Author: froberholzer

It is unbelievable that a prodigious talent like Hoërskool Centurion’s Charl Prinsloo only made a breakthrough last year, playing in his first provincial cricket tournament, the U17 Regional Week, at the age of 17.

It is a testimony to the burgeoning cricket talent in and around Pretoria.

“I’ve made it to the final round of the Titans trials every year since I started trying out at U11,” Prinsloo said.

‘Last year was my first taste of provincial cricket, though, when I made the U17 side.”

This year, Prinsloo has made a massive push for the Titans’ Khaya Majola Week side.

Outscoring some of the most prolific batsmen in the region, the Centurion top-order batsman boasts a total of 1161 runs in his 21 matches, at a very impressive average of 68.29.

These stats include four centuries, including a wonderful 137 against Titans League favourites, Hoërskool Waterkloof, in their backyard and a whopping eight half-centuries, making him the sole standout for the side from Centurion. He still has a couple of opportunities to contribute even more, with the upcoming North/South Tournament, a tournament he thoroughly enjoys.

In addition to his impressive batting stats, Prinsloo’s right-arm seam has claimed 27 wickets, conceding only 614 runs, at an economy rate of 4.5 in the 134.1 overs he’s bowled this year, stating a claim that he is much more than just a batsman and part-time bowler.

“I started playing cricket at the age of four and have loved every second of it since,” the batsman said, emphasising his love for the game.

Prinsloo, however, is not only a keen cricketer. Like his childhood role model, AB de Villiers, he also played rugby, donning the No. 10 jersey for the Woeries’ First XV, and also shone on the tennis court and athletics track in years gone by.

To add to his sporting successes, Prinsloo has kept his nose tucked in the books, earning the accolade of being in the top 15 academic achievers every year during his five-year high school career. He has also been roped in as a brand ambassador for IXU, a brand that has sponsored some of South Africa’s top cricketers, including ex-Protea captain, Faf du Plessis, and wicketkeeper/batsman, Heinrich Klaasen.

“I’ve had many influential people throughout my cricketing journey, of which coach, Shawn Bongers, has probably had the biggest influence,” Prinsloo said.

The batsman also extends his gratitude to previous and current Directors of Cricket at Hoërskool Centurion, Messrs Johan Cloete and Juanré van Wyk, alongside coach, Stephan Ernst, for playing significant roles in his development.

Prinsloo undoubtedly made his mark in Woeries’ cricketing history throughout his five-year tenure.

“I’ve made so many memories over the last five years, it’s hard to single out only one.

“Some of my favourites must be when I made my debut in Grade 8 and taking a wicket, scoring a match-winning 83 as opening batsman against Hoërskool Marais Viljoen in Grade 9, scoring 205 in a T20 against Sutherland High School, which also became the highest score for a Centurion batsman, and, most recently, contributing 137 against League leaders, Hoërskool Waterkloof.”

Prinsloo’s goal is a clear one. He wants to continue piling up the runs, take wickets, and play professional cricket, something that he is most definitely talented enough to accomplish.

Remember the name Charl Prinsloo.

Saturday’s clash between Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) and Cornwall Hill College could be special for Lhuan-dré Pretorius and his younger brother, Vihan.

The Titans League match could be the last time the brothers face one other at the schoolboy level, providing Lhuan-dré is available and if they don’t meet again in the playoffs.

The SA u19 opening batsman has been called up to represent the Titans in the new Tri-Team Tournament, which will feature six matches being played between 31 August and 8 September.

This, however, won’t dampen the competitive spirits of the siblings. For Lhuan-dré, it would most certainly be a tough ask to get one over his in-form brother, who is currently the second-highest run-scorer in the strong Affies’ lineup, with 580 to his name.

Since the start of the season, Affies have performed well, with their opening batsman Jorich van Schalkwyk, who made the SA Schools team in 2023, leading the way. He has, so far, tallied 703 runs.

His achievements include an unbeaten double century (205*) against Potchefstroom Gimnasium, which he followed with 115 against Prestige College in the next game.

The experienced Divan de Villiers has also peaked at the right time. De Villiers, who has already had a few practice sessions with the Northern Cape Heat, smashed an unbeaten 108 against Hoërskool Kempton Park earlier this week.

He has also been a threat with the ball, capturing 28 wickets, to go along with his run-scoring feats. That’s not far behind Petrus Rautenbach, who will lead the Affies’ attack. He has claimed 34 victims in 2024.

