Author: froberholzer

Die Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) van Pretoria se 2026 rugbyseisoen sal geensins op ‘n maklike wyse begin nie. Dit is egter wat verwag word van ‘n span wat deel van Suid-Afrika se “Groot Vyf” op skolevlak, uitmaak.

Die Pretorianers se seisoen sal op 14 Maart met ‘n derby in die Jakarandstad begin.

Hoërskool Waterkloof sal dan steeds vir die eerste keer sedert 2017 na sy eerste sege oor die Wit Bulle opsoek wees. Slegs ‘n week later, op 21 Maart, wag sy nuwe jaarlikse ontmoeting met Paul Roos Gimnasium.

Die rugbyreus uit die hoofstad het aan die einde van die 2025 seisoen aangekondig dat die jaarlikse wedstryd teen Helpmekaar Kollege, met dié van Paul Roos vervang sal word.

Dié nuutste uitdaging teen een van die land se ander groot honde sal vanjaar in Stellenbosch plaasvind. Dit vorm ook deel van die King Price Derby Series.

Ruan Jacobs sal weer vanjaar aan stuur van sake as hoofafrigter van die Wit Bulle wees. Jacobs meen dat die doelwit in die nuwe jaar sal wees om op die momentum wat in 2025 gekom het, voort te bou. Om hiermee te help, het Jacobs en hulpafrigter Jaco Koch sewe name wat vir ‘n tweede seisoen van eerstespan rugby sal terugkeer.

Die Wit Bulle se spandokter, Dr. Henry Kelbrick, sal vanjaar vir die 28ste jaar dié rol vertolk. Hy het self in 1984 en 1985 vir die Wit Bulle in die voorry gesak en ook na skool vir Noord-Transvaal verteenwoordig.

Haker Charl Els, die vurige senter Estian Marx en skrumskakel Fourie Roberts sal onder meer drie van die groep van sewe wees. Els het in 2025 sy staal gewys. Die haker het sy buiging op die laaste dag van die Cravenweek gemaak, nadat hy eers by die Akademie-week betrokke was. Hy is ook daarna na die Wes-Kaap genooi om deel van SA Rugby se o.17 hoë-prestasiegroep te vorm.

Marx se pa Eugene Marx het die Wit Bulle vir drie jaar – 1994, 1995 en 1996 verteenwoordig. Els se vader ook Charl was een was Marx se spanmaats in 1995 en 1996 wat die Beeldtrofee verower het. Die Wit Bulle het ook natuurlik in 1994 die kroon gedra. Marx het 65 keer vir die Wit Bulle uitgedraf en 35 keer die doellyn oorgesteek. Els het self die pad doellyn toe geken en 16 keer in 1995 gaan druk. Hy was self in ‘n ongelooflike 51 wedstryde vir Affies se eerstespan in aksie.

Roberts se pa Freddie Roberts , ook ‘n skrumskakel, het Suidwestelike Distrikte in 62 wedstryde tussen 1997 en 1999 verteenwoordig. Hy het ook vir die Valke in 44 wedstryde uitgedraf.

Els was in 2024, saam met vier ander Affie–spelers, Hannes Nagel, Morné Bisset, Hendré Lombaard en Martin van Niekerk, ook deel van die o.16 Hoë-prestasie Kamp. Nagel, Lombaard en Van Niekerk is ook al drie weer tot Jacobs se beskikking.

Ses van Affies se 16 wedstryde in vanjaar se seisoen sal by feeste wees. Die eerste twee sal by die jaarlikse Noord/Suid wees. Die Pretorianers is vanjaar terug op tuisbodem nadat die toernooi in 2025 in Stellenbosch plaasgevind het. Die Wit Bulle sal eerstens teen die Bulle van Oakdale Landbou te staan kom. Sy tweede kragmeting sal met die onvoorspelbare Hoërskool Durbanville wees.

