Author: mbloem

In 2026, the Frans Malherbe u15 Festival takes place from Friday, 27 March, to Monday, 1 April. Since its introduction in 2005, it has been hosted at Paarl Boys’ High’s Brug Street.

The event is now named after Boishaai old boy and Springbok prop Frans Malherbe, who boasts two Rugby World Cup winners’ medals and 76 caps for the national team.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

There are plenty of exciting clashes lined up, with 26 schools competing in 39 games. The local sides, Paarl Boys’ High and their rivals Paarl Gimnasium, went unbeaten last year and will be focused on repeating those successes.

This year, Boishaai plays Grey High on Friday night, followed by a showdown with Hoërskool Waterkloof on Monday night. They wrap up their assignments on Wednesday morning against Hoërskool Trio.

Gimmies tackle Hoërskool Rustenburg on Friday night, face Hoërskool Wesvalia on Monday afternoon, and end with a clash against Hoërskool Middelburg at midday on Monday.

Stellenberg‘s 1st XV captured the spotlight two Saturdays ago with a 20-19 defeat of Paarl Gimnasium. Their u15 side will attempt to match their seniors’ winning way when they take on Wesvalia, Grey High, and Robertson.

FIXTURES

Day 1 – Friday, 27 March

Brugstraat A

18:00 – Kobus Wiese u13 vs Kobus Wiese u13
19:00 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Hoërskool Rustenburg
20:00 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Grey High

Day 2 – Saturday, 28 March

Brugstraat B

11:00 – Hoërskool Robertson vs SACS
12:00 – Oakdale Landbou vs Hoërskool Swartland
13:00 – Hoërskool Durbanville vs Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr

Brugstraat A

11:00 – Hoërskool Punt vs Worcester Gimnasium
12:00 – Wynberg Boys’ High vs HTS Daniel Pienaar
13:00 – Hoërskool Trio vs Die Hoërskool Menlopark
14:00 – Nico Malan High vs Hoërskool Strand
15:00 – Stellenberg High vs Hoërskool Wesvalia
16:00 – Hoërskool Waterkloof vs HTS Drostdy
17:00 – Boland Landbou vs Hoërskool Diamantveld
18:00 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Hoërskool Middelburg

Day 3 – Monday, 30 March

Brugstraat B

12:00 – Hoërskool Diamantveld vs Hoërskool Durbanville
13:00 – Nico Malan High vs Hoërskool Trio
14:00 – Wynberg Boys’ High vs Hoërskool Middelburg
15:00 – Hoërskool Rustenburg vs Hoërskool Swartland

Brugstraat A

11:00 – Stellenberg High vs Grey High
12:00 – Hoërskool Robertson vs Hoërskool Strand
13:00 – Oakdale Landbou vs SACS
14:00 – HTS Daniel Pienaar vs Worcester Gimnasium
15:00 – Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr vs Hoërskool Punt
16:00 – HTS Drostdy vs Boland Landbou
17:00 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Hoërskool Wesvalia
18:00 – Die Hoërskool Menlopark vs Paul Roos Gimnasium
19:00 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Hoërskool Waterkloof

Day 4 – Wednesday, 1 April

Brugstraat C

09:00 – Nico Malan High vs HTS Drostdy
10:00 – Hoërskool Wesvalia vs Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr
11:00 – Hoërskool Swartland vs Hoërskool Strand
12:00 – Worcester Gimnasium vs SACS

Brugstraat B

08:00 – HTS Daniel Pienaar vs Hoërskool Punt
09:00 – Boland Landbou vs Grey High
10:00 – Hoërskool Diamantveld vs Hoërskool Waterkloof
11:00 – Hoërskool Robertson vs Stellenberg High

Brugstraat A

08:00 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Hoërskool Rustenburg
09:00 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Hoërskool Trio
10:00 – Die Hoërskool Menlopark vs Oakdale Landbou
11:00 – Hoërskool Durbanville vs Wynberg Boys’ High
12:00 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Hoërskool Middelburg

Standing two metres tall and weighing 106 kilograms, Stellenberg High’s Juvan Burden is a standout player who catches the eye, both because of his size and skill.

