Verlede jaar het die telbord op Berepark 53-19 gelees toe die eindfluitjie tussen Hoërskool Garsfontein en die Blou Tornado van Hoërskool Waterkloof geblaas het.
Dus het die Klofies sake om Saterdagmiddag om 13:30 reg te stel wanneer sy paaie weer met dié van die Bere in vanjaar se Virseker Noordvaal Cup kruis.
Dit was die Bere van Garsfontein se tweede agtereenvolgende sege oor sy bure in die ooste van Pretoria nadat hy hom in 2025 se Noordvaal Beker-eindstryd op sy tuisveld met 36-30 verslaan het. Die Klofies se laaste sege oor die span in turkoois het egter vroeër in dieselfde jaar gekom toe hy, ook op sy tuisveld, met 47-36 vir die eerste keer in 11 jaar die septer kon swaai.
Die Klofies het nog slegs een keer vanjaar vasgeval teen sy ou vyand, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool van Pretoria (34-20), en gelykop gespeel teen die Kwaggas van Outeniqua (24-24) by die NMI Toyota Noord/Suid-toernooi in Pretoria vroeër vanjaar. Hulle het hul Beker-veldtog verlede Saterdag in Rustenburg met ‘n 33-10-oorwinning teen Hoërskool Rustenburg op die been gekry.
Die Bere, ook die verdedigende kampioen, het sy veldtog om sy titel vir die derde agtereenvolgende keer in dié reeks se Beker-afdeling te verdedig, met ’n uithaal-en-wys-sege oor Helpmekaar Kollege (49-24) ’n week gelede afgeskop.
Die Bere beleef self ’n indrukwekkende seisoen vanjaar en het nog net twee keer teen Jeppe High School for Boys (29-26) en Paul Roos Gimnasium (21-18) verloor.
Die stryd teen die Helpies het ook weereens beklemtoon hoe gevaarlik die Bere se agterste driehoek kan wees indien hy spasie gegun word. Dit is veral die tweestryd tussen die gesoute Drewyn Baron (Garsfontein) en die Klofies se jongeling, Alexander Griesel, op heelagter, waarna uitgesien kan word.
Dit sal egter die tuisspan se hoogste prioriteit wees om Baron en sy kollegas, Yuvrah George (regtervleuel) en Neil de Kock (linkervleuel), te smoor. Voorlangs sal Hugo Dercksen, die Klofies se oopkantflank, en Stefan “Kwagga” van der Vyver, aan die kant van die Bere se skrum, ’n behoorlike armdruk in die vastelos afgee.
In Boksburg verwelkom die gewonde Arende van Hoërskool Dr. EG Jansen vir Hoërskool Rustenburg. Die Rusties het baie goed vertoon vir die meerderheid van die stryd teen Waterkloof ’n week gelede, terwyl die Jansies klippe moes kou in sy 85-29 nederlaag teen die Wit Bulle van Hoërskool Monument.
Rusties se haker, Dandré Graham, was ’n uitblinker teen die Klofies en daar kan weereens ’n groot vertoning in Boksburg van hom verwag word. Die Jansies se Juan van Aswegen was ’n staatmaker vanaf die bank teen die Wit Bulle. Van Aswegen het ’n onmiddellike verskil gemaak.
Die spanne is:
Waterkloof t. Garsfontein om 13:30 in Pretoria:
Waterkloof: 15 Alexander Griesel, 14 Mieder Erasmus, 13 Meyer Pretorius, 12 Ben Steyn, 11 Jacques Janse van Vuuren, 10 Liam Schutte, 9 Marcel Tsiakos, 8 Almero Gerritsen, 7 Stefan Pieterse, 6 Hugo Dercksen, 5 Marius Venter, 4 JJ Brits, 3 Reinhard Duvenhage, 2 Stiaan Theron, 1 Wian Hetzel.
Garsfontein: 15 Drewyn Baron, 14 Yuvrah Goerge, 13 Levi Jordaan, 12 Keegan Knighton, 11 Neil de Kock, 10 Joshua Gouws, 9 Dean Wilbers, 8 Lourenz de Jager, 7 Derik Potgieter, 6 Stefan van der Vyver, 5 SW Potgieter, 4 JJ Fourie, 3 Ruben Lombard, 2 Justin Blom, 1 André van Wyk.
EG Jansen t. Hoërskool Rustenburg om 12:25 in Boksburg:
EG Jansen: 15 JJ van Rensburg, 14 Werner Breydenbach, 13 Duwayne Zeekoei, 12 Dian Botha, 11 Conor Louw, 10 Juan van Aswegen, 9 Joe Diesel, 8 Rudolph du Preez, 7 Jaco Engelbrecht, 6 Juan Harris, 5 Ivan Botha, 4 Ewan Pretorius, 3 Taden Bisschoff, 2 Reuben Freitag, 1 Marlo van der Merwe.
MORNE NOBLE (met bal), skitterende skrumskakel van Monument, tel sover vanjaar na die eerste ronde wedstryde in die Virseker Noordvaal Cup onder die voorste driedrukkers in die reeks. FOTO: Frans Lombard/Actionpix.
Die Wit Bulle van Hoërskool Monument het Saterdagmiddag om 12:30 sake om reg te stel wanneer hy en sy Krugersdorp-buurman, Hoërskool Noordheuwel, op sy tuisveld, die Ras van Rooyen, swaarde kruis.
Die kragmeting is Noordheuwel se eerste in vanjaar se Virseker Noordvaal Cup se Beker-afdeling.
Die Krugersdorp-muntstuk het in 2025 aan die kant van die Nories geland nadat hy met ‘n telling van 43-27 ‘n 24-jaar-derbydroogte oor die Wit Bulle op die “Heuwel” gebreek het.