Pretoria Boys High se Eeufees volg waar die Wit Bulle weer twee keer in aksie sal wees. Michaelhouse is eerste op die spyskaart, waarna Grey High School as nagereg wag. In Kimberley, by die Absa Wildeklawer, sal die Wit Bulle litte losmaak teen Outeniqua voor die groot ontmoeting met Paarl Boys’ High, wat een van die hoogtepunte van die seisoen, nie net by die week, sal wees nie.

Dit is natuurlik ook die begin van taai drie weke. Jeppe High School for Boys volg die kragmeting met Boishaai. Dit is egter die ontmoeting met Grey Kollege in Pretoria op 16 Mei wat die

Buiten die sewe wat terugkeer, het die Affie-afrigtingspan tien jongelinge wat die sprong na die hoër vlak met ywer sal aanpak. Die Pretorianers het ‘n groot gros spelers wat in 2025 by die Grant Khomo-week in aksie was. Hiervan was, nie minder nie, as nege by die nasionale o.16 hoë-prestasiegroep betrokke.

Dié tien word deur ses voorspelers, waarvan vier sake vir ‘n plek in die vaste vyf sal uitspook, en vier in die agterhoede, uitgemaak.

Ziaan Slabbert en Liam de Jager sal met Hannes Nagel vir ‘n plek in die voorry armdruk. Hendré Ehlers ding met Els vir die tweetrui mee, terwyl Alexandré Muller vir Martin van Niekerk op sy tone sal hou. Die stryd vir die agt-trui tussen Janno Geyser en Caleb Pretorius sal verder bydra tot ‘n sterk, tradisionele Affie pak.

Agterlangs sal Rico du Plessis ‘n sterk aanspraakmaker vir ‘n plek in die middelveld, heel moontlik saam met Marx, wees. Dandré Brink is verder deel van die groep wat die Wit Bulle se versterkings in die agterhoede betref. Ruben Smith is die vroeë gunsteling om Fourie se moontlike skakelmaat te wees.

Kyle van Staden blyk die gusteling om Lamond Baadjies se opvolger as heelagter te wees. Die Wit Bulle se uitdagende seisoen sal, soos gebruiklik, met die tradisionele derby teen Pretoria Boys High, op 8 Augustus afgesluit word.

Affies se bepalings vir 2026: 

[ninja_tables id=”90392″]

Jannie Geldenhuys, Adjunk-hoof en hoofbreier van die Springbok-rugbyfabriek in Bloemfontein, Grey Kollege, is Woensdagmiddag, 11 Februarie verkies as die nuwe hoofafrigter van Vrystaat se Cravenweek-span.

Geldenhuys dien sedert Mei 2025 as dié rugbyreus se adjunkhoof, maar is sedert 2013 in diens van die skool as Ingenieursgrafika en Ontwerp-onderwyser.

Hy het in 2021 by Wessel du Plessis as hoofafrigter van die Grey Kollege-eerstespan oorgeneem. Tydens sy 13 jaar as afrigter in die Rosestad het Geldenhuys goeie ondervinding opgedoen.

Sy voetspore in “Cheetah-land”, soos daar gereeld na die Vrystaat verwys word, het begin toe hy in 2016 deel van die Vrystaatse o.19 Curriebeker-span se breinstrust uitgemaak het.

Dié is gevolg deur twee jaar in die provinsie se junior strukture waar hy in, onderskeidelik 2018 en 2019, die Grant Khomo-span gebrei het.

Geldenhuys het selfs met huidige Springbok-breier Rassie Erasmus en voormalige Springbok-breier Jacques Nienaber, asook die voormalige SA o.20-afrigter Dawie Theron, skouers geskuur.

Sý geleentheid het gekom met sy insluiting by die afrigtingspan van die o.16 hoëprestasiegroepe wat deur SA Rugby gekies word om diepte op junior vlak te vergroot.

As speler het hy, natuurlik, vir Grey uitgedraf en self in 2007 vir die Vrystaat by die Cravenweek verskyn. Hy het sy loopbaan voortgesit deur vir dieselfde unie in die o.19 Curriebeker te speel. Betrokkenheid by die Vrystaatse o.19 span het ook beteken dat hy vir die Universiteit van die Vrystaat op o.19-, o.21- en eerstespanvlak uitgedraf het.