In 2025, the lock was selected for the SA Schools A and SA u18 A squads, along with his schoolmate Ethan van Biljon.

Burden’s agent and Stellenberg’s 1st XI cricket coach Michael Thomas recalled his first sighting of the young forward: “I first saw Juvan as a 15-year-old boy,” he said. “My first impression was that his physicality was amazing, but also his defensive game was brilliant.

“Juvan is a physical lock that dominates, especially with his defensive capabilities. He has the ability to stop momentum with his hard-hitting tackles.”

“He’s also crucial at the set-pieces. He brings a lot to the lineouts with his steals, and he adds extra power in the scrums.

“Juvan has added an offload to his game that puts his fellow teammates into space. I think that was a great work-on. That’s improved a lot,” Thomas noted.

Burden shared his rugby origins with SuperSport Schools Plus: “My earliest memories of rugby come from growing up in a family that truly loves the sport. Hearing their stories inspired me from a young age.

“My dad bought me my first rugby ball when I was a youngster, and that’s when I really started falling in love with the game. I spent hours playing and practicing, where I began dreaming about one day playing for the Springboks.

“Seeing the passion in my family, and experiencing the dominance and physicality in the game, is what truly ignited my love for rugby.”

Ever since then, the Jade Brigade forward has continued to evolve as a player: “My game is always developing, but I feel the aspect that needs the most work is my decision-making under pressure.

“Rugby is a fast and physical game, where making the right decisions quickly can make a big difference in the outcome of a play.

“Sometimes there are moments where a better pass or tactical choice could create more opportunities for the team. I want to continue improving this by studying the game more, learning from my coaches, and gaining more match experience so I can make quicker and smarter decisions on the field,” Burden explained.

Thomas also remarked on Burden’s influence on his teammates and on the school at large: “Juvan is a quiet guy who leads by example and does his talking on the field. He is a hero at Stellenberg, and the juniors look up to him.”

Casting an eye towards the future, Burden shared some of his ambitions: “My goal for the next five years is to proceed with my studies (BCom). I would also like to continue developing as a rugby player and to reach a higher level of competition.

“Ultimately, I would like to represent the SA u20 side, and then play in the URC.

“On a personal level, I want to keep growing as a person by staying disciplined, working hard in my studies, and maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

“Rugby has taught me important values, like teamwork, respect, and perseverance. I want to carry those values with me as I continue to build my future both on and off the field.”

With a diligent mindset and a strong physical presence, Juvan Burden will be one of the leaders of the challenge laid down by any teams he represents in 2026.

Bishops hosted Rondebosch Boys’ High on the Frank Reid Oval in the final fixture of the season for both schools on Saturday.

When the coin toss went their way, the visitors opted to field first, and they made that decision count.

Opener Ibraheem Taliep was the home team’s top scorer, sending three balls to the boundary in his 23 runs off 47 deliveries. Waco Bassick, batting a four, was the next-highest scorer, weighing in with 18 as he and Taliep mustered a 30-run partnership for the third wicket. Clearly, though, a substantial total wasn’t on the cards.

Zion van Rensburg and Reuven dos Santos were tough to deal with in the middle overs. Both sent down six, and Dos Santos picked up 2/24, while Van Rensburg was twice as economical, nabbing 2/12. Matthew Brooks, though, bettered the pair, capturing 3/14 in five overs.

The Bishops’ innings lasted only 35.5 overs and ended with the hosts all out for 97.

Openers Ramano Pedro and Luca Ghigone, then ensured it would be Rondebosch’s day by compiling a 73-run opening stand.

Pedro top-scored with 43 off 68, smashing two fours and two sixes, while Ghigone collected three fours in an otherwise cautious 26 off 56 deliveries.

