Author: wilouw

Stellenberg is locked and loaded and ready to kick off the new season when they host Paarl Gimnasium this weekend.

The Jade Brigade has been steadily building its rugby programme over the last couple of seasons, and this year they’re taking aim at some of the bigger names in schools’ rugby.

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Head coach, Divan Batt, will guide the Stellenberg first team through their challenging run of fixtures.

He is assisted by coaches Louw Lombaard and Jaco Laubscher, with Marnus Myburgh taking care of conditioning and Faan Fourie as their team physio. Head of Rugby at Stellenberg, Pierre du Preez, manages the team.

Batt said that while they want to perform well at the annual tournaments and in the league, they will measure their success against the goals they set for themselves every weekend.

“It’s important for us to do the basics well, with a bit of flair when the occasion allows it,” he said, when identifying one of their season’s goals.

With some of last year’s top players back in the squad again this season, they have their sights set on making their mark against some of the top guns in South Africa at the North/South and Absa Wildeklawer tournaments.

Dehan Neethling, their dynamic fullback, forms part of an experienced core group of players who will be directing the backline this season.

Speedy winger, Luc Cilliers, also donned the first team jersey last year, along with centre, Estian Steyn, and Stefan Roux, who will have a pivotal role to play at flyhalf.

In the forward pack, three of the tight five and two loosies sport first-team caps from last year. Ryk Groenewald (prop), Almero Keizer (hooker), Zian Erasmus (lock), Alex Schoeman (flanker) and Dale du Toit (eighth man) gained valuable experience last season.

Keizer, Groenewald, Neethling and Dean van Rensburg also played in the Western Province Invitational side that took on England and France ahead of the SA Schools games last year, and Steyn represented the WP XV at the Craven Week.

Stellenberg ended their season strongly in 2023, but they will have to shake off any rust quickly as they open their season against some of South Africa’s best.

After this weekend’s opener against the mighty Paarl Gim, the Jade Brigade rolls into Pretoria where they take on a Noordheuwel side who have already done away with the likes of Hoërskool Trio and Outeniqua this year, before taking on the hosts, Affies, on the final day of the event.

The rest of the season consists of more challenging league fixtures against SACS, Boland Landbou, Oakdale Landbou and Strand. They also travel to Kimberley where they will square off against EG Jansen and Garsfontein at the Absa Wildeklawer.

As always, their season ends with an interschools clash against Hoërskool Durbanville. They’ll be out to maintain bragging right after they beat their arch-rivals 21-12 away from home in the previous instalment.

The fixtures

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This year, Somerset College reclaimed the coveted Ashes Trophy to reassert their dominance in the local derby against Parel Vallei and draw a line under another successful cricket season for the Somerset West school.

At the heart of the Collegians’ success was their stalwart, Chad Ayford, who has scored 1 718 runs, taken 25 wickets with his bowling, caught 16 batsmen and run out three in his time in the school’s 1st XI.

Batting at an average strike rate of 107 and offering a handy option in the bowling lineup, Ayford has been an exhilarating watch throughout the season.

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He earned his 50th 1st team cap in this year’s Ashes, and celebrated with another strong performance, scoring 30 runs before snaring three wickets for only five runs as Somerset College stormed to a massive victory by an innings and 94 runs to avenge last season’s loss.

Their performance was especially impressive as they sought to remove any doubt about their dominance after Parel Vallei managed to win their first Ashes ever the last time the two met, hinting at a shift in momentum after a 25-year dry spell against their neighbours.

“It was an amazing feeling to get back the Ashes on their (Parel Vallei’s) home ground,” Ayford told SuperSport Schools recently. “They had something special about them last year, but we weren’t going to allow that to happen again.”

With the Ashes trophy returned, his 50th cap under his belt, and nearly 2 000 runs to his name already, Ayford has now set his sights on again making the Boland u19 team for the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week.

Reflecting on his experience at the event in 2023, he said he relished the standard of the competition. “It was a great experience, facing talented bowlers, who I have not come up against before.

“Every day was a learning experience, and meeting new players and coaches was great, and allowed me to get their perspectives on the game.”

Looking ahead further, Ayford said he plans to continue playing cricket after matriculating.

“I want to study sports management, but I’ll be playing club cricket alongside that, and I hope to get into the Boland Cricket Academy set-up.”

That should come as no surprise to anyone who has seen him growing up in Pniel, in the Winelands, where he’s had a bat and ball in his hands since he was a youngster.

He comes from a sporting family, with a sister, Grace, who plays 1st XI hockey for Bridge House at just 14 years of age. His mother, Grizelda, is passionate about netball, and his father, Shayne, was an established rugby player in his day. Their support, Chad said, has been the most important part of his journey.

“They have sacrificed so much for me and would do anything in their power to do what’s best for me,” he explained.

Alongside his family’s support, he also credits coaches Rudolph Buys, Eltin Buziek and Justin Ontong with his continuing development as he prepares to close one chapter of his life and gets ready to take on new challenges when he finishes school at the end of the year.