In dié stryd is daar nie minder nie as vyf drieë tussen twee spelers, wat weer in vanjaar se derby uitdraf, gedeel.
Nories se staatmaker-agtsteman, Armand van Eck, se driekuns aan drieë het die grootste aandeel in die ligbloues se sege in 2025 gehad, terwyl die Wit Bulle se Logan Langeveld, wat tans kookwater-rugby op heelagter speel, twee keer die doellyn oorgesteek het.
Om die derby verder op te vlam, het die Wit Bulle se vertoning teen Hoërskool Dr. EG Jansen in Boksburg duidelike gevaartekens met ‘n wegholsege van 85-19 oor die Jansies gestuur.
Boonop is Ruan Genis, die Wit Bulle se gevaarlike linkervleuel, skynbaar onkeerbaar vanjaar en sal hy ook heel moontlik ‘n belangrike sê in die uitslag van die wedstryd hê.
Die Hoërskool Menlopark hoop hy kan sy skoknederlaag van 25-26 teen Hoërskool Middelburg verlede naweek in Middelburg genees. ‘n Sege oor Helpmekaar Kollege aanstaande Saterdag op sy tuisveld in die Jakarandastad sal net die regte medisyne hiervoor wees.
Die Parkies se pad raak geensins makliker nie aangesien hy ná Saterdag vir Waterkloof, Garsfontein en Monument die stryd moet aansê. Dit maak van Saterdag se stryd met die Helpies ‘n belangrike een so vroeg in vanjaar se reeks.
Om sake moeiliker te maak, het die Helpies, wat tans met beserings sukkel, baie goed vertoon teen die verdedigende kampioen op sý tuisveld, Berepark, in sý eerste wedstryd van die kompetisie waarvan hý in 2025 die naaswenner was. Boonop is die besoekers se binnesenter, Ethan Lourens, terug van besering.
Lourens sal aan tweeling broer, Shaye Lourens se buitekant uitdraf nadat Shaye onlangs die verantwoordelikhede as generaal van die agterlyn oorgeneem het.
Die spanne is:
Monument t. Noordheuwel om 12:30 in Krugersdorp:
Monument: 15 Logan Langeveld, 14 Migael Coetzee, 13 Blessing Monareng, 12 Juandré Ehlers, 11 Ruan Genis, 10 Jaydon Viljoen, 9 Morné Noble, 8 Ryno van der Westhuizen, 7 Roché Botha, 6 Siya Ncube, 5 Hanco van Geelen, Matthew van Deventer, 3 Carlo Claase, 2 Jaden Nel, 1 Dexter Chiwanga.
Noordheuwel: 15 Wilcu Roos, 14 Prince Agu, 13 Junior Flemmer, 12 Kieran Reid, 11 Tristan Helmand, 10 Tidi Moeketsane, 9 SW De Waal, 8 Armand van Eck, 7 Kean Lourens, 6 JB Blount, 5 Robert Hurn, 4 Jared Coetzer, 3 Stephan Botha, 2 Miguel Elliot, 1 Ruben Botes.
Menlopark t. Helpmekaar Kollege om 13:30 in Pretoria:
Menlopark: 15 Jody Abrahams, 14 Lucian Reed, 13 Danie Botma, 12 Dylan Stumke, 11 Zander Hamman, 10 Willie Pieterse, 9 Eben Botma, 8 Tiaan Boshoff, 7 Dewald van Wyk, 6 Jannes Eksteen, 5 Dawid van den Heever, 4 Miller de Jager, 3 Reandro Fourie, 2 Dian de Bruin, 1 Justin Toerien.
Helpmekaar Kollege: 15 Xander van Niekerk, 14 Ruben Coetzee, 13 Daniel Kelbrick, 12 Ethan Lourens, 11 Zuan Krige, 10 Shaye Lourens, 9 John van Druten, 8 Ruann Bester, 7 Diandro Botha, 6 Llewelyn Vermaak, 5 MC van Tonder, 4 Dewald du Preez, 3 Karlo Steenkamp, 2 Jeandré van der Merwe, 1 Daylan Ferreira.
Grey College will be looking to build on its recent run of good form when they face Paarl Boys’ High at home in a King Price Derby Series encounter on Saturday.
The team from Bloemfontein found their rhythm during the annual Absa Wildeklawer Festival with comfortable victories over Noordheuwel (34-12) and Jeppe High School for Boys (54-14), respectively.
Those were much-needed victories as Grey went into the tournament after uncharacteristically suffering three defeats on the trot.
More important than the two victories during the Wildeklawer Tournament was the manner in which Grey secured the wins. Their loose-forwards – Niel du Randt, Henru Erasmus, and Xander de Beer – found their feet and regularly got Grey over the advantage line.
Erasmus will miss the encounter against Boishaai due to injury. Boishaai flank, Steven Muller, is a former learner from Grey and captained the school’s u14A, u15A, and u16A sides. So the battle between the loose forwards promises to be fierce.
Boishaai’s head coach, Sean Erasmus, will have had a wry smile when he arrived in the City of Roses, where it has been cold and wet during the week. “If there could fall a bit of rain before or during the game, it would feel like we are back at home. It is a bit chilly here in Bloemfontein, but it is always difficult to play Grey at home,” said Erasmus.
Last year, Boishaai defeated Grey 25-10 at a very wet and muddy Brugstreet Stadium in Paarl. Erasmus’s teams boast two victories in Bloemfontein over Grey College, which is something few have managed. The last time they won under Erasmus in Bloemfontein was in 2017, when the score was an emphatic 46-31.
