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In a three-day, double-innings match, which started slowly on Wednesday but picked up pace towards the end, Boland Landbou came away with a 10-wicket win over Parel Vallei High on Friday in Paarl.

Having won the toss at The Stiaan van Zyl Oval, Parel Vallei opted to bat first.

Their first innings covered the entire opening day, lasting 130.5 overs (785 deliveries), but they were limited to only 198 all out at 1.5 runs per over.

Chris Hughes and Divan Sander tested the hosts’ stamina in their 53-run third-wicket partnership.

Hughes contributed a watchful 30 runs off 133 balls, while Sander, who continued to play patiently after his partner was dismissed, weighed in with 60 off 194. He struck nine fours, which was more than half of the 17 that Parel Vallei scored in their first innings.

Francois Prins, the Paarl outfit’s sole representative in Boland’s 2025 Khaya Majola squad, sent down 10 maidens in his miserly 2/20 from 19 overs. Kobus Conradie and Troy Davis both bowled 31 overs, with Conradie’s featuring 13 maidens and a return of 2/49, while Davis’s effort was even tighter, with 18 maidens and figures of 2/35.

In reply, Boland Landbou’s openers, Kobus Conradie and Gideon Kotze, provided their side with a solid 128-run opening stand. Kotze smashed four fours and four sixes in his 77 off 130, while Conradie blasted nine fours and a single maximum in his more contained 71 off 220.

Louis du Plessis, who entered at the fall of the third wicket, struck four fours and two sixes in his 63 off 125. In at seven, Gunther Schmidt was the last of the heavy hitters in the hosts’ first innings, cracking four sixes and two fours in his 42 off 61 deliveries.

Hughes sent down a marathon 35 overs, of which 12 were maidens, and picked up 2/86. Dirk van Zyl matched Boland Landbou’s Davis and Conradie with 31 overs of his own, which earned him 3/81. The most successful of the visitors’ bowlers was, however, Rayyan Wally, who took care of the home side’s tail and snapped up 3/40 from 19.3 overs.

Boland Landbou finished day two on 288/7. On day three, they advanced their total to 319 before they were bowled out after 114.3 overs at the crease.

On Friday morning, the Bulldogs headed into their second innings, trailing by 121 runs.

The second time around, their innings took up only 71.4 overs, but it produced more runs than their long first innings, with the visitors tallying 213 all out.

Gunther Schmidt was on song, knocking over 4/21 in 12 overs, while Matthew Geldenhuys needed only nine overs to procure 3/38.

Opener Ben Traut offered stern resistance, walloping 14 fours and a six in his 72 from only 106 balls, while Daniel Adonis and Ruben du Plessis chipped in with 34 and 32 respectively.

Set only 93 runs for victory, The Farmers went after it with vigour.

In stark contrast to Parel Vallei’s run rate of 1.5 per over in the match’s first innings, Boland Landbou rocketed along at 7.4 runs per over in their second innings, reaching 94 without loss after just 12.4 overs to claim victory.

Francois Prins blasted seven fours and five sixes in an entertaining and undefeated 73 off 50 balls, while Kobus Conradie made sure to feed his fellow opener the strike. His contribution was an unbeaten 20.

Summarised Scorecard

1st Innings

Parel Vallei 198/10 (Divan Sander 60, Chris Hughes 30, Paul Kruger 29, Luke Engelbrecht 20; Francois Prins 2/20, Troy Davis 2/35, Kobus Conradie 2/49); Boland Landbou 319/10 (Gideon Kotze 77, Kobus Conradie 71, Louis du Plessis 63, Gunther Schmidt 42, Johannes Goosen 27, Extras 20; Rayyan Wally 3/40, Dirk van Zyl 3/81, Chris Hughes 2/86).

2nd Innings

Parel Vallei 213/10 (Ben Traut 72, Daniel Adonis 34, Ruben du Plessis 32; Gunther Schmidt 4/21, Matthew Geldenhuys 3/38); Boland Landbou 94/0 (Francois Prins 73*, Kobus Conradie 20*). Boland Landbou won by 10 wickets.

Van die oomblik toe Minette Boshoff as klein dogtertjie vir mini-netbal ingeskryf is, was daar ’n vonkie.

Wat sy toe nog nie geweet het nie, is dat daardie eenvoudige begin ’n netbalreis geloods het wat haar karakter, werksetiek en drome sou vorm.

