Author: mbloem

An intriguing battle is lined up in George, where Outeniqua hosts Stellenberg at 13:40 on Saturday.

Whereas the Kwaggas have often been a dark horse side capable of extending the best teams in the country, that hasn’t always been the case with Stellies. In recent seasons, though, the Jade Brigade has taken on that mantle.

The last time the sides met, in Cape Town, in July 2024, they play to a 24-24. This time out, Stellenberg has the battle-hardened experience to finish the chances required to defeat the George locals.

With their talisman and SA Schools A flyhalf Ethan van Biljon to the fore, Stellenberg has claimed some big scalps. Their results include a 24-10 win over Wynberg Boys’ High, and a 23-22 defeat of Rondebosch. Both of those schools had five representatives in the Western Province and Western Province XV teams at the 2025 FNB Craven Week.

The Kwaggas will have to dig deep to beat the visitors, and they’ll aim to tap into their skilful, running genes, which have produced Springboks’ Warrick Gelant and Manie Libbok, to do that.

At 13:10 on Saturday, Somerset West will host another classic encounter between the home team, Parel Vallei (PV), and Worcester Gimnasium on the A Field.

Recent meetings between the two have produced low-scoring games, with Worcester Gim winning their two most recent clashes, 12-5 last year and 17-7 in 2022.

The hosts have been playing more rugby in recent seasons and have steadily increased the strength of the opposition they’ve faced. As a result, Worcester will need to bring their A-game if they’re to continue their winning streak against PV.

Parel Vallei will fight tooth-and-nail for the win. It’s likely to be a dogfight between two evenly matched sides and predicting a winner is a coin-flip

TEAMS

Outeniqua vs Stellenberg at 13:40 in George

Outeniqua: 15 Jade Peterson, 14 Grant Savage, 13 Schalk van der Merwe, 12 Reshaan Damans, 11 Devino Bernardo, 10 Virgil Pockpas, 9 Cee-Jay Arends, 8 Henru Nell (Captain), 7 Bradley Steyl, 6 Ruan van Rensburg, 5 Favian Swart, 4 Franco du Toit, 3 Zacary Meyer, 2 Keenan Myners, 1 Matthew Prins.

Stellenberg: 15 Eben Rademan, 14 Daniel Mongie, 13 Luka Tonitz, 12 Armand Potgieter, 11 Christian Arendse, 10 Ethan van Biljon, 9 Daniel Steffen, 8 Yanos Molnar, 7 Ryan Jones, 6 Ernst van der Merwe, 5 Carlo Brink, 4 Juvan Burden, 3 Janu van Deventer, 2 Liam Joubert, 1 Christian Janse van Rensburg (Captain).

Parel Vallei vs Worcester Gimnasium at 13:10 in Somerset West

Parel Vallei: 15 Shudley Rhoda, 14 Johan van Zyl, 13 Cayde Lucas, 12 Tihan van der Colff, 11 Owen Cockroft, 10 Stefhan Niemann, 9 Michael Kent, 8 Bradley Brown, 7 Chris de Jager, 6 Marce Els, 5 James Paxton, 4 Renato Tosi, 3 Cayden Rautenbach, 2 Diaan du Toit, 1 Herman Diedericks.

Worcester Gimnasium: 15 Lohenzel Tshabatau, 14 Leagon Brooks, 13 Elrenzo Swartz, 12 Breyton Swartz, 11 Renang Mrashula, 10 Fredwin Philander, 9 Luke Cupido, 8 Jayd-Will De Klerk, 7 Vuyolwethu Bavuma, 6 Lisakhanya Luthuli, 5 Nichame Brown, 4 Leighcon Du Plessis, 3 Kiano Pretorius, 2 Liam van der Westhuizen, 1 Amaan Kana.

This year’s annual clash between the South African Schools’ side and their second stringers, if you can call it that, the SA Schools A-side, once again belonged to Zekehethelo Siyaya of Westville Boys’ High.