Die Vrystaters het verlede jaar in Middelburg, met slegs een nederlaag teen Suidwestelike Distrikte (35–34) op die eerste dag, ‘n vleklose rekord verbrou. Dit is egter spoedig reggestel. Die Blou Bulle was die slagoffer van die terugslag, gevolg deur die Haaie wat op die laaste dag onder die Vrystaters se hardlooprugby deurgeloop het.

Meyer van Tonder, ook van Grey Kollege, sal as Geldenhuys se hulpafrigter dien. Van Tonder het self in die Varsitybeker vir die Sentrale Universiteit van Tegnologie se Ixias uitgedraf. Njola Ntwa sal die Grey-duo as spanbestuurder ondersteun.

Grey Kollege van Bloemfontein het op die vooraand van die 2026-rugbyseisoen ’n groot aanwins tot sy nuwe afrigtingspan gemaak.

Die Springbokfabriek van die Rosestad het die baasbrein agter Hoërskool Noordheuwel se voorspelerspak oor die afgelope paar jaar, Ian Joubert, na Bloemfontein gelok om vanjaar die voorhoede in Bloem te brei.

Joubert het vir homself ‘n goeie naam gemaak deur eerstens die Goue Leeus se Akademie-span na twee agtereenvolgende titels tydens die Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie-week, albei jare in Johannesburg by Jeppe High School for Boys, te brei.

Daarna het sy goeie werk met dié span se voorspelers gehelp dat hy saam met Tjaart van der Walt (hoofafrigter) by die Leeus se Cravenweekspan as voorspelerafrigter verlede jaar betrokke was.

Joubert, afkomstig van Standerton in Mpumalanga, was self ’n kranige rugbyspeler in sy dae. Hy het in 2014 self vir die Pumas se Cravenweekspan in Middelburg uitgedraf. Die voormalige slot van die klein dorpie in Mpumalanga was een van slegs twee spelers van Standerton wat dié span kon haal.

Dit was ook ’n spesiale oomblik toe Joubert verlede jaar, vir die eerste keer as deel van ’n Cravenweek-afrigtingspan, na die gesogte week in Middelburg kon terugkeer, waar hy 11 jaar vantevore sy voetspore as speler gelos het.

Na sy universiteitsdae, waartydens hy met trots vir twee jaar, een as onder-primarius, op Caput-koshuis se huiskomitee gedien het, het sy loopbaan as afrigter in 2019 by die Nories in Krugersdorp begin.

Sy uitstaande rugbybrein, veral rakende die vaste fasette en meer spesifiek die lynstane, het hom vinnig die leer na sukses laat klim, moontlik omdat hy self destyds in die lynstane uitgetoring het.

Joubert het, so entoesiasties soos altyd, gesê dat hy baie opgewonde is oor die skuif na die Rosestad en dat hy daarna uitsien om van meet af ’n verskil by die rugbyreus in Bloemfontein te maak.

“Dit is ‘n reuse geleentheid en een waarna ek uitsien. Om by ‘n skool soos Grey betrokke te kan wees is ‘n groot eer en seëning. Ek is opgewonde,” het Joubert ter aflsuiting gesê.

Hoërskool Waterkloof will have an opportunity to defend the Finsbury League‘s A Section title after they scored a commanding seven-wicket victory over Hoërskool Kempton Park in the penultimate round of the competition in Pretoria on Sunday.

Kempies, newcomers to the A Section this year, are still in contention for a place in the title game, which takes place on 21 February.

To earn another crack at Klofies, Kempton Park, who have 10 log points, will need to defeat Potchefstroom Volkskool by a large margin and pick up a bonus point in the last round of round-robin fixtures.

They will also have to hope that Die Hoërskool Menlopark, who are in second place with 15 points, suffers a heavy defeat in their last round robin match, which takes place on Tuesday against Waterkloof.

