The annual Discovery High Schools Knockout Cup finals take place on Thursday at Reddam House Bedfordview in Germiston, where Edenvale High and Ferndale High will face off in the u19 final.
Initiated in 2008, the Discovery Cup was founded by Craig Smee, of Reddam House Bedfordview, to provide a structured and competitive environment for youth football players.
Held annually, the competition has flourished and has become one of South Africa’s leading youth grassroots football events.
Ferndale High booked their place in Thursday’s title game with a narrow 3-2 victory over Hoërskool JanViljoen, while Edenvale High scored a 2-0 win over The King’s School Linbro Park to advance to the final.
Champions will also be decided in other age groups on Thursday, with Norkem Park High and Meridian Cosmo City meeting for the u16 title.
Norkem Park edged out Bracken High by a goal to nil in their semi-final, while Meridian Cosmo impressed in a 3-0 victory over Ferndale High.
In the u15 final, Waterstone College takes on Yeshiva College.
Last week, Yeshiva College advanced to the title decider after a 2-1 victory over Sir John Adamson High, while Waterstone College dealt with Roosevelt High School, claiming a 2-0 win.
An exciting final is anticipated in the u14 division after a couple of entertaining semi-final showdowns. Trinityhouse Glenvista, after a thrilling 5-3 semi-final win over EdenglenHigh, tackles King David Linksfield, who were 3-1 winners over Trinityhouse Little Falls.
Reddam House will also host the third-place playoffs on Thursday.
RESULTS
Semifinals
u14
Trinityhouse Glenvista 5-3 Edenglen High
King David Linksfield 3-1 Trinityhouse Little Falls
u15
Yeshiva College 2-1 Sir John Adamson
Waterstone College 2-0 Roosevelt High School
u16
Norkem Park High 1-0 Bracken High School
Meridian Cosmo City 3-0 Ferndale High School
u19
Ferndale High School 3-2 Hoërskool Jan Viljoen
Edenvale High School 2-0 The King’s School Linbro Park
The two-time defending champion, Highlands Park, bathed in the spotlight of the Gauteng Development League (GDL) on the weekend, powering their way to a 3-0 victory in an away game against Kaizer Chiefs.
Meanwhile, Randburg AFC‘s title challenge faltered when they dropped points against Seven’s Academy, while Kathorus Hyper Academy maintained their impressive run with a convincing win over Joburg City.
On Sunday, in the key match of the GDL weekend, at Kaizer Chiefs Village in Naturena, the league leaders Highlands Park delivered a terrific performance to grab a 3-0 victory over the Phefeni Glamour Boys.
Siphesihle Nyawo opened the scoring for the Lions of the North, with Thabiso Mkhwanazi making it 2-0, and Naledi Manamela completing the scoring in a resounding victory on the road.
That win enabled Highlands Park to increase their advantage at the top of the standings after the match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Jomo Cosmos was postponed. While Randburg AFC lost a seven-goal thriller against Seven’s Academy, SuperSport United had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Panorama FC.
Not only did Highlands Park win, but other results went their way, too.
In their match against Seven’s Academy, Randburg fell 3-4. Leevan Rose gave Seven’s Academy the lead, with Asithandile Took scoring their second and Sihle Gumede their third. An own goal, from a deflection off a Randburg defender following a cross from Teddy Qampi, meant Seven’s Academy claimed the three points on offer.
Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA), 1-3 losers at Mamelodi Sundowns last Sunday at Clapham High, took on an in-form University of Pretoria (Tuks) team and lifted their game to come away with a 2-0 victory. Kabelo Mofokeng gave RESA a 1-0 lead at the break, and MandlaVilakati struck in the second half.
Kathorus Hyper Academy defeated Joburg City 3-0 on Saturday, which lifted Kathorus up to eighth in the standings. They’ve been on a roll in the second round of fixtures, with their victims including, among others, Mamelodi Sundowns and the champions of the Gauteng Engen Knockout Challenge, Panorama FC.
Against Joburg City, goals from Mojalefa Nyelele, Lesego Shabangu, and Aobakwe Ntsheki ensured Kathorus continued their winnings ways with a solid performance.