Siyaya scored a second hat-trick of tries in this clash, as he also achieved this feat during last year’s match. The SA Schools side won the clash on Hoërskool Middelburg’s A-field by an emphatic 49-14.

Watch the match again on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com).

The Green and Gold made an early statement with a second-minute try.

On the counter attack, scrumhalf Morné Noble, decided to pass the ball down the blindside. The ball was sent out wide, where left wing, Jadrian Afrikaner, dotted down thanks to an overlap. Flyhalf, Liyema Nela, added the extras from the kicking tee.

Having scored a hat-trick in this fixture last year, Westville fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya, reminded us of his capabilities with a 17th minute try. He received a pass out wide on the counter attack. He then cut inside and slipped through a tackle before stepping past the opposition defender, running in an incredible 40 metre individual try. Nela added the extras.

SA Schools extended their lead in the 27th minute, with a driving maul from a lineout only 10 metres away from the opposition goal-line. Paul Roos hooker Altus Rabe, dotted down the try. Nela nailed the corner conversion.

On the brink of half-time, Schools selected a scrum near the Schools A five-metre line. Noble passed the ball out to the backline. Siyaya wrapped around to join the centres. He received the ball and ran through space to score his second of the match. Nela coolly collected the extras.

Siyaya completed a hat-trick for the second year running in the 43rd minute. After receiving a skip pass from Captain and Paarl Gimnasium centre, Markus Muller, Siyaya attempted a grubber, but the ball bounced off the defender and back into his hands. He then decided to cut inside, where he ran in to score his third try of the match. Affies flyhalf Ruben Groenewald added the extras off the kicking tee.

SA Schools A secured their first points in the 50-59th minute. Paarl Boys’ High hooker, Tommy Muller, dotted down for five. Stellenberg flyhalf, Ethan van Biljoen, added the extras.

Schools scored again from a lineout maul just 10 metres away from the Schools A goal-line. Noordheuwel hooker, Clinton Agu, dotted down the try in the 60th minute. Groenewald added the extras.

After a series of phases inside the Schools A 22 metre area, Paul Roos loose forward, Gert Kemp, picked the ball up and dove over the try line from just two metres out. Groenewald was quick to add the 63rd minute extras.

Schools A struck again in the 67th minute. After a series of phases inside the Schools 22, the Schools A forwards began picking up the ball and trying to drive over the goal-line. Eventually, Paarl gim prop, Pieta Cilliers, muscled his way over for five. Biljon added the extras.

Not a single kick was missed off the tee today. This small stat, along with some larger ones from today, showed the quality of players that the South African school system is producing. For example, Siyaya scored a hat-trick in this fixture for the second year in a row. Barring injury or any other unforeseen circumstances, one can only assume that he, and others like him, have bright futures ahead of them.

Scorers: 

SA Schools 49 (28) – Tries: Zekhethelo Siyaya (3), Jadrian Afrikaner, Altus Rabe, Clinton Agu, Gert Kemp. Conversions: Liyema Nela (4), Ruben Groenewald (3). SA Schools A 14 (0) – Tries: Tommy Muller, Pieta Cilliers. Conversions: Ethan van Biljon (2).

Western Province took on Boland in the unofficial final of this year’s u13 Craven Week. The all Western Cape final took place at Selborne College in East London. It was a repeat of the final in Pietermaritzburg two years ago. Province narrowly won that contest 10-8.

This time out, Province extended their margin of victory, winning 21-7. Their performance was strong all round.

Against such stoic defending, Boland were only able to get on the scoresheet due to the excellent attacking prowess of their centre pairing; Ajanda Nel and Chamielo Smith. The pair have been wreaking havoc against opposition defence the entire week, almost deliberately taking turns at collecting points for their side. This time around, Nel scored the try, while Smith kicked over the conversion.

It’s tough to single out stars from the Province side, since all of their players performed at a top level. Rather, their excellent teamwork and understanding of their individual roles shines out to anyone watching them play. These traits allowed them to be the only unbeaten team in this year’s edition of the competition.

