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The 11th Standard Bank Kearsney College Easter Festival will kick-off this Thursday in Botha’s Hill, Durban. Kearsney College will be captained by their No.8, Andrew Harding. 

The teams (*subject to change): 

Kearsney College: 15 Jacques Odendaal, 14 Scott Couzens, 13 Robert Koenig, 12 Phoku Mchunu, 11 Gcinathina Gumede, 10 Taine Muirhead, 9 Marco Mattioda, 8 Andrew Harding (captain), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Taine Polzi, 5 Nicholas Baines, 4 Dylan Bissett, 3 Oliver Carmody, 2 Reid Stuart, 1 Mpendulo Dlamini. Replacements: 16 Connor Griffiths, 17 Bradley Taylor, 18 Ruben Darby, 19 Aiden Bossert, 20 Matthew Hayden, 21 Jordan Bamber, 22 Derick Marshall, 23 Mark Pretorius. 

Dale College: 15 Emile Matsinya, 14 Mzwamazizi Ngalo, 13 Indiphile Tyeda, 12 Siphamandla Krweqe, 11 Andrico Johannes, 10 Ikho Putini, 9 Thando Zoki, 8 Simbongile Kampi, 7 Lathi-thaa Lukasi (captain), 6 Lumphumlo Tsheko, 5 Siphelele Njumba, 4 Thando Gqokvo, 3 Okuhle Siyeni, 2 Mikhaya Sonquishe, 1 Masivuye Mafenyana. Replacements: 16 Bulela Magopeni, 17 Nande Lucas, 18 Simnikiwe Gege, 19 Jaylon Hamann, 20 Hlomla Payi, 21 Xobani Mgoqi, 22 Phumelele Bokolo, 23 Sibusiso Zena. 

Durban High School: 15 McNeil Jenner, 14 Malusi Ntuli, 13 Lwandile Menze (captain), 12 Sfundo Mkhwanazi, 11 Lwazi Moletshe, 10 Shakur la Douce, 9 Darren Booysen, 8 Celimpilo Gumede, 7 Adrian Dirks, 6 Asande Mnguni, 5 Setjhaba Mathuse, 4 Taariq Kruger, 3 Mthokozisi Gumede, 2 Donovan Adams, 1 Marcel Nel. Replacements: 16 Stoney Steenkamp, 17 Langalakhe Mgobozi, 18 Tristan Finscham, 19 Avumile Bongco, 20 Xhanti Njokweni, 21 Jaydian Cedares, 22 Nhlakanipho Nene, 23 Zethembe Mbonambi. 

Framesby: 15 Pieter Scholtz, 14 Grayson Ditlow, 13 Cadan Wade-Finnis, 12 Monray Potgieter, 11 Jonathan Draai, 10 Juandre Liebenberg, 9 Andre Gerber, 8 Alex Palm (captain), 7 De Wet Erasmus, 6 Christo Gerber, 5 Barry Vlok, 4 Luan Ras, 3 Rikus Smith, 2 Divan Meyer, 1 William Moffat. Replacements: 16 Jonathan Carter, 17 Ruan Smith, 18 Morne Prince, 19 Danie van der Merwe, 20 Ruan du Preez, 21 Divan van Wyk, 22 Sebastian Brandt, 23 Monre Olivier. 

Glenwood: 15 Siyanda Cele, 14 Aron Larue, 13 Martino van Wyk, 12 Jean Roux, 11 Rory Atwill, 10 Rynhardt Jonker, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Freddie Slabbert, 7 Lindokuhle Luthuli, 6 Runako Brynard (captain), 5 Lunga Ncube, 4 Werner Coetzee, 3 Thabiso Mdletse, 2 Jhaques Thyssen, 1 Calvin Wilson. Replacements: 16 Ruan Olivier, 17 Jordan Clarke, 18 Ethan Smit, 19 George Luzolo, 20 Joe Jonas, 21 Conan le Fleur, 22 Dylan Pretorius, 23 JC Conradie. 

HTS Drostdy: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Roann Jansen, 13 Christie Grobbelaar, 12 Gerrit van Zyl, 11 Adrian Mans, 10 Shaun Baxter, 9 Luciano Elias, 8 CJ van Rensburg (captain), 7 Heinrich Naude, 6 Benicio Kamfer, 5 Gysbert du Preez, 4 Renier Viljoen, 3 Duan Bredenkamp, 2 Wynand du Plessis, 1 Trevor Laubscher. Replacements: 16 Stefan Schwartz, 17 Tommie Bezuidenhout, 18 Divan Noble, 19 Andre Nel, 20 Carlo Nagel, 21 Justin Henning, 22 Ruben van Rooyen, 23 Keane Gelant. 

HTS Middelburg: 15 Gerhard Taljaard, 14 Adriaan van Staden, 13 Joubert Willers (captain), 12 PJ de Beer, 11 Lenard Olivier, 10 Ricky Schoneveldt, 9 Martin Erasmus, 8 Kayle Scholtz, 7 Juandre Odendaal, 6 Alten Nelson, 5 Franco Fourie, 4 Damon Grobler, 3 Zhander Briedenhann, 2 MC Kuhn, 1 Stephan Pretorius. Replacements: 16 Edwin Till, 17 Tian du Pont, 18 Andries Vorster, 19 Marnus Botha, 20 Dolf Rossouw, 21 Mariano de Villiers, 22 Quintin Cloete, 23 Morne Sonnekus. 

