Author: ralsty

St John’s College allrounder Chris Ford played a crucial knock of 85 runs from 92 balls to put his side in the driver’s seat as he steered the visiting side to a crucial 47-run win over hosts Jeppe High School for Boys.

Jeppe won the toss and sent in the visiting side, hoping to capitalize on the early morning conditions and making use of any juice in the pitch on the Beckwith Oval.

Fast bowler Jerimiah Marshall took 2/44 from his nine overs which included castling over opening batsmen Nkosana Sibiya.

The tall all-rounder Ford, coming in at number eight had his work cut out for him, as the rest of the line-up struggled to score runs after experiencing a slight collapse in the middle-order, Ford batted at just under a run-ball.

He was well supported by Cole Francis (34, 49b) who shared in a 65-run partnership to guide the side to a respectable total of 256. 

Ford, having a cracker of a match, was instrumental in the second innings, picking up a wicket in his first over of the second innings, putting Jeppe on the backfoot, right from the onset. 

First change bowler Malan Du Plessis, bowled well picking up figures of 3/28 from his 6 overs which included a wicket-maiden in the 20th over, reducing the home team to 54/5. 

Staring down a mammoth task in front of the lower order, Chris Elston and Jerimiah Marshall shared in a brilliant 99-run partnership, for the 8th wicket. Both batters scored half-centuries for their team, but would have needed to kick-on to see their side through to the end. 

With the tail wagging slightly the St John’s bowlers wrapped up the innings with Cole Francis (3/40) making the important breakthrough to remove Elston for 61 runs from 71 balls, which included six fours and one six.  

Jeppe would have felt that the number of extras that they bowled in the first innings potentially was the difference in the match, plus the two dropped catches of Ford. The Jeppe bowlers sent down 36 extras, which included 29 wides compared to St John’s who were slightly more disciplined only leaking 11 extras.

Score:

St John’s College 256/10 from 47 overs (Chris Ford 85, Cole Francis 34, Extras 36; Jerimiah Marshall 2/44, Tino Mutekwa 2/52, Ryan Harcourt-Baldwin 2/46); Jeppe High School for Boys  209/10 from 48.3 overs (Elston 61, Marshall 50, Extras: 11; Malan Du Plessis 3/21, Cole Francis 3/40, Chris Ford 2/35). St John’s College won by 47 runs.

The second day of the St David’s Fasken Festival got underway with several teams eyeing a win, rather than playing cautiously for a draw. 

Two out of the four matches played ended with a result, while the rest of the matches all played out to draws, Paul Roos and St John’s College walked away with victories. 

Paul Roos Gimnasium from Stellenbosch cruised to a 9 wicket victory over local side Hoërskool Noordheuwel as the side struggled to put themselves in a competitive position.

The batsmen from Krugersdorp will want to aim to spend some more time at the crease in their next fixture. 

Callum Appollis was pick of the bowlers from the Cape, taking 8 wickets across both innings and was well aided by Liam Basson in the second innings who ended with figures 4/35. 

St John’s College’s Alec Loveland, partnered with Cole Francis, in the first innings and Christopher Ford in the second innings, bowling in tandem and picking up crucial wickets to apply pressure on St Andrew’s College. The right arm medium pacer Loveland ended with match figures of 7/145, resulting in a 58 run win for St John’s. 

The second day saw two centurions in the same match. The honours going to St Stithians opener Pranav Raichetti who managed to carry his bat over night, and ended on 110 from 147 balls, which he excellently followed up with 60 from 73 balls in the second innings.  . Waterkloof’s Alexander Volschenk scored a patient 112 from 140 balls. The wicket was fairly flat which resulted in the match panning out to a stalemate.

Maritzburg openers Caleb Thomas and Liam Armstrong were not quite finished with the hosts piling on an opening stand of 122 from 142 balls, with each scoring 76 from 106 balls and 60 from 63 balls. Ryan Mckean batted quickly scoring a rapid 78 from 73 balls, to take the match further away from St Davids.

In response St David’s opener Reece Reddy scored from 85 from 88 balls,and was well supported by skipper Matthew West who scored a patient 68 from 99 balls, ensuring that the side were not bowled out in the chase. 

Callum Ritchie of King Edward VII put in a good all-round performance bagging himself figures of 5/64 in the Lions Invitational XI second innings, before scoring 70 from 76 balls at a strike-rate of 92.11. KES ended up securing a draw in the process. 

Jeppe made it difficult for Clifton College after ensuring that they had put a substantial lead on the board after batting well in the second innings. Clifton’s Shahzaad Perumal took 5/94 making him the only bowler on day two with a five-wicket haul. Jeppe tried hard to push for a win, but were unable to bowl out the opposition, with Sipho Potsane bowling well for his 3/38. 

Although it wasn’t the highest score from any of the matches a gutsy innings of 47* off 141 balls from Clifton’s opener Muhammed Malek, allowed him to soak up the pressure. This resulted in his side fighting for a draw.

The teams will be back tomorrow with not much rest inbetween the games. This is what makes the festival so exciting is that players will need to bring their A-games as their levels of fitness and mental strength will be tested over the next two days in the last round of fixtures. 