Since that defeat, Grey has only lost once on their home turf, going down to a 31-43 loss against Paarl Gimnasium last year.
Boishaai suffered a 37-40 last-minute defeat against the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool of Pretoria in the main match of the final day of the Absa Wildeklawer Festival in Kimberley. Their only other defeat this season came against Garsfontein (28-31) during the NMI Toyota Noord/Suid Tournament.
The battle between the two half-back pairings could be decisive. Grey College’s Christoff Crous (flyhalf) and Jonathan Drysdale (scrumhalf) will be in a tactical war with Boishaai’s Liam de Villiers (scrumhalf) and Daniel Meisenheimer (flyhalf).
Crous missed out on selection for Craven Week, while Drysdale made the Free State team for the tournament to be hosted in Gqeberha later this year.
The teams:
Grey College: 15 Lamla Mgedezi, 14 Caden Janse van Rensburg, 13 Eddie Mabena, 12 Ruan Roux, 11 Jaco Oosthuizen, 10 Christoff Crous, 9 Jonathan Drysdale, 8 Niel du Randt, 7 Arno de Bruin, 6 Xander de Beer, 5 Prestan Bennet, 4 Alexi Tyropolis (captain), 3 Hennie Bredenhann, 2 AJ Hendriks, 1 Frans-Paul Troskie.
Paarl Boys’ High: 15 Dante Davids, 14 Dirk Farmer, 13 Wian Delport, 12 Jeneal Davids, 11 Aleit Stander, 10 Daniel Meisenheimer, 9 Liam de Villiers, 8 Chris Nel, 7 Luhan Hattingh, 6 Steven Muller, 5 AD Faul (captain), 4 Trichardt van Tonder, 3 Bates Winshaw, 2 JP Norton, 1 Max Malan.
Hilton College’s Gilfillan Field will play host to the Sharks Schools Rugby Day for a second successive year on Saturday. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Hilton College hosts the Sharks School Rugby Day on Saturday. The top teams in the province meet at u14, u15, u16 and 1st XI levels, providing the Sharks’ selectors with an opportunity to see all the top players in action in one place.
Gilfillan Field hosts the 1st XV matches, starting from 08:00. Weightman-Smith will play host to the u16A clashes, Etheridge is home to the u15A games, and the u14A matches take place on Lombard.
St Charles College vs Clifton College
St Charles College and Clifton College get the ball rolling on Gilfillan. When they met earlier in the season in Durban, it was tight at halftime, with Saints leading only 12-7. They broke clear in the second half to claim a convincing 38-7 victory.
Clifton has returned to some of their traditional rivalries this season in a bid to build their rugby programme. Unfortunately, for the Durban school, their efforts have been undermined by a devastating number of injuries, which have shorn their 1st XV of as many as 10 starting players. They’re missing five players for Saturday’s match. That’s a problem for any school, which is compounded by the fact that Clifton is a smaller school compared to the others.
If there’s one player on whom to keep an eye, it’s Clifton’s vice-captain, Cole Nienhuser, their 8th-man, who has been consistently good throughout the season, leading from the front.
St Charles has endured a challenging season, but a 5-45 loss to Maritzburg Collegelast time out does little to point to a potential outcome on Saturday; College is playing good rugby, and they hurt St Charles with strong rolling mauls. Both Saints and Clifton will be aware of that, and they’ll have worked to counter and make use of them, respectively.
A long list of injuries has impacted Clifton’s season, but they’ll be hoping for some try-scoring successes against St Charles. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Coach Craig Dwyer‘s boys are usually good for a sparkling try or two, with scrumhalf Agape Nyawo, the conductor from the base of the scrum. Clifton will need to close down space quickly to prevent St Charles from exploiting their creativity.
Following the Clifton versus St Charles clash, a Tier 2 Urban side takes on a Tier 2 Country Districts side on Gilfillan Field at 09:30. That’s followed by an 11:00 showdown between KearsneyCollege and Michaelhouse.
Kearsney is a dangerous outfit, with an exciting attacking core of 8th-man Nhlanhla Ndlovu, flyhalf Daniel Miskey, and fullback Lwazi Mbebe. All three have shown numerous times this season their ability to rip apart opposing defences, especially on the counterattack.
In their most recent outing, a 14-14 draw with Westville Boys’ High, they showed a feisty defence, too. Limiting Westville’s dangerous backline on Bowden’s Field was no mean feat. The Griffinswere unable to score on the counterattack – a source of many tries this season – but they did force two turnovers and turned them into five-pointers.
Michaelhouse is a never-say-die outfit. They’ve lost three times this season. In two of those, against Durban High School(DHS) and Hilton College, the result could have gone the other way. They took the lead against Hilton with only three minutes remaining last weekend after a stirring second-half fightback. Against DHS, playing on Van Heerden’s Field, where very few win against the Horseflies, they were camped on the home side’s try line just before the final whistle blew.
Their only other loss, a 19-28 defeat to Grey High, was a disappointing result, especially since coach Marco Engelbrecht‘s boys led 19-15 at halftime.
Countering those defeats, though, are some eye-catching victories – including 28-14 over Northwood, 29-27 over Affies, and 40-36 over Jeppe. ‘Houseis never out of it and, it appears, they’re often at their most dangerous when they’re down.
Michaelhouse might be without their captain, tighthead prop Nicolas Salamousas, who has been dealing with a hamstring problem. That’s unfortunate. He’s a fantastic player and a rock in the front row, but the boys in the red and white hoops have knuckled down in his absence and done well. Their loose trio, led by Oliver Guy, functions superbly as a unit.
Versatile Alex Jankowitz has made the inside centre position his own. He can run through players or sidestep them, and he owns an excellent boot, too. He possesses the all-round skill-set that selectors tend to like.