Noord-Kaap: 15 Godwill Romain, 14 Andries Jacobs, 13 Elzandro Fredericks, 12 Revano Muller, 11 Romeo van Wyk, 10 DS van Niekerk, 9 Craig Ockhuis, 8 Edrich Brand (captain), 7 Jeffrey Muzaza, 6 Ruan van Loggerenberg, 5 Jean Engelbrecht, 4 Leon Koortzen, 3 Edwill Speelman, 2 Nolan Coetzee, 1 Alexander Engelbrecht. Replacements: 16 Devin Steenkamp, 17 Tertius Mostert, 18 Sisipho Nofuya, 19 Duvan van der Merwe, 20 Alnino Lorten, 21 Senrique Daniels, 22 Jacquin van Wyk, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel. 

Pretoria Boys’ High: 15 Justin Cross, 14 Matthew Breckenridge, 13 Angus Pratt, 12 Kyle Brown, 11 Jamie Nortje, 10 Dylan Thompson, 9 Ruan van Rooyen, 8 Rhys Bekker (captain), 7 Kgala Mothomogolo, 6 Khanya Jada, 5 Theo Pretorius, 4 Aidan Bristow, 3 Reinhardt Nel, 2 Richard da Costa, 1 Callen Matzopoulos. Replacements: 16 Matthew Caldwell, 17 Mpho Matlolane, 18 Wandile Madodonke, 19 Pieter van der Merwe, 20 Tom Calenborne, 21 Aiden Olivier, 22 Mikhail Edwards, 23 Sithembiso Matlaletsa. 

Queen’s College: 15 Sigqibo Siyaya, 14 Mandilakhe Sibeko, 16 Siya Tyulu, 12 Enrique Oranje (captain), 11 Liyabona Maku, 10 10 Sinethemba Tshunungwa, 9 Aviwe Kanuka, 8 Sven Sorensen, 7 Chumani Gatyeni, 6 Ncedile Xundu, 5 Seth van Schoor, 4 Samkelisiwe Mxabangeli, 3 Ali Gqaza, 2 Tyrone Lottering, 1 Conley Pieterse. Replacements: 17 Odwa Mkhefa, 18 Cwenga Mbenyana, 19 Endinako Kuse, 20 Ntando Sihele, 21 Lesley Patsika, 22 Euan de Jager, 23 Siphelele Ngxishe, 24 Sivuyisiwe Mdingi. 

Selborne College: 15 Jordan Janse van Rensburg, 14 Jarod Ramsey, 13 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 12 Sibabalwe Xamlashe (captain), 11 Mntungwa Mapantsela, 10 Thomas Bursey, 9 Oyonoo Fani, 8 PJ Sizani, 7 Raiden Masters, 6 Troy Mynhardt, 5 Ridge Snelling, 4 Eric Kruger, 3 Shakeel Naidoo, 2 Chad Peinke, 1 Nolan Kemp. Replacements: 16 Akalinekeli Dlakavu, 17 Loyiso Peteni, 18 Joshua van Vuuren, 19 Dean Stokes, 20 Prenolin Naidoo, 21 Sibulele Mali, 22 Likhaya Tengimfene, 23 James Flanagan. 

Welkom Gimnasium: 15 FC du Plessis, 14 Jaime Heynes, 13 JP de Kock, 12 Keith van Aswegen, 11 Marno April, 10 Ryan Davids, 9 Georgen Kiewiet, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Christo Steyn (captain), 6 Whaldo Swartz, 5 Husayn Banzi, 4 Lerato Mahlabe, 3 Carl Senyane, 2 Martley Bayman, 1 Tyron Combrinck. Replacements: 16 Pedrich Makkink, 17 JP Pretorius, 18 Qian Meyer, 19 TK James, 20 Macniel Matthews, 21 Shaquille van Heerden, 23 Durren Hull. 

Die vreugdevure het gisteraand hoog in Vanderbijlpark gebrand met Transvalia wat met ‘n sege van 48-31 oor Garsfontein ‘n tree nader aan ‘n plek in die eindstryd van die Tuks-reeks gegee.

Dit was Transvalia se eerste sege oor Garsies sedert 1993. Die kragmeting tussen Monument en Garsfontein kan nou bepaal wie van Monnas of Transvalia tot die eindstryd van die reeks deurdring.

Die hoë reënval oor die sentrale streek asook die noordelike dele van die land het veroorsaak dat ‘n groot aantal wedstryde uitgestel is. Monument sou teen Kempton Park gespeel het, maar sal nou eers op ‘n latere stadium die bepaling nakom.

Transvalia se skakelpaar, Dewald Strydom en Zian de Jager, was aan die spits van hul span se sege. Strydom beskik oor ‘n uitstekende aangee, terwyl De Jager ‘n geleerde skopskoen het. Die buitesenter, Franco Pienaar, was ook uitstaande, veral as daar in ag geneem word dat die SA Skole-buitesenter, Diego Appollis, sy direkte teenstander was.

