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The second edition of the Curro Halala Cup kicks off with round-robin matches from Friday until Sunday across eight provinces. That marks the beginning of the journey to HeronBridge College, the host of the grand finale, featuring 24 teams, at which the 2026 champions will be crowned.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools.

Paarl Boys’ High vs Wynberg Boys’ High

Wynberg Boys’ High was phenomenal at lineout time last Saturday, scoring all four of their tries from rolling mauls inside the Rondebosch Boys’ 22-metre area.

This Saturday, they’ll travel to Brugstreet for a battle against Paarl Boys’ High, who head into the contest looking for their first win in three matches. Last weekend, they were held to a 13-13 draw by Oakdale Landbou. Before that, they lost 28-31 to Hoërskool Garsfontein.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

It’s rare for Boishaai to go successive games without a win, so they’ll be anxious to shake off that unfamiliar feeling against the visitors. Last year, they defeated Wynberg 32-26 in the southern suburbs. Another entertaining battle is on the cards.

Fullbacks have provided many highlight reels in 2026 thus far, and both ‘Berg and Boishaai boast fantastic weapons at the back, with Wynberg’s Laeeq Davids and the hosts’ Jeneal Davids both players who can turn loose kicks and attacking plays into something special.

Both hookers, JP Norton for Boishaai and Naeem Mohammed for the visitors, are adept at providing finishes from the back of rolling mauls. Against Rondebosch, Mohammed took that route to a hat-trick of tries.

Both power and flair will be on show on Saturday. Could Wynberg add further angst to the Paarl locals by securing a victory on Saturday? It has, after all, been the most unpredictable start to a season in ages.

Hoërskool Hugenote (Wellington) vs Hoërskool Bellville

After five consecutive losses, Hoërskool Bellville battled their way to victory in a gritty 12-6 victory over Hoërskool Brackenfell last weekend.

They’ll be set on extending their winning streak when they visit Hoërskool Hugenote for a 12:00 midday kickoff on Saturday.

Outside centre Rian Kuyk and flyhalf Marno Botes were influential with the boot against Brakkies, and are expected to be the key playmakers for the Capetonians.

Hugenote should not take the visitors and their experience from six matches lightly. The showdown in Wellington could be a cracker.

Hoërskool Swartland vs Hoërskool Hermanus 

Hoërskool Swartland lost 0-17 when they visited Hoërskool Hermanus last April.

This time out, they are the hosts and will be eyeing vengeance. However, they should not underestimate a wounded Hermanus outfit, who fell 15-80 to HTS Drostdy last weekend.

Indeed, the coastal outfit is more than capable of biting back.

The sides kick off at 14:30 in Malmesbury.

The teams:

Paarl Boys’ High vs Wynberg Boys’ High at 12:40 on Brugstreet-A this Saturday.

Paarl Boys’ High (likely): 15 Jeneal Davids, 14 Aleit Stander, 13 Wian Delport, 12 De Wet Nel, 11 Cayden Snyman, 10 Daniel Meisenheimer, 9 Liam de Villiers, 8 Chris Nel, 7 Luhan Hattingh, 6 Steven Muller, 5 Ad Faul, 4 Trichardt van Tonder, 3 Bates Winshaw, 2 JP Norton, 1 Max Malan.

Wynberg: 15 Laeeq Davids, 14 Matthew Farah, 13 Ithandile Nkohla, 12 Cayleb Buys, 11 Chad Campbell, 10 Luke Gertze, 9 Rauf Ahmed, 8 Esa Van der Schyff, 7 Alex Barrett, 6 Alvin Machinja, 5 Eli van der Merwe, 4 James Orwin, 3 Solam Gegana, 2 Naeem Mohammed, 1 Boitumelo Mabohlo.

Hoërskool Hugenote (Wellington) vs Hoërskool Bellville at 12:00 this Saturday.

Hugenote: N/A.

Bellville: 15 Alvino Loggenberg, 14 Marlon Claasen, 13 Rian Kuyk, 12 Xandru Büter, 11 Liam Kuyk, 10 Marno Botes, 9 Juvan Rousseau, 8 Cade Mong, 7 Liam Genis, 6 Zandro Stramrood, 5 Corne Smit, 4 Steven Steyl, 3 Zander van Zyl, 2 Ryno Higgs, 1 Alex Cronje.

Hoërskool Swartland vs Hoërskool Hermanus at 14:30 this Saturday.

Swartland: 15 Juan Hilburg, 14 Vusi Johannes, 13 Christian Mocke, 12 Enrico Louw, 11 Zaidell Paulhus, 10 De Wet van Aswegen, 9 Markus Vorster, 8 Jean Beukes, 7 Christian Cupido, 6 James Joubert, 5 Finn Fowlds, 4 Jared Fredericks, 3 Ernst Coetzee, 2 Winsor Solomons, 1 Jacques van Zyl.