Haar ware liefde vir die sport het in graad 3 vlam gevat, onder leiding van haar gunstelingonderwyseres, Juffrou Surien, wie se passie en kreatiwiteit netbal vir Minette ongelooflik lekker en interessant gemaak het. Dit is daardie tipe afrigters wat nie net spelers brei nie, maar lewens verander, en vir Minette was dit ’n bepalende oomblik.

As senter vind Minette haar grootste vreugde in die vryheid wat die posisie bied. Sy hou daarvan dat sy reg oor die baan kan beweeg, die spel kan beheer en steeds genoeg geleenthede kry om ’n verdedigende impak te maak. Vir haar is dit ’n posisie waar elke beweging saak maak en waar haar instink, spoed en intensiteit saamwerk om die spel te laat vloei.

Een van die wedstryde wat vir altyd sal uitstaan, is ’n TNC-wedstryd wat sy vir Coach Amanda gespeel het tydens haar jaar in die Tshwane-span. Vir Minette was dit netbal op sy lekkerste, saam met spelers wat jou druk om ten alle tye jou beste te lewer, waar balle gedraai word, waar selfvertroue groei, en waar die hele span in perfekte ritme vloei.

“Dit was presies hoe dit vir my gevoel het by TNC,” sê sy.

Minette se ontwikkeling as speler is onvermydelik verweef met die plek wat sy haar tweede huis noem: Hoërskool Menlopark.

“Menlopark het my definitief die speler gemaak wat ek vandag is,” vertel sy.

Onder die mentorskap van Coach Manny, ’n afrigter wat bekend is vir sy briljante insig en vermoë om die beste in elke speler te ontgin, het Minette geleer om hard te speel, en nóg harder te oefen. Menlopark-netbal leer jou nie bloot tegniek nie, maar ook waardes: om met integriteit te speel, om goeie sportmanskap te toon, om jou spanmaats te dra, en om altyd trots te wees op jou werk.

Minette se drome reik egter veel verder as skolenetbal. Haar grootste aspirasie is om eendag onder die leiding van Coach Jenny van Dyk vir die Proteas te speel.

“Ek wil eendag groen en goud dra,” sê sy vasberade, en as daar een ding is wat Minette bewys het, is dit dat sy bereid is om die harde werk in te sit om daar uit te kom.

Sy weet ook presies hoe dit voel wanneer mense in jou twyfel.

“Iemand het vir my gesê ek sal nooit vir Menlopark se eerste span speel nie,” onthou sy. “Dit het my moed gebreek.”

Eerder as om tou op te gooi, het sy egter opgestaan, harder geoefen en harder gewerk, en in 2025 het sy vir die derde jaar as eerstespan-speler die baan betree. Haar raad aan jong spelers is eenvoudig, maar kragtig:

“Wend negatiewe kommentaar aan as motivering. Bly nederig. En onthou altyd, hoe hoër jou kop is, hoe harder is die slag wanneer jy val.”

Wanneer sy dink aan rolmodelle, kyk Minette dadelik op na Shadine van der Merwe, ’n speler wat deur haar werksetiek, vasbyt en ongelooflike spel Minette inspireer.

Nêrens skyn Minette se bewondering egter so helder soos wanneer sy oor haar ma praat nie.

“Sy is regtig ’n vrou na wie ek opkyk,” sê Minette sag. “Ek hoop om eendag net soos sy te wees en na die wêreld te kyk soos sy daarna kyk.”

Met ’n kombinasie van nederigheid, talent, harde werk en ’n ongelooflike sterk fondament, beweeg Minette Boshoff net een rigting in haar netbalreis: vorentoe. En elke tree wat sy gee, dra die belofte van ’n speler wat nog groot mylpale gaan bereik.

The CSA Boys National u17 Rural Week is nearing. It’s set to be hosted in Mpumalanga, from 5-8 December, with matches starting at 09:00 each day.

Uplands College (White River), Penryn College (Mbombela) and Rob Ferreira High (White River) will all be providing two fields each, while the White River Country Club will have a standby field prepared in case one of the schools’ venues becomes unavailable.

The event concludes on Monday, 8 December, with an awards’ ceremony being held that evening, where the batsman, bowler, all-rounder, and cricketer of the week awards will be presented.

The event features 12 teams: Northern Cape, Boland, Border, Eastern Province, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Border Kei, KZN Coastal, KZN Inland, and North West.

They’ll be divided into four pools of three each. For the first three days of the event, the teams will play 50-overs-a-side matches, which means there will also be games played between sides from different pools.

After each team has played three matches, semi-finals will be played between the top finishers from Pools A and C, and Pools B and D.

The same format will apply for the Plate and Shield semi-finals, with the second-placed teams from each pool contesting the Plate and the third-place finishers playing for the Shield.