It may be argued that the Western Cape is the richest region for rugby talent in the world. Western Province have been in 13 of the last 14 u13 Craven Week finals, winning nine of them. Boland haven’t been too bad themselves, having been in five of the last 14 finals. Unfortunately, they have won none of them, despite some very close encounters. Although, I’m sure they’ll be looking to change their fortune next year, while Western Province will look to maintain theirs.

Scorers: 

Western Province 21 (7) – Tries: Andile Mlambo, Theolin Edwards, Lihlombe Mabengu. Conversions: Francois Gouws, Andile Mlambo, Jonathan van der Byl. Boland 7 (0) – Tries: Ajanda Nel. Conversions: Chamielo Smith.

Boland B 23 (20) – Tries: Easton Titus (2), Jaylon Boonzaaier, Musawenkosi Kheswa. Penalties: Evert Kleynhause. Western Province B 14 (0) – Tries: Hayden Saayman, Mickyle Montjies. Conversions: Christian Brits (2).

Sharks 33 (19) – Tries: Chris Chekera (2), Zinzo Ndongeni, Siphesihle Shitlhangu (Captain), Nkanyezi Linda. Conversions: Quade Nicholls (4). Pumas 19 (7) – Tries: Totius Botha, Edmund Ferreira, Josseph Mthetwa. Conversions: Brussouw Francke (2).

Eastern Province 52 (33) – Tries: Bulelani Norman (2), Warren Grootboom (2), Aqhama Macembe (2), Musa Mdongwana, Reuben Lotter. Conversions: Siyambonga Mila (6). Griqualand West 5 (0) – Tries: Jacobus Prinsloo.

Leopards 21 (14) – Tries: Shiloh Fortuin, GP Cordier, Evaan van Wyck. Conversions: Alru Ross (3). Limpopo Blue Bulls 5 (5) – Tries: Phetolo Mokwena.

Blue Bulls 41 (12) – Tries: Matthew Ekata (3), Jovan van Dyk (2), Rhoan Lubanzadio, Armand Botma. Conversions: Hanru Louwrens (3). Border Central 12 (5) – Tries: Luke Mpangele, Vuyo Foslara. Conversions: Liam Palmer.

Valke 56 (39) – Tries: Aidyn Hiscock (2), Gert Booysen (2), Helmut Hofmann, Jaco-wiekus Binneman, Wian Gildenhuys, Mbulelo Tshbalela, Siyabonga Mtshwene, Kamogelo Raolane. Conversions: Rossouw Nieuwoudt (2), Helmut Hofmann. Border Country Districts 0.

The 2025 LSEN Week showcased a wide array of talent within the special needs division of South African rugby and, at its completion, a 23-man squad LSEN Week side was named.

The lineup included players from four sides only, with the winners, Eastern Province, providing 13 players, Western Province seven, the Valke two, and Boland one.

They’ll be in action at the u18 Academy Rugby Week, which kicks off on Monday, 7 July, at Hoërskool Middelburg, in Mpumalanga.

The LSEN team’s challenge begins with an early 09:00 kick-off against the Border Country Districts team.

SA Special Schools 23-man Squad

Starting XV

1. Liam Allen (Western Province)
2. Jean McEwan (Western Province)
3. Luciano Byneveldt (Eastern Province)
4. Rajh Felix (Eastern Province)
5. Rigen Chigosie (Valke)
6. Shaundre Pienaar (Eastern Province)
7. Chandley Jacobs (Western Province)
8. Jordan Derrocks (Eastern Province)
9. Gavin Armoed (Eastern Province)
10. Yusuf Hannibal (Western Province)
11. Najmee Hajie (Boland)
12. Uvern Adams (Eastern Province)
13. Marcos Lubaco (Western Province)
14. Rylan Hawkins (Eastern Province)
15. Ralton Rhode (Western Province)

Replacements

16. Andre Barnard (Eastern Province)
17. Liza Tetani (Eastern Province)
18. Ayema Mbotya (Eastern Province)
19. Kaydon Kerspuy (Eastern Province)
20. Siya Mangali (Westen Province)
21. Elario Forbes (Eastern Province)
22. Thinus van Willing (Valke)
23. Zaynodeen Bennie (Eastern Province)

The annual u13 Craven Week is hosted by Selborne College in East London.