Getting Lhuan-dré Pretorius’s wicket early on will be a massive focus for the Affies’ players. The left-hander has often demonstrated his ability to take the game away from the opposition, even at the international level. His finesse, combined with serious power hitting, will be something the home side has analysed in depth.

Pretorius will look to the experienced wicketkeeper/batsman, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka, for some assistance with the willow, while Mohale Pitso and Obakeng Mokanyane will have it all to do with the ball in hand.

Pretoria Boys High (PBHS) will aim to get back to winning ways when they take on Hoërskool Garsfontein on home soil. Boys High started their campaign impressively, winning two on the trot before suffering a narrow loss to Hoërskool Waterkloof last time out. Nicholas Rossouw has been a mainstay for PBHS with both the bat and ball.

Echardt Struwig will lead the Garsfontein bowling attack. He’s been among the wickets, picking up eight in Garsies’ last two outings, and he will be eager to keep up that momentum.

Hoërskool Menlopark will aim to make the most of their home-ground advantage when they host Prestige College. The Parkies will be on a high after securing a hard-fought one-wicket victory against Hoërskool Garsfontein’s Ysbere last week. Prestige College has struggled thus far, falling to two big defeats in their first two fixtures. However, in cricket, anything is possible.

Om die hoogste telling vir ‘n erkende krieketskool soos Hoërskool Waterkloof aan te teken, en dit boonop as Graad 8-leerder in die o.14-ouderdomsgroep, dui op ‘n rooskleurige toekoms.

Daar blyk geen keer aan Klofies se o.14-span en nog minder die kolftalent van Liam Breedt en Juan Swart te wees nie.

Die twee seuns het Pretoria aan die gons na ongelooflike vertonings met die kolf in hul laaste drie wedstryde. Dit is ook danksy hierdie duo dat Klofies se o.14’s hul laaste drie teenstanders met gemak uit die pad gevee het.

Breedt, wat sy krieketvoete by Laerskool Randhart in Alberton gevind het, spog met die gesogte kroon as rekordhouer vir die hoogste telling nóg vir die Pretoriaanse skool.

Die o.14-openingskolwer het Maandag die kersie op die koek geplaas met ‘n meesterlike 241 nie uit nie, in ‘n ligakragmeting met Hoërskool Centurion. Dié ongelooflike beurt het 27 viere en sewe sesse ingesluit.

Breedt het sy lopietog ‘n week vroeër van stapel gestuur deur die Klofies se eerste 200-tal sedert 2017 te moker, teen Sutherland High School. Die vorige speler wat dié mylpaal kon bereik was Christian du Toit, wat nou sy kriekettalent by Tuks skaaf.

Asof dit nie spesiaal genoeg was nie, het Breedt se kolfvennoot, Juan Swart besluit hy wil ook deel in die feestelikheid en in dieselfde wedstryd een lopie meer aangeteken om met ‘n onoorwonne 201 te pronk. Swart het sy liefde vir krieket by Bryanston Parallel Medium  in Johannesburg begin uitleef.

Dié twee se beurte het die Klofies na ‘n reuse totaal van 658/3 aangevuur, wat ook die hoogste telling in Waterkloof se geskiedenis is.

In die wedstryd teen die Woeries, was Swart ook in ‘n omgekrapte bui om ‘n aggressiewe 188 lopies van slegs 73 aflewerings te moker. Dié pragbeurt het 16 sesse en 12 viere ingesluit.

Breedt en Swart was ook aan die spits van die oorwinning met 213 lopies oor Pretoria Boys High. Breedt het die aanslag met 90 lopies gelei, terwyl Swart weer ‘n haastige 62 aangeteken het. Dit het die duo se gesamentlike bydra met die kolf na 982 lopies in drie wedstryde geneem, 61.7% van die gesamentlike 1590 lopies wat die Klofies as span kon aanteken.

Om sake selfs indrukwekkender te maak het die jong aanvangsbouler, Johan Liebenberg, sy pond vleis geëis deur, saam met sy tweeling broer, Jordaan Liebenberg, wat in dieselfde span speel, 14 paaltjies in dié drie wedstryde te neem. Eersgenoemde spog met twee vertonings van vyf paaltjies elk en een van vier.

“Dit is ‘n spesiale groep seuns hierdie; almal beskik oor ongelooflike kriekettalent en daar lê nog groot dinge vir elkeen van hulle voor,” het die span se afrigter, Ruan Sadler, gesê. Sadler is ook in beheer van die Klofies se junior krieketstrukture, waar hy reeds vir ‘n geruime tyd uitstekende werk verrig.

