Author: froberholzer

Hoërkool Klerksdorp se loskopstut, De Wet le Roux, het die kroon gespan op ‘n reuse vertoning deur oor te storm vir ‘n drie wat aan sy span ‘n eerste sege in die NWU Prestige-reeks besorg het.

Herleef al die aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Dit is altyd skouspelagtig wanneer ‘n voorryman onderskep. Le Roux het só ‘n oomblik beleef, en boonop 50 m ver genael, vir die drie wat vir Klerksdorp ‘n sege met 28-19 oor Hoërskool Hugenote (Springs) beklink het.

En, dit na ‘n klipharde voorrystryd met die Hugies, wat self skitterend voorlangs vertoon het.

Hugenote se haker, Luan Smit, het ook ‘n voorry-drie vir sy span gedruk, terwyl flank en kaptein, Arné Marais, oor die hele veld vir Klerksdorp talle hoofbrekens besorg het en beloon is met een van die Hugies se drie drieë.

Agterlangs het Klerksdorp se losskakel, Brendin Matthyse, sy agterlyn, en vernaam vir Winton Abrahams, behendig op die voorvoet geplaas. Benewens sy puik balverspreiding, het Matthyse nie geskroom om die verdediging aan te vat nie en het hy self ook deurgebreek vir sy span se vierde drie.

Hoërskool Montana het, in Lichtenburg, ‘n verbete terugvegpoging geloods om uiteindelik met 29-28 te seëvier in ‘n wipplankstryd met Hoërskool Lichtenburg. Die Liggies het in ‘n stadium ‘n voorsprong van 13-5 punte geniet, en het, met hul agttal aan die spits, voorlangs die septer geswaai.

Haker, Juan van Rhyn, en vaskopstut, Duan Kruger, het elkeen oorgedryf om die Liggies in dié goeie posisie geplaas, voordat, heelagter, Xander Blom, die kollig gesteel het deur met een van sy venynige teenaanvalle die verdediging te fnuik en sy span se voortou na rustyd te rek.

Die span van Pretoria het egter deurentyd ‘n bedreiging ingehou en laat in die tweede helfte in die Liggies se gebied begin boer, wat uiteindelik aanleiding gegee het tot twee vinnige drieë en die kritieke doelskop van Hendrew Schoeman wat die wa deur die drif getrek het.

Die wedstryd tussen Hoërskool Pietersburg en Bergsig Akademie in die hoofstad van Limpopo het ook ‘n uitslag met slegs ‘n verskil van een punt opgelewer. Die skopskoen van die Pieties se heelagter, Ryno Mienie, was die verskil tussen die twee spanne, met sy doelskop én strafdoel wat ‘n naelskraapse sege van 15-14 verseker het.

Die Arende se buitesenter, Bradley Stonehouse, het self met drie strafdoele geslaag, maar misluk met sy laaste poging in die doodsnikke, wat aan Bergsig ‘n eerste oorwinning vir 2025 sou besorg het.

Potchefstroom Volkskool, en verál linkervleuel, Juan Fourie, het indrukwekkend vertoon om Heidelberg Volkskool met 31-24 tuis te troef. Fourie het sy vaart aan die buitekant tentoongestel om ‘n tweekuns aan drieë te behaal, terwyl skrumskakel, Juan Geldenhuys, vier straf- en twee doelskoppe oor die dwarslat laat seil het vir ‘n beduidende aandeel in sy span se oorwinning.

Puntemakers:

Hoërskool Klerksdorp 28 (14) – Drieë: De Wet le Roux, Tiaan Koen, Brendin Matthyse, Winton Abrahams. Doelskoppe: Matthyse (4). Hugenote (Springs) 19 (5) – Drieë: Luan Smit, Arné Marais, Euan Venter. Doelskoppe: George Lucas (2).

Montana 29 (5) – Drieë: Louan Erasmus, Luan Barnard, Dieter Scheepers, Marq de Villiers, Keagan van der Merwe. Doelskoppe: Hendrew Schoeman (2). Hoërskool Lichtenburg 28 (13) – Drieë: Luan Snyman, Xander Blom, Juan van Rhyn, Duan Kruger. Doelskop: Snyman. Strafdoele: Snyman (2).

Hoërskool Pietersburg 15 (7) – Drieë: Andru de Beer, Ludke Pienaar, Doelskop: Ryno Mienie. Strafdoel: Mienie. Bergsig Akademie 14 (5) – Drie: Heinrich Krugel. Strafdoele: Bradley Stonehouse (3).