Hermanus: N/A.

The Bishops first-team hockey side will aim to cause a massive upset when they take on South African College High School (SACS) in Cape Town on Friday night.

The Edgars Friday Nite Lights clash will be broadcast live on DSTV Channel 216 and on the SuperSport Schools App.

The rivals meet at 19:00. The atmosphere at the venue, the Brewery AstroTurf, is expected to be electric, and it will be jam-packed with spectators.

To many, Bishops are the underdogs heading into the clash, but coach Ryan Julius will argue otherwise.

On paper, SACS is indeed the favourite, but hockey isn’t played on paper and by the odds, and the first month of the 2026 season has proved that any team can be beaten on an off day.

While SACS picked up two morale-boosting victories last week, beating Durbanville 6-0 and Grey High School 3-1, Bishops was on a break.

Coach Julius’s men last played competitive hockey at the Belgotex Sport Coastal Cup, which took place at the Riverside Hockey Club in Durban late last month.

There, Bishops flexed their muscles against some strong opposition.

In their four matches, they beat Clifton College and Menlopark, drew 2-2 with Westville Boys’ High, and succumbed to a 3-4 loss to St Andrew’s School.

While those results are promising, coach Julius knows that SACS will pose a difficult challenge.

One might feel, too, that coach Sam Holmes’s charges have not played their best hockey, but their win over Grey High last Saturday would’ve given the team a welcome boost and put a spring into the side’s step.

Barring a loss to Northwood at the Founders Festival, SACS has been on song, and a complete performance on Friday night would help them to build momentum right before the Hibbert Shield, which takes place from 24-27 April.

The hosts will take confidence from their matches against Bishops last year, which SACS won 4-1 and 9-0.

Other matches

While the southern suburbs’ rivals lock horns, a plethora of matches is lined up elsewhere in the province.

Rondebosch Boys’ High, after comfortably beating Wynberg Boys’ High 4-1 last weekend, returns to league action against Fairmont High.

Wynberg will aim to bounce back at Paarl Boys’ High, while Parel Vallei tackles DF Akademie.

Worcester Gimnasium will be on the road to face Punt in Mossel Bay, and Paarl Gimnasium takes on Grey College in a clash between big-name opponents who haven’t yet hit their stride in 2026.

Reddam House Constantia faces a tricky test against Durbanville, while the Langa Hockey Club plays Stellenberg High.

FIXTURES

Friday, 17 April

17:45 – Langa Hockey Club vs Stellenberg
18:00 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Grey College
18:40 – Punt vs Worcester Gimnasium
18:50 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Wynberg Boys’ High
19:00 – Reddam House vs Durbanville
19:00 – SACS vs Bishop
19:15 – Rondebosch vs Fairmont High
19:35 – Parel Vallei vs DF Akademie

In 2025 het die muntstuk aan die kant van die Dokter van Boksburg, Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen, geland. Saterdag, op die B-veld van Hoërskool Kempton Park, kry die Buffels van Hoërskool Ben Vorster egter die geleentheid om sake reg te stel.

Volg al die aksie regstreeks op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Die Jansies en Buffels is om 15:25 haaks in die laaste uitspeelrondes van vanjaar se NWU Sport-reeks. Dié twee spanne sal meeding vir die sewende en agtste plek in vanjaar se reeks.

Die Arende vanuit Boksburg het verlede jaar, op sy tuisveld, in dieselfde reeks met 43-25 oor die span van Tzaneen koning gekraai.

Die Buffels, hoewel hulle nie aan die wenkant was nie, sal vol selfvertroue wees nadat hulle 40 punte teen Hoërskool Middelburg, in hul ontmoeting verlede naweek, kon aanteken. Die wedstryd het met 40-elk gelykop geëindig.

Dus sal aanstaande Saterdag die derde keer wees wat die span van Tzaneen uitdraf teen ’n span wat in die Beker-afdeling van vanjaar se Virseker Noordvaal Cup sal meeding, nadat hulle reeds vroeër vanjaar teen Die Hoërskool Menlopark in die ooste van Pretoria swaarde gekruis het. Hul uitdaging bly egter steeds nie gering nie.

Hoewel die Jansies se Arende gemengde welslae vanjaar beleef, bly hulle steeds een van die groot honde noord van die Vaalrivier. Boonop is die Boksburgers nog gekwes ná hul 46-31 nederlaag teen die Rooi Bulle van HTS Middelburg ’n week gelede. Daarom sal nie een die ander sonder handskoene wil aanpak nie, en kan daar met sekerheid gesê word dat die fisieke stryd ’n taai een gaan wees.

Die Buffels sal vir seker moet katsvoet loop vir die Jansies se gevaarlike, Juan van Aswegen. Hy was reeds in 2025 deel van die Arende se span waarin hy gereeld as losskakel diens gedoen het. Vanjaar draf die veelsydige agterspeler op heelagter uit. Dit is juis waar hy op sy gevaarlikste lyk, veral wanneer hy homself by die agterlyn op die aanval aansluit.

