The Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament title will remain in the Free State. That fact was known before the final because Bloemfontein’s Navalsig and Grey College met in the title game. Navalsig ended Grey’s unbeaten run, winning 2-0, to succeed Virginia High as the Wildeklawer champion.
In 2026, the Free State ruled the roost again. Navalsig qualified for the final with a narrow 1-0 win over the hosts, Kimberley Boys’ High, while Grey College and Clapham shared a goalless draw before Grey won in a dramatic penalty shootout 8-7.
The final was a repeat of last year’s Curro Halala Cup Bronze playoff at HeronBridge College, where Grey College won 3-1 from the spot after regulation time finished level at 1-1.
Both teams also contest the same league in Bloemfontein. Thus, with the familiarity of the players, a tight contest was expected, but Navalsig took their chance to lay claim to the title.
Individual Awards
Player of the Tournament – Lehlohonolo Ntjana – Virginia High
Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Unathi Mdladla – Navalsig
Coach of the Tournament -Patrick Malokasi – Grey College
Fair play -Grey College
Top Goalscorer -Nkateko Ntimane – Reddam House Bedfordview
Sportsmanship – Shala Phetlu – Grey College
Most Promising Player – Omphile Makaudi – Kimberley Boys’ High
Semifinals
Navalsig 1-0 Kimberley Boys’ High
Grey College (8) 0-0 (7) Clapham
Hoërskool Ben Vorster forwards’ coach Archie Norval and his charges will rest easy after another dominant display – the Buffels’ second in as many matches at the Fairtree Sport Festival hosted by Die Hoërskool Menlopark in Pretoria.
Openside flank Kobus de Beer was named the Man of the Match in the Tzaneen school’s emphatic 50–12 victory over Hoërskool Randburg in the penultimate fixture of the tournament on Monday.
He was a standout in a dominant pack, excelling at the breakdown and on defence. To compound the pressure he placed on the opposition, he also crossed the tryline for a well-deserved brace.
Another star performer was the Buffels’ tighthead prop, JJ Crewe. He impressed in Ben Vorster’s 55-17 victory over Hoërskool Dinamika on Saturday, and he again delivered an exceptional performance. His combination of powerful scrummaging and a high work rate around the park makes him a formidable opponent.
In the backline, flyhalf Lolos Letlabola controlled proceedings with composure. His tactical kicking was particularly influential, and he regularly turned the Hoërskool Randburg pack while placing his forwards in advantageous positions.
With the Pieties of Hoërskool Pietersburg having earlier secured a 47-12 victory over Hoërskool Tygerberg to round off a successful trip to Pretoria, and with the Virseker Noordvaal Cup fast approaching, anticipation is building for a compelling Limpopo derby later this year. Both Pietersburg and Ben Vorster appear to be operating at a high level.
In the match preceding the Buffels’ clash, Hoërskool Fichardtpark returned to winning ways thanks to Guiteau Petrus, who slotted a late penalty to secure a narrow 8–5 victory over Heidelberg Volkskool. The Fichardtpark flyhalf also helped to set up his scrumhalf, Ofentse Tseko, for a try.
The Bloemfontein outfit’s ability to disrupt Volkies’ rhythm throughout the contest, which led to numerous unforced errors, was key to them claiming a narrow three-point win.
Scorers
Ben Vorster 50 (19) – Tries: Johrné Davis (2), Kobus de Beer (2), Joshua van der Mescht, Lolos Letlabola, Josua van Eeden, Ryan Gerhardt. Conversions: Van Eeden (4), Letlabola. Randburg 12 (7) – Tries: Dwaine Scotson, Lucky Khumalo. Conversion: Hendrico van Reenen.
Down 14-27, with seven minutes to play on the Kolisi Field at the Standard BankGrey High Rugby Festival, SACS delivered a phenomenal three-try comeback to defeat Kearsney College 33-27 on Monday.
Kearsney produced some brilliant moments, with flyhalf Daniel Miskey putting eighthman Nhlanhla Ndlovu into space on several occasions, which left SACS trailing by 13 points at halftime, down 7-20.