Coach Buys shared his excitement about the young cricketer under his tutelage. “Chad is a very confident cricketer. He has all the attributes to become a high-class player,” he said.

“He plays with a lot of flair. That’s something we’ve been very conscious of, to not coach that out of him. But as the season has gone on, he has also learned how to limit the risk”, said Buys.

“He’s a natural leader, as well, leading by example rather than talking much, but he plays with such authority that teams tend to listen when he has something to say.”

One thing that is sure to stay the same is Ayford’s burning passion for the sport. In fact, that is also the aspect he admires most in his cricket role model, Virat Kohli’s game. “I love his passion and aggression. and the way he wants to win and would do anything for his national team”, he said.

When he’s not training, Ayford said he enjoys being alone, listening to music and reflecting on what he has done and what he needs to do to reach his goals. “I also enjoy running and hitting the gym. It takes my mind off everything and makes me feel prepared for the next challenge”.

With a positive outlook, an unquenchable thirst for cricket, and a single-minded determination, whatever the future challenges may be, Somerset College’s Chad Ayford appears ready to meet them.

Goudveld-Hoërskool het Dinsdag hul Wesgrow Sentrale Sportreeks-veldtog met ‘n indrukwekkende sege van 22-19 oor verlede jaar se kampioenspan, Hoërskool Fichardtpark, geopen.

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Die Leeus was van meet af op die aanval, maar die tuisspan se kaptein, Ruben Crous, kon daarin slaag om die aanvanklike druk te verlig met sy geoefende skopvoet.

Nadat hulle sowat 15 minute van druk moes absorbeer, was dit die einste Crous wat ‘n gaping gevind het om sy binnesenter, Caleb Lottering, oor te stuur vir die eerste drie van die wedstryd.

Die Gouties het aanhou druk toepas vir haker, Jan Coetzee, om ook te druk, en Crous het die voorsprong vergroot met ‘n langafstand-strafdoel.

Die Fichies se haker, MJ Hattingh, het egter, kort voor die breuk, sy span op die telbord geplaas met ‘n drie na ‘n vlymskerp breekslag deur skrumskakel, Devanté Claasen.

Die Leeus het hul ritme in die tweede helfte begin vind, met Marno Smith wat, na volgehoue druk, nog ‘n drie vir die besoekers kon aanteken.

Losvoorspeler, Thabiso Phafudi en kie het egter uitstekend gevaar daarin om die Bloemfonteiners in die los te frustreer, terwyl Coetzee hulle telkens op die voorvoet geplaas het met sy kraglopies.

Ayanda Quinisa, Fichardtpark se vleuel, het ook uiters effektief verdedig, met Aiden Engelbrecht wat goed vertoon het toe hy later opgekom het in Claasen se plek.

Coetzee het egter sy tweede drie gedruk om die Fichies te bêre, nadat plaasvervanger-skrumskakel, Janco Maass, goed gedoen het om balbesit te behou.

Selfs tóé was die aksie nog nie verby nie, met ‘n onderskepdrie deur die blitsige buitesenter, Duan Viviers, wat die besoekers weer binne trefafstand kon bring. Dit was helaas nie genoeg om die Gouties se vroeë voorsprong in te haal nie.

In Bloemfontein het Hoërskole Jim Fouché en Witteberg spreekwoordelik “sussies gesoen” in ‘n rillerstryd om hul Wesgrow-veldtog met ‘n gelykopstryd van 24-24 af te skop.

Die besoekers het vroeg die voortou geneem met drieë deur Llewellyn Beukes (flank) en Pieter Nel (slot), maar JF het teruggeslaan danksy die effektiewe kombinasie tussen losskakel, Alldrick Johnson, en heelagter, Christian Strydom, wat op ‘n drie deur laasgenoemde uitgeloop het.

Kort daarna het die Bloemfonteiners se voorspelers kragte saamgespan om vir Nathan van Breda oor te dryf, maar skuins voor halftyd het die Witteberg-vleuel, Kenyon Morat, op die teenaanval deurgebreek om weer die bordjies te verhang.

Franco Oberholzer, die tuisspan se flank, en stut, SW van der Merwe, het die veld volgespeel en die buitesenter, Adrian de Necker, het telkens gevaarlik voorgekom met die bal in hand, terwyl Sydwell Sethi (losskakel) en Daniel Meintjies (agsteman) ook uitgeblink het vir die besoekers.

Van der Merwe het twee keer die doellyn oorgesteek om sy span gelyk te laat trek op 24-24.

Dit was ‘n opwindende kragmeting en die eindtelling is waarskynlik ‘n regverdige weerspieëling van die wedstryd, hoewel albei spanne sal voel dat hulle ‘n paar gulde geleenthede verbrou het deur ongedwonge hanteerfoute.