Die span word deur steelkantflank, Jaco Engelbrecht, aangevoer. Buiten dat Engelbrecht in die vastelos woeker, is hy ook ’n kranige krieketspeler. Hy het in 2024 groot opslae gemaak met ’n vertoning van ses paaltjies in ses balle tydens Krieket Suid-Afrika se o16-week in Pretoria. Dit is ’n duidelike teken dat hy oor die vermoë beskik om die momentum, hetsy met ’n ronde of ovaalbal van ‘n kragmeting te swaai.

In aanloop tot die hoofwedstryd op die B-veld het Hoërskool Transvalia ook ’n appeltjie met Hoërskool Kempton Park te skil. Die Kempies was in 2025 met 28-21 oor die span van Vanderbijlpark baas. Valia moes sweet vir ’n 38-31 sege oor Hoërskool Eldoraigne, terwyl Hoërskool Piet Retief die Kempies vir hul sege van 34-31 laat werk het. Albei was ook vanjaar twee van die vele nuwelinge by die Noord/Suid-toernooi.

Die Kempies en Valia spook sake vir die negende en tiende plek in die reeks uit.

Dit is hoeka die Eldos en Hoërskool Piet Retief wat mekaar vroeër die dag pak. Ten spyte daarvan dat albei spanne se seisoene ietwat wankelrig begin het en dat dit vir die houtlepel sal wees, is daar steeds hope trots op die spel. Piet Retief, alombekend vir gevaarlike hardlooprugby van enige plek op die veld, sal die span van Centurion se verdediging deeglik beproef.

In antwoord hierop sal die Drake van Centurion se woelige pak die span van Mpumalanga op hul tone hou.

Die moontlike spanne is: 

EG Jansen t. Ben Vorster om 15:25 in Kempton Park:

EG Jansen: 15 Juan van Aswegen, 14 Werner Breytenbach, 13 Duwayne Zeekoei, 12 Dian Botha, 11 Jordan van der Westhuizen, 10 Renaldo October, 9 Joe Diesel, 8 Juan Harris, 7 Jaco Engelbrecht (kaptein), 6 Aljay Olivier, 5 Ivan Botha, 4 Ewan Pretorius, 3 Elshaan Duminy, 2 Quinten Joubert, 1 Frans Uithaler.

Ben Vorster: 15 Wessel Joubert, 14 Ronnel Komane, 13 Zane Trollip, 12 Edwin Matola, 11 Tumi Ramohlale, 10 Lolos Letlabolo, 9 Joshua van Eeden, 8 Joshua van der Mescht, 7 Kobus de Beer, 6 Ryan Gerhardt, 5 Wilhelm Brummer, 4 Dejuan du Plessis, 3 JJ Crewe, 2 Ruben Pohl, 1 Thabang Nkuna.

Hoërskool Kempton Park t. Transvalia om 09:15 in Kempton Park:

Kempton Park: 15 Aubrey Hoskin, 14 Ruan Opperman, 13 Ethan Botha, 12 Guillaume Botha, 11 Bjorn Hardy, 10 Heinrich Burger, 9 Etteinne Stroebel, 8 Christiaan Nixon, 7 Luca du Plooy, 6 Wihan Strey, 5 Jordan Koekemoer, 4 Ruan Mostert, 3 Juan Olivier, 2 Dihan Keeve, 1 Govanni Kruger.

Transvalia: 15 Lorenzo Flynn, 14 Waldo McLaen, 13 Dave Mithizi, 12 Anro van Biljon, 11 Xander Pretorius, 10 Jaydee Maree, 9 Johan Smit, 8 Caylan McLauchlin, 7 Matthew van Niekerk, 6 GJ Rossouw, 5 Eduann Raubenheimer, 4 Juhan Basson, 3 Damian van Heerden, 2 Justin Sampson, 1 Wimpie Maritz.

Hoërskool Piet Retief t. Eldoraigne om 13:55 in Kempton Park:

Piet Retief: 15 Owethu Shabalala, 14 Pedri Pienaar, 13 De Klerk Ferreira, 12 Mukelo Nkosi, 11 Fisokuhle Shabalala, 10 Carl-Hein Creydt, 9 Franvo De La Rosa, 8 Dian Dickinson, 7 Tristan Hambrock, 6 Calvin Muller, 5 Nkazimulo Masondo, 4 Harold Gever, 3 Wayne Mitchell, 2 Ulrich Kinghorn, 1 Melo Xulu.

Eldoraigne: Nie ontvang.

Sedert die nederlaag van 23-8 in die 2024-eindstryd van die NWU se Sportreeks, by Eldoraigne in Centurion, is Die Hoërskool Menlopark steeds op soek na sy eerste sege in bykans drie jaar oor die eerstespan van Hoërskool Waterkloof.

