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Last weekend, with a 66-14 victory over Wynberg Boys’ High, Paarl Gimnasium hit a 10-game winning streak.

They visit Riversdal on Saturday, where Oakdale Landbou’s Bulle will be snorting, intent on ending Gim’s impressive 10-match run, which has produced an average margin of victory of 55-13.

They’ve scored 64, 66, and 66 points in their last three matches.

Kickoff in Riversdal is at 13:20, and the action is LIVE on SuperSport Schools. 

The Farmers are in good form. In their last match, on 16 May, they beat Hoërskool Outeniqua 27-21 in a King Price Derby Series clash in Riversdal.

Paarl Gim, meanwhile, went off at Wynberg Boys’ High last weekend, with fullback Thomas Saunders bagging an impressive four tries. The scary thing for Gim’s opponents is that he’s just one of many prolific try-scorers in the visitors’ backline.

Oakdale outside centre Myburgh Eksteen is similar to Saunders in his ability to find the try line. Perhaps, though, the most interesting and most consequential battle between the sides will be up front, especially in the lineout, where Oakdale is one of the most clinically drilled and effective sides in the country.

Last year, though, Gimmies were one of the few sides that looked better in the lineouts than the Farmers when they scored a 29-9 win at home.

Oakdale captain and eighthman, Jacobus de Villiers, made the SA Schools and SA u18 sides last season. He’s the complete package: strong, fast, intelligent, and with an engine to match. He could trouble both the Gimmies’ defence and offence on the weekend.

Of course, the Paarl locals aren’t without their own exciting loose forwards. Flanks Dirk Hugo and Corné Niemand hunt like wild dogs on defence, and Niemand’s been getting his name on the scoresheet consistently in recent outings.

Oakdale are a rugged bunch. The most points they have conceded thus far this season were 28, in a 17-28 loss to Affies, which is just over half the number of points that Paarl Gimnasium is averaging during their 10-match winning streak. Which gives on Saturday?

Hoërskool Parel Vallei’s nine-game winning streak was ended by SACS last weekend, when they went down 5-19 in Cape Town.

Fortunes favoured Hoërskool Brackenfell on the same day. They squeezed past Hoërskool Strand, winning 30-29.

They meet on Saturday at 12:20 in Somerset West.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

Last year, as the home side, Brakkies won the affair 19-12. But the Bulldogs will pose a more formidable challenge this time around. They’ve constructed an excellent campaign, and they’ll be smarting after losing their unbeaten record last weekend. That will make the task that much more difficult for Brackenfell.

Parel Vallei captain and outside centre Owen Cockroft is an important pivot in the Bulldogs’ backline. He is often the creator of opportunities for the home side’s leading try scorers, fullback Shudley Rhoda and left-wing Rafael von Loeper.

That’s not to take away from the skills of Rhoda and Von Loeper. They often still have to beat defenders, and they’ve proven themselves to be deadly finishers.

Lock Manya Prayer was a solid unit for Brakkies in their win over Strand on the weekend. He’s tough to stop when carrying the ball, and he’s a diligent worker around the field. The PV forwards will feel his presence.

Despite last weekend’s setback, Parel Vallei carries plenty of momentum into the clash. Brackenfell, though, will be equally hungry to win and record a second successive victory for the first time this season.

Hoërskool Strand and Hoërskool Hugenote (Wellington) are set to meet at 12:10 on Saturday.

Hugenote fell 36-43 to Worcester Gimnasium last weekend, while Strand, Saturday’s home team, was edged out 29-30 at Brackenfell.

Strand scrumhalf Jason Hartogh backed his vision and found gaps to exploit with strong runs last week. One of those brought him a try. With the form that he’s in, Hugenote will need to keep a close eye on him.

Openside flank Josh Lourens also bagged himself a try and delivered a heavy shift at the breakdown in the tight loss. Strand’s captain and eighthman Rohan Bezuidenhout is also relentless in the rucks.

Hugenote’s loose forwards will need to produce high levels of stamina to deal with the challenge posed by Strand in the battle for possession.