Summarised Scorecards: 

Maritzburg College first innings 359/3 from 60 overs (Caleb Thomas 166, Liam Armstrong 113; Joshua Evens 1/14, Oliver Botha 1/59); St David’s Marist Inanda first innings 269/9 from 60 overs (Matthew West 52, Kabir Bhattacharjee 51, Extras 23; James Wiggill 2/17, Chad Mason 2/57); Maritzburg College second innings 264/6 (Ryan Mckean 78, Liam Armstrong 76; Jordan Abraham 2/43); St David’s Marist Inanda second innings: 246/5 from 51 overs (Reece Reddy 85, Matthew West 68; Oliver Dacosta 2/48) Match Drawn.

Jeppe High School for Boys first innings 175/10 from 42.1 overs (Kyle Jackson 72, Ryan Young 33, Extras 29; Zach Williamson 3/10, Tim Saulez 2/18); Clifton first innings 161/10 from 61.5 overs (Alaok Beharie 50, Rivan Moodley 26; Jayden Brooker 3/20, Tino Mutukwa 3/15); Jeppe High School for Boys second innings: 268/10 from 75.5 overs (Christopher Ellson 58, Jaydon Brooker 41, Extras: 20; Shahzaad Perumal 5/94, Sheeraz Perumal 2/46); Clifton second innings: 127/4 from 42 overs (Muhammed Malek 47*, Cohen Naidoo 33; Sipho Potsane 3/38). Match Drawn.

Lions Invitational XI first innings 220/10 from 59.3 overs (Henricus Meyer 72, Professor Mkhwanazi 54, Extras: 11; Fayaaz Vawda 4/34, Callum Ritchie 3/55); King Edward VII first innings 223/710 from 51 overs (Stuart Faber 42, Zieg Roos 39; Zayde Whyte 3/15  Kamogelo Matji 2/50); Lions Invitational XI second innings 249/9 56.4 overs (Kyle Swanepoel 61, Professor Mkhwanazi 47; Callum Ritchie 5/64) King Edward VII second innings 206/6 from 43 overs (Callum Ritchie 70, Kwezi Nyamate 40, Extras 20; Henricus Meyer 2/21) Match Drawn.

Hoërskool Waterkloof first Innings 361/6 from 65 overs (Beukes van den Berg 127, Riley Miller 71, Divan Behrens 50, Extras 26; Lhuan-dre Pretorius 3/74); St Stithians College first innings 283/8 from 65 overs (Pranav Raichetti 110, Ayush Ramnarain 44, Extras: 3; Marcus Bakker 2/45, Wian Ruthben 2/24); Hoërskool Waterkloof second innings 273/6 from 62 overs (Alexander Volschenk 112, Franco Cronje 58; Richard Seletswane 2/19); St Stithians College second innings 179/5 from 45 overs (Richard Seletswane 61, Pranav Raichetti 60; Marcus Bakker 2/41) Match Drawn. 

St John’s College first innings: 290/10 from 61.1 overs (Thomas Levers 74, Nkosana B Sibiya 62, Luke Francis 62, Extras:14; Dakalo Leketa 5/80, FG Botha 4/10); St Andrew’s School first innings 240/10 from 60.2 overs (Reuben van Aarde 55, FG Botha 52, André du Preez 51; Cole Francis 4/49, Alec Loveland 3/75); St John’s College second innings 193/10 from 45.5 overs (Christopher Ford 52, Cole Francis 42; Dakalo Leketa 4/60, FG Botha 4/74); St Andrew’s School second innings 185/10 from 48 overs (Leon Anthanasiuo 41, Naude Botha 34; Christopher Ford 4/18, Alec Loveland 4/70). St John’s College won by 58 runs.

Hoërskool Noordheuwel first innings 141/10 from 41.3 overs (Corné Botha 53; Callum Appollis 5/22, Neil Barnard 2/41); Paul Roos Gimnasium first innings 227/10 from 61.4 overs (Cormey van der Walt 95, Cornel Swart 50; Sage Pretorius 2/38, Marius Penning 1/21); Hoërskool Noordheuwel second innings 149/10 (Marius Penning 32; Liam Basson 4/35, Callum Appollis 3/53); Paul Roos Gimnasium second innings 68/1 from 10.2 overs (Luca Plekker 26; André van Niekerk 1/28) Paul Roos Gimnasium won by nine wickets.

Round 2 Fixtures:

Jeppe vs Paul Roos (Gier Oval, St David’s), St David’s vs Lions (La Valla Oval, St David’s), KES vs Clifton (La Rosey Oval, St David’s), St Stithians vs St Andrew’s (Dlamini Oval, St Stithians), St John’s vs Maritzburg College (McGregor Oval, St David’s), Noordheuwel vs Waterkloof (Baytop Oval, St Stithians).

The opening day of the annual Fasken St David’s Time Cricket Festival saw three centuries scored across the six matches, along with 15 half centuries.

Two of  those centuries belonged to Maritzburg Colleges’ openers Liam Armstrong (113 runs from 157 balls) and Caleb Thomas (166 runs from 155 balls). 

The two shared in an impressive opening stand of 250 runs from 286 balls, dominating the St David’s bowlers and putting their side in a strong position by assisting in putting on 359 after their first innings of 60 overs, opting not to declare.  

