Author: froberholzer

Unfortunately for the large crowd gathered to watch the final fixture of the 2025 Standard Bank King Edward VII School Easter Festival – between the hosts, King Edward VII School (KES), and Northwood – the match was brought to a premature end by lightning.

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The final whistle was blown just six minutes into the second half, with the KwaZulu-Natal side enjoying a slender 12-7 lead.

However, it appeared that the Reds were beginning to find their rhythm, setting the stage for what could have been a thrilling final 25 minutes.

KES captain Sam Bruwer and eighthman Chinedu Amadi sparked the home side’s resurgence with powerful carries that pushed the hosts onto the front foot. For the Knights, hooker Ayavuya Makula made an early statement, marshalling a dominant rolling maul that led to one of his team’s two tries. The other came courtesy of fullback Trevor van Vollenstee, who crossed the line early in the game.

Thankfully for the spectators, the eagerly anticipated curtain-raiser between Hoërskool Noordheuwel (the Blues) and Jeppe High School for Boys delivered a dramatic contest. After an intense 60 minutes, the men from Krugersdorp celebrated their first win of the 2025 season, claiming a hard-fought 21-20 victory.

Jeppe started like a house on fire, racing into a 17-0 lead in the blink of an eye, through tries from loosehead, Joshua Hamman, and inside centre, Phano Letsie. They held onto the lead for nearly 50 minutes.

The Blues, then, found their rhythm in defence, delivering some thunderous tackles that disrupted Jeppe’s flow. With momentum shifting, their eighthman Kean Lourens crashed over for a crucial try, which was converted by Jeandré Uithaler – his third successful kick of the match – to seal a memorable victory.

SCORERS

Northwood 12 (12) – Tries: Trevor van Vollenstee, Ayavuya Makula. Conversion: Savio Stevens. King Edward VII School 7 (0) – Try: Joshua Wilkinson. Conversion: Indi Mboniswa.

Noordheuwel 21 (14) – Tries: Clinton Agu, Jayden Steyn, Kean Lourens. Conversions: Jeandré Uithaler (3). Jeppe High School for Boys 20 (17) – Tries: Joshua Hamman, Phano Letsie. Conversions: Nehemia Hollenbach (2). Penalties: Hollenbach (2).

Rondebosch Boys’ High School delivered a commanding performance, running in four tries in the second half, to overpower Queen’s College 33–0 in the second fixture on Monday, the final day of the Standard Bank King Edward VII School Easter Festival.

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The scoreline belied the valiant efforts of a spirited Queen’s side, who came out determined to unsettle ‘Bosch from the outset.

They impressed during the opening 30 minutes, valiantly repelling wave after wave of Rondebosch surges at the try line to keep themselves in the contest.

Leading the defensive charge was the openside flank, Jeffrey Niland, who stood out at the breakdown where he secured several crucial turnovers when they were most needed.

Despite Queen’s resilience, Rondebosch’s relentless assault eventually brought reward in the second half. Randall-John Davids was a constant threat in the midfield, where his powerful carries kept the Queens defenders on high alert throughout the encounter.

Up front, Bulela Mbala made a telling impact off the bench. The dynamic front-rower imposed himself with a tireless display, and he was ably supported by the towering locks, Bertus Versfeld and Danil-Nicolas Oosthuizen, who delivered industrious performances to all corners of the field.

Meanwhile, Pearson held firm against a late surge from Hoërskool Eldoraigne to claim a 21-12 win over the Centurion-based outfit.

The Eastern Cape side’s outside centre Sibu Mkhontwana produced a standout performance, not only in open play but also with the boot. He kept the scoreboard ticking, slotting three penalties and also converted one of Pearson’s two tries.

Scrumhalf, Denio Jordaan, who is also the school’s first XI cricket captain, caught the eye with a sharp and energetic showing behind a pack that more than held its own against a formidable Eldoraigne forward unit.

Eldoraigne has work to do on sharpening their attacking edge. Their blindside flank, Justin Meintjies, showed how to do it with a tireless display, which was capped off by a superb long-range try in the dying moments.