On Sunday, Klofies responded with a strong all-round performance after an eight-wicket loss to Jeppe High School for Boys a day earlier. Having won the toss, Waterkloof elected to bowl first. That decision was one of the keys to the home side’s success as they restricted the visitors to a moderate 167 all out.

Vorster de Villiers was outstanding with the ball, sending down 10 overs, which included 44 dot balls, while also capturing 4/33. He was well supported by opening bowler Christian Smit, who claimed 3/30 and dismantled Kempton Park’s top order, including the prized wicket of Sheldon Kruger.

Kruger was again the backbone of the Kempies’ innings, top-scoring with 41, while Dian Geldenhuys lent good support, weighing in with 38.

In reply, Waterkloof’s successful run chase was effectively set up by opener Wian du Plessis, who hit out from the first ball. His blistering 61 from just 42 deliveries included five fours and four sixes and gave the Klofies’ innings massive momentum.

Du Plessis partnered with Juan Swart (31) for an 87-run partnership before Rico van der Walt (30*) and Franco Schmidt (21*), on his 18th birthday, steered Waterkloof home off the second ball of the 21st over with an unbroken 47-run stand.

Summarised scorecard

Hoërskool Kempton Park 167/10 (Sheldon Kruger 41, Dian Geldenhuys 38, Francois Marais 20; Vorster de Villiers 4/33, Christian Smit 3/30); Waterkloof 172/3 (Wian du Plessis 61, Juan Swart 31, Rico van der Walt 30*, Franco Schmidt 21*; Stian van Breda 1/27). Waterkloof won by seven wickets. 

Ulrich Botha, with the bat, and the always-impressive Thloni Tabatha, with the ball, sealed an important bonus-point victory for Potchefstroom Gimnasium over Hoërskool Marais Viljoen in the B Section of the Finsbury League in Potchefstroom on Saturday.

Botha and the hard-hitting Christivan Coetzer are rapidly becoming a partnership to be reckoned with.

Batting first on home soil, the pair, arguably Gim’s most reliable batsmen in recent years, set about their work in commanding fashion as the hosts posted a formidable 324/9 from their 50 overs.

Botha was at the fore and as classy as ever. The Potchefstroom opener dismantled the Marais Viljoen attack, scoring 155 from just 143 deliveries. Interestingly, he did not clear the boundary once, yet struck 17 fours.

At the other end, Coetzer’s brute power and clean striking complemented his partner’s masterclass. He scored at a brisk pace, racing to 83 from only 57 balls, which included three sixes and nine fours.

Tabatha also chipped in, adding an unbeaten 20, before he produced a devastating spell with the ball that went a long way to ensuring a win for Gimmies. He bowled just four overs, but they included 20 dot balls and only five runs surrendered while he claimed four wickets and applied relentless pressure. Ruhann Steenkamp picked up 2/50 to help Thabatha complete the job.

For the visitors, their captain, Ethan van Rooyen, stood tall. He led from the front with the ball, taking 3/48, before contributing 29 with the bat. However, his effort, along with 36 from Hendré Cilliers, was only enough to lift Marais Viljoen to 147 all out, well short of the victory target.

In Midrand, Dian de Villiers and Midstream College continued their impressive run with a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Hoërskool Montana.

De Villiers was again at the heart of his side’s success, firstly claiming 2/34 with the ball before anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 74 as Midstream reached the 174 they required to win with ease. He was ably supported by Maarten Nortjé, who raised his bat after scoring a composed 54.

In the Monties‘ camp, Markus Espag top-scored with 53, providing the backbone of Montana’s total, though it ultimately proved insufficient.

Hoërskool Hans Moore returned to winning ways as their key players fired in unison in a vital seven-wicket victory over Hoërskool Nelspruit, which has set a fascinating final round of the B Section competition.

Kyle Wratten led the Moories‘ bowling effort, spinning his way to an excellent 4/24 as Nellies were restricted to a modest 131 all out.

In reply, Stephan Vermaak and Aidan Shaw made light work of the chase. Vermaak top-scored with 56, while Shaw struck a rapid 49 as the hosts reached their target midway through the 16th over of their innings.