The third century was scored by Waterkloof’s number four Beukes Van Den Berg, who scored 127 runs from 126 balls which included 13 fours and four sixes.

Cormey Van Der Walt from Paul Roos fell short of making it four tons of the day by making a well-played 95.

On a bowling front the day saw only one fiver which belonged to St Andrew’s Dakalo Leketa who picked up figures 5/80 from 23 overs, the right-arm medium pacer bowled tight lines to restrict the St John’s College batsmen. He was supported by FG Botha who bowled well for his 4/10 from 3.1 overs. 

King Edward VII’s opening bowler Fayaaz Vawda picked up a crucial 4/34 from his 9 overs dismissing the Lions Invitational XI top order in quick succession leaving the side rattled at 3/10 in 7 overs. 

What stood out during the first day were the innovative and attacking fields set by the captains, with obvious plans getting thought out, as teams tried to outwit each other. Secondly were the rates at which batsmen were scoring their runs, aggressive yet selective in balls attacked. 

The first day kicked off with a special opening breakfast with teams, coaches, umpires, sponsors and honoured guests in attendance. 

St David’s skipper Matthew West, welcomed the opposition and traveling teams, he pointed out the need for players to remain respectful of each other during the course of the week and to play within the spirit of the game. 

Dave Nosworthy, the Director of Cricket at St Davids and the brains behind the Fasken Festival, highlighted the need for a tournament of this nature as it provides a good foundation for players to spend crucial time out in the middle gaining valuable lessons.

Former New Zealand Test player and Affies old boy, Kruger Van Wyk addressed the boys on the importance of working hard both on and off the field, sharing some of his personal experiences as a player and now coach.

The takeaway from his address was the value of education and the role it plays in the development of the young players. 

Breakfast was wrapped up with a speech by St David’s Headmaster Mike Thiel who highlighted the importance of time, referring back to the format of the Fasken Festival.

His message to  the players was that they should value their time and to enjoy the moments shared with their teammates out in the field. 

The morning was the perfect start to a festival of cricket with players getting welcomed and players getting introduced to the Purple Cap award, which sees one player from each team getting awarded the purple cap after the day’s play based on their opposition’s selection. 

With the pre-festival formalities out of the way, the boys went on their way with the excitement of facing four long hard days of cricket; all with the jubilance only found amongst young men ready to make unforgettable memories out on the playing field. 

Day 2 is set for an exciting day with teams looking to push for victories. 

Summarised Scorecards: 

Maritzburg College first innings: 359/3 from 60 overs (Caleb Thomas 166, Liam Armstrong 113, Extras: 13; Joshua Evens 1/14, Oliver Botha 1/59); St David’s Marist Inanda first innings: 218/8 from 53 overs (Matthew West 52, Kabir Bhattacharjee 51, Extras: 23; James Wiggill 2/17, Chad Mason 2/57). Maritzburg College lead by 141 runs.

Jeppe High School for Boys first innings: 175/10 from 42.1 overs (Kyle Jackson 72, Ryan Young 33, Extras: 29; Zach Williamson 3/10, Tim Saulez 2/18); Clifton College first innings: 161/10 from 61.5 overs (Alaok Beharie 50, Rivan Moodley 26, Extras: 9; Jayden Brooker 3/20, Tino Mutukwa 3/15). Jeppe lead by 14 runs.

Lions Invitational XI first innings: 220/10 from 59.3 overs (Henricus Meyer 72, Professor Mkhwanazi 54, Extras: 11; Fayaaz Vawda 4/34, Callum Ritchie 3/55); King Edward VII first innings: 191/7 from 51 overs (Zieg Roos 39, Stuart Faber 29, Extras: 16; Kamogelo Matji 2/50, Juan Minaar 1/27). Lions Invitational XI lead by 29 runs. 

Hoërskool Waterkloof first innings: 361/6 from 65 overs (Beukes Van Den Berg 127, Riley Miller 71, Divan Behrens 50, Extras: 26; Lhuan-Dre Pretorius 3/74); St Stithians College first innings: 191/7 from 51.3 overs (Pranav Raichetti 57*, Ayush Ramnarain 44, Extras: 3; Marcus Bakker 2/45, Wian Ruthben 2/24) Hoërskool Waterkloof lead by 70 runs.

St John’s College first innings: 290/10 from 61.1 overs (Thomas Levers 74, Nkosana B Sibiya 62, Luke Francis 62, Extras:14; Dakalo Leketa 5/80, FG Botha 4/10) St John’s College lead by 290 runs.

Hoërskool Noordheuwel first Innings: 158/10 from 47.2 overs (Corné Botha 53, Marius Penning 22, Extras: 10; Callum Appollis 4/22, Neil Barnard 2/41); Paul Roos first innings: 188/5 from 45 overs (Cormey Van Der Walt 95, Cornel Swart 50, Extras: 14; Sage Pretorius 2/38, Marius Penning 1/21) Paul Roos lead by 30 runs. 

It’s not all about T20 cricket and limited-overs cricket this coming week as Johannesburg’s cricketing showcase is set to unfold once again as the eagerly anticipated 6th St David’s Marist’s Fasken Festival takes center stage from the 31st of August to the 3rd of September 2023.