A SACS victory was a blurry speck in the distance.
Kearsney continued their impressive playmaking in the second half, with outside centre Thomas Aylward testing the SACS back three with cheeky chips and grubbers.
The stubborn resilience of SACS turned the tide, however.
With only two minutes remaining, SACS worked their way into the Kearsney 22, going through phase after phase, offloading and driving ever closer to the KZN side’s try line. They refused to be taken to ground or to allow a ruck to form, and that paid off when their hooker and captain Zac Dall received an offload near the right corner, where he made the dive for five.
SACS will return to Cape Town with back-to-back wins in Gqeberha after also beating Selborne College 34-26.
After a 19-28 loss to Grey High on Saturday, Michaelhouse played with a raging intensity against St Andrew’s College on Monday.
As they did against Grey, Michaelhouse struck early, scoring within the first five minutes through their burly tighthead prop, Spelo Mfazwe. Just two metres from the St Andrew’s try line, he was the first receiver. There were defenders in his way, but his momentum took him over for the opening try of the contest.
The Makhanda locals struck back shortly after through left wing Qhawe Mdikizela, who finished in the corner after wriggling his way past two defenders.
At halftime, ‘Houseled 17-5.
The Balgowan boys were even more relentless in the second stanza, with their captain and eighthman Oliver Guy scoring the second of his two tries, followed by outside centre Fabiano Fierro, who powered through defenders and over the try line on two occasions.
St Andrew’s was unable to add a single point to their tally, and they struggled to make it into the Michaelhouse 22.
After a comfortable 41-5 win, ‘House will head back to KZN feeling substantially better than they felt after Saturday’s loss, in which Grey overturned a 15-19 deficit.
Like SACS, Kingswood College scored two wins in two matches at the festival, with their second coming on Monday via a 38-20 victory over St Stithians College, also on the Kolisi Field.
While the Lyme Park locals drew first blood with three points from flyhalf Matthew Anderson, the Makhanda outfit quickly got themselves into the game.
Inside centre Sam Dunne scored the first try of the match, and there was nothing subtle about it. He was the first receiver of a pass inside the opposition’s 22, and went route one, barging his way over the try line.
Anderson replied with two more penalties for Saints, who led 13-12 at the break.
While blindside flank Josh Mackenzie delivered a top-notch performance on Saturday for Kingswood, his brother, right wing James Mackenzie, delivered the goods on Monday, crossing for a brilliant hat-trick of tries.
His first two five-pointers were scored from chasing a cross-kick from scrumhalf Ryan O’Sullivan and a grubber from outside centre LunikoMarivate, respectively. His hat-trick try came when he broke off a maul formed 25 metres out and raced through to bolster Kingswood’s total.
Anderson delivered the contest’s last special moment. He kicked off just across the Kingswood 10-metre line, collected his own kick, and then proceeded to weave his way through the Makhanda school’s defence to score a spectacular try from 40 metres out.
Pearson Highlost 17-32 to Dale College on Saturday, but they bounced back with a big 57-12 victory over the Mzwandile Mali XV, leaving both teams with a festival record of one win and one loss.
Pearson flew out of the blocks and rocketed into a 19-0 lead only 12 minutes into the match. That brought a response from the Mali XV, who struck back two minutes later through their right wing IlitaMkapa, who wrapped around to the left-hand side and scored in the corner.
At halftime, Pearson was three converted tries clear at 26-5.
Their outside centre Henrico Ferreira came to life in the second half, scoring two tries. On both occasions, he cut inside and shrugged off a couple of defenders before crossing the whitewash.
The Gqeberha school continued pushing hard, never becoming complacent, despite holding a healthy lead. They ultimately ran in nine tries to two to sign off on a positive note.