Volg al die aksie regstreeks op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Sy derde kans vir ‘n hap van die kersiekoek kom Saterdag om 16:30 in die eindstryd van die einste NWU Sportreeks, op die hoofveld van die Hoërskool Kempton Park.

Dié twee spanne het mekaar intussen weer verskeie kere gepak, hetsy in die Noordvaalreeks of die NWU-reeks. Dit is ook waar die Parkies die naaste aan ‘n sege oor die Blou Tornado gekom het, nadat die twee topspanne van die reeks, oor die afgelope paar jaar, die NWU Sporttitel met ‘n gelykopuitslag (23-elk) in die eindstryd van 2025, gedeel het.

Dit maak van Waterkloof ‘n hekkie waaroor Menlopark graag sal wil kom. Boonop sal Klofies se hoofafrigter, Cobus van Dyk, sy droomweek wil voortsit na hy as voorspelerafrigter Maandagaand vir Tukkies gehelp het om die FNB Varsitybeker met ‘n sege van 31-3 oor die Pukke te beklink.

Indien die verloop van dié twee spanne se seisoen tot dusver enige aanduiding vir Saterdag is, beloof dit weer ‘n reuse-ontmoeting te wees. Die Klofies en Parkies het elk nog slegs een keer vasgeval.

Die Parkies se nederlaag het teen die gedugte span van Paarl Gimnasium (17-73) gekom. Waterkloof het teen sy ou aartsvyand, die Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool van Pretoria, vasgeval (20-34).

Elkeen het nietemin hiervoor vergoed. Die Blou Tornado het vir Hoërskool Piet Retief dronk gehardloop met ‘n wegholsege van 90-14 voordat hy die Rhinos van Hoërskool Nelspruit verlede naweek, met 71-32, in die halfeindronde uit die pad gevee het.

Menlopark se grootste sege in vanjaar se reeks het ook verlede naweek gekom. Die streeptruie van Menlopark het vir Oos-Moot met 64-14 in die halfeindronde ‘n drag slae toegedien.

Klofies se sukses kan aan sy woelige pak toegedig word, terwyl ‘n giftige agterlyn van Menlopark gesorg het vir sý oorwinnings.

Die fokus val ook op die tweestryd in die middelveld tussen die buitesenters, Meyer Pretorius, wat onlangs sy terugkeer vanaf harsingskudding gemaak het, en die opwindende Danie Botma aan die kant van die Parkies. Botma is egter sedert die Noord/Suid-toernooi sonder sy sentermaat, Dylan Stumke, wat vir ‘n geruime tyd nog op die krukkelys sal wees.

Die Rhinos en Oos-Moot sal mekaar om 15:00 in die voorwedstryd pak, wat as uitspeelwedstryd vir die derde en vierde posisie dien.

Die span van Mbombela het sover gemengde welslae behaal. Indien hy egter soos in sy twee wedstryde by die Noord/Suid-toernooi kan vertoon, sal Oos-Moot ongetwyfeld sy hande vol hê. Die ervaring van kaptein en binnesenter, Rian Botha, saam met die vaardighede van agtsteman Vian Louw, sal ‘n groot rol in die Nellies se soeke na ‘n derde plek in die reeks speel.

Die manne van die Moot is ‘n gedugte span en hul rugbyprogram het van krag tot krag onder die leiding van Braam Pretorius gegroei. Pretorius sal ook die Blou Bulle by vanjaar se Cravenweek brei.

Die Rooi Bulle van HTS Middelburg en Hoërskool Middelburg kon klaarblyklik nie tot 9 Mei wag nie. Middelburg sal om 12:00 Saterdagmiddag in rooi en groen verdeel word, hoewel die twee mekaar in Kempton Park vir die vyfde en sesde plek pak. Dit sal ‘n lekker bederf en ‘n voorsmaak vir die Middelburg-derby later vanjaar wees.

Middies moes verlede naweek met die Buffels van Hoërskool Ben Vorster sussie soen. Die twee spanne het gesamentlik vir 80 punte gesorg, met die wedstryd wat met 40-elk gelykop geëindig het. Middies het deurgedring nadat hy eerste en ook die meeste drieë in die wedstryd gedruk het.

Die Rooi Bulle het vir die Dokter van Boksburg, Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen, ore aangesit met ‘n sege van 46-31. Dit het egter teen ‘n prys gekom. Staatmaker-senter Jacques Greyling sal waarskynlik ‘n groot gedeelte van die seisoen misloop nadat hy sy milt in ‘n duikslag teen die Arende geskeur het.

Nietemin is die ontmoeting tussen rooi en groen selde ‘n teleurstelling en sal die vonke behoorlik spat in ‘n poging om die eerste hou vanjaar te land.