With much to be said in the media about the upcoming Proteas Test series in New Zealand and the likes of ‘Bazball’ stealing headlines during the most recent Ashes Test Series and what the future holds for the longest format of the wonderful game. 

There has not been a more important time for a festival like this to take place. With the lack of current South African stars set to feature in the tour due to T20 franchise commitments, the need to grow the pool of players to create depth amongst our first class players is needed.

Each team is set to play two two-day matches which will include declarations and will be centered around time; essentially much like a mini-test match. With a lot of schools opting to focus on shorter format matches, the Fasken Festival provides a lot of young players with the taste of playing a longer format of the match for the first time.  

The art of thriving under pressure, as honed in time cricket matches, can significantly influence a player’s approach to the game’s longer versions. The ability to read the game swiftly, adapt to changing conditions, and strategize effectively will be on full display over the course of the festival. 

With the picturesque Johannesburg skyline surrounding St David’s Inanda and St Stithians College, the two schools where matches will be played, provides the perfect backdrop for a cricketing spectacle that celebrates not only the athleticism of the players but also the camaraderie that defines the sport.

A number of top quality cricketing schools with deep roots connected to producing some of the country’s top current and past South African and International Test cricketers will be taking part; the likes of hosts St David’s Marist Inanda (Temba Bavuma), King Edward VII (Graeme Smith, Quinton De Kock, Neil McKenzie, Keaton Jennings (England), Maritzburg College (Jonty Rhodes, David Miller, Kevin Pietersen (England), St Stithians College (Kagiso Rabada, Wiaan Mulder, Ryan Rickelton) and St John’s College (Devon Conway (New Zealand). 

Of the schools playing this year, King Edward VII has produced the most number of test capped players in the country. The festival is set to provide some high quality matches and some heroic defining moments for some of South Africa’s future stars as they battle it out over the course of the next few days. 

An invitational Lions XI will also be featured among the participating teams, providing an opportunity for up-and-coming talent to make their mark and showcase their skills during the course of the week.

We are reminded that while time is fleeting, the impact of this festival on local cricket will be lasting.

With no real winner of the festival decided at the end of the week, it is safe to say that the real winner is South African cricket and the longevity of the beautiful game of Test cricket. 

The fixtures for the St David’s Fasken Festival are:

31st August and 1st September 2023:

Jeppe High School for Boys vs Clifton (Gier Oval, St David’s)
St David’s Marist vs Maritzburg College (La Valla Oval, St David’s)
Lions Invitational vs King Edward VII (McGregor Oval, St David’s)
St Stithians College vs Waterkloof (Dlamini Oval, St Stithians)
St John’s College vs St Andrew’s (Baytop Oval, St Stithians)
Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Noordheuwel (La Rosey Oval, St David’s).

2nd and 3rd September 2023:

Jeppe High School for Boys vs Paul Roos Gimnasium (Gier Oval, St David’s)
St David’s Marist vs Lions Invitational (La Valla Oval, St David’s)
King Edward VII vs Clifton (La Rosey Oval, St David’s)
St Stithians College vs St Andrew’s (Dlamini Oval, St Stithians)
St John’s College vs Maritzburg College (McGregor Oval, St David’s)
Noordheuwel vs Waterkloof (Baytop Oval, St Stithians)

 

Hoërskool Bekker from Magaliesberg, also known as the Bekker Mambas will be looking to fight back against their rivals Allen Glen.

The Noordvaal Cup Group 4 Final promises a spectacle of heart and courage, with two teams leaving everything on the field in pursuit of the title, kick-off taking place at 12:40 pm.

Allen Glen High School, the host of this final, will undoubtedly have the home crowd advantage backing them, which might provide an edge, but Hoërskool Bekker’s consistency and determination cannot be underestimated.

Their journey to the final has been marked by resilience, skill, and a determination to succeed.  The last two times that these teams have met Allen Glen have walked away victorious on both occasions with the scores reading 28 – 24 to Allen Glen in a league match and then again 42-12 in the past Group 4 Final.

Both teams will seek to capitalize on turnovers and pounce on any lapses in defensive structures. The battle for territorial advantage and control of the breakdowns will be fierce.

Allen Glen’s backline is characterized by speed, with nimble players capable of turning defense into attack in the blink of an eye, making them a threat. Their ability to transition quickly from defensive to offensive play could be crucial in ensuring they carry on with their run of wins.

The likes of fullback Neo Maloisane and flyhalf Neo Vries are players to keep an eye on from the home team. They make up a formidable backline which features a some pace.

The Mambas have played 21 matches this season, and have a win rate of 66.67%. The side has lost 5 matches, and have also drawn two of their matches in 2023. The forwards of Hoërskool Bekker will aim look to dominate the scrums and lineouts, providing a solid foundation for their counter-attacking plays.

Players to watch out for include Sibu Nyamane, the outside center has a scored 23 tries in 21 appearances this year and will be eager to add to his tally of tries for the Mambas.  Along with captain Francois du Toit who has found the try line 20 times.