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

Scorers:

Boland 20 (7) – Tries: Chamielo Smith, Anslin Plaatjies, Ajanda Nel. Conversions: Anslin Plaatjies. Penalties: Chamielo Smith. Sharks 5 (5) – Tries: Johan Pansegrouw.

Western Province 31 (12) – Tries: penalty try, Rudi Coetzee, Isak Swanepoel, Rohland Roos, Lihlombe Mabengu. Conversions: Jonathan Van Der Byl (2). Pumas 12 (0) – Tries: Mathys Stoltz (2). Conversions: Brussow Francke (Captain).

South Western Districts 31 (7) – Tries: Jordan-ronan Sydon (2), Keanan Agulhas, Sian Potgieter, Gideon Boshoff. Conversions: Sian Potgieter (2), Lucan Scholtz. Griffons 5 (5) – Tries: Lebohang Lesapo.

Free State 8 (5) – Tries: Jozua Heckroodt. Penalties: Falie Oelschig. Golden Lions 7 (0) – Tries: Zac Stark. Conversions: Hanno De Beer.

Limpopo Blue Bulls 10 (0) – Try: Eben Smit. Conversion: FC Thirion. Penalty: Thirion. Eastern Province 5 (5) – Try: Jaquin Billet.

Leopards 10 (5) – Tries: Jordan van Rooyen, Janco Naudé. Griqualand West 0.

Blue Bulls 48 (15) – Tries: Legae Masalesa (2), Armand Bothma, Hanru Louwrens, Jaun Hattingh, Rhoan Lubanzadio, Jason Steyn, Phenyo Fanqa. Conversions: Louwrens (4). Border Country Districts 3 (3) – Penalty: Hlumelo Kilana.

Border Central 17 (17) – Tries: Karabo Chaleka (2). Conversions: Motheo Mabe (2). Penalties: Motheo Mabe. Valke 17 (12) – Tries: Gert Booysen (2), Aidyn Hiscock. Conversions: Rossouw Nieuwoudt.

Are underdog stories not the most inspiring ones? Eastern Province beat Western Province in the unofficial final for the second year in a row and was the only side to go unbeaten at the 2025 LSEN Week.

While they might have been regarded as underdogs in 2024, with a second title in succession, they have shed that tag and replaced it with top dogs.

In a tight contest, it was level at 3-3 at halftime and too close to call.

Eastern Province, though, played with a burning desire to repeat as the unofficial champs, and they pulled it off by the smallest of margins – a single point. It was 11-10 when the final whistle blew.

Western Province had given a good account of themselves, but it was Eastern Province who jumped with joy. Their flyhalf Zaynodeen Bennie was named the man of the match.

Free State also ended their tournament on a high note, defeating the Sharks 46-10.

Maluti Hoogland eighthman, Rato Ramanotsi, rampaged his way through the Sharks’ defence for a brace of tries, which helped him earn the man of the match accolade.

The Blue Bulls also made a strong closing statement when they outplayed the Griffons 41-14.

Magalies’ eighthman, Marthinus Bester, bested the defence on two occasions and received the man of the match award.

The Lions were the bigger cat against the Pumas, romping to a 40-5 victory.

Goudwes tighthead prop, Sbongakonke Ngcobo, muscled his way over the line twice to leave no doubt that he was a deserved man of the match.

South Western Districts and the Valke played their hearts out in a dazzling 33-29 victory for the Western Cape side.

Van Kervel blindside flank and SWD captain, Quintin Visser, was a perfect four out of four from the kicking tee, a crucial contribution in a tight game, and was named the man of the match.

