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The Nkowankowa Hub and Queens High recorded wins over Chatsworth Hub and Saints Christian School in their first matches at the Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two Final Showdown in Pretoria on Wednesday. Both matches were played on the Tuks’ C Field.

Motlalepule Joan Sebele claimed a sensational 4/4 in four overs to put Nkowankowa on the path to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Chatsworth.

In a nail-biting contest, Koketso Mokgara scooped up three wickets to help Queens High to a one-wicket win (DLS) over Saints.

Nkowankowa’s captain, Respect Mabasa, made the right call when she chose to bowl first after winning the toss. Her bowlers responded superbly and bundled Chatsworth out for only 41 runs in 17 overs. The Limpopo side then took 10 overs to reach 42/2.

Sebele accounted for three of Chatsworth’s top five batters, including their star player, Shreeya Subbiah. The Chatsworth opener fought a lone battle with her 20 runs from 25 balls.

None of her teammates stayed in long enough to join her in double figures. Seyuri Gounden, with a laboured six from 28 deliveries, was the KZN team’s second-highest scorer.

Lunghelo Malungana and Shelfa Tsakisi Mukhari were the other wicket-takers for Nkowankowa. Malungana snapped up 3/10 in four overs, and Mukhari took 2/9 in two.

Tshepiso Dinoe Motswi led Nkowankowa’s chase with 18 runs from 22 balls. Karabo Katlego Monyela (6), Respect Mabasa (6*), and Ripfumelo Faith Nkuna (6*) chipped in with a combined 18 runs of their own.

Queens High vs Saints Christian School

Boitumelo Chuene, the Queens High captain, won the toss and asked Saints to bat first in a weather-affected contest. Her bowlers then restricted the North West side to 66/8 in 17 overs. The Queens’ run pursuit almost came up short, but they clawed their way to 63/9 in 16.1 overs to snatch victory.

Mokgara, who claimed 3/13 runs in four overs, was Queens’ most successful bowler, while Thanya Nkuna, Bonolo Phalane, Mankwana Moriri, and Nonhlanhla Danisa each bagged a wicket.

Commendably, Queens ensured that no Saints’ batters made it beyond single-figure scores, with nine from both Reabetswe Dithipe and Jessica Joshua the best that the Potchefstroom school managed.

When they visited the crease, Queens also found it tough to get going. However, they did just enough to win.

Nonkululeko Mthethwa, Nonhlanhla Danisa, and Mikhulu Mtuzula were the joint top-scorers with 11 runs each, and those 33 runs set the Johannesburg side on course for a heart-pounding victory.

Summarised Scorecards

Saints Christian School 66/8 (Extras 18; Koketso Mokgara 3/13); Queens High 63/9 (Nonkululeko Mthethwa 11, Nonhlanhla Danisa 11, Mikhulu Mtuzula 11; Gogontle Padi 2/12, Siphokazi Duma 2/15). Queens High won by one wicket.

Chatsworth Hub 41/10 (Shreya Subbiah 20; Motlalepule Sebele 4/4, Lunghelo Malungana 3/10, Shelfa Mukhari 2/9); Nkowankowa Hub 42/2 (Tshepiso Motswi 18; Aadya Mohun 1/3). Nkowankowa Hub won by eight wickets.

The Gauteng Development League (GDL) Top 8 finals, which were contested over the weekend, served as thrilling scene-setters for the GDL season, which kicks off this coming weekend.

In the u13 category, Mamelodi Sundowns charged to the title, defeating Siwelele 3-0.

Melokuhle Mzobe struck twice for the Brazilians, while Mosa Lesala added the third.

In the u14 category, Kaizer Chiefs’ coach Mohammed Bhamjee continued on his winning way. In 2024, Chiefs claimed the u13 Top 8 title under Bhamjee. In 2025, they won the u14 title under him.

On Sunday, they repeated that feat, adding another u14 title after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Highlands Park, with Bokamoso Moisi bagging a brace and Akhona Simelane netting the other.