SCORERS

Rondebosch Boys’ High School 33 (7) – Tries: Andrea Parrello, Daniel Arendse, Randall-John Davids, Bulela Mbala, Ethon Williams. Conversions: Sebastian Boshoff (3), Harry Soboil. Queen’s College 0.

Pearson 21 (8) – Tries: Denio Jordaan, Keano Beling. Conversion: Sibu Mkhontwana. Penalties: Mkontwana (3). Eldoraigne 12 (0) – Tries: Kevin Earle, Justin Meintjies. Conversion: Damian Elferink.

Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) delivered another commanding performance, storming to a 57–19 victory over Selborne College to claim a second win at the 2025 Standard Bank King Edward VII School Easter Festival, in Johannesburg, on Monday.

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Demonstrating their remarkable depth, the Wit Bulle, from Pretoria, rested several leading players ahead of their clash with Hoërskool Garsfontein on Saturday.

Yet, even with key players given a breather, the Pretoria powerhouse didn’t skip a beat.

Their forwards set the tone early, battering the East London outfit with a barrage of physical carries that left Selborne reeling. Lock Martin van Niekerk, whose tireless work underpinned the Affies’ effort, was rewarded with two tries in quick succession just before the final whistle.

He was ably supported by openside flanker Luhan Potgieter, who impressed with another standout showing. Potgieter and his fellow flank, Elwin Jansen van Vuuren, both crossed the whitewash after impressive solo runs, which underlined Affies’’ dominance across the park.

For Selborne, openside flank Lwandle Bacela delivered a quietly heroic shift. Though often unnoticed, his hard graft on defence against the colossal Affies pack was commendable. His back-row partner, Uviwe Jikwana, also made his presence felt, scoring one of Selborne’s three tries with a determined individual effort.

Later in the day, the growing crowd was treated to a thrilling seesaw encounter between Parktown Boys’ High School and Hudson Park. Trailing 10-15 at half-time, the Johannesburg side rallied to score 15 unanswered points after the break to grab a hard-fought 25–15 victory.

Parktown’s eighthman, Siya Masinga, and openside flank, Lethabo Sikhundo, were pivotal to the turnaround, delivering tireless performances at the breakdown and in open play. Their efforts were justly rewarded, with tries, which contributed 10 points to their side’s winning tally.

For Hudson Park, left-wing Masibulele Kwakini provided one of the match’s standout moments with a blistering run down the touchline to score just before the break, which gave his team the half-time advantage.

SCORERS

Affies 57 (38) – Tries: Martin van Niekerk (2), Estian Marx (2) Hannes Nagel, Joshua Gouws, Charl Els, Luhan Potgieter, Elwin Jansen van Vuuren. Conversions: Ruben Groenewald (4), Lamond Baaidjies (2). Selborne College 19 (5) – Tries: Oliver Schmidt, Aaron James, Uviwe Jikwana. Conversions: Khazimla Qavile (2).

Parktown Boys’ High School 25 (10) – Tries: Siphesihle Mpofu, Siya Masinga, Lethabo Sikhudo. Conversions: Enrico van Coller (2). Penalties: Van Coller (2). Hudson Park 15 (15) – Tries: Sibalbwe Mtshini, Masibulele Kwakini. Conversion: Landile Gidi. Penalty: Gidi.

Scorers: 

Northwood 12 (12) – Tries: Trevor van Vollenstee, Ayavuya Makula. Conversion: Savio Stevens. King Edward VII 7 (0) – Try: Joshua Wilkinson. Conversion: Indi Mboniswa.

Noordheuwel 21 (14) – Tries: Clinton Agu, Jayden Steyn, Kean Lourens. Conversions: Jeandré Uithaler. Jeppe High School for Boys 20 (17) – Tries: Joshua Hamman, Phano Letsie. Conversions: Nehemia Hollenbach (2). Penalties: Hollenbach (2).

Parktown Boys High 25 (10) – Tries: Siphesihle Mpofu, Siya Masinga, Lethabo Sikhudo. Conversions: Enrico van Coller (2). Penalties: Van Coller (2). Hudson Park 15 (15) – Tries: Sibalbwe Mtshini, Masibulele Kwakini. Conversion: Landile Gidi. Penalty: Gidi.