All of the knockout matches will be played in the 20-over format.

GROUPS

Pool A – KZN Inland, Border Kei, Lions.
Pool B – Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, North West.
Pool C – Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Border.
Pool D – Boland, Free State, KZN Coastal.

FIXTURES

Friday, 5 December
Lions vs Border Kei, KZN Inland vs Boland, Mpumalanga vs North West, Northern Cape vs Eastern Province,  Limpopo vs Border, Free State vs KZN Coastal.

Saturday, 6 December
Mpumalanga vs Northern Cape, Border Kei vs KZN Inland, Boland vs Free State, Eastern Province vs Limpopo, Lions vs North West, KZN Coastal vs Border.

Sunday, 7 December
KZN Inland vs Lions, Northern Cape vs North West, Eastern Province vs Border, Boland vs KZN Coastal, Limpopo vs Border Kei, Free State vs Mpumalanga.

The knockout 20-over matches will be played on Monday, 8 December.

Tshepang Dithole looked comfortable and settled. The seasoned Hollywoodbets Dolphins opener had worked his way to 104 from 184 deliveries. The pitch was good for batting and, to borrow a phrase, the left-hander was seeing the ball like a beach ball.

Sipho Potsane, who had conceded 16 runs in six overs, landed the first ball of his seventh over in line with the fifth stump. Dithole danced down the wicket and tried to bash the ball down the ground. He misread the speed of the delivery and sent the ball to Richard Seletswane, who took an easy catch at mid-off.

It was a crucial breakthrough for the DP World Lions. It was also the Jeppe schoolboy’s maiden first class wicket.

“The team allowed me to express myself, gave me the room to be who I am, whether it was on or off the field. The guys backed me all the way,” Potsane told SuperSport Schools Plus about his first-class debut, which he made in October.

He finished the innings with 3/72 in 20 overs. In the second innings, he was unlucky to go wicketless, but it was, undoubtedly, a successful debut by the teenager, who helped the Lions to a draw after being made a late inclusion in the Lions team.

Potsane was with Jeppe at the Oppenheimer Michaelmas Week, at Michaelhouse, when he got the call to join the Lions. So, while his teammates climbed on the bus and headed back to Johannesburg, he made his way to Durban.

“I highly look up to Keshav Maharaj. I love watching him bowl. He’s got good control, variations and is experienced as well. It was truly special to share the field with him on my first-class debut,” said Potsane.

“I loved watching him bowl and [I loved] the chat we had after the game, sharing his experiences with me.”

He earned his franchise debut because of the value he brings with the ball as one of the most accurate and consistent spin bowlers in Gauteng. According to data provided by the Lions, only 2.09 percent of the balls from the 383.3 overs he delivered between 2024 and 2025 were wides, and that, of course, takes into consideration the fact that he is a left-arm spinner and the tighter calls made on wides in the shorter forms of the game.

In those 383.3 overs, he conceded 1 517 runs, and only 3.16 percent of them were wides. In layman’s terms, he cost his teams a mere 48 runs in wides. Those numbers matter because most young left-arm spinners tend to drift down the leg side and give up runs in that manner.

“He attacks the stumps and varies his pace very well. He is also very smart and understands batters, so he counters a lot of their plans,” Ahmed Nawab, the Gauteng Lions u19 coach, said.

Even more impressive is Potsane’s bowling average. He’s picked up 81 wickets at 18.73. His strike rate of 28.39 balls per wicket speaks of a bowler with the ability to work out what each surface needs, while his economy of 3.96 – remembering the figures include shorter forms of the game, which usually feature pitches that favour the batsmen – speaks volumes about his skill.

Those statistics cover Potsane’s matches for Jeppe, Lions u19, the Central Gladiators Cubs, and provincial trials.

The spinner discovered and then fell in love with cricket by spending time with his father, Jack. The older Potsane is a big fan of Test cricket and is an immovable figure when the longer format is on the TV while he is at home.

“I was 10 when I tried it out and found my passion after one practice session. I didn’t find just a sport to play but my happy place,” Potsane shared.

The spinner will be aiming to express himself and add value while sharing his love for the sport when he travels to Bloemfontein with the Lions u19 team for the Khaya Majola Week, which runs from 16-21 December.

He was a member of the Lions team that won the Khaya Majola Week in 2023. Last year, the Lions finished as the runner-up to Western Province. This year, Sipho Potsane, as the most experienced member of the side, is focused on helping the Lions to return to the top once again.

