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SuperSport Schools Plus asked Stellenberg 1st XI Coach Michael Thomas: “What’s one thing that you’d like people to say about this current team when looking back down the road in five years?”

“Above all else, I want people to look back and recognise us as a team of fighters. We don’t see any need to back down from a challenge,” Thomas replied.

After the Covid-19 pandemic halted a successful start to Stellenberg High’s cricket evolution under Michael Thomas, the 1st XI coach spent some time indoors, sitting at his desk, and devising a plan to ascend the pecking order of Western Cape schoolboy cricket.

“I started in 2019, where we had a great season, winning 23 out of 25 games. I left because of Covid-19, and I returned in 2023, with the belief that we could build something special.

“I produced a plan to build teams over a three- to four-year period.

“I believe in experience, which is why we currently have more than seven players with over 60 caps. Last year, we had Kyle van Santen reaching 100 caps, and this season, Gerrard Kamalie will also reach 100 caps,” Thomas said.

“If you’re good enough, then it doesn’t matter if you’re younger than some of the other players. You can play u19A cricket. Part of the plan involves remaining consistently competitive. That’s why you need loads of caps.

“Currently, I am at 130 games as coach of the Stellenberg High 1st XI. Ending fourth at the Wildeklawer Cricket Festival last year is something which I also see as a highlight and a sign of progress.”

When asked about who introduced him to cricket, Coach Thomas responded: “My Dad. He bought me my first Gunn & Moore cricket bat when I was 3 years old. That got me going.”

His passion for coaching developed soon after he entered adulthood: “I always had a passion for teaching children, and had been wanting to give back what the game had given to me as a player over all these years,” he explained.

“I wanted to coach at the top level, and will always be grateful for the opportunity which Stellenberg awarded me back when they approached me about the position. Cricket is a sport that has always brought me comfort.”

Reflecting on some of the highlights of his time in cricket, Thomas said: “I played provincial cricket from u13 to u19 for Western Province. I then played One-A level cricket for 13 Seasons at Durbanville Cricket Club.

“As a coach, winning four times in four matches at the Paarl Boys’ High Festival in 2025 and 2026, beating Paarl Gim u19A in 2023, winning three Interschools matches versus Hoërskool Durbanville, and also winning the Northern Suburbs competitions last season in both the 25- and 50-over formats.”

Thomas also shared his sporting heroes with SuperSport Schools Plus: “As a player, my favourite cricket hero was Steve Waugh – hard as nails, and he never backed down from any challenge. Coaching-wise, Gary Kirsten always impressed me. He always speaks positively and remains calm.”

Turning the focus to the Stellenberg 1st XI, coach Thomas said he prioritises consistency: “I always wanted a team that will fight, but still do the basics well.

Over the years, we have learnt how to win the small battles; we do it by always doing the basics well. We are now starting to find consistency as a result.”

Stellies recently defeated both SACS and Rondebosch Boys’ High, and went down to Wynberg Boys’ High by a single wicket, in successive weeks – concrete proof that the evolution is charging full steam ahead.

Those results have made people sit up and take notice. Now, the focus is on maintaining that consistency. It’s Michael Thomas’s priority, and it has helped Stellenberg shake up the schoolboy game.

Corbin Tidbury slammed a match-winning half-century to help Graeme College secure a thrilling one-wicket win over St Andrew’s College in a tightly contested T20 match on the Knowling Field at St Andrew’s on Wednesday.

The toss went the hosts’ way, and they chose to bat first. With a concerted team effort, St Andrew’s totalled 139/8 from their 20 overs. In reply, Graeme College stumbled several times before finally scampering to victory.

The outcome of the contest came down to the final delivery. St Andrew’s could afford to concede a single or two runs. Graeme College, on the other hand, needed four runs to win. With the pressure dialled up to 10, Caleb Jattiem got under Thomas Bussiahn‘s delivery, launching it over the ropes for a six to send the Graeme College team into a frenzied celebration.