Summarised scorecards 

Potchefstroom Gimnasium 324/9 (Ulrich Botha 155, Christivan Coetzer 83, Thloni Thabatha 20*; Marco Hoffman 3/47, Ethan van Rooyen 3/48, Daymian Coetzee 2/32); Hoërskool Marais Viljoen 147/10 (Hendré Cilliers 36, Ethan van Rooyen 29, Riyaan Marques 20; Thloni Thabatha 4/5, Ruhann Steenkamp 2/50). Potchefstroom Gimnasium won by 177 runs. 

Hoërskool Montana 173/10 (Markus Espag 53, Duardt Stassen 34, Leejan van Jaarsveld 33, Extras 23; Dian de Villiers 2/34, Jonathan Wiseman 2/42) Midstream College 174/3 (Dian de Villiers 74*, Maarten Nortjé 54; Duardt Stassen 2/43). Midstream College won by seven wickets. 

Hoërskool Nelspruit 131 (Luan Siebrits 38; Kyle Wratten 4/24, Ruan Wessels 2/11); Hoërskool Hans Moore 132/3 (Stephan Vermaak 56, Aidan Shaw 49; Safwaan Muller 1/11). Hans Moore won by seven wickets. 

Stellar performances from Henco Britz and Armand Kotze gave Hoër Tegniese Skool (HT) Middelburg some much-needed breathing space following a commanding bonus-point victory over Merensky Landbou Akademie in Tzaneen on Saturday.

The win means that HTS is now well-placed to avoid the promotion/relegation fixture scheduled for 21 February. If they avoid that game, they’ll also retain their place in the Finsbury League‘s D Section.

Batting first at Merensky, the visitors produced their best performance at the crease this season, posting an imposing 253 all before bowling out Plasies for just 84 in reply.

Britz was the backbone of Middelburg’s innings, compiling a well-crafted 79 around which others could build. Kotze, however, proved to be the decisive figure with an outstanding all-round display that dictated the outcome of the contest.

Batting alongside Britz, he struck a fine 68, but he made an even bigger impact with the ball, capturing 4/30 from 7.4 overs.

Brussow de Wet (2/11) and Hugo Bierman (2/14), who also chipped in with 21 runs towards the HTS Middelburg total, shared a further four wickets as Merensky struggled to build any meaningful partnerships.

In Heidelberg, the Black Caps of Hoërskool Ben Vorster were unable to turn the tables on Heidelberg Volkskool, going down by four wickets. Quentin Dietrichsen starred for Volkies, claiming 2/11 with the ball before scoring a crucial 47 with the bat.

Batting first, Ben Vorster mustered 185 all out, led by opener Sontag Ramatsoma’s 42. Dietrichsen’s contribution, together with an unbeaten 38 from Vaughn Steynvaart, ultimately guided the hosts home despite a valiant effort from Dumisani Manyama, who claimed five of the six Heidelberg wickets to fall for just 34 runs.

In Klerksdorp, Hoërskool Dr Malan maintained their unbeaten record with a hard-fought 58-run victory over Hoërskool Wesvalia, despite tallying only a modest 152 all out.

After Michael Kinnear‘s devastating spell of 5/38 had left the visitors reeling, Giangi Morrico revived the Dokkies‘ innings with a defiant 32.

Although Dr Malan’s Heinrich Jansen van Rensburg failed with the bat, after scoring three centuries in succession, he made his presence felt with a decisive spell of 3/8. Jacques Nel, with 2/4, and Milan Nel, with 2/9, followed suit, sharing four wickets between them for just 14 runs.

A dramatic collapse during which seven wickets fell for only 22 runs proved decisive, with Wessies crashing to 94 all out.

Summarised scorecards

HTS Middelburg 253/10 (Henco Britz 79, Armand Kotze 68, Extras 34, Hugo Bierman 21; Altus Vorster 3/41, Yogi Brahmbatt 2/10, Schalk Rossouw 2/42); Merensky 84/10 (JP Botha 20, Xander Botha 20; Armand Kotze 4/30, Brussouw De Wet 2/11, Hugo Bierman 2/14). HTS Middelburg won by 169 runs. 