It’s a tough one to call. Suffice to say, it has the look of a contest that could go down to the wire.

TEAMS

Oakdale Landbou: 15 Nathan-Lee Gordon, 14 Luan van Tonder, 13 Myburgh Eksteen, 12 André van der Merwe, 11 Luan Mortlock, 10 Caleb Williams, 9 Mich van Eeden, 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 Kyle Burger.

Paarl Gimnasium: 15 Thomas Saunders, 14 Corné de Beer, 13 Derik Cloete, 12 Ethan Barker (Captain), 11 De Waal Vivier, 10 Louis Koen, 9 Mickyle Booise, 8 Hendré van Zyl, 7 Dirk Hugo, 6 Corné Niemand, 5 Jean Dreyer, 4 Bernhardt Schulze, 3 Sebastian Bekker, 2 Charles Whitehead, 1 Jayden Steyl.

Hoërskool Parel Vallei (likely): 15 Shudley Rhoda, 14 Aydin February, 13 Owen Cockroft (Captain), 12 Brad Brown, 11 Rafael von Loeper, 10 Stephan Niemann, 9 Michael Kent, 8 Reilly Capes, 7 Ethan Ramos, 6 Marcé Els, 5 Keaton Baird, 4 Herman Kriel, 3 Cayden Rautenbach, 2 Luke Terblanche, 1 Bjan Theron.

Hoërskool Brackenfell (likely): 15 Ruan van Tonder, 14 Damian Kruger, 13 Michael Buys, 12 Jordan Engelbrecht, 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 Eckard Esterhuyse.

Hoërskool Strand (likely): 15 Duval Roode, 14 Connor Luke Julies, 13 Preston Lee Tobias, 12 Waldo Newton, 11 Haydriane Pieterson, 10 Leathan Lewis, 9 Jason Hartogh, 8 Rohan Bezuidenhout (captain), 7 DC Fourie, 6 Josh Lourens, 5 Schalk Beukes, 4 Robert de Villiers, 3 Brand Nel, 2 Benjamin de Reuck, 1 Duane Lombard.

Hoërskool Hugenote (Wellington): N/A. 

Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote‘s rotational policy continued when he named a reshuffled match-day squad for South Africa‘s final Under-20 International Series match against Georgia in Stellenbosch on Saturday, with regular captain Riley Norton back in the starting team.

South Africa’s Christopher Allison is one of 12 match officials to take the whistle at the Junior World Championship in Georgia, World Rugby announced on Wednesday, with a month to go until the JWC 2026 kicks off.

HTS Drostdy has produced some of the most exciting attacking rugby in the country this season. In eight matches, they’ve averaged over 48 points per game, tallying 387 points.

They tackle Worcester Gimnasium on Saturday at 13:00. Last season’s rivalry clash finished 35-17 in favour of HTS Drostdy.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

While the Donkies are heavy favourites, Gim is not to be underestimated. They’ve hit their stride in recent weeks, winning three games in succession after losing their first six matches of the season.

The Donkies’ winning run is up to four on the trot. Their wings, Darren Makeza and Tristin Syster, when they last played three Saturdays ago, both bagged braces in a 40-14 victory over Hoërskool Hugenote (Wellington). Their match the following week, against Swartland, had to be called off due to flooding.

Flyhalf and inside centre Jano van Deventer has been a key component of their offensive prowess, creating and scoring tries with his skillful hands, boot and strong running. He’s also a sound kicker off the tee, making him a serious threat to Worcester Gimnasium’s chances of victory.

Gim’s left-wing Joyce Baningela has hit a purple patch in their recent matches. Last week, he scored two vital tries in their 43-36 win over Hugenote. The week before that, he notched a hat-trick in a 29-22 defeat of Brackenfell. Their outside centre, Björn van der Westhuizen, has also been in the mix lately. He twice made the dive for five against Hugenote.

A high-scoring try-fest is on the cards. While the Donkies head into the clash scoring close to a half-century of points a game, Worcester Gim, in their three recent wins, has not scored less than 31 points.