Imraan Leith removed both openers and recorded the miserly figures of 2/9 from five overs, but the ‘Bosch openers had inflicted terminal damage on Bishops by then.

After 27 overs, the visitors sealed victory in the Bish-Bosch derby when they reached 100/2 to end their season with a morale-boosting eight-wicket win.

Summarised Scorecard

Diocesan College 97/10 (Ibraheem Taliep 23; Matthew Brooks 3/14, Zion van Rensburg 2/12, Reuven dos Santos 2/24); Rondebosch Boys’ High 100/2 (Ramano Pedro 43, Luca Ghigone 26; Imraan Leith 2/9). Rondebosch won by eight wickets.

After defeating Hoërskool Durbanville by seven wickets to win the Sammy Bloch 25-over competition on Tuesday, Stellenberg High travelled to Bellville High for a derby showdown in their last game of the season.

The hosts batted first and made a steady start in the limited-overs clash after Stellies‘ JJ Rothman called the coin flip incorrectly.

Openers Xander Lategan and Johan Bergh combined for a measured 28 runs for the first wicket, with Lategan scoring 17 runs off 32 balls, while Bergh collected three fours in his 23 off 54.

Once the opening pair was parted, though, Bellville’s innings crumbled. They were tied down and mustered only 85 all out from 39 overs.

The primary reason for their batting struggles was Jan-Jak Alberts, who captured an outstanding 5/25 across 10 overs. John Naudé, meanwhile, kept the home side on the defensive, snaring 3/9 from nine overs.

Stellenberg had 50 overs to score 86 runs, and those facts favoured the visitors heavily. They duly chased down the victory target for the loss of three wickets.

Opener Aiden Pienaar led the way, striking four fours and a six in his 30 off 43. Together with Francois Hugo, who arrived at the crease after the fall of the first wicket, he added 44 runs for the second wicket.

Hugo pressed on to record the contest’s highest score of 41. It took him 71 balls and included four fours and a six.

Krige van Jaarsveld and Kian Joubert bowled tidily for Bellville and were rewarded with a wicket each. Joubert opened the bowling and snapped up 1/10 from five overs, while Van Jaarsveld bagged 1/9 from a three-over spell.

It was a fitting winning end to a memorable season for Stellenberg, who are quickly becoming one of the top sides in Western Cape cricket.

Summarised Scorecard

Bellville High 85/10 (Johan Bergh 23; Jan-Jak Alberts 5/25, John Naudé 3/9); Stellenberg High 86/3 (Francois Hugo 41, Aiden Pienaar 30). Stellenberg won by seven wickets.

Boland Landbou almost delivered one of the upsets of the season in May last year, but they came up just short against Paul Roos Gimnasium at home, going down 36-40.

At the end of the season, in August, though, they succeeded in pulling off a big upset – albeit that Oakdale Landbou was without five players representing the SA u18 and SA u18A sides – winning 34-27 in Riversdal.

Historically, they are a tough and ferocious rugby school, with centre and wing, Canaan Moodie, their most recent old boy to be capped by the Springboks.

Looking ahead to the 2026 season, head coach Nico Breedt told SuperSport Schools Plus about some exciting talent in the Farmers‘ squad: “We have a few matrics who collected caps last year,” he said. “Those include Juan Visagie (eighthman), Chad Meintjies (lock), and Gehano van Bo (flyhalf/fullback).

“We also have some strong Grade 11 talent from last year’s Grant Khomo [team] coming through to the u19 level, including the likes of Divan Meyer, at inside centre, and Oloff Bergh, at scrumhalf.”

Breedt, who was in charge of the Maritzburg College 1st XV in 2025, will be assisted by Liaan Scriven, Albertus Buckle, and Juan Mostert. Johan van Rooyen serves as the side’s strength and conditioning coach.

“We’re excited about all our matches, especially the festivals,” Breedt said with optimism. “At the North-South Festival, we’ll get to play Menlopark and Helpmekaar. Then, at the Wildeklawer Festival, we’ll get to play Jeppe and Noordheuwel.”