Jattiem, with an unbeaten 14 from 11 balls, was only the third Graeme College batsman to reach double figures. His heroic blast was made possible by Tidbury’s enterprising knock earlier in the innings. Tidbury had arrived at the crease in the second over and rescued Graeme College, lifting the visitors from 9/2 to 113/4 when he departed in the 15th over.

In a 42-ball stay, Tidbury weighed in with a well-played 64 that featured six fours and two sixes. He also combined with Zuko Pontshi for a decisive 101-run third-wicket partnership. Pontshi was the perfect foil to Tidbury’s free-flowing stroke play and finished the match with a valuable 36 runs off 37 balls.

Adrian Gaunt, who dismissed Tidbury and Pontshi in the space of three deliveries, also got rid of Andrew Muir in that same over and was the pick of the bowlers for St Andrew’s, snapping up 3/5 in two overs. Oli Whitaker, William Stevens, Rhys Wiblin, and Thomas Bussiaahn finished with a wicket each.

When Graeme College fielded, Andrew Muir, Luphelo Mdyesha, and Jordan Damons, with a brace each, ensured that St Andrew’s was unable to establish a firm foothold in the contest by taking wickets at regular intervals.

Muir and Damons returned identical figures of 2/24 from four overs, while Mdyesha’s four overs cost him 26 runs. Kits McConnachie chipped in with a single wicket.

Corné van der Merwe was the top scorer for St Andrew’s with 36 runs from 39 balls. David Chorley played with more urgency and registered an entertaining 23-ball 34.

Ethan Malan (17*), Ben Scharges (14), and Callum Taggart (10) were the only other batsmen who reached double figures.

Summarised Scorecard

St Andrew’s College 139/8 (Corné van der Merwe 36, David Chorley 34; Andrew Muir 2/24, Jordan Damons 2/24, Luphelo Mdyesha 2/26). Graeme College 142/9 (Corbin Tidbury 64, Zuko Pontshi 36; Adrian Gaunt 3/5, Oli Whitaker 1/25, William Stevens 1/25). Graeme College won by one wicket.

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.

Ryan Young and Ryan Parrish produced classy performances to help Jeppe secure a 25-run win over St Stithians College in their Johnny Waite Trophy match on the Dlamini Oval at St Stithians on Wednesday.

Young, the Jeppe captain, called correctly at the toss and elected to bat first on a dry and dusty pitch, on which the visitors compiled 115/9 in their 20 overs. The Black Caps, then, made good use of the conditions, bowling out Saints for only 90 runs in 18.4 overs.

The Black Caps were in dire straits when Young walked out to bat, off to a stuttering start on 10/2 after three overs. The skipper soon righted the ship,  joining forces with Aiden Reyneke (28) for a 60-run third-wicket partnership, which ended when Tajendra Naidu dislodged Reyneke in the 12th over.

Young, whose comfort at the crease made it appear as if he was batting on a different surface, cruised to 43 before being dismissed by Naidu after a 31-ball stay. No other Jeppe batsman reached double figures as the hosts ripped through their batting order.

Zaakir Hanslo was the destroyer in chief for Saints, snaring 4/13 in four overs. Naidu chipped in with his brace, claiming 2/23 from four, while Tendai Kadyamadare, who also bagged a pair of wickets, conceded 11 runs in three overs.

When they took to the field, Jeppe’s bowlers took a leaf from the St Stithians’ playbook and bowled tight lines that denied the hosts room to play attacking shots.

Ryan Parrish was the pick of the Jeppe bowlers, capturing 3/14 runs in four overs, while Zizi Mkhize and Keagan Cockburn chipped in with two wickets each, and Reza Ayob and Shreshth Kumar removed one batsman each.

Thomas Collins and Akhil Challa were St Stithians’ joint top scorers with 24 runs apiece, but support was sparse. Only Tendai Kadyamadare, with 10 runs from 12 balls, joined them beyond a single-figure score.

Steyn City vs King Edward VII

Sachin Sunker scored an unbeaten half-century to steer Steyn City to a six-wicket win over King Edward VII (KES) in their T20 clash on Steyn City’s A Field.