In other matches on Saturday, Wits Junior played to a 2-2 draw against Elspark United, with Katlego Moalosi and Thato Mokobane scoring for Wits. Rockefvs edged out TS Galaxy 1-0, with Obinna Nwanorim scoring the decisive goal, assisted by Onkabetse Kabaso.
On Sunday, the clash between Rockefvs and Tuks was called off due to inclement weather, and Sundown’s Sundowns versus Jomo Cosmos game was also postponed.
RESULTS
Saturday, 13 September
RESA 2-0 University of Pretoria (Tuks)
Rockefvs 1-0 TS Galaxy
Kathorus Hyper Academy 3-0 Joburg City
Seven’s Academy 4-3 Randburg AFC
SuperSport United 0-0 Panorama FC
Wits 2-2 Elspark United
Sunday, 14 September
Highlands Park 3-0 Kaizer Chiefs
Rockefvs vs Tuks (Match abandoned due to bad weather)
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Jomo Cosmos (Postponed)
Unathi Ndlovu and the Mamelodi Sundowns’ defence have allowed only 19 goals in the GWDL season, a mark which has been bettered by only the SAFA Academy. Photo: Karabo Vigour on Instagram.
As the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) heats up, with only six weeks remaining in the season, the tension is rising and so, too, are the number of goals being scored. Sunday’s action produced 27.
In recent weeks, it appeared as if Mamelodi Sundowns would run away with the title, but the SAFA Academy won on Sunday to consolidate their challenge for league honours.
A 3-0 win over Hellenic Falcons brought the SAFA Academy to within four points of the Brazilians, with both teams now having played the same number of games.
Sundowns has 67 points, which gives them a little breathing room over the SAFA Academy, but not enough that they could afford more than one slip-up.
On Sunday, though, Sundowns continued their free-scoring ways, powering their way to a 7-0 victory against Panorama FC.
Nsovo Nxumalo slotted a hat-trick for the Brazilians, while Tecla Nsingo and Ronisha Nair each contributed a brace.
Highlands Park, meanwhile, scored a 4-2 victory over the University of Pretoria (Tuks), and Kempton Park FC continued on their positive trajectory, downing the Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) 3-0.
After a strong start to the season, RESA has now suffered four consecutive losses. Initially, they were among the top contenders for the GWDL title, but the past four weeks, during which some members of their squad have earned promotions to the senior ranks, have proven challenging for the Vereeniging-based club.
Atlegang Masemola proved to be the decisive factor for JVW FC in their match against Tornado Ladies Academy, netting the game’s only goal.
Refilwe FC is enjoying a strong season, and they kept hold of third place, ahead of Highlands Park, after a 4-0 win over Kenneth FC. Formed in January 2024, they’ve made their mark in no time at all.
On Sunday, Thando Mdaweni struck twice for Refilwe, while Linamandla Bahlehle and Pretty Modika also found the back of the net in a convincing victory.
Edenvale celebrated an emphatic 5-0 defeat of Dinoko Rondebult, thanks to a hat-trick from Mohau Msibi, with Kelly Khoury and Snethemba Dlamini also getting their names onto the scoresheet.
RESULTS
Sunday, 14 September
SAFA Academy 3-0 Hellenic Falcons
Edenvale FC 5-0 Dinoko Rondebult
Highlands Park 4-2 Tuks
JVW 1-0 Tornado Ladies
Kempton Park 3-0 RESA
Refilwe FC 4-0 Kenneth FC
Mamelodi Sundowns 7-0 Panorama FC
ESCA Wanderers went unbeaten on their way to lifting the u18 boys’ title at The King’s Linbro Basketball Tournament. Photo: Supplied.
After three days of high-flying action at The King’s School Linbro Park Basketball Tournament, the u13 and u18 titles were decided, with the Elite Sporting and Cultural Academy (ESCA) Wanderers claiming gold in the u18 boys’ division on Sunday.
They dominated St Benedict’s College in the final, storming their way to a convincing 41-26 victory.
Earlier in the day, in the semifinals, ESCA outplayed the hosts, King’s Linbro, 35-19, while Bennies eked out a thrilling 44-43 win over King Edward VII School (KES) after a tense and frantic contest.
Those defeats left King’s Linbro and KES to battle it out for the bronze, and it was the hosts who came away with the medals after securing a hard-fought 28-24 win.