Potchefstroom Volkskool 31 – Drieë: Juan Fourie (2), Hennie Pretorius, Anro Nel. Doelskoppe: Juan Geldenhuys (2). Strafdoele: Geldenhuys (4). Heidelberg Volkskool 24 – Drieë: Jason Brits, JV Badella, Klaas Venter, Dean Last. Doelskoppe: Marco Botha (2).

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Klerksdorp 52, Hugenote (Springs) 7; Montana 24, Lichtenburg 8; Pietersburg 53, Bergsig Akademie 0; Heidelberg Volkskool 24, Potchefstroom Volkskool 0.

o.15: Klerksdorp 34, Hugenote (Springs) 0; Lichtenburg 19, Montana 5; Pietersburg 19, Bergsig Akademie 0; Heidelberg Volkskool 10, Potchefstroom Volkskool 5.

o.14: Klerksdorp 31, Hugenote (Springs) 0; Montana 24, Lichtenburg 0; Pietersburg 24, Bergsig Akademie 0; Heidelberg Volkskool 28, Potchefstroom Volkskool 10.

Hoërskool Garsfontein will be viewed by some as the favourite to claim the title of the best schoolboy T20 side in South Africa when they take to the fields of the University of Pretoria from 12 March in the National Final of the Schools SA20 competition.

Follow Hoërskool Garsfontein and all the Schools SA20 action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.sportschools.com)

The Pretoria side was a force to be reckoned with throughout the pool stage of the competition.

Still unbeaten this season, Garsies, more commonly known as the Ysbere, have produced some splendid performances on their way to playing on the big stage for the national title.

The highlight of their season, arguably, came when they beat a strong Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) side in the final of the regional playoffs, which featured the top two teams from each of the Northern Gauteng, Limpopo, and Easterns unions in Benoni.

Led by the experienced Xander Venter, Garsfontein went into their clash against Affies having won 25 T20 matches on the trot, playing teams from all over South Africa, including Paarl Boys’ High, whom they smashed for 230 in their 20 overs.

Venter has been at the forefront of their challenge. He’s made important contributions with both bat and ball and captains the side for the second year in succession.

The runs that have flowed from his bat have played a major role in Garsfontein’s many victories and his batting contributions will be one of the key factors in whether or not the Ysbere claim national glory.

Along with Venter, all-rounder Echard Struwig is a player on whom to keep an eye. He’s developed the valuable habit of capturing timely wickets and is a strong performer in the middle phase of the game. As a batsman, Struwig can be destructive, and he has the ability to change the course of an innings in a matter of balls.

Venter and Struwig are not the only players other teams will have to contend with. Opening batsman Reuben van Zyl has been in fine form and has helped Garsfontein get off to good starts with his aggressive approach at the top of the order. His ability to rotate the strike and to capitalise on bad balls makes him dangerous.

The Ysbere, with a well-balanced and well-coached side, will, without a doubt, be difficult to stop, especially since they’ll enjoy the familiar conditions of playing in their home city of Pretoria.

Die ondersteuners van Hoërskool Rustenburg en Hoërskool Witteberg se naels sou teen die einde van dié 70 minute stomp gekou gewees het.

Herleef al die aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Dié twee spanne het vir ‘n wipplankstryd soos min gesorg, met die Rusties wat einde ten laaste met 27-25 die knoop kon deurhak.

Dit was ‘n ongelooflik fisieke stryd wat deurgaans vir aardskuddende duikslae gesorg het, met Rustenburg se loskopstut, Carel Schoonraad, voor in die koor. Buiten sy vernietigende verdediging, het Schoonraad ook wat skrumwerk betref sy stempel deeglik afgedruk.

Binnesenter, Hendré Robinson, was ewe rotsvas op die verdediging en ook ‘n doring op die aanval, met kenmerkende barslopies waaraan ondersteuners verlede jaar reeds gewoond geraak het. Sy tweestryd met Sedwin Gysman, ‘n skerp angel vir Witteberg in die middeveld, het die skare in vervoering gehad. Gysman en JC van Rhyn, op vleuel, vul mekaar uitstekend aan en sal fyn dopgehou moet word vanjaar.

Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen se blitsige regtervleuel, Jayden du Preez, het twee keer oorgeduik in die Jansies se sege van 45-20 oor Ligbron Akademie.