Westville Boys’ High vs Northwood
At 12:30, Westville Boys’ High and Northwood go at it. Their heavyweight showdowns have delivered some thrilling encounters in recent seasons. Westville’s 16-14 win at Northwood last year was a pivotal result in an unbeaten season. In 2024, the Knightsupset the applecart, scoring a thrilling 30-27 win at Westville.
If Westville can gain parity up front, they’ll fancy their chances. Their outside centre, Jadrian Afrikaner, a South African Schools’ selection in 2025, has been one of the best backline players in the country beyond a doubt this season. Other teams understand the danger he poses, but understanding and stopping it are two different things.
8th-man Jamie Wimble is the engine that drives the Northwood pack. He was named the Player of the Tournament at the ABSA Wildeklawer Festival, which was no mean feat at an event that brings together most of South Africa’s best teams. He’s a multi-skilled load, a factor on attack and defence, but don’t look past his opposite number, Lwandle Makhanya. He, too, is a large-sized problem for opposing defences.
Northwood scrumhalf Ludi van der Walt has provided a tidy service to set the Knights’ attack in motion in 2026. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Ludi van der Walt, previously seen in a variety of positions for the Northwood 1st XV, has taken control of scrumhalf this season, and he’s been an outstanding performer. He possesses a good all-round game, which he can adapt to meet the demands of the opposition, the situation, and the weather.
Northwood is an interesting side – a side greater than the sum of its parts. Westville has more recognisable stars, including flyhalf Jade-Will Koopman, a Craven Week selection last year, but no match against the Knights is comfortable. Like every other KZN side, they lost twice at the ABSA Wildeklawer Tournament, but an 18-21 loss to Paarl Boys’ High and a 28-33 defeat to Garsfontein proved that Northwood is a team to be reckoned with.
Hilton College vs Glenwood High
At 14:00, Hilton College faces Glenwood. At last season’s Sharks Schools Day, they overpowered the Green Machine, roaring to a 53-15 victory. They head into Saturday’s showdown with seven wins under their belt, and they remain unbeaten. Glenwood has two wins from nine outings. Based on those facts, Hilton goes into the game heavily favoured.
Their focus will be on producing a complete game. They were superb in the first half against Michaelhouse last weekend, but ‘House dominated the second half, winning it 21-10, with Hilton’s winning penalty coming right on the final whistle.
One of Hilton’s strengths, which was at the core of their win last year, is their pick-and-go game. They’re patient, compact, and very effective. If they’re able to recycle the ball quickly, they’re all but unstoppable. Glenwood will need to slow down Hilton at the rucks. If not, they’re in for another tough outing.
Will Glenwood’s Sambesiwe Ndamase oppose Andrew Schnell directly in the lineout? That would be an interesting match-up. Ndamase, at 1.96m tall and weighing 110 kilograms, is a big unit, but Schnell is no small man either, and he’s a force in the set-piece. As much as any member of Hilton’s side, he was responsible for last weekend’s win over Michaelhouse because of his lineout excellence.
The men who throw the ball in, Tyler Leon (Glenwood) and Kyle-Rees Clements (Hilton), offer a lot more than contributions to the set pieces. Leon, especially, has put together an entertaining highlight reel of powerful runs.
If Glenwood is to challenge Hilton, they’ll need to bring the exciting Rosco Williams into the game more. The Glenwood fullback is a surgeon when it comes to slicing through defences on the counterattack. Hilton, though, is usually good at closing down space. Their halfback combo of Benoit Rey and John Grubb both possess good kicking games, and Grubb is also effective as a runner.
Someone else worth mentioning is Hilton no.8, Zander Muller. He was a member of the Craven Week team in 2025, along with Northwood’s Jamie Wimble. The selectors didn’t stop there with 8th-men, also including Westville’s Lwamdile Simelane and Maritzburg College’s Wasi Vyambwera.
Muller and Wimble are both outstanding performers at the back of the pack. So, too, is Kearsney College’s captain, Nhlanhla Ndlovu, a smaller player, but dynamic, athletic, and a difference-maker if he finds space. One suspects the selectors will lean towards choosing more than two no. 8s again.
DHS will come out firing against Maritzburg College after a disappointing last outing against Paarl Gimnasium. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Maritzburg College vs Durban High School
The day ends on a high note, with Maritzburg College facing Durban High School (DHS) at 15:30. It should be a very interesting game.
After opening the season with five wins on the trot, DHS have lost two in a row, going down to Monument and Paarl Gimnasium at the ABSA Wildeklawer Tournament.
Forget those results for a moment, the fact that the Horseflieswere put up against Monnasand Gimmiesspeaks volumes about the high regard that School has earned in recent seasons. Now, coming back to the results, their 7-47 loss to Gim will have hurt their pride. No doubt, they will feel they let themselves down. Maritzburg College will have to deal with the backlash.
College dropped their first two matches of the season, then won four in a row. At the ABSA Wildeklawer tournament, they, too, lost two, but the Red, Black, and White came away from the event in Kimberley with their reputation enhanced.
They gave Stellenberg – the number one team in the country in most people’s books this season – a huge battle, eventually succumbing 19-24. They also fell to Outeniqua, with the Kwaggaslanding a last-second penalty to snatch a 30-29 win. Last weekend, College outplayed St Charles 45-5.
They’re playing good rugby. The battle up front against DHS is going to be extremely physical. Hooker Theo Boshoff, the scorer of four tries against Saints, will be at the forefront of their challenge.
