Author: ralsty

Maritzburg College, make the long bus trip up to Pretoria to face The Candies on Brooks Field and a long standing tradition where the boys eagerly await these sort of exchanges.

Being on the road from home adds a layer of excitement to these sorts of fixtures and always poses a challenge to the visiting team.

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

Maritzburg come into the fixture having won five out of eight fixtures this season, compared to Pretoria Boys’ who have won five from seven.

Maritzbug last weekend beat Clifton College by 33-5, where Pretoria Boys’ lost a highly competitive fixture away at KES. Both teams played up against Nelspruit at the St Johns’ College Easter Festival and each won their respective matches. This should be an evenly contested game. 

Boys High scrum-half Josh Naude has played some well fought and grubby rugby. Under the guidance of former Sharks coach and old boy, Mr Paul “The Lion” Anthony, Naude has some serious knowledge to tap into.

Springbok 2007 World Cup winning captain John Smit and Chiliboy Rallephele both played under his wing when he coached the side in the early 2000’s.

Current hooker and captain, Shaun Schurmann, will be looking at adding to his impressive previous performances this season. Schurmann will be packing down on the side of the scrum for Saturday’s clash.

Maritzburg inside center Nkuleleko Sithole and winger Colm Reardon are two players to keep on the radar. Both of these backline players are quick with good ball-handling abilities. U17 Sharks player, Elbert Mouton should provide a quality match-up against Boys High’s Schrumann during the scrums. 

The teams will be eager to get out onto the field and demonstrate their class. At halftime it is guaranteed that Swing Low Sweet Chariot will echo across the fields of Boy High but what of the result? 

That will ultimately come down to who shows the most amount of grit on the day. 

In another Noordvaal Clash, Hoërskool Centurion take on Midstream College at home with the 1st XV game kicking off at 12:30 pm. Centurion will be looking to extend an impressive winning streak of five on the trot to six. Midstream however would want to end this and build on the good start that they too have had this year. 

The teams:

Pretoria Boys’ High vs Maritzburg College at Brooks:

Pretoria Boys High School: 15 Tebogo Nchabeleng, 14 Itumeleng Baloyi, 13 Reice Kruger 12 Rickus Wessels, 11 Ntsako Ndlhovu, 10 Kyle Hezlett,  9 Joshua Naude (VC) 8 Katlego Shebo, 7 Shaun Schurman (captain), 6 Stephen Adams,  5 Tshepiso Shikibana, 4 Randy Muzungu, 3 Ofentse Moeng, 2 Thapelo Mphela, 1 Kitso Mokena.

Maritzburg College: 15 Luyanda Kunene 14 Langelihle Makhathini 13 Ayrton van der Linde 12 N Sithole 11 Colm Reardon 10 Luc du Toit  9 Rhett Quin  8 I Kemka  7 Travis Walton 6 S Oosthuizen 5 Kuhle Mthimkhulu 4 B Maphisa 3 Aiden Botha  2 Elbie Mouton 1 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka.

Hoërskool Centurion vs Midstream College:

Hoërskool Centurion: 15 Waldo Koelman, 14 Wian Van Wielligh 13 Divan Van Tonder, 12 Ronan McCrimmon, 11 Reinald Badenhorst 10 Marco van Zyl, 9 Gerhard Beeslaar, 8 Zak Broekman, 7 Ruben Vos, 6 Ethan Reid, 5 Jeandre Kroukamp 4 James Vroom, 3 Kobus Botes, 2 Keone Nel, 1 Adam Labuschangne.

Midstream College: 15 Nicolaas Vlok, 14 Hilton Thomas, 13 Justin Hatting, 12 Iwan van Eeden, 11 Kobus Alberts, 10 Christiaan Mare, 9 Xander Senekal,  8 Jahred Smit, 7 Jacques Vos, 6 Anru Cronje, 5 Joshua Smit,  4 Tian Pretorius, 3 Deon Le Roux 2 Mika Lubbe, 1 Kobus Van Der Merwe.

Fixtures:

Brooks Field 

14:00 – u19A – Pretoria Boys’ High vs Maritzburg College
12:45 – u19B – Pretoria Boys’ High vs Maritzburg College

Oehley Far 

11:00 – u16A – Pretoria Boys’ High vs Maritzburg College
09:00 – u15A – Pretoria Boys’ High vs Maritzburg College

Dorey Near 

09:00 – u14A – Pretoria Boys’ High vs Maritzburg College

 

 

Grey High School and Paul Roos Gimnasium are set to clash in what promises to be a thrilling Premier Interschools encounter on the rugby pitch this weekend at the Markotter Stadium with the first XV’s kicking off at 13:55 pm. 

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

Grey High may have already played in three festivals with six games under their belt, but their 50% victories in 2023 so far won’t be enough to intimidate Paul Roos, who has invested a lot of time and effort into their junior teams since 2019, and these results are starting to show.

Having a strong pipeline provides great depth and an understanding of the style of play that the school wants to implement across the board. 

Grey High’s first game at the Outeniqua Centenary Festival was a hard-fought battle against new kids on the block, Stellenberg from Western Cape.

In a nail-biting finish, the men from Grey just prevailed, beating them 22-20. At the Graeme Festival, Grey faced off against Hudson Park and claimed a comfortable 27-7 victory.

Although they drew at home against Rondebosch, Grey came unstuck during the Easter Festival at St John’s College, losing two out of their three games to Boland Landbou and Pretoria Boys High before turning things around in their last match to beat a Golden Lions XV invitational side.

With only three games under their belt so far, Paul Roos may not have as much experience this season, but they have a rich history as one of the premier South African schools in rugby.

The words Paul Roos and rugby go hand-in-hand, as the great man was the creator of the famous Springbok emblem and name for the South African national team. 