Vir Garsies het sy skrumskakel, Jurich Claassens, agtsteman Junior Snyman, en die vaskopstut, Gerhard van der Merwe, hul bes probeer.

Menlopark het Eldoraigne met 74-5 kaf gedraf. Die wenspan het oor te veel skietgoed vir Eldos beskik, maar die tuisspan het ook te veel foute van sy eie begaan.

Menlo se losskakel, Heinrich Boshoff, het spel dikteer en was ook vir 22 van sy span se punte verantwoordelik. Die voorryman Jaco Britz het vroeg vir Eldoraigne op die agtervoet gehad na hy twee kraglopies afgerond het.

Eldoraigne se vleuel Lo-An Marx verdien vermelding vir sy moedige vertoning.

HTS Middelburg se Rooi Bulle moes die louere met 12-elk teen die Hoërskool Pietersburg deel.

Op Goldstones in Pietermaritzburg het Rynhardt Jonker van Glenwood gepronk in sy span oorwinning van 37-12 oor Maritzburg College. Jonker, die seun van die gewese skeidsregter Marius Jonker, was ‘n ware generaal vir sy span agterlangs.

Rynhardt het met sy balverspreiding asook besluitneming die tuisspan se verdediging die heeltyd op die agtervoet gehad. Hy het ook goeie diens van sy skakelmaat, Jaden Hendrikse, ontvang. Hendrikse het verlede jaar die SA Skole-span verteenwoordig.

Sy nasionale skole-spanmaat van verlede jaar Conan le Fleur (senter) was op die aanval sowel as die verdediging uitstaande vir Glenwood.

Voorlangs het die agtsteman, George Luzolo, en flank Lindokuhle Luthuli geen probleme ondervind om die voordeellyn oor te steek nie. Vir Maritzburg College verdien sy skrumskakel, Philalane Simamane, vermelding.

In die NWU-Pukke Prestige-reeks het Potchefstroom Gimnasium met ‘n sege van 27-21 oor Montana seker gemaak dat hy bo-aan sy groep in die kompetisie eindig.

Lichtenburg het Marais Viljoen met 37-31 geklop, terwyl Potchefstroom Volkskool vir Noordheuwel met 39-22 die loef afgesteek het.

In die Wesgrow Sentrale-reeks het Noord-Kaap ‘n oortuigende oorwinning van 49-27 oor Witteberg van Bethlehem behaal. Goudveld het ook oor te veel skietgoed vir Sentraal in die reeks beskik. Gouties was met 45-14 baas.

Die Afrikaanse Hoërskool Kroonstad moes in die hoofwedstryd van sy jaarlikse sportdag hard werk om Riebeeckstad met 26-15 die loef af te steek. Riebies het met die omdraaislag ‘n voorsprong van 15-7 geniet.

Graeme College het in die hoofwedstryd van sy jaarlikse sportdag sy rieme behoorlik met 5-34 teen Grey High van Port Elizabeth vasgeloop. Selborne College het vir Marlow Landbou met 27-18 geklop, terwyl Brandwag van Uitenhage met 45-22 oor Queen’s College op die dag in Grahamstad baas was.

Die land se voorste skolespan die afgelope drie jaar, die Hoër Jongenskool Paarl, het sy seisoen teen die Hoërskool Grens op Porterville se jaarlikse sportdag met ‘n gemaklike sege van 64-8 afgekop. Boishaai se agtsteman, Evan Roos, het vier keer Grens se doellyn oorgesteek. 

AL DIE UITSLAE:

TUKS-REEKS

Transvalia 48, Garsfontein 31; Menlopark 74, Eldoraigne 5; HTS Middelburg 12, Hoërskool Pietersburg 12; Garsfontein 18, Kempton Park 8.

NWU-PUKKE PRESTIGE-REEKS

Potchefstroom Gimnasium 27, Montana 21; Potchefstroom Volkskool 39, Noordheuwel 22; Zwartkop 56, Driehoek 13; Lichtenburg 37, Marais Viljoen 31; Jeugland 26, Hugenote (Springs) 21; Ermelo 23, Midstream College 14.

NOORDVAAL

Jeppe High School for Boys 33, St Alban’s College 27; Florida 57, Dr. Malan 8; Ben Vorster 84, Ellisras 7; Die Wilgers 37, Bergsig 26; Curro Nelspruit 19, Penryn College 10; Lydenburg 67, Merensky 14; Curro Heuwelkruin 48, HTS Tom Naudé 20; Birchleigh 48, Goudrif 24.

GRAEME COLLEGE RUGBYDAG

Grey High School 34, Graeme College 5; Selborne College 27, Marlow Landbou 18; Brandwag (Uitenhage) 45, Queen’s College 22; Dale College 14, Nico Malan 13; St Andrew’s College 22, Hudson Park 14; Framesby 22, Kingswood College 13; Pearson 34, Muir College 19; Union High 17, Cambridge 14.

KWAZULU-NATAL

Glenwood 37, Maritzburg College 12.

