KES, one of the most entertaining teams at the Basketball Festival held at Pretoria Boys High, showed they will remain a force to be reckoned with in 2026. Photo: Pretoria Boys High.
The inaugural Pre-Season Basketball Festival at Pretoria Boys HighSchool (PHBS), contested over three days, ending on Saturday, successfully launched PHBS’s 125th anniversary celebrations.
Although it was a pre-season event, all 12 participating teams from Gauteng delivered exciting action. As a preparation exercise for the forthcoming season, the festival was also a runaway success, helping the players to work on their team cohesion, strategies, combinations, competitive spirit, and skills.
The line-up included many of the country’s leading teams, among them PHBS A, ESCA, King Edward VII School (KES), St John’s College, St Alban’s College, and St David’s Marist Inanda.
With the event being a festival, no winner was designated after Saturday’s last games. The event was more a celebration of the game than of results.
Ludwig Gerdes, the Director of Basketball at Pretoria Boys High, told SuperSport Schools Plus the festival had been exceptionally well received and it also filled a gap by giving teams an opportunity to prepare for the season in a competitive environment.
“Given the early timing of the festival, many teams arrived directly from their school holidays and were understandably not at peak fitness or form,” Gerdes said.
After suffering a loss in their opening match against Pretoria Boys High, St Alban’s College redeemed themselves by securing a victory over PBHS on the final day of the festival. Photo: Pretoria Boys High.
However, he explained, by the afternoon of the festival’s first day, the majority of teams had started to establish their rhythm, and by the end of the festival on Saturday, many teams were close to firing on all cylinders.
“Throughout the festival, it became increasingly evident that the upcoming season will be both open and fiercely competitive. The majority of games were closely contested, with teams going toe-to-toe in nearly every matchup,” Gerdes said.
“As a result of the positive feedback and high standard of competition, we are strongly considering making this an annual event, with plans to expand to 16 teams, including some of the most competitive sides from across the country.”
Hosting the festival also provided a meaningful opportunity for Boys High to celebrate the milestone of 125 years of existence, he added.
“In doing so, we believe we have carved out a place in the South African basketball landscape as a destination for high-level, competitive basketball.”
Reflecting on the home side’s performance’s, Gerdes said: “A personal highlight of the festival was the opening game, which saw the home side (PHBS) take on our city rivals, St Alban’s College. We secured a hard-fought 42–35 victory to open the festival, although it should be noted that St Alban’s returned the favour by claiming a win in the final fixture against the hosts,” he concluded.
Only one team, ESCA, emerged from the festival with a clean record. Their toughest challenge came from KES, with ESCA holding on for a one-point victory, winning 32-31 on Friday.
RESULTS
Saturday, 10 January
ESCA 34-24 PHBS A
St Alban’s College 33-27 St David’s
KES 32-21 St Stithians College
St John’s A 28-22 King’s Linbro
Jeppe 84-16 Crawford
St John’s B 22-15 PHBS B
PHBS A 24-22 St David’s
ESCA 45-25 St Alban’s College
KES 35-5 St John’s A
St Stithians College 29-21 King’s Linbro
Jeppe 33-31 St John’s B
PHBS B 51-7 Crawford
St Alban’s College 45-40 PHBS A
ESCA 44-30 St David’s
KES 48-16 King’s Linbro
St Stithians College 25-18 St John’s A
Jeppe 43-28 PHBS B
St John’s B 52-8 Crawford
Afternoon rain stopped a vibrant and exciting symphony of energy on Friday, the second day of the Pre-season Basketball Festival at Pretoria Boys High. But, before it fell, the action was even more captivating than it had been on Thursday.
PHBS A made their mark on the court, winning all of their group matches.
They followed up wins over St Alban’s College and Crawford College (Pretoria) on the opening day with an impressive dismantling of St John’s College A, romping to a decisive 28-5 victory.
St Alban’s College also performed exceptionally well in their final group match, cruising to a 66-20 win over Crawford College.
One of the most eagerly awaited clashes of the festival took place in Pool B, where ESCA faced off against King Edward VII School (KES). Both had won their two matches on Thursday.
Their clash didn’t disappoint. High expectations were met and stirring skills displayed in a back-and-forth contest that ended in a narrow 32-31 win for ESCA.
In another Group B game, The King’s School Linbro Park picked up a comfortable 35-10 win over St John’s College B.
In Pool C, St David’s Marist Inanda edged out Jeppe High School for Boys, snatching a narrow 40-38 win, while St Stithians College had an easier time against PBHS B, winning 31-10.
The festival concludes on Saturday as scheduled, despite the rain interruptions experienced on Friday afternoon.
RESULTS
Friday, 9 January
Pool A
PHBS A 28-5 St John’s College A
St Alban’s College 66-20 Crawford
Pool B
ESCA 32-31 KES
King’s Linbro 35-10 St John’s College B
Pool C
St David’s 40-38 Jeppe
St Stithians College 31-10 PHBS B
Forthcoming Fixtures
Saturday, 10 January
Court 1
08:00 – PHBS A vs ESCA
09:00 – KES vs St Stithians College
10:00 – Jeppe vs Crawford
11:00 – PHBS vs St David’s
12:00 – KES vs St John’s A
13:00 – Jeppe vs St John’s B
14:00 – PHBS A vs St Alban’s College
15:00 – KES vs King’s Linbro
16:00 – Jeppe vs PHBS B
Court 2
08:00 – St David’s vs St Alban’s
09:00 – St John’s A vs King’s Linbro
10:00 – St John’s B vs PHBS B
11:00 – ESCA vs St Alban’s
12:00 – St Stithians College vs King’s Linbro
13:00 – Crawford vs PHBS B
14:00 – ESCA vs St David’s
15:00 – St Stithians College vs St John’s B
16:00 – Crawford vs St John’s B
The inaugural Pretoria Boys High School (PHBS) Basketball Festival kicked off on Thursday, 8 January morning in Pretoria, featuring 12 leading basketball-playing schools from the Gauteng region.