Scorers
SACS 33 (7) – Tries: Josh Gorgens, Jordan Forbes, Stephan Kruger, Cameron Hirst, Zac Dall. Conversions: Jake Dave (4). Kearsney College 27 (20) – Tries: Tunga Griffiths, Luke Grobbealaar, Oliver Ludwig. Conversions: Daniel Miskey (3). Penalties: Miskey (2).
Michaelhouse 41 (17) – Tries: Fabiano Fierro (2), Oliver Guy (2), Spelo Mfazwe, Aphalele Chamane, Jack Carmody. Conversions: Alex Jankowitz (3). St Andrew’s College 5 (5) – Try: Qhawe Madikizela.
Kingswood College 38 (12) – Tries: James Mackenzie (3), Sam Dunne, Sinawo Bukula, Luniko Marivate. Conversions: Christopher Zimmerman (4). St Stithians College 20 (13) – Tries: Cameron Blignaut, Matthew Anderson. Conversions: Matthew Anderson (2). Penalties: Anderson (2).
Pearson High 57 (26) – Tries: Henrico Ferreira (2), Nathan Heyns, Sebastian Playdon, Kadin Kretzman, Matthew Rademeyer, Dewald Niemand, Keano Beling, Henrico Bodenstein. Conversions: Keano Beling (6). Mzwandile Mali XV 12 (5) – Tries: Ilita Mkapa, Onwabe Tanana. Conversion: Sibabalwe Gwinsta.
SACS defeated Parel Vallei 5-2 to retain the Hibbert Shield title. Photo: Mikah van Niekerk
Joy, elation, and relief describe the final day of the Standard Bank Hibbert Shield at Grey High School for South African College High School (SACS).
That’s because SACS, the defending champion, was able to retain the title. The boys from Cape Town were pushed hard in the final but recorded a solid 5-2 victory over Parel Vallei High (PV) at the Rectory AstroTurf on Monday.
Both teams constructed similar runs to the title-deciding match, which included topping their groups before heading into the quarterfinals.
SACS met their southern suburbs’ rivals, Bishops, in the quarters and won 3-1, while PV thumped St Stithians College 5-0.
Good, structured hockey, plenty of goals, and a tactical battle were expected in the final, and it delivered.
SACS threatened in the early exchanges and were rewarded for their persistence when Jan Dijkstra latched onto a loose ball inside the circle to open the scoring.
Parel Vallei hit back almost immediately. Their reply looked a lot like the SACS’ opener, with Andrew Moreby beating goalkeeper Ethan October from a similar position to Dijkstra to level matters.
Luka Meets, the tournament’s top goal scorer, netted one of Parel Vallei’s goals in the final of the Standard Bank Hibbert Shield. Photo: Nick Drinkwater
In the second chukka, SACS lifted their game further, and Cameron Cordeiro made it 2-0 before a spectacular solo effort from captain, Litha Kraai, boosted the Cape Town school into a 3-1 lead at the break.
The silky-skilled Kraai didn’t have matters all his own way, though, and his tussle with Stephan Malan added some spice to the contest.
Despite being challenged, the SACS talisman was unfazed, and he netted another blinder in the third chukka to make it 4-1 before Parel Vallei marksman, Luka Meets, pulled one back for the Somerset West boys.
Trailing by two in the final chukka, PV came out firing and took the game to SACS. Goalkeeper October stood his ground in the SACS’ goal, however, and kept Parel Vallei out.
At the opposite end of the field, Kraai caused the PV defenders problems. Another penetrating run into the circle resulted in a penalty stroke, and Kraai buried it to seal his hat-trick and the title for SACS.
With the 5-2 win, SACS matched Paul Roos’s record of three Hibbert Shield titles. The only other winner in the seven years of the Hibbert Shield is Grey High, who lifted the title in 2021.
Jeppe High School for Boys and Paul Roos battled hard in the third-place playoff on the final day of the Standard Bank Hibbert Shield. Photo: Supplied.
Other matches
While spectators flocked to the Rectory AstroTurf for the final, there was also huge interest in the bronze medal match between Paul Roos Gimnasium and Jeppe High School for Boys.