Affies 57 (38) – Tries: Martin van Niekerk (2), Estian Marx (2), Hannes Nagel, Joshua Gouws, Charl Els, Luhan Potgieter, Elwin Jansen van Vuuren. Conversions: Ruben Groenewald (4), Lamond Baaidjies (2). Selborne College 19 (5) – Tries: Oliver Schmidt, Aaron James, Uviwe Jikwana. Conversions: Khazimla Qavile (2).

Rondebosch Boys’ High 33 (7) – Tries: Andrea Parrello, Daniel Arendse, Randall-John Davids, Bulela Mbala, Ethon Williams. Conversions: Sebastian Boshoff (3), Harry Soboil. Queen’s College 0.

Pearson 21 (8) – Tries: Denio Jordaan, Keano Beling. Conversion: Sibu Mkhontwana. Penalties: Mkontwana. Eldoraigne 12 (0) – Tries: Kevin Earle, Justin Meintjies. Conversion: Damian Elferink.

Hoërskool Nelspruit vs Marizburg College

Hoërskool Nelspruit scored a second consecutive victory at the 28th Standard Bank St John’s College Easter Festival with a thrilling 22–13 triumph over Maritzburg College in the final fixture on Burger Field, on Saturday, in Johannesburg.

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The Rhinos, who edged out Welkom Gimnasium 34–31 in a dramatic opener on Thursday, return to Mbombela undefeated after an outstanding, hard-fought win.

In a physical battle, both sides committed fully, with neither holding back in the trenches.

Driven by the relentless carries of eighthman, Vaughn van Zyl, and lock, André Smit, Nelspruit seized control. Their rampaging runs left plenty of bruises in the College camp and laid the foundation for another standout performance from scrumhalf Liam Pringle, who was named the Man of the Match.

Pringle’s crisp distribution and pinpoint tactical kicking from the base of the ruck kept the College boys pinned deep in their half.

For College, right-wing Adam Cahill impressed with one of the day’s best performances from the tee. He calmly slotted two long-range penalties and converted his team’s only try, scored by inside centre, Olwethu Kosani.

Hilton College vs Kingswood College

The curtain-raiser, a much-anticipated clash between KwaZulu-Natal’s Hilton College and the Eastern Cape’s Kingswood College, lived up to its billing. The sides were evenly matched in an intense first half and went into half-time deadlocked at 13–13.

After the break, Hilton took charge. Flyhalf, Liyema Nela, slotted a coolly taken drop goal to edge his team ahead, which ignited a dominant second-half display from coach Brad Mcleod-Henderson‘s charges. Nela led the charge, adding three more conversions and three penalties to contribute 18 points to his team’s victory.

Hilton owed a lot to their loose trio, too, who dictated terms, both on both attack and defence. Eighthman, Zander Muller, bulldozed his way over the gain-line repeatedly, while blindside flank, André Boshoff, reaped the rewards of his tireless work when he went over for a well-earned try.

Kingswood’s towering right-wing James Mackenzie gave the Hilton defence plenty to think about with a blistering attacking display, which included one of the best tries of the day. However, that wasn’t enough to derail the momentum of the high-flying side from KwaZulu-Natal.

SCORERS

Hoërskool Nelspruit 22 (12) – Tries: André Smit, Liam Pringle, D’Angelo Roberts. Conversions: Liam Pringle, John Duncan. Penalty: Pringle. Maritzburg College 13 (7) – Try: Olwethu Kosani. Conversion: Adam Cahill. Penalties: Cahill (2).

Hilton College 33 (13) – Tries: Zander Vorster, André Boshoff, Zander Muller. Conversions: Liyema Nela (3). Penalties: Nela (3). Drop goal: Nela. Kingswood College 16 (13) – Try: James Mackenzie. Conversion: Praise Matsila. Penalties: Matsila (3).

Two matches marked by thunderous collisions and silky handling thrilled the sizeable crowd gathered for Saturday’s smorgasbord of action at the 28th Standard Bank St John’s College Easter Festival, in Johannesburg.