The line-up includes, among others, PHBS A, ESCA, King Edward VII School (KES), and St David’s Marist Inanda, who were among the first sides to make an impact on the festival’s opening day.
The home team, PHBS A, kicked off the festival with a hard-fought 42-35 victory of their city rivals, St Alban’s College. After the lunch break, PHBS A ratcheted up their momentum with an impressive 76-11 demolition of Crawford College.
It was, unfortunately for Crawford College, a challenging opening day. They also went down 10-34 to St John’s College A.
St Alban’s College, after suffering defeat in their opener, showed marked improvement in their second outing, displaying greater energy in a 40-29 victory over St John’s College A.
Pool B features, among others, ESCA, KES, and The King’s School Linbro Park, with the first two expected to be right in the thick of the title challenge.
Both teams demonstrated their prowess on the festival’s opening day. KES initiated their winning streak with a 43-28 victory over Linbro Park. They followed up with a 52-24 defeat of St John’s College B.
ESCA beat St John’s College B 57-35 in the morning and came away with a 36-27 win over King’s Linbro later in the day.
In Pool C, Jeppe defeated PHBS B 31-19 in the first match of the group. St David’s also secured a victory, downing St Stithians College 31-18 in their first game.
Saints bounced back in the afternoon, handing Jeppe a 42-23 loss, while St David’s made their record two from two with a 36-18 win over PBHS B.
RESULTS
Thursday, 8 January
Pool A
PHBS A 42-35 St Alban’s College
St John’s A 34-10 Crawford
St Alban’s College 40-29 St John’s A
PHBS A 76-11 Crawford
Pool B
KES 43-28 Linbro Park
ESCA 57-35 St John’s B
ESCA 36-27 King’s Linbro
KES 52-24 St John’s B
Pool C
Jeppe 31-19 PHBS B
St David’s 31-18 St Stithians College
St Stithians College 42-23 Jeppe
St David’s 36-18 PHBS B
Pretoria Boys High against St David’s in a recent Inanda Hoops Tournament. Photo: Siya Pongco.
The schools’ summer basketball season kicks off 2026 with the first-ever Pretoria Boys High (PBHS) Pre-Season Basketball Festival, which start starting on Thursday, 8 January, and concludes on Saturday.
The event is focused on enhancing skills, fostering teamwork, and establishing a positive atmosphere for the forthcoming summer sports season at the school, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year.
Twelve of the top and most prominent basketball-playing schools in Gauteng will be in action, with the line-up including the PBHS A and B teams, the St John’s College A and B teams, St Alban’s College, Crawford College (Pretoria), ESCA, The King’s School Linbro Park, Jeppe High School for Boys, St David’s Marist Inanda, King Edward VII School (KES), and St Stithians College.
In a conversation with SuperSport Schools Plus, Ludwig Gerdes, the Director of Basketball at Pretoria Boys High, revealed that, following a highly successful 2024/25 season, during which Pretoria Boys High won the Westville Boys’ High Invitational Stayers’ Basketball Tournament (ISSBT), claimed the Pretoria Schools League title, and advanced to the semi-finals of the Basketball National League (BNL) Schools Challenge, expectations and goal for the 2025/26 season were elevated.
“However, the new season brought significant challenges to the squad, and the team initially struggled to find its rhythm towards the end of 2025,” Gerdes admitted to SuperSport Schools Plus.
Now, though, that newly formed group is ready to peak, and the Pretoria Boys High School Pre-Season Basketball Festival offers a perfect opportunity to restore cohesion, generate momentum, and resolve any lingering issues, he said.
Will ESCA embrace the energy of 2025 at Pretoria Boys High?
Although it’s an early season event, which means teams will likely be somewhat rusty and building up to their best form later in the season, the festival’s high-quality field makes it an enticing watch.
Players such as Alex Price and Siyabonga Mashaba excelled for ESCA, contributing to the school’s victories in both tournaments in 2025. Additionally, Mashaba was named in the SuperSport Schools Class of 2025, being the sole basketball player included in the extensive list of student athletes who excelled.
ESCA Wanderers celebrates their second basketball title in under a month, posing for a team photograph following their victory at the Westville Invitation.
Building on their previous success, ESCA will be eager to start 2026 on a high note at Pretoria Boys High. However, they’ll be up against stiff opposition, including St John’s College, which also had a decent year in 2025.
One game at a time for St John’s College
St John’s College, which has been diligently working and making progress over the past two to three years, began to see the fruits of its labour in 2025 and emerged as one of Gauteng’s and the country’s best sides.
They built on that winning momentum and enthusiasm, reaching the final of their own St John’s Basketball Tournament, where they faced Northwoodin the final. The Knights proved to be a bridge too far and the KZN powerhouse claimed the title for a second year in succession. St John’s, though, had done themselves proud.