While the Farmers have traditionally been competitive, their goal is to consistently challenge South Africa’s leading teams. “We want to be seen among the top 10 best rugby schools in the country,” Breedt explained.

If that’s their goal, they need look no further than their fellow Paarl schools, Paarl Boys’ High and Paarl Gimnasium, for a reminder of the standard that will be required to be regarded as one of the best.

Boland Landbou Fixtures 2026

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Bishops‘ results in the 2025 rugby season were inconsistent: up one week and down the next.

However, an assessment of their performances over a longer period reflects a rugby programme on the up.

Newly appointed Head Coach Sam Mofokeng told SuperSport Schools Plus about the talent he has at his disposal in 2026: “Ten players with 1st XV experience return for the new season: Dan Coetzee, Alex Vintcent, Connor Clark, Ethan Venter, Jack Venter, Christian Toweel, Boytjie Fyfer, Eljaron Geduld, Miyolo Ngculu, and Lulibo Nyawula.

“Caleb Clark, who played in the Grant Khomo Week and was included in the SA u17 Elite Player Development (EPD) squad, is also available for selection. We also have two new boys from out-of-province joining us.”

Mofokeng enjoys the support of a strong coaching staff, with Norman Mukondiwa and Tank Lanning serving as his assistants, while Matt Hoole looks after strength and conditioning.

Looking ahead to the forthcoming season, the 1st XV coach didn’t hesitate when asked to name the highlights of the fixtures that await his charges: “The southern Suburbs derbies, both home and away,” he stated. “Our neighbours have exciting squads with experienced and innovative coaching teams. These games will serve as the highlights for a competitive season.”

Mofokeng also noted the connections of some current learners whose relatives hold a special place in Bishops’ rugby history: “Joe Lanning is the son of Tank Lanning, our assistant coach, who also played for Western Province. Sam Bey is the grandson of Basil Bey, the legendary Bishops’ coach.”

Teams always play to win, but Mofokeng said he was keen to have his team win in the traditionally exciting and inventive Bishops’ manner. “We want to play the traditional Bishops brand of rugby, one that both the present and past school community can be proud of,” he explained.

With a healthy number of returning players, the Bishops’ 1st XV heads into the 2026 season with some familiar pieces in their puzzle. That means there is no need to start from scratch, but coach Sam Mofokeng will, no doubt, add his own tweaks. It will be up to the players to implement them.

Diocesan College Fixtures 2026

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In recent years, Rondebosch Boys’ High has been a strong force in schoolboy rugby.

They started last season like a house on fire, defeating Oakdale Landbou, who went on to enjoy a special season, 10-7 at the Wynberg Rugby Festival.

‘Bosch captain Josh Neill was selected for the SA Schools‘ side for a second successive season. Randall-John Davids, Ismaeel Conrad, Bulela Mbala, and Matthew van der Merwe joined him in the Western Province Craven Week-winning team, and Lisekhonikamva Zola, Shellvon Mabooi, and David Kadima ran out for the Western Province XV.

In 2026, the Rondebosch rugby pantry remains stocked with talented players. “We have Finn Watermeyer (10 1st XV caps in 2025), Kwaza Gabinga (Grant Khomo captain in 2024), Anessu Muswandigere (Grant Khomo 2024), Bertus Versfeld (18 1st XV caps), Ethan Williams (Academy Week 2025), Caleb Bell (Academy Week 2025), and Shelvon Mabooi,” Head Coach Clinton van Rensburg told SuperSport Schools Plus.

Van Rensburg’s coaching team includes forwards’ coach Joel Carew, backs’ coach Asi Molatana, defence coach Charlie Post, strength and conditioning coach Rikus van der Sandt, head physio Jamie King, and manager Trevor Edward.