In the girls’ division, Saheti School finished the tournament with a decisive 29-6 win over HeronBridge College in the final. Earlier, in the round-robin phase, Saheti had dominated HeronBridge and it was no different in the title game, as Saheti cruised to victory.
Saheti dominated the girls’ u18 competition and eased to a comfortable victory in the final over HeronBridge College. Photo: Supplied.
King’s Linbro picked up another bronze medal, holding off Reddam House Helderfontein 21-17 in their playoff game.
Victory in the boys’ u13 division went the way of Saheti, who turned on the style to power their way to a 28-8 win over the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ) in the final.
Saheti had cruised into the title decider after defeating Redhill School 39-14 in the semifinals. AISJ, meanwhile, scraped a 33-32 win over King’s Linbro in their final four clash.
In a recurring theme, King’s Linbro finished in the bronze medal position again after they beat Redhill School 30-18.
Victory, however, went the way of King’s Linbro in the u13 girls’ division, thanks to a tightly contested 23-18 win over Saheti in the final.
In the bronze playoff, HeronBridge College held off Redhill School 19-15.
RESULTS
BOYS’ u18
Semifinals
ESCA Wanderers 35-19 King’s Linbro
St Benedict’s College 44-43 KES
Bronze Playoff
King’s Linbro 28-24 KES
Final
ESCA Wanderers 41-26 St Benedict’s College
5th/6th
St John’s College A 31-28 St John’s College B
7th/8th
Parktown Boys’ High 33-18 Saheti
9th/10th
Reddam House Helderfontein 22-19 HeronBridge College
11th/12th
Missing results: Curro Savannah vs Croydon House School
GIRLS’ u18
Bronze Playoff
King’s Linbro 21-17 Reddam House
Final
Saheti 29-6 HeronBridge College
BOYS’ u13
Semifinals
AISJ 33-32 King’s Linbro
Saheti 39-14 Redhill
Bronze Playoff
King’s Linbro 30-18 Redhill
Final
Saheti 28-8 AISJ
GIRLS’ u13
Bronze Playoff
HeronBridge 19-15 Redhill
Final
King’s Linbro 23-18 Saheti
ALL STAR TEAMS AND AWARDS WINNERS
u18 Boys’ All-Stars
L. Mavimbela – ESCA Wanderers
B. Makedro – St Benedict’s College
M. Okeke – The King’s School Linbro Park
M. Umbangoy – KES
u18 Boys’ MVP
Siyabonga Mashaba – ESCA Wanderers
u18 Girls’ All-Stars
L. Basadien – Saheti School
C. Okuma – The King’s School Linbro Park
Seletswang – Redda House Helderfontein
Z. Ratshikuni – HeronBridge College
u18 Girls’ MVP
N. Makhuba – Saheti
u13 All Star Team
K. Mohale – The King’s School Linbro Park
Z. Dousas – Saheti School
B. Mashimby – HeronBridge College
E. Royal – Redhill School
u13 Girls’ MVP
A. Maluleke – The King’s School Linbro Park
u13 Boys’ All Stars
S. Langa – AISJ
Lyema – Saheti School
P.Okeke – The King’s School Linbro Park
L. Frenkel – Redhill School
After a day of intense basketball competition, the King’s School Linbro Park, St Benedict’s College, King Edward VII (KES), and ESCA Wanderers qualified for the semi-finals of The King’s Linbro Basketball Tournament. Photo: Supplied.
The tournament host, The King’s School LinbroPark, after two comfortable wins on Friday, suffered a setback in their last group stage outing at The King’s School Linbro Park Basketball Tournament, on Saturday.
Facing St Benedict’s College in their final Group A game, King’s Linbro went down 17-28 to Bennies, who were also unbeaten after day one’s actionafter both teams downed Croydon High School and Parktown Boys’ High.
Both King’s Linbro and St Benedict’s had done enough to qualify for the semi-finals, however. The question that remained was who would they face for a place in the final?
In the last of the Group A games, Parktown decisively defeated Croydon House 20-0.
In Group B, HeronBridge College, who went winless on Friday, going down to the St John’s College B Team and ESCA Wanderers, picked up a consolation victory, downing Curro Savannah 55-16.