Wellington SOS flyhalf, Shagan Philander, once again proved influential in Boland’s narrow 32-28 triumph over the Leopards. He scored a try, a penalty and two conversions to take home the man of the match award.

After the last match, a 23-player SA Special Schools squad was named. It included 13 Eastern Province players, seven from Western Province, two from the Valke, and one Boland representative.

SA Special Schools Squad 

1. Liam Allen (Western Province)
2. Jean McEwan (Western Province)
3. Luciano Byneveldt (Eastern Province)
4. Rajh Felix (Eastern Province)
5. Rigen Chigosie (Valke)
6. Shaundre Pienaar (Eastern Province)
7. Chandley Jacobs (Western Province)
8. Jordan Derrocks (Eastern Province)
9. Gavin Armoed (Eastern Province)
10. Yusuf Hannibal (Western Province)
11. Najmee Hajie (Boland)
12. Uvern Adams (Eastern Province)
13. Marcos Lubaco (Western Province)
14. Rylan Hawkins (Eastern Province)
15. Ralton Rhode (Western Province)
16. Andre Barnard (Eastern Province)
17. Liza Tetani (Eastern Province)
18. Ayema Mbotya (Eastern Province)
19. Kaydon Kerspuy (Eastern Province)
20. Siya Mangali (Westen Province)
21. Elario Forbes (Eastern Province)
22. Thinus van Willing (Valke)
23. Zaynodeen Bennie (Eastern Province)

Scorers

Free State 46 (29) – Tries: Ruben van Aswegen (2), Rato Ramanotsi (2), Thabiso Motsoeneng, Nomario Jannetjies, Duncan Montgomery, Obinna Sandys. Conversions: Nomario Jannetjies (2), Ruben van Aswegen; Sharks 10 (5) – Tries: Ayabonga Nqopiso, Hayden Oroschin.

Blue Bulls 41 (22) – Tries: Marthinus Bester (Captain) (2), Blessing Dhlamini, Lefa Nsibane, Reitumetse Mbele, JT Johnston, Sphiwe Mokau. Conversions: Juandre Marias, Reitumetse Mbele, Denzil Coetzee; Griffons 14 (0) – Tries: Nyombe Hlahla, Ricardo Chatwind. Conversions: Nyombe Hlahla (2).

Lions 40 (7) – Tries: Sbongakonke Ngcobo (2), Jeremiah Joshua, Timothy Nortman, Lwazi Dlamini, Donovan Jansen van Vuuren. Conversions: Timothy Nortman (5); Pumas 5 (0) – Tries: Mongezi Qometa.

SWD 33 (21) – Tries: Brendan-junior Kasanya (2), Sakhie Dyani, Wayden Heyns, Ambrace Africa. Conversions: Quintin Visser (Captain) (4); Valke 29 (10) – Tries: Rigen Chigosie (2), Thinus van Willing (2), Liyema Songinzi. Conversions: Ompile Dubase, Pieter le Roux (Captain).

Boland 32 (19) – Tries: Giwaan Isaacs (2), Shagan Philander, Lorenzo Harmse, Gabriel Smith. Conversions: Shagan Philander (2). Penalties: Shagn Philander; Leopards 28 (15) – Tries: Reamogetse Gaje (2), Michael Cloete (2). Conversions: Boeta Johnson. Penalties: Boeta Johnson (2).

Eastern Province 11 (3) – Tries: Kaydon Kerspuy. Penalties: Zaynodeen Bennie (2); Western Province 10 (3) – Tries: Jaydon September. Conversion: Yusuf Hannibal. Penatlies: Yusuf Hannibal.

Boland kicked off day two of the 2025 LSEN Week, at Hoërskool Hoogenhout in Bethal, with an emphatic 40-8 win over Free State on Monday, led by an outstanding performance from Ismael Wiemers.

The Weskus SOS outside centre starred on both attack and defence to deservedly bag the man of the match award.