Puntemakers:

Goudveld-Hoërskool 22 (17) – Drieë: Jan Coetzee (2), Caleb Lottering. Doelskoppe: Ruben Crous (2). Strafdoel: Crous. Hoërskool Fichardtpark 19 (7) – Drieë: MJ Hattingh, Marno Smith, Duan Viviers. Doelskoppe: Devanté Claasen (2).

Hoërskool Jim Fouché 24 (14) – Drieë: SW van der Merwe (2), Christian Strydom, Nathan van Breda. Doelskoppe: Alldrick Johnson (2). Hoërskool Witteberg 24 (17) – Driee: Llewellyn Beukes, Pieter Nel, Tshepo Motloung, Kenyon Morat. Doelskoppe: Sydwell Sethi (2).

Ander uitslae

o. 19 – Goudveld II 23, Fichardtpark II 15; Witteberg II 22, Jim Fouché II 19; Goudveld III 26, Fichardtpark III 26; Jim Fouché III 19, Witteberg III 17; Jim Fouché IV 24, Witteberg 10.

o. 16 – Fichardtpark 31, Goudveld 10; Witteberg  25, Jim Fouché 15; Fichardtpark B 19, Goudveld B 0.

o. 15 – Fichardtpark 31, Goudveld 7; Jim Fouché 22, Witteberg 10; Jim Fouché B 33, Witteberg B 10; Fichardtpark B 26, Goudveld B 5.

o. 14 – Fichardtpark 57, Goudveld 0; Witteberg 50, Jim Fouché 0; Witteberg B 38, Jim Fouché B 0; Fichardtpark B 33, Goudveld B 7.

With an illustrious 158-year rugby heritage, each season holds a profound significance for the Paul Roos Gimnasium first XV.

Named in honour of the captain of the first South African touring side of 1906, Paul Roos. This was also the first side to be called the Springboks.

Roos, a man who was also the school’s rector, the Stellenbosch institution has long remained a cornerstone of schoolboy rugby in South Africa, standing shoulder to shoulder with the nation’s top sides.

This enduring legacy is underscored by their prestigious alumni, among whom are an impressive list of 54 Springboks which are claimed by the school.

With a steadfast commitment to upholding the esteemed Paul Roos legacy, every match holds significant weight for the team. “Every opponent on our fixture list poses a challenge,” Corné Uys, the first-team head coach, told SuperSport Schools. “There are no easy games, and underestimating any of our opponents is out of the question.”

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Uys spearheads the management team for a third consecutive year since assuming the revered role in 2022. The school, deeply intertwined with its rugby programme, has witnessed an upwards trajectory under his leadership.

Under his tutelage, Paul Roos has produced leading players on the youth stage, like Jurenzo Julius, who claimed bronze with the Baby Boks last year in the World Rugby u20 Championship. He’ll return to the event again in 2024, while their 1st XV includes dual SA Schools’ star, Riley Norton, who is available for SA Schools selection again this year, having achieved the spectacular double in his grade 11 year.

Norton, Oliver Reid, Truspe Schoeman, Reuben Kruger, Samuel Badenhorst and Keenan Stoffels all served the Maroon Machine well in 2023. Their experience will, undoubtedly, fortify the Paul Roos squad.

Badenhorst is another player who made his presence felt on the field last year. He’s shaping up to be a phenomenal player, and is following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Jan “Boland” Coetzee, the Western Province and Springbok great.

Badenhorst also earned his SA colours in 2023 as part of the SA u18 Sevens squad that claimed bronze at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago.

Young guns, like Altus Rabe, Gert Kemp, Luke Kent, Luchwayito Mbliswana, Junaid Coetzee, Jordan Steenkamp and Matthew Kleyn, are all moving up the age grades since representing Paul Roos in the Western Province team at last year’s Grant Khomo Week.

“They’ve been making their presence felt during the preseason,” affirmed Uys, emphasising their potential contribution to the side, especially considering the inevitable challenges that will be posed by injuries and a demanding fixture list.

The rest of the management team consists of coaches Erhardt Muth and Ian Campbell-McGeachy, with Elric Pretorius overseeing strength and conditioning and Stephan Jordaan serving as team manager.

Paul Roos kick off their season 16 March when they host HTS Drostdy on the Markötter.

The following week they take on two of Pretoria’s best at the NMI Toyota North South Rugby Tournament. They play their opening fixture against the hosts, Affies, at 18:00 on 23 March, before facing Waterkloof on 26 March.

As is the tradition, their season comes to a close when they take on their arch-rivals from Bloemfontein, Grey College. This year the Grey boys will make the trip down to Stellenbosch where the Maroon Machine will be primed to avenge their 20-28 loss in Bloemfontein in 2023.

Fixtures

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Verlede jaar se Wesgrow o. 19-rugbykampioene, Hoërskool Fichardtpark, skop hul nuwe veldtog vanmiddag af wanneer hulle vir Goudveld-Hoërskool in Welkom die stryd aansê.