Die span van Boksburg het soos ‘n Jansie-span van ouds die bal pragtig lug gegee om hul gevaarmanne op die punte los te laat, met Du Preez se vleuelmaat, Jordan van der Westhuizen, wat ook gaan druk het. Losskakel, Deshean Pietersen, het spel netjies dikteer en 15 punte aangeteken met ‘n drie en vyf doelskoppe.

Eben Diegenaar, losskakel van Ermelo, het self goeie visie en besluitneming aan die dag gelê, terwyl haker, Franco Groenewald, gewoel het voorlangs en met ‘n welverdiende drie beloon is.

Merensky Landbou Akademie se senterpaar het elk ‘n driekuns ingeryg vir hul span om op die Plaas met 58-7 oor Hoërskool Nylstroom koning te kraai. Dit was duidelik dat binnesenter en kaptein, Maritz Meintjies, en Jens Bezuidenhout, aan sy buitekant, albei reeds ‘n jaar se ervaring op eerstespan-vlak het.

Puntemakers:

Hoërskool Rustenburg 27 (15) – Drieë: Xavier Steenkamp (2), Raqiel Jaftha, Lorenzo Snyers. Doelskoppe: Waide Daivey, Snyers. Witteberg 25 (15) – Drieë: Qlin Booyse, Rico van Vuuren, JC van Rhyn. Doelskoppe: Tshepo Motloung (2). Strafdoele: Motloung (2).

EG Jansen 45 (26) – Drieë: Jayden du Preez (2), Jordan van der Westhuizen, Deshean Pietersen, Marco Ventura. Doelskoppe: Pietersen (5). Ligbron Akademie 20 (8) – Drieë: Franco Groenewald, Nie geïndentifiseer. Doelskop: Eben Diegenaar. Strafdoele: Diegenaar (2).

Merensky 58 (24) – Drieë: Maritz Meintjies (3), Jens Bezuidenhout (3), Blessing Mathebula, Makhetwa Musundwa, Armand Eloff. Doelskoppe: JD Boshoff (7). Hoërskool Nylstroom 7 (7).

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Hoërskool Rustenburg 12, Witteberg 5; EG Jansen 40, Ligbron Akademie 5; Merensky 59, Nylstroom 3.

o.15: Hoërskool Rustenburg 31, Witteberg 3; EG Jansen 17, Ligbron Akademie 7; Merensky 38, Nylstroom 0.

o.14: Hoërskool Rustenburg 38, Witteberg 7; EG Jansen 29, Ligbron Akademie 7; Merensky 58, Nylstroom 7.

Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg het vir die tweede agtereenvolgende week ‘n groot hond in die Noordvaal gebyt.

Herleef al die aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Die Rooi Bulle het in Mbombela vir Hoërskool Nelspruit met 24-18 getroef in ‘n skouspel van hardlooprugby.

Buitesenter, Jacques Greyling, wat oorgeduik het vir een van sy span se vier drieë, spog met die unieke prestasie dat hy nog in elke wedstryd wat hy vir die eerste span van Middelburg gespeel het agter die doellyn gaan kuier het.

Die besoekers se gewilligheid om die bal lug te gee en die Rhinos se verdediging deurgaans te toets, het vrugte afgewerp en die sege verseker. Losskakel, Nathan Janse van Vuuren, het weer puik diens gelewer om vir Greyling en kaptein, Johnny Dos Santos, wat kort voor die afskop in die beginspan ingetrek is en ook ‘n drie gedruk het, op die voorvoet te plaas.

Die tuisspan het homself deur ongedwonge foute en gebrekkige dissipline in die voet geskiet, hoewel hy met rukke en stote beslis gevaarlik voorgekom het op die aanval. Agsteman en kaptein, Vaughn van Zyl, het ‘n besielende vertoning gelewer om die Rooi Bulle se agttal met sy fisieke dryfspel besig gehou, en is welverdiend beloon met een van die Rhinos se twee drieë.

Die uitstaande aspek van die tuisspan se vertoning was die gesag waarmee hulle in die vaste fasette te werk gegaan het. Dit was verál in die skrums waar hulle, te danke aan stutte, Lindelani Ndlela en Gert Cloete, hul stempel deeglik afgedruk het en dit kan op die pad vorentoe ‘n stewige platform bied vir die agterlyn.

Die Hoërskool Menlopark het uithalerspel opgedis op Hoërskool Piet Retief se Jack Botes-stadion om nie minder nie as 10 keer agter die  doellyn te gaan kuier en die tuisspan ‘n dragslae van 78-7 toe te dien. Interessant genoeg is agt van die drieë deur vier van die Parkies se voorspelers gedruk.

