhaga Khuthadzo.

Jeppe’s eager forwards were guilty of over-committing at the breakdowns, which led to a number of penalties being awarded to KES. Flyhalf Moyo, who has signed a contract with The Sharks, made them pay by sending a sweetly struck kick between the uprights from 47 metres out.

Matthew Coetzee, Jeppe’s no. 10, replied for the visitors, who opted for a kick at goal rather than kicking for the corner when they won a penalty.

KES thought they had snatched a try after lock Thomas Beling charged down a kick, but the referee Christo Erasmus had blown his whistle for a scrum moments before the disallowed try was scored.

Moyo then displayed his passing acumen and created a huge overlap for KES’s flying wing Haniel Monkoti, who raced between the defenders to dot down in the corner. It was a move the Red Army had utilised during the season, but this time their execution was a perfect 10.

After yet another strong scrum by the powerful Jeppe forward pack, which was excellently led by SA Schools A prop Poulton, Coetzee received quality possession from scrumhalf Talent Sithole and decided to take matters into his own hands. He grubbered through and chased the kick, which sat up invitingly. After gathering the ball, he was in under the poles, which left him with an easy conversion, and Jeppe enhanced their tally by seven points.

After the hooter had sounded for halftime, Coetzee added another penalty to pull his team level at the break, at 13-13.

The battle didn’t slacken in second half. KES worked their way deep into the opposition’s half and created several attacking opportunities, but Jeppe defended brilliantly to keep the hosts at bay. A big tackle by scrumhalf Sithole was a highlight, which led to a turnover of possession.

Sithole was soon to the fore again. He collected the ball after an excellent bust from Jeppe hooker Joseph Zulu, who drove up to within sniffing distance of the KES try line. The scrummie then dived over to edge his team into the lead and silence the home supporters.

KES were kept quiet through the second half, but they, too, defended well, and a scything tackle from Moyo slowed down a massive Jeppe charge.

Lock Lagan Leisher sealed the deal for the visitors in the 59th minute, when he went over for a five-pointer to score the final points of the contest.

The last 10 minutes was a slow burn with neither side creating a real chance to improve their total.

While Moyo’s career with the Red Army is almost done, it will be interesting to follow Coetzee’s progress as he has demonstrated BMT this season, which was best illustrated in Jeppe’s famous victory over Grey College, and it was again on full display on Saturday.

Point Scorers

King Edward VI 13 (13) – Tries: Haniel Monkoti. Conversions: Moyo Penalties: Vusi Moyo (2); Jeppe High School for Boys 23 (13) – Tries: Matthew Coetzee, Talent Sithole, Lagan Leisher. Conversions: Matthew Coetzee (2). Penalties: Matthew Coetzee.

Results

u19A: KES 13, Jeppe 23
u19B: KES 39 Jeppe 16
u16A: KES 22, Jeppe 20
u15A: KES 23, Jeppe 10
u14A: KES 43, Jeppe 3

Rugby in Gauteng features three big return fixtures this weekend. It’s a chance to level matters for last time’s losers, but it’s also an opportunity for their opposition to exert their dominance this season.

Catch all of the action live on SuperSport Schools. 

In Johannesburg, King Edward VII (KES) will be aiming to go two from two against their long-time rivals Jeppe High School for Boys. Kick-off on the Reds Field is at 13:15.

In their first meeting of the season, KES claimed a 38-28 victory at Jeppe. Since then, however, the Kensington school has been on a roll, winning six matches in succession.

The previous clash, on 27 April, featured a great grapple up front between the packs. Both sides pack a good punch, with KES being led by SA Schools’ captain and hooker Esethu Mnebelele, while flank Kebotile Maake also joined him in the national team. Jeppe had the powerful front-ranker André Poulton included in the SA Schools A side, along with their 8th-man Risima Khosa.

Another one of the matchups to keep an eye out for on Saturday will be that between the scrumhalves, Regan McGurk, of KES, and Talent Sithole, of Jeppe.

Behind the scrums, there is plenty of talent, too. Flyhalf Vusi Moyo was the third member of the Red Army to crack the SA Schools’ nod, while Jeppe’s outside centre Kuthadzo Rasivhaga was also selected for the green and gold.

The high-profile game is in the capable hands of Golden Lions Union referee Christo Erasmus.

In their last outing, last weekend, Jeppe stormed to a fine 16-point win victory over Monument, while KES battled their way to a hard-fought 18-5 win at Pretoria Boys High School.

Parktown Boys’ High School faces a hungry Northcliff, who won 16-15 at Northcliff when the sides met on 6 April. On Saturday, they’ll be motivated to prove that victory was not a once-off.

Northcliff has shown for a while now that they are a side which is willing to compete with the bigger traditional schools and they’ve produced some good results, including a 20-10 win over Dinamika 20-10 last weekend.

Vusi Msibi, from the Golden Lions, takes charge of the contest.