ESCA Wanderers, meanwhile, continued their dominant run. After pounding HeronBridge 83-15 and Curro Savannah 75-7 on Friday, they cruised to a 51-25 win over St John’s B.
After winning all of their Group C games, King Edward VII (KES) secured a place in the semi-finals. They had comfortably dealt with St John’s A in a key clash on Friday, winning by 21 points. On Saturday, they overran Saheti 58-18 before romping to a 72-21 victory over Reddam House Helderfontein in their last group match.
Photo: Supplied.
St John’s College A kept Reddam House Helderfontein quiet in a 53-9 victory and subsequently defeated Saheti 20-0.
The six teams in the girls’ division continued their quest for a place in Sunday’s final, with Saheti and HeronBridge emerging from the melee to book their places in the title decider. Based on earlier results, Saheti will be a hot favourite.
King’s Linbro will face Reddam House Helderfontein for bronze.
Saheti A continued their winning ways on Saturday, outplaying King’s Linbro 38-10. They added two more similarly dominant victories, by 32-13 over HeronBridge College, and by 34-7 over Saheti B.
After their loss to Saheti, HeronBridge bounced back with a hard-fought 13-11 victory over Reddam House Helderfontein.
The hosts, King’s Linbro, recorded a 16-11 win over Saheti B and wrapped up Saturday with a 12-9 victory against Reddam House Helderfontein.
RESULTS
u18 Boys
Group A
Parktown Boys’ High 20-0 Croydon House School
St Benedict’s College 28-17 King’s Linbro Park
Group B
HeronBridge College 55-16 Curro Savannah
ECSA Wanderers 51-25 St John’s College B
Group C
KES 58-18 Saheti
KES 72-21 Reddam House Helderfontein
St John’s College A 53-9 Reddam House Helderfontein
St John’s College A 20-0 Saheti
u18 Girls
Saheti A 38-10 King’s Linbro
HeronBridge College 13-11 Reddam House Helderontein
Saheti A 34-7 Saheti B
King’s Linbro 12-9 Reddam House Helderfontein
Saheti A 32-13 HeronBridge College
King’s Linbro 16-11 Saheti B
FIXTURES
Sunday
u18 Boys
Semifinals
ESCA Wanderers vs King’s Linbro
KES vs St Benedict’s College
Three days of non-stop, continuous basketball action began at The King’s School Linbro Park Basketball Tournament on Friday. The action concludes on Sunday. Photo: Supplied.
The annual King’s School Linbro Park Basketball Tournament exploded into action on Friday, with two more days of competition to follow until Sunday’s final.
In Group A of the u18 boys’ competition, King’s Linbro, kicked off their challenge with two victories, beginning with a 48-16 win over Croydon House School.
They matched that output against Parktown Boys’ High School, with the match finishing 48-27 in the hosts’ favour.
After those impressive performances, King’s Linbro faces a stiff challenge on Saturday when they take on St Benedict’s College in the pivotal match of their group stage fixtures.
Bennies also sport a clean record after the opening day, although they were pushed hard by Parktown Boys’ High, winning by only two points, 29-27. They found the going easier against Croydon and ran away to a 49-21 victory.
In Group B, ESCA Wanderers, whose team includes the talented Siyabonga Mashaba, who participated in the Basketball Without Borders Camp in Rwanda last month, quickly took control.
They overran HeronBridge College 83-15 in their first outing and were every bit as dominant in their second game, charging to a 75-7 win over Curro Savannah.
King’s Linbro demonstrated their prowess on day one with decisive wins against Parktown Boys’ High and Croydon House. Photo: Supplied
On Saturday, ESCA concludes their group assignments against the St John’s College B Team, who defeated HeronBridge College 48-28.
Only two matches were played in Group C, with King Edward VII School (KES) securing a 49-28 victory over St John’s College A in a key clash, while Saheti rolled to a 75-30 win over Reddam House Helderfontein.
In the girls’ u18 competition, Reddam House Helderfontein began their campaign by blanking Saheti B 16-0.
The home team, King’s Linbro, eked out a narrow 13-12 win over HeronBridge College. HeronBridge, in turn, claimed a tight 13-10 victory against Saheyi B.
The Saheti A side, meanwhile, hit their stride against Reddam House Helderfontein, scoring an impressive 34-15 win.