Beknopte telkaarte:

Waterkloof o.14 658/3 (Juan Swart 201*, Liam Breedt 200*, Wian Joubert 106*, Zian Maritz 88, Ekstras 32; Muneer Solomons 1/116); Sutherland High School 2de XI 47/9 (Ahmed Chaya 16; Johan Liebenberg 5/7, Divan Roos 3/4). Waterkloof o.14 wen met 611 lopies.

Waterkloof o.14 370/6 (Liam Breedt 90, Rian Klopper 73*, Wian Joubert 68, Juan Swart 62, Jordaan Liebenberg 27, Johan Liebenberg 20*; Joshua Kleynhans 3/51, Ewan Coleman 2/105); Pretoria Boys High o.14 157 (Joshua Kleynhans 39, Ekstras 26, Lehako Mokoena 24, Matthew Ehlers 22*; Johan Liebenberg 4/23). Waterkloof o.14 wen met 213 lopies.

Waterkloof o.14 562/3 (Liam Breedt 241*, Juan Swart 188, Zian Maritz 69, Wian Joubert 35, Ekstras 26; Christian Pietersen 1/55); Hoërskool Centurion 122 (Keagan Owen 39, Eben Kotze 22, Gian Grobler 20; Johan Liebenberg 5/25, Juan Swart 2/7). Waterkloof o.14 wen met 440 lopies.

Hoërskool Rustenburg’s 1st XI  had plenty of reasons to smile after their first North West League match on Saturday.

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

The Rusties made a massive statement as they bullied Fields College on their way to a mammoth victory of 444 runs over their fellow Rustenburgers.

Playing at home, Rusties decided to bat first. It proved to be a good decision, with runs flowing from the bat from the first ball of their innings.

The floodgates opened up completely, however, when Zandré Diedericks and Christivan Coetzer made their way out to the middle.

There seemed to be no stopping either batsman. Diedericks found his rhythm quickly and deposited the ball to all parts of the Hoërskool Rustenburg Oval. He brutalised the Fields College attack, blasting a memorable 176 from only 106 balls, for a strike rate of 166.

Diedericks struck 20 fours and nine sixes in his big innings, which meant that 134 of his runs were scored from boundaries.

As if that wasn’t enough, Coetzer inflicted further pain on the visitors, contributing an equally impressive knock. Coming in at eight, the Rusties’ power hitter went ballistic, powering his way to an unbeaten 152, which featured 18 fours and six sixes.

Those two big centuries set the tone as Rustenburg tallied an astonishing 522/9 in their 50 overs.

Amidst the chaos, Ariel Julies did well to pick up three wickets, although they came at a cost of 86 runs.

Matters weren’t easy for Fields College with the bat, either. Only William Motsatsi made it past 20 runs. He finished with a well-played 47 from 53 deliveries, but that didn’t put much of a dent into the Rusties’ supersized total.

Nathan Rossouw, who also contributed 45 runs to the Rustenburg total, stood out for his side with the ball. He rubbed further salt into the Fields College wounds, capturing five wickets in only six overs. With further telling contributions from Callie Fryer (2/24) and Samuel Crous (2/1), the Rustenburg quickly wrapped up the match by bundling the visitors out for a meagre 78.

Summarised scorecard

Hoërskool Rustenburg 522/9 (Zandré Diedericks 176, Christivan Coetzer 152*, Extras 65, Nathan Rossouw 45, Thian Labuschagne 34, Callie Fryer 24; Ariel Julies 3/86, Heet Patel 2/39, William Motsatsi 2/68); Fields College 78 (William Motsatsi 47; Nathan Rossouw 5/14, Samuel Crous 2/1, Callie Fryer 2/24). Hoërskool Rustenburg won by 444 runs.

Hoërskool Waterkloof’s bowlers did an exceptional job defending what might have seemed like too small of a target in a hard-fought contest against Pretoria Boys High on Saturday.

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

The Klofie bowlers held their nerves to successfully defend 238, eventually beating Boys High by just seven runs. It was a first loss for PBHS in the new league season.

After finding themselves in a heap of trouble early on, Waterkloof middle-order batsman, Riley Miller, stepped up to the plate and did a superb job of steadying their innings while taking the game away from Boys High.

He contributed an expertly paced 106 from only 100 deliveries, striking nine fours and three sixes, and combined nicely with the Klofies’ new addition to the lower middle order, Rico van der Walt. They shared a vital stand of 105 runs, of which Van der Walt made 30.