The teams:

King Edward VII: 15 Tristan Maugeri, 14 Mbuso Methula, 13 Sky Segal, 12 Olunje Mehlomakulu, 11 Haniel Monkoti , 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Regan McGurk, 8 Chinedu Amadi, 7 James Kobrowisky, 6 Kebotile Maake (vc), 5 Michael Bownes, 4 Thomas Beling, 3 Nathan Frank vd Merwe, 2 Esethu Mnebelele (c), 1 Connor White.

 Jeppe High School for Boys: 15 Sanele Simelane, 14 Lindelani Nkambule, 13 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 12 McMillen Mongwana, 11 Leruo Dithagiso, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Talent Sithole, 8 Risima Khosa, 7 Nathan Claasen, 6 Grady Ngui, 5 Luke Cannon, 4 Lagan Leisher, 3 Luca Trevisan, 2 Joseph Zulu, 1 André Poulton.

Parktown Boys’ High School: 15 Muna Imenda, 14 Christian Cele, 13 Benjamin Nettleton, 12 Lisasa Mnukiso, 11 Owami Phambuka, 10 Kelvin Kotey, 9 Tshepiso Tladi, 8 Kingsley Okonkwo, 7 Keith Mncube, 6 Vuyo Ndlovu, 5 Anashe Matuku,  4 Sibu Dyi, 3 Azola Peter, 2 Lethoko Mallane, 1 Manuel Motsi.

Northcliff High School: 15 Dylan Koopman, 14 Bheki Ngwenya, 13 Matthew Pretorius, 12 Matthew Verrydt, 11 Luke Roos, 10 Matthew Hunt, 9 Alerick Rachstein, 8 Mardoche Katanga, 7 Frank Devenish, 6 Vianney Nteugmange, 5 Rhema Nwogwugwu, 4 Declan Diesel, 3 Jensen Geyer, 2 Luke Hammond, 1 Miguel Smith.

FIXTURES

KES vs Jeppe

u14A: 8:45 – KES vs Jeppe (John Hurry 1)
u15A: 09:45 – KES vs Jeppe (John Hurry 2)
u16A: 10:45 – KES vs Jeppe (Reds Field)
u19B: 12:00 – KES vs Jeppe (Reds Field)
u19A: 13:15 – KES vs Jeppe (Reds Field)

Parktown vs Northcliff 

u14A: 0900 – Parktown vs Northcliff (C Field)
u15A: 08:00 – Parktown vs Northcliff (A Field)
u16A: 10:00 – Parktown vs Northcliff (A Field)
u19B: 11:00 – Parktown vs Northcliff (A Field)
u19A: 12:15 – Parktown vs Northcliff (A Field)

King Edward VII School (KES) extended their winning streak over Pretoria Boys High School by winning 18-5 at home on Saturday in a gruelling contest to sweep the season’s home and away fixtures against the Candies.

Rewatch all of the action on SuperSport Schools.

The Red Army’s Vusi Moyo opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a successful penalty kick after Boys High were penalised for going off their feet at a ruck. Despite slipping at the top of his mark, the South African Schools flyhalf slotted with ease.

Then, deep inside the PBHS 22, KES outside centre Olunje Mehlomakulu set up right wing Ntsako Shivuri for a try with an excellent pass. Shivuri was over for five, but Moyo was unable to add two.

At half-time, it was just 8-0 to KES. Boys High would have felt that they deserved a little bit more reward for their effective rolling mauls and slight dominance in the set scrums.

Five minutes into the second half, however, KES extended their lead to 15-0, after flank Kebotile Maake, who usually plays at 8th-man, burst over for try from a scrum. He hit a gap with speed and power and was in for the five-pointer.

Pretoria Boys High more than stood their ground at scrum time, but they were unable to take advantage of any edge they gained at the set piece.

The Candies’ never-say-die efforts were, however, finally rewarded when hooker Thapelo Mphela crashed over after a strong rolling maul, which was begun from a well-crafted lineout. With 22 minutes to go, there was still plenty of time for either side to make a decisive run at victory.

KES extended their points’ haul to 18 when Boys High was pinged for hanging onto the ball while on the ground, with Moyo knocking the kick cleanly through the upright from 30 metres out.

Towards the end of the contest, the hosts were reduced to 14 men after having one of their players shown a yellow card for an illegal tackle, but the Candies were unable to make their one-man advantage count.

The Red Army’s scrumhalf, Regan McGurk, was a standout performer for home side, with his non-stop harrassment of PBHS getting under the visitors’ skin.

Boys High assistant coach Wian Geldenhuys summed up the game afterwards, saying: “It was a proper test match. Not the most exciting rugby game.”

Throughout the contest, both sets of players found themselves penalised in the rucks and for straying offsides. They’ll need to adjust to the manner in which a referee blows those aspects of the game.

For Pretoria Boys High, despite a second brave effort against KES – the Red Army won 24-14 in Pretoria earlier in the season – they’ll have to go back to the drawing board to find a way to topple the Johannesburg school.

Point Scorers

King Edward VI 18 (8) – Tries: Ntsako Shivuri, Michael Bownes. Conversions: Vusi Moyo. Penalities: Vusi Moyo (2). Pretoria Boys High School: 5 (0) – Try: Thapelo Mphela.