TEAMS

HTS Drostdy (likely): 15 Anwill Jacobs, 14 Tristin Syster, 13 Brent-Leigh Exstraal, 12 Willvino Paultin, 11 Darren Makeza, 10 Jano van Deventer, 9 Wernard de Villiers, 8 Simamkele Lahlekile, 7 Joniel Claasen, 6 N/A, 5 Jean-Louis Matthee, 4 Eugene Walker, 3 Jaden Stewart, 2 JP Lotriet, 1 Juann Jansen van Vuuren.

Worcester Ginnasium: 15 Matthew Fortuin, 14 Leagon Brooks, 13 Björn van der Westhuizen, 12 Bonga Allie, 11 Joyce Baningela, 10 Luciun de Bruyn, 9 Jerran Adams, 8 Amaan Adendorff, 7 Arthur Kana, 6 Sisekelo Dlamini, 5 Likhakha Mayeki, 4 Leighcon Du Plessis, 3 Reece Matthee, 2 Kieran Salie, 1 Anzio Brinkhuys.

JOHANNESBURG: For many young South Africans, the journey into cricket doesn’t begin on a perfectly manicured pitch or in front of a crowd. It begins with access; to equipment, to safe spaces, and to someone who believes they belong in the game.

Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) recently launched ‘Ready to Play’ programme is built on that simple, but powerful idea. The idea that every child, regardless of background, deserves the chance to pick up a bat, bowl a ball, and feel what it means to be part of the game.

Across communities, in schools and hubs, the programme aims to reshape what that first moment looks like.

For some, it’s receiving their very first cricket bat. For others, it’s stepping onto a field for the first time, guided by coaches who understand that development is about more than just technique; it’s about confidence, belonging, and opportunity.

This past season, the Hollywoodbets Pro Series showed us the importance of taking the first step to nurturing the building blocks of our pathway.

The finalist teams in the Hollywoodbets Pro50 and Pro20 competitions came together to pack essential care packages that were donated to Sukuma Primary School in Umlazi and John Dube High School in KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal.

From hygiene products to everyday school necessities such as pens, rulers and erasers, each item that was packed carries the same intention, to support young people in ways that extend beyond the boundary.

“It’s incredibly important for us to recognise the role we can play beyond the boundary,” said World Sports Betting Western Province Women’s captain, Leah Jones.

“Taking part in something like this reminds us that the game has given us so much, and it’s our responsibility to help open those same doors for the next generation.”

Fellow finalist, DP World Lions Women Captain, Kgomotso Rapoo, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the impact of access at grassroots level.

“Programmes like Ready to Play are changing lives in ways that go far beyond cricket.

“When young people are supported in a holistic way, both in the classroom and on the field, it builds confidence. And confidence is where everything starts.”

As part of CSA’s broader development pathway, the initiative seeks to nurture the game from its foundation, ensuring that every aspiring cricketer has the opportunity to begin their journey.

Because before every cover drive, every wicket, and every Proteas cap… someone, somewhere, was simply given the chance to be ready to play.

Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications

After an entertaining last round of Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) Inland A-League fixtures on Tuesday, Carter High and Edendale Technical High have qualified for the final, to be played on Barns Field at Maritzburg College, on 10 June.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

The last round of matches included a clash of the teams that qualified for the final, with Edendale defeating Carter High 1-0.

Since joining the A-League in 2025, Edendale has made a big impact. They finished in third place in their debut season. This season, they ended in second place, trailing Carter on goal difference only after both teams tallied 16 points.

Carter scored more goals but also conceded more. They hit the back of the net 14 times and let in three goals. Edendale, meanwhile, scored only seven times, but they were rock-solid defensively and surrendered just one goal.

Ixopo narrowly missed out on a place in the title game after comfortably defeating the defending champions, Maritzburg College, in their last outing. The visitors won 3-0, with Luvuyo Mjwara netting twice and captain Mpendulo Dlamini contributing a third.

It was a tough campaign for College. They ended in fourth place, with eight points to their name.

