Over the weekend, Mamelodi Sundowns delivered an outstanding performance in a Tshwane derby, while a win for Highlands Park underlined their determination to win the Gauteng Development League (GDL) title for a third consecutive time.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ title aspirations were tested when they faced SuperSport United in a Tshwane derby. With the GDL nearing its conclusion, nothing but a win would do, and the Braziliansrose to the challenge, claiming a 3-0 victory.
While Sundowns celebrated their win, their title-chasing rival, Highlands Park, won on their home ground, Balfour Park, to stay top of the table.
They took on the School of Excellence and won 2-0. It was a big result, not only for the vital three points the Lions of the Northadded to their tally, but also because the School of Excellence had enjoyed an outstanding showing the previous weekend, netting ten goals without conceding any in two wins.
Kaizer Chiefs and Seven’s Academy both recorded 4-0 victories, with Chiefs overpowering Joburg City, while Seven’s Academy accounted for bottom of the table Elspark.
Panorama, whose form has slumped since they won the Engen Knockout Gauteng in July, was again on the wrong end of a result, going 2-3 down to the University of Pretoria (Tuks).
Randburg scored a 1-0 victory against Jomo Cosmos, while TS Galaxy recorded a 3-1 win over East Rand Athletic.
Kathorus Hyper Academy, who had performed exceptionally well in the early part of the second round of the season’s fixtures before falling off the pace, scored a consequential victory on Saturday. Their hard-fought 2-1 win over Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) pretty much ended the Vereeniging club’s faint hopes of a second or even first-place finish.
On Sunday, Panorama, after their loss the previous day, picked up a point by securing a 1-1 draw with East Rand Athletic.
RESULTS
Saturday, 25 October
Kaizer Chiefs 4-0 Joburg City
Tuks 3-2 Panorama
TS Galaxy 3-1 East Rand Athletic
Highlands Park 2-0 School of Excellence
Randburg 1-0 Jomo Cosmos
Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 SuperSport United
Kathorus Hyper Academy 2-1 RESA
Seven’s Academy 4-0 Elspark United
Diambars Sunward’s coach, Gift Buyisile Lumka, providing instructions during a tense halftime team discussion. Photo: Siya Pongco.
Boksburg Stadium played host to the inaugural Phoenix Elites SA Games on Saturday. The new women’s football tournament ran seamlessly and ended with Diambars Sunward being crowned the first-ever champions of the tournament.
In the gold match, Diambars Sunward powered their way to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Silver Spears Sport Institute to finish the event with a clean sheet in every match.
From the very first minute of the title game, they had Silver Spears Sport under pressure, and Silver Spears didn’t seem to have a clear plan on how to counteract it.
It was all Diambars Sunward, and the score could have easily exceeded five or six goals, but they squandered opportunities, including several open-net chances, that could have turned the contest into a rout and decided the outcome very early.
However, once the first goal was scored, Diambars Sunward’s confidence soared. They maintained a strong press, forcing Silver Spears Sport to play most of the game in their own half.
Frustration was evident on the bench of Silver Spears Sport. Yet, there was little they could do, and critical errors under pressure cost them the championship.
Earlier in the day, Diambars Sunward beat East Rand Ladies 1-0 in the semi-finals, while Silver Spears Sport also claimed a narrow 1-0 win against Kathorus United.
Diambars Sunward (in black kit) continued to apply pressure on Silver Spears Sport (in yellow kit), seizing their opportunities, and ultimately their persistence was rewarded with a victory in the final. Photo: Siya Pongco
The tournament was designed to ensure that every participant could leave as a winner, as reflected in the organiser’s slogan, “Opportunity Meets Purpose.”
Diambars Sunward, the competition’s champions, took home R20 000, while Silver Spears Sport, the runner-up, received R10 000.
Kathorus United, who reached the semifinals, were awarded the kits winners’ prize, while East Rand Ladies, their fellow semi-finalists, were the soccer boot winners.
Among the other winners were PFC Ladies, who were awarded transport vouchers, and Albertho Girls’ Academy, who received soccer equipment as their prize.
As stated by the tournament director, Melissa Sall, to SuperSport Schools Plus last week, the tournament was set up to be distinctly different from any previous tournaments, designed so that every participant emerges as a winner. That sentiment was the prevailing message of the day.
SuperSport Schools Plus spoke with the Rustenburg City coach, Technocrat Yusuf, to discuss the North West Province’s side’s experience of participating in the inaugural Phoenix Elites SA games.
Earlier this year, Phoenix Elites SA organised a five-a-side tournament to which Rustenburg City was invited. Coach Yusuf believes that the tournament organisers may have recognised something in his team that led to their invitation to the Phoenix Elites SA Games as the only side from outside of the Gauteng province.
Rustenburg City coach, Technocrat Yusuf. Photo: Siya Pongco.