Boys High’s Connor Hall grabbed the spotlight with the ball. He made the Waterkloof batsmen sweat for their runs and finished with 3 for 39 from nine overs. He was well supported by Nicholas Rossouw, who once again delivered with the ball, taking 2 for 29.

The batting conditions appeared to have eased as the match progressed, with Boys High scoring freely early on in their innings. The opening pair, Marc van der Merwe and Patrick Mouton, laid a solid platform with a 53-run partnership, which included 28 for Van der Merwe. Mouton went on to top score with a mature 55 runs.

Middle-order batsman Tim Gordon chipped in with a well-played 48, but the Klofie bowlers bowled a nagging line and length to slow down the run rate significantly. All-rounder Wian Ruthven, who always seems to find a way to contribute, excelled with the ball, picking up 2 for 32 in 10 tight overs.

Meanwhile, Die Hoërskool Menlopark scraped by Hoërskool Garsfontein‘s Ysbere by the tightest of margins in their league clash on Saturday. The Parkies’ batsmen did just enough to make it across the finishing line with only one wicket standing.

Their successful run chase owed a lot to an unbeaten 48 from Wian van Deventer, who steadily guided Menlo to victory. Steve Stolk launched a few big bombs in an innings of 30, while Matt van der Westhuizen, also,  made 30.

Once again, the Ysbere’s Eckardt Struwig delivered the goods, knocking over 3/36. Xander Venter backed him up with two wickets of his own, as the pair nearly got the Garsies over the line. Jarred Carr (47) and Ettienne du Toit (37) led the Garsie batting effort.

However, they struggled to deal with an exceptional spell from Pierre de Villiers, who proved to be Garsfontein’s Achilles heel. He claimed four wickets, while Ewald Meyer also got in on the act, sending three three Garsie batsmen packing.

Summarised scorecards

Waterkloof 238 (Riley Miller 106, Rico van der Walt 30, Divan Behrens 27, Darius Maritz 22, Johan Feuth 21; Connor Hall 3/35, Nicholas Rossouw 2/29); Pretoria Boys High 231/7 (Patrick Mouton 55, Tim Gordon 48, Greydon Lubbe 35, Marc van der Merwe 28, Nicholas Rossouw 25; Wian Ruthven 2/32). Waterkloof won by seven runs.

Garsfontein 201 (Jarred Carr 45, Ettienne du Toit 37, Wikus du Preez 35, Extras 31; Pierre de Villiers 4/39, Ewald Meyer 3/31, Steve Stolk 2/21); Menlopark 202/9 (Wian van Deventer 48*, Steve Stolk 30, Matt van der Westhuizen 30, Willem Sevenster 21; Echardt Struwig 3/36, Xander Venter 2/22). Menlopark won by one wicket.

Merensky Landbou Akademie started their 2024 Limpopo League campaign with a bang on Saturday, celebrating a seven-wicket victory over Phalaborwa Boys’ Hub, thanks mostly to their bowlers.

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

It came as no surprise that Merensky’s opening bowler and the spearhead of their attack, Luka Heinlein, hit his straps almost immediately. He delivered a fine exhibition of swing bowling to capture three wickets for only 18 runs.

He was backed up by his fellow quick, Topher Elphinstone, one of the young guns in the side, who bowled with good pace to pick up 2 for 20.

Only Rivonia Chauke and Mandla Moshoba managed to withstand the onslaught somewhat. Both showed great promise, contributing 22 runs each.

That was only enough to get the Phalaborwa boys to 124, however, and that turned out to not be enough.

With some established batsmen in the Plasie batting lineup, led by JP Botha, early inroads needed to be made. Chauke, as he did with the bat, fought hard and claimed two wickets in the first seven overs.

Botha then strode to the crease and set the Merensky Oval alight. Batting at four, the talented youngster smashed an unbeaten 76 from only 33 deliveries. His knock included eight fours and six sixes, meaning that all but eight of his runs came from boundaries as he emphatically led his side to victory.

A Philip Weteman century was enough to get Hoërskool Pietersburg home by four wickets against the league’s dark horses, Hoërskool Piet Potgieter. Weterman played beautifully for his 110* as the Pieties pursued 251 for victory. The talented Nicholaas Oerlemans provided solid support with a well-played 47, while Hanno van Zyl smashed 40 from only 29 balls.

The side from Mokapane, which enjoyed a successful 2023 season, beating the likes of Merenky, also showed promising signs. Both of their top-order standouts, Muaaz Muhammed and Aeron Vaidyan, had good outings. Muhammed top scored with a fiery 75 runs, while Vaidyan weighed in with a mature 56 from 90 balls.