Die besoekers se verwoede dryfmale was een te veel vir vir die tuisspan, met dié momentum wat vir haker, Declan Pelser, oopkantflank, Nathen du Plessis, en losskopstut, Mattheus Prinsloo, in staat gestel het om elkeen twee keer die doellyn oor te steek.

Losskakel, Andru Keun, het nietemin ook sy bedrewe agterlyn aan die gang gekry, en die Parkie-kaptein se besluitneming en intensie om die bal so vinnig moontlik te versprei was ook ‘n deurslaggewende faktor in die Pretorianers se wegholsege.

Puntemakers:

HTS Middelburg 24 (12) – Drieë: Hanru Terblanche, Ethan de Kock, Johnny Dos Santos, Jacques Greyling. Doelskoppe: WJ Enslin (2). Hoërskool Nelspruit 18 (6) – Drieë: Vaughn van Zyl, Liam Pringle. Doelskop: Pringle. Strafdoele: Pringle (2).

Menlopark 78 (40) – Drieë: Declan Pelser (2), Nathen du Plessis (2), Mattheus Prinsloo (2), Bladen Pietersen (2), Xander Roets, Jacques Wiltz, Reihardt Herbst, Gustav Schäffner. Doelskoppe: Anru Keun (8), Willie Pieterse. Hoërskool Piet Retief 7 (0) – Drie: Vuyani Tshabalala. Doelskop: Musa Ncube.

Ander spanne:

o. 16: HTS Middelburg 20, Hoërskool Nelspruit 14; Hoërskool Piet Retief 27, Menlopark 20.

o. 15: Hoërskool Nelspruit 19, HTS Middelburg 0; Menlopark 10, Hoërskool Piet Retief 6.

o. 14: Hoërskool Nelspruit 15, HTS Middelburg 14; Menlopark 17, Hoërskool Piet Retief 5.

Ronan Bastiaanse het 2025 afgeskop waar hy 2024 afgesluit het.

Herleef al die aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Die heelagter van Hoërskool Waterkloof, wat ook die blou masjien vanjaar aanvoer, het die aanslag uitmuntend gelei vir die naaswenners in SDC Noordvaal Cup se Beker-afdeling om met 47-30 oor Hoërskool Ben Vorster te seëvier in Tzaneen.

Bastiaanse het soos gebruiklik puik vertoon vanaf die skopkegel om ses van sy span se sewe drieë te verdoel, maar dit was nie naastenby die somtotaal van sy briljantheid nie.

Die Buffels het die fout begaan om op die gevaarlike heelagter te skop, waarop hy telkens geantwoord het met giftige teenaanvalle. Op dié wyse het Bastiaanse nie minder nie as drie keer agter die tuisspan se doellyn gaan kuier, om sy persoonlike bydrae te staan te bring op 27 punte, meer as die helfte van sy span se totaal.

Die Buffels het nietemin hul man moedig gestaan, met hul kleiner pak wat verseg het om knie te buig teen die Klofies se groot baldraers.

Hoewel die eindtelling te kenne gee dat verdediging nie hoogste prioriteit geniet het nie, het die tuisspan die pap dik aangemaak voorlangs. Niemand het beter vertoon as steelkantflank, Joshua van der Mescht, wat sy lyf regoor die veld op die spel geplaas en ‘n rits kritieke duikslae uitgevoer het nie.

Agsteman, Tumi Ramohale, was weer ‘n doring op die aanval. Romohale, wat dikwels in die buitenste kanale as baldraer aangewend is, het daar heelwat hoofbrekens vir die Klofies besorg.

Dit was steeds egter nie genoeg om Waterkloof te stuit nie. Die span van Pretoria was met rukke en stote taamlik klinies wat afronding betref, met losskakel, Meyer Pretorius, wat ‘n sleutelrol in dié verband vervul het. Pretorius het netjies versprei om spasie agterlangs te skep.

Albei spanne is steeds deur klein jakkalsies, soos hanteerfoute en oorgretigheid, wat met die aanvang van ‘n seisoen gepaardgaan, gepootjie, maar hulle het ongetwyfeld steeds vir aanskoulike rugby gesorg.

Hoërskool Middelburg se haker, Roux Grobler, het vir die tweede keer in soveel weke oorgeduik om ‘n tuisoorwinning van 32-22 oor Hoërskool Kempton Park te help verseker. Grobler, ‘n uitblinker in verlede week se stryd teen Hoërskool Nelspruit, en die flanke, CW Hanekom en Kensani Buthelezi, het saamgespan om die Kempies voorlangs te karnuffel.