Despite having dynamic point guards and a captain like Kuda Tebeila, St John’s was unable to match the prowess of Kent VanderYacht’s Knights. Nevertheless, throughout the remainder of the year, they fought valiantly and made their mark.
Moving forward, St Stithians College sets its sights on a fresh start
St Stithians College, another one of the powerhouses of the schools’ basketball scene, having secured titles such as the St David’s Marist Inanda Hoops in 2024, experienced an interesting mix of ups and downs in 2025.
During the 2025 Inanda Hoops, despite being the defending champions, they were unable to reach the quarterfinals, which was a disappointment and below the standards they had set in recent seasons. Earlier in the previous year, Saints finished in sixth place at the St John’s College Basketball Tournament. Now, in a new year, like every other team, they’re making a fresh start and will be a unit to keep an eye on at Pretoria Boys High.
Last year, during their own u16 boys’ and girls’ St Stithians College Basketball tournament, the Saints’ boys’ team claimed bronze after defeating Michaelhouse 28-26 in the third-place playoff, which suggests there is plenty of young talent waiting to make their mark in the first team ranks.
Can KES carry their winning momentum into the new year?
The King Edward VII School (KES) XI basketball team remained undefeated in the Inanda Hoops Classic Challenge, securing the championship title by defeating St Benedict’s College in the final. Photo: St David’s Marist Inanda on Facebook
KES, recognised for their resilience, rapid-paced attacking drive, strength, and dominance on the court, will be one of the teams expected to make a big impact at Pretoria Boys High.
KES is coming off a successful year, having concluded 2025 by beating St Benedict’s College 29-27 to win the prestigious Inanda Hoops Classic Challenge at St David’s Marist Inanda.
Siya Ndlovu was awarded the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). He and his teammates, Bradley Moyo and Timmy Fanny, were also included in the All-Star team at the conclusion of the event.
Having ended the year with a title, they’ll be eager to start the 2026 season with another.
While the aforementioned teams are poised to be serious threats and contenders at the PBHS Festival, other teams, including Crawford College, St Alban’s, King’s Linbro, Jeppe, and St David’s, should not be overlooked.
They might be considered dark horses, but history has shown that school sports and seasons are unpredictable. The top-performing team from the previous season may turn out to be the least successful in the current season. Therefore, there are no underdogs at the PBHS Basketball Festival. It should be a fascinating competition.
TEAMS
Primary Pool
Pool A St John’s College A Team, Pretoria Boys High A Team, St Alban’s College, Crawford College (Pretoria)
Pool B ESCA, King Edward VII School, The King’s School Linbro Park, St John’s College B Team
Pool C Jeppe High School for Boys, St David’s Marist Inanda, St Stithians College, Pretoria Boys High B Team
Secondary Pool
Pool A A1, B1, C1, A2,
Pool B B2, C2, A3, B3
Pool C C3, A4, B4, C4
FIXTURES
Thursday, 8 January
Court 1 09:00 – St John’s College A Team vs Crawford
10:00 – ESCA vs St John’s College B Team vs
11:00 – Jeppe vs Pretoria Boys High B Team
14:00 – St Alban’s College vs St John’s College A Team
15:00 – King’s Linbro vs ESCA
16:00 – St Stithians College vs Jeppe
Court 2 09:00 – Pretoria Boys High A Team vs St Alban’s College
10:00 – KES vs King’s Linbro
11:00 – St David’s vs St Stithians College
14:00 – Crawford vs Pretoria Boys High A Team
15:00 – St John’s College B Team vs St David’s
16:00 – Pretoria Boys High B Team vs St David’s
Friday, 9 January
Court 1 09:00 – Pretoria Boys High A Team vs St John’s College A Team
10:00 – ESCA vs KES
11:00 – Jeppe vs St David’s
14:00 – A1 vs B1
15:00 – B2 vs C2
16:00 – C3 vs A4
Court 2 09:00 – St Alban’s College vs Crawford
10:00 – King’s Linbro vs St John’s College B Team
11:00 – Jeppe vs St David’s
14:00 – C1 vs A2
15:00 – A3 vs B3
16:00 – B4 vs C4
Saturday, 10 January
Court 1 09:00 – A1 vs C1
10:00 – B2 vs A3
11:00 – C3 vs B4
14:00 – A1 vs A2
15:00 – B2 vs B3
16:00 – C3 vs C4
Court 2 09:00 – B1 vs A2
10:00 – B1 vs A2
11:00 – A4 vs C4
14:00 – B1 vs C1
15:00 – C2 vs A3
16:00 – A4 vs B4
Mamelodi Sundowns were crowned the champions of the second u17 Confederation of African Football (Caf) Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) after beating Lishoeshoe 5-0 from Lesotho in the final on Thursday at the Ngoni Stadium, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The inaugural edition was won by Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa (JTK) Queens, from Tanzania, who were crowned the champions when the tournament was hosted in the Council for East and Central Africa Football Association (Cecafa) region in January.
The second edition of the tournament welcomed teams from the Cosafa region, with Mamelodi Sundowns and Refilwe, both from South Africa, and playing in the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL), participating.
However, the spotlight was on Banyana Ba Style, the GWDL champions, who excelled in the GIFT competition from the outset. They finished at the top of Group A with the maximum possible of nine points to secure a place in the final against Lishoeshoe, who won Group B, also with nine points.
In the final match, the mighty ‘Downs‘ demonstrated their prowess by powering their way to a 5-0 victory.