Yusuf shared the reasons for his team’s successes at the five-a-side event, saying: “It is primarily a matter of discipline, and during the five-a-side tournament, our goalkeeper was awarded the title of goalkeeper of the tournament. She participated in all the matches despite being injured. Perhaps this demonstrated the determination of our girls to the organisers.”
The Phoenix Elites SA Games was his side’s first time competing in an 11-a-side tournament outside of the North West, Yusuf told SuperSport Schools Plus. That was a big challenge, he added, because teams in Gauteng are more advanced than those in the North West.
Rustenburg City lost all of their matches in Group A, but they were, nonetheless, competitive. Despite those defeats, it was a valuable learning opportunity for his charges, said Yusuf. It was essential for his team to push beyond their limits and to be exposed to various styles of play and competition.
Yusuf also praised Phoenix Elites SA for promoting girls’ football. “The Phoenix Group is performing an excellent job, and I would like to extend my personal gratitude for their efforts,” he said.
“Upon our arrival in the morning, breakfast was provided, lunch was offered, water was available, medical assistance was on hand, and everything was organised to a top-class standard.”
RESULTS
Saturday, 25 October
Group A
Silver Spears Sport 2-0 Rustenburg City
Absalom Tete 1-0 Rustenburg City
Diambars Sunward 2-0 Rustenburg City
Diambars Sunward 5-0 Absalom Tete
Silver Spears Sport 1-0 Absalom Tete
Diambars Sunward 1-0 Silver Spears Sport
Group B
Kathorus United 3-1 PFC Ladies
East Rand 0-0 Albertho Girls’ Academy
Albertho Girls’ Academy 0-0 Kathorus United
Kathorus United 0-0 East Rand Ladies
East Rand Ladies 1-0 PCF Ladies
Kathorus United 3-1 PCF Ladies
Kathorus United 0-0 East Rand Ladies
East Rand Ladies 1-0 PCF Ladies
PCF Ladies 2-0 Albertho Girls’ Academy
Semifinals
Silver Spears Sport 1-0 Kathorus United
Diambars Sunward 1-0 East Rand Ladies
SuperSport United faces title-challenging Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday in a Tshwane derby, which promises heightened excitement. Photo: Mondli Dube.
The pressure is on as the Gauteng Development League (GDL) barrels towards its conclusion. One hopes, only, that the weather doesn’t interfere as it did last weekend, when a couple of crucial top-of-the-table matches were forced to be postponed.
This weekend, the spotlight shifts to Mamelodi Sundowns, who will play in a Tshwane derby on Saturday, tackling SuperSport United at Eskom Megawatt Park.
Sundowns, second in the standings, need to bag every point possible if they are to prevent Highlands Park from winning the GDL for a third season in succession. They’re currently three points behind the Lions of the North.
Highlands Park leads the way with 74 points, while Sundowns has 71, and they have both played 31 matches. The Braziliansneed Highlands Park to drop points.
They do own a superior goal difference, which would be to their advantage should Highlands Park slip up. But SuperSport United presents a tough challenge for ‘Downs.
On Saturday, they overran Elspark United 7-0 and followed that impressive result with a 3-0 win over East Rand Athletic on Sunday.
Will the School of Excellence sustain that level of performance on Saturday, or will the Lions of the North own the park at their home, Balfour Park?
While the competition at the top of the league is intense, the battle for survival at the opposite end of the standings is on. Elspark United, in their first season in the GDL, appears set for a return to the GDL Promotional League. In 30 matches, they have picked up only three wins, four draws, and been beaten 23 times.
Tshiamo Selemela, who recently earned the man of the match against Kathorus Hyper Academy during the u19 GDL Festival, is set to be one of the pivotal players in the Tshwane derby for SuperSport United. Photo: Mondli Dube
With only 13 points to their names and four matches remaining, Elspark takes on 16th-placed Seven’s Academy on Saturday.
It has also been a difficult season for Seven’s Academy, who have just five wins, seven draws, and 19 losses from 31 matches, which leaves them with 22 points. It’s a battle at the bottom, but it could be a pivotal game in both clubs’ seasons. They’re split by East Rand Athletic Club, which is in 17th-place, with 21 points.
Kaizer Chiefs, who are on course for a sixth-place finish, haven’t performed to their usual standards this season, but they’ll have a chance to boost their points’ tally by three when they host Joburg City at home.
Panorama, who have been struggling for form, welcome the University of Pretoria (Tuks) to the Panorama Sports Ground in Roodepoort.
Randburg, who were in the thick of the title race at one point of the season, have fallen off the pace more recently, but they’re still fourth on the log. They go up against Jomo Cosmos at the Randburg Sports Complex.
In other matches, Wits Junior hosts Rockefvs at Marks Park, while Kathorus Hyper Academy will be visited by Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) at the Huntersfield Stadium.