VRYSTAAT/GRIEKWAS

AHS Kroonstad 26, Riebeeckstad 15; Goudveld-Hoërskool 45, Sentraal 14; Noord-Kaap 49, Witteberg 27; Hoërskool Kroonstad 5, Kalahari (Kuruman) 5; Welkom Gimnasium 43, Louis Botha 21; Pionier 41, Wilgerivier 39; Wessel Maree 15, Schweizer-Reneke 12; Sand du Plessis 40, HTS Sasolburg 21.

WES-KAAP

Hoër Jongenskool Paarl 64, Hoërskool Grens 8; Bishops 24, Hopefield 7; Oakdale Landbou 46, Liceo Mendoza (ARG) 12; Durbanville 26, Milnerton 13; DF Malan 37, Swartland 3; Paarl Gimnasium 38, Durbanville 0; HTS Drostdy 40, Hoërskool Bellville 18; Hermanus 24, Hugenote (Wellington) 17.

The last day of the World Schools Festival will come to an emphatic end when the SA Legends and the Boishaai Legends teams cross swords on April 7, 2018 in Paarl.

The match will form part of Paarl Boys’ High School’s 150-year anniversary celebrations and will feature former Springbok and provincial legends.

The festival will feature the top 10 schools in South Africa and 10 of the best school teams from around the world culminating in the clash between some of South Africa’s most recognisable rugby figures.

Former Springbok captain Corne Krige will skipper Boishaai Legends while the Prince of Wings, Carel du Plessis is expected to make an appearance off the bench in his role as player-coach.

The Boishaai Legends include other big names such as Wilhelm Steenkamp and Conrad Hoffman while the legendary Mannetjies Roux has been named as team mascot. Roux will lead the team out onto the field in his Springbok blazer.

Boys’ High Old Boys’ Union sports coordinator and team manager, Botha Warnich, said the match would not only honour the decades of traditions but will also rekindle old friendships while making new ones.

“Just to be part of the 150th celebrations is a major honour and privilege for us as Old Boys while we are excited to relive the tradition of pulling the Boishaai shirt over our heads,” Warnich said.

“What you learn at school in terms of academics is one thing but you cultivate friendships through sport.

“The guys are keen to give back to the school using sport as a vehicle while sharing memories after the match.”

The SA Legends team, not just by name but also by nature, will include some of the big rugby names of years gone by.

A formidable forwards squad includes names like Kabamba Floors, Mpho Mbiyozo, Justin Melck and Ryno Barnes.

The backline boasts some serious pedigree which strikes a delicate balance between speed and brawn with former Boks such as De Wet Barry, McNeil Hendricks, and Jongi Nokwe.

While most of the players may not have faced each other at schoolboy level, the match would renew the old rivalries they would have experienced back in their teens.

De Wet Barry and Hennie Danniller, both Paarl Gimnasium Old Boys, are sure to get flashbacks from the days they faced up against Boishaai.

Former Springbok coach Ian McIntosh, who has the reins of the SA Legends team, said it was an honour for the team to be involved in a clash to celebrate one South Africa’s great rugby schools’ anniversaries.

“It is great to be involved in a festival as part of Paarl Boys’ High’s 150th celebrations, the guys enjoy it and they love giving back,” McIntosh said.

“A lot of the guys still enjoy playing rugby and they will play in the spirit it should be intended and we are looking forward to it.”

The World Schools Festival will see some of the most promising schoolboy talents on display which will include South African teams such as Affies, Boland Landbou, Glenwood, Monument, Grey College, Outeniqua, Oakdale, Paarl Gymnasium and Hilton College.

SA Legends squad:

Forwards: Andries Human, Ryno Barnes, Rod Labuscagne, Bian Vermaak, Blackie Swart, Mpho Mbiyozo, Kabamba Floors, Justin Melck, Evan Botha, Reginald Nutt, Leon van den Heere, Henley du Plessis, Francois Coertze.

Backs: Norman Jordaan, Conrad Breytenbach, Clint van Rensburg, Quinton Daniels, Monty Dumond, Joe van den Berg, De Wet Barry, Hanno Coetzee, Andries Strauss, McNeil Hendricks, Jongi Nokwe, Hennie Daniller.

Boishaai Legends squad:

Forwards: Janro van Niekerk, Ashley Kohler, Paul Jordaan, De Wet Neethling, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Theuns Botha, Pieter Louw, Corne Krige (captain).

Backs: Conrad Hoffman, Theuns Stofberg, Gordon Johnson, Piet van Zyl, Elmo Wolfaardt, Louwtjie Schabord, Llewellen Adonis.

Reserves: Niel du Toit, Gert van Wyk, Hugo Lambrechts, Loftus Kruger, Hendri Hamman, CD Myburgh, Jan-Pieter Redelinghuys, Carel du Plessis (captain/coach).

VIP Team Mascot: Mannetjies Roux

Prices vary from R55 for adults, R35 for school pupils between the ages of 10 and 18, and children under the age of 10 are charged R15 per person per day. Four-day rugby passes are priced at R190, R110 and R35 for adults, school pupils and children respectively.

Join us for the festival and see rugby’s #FutureHeroes in action!