Ben Vorster 185/10 (Sontag Ramatsoma 42, Extras 34, Cristiaan Duvenhage 29, Kulani Mnisi 29*, Dirk Nortman 21; Marlo Schoeman 2/2, Quentin Dietrechesen 2/11, Kehan Baird 2/48); Heidelberg Volkskool 186/6 (Quentin Dietrechesen 47, Vaughn Steynvaart 38*, Extras 33, Marlo Schoeman 26; Dumisani Manyama 5/34). Heidelberg Volkskool won by four wickets. 

Dr Malan 152/10 (Giangi Morrico 32, Damian du Plessis 23; Michael Kinnear 5/38, Ethan Walker 2/34); Wesvalia 94/10 (Johanco Nel 29; Heinrich Jansen van Rensburg 3/8, Jacques Nel 2/4, Milan Nel 2/9). Dr Malan won by 58 runs. 

The six-wicket margin by which Hoërskool Centurion defeated Hoërskool Lichtenburg in Centurion on Saturday could prove to be decisive in the promotion/relegation race, with just one round remaining in the C Section of the 2026 Finsbury League.

The Woeries secured a vital victory after their captain, Morné Prinsloo, delivered a match-winning spell that helped to restrict the visitors from the North West to just 72 all out, batting first.

Prinsloo was the pick of the Centurion bowlers, producing an excellent seven-over spell that yielded four wickets for only 13 runs.

He didn’t have to do it all on his own, however. Kyle Fourie inflicted significant damage, too, claiming 4/32 from 9.4 overs.

In reply, Centurion’s other Morné, Morné Venter, and opener Leon Gunter saw the hosts to an assured victory. Gunter top-scored with 30, while Venter contributed a valuable 27 to guide their side to a crucial first win in the 2026 competition.

In Middelburg, Hoërskool Middelburg‘s grip on the race for a shot at promotion tightened with another commanding outing. This time, a dominant bowling performance laid the foundation for Middies‘ seven-wicket win over Hoërskool Dinamika. Ricardo Ras led the way with an impressive return of 3/10, which underlined the quality within the Middelburg ranks.

Eduan Strydom showed off his all-round value by supporting Ras with 2/46 as the visitors from Alberton were dismissed for 130.  Strydom then made his presence felt with the bat, contributing 35 in a successful run chase that took only 16 overs to achieve victory.

Nijan Swart was the principal contributor with the bat, edging three runs beyond Strydom’s tally, with his 38. Since moving to Middelburg from Secunda at the start of the year, Swart has been a regular contributor to Middelburg’s many successes.

In Centurion, Hoërskool Zwartkop outclassed Hoërskool Pietersburg by 89 runs. A series of useful cameos from the Zwarries‘ batting lineup, led by 42 from Wihan Pelser, enabled the hosts to post a competitive 225/8 from their 50 overs.

Pelser’s main partner in crime, Stian Scholtz, added 33 before making his mark with the ball, claiming 3/28, which was Zwartkop’s best return as they comfortably defended their total.

Despite a spirited effort from the Pieties‘ standout Willem Viljoen, who struck an impressive 88 after taking 2/35 with the ball earlier in the day, Pietersburg was bowled out for 136. Viljoen desperately needed some support, but little was forthcoming, and the visitors went down to a heavy defeat.

Summarised scorecards 

Hoërskool Lichtenburg 72/10 (Extras 24, Johann Duvenhage 16; Morné Prinsloo 4/13, Kyle Fourie 4/32); Hoërskool Centurion 73/4 (Leon Gunter 30, Morné Venter 27; Oratile Masa 2/9). Hoërskool Centurion won by six wickets. 

Dinamika 130/10 (Liam de Swardt 41; Ricardo Ras 3/10, Eduan Strydom 2/46); Hoërskool Middelburg 131/3 (Nijan Swart 38, Eduan Strydom 35, Juanru Brazelle 30; Jared Cliffe 2/40). Hoërskool Middelburg won by seven wickets. 