A fired-up South Western Districts side proved to be too much for the Blue Bulls to handle and the team from the Western Cape powered their way to a 38-20 win.

Van Kerval outside centre, Brendan-junior Kasanya, ran in a superb hattrick to lead his side to victory, which earned him the man of the match award.

The Pumas bounced back from their 7-37 loss to the Griffons in their opener on Saturday, outplaying the Sharks 29-7

Tighthead prop WH de Klerk proved to be a handful for the boys in black and white. He challenged them with his physicality and also twice broke through for tries. Man of the match award earned!

The Leopards, meanwhile, pulled off an exciting 50-40 victory over the Griffons in a 90-point thriller.

Man of the match, Oom Paul scrumhalf, Hansie Visser, pulled the strings for the Leopards, distributing the ball with speed, which enabled his side to exploit space, and that led to an astounding eight tries.

Last year’s unofficial champions, Eastern Province, knocked the Valke out of the sky, rampaging to a 50-10 victory.

Westview right wing, Rylan Hawkins, used his raptor-like speed to fly through the defence for a brace of tries, which secured him the man of the match honours.

Western Province outplayed the Lions, cruising to a 55-10 win, highlighted by some brilliant performances from multiple individuals.

None of them shone brighter than Jan Kriel number 10 Yusuf Hannibal. He walked away with the man of the match award, thanks to the assured manner in which he directed his team from flyhalf. He also crossed for a brace of tries and landed a penalty.

The final day’s matches, on Tuesday, include an unofficial final between Eastern Province and Western Province for a second year in succession.

Fixtures

Sharks vs Free State
Bulls vs Griffons
Lions vs Pumas
SWD vs Falcons
Leopards vs Boland
Eastern Province vs Western Province

Scorers

Boland 40 (7) – Tries: Lorenzo Harmse (2), Shagan Philander, Jaden Daniels, Brivriano Julies, Ismael Wiemers. Conversions: Shagan Philander (5); Free State 8 (0) – Tries: Rato Ramanotsi. Penalties: Kay-Dinn Langley.

SWD 38 (26) – Tries: player Brendan-junior Kasanya (3), Quinton Agulhas, Byron Kiewit, Hadley Benjamin. Conversions: Quintin Visser (Captain) (3), Brendan-junior Kasanya; Blue Bulls 20 (10) – Tries: JT Johnston, Sphiwe Mokau, Jayneil Williamson. Conversions: Juandre Marias. Penalties: Juandre Marias.

Pumas 29 (17) – Tries: AJ Venter (2), Lifa Nkosi, Mongezi Qometa, Monet Blignaut. Conversions: Luke Ogilvie, Mongezi Qometa; Sharks 7 (0) – Tries: Kwandakwethu Phiri. Conversions: Kean Sukkels.

Leopards 50 (17) – Tries: Xolane Nzeke (2), Siyabonga Mtiyang, Omphile Legodu, Hansie Visser, Michael Cloete, Kamogelo Johnson, Reamogetse Gaje. Conversions: Boeta Johnson (5); Griffons 40 (21) – Tries: Fortune Tshibuabua (2), Vusimuzi Motumi (2), Ricardo Chatwind, Adriano De Canha De Freitas. Conversions: Kyle Till (5).

Eastern Province 50 (29) – Tries: Rylan Hawkins (2), Valention Leeuskieter, Loydon Prins, Shaundre Pienaar, Uvern Adams (Captain), Liza Tetani. Conversions: Zaynodeen Bennie (5), Loydon Prins. Penalties: Zaynodeen Bennie; Valke 10 (10) – Tries: Rigan Chigosie, Thinus van Willing.

Western Province 55 (22) – Tries: Yusuf Hannibal (2), Ralton Rhode (2), Chriswinn Bones (2), Zurich Stevens, Charles Hendricks. Conversions: Zurich Stevens (3), Jayden September (3). Penalties: Yusuf Hannibal; Lions 10 (0) – Tries: Donovan Jansen van Vuuren. Conversions: Timothy Nortman. Penalties: Timothy Nortman.