Die eerste rugbyspan van die Hoërskool Garsfontein het ‘n slaggat in die Tuks-reeks vermy deur Kempton Park met 18-8 te klop. Garsies moes Dinsdagaand sonder sy SA Skole-senter, Diego Appollis, en skrumskakel, Jurich Claassens, na Kempton Park reis.

Appollis en Claassens woon Saru se o.18 hoë-prestasie kamp in Stellenbosch by. Albei was Saterdag vir die Garsie Bere in hulle sege van 24-20 oor Boland Landbou in die Agter-Paarl in aksie.

Kempies se binnesenter, Ruben Fullard, het eerste bloed getrek deur ‘n strafdoel tussen deur die pale te jaag. Albei spanne se stelskoppers het egter nie ‘n goeie dag beleef nie. Fullard het drie strafdoele skeef gekorrel. Hy was ondanks die feit steeds een van sy span se staatmakers.

Garsies het onmiddelik terug geslaan met sy haker, Ricardo Botha, wat gaan druk het. Fullard se sentermaat, Werner Schoeman, het soos ‘n warm mes deur botter ‘n gaping in Garsies se verdediging geslaan om aan sy span ‘n voorsprong van 8-5 teen die omdraaislag te gee.

Kort na rustyd het Garsies se vleuel Dillon Olckers met ‘n strafdoel van 50 meter geslaag om sake gelyk te trek. Hy het self vier pogings pale toe mis geskop. Garsies se losskakel, Campwill Willemse, het ook vroeg in die wedstryd ‘n strafdoel skeef getrek.

Garsies se heelagter, Juandré Scheepers, en senter Kallie Calitz het kort na mekaar die doellyn oorgesteek om aan hul span die sege te besorg. Scheepers het gaan druk na die binnesenter, Austin Martin, ‘n steekskoppie geskop het wat reg vir sy sentermaat, Calitz, gewip het. Scheepers het in die hoek oorgeduik.

Calitz se drie het na binne aangee gekom wat ‘n gaping vir hom oopgemaak het. Hy het oor die nodige vaart beskik om die beweging af te rond. Vir Garsies verdien die flank Johandré Buitendag lof vir sy harde werk by die afbreekpunte. Hy was ook woelig in die los.

Kempies het hope durf gewys en buiten sy twee senters, Fullard en Schoeman, het die stut Kabous Bezuidenhout ‘n goeie vertoning beleef.

Garsfontein kom Saterdag in Vanderbijlpark teen Transvalia te staan, terwyl Kempton Park teen Monument se Wit Bulle te staan sal kom.

Garsfontein se tweede rugbyspan, die Grizzlies, het sy wedstryd teen sy eweknie van Kempies gemaklik met 59-13 gewen. Die tuisspan het moedig probeer, maar kon in die tweede helfte nie meer al die gate toestop nie.

Die Grizzlies het laas in 2016 die knie gebuig.

Puntemakers:

Garsfontein 18 (5) – Drieë: Ricardo Botha, Juandré Scheepers, Kallie Calitz. Strafdoel: Dillon Olckers. Kempton Park 8 (3) – Drie: Werner Schoeman. Strafdoel: Ruben Fullard.

EXCITED about hosting another festival, Graeme College are geared up to tackle one of the Eastern Cape’s big guns when they meet Grey High in the final fixture of the Pam Golding Properties Graeme Rugby Day in Grahamstown on March 24.

This fixture will replace their traditional match in mid-year against the Port Elizabeth giants, a date which has often been plagued by a clash with the Meyer Sauerman week.

While the hosts would love to crown the occasion with a rare victory over their PE rivals, Graeme coach Jonty van der Meulen said the day went a lot further than just producing a winning result.

He said excitement for the day had been building at the school for the past few weeks.

“This is a massive showcase for our school and it is really great to be able to host the Eastern Cape’s top sides in a wonderful festival of schoolboy rugby,” he said.

“The anticipation is not only about having such a big game against Grey, but also the chance for us as a school to make a contribution to rugby in the region.”

He acknowledged that the team’s preparations had been hampered by other activities, most notably the first cricket team’s qualification for the Twenty20 national finals in Pretoria last week.

“We had seven players away for the weekend so we decided not to have a pre-season match as planned,” he said.

“It has left us a bit short of match practice but one positive is that the guys are really itching to get onto the field to show what they can do after training started earlier this year.”

Captained by Bavu Manyakanyaka, Graeme have a few members back from last year, but Van der Meulen said the bulk of the team would be made of players who formed part of a highly successful second team last year.

“They went through the season unbeaten and were always a good side coming through the age-groups. This has helped to create a sense of continuity in the team as the guys know each other well.”

Playing in Port Elizabeth last year, Graeme put up a tremendous fight against Grey, pushing their more fancied rivals all the way before finally going down 22-15.

Van der Meulen is under no illusions as to the challenge which awaits his team.

“We know it will be an extremely tough fixture because Grey always have a good side,” he said.

“They will be well-drilled by Allan Miles, who is a very good coach, and they have players capable of producing the X-factor.”