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Fichardtpark se eerstespan het in 2023 die Wesgrow-titel verower met ‘n onoorwonne rekord. Die Leeus was voorts beloon met ‘n eerste SA Skole-verteenwoordiger in hul trotse geskiedenis van 40 jaar, toe slot, Jaco Grobbelaar, vir die elite-groep gekies is.

Toe die spanne mekaar verlede jaar in Bloemfontein raakgeloop het, het Fichies die besoekers uit Welkom met 41-17 afgeransel.

Vanjaar speel hulle egter in Goutieland, en die tuisspan sal hul lippe aflek vir die geleentheid om die bordjies te probeer verhang.

Kaptein, Ruben Crous, lei die tuisspan vanuit die middeveld, terwyl heelagter, Ru-Bran Kock, wat saam met Crous verlede jaar reeds vir die eerstespan uitgedraf het, ook ‘n sleutelrol sal hê om te vervul.

Die Fichies beskik oor ‘n giftige agterlyn, wat deur hul Cravenweek-skrumskakel, Devanté Claasen, gedirigeer word, en na die nederlaag teen Hoërskool Wesvalia, by hul jaarlikse sportdag, sal die Leeus gretig wees om terug te keer na die wenpad.

Vroeër in die dag pak Hoërskool Witteberg en Hoërskool Jim Fouché mekaar in die Rosestad.

JF het ook by die sportdag in Bloemfontein vasgeval teen Hoërskool Duineveld, dus is dit belangrik vir hulle om momentum te begin bou.

Al vier spanne sal na vanmiddag se kragmetings spoedig moet herstel, ten einde Saterdag weer slaggereed te wees vir die volgende ronde bepalings.

 

Die spanne:

Goudveld t. Fichardtpark om 15:30:

Goudveld-Hoërskool: 15 Ru-Bran Kock, 14 Adriaan Muller, 13 Hendro Boardman, 12 Caleb Lottering, 11 KB Sonopo, 10 Ruben Crous, 9 JM Rensburg, 8 Malan Marx, 7 Thabiso Phafudi, 6 Hannes Fouche, 5 Wehan Mostert, 4 Heinru Carstens, 3 Marko van der Westhuizen, 2 Jan Coetzee, 1 Toka Khooe.

Hoërskool Fichardtpark: 15 Pule Motsilili, 14 Martin Kalp, 13 Duan Viviers, 12 Divan Martens, 11 Ayanda Quinisa, 10 Junior Titoti, 9 Devante Claasen, 8 Tumelo Leputla, 7 Janel du Plessis, 6 Wouter Jonker, 5 Buko Mlali, 4 Marnus Henning, 3 Nathen Swanepoel, 2 MJ Hattingh, 1 Zaine van Zyl.

Jim Fouché t. Witteberg om 13:40:

Hoërskool Jim Fouché: 15 Christian Strydom, 14 Heinrich Hattingh, 13 Adrian de Necker, 12 Hanro Marais, 11 Bendré Vermaak, 10 Alldrick Johnson, 9 Riaan de Ruiter, 8 Qian Moller, 7 Franco Oberholzer, 6 Nathan van Breda, 5 Brenden Weyers, 4 JW Stone, 3 Darren Matthews, 2 Ian Nel, 1 SW van der Merwe.

Hoërskool Witteberg: 15 Janco Swart, 14 Thabo Motheke, 13 JC van Rhyn, 12 Kenyon Motheke, 11 Tshepo Motloung, 10 Sydwell Sethi, 9 Kirsten Fourie, 8 Daniel Meintjies, 7 Llewellyn Beukes, 6 Lesego Mosikidi, 5 Marco Grobler, 4 Pieter Nel, 3 Colin van der Merwe, 2 Jacques van der Merwe, Rian Roos.

Ander bepalings:

16 Maart – Goudveld t. Jim Fouché; Witteberg t. Sentraal; Trio t. Diamantveld; Voortrekker t. Fichardtpark.

Die jaarlikse Pieter Swanepoel-sportdag by Hoërskool SPS Brandfort het die afgelope naweek oudergewoonte gesorg vir heerlike plattelandse rugby uit die boonste rakke.

Die hoofwedstryd het ‘n klipharde stryd afgegee tussen die manne van Brandfort se groot krag voorlangs en Wessel Maree Hoërskool se opwindende, aanvallende benadering agterlangs. Die besoekers het in die doodsnikke daarin geslaag om die wendrie te druk, en sodoende hul gashere met 16-12 te troef.

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SPS Brandfort het die enigste drie in die eerste helfte aangeteken, deur haker, Xander van Heerden.

Met albei skole wat rotsvas was op die verdediging, het Wessel Maree wyslik besluit om punte te vat waar hulle dit ookal kon kry, soos ‘n waardevolle strafdoel deur agsteman, Ntute Tsotsotso.

Dit was duidelik dat die tweede helfte op ‘n uiters spannende klimaks afgestuur het.