The 2025 and 42nd LSEN Craven Week kicked off on Saturday at Hoërskool Hoogenhout in Bethal, Mpumalanga.

Saturday’s showcase featured six matches, ending in the ceremonial opening between the hosts, the Pumas, and the Griffons.

Despite being at the disadvantage of being the away team, the Griffons rose to the challenge and produced some champagne rugby to win 37-7.

The Fakkel SOS hero, Ricardo Chatwind, delivered an electric performance at outside centre to win the player of the match award.

A powerful Leopards team brought in some heavy metal to overpower the Sharks. Player of the match, Reamogetswe Gaje, displayed daring physicality at lock, with his dominant performance overwhelming the Sharks’ forwards in the set pieces and breakdowns. When the final whistle sounded, the North West side had run away to a 36-10 victory.

In one of the day’s most eagerly awaited matches, the Gauteng rivals, the Lions and Blue Bulls clashed. On this occasion, the Lions claimed a 22-13 victory.

Their blindside flank, Gilbert Lebeya, used his powerful engine to help his side to victory in a tightly contested battle, also earning himself the player of the match award.

Undefeated in 2017, Valke made a big statement in their 40-28 win over the Free State.

Their resilience, work ethic, and cohesive teamwork enabled them to outlast the Cheetahs.

Kempton Panorama left wing, Ompile Dubase, showed a thrilling turn of pace to win the player of the match award. Might the Falcons, once again, fly away to an undefeated record?

Eastern Province were the tournament’s unofficial winners last year when they were viewed as the underdogs. On Saturday, they were the only team to not surrender a try.

They comprehensively downed Boland 41-3, with many of their players putting in strong performances, but outside centre, Uvern Adams, from Bergsig, was the best of them and the winner of the player of the match award.

Western Province laid down a marker, delivering a strong showing in a 35-12 win over South Western Districts.

Blindside flank, Chandley Jacobs, of Westcliff SOS, led the charge, picking up the player of the match award thanks to his mighty tackling and ball carrying.

The action continues on Monday.

Fixtures 

Boland vs Free State
SWD vs Blue Bulls
Sharks vs Pumas
Griffons vs Leopards
Valke vs Eastern Province
Western Province vs Lions

The final day will be on Tuesday, 1 July. Those fixtures will be announced only after day two’s matches have been played.

Scorers: 

Pumas 7 (7) – Tries: Mongezi Qometa. Conversions: Mongezi Qometa; Griffons 37 (27) – Tries: Ricardo Chatwind (3), Roelof Saunders (2), Keenan Felix. Conversions: Kyle Till (2). Penalties: Kyle Till.

Sharks 10 (0)- Tries: Kean Sukkels, Levi Jansen van Niewenhuizen; Leopards 36 (17)- Tries: Reamogetse Gaje (3), Xolane Nzeke (2), Kamogelo Johnson. Conversions: Boeta Johnson (3).

Lions 22 (5)- Tries: Olwethu Vuso, Gilbert Lebeya, Rethabile Sefika. Conversions: Timothy Nortman (2). Penalties: Timothy Nortman; Bulls 13 (3)- Tries: Jacques Fourie, Hendrik Fourie. Penalties: Reitumetse Mbele.

Valke 40 (20) – Tries: Thinus van Willing (2), Ompile Dubase (2), Oratiloe Ramaite, Pieter le Roux (Captain), Rigen Chigosie. Conversions: Thinus van Willing. Penalties: Thinus van Willing; Cheetahs 28 (14) – Tries: Ruben van Aswegen (2), Duncan Montgomery, Rato Ramanotsi. Conversions: Kay-Dinn Langley (4).

SWD 12 (0) – Tries: Ambrace Africa, Saleni Saleni. Conversions: Quintin Visser (Captain); Western Province 35 (17) – Tries: Jayden September, Wesley Kannemeyer, Jean McEwan, Xavier Jacobs. Conversions: Yusuf Hannibal (3). Penalties: Yusuf Hannibal (3).