On Sunday, TS Galaxy is scheduled to play against Joburg City, and Panorama takes on East Rand Athletic.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 25 October
14:00
Kaizer Chiefs vs Joburg City, Kaizer Chiefs Village
15:00
SuperSport United vs Mamelodi Sundowns, Eskom Megwatt Park
Elspark United vs Seven’s Academy, Elspark Sports Ground
Highlands Park vs School of Excellence, Balfour Park
Wits Junior vs Rockefvs, Marks Park
Panorama vs Tuks, Panorama Sports Ground
Randburg vs Jomo Cosmos, Randburg Sports Complex
Kathorus vs RESA, Huntersfield Stadium
Sunday, 26 October
16:00
TS Galax vs Joburg City, George Lea Park
16:30
Panorama vs East Rand Athletic, Panorama Sports Ground
Phoenix Elites SA team (left to right): Boitumelo Rasehlo, Melissa Sall, and Sonia Dlomo. Photo: Supplied.
Phoenix Elites SA, known for its commitment to community development and upliftment, is once again doing its bit to promote women’s football by hosting the first-ever Annual Phoenix Elites SA Games at the Boksburg Stadium, on Saturday, 25 October.
The Annual Phoenix Games follows an announcement made months ago by Phoenix Elite SA about its partnership with the Gauteng Women’s Soccer League, which is set to kick off next month.
Earlier this year, Melissa Sall, the Managing Director of Phoenix Group SA, told SuperSport Schools Plus that the organisation was setting up its own tournament in October. She said it would be distinctly different from any other.
Earlier this week, SuperSport Schools Plus spoke with Sall again about the forthcoming event.
Sall said the primary goal of her organisation is to instigate change across the regional leagues, not limited to a single league, and thus create a significant impact.
Many regional teams lack sponsorship, and managing a club in South Africa poses considerable challenges, as most clubs depend on the national governing body of South African football, the South African Football Association (SAFA), for assistance, but that is often not nearly enough.
“We have pinpointed teams within the regional league, including one team from outside the province [of Gauteng], namely Rustenburg City, to take part in this tournament,” Sall said.
“The essence of the tournament is to bridge the gap between the financial support that the teams require and their internal needs, such as equipment. For instance, some girls do not have soccer boots, and there is a need for hygiene products – sports bras, and similar items,” she elaborated.
Sall also informed SuperSport Schools Plus that all teams participating in the annual games will have their affiliation fees for the season in their respective leagues covered. That is a substantial commitment and one that will alleviate some of the financial pressures under which clubs find themselves.
The affiliation fee for teams in regional leagues amounts to R3000. Any teams that earn promotion to the Sasol League will also receive R3000 towards their affiliation fee for the 2026 season.
Phoenix Elites SA recently organised the Legend x Sponsor Mixer to commemorate the partnership, legacy, and the future of the game. During the festivities, Joseph Mkhonza was honoured for his 33-year contribution to women’s football, a legacy that has paved the way for the current generation of women’s football in South Africa. Photo: Phoenix Elites SA on Facebook.
“When I did the evaluation, if a team struggles to cope in the regional league, it will even be more difficult for them to survive in the Sasol League. Within the Sasol League, the teams are required to travel even further than what the regional league would,” Sall explained.
She also said the group is seeking additional sponsors, including corporates, to essentially adopt a team and accompany them throughout their journey.
There are significant prizes available, with a total value of up to R100 000 at the Boksburg Stadium on Saturday. The prizes have been uniquely structured to align with the specific needs that have been identified.
Sall said it is the goal of Phoenix Elites SA to hold the tournament not only once a year but twice a year.
She also mentioned a goal of including all teams from various regions across all leagues, encompassing the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) teams, the Sasol League, and potentially even Hollywoodbets Super League teams.
Sall also spoke about what will set the Phoenix Elites event apart. “For us to see change, it would need all of us in sport and even the corporate world to support this initiative,” she said. “The biggest problem we have with tournaments right now is that the tournament comes, one team wins, and that is it. There’s no follow-up with the team.
“There’s no one working to actually secure proper sponsors for the teams. Phoenix Elite SA is trying to connect teams with corporate business, and that would definitely be the game changer for us.”
Recently, Phoenix Elite SA paid tribute to and celebrated the iconic former coach of Banyana Banyana and ex-Kaizer Chiefs‘ player, Joseph Mkhonza, for his contributions in paving the way for numerous current South African women’s football legends.
Mkhonza boasts over 30 years of experience in advancing women’s football in South Africa and remains active with his club, the Springs Home Sweepers, which earlier this year announced a transformative partnership with Mkhonza’s previous club, Kaizer Chiefs.