Spel het van een hoek van die veld na die ander gesnel, maar deurkomkans op die doellyn was min en dit het 10 minute geneem voordat Wessel Maree ‘n deurbraak kon bewerkstellig.

Buitesenter, Junior Moroke, het langs die kantlyn af genael en ‘n skopaangee dwars oor die veld gestuur vir Mpumelelelo Dumako (flank) om op te raap en oor die doellyn te val.

Tsotsotso het ‘n verdere strafdoel oorgeklits om hul voorsprong te verstewig, maar dit was nie lank nie voordat Brandfort se groot pak met ‘n skrum na aan die besoekers se doellyn vir agsteman, Greyven Dempsey, die geleentheid gebied het om bo-oor ‘n paar verdedigers te dryf vir sy span om die voortou te neem.

Met slegs drie minute se speeltyd oor, het Wessel Maree se plaasvervanger, Kamohelo Ntaje, egter oorgeduik vir die wendrie om SPS Brandfort se trotse rekord by hul fees ‘n knou toe te dien.

Hoërskool Bloemfontein het vroeë waarskuwingskote afgevuur met hul oorwinning van 26-0 oor Winburg Hoërskool. Van al die spanne wat aan die Vrystaat Hoërskole B-Liga deelneem vanjaar, was dit slegs die seuns uit die noorde van Bloemfontein wat as oorwinnaars kon wegstap na Saterdag se sportdag.

SPS Brandfort, St Andrew’s School, Hoërskole Sand du Plessis en Hendrik Potgieter (Reddersburg) het almal tweede gekom in hul onderskeie wedstryde, dus geniet die Bloemfonteiners ‘n ekstra mate van momentum wanneer die ligabepalings eersdaags afskop.

Bloemfontein-losskakel Jano Jackson en sy senters, Keanu van Heerden en Kenslin Collins, het heelwat ondernemingsgees agterlangs tentoongestel, terwyl hul lostrio ook vir Winburg kopsere besorg het by die afbreekpunte.

Vasberade verdediging het voorts beteken dat die puntevloei slegs in een rigting beweeg het, met Bloemfontein wat vier keer Winburg se doellyn kon oorsteek sonder om ‘n enkele punt af te staan.

Bokang Maichu, Wessel van der Merwe, Brandon Erasmus en Ferlin Rulf het hul name op die telkaart gekry, terwyl Jackson met drie doelskoppe geslaag het.

St Andrew’s en Reddersburg het altwee moedig teruggeveg in hul onderskeie kragmetings, maar Hoërskool Parys en Hoërskool Bothaville kon uithou vir naelskraapse seges van onderskeidelik 24-19 en 34-26.

Saints se agsteman, Eduan van den Heever, het kort voor én na rustyd drieë gedruk om die telling met 12-12 gelyk te laat trek. Senter, Naudé Botha, het die tweede drie van teenaan die kantlyn verdoel om die Bloemfonteiners tydelik te laat voorloop.

Parys het weer die voortou geneem met ‘n drie deur hul breker op binnesenter, Qenan Bekker, maar St Andrew’s se haker, Lucien Hugo, het teruggeslaan om die telling weer gelyk te maak.

Met skaars ‘n paar sekondes oor, het Parys die uitklophou gelewer met hul groot haker, Romé Pretorius, wat met brute krag deur die verdedigingslinie gebars het vir die wendrie.

Grey-kollege se verteenwordigers het ook skoonskip gemaak in hul onderskeie krangmetings met Hoërskool Ficksburg, HTS Louis Botha en Sand du Plessis.

Dit was slegs die Ficksburg-manne wat enige punte kon aanteken teen die Bloemfonteinse reuse.

Boitumelo Hlalele (senter), en Brian Samuels (losvoorspeler) kon daarin slaag om bresse te slaan in die Grey-verdediging vir ‘n drie elk, maar Ficksburg moes steeds met 12-17 die knie buig teen Grey se sesdes.

Puntemakers:

Wessel Maree Hoërskool 16 (3) – Drieë: Kamohelo Ntaje, Mpumelelelo Dumako. Strafskoppe: Ntute Tsotsotso (2) Hoërskool SPS Brandfort 12 (7) – Drieë: Greyven Dempsey, Xander van Heerden. Doelskop: Amolang Maloisane.

Hoërskool Parys 24 (12) – Drieë: Sibusiso Mmlutsi, Qenan Bekker (2), Romé Pretorius. Doelskoppe: Marnus Roets (2) St Andrew’s School 19 (7) – Drieë: Eduan van den Heever (2), Lucien Hugo. Doelskoppe: Naudé Botha (2).

Hoërskool Bothaville 34 (29) – Drieë: Paul Verwey (2), Josh Pietersen de Andrade, Hanco van der Walt, Francois Rossouw, Richter Scholtz. Doelskoppe: Pietersen de Andrade (2). Hoërskool Hendrik Potgieter (Reddersburg) 26 (7) – Drieë: Denver Jacobs, Waylon Strydom, Sterling Batties, Unathi Ngeyakhe. Doelskoppe: Boitshepo Nthipe (2), Ensley van Wyk.