With the stage set and anticipation building, the Noordvaal Group 4 Final is bound to be an exciting encounter with all to play for. According to Mamba’s coach Johan Wandrag, ”Allen Glen and Bekker’s Mambas are clearly the strongest teams in Group 4, if the Mambas can contain Allen Glen’s dangerous backline and get our forwards into the game we are in with a chance.”

The home support will undoubtedly give Allen Glen an extra boost, adding to the intensity of their play but be weary of a travelling side in Hoërskool Bekker, who will be eager to rumble in Roodepoort.

It’s hard to predict a clear favourite, but looking at the past results between these two teams during the course of the 2023 season, one would believe that Bekker go in as underdogs. With all to play for it will be interesting to see who walks away as winners.

The Teams:

Allen Glen High School:

15 Neo Maloisane, 14 Tumiso Moeti, 13 Liltaray Funani, 12 Khatu Mokwena,  11 Booker T Gowere, 10 Neo Vries, 9 Jerry Nthuli, 8 Ndumiso Mabunga, 7 Clifford Sambo, 6 Silindile Ngobese, 5 Samkelo Kgoathisi, 4 Luyanda Kubheka, 3 Linhika Ndlovu, 2 Kea Mofisa, 1 Samukelo Themba. 

Hoërskool Bekker:

In a long-awaited rugby spectacle at Collard Field in Johannesburg, Jeppe High School for Boys faced off against Durban High School for the first time in 13 years, rekindling their traditional rivalry.

The hosts emerged victorious walking away with a 39-36 win.

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

The match started with DHS, applying pressure early on the match, driving forward into the hosts and obtaining a fair amount of possession in Jeppe’s half. This resulted in two tries which ignited the match and put Jeppe on the backfoot early on.

However, as the final minutes of the half approached, Jeppe intensified their offensive efforts. The boys in black and white managed to break through Durban’s defense, scoring a crucial try in the corner to level the scores, on the cusp of the halftime whistle.

By the halfway mark, Durban High School held a narrow lead of 17-12, showcasing their determination to challenge Jeppe.

One of the standout players of the match was Jeppe’s Thulani Shabalala, who proved to be a game-changer for his team. The talented winger delivered a scintillating performance, scoring two pivotal tries and contributing 19 individual points through his impressive placement kicks.

On the opposing side, Durban High School’s flyhalf, Deano Boesak, showcased his skills as an up-and-coming talent in South African rugby, scoring two tries and successfully converting three conversions and a penalty.

Duncan Basson, a substitute player for Durban High School, made his entry onto the field. Basson’s efforts were commendable, as he scored a crucial try that kept DHS in contention until the final moments of the match.

However, Jeppe’s resilience and experience in handling close finishes eventually secured their hard-earned victory. Rugby fans were treated to an intense battle, and the future holds the promise of more such enthralling encounters between these two formidable schools.

Beyond the scoreline, the match basically carried deeper meaning as it symbolized the revival of a historic rivalry between the two schools. The fact that they were able to engage in a full set of fixtures after a prolonged break raised hopes for a regular fixture in the years to come.

Above all as the 2023 season draws to a close, both teams can take pride in their achievements. Jeppe has been a part of several close encounters this season, amassing an impressive 12 wins. Meanwhile, Durban High School is not far behind, ending the season with 11 wins and showcasing their potential as a force to be reckoned with in South African rugby again.

Moreover, Durban High School’s commitment to strengthening their junior structures bodes well for the future of the sport. Durban High School bid farewell to their current Team Manager Morne Janse Van Rensburg, who will be exploring opportunities in the corporate world.

Scorers:

Jeppe High School for Boys 39 (12) – Tries: Thulani Shabalala (2), McMillen Mongwana, Mosiki Ndlaba (2), Sean Mills. Conversions: Thulani Shabalala (3) Penalties: Thulani Shabalala. Durban High School 36 (17) –Tries: Maurice Willemse, Deano Boesak (2), Florensen Ockhuis, Duncan Basson. Conversions: Deano Boesak (3) Penalties: Deano Boesak.

The teams:

Jeppe High School for Boys: 15 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 14 Thulani Shabalala, 13 Exauce Kevani, 12 McMillen Mongwana, 11 Bokamoso Maphisa, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Bryce Samuel, 8 Mosiki Ndlaba, 7 Sean Mills, 6 Ruben Van Rensburg, 5 Luke Cannon, 4 Risima Khosa, 3 Luca Trevisan, 2 Kaleb Burger, 1 Ricardo Brandao.

Durban High School: 15 Bandile Zama, 14 Ntando Mavuso, 13 Amahle Mazibuko, 12 Hlumelo Madikane, 11 Maurice Willemse, 10 Deano Boesak, 9 Florensen Ockhuis , 8 Sibusiso Mahlangu, 7 Siseko Mani, 6 Daniel Ikotela, 5 Weihrich Basson, 4 Sima Hlabisa, 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Christian Everitt, 1 Siyanda Dlamini.

