Hoërskool Nelspruit het die tweede span van Mpumalanga geword om vandeesmaand ‘n nuwe rugbydirekteur aan te stel.
Die Rhinos se paadjie het kort na afloop van die 2025-rugbyseisoen geskei met die van Ryno Luus, wat aan die begin van die jaar aangestel is.
Dit het to gevolg gehad dat die Nellies vir die voormalige Blitsbok en agterlynafrigter van die Pumas se Curriebekerspan, MJ Mentz, nader getrek het om die leisels as rugbybaas oor te neem.
“Ons is opgewonde om aan te kondig dat Mnr. MJ Mentz as hoof van rugby by ons aangesluit het,” lui ‘n verklaring deur die Nellies op Facebook.
“MJ het geen bekendstelling nodig nie. Hy het self professioneel rugby gespeel en was tot onlangs die Pumas se hulpafrigter. Ons sien uit na die nuwe rugbyseisoen onder sy kundigheid, passie en leierskap, wat beslis nuwe energie na ons rugbyspanne sal bring.”
Mentz se wortels is diep gesetel in Mpumalanga. Hy is op 21 Julie 1982 gebore in Ermelo, waar hy 18 jaar later gematrikuleer het aan die Hoërskool Ermelo.
“Na skool het hy van 2002 tot 2012 vir onderskeidelik die Luiperds, Griekwas en Pumas verteenwoordig, terwyl hy ook van 2006 tot 2011 vir die SA Sewes in 18 toernooie verteenwoordig en saam met dié span ‘n bronsmedalje by Statebondspele in 2010 verower het.
Sy afrigtingsloopbaan het kort ná sy uittrede as speler begin, toe hy as hulpafrigter van die Pumas aangestel is in 2013. In 2015 het hy vir twee seisoene die leisels as hoofafrigter by Jimmy Stonehouse oorgeneem en daardie selfde seisoen die Pumas na hul eerste Vodacombeker-titel gelei.
In 2017, met Stonehouse se terugkeer na die Laeveld, het Mentz betrokke gebly by die span in pienk as agterlynafrigter, ‘n posisie wat hy tot en met sy aanstelling by die Nellies beklee het.
Mentz se werk is vir hom uitgeknip by die Rhinos, en tesame met sy ervaring van die afgelope 12 jaar by die Pumas kan dit nét die woema verskaf wat die Rhinos in die nuwe seisoen benodig. Hoewel nie só ‘n swak seisoen soos sommige mense wil uitmaak nie, het die Nellies warm en koud geblaas in 2025. Dit het daartoe gelei dat hulle een van twee spanne was wat van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Beker- na die Plaat-afdeling gerelegeer is.
Die Rhinos gaan volgende jaar in die Plaat met Mpumalanga se ander swaargewig, Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg, die Plaat se agtereenvolgende kampioen (2024-’25), kragte meet. Die groenes van Miidelburg, Hoërskool Middelburg, sal sake in die taai Beker afdeling van die SDC kompetisie uit spook.
Western Province are the SA Rugby U20 Women’s Week 2025 Winners (Photo: SA Rugby)
DHL Western Province delivered a masterclass in the final match of the SA Rugby U20 Women’s Week, outplaying the Blue Bulls 33-0 in a pulsating match at Queens High School in Johannesburg on Friday.
The match concluded a highly successful tournament, where the 14 participating teams delivered an encouraging display of the next generation of women’s rugby, while simultaneously offering several match officials valuable exposure and opportunities.
The final day belonged to a rampant Western Province. They have outplayed their opponents 134-8 in their three matches, scoring 20 tries and conceding only one.
Five of those 20 tries came against the Blue Bulls, who did not have an answer to the Cape side’s support play and individual brilliance, with a fast start by WP laying the foundation to a successful result.
The first try, scored by impressive No8, Logan Welman, showed the intent of the defending champions early on. Welman stepped past a couple of defenders, but the set-up was as solid. A couple of good carries by the forwards created chaos in the Bulls’ defensive line and Welman found space and pounced.
Flyhalf Anja le Roux added the conversion and WP were on their way.