RESULTS
u18 Boys
Group A
King’s Linbro 48-16 Croydon House School
St Benedict’s College 29-27 Parktown Boys’ High
St Benedict’s College 49-21 Croydon House School
King’s Linbro 48-27 Parktown Boys’ High
Group B
ECSA Wanderers 83-15 HeronBridge College
ESCA Wanderers 75-7 Curro Savvanah
St John’s College B 40-28 HeronBridge College
Group C
KES 49-28 St John’s College A
Saheti 75-30 Reddam House Helderfontein
u18 Girls
Reddam House Helderfontein 16-0 Saheti B
King’s Linbro 13-12 HeronBridge College
HeronBridge College 13-10 Saheti B
Saheti A 34-15 Reddam House Helderfontein
Players in the u13, u14, u15, u17, and u19 GDL divisions will be in action on the weekend, including the Kaizer Chiefs’ u14 side. who’ll be up against Highlands Park . Photo: Kaizer Chiefs Development on Instagram.
Another weekend of fascinating Gauteng Development League (GDL) action is on the horizon, with teams in pursuit of valuable points to remain competitive in the title race, while for others, at the bottom of the table, they’re in a battle for survival.
On Sunday, September, Kaizer Chiefs faces a tough challenge when they host Highlands Park, at Kaizer Chiefs Village, in Naturena.
The match promises to be the highlight of the GDL weekend. Although it is a home game for the Phefeni Glamour Boys, they’re going to find it difficult to secure a victory against Sfiso Mnguni’s team.
After successive wins last weekend, including over the previously table-topping Mamelodi Sundowns, the Lions of the Northhave taken over at the top. They look hungry and determined to capture a third consecutive GDL title.
Kaizer Chiefs, unusually, are not fighting it out for first place. They’re striving to break into the top five of the standings.
While they went back-to-back in 2023 and 2024, the 2025 season has not been an easy one for Highlands Park. The fight for the title is far from over, with four other teams – Mamelodi Sundowns, Randburg AFC, SuperSport United, and Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) – also in the battle for league honours.
RESA’s Sporting Director and u19 coach, Sandile Mathumbo, described the race for the title as “a blockbuster”. With each passing week, the intrigue has increased and the pressure on the frontrunners has amped up. Although RESA has experienced wavering form in recent weeks, the race is far from run.
On Saturday, the Vereeniging-based club journeys to Pretoria to face the University of Pretoria (Tuks). They visited the South African capital last weekend, taking on Sundowns at Clapham High, where they suffered a 1-3 defeat to theBrazilians.
Adding to the size of the challenge that awaits, Tuks will be full of confidence after bagging six points last weekend following a 1-0 win over East Rand Athletic Club on Saturday and a 2-0 defeat of TS Galaxy on Sunday.
For RESA, it is a must-win match if they wish to maintain their title push. The game, though, is equally important for Tuks, who are 12th in the standings at present. They’ll be focused on moving up the table.
Kazier Chiefs Village is a reliable venue for large family support of youth football. Photo: Siya Pongco
One of the most captivating matches of the weekend will feature Kathorus Hyper Academy, who have been on a hot streak.
They beat Rockefvs 2-0 last Saturday. This Saturday, they take on Joburg City at the Greek Sporting Club.
Earlier in the season, Joburg City was on a roll, but their recent form has been mixed, and they’ll be eager to bounce back from a 1-4 loss to Panorama FC last time out.
Randburg, another of the title contenders, will be hosted by Seven’s Academy at Woodlands International College, while SuperSport United tackles Panorama FC at Curro Sagewood.
GDL newcomers, Rockefvs, who have gradually improved throughout the season, remain in a precarious position within the relegation zone. They’ll be up against TS Galaxy. Meanwhile, Wits Junior travels to face struggling Elspark United Academy, who are currently at the bottom of the table, at the Elspark Sports Ground.
Concluding the weekend’s action, on Sunday, Mamelodi Sundowns takes on Jomo Cosmos. ‘Downs will be favoured ahead of the clash, but, as their coach, Krstopher Bergman mentioned in an interview with SuperSport Schools Plus, there are no certainties in the GDL, and wins are not simply handed over.
After going down to Highlands Park, Sundowns will be aiming to boost their points’ tally again to keep up the pressure on the Lions of the North. They’re six points adrift currently.