When Keegan Smallbone, the Steyn City captain, won the toss and chose to field first, his bowlers answered the call by restricting the visitors to 142/6 in 20 overs. It took their full allotment of overs, but Steyn City chased down that total, making it to 146/4 to claim victory.

Sunker, who arrived at the crease in the fifth over, struck an unbeaten 62 from 49 runs. Crucially, he was also part of four partnerships that pushed the hosts past the finish line. The highest of those was a 38-run stand with Smallbone for the fifth wicket.

Smallbone, who replaced Max Burroughs (11) in the middle in the 15th over, gave the hosts a much-needed boost with a brisk 20 runs from 10 balls.

Earlier in the day, Steele Grooteman had given KES a fighting chance with a belligerent 73 from 48 balls, a knock that transformed KES’s innings. When he walked out to bat, the visitors were in trouble on 21/3 after 3.4 overs. When he returned to the dugout, they had improved to 141/6.

Austin van Jaarsveld was the pick of the bowlers for Steyn City, claiming 2/30, while Kurt Losch, Max Burroughs, and Somaan Khan claimed a scalp each.

Summarised Scorecards

Jeppe 115/9 (Ryan Young 43, Aiden Reyneke 28; Zaakir Hanslo 4/13, Tendai Kadyamadare 2/11, Tejendra Naidu 2/23). St Stithians 90/10 (Thomas Collins 24, Akhil Challa 24; Ryan Parrish 3/14, Zizi Mkhize 2/17, Keegan Cockburn 2/23). Jeppe won by 25 runs.

King Edward VII 142/6 (Steele Grooteman 73, Keagan Hendey 19; Austin van Jaarsveld 2/30, Somaan Khan 1/18). Steyn City 146/4 (Sachin Sunker 62*, Keagan Smallbone 20; Tyler Cloete 1/22, Ryan Erasmus 1/25). Steyn City won by six wickets.

Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has named an exciting 31-man squad to travel to Tbilisi for a three-match tour of Georgia later this month, with four members from last year’s Junior Springbok squad selected for the trip.

The SA Rugby u20 squad is scheduled to leave for Georgia on Sunday, 15 February and will return home on 28 February following the completion of three matches, two of which will be internationals against the hosts.

The selection follows an intensive three-week preparation camp in Stellenbosch, which concluded last Friday. The camp included high-tempo training matches against two FNB Varsity Cup sides, Maties and UCT.

For the second tour to Georgia in as many years, the selectors have picked a squad featuring a blend of continuity and fresh talent. The group includes a quartet of players from the 2025 World Rugby u20 Championship-winning side, alongside a promising crop of players from last year’s undefeated SA u18 campaign.

The returning stalwarts are loosehead props Ollie Reid and Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka, hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele, and lock Riley Norton, who captained the Junior Boks to the world title in Italy last year.

In finalising the squad, the Junior Boks have continued their strategy of building squad depth and prioritizing the future pathway; hence the inclusion of several players who remain eligible for 2027 selection, among them Gert Kemp, Ethan Adams, Markus Muller, Zekhethelo Siyaya, and Luan Giliomee, who made his Blitzboks debut in Singapore before helping the Springbok Sevens to claim the HSBC SVNS Perth title.

Reflecting on the camp and the composition of the group, Foote said he was pleased with the outcomes of the latest training block.

“We have had a very productive period in Stellenbosch, and I believe the matches against UCT and Maties gave us a clear indication of where we are in terms of technical and tactical preparation,” he said.

Foote noted that the training matches and the forthcoming fixtures in Georgia would set the foundation for the 2026 Junior Bok journey, which culminates in the defence of their world crown in June and July, also in Georgia.

“Georgia is a challenging place to play, especially with the sub-zero temperatures expected, but this is exactly the kind of test we need to build resilience,” said Foote.

“We are looking for growth in our set-piece dominance and cohesion as we begin our 2026 campaign.

“They are a well-coached team with a lot of experience returning from last year’s international season. We expect very physical encounters, which is exactly what we need for our preparations.”

The Junior Bok coach also emphasised the long-term vision: “We are also building for 2027 by giving new players the opportunity to experience international rugby. This tour is a vital step in that regard.”