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The hosts, St John’s College, had to dig deep to overcome a spirited performance from Hoërskool Randburg, but two tries from openside flank Tumelo Bopape helped the hosts secure victory.

As expected, the home side came out firing, buoyed by a passionate crowd singing their support.

Lock, Allan Njanfang Patu, ignited the St John’s engine room. Though not the tallest second-rower, his relentless work rate and powerful ball carries consistently put the hosts on the front foot.

At fly-half, Gerald van Wyk led with composure and creativity. He’s in a rich vein of form and orchestrated play with authority.

For Randburg, their right-wing Bradley Butcher was a standout performer. The speedster twice carved open the St John’s defence to cross for long-range tries, which injected life into his team’s comeback hopes while firing up the crowd.

In the following fixture, Graeme College played with precision and intensity and delivered a clinical performance to secure a 25–10 win over Pretoria Boys High School.

Fullback Lucritia Magau was a constant threat. His strong runs from deep put the Eastern Cape side onto the front foot time after time.

Blindside flank Ayola Mali was in devastating form with the ball in hand. His crowning moment came when, from inside his half, he sliced through the host’s defensive line, exhibiting sharp acceleration and strength, with a powerful hand-off, to score one of the best tries of the festival.

The Candies‘ eighthman, Queenton Mncube, stood tall in defeat. He made his presence felt with his powerful carries and committed defensive work, and was rewarded with his side’s only try.

SCORERS

St John’s College 33 (19) – Tries: Tumelo Bopape (2), Luke Scott, Simon Musset, Lwandile Khupe. Comversions: Gerald van Wyk (4). Hoërskool Randburg 24 (5) – Tries: Bradley Buther (2), Kian Kritzinger, Jayden Oosthuizen. Conversions: Josh Wigget (2).

Graeme College 25 (5) – Tries: Ayola Mali, Erin Nelson, Lucritia Magau. Conversions: Ethan Bokbaard (2). Penalties: Aiden Walters, Bokbaard. Pretoria Boys High 10 (7) – Try: Queenton Mncube. Conversion: Blake Mager. Penalty: Mager.

Day two of the Standard Bank St John’s College Easter Festival kicked off bright and early on Saturday morning with an upset, courtesy of the Golden Lions XV.

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The combined side, made up of players from smaller schools within the Golden Lions region, stunned St David’s Marist Inanda, claiming a gritty 20–16 win after 60 minutes of fiercely contested rugby.

Flyhalf Gaviel Gaff orchestrated the upset with a composed and commanding performance.

Not only did he direct his backline with authority, but he also delivered the decisive blow, sprinting down the right-hand touchline to cross the whitewash in dramatic fashion. His personal tally of 15 points, made up of a try, two conversions, and two penalties, earned him the Man of the Match accolade.

Deserved winners, the Lions XV played with fierce intent. Their committed defence made St David’s graft for every metre. Leading the charge was blindside flank Daniel Kruger, of Krugersdorp High School, whose bone-crunching tackles set the tone up front.

Hoërskool Diamantveld’s Diamonds bounced back in style following their 29–43 loss to Pretoria Boys High on Thursday evening. This time, they overwhelmed Welkom Gimnasium 50–33 in a high-scoring encounter that saw the Kimberley outfit return to winning ways, while Welkom Gim will head home empty-handed after two losses.

The Free Staters’ standout performer, outside centre Nathan Muller, again impressed with his incisive running lines, which repeatedly exposed gaps in the Diamonds’ defence. He was, however, outshone by his opposite number, Jaco Beukes, who played a pivotal role in the Diamonds’ resurgence.

The Kimberley school’s success was built upon a solid platform laid by their dominant forward pack. Vice-captain and lock, Zuan Rautenbach, delivered yet another eye-catching performance, highlighted by a brace of tries. Blindside flank, Waylon Schwemmer, the Man of the Match, matched that feat, bagging two tries of his own.

SACS capped off their debut appearance at the St John’s Easter Festival with a second win, grinding out a hard-fought 21–8 victory over Bethlehem Voortrekker. The Western Cape side was made to battle for every point, with the Trekkers putting in another resolute defensive effort.