Again, some of the focus will be taken by the no. 8s. Zion Smith, the DHS captain, has an incredible engine, and he’s a stellar lineout performer. Rory Stanton, his opposite number, brings a typical College lunch-pail mentality to the position – substance over flash.
In the backline, DHS boasts SA Schools’ centre, Nathan Aneke. He’s such a smooth operator, gliding through holes, rather than forcing his way through. College will need to ensure their defensive line is aligned to contain him.
DHS will have to be disciplined, too. Scrumhalf Dom du Toit is a fantastic goal kicker, and anything within 40 metres is usually a sure-fire three points for College. He also does a good job of getting the College backline moving.
DHS scrumhalf Richaard Kriel presents a different challenge. He’s always on the lookout for gaps around the fringes, and he possesses serious pace, the type of searing speed that keeps defenders honest and hurts them if they aren’t.
Die Hoërskool Sentraal se eerste netbalspan het sonder twyfel ‘n appeltjie met hul mees gedugte teenstander in die Rosestad, Oranje, te skil.
Die twee spanne ontmoet mekaar Donderdag om 17:30 in die Suzuki Netball Power Series op Oranje se baan. Die kragmeting is ook deel van die Motheo-liga.
Oranje het die afgelope paar jaar die botoon teen die Tralies op die netbalbaan op eerstespanvlak gevoer. Hy het verlede jaar vir Sentraal met 21-13 in die eindstryd van die Vrystaatbeker verslaan.
Dit was ook die laaste ontmoeting tussen die twee skole se eerstespanne. Oranje sal weer vanjaar die baan as die gunsteling tussen die twee spanne betree, maar dit beloof om ‘n veel moeiliker uitdaging te wees.
Oranje was reeds vanjaar in die Suzuki Netball Power Series in aksie. Hy het teen die Hoër Meisieskool Paarl met 11-31 die knie op 18 April gebuig. Die Tralies sal Donderdag hul buiging in die reeks maak.
Volgens Sentraal se hoofafrigter, Cora-Lee Venter, is haar span se grootste fokuspunt om foutlose netbal tydens die kragmeting op te dis. Die span se Ceinwin Lindeque (S/AV) en Kayleigh Parsons (V/HV) is onlangs tot die Motheo Metro-span opgeneem.
Albei die spanne was op Menlopark se Netbal-toernooi vroeër vanjaar in aksie. Oranje het hier goed gevaar en sy beste vertonings was waarskynlik in sy drie wedstryde op die tweede dag van die toernooi. Hoewel hy die knie teen Helpmekaar Kollege (17-21), HMS Paarl (16-21) en Menlopark (20-25) gebuig het, het die span hom goed van sy taak gekwyt.
Die Tralies het ook tydens die toernooi teen Helpmekaar (10-30), Menlopark (12-26) en HMS Paarl (11-16) vasgeval.
Die tuisspan word deur Anja Cohen (verdedigende vleuel) aangevoer. Sy aanvanklike kaptein, Karin Truter, is beseer. Haar ma, Flolinda Marais, het 36 jaar gelede ook Oranje se eerstespan op die baan gelei.
Die spanne is:
Sentraal: Dani Fourie (D/HD), Huibré Goosen (HD/AV), Sunél Fourie (AV/VV), Ceinwin Lindeque (S/AV), Kara Fourie (VV), Kyla Myburg (HV/VV), Kayleigh Parsons (V/HV), Su-Hesri van Zyl (D), Anneen Posthumus (V).
Oranje: Louise Liebenberg (D), Mienke du Plessis (HD), Roné Strydom (AV), Savanah Olivier (S), Anja Cohen (VV, kaptein), Carli Uys (HV), Erika Reynolds (V), Cara Louw, Lu-ann Visser.
Grey High will aim to continue a flawless run against Queen’s College at the Rectory AstroTurf. Photo: Avuyile Sawula.
Two of the Eastern Cape’s hockey powerhouses, Grey High School and Selborne College, return to action this coming weekend with big derby clashes.
Grey High hosts Queen’s College of Komani in their annual reunion clash in Gqeberha, while Selborne undertakes a short trip to Qonce to face Dale College on the home side’s 165th Reunion weekend.
Grey, the hosts, finished in fifth place, while Selborne showed character to bounce back from a poor opening day and seal a top-10 finish.
Both will be fancied to get the job done on Saturday. However, 2026 has been the most unpredictable season in forever.
At the Hibbert Shield, Grey produced some enterprising hockey, especially in the latter parts of the tournament.
After going down 2-3 to Paul Roos Gimnasium(PRG) in the quarterfinals, they ended with an emphatic 5-0 win over Westville Boys’ High.
Playing on their Rectory AstroTurf will also give the Azzurri a boost. It will be a final Reunion outing for Grey’s senior players, who will be motivated to deliver a stylish win.
Skipper Logan Goddard-Ford has been at the forefront of Grey’s challenge this season, with strong support from Keegan Le Roux, Dante Elkington, and Dale Jennings.
Coach Andrew Beynon will also bank on youngsters, David Stevenson, Michael Gillies, and Logan Meyer, while Ben Oosthuizen has been solid in goal.
For Queen’s, the clash is an opportunity to deliver a statement performance against a highly-regarded side.
In their last match, they beat Dale College 3-0 on their Reunion Weekend in Komani. Coach Michael Baiden will urge his side to build upon that win.
Queen’s has played some good hockey this season, and they’ll look to Asisipho Vena, Duncan Hayes, and skipper Yibonge Mquqwana to rise to the occasion in their quest for victory.
While Grey High and Queen’s two battle it out in Gqeberha, Dale would love nothing more than delivering their supporters a Reunion gift by winning against Selborne.
Last season, however, it wasn’t close, with the KuGompo City school overwhelming Dale 10-1 and 7-0.