Sisifo Mnguni, the u19 coach of Highlands Park, has excelled in the Gauteng Development League (GDL), leading the team to the league title in 2023 and 2024.

In 2025, he and Highlands Park missed out on a threepeat on goal difference, with Mamelodi Sundowns snatching the title at the death.

In an exclusive SuperSport Schools Plus interview, he discussed the past season and his strategies for Highlands Park to stay competitive in the GDL Top 8 and other tournaments in 2026.

Mnguni, who is inspired by Pep Guardiola, said he also draws inspiration from other coaches, including from his fellow coaches in the GDL, to improve his game.

He was nominated for the Coach of the Year Award at the SuperSport Schools Football Awards, alongside Selekedi Mogale, of Mamelodi Sundowns, who won the award and the u17 GDL title in November.

The third nominee was Mohammed Bhamjee, of Kaizer Chiefs, who has excelled in the u13 division in the past few seasons. He moved up to the u14 division in November and won it. This season, Chiefs was the only club outside of Sundowns to win a GDL title.

Mnguni congratulated Mogale and Bhamjee, who, alongside him, have been the most consistent coaches in the GDL in recent years.

This past season, Mnguni’s troops came as close as one could come to adding another title without quite making it, with an upset loss to the University of Pretoria (Tuks) allowing Sundowns to close the gap to the front-running Lions of the North and, eventually, claim the honours on goal difference.  Both Highlands Park and Sundowns finished with identical records and 80 points after 34 matches, but the advantage belonged to ‘Downs on goal difference.

Mcguni said accepting ending second had been tough, and he emphasised a need for reflection and improvement for the next season.

“I am currently analysing the u17s to identify potential recruits for the u19 team for the upcoming 2026 GDL season,” he shared with SuperSport Schools Plus. His plans for next year are already in place and being implemented.

Although the Highlands Park u19 team didn’t win the title, Mnguni said he was proud of his team’s accomplishments, which included an 18-game unbeaten run.

In the second half of the season, five teams – Highlands Park, Mamelodi Sundowns, Randburg, SuperSport United, and Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) – were in the running for the title. With the pressure on, in September, Highlands Park rose to the challenge.

On 6 September, the Lions of the North defeated SuperSport United 1-0 and repeated that score in a win over Sundowns the next day. They also beat Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 and played to a 3-3 draw against Wits Junior on 20 September. They ended their month’s assignments with a 2-0 win over Randburg on 27 September.

Highlands Park is better known for finishing seasons strongly, rather than for starting well, and they frequently lose talented players, who transition to universities or colleges in different provinces, while others leave to play for other clubs within the GDL.

Smaller GDL teams lose players to larger teams, Mnguni said, but Highlands Park has a strong reputation for attracting talent.

One of the players that Highlands Park lost to a rival was Egan Freese, a 17-year-old, who now plays for Kaizer Chiefs. In 2024, at the age of 16, he was a consistent starter for Highlands Park, which successfully defended the league title. Throughout that season, the Lions of the North conceded only 15 goals in 34 matches and maintained 26 clean sheets, with Freese playing a crucial role in the centre of defence.

While top players favour teams like Sundowns and Chiefs, clubs such as Highlands Park have also developed quality players. Despite losing top talent, smaller teams must innovate to compete.

Mngubi believes the participation of top players in leading academies benefits national teams like the u17 and u20 sides, Amajimta and Amajimbos, which played in this year’s FIFA World Cup. Earlier in the year, the u20s won the Afcon title.

Mnguni feels Highlands Park’s talent has been overlooked for national call-ups and he has sought feedback from national coaches on how to better position his players for selection for South Africa.

On 2 November, the University of Pretoria (Tuks) beat Highlands Park 3-1, which was the break Sundowns needed to catch the two-time defending champion. That match had been postponed from 19 October due to the weather, with Highlands Park leading 1-0 in the 62nd minute.

Other matches were also rescheduled or due to adverse weather in October and November, which, Mnguni felt, affected his team’s title chase. However, that wasn’t the sole factor, he acknowledged, adding that Sundowns deserved to lift the title.

Next year, though, Highlands Park will be laser-focused on reclaiming the GDL championship and the wheels are already in motion.

The first Fairtree Sportfees powered by STADIO, will be hosted from 24–27 April 2026 at Die Hoërskool Menlopark in Pretoria – a sports tournament aimed at raising the standard of South African school sports and creating a highly respected national tournament for rugby, netball, and hockey.

The vision for the festival is clear: “to push boundaries in order to offer a highly respected tournament to a broad school market.”