True to their pedigree, SACS made their opportunities count, turning to their forwards to record their three tries. Openside flank, Siphe Mbungendlu, crashed over for the final score and his second try of the weekend.

The dependable Mike Skeeles slotted all three conversions with clinical precision to close out the match.

SCORERS

Golden Lions XV 20 (6) – Tries: Gaviel Graff, Khaye Mukhanda. Conversions: Graff (2). Penalties: Graff (2). St David’s Marist Inanda 16 (8) – Tries: Matthew Scott, Ben Archer. Penalties Luca Cabion (2).

Diamantveld 50 (17) – Tries: Waylon Schwemmer (2), Zuan Rautenbach (2), Driaan Jacobs, Bernard Däniels, Jaco Beukes, Jaydrian Jacobs. Conversions: JG van Heerden (4), Ezlin Swartz. Welkom Gimnasium 33 (11) – Tries: Nathan Muller, Ruan Theron, Vusi Ndayi, Leano Williams. Conversions: Jadewyn Solomons, Leano Williams. Penalties: Solomons (3).

SACS 21 (14) – Tries: Harrison Bell, Qiraan Germans, Siphe Mbungendlu. Conversions: Mike Skeeles (3). Voortrekker 8 (3) – Try: Wessel Hattingh. Penalty: Nolen du Plooy.

The Mzwandile Mali XV and Windhoek High School wrapped up their Standard Bank Saints Easter Festival campaigns at St Stithians College with commanding victories.

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Mzwandile Mali ran in six tries to outclass UK-based Hartpury College’s 2nd XV 40–24 in the opening fixture on Saturday.

Right-wing Sphenati April demonstrated his searing pace, crossing the whitewash twice in a standout performance. His success was made possible by a backline that clicked beautifully against the English visitors.

Just as he did at the recent North/South Tournament in Stellenbosch, flyhalf Sibabalwe Gwintsa controlled proceedings with poise and precision.

He not only orchestrated play to unleash the speedsters out wide but also chipped in with a well-earned try and four conversions, contributing 13 points to the total.

His opposite number Harrison Ravenscroft, filling in at flyhalf for Hartpury, played his part in a thrilling duel between the number 10s. Like Gwintsa, he impressed with his vision and distribution and scored one of Hartpury’s four tries.

In the following match, Windhoek High School’s right-wing Luke Saal continued the theme of outside backs dominating, diving over for a brace in the Namibian side’s 32–10 victory over Clifton College.

Windhoek’s backline lapped up their opportunities, accounting for five of their six tries, which also included Saal’s colleague, left-wing, Sergio Steenkamp, visiting behind Clifton’s try line. The only five-pointer scored by the forwards went the way of lock, Isaiah Kazondovi, who powered over for a well-deserved try after a strong performance in the engine room.

SCORERS

Mzwandile Mali XV 40 (19) – Tries: Sphenati April (2), Jerath Pieterse, Amile Mkatswa, Matthew Goliath, Sibabalwe Gwintsa. Conversions: Gwintsa (4), Someleze Mavata. Hartpury College 2nd XV 24 (5) – Tries: Theo Bentley, Harri Davies, Arthur Shrimpton, Harrison Ravenscroft. Conversions: Ravenscroft (2).

Windhoek High School 32 (17) – Tries: Luke Saal (2), Isaiah Kazondvi, Steven van Wyk, Sergio Steenkamp, Xavier Bampton. Conversion: William Beukes. Clifton 10 (7) – Try: Bradley Beeslaar. Conversion: Troy Young. Penalty: Young.

Scorers:

Hoërskool Nelspruit 22 (12) – Tries: André Smit, Liam Pringle, Lindani Ndlela. Conversions: Liam Pringle (2). Penalty: Pringle. Maritzburg College 13 (7) – Try: Olwethu Kosani. Conversion: Adam Cahill. Penalties: Cahill (2).

Hilton College 33 (13) – Tries: Zander Vorster, André Boshoff, Zander Muller. Conversions: Liyema Nela (3). Penalties: Nela (3). Dropgoal: Nela. Kingswood College 16 (13) – Try: James Mackenzie. Conversion: Praise Matsila. Penalties: Matsila (3).