Die moontlike spanne is: 

Waterkloof t. Menlopark om 16:30 in Kempton Park:

Waterkloof: 15 Alexander Griesel, 14 Mieder Erasmus, 13 Meyer Pretorius, 12 Ben Steyn, 11 Jacques Janse van Rensburg, 10 Liam Schutte, 9 Marcel Tsiakos, 8 Almero Gerritse, 7 Stefan Pieterse, 6 Hugo Dercksen, 5 Marius Venter, 4 Brayn Joubert, 3 Reinhard Duvenhage, 2 Stiaan Theron, 1 Wian Hetzel.

Menlopark: 15 Juan Joubert, 14 Lucian Reed, 13 Danie Botma, 12 Aidan Dicks, 11 Mendriano-Jody Abrahams, 10 Willie Pieterse, 9 Eben Botma, 8 Tiaan Boshoff, 7 Miller de Jager, 6 Duran Pieterse, 5 Dawid van den Heever, 4 Lyndon Fourie, 3 Reando Fourie, 2 Dian de Bruin, 1 Justin Toerien

Hoërskool Nelspruit t. Oos-Moot om 15:00 in Kempton Park:

Hoërskool Nelspruit: 15 Randzu Mkhabela, 14 Tye Habib, 13 Jendré Aucamp, 12 Rian Botha, 11 Hanré Smit, 10 Ewan van der Merwe, 9 Kamo Monkwe, 8 Vian Louw, 7 Christiaan de Klerk, 6 Aldo van Jaarsveld, 5 Christiaan Botha, 4 Dirk-Arnold Joubert, 3 Marcel Lindeque, 2 Obuhle Nyumba, 1 Christiaan Viljoen.

Oos-Moot: 15 Tyrese Adams, 14 Bradley Jacobs, 13 Jayden Meintjies, 12 Le Roux Smith, 11 LJ Vaughn, 10 Tesuis van der Merwe, 9 Stanley Watkins, 8 Riyaan Wilson, 7 Luhan Hay, 6 Pema Bramley, 5 Ulrich Gerber, 4 Calvin Jones, 3 Sinawo Stengana, 2 Thando Telelo, 1 Eben Koen.

HTS Middelburg vs Hoërskool Middelburg om 12:00 in Kempton Park:

HTS Middelburg: 15 Wynand Cronjé, 14 Fourie Joubert, 13 Danté Lubbe, 12 Nathan Janse van Vuuren, 11 Ruwan Graaf, 10 Ruhan Janse van Vuuren, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Tiaan Bezuidenhout, 7 Andrea de Wet, 6 Reghardt Blake, 5 Ruben Kruger, 4 Max Venter, 3 Carlo Joubert, 2 Waldo Lourens, 1 Argu Kruger.

Hoërskool Middelburg: 15 Jano Wilson, 14 Lihle Nkadimeng, 13 Aiden van Heerden, 12 Blake Fader, 11 Kgotso Peta, 10 Kgontse Masilela, 9 Enio Manchica, 8 Menzi Siyaya, 7 Siya Mokgoatjana, 6 Johan Raulstone, 5 Khenzi Buthelezi, 4 Lihan de Vaal, 3 Dewald du Toit, 2 Ryan Blake, 1 Melchior van Niekerk.

Oos-Moot’s captain and goal assist, Lana Love, led her side to a hard-fought 31-30 victory over Hoërskool Waterkloof in their Suzuki Netball Power Series encounter on Wednesday. This match also doubled up as a Tshwane Jubilee League encounter.

Love was on fire, keeping the scoreboard rolling with her shooting and keeping her team fired up throughout the encounter. She was deservedly named Food Lovers Market Player of the Match for her performance on the day.

Klofies led by 8-5 after the opening quarter, thanks to some enterprising play by centre, Leandri van Staden, and wing attack, Zoë Roos. On top of that, Waterkloof has a formidable goal shooter in Fortune Cletus-Okolo, who has no problem scoring once she receives possession.

Klofies’ lead would have been bigger if it were not for the outstanding defence by Mia Steenkamp (goalkeeper).

By half-time, Oos-Moot had turned the tide, leading 15-13. Only leaking five goals thanks to Steenkamp’s performance on defence. One turnover of possession by Steenkamp in the second quarter swung the pendulum in her side’s favour and was named the Suzuki Game Changer Moment of the match.

In turn, the home side scored ten goals in the second quarter, with Love receiving some good assistance from Jaime Marshall (centre) and Telana Breytenbach (wing attack).

Waterkloof clawed back in the third quarter to draw the scores level at 23-all with everything to play for in the final quarter of the match.

This was Oos-Moot’s second successive victory over Klofies after also defeating them by 16-14 during last year’s Tshwane play-offs to secure themselves a place at the Gauteng Championship.

The team from the Moot also performed well earlier this year at the Affie Prestige-tournament, as they were knocked out in the play-offs of the main draw by the losing finalist, Hoërskool Stellenberg of Bellville.