After being eliminated in the semi-finals in shootouts, both were eager to end the tournament on a high note by clinching third place.
As expected, it was a tightly contested affair from the get-go with nothing to separate the two outfits.
Coach Michael Baker‘s Paul Roos was in the ascendancy in the first chukka and opened the scoring through Luke van der Merwe.
Jeppe worked their way into the contest and found their rhythm, and that brought them a reward in the third chukka when Sbonelo Dishi levelled.
Coach Gareth Heyns‘s boys then sealed the win in the fourth chukka, with a Kade Lottering drag flick ensuring that their debut at the Hibbert Shield was memorable.
Grey High also ended their campaign on a high note with an emphatic 5-0 win over Westville Boys’ High. Keegan Le Roux found the back of the net three times for the home side, while Michael Gillies and DanteElkington added their names to the scoresheet.
There was joy for Bishops, who placed seventh after a 3-1 win over St Stithians College, courtesy of goals by Luc Dicey,Max Morgan, and Troy Stockdale.
Grey College, Durban High School, Pearson High and Garsfontein also finished with victories.
RESULTS
1st/2nd – SACS 5-2 Parel Vallei
3rd/4th – Jeppe 2-1 Paul Roos
5th/6th- Grey High 5-0 Westville Boys’ High
7th/8th – Bishops 3-1 St Stithians College
9th/10th- Grey College 1-0 Selborne College
11th/12th- Pearson High 2-1 Clifton College
13th/14th – Durban High School 3-0 Paarl Gimnasium
15th/16th – Garsfontein 1-0 St Alban’s College
Individual awards
Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Jeandre Cilliers (Paul Roos Gimnasium) Player of the Tournament: Mohlodi Maseko (SACS) Top Goalscorer: Luka Meets (Parel Vallei High School), 11 goals
Hoërskool Pietersburg recorded successive convincing 47-12 wins over Hoërskool Fichardtpark and Hoërskool Tygerberg. Photo: Hoërskool Pietersburg on Facebook.
Hoërskool Pietersburg and Ligbron Akademie concluded their campaigns at the Fairtree Sport Festival, hosted by Die Hoërskool Menlopark in Pretoria, with convincing victories.
The Pieties’front row once again delivered a dominant performance, with their hooker, Ziahn Lombaard, stealing the spotlight in their 47=12 victory over Hoërskool Tygerberg.
Lombaard demonstrated why he is a strong contender for inclusion in the Limpopo Blue Bulls squad for the Craven Week later this year.
He crossed the tryline twice from the back of Pieties’ powerful driving mauls. However, his performance was about far more than two tries; his relentless work rate, particularly on defence, stood out most.
Flankers Andru de Beer and Ignus Ferreira reprised the standout showing they produced against Hoërskool Fichardtpark on Saturday evening, with Ferreira scoring a try and De Beer being named the Player of the Match for his tireless contribution in open play.
Lock Ludke Pienaar also deserves special mention. His efforts alongside the loose trio laid the foundation for victory.
The highlight for the Western Cape side came when their outside centre, Abdul Isaacs, found space and ran in one of his team’s two tries from deep inside his own half.
Ligbron Akademie absorbed early pressure before powering to a 59–29 victory over Hoërskool Merensky Landbou Akademie in the opening 1st XV fixture of the day. C
Captain and eightman Henco Scheepers led from the front, with a hat-trick of tries underlining his influence on the match.
At the back, fullback Gaston Brown delivered a standout performance and tallied 19 points from a try and seven conversions.
Outside centre Armand Eloff starred for the Plasies. He shone on attack and twice crossed the Liggies‘ whitewash for tries.
The Bruinbere, the 5th XV of Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool(Affies), ran nine tries in a comprehensive 55-14 defeat of Hoërskool Overvaal.
Six of their nine tries were shared among three players, with Ben Swarts (eightman), replacement hooker Ewald Hamman, and utility back Liam Kock each crossing the tryline twice.