With teams in the under-15 and under-18 age groups (rugby and netball), as well as under-18 boys and girls (hockey), the festival offers schools a unique opportunity to compete on a national platform, grow, and further develop their sporting standards.

A strategic partnership to develop champions

The festival is presented in partnership with Fairtree, STADIO, and Duitser Bosman Sport (DB Sport) – an organisation with many years of experience in the school sports market.

Die Hoërskool Menlopark’s world-class facilities provide the ideal home for a festival focused on developing top-level sport.

According to Barry van Blerk, marketing manager at Fairtree, this partnership is an investment in the future of young sporting talent.

“Fairtree wants to add value by giving more children the opportunity to play on a respected platform and be noticed,” says Van Blerk. “Menlopark is a school with a proud name and history, and excellent facilities, making it a privilege to be associated with them.”

Die Hoërskool Menlopark’s principal, Kobus Hartman, says the school looks forward to helping shape a new era in school sports.

“For Menlo, it is a privilege to welcome several strong schools to our grounds, and we would like to optimise our top facilities with this tournament,” Hartman confirmed. “Menlo hopes we can build a tournament that will add value to SA School Sports for many years.”

A tournament that promotes preparation and performance

Tournament organiser Duitser Bosman of DB Sport believes the festival will change the way schools approach their season.

Bosman emphasises the value of the main sponsors:

“In Fairtree and STADIO, we have two founding sponsors who are currently very dynamically involved in South African sport. We are privileged that they are starting this journey with us – one we believe will continue for many years – and that they will provide many schools with a sought-after platform on which to compete.”

“Schools’ preparation for a season improves when they know a tough tournament lies ahead,” Bosman said. “We believe many schools that take their sport seriously will use the opportunity to showcase how their standard of sport has progressed. We want to build the profile of this high-performance tournament so that schools will want to participate, and we want the experience to be truly unique for the young athletes and coaches.”

“Our hockey division is already full, and there are only a few spaces left in rugby and netball for schools that are serious about their sport. Visit our website (www.fairtreesportfees.co.za) to apply for participation or to find out more about the sports festival.”

Festival features and offerings

• A top-quality tournament for schools with exceptional sporting ambitions.

• Rugby: 2 matches per team against opponents outside their province.

• Netball and Hockey: Competition model that determines a champion.

• Fixtures for all three sports will be announced on 20 January 2026.

• Full match durations according to national standards.

• No entry fees for participating schools.

• Learners in school uniform: free entry.

The festival is supported by a comprehensive media strategy, including live broadcasts, a national media partner, and local radio activations

The Buffalo City u19 girls’ water polo team head coach, Paige Meecham, says her team is eager to get the ball rolling at the 50th edition of the Schools Water Polo South African (SWPSA) Inter-Provincial Tournament.

The annual event runs from 6-10 December in Johannesburg, with the girls’ matches taking place at St Stithians College, in the Olympic Pool.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools.

Buffalo City has been drawn in Pool A and will face the defending champion, Central Gauteng A, Nelson Mandela Bay, and Western Province B in the group stage.

SuperSport Schools Plus caught up with coach Meecham to discuss her team’s preparations and their goals for the tournament.

“The team vibe is really good,” she said. “We all gel really well together, and it feels like we have been together for years. We are all very competitive and working hard to achieve the same goal.”

The Buffalo City team features a large number of players from Clarendon Girls School and is bolstered by players from Hudson Park High, Stirling High, and Merrifield College.

Out of the 13-player squad, only four were in action at last year’s event, which was hosted in East London.

“We retained only four players from last year, three from the A team,” the coach explained. “They are Erin Batting, Jessica Schaefer, and Meka Loots, and one from the B team, Caroline Kretzmann.

“The rest of the team is pretty young compared to last year, when we had eight matrics.”

Meecham and her troops will be aiming to improve on last year’s sixth place finish. They suffered a 9-13 loss to KwaZulu-Natal in the playoffs on the final day in a game in which Erin Batting scored a hat-trick and Meka Loots also made it onto the scoresheet.

They are, undoubtedly, one of the underdogs but they will bring their best in every match, Meecham reckoned.

“We are planning to approach this tournament with fight. The girls know we can do well in our pool stage games.

“We just need to remain calm, play it chukka by chukka, and work as a team to achieve set goals,” she said.

“Our goal for this tournament is firstly to achieve our small individual goals; if we can do this, we can then achieve team goals for each game.

“With all the hard work these ladies have put in, they deserve to finish high up.”

Buffalo City’s campaign begins with a showdown against Central Gauteng A on Sunday, 7 December, at 09:00.