In addition to the physical challenge on the field, the South Africans will have to adapt to extreme weather, with sub-zero temperatures and snow predicted during their stay in Tbilisi.

Vuyo Gwiji (loose forward), Pieter van der Merwe (centre), and Alzeadon Felix (fullback) were not considered for selection after picking up niggles in camp, while Vusi Moyo (flyhalf) continues his rehabilitation. They will remain in South Africa to focus on their recovery, aiming to be available for the forthcoming u20 Rugby Championship in April and May.

Speedy wing Cheswill Jooste, like Moyo a member of the “Class of 2025“, is currently on Vodacom United Rugby Championship duty with the Vodacom Bulls and is expected to join the squad later in the season.

Foote admitted that narrowing down the squad was difficult: “The full training group made it very hard to decide on a 31-man travelling party. Players such as AJ Meyer (lock) and Reinhardt Viljoen (fullback) put their hands up for consideration and remain firmly in the mix for future camps leading into the Rugby Championship.”

Junior Springbok squad for Georgia

Props: Oliver Reid (DHL Western Province), Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kai Pratt (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sibabalwe Booi (Toyota Cheetahs), Danie Kruger (DHL Western Province).

Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Vodacom Bulls), Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Mahle Sithole (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Locks: Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls), James Schnetler (Fidelity ADT Lions), Riley Norton (captain, DHL Western Province), JD Hattingh (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Loose Forwards: Kebotile Maake (Vodacom Bulls), Risima Khosa (Fidelity ADT Lions), Mumbere “Wasi” Vyambwera (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Luke Canon (Fidelity ADT Lions), Gert Kemp (DHL WP), Reuben Kruger (DHL Western Province).

Scrumhalves: Matthew Fick (Vodacom Bulls), Hendré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls).

Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Western Province), Luan Giliomee (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

Centres: Markus Muller (DHL Western Province), Ethan Adams (Fidelity ADT Lions), Christian Vorster (Vodacom Bulls), Samuel Badenhorst (DHL Western Province).

Outside Backs: Dylan Miller (DHL Western Province), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jordan Steenkamp (DHL Western Province), Lindsey Jansen (Vodacom Bulls).

SA U20 tour fixtures (all matches to be played in Tbilisi, Georgia)

Wednesday, 18 February

SA u20 vs Lelo Saracens

Sunday, 22 February

SA u20 vs Georgia u20

Friday, 27 February

SA u20 vs Georgia u20

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

The unpredictability and thrill of schoolboys’ basketball was to the fore on the weekend, with St David’s Marist Inanda and Durban High School (DHS) pulling off notable victories over their highly-regarded opponents.

St David’s got the better of St Benedict’s College for the first time since 2023, while DHS ended Northwood‘s long unbeaten streak at home, handing the Knights their first loss on their home court since 2020.

In Sandton, St David’s made their home court advantage count by beating Bennies for the first time since they came out on top in the semi-finals of the St John’s College Basketball Tournament in 2023.

That year, they also beat St Charles College in a pool stage game, but went down 36-40 to the Pietermaritzburg school’s powerhouse team, which was powered by the dominating play of 6’10” Storm Gilchrist, in the final.

Saturday’s win was secured in front of an electrifying crowd, with the Inanda spirit palpable, as St David’s delivered a determined and disciplined performance to secure a hard-fought victory.

The win brought to an end a five-game losing streak against St Benedict’s. Following the victory, the Director of Basketball at St David’s, Elvis Ukpong, said: “It’s not just that we won the game, it’s that we did it by playing our brand of basketball.”

He also lauded his team’s fighting spirit and courage, saying they were the keys to a deserved victory.

Daniel Rautenbanch and Nathan Hwindiwy guided the St David’s team with poise and determination, and they set the standard for their teammates. Thendu Munyai, though, was the player who drove the home side to victory.

Next weekend, St David’s faces another stiff challenge. They’ll be at home against St Alban’s College –  a contest that Ukpong characterised as a fierce confrontation.