Also on Sunday, Wits duels with Joburg City, while Rockefvs faces Tuks at the ACCP Grounds. The School of Excellence welcomes the East Rand Athletic Club to Elandsfontein.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 13 September
14:00
ACCP Grounds Rockevfs vs TS Galaxy
15:00
Tuks Sports Ground Tuks vs RESA
Greek Sporting Club Joburg City vs Kathorus Hyper Academy
Woodlands International College Seven’s Academy vs Randburg AFC
Curro Sagewood SuperSport United vs Panorama FC
Elspark Sports Ground Elspark United vs Wits Junior
Sunday, 14 September
14:00
KC Village Kaizer Chiefs vs Highlands Park
15:30
JC Training Ground Jomo Cosmos vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Elandsfontein School of Excellence vs East Rand Athletic Club
The second round of the Gauteng Schools Wednesday Champions League took place at the Muckleneuk Sports Ground in Pretoria, where the School of Excellence experienced its first defeat, but ended the day leading the pack.
A week later, they added another victory, working hard for a 2-1 success against Thuto Lefa Secondary School, but in their second outing they went down 0-1 to Je Malepe Secondary. Despite the setback, the School of Excellence remains in first place with nine points.
The two-time champions of the competition, Clapham High, who were unexpectedly held to a 1-1 draw by Ibongo Secondary on the tournament’s opening day, returned to form in the second week and narrowed the gap to the School of Excellence to only two points.
Clapham High stacked successive 2-0 wins over Mokgome Secondary and Je Malepe, the team that ended the School of Excellence’s unbeaten run.
Following the School of Excellence and Clapham High in the standings are Ibongo and Je Malepe, who both have seven points, the same as Clapham, but Clapham has a game in hand, which means they’re well positioned to take over at the top from the School of Excellence.
On Wednesday, Ibongo secured a 2-0 victory over Rutasetjhaba, but were knocked back in their next outing, suffering a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Thuta Lefa.
In the last fixture of the day, Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sport School picked up a tight a 1-0 win over Je Malepe.
u17 Girls’ Competition
In the u17 girls’ Gauteng Schools Champions League, the reigning champions and two-time titleholders, Jabulile Secondary School, find themselves in an unusual position after two weeks of action. They’re currently in fourth place and trail the leaders, Clapham High, who have 12 points, by five.
On Wednesday, Jabulile took on Zithobeni Secondary School in their opening match and settled for a 1-1 draw, but they had no trouble dealing with the challenge of Randfontein High, surging to a 5-0 victory in their second match.
The Clapham High girls’ team maintained their perfect record. They are, in fact, the only side in either the boys’ or girls’ competition with a 100 percent record, having scored four wins from four matches. Their return from Wednesday’s fixtures was a massive 8-1 win over Tembisa High and a 3-0 defeat of Buhle BeMfundo.
All credit to Tembisa High, they shook off their big loss to Clapham High and rebounded with a 2-0 win over Khanya-Lesedi Secondary. After that victory, Tembisa High is only three points adrift of Clapham, and third in the standings, just behind Anchor Independent Academy.
Anchor went one and one on Wednesday, losing 1-3 to Khanya-Lesedi before scoring a 2-0 win over Randfontein High.
RESULTS
u17 Boys
Clapham 2-0 Je Malepe
School of Excellence 2-1 Thuto Lefa
Ibongo 2-0 Rutasetjhaba
Je Malepe 1-0 Rosina Sedibane
Clapham 2-0 Mokgome
Thuto Lefa 1-0 Ibongo
Je Malepe 1-0 School of Excellence
u17 Girls
Zithobeni 1-0 Buhle BeMfundo
Clapham 3-0 Buhle BemFundo
Clapham 8-1 Tembisa High
Zithobeni 1-1 Jabulile
Jabulile 5-0 Randfontein High
Tembisa High 2-0 Khanya Lesedi
Khaya Lesedi 3-1 Anchor
Anchor 2-0 Randfontein High
Captain CJ Sukraj will lead Maritzburg College in the semi-finals of the Mancosa Cowie Cup against Northwood School. Photo: Brad Morgan.