TEAM

Erin Batting, Kara Batting, Rania Khan (all Hudson Park), Jenna Botha, Elizabeth Cairns, Quinn Carr, Holley Jacoby, Caroline Kretzmann, Meka Loots, Megan Phillips, Jessica Schaefer (all Clarendon Girls School), Caitlyn Mthembu (Stirling High School), Janey Wood (Merrifield College).

Head coach: Paige Meecham
Manager: Stefano Zanoncelli

A group of 53 players from 34 high schools in 12 different provincial unions have been invited to SA Rugby’s u18 Elite Player Development (EPD) camp for girls, after which the squad will be trimmed down to 26 players that will prepare for two matches against an u18 team from The Netherlands.

The ground-breaking development was confirmed by SA Rugby on Monday. The camp will run from 29 November until 6 December at the Delsma Sports Farm, in Riebeek Kasteel, after which the smaller squad will move to the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS) for their matches against the touring team from The Netherlands, scheduled for 12 and 17 December.

It will be the first time that a South African u18 Girls’ team takes the field in an international match when they line up against the visitors from Europe, with a number of up-and-coming coaches appointed to take charge of the SA team during their two-match series.

Former Springbok speedster Jongi Nokwe, from Western Province, will be the head coach, and he will be assisted by Aneesah Adams (Maties, WP), Claudia Francke (Sol Plaatje, Griquas), and Lesego Malebadi (UJ, Lions).

Former SA Schools and u18 coaches, Katleho Lynch and Sean Erasmus, as well as Paetro Somerset will take charge of the EPD camp, while Springbok Women assistant coaches Franzel September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt, as well as Nokwe, Adams, Francke and Malebadi will also be involved.

The squad was selected and finalised after the FNB u18 Girls’ Weeks in Johannesburg earlier this year and follows on a successful similar exercise for u16 girls, which was held in Paarl during the October school break.

“Apart from the fact that this camp and the subsequent games provide a superb opportunity for our girls on the cusp of senior rugby, it’s also shifting boundaries in the women’s game in South Africa,” said Herman Masimla, SA Rugby’s Senior Manager for Development.

“With the EPD camp progressing into fully-fledged match weeks, our Participation and Development, and High-Performance Departments are working hand-in-hand on the pathway for girls.”

Louis Koen, Senior Talent Manager in the High-Performance Department, added: “We are also planning to hold a camp for u19 women’s players, and the aim is that the players from these two groups will progress into the Junior Springbok Women squad next year, with a number of matches planned.

“One of the things we’ve realised we need to improve on in the women’s game is opportunities at age-group level. Along with the FNB Girls’ Weeks, the u16 EPD camp held in October, and these activities planned for the next few weeks, we are actively addressing that and we believe it will not only create a better pathway for our women’s players, but that ultimately, the Springbok Women and Bok Women’s Sevens teams will also benefit.

“The appointments of Jongi, Aneesah, Claudia and Lesego to coach the side in their two matches next month, with a number of experienced coaches providing support, emphasises SA Rugby’s investment strategy into women’s rugby not only at a playing level, but also for coaches.”

SA Rugby’s U18 Girls EPD squad

Props: Ambesiwe Pontshi (Border, Bhongolethu HS), Katlego Bamote (Lions, Queens HS), Vuyiswa Gwenya (Pumas, Witbank HS), Isipho Dungelo (WP, Sophumelela HS), Ayabulela Valivali (EP, EZ Khabane HS), Likhona Masiza (WP, Sophumelela HS), Amahle Plaatjies (EP, Ndzondelelo HS), Oratlwe Baloyi (Bulls, Ramabele HS).

Hookers: Felicia Magagula (Pumas, Lowveld HS), Keesha Cloete (Boland, Klein Neiderburg SS), Marchelle Cedras (SWD, George HS), Ayabonga Ngema (Sharks, James Nxumalo HS), Orie Masizana (EP, Motherwell HS).

Locks: Mivuyo Pawuli (WP, Intlanganiso HS), Buhle Mxoli (Border, Siseko HS), Nokulinda Makhubela (Pumas, Hlume SS), Lebogang Tefo (Limpopo, Kgabo SS), Emihle Matyila (Border, Tsholomnqa HS), Beyoncé Muhlari (Limpopo, Hudson Tsani SS), Isekho Mhlontlo (WP, Hector Peterson HS), Sinelizwi Rasmeni (WP).