Coach KJ Friend‘s team showed massive improvements in the latter parts of the Hibbert Shield when they defeated Durban High School (DHS) 3-2 and Pearson 2-1.
They’ll look to Reid Drake to fire from penalty corners, while they’ll also lean on the experience of Avethandwa Manyonga, Adam de Lange, Saneze Kweba, and Inathi Gxobole.
In other matches, Cambridge High School tackles Graeme College in Makhanda two days after beating Merrifield College 3-0.
Hudson Park has a date with Kingswood College, while Stirling High will tussle with St Andrew’s College on home turf.
FIXTURES
Friday, 8 May
15:30 – Stirling High vs St Andrew’s College
15:30 – Graeme College vs Cambridge High
16:00 – Dale College vs Selborne College
16:00 – Hudson Park vs Kingswood College
18:00 – Grey High vs Queen’s College
GQEBERHA, SOUTH AFRICA – MAY 03: Try scorer Yaqeen Ahmed of South Africa during the U20 Rugby Championship match between South Africa and Australia at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Gqeberha, South Africa. (Photo by Richard Huggard/Gallo Images)
Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has opted for continuity for their Under-20 Rugby Championship decider against New Zealand on Saturday, making just one change to the matchday squad for the final encounter at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
Kick-off is scheduled for 16h10, with the match broadcast live on SuperSport. Tickets are available by clicking here.
The only adjustment to the team that defeated Australia last weekend is on the replacements bench, where loose forward Risima Khosa returns in place of Gert Kemp in an otherwise settled squad.
South Africa currently top the standings on 10 points and require just a single log point from Saturday’s clash to clinch the U20 Rugby Championship title for the first time.
Despite New Zealand’s recent stumble against Argentina, Foote believes the rivalry with the Kiwis remains the ultimate challenge for any South African rugby player, and feels the stage is set for another classic encounter between the two traditional rivals in the Friendly City.
“For us in rugby, it doesn’t get better than South Africa versus New Zealand,” said Foote.
“They are our greatest rivals and the opportunity to play them in front of the Gqeberha crowd at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a privilege for everyone involved with the Junior Boks.
“We have huge respect for the New Zealanders and, like us, they will be highly motivated to end the tournament on a high.”
A combined total of more than 20,000 supporters attended the opening two rounds at the NMB Stadium, prompting Foote to emphasise the impact of home support.
“There is a unique energy that comes with playing in the Eastern Cape,” he said.
“We’ve felt the passion from the Gqeberha crowd since we arrived here two weeks ago and having that passionate support behind us means a great deal to the team.”
GQEBERHA, SOUTH AFRICA – MAY 03: Ball carrier Luke Canon of South Africa during the U20 Rugby Championship match between South Africa and Australia at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Gqeberha, South Africa. (Photo by Richard Huggard/Gallo Images)
Looking ahead to the final round, Foote stressed that the team’s focus extends beyond silverware: “Our objective on Saturday is about more than just the trophy – it’s about our growth and continuing the journey we’ve started with this group.
“These two teams have a history of producing memorable encounters when they meet, and it’s every South African rugby player’s dream to stand facing the haka and take on New Zealand.”
Foote added that he was pleased with the team’s preparation for the clash: “We’ve had a good week of preparation. The players are excited for this massive challenge, and the staff have done a tremendous job in keeping the group close-knit and in a very positive space.
“Gqeberha is a wonderful venue to host an international tournament such as the U20 Rugby Championship, and the people of the Eastern Cape have been outstanding hosts. We hope to repay that support with a quality performance against our greatest rivals on Saturday,” he added.
Worcester Gimnasium plays host to Hoërskool Brackenfell on Saturday. Photo: HS Brackenfell.
Hoërskool Parel Vallei(PV) has run up an impressive seven successive victories this season, and they’ll go for number eight when they host DF Akademie(DF) at 12:10 on Saturday.
Last year, PV won 26-10 and, given their growing run of successes this season, they’ll be confident of winning again.
Fullback Shudley Rhoda is an electric and clinical finisher that the visitors will need to keep an eye on, while inside centre Brad Brown provides a more direct threat with his physical prowess.
The Somerset West outfit is also strong in the set-pieces, so the DF forwards will need to prepare accordingly.
They head into the clash on the back foot, having lost their last three fixtures – 10-26 vs Melkbosstrand, 24-27 vs Tygerberg, and 26-40 vs Strand – which will provide them with plenty of motivation for the weekend’s showdown in Somerset West.
Last year, Hoërskool Brackenfell defeated Worcester Gimnasium 29-22 at home. The challenge they face is repeating that success away on Saturday. The match kicks off at 13:00.
After losing their first six games of the season, Worcester claimed a 31-25 victory in their most recent outing against Hoërskool Punt. However, they last played three weeks ago. That means they’ve had plenty of rest, but rust could be a problem against Brakkies.
The visitors come off a 10-22 loss against Hoërskool Porterville. Eighthman Seth Braaf will be at the physical forefront of their efforts, while left wing Migile Carelse is a lethal finisher. Gim will need to keep a tight rein on him.
Worcester Gimnasium’s right wing Leagon Brooks will be an interesting counter to Carelse, and their battle within the war should be intriguing.
One of Brakkies’ issues this season has been their inability to capitalise on their opportunities. After eight matches, their highest tally thus far has been 22 points. They will aim to be more clinical in Worcester on Saturday.
Hoërskool Strand will be out for revenge after losing 12-29 to Hoërskool Tygerberg last August, and they hold home-ground advantage on Saturday. Their match kicks off at 12:10.