St Alban’s took on St John’s College on Saturday and suffered a 46-60 defeat. It’s a result that would have disappointed them, but it will serve as fuel to inspire the Pretoria school against a confident St David’s side. St Alban’s, season after season, remains a top unit, and they’ll be a tough challenge for St David’s

King Edward VII (KES), meanwhile, continued its dominant season with an emphatic 56-35 win over Pretoria Boys High.

Matters were far tighter in the clash between The King’s School Linbro Park and Jeppe High School for Boys. It went down to the wire, with King’s Linbro claiming a narrow 48-47 win.

In KwaZulu-Natal, Durban High School (DHS) ended the long unbeaten home run of the back-to-back St John’s Basketball Tournament champion, Northwood, which had begun way back in 2020.

School started strongly and quickly grabbed a narrow lead. Despite the Knights’ best efforts, they were never able to haul in the visitors, who happily celebrated a win that surely made the rest of KZN’s top teams sit up and take notice.

Kearsney College defeated Glenwood High 74-47 in a match that provided essential playing time for several of Kearsney’s bench players.

After going down to Northwood last weekend, it was a strong comeback and a decisive victory for Kearsney over the visitors.

They exerted their dominance from the first quarter, building a 27-15 lead. In a far tighter second quarter, the Botha’s Hill boys extended their lead. They didn’t score much, but they limited Glenwood to only two points, which left Kearsney 33-17 ahead.

In the third quarter, Kearsney opened up its advantage to 20 points, taking a 52-32 lead into the final quarter. They further stretched their lead to conclude the contest with a clear-cut 74-47 victory.

Kearsney College also took on the Kearsney College Old Boys (KCOB) team. There was plenty of pride at stake, and plenty of action for the spectators to enjoy. When the final whistle sounded, there were only four points in it, with Kearsney securing a 61-57 win.

It was an unforgettable match for Kabo Ramodibedi, who not only received his 50th cap but also lined up against his father, Napo Ramodibedi, who was part of the Old Boys team. His mother, Rethabile, watched from the stands.

Maritzburg College remains in high spirits following their championship victory at the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ) Basketball Tournament at the end of January. Over the weekend, College thumped Clifton College 84-21.

It was the latest in a long line of impressively dominant performances from the Red, Black, and White.

Westville Boys’ High, meanwhile, controlled the tempo of the game and were better at both ends of the court in an impressive 84-65 defeat of Hilton College.

Michaelhouse also claimed a victory, narrowly defeating St Charles College. ‘House held a narrow lead throughout, but they were never able to relax as Saints kept fighting tigerishly to the final whistle.

There were only three points in it at the end, with Michaelhouse triumphing 54-51.

In the Eastern Cape, Kingswood College secured a 36-10 win over BCM Irons while Queen’s College overran Dale College 52-11.

RESULTS

Gauteng

KES 56-35 Pretoria Boys High
St John’s College 60-46 St Alban’s College
Linbro Park 48-47 Jeppe
St David’s 32-25 St Benedict’s

Eastern Cape

Kingswood College 36-10 BCM Irons
Queen’s College 52-11 Dale College

KwaZulu-Natal

Westville Boys’ High 84-65 Hilton College
Kearsney College 74-47 Glenwood High
Michaelhouse 54-51 St Charles College
Maritzburg College 84-21 Clifton College
DHS 73-69 Northwood

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.

Connor van der Walt led a sensational lower-order fightback to set St John’s College up for a thrilling three-run win over Northcliff in their Johnny Waite Trophy match at Northcliff on Tuesday.

The hosts won the toss and decided to field first. The Blues accepted that challenge by scoring 175/5 in their 20 overs. In reply, Northcliff fought hard but came up narrowly short, finishing on 172/6.

Van der Walt produced an incredible knock under heavy pressure. The visitors were on 62/5 when he made his way to the crease. Instead of playing within himself, the number seven batsman launched a counterattack that catapulted St John’s to a winning total.

He smashed seven sixes and four fours on his way to an unbeaten 80 from only 39 deliveries. Van der Walt also shared an unbroken 113-run sixth-wicket partnership with Tapiwa Chikwava, who anchored the innings with 32 not out from 29 balls.