Captain Katlego Malebana opened the scoring just three minutes into the match by converting a penalty. Nsovo Nxumalo then increased the Brazilians‘ advantage.
Busisiwe Mokoena, Lesego Tsatsi, and Roshina Nair contributed the final three goals as the South African champions decisively defeated their neighbours.
Over the course of their four matches, Mamelodi Sundowns fired in 30 goals while allowing only one goal, which showcased both their exceptional offensive capabilities and their superior defensive line.
After the final, Munashe Mugwara, one of the standout players for Sundowns throughout the tournament, was named the Player of the Tournament.
The Goalkeeper of the Tournament accolade was awarded to Mercy Mwale from Zambia’s Aguila Girls, while the Golden Boot honour was shared by Tamandani Chilimba, of Luwinga Academy, and Nancy Lebang, of Okakarara Golden Ladies, both of whom netted eight goals.
The Fair Play award was presented to the silver medallists, Lishoeshoe.
In the bronze medal match, Zimbabwe’s Mpopoma Sports Academy secured third place by defeating Aguila Girls 4-1.
Shantel Gwenhamo struck the Bulawayo team’s first goal. Chiedza Khumalo netted twice to end the tournament with seven goals and Rejoice Chamunorwa added Mpopoma’s fourth.
Beatrice Chipupula scored the lone goal for the Zambian team.
The tournament was goal-laden, with 118 scored in only 16 matches – over seven per game.
The CAF GIFT u17 tournament was launched to enable international competition between top u17 club teams in the region, thereby complementing existing events for national teams.
The CAF has prioritised the advancement of women’s football as a fundamental aspect of its development agenda, with the GIFT tournament offering young players a valuable opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and acquire essential experience.
Tiago Kahn experienced an unforgettable season with Panorama, securing victory in the Engen Gauteng Knockout Challenge and representing Panorama at the Engen Champs of Champs. Photo: Supplied.
Kahn said he was grateful for his recognition as the Defender of the Year, and for being included in the SuperSport Schools Class of 2025. He also extended his thanks to SuperSport Schools for providing opportunities for other young student athletes, like himself, to showcase their talents.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to my year, to be honest, and to know my efforts are also being recognised, it means the world to me,” Kahn said.
He said the 2025 season had been one of substantial development for him, and his reliability in defence had improved. By playing for both Panorama FC and Curro Wilgeheuwel, he was able to contribute effectively on both ends of the field, excelling in both scoring and defending.
Kahn also scored in the final to secure Panorama’s victory over the Phefeni Glamour Boys. He was honoured as the Engen Gauteng Knockout Challenge’s Player and Defender of the Tournament.
That title win qualified Panorama for the Engen Champs of Champs, where they faced other provincial champions, including Cape Town City, Chippa United, and Junior Birds, among others. The title went to Cape Town City after they defeated the Chilli Boys 3-0 in the final, but Panorama claimed the bronze medals by defeating Junior Birds 5-0.
“My performances in the Gauteng Engen Knockout stood out, earning me both the Player and the Defender of the Tournament, alongside winning the tournament title. That was something special for me,” Kahn said.
Kahn’s growth also delivered a sizeable impact for Curro Wilgeheuwel, despite the considerable demands he faced by also competing in the Gauteng Development League (GDL) for Panorama.
In September, he helped Curro Wilgeheuwel put together a strong showing at the St Andrew’s College Football Cup, in Makhanda. The Roodepoort school caught the headlines with a 15-0 rout of Kingswood College. They fell just short of the title, losing out to Bishops Diocesan College in a penalty shootout.
Tiago Kahn helped Curro Wilgeheuwel reach the final of the Waterstone College Super Cup in July. Photo: Curro Sport on Facebook.
Reflecting on the St Andrew’s tournament, Kahn expressed disappointment over that loss in the final. But being selected for the Best XI at the St Andrew’s College Football Cup stood out as one of his proudest moments of the year.
He was also named Curro Wilgeheuwel’s Footballer of the Year after a season that showcased his dedication, reliability, and leadership, both on and off the field.
Curro Wilgeheuwel’s football coach, Sibabalwe Ndzamela, expressed nothing but admiration for Kahn.
“Tiago Kahn stands out as an exceptional player and leader. He possesses a deep understanding of his role and responsibilities. His passion for football is unparalleled, always prioritising God above all else, regardless of the situation,” Ndzamela said.
Kahn has improved both as a team player and as an individual, in both club and school settings, he added.
“I have personally learned several lessons from him. One thing is certain, we have yet to witness his full potential, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for him in the future,” he ended.
Leadership, both on and off the field, is one of Kahn’s strengths. “I would like to say I’ve always been a leader, but maybe that’s a lie,” he said candidly. “I don’t believe leadership is necessarily a skill that comes naturally. In my case, I was forged into being a leader because of the position I hold.
“Defenders have to be good leaders and the most vocal, but in saying this, I did strive to be the captain of any team that I played for. This obsession started when I was captain of my u6 team at Panorama and at school.”
Being regarded as a leader by others signifies that they have confidence in you. Kahn works on that by fostering good relationships with his teammates and coaches, which, in turn, contributes to his personal growth. His ability to problem-solve, his discipline, and his communication, have evolved over the years, he said.
Another indicator of his growth and improvement was his call up to the SAB League for Panorama’s first team, although, for once, things didn’t go his way, with Stars of Africa grabbing the win.
“It was a tough game against Stars of Africa, a game we ended up losing 3-0 due to an early goal in the first half and two late goals in the second half,” Kahn recalled.