The u15 final featured another showdown between Mamelodi Sundowns and Siwelele.

It ended goalless after regulation time, but the Brazilians captured the title from the spot, winning 4-3 on penalties, with Kealeboga Rasephehi successfully converting the winning kick.

Siwelele tasted success in the u17 final, edging out Kaizer Chiefs 1-0, much to the delight of their loyal supporters. London Samuels scored the all-important winner.

The day’s most eagerly awaited final, the u19 title game, featured Kaizer Chiefs against Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA). In a fiercely contested match, the Chiefs snatched a slim 1-0 win, thanks to a goal from Karabo Modikwe.

The final of the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) u17 division featured a flurry of goals when Pretoria sides, Mamelodi Sundowns and Refilwe, met for the title.

Both offences flourished, but Banyana Ba Style claimed the honours, recording a 5-3 victory.

In the u15 final, Panorama held on for a 1-0 win over the University of Pretoria (Tuks), who gave it a good go but couldn’t find a way through the resolute Panorama defence.

RESULTS 

Gauteng Development League

u13 Final
Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 Siwelele

u14 Final
Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 Highlands Park

u15 Final
Mamelodi Sundowns (4) 0-0 (3) Siwelele

u17 Final
Siwelele 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs

u19 Final
Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 RESA

Gauteng Women’s Development League 

u15 Final
Panorama 1-0 Tuks

u17 Final
Mamelodi Sundowns 5-3 Refilwe

The Wynberg Boys’ High 1st XV has proven to be a formidable force in recent years.

In 2025, they suffered two narrow losses against prominent rugby schools. Playing at home in both matches, they lost 26-32 to Paarl Boys’ High and 17-21 to Paul Roos Gimnasium.

Wynberg Head Coach, Justin van Winkel, told SuperSport Schools Plus that every side they face needs to be treated with respect.

“Every opponent poses new challenges and always receives our full focus. We don’t have the privilege of only fixating on certain matches in the competitive Western Province (WP) league.

“Every team we face is a challenge, and we strive to reciprocate the favour.”

Casting an eye over his team, Van Winkel said many players who turned out for the 1st XV last year are back.

“We have the following players from last year available for selection: Naeem Mohammed, James Orwin, CJ Kotze, Alvin Machinja, Alex Barret, Esa van der Schyff, Achmat Behardien (Western Province Craven Week flyhalf in 2025), Chad Campbell, Luke Gertze, Ithandile Nkohla, Zachary De Kock, and Laeeq Davids.”

The same coaching team that steered Wynberg to an impressive season holds the reins again. “Our same coaching and management team, mainly consisting of school masters, returns for the 2026 season, led by our Director of Rugby, Nic Groom. Other members of the team include Mr. Van Winkel, Mr. Posthumus, Mr. Bassett, Mr. Potgieter, Mr. Frylinck, Mr. Wells, and Mr. Baker,” Van Winkel shared.

Turning his attention to how he wants his team to play the game, he said: “We want our boys to reach their full individual potential while consistently making our team a priority. If we get this right, the results will come.”

With a large number of talented players returning, and with the same coaching staff in place, Wynberg is nicely positioned to put together a cohesive and strong 1st XV. That makes it likely that they’ll exhibit many of the qualities that made the 2025 season a success.

Some of the key characteristics of their philosophy include a desire to play the game at speed; a quick tap is always on when they are awarded a penalty.

Wynberg also believes in their backline’s attacking prowess. They’ll often opt for scrums near midfield rather than kicking for touch when given the option. They want to create space for their backs to attack.

Expect a ball-in-hand approach from Wynberg and a focus on keeping the ball in play. They’re especially dangerous on the counterattack.

Having come so close to upsetting some of 2025’s best sides, could Wynberg slay some giants in 2026? They’ll head into the season optimistic that they have the firepower to do that.