The semifinals’ lineup of the Mancosa KZNHSFA Cowie Cup has been confirmed after Maritzburg College stormed to a 5-2 victory over Brettonwood High on Wednesday in the last of the quarterfinals, played on Barns Field, in Pietermaritzburg.
After suffering a defeat to Michaelhousein the Jody Momplé Cup final on Sunday, College was back in knockout cup action and eager to move past the disappointment of falling at the final hurdle on the weekend.
Their clash with Brettonwood brought together two champion teams. During the second term, Brettonwood captured the KZNHSFA Coastal C-League title to earn promotion to the B-League in 2026. College, meanwhile, was crowned the KZNHSFA Inland A-League champion.
The Red, Black, and White, motivated by their defeat to Michaelhouse, was favoured to advance to the semi-finals, especially since they are also the reigning champions of the Cowie Cup, after defeating Port Shepstone in the 2024 final. The goal scorers in that game were Mazithi Qasha and Philasande Khuzwayo, who played a crucial role in securing a 2-0 victory for College.
On Wednesday, Qasha, once again, proved to be a devastating finisher for College. He fired in a hat-trick as College won by three over the visitors from Durban, with Nzolo Ngcemu and Zilizipho Duma also striking for the home side.
Nic Haswell, the Director of Soccer at Maritzburg College, commenting on his team’s qualification for the semifinals of the Cowie Cup, described the match against Brettonwood as exceptionally entertaining and fast-paced.
“Brettonwood were pressing us from the outset and played with great determination and energy,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus. But, he added, Maritzburg College gained an early advantage with a superb headed goal from Duma.
Brettonwood mounted a strong fightback and stunned College when they took a 2-1 lead. The hosts, though, levelled just before the break.
“Brettonwood’s impressive pressing, however, took a toll in the Pietermaritzburg heat, and College took control of the game in the second half and ran out comfortable 5-2 winners on the day,” Haswell said.
In the semi-finals, the defending champions will face a stiff challenge from a reenergised Northwood, who twice drew with College in the Primo Big 10, but eliminated the Pietermaritzburg school in the quarterfinals after their penalty shootout went to sudden death.
In the other semifinal, it will be an all-Pietermaritzburg clash between Alexandra High and the runner-up in the Inland A-League, Carter High.
Both were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Jody Momplé Cup on Sunday, with Alex falling to Hilton College 7-8 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, and Carter exiting 0-1 against Michaelhouse, who went on to lift the trophy.
Another week of captivating football unfolded throughout South Africa, with Jeppe High School for Boys, Grey College and Northwood School maintaining their impressive performances.
KZN: Mancosa Cowie Cup
Alexandra High School, who weren’t at their best during MancosaKZNHSFA Second-Term League, is one of the sides that has picked up their performances and executed a turnaround in the third term.
During the week, Alex pulled off a 2-1 win over Port Shepstone High to advance to the semifinals of the Mancosa Cowie Cup.
Carter High School, who lost out to their local rival Maritzburg College in the KZNHSFA Inland A-League final, defeated Greytown 4-2 in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw in regulation time of their quarterfinals’ clash.
Meanwhile, Northwood’s astonishing renaissance continued with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Westville Boys’ High in a derby fixture, while they advanced in the Cowie Cup after a 2-0 win over Queensburgh High.
Maritzburg College’s second team secured a 2-0 win on Saturday against Northwood, while the College 1st XI made it to the final of the Jody Momplé Cup. Photo: Maritzburg College on Facebook.
The winner will take on Northwood in the semi-finals, while it’s Alexandra versus Carter in an all-Pietermaritzburg clash in the other semi.
Selborne College wins East London High Schools Football League
Selborne College’s resilience and determination were rewarded in the B Block BWFLA High Schools League, also known as the East London High Schools Football League, which started in mid-March and concluded on 1 September.
They topped the table with 47 points, comfortably clear of the defending champion, Stutterheim High, who ended their campaign in second place, with 39 points.
In the league’s last match, Hudson Park High signed off with a 2-1 win over George Randell High 2-1.
Selborne College was crowned the winner of the East London High Schools Football League champion. Photo: Selborne College on Facebook.
Free State: Grey College lifts the Regional League
In the Magnificent Wednesday Football League, the semi-finals were contested on Monday, with Grey College surviving a tricky assignment by beating Navalsig High 2-0 to reach the final.