At Alexandra High, neither Alex nor Linpark scored, but the goalless draw resulted in the relegation of Alex to the Inland B-League next season.

Both teams finished with three points, but Linpark’s goal difference was better, leaving them in seventh place, just above Alex.

ML Sultan and Haythorne also shared a goalless draw. With the points shared, ML Sultan finished in fifth position, and Haythorne placed sixth.

RESULTS

Wednesday, 27 May

Edendale 1-0 Carter High
Alexandra High 0-0 Linpark
Ixopo 3-0 Maritzburg College
ML Sultan 0-0 Haythrone

Forthcoming Fixtures

Thursday, 28 May

Coastal B-League: Queensburgh High 

Field 1
15:10 – Sastri vs New Forest
16:10 – Queensburgh High vs Empangeni

Field 2
15:10 – Brettonwood vs Amanzimtoti
16:10 – Grosvenor vs Redwood

Collegiate Girls’ High confirmed its status as the team to beat in the Eastern Cape over the past weekend.

The side from Gqeberha handed their rivals, DSG Makhanda, their heftiest defeat of the season, beating them 5-1 at the Webster AstroTurf in Makhanda.

It was yet another impressive victory for coach Michael Abrahams‘ side, who have been in top form this season.

While they might have fallen short of winning the title in several tournaments, including the St Mary’s Waverley Festival, All Girls Festival, and Belgotex Sport Girls Challenge, Collegiate has dominated their derby fixtures.

At St Mary’s, they bowed out in the quarterfinals after losing to Rhenish Girls’ High on a penalty shootout before narrowly going down in the semifinals at the All Girls Festival against Oranje.

A 0-1 loss to Waterkloof in the Girls Challenge final in Cape Town means Collegiate’s only remaining chance of clinching silverware this year will be at the Fairtree Super 12 in August.

Barring those tournament heartbreaks, Collegiate’s in-season form has been outstanding. Their results include a 3-0 win over Rhenish and a 2-1 defeat of Oranje. In recent weeks, they thumped both Outeniqua and Kingswood College 7-0.

“It’s been a very good way to end the term,” coach Michael Abrahams told SuperSport Schools News after Collegiate’s emphatic win over DSG.

“It’s never easy going to Makhanda and playing DSG at their home ground.

“We know a game is never won in the first half, so for us, it was about staying in it as long as possible.”

Kerrin Gillies, who has been a star performer for the past two seasons, racked up a hat-trick against DSG, while Olivia Freecks and the dangerous Casey Grobler also struck for the Gqeberha school.

Despite conceding one goal, Collegiate’s defence was solid.

“We wanted to play where there is space, be good defensively, and make sure we could handle their aerial and long ball threats,” Abrahams said. “Taking accountability for our one-versus-one defence was also key.

“When in possession, we wanted to make sure that we could move the ball and play vertically as soon as possible.

“We scored some good goals. Before the match, we spoke about a few things tactically and worked on specifics.”

Collegiate’s fixtures for the term are complete. Exams lie ahead, followed by the Inter-Provincial Tournaments during the mid-year holiday. Then, it’s back into action in July.

Abrahams’ charges face some testing fixtures in the third term. They start it with a derby against local side Framesby before facing Oranje and Eunice over a blockbuster weekend.

Thereafter, they’ll travel to Bloemfontein for the Super 12 before ending their season at home against Clarendon.

The final of the Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) Coastal A-League has been confirmed. It will be a repeat of the 2024 final in which Glenwood defeated Westville Boys’ High 1-0.

The title game takes place on 9 June.

On Tuesday, a goalless draw against Durban High School (DHS) ensured Glenwood finished at the top of the table, after leading the way from start to finish.

That result left the Green Machine with 17 points, while DHS completed their round-robin campaign in fourth on 11 points.

The defending champions, Westville Boys’ High, recorded a convincing 3-0 victory over Port Shepstone High, raising their total to 16 points, leaving them second on the log. Sheppie, with seven points from seven matches, ended in fifth.