Hanekom en Buthelezi, wat elk reeds ‘n seisoen van eerstespan-rugby agter die rug het, het in die vastelos, op sowel verdediging as aanval, gewoeker, met verál eersgenoemde wat by die afbreekpunte die lewe moeilik gemaak het vir die Kempies.

Die tweestryd tussen die losskakels, Buhle Maphalaza en Stian de Villiers, het ook vir heelwat opwinding gesorg. De Villiers, ook ‘n kranige krieketspeler, het met instinktiewe visie op die aanval sy span in die wedloop gehou, en ook vyf strafdoele en ‘n doelskop deur die pale gejaag om 17 van sy span se 22 punte aan te teken.

Puntemakers:

Waterkloof 47 (26) – Drieë: Ronan Bastiaanse (3), Rico van der Walt, Heinrich Naudé, Dylan Botha, Stiaan Theron. Doelskoppe: Bastiaanse (6). Ben Vorster 30 (16) – Drieë: Stiaan du Randt, Barend Harmse, Lethabo Sejake, Chifu Banda. Doelskoppe: Shelton Primo (2). Strafdoele: Primo (2).

Hoërskool Middelburg 32 (17) – Drieë: Roux Grobler, Lungelo Maseko, Carlo Joubert, Lesego Rakgale, Keabetswe Nkgadima. Doelskoppe: Buhle Maphalaza (2). Strafdoel: Maphalaza. Hoërskool Kempton Park 22 (12) – Drie: Jeandré Opperman. Doelskop: Stian de Villiers. Stradoele: De Villiers (5).

Ander spanne:

o.16: Ben Vorster 20, Waterkloof 17; Hoërskool Middelburg 24, Hoërskool Kempton Park 14.

o.15: Ben Vorster 15, Waterkloof 15; Hoërskool Middelburg 8, Hoërskool Kempton Park 5.

o.14: Waterkloof 15, Ben Vorster 11; Hoërskool Middelburg 36, Hoërskool Kempton Park 5.

Die Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool het Saterdag vir die Hoërskool Diamantveld, vir ‘n negende agtereenvolgende keer in Kimberley, kafgedraf.

Herleef al die aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Dit was boonop Affies se 12de sege uit 12 kragmetings met die Diamonds, sedert dié twee spanne se eerste wedstryd in 1985. Die Pretorianers het in 2012 en 2013 ook die septer in dié bepaling geswaai, voordat dit in 2016 ‘n jaarlikse instelling geword het.

Die Wit Bulle het teen die einde van 70 minute met ‘n wentelling van 45-24 oor die tuisspan gespog, maar eers nadat die span van Kimberley self ‘n paar uitstaande oomblikke opgedis het.

Soos verwag was Affies van meet af aan gretig om hul kragtige dryfmaal, wat in 2024 ook ‘n vername wapen was, in te span en het hulle vroeg reeds die Diamantveld-pak daarmee op die agtervoet geplaas. Namate die kragmeting gevorder het, het die tuisspan egter sy verdediging daarteen opgeskerp, terwyl daar in die vaste skrums bitter min te kies was tussen die twee agttalle.

Die Pretorianers se losskakel en kaptein, Ruben Groenewald, het vanaf só ‘n soliede platform spel uitstekend dikteer vir die Wit Bulle, met vernaam sy taktiese skopwerk waarmee hy beïndruk en dikwels die Diamonds laat omdraai het.

Die hoogtepunt van die dag was die tweestryd tussen die binnesenters. Divan Fourie, Affies se angel in die middeveld, het sy stem dik gemaak met sterk barslopies waarmee hy telkens sy span oor die voordeellyn kon kry.

Sy eweknie in die ligbloutrui, Jonathan Harding, het met venynige voetwerk en puik aanvoeling by meer as een geleentheid soos ‘n warm mes deur botter die Wit Bulle se verdediging oopgekloof, en een só ‘n bedrieglike lopie het in die tweede helfte op die drie van die dag uitgeloop.

Ezlin Swartz, wat as plaasvervanger op die veld gekom het, het, nes Groenewald, die opposisie onverhoeds betrap met ‘n paar goedgeplaasde taktiese skoppe. Die tuisspan het dit egter deurentyd moeilik gevind om die Wit Bulle se kliniese afronding te hanteer.