St John’s College 33 (19) – Tries: Tumelo Bopape (2), Luke Scott, Simon Musset, Lwandile Khupe. Comversions: Gerald van Wyk (4). Hoërskool Randburg 24 (5) – Tries: Bradley Buther (2), Kian Kritzinger, Jayden Oosthuizen. Conversions: Josh Wigget (2).

Graeme College 25 (5) – Tries: Ayola Mali, Erin Nelson, Lucritia Magau. Conversions: Ethan Bokbaard (2). Penalties: Aiden Walters, Bokbaard. Pretoria Boys High 10 (7) – Try: Queenton Mncube. Conversion: Blake Mager. Penalty: Mager.

SACS 21 (14) – Tries: Harrison Bell, Qiraan Germans, Siphe Mbungendlu. Conversions: Mike Skeeles (3). Voortrekker 8 (3) – Try: Wessel Hattingh. Penalty: Nolen du Plooy.

Diamantveld 50 (17) – Tries: Waylon Schwemmer (2), Zuan Rautenbach (2), Driaan Jacobs, Bernard Däniels, Jaco Beukes, Jaydrian Jacobs. Conversions: JG van Heerden (4), Ezlin Swartz. Welkom Gimnasium 33 (11) – Tries: Nathan Muller, Ruan Theron, Vusi Ndayi, Leano Williams. Conversions: Jadewyn Solomons, Leano Williams. Penalties: Solomons (3).

Golden Lions XV 20 (6) – Tries: Gaviel Graff, Khaye Mukhanda. Conversions: Graff (2). Penalties: Graff (2). St David’s Marist Inanda 16 (8) – Tries: Matthew Scott, Ben Archer. Penalties Luca Cabion (2).

Hilton College ruled the roost in the final match of the first day at the Standard Bank St John’s College Easter Festival.

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The men in white delivered a dominant and entertaining performance, securing a 29–5 victory over the hosts, St John’s College, on Thursday evening.

Flyhalf, Liyema Nela, made Burger Field his own, expertly orchestrating play. Beyond his playmaking duties, Nela took on the home team’s defensive line himself on several occasions, catching the hosts off guard, and he also sliced through for a well-earned try.

In response, St John’s playmaker Gerald van Wyk, battled valiantly to spark his team’s attack in the crisp Johannesburg evening air. He handled distribution admirably under pressure and occasionally shifted momentum with clever chips and cross-field kicks that forced Hilton onto the back foot.

Up front, the loose forward clash was fierce. Hilton’s eighthman, Zander Muller – tenacious and tireless – was a standout. His defensive commitment and high work rate proved invaluable for the KwaZulu-Natal side. His opposite number, Mako Mandizha, carried with intent but struggled to breach Hilton’s solid defensive line.

Earlier, the curtain-raiser between Pretoria Boys High School’s Candies and Hoërskool Diamantveld’s Diamonds transformed into a try-fest in the second half. The Candies’ left-wing Neo Matlaletsa dazzled with the festival’s first hat-trick, punishing the Diamonds’ defensive lapses with his blistering pace in open space.

Diamantveld’s midfield maestro, Jonathan Harding, once again impressed, while vice-captain and lock Zuan Rautenbach gave his all in trying to generate momentum for the Kimberley side’s pack. However, a quickfire burst of tries from full-back, Blake Mager, and blindside flank, Pieter Lindeboom saw the Candies surge clear, ultimately sealing a 43–29 victory.

SCORERS

Hilton College 29 (15) – Tries: Liyema Nela, Ricky Adonis, Zander Vorster, Khazimla Makali. Conversions: Nela (2), Tristan Uys. Penalty: Uys. St John’s College 5 (0) – Try: Gerald van Wyk.

Pretoria Boys High School 43 (5) – Tries: Neo Matlaletsa (3), Michael Fourie, Blake Mager, Pieter Lindeboom, Reece Holman. Conversions: Blake Mager (4). Diamantveld 29 (5) – Tries: Dian Ellis, Jonathan Harding, Zuan Rautenbach, Penalty Try, CJ Meiring. Conversions: JG van Heerden (2).