Sall said that when Mkhonza was honoured and celebrated, many former Banyana Banyana players, whom he had coached, were present.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s tournament, Sall said the players should anticipate a great deal of enjoyment, and she extended an invitation to fans of the beautiful game to get out and take in the action.
“A lot of our sponsors will be pulling through, like the Legends Barbershop, which has offered to give all the girls who need it a haircut on the day. And the teams will be able to meet the people behind all the sponsorship of the event,” she added.
“All I can say is that I truly believe in the sports’ industry. The more we stay together, we can definitely make this work for our girls.
“Ultimately, that is what is keeping girls and boys from the streets and getting involved in wrong things. It also allows us to support them within the sport and within their school careers as well,” she concluded.
FIXTURES
Boksburg Stadium
Group A
08:30 – Absalom Tete vs Diambars Sunwards
09:20 – Rustenburg City vs Silver Spears Sport
10:10 – Absalom Tete vs Rustenburg City
11:00 – Diambars Sunwards vs Silver Spears Court
11:50 – Absalom Tete vs Silver Spears Sport
12:40 – Diambars Sunward vs Rustenburg
Group B
08:30 – Albertho Girls’ Soccer Academy vs East Rand Ladies
09:20 – Kathorus United vs PCF Ladies
10:10 – Albertho Girls’ Soccer Academy vs Kathorus United
11:00 – East Rand Ladies vs PCF Ladies
11:50 – Albertho Girls’ Soccer Academy vs PCF Ladies
12:40 – East Rand Ladies vs Kathorus United
King Edward VII School (KES) went unbeaten at the Inanda Hoops Classic Challenge and claimed the championship title by defeating St Benedict’s College in the final. Photo: St David’s Marist Inanda on Facebook
On Sunday, King Edward VII School (KES) claimed the championship title of the Inanda Hoops Classic Challenge at St David’s Marist Inanda, succeeding St Stithians College as the champions after a tense 29-27 win over St Benedict’s College in the final.
The teams had met earlier in Pool B, with KES defeating Bennies 57-42. However, with the title on the line, the contest was far tighter, and it went down to the wire.
KES, though, had been the standout team from the first tip-off, thanks Siya Ndlovu, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), who was included in the All-Star Team with his teammates, Bradley Moyo and Tim Fanny. They were joined in the side by Bennies’ Bahlebonke Mazibuko from St Benedict’s College and Shakalo Mda, of Michael Mount Waldorf School.
With their All-Star trio leading the way, KES went undefeated, cruising to impressively dominant victories in their group stage assignments.
In the semifinals, KES took on their neighbours, St John’s College, who had powered to a 40-26 win over Parktown Boys’ High in the quarterfinals. St John’s extended KES, but not quite enough as KES claimed a 47-42 win.
St Benedict’s College advanced to the final by seeing off the challenge of Michael Mount, who had ousted St David’s Marist Inanda in the quarterfinals. In their semifinals’ clash, Bennies triumphed 41-34.
That left Michael Mount and St John’s College to battle it out for bronze, and it was Michael Mount who came away with the medals after a 25-18 victory.
While St Benedict’s just missed out on the u19 title, their u15 side went all the way, defeating St Stithians 46-41 in their age group final.
RESULTS
Saturday, 18 October
Quarterfinals
KES 36-27 Hilton College
St John’s College 40-26 Parktown Boys’ High
St Benedict’s College 36-30 The King’s Linbro
Michael Mount 37-32 St David’s
Semifinals
KES 47-42 St John’s College
St Benedict’s College 41-34 Michael Mount
The u16 Boys Basketball team of Deutsche Schule Kapstadt (DSK), coached by Nkanyiso Ngcobo, was crowned champions of the u16 Wynberg Boys’ High School Basketball Tournament on Sunday. Photo: Deutsche Internationale Schule Kapstadt – DSK on Facebook
Deutsche Schule Kapstadt (DSK), also known as the German International School Cape Town, and Pinelands High walked away the winners of the u16 and u19 competitions at the annual Wynberg Boys’ High Basketball Tournament on Sunday.
The three-day event featured the top basketball-playing schools from the Western Cape and, for the first time, a school from the Eastern Cape, with St Andrew’s College, from Makhanda, also joining in. In total, there were 18 teams in action across the two age categories.
DSK secured the u16 Wynberg Boys’ Basketball Championship
After the group stages game were concluded, Wynberg Boys’ High faced Rondebosch Boys’ High in the quarterfinals of the u16 competition on Saturday, with the hosts winning the southern suburbs’ showdown 29-19.
The eventual champions of this division, DSK, faced the out-of-town visitors, St Andrew’s College, in the quarterfinals, with DSK showcasing their dominance in a 48-18 victory.
In one of the most fiercely contested matches of the last eight, Pinelands High and Westerford High engaged in a back-and-forth battle. A very tight contest eventually ended in a three-point win for Pinelands, who advanced to the semifinals by a 53-50 margin.