This clash once again highlighted why the Jubilee League is regarded as the toughest schools’ league in South Africa.

Another three clashes in the Suzuki Netball Power Series will take place later this week. On Friday, Hoërskool Garsfontein will host the Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool of Pretoria, with play starting at 17:20.

Two Suzuki Netball Power Series are scheduled for Saturday in Paarl, with Paarl Gimnasium hosting La Rochelle (10:30), while Paarl Girls’ High will be taking on Oranje from Bloemfontein.

Boland Landbou vs Rondebosch Boys’ High

Stung by a 17-27 defeat to Wynberg Boys’ High last weekend, Rondebosch Boys’ High travels to Paarl on Saturday for a 12:30 showdown with Boland Landbou on the Pederberg-A Field.

For the ‘Bosch boys involved in last season’s 1st XV match, they’ll head into the clash with fond memories of an exciting 57-26 triumph in Cape Town. They’ll also have something to prove after their loss to Wynberg.

On Hawthornden Field, Wynberg scored each of their four tries from rolling mauls. No doubt, defending the rolling maul has been one of the areas upon which Rondebosch has focused ahead of their game against the Farmers.

‘Bosch will provide a strong contest in the set-pieces, led by their loosehead prop, Ryan Lawlor, as Finn Watermeyer has been ruled out due to an injury. Both have explosive power in the scrums, while lock Bertus Versfeld is a force in the lineouts.

Boland Landbou blindside flank Juan Visagie runs like a centre, but he also exhibits the work rate of a loose forward. He’s a line-breaking threat every time he carries the ball.

The Farmers are not without their own incentive for glory. After a  24-34 loss to Hoërskool Outeniqua last weekend, their record slipped to four losses in four matches. They’ll be desperate to score a first win. Achieving a victory at home would be especially sweet.

Hoërskool Strand vs Hoërskool Parel Vallei

Hoërskool Strand was beaten 43-24 when they hosted Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr last weekend. This Saturday, they have an early kickoff at 12:10, facing Hoërskool Parel Vallei (PV), who are fresh off a 32-17 triumph over Milnerton High.

Last year, PV hosted the fixture in Somerset West, where they won 17-7. They’ve started the season well, too, going four for four thus far.

Fullback Shudley Rhoda has shown a nose for the try line, and he dotted down twice in the win over Milnerton. Strand will need to be wary of his darting runs.

What Strand will have going for them is home ground support, which they’ll lean on to help them improve upon a record of two wins and five defeats, including three in succession. They face a tough challenge.

DF Akademie vs Hoërskool Tygerberg

DF Akademie suffered a 10-26 loss at Hoërskool Melkbosstrand last Saturday. They last met Hoërskool Tygerberg in 2024, when they beat the Tigers 22-14.

Tygerberg has suffered some big losses to a couple of heavy-hitters in 2026 – going down 0-71 to Stellenberg High and 14-72 to Rondebosch – but the challenge they face this weekend won’t be as tough.

Still, they would do well to come away with a win. Perhaps a lesson or two learnt in those big defeats will be of help to them against DF.

TEAMS

Boland Landbou vs Rondebosch Boys’ High at 12:30 on Pederberg-A on Saturday. 

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.

Rondebosch: 15 Eathon Williams, 14 Joshua Kirby, 13 Kelebogile Nkwana, 12 Andrea Mynhardt, 11 Caleb Bell, 10 Tyler Heyns, 9 Daniel Arendse, 8 Kirwan November, 7 Ben Gray, 6 Linakho Mehlomakulu, 5 Bertus Versfeld, 4 Bjorn Morkel, 3 Matthew Pelser, 2 Kwaza Gobingca, 1 Ryan Lawlor.

Strand: N/A.

Parel Vallei (likely): 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 Ethan Ramos, 6 Marce Else, 5 Keaton Baird, 4 Herman Kriel, 3 Cayden Rautenbauch, 2 Jacques Swart, 1 Joshua Buchweltz.

DF Akademie: N/A.

Hoërskool Tygerberg: N/A.

SACS vs Diocesan College

SACS hosts Bishops at 12:30 on Memorial Field on Saturday in the first southern suburbs’ derby of the season for both outfits.

Last season, neither side won against the other. That’s because they shared 18-18 and 14-14 draws in 2025. Bishops was the most recent winner, but even then, there was almost nothing to separate the teams, with the home side triumphing 12-10 on the Piley Rees in August 2024.

SACS will be licking their wounds. Since opening their season with back-to-back wins, they’ve suffered three consecutive losses – most recently a narrow 20-18 defeat to Hoërskool Durbanville.

Bishops, meanwhile, will have an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Should they win, it would mean a first southern suburbs’ scalp of the season for the side, and also a return to winning ways after they fell to their first loss of the season at the St John’s Easter Festival, going down 26-39 to Graeme College.