When asked about how he felt before making his debut, Kahn said: “In all honesty, I have stopped feeling nervous before or during a match. The emotion I feel is excitement or eagerness, as it’s another opportunity to express my capabilities.
“I’m always thankful for the ability I have been given, and I always look forward to performing using these abilities to the highest level,” he explained.
Despite all of his successes, a footballer’s journey is never linear, and that, too, applies to Tiago Kahn.
He made the u15 National Team in 2023, then was picked up by Mamelodi Sundowns in 2024, but an ankle injury, which, he admitted, broke him, brought him back down to earth when it took longer to heal than expected.
“After that injury, I started playing less for Sundowns, and in all this time, I wasn’t called up for any national team camp,” he recalled. “The latter half of 2024 was very difficult for me, but my parents helped me to remain focused and grounded while I prayed and allowed God to take control of my journey.”
In 2025, Kahn returned to his childhood club, Panorama, where he began working under coach Luyanda Gcabashe. That experience, along with the support and guidance of his parents, has helped to shape his development into the person and player he is today.
While his time at Sundowns may not gone as he had hoped, he said he cherishes every moment spent with the Brazilians.
He characterised it as a highly competitive environment, emphasising that, as a player, one must adapt swiftly and enhance one’s skills, or risk being left behind.
“I was training with the best players in South Africa for my age group, day in and day out, so truth be told, I developed my technical part of the game,” he said.
“I became smarter as a footballer and learned so many lessons that I apply in my game now. Simple things like body positioning were done at a high level at Sundowns, and I picked up on that and tried to implement it in my game as best as possible.”
Player Profile – Tiago Kahn
Photo: Supplied.
Year: 2025
Club – u19 Panorama
GDL Appearances: 31 appearances, 12 wins, five draws, and 17 defeats, nine clean sheets, three goals, and one assist.
Engen Knockout Challenge (Gauteng): Crowned champions and scored in the final to defeat Kaizer Chiefs. Six appearances, six victories, one goal scored, and two goals conceded by Panorama throughout the tournament.
Engen Champs of Champs Appearances: Played six games, won four, drew 1, and lost 1. Four clean sheets.
School – Curro Wilgeheuwel First Team
St Andrew’s College Football Cup: Six appearances, three victories, one defeat. One goal scored, and two assists provided.
Waterstone College Super Cup: Seven appearances, four victories, two draws, and a loss in the final. Four goals were conceded by Curro Wilgeheuwel in the tournament, and Kahn scored two goals.
Independent Schools Soccer League: 10 appearances, 10 victories, and he scored five goals.
Curro Halala Cup: Knocked out in the round of round 16, and he scored one goal during the competition.
First Team Debut: He recently made his senior debut for Panorama’s first team in the SAB League.
2024
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns
u17 GDL:
u17 GDL League winners (Mamelodi Sundowns)
u17 Appearances: Played 23 games, won 16, lost two, and drew five times, while conceding 18 times.
u19 GDL: League runners-up.
u19 Appearances: Played three and won 3, and conceded two goals.
GDL Top 8: Runners-up
GDL Top 8 Appearances: Played two and won one, while conceding one goal.
u16 Kaapstadt Cup: Runners-up
u16 Kaapstadt Cup Appearances: Played two, won two games, and conceded one goal.
u17 Vision View Easter Cup of Champions: Third-place
u17 Vision View Cup of Champions Appearances: Played seven games, won five games, lost two, and conceded six goals.
u17 Randburg Friendship Cup: Winners/Gold Champion
u17 Randburg Friendship Cup Appearances: Played four games, won four, without conceding a goal.
2023
Club: Panorama (Captain)
u15 GDL: Finished the season in 14th place out of 18 teams.
u15 GDL Appearances: Played 34 games, won 10 games, lost 12 games, and drew 12, and scored 13 goals.
School: Curro Wilgeheuwel
Independent School Soccer League (First Team):
League winners, played two games and won both games without conceding a goal.
u16 Team:
Independent School Soccer League: Third-place finish.
Five games played, won four games, lost one game, scored four goals, and conceded five.
u15 Team: (Captain)
Discovery Schools League: League runners-up.
Eight games played, won seven, and lost one game. Scored three goals.
Gauteng Provincial Team:
Vice-captain and Defender of the Tournament
u15 SAFA Technical Development Scheme:
Fourth place finish, five games played, won three and lost two, while scoring one goal in the tournament.
u15 FIFA Three Nations Tournament: Vice-captain – one cap
Played against Côte d’Ivoire for 60 minutes.
2022
Club: Panorama
u15 GDL: Finished in 7th place out of 18 teams.
u15 GDL Appearances: Played 17 games, won eight, lost seven games, drew twice, and scored two goals while conceding 35 goals.
School: Curro Wilgeheuwel
Independent School Soccer League: u14 Team League winners, played five and won five, scoring five goals while the team conceded eight goals.
u16 Team (Curro Wilgeheuwel)
St Andrew’s College Football Cup: Tournament winners
Six appearances, won four games, lost one game, and conceded four goals in the tournament.
2021
Club: u13 Panorama
u13 GDL: Third-place finish
u13 GDL Appearances: Played 14 games, won nine, lost two, drew three, and conceded 22 goals.
2020
Club: u13Panorama (Captain)
u13 GDL: Third-place finish
u13 GDL Appearances: Played four, won two, lost one, drew one. The league was then cancelled due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
2019
Club: u11 Panorama
Rand Central League: League winners
Rand Central League Appearances: Played six games and won them all.