Blouberg International School secured the final semifinals’ spot, comfortably moving on with a 49-21 defeat of Bishops Diocesan College.
In Sunday’s semifinals, Wynberg Boys’ High handled Pinelands High’s challenge with aplomb, picking up a 49-31 win, while DSK was pushed hard by Blouberg International School but won 54-46.
Third place went the way of Blouberg, who almost doubled up Pinelands, rocketing their way to a 73-38 victory.
In the final, DSK had the edge over Wynberg and won by 10 points, 49-39, to win the gold medals.
Pinelands High secured the gold at the Wynberg Boys’ Basketball Tournament
Victory in the u19 competition went the way of Pinelands High, who took down Wynberg Boys’ High in the final, leaving the host school as the runner-up in both age groups.
In the title game, Pinelands High, led by the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), Aiden Erasmus, turned on the style to record a comfortable 53-30 victory over the hosts. Anako Faltien, from DSK, was named the u16 MVP.
The Western Cape Basketball Association recognised Erasmus’s excellence in February when it bestowed the association’s Best Player Award on him.
Earlier this year, he represented the Western Cape province in the Basketball South Africa Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT). Additionally, he has been honoured with a Special Achievement Award from the Cape Metro District u17 Basketball Team.
Erasmus is under the tutelage of the renowned coach and former South African Basketball player, Vincent Ntunja, and the MVP award at the Wynberg Boys’ High Tournament was just the latest in a long list of accomplishments.
RESULTS
Saturday, 18 October
u16 Quarterfinals
Wynberg Boys’ High 29-19 Rondebosch Boys’ High
Deutsche Schule Kapstadt 48-16 St Andrew’s College
Pinelands 53-50 Westerford
Blouberg International School 49-21 Bishops Diocesan College
Sunday, 19 October
u16 Semifinals
Wynberg Boys’ High 49-31 Pinelands
Deutsche Schule Kapstadt 54-46 Blouberg International School
u16 Bronze Playoff
Blouberg International School 73-38 Pinelands
u16 Final
Deutsche Schule Kapstadt 49-39 Wynberg Boys’ High
u19 Boys Competition
u19 Quarterfinals
Pinelands 77-28 St Andrew’s College
Wynberg Boys’ High 50-41 Westerford
Rondebosch Boys’ High 44-31 Sunridge Circle High School
Bishops Docesan College 43-24 Wynberg Wolves
u19 Semifinals
Pinelands 62-37 Westerford
Wynberg Boys’ High 35-29 St Andrew’s College
The School of Excellence picked up two wins on the weekend, comfortably defeating Elspark United and East Rand Athletic Club at Elandsfontein Park. Photo: Mondli Dube
The School of Excellence, one of the Gauteng Development League‘s (GDL) and South Africa’s most renowned football academies, recorded two victories while scoring 10 goals without conceding any in two outings on the weekend.
It has been an unexpectedly difficult season for the School of Excellence, but they turned on the style on Saturday to deliver a captivating performance against Elspark United at Elandsfontein Park
Elspark had few answers as the home side netted seven times while remaining rock-solid on defence.
On Sunday, the School of Excellence returned to the same venue to take on the East Rand Athletic Club. The home ground advantage once against worked for the hosts, who rolled to a 3-0 victory.
In Vereeniging, Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) hosted the recent bronze medal winners of the Engen Champ of Champs, Panorama, at President Park.
Despite their medal-winning efforts in the Champ of Champs, Panorama carried mixed form into the clash. Ever since they won the Engen Knockout Challenge Gautengin July, where they defeated Kaizer Chiefs in the final, it has been a roller-coaster ride for the Roodepoort club, and on Saturday another dip awaited Panorama.
RESA prevailed 4-0 to keep their grip on third place in the standings, while also keeping them within reach of possibly finishing as high as second by the season’s end.
It took 34 minutes for the home side to open the scoring, with Bandile Radebe netting after an assist from Samukelo Mthombeni.
Seven minutes into the second half, Mthombeni netted a goal of his own, with Onthathile Lemao setting him up.
Their third came only five minutes later, courtesy of an own goal, and Radebe slotted his second with nine minutes remaining, again thanks to Mthombeni’s assistance, to complete the scoring.
Mamelodi Sundowns, in second place and chasing Highlands Park for the title, was forced to abandon their match on Sunday because of adverse weather, but so, too, was Highlands Park forced to abandon theirs.
Sundowns, though, closed the gap because they won on Saturday, outplaying Seven’s Academy 6-1 at Clapham High.
Much like the School of Excellence, Kaizer Chiefs has typically been one of the title contenders, but this season has been more challenging than usual. although Chiefs lie sixth on the table, while the School of Excellence is in 14th place following their two big wins.