Grey-kollege VI 17 – Hoërskool Ficksburg 12 – Drieë: Boitumelo Hlalele, Brian Samuels. Doelskop: Oratilwe Shata.

Grey-kollege IV 26 (12) – Drieë: JG Badenhorst (2), Marx van Wyk, Stephan Jacobs. Doelskoppe: Van Wyk. HTS Louis Botha 0.

Hoërskool Ladybrand 31 (12) – Drieë: Ithuteng Diphoko (2), Katleho Ramakone, Lucky Ratutubala, Isaaq Maqelepo. Doelskoppe: Calvin Molete (2), Katleho Ramakone. Hoërskool President Steyn 7 (0) – 

Grey-kollege V 76 (50) – Drieë: Stephan Meintjies (2), Arno du Plessis (2), Jatin Marais, CM Opperman, Luke Wolhuter, Juan Erasmus, Ruben Kruger, Burger Horn. Doelskoppe: Juan Erasmus (8). Hoërskool Sand du Plessis 0.

Hoërskool Bloemfontein 26 – Drieë: Bokang Maichu, Wessel van der Merwe, Brandon Erasmus, Ferlin Rulf. Doelskoppe: Jano Jackson (3). Winburg Hoërskool 0. 

Hoërskool Noord-Kaap het Saterdag, danksy ‘n speler-van-die-wedstryd vertoning deur hul vurige flank, Ambijorn Vraagom, vir Landboudal met 29-20 gekasty by die jaarlikse Lantiefees.

Die spelers het na die wedstryd ook die voorreg gehad om te kan kyk hoe die Suzuki Griekwas en Toyota Cheetahs mekaar pak op dieselfde veld waar hulle oomblikke vantevore self in aksie was.

Die spanne het ‘n skouspel gelewer vir die rugbyliefhebbers van Jacobsdal, met die Griekwas wat met 25-22 as oorwinnaars uit daardie wedstryd getree het.

In die eerstepan-kragmeting het Landboudal teen halftyd die oorhand geniet met twee drieë teenoor die een van die besoekers, maar Vraagom se vermoeë om oor die voordeellyn te kom het sy span op die voorvoet gesit na die breuk.

Sy flank-spanmaat aan die ander kant van die skrum, Tyron China, het ook ‘n drie tot sy naam gevoeg, en Jonaden Links (heelagter) en Bjorn Olifinger (vleuel) was beloon vir hul harde werk met ‘n drie elk.

Die Lanties se punte het grotendeels uit die voorspelers gekom. Brink Bruwer (flank), Ruan van Bosch (stut) en Juhan van der Wethuizen (agsteman) het die drieë vir die span van Jacobsdal gedruk en die heelagter, Marius Etzebeth het die res van hul punte met sy stewel bygedra.

Volgende naweek speel die Northerns teen HTS Louis Botha in Bloemfontein. Noord-Kaap behoort die gunstelinge te wees in daardie ontmoeting, maar dit lyk soos ‘n splinternuwe Louis Botha span hierdie jaar en hulle moet glad nie onderskat word nie.

Intussen het Hentie Cilliers van Virginia ook ‘n indrukwekkende sege in Sasolburg oor HTS Sasolburg behaal. Die vleuel, Xander Wiltshire, kon twee keer agter die tuisspan se doellyn gaan kuier in hul sege van 53-3.

Puntemakers:

Hoërskool Noord-Kaap 29 (5) – Drieë: Ambijorn Vraagom (2), Jonaden Links, Tyron China, Bjorn Olifinger. Doelskoppe: Abdul Fischer (2). Landboudal 20 (12) – Drieë: Brink Bruwer, Ruan van Bosch, Juhan van der Westhuizen. Doelskop: Marius Etzebeth. Strafdoel: Etzebeth.

Hentie Cilliers 53 – Drieë: Xander Wiltshire (2), Joze Draaghoender, Awethu Khilani, Khamo Pumo, Mosa Sesedi, Lebo Lesito, Meguel Davids, Jinx Mantile. Doelskoppe: Rorisang Marumo (2), Draaghoender, Pumo. HTS Sasolburg 3 – Strafdoel: Thato Morake.

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Landboudal 24, Noord-Kaap 7; Hentie Cilliers 59, HTS Sasolburg 0.

o.15: Noord-Kaap 15, Landboudal 3; Hentie Cilliers 21, HTS Sasolburg 5.

o.14: Landboudal 29, Noord-Kaap 7; Hentie Cilliers 46, HTS Sasolburg 0.

Die Afrikaanse Hoër Seunsskool van Pretoria het die afgelope naweek behoorlik hul spiere gebult in Kimberley, ter voorbereiding van die nuwe seisoen.