Du Preez Coetzee, who should be in the mix for the Limpopo Impala’s Khaya Majola side, also made an early statement, snapping up three wickets at a cost of only 32 runs from his 10 overs.

Summarised scorecards

Phalaborwa Boys Hub 124 (Rivonia Chauke 22, Mandla Moshoba 22; Luka Heinlein 3/18, Topher Elphinstone 2/20, Kyle Crous 2/12, Xander Schoeman 2/21); Merensky 126/3 (JP Botha 76*; Rivonia Chauke 2/36). Merensky won by seven wickets.

Hoërskool Piet Potgieter 250 (Muaaz Muhammed 75, Aeron Vaidyan 56, Extras 51, Ruben Oosthuizen 20; Nicholaas Oerlemans 2/34, Celliers van der Merwe 2/37, Stephan Swanepoel 2/42); Hoërskool Pietersburg 251/6 (Philip Weterman 110*, Nicholaas Oerlemans 47, Hanno van Zyl 40, Extras 29; Du Preez Coetzee 3/32). Hoërskool Pietersburg won by four wickets.

There were signs that young Kwena Maphaka could be the next big thing to come out of South Africa’s fast bowling structures and now those signs are turning into concrete reality.

The left arm quick recently returned to the West Indies where, just a couple of years ago, he made his debut for South Africa in the u19 Cricket World Cup, at the tender age of 15.

Three years later, Maphaka has become the Proteas’ youngest-ever T20 international debutant at just 18 years and 137 days of age.

In doing so, he broke the record of fellow St Stithians’ old boy, Kagiso Rababa, who debuted at 19 years and 164 days back in 2014 against Australia.

Although he picked up one only wicket in the two matches he played for the Proteas, Maphaka  impressed with his pace, clocking as high as 148 km/h on the speed gun on numerous occasions.

In the second T20, he also showed off his big match temperament when he was entrusted to be the bowler at the death and, bowling the 19th over, he conceded only four runs against the renowned West Indies power hitter, Romario Shepherd.

Maphaka has also been retained by the Paarl Royals for next year’s SA 20 competition. He missed out on this year’s event because he was on duty for South Africa in the u19 Cricket World Cup, where he received the accolade of Bowler of the Tournament.

The Proteas are still chasing a T20 win over the West Indies, after beating the islanders 1-0 in a Test series earlier this month.

Tristan Stubbs has been a standout performer for the South African side, coming to the team’s rescue in the first T20 with a memorable 76 from only 42 deliveries, which he followed up with 28 in the second match.

Patrick Kruger, at 29, has made a smooth transition to the international game’s shorter format. He’s displayed his all-round talents, making 44 in the first T20 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Ground in Trinidad and Tobago, and then capturing two wickets in the second T20 at the same venue.

Summarised scorecards

1st T20

South Africa 174/7 (Tristan Stubbs 76, Patrick Kruger 44; Matthew Forde 3/27, Shamar Joseph 2/40); West Indies 176/3 (Nicholas Pooran 65*, Shai Hope 51, Alick Athanaze 40; Ottniel Baartman 2/30, Kwena Maphaka 1/25). West Indies won by seven wickets.

2nd T20

West Indies 179/6 (Shai Hope 41, Rovman Powell 35, Sherfane Rutherford 29, Alick Athanaze 28; Lizaad Williams 3/36, Patrick Kruger 2/29); South Africa 149 (Reeza Hendricks 44, Tristan Stubbs 28, Ryan Rickelton 20; Romario Shepherd 3/15, Shamar Joseph 3/31, Akeal Hosein 2/25). West Indies won by 30 runs.

Dit is ongetwyfeld ‘n dag waarvan Hanré Venter en sy Wesvalia-spanmaats hul kleinkinders eendag sal vertel.

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

Die Hoërskool Wesvalia het die Noordvaal se rekordboeke Saterdagmiddag in Klerksdorp herskryf.

Die Wessies het vir oulaas uitmuntende verdediging tentoongestel om vir Hoërskool Lichtenburg in die eindstryd van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Skild-afdeling met 23-21 te troef en hul Noordvaal-seisoen onoorwonne af te sluit.

Daarmee het hulle ook hul eerste Noordvaal-titel verower.

Wesvalia se agsteman en kaptein, Hanré Venter, was soos regdeur die seisoen aan die spits van sy span se sukses. Hy het gereeld waardevolle meters met sy sterk lopies gemaak, terwyl sy vermoë om die bal in kontak af te laai ook heelwat hoofbrekens vir die besoekers van Lichtenburg besorg het.