He added, though, that Graeme were ready to show what they could do in the showdown at 16.10 on the Somerset field.
“We see this as an opportunity to take on one of the big guns in Eastern Cape rugby and we know we will have to be at our best.

“But we will aim to put them under pressure and see what happens.”

A number of other intriguing matches will be part of the programme on the main field.

Brandwag have made a promising start to the season, with three straight wins, but face arguably their biggest test against Queen’s at 10.20.

Cradock outfit Marlow Agricultural have had notable victories against Dale and Duineveld, which should send a message to East London powerhouse Selborne about what awaits them at 12.40.

Kingswood were too strong for Muir last weekend, but know they will have a much stiffer examination when they take on Framesby in the main curtain-raiser at 15.00.

Besides the action on the Somerset field, a further 15 games, which also involve U14 and U16 teams, will be played on the Marais A and B fields.

The fixtures are:

SOMERSET FIELD

08.00 Pearson 1st vs Muir 1st
09.10 Union 1st vs Cambridge 1st
10.20 Brandwag 1st vs Queen’s 1st
11.30 Nico Malan 1st vs Dale 1st
12.40 Selborne 1st vs Marlow 1st
13.50 St. Andrew’s 1st vs Hudson Park 1st
15.00 Kingswood 1st vs Framesby 1st
16.10 Graeme 1st vs Grey High 1st

MARAIS A FIELD

08.00 Graeme U16 vs Grey High U16
09.00 Graeme 2nd vs Grey High 2nd
10.00 Port Alfred 1st vs Nathaniel Nyaluza 1st
11.00 Selborne U16 vs Marlow U16
12.00 Pearson U16 vs Muir U16
13.00 Union High U16 vs Cambridge U16
14.00 Brandwag U16 vs Queen’s U16
15.00 Nico Malan U16 vs Dale U16

MARAIS B FIELD

08.00 Graeme College U14 vs Grey High U14
09.00 Graeme College U15 vs Grey High U15
10.00 Pearson High U14 vs Muir U14
11.00 Selborne U14 vs Marlow U14
12.00 Brandwag U14 vs Queen’s U14
13.00 Union High U14 vs Cambridge U14
14.00 Nico Malan U14 vs Dale U14

Like the high-quality action on the field, the World Schools Festival also has top-notch entertainment planned for Paarl Boys’ High School’s 150-year anniversary celebrations in the picturesque Western Cape Town between 2-7 April.

The festival will not only consist of four match days of mouth-watering schoolboy encounters and will also have five of the country’s top bands in action.

The entertainment will include appearances by Juan Boucher (April 3), Snotkop (April 4), Spoegwolf (April 6) while Die Heuwels Fantasties and Francois van Coke will close the festival in style on April 7.

One of Bellville’s most famous sons, Francois van Coke, who himself had dreams of pursuing a career in rugby, will rock out the festival with his show scheduled for 21:30 on Saturday evening.

Performing artist Juan Boucher shared his excitement in being a part of the celebrations. ‘Rugby is a big part of the South African culture as is music and I’m super excited to be part of a rugby Festival in the lovely town of Paarl in the heart of schoolboy rugby’.

Wimpie van der Sandt CEO of Bok Radio, official entertainment partners for the festival, said “Bok Radio is proud to be associated with the World Schools Festival and look forward to doing what we do best, entertaining the Western Cape community with the very best in local entertainment. The artists appearing at the festival are all gold and platinum selling acts in South Africa and were carefully selected to cater for a wide range of spectators, young and old, and to be in the same class as the rugby that will be played on the field at the tournament.”

The tournament that will feature the top 10 schools in South Africa and 10 of the best schoolboy teams from around the world will form part of Paarl Boys’ High School’s 150-year anniversary celebrations.

The final day of the tournament will also culminate in a match between the SA Legends and Boishaai Legends which will see past heroes bring the curtain down. 

The festival will promote the traditional values of the sport forging relationships across continents through the shared love of rugby.

The entertainment is included in the price of the festival tickets which can be purchased at www.computicket.com or at the gates.

Prices vary from R55 for adults, R35 for school pupils between the ages of 10 and 18, and children under the age of 10 are charged R15 per person per day. Four-day rugby passes are priced at R190, R110 and R35 for adults, school pupils and children respectively.

Join us for the festival and see rugby’s #FutureHeroes in action!

Recently capped Springbok Sevens player Muller du Plessis, and DHL Stormers Vodacom Super Rugby players Damian Willemse and Salmaan Moerat, will continue with their other commitments next week when the Junior Springbok training squad gathers for a third training camp in Stellenbosch as part of their preparations for the World Rugby U20 Championship.

Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux invited 37 players to the camp from Tuesday, 27 March, to Friday, 30 March, which included Moerat, Willemse – the Man of the Match in the Vodacom Super Rugby clash between the DHL Stormers and Blues on Saturday –and Du Plessis, although they will not attend the camp.

The squad features three new players – Ruan Nortje (lock, Vodacom Blue Bulls), Zak Burger (scrumhalf, Cell C Sharks) and David Kriel (fullback, DHL Western Province).

This is the last of three short camps before the training squad switches into match mode in the lead-up to the U20 Championship which will be hosted in the south of France from 30 May to 17 June, with two home internationals against Georgia and a UK tour, where they will face Scotland, Wales and England.