With Northcliff set 8.8 runs per over to win, Mabutho Mabambo set the home side on the right track with an aggressive 75 off only 43 balls at the top of the order.

The opener, who was in the middle until the 14th over, didn’t just keep one end intact; he also ensured that Nothcliff stayed within touch of the demanding run rate.

His half-century, along with 29 from Regan van der Walt and 14 from Rouxwan Coetzer, kept Northcliff in the fight. With two overs remaining, they required 19 runs.

Juan de Villiers and Ethan Robinson, who were tasked with defending those runs, held their nerves and delivered seven dot balls to keep Northcliff at bay.

Jamie McHugh (17*) and Caleb Henenne (16*) tallied 15 runs off the last two overs. Agonisingly, that wasn’t enough.

McHugh enjoyed a good all-round outing. He also produced the best bowling figures in the match, capturing 3/23.

Juan de Villiers, on the other hand, was the pick of the bowlers for St John’s with 2/28 runs in four overs. Bryn Gilmour, Tapiwa Chikwava, Ethan Robinson, and Jared Gilmour picked up one wicket apiece.

Tuesday wasn’t just a fruitful day for the St John’s 1st XI; it was also a great day for Avinash José, their u16A captain. He blasted 161 off only 74 balls to catapult the St John’s u16A team to 260/5 in their T20 against Northcliff on the Rice Oval, at St John’s. His assault included 21 fours and eight sixes.

Justin Fairley, who scored 19 from 10 balls, and Liam Barendrecht, who contributed 46 from 29, had the best seats to watch José’s innings. The skipper shared an 81-run second-wicket partnership with Fairley and added 159 runs for the third wicket with Barendrecht.

Thanks to the captain’s exceptional knock, St John’s u16A won by 96 runs after Northcliff replied with 164 runs in their 20 overs. Kellan White was their top scorer with a 36 off 29 balls, while Wade Warns weighed in with 28 from 20.

Summarised Scorecard

St John’s 175/5 (Connor van der Walt 80*, Tapiwa Chikwava 32*; Jamie McHugh 3/23, Aiden Gamma 1/35). Northcliff 172/6 (Mabutho Mabambo 75, Regan van der Walt 29; Juan de Villiers 2/28, Jared Gilmour 1/15). St John’s won by three runs.

Playing at the Stellenberg Cricket Ground on Tuesday afternoon, Wynberg Boys’ High was the hosts’ third southern suburbs opponent in the last three weeks.

It was a dangerous assignment. Stellies had beaten SACS and Rondebosch Boys’ High on the previous two Tuesdays.

The home side won the toss and chose to bat first, but they found the going tough against a disciplined Wynberg attack. Wilhelm Smet, batting at three, was the only batsman to make it into double digits, top-scoring with 23 off 25 balls.

Wynberg used only five bowlers, with all of them bowling their full quota of five overs.

Josh Nicholson tied Stellenberg down, capturing 3/9, while Damien Harris claimed 2/15 and Nicholas Stafford 2/20.

At the end of their 20 overs, the Jade Brigade had mustered only a modest 83/9, but they fought tooth and nail to protect it.

In the run chase, Wynberg captain, Michail Tarentaal, and Joshua Prince shared a 32-run fourth wicket partnership to lift their side from a precarious 12/3 after 2.3 overs, to a more palatable 44/4 after 8.2 overs.

Tarentaal bludgeoned two fours in his 15 off 16, while Prince hit two fours and a six in his 18 off 21 as Wynberg clawed their way towards the Stellenberg total.

A dangerous trio of Stellies’ bowlers claimed two victims apiece in their four-over spells.

Aiden Pienaar dismissed both openers for ducks in his 2/15, while Liam Fourie was more influential in the middle overs, knocking over 2/18. Gerrard Kamalie almost cleaned up the tail with his return of 2/12 in 3.2 overs.

Wynberg, though, scraped home in the final over when they reached 84/9 to win by one wicket with only four balls to spare.