By placing second and securing a place in the final, Westville has reached the title decider in three consecutive seasons.

They beat Hillcrest High to lift the trophy in 2025, but went down to Glenwood in the 2024 final in a penalty shootout. Glenwood also went all the way in 2023, beating Port Shepstone High after a penalty shootout at Chiltern Park.

Catch the KZNHSFA Inland A-League action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

Northwood narrowly missed out on the final, coming up just two points shy. They ended in third place, on 14 points. Despite the disappointment of not making the title game, it was a successful campaign for the Knights, who were on the brink of relegation during the 2025 season. A win on the last day ensured their A-League status.

On Tuesday, Northwood beat Bechet 3-1, with goals from Owami Maduna, Benjamin Huyssteen, and Dimphotsenhle Motloung. Following their challenging Coastal A-League experience last year, Northwood’s football underwent drastic improvement, with the side reaching the final of the Primo Big 10 competition in August and winning the Mancosa Cowie Cup in October.

After ending their campaign with one win and six losses, Bechet, who were promoted this season, will be heading back to the Coastal B-League in 2027.

Hillcrest High, one of the most talked about teams in 2025, when they finished as the runner-up in the Coastal A-League, endured a tougher time this season. They finished in sixth place with two victories, one draw, and four defeats from their seven matches.

However, they deserve credit for avoiding relegation, which loomed over them for much of the season. In their final game, Hillcrest High defeated Pinetown Boys’ High 2-1 behind goals from Ayedan Whitby and Thandulwethu Ndlovu.

Pinetown, who also struggled last season before going on to win the Kloof High Football Tournament in June and the Kearsney Soccer Tournament in July, finished in seventh place.

KZN Inland A-League final places up for grabs

With the Coastal A-League finalists confirmed, the pressure intensifies in the Inland A-League, whose final matches are on Wednesday, 27 May.

Carter High, the 2025 runner-up, has 16 points ahead of their last round-robin match against Edendale, who are three points behind Carter, in third place.

Edendale could make the final with a win over Carter. They would also need Ixopo, who are in second, to lose to Maritzburg College on Barns Field.

College, the defending champions, have been eliminated from contention for a place in the final. They’re in fourth place, with eight points. A win over Ixopo would lift them to 11 points. Both sides will be supremely motivated to win.

At the bottom of the table, the situation is as intriguing as the situation is at the opposite end of the log. Alexandra High props up the standings, on two points, while Linpark, in seventh, is also on two points. They meet at Alexandra High on Wednesday, and one of those sides will be demoted to the B-League for 2027.

ML Sultan and Haythorne Secondary are tied on six points, in fifth and sixth, respectively. They, at least, will go into their last matches knowing that their places in the A-League have been secured for next season.

RESULTS 

Tuesday, 26 May
Northwood 3-1 Bechet
DHS 0-0 Glenwood
Westville 3-0 Port Shepstone
Hillcrest 2-1 Pinetown

Coastal A-League Final: Tuesday, 9 June

Queensburgh High
15:30 – Glenwood vs Westville

Forthcoming Fixtures: Inland A-League

Wednesday, 27 May

Barns Field (Maritzburg College)
15:00 – Carter vs Edendale
16:00 – Maritzburg College vs Ixopo

Alexandra High
15:00 – Alexandra High vs Linpark
16:00 – ML Sultan vs Haythorne

Two teams from Northerns will contest the forthcoming SASHOC u18 Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT), and one of them, the u18A team, has set its sights on bringing the title to Gauteng.

St Anne’s DSG, in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal, hosts the event for a second successive year. It runs from Monday, 29 June, to Saturday, 4 July.

“This year, we aim to go for the title,” Sinoxolo Mbekeni, the Northerns u18A coach, told SuperSport Schools News.

“However, we know that we first need to make sure we qualify for the semis to achieve that.”

Fulfilling that ambition would be an improvement for the province’s flagbearers, who finished in fifth place last year.

Mbekeni and the Northerns’ think tank view that as a blip in their journey and have faith in the side they have put together and the brand of hockey they are encouraging the team to play.