Menlopark XV 34 (17) – Tries: Gihann Parsons (3), Johan Vermaak, Eduan Bothma, Marco de Bruin. Conversions: Julian Nel (2). Dr Malan 22 (15) – Tries: Dylin Hopkins, Jason-Lee Oosthuizen, JJ Kruger. Conversions: Kruger (2). Penalty: Kruger.
Ben Vorster 50 (19) – Tries: Johrné Davis (2), Kobus de Beer (2), Joshua van der Mescht, Lolos Letlabola, Josua van Eeden, Ryan Gerhardt. Conversions: Van Eeden (4), Letlabola. Randburg 12 (7) – Tries: Dwaine Scotson, Lucky Khumalo. Conversion: Hendrico van Reenen.
Affies 40 (5) – Tries: Dandré Brink, Ewald van Niekerk, Juan Ferreira, Fourie Roberts, Estian Marx, Penalty Try. Conversions: Reuben Smith (4). Paarl Boys’ High 37 (23) – Tries: Liam de Villiers, Wian Delport, Dante Davids, Bates Winshaw. Conversions: Daniël Meissenheimer (4). Penalties: Meissenheimer (3).
Grey College 54 (33) – Tries: Hennie Bredenhann, Jaco Oosthuizen, Lamla Mgedezi, Xander de Beer, Niel du Randt, Christoff Crous, Ruan Roux, Caden van Rensburg. Conversions: Crous (5), Samson Lackay (2). Jeppe High School for Boys 14 (0) – Tries: Phano Letsie, Glodi Thsipamba. Conversions: Nazalama Mbhalati (2).
Paarl Gimnasium 47 (19) – Tries: Corne Niemand (2), Ethan Barker, Dirk Hugo, Bernard Schulze, Hendre van Zyl, Charles Whitehead. Conversions: Louis Koen (6). Durban High School 7 (7) – Try: Liho Konza. Conversion: Tanwil Onkers.
Paul Roos Gimnasium 15 (12) – Tries: Werner de Bruin, Albert Nel. Conversion: Daniel Whitehead. Penalty: Kyle Snyers. Oakdale Landbou 13 (10) – Try: Adrian Smith. Conversion: Caleb Williams. Penalties: Williams (2).
Boland Landbou 16 (10) – Tries: Juan Visagie. Conversion: Oloff Bergh. Penalties: Bergh (3). Noordheuwel 14 (7) – Tries: EC van der Merwe, Kieran Reid. Conversions: Heinrich Smith (2).
Outeniqua 30 (19) – Tries: Jean Capes, Gerrit Jansen van Rensburg, Logan Jacobs, AJ Botha. Conversions: Tylor Marais, Jansen van Rensburg. Penalties: Janse van Rensburg, Chunks Olivier. Maritzburg College 29 (21) – Tries: Rory Stanton, Lungelo Hadebe, Sean Jansen, Theo Boshoff. Conversions: Dominic du Toit (3). Penalty: Du Toit.
Helpmekaar 73 (28) – Tries: Shaye Lourens (2), Zuan Krige (2), Jeandré van der Merwe, Ruann Bester, John van Druten, Eben van Buuren, Daniel Kelbrick, Xander van Niekerk, Jayden Brown. Conversions: Ethan Kruger (9). Queen’s College 36 (24) – Tries: Mtokozisi Mbambo (2), Ncutu Kepe (2), Inganathi Mnunu (2). Conversions: Mnunu (3).
Stellenberg 31 (12) – Tries: Yuvan Burden (2), Ralton Rhode, Ethan van Biljon, Yanos Molnar. Conversions: Ethan van Biljon (3). Diamantveld 20 (17) – Tries: Franklin Stevens, CJ Meiring. Conversions: JG van Heerden (2). Penalties: Van Heerden (2).
The Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament title will remain in the Free State. That fact was known before the final because Bloemfontein’s Navalsig and Grey College met in the title game. Navalsig ended Grey’s unbeaten run, winning 2-0, to succeed Virginia High as the Wildeklawer champion.