They took on Grassland Secondary School, 3-0 winners over Hodisa Technical Secondary School in the semifinals, for the title and it was Grey who captured the silverware after a 3-1 win.
The Bloemfontein school is also preparing for the draw of the annual Nedbank Grey College Soccer Tournament, which will be hosted at Grey on Wednesday, 10 September. The prestigious tournament takes place in October.
In 2024, St Stithians College successfully defended the title, defeating Robinvale High 2-1 in the final.
In Gauteng, King Edward VII School (KES) pulled off a 1-0 victory over Parktown Boys’ High on Wednesday. The following day, Jeppe High School for Boys continued their strong season with a 4-1 victory over Fourways High School.
Jeppe’s been on a good run, building on an already strong 2024 campaign, which earned them an invitation to the 2025 Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament where they went up against some of the finest teams in the country, with Virginia High School claiming the title.
Earlier this year, in an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus, Kevin McCarthy, the Head of Football at Jeppe, discussed the school’s growing football programme and the success it has brought.
Jeppe’s excellence is visible across all age groups, which was recently underlined at the St Andrew’s College Football Cup, in Makhanda, where Jeppe’s u15 team secured the junior title, while the u19 crown went to Bishops Diocesan College.
The winners of the u15 division in the 2025 St Andrew’s College Football Cup, Jeppe High School for Boys. Photo: St Andrew’s College on Facebook.
Following the tournament at St David’s, McCarthy said that, overall, Jeppe delivered a decent showing. “We came 14th last year, so it’s decent progress, even though I believe we could have won it,” he reckoned
In another midweek fixture, in Mpumalanga, Uplands College and Beaulieu College settled for a 2-2 draw.
On Saturday, Jeppe concluded a flawless week with a 2-0 victory over Pretoria Boys High. Beaulieu College, though, had to settle for a second 2-2 draw, this time against Penryn College.
In an intense clash, St David’s Marist Inanda and KES shared a goalless draw.
St John’s College, who had last played a match in August, returned to the field for a friendly at St Alban’s College. That, too, ended in a draw, 1-1.
In KZN, most of the weekend’s attention was on the Jody Momplé Cup, which Michaelhouse won for a second year in succession. However, Durban High School (DHS), who recently claimed the Raw Cup by defeating Maritzburg College 3-2, returned to the field against Clifton College. School found Clifton’s goalkeeper in fine form, but they battled their way to a 2-0 win.
With many of the 1st XIs in action at Hilton College in the Jody Momplé Cup, the Westville Boys’ High 2nd team scored a 2-0 win over St Charles College, while Maritzburg College’s 2nds won 2-0 against Northwood.
In Makhanda, in the Eastern Cape, St Andrew’s College hosted Mary Waters High School and lost 0-2.
RESULTS
Mancosa KZNHSFA Cowie Cup: Quarterfinals
Alexandra High 2-1 Port Shepstone
Carter High (4) 0-0 (2) Greytown
Northwood 2-0 Queensburgh High
Free State
Magnificent Wednesday Football League Knockout: Semifinals
Monday, 1 September
Grey College 2-0 Navalsig High
Grassland Secondary School 3-0 Hodisa Technical Secondary
Final
Friday, 5 September
Grey College 3-1 Hodisa Technical Secondary
East London High Schools Football League
Wednesday, 3 September
Hudson Park 2-1 George Randell High
Gauteng
Wednesday, 3 September
KES 1-0 Parktown Boys’ High
Thursday, 4 September
Jeppe 4-1 Fourways High School
Mpumalanga
Friday, 5 September
Uplands College 2-2 Beaulieu College
Gauteng
Saturday, 6 September
Jeppe 2-0 Pretoria Boys High
Penryn College 2-2 Beaulieu College
St David’s 0-0 KES
St John’s College 1-1 St Alban’s College
KwaZulu-Natal
Saturday, 6 September
Durban High School 2-0 Clifton College
2nd Teams
Westville Boys’ High 2-0 St Charles College
Maritzburg College 2-0 Northwood
The two-time defending champion, Highlands Park, bathed in the spotlight of the Gauteng Development League (GDL) on the weekend, powering their way to a 3-0 victory in an away game against Kaizer Chiefs.