The Tigersrecently drew 31-31 with Hoërskool Robertson, but they’ll be chasing a first win in four matches following their draw with Robbies and big losses to Pietersburg and Menlopark at the Fairtree Sportfees.
Flyhalf Muchiano Loggenberg is an instrumental figure in the visitors’ lineup. If the hosts allow him time, he could wreak havoc.
Strand won their most recent match, beating DF Akademie 40-26 on 24 April. Those 40 points were the most they’ve scored this season, and, with two weeks of rest behind them, they’ll feel ready for the challenge that lies ahead.
TEAMS
Parel Vallei: 15 Shudley Rhoda, 14 Aydin February, 13 Owen Cockroft, 12 Brad Brown, 11 Rafael von Loeper, 10 Stephan Niemann, 9 Michael Kent, 8 Taariq Railon, 7 Riley Capes, 6 Marce Els, 5 Keaton Baird, 4 Herman Kriel, 3 Cayden Rautenbauch, 2 Luke Terblanche, 1 Bjan Theron.
DF Akademie: N/A.
Worcester Gimnasium: 15 Matthew Fortuin, 14 Mark-Quin Joseph, 13 Bjorn van der Westhuizen, 12 Adro Pieterse, 11 Joyce Baningela, 10 Luciun de Bruyn, 9 Jerran Adams, 8 Amaan Adendorff, 7 Arthur Kana (Captain), 6 Leighton Siswana, 5 Likhaka Mayeki, 4 Leighcon du Plessis, 3 Reece Matthee, 2 Kieran Salie, 1 Anzio Brinkhuis.
Brackenfell (likely): 15 Ruan van Tonder, 14 Juandré Labuschagne, 13 Michael Buys, 12 Deonischo Afrika, 11 Migile Carelse, 10 Yusuf Hannibal, 9 Hayden Fortuin, 8 Seth Braaf, 7 Derose Manya, 6 Jason Joseph, 5 Hanré van Dijk, 4 Manya Prayer, 3 Joshua Wallace, 2 Joshua Defreitas, 1 Wian Bronkhorst.
Rondebosch will aim for a first derby win of the season, while SACS will target a second southern suburbs success. Photo: C. Fortuin Photography.
Last season, Rondebosch Boys’ High did the double over SACS. The Newlands outfit will be eager to avenge those losses, and they’ll head into Saturday’s derby clash on the Tinkie Heyns Field at 12:10 feeling confident.
SACS won both of their matches at the Grey High Rugby Festival, beating Selborne College and Kearsney College. ‘Bosch also went two for two at the same festival, with wins over KES and Glenwood High, respectively.
In their first southern suburbs’ derby of the season, SACS defeated Bishops 22-17. Inside centre James Sale was influential in that success and scored a try. He’s a serious line-breaking threat, and the hosts will be well aware of the danger he poses.
Rondebosch have threats of their own. Lock Bjorn Morkel scored twice in their win over KES, while left wing Caleb Bell has caught the eye all season long. Before the Grey High Festival, he ran in four tries in a narrow two-point loss to Boland Landbou.
Last season, Rondebosch won 40-17 away, but only 23-20 at home. SACS appears to be a tougher unit this season than they were last year, so an almighty clash is on the cards, and it will be broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Schools.
At 12:45 on Saturday, Paarl Gimnasium hosts Boland Landbou on the JA Kriel Field in a Paarl derby.
Since a 19-20 loss to Stellenberg High at the beginning of the season, Gimmies have been on a dominant seven-game winning streak, which they plan to extend against the Farmers, whose campaign has been less successful.
They’ve been up against some tough teams this season and began with four defeats, but they’ve won two of their last three, scoring hard-fought two-point wins over Rondebosch Boys’ High and Hoërskool Noordheuwel.
Their fighting spirit is best exemplified by their captain and blindside flank, Juan Visagie. He’s athletic, a line-breaking threat, and he often muscles his way over the try line from close range.
Paarl Gim has an enviable arsenal of skillful and powerful players. Flyhalf Louis Koen is tough to catch, while captain and inside centre Ethan Barker is tough to stop. Up front, hooker Charles Whitehead is a danger off the back of the rolling maul.
Last season, Gimmies’ free-scoring 1st XV won 80-29 on the farm. There’s little chance of seeing over 100 points in the game again on Saturday. Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools.
Hoërskool Hugenote (Wellington) faces a daunting challenge from Worcester’s HTS Drostdy, who will be the visitors on Saturday. Kickoff is at 12:50.
Last year, Drostdy powered their way to a 50-0 victory, and they’ve impressed this season, especially on the attack. They swamped their opponents at the Grey High Rugby Festival, overrunning St Stithians 74-0 and Selborne College 67-12. They won’t be short of confidence.
The Donkies‘ right wing Tristan Syster dotted down four times against St Stithians, while left wing Darren Makeza scored a hat-trick against Selborne.
Hugenote has won five out of six this season, but Drostdy looks, by far, like their toughest challenge yet. They’ll be hard-pressed to slow down the exciting visitors.
TEAMS
Rondebosch: 15 Eathon Williams, 14 Shellvon Mabooi, 13 Kelebogile Nkwana, 12 Andrea Mynhardt, 11 Caleb Bell, 10 Tyler Heyns, 9 Daniel Arendse, 8 Kirwan November, 7 James Pinnock, 6 Linakho Mehlomakulu, 5 Bertus Versfeld, 4 Bjorn Morkel, 3 Matthew Pelser, 2 Kwaza Gobingca, 1 Finn Watermeyer.