After a narrow 3-2 victory over Jomo Cosmos last weekend at the Kaizer Chiefs Village, the Phefeni Glamour Boys took on the 13th-placed Rockefvs at the ACCP Grounds, and it was the home team who came away with the points, downing Chiefs 2-1.
A number of matches resulted in the sides sharing the spoils, with Jomo Cosmos and Wits Junior playing to a goalless draw. There was a similar result in the game between Kathorus Hyper Academy and East Rand Athletic on Saturday at Tsakane Stadium.
Joburg City and SuperSport United drew 1-1.
RESULTS
Saturday, 18 October
Jomo Cosmos 0-0 Wits Junior
Kathorus 0-0 East Rand Athletic
Joburg City 1-1 SuperSport United
RESA 4-0 Panorama
Mamelodi Sundowns 6-1 Seven’s Academy
School of Excellence 7-0 Elspark United
Randburg 1-1 TS Galaxy
Rockefvs 2-1 Kaizer Chiefs
Sunday, 19 October
School of Excellence 3-0 East Rand Athletic
Games abandoned due to bad weather:
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Panorama
Highlands Park vs Tuks
In their opening match on Friday against Pretoria Boys’ High, Parktown Boys’ High secured a win in that game as well as in all their group matches. Photo: Siya Pongco
On Friday, the second day of the Inanda Hoops Classic Challenge at St David’s Marist Inanda, the high intensity basketball that was evident on the first day of the tournament continued and set the stage for the quarterfinals on Saturday.
One of the huge upsets of the day was the early elimination of the defending champions, St Stithians College, from title contention.
In Pool A, the hosts, St David’s, who had won both of their games on Thursday, qualified for the quarterfinals along with Parktown Boys’ High, who finished top of the group.
On Friday, St David’s started off Pool A’s action with a decisive 54-28 victory over Redhill School. However, the hosts were unable to overcome Parktown Boys’ High and went down by only three points in a thriller, with Parktown holding on for a slim 45-42 win.
Parktown also beat Sacred Heart College 46-38 on Friday, while Pretoria Boys High enjoyed an excellent day after suffering defeats to St David’s and Parktown on Thursday. They overran Sacred Heart 71-20 and downed Redhill 46-32.
A second-place finish leaves St David’s to take on Michael Mount Waldorf, who topped Pool D, in the quarterfinals, while Parktown faces an intriguing match against St John’s College for a place in the semi-finals, which are scheduled for Saturday evening.
In Pool B, King Edward VII School (KES) and St Benedict’s College made it through to the quarterfinals. On Saturday, KES takes on HiltonCollege, the second-place finishers from Pool C, while Bennies tackle The King’s School Linbro, the winners of Pool C.
St Alban’s College, despite its relentless efforts until the very end, could not secure a place in the quarterfinals, finishing third in Pool C behind Hilton College and The King’s School Linbro Park. Photo: Siya Pongco
KES was the most dominant team on day one of the event, and they added two more emphatic wins on day two, handing Grey High a 66-29 loss before beating Michaelhouse 56-34. One of their wins on Thursday was a 57-42 defeat of the second-place finishers, St Benedict’s.
Bennies comfortably handled Grey High on Friday, winning 52-32, while a 40-26 win over St Stithians ensured the defending champs would miss out on the quarterfinals. Michaelhouse also beat Saints, scoring a 34-31 victory.
In Pool C, King’s Linbro finished with an unblemished record, winning all four of their matches.
On Friday, they beat St Peter’s College 44-33 before holding off a stern challenge from St Alban’s College, claiming a one-point 30-29 win.
After winning one match and losing to King’s Linbro on Friday, Hilton College decisively defeated St Peter’s College 41-9 and followed up with a 33-17 victory over Inanda Invitational.
St Alban’s College, meanwhile, beat Inanda Invitational 32-17 after their loss to King’s Linbro earlier in the day.
From Pool D, both Michael Mount and St John’s College advanced to the quarterfinals, with Michael Mount leading the way.
Grey High players warming up before their match. Photo: Siya Pongco
On Friday, St John’s College, who lost to Michael Mount, bounced back with a 46-41 win over Crawford College. They, then, secured their place in the last eight with a 44-32 defeat of St Andrew’s College.
Michael Mount downed St Andrew’s 51-39 and beat Jeppe High School for Boys 48-34. The Kensington boys also fell 53-60 to Crawford, which left Jeppe winless.
Saturday’s schedule includes the quarterfinal matches, as well as the classification and positional games, with the semifinals highlighting the action in the evening.