Results:

u19A: Jeppe High School for Boys 39, Durban High School 36

u19B: Jeppe High School for Boys 36, Durban High School 19

u16A: Jeppe High School for Boys 19, Durban High School 19

u15A: Durban High School 21, Jeppe High School for Boys 19

u14A: Durban High School 33, Jeppe High School for Boys 0

Scorers: 

Affies 76 (22) – Tries: Hendre Schoeman (3), Migael de Lange (2), FC van Rooyen (2), Ruan Lippold, Ruben Pienaar, Eagan Roux. Conversions: Ruben Pienaar (8). Pretoria Boys’ High 24 (3) – Try: Shaun Schürmann, Ntsako Ndlovu, Ofentse Moeng. Conversions: Tebogo Nchabaleng (3) Penalites: Kyle Hezlett.

The teams:

Affies: 15 Migael de Lange, 14 Stephan Brits, 13 Theuns Maritz, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Eagan Roux, 10 Ruben Pienaar, 9 Hendre Schoeman, 8 Ruan Lippold, 7 Juan Vorster, 6 Braam Swanepoel, 5 Jonathan Eloff, 4 JD Hattingh, 3 Ethan Van Dyk 2 FC van Rooyen, 1 Steyn Truter (captain).

Pretoria Boys’ High: 15 Kyle Hezlett, 14 Jermaine Chisanga, 13 Ntsako Ndlovu, 12 Rickus Wessels, 11 Christoper Smith, 10 Keethan Fitz, 9 Joshua Naude, 8 Stephen Adams, 7 Marcel De Beer, 6 Thapelo Mphela, 5 Tsephpiso Shikhibana, 4 Randy Muzungu, 3 Ofentse Moeng, 2 Shaun Schürmann, 1 Kitso Mokoena.

Results: 

u19A: Affies 76 Pretoria Boys’ High School 24

u19B: Affies 38 Pretoria Boys’ High School 7

u16A: Affies 104 Pretoria Boys’ High School 0

u15A: Affies 67 Pretoria Boys’ High School 0

u14A: Affies 75 Pretoria Boys’ High School 3

This weekend gear up for two must-watch encounters that promises to provide an unforgettable spectacle of skill, power, and sheer determination amongst some of the big names in South African School Rugby.

2023, has provided some epic matches with teams travelling away on exchanges, think back to when Grey College and Maritzburg College came up to Affies, or when Michaelhouse travelled to Pretoria Boys’ High School.

While up on the highveld, the excitement is palpable as two rugby powerhouses, Jeppe High School for Boys and Durban High School, are set to go head-to-head in what promises to be an electrifying encounter at Collard Field.

The first XV gets underway at 13:00.

After what has been a 13-year hiatus of this fixture, both teams will be eager to face each other again, which now compromises a full set of fixtures between the schools, who first played each other back in 1938.

King Edward VII marches into Pietermaritzburg to face the challenge posed by the in-form Maritzburg College, for the showdown at Goldstones starting at 13:30 pm.

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

Jeppe, known for their fearless and relentless style of play, has been a growing force in the 2023 season. Since losing narrowly to Affies by one point, the side has clipped the wings of Pretoria Boys’ High School, Parktown Boys’ High School and King Edward VII.

The backline’s speed and agility will test Durban High School’s defense, Bokamoso Maphisa, was the star of the day last weekend, showcasing his attacking prowess by scoring an incredible hattrick of tries to put his side in a winning position.

DHS, hailing from the rugby-rich coastal city of Durban, brings a unique blend of natural athleticism and flair to the game and will be looking to build on what has been a successful season thus far. Fresh off a win against Northwood, DHS will be feeling confident leading up to this fixture.

Simphiwe Ngobese, the SA Schools prop will play a pivotal role in the scrums, providing power and ball-winning abilities. His fellow Sharks Craven Week teammate and winger Maurice Willemse will bring the blitz to an attacking backline.

On the other side of the country, King Edward VII, renowned for its proud rugby legacy, is leaving no stone unturned as they look for victory down in the midlands. They will be determined to make a resounding statement on the pitch after losing last weekend to Jeppe High School for Boys 43-31.

King Edward VII’s hooker, Siphosethu Mnebelele, also put on an impressive display last weekend scoring an outstanding hattrick of tries. His role in securing possession and creating attacking opportunities makes him a crucial component for this fixture.

However, they will face a formidable challenge in the shape of Maritzburg College, who have been on an impressive winning streak. With three consecutive victories under their belt against Northwood (36-12), Affies (50-31) and Pretoria Boys’ High School (43-12) this College team is brimming with confidence and eager to maintain their winning momentum.

College’s dynamic fly-half, Luc Du Toit whose impeccable decision-making and accurate kicking could be the key to unlocking KES defense.

These encounters are expected to be tightly contested, with all four of the schools being highly accomplished teams, predicting the outcome is a tough task. In the Maritzburg clash one would favour the hosts based on their current form. DHS has shown that they are able to compete with any side, but Jeppe have shown that they are not to be underestimated.

The players will wear their school colors with pride, with every tackle, pass, and try reflecting the passion and commitment they have for their school.

The Teams:

Maritzburg College: 15 Luyanda Kunene, 14 Langelihle Makhathini, 13 Ayerton van der Linde, 12 Nkululeko Sithole, 11 Colm Reardon, 10 Luc Du Toit, 9 Rhett Quinn, 8 Sasha Kadira, 7 Dalton Wright 6 Travis Walton, 5 Kevin Ayliffe, 4 Bohlale Maphisa, 3 Aiden Botha, 2 Elbie Mouton, 1 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka.