Club: Football Factory (Vice-Captain)
VW Cup: Played six games, won two, lost three, and drew one.
Club: Rand Central
IberCup – Portugal Edition
IberCup Appearances: Played six games, won three games, lost two, drew one, and scored three goals.
2018
Club: u10 Panorama
IberCup – Portugal Edition
IberCup Appearances: Played five games, won two, lost two, and drew one.
2016-17
Club: u8-u9 SuperSport United
Mundialito – Spain u10
Mundialito Appearances: Played six games, won two, lost two, and drew two.
Cobus Loubser, the Chief Executive Officer of Curro Holdings, captured just before the conclusion of the 2025 Curro Halala Cup final between Northern Academy and Norkem Park High. Photo: Curro Sport.
The Curro Halala Cup, which debuted as a boys’ competition in 2025, will include a girls’ u19 division in 2026.
The first Curro Cup was won by Northern Academy, who beat Norkem Park High in a penalty shootout, after regulation time in the final finished goalless.
In its first edition, the competition drew 64 u19 teams from public and private schools, who competed in nine provinces, from April, for a place at the national final at HeronBridge College in August.
In an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus, conducted shortly after the crowning of the Curro Halala Cup champions, Curro CEO Cobus Loubser spoke about the intention to expand the tournament in the near future, potentially accommodating as many as 120 teams for the boys’ competition. However, he noted, discussions regarding the expansion would occur at a later date.
Instead, before the implementation of that plan, Curro opted to further enhance the Curro Halala Cup by creating an event for girls.
Marlee Faro, the Project Manager for Public Relations at Curro, told SuperSport Schools Plus that Curro is delighted to announce that the 2026 Curro Halala Cup will feature an invitational u19 girls’ division.
A national showcase
With its size and scope, the Curro Halala Cup provides a national competition that showcases talent from all over South Africa.
The 2025 Curro Halala Cup winners Meridian Northern Academy proudly returned to Limpopo with the trophy. Photo: Supplied.
Although the competition was initiated by Curro, the tournament is accessible to top-performing schools from across the country.
A commitment to creating equal opportunities
Cindy van der Merwe, the Portfolio Manager for Curro Sport, explained the significance of the expansion to include a girls’ component.
“In just its second year, the Halala Cup has already established itself as the top school football event in the country,” she reckoned. “The introduction of the u19 girls’ division represents our commitment to creating equal opportunities in competitive sport and showcasing female football talent at the highest level.
“Providing young women with access to leading, structured football competition builds confidence, leadership, and resilience,” she added.
“This is about creating a national platform where female footballers can compete, be recognised, and reach their full potential.”
The highest calibre of competition
The inaugural girls’ tournament will feature 16 of South Africa’s top school teams, selected by invitation, to ensure the highest calibre of competition.
Teams will compete in a round-robin format before advancing to the playoffs at the grand finale weekend.
“This isn’t simply about participation. It’s about excellence,” Van der Merwe emphasised.
“We’re bringing together the country’s best young female footballers to compete on a national stage, providing them with the recognition and opportunities their talent deserves.”
Tournament Details
Date: 14-16 August 2026
Venue: HeronBridge College (Johannesburg)
Format: Round-robin group stages followed by knockout playoffs
Teams: 16 elite invited schools from across South Africa.
Boys’ tournament returns with proven format
In the heat of the battle for the Curro Halala Cup, Limpopo’s Meridian Northern Academy and Gauteng’s Norkem Park High School went head-to-head in the final. Photo: Supplied.
The boys’ division will maintain the competitive structure that made 2025 successful, and the grand finale will include 16 qualifying teams from regional tournaments.
The top four finishers from the 2025 competition – Nothern Academy, Norkem Park High, Grey College, and Navalsig High – will, also, automatically qualify for the grand finale.
In addition, four Curro schools will be handed wild-card entries. The names of those teams will be announced in January 2026.
Van der Merwe noted the qualities and characteristics needed for teams to succeed in the competition. “Football at this level demands more than technical skill,” she said.
“These young athletes learn to perform under pressure, work cohesively as teams, and demonstrate the character that creates future leaders, both on and off the field.”
Boys’ tournament timeline
Regional qualifiers: 17-19 April 2026 (Various host schools to be confirmed)
Round-robin and playoffs: 23 May 2026
Grand Finale: HeronBridge College
Reflecting on the second year of the Curro Halala Cup, Van der Merwe stated: “Year two is about elevating standards and expanding opportunities.
“The addition of the u19 girls’ division isn’t just growth, it’s a statement about the quality and future of female football in South Africa.
“These young women deserve to compete at an elite level, and the Halala Cup provides exactly that platform.”
The Curro Halala Cup also serves as a key showcase for young talent, presenting scouts with good opportunities to view players’ abilities against other top players.
One of the most outstanding performers in the inaugural competition was Tiago Kahn, a student at Curro Wilgeheuwel, who led both Curro Wilgeheuwel and Panorama FC.
Kent VanderYacht celebrates with his players on the bench during a November 2025 win over Maritzburg College. Photo: Anele Sibhoko/Northwood.
Despite basketball not being a traditional sport in South Africa, a vibrant school basketball culture has emerged, with Northwood to the fore as one of the country’s powerhouses.
Coached by Kent VanderYacht, the Knightshave dominated the sport and that looks likely to continue, thanks to their successful and popular programme.