Die ander uitblinker van die 2024, heelagter, Rickardt van Heerden, was ook weer op sy stukke, met dié oorwinning wat grotendeels aan sy skopskoen toegeskryf kon word. Van Heerden het met drie strafdoele en twee doelskoppe geslaag.

Vir die besoekers was dit ‘n bittersoet einde aan ‘n merkwaardige seisoen. Die span van Lichtenburg het hul seisoen op tuisbodem onoorwonne afgesluit en was ongetwyfeld ‘n waardige teenstander in die eindstryd.

Agsteman, Abrie Coetzee, het sy laaste Liggie-stryd op ‘n hoë noot afgesluit en op sowel die aanval as verdediging ‘n barshou gespeel. Haker, Juan van Rhyn, was, nes Coetzee, oral op die veld te sien en die twee Liggie-staatmakers is elkeen met ‘n drie beloon.

Die Wessies is ook as kampioen van die o.14-liga gekroon. ‘n Tweekuns deur Francois Cilliers en akkurate korrelwerk na die pale deur Zachery Janse van Rensburg het gesorg dat die span van Klerksdorp met 17-12 oor Hoërskool Ben Vorster kon seëvier.

In die o.15-eindstryd was dit egter die beurt van die Tzaneeners om koning te kraai. Twee drieë deur Dejuan du Plessis en vyf uit vyf suksesvolle pogings pale toe deur Cohen Van Vuuren het vir die Tzaneeners in staat gestel om vir Wesvalia met 36-22 die loef af te steek.

Dit was ‘n spesiale dag vir Heidelberg Volkskool se o.16-span wat in ‘n taai stryd teen Hoërskool Pietersburg met 17-14 as oorwinnaars uit die stryd getree het. Dit was die Volkies se derde Noordvaal-titel in soveel jaar, asook hul 28ste agtereenvolgende sege in die kompetisie.

Terselftertyd was dit ‘n spesiale dag vir die Munro-gesin. Tristan en Tyrone Munro, een van twee stelle tweelinge in die Munro-huis het gedeel in die o.16’s se glorie, terwyl hul ouer tweeling broers, Joshua en Daniel Munro, vroeër vanjaar van die Volkies se groot uitblinkers in die eerstespan was.

Puntemakers:

Wesvalia 23 (6) – Drieë: Junior Kuhn, Philip Janse van Rensburg. Doelskoppe: Rickardt van Heerden (2). Strafdoele: Van Heerden (3). Hoërskool Lichtenburg 21 (13) – Drieë: Juan van Rhyn, Abrie Coetzee. Doelskop: Luan Snyman. Strafdoele: Snyman (3).

Ander spanne: 

o.16

Heidelberg Volkskool 17 (17) – Drieë: Vaughn Steynvaart, Albie Botha. Doelskoppe: Tristan Munro (2). Strafdoel: Munro. Hoërskool Pietersburg 14 (14) – Drieë: Ziahn Lombaard, Ryno Mienie. Doelskop: Mienie.

o.15

Ben Vorster 36 (26) – Drieë: Dejuan du Plessis (2), Risuna Mngoni, Kian Lotter. Doelskoppe: Cohen van Vuuren (4). Strafdoel: Van Vuuren. Wesvalia 22 (8) – Drieë: Zander Lidell, Brand Muller, Jaco Combrinck. Doelskoppe: Michael Kinnear (2). Strafdoel: Kinnear.

o.14

Wesvalia 17 (14) – Drieë: Francois de Villiers (2). Doelskoppe: Zachery Janse van Rensburg (2). Strafdoel: Janse van Rensburg. Ben Vorster 12 (0) – Drieë: Luthando Gumbo, Nkteko Mngoni. Doelskop: Delarey van der Linde.

Die groot skare in Vanderbijlpark kon nie vir ‘n aanskouliker eindstryd gevra het nie.

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

Toe die eindfluitjie blaas was daar absoluut niks te kies tussen Hoërskool Transvalia en die Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg nie en het die finaal in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Plaat-afdeling tussen die Ligbloues en Rooi Bulle uiteindelik met 24-24 gelykop geëindig, met die spanne wat die titel deel.

Dit was egter so hittete of die Rooi Bulle het met die kroon na Middelburg teruggekeer. Dit was slegs danksy Valia se woelwater-haker, Jayden McPearson, se drie ná die sirene en skerpskutter, Dylan Steinman, se akkurate korrelwerk pale toe dat sake in die 70ste minuut gelyk getrek is.