Zwartkop 225/8 (Wihan Pelser 42, Extras 36, Stian Scholtz 33, Philip Potgieter 31, Robert Vermeulen 23*; AJ Galloway 3/35, Ignus Ferreira 2/32, Willem Viljoen 2/35); Hoërskool Pietersburg 136/10 (Willem Viljoen 88; Stian Scholtz 3/28, Liam van Wyk 3/45, Henré Fourie 2/6). Zwartkop won by 89 runs. 

Jan-Willem Pienaar, of Die Hoërskool Menlopark, struck an unbeaten century to guide the Parkies to a win over Hoërskool Rustenburg in a Finsbury League A Section clash in Pretoria on Saturday.

After suffering a surprise setback against Potchefstroom Volkskool last weekend, Menlo’s 154-run triumph put their bid for a place in the final back on track.

It appears increasingly likely that Hoërskool Waterkloof will be in the title game. They’re on course to top the competition’s group stage.

Pienaar’s unbeaten 111 laid the foundation for the home side to post a total of 252/6 from their 50 overs. He made his way to the middle after the fall of the first wicket and proceeded to hold down an end, patiently turning the 143 deliveries he faced into a match-defining innings.

He shared an 80-run opening partnership with André Kruyshaar, who was eventually dismissed for a well-crafted 52. Pienaar continued to marshal the innings, receiving further support from Monré Koekemoer, who contributed a valuable 20.

Thian Labuschagne was the standout bowler for Rusties, returning 2/45 from his 10 overs. The Menlopark bowlers, however, exploited the conditions far more effectively, and the visitors were dismissed for a modest 98.

Wihan Spanneberg led the charge, knocking over an impressive 4/14, while Jovan Hartman got rid of three batsmen for just 26 runs.

In Centurion, Hoërskool Eldoraigne claimed the first victory of their 2026 Finsbury League campaign, powering their way to a comprehensive 144-run win over Potchefstroom Volkskool. It was a splendid response to a disappointing performance against Hoërskool Kempton Park last weekend.

The experienced Vince Lotz led the way and fell agonisingly short of a century. Opening the innings, he faced 85 balls and turned those into 98 runs.

He was well supported by Jean du Randt, who made a telling 69, while Benyael Morkel added a brisk 42 at better than a run a ball, as Eldos reached 288/9.

Despite the hosts’ dominance with the bat, Andries Venter produced an outstanding effort for the visitors, completing his 10 overs with figures of 5/47,  a commendable performance in a losing cause.

When Volkies batted, Matthew Sampson and the Eldoraigne bowling unit took control, but only after Juan van Niekerk raised his bat for a well-made 50.

Sampson was the chief destroyer, capturing 4/27 from six overs, while Morkel followed up his strong batting performance by snaring 3/28 from his left-arm off-spin. Rowan McLaren added a return of 2/24 as Volkskool was dismissed for 144.

Summarised scorecard

Menlopark 252/6 (Jan-Willem Pienaar 111*, André Kruyshaar 52, Monré Koekemoer 20; Thian Labuschagne 2/45); Hoërskool Rustenburg 98/10 (Rejean van de Venter 19; Wihan Spanneberg 4/14, Jovan Hartman 3/26). Menlopark won by 154 runs. 

Eldoraigne 288/9 (Vince Lotz 98, Jean du Randt 69, Rowan McLaren 42; Ruan Steyn 22; Andries Venter 5/47); Potchefstroom Volkskool 144/10 (Juan van Niekerk 50, Schalk Pienaar 32; Matthew Sampson 4/27, Benyael Morkel 3/28, Rowan McLaren 2/24). Eldoraigne won by 144 runs. 

Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool‘s (Affies) Daniel Murray struck a scintillating century to lay the foundation for a commanding victory over Hoërskool Noordheuwel in Pretoria on Saturday.

Batting at five, his favoured position, Murray accelerated with purpose as he propelled the home side towards a total of 295, with the final wicket falling on the penultimate ball of their innings.