Both outfits boast inside centres who run good lines at speed, and are very handy playmakers, capable of finding space both for themselves and their teammates to exploit.

SACS’s James Sale proved his abilities with two tries against Durbies last weekend, while Bishops’ Boytjé Fyfer has also delivered many performances of a similar calibre in the past.

Based on recent contests between the rivals, there should be little between them at the final whistle.

Milnerton High vs Hoërskool Brackenfell

Milnerton High lost their sixth match in a row against Hoërskool Parel Vallei on Saturday. They’ll be aiming to take out their frustration at home against Hoërskool Brackenfell when the sides kick off at 11:30.

Brakkies haven’t been in their best form either, losing four of their five matches, including a 6-12 setback against Hoërskool Bellville last Saturday.

When they met at Brackenfell last year, Millies earned themselves a 22-8 triumph. This time out, it will likely be a closer affair between two units desperate to claim a victory.

Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr vs Hoërskool Hopefield

Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr hosts Hoërskool Hopefield at 13:30 on Saturday. When they met last year in Hopefield, it was a tight clash, with Charlies emerging from it the 17-14 victors.

Last Saturday, they were also on the winning side, downing Hoërskool Strand 43-24. They’ll be confident of victory again. However, with the margin of victory being so close last time out, Hopefield will believe they, too, are in with a decent chance of victory.

TEAMS

SACS vs Diocesan College at 12:30 on Memorial Field on Saturday. 

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 Deen Fortuin, 2 Zac Dall, 1 Qiraan Hermans.

Diocesan College / Bishops: 15 Caleb Clark, 14 Elihle Tsobo, 13 Danny Newton, 12 Boytjé Fyfer, 11 Lulibo Nyawula, 10 Christian Toweel, 9 Rhys Jack, 8 Jack Venter, 7 Luke Hofmeyr, 6 James Gordon, 5 Alex Vincent, 4 Dan Coetzee, 3 Jack Hibling, 2 Joe Lanning, 1 Sam Bey.

Minerton High vs Hoërskool Brackenfell at 11:30 on Saturday. 

Milnerton (likely): 15 Chadlin Sellidon, 14 Akho Mkaya, 13 Josh Marran, 12 Connor Petrie, 11 Nurudeen Wanza, 10 James Ferreira, 9 Callan Lackay, 8 Likhona Anda, 7 Sibabalo Siwisa, 6 Joshua White, 5 Nico Lourens, 4 Gregory Tshibangu, 3 Kyle Janse van Rensburg, 2 Liam Plaaitjies, 1 Troy Jackson.

Brackenfell: N/A.

Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr vs Hoërskool Hopefield at 13:30 on Saturday. 

Charlie Hofmeyr: N/A.

Hopefield: N/A.

The last two meetings between Grey High School and Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) have delivered entertaining hockey, cracking goals and dramatic moments, and both went down to the wire.

On Friday, there’s a good chance more of the same could be in store when the schools clash in their annual derby in Gqeberha.

The Edgars Friday Nite Lights encounter will be broadcast live on DSTV Channel 216, as well as on the SuperSport Schools App from 18:20.

Paul Roos, under coach Michael Baker, will aim to emulate their 2024 derby performance in the Windy City.

That year, PRG pulled off a remarkable comeback to win the match 3-2 at a buzzing Rectory AstroTurf. They trailed 0-2 at the break but showed strong character to come from behind and claim a heart-pounding victory.

When the sides met in Stellenbosch in 2025, they again produced a thriller. It was end-to-end stuff in front of a jam-packed crowd at the Maties’ Astroturf, which was a sea of maroon and shades of light blue.

The battle raged down to the final whistle and, when it sounded, the scoreboard reflected a 4-4 draw.

That night, James Chree introduced himself to first-team hockey with a hat-trick of goals, while Tylor Carter and Logan Lackay were on the scoresheet for PRG, and all three will be in action on Friday.

Grey High will be desperate to get one over one of the Western Cape’s powerhouses. Coach Andrew Beynon‘s troops began the season in style at the Tony Godding Festival and upped the ante at the Nomads Hockey Festival in Pretoria last month.

There, the Azzurri played five matches, won four and lost one against Jeppe High School for Boys on the second day.

Last weekend, they toured Cape Town and faced South African College High School (SACS) in a high-profile clash. It ended 3-1 in favour of SACS after Grey conceded two goals late in the final chukka.

They bounced back in style the following day, though, romping to a 6-0 win over Reddam House Constantia.

They face a Paul Roos side that has quietly gone about its business early in the season.

Coach Baker’s charges were last in competitive action during the Belgotex Sport Coastal Cup in Durban at the end of March because last weekend’s derby against Stellenberg was called off.

At the Coastal Cup, they suffered their first loss of the season against Durban High School (DHS), but they won against Michaelhouse, Westville Boys’ High and Pretoria’s St Alban’s College.