King Edward VII: 15 Tristan Maugeri, 14 Caleb Lombard, 13 Olunje Mehlomakulu, 12 Tirhani Masondo, 11 Timi Oluwole, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Ruan Van Rensburg, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Thandolwethu Biyela, 6 James Kabrowisky , 5 Andrew Engelbrecht, 4 Thomas Beling, 3 Joshua Aube, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Bradley Simango.

Jeppe High School for Boys: 15 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 14 Thulani Shabalala, 13 Exauce Kevani, 12 McMillen Mongwana, 11 Bokamoso Maphisa, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Bryce Samuel, 8 Mosiki Ndlaba, 7 Sean Mills, 6 Ruben Van Rensburg, 5 Luke Cannon, 4 Risima Khosa, 3 Luca Trevisan, 2 Kaleb Burger, 1 Ricardo Brandao.

Durban High School: 15 Bandile Zama, 14 Ntando Mavuso, 13 Amahle Mazibuko, 12 Hlumelo Madikane, 11 Maurice Willemse, 10 Deano Boesak, 9 Florensen Ockhuis , 8 Sibusiso Mahlangu, 7 Siseko Mani, 6 Daniel Ikotela, 5 Weihrich Basson, 4 Sima Hlabisa, 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Christian Everitt, 1 Siyanda Dlamini.

Fixtures:

Maritzburg College vs King Edward VII

u14A: 9:00 am (Snows), u16A: 9:45 am (Goldstones), u15A:10:00 am (Snows), u19B: 12:10 (Goldstones), u19A: 13:30 pm (Goldstones)

Jeppe High School for Boys vs Durban High School

u15A: 8:30 am (Collard Field), u14A: 9:30 am (Jake White Field) u16A: 10:30 am (Collard Field), u19B: 11:45 am (Collard Field), u19A: 13:00 pm (Collard Field).

Can Pretoria Boys’ High School emulate the heroics of the sides before them such as the class of 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2019 – finding themselves on the winning side of this epic classic clash against Affies?

There is a saying be weary of the injured bull, but more importantly one should be weary of the hungry lion.

With not much to lose, The Candies will be itching to go, as they face a strong Witbulle side away this weekend with the first XV kicking off at 13:30.

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

Twenty years ago, in 2003, the current Sharks defense coach, Joey Mongalo captained a Boys High side which featured the likes of Chiliboy Ralepelle to an emphatic 18-6 victory which ended an 18-year drought, which could inspire the current crop of players to pull off a similar feat.

If one was to critically analyze the facts as it stands; two out of these winning teams (2003 and 2005) were coached by Paul ‘The Lion’ Anthony, and again in 2019 when he was appointed as Director of Rugby.

What is more interesting if you dive deeper into the history of these two schools, when Mr Anthony was the first XV scrumhalf, Pretoria Boys High School tasted victory in 1976. The school won 19-9, after a four-year losing streak prior to that.

With a long affiliation against his nemesis Affies, he provides great perspective and guidance to the boys, on what it is like to come from a position of loss into the possibility of winning and how to seize the moment.

Looking at the present two sides one would feel the sides have both probably performed slightly under-par this year based on their results. Both squads on paper at the beginning of the year, looked very competitive with a number of provincial representatives forming part of a strong Blue Bulls set-up.

Both teams have recently lost to Maritzburg College, Boys High going down 43-12, while Affies suffered a 50-31 loss at home the week before. The hosts however beat Hoërskool Waterkloof by 57-31 last weekend and will look to take forward that momentum.

Affies, South African Schools player Janco Purchase makes a return to the side after missing out against Maritzburg College, after having been bitten by a spider. The inside center is quick to the ball and has a good match awareness.

The Candies remain without their preferred number 10, Tattersall who is still sidelined due to an injury. Winger Itu Baloyi misses out this weekend also due to injury, while Jermaine Chisanga makes it into the starting XV, and gets an opportunity to showcase his talent on the wing.

In what is expected to be a physical match-up, keep an eye on the forward packs, where the size advantage of Affies may play a significant role. Captains Steyn Truter and Shaun Schürmann will come toe-toe when they face each other in the scrums, where both players know each other well, having played together at Craven Week.

Long-Standing History

The first encounter took place in 1923 after Affies split from the original Pretoria Boys’ High, with Boys High initially dominating, where the schools faced each other on three separate occasions in that year. The Candies won the inaugural clash winning that match 6-3.

However, Affies gradually gained momentum, and from the seventies onward, they started to dominate the encounters – making life difficult for the boys across the railway.

Over the years, they have played 120 games, with Affies winning 69, Pretoria Boys’ High securing 42 victories, and 9 matches ending in draws. During the COVID pandemic the 2020 clash between the two schools was not played, the only other time matches that have been cancelled were in 1944 during the second World War and in 1957 during the great flu pandemic.

With a long history behind these two schools, one can feel the tension brewing across the railway line in the build-up to this hotly contested match. Affies will walk into this fixture as favorites having won a higher percentage of their matches compared to the visitors.