Behalwe vir Hoërskool Diamantveld se o. 14 A-span, wat in ‘n riller van ‘n wedstryd met 9-8 geseëvier het, kon die besoekers uit Pretoria al hul wedstyde in die Diamantstad wen.

Hulle het in die proses ook ‘n paar indrukwekkende tellings opgestapel.

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Die Wit Bulle het ook in die eerstespan-kragmeting met die Diamonds die botoon gevoer met ‘n oorwinning van 33-10.

Nadat Janco Purchase (binnesenter), Theunz Marits (buitesenter), Muntingh Hamman (slot) en Albert Smit (flank) almal in die eerste helfte agter Diamantveld se doellyn kon gaan kuier het, het die tuisspan nietemin daarin geslaag om hul verdediging in die tweede helfte aansienlik op te skerp.

Die Diamonds kon egter geen verdere punte aanteken in die tweede helfte nie, en Ruben Groenewald (heelagter) se drie het die span van Pretoria se oorwinning uiteindelik soet laat smaak. Groenewald is die seun van die voormalige Blou Bul-skrumskakel Coenraad Groenewald.

Vir Diamonds het Simon Liversage (buitesenter) vroeg in die wedstryd ‘n strafdoel oorgeklits, terwyl Carel Viljoen (vleuel) uitstekend afgerond het vir ‘n drie, nadat heelagter, Kyle Taute, die Pretorianers se verdediging oopgekloof het.

Liversage het daardie drie ook verdoel, maar dit was die laaste punte wat die span van Kimberley kon aanteken.

Hamman se drie kort daarna het die tuisspan se punte gekanselleer, en die wyse waarop Affies vanaf hul eie doellyn aangeval het om, binne enkele fases, die groot slot oor die lyn te stuur, het die momentum hewig in hul guns laat swaai.

Die Diamonds het hard gewerk om Affies na die breek in te perk, maar die besoekers was die beste span op die dag en kon hul tempo vir die meerderheid van die wedstryd op die tuisspan afdwing.

Nes verlede jaar, toe Affies met 27-0 baas was, was Reuben Pienaar (losskakel) ‘n doring in Diamantveld se vlees. Hy het was suksesvol met vier doelskoppe en het ‘n groot hand gespeel in sy span se aanvalle.

Affies kon nie gehoop het op ‘n beter begin vir die seisoen nie, vernaam aangesien hulle volgende naweek vir Helpmekaar pak en die week daarop die jaarlikse Noord/Suid-toernooi aanbied.

Hul vertoning in Kimberley dek die tafel vir opwindende bepalings teen Paul Roos Gimnasium en Stellenberg by daardie toernooi, teen die einde van Maart.

Met gevaarmanne agterlangs, soos Purchase en Groenewald, en ‘n stewige voorry, bestaande uit Ruan Smuts, Ethan van Dyk en Werner Vrey, lyk die Wit Bulle oorgehaal om ‘n skouspel te lewer wanneer hulle die Kapenaars pak.

Vir Diamantveld skuif die fokus eers terug na die Wesgrow-reeks, waar hulle volgende naweek vir Hoërskool Trio in Kroonstad aandurf.

Nadat hulle die eerste wedstryd van die jaar se reeks teen Voortrekker gewen het (18-6), sal die ligbloues gretig wees om hul momentum te herwin vir vanjaar se veldtog.

Puntemakers:

Affies 33 (26) – Drieë: Janco Purchase, Hendré Schoeman, Muntingh Hamman, Albert Smit, Ruben Groenewald. Doelskoppe: Reuben Pienaar (4). Hoërskool Diamantveld 10 (10) – Drie: Carel Viljoen. Doelskop: Simon Liversage. Strafdoel: Liversage.

Al die uitslae:

o. 19: Affies II 22, Hoërskool Upington 3; Affies III 38, Diamantveld II 18; Affies IV 27, Hoërskool Upington II 6; Affies V 36, Diamantveld III 21; Affies VI 34, Wildeklawer 12; Affies VII 53, Kimberley Boys’ High 0; Affies VIII 19, Diamantveld IV 3; Affies IX 66, Diamantveld V 0.

o. 16: Affies 24, Diamantveld 10; Affies B 7, Hoërskool Upington 3; Affies C 68, Diamantveld B 0; Affies D 53, Kimberley Boys’ High 0; Affies E 15, Hoërskool Upington 5; Affies F 12, Wildeklawer 7.

o. 15: Affies 47, Diamantveld 0; Affies B 50, Hoërskool Upington 5; Affies C 85, Kimberley Boys’ High o.16 0; Affies D 90, Kimberley Boys’ High 0; Affies E 66, Diamantveld B 0; Affies F 55, Upington B 0.

o. 14: Diamantveld 9, Affies 8; Affies B 88, Hoërskool Upington 0; Affies C 62, Diamantveld B 0; Affies D 20 Diamanveld C 0; Affies E 68, Diamantveld D 0; Affies F 38, Wildeklawer 12.