Wynberg Boys’ High Fixtures 2026

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Unbeaten seasons in schoolboy hockey seldom happen. It takes special teams, special players, and a strong programme to achieve such a feat.

That was the case for Jeppe High School for Boys in 2025 after they ended the year without a single loss.

Under the tutelage of former head coach Siya Sityana, Jeppe enjoyed a stellar season, playing 31 games, of which they won 29, while the other two ended in draws against Hilton College and Grey College.

The school had previously achieved an unbeaten season in 2018, when they also played 31 matches, winning 22 and drawing nine.

Building on the momentum created last year will be the goal for the forthcoming season, but Jeppe heads into 2026 with a new sheriff in town, Gareth Heyns.

Heyns took over the reins late last year from Sityana, who has joined King Edward VII.

“I think taking the coaching role was an absolute no-brainer,” Heyns told SuperSport Schools Plus. “I’m an Old Boy, and I coached the first team in 2016, so coming back just made sense.

“I love my school, and I have always kept in touch with the programme, so to have the opportunity to be involved again is something special.”

One of Heyns’ immediate goals will be to ensure the side remains strong and competitive against some of the country’s best sides.

Emulating the successes of last season is something he would like to achieve while impacting his charges on a human level.

“Whenever a new person takes over, naturally, there will be a change of the guard at some stage, but you never want to drop in standards.

“I think if we can emulate what the guys did last year, that would be great. However, playing good hockey is one thing, but we also want to build young men who will contribute positively to society.”

Jeppe has a handful of players who were members of the 2025 team, so coach Heyns won’t have to rebuild the squad. He is, however, keen on giving youngsters and some fringe players opportunities this year.

“The programme is generally quite strong, and there are some good young players in the u16 [age group] that will be trying to push their way into the team,” he said.

“The guys knocking on the door will keep the first team hungry, and that will hopefully create a strong environment and keep everybody on their toes.”

Besides participating in the Aitken competition this year, Jeppe will travel to Gqeberha to contest the Hibbert Shield.

The tournament, hosted by Grey High School, is undeniably the toughest schoolboy event in South Africa at present, and it brings together many of the country’s best teams.

“We’re looking forward to it. The boys are, as well,” Heyns reckoned.

“There’s a lot of noise that’s going around that tournament, and I think it’s important for us not to get sucked into that noise.

“We just want to get to a point where we’re playing good hockey, and the results will come. Don’t get me wrong, it will be a lovely challenge for the boys, and we’ll get to test ourselves against the best in SA.”

The Kensington crew opens their 2026 campaign on Saturday against Parktown Boys’ High at home. It’s a clash coach that Heyns is looking forward to.

“Traditionally, it’s a big rivalry, and I would like the guys to play a free-flowing brand of hockey.

“It’s still early in the season, and I don’t want to put pressure on the boys. Hopefully, they can implement what we’ve been working on, be creative, comfortable, and play a selfless brand of hockey.”

Pool B at the Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two Final Showdown promises a compelling clash of styles as Affies, Jeppe High School for Boys, Selborne College and Graeme College collide in Pretoria from 4–7 March.

Each side arrives with a distinct identity – including raw grit, explosive talent, hardened pedigree and home-ground confidence – but only two will survive the pool to reach Friday’s playoffs.

The Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two Final Showdown promises a gripping set of Pool A clashes as four contrasting cricketing identities – Hilton College, Paarl Boys’ High, St Andrew’s School, and the CSA Hub Invitational XI – begin their quests for national glory on the Tuks Oval.

Three of the strongest girls’ cricket programmes in South Africa converge in Pretoria this week, setting the stage for one of the most competitive sections of the Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two Final Showdown. Saints Christian School, the Chatsworth Hub and HTS Drostdy all arrive with dominant regional campaigns behind them—and each carries legitimate ambitions of pushing deep into the national event.

Three determined and battle‑tested sides converge in Girls Pool B of the Switch Schools SA20 Final Showdown, each carrying strong credentials, compelling storylines and ambitions of going deep in the national event.