McPearson het nie slegs sy span van ‘n nederlaag gered nie, maar was regdeur die kragmeting uitstaande. Heelagter, Siya Khambule, en binnesenter, Brandon-Lee Smit, het ook spesiale vertonings gelewer in hul laaste uitstappie in die ligbloutrui.

Die Rooi Bulle het ‘n taamlike hupstoot gekry op die vooraand van die wedstryd met ster-senter, Johnny dos Santos, wat die groenlig ontvang het om vir ‘n laaste keer in die middeveld uit te draf. Dos Santos was oudergewoonte dodelik op die aanval en sy tweestryd met Smit sal nog lank om ‘n paar braaivleisvure bespreek word.

Die Middelburgers se heelagter, Jaque Stassen, het self ‘n goeie dag met die stewel beleef en drie strafdoele en ‘n doelskop deur die pale laat seil.

In die o.16-eindstryd het Hoërskool Zwartkop se Regan Blignaut vir die Kempies se harte gebreek. Blignaut het, met tyd verstreke, gedruk om sake gelyk te laat trek, voordat losskakel Tilon Baron met die doelskop geslaag het om aan die Zwarries ‘n oorwinning van 27-25 oor Hoërskool Kempton Park te besorg.

Dit het ‘n behoorlike wiplankstryd afgegee en ‘n uitstekende voorskou gebied vir wat nog moes kom. Die Kempies se losskakel, Ben Steyn, het die toutjies uitstekend getrek agterlangs en ook met twee doelskoppe en twee strafdoele geslaag.

Niemand het beter vertoon in die o.15-eindstryd as Hoërskool Middelburg se Kgontse Masilela nie. Masilela het vyf strafdoele deur die pale gejaag om ál 15 die Middies se punte aan te teken en dit was genoeg om vir Transvalia met 15-10 te troef en as kampioen gekroon te word.

Valia se jonges het nietemin daarin geslaag om Hoërskool Oos-Moot punteloos te hou in die tweede helfte en die o.14-finaal met 15-8 te wen. Vaskopstut, Wian Bezuidenhout, en agsteman, JP Pieterse, het elk ‘n belangrike drie gedruk, terwyl losskakel, Bokang Mabina met ‘n doelskop en strafdoel geslaag het om die titel buite die bereik van die Oosies te hou.

Die skool van Vanderbijlpark het die Plaat-reeks op ‘n hoë noot afgesluit deur koning te kraai in die o.14 A-, o.15 B-, o.16 B- derdespan-, tweedespan- en eerstespanliga. Daarmee het Valia ses van die nege titels in die reeks ingepalm en skuif dus volgende jaar op na die Beker-afdeling in die plek van Hoërskool Marais Viljoen, wat afskuif Plaat toe.

Puntemakers: 

Transvalia 24 (10) – Drieë: Jayden McPearson, Anro Nagel, Brandon-Lee Smit. Doelskoppe: Dylan Steinman (3). Strafdoel: Steinman. HTS Middelburg 24 (9) 0 – Drieë: Dirk du Plooy, Luan Graaf. Doelskop: Jaque Stasen. Strafdoele: Stassen (3). Skepdoel: Gerry Gendall.

Ander spanne: 

o.16

Zwartkop 27 (13) – Drieë: Christiaan de Vries, Mikka Allers, Regan Blignaut. Doelskoppe: Tilon Baron (3). Strafdoele: Baron (2). Hoërskool Kempton Park 25 (6) – Drieë: Luca du Plooy, Arno Hubsch, Ruan Opperman. Doelskoppe: Ben Steyn (2). Strafdoele: Steyn (2).

o.15

Hoërskool Middelburg 15 (6) – Strafdoele: Kgontse Masilela. Transvalia 10 (5) – Drieë: Matthew van Deventer, Waldo McLean.

o.14

Transvalia 15 (8) – Drieë: Wian Bezuidenhoud, JP Pieterse. Doelskop: Bokang Mabina. Strafdoel: Mabina. Oos-Moot 8 (8) – Drie: Willie van Niekerk. Strafdoel: Jordan Liebenberg.

Die naam Elrich Bosch sal vir nog ‘n wyle deur die strate van Potchefstroom weergalm.

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

Dit was danksy Bosch se drie, met speeltyd reeds verstreke, dat Potchefstroom Gimnasium sy eerste Noordvaal-titel sedert 2004 kon verower. Die Gimmies het vir Hoërskool Eldoraigne in ‘n naelbyt-eindstryd met 18-17 uitge-Bowl.