Perhaps the roar of ‘The Lion’ can motivate the Candies on what it is like to taste victory in this hugely anticipated South African schoolboy rugby derby match which dates back 98 years.

Expect a large crowd to gather where the stands will be packed with old boys from schools pouring in to watch. Hold onto your seats, as another classic clash awaits!

The teams:

Affies: 15 Migael de Lange, 14 Stephan Brits, 13 Theuns Maritz, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Eagan Roux, 10 Ruben Pienaar, 9 Hendre Schoeman, 8 Ruan Lippold, 7 Juan Vorster, 6 Braam Swanepoel, 5 Jonathan Eloff, 4 JD Hattingh, 3 Ethan Van Dyk 2 FC van Rooyen, 1 Steyn Truter (captain).

Pretoria Boys’ High: 15 Kyle Hezlett, 14 Jermaine Chisanga, 13 Ntsako Ndlovu, 12 Rickus Wessels, 11 Christoper Smith, 10 Keethan Fitz, 9 Joshua Naude, 8 Stephen Adams, 7 Marcel De Beer, 6 Thapelo Mphela, 5 Tsephpiso Shikhibana, 4 Randy Muzungu, 3 Ofentse Moeng, 2 Shaun Schürmann, 1 Kitso Mokoena.

Fixtures:

All fixtures are taking place on Affies A-Field.

u14A: 8:00 am

u15A: 9:00 am

u16A: 10:00 am

u19B: 12:20 pm

u19A: 13:30 pm

The match will undoubtedly be remembered for the individual brilliance of Bokamoso Maphisa and Siphosethu Mnebelele both of whom scored hat-tricks for their teams.

However, it was Jeppe’s cohesive teamwork that ultimately made the difference, enabling them to emerge victorious and claim the honors on this exciting day of rugby, walking away with a 43-31 win.

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

With a collective effort from the entire team, Jeppe High School for Boys managed to secure a well-deserved victory, finishing the match with a 12-point advantage, marking a thrilling and memorable encounter for all the fans and players present at Collard Field.

During the first half, both teams displayed tremendous determination and skill, resulting in a tight contest. At halftime, the scores were deadlocked at 17-17, leaving everything to play for in the second half.

As the match resumed, Jeppe’s winger, Bokamoso Maphisa, proved to be the standout performer, exhibiting his remarkable scoring ability by notching up an impressive hat-trick of tries. Maphisa’s blistering speed and clinical finishing were pivotal in pushing Jeppe ahead on the scoreboard.

On the other side, King Edward VII’s hooker, Siphosethu Mnebelele, also showcased his talent, mirroring Maphisa’s performance with a sensational hat-trick of his own. The South African Schools hooker displayed his power and skillful play in the set-pieces and open play proved to be a formidable challenge for Jeppe’s defense.

However, despite Mnebelele’s efforts, King Edward VII couldn’t overcome Jeppe’s tenacity and overall team performance. Jeppe’s players displayed were able to execute their game plan with precision and capitalizing on their scoring opportunities.

Thulani Tshabalala, in particular, played a pivotal role for Jeppe. Not only did he kick exceptionally well, converting six of his placement kicks, but he also displayed his pace on the wing.

With a collective effort from the entire team, Jeppe High School for Boys managed to secure a well-deserved victory, finishing the match with a 10-point advantage. The final scoreline stood at 41-31 in favor of Jeppe,

It turned out to be an exhilarating and closely fought encounter. The match provided an enthralling display of sportsmanship from both teams.

The Red Army have a chance to return to winning ways when they face Maritzburg College next.

Point Scorers:

Jeppe High School for Boys 43 (17) – Tries: Bokamoso Maphisa (3), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, Bryce Samuel, Kaleb Burger. Conversions: Thulani Tshabalala (5) Penalties: Thulani Tshabalala. King Edward VII 31 (17) – Tries: Siphosethu Mnebelele (3), Vusi Moyo, Timi Oluwole. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (3). 

The teams:

Jeppe High School for Boys: 15 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 14 Thulani Tshabalala, 13 McMillen Mongwana, 12 Exauce Kevani, 11 Bokamoso Maphisa, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Bryce Samuel, 8 Mosiki Ndlaba, 7 Sean Mills, 6 Lesedi Masemola, 5 Luke Cannon, 4 Risima Khosa, 3 Luca Trevisan, 2 Kaleb Burger, 1 Ricardo Brandao.

King Edward VII: 15 Tristan Maugeri, 14 Caleb Lombard, 13 Olunje Mehlomakulu, 12 Tirhani Masondo, 11 Timi Oluwole, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Ruan Van Rensburg, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Thandolwethu Biyela, 6 James Kabrowisky , 5 Andrew Engelbrecht, 4 Thomas Beling, 3 Joshua Aube, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Lesedi Moloi.

Results:

u19A: Jeppe High School for Boys 43, King Edward VII 31
u19B: Jeppe High School for Boys 17, King Edward VII 10
u16A: Jeppe High School for Boys 0, King Edward VII 32
u15A: Jeppe High School for Boys 12, King Edward VII 28
u14A: Jeppe High School for Boys 15, King Edward VII 8