Eastern Province 41 (29) – Tries: Andre Barnard (3), Uvern Adams (Captain) (3). Conversions: Zaynodeen Bennie (3), Loydin Prins. Penalties: Zaynodeen Bennie; Boland 3 (0) – Penalty: Shagan Philander.

The last three games were rough outings for Diocesan College. Against Paarl Gim, Paarl Boys’ High and Rondebosch, Bishops was put to the test.

Gim and Boishaai are rated first and second in the country in 2025, and Rondebosch delivered plenty of players to the Western Province and Western Province XV Craven Week sides. Yet Bishops fronted up to the challenge.

There was something about them, about the manner in which they met the daunting challenges head-on. They did not fade away. Rather, they grew into those contests.

Against Paarl Boys’ High, they scored their two tries in the last 10 minutes of the game. They also had the final say in the Bish-Bosch derby last week. That never-say-die spirit and resilience was a reflection of their coach.

Bishops Head Coach, Wesley Chetty, began playing rugby in the park at the age of nine. He went on to play the game professionally.

Along the way, he represented Western Province in many different age groups where he leant about the game under different mentors, including John Dobson, the coach of The Stormers.

“John Dobson has to be my biggest rugby mentor,” Chetty revealed. “He coached me for the better part of 12 years of my playing career.

“He also mentored me in terms of my coaching, always willing to share ideas and put his faith in me.”

In 2013, that faith helped Chetty transition into coaching. He joined Bishops as an assistant coach to Dave Mallet and André Jacobs.

Five years later, Chetty, also a Bishops’ old boy, was promoted to the head coach’s position.

While in charge of the school’s 1st XV, he was able to help shape some outstandingly talented players, including Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Suleiman Hartzenberg, Jonathan Roche, Bruce Sherwood, and Imad Khan.

Chetty’s excellence was recognised and this year he was made head coach of the Western Province u19 team.

A former captain of the UCT Ikey Tigers, where he holds the record at the club’s most-capped player of all time, having turned out over 100 times for the side, he has also been appointed the coach of the Varsity Cup champions for their Western Province league commitments after 12 years of coaching at Bishops.

His time at the 176-year-old Cape Town school is over. He’s taking the next step in a distinguished career.

Given his coaching achievements by his mid-thirties, Chetty is a man on whom to keep an eye. Renowned for his rugby IQ, he may yet climb even higher up the rungs of the coaching ladder.

The 2025 LSEN (learners with special needs) Craven Week will be hosted at Hoërskool Hoogenhout in Bethal, Mpumalanga, with matches taking place on Saturday, 28 June, Monday, 30 June, and Tuesday, 1 July.

The action starts at 08:30 each day and ends as late as 17:30.

The opening ceremony follows the day’s second last game, between Western Province and South Western Districts, with the last game on Saturday featuring the home side, the Pumas, tackling the Griffons at 16:00.

Arguably the biggest match of the day takes place at 09:50, though, when the Lions take on the Blue Bulls.

In the 2024 tournament, Eastern Province claimed the title of unofficial champions with a hard-fought 17-7 win over Western Province.

The team from the Eastern Cape will be aiming to go back-to-back to show that last year’s success was not an underdog’s story. They want to show that they’re one of the big guns. Again, a hungry Western Province side, will be one of their toughest challengers.

However, if the past is an accurate indicator, then the tournament can be won by any side which brings its A- game to the field on matchday.

Memorably, in 2017, the Valke, went through the tournament unbeaten despite being one of the smallest regions in the competition.

Fixtures

Saturday 28 June

08:30 – Sharks vs Leopards
09:50 – Golden Lions vs Blue Bulls
11:10 – Valke vs Cheetahs
12:40 – Western Province vs South Western Districts
14:00 – Eastern Province vs Boland
16:00 – Pumas vs Griffons

Monday 30 June

TBA

Tuesday 1 July

TBA