Daar was niks te kies tussen die twee spanne met die omdraaislag nie. Die eerste helfte het slegs ‘n strafdoel elk opgelewer en dit was eers in die tweede helfte dat albei spanne deurkomkans kon vind.

Die Gimmies se ster, David Ndala, het eerste deurgebreek en ook twee strafdoele en die laaste, uiters belangrike doelskop deur die pale gejaag. Dit het sy persoonlike bydrae in eindstryd op 13 punte te staan gebring. Bosch se sentermaat, Lourens Jacobs, was ook ‘n gereelde doring in die Drake se vlees.

Indien enigiemand vir Deon Anderson en die res van Eldoraigne se afrigtingspan in Junie gesê het dat hulle die topspan in die afdeling, in die eindstryd van die Bowl-afdeling, ál die pad sou druk, sou hulle dit beswaarlik kon glo. Die Eldo’s het ‘n uitstaande vertoning op verdediging gelewer.

Die klipharde vaskopstut, Jaco Fourie, het sy puik seisoen met een laaste groot vertoning afgesluit, deur te woel in die vastelos en een van die Drake se twee drieë te druk.

Die Eldo’s se veelsydige JP Meyer moes kort voor die aanvang van die wedstryd van heelagter na losskakel skuif, maar het uitstekend aangepas om ‘n goeie vertoning op die aanval te lewer en sy stewel, wat die Eldo’s heel jaar gedra het, was weer ‘n faktor. Hy was in die kol met twee doelskoppe en ‘n strafdoel, en het ‘n uiters effektiewe vennootskap met skrumskakel, Darren Bruwer, gevorm.

In die o.16-eindstryd het Hoërskool Randburg ‘n uitmuntende terugvegpoging geloods om vir Hoërskool Wagpos met 27-26 te troef. Die vleuels, Ewan van der Walt en Jayden Oosthuizen, wat elk ‘n tweekuns behaal het, het ‘n agterstand van 14 punte in die tweede helfte uitgewis en dit was verál Van der Walt wat met sy vaart en krag beïndruk het.

Wagpos se skrumskakel, Josef van der Berg, was die span van Brits se grootste uitblinker en het self twee keer agter die Randburgers se doellyn gaan kuier.

Merensky Landbou Akademie se voorspelers het al 11 sy punte in die tweede helfte aangeteken om vir Hoërskool Piet Retief met 11-7 te verslaan. Slot, Milan le Roux, het oorgeduik vir sy span se enigste vyfpunter terwyl agsteman, Andrich Venter, en loskopstut, Bradley Mdewa, het elk ‘n strafdoel deur die pale gejaag het om vir afrigter, Francois Bothma, ‘n spesiale verjaarsdaggeskenk te gee.

Regtervleuel, Lubanzi Mhlongo, het twee keer oorgeduik om te verseker dat die o.14-titel saam met Hoërskool Piet Retief na Mpumalanga terugkeer. Die Pieties het hul staal gewys om vir Eldoraigne se jongmanne met 22-17 te klop.

Puntemakers: 

Potchefstroom Gimnasium 18 (3) – Drieë: David Ndala, Elrich Bosh. Doelskop: Ndala. Strafdoele: Ndala (2). Eldoraigne 17 (3) – Drieë: Jaco Fourie, Ivan Vermeulen. Doelskoppe: JP Meyer (2). Strafdoel: Meyer.

Ander spanne: 

o.16

Hoërskool Randburg 27 (12) – Drieë: Ewan van der Walt (2), Jayden Oosthuizen (2). Doelskoppe: Josef van der Berg (2). Strafdoel: Van der Berg. Wagpos 26 (26) – Drieë: Myburgh Henning (2), Roelof van Wyk, Pieter Steenkamp. Doelskoppe: Gerhard Cronje (3).

o.15

Merensky 11 (0) – Drie: Milan le Roux. Strafdoele: Andrich Venter, Bradley Mdewa. Hoërskool Piet Retief 7 (0) – Drie: Carl-Hein Creydt. Doelskop: Creydt.

o.14

Hoërskool Piet Retief 22 (10) – Drieë: Lubanzi Mhlongo (2), Sithuli Zulu. Doelskoppe: Ferdi Brecher (2). Strafdoel: Brecher. Eldoraigne 17 (17) – Drieë: Jayden Calitz, Brendon Möller. Doelskoppe: Franco Vermeulen (2). Strafdoel: Dicci Stapelberg.