He said the school’s growing rugby culture is reflected in some of the parents: “We are fortunate to have notable figures in SA rugby with boys in the school, such as Rian Oberholzer – CEO of SA Rugby, Clint Readhead – Head of Medical in SA Rugby, and Ashwin Willemse – former World Cup Winning Springbok.”

André Ross, the chairman of the Rondebosch Old Boys’ Union, shared the importance of the Bish-Bosch derby with SuperSport Schools Plus: “The two annual Bish-Bosch derbies are the biggest and most eagerly anticipated events of the year.

“Although the Rondebosch 1st XV mostly plays in blue against other opposition, when they run through the schoolboy tunnel onto the Tinkie Heyns Field for the home derby, they are kitted in white jerseys and Bishops in blue.

“A cherished and highly respected tradition, [these matches are] the highlight of a ‘Bosch boy’s rugby career.

“A whopping 206 matches have been played between these two great schools’ 1st XVs, with Rondebosch winning 86 times and drawing 19 times. In recent times, eight of the last 10 encounters have been won by Rondebosch.”

Like the other southern suburbs coaches, Van Rensburg said the local derbies are especially significant games for ‘Bosch: “Every match for Rondebosch is a massive challenge. Playing in the strongest schoolboy league in the world against SA Schools’ rugby powerhouses week in and week out remains a challenge that we are committed to, but it is tough.

“There are many schools in the province, besides the rugby powerhouses, who are driving their rugby programmes on the fertile grounds of Afrikaans schoolboy rugby culture.

“We always look forward to our southern suburbs’ derbies, which come with their own unique challenges and pressures. The level of rugby in the southern suburbs has risen tremendously.”

With another daunting fixture list in 2026, Rondebosch has an opportunity to prove, again, that it possesses one of the best South African schoolboy rugby 1st XVs.

Rondebosch Boys’ High Fixtures 2026

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“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Will Durant, American historian and philosopher.

Last season was excellent for Paarl Gimnasium, even when judging them by their own very high standards.

Other than a 33-35 loss to archrivals Paarl Boys’ High in a mesmerising clash in August, Gimmies won their other 17 matches, many of them by massive margins.

Head Coach and former Springboks‘ wing Pieter Rossouw noted the fierce competition for a place in the 2026 1st XV: “There are a few [Grant Khomo and Craven Week representatives] that played for the 1st team last year, but everybody must start from scratch and earn their place,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.

The coaching setup remains familiar, but there is one change, Rossouw said, with Ockie van Zyl taking over from Helmut Lehmann.

When reflecting on his squad, Rossouw also pointed out how Old Boys and their sons continue adding to the school’s rich rugby history: “Johan van Zyl played for Western Province and clubs abroad as a lock. His son, Hendré van Zyl [who plays as a loose forward], is once again available for selection for the first team.”

Rossouw also shared his side’s mission for the season: “We have no specific goals. Rather, we want to set a consistent standard of playing good rugby week-in and week-out.”

With an experienced coaching unit and a wealth of talented players coming through, one question remains, and it is a fair one to ask: Could Paarl Gimnasium go unbeaten in 2026?

Paarl Gimnasium Fixtures 2026

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South African schoolboy rugby currently boasts a big five – Affies, Grey College, Paul Roos Gimnasium, Paarl Gimnasium, and Paarl Boys’ High – and, at the end of the 2025 season, Boishaai sat atop that list.

After a 26-28 loss to Oakdale Landbou in Riversdal in April 2025, Boishaai was in phenomenal form and ended the season with a come-from-behind win over Paarl Gimnasium, which decided which team would end the season at number one.

Their team in 2026, however, will look very different. Head Coach Sean Erasmus said he has a fairly inexperienced, but highly talented squad of players at his disposal: “Liam de Villiers (scrumhalf for Western Province XV at Craven Week 2025), and Jeneal Davids (wing for Western Province at Craven Week 2025) are the only two players that were consistently in the 1st XV in 2025.

“There are a few 2nd XV players who also gained caps from the bench in 2025. There are also a few Grant Khomo players entering the side, and we look forward to seeing how they shape into the u19 league.”