Summarised Scorecard

Stellenberg High 83/9 (Wilhelm Smit 23; Josh Nicholson 3/9, Damien Harris 2/15, Nicholas Stafford 2/20); Wynberg High 84/9 (Gerrard Kamalie 2/12, Aiden Pienaar 2/14, Liam Fourie 2/18). Wynberg Boys’ High won by one wicket.

The prestigious Vides Water Polo Tournament, hosted by Selborne College in East London, will return for its 50th anniversary event this coming weekend.

The tournament, which attracts some of the country’s top water polo-playing schools, runs from 12 to 14 February at Selborne’s main pool and the Clarendon High School for Girls’ Aquatic Centre.

It promises to be yet another thrill-packed event, with schools from the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal in action.

St David’s Marist Inanda is the defending champion after defeating St Andrew’s College 9-5 in last year’s final.

Coach Dean Whyte’s charges are in Pool C and will take on Grey High, Glenwood House, and Paarl Boys’ High.

St David’s will be expected to get the job done against Boishaai and Glenwood House, but they’ll be pushed hard by a Grey High outfit that’s brimming with confidence.

The boys from Gqeberha, under the guidance of coach Ridge Snelling, have played some impressive water polo this season.

They impressed at the SAC Shield in Makhanda last month before finishing second at the Grey High Water Polo Tournament earlier this month.

Meanwhile, last year’s runners-up, St Andrew’s, will lock horns with Wynberg Boys’ High, Woodridge College, and Stirling High in Pool D.

The boys from Makhanda recently won the Grey High tournament, and they’ll back themselves to finish top of their group.

Wynberg will have other ideas, and they’ll head to East London eager to improve on last year’s ninth-place finish. Woodridge and Stirling finished in 10th and 12th, respectively, in 2025.

The hosts, Selborne, are in Pool B with Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG), Pearson High, and Bloemfontein’s Grey College.

Selborne fell short in the semifinals last year and had to settle for a bronze medal after beating Clifton College on the final day.

Pool A will be contested by Reddam House Constantia, Michaelhouse, St Alban’s College, and a Collegians invitational team.

The action at Selborne kicks off on Friday with a meeting between St Andrew’s and Woodridge at 15:10, while Paarl Boys’ High takes on St David’s at Clarendon.

Groups

Pool A: Reddam House Constantia, Michaelhouse, St Alban’s College, Collegians.
Pool B: Selborne College, Paul Roos, Pearson High, Grey College.
Pool C: St David’s Marist Inanda, Grey High, Glenwood House, Paarl Boys’ High.
Pool D: Wynberg Boys’ High, St Andrew’s College, Woodridge College, Stirling High.

Fixtures: (Please note*: The fixtures below are group stage matches. Playoff matches will be updated as the tournament progresses)

Thursday, 12 February

@Selborne College 

15:10 – St Andrew’s vs Woodridge; 16:00 – Michaelhouse vs St Alban’s; 16:50 – Selborne vs Pearson; 17:40 – Grey High vs Glenwood House.

@Clarendon 

15:10 – Paarl Boys’ vs St David’s; 16:00 – Reddam House vs Collegians; 16:50 – Wynberg vs Stirling; 17:40 – Paul Roos vs Grey College.

Friday, 13 February

@Selborne College 

08:00 – Reddam House vs St Alban’s; 08:50 – Selborne vs Grey College; 09:40 – Paarl Boys’ vs Grey High; 10:30 – St Andrew’s vs Wynberg; 11:20 – Collegians vs St Alban’s; 12:10 – Selborne vs Paul Roos; 13:00 – St David’s vs Grey High; 13:50 – Stirling vs St Andrew’s.

@Clarendon 

08:00 – Michaelhouse vs Collegians; 08:50 – Pearson vs Paul Roos; 09:40 – St David’s vs Glenwood House; 10:30 – Stirling vs Woodridge; 11:20 – Michaelhouse vs Reddam House; 12:10 – Pearson vs Grey College; 13:00 – Paarl Boys’ vs Glenwood House; 13:50 – Wynberg vs Woodridge.