Given that the majority of their starters in 2025 were still in grade 10 – including, among others, Siya Shabalala, Simamukele Vacu, and Awande Chiliza – it is reasonable to conclude that Northwood’s basketball supremacy is likely to continue.
This year, Northwood finished with an impressive 11-0 record in the fourth term.
In the fourth term of 2023, they went 12-2. Then, in the first term of 2024, their record was 18-1. It was 13-2 in the fourth term of 2024. Then, at the start of 2025, in the first term, it was 13-0, and they won the St John’s College title. In the fourth term of 2025, it was 10-1. Add that up and their record is an imposing 66-6 since the fourth term of 2023.
VanderYacht hails from a small town called Lynden, in Washington, the USA. He described it as very basketball-oriented, adding that the school he attended had a huge basketball tradition.
“As a kid from there, you grow up dreaming about playing for your high school basketball team. It’s throughout the whole town, wanting to be the next one that wins the championship for your small town, so yeah, basketball has always been a passion of mine and my family’s,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus. As a player, VanderYacht starred for the Lynden Lions in 1995 and 96.
His love for the game runs deep. He first arrived at Northwood in 2019, when the school asked him to come on board as a volunteer to help out with the basketball programme.
In a clash of KZN powerhouses, Northwood kept intact their unbeaten record at home, which has stood since 2020, with a win over Maritzburg College. Photo: Supplied
“Before Northwood came along, I had been out of the game for 20 years, or so, and I was not sure if I could help Northwood, or if I had it in me,” he admitted. “But then, I realised that these kids don’t get introduced to basketball until they’re in grade eight, so they just need the basics to be taught to them.”
He began teaching basic tactics to the young boys at Northwood that year and has been with the school ever since.
Since his arrival, Northwood has compiled an incredible record, including going unbeaten at home since 2020.
Initially, the school’s interest in basketball was, perhaps, perfunctory, with only two teams per age group. There was no real structure that supported the development of the basketball programme. Now, VanderYacht reports, there are over 30 teams, more than in any other sport at Northwood.
“The kids love it. I mean, I can’t get them off the basketball court now.
“Once, you create the love for a sport, they’re going to get better because they’re always on the court playing it, and one of my biggest things, is to let the boys play, let the boys have fun, have fun in practices, let’s make the game enjoyable.”
Northwood has its challenges in the u16 and u14 divisions due to the programme’s structure, as most boys are new to the sport. There, the emphasis is on teaching fundamental skills, like ball handling, court movement, and jump shots.
“We don’t win much at the grade 8, 9 level, but when you see the results at grade 11 level, that’s when these boys now can shoot, and their skills are so much quicker and better,” VanderYacht explained.
He clarified that their strategy is deliberate and effective, requiring fundamentals to be taught first.
In the 2024 season, Northwood excelled at the St John’s Tournament, with Chadley Hargreaves, Lusanda Hlongwane, Callum Magurno, and Shabalala leading the charge. VanderYacht praised his players’ heart, hustle, and strong defence as essential components of a championship-winning basketball team.
A loss, he tells his charges, can be a blessing. They’re a part of the process of growth. Northwood won the St John’s Basketball Tournament title at the start of the year, but they felt the pain of defeat in the Westville Boys’ High Invitational Schools Stayers’ Basketball Tournament, in October, going down 53-59 to Maritzburg College in the semi-finals.
“From that game, I told them, I know you don’t like this feeling, but I had to remind them that this is from where you learn. Each loss is almost a blessing for me as a coach because I get to take those as teaching moments, and I teach them how to take those losses and make a comeback from them.”
A month later, in November, Northwood sought retribution against Maritzburg College in a derby clash and achieved a decisive 66-52 victory over a top rival.
VanderYacht told SuperSport Schools Plus that his coaching of the players extends beyond basketball. He uses the sport to build a successful first team and also mentors the players to transform the culture.
“I come from a strong Christian belief, and that’s my main goal: to teach them, show them, the love of Christ, to show them what it is to have discipline, and why you should treat others with respect on and off the court. My moral values are bigger than basketball,” he concluded.
Living the values he espouses, in addition to his involvement in basketball, VanderYacht serves as the Director of Hearts That Hope, an organisation committed to fostering a nurturing environment where at-risk children can flourish in a loving home environment.
Linamandla Bahlehle, of Refilwe, during the u17 CAF Girls Integrated Football Tournament match between Okakarara Golden Ladies and Refilwe FC at Ngoni Mwos Stadium, in Norton, Zimbabwe on 12 December 2025. Photo: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix.
Refilwe has been eliminated from contention for a place in the final of the u17 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) after an playing to an entertaining 4-4 draw with Okakarara Golden Ladies, in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Friday.
Ahead of the match, the sides were in the bottom two of the four-team Group B, with South Africa’s Refilwe in third and Namibia’s Okakarara propping up the table.
Both teams lost their opening matches, so there was plenty at stake on Friday. They rose to the occasion and produced an exhilarating eight-goal thriller, but a share of the points ended their chances of playing for the title.
Refilwe struck first, taking the lead with a goal from Pretty Modika, and they were soon sitting pretty at 2-0 after benefitting from an Okakarara own goal.
That advantage soon shrunk, however, with Rauna Uugulu pulling one back just before halftime to make it 2-1 at the break.
In the second half, Refilwe’s Modika netted her second goal, while Mbali Madondo scored the Pretoria club’s fourth.