But this weekend, Grey High will need to improve their game if they hope to come out victorious against the formidable Paul Roos.

Paul Roos has produced the most South African players to represent their country on a rugby field, Juandre Kruger,  Willie le Roux, Schalk Britz, Steven Kitshoff, Damian Willemse and Herschel Jantjies to name a few.

Grey High also boasts a proud rugby tradition and record, dating back to the 19th century. They have a number of players who represented the Springboks, including World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi, JJ Engebrecht, and Curwin Bosch, who have all gone on to wear the Green and Gold. 

But enough history, it’s time to talk about the action on the pitch! Grey High and Paul Roos are both renowned for their attacking prowess and hard-hitting defense, and supporters can expect to see some big tackles and lightning-fast line breaks.

Current players to watch from both sides include Paul Roos’ captain and full-back Declan Croy and inside center Philip Groenewald. From Grey High, players to keep an eye on include big lock Likona Sodlaka who is fresh off of two tries against an invitational Lions team at the recent St John’s College Easter Festival. Along with winger Thando Mgidlana who possess’ some  pace and skill.

This will be a game to remember, as both teams leave it all on the field in pursuit of victory. Will Grey High prevail with their experience and tenacity, or will Paul Roos show their dominance as one of the best rugby schools in the country and ensure a victory on their home-turf?

The last ten matches have left Paul Roos sitting with a 60% win rate compared to Grey High’s 40% win rate.

The last time Grey High won a match was back in 2017. A famous one point win back in 2014 when they came from a 20 point deficit thanks to the boot of a young Curwin Bosch, might inspire this current crop of players with the thought that anything is possible? 

Last 10 Results

Date	Paul Roos	Grey High
2011/04/16	22	18
2012/04/21	19	23
2013/04/20	18	23
2014/04/12	26	27
2015/04/18	34	3
2016/04/09	34	21
2017/05/06	20	22
2018/04/21	43	8
2019/04/13	24	18
2022/04/09	30	14

Monument makes the short trip to Jeppe High School for Boys where the two teams are set to come head-to-head in this exciting fixture on the Collard Field.  The first XV’s kick-off at 13:35 and should not be missed.

Catch all the action live on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com). The direct link to the matches are underneath the articles.

Monnas have been in fine form at the start of this season, securing several important victories in their last few matches.

Most notably beating a strong Paul Roos Gimnasium at the NMI Toyota Menlyn Noord/Suid tournament which took place in Pretoria recently, where they won convincingly 44-19. At last weekend’s Kearsney College Easter Festival the boys from Krugersdorp won three out of three of their matches beating Framesby (28-7), Dale College (41-5) and Hoërskool Noord-Kaap (50-5). 

Flyhalf, Daylon Myners, has been kicking well for his side and is definitely a player that Jeppe will need to keep a tab on.

They say all good scrumhalfs have a lot to say on the field, but when their performances outshine all the mouthiness that comes with the position, it really is a treat for fans to watch.  

Monnas’ number nine and Player of the Kearsney Easter Festival, Ceano Everson has been in some good form but will not feature today. The Wit Bulle will also be without their captain and flanker, Morne Venter.

Good news however is that SA Schools A-side lock Uli van der Westhuizen makes a much anticipated return to the side having not played since the Noordvaal-final of 2022. 

Jeppe go into this match having won two games at the  St John’s College Easter Festival and losing their only match to Maritzburg College where they showed some serious fight throughout the match.

They beat Graeme College by 27-17, while flyhalf  Lethabo Kekana is a player who reads the game well. It was evident last weekend where he scored a try from his own chip outside centre, Exauce Kevani, has the ability to score break-away tries showing off  good ball-handling skills, his stocky frame gives him the advantage of running through the strongest of defenses.

He is a dangerous backline player, who can make an impact. 

The match should provide some real entertainment and will be closely followed by many school rugby fans. Monnas will be looking to increase their winning streak whilst powerhouse Jeppe will be itching at the opportunity of  knocking the Wit Bulle from the top of their pedestal.  

The teams: 

Jeppe High School for Boys: 15 Khuthadza Rasivhaga, 14 Sanele Tshabangu, 13 Exauce Kewani, 12 McMillen Mongwana, 11 Dikarabela Moeketsi, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Bryce Samuel, 8 Nathan Boyder, 7 Ruben van Rensburg, 6 Lesedi Masemola, 5 Luke Cannon, 4 Risima Khosa, 3 Luca Trevisan, 2 Kaleb Burger, 1 Ricardo Brandao.

Monument: 15 Jody Schambreel, 14 Ernesto Oersen, 13 Zain Henery, 12 Theuns du Plooy, 11 Kelvin van Wyk, 10 Dylon Myners, 9 Hanno du Toit, 8 Jamaal Feldman, 7 Nathan Erasmus, 6 Tristan da Costa, 5 Uli van der Westhuizen, 4 Jacques Botha, 3 Juandre Marais, 2 Stephan Uys, 1 Ricardo du Plessis.

Kick-Off: 13:35 – Watch Live.

Other matches plus streaming links:  

COLLARD FIELD

12:10 – Jeppe II vs Monument II – Watch Live
11:00 – u16A – Jeppe vs Monument – Watch Live
10:00 – Jeppe III vs Monument III – Watch Live
09:00 – Jeppe IV vs Monument IV – Watch Live
08:00 – Jeppe V vs Monument V – Watch Live

WHITE FIELD 

12:00 – u16 – Jeppe III vs Monument III
11:00 – u15 – Jeppe II vs Monument II
10:00 – u15 – Jeppe vs Monument
09:00 – u16 – Jeppe II vs Monument II
08:00 – u14 – Jeppe vs Monument