SACS: 15 Nahum Koen, 14 Dayyaan Conrad, 13 Luca Orgill, 12 James Sale, 11 Josh Gorgens, 10 Jake Dave, 9 Jordan Forbes, 8 Stephan Kruger, 7 Dom Raisbeck, 6 Kwakhanya Gobe, 5 Cameron Hirst, 4 RJ Cunningham, 3 Qiraan Hermans, 2 Zac Dall (Captain), 1 Luca Liebenberg.
Paarl Gimnasium: 15 Thomas Saunders, 14 Corné de Beer, 13 De Waal Vivier, 12 Ethan Barker, 11 Malan Mostert, 10 Louis Koen, 9 Mickyle Booise, 8 Hendré van Zyl, 7 Ruan Lindeque, 6 Corné Niemand, 5 Jean Dreyer, 4 Bernhardt Schulze, 3 Sebastian Bekker, 2 Charles Whitehead, 1 Jayden Steyl.
Boland Landbou (likely): 15 Gehano van Bo, 14 Steyn Lamprecht, 13 Divan Meyer, 12 Cobus Immelman, 11 Erchel Hanga, 10 Caleb Seroot, 9 Oloff Seroot, 8 Josua Kruger, 7 Juan Visagie, 6 Jacques Bester, 5 Reiner Visser, 4 Chad Meintjies, 3 Tiaan Malan, 2 Adrian le Roux, 1 Nico de Beer.
Saturday’s showdown between Paul Roos and Durbanville will be the first meeting of the schools in 30 years. Photo: Paul Roos Rugby.
When they kick off at 13:15 in Riversdal on Saturday, Oakdale Landbou will be well aware that this is not the same Stellenberg High outfit that they outplayed 47-17 in Bellville last May.
This Jade Brigadeis the Bellville school’s best structured unit yet. They’re battle-hardened and have already claimed some massive scalps in an eye-opening season.
SA Schools’ eighthman Jacobus de Villiers is the all-round package with seemingly endless energy, and he’ll be at the heart of the Farmers’ efforts, making plenty of carries, tackles, and contesting the breakdowns.
Stellenberg’s no. 8 Yanos Molnar is also an impactful player. He does the dirty work at the breakdowns and on defence, and, while he might not show up as often among the try scorers, his efforts have been a substantial reason for Stellies’ successes in 2026.
Both sides are also renowned for their lineouts. Stellies‘ lock Juvan Burden and Oakdale’s second-rower Rico Ferreira are two of the best lineout jumpers in the country. Their battle at the set piece should be fascinating and, possibly, pivotal.
Saturday’s showdown will be a battle between two abrasive outfits. It’s can’t-miss stuff, and the action will be broadcast LIVE on SuperSport Schools.
The weekend’s action starts on Friday evening, with Paul Roos Gimnasium and Hoërskool Durbanville kicking off at 19:30 in Stellenbosch.
Apart from a 10-20 loss against Stellenberg in April, Ou Polla’s Boys have won seven times in 2026.
With centre Tiaan Basson and flyhalf Travis Pheiffer out of the mix, Paul Roos will require flyhalf Daniel Whitehead and centre Jean Hamman to provide their playmaking qualities to the backline.
Durbies most recently played and defeated Hoërskool E.G. Jansen 36-28 at the ABSA Wildeklawer Festival. It will be a challenge to replicate that form against the Maroon Machine.
With blindside flank Zay-Winn Januarie out for the occasion, Durbies will be reliant on their other loose forwards. Eighthman Muller Jansen van Vuuren will need to set the example for his flankers in providing disruption at the breakdowns.
While Paul Roos is favoured, Durbanville is gritty, and they’re prepared to get down and dirty in the trenches.
TEAMS
Oakdale Landbou: 15 Nathan-Lee Gordon, 14 Luan van Tonder, 13 Myburgh Eksteen, 12 André van der Merwe, 11 Nathan-Lee Gordon, 10 Caleb Williams, 9 Mich van Eden, 8 Jacobus de Villiers (Captain), 7 Bernard Badenhorst, 6 Kane du Plessis, 5 Rico Ferreira, 4 Ruan Groenewald, 3 Francois le Roux, 2 Adrian Smith, 1 Zivan Grobbelaar.
Stellenberg: 15 Liam Jacobs, 14 Ralton Rhode, 13 JC Swart, 12 Daniel Mongie, 11 Emile Cilliers, 10 Ethan van Biljon, 9 Daniel Steffen, 8 Yanos Molnar, 7 Carlo Brink, 6 Seth Coetzé, 5 Juvan Burden, 4 Jayden Young, 3 Janu Van Deventer, 2 Liam Joubert, 1 Uzair Blanckenberg.
Paul Roos Gimnasium (likely): 15 Kyle Snyers, 14 Krige le Roux, 13 Jean Hamman, 12 Albert Nel, 11 Cadynn Samuels, 10 Daniel Whitehead, 9 Tristan Armitage, 8 Werner de Bruin, 7 Gerard Bekker, 6 Christian le Roux, 5 Sebastian Cilliers, 4 Stef de Villiers, 3 Zak Steyn, 2 Lehan Barnard, 1 Thomas Meyer.
Durbanville: 15 Wihan Roux, 14 Jean de Vries, 13 Louwrens Rademeyer, 12 De Wet Viljoen, 11 Kyle Doyle, 10 Hadley Erasmus, 9 Lorenzo Brogneri, 8 Muller Jansen van Vuuren, 7 Eugene Theron, 6 Jono Hearn, 5 Jano Stone, 4 Jeandré Janse van Rensburg, 3 Hanno Rhode, 2 Tristen Muller, 1 Hannes Vermeulen.
Die Hoërskool Sentraal se eerste netbalspan het sonder twyfel ‘n appeltjie met hul mees gedugte teenstander in die Rosestad, Oranje, te skil.