Die besoekers het op die einde van die dag kanse om punte aan te teken beter aangegryp, soos die stukkie opvolgwerk deur steelkantflank Albert Smit, om vanaf ‘n afskop oor te draf vir ‘n drie. Sy flankmaat, Lohan Potgieter, se onkeerbare dryfspel wat vir nog ‘n vyfpunter gesorg het, was nóg ‘n aanduiding dat die Affie-pak moeilik naby die doellyn gestuit sou word.

Puntemakers:

Affies 45 (24) – Drieë: Lamont Baiitjies, Roal Kruger, Albert Smit, Divan Fourie, Elwin Janse van Vuuren, Bauke Swart, Lohan Potgieter. Doelskoppe: Ruben Groenewald (5). Diamantveld 24 (7) – Drieë: Jaco Beukes, John-Leigh Fortuin, Jayden de Klerk, Jonathan Harding, Doelskoppe: Ezlin Swartz (2).

Ander spanne:

o .16: Affies 57, Diamantveld 19.

o .15: Affies 48, Diamantveld 9.

o .14: Affies 73, Diamantveld 0.

Hoërskool Garsfontein‘s massive forward pack picked up where they left off in 2024 by taking Jeppe High School for Boys‘ Collard Field by storm on Saturday, in Johannesburg.

Relive all the action on SuperSport School – (www.supersportschools.com)

The Bere‘s forwards laid the foundation for a solid start to their season, seeing the side from Pretoria to a 26-18 victory.

Three of the four tries Garsfontein scored came from their big men. They dominated the scrums, thanks to a strong outing from their tighthead prop, Luan van den Bergh, which led to the visitors imposing themselves on the home side.

They employed a strong driving maul to get themselves onto the front foot, especially from lineouts. That’s how hooker, Justin Blom, got himself onto the score sheet, diving over from a rumbling maul.

His locks, JJ Fourie and Wihan Bezuidenhout, were exceptional. Both stood out with their versatility in broken play, with Bezuidenhout, especially, stealing the spotlight with a thundering run through the midfield from 50 metres out to score beneath the posts.

Garsies will also exhibit a sharper cutting edge when their dangerous backline gets over their season-opening jitters.

Grady Ngui, Jeppe’s blindside flanker showed his class and experience. His energetic defence and powerful runs on attack kept the visitors busy for the entire 70 minutes and his performance was rewarded with one of Jeppe’s two tries. The other was scored by the flying left wing, Joel Akilo, who benefitted from enthusiastically chasing a well-executed kick-off from fly-half, Nehema Hollenbach.

The Jeppe number 10 enjoyed a good day from the kicking tee, slotting a conversion and two penalties, including one from just inside the Garsfontein half.

Michaelhouse made Helpmekaar Kollege work hard for their 17-10 victory in Balgowan, but they were ultimately done in by Helpies‘ classy handling skills in broken play.

Flyhalf Stefan Moolman opened the home side’s account with a penalty after Francois Tonkin went over in the right-hand corner 20 minutes into the contest to break open the deadlock.

Fullback Alex Jankowitz responded with a try for ‘House in Helpmekaar’s left-hand corner after a sweeping move from the right flank to the left. Moolman slotted the challenging conversion from out wide to hand the home side a 10-5 lead at the break. To add to his good performance with the boot, Moolman was also exceptional in directing traffic with his keen vision on attack.

An abundance of possession enjoyed by the visitors and the class and experience of centres, Clinton Cloete and Ty Ax, halted Michaelhouse’s momentum.

Cloete was a standout on defence, making an astonishing 16 tackles, while Ax kept the home side guessing with his prowess on attack. He was, eventually, rewarded with a try, which sealed a victory for the visitors and a winning start to the 2025 season.

Points Scorers

Garsfontein 26 (12) – Tries: Drewyn Baron, Wihan Bezuidenhout, JJ Fourie, Justin Blom. Conversions: Joshua Gouws (3). Jeppe High School for Boys 18 (12) – Tries: Joel Akilo, Grady Ngui. Coversion: Nehemia Hollenbach. Penalties: Hollenbach (2).

Helpmekaar Kollege 17 (5) – Tries: Francois Tonkin, Liam Devenier, Ty Ax. Conversion: Wian Storm. Michaelhouse 10 (10) – Try: Alex Jankowitz. Conversion: Stefan Moolman. Penalty: Moolman.

Other teams

u.16: Jeppe 33, Garsontein 33; Michaelhouse 29, Helpmekaar 22.

u.15: Garsfontein 17, Jeppe 0; Helpmekaar 27, Michaelhouse 19.

u.14: Garsfontein 24, Jeppe 0; Helpmekaar 31, Michaelhouse 12.