After suffering a shock 25-26 defeat to Hoërskool Durbanville at Porterville’s annual festival last year, Paarl Boys’ High avenged their setback on Saturday with a massive 73-7 triumph.

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The Boishaai squad made their intentions clear from the off, with their big flanker Rubin Dames muscling over for the first of his two tries within five minutes of the kick-off.

The boys from Paarl crossed the line a staggering 10 more times in the match to put away the Durbies and wash away the sour taste of last year’s result.

Dames and the wingers, Aiden Jacobs and Ashwin Swarts all scored a brace, while Jayden Joubert (lock), Keagan Smith (scrumhalf), Tristan Joubert (centre), Bernard du Toit (prop) and Shayne Lee “Muis” Simonse, who came on as a reserve, added their names to the scoresheet in Boishaai’s romp.

The Durbies managed to get on the board through their inside centre, Caleb Engelbrecht, and their backline threatened at times but, for the most part, it was the boys from Paarl who controlled the tempo of the game.

Boys’ High have another warmup fixture next weekend before they travel to Pretoria to take on Garsfontein and Jeppe at the annual NMI Toyota North South Rugby Tournament where the real challenges will begin in earnest for the proud team from Paarl.

The hosts of the festival were also on the receiving end of Boishaai’s wrath as they lost 8-40 against the Paarl Boys’ 3rd XV, and Overberg saw off their rivals Piketberg, thanks to 11 points from the boot of their flyhalf, Favian Arendse.

Scorers

Paarl Boys’ High 73 (40) – Tries: Ruben Dames (2), Aiden Jacobs (2), Ashwin Swart (2), Jayden Joubert, Keagan Smith, Tristan Joubert, Bernard du Toit, Shayne Lee Simonse. Conversions: Viaan Mentoor (9).  Hoërskool Durbanville 7 (0) – Try: Caleb Engelbrecht. Conversion: Claydon Carlse.

Overberg 21 – Tries: Morné Wessels, Lee Abotsi. Conversion: Favian Arendse. Penalties: Arendse (3). Piketberg 12.

Other results:

u19 – Paarl Boys’ High II 54, Hoërskool Durbanville II 0; Paarl Boys’ High 40, Porterville 8.

The WPNS league final lived up to all the expectations on Saturday as Hoërskool Durbanville concluded their season’s trilogy against Stellenberg with a nail-biting nine-run victory away from home to claim their second trophy in as many weeks.

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Stellenberg won the first match when they faced each other in an inter-school clash before Durbies hit back in the Sammy Bloch final last week. Both of those encounters were decided by fewer than 15 runs, so expectations were sky-high for another thriller when they squared off for a third time to battle for the league crown.

Batting first, on Saturday, the Durbies post 182/9 in their 50 overs. Tobias Roelofse led their charge with an innings of 48 runs off 52 deliveries, which included two sixes and a four, and which helped Durbanville into three figures before Arno Koen bowled him.

Before Roelofse stepped to the crease, Durbanville had found run-scoring tough in the face of an accurate attack by Koen and the rest of the Stellenberg bowlers.

Kyle van Santen was in fine form. He snared four Durbie batsmen in his 10 overs before contributing a solid 32 runs with the bat later on.

Lohann Pretorius and Jan Jak Alberts assisted in restraining the visitors, bowling ten overs each and conceding only 55 runs between them, but it was Van Santen (4/39), Koen (3/23) and JJ Rothman (2/38) who made inroads into the Durbanville lineup.

Replying, the home side’s top order started with a bang, with Koen and Ethan Vermeulen both scoring 44 runs. Then, Van Santen’s 32 helped them to 150/5.

Stellenberg looked on course for victory, but Roelofse wrestled back control of the game for Durbanville. They had to work hard and be patient, however. Yiva Dwaleni and Koen put on 67 for the first wicket before Dwaleni was run out and Koen met his end at the hands of Jan Oscar van Tonder.

The Durbies’ fielding was on point and proved decisive. They ran out four Stellenberg batsmen as they frantically attempted to get over the line in the final overs.

Still, the game was on a knife’s edge to the very end. With two overs remaining, and Stellenberg on 166/6, they appeared poised to secure the victory, but the Durbanville attack kept at the batsmen and were able to end the hosts’ innings on the second ball of the final over.

Xander van Aarde and Jan Kriel, aided by superb fielding, caused the late collapse and Durbanville captured the league honours.

Scorecard

Hoërskool Durbanville 182/9 (Tobias Roelofse 48, Jan Kriel 29, Xander van Aarde 23; Kyle van Santen 4/39, Arno Koen 3/23, JJ Rothman 2/38); Stellenberg 173 (Arno Koen 44, Ethan Vermeulen 44, Kyle van Santen 32; Tobias Roelofse 2/29, Jan Kriel 2/36). Hoërskool Durbanville won by nine runs.