Refilwe appeared to be on course for victory, but Okakarara hung tough and battled their way back into the contest. Two goals from Nancy Lebang and another from Gudness Garises rescued a 4-4 draw for the Namibians and resulted in a first point for both sides in the competition.
Their draw, though, enabled Lesotho’s Lishoeshoe to increase their lead in the group, thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over Aguila Stars, of Zambia. Ntsamaeng Tholo scored the crucial match-winner late in the first half, making Aguila Stars pay after their goalkeeper mishandled the ball.
It was Lishoeshoe’s second win in succession, giving them the maximum six points from their first two matches. They’ll need only one more point from their last group match to be sure of a place in the final.
If Lishoeshoe was to lose their final match against Namibia’s Okakarara Golden Ladies on Monday, and Aguila won against South Africa’s Refilwe FC, goal difference would determine the top position in the pool. Lishoeshoe, of course, has the advantage of a win in their head-to-head against. Aguila Stars.
Forthcoming Fixtures: Final Group Matches
Sunday, 14 December
12:00
Luwinga Sports Academy vs Otjwarongo Sports Academy
Katleho Malebana (Right), the Player of the Match, captured with former Banyana Banyana captain Amanda Dlamini (Left). Photo: Cosafa on Facebook.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have caught the eye with their sparkling performances at the u17 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT), taking place in Harare, Zimbabwe.
On Thursday, they powered their way to a one-sided 16-0 win over Namibia’s Otjiwarongo Sports Academy.
Banyana Ba Style also picked up the winner’s three points on Monday when they beat Luwinga Academy, of Malawi, 3-1 in the tournament’s opening match.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies teams – both the first team and the development squads – have been on a hot winning streak.
In November, they lifted trophies in the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL), the Gauteng Sasol League, and the Gauteng Women’s Soccer League (GWSL).
Earlier this month, they laid claim to the Hollywoodbets Super League title for a sixth time in succession.
The Sundowns team currently participating in the u17 Caf GIFT Tournament is a mix of the u17 GWDL team, which won the Gauteng Sasol League, and the GWSL team, and it includes first-team members, among them Katleho Malebana and Munashe Mugwara. Both are teenagers and thus eligible to compete in the GIFT tournament.
Munashe Mugwara rejoiced in celebration after netting her goal in a match where she scored twice against TS Galaxy Queens on Sunday, December 7, during the Hollywoodbets Super League. Photo. Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies on Facebook.
She was also included in the SuperSport Schools Class of 2025alongside fellow standouts Joshua Taylor, Oageng Lebesane, Okuhle Mkhize, and Tiago Kahn.
They’ve joined a group of elite stars – including Katleho Malebana, Shandre Campbell,Mateo Horstead, and Emile Witbooi. – who have previously been accorded the prestigious accolade,
On Monday, in their match against Luwinga Academy, Mugwara set Sundowns on the path to victory when she netted the tournament’s opening goal in the first half.
Angelique Mohatle extended the lead early in the second half, but Luwinga pulled a goal back through Rejoice Silungwe.
Sundowns, though, had the final say, with Mohatle netting her second goal late in the match to make the final score 3-1 in favour of the South African side.
On Thursday, the Brazilians were on fire and displayed exceptional skill as they tore the Otjiwarongo Sports Academy defence to shreds. Mugwara and Malebana were in top form, and the Namibians had no answers to the challenges they posed.
Malebana led the onslaught and was named the Player of the Match for her commanding performance. Mugwara, meanwhile, slotted four goals.
Lesego Tsatsi fired in a hat-trick, while Princess Shongwe, Nsovo Nxumalo, and Malebana, all struck twice. Mohatle, Boitumelo Manaka, and Rosinha Nair scored one each as ‘Downs ran wild.
After seeing her side score a glut of goals while also keeping a clean sheet, Sundowns’ coach Rhoda Mulaudzi congratulated her players for their outstanding performance at the post-match press conference.
She said keeping the opposition from scoring was one of the highlights of her charges’ outing, especially since they were also effective when on the attack. Keeping a clean sheet serves as a strong motivation for the team as they prepare for their next match, Mulaudzi said.
Despite the massive win, she also stressed that a lot of hard work awaits. “There is room for improvement, especially technically,” she explained. “There are moments when I felt that we could have done better, especially in our finishing.”
It was important for her team to take their chances and assert their dominance in the group stage, the coach said.
With two wins, 19 goals scored and only one conceded, Sundowns is top of the Group A, followed closely by Zimbabwe’s Mpopoma Sports Academy, which defeated Luwinga Academy 2-1 on Thursday.
To reach the final, Sundowns will have to beat Mpopoma on Sunday, or, at the very least, draw with them when they meet on Sunday.
Another South African team, Refilwe, got their challenge off to a brutal start, suffering a heavy 2-6 loss to Lesotho’s Lishoeshoe, whihc has left them third in Group B.
They’ll have an opportunity to climb the table when they take on Okakarara Golden Ladies. The Namibians are bottom of the group ahead of their clash on Friday.
Afternoon rain stopped a vibrant and exciting symphony of energy on Friday, the second day of the Pre-season Basketball Festival at Pretoria Boys High. But, before it fell, the action was even more captivating than it had been on Thursday.
The inaugural Pretoria Boys High School (PHBS) Basketball Festival kicked off on Thursday, 8 January morning in Pretoria, featuring 12 leading basketball-playing schools from the Gauteng region.