Two half-centuries against Grey College in the Schools SA20 Provincial and Regional Finals and a memorable century against Hoërskool Waterkloof are just some of the achievements on the CV of St Andrew’s School‘s talented all-rounder FG Botha in the 2024/25 season.

Follow FG Botha and the Schools SA20 playoffs live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Coming in to bat at number three for Saints, Botha has been an immense figure in the batting lineup for the Bloemfontein school.

The 17-year-old all-rounder, with 80 1st XI caps to his name, has a mature head on his shoulders and regularly wins big moments and matches for his side, either with the bat or the ball.

As a youngster from Kroonstad, Botha started his cricketing journey with Riaan Cronje at Rima Sports, in Kroonstad, at the age of five.

(Sidenote: Riaan’s son, Ruan Cronje, was a key performer for St Andrew’s when they won the national T20 title in 2018 with a side that was captained by future ITEC Knights wicketkeeper/batsman Garnett Tarr and also included future Proteas’ fast bowler Gerald Coetzee).

This laid the foundation for Botha to be selected for the u12 and u13 Free State sides some years later. This, however, was only the beginning of a flourishing career that lay ahead.

Since his move to high school, he’s grown in stature. That was underlined by his selection as the Best All-rounder and Batsman of the CSA u16 Boys Week in December 2024. Those achievements resulted in him playing in the u19 Cubs Week in January, where he represented the runners-up, the Western Legends.

“I owe a lot to coaches AJ van Wyk and Gregg Hobson, as well as Mr Cronje, for helping me reach these heights so early on in my cricketing journey. I’m also tremendously thankful towards my parents who always gave me the opportunities to do what I love,” Botha said.

Apart from his success with the bat, Botha has also played a major part in the Saints’ bowling lineup. His sharp leg spin has seen him capture an astonishing 20 wickets in nine Schools SA20 matches, which is the most by any St Andrew’s bowler in the competition.

With ambitions to make the SA Schools side at the end of the year, and to throw his name in the hat as a rookie pick in the SA20, Botha is focused on raising the bar. Good luck to anyone coming up against him at Tuks from 12 March in the Schools SA20’s inaugural National Finals.

A quiet confidence and a love for the game is the first impression one gets when talking cricket with Hoërskool Garsfontein‘s Xander Venter.

Follow the Schools SA20 National Playoffs live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

It’s also easy to see why he idolises England’s Test captain, Ben Stokes. Venter is also a southpaw with the bat, but he torments batsmen with his right-arm seam bowling.

“I’ve played cricket ever since I can remember. There are home videos of me with a plastic bat in hand, learning to bat left-handed, because my Dad is a lefty,” Venter recalled.

Born and bred in Pretoria, the talented all-rounder has always preferred cricket to other sports, but he also spent time on the rugby field, tennis court, and golf course until the age of 15, which was when he finally decided to throw all of his efforts into cricket. His talent in the game has been evident from a very young age.

In 2018, he was selected to represent the Titans for the first time in the u11 age group. He has gone on to represent the franchise every year since then, cementing his name thoroughly throughout the cricketing community in and around Pretoria.

“There have been a few coaches who have played a significant role in my cricketing journey thus far,” he shared. “At Laerskool Garsfontein, I was lucky to have Mr Anton Britz and Mr Armand Azar as my cricket coaches for six years. Alongside them, coach Malan Morkel also played a massive role in preparing me mentally for high school cricket.

“Since then, coaches Elmar Dorey and Janneman Basson have taken over as the influential figures in my cricket. They allowed me to be part of the 1st XI since grade 9, and backed me enough to make me captain last year, as a Grade 11.”

Venter has more than 100 1st XI caps to his name. His batting prowess and fighting attitude, similar to that of Ben Stokes, make him Garsfontein’s biggest asset. He plays his natural free-flowing game, which often takes the contest away from Garsfontein’s opponents while entertaining spectators.

His most astonishing innings thus far was an astounding 303 not out from only 97 deliveries in a club game in 2023.

His form in 2025 has been immaculate and it includes a couple of centuries in the shorter format of the game.

One thing is certain: an in-form Xander Venter is a dangerous Xander Venter, which is exactly what Garsfontein’s supporters want to see as Garsies bid for the title of national champions in the inaugural Schools SA20 competition.