Nomandi Junior Secondary, Queens High School and the Nkowankowa Girls Hub bring contrasting strengths—defiant bowling, all‑round firepower and hardened experience—to what promises to be a tightly contested group.

KwaZulu-Natal’s basketball courts were awash with action on the weekend as the first KZN Top 10 Basketball Competition – contested at 1st team, u16, u15, and u14 level – took place.

Maritzburg College, the hosts of the u19 competition, won the title in their own Alan Paton Hall (APH), dominating Kearsney College 78-38 after making a blistering start to the title game.

It was another title for the Red, Black, and White, a week after they lifted the Jenny Orchard Invitational trophy after beating ESCA in the final, also in the APH.

Kearsney, which had shocked College on the opening day of the KZN Top 10, cruised into Sunday’s championship game with an emphatic 70-43 victory over St Charles College. 

College, meanwhile, withstood a feisty Westville Boys’ High challenge to score a hard-fought 56-46 win.

Westville rebounded with a convincing 60-39 defeat of St Charles to finish with the bronze medals.

Most surprisingly, Northwood, who had shown admirable fight to overcome a poor start and make the final of the St John’s Basketball Tournament, was not in contention. Perhaps the massive effort the Knights required to come back from losses in their first two games in Johannesburg caught up with them. The result, in Pietermaritzburg, was only eighth place.

Appropriately for a Hilton/Michaelhouse summer derby weekend, the u16 competition concluded with the arch-rivals facing off for the title. In a low-scoring contest, Hilton College came away with a 32-19 victory.

Maritzburg College ruled the u15 age group, beating Hilton College 52-44 in the final, and College also won the u14 competition, wrapping up the event with a 34-21 win over Hilton.

While College was the top dog, Hilton demonstrated the depth of their basketball programme by reaching three finals. College topped the overall standings, with Hilton in second place and Michaelhouse in third.

Kearsney College placed fourth, Westville Boys’ High fifth, and Durban High School (DHS) sixth. St Charles College followed, in seventh. Northwood, surprisingly, was ranked only eighth, while Clifton College took ninth place, and Glenwood finished tenth.

RESULTS

U19 COMPETITION

Position 5-8
Michaelhouse 60-31 Northwood
Hilton College 52-50 DHS

Position 9-10
Clifton College 46-43 Glenwood

Position 7-8
DHS 60-43 Northwood

Position 5-6
Michaelhouse 48-22 Hilton College

Position 3-4
Westville Boys’ High 60-39 St Charles College

Final
Maritzburg College 78-37 Kearsney College

U16 COMPETITION

Position 5-8
DHS 35-19 Westville Boys’ High
Kearsney College 42-24 St Charles College

Position 9-10
Glenwood 23-14 Clifton College

Position 7-8
Westville Boys’ High 35-34 St Charles College

Position 5-6
Kearsney College 38-26 DHS

Position 3-4
Martizburg College 53-36 Northwood

Final
Hilton College 32-19 Michaelhouse

U15 COMPETITION

Position 5-8
Westville Boys’ High 34-31 DHS
Kearsney College 45-21 Clifton College

Position 9-10
Glenwood 55-44 Northwood

Position 7-8
Clifton College 32-21 DHS

Position 5-6
Westville Boys’ High 42-32 Kearsney College

Position 3-4
St Charles College 52-25 Michaelhouse

Final
Maritzburg College 52-44 Hilton College

U14 COMPETITION

Position 5-8
Kearsney College 34-17 Westville Boys’ High
Michaelhouse 47-20 Clifton College

Position 9-10
Glenwood 27-23 St Charles College

Position 7-8
Clifton College 24-10 Westville Boys’ High

Position 5-6
Michaelhouse 37-26 Kearsney College

Position 3-4
DHS 53-36 Northwood

Final
Maritzburg College 34-21 Hilton College