“We are delighted that Damian, Salmaan and Muller are doing well in Vodacom Super Rugby and at the Blitzboks respectively,” said Roux.

“They will gain a lot of experience and confidence with those teams, and that is exactly what we would like from a national perspective.”

Commenting on the camp, Roux said: “It was always our intention to invite a large squad to the first two training camps, and then reduce the size of the group as our preparation progresses.

“The inclusion of the three new players, however, shows that the door is still open for players to work their way into contention for places in the 28-man squad for the U20 Championship.

“That said, having a smaller group to work with at the next camp will allow us to focus more on individual skills and to get a closer look at the players as the tournament draws closer.”

With the World Rugby U20 Championship kicking off in the south of France in less than 11 weeks, Roux said: “We have five internationals lined up before the tournament, and this means that we will have fewer training sessions, as effective player management will be essential.

“So the next camp will be vital in ensuring that the structures are in place and that the players know what is expected of them on the field.”

The Junior Springboks have been drawn in Pool C for the international spectacle, and will face Georgia on Wednesday, 30 May, Ireland on Sunday, 3 June, and France on Thursday, 7 June, in the pool stages.

Players invited to Junior Springbok training camp (27-30 March):

Props: Cabous Eloff (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Keagan Glade (Xerox Golden Lions), Leon Lyons (DHL Western Province), Sazi Sandi (DHL Western Province), Alulutho Tshakweni (Eastern Province), Tiaan van der Merwe (Xerox Golden Lions).

Hookers: PJ Botha (Xerox Golden Lions), Schalk Erasmus (DHL Western Province), Daniel Jooste (DHL Western Province), Fezokuhle Mbatha (Cell C Sharks).

Locks: Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Western Province), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Western Province), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Blue Bulls), PJ Steenkamp (Xerox Golden Lions), Ruan Vermaak (Xerox Golden Lions).

Loose forwards: Phendulani Buthelezi (Cell C Sharks), Francke Horn (DHL Western Province), Shaine Orderson (DHL Western Province), Ryno Pieterse (Vodacom Blue Bulls), JC Pretorius (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Muller Uys (DHL Western Province).

Scrumhalves: Richman Gora (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Jack Hart (Xerox Golden Lions), Rewan Kruger (Toyota Free State), Zak Burger (Cell C Sharks).

Flyhalves: David Coetzer (DHL Western Province), Johannes Steenkamp (Leopards), Damian Willemse (DHL Western Province).

Centres: Lyle Hendricks (DHL Western Province), Rikus Pretorius (DHL Western Province), Manuel Rass (Xerox Golden Lions), Wandisile Simelane (Xerox Golden Lions).

Outside backs: Muller du Plessis (Cell C Sharks), Tyrone Green (Xerox Golden Lions), David Kriel (DHL Western Province), Gianni Lombard (Xerox Golden Lions), Sakoyisa Makata (DHL Western Province).

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Jeppe High School for Boys’ u16-team will face Diocesan College of Cape Town (Bishops) in the main match of the opening day of the 6th annual Jeppe Rhino Rugby Under-16 Rugby Festival. The festival will take place from 29th March to 2nd April 2018.

Jeppe will also play in the main game of the final day, when they will meet Randburg. On the Saturday they will face Grey High School of Port Elizabeth. 

Jeppe old boy, ex-teacher and World Cup winning Springbok coach, Jake White is the patron of the event and he will be in attendance over the weekend. “I am honoured to be involved in this initiative which supports the development of Rugby and our future rugby stars, in such a direct and tangible way”, he said.

Jeppe’s B-field is named the White Field after their famous old-scholar and coach. White coached the first team from 1989 until 1994. The main field is named after legendary Jack Collard who coached the First XV from 1942 until 1960. 

The following schools will be playing:

Ben Vorster, Bishops, Florida, Grey High School, Helpmekaar, King Edward VII, Lichtenburg, Golden Lions Invitation XV, Northwood, Parktown Boys’ High, Pretoria Boys’ High, Randburg, St Benedict’s College, St Charles College, Zwartkop, Wesvalia, Westville Boys’ High.

The Fixtures: 

Thursday, 29 March 2018

Collard Field 

09:30 – Westville Boys’ High vs Pretoria Boys’ High
10:30 – Parktown Boys’ High vs Grey High School
11:30 – St Charles College vs St Benedicts College
12:30 – King Edward VII vs Helpmekaar
13:30 – Jeppe High School for Boys’ vs Diocesan College

White Field 

09:30 – Ben Vorster vs Zwartkop
10:30 – Randburg vs Wesvalia
11:30 – Florida vs Golden Lions President XV
12:30 – Northwood vs Lichtenburg 

Saturday 1 April 2018

Collard Field 

09:30 – Pretoria Boys’ High vs St Charles College
10:30 – Helpmekaar vs Diocesan College
11:30 – Westville Boys’ High vs King Edward VII
12:30 – Grey High School vs Jeppe High School for Boys 
13:30 – Randburg vs Northwood