While the competition in the midfield will be crucial, previous meetings between the teams have highlighted the importance of set pieces and of converting opportunities inside the circle.

The derby also provides both teams with a competitive run-out before the Hibbert Shield, which will be hosted by Grey High from 24 to 27 April.

Other matches

While Gqeberha hosts Grey High versus PRG, that’s not the sole tasty treat scheduled in the Eastern Cape.

In Komani, Queen’s College renews its rivalry with Dale College on Friday afternoon during Queen’s 168th Reunion. Both sides lost last weekend, being beaten by Stirling High and Victoria Park, respectively. Nothing would be a better salve for either team than a win over their arch-rival.

Pearson High, who are currently flying and unbeaten in their past five matches, will travel to George to take on York High.

FIXTURES

Friday, 17 April

17:10 – Queen’s College vs Dale College
18:20 – Grey High vs Paul Roos Gimnasium

Saturday, 18 April

13:15 – York High vs Pearson

Bellville, South Africa.- Hoërskool Stellenberg has stunned the South African schoolboy rugby landscape after becoming the first school in the country to adopt the same tactical technology used by the Springboks in their World Cup triumphs, and then backing it up with historic on-field results.

In February 2026, the Bellville-based school quietly implemented OutFox, a tactical simulation and cognitive learning platform developed by Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus and refined over more than a decade at the highest level of international rugby.

Within six weeks, Stellenberg recorded three landmark victories: a narrow 20-19 win over Paarl Gimnasium and, shortly thereafter, their first-ever triumph over Grey College as well as a historic first victory over Paul Roos Gimnasium (20-19).

For many observers, the sequence of events marked more than a strong start to a season. It signalled a potential turning point in how elite school rugby in South Africa is prepared for and coached.

From World Cups to School Fields

OutFox was originally designed to solve a problem faced at the top end of the professional game: how to accelerate decision-making and tactical understanding without overloading players physically or exposing strategies on the training field.

The platform uses game-style simulations, allowing players to control themselves in realistic match scenarios. Tactical structures are rehearsed cognitively before being executed physically, embedding patterns of play under pressure long before match day.

The Springboks famously relied on OutFox in the build-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, using it to rehearse plays they could not safely run in open training sessions. The system remained a key part of the Springbok preparation cycle through their 2023 World Cup campaign.

Until now, that technology had not been available at school level.

“Obviously, as a parent, and with my daughters having been at the school, there will always be a soft spot for Stellenberg. The way they’re currently playing on the rugby field makes you proud. Congratulations to everyone involved in making both the rugby and the school such a success. It’s also great to see the boys making use of Outfox,” said Rassie Erasmus.

A Landmark Launch

OutFox was officially introduced to the school rugby community at a launch event hosted by Hoërskool Stellenberg, attended by more than 60 leading schoolboy coaches from across the Western Cape.

For those present, the occasion was widely viewed as more than a product demonstration. It marked the first time a tool developed by one of world rugby’s most influential coaches had been made available to the school coaches responsible for developing the next generation of Springboks.

Stellenberg committed immediately, becoming the first school in the country to integrate the platform into its rugby programme.

Results That Made History 

The impact was swift.

On 14 March, Stellenberg edged Paarl Gimnasium 20-19 in their opening fixture of the season — a result that immediately caught attention. Two weeks later, at the NMI Toyota Noord/Suid Tournament hosted by Affies in Pretoria, Stellenberg produced an even more significant performance, defeating Grey College 26-21.

The victory was unprecedented. Grey had beaten Stellenberg convincingly in recent years, winning 43-27 in 2022 and 31-8 in 2023. This time, Stellenberg matched them physically and tactically across 70 minutes.

Captain and eighthman Yanos Molnar led from the front and was named Man of the Match, while lock Juvan Burden, playing through a shoulder injury, delivered a tireless defensive performance that epitomised the team’s resilience.

In a landmark encounter later in the season, Stellenberg defeated Paul Roos Gimnasium 20-10, their first-ever victory over the Stellenbosch powerhouse. Against one of South African school rugby’s most storied institutions, Stellenberg controlled territory, made fewer tactical errors, and showed composure under pressure that belied their historical underdog status.

Three traditional “Big Five” schools beaten within one season — a first in Stellenberg’s history.

A Broader Message for Coaches

Those behind OutFox were quick to credit Stellenberg’s coaching staff for embracing the technology early and applying it with intent.

For Erasmus, the message is clear: modern rugby coaching increasingly depends on simulation and cognitive preparation. As the game grows faster and more complex, the ability to think accurately under pressure is becoming as important as physical conditioning.

With OutFox now available to schools, the tools that helped build two World Cup-winning Springbok squads are no longer confined to the professional game.

Stellenberg’s early success has already sparked discussion across coaching circles.

The question now facing South African school rugby is not whether the game is changing, but which school will be next to follow.