Some of the bigger names in South African schoolboy rugby are shaking out their feathers as they prepare to take to the field for the first time in the 2025 season

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

Collard Field, home to Jeppe High School for Boys, will host an intriguing clash between the Zebras and Hoërskool Garsfontein‘s Bere. There’s no easing into the season for either side. It’s a clash of two powerful rugby teams.

Jeppe produced a strong season in 2024 and will be eager to build upon it. Not only did the Johannesburg school thump Monument 47-31, but they also sent seismic waves across schoolboy rugby by scoring a scintillating 22-19 victory over Grey College.

Their season did, however, go down in their opener against Garsfontein, losing 31-37 in Pretoria. Four members of the Jeppe team that lost that day will be back for another crack at Garsies.

Scrumhalf, Talent Sithole, is a noteworthy name among those returning. The nippy halfback will also captain Jeppe. Lindelani Nkambule, who served on the right wing last year, will be in action in the no. 15 jumper. Up front, SA Schools A prop, André Poulton, adds further experience and his considerable scrummaging prowess, while Grady Ngui, who will be in action on the blindside flank, also returns to further strengthen the Jeppe pack.

The Bere, the defending champions of the SDC Noordvaal Cup’s Cup division, possess a wealth of experience at the back. The dangerous Junaide Passensie returns to as fly-half. Meanwhile, Poulton’s SA Schools A teammate, Junaide Stuart, slots in at fullback. He and Nkambule, Jeppe’s number 15, are both exciting counterattacking runners.

Tighthead prop, Luan “Propie” van den Berg will be a key figure for the Bere in the scrums. He will be eager to stamp his authority early, with an eye towards a possible SA Schools berth later in the season.

Helpmekaar Kollege will travel down to the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal for their annual season-opening clash with Michaelhouse.

The Helpies have an exciting mix of experience and young talent, which should make them one of the more dangerous sides in the Noordvaal this year. The return of centres, Clinton Cloete and Ty Ax, gives backline coach Shaun Jackson, a solid midfield foundation to work from.

Stefan Moolman, the talented and versatile flyhalf, will hold the key to Michaelhouse’s attack. He was a member of the ‘House 1st XV in 2024 and represented the Sharks at the Academy Week in Johannesburg last year, running out at flyhalf and fullback.

Up front, Grant Khomo openside flanker, Oliver Guy, will look to make life difficult for the Helpies’ pack, but, in the loose, he will have to contend with the experienced Gustav Grotius, who returns as the Johannesburg side’s hooker.

TEAMS

Jeppe High School for Boys vs Hoërskool Garsfontein at 12:20 in Johannesburg:

Jeppe: 15 Lindelani Nkambule, 14 Kamva Mvinjelwa, 13 Pano Letsie, 12 Ndiphiwe Mjiji, 11 Joel Akilo, 10 Nehemia Hollenach, 9 Talent Sithole, 8 Mihle Dykala, 7 Grady Ngui, 6 Mahlatse Memeza, 5 Glodi Tsipamba, 4 Lagan Leisher, 3 André Poulton, 2 Ayanda Funeka, 1 Joshua Hamman.

Garsfontein: 15 Junaide Stuart, 14 Drewyn Baron, 13 Joshua Gouws, 12 Keagan Knighton, 11 Yavrah George, 10 Junaide Passensie, 9 Derrick Khun, 8 Lourenz de Jager, 7 Kwagga van der Vyver, 6 JP Pieterse, 5 Wihan Bezuidenhout, 4 JJ Fourie, 3 Luan van den Berg, 2 Justin Blom, 1 Henré Prinsloo.

Michaelhouse vs Helpmekaar Kollege at 12:30 in Balgowan:

Michaelhouse: 15 Alex Jankowitz, 14 Lwandle Nzama, 13 Rourke O’Sullivan, 12 William Ridl, 11 Laird Hamilton, 10 Stefan Moolman, 9 Dan Aissing, 8 Dom Sesink Clee, 7 Alex Arde, 6 Oliver Guy, 5 Dan Carr, 4 Thomas Peach, 3 Nicola Salamousas, 2 Max Oliver, 1 Koketso Bopape.

Helpmekaar: 15 Ethan Lourens, 14 Francois Tonkin, 13 Ty Ax, 12 Clinton Cloete, 11 Andreas Badenhorst, 10 Wian Strom, 9 Kean Butler, 8 Zian Smit, 7 Zaiden Krige, 6 Lewellyn Vermaak, 5 Jandré Botha, 4 Eugene de Lange, 3 Dylan Engelbrecht, 2 Gustav Grotius, 1 Liam Devenier.