RESULTS
Friday, 17 October
Pool A
St David’s 54-28 Redhill
Pretoria Boys High 71-20 Sacred Heart College
Parktown Boys’ High 45-42 St David’s
Pretoria Boys High 46-32 Redhill
Parktown Boys’ High 46-38 Sacred Heart College
Pool B
St Benedict’s College 53-32 Grey High School
Michaelhouse 34-31 St Stithians College
KES 66-29 Grey High
St Benedict’s College 40-26 St Stithians College
KES 56-34 Michaelhouse
Pool C
Hilton College 41-9 St Peter’s College
St Alban’s College 32-17 Inanda Invitational
The King’s Linbro 44-33 St Peter’s College
Hilton College 33-17 Inanda Invitational
The King’s Linbro 30-29 St Alban’s College
Pool D
St John’s College 50-22 KES
St John’s College 46-41 Crawford
Michael Mount 51-39 St Andrew’s College
Crawford 60-53 Jeppe
St John’s College 44-32 St Andrew’s College
Michael Mount 48-34 Jeppe
Saturday, 18 October
Fixtures
Quarterfinals
09:15
Court 1 – Parktown Boys’ High (A1) vs St John’s College (D2)
Court 2 – KES (B1) vs Hilton College (C2)
Court 3 – Michael Mount (D1) vs St David’s (A2)
Court 4 – The King’s Linbro (C1) vs St Benedict’s College (B2)
Consolation Games
09:15
Court 5 – Grey High (B5) vs Inanda Invitational (C5)
13:00
Court 1 – Pretoria Boys High (A3) vs Crawford (D3)
Court 2 – Michaelhouse (B3) vs St Alban’s College (C3)
Court 3 – Redhill (A4) vs St Andrew’s College (D4)
Court 5 – St Stithians College (B4) vs St Peter’s College (C4)
Semifinals
18:00
Court 1 – Winners QF1 vs QF2
Court 2 – Winners QF3 vs QF4
Mamelodi Sundowns faces a crucial weekend, with two must-win matches on their schedule and no margin for error if they are to challenge for the GDL title. Photo: Mondli Dube.
After a quieter four-match weekend, the Gauteng Development League (GDL) returns with a full schedule this weekend, with the pressure dialled up to the maximum as the season nears its conclusion.
Highlands Park leads the way and is positioned to win the GDL title for a third year in succession, but Mamelodi Sundowns are chomping at their heels and ready to pounce if the Lions of the Northslip up.
The Braziliansface a tough challenge this weekend, however. They have a game in hand, but they’ll make it up by playing a double-header. On Saturday, they host Seven’s Academy at Clapham High. Then, on Sunday, they travel to Roodepoort for a showdown with Panorama.
On paper, Sundowns should be favoured in both matches, but the GDL season has been anything but predictable and anything could happen.
With four games remaining, Sundowns has 68 points and could reach a maximum of 80 if they win all of them. Highlands Park, on the other hand, has three games left and could tally 83 points with victories in all three.
It is, however, advantage to Highlands Park, with Sundowns needing the two-time defending champions to drop points if they are to take over at the top.
While Sundowns are favoured against Seven’s Academy, they’re also under significant pressure to perform, and it will not be an easy match for either side. Sundowns’ coach, Kristopher Bergman, told SuperSport Schools Plus in August that in the GDL every game must be fought for, and no results are assured.
Highlands Park, who will be heading to Pretoria to play the University of Pretoria (Tuks) on Sunday, will, no doubt, keep a close eye on the Sundowns versus Seven’s Academy match.
After winning a bronze medal at the Engen Champ of Champs, Panorama shift its attention back the GDL, with matches on Saturday and Sunday. Photo: Mondli Dube
Sundowns will have their own road game on Sunday, and it will be a tester, taking on Panorama at the Panorama Sports Ground.
Panorama was in action in the Engen Champs of Champs last weekend, where they secured a bronze medal by defeating Junior Birds 5-0 in the third-place playoff.
The title went to Cape Town City, who defeated Chippa United 3-0 in the final.
The Roodepoort club also has a Saturday match on their schedule. They take a trip to Vereeniging to face third placed Remember Elite Sport Academy(RESA) at President Park Stadium.
Jomo Cosmos takes on Wits Junior at the Rand Stadium, while the School of Excellence has two matches to play. On Saturday, they take on Elspark United at Elandfontein. Then, on Sunday, they meet the East Rand Athletic Club at the same venue.
Joburg City welcomes SuperSport United to the Greek Sporting Club, while Kathorus Hyper Academy and East Rand Athletic Club meet at Tsakane Stadium.