“Honestly, we would like to repeat what we did two years ago, but making it to the final and hopefully winning,” Mbekeni said. In 2024, Southern Gauteng edged out Northerns 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the teams had played to a 2-2 draw in the final.

The coach’s confidence is not misplaced because Mbekeni leads a side laden with experience. Ten of their players competed at last year’s event.

Six – Jana Seebach, Moya Reinach, Cameron Holworthy, Amogelang Motlatle, Beracah Mosaka, and Thato Dimpe – played for the u18A team, while four others – Annika Kloppers, Lize Wiltz, Mia Perold, and Mila Badenhorst -played vital roles in ensuring the u18B side maintained its A section status.

Kloppers, who is enjoying a brilliant season in goal for Die Hoërskool Menlopark, will provide Northerns with a solid last line of defence. She will work hand-in-hand with a robust defence led by Waterkloof’s captain, Mia Perold. Caitlin Arendse, Mila Badenhorst, Kaylan Crawford, and Moya Reinach complete the defensive unit.

Mosaka and Dimpe provide valuable experience in the midfield, which also includes Chanette Jansen van Vuuren, Rearabetsoe Masepe, Jana Seebach, and Lenique Vogel. That sextet, the link between defence and attack, will have a significant say in the tempo of games.

Northerns has turned to the experienced quartet of Holworthy, Motlatle, Wiltz, and Aphelele Mbatsha for goals.

“The brand we want to play this year is a brand that really complements the type of players we have. I have always believed in a brand that provides a lot of go-forward. We have good speed and skill going forward, and a very strong defence to match it,” Mbekeni explained.

Northerns u18B has been tasked with ensuring the province maintains a strong presence in the A section. The squad, which brings together players from eight schools, aims to cause a few upsets. They’ll also be focused on bettering their 11th-place finish of last year.

Waterkloof is well-represented with four players in the side: Elaine Haycock, Milandri Muller, Nicole Smuts, and Kyra van der Walt.

Three schools provide two players each: Katelynn Blokpoel and Kathleen van Rooyen are from Die Hoërskool Menlopark, Larona Gaoraelwe and Adrienne King will fly the flag for Pretoria High School for Girls (PHSG), and St Mary’s DSG Pretoria is represented by Oyami Mjobi and Siyazingca Nthoesane.

Lisa-Marie Janker (Affies Meisies), Blanca Kotze (Curro Hazeldean), Thato Mpshe (Cornwall Hill College), Kaylee Vermeulen (Midstream College), and Owethu Zulu (Tyger Valley College) are the sole representatives from their schools.

TEAMS

Northerns u18A: Caitlin Arendse (Midstream College), Mila Badenhorst (Waterkloof), Kaylan Crawford (PHSG), Thato-ya-Ona Dimpe (PHSG), Cameron Holworthy (Midstream College), Chanette Jansen van Vuuren (HS Menlopark), Annika Kloppers (HS Menlopark), Rearabetsoe Masepe (Homeschool), Aphelele Mbatsha (Midstream College), Beracah Mosaka (CBC Mount Edmund), Amogelang Motlatle (Curro Hazeldean), Mia Perold (Waterkloof), Moya Reinach (Garsfontein), Jana Seebach (Garsfontein), Lenique Vogel (Waterkloof), Lize Wiltz (Waterkloof).

Northerns u18B: Katelynn Blokpoel (Menlopark), Larona Gaoraelwe (PHSG), Elaine Haycock (Waterkloof), Lisa-Mari Jonker (Affies), Adrienne King (PHSG), Blanca Kotze (Curro Hazeldean), Oyama Mjobi (St Mary’s DSG Pretoria), Thato Mpshe (Cornwall Hill), Milandri Muller (Waterkloof), Siyazingca Nthoesane (St Mary’s DSG Pretoria), Nicole Smuts (Waterkloof), Kyra van der Walt (Waterkloof), Kathleen van Rooyen (Menlopark), Kaylee Vermeulen (Midstream College), Owethu Zulu (Tyger Valley College).