His 125 came off only 106 deliveries and included seven sixes and five fours. When he wasn’t hitting boundaries, Murray was rotating the strike, which underlined the maturity of his knock.

While the wicketkeeper-batsman played the leading role, he enjoyed good support from the rest of the Affies’ batsmen. Christian Linde contributed a well-constructed 44. He’s been a consistent performer in the Affies 1st XI for the past two years, despite being only in Grade 10 this year.

At the top of the order, AJ Morkel set the tone by weighing in with a promising 32 before being dismissed by the Nories‘ most effective bowler on the day, Hanru Begemann, who claimed 2/26 from his seven overs.

Malan de Jager, though, went one wicket better, returning 3/45, which included the final wicket in the Affies’ innings.

Noordheuwel’s best all-round performer, though, was Juwan Lamont. He nabbed 2/46 before adding a fighting 72 with the bat. Unfortunately for Noordheuwel, he found support for his fine innings to be sparse, though.

Heinrich Smith, with 42, was the only other significant contributor, as Affies’ opening bowling pair of Armin Snyman and Zian Labuschagne seized control of he contest.

Snyman led the charge with an impressive 4/27, while Labuschagne chipped in with 2/18, for a combined return of 6/45, which played a pivotal role in the visitors being dismissed for 159.

Summarised scorecard 

Affies 295 (Daniel Murray 125, Christian Linde 44, AJ Morkel 32, Dylan Stander 20, Paul Bester 20, Dawie Barnard 20; Malan de Jager 3/45, Hanru Begemann 2/26, Juwan Lamont 2/46); Noordheuwel 159 (Juwan Lamont 72, Heinrich Smith 42; Armin Snyman 4/27, Zian Labuschagne 2/18). Affies won by 136 runs. 

A remarkable return of 372 runs, three consecutive centuries, and seven wickets from Hoërskool Dr Malan‘s Heinrich Jansen van Rensburg in the opening three matches of the D Section of the Finsbury League has all but positioned Dokkies for a potential promotion push into the C Section.

Jansen van Rensburg, supported superbly by Ruben Muller and Francois Smith, has spearheaded a dominant campaign that has seen Dokkies rack up three bonus-point victories and the maximum possible 15 log points, a healthy seven clear of Hoërskool Ben Vorster in second place.

The log leaders will, however, be forced out of their comfort zone this weekend when they travel to Klerksdorp to face Hoërskool Wesvalia, who have seven log points following an emphatic 90-run victory over HTS Middelburg.

Awaiting Jansen van Rensburg and company will be Wessies‘ in-form Jandré Greyling, who impressed against HTS Middelburg with a composed 65 and a five-wicket haul. He’ll present one of the biggest threats to the Meyerton school’s dominant campaign.

In Heidelberg, the Black Caps of Ben Vorster will be eager to turn the tables on Heidelberg Volkskool. Last year, Volkies cruised to a 10-wicket win in Tzaneen, and Ben Vorster would love nothing more than to claim a victory in Heidelberg.

This year’s Ben Vorster side, however, appears to be better balanced than the 2025 team, with the contest between Cubs Week representative Rivoningo Chauke and the Volkies’ leading batsman Dave Pelzer shaping up as a high-quality individual battle within a fiercely competitive clash.

Meanwhile, in Tzaneen, Merensky Landbou Akademie enjoys home-ground advantage for a second consecutive week. The Plasies welcome HTS Middelburg for a clash with crucial relegation implications.

Merensky will need to quickly put last week’s narrow eight-run defeat to the Ben Vorster in the Tzaneen derby behind them if they are to keep their D Section D status alive. They’re winless thus far.

HTS Middelburg is also still chasing a first victory, and they will be equally desperate for points. A win on the road could be enough to secure their place in the D Section for next season. They’ll need it because net run rate favours Merensky.

History has shown, however, that away victories in the Finsbury League are notoriously difficult to come by. With so much on the line, Saturday’s encounter in Tzaneen won’t lack intensity or intrigue.