Loose forwards: Asive Iva Gaqa (WP, Ned Doman HS), Novuyo Ntombela (Sharks, ML Sultan HS), Luthando Mxokozeni (Border, Tsholomnqa HS), Ambesiwe Somsila (EP, EZ Kabane HS), Akeelah Rosetta Mei (SWD, Grootbrak HS), Miche Taylor Mars (Boland, Klein Nederburg SS), Hlekane Baloyi (Bulls, Ramabele SS), Palesa Matte (WP, Hector Peterson HS), Lindokuhle Nxawe (Border, Thubalethu HS), Chuma Lisa Isaac (EP, Motherwell HS).

Scrumhalves: Kaitlin Tronskie (Bulls, HS Garsfontein), Likona Dyani (EP, Motherwell HS), Danica Pypers (WP, Bellville South THS), Terenice Kriel (Griquas, HS Loeriesfontein).

Flyhalves: Nuha Levy (WP, St Cyprians HS), Catherine Stacey (Lions, home schooled), Nadelean Leeuskiter (EP, Humansdorp HS), Zusiphe Mthembu (Sharks, Sarel Cilliers HS).

Centres: Endinalo Fihla (WP, Usasazo HS), Julene Hass (EP, Arcadia HS), Nailha Jansen (SWD, George HS), Charmaine Marutla (Bulls, Patheng SS), Thato Mary Rantai (Griffons, Welkom SS), Jessie Schoeman (WP, HS DF Malan).

Outside backs: Kaline Motloung (Pumas, Witbank HS), Mpho Mxhanywa (Lions, Malboro Gardens HS), Anothando Mbada (EP, Motherwell HS), Nondumiso Molusi (Lions, Mokgome HS), Tamryn Booysen (WP, Tygerberg HS), Lukhanye Lolo (EP, Douglas Mbopa HS), Shanice Scholtz (EP, Middellande SS), Anita Fazi (WP, Langa HS).

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

A total of 13 players from the various SA Schools squads named earlier this year have been included in a group of 53 to attend SA Rugby‘s u17 Boys Elite Player Development (EPD) camp in the Western Cape.

The camp will run from Saturday, 29 November to Saturday, 6 December, and will be hosted at Hoër Landbouskool Boland, near Paarl.

Diaan Augustyn, Lwandile Mlaba, Jacobus de Villiers, Nathan Aneke, Thabiso Simelane, and Lamla Mgedezi all featured for the SA Schools team, while the SA Schools A representatives amongst the camp invitees are Juvan Burden, Nhlanhla Ndlovu, Mickyle Booise, Ethan van Biljon, Erin Nelson, Lucritia Magau, and Ncuthu Kepe.

The technical aspects of the camp will be driven by the SA Schools and A team coaches, Lwazi Zangqa, Cobus van Dyk, Flash Malinga, and Clinton van Rensburg, while the Junior Springbok coaching team are also expected to attend certain sessions.

“The u17 camp will see continuation of the functional and positional skills started during the players’ u16 year,” said Herman Masimla, SA Rugby’s Senior Manager for Development.

“However, this camp will also have a strong focus on the implementation of the game model that will be utilised during the SA Schools and SA u18 programmes, and beyond for these players, while mental conditioning will also be a focus area.”

SA Rugby U17 Boys Elite Player Development squad

Props: Zeake Mata (Border, Queens College), Clement Makelele (Sharks, Kearsney College), Matthew Prins (SWD, Oakdale), Makomborero Mandhihza (Lions, St John’s), Aphelele Chamane (Sharks, Michaelhouse), Nicolas Salamousas (Sharks, Michaelhouse), Lehan Barnard (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium), Stephan Jansen van Rensburg (Limpopo Bulls, HS Pietersburg).

Hookers: Adrian Smith (SWD, Oakdale), Charl Els (Bulls, Affies), Charles Whitehead (WP, Paarl Gimnasium).

Locks: Diaan Augustyn (SWD, Oakdale), Lwandile Mlaba (Sharks, Westville Boys’ High), Martin van Niekerk (Bulls, Affies), Juvan Burden (WP, Stellenberg), Jean Dreyer (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), Sambesiwe Ndamase (Sharks, Glenwood).

Loose forwards: Nhlanhla Ndlovu (Sharks, Kearsney College), Queenton Mcube (Bulls, Pretoria Boys High), Mihle Dyakala (Lions, Jeppe), Zay-Winn Januarie (WP, HS Durbanville), Hendrik van Zyl (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), Zander Muller (Sharks, Hilton College), Bulelani Cebani (Sharks, DHS), Jacobus de Villiers (SWD, Oakdale), Jamie Wimble (Sharks, Northwood).