The Paarl Boys’ High management team has undergone some changes, Erasmus told SuperSport Schools Plus. The lineup is Sean Erasmus (Head Coach), George Earle (Assistant Coach), Gerrie Visser (New Assistant Coach), Wynand Pienaar (New Assistant Coach), Lutz van der Merwe (Physio), and Ryno Rust (Strength and Conditioning).

Erasmus said rugby in the Western Cape is in a very healthy state and extremely competitive: “All our matches are exciting and all the schools we play are well coached and talented. Finishing as the top rugby school in SA has its own pressures, but we are focused on getting a new group working together and playing good rugby, promoting a team culture which makes our school and supporters proud.”

While discussing his talented squad, Erasmus also praised Boys’ High’s strong connection to its Old Boys: “We are lucky to have Old Boys who are passionate about the school and have sent their sons to follow in their footsteps,” he said. “Retired Springbok captain and flanker Corné Krige is one whose son now moves into senior rugby.”

Erasmus said his focus is not only on results. There are other vitally important longer-term goals: “We always focus on producing good men with good values, and we want to play an attractive brand of rugby.

“Our Team Culture remains our top priority as we look to strengthen Faith, Family, and Team,” he shared.

As the former world champion middleweight boxer “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler once said: “It’s tough to get out of bed to do roadwork at 05:00 when you’re sleeping in silk pajamas”.

Paarl Boys’ High exhibits Hagler’s understanding of the task that lies ahead. They enter the season at the head of the pack, but that doesn’t mean they feel comfortably ensconced at number one. They know that it’s the hungriest dog who usually wins the race.

That’s their goal in 2026: to prove that they are again the top dog.

Paarl Boys’ High Fixtures 2026

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It was tough going from the start for Hoërskool Durbanville in the Sammy Bloch 25-over final against Stellenberg High on Tuesday night.

The battle began with Durbies winning the toss and opting to bat first, but Stellenberg opening bowler Aiden Pienaar enjoyed early success. removing two batsmen to leave Durbanville on 24/2. In five overs, he picked up 2/25.

When opener Juan van Coller joined forces with Jan-Oscar van Tonder, their partnership bloomed into a 63-run third-wicket stand, which set the Durbies’ innings on track for a healthy total.

Both scored 45 runs. Van Coller hit three fours and a six in 48 deliveries, while Van Tonder smashed a four and four maximums in his 41-ball stay.

Stellenberg, however, grabbed control of the contest once the pair was parted, with Jan-Jak Alberts slashing the tires in the middle overs by nabbing 2/29 in five overs, while Michael Amoedo got stuck into the tail, snapping up 3/15 in a three-over spell.

After 25 overs, Durbanville finished on 133/8. Stellenberg then hunted down the 134-run victory target with 14 balls to spare.

Roux Wasserman and Aiden Pienaar gave them a good start, putting up 46 runs for the first wicket before Wasserman departed for 21. Pienaar, though, kept taking it to Durbies, on his way to an unbeaten 64 off 70 deliveries, which included two fours and six sixes.

He and captain JJ Rothman, batting at five, shared an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 58 runs to see their side to victory, with Rothman weighing in with 22 runs, including two sixes.

Jan-Oscar van Tonder was the pick of the Durbies’ bowlers, claiming 2/29 in five overs, but it was Stellies’ day. They lifted the trophy after powering their way to a mature and controlled seven-wicket victory.

Summarised Scorecard

Hoërskool Durbanville 133/8 (Jan-Oscar van Tonder 45, Juan van Coller 45, Ruben la Grange 24; Michael Amoedo 3/15, Aiden Pienaar 2/25, Jan-Jak Alberts 2/29); Stellenberg High 134/3 (Aiden Pienaar 64*, JJ Rothman 22*, Roux Wasserman 21; Jan-Oscar van Tonder 2/29). Stellenberg won the final by seven wickets.