TS Galaxy is scheduled to host Randburg at the 3rd Square Stadium in Alexandra.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 18 October
14:00
TS Galaxy vs Randburg, 3rd Square Stadium
15:00
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Seven’s Academy, Clapham High School
Joburg City vs SuperSport United, Greek Sporting Club
School of Excellence vs Elspark United, Elandsfontein Park
Jomo Cosmos vs Wits Junior, Rand Stadium
RESA vs Panorama, President Park
Rockefvs vs Kaizer Chiefs, ACCP Grounds
East Rand Athletic vs Kathorus, Tsakane Stadium
Sunday, 19 October
15:00
Tuks vs Highlands Park, University of Pretoria
Panorama vs Mamelodi Sundowns, Panorama Sports Ground
School of Excellence vs East Rand Athletic, Elandsfontein
Hilton College scored a narrow win over St Alban’s College after a back-and-forth contest. Photo: Siya Pongco.
The annual Inanda Hoops Classic Challenge at St David’s Marist Inanda, one of the most highly anticipated school basketball tournaments of the year, tipped off on Thursday.
The event, which hosts u12, u15, and u18 competitions, runs for four days and concludes with the crowning of the champions on Sunday.
The u12 division features 10 teams, while the u15 and u18 competitions feature 20 teams each.
In the u18 division, where most of the attention is focused, the hosts, St David’s, made a strong impression, posting two wins in Pool A play.
They kicked off their campaign with a decisive 53-30 victory over Sacred Heart College and later won by 10 points against Pretoria Boys High, triumphing 45-35 in a hard-fought contest.
The hosts, St David’s Marist Inanda, put on a show on day one of the Inanda Hoops Classic Challenge, securing victories in both of their matches on Thursday. Photo: Siya Pongco
Parktown Boys’ High also shone in Pool A, dominating Redhill School 48-22 before handing Pretoria Boys High a 46-32 defeat.
After their loss to Parktown Boys’ High, Redhill picked up a win, holding off Sacred Heart College to claim a tight 42-38 victory on a swelteringly hot day.
In Pool B, the defending champions, St Stithians College, experienced mixed fortunes, with their day finishing on a down note when they were well beaten by King Edward VII School (KES), who cruised to a 56-23 win.
Earlier in the day, Saints had scored a commanding 53-19 win over Grey High. The Gqeberha school also went down to Michaelhouse, losing 32-42.
St Benedict’s College beat Michaelhouse 37-30 in their opener, but succumbed to KES, who won 57-42 to lay down a serious marker.
In Group C, the competition started with The King’s School Linbro Park defeating the Inanda Invitational side 32-23. In their second outing, Inanda Invitational was edged out by St Peter’s College, who posted a 25-24 victory.
King’s Linbro, on the other hand, returned to the court and added another win to their record, downing Hilton College 42-34. Earlier, in an evenly contested clash, Hilton had battled their way to a 41-37 win over St Alban’sCollege. The Pretoria school finished the day with one win and one loss, having earlier scored a 39-29 win over St Peter’s College.
Redhill School launches an attack, while Parktown Boys’ High, fully alert, prepares to repel it. Photo: Siya Pongco.
In Pool D, Michael Mount Waldorf School was the only team to finish the day unbeaten. Unfortunately for Jeppe High School for Boys, they found themselves on the opposite end of the equation after losing both of their games.
Crawford College, St Andrew’s College, and St John’s College each scored a victory and suffered a defeat.
The match between Michael Mount and St John’s College was one of the most entertaining of the day, with the lead exchanging hands numerous times. Ultimately, Michael Mount secured a narrow 45-41 win. They followed up with a 60-42 defeat of Crawford.
Following that setback in their opening game, St John’s College rebounded with a 54-43 win over Jeppe, while St Andrew’s College sneaked a 25-23 victory over Jeppe.
The Makhanda school, however, also experienced the taste of defeat in another tight game, going down 40-43 against Crawford College.
RESULTS
Thursday, 16 October
Pool A
St David’s 53-30 Sacred Heart College
Parktown Boys’ High 48-22 Redhill
Parktown Boys’ High 46-32 Pretoria Boys High
Redhill 42-38 Sacred Heart College
St David’s 45-35 Pretoria Boys High
Pool B
KES 57-42 St Benedict’s College
St Benedict’s College 37-30 Michaelhouse
St Stithians College 53-19 Grey High School
KES 56-23 St Stithians College
Michaelhouse 42-32 Grey High School
Pool C
The King’s Linbro 32-23 Inanda Invitational
St Alban’s College 39-29 St Peter’s College
Hilton College 41-37 St Alban’s College
St Peter’s College 25-24 Inanda Invitational
The King’s Linbro 42-34 Hilton College
Pool D
Michael Mount 45-41 St John’s College
St Andrew’s College 25-23 Jeppe
Michael Mount 60-42 Crawford
St John’s College 54-43 Jeppe
Crawford 43-40 St Andrew’s College
Over the weekend, Mamelodi Sundowns delivered an outstanding performance in a Tshwane derby, while a win for Highlands Park underlined their determination to win the Gauteng Development League (GDL) title for a third consecutive time.