White Field

09:30 – Golden Lions President XV vs Wesvalia
10:30 – Lichtenburg vs Zwartkop
11:30 – St Benedict’s College vs Florida
12:30 – Ben Vorster vs Parktown Boys’ High

Monday, 2 April 2018

Collard Field

08:30 – Helpmekaar vs Northwood
09:30 – Diocesan College vs King Edward VII
10:30 – Pretoria Boys’ High vs Ben Vorster
11:30 – St Benedict’s College vs Wesvalia
12:30 – Jeppe High School for Boys’ vs Randburg 

White Field 

08:30 – St Charles College vs Grey High School
09:30 – Westville Boys’ High vs Zwartkop
10:30 – Golden Lions President XV vs Lichtenburg
11:30 – Florida vs Parktown Boys’ High

The fixtures for the Jeppe Under-16 Rugby Festival have been announced.

Thursday 29^th March

9.30am Westville v Pretoria Boys’ High; Ben Vorster v Swartkop

10.30am Parktown v Grey High; Randburg v Wesvalia

11.30am St Charles v St Benedict’s; Florida v Lions President’s VX

12.30pm KES v Helpmekaar; Northwood v Lichtenburg

1.30pm Jeppe v Bishops.

Saturday 1^st April

9.30am Pretoria Boys’ High v St Charles; Lions President’s VX v Wesvalia

10.30am Helpmekaar v Bishops; Lichtenburg v Swartkop

11.30am Westville v KES; St Benedict’s v Florida

12.30pm Grey High v Jeppe; Ben Vorster v Parktown

1.30pm Randburg v Northwood

Monday 2^nd April

8.30am Helpmekaar v Northwood; St Charles v Grey High

9.30am Bishops v KES; Westville v Swartkop

10.30am Pretoria Boys’ High v Ben Vorster; Lions President’s VX v Lichtenburg

11.30am St Benedict;s v Wesvalia; Florida v Parktown

12.30pm Jeppe v Randburg

Free State Cricket Union (FSCU) is proud of Saint Andrews for successfully representing Free State at 2018 Coca-Cola Schools T20 National Finals.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Free State Cricket Union, Johan van Heerden, congratulates St. Andrews on being crowned the 2018 Coca-Cola Schools T20 Champions. “We are extremely proud of St. Andrews School. They have been the best cricketing school in the Free State for a couple years now, and fully deserve the credit and achievement”, commented Johan. “The drive and passion shown by coach Gregg Hobson made this possible and once again it is evident that structures and hard work pays off”, added Johan.

St. Andrews qualified for 2018 Coca-Cola Schools T20 National Finals after defeating Northern Cape High in their Franchise Final at Diamond Oval, Kimberley, on 23 February 2018. Their journey towards the Franchise Final was not easy because they had to overcome their Bloemfontein rivals, Grey College, to qualify to play Northern Cape High.

FSCU also commends the school’s leadership for always doing their best to improve cricket at the school. “Compliments must also go towards the Headmaster and governing body that has strived to improve the infrastructure at the school with state of the art indoor facility and extra turf nets” says Mr van Heerden. “St. Andrews has also achieved the honour of qualifying as a Cricket

South Africa BLUE CHIP SCHOOL and this clearly indicates the commitment to Cricket. It is understandable that FSCU decided to reward St. Andrews financially with this fantastic achievement”, said Mr van Heerden in conclusion.

Kearsney hosted Northwood in an FNB classic clash on a pleasant afternoon following two days of rainy conditions. Northwood dominated the opening quarter and eventually their burly number eight dived over in the left-hand corner resulting from a quick tap penalty to which the hosts were slow to react.

The visitors’ persistence and domination continued and they were rewarded again with a converted try from a well-executed counter attack resulting from a poor return kick and defence. Northwood deserved the 12-0 lead after 20 minutes’ play.

Kearsney regrouped well and soon turned over a lineout, close to their own 22m. They moved the ball down the back line and, after two breakdowns, fly half Taine Muirhead broke the defensive line, finding full back Jacques Odendaal at full flight. He timed his feed to winger Mark Pretorius who scored in the left corner for an unconverted try.

The hosts’ found their rhythm and within three minutes scored another brilliant try, where forwards and backs combined well. Muirhead enjoyed another line break to feed eighthman Andrew Harding who found flanker Taine Polzi on his inside, who outsprinted the defence to dive over near the upright. Muirhead converted and brought the scores level at 12-all until halftime.

Kearsney dominated territorially the first 10 minutes of the second half and capitalised on two Muirhead penalties to take the lead at 18-12.

The next try must be the most memorable of the match by flanker and man of the match Sibu Sangweni. He provided a seldom seen solo effort of this quality from close to his own 22m, beating a number of defenders to score a spectacular long range try in the left-hand corner.

Northwood responded soon afterwards with a penalty to close the score to 15-23.

Kearsney had the better of the remainder of the match but failed to capitalise on opportunities. Credit to Northwood for playing to the end, after Kearsney failed to close the match from a penalty for touch which saw the visitors scoring a converted try, for a final score of 23-22 to the hosts.

Outstanding players for Kearsney were Sangweni, Muirhead, Polzi, Odendaal and Harding.