Scrumhalves: Liam de Villiers (WP, Paarl Boys’ High), Mickyle Booise (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), Luke Doyle (EP, Graeme College), Caleb Bell (WP, Rondebosch Boys’ High).

Flyhalves: Ethan van Biljon (WP, HS Stellenberg), Anthony Jaydon Viljoen (Lions, Monument), Travis Pheiffer (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium), Achmat Behardien (WP, Wynberg Boys’ High), Louis Koen (WP, Paarl Gimnasium).

Centres: Dylan Stumke (Bulls, HS Menlopark), O’Ryan Kleyn (Cheetahs, Grey College), Ethan Barker (WP, Paarl Gimnasium), Olwethu Kosani (Sharks, Maritzburg College), Nathan Aneke (Sharks, DHS), Phano Letsie (Lions, Jeppe), Erin Nelson (EP, Graeme College), Tiaan Basson (WP, Paul Roos Gymnasium).

Outside backs: Ncuthu Kepe (Border, Queen’s College), Lucritia Magau (EP, Graeme College), Mendriano Abrahams (Bulls, HS Menlopark), Thabiso Simelane (Bulls, St Alban’s College), Tylo Hess (WP, HS Durbanville), Rhandzu Mkhabela (Pumas, HS Nelspruit), Drewyn Baron (Bulls, HS Garsfontein), Lamla Mgedezi (Cheetahs, Grey College), Lwazi Mbebe (Sharks, Kearsney College), Luxolo Sonkononkono (Sharks, Westville Boys’ High).

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Mamelodi Sundowns successfully retained their Gauteng Women’s Soccer League (GWSL) title on Sunday by scoring a 4-2 penalty shootout victory after a goalless draw during regulation time against Blue Birds at the Rovers Football Club, in Alberton.

Blue Birds, making their inaugural appearance in the GWSL, emerged as one of the most outstanding and unexpected contenders of the tournament.

They pulled off upsets in the group stage and on into the knockout rounds. In the final, they put up a fierce battle Banyana Ba Style and, although they didn’t claim the title, they emerged from the event with honour. After starting it as underdogs, they finished it as a formidable force.

In the semifinals, Blue Birds secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Electrical Ladies to advance to the championship match.

Sundowns, meanwhile, were taken to penalties in both the semi-finals and the final. They, nonetheless, came out on top in both contests to become the first team to successfully defend the GWSL title.

They edged out the 2022 champion and winner of the inaugural tournament, Diepkloof Ladies, 5-4 from the spot to reach the title game after neither side was able to score in regulation time. Diepkloof Ladies has a strong pedigree in the event. Apart from winning the title in 2022, they also finished as the runner-up to Raycon Ladies in 2023.

In the final, Blue Birds, despite being newcomers to the tournament, held their own against the reigning champions.  However, during the penalty shootout, Sundowns’ greater experience shone through as they converted four penalties while Blue Birds missed two.

After the match, the tournament director, Mondli Dube, expressed his sincere appreciation to every team, coach, official, partner, and supporter who had been a part of the GWSL.

“What we’ve built here is more than just a tournament,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus. “It’s a movement, a platform that continues to elevate women’s football and strengthen our communities across Gauteng.

“Having over 600 ladies come to participate, having 25 well-structured women’s teams coming from all corners of Gauteng and beyond, shows the impact of this project.”

He humorously remarked that certain individuals referred to the GWSL as the Nedbank Cup for women. The Nedbank Cup is South Africa’s premier club football tournament.

Dube said the enthusiasm, dedication, and camaraderie that was shown both on the field and in the stands clearly demonstrated why investing in women’s sports is not just essential but also a compelling action.

His message to young girls watching from home or at school was to continue dreaming, continue playing, and continue believing. “There is space for you in this game,” he explained.

“To our champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, our runners-up, Blue Birds Ladies, and every team that gave their all, thank you for raising the standard once again.

“And finally, a big shout-out to our partners, Gauteng Sport, Arts and Culture, Phoenix Elite SA, Edenvale FC, Rovers FC, Rhoda Mulauzi Foundation, MRM Sports Capital, aQuellé, and stakeholders for standing with us. Your support continues to make the GWSL a success story worth telling.

“From all of us at the GWSL, thank you, and see you next season, where we promise to come back even bigger, stronger, and more inspiring.

“The future of women’s football is bright, and it starts right here,” he concluded.

RESULTS

Semi-finals

Blue Birds 1-0 Electrical Ladies
Mamelodi Sundowns (5) 1-1 (4) Diepkloof Ladies

Final

Mamelodi Sundowns (4) 0-0 (2) Blue Birds