A second try followed soon after when rapid winger Saadiqah Corbett dived over in the corner, brilliantly converted by Le Roux, and the 14-0 lead was good value after 12 minutes of play.
Le Roux then scored a memorable try. From broken play, she sold the Bulls a delightful dummy 65 meters out and outsprinted all comers to dot down under the posts. She added the conversion as well, allowing WP to build up a 21-0 lead.
The Bulls took more than 20 minutes to get into the WP 25 meter areas, and pressed hard for their first points, but WP defended as well as they attacked and kept them out for a good five minutes until the break.
Welman opened the scoring in the second half with a try pretty similar to her five pointer in the first half. A couple of good hit-ups by the pack eliminated numbers on defence and Welman spotted the gap to score, with Le Roux converting for a 28-0 lead.
That was extended to 33 when replacement-scrumhalf Nikicia Eksteen raced through the smallest of gaps to score withing a minute of replacing Donëy Filies, confirming the dominance of the Cape side.
Earlier KwaZulu-Natal finished their week on a strong note, with a 41-5 win over Griquas, who suffered their first defeat.
The Sharks played with too much pace for their opponents and scored four tries in the first half and added three more in the second half. Credit to Griquas, however, who never gave up, but found a team on the day that played the basics better and executed when it mattered.
Beaten finalists from last year, Border, had to work hard for their 33-14 win over the Golden Lions. They held a 19-14 lead at the break, but pulled away in the second half, with a penalty try at the death to add to the hosts misery.
No less than 120 tries were scored in the 21 matches, with Eastern Province winger, Lithalethu Nombakuse, finishing as the leading try scorer with ten – eight of those scored against the Northern Invitational XV on Friday.
Eastern Province totally outplayed their opponents in the opening match of the day, winning 83-0, scoring 13 tries in the process. Nombakuse, who scored in all three matches, finished the tournament as top scorer as well.
The Pumas also managed to keep the Valke scoreless in their match, with their 22-0 win securing a second win of the week. Not every match was a runaway though as Boland just outlasted SWD 10-3 and Free State edged the Limpopo Blue Bulls 12-5.
Boland scored the only tries of the match against SWD, while Free State’s brace came in the second half to cancel the 5-0 lead Limpopo held at the break.
Ryan Young shapes up to play a long innings for Jeppe. He is determined to make history by reaching 150 caps for the school’s 1st XI. Photo: Supplied.
The bowler might just as well have told Ryan Young what he intended to do with the delivery. The Jeppe High School for Boys‘ captain read Likho Gidi’s mind, moved into position early, and smacked the ball for six.
The next delivery landed in the slot and Young gave it the same treatment as the previous one.
The back-to-back sixes off the Hudson Park High bowler took his score from 89 to 101.
Young acknowledged his teammates, the coaches, and the sparse crowd before preparing to face the next delivery. He wiped the three-figure score from his mind as he set up to face the third ball of Gidi’s over.
The slate was clean. What had come before didn’t matter. Gidi pitched the ball in a good area, and Young accorded it the respect it deserved, blocking it with the full face of the bat.
Young finished the match with 127 from 123 deliveries, which set up Jeppe for a convincing 162-win. It set the tone for the Johannesburg school’s Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week campaign. They wouldn’t pull any punches. That century was also added to the list of Young’s favourite knocks.
“My most memorable moments would be making my debut for the first team, my highest score, being 165 (not out) against St Andrew’s [School] and, lastly, being part of the team that won the Johnny WaiteCup in 2023,” Young told SuperSport Schools Plus.
Unlike the ton against Hudson Park, which was free-flowing, Young tapped into his patient side when he recorded his 165 against St Andrew’s School in a time cricket match at the Grey College Festival. After reaching his century, the Grade 11 learner hit the reset button and batted on until his side declared their innings closed on 304/5.
He was content to see off maiden overs whenever the bowlers consistently pitched the ball in troublesome areas. However, he was also ready to pounce on anything loose. Watching him was like watching Joe Root bat. Ironically, the England great once played for St Andrew’s. It is, therefore, no surprise that Root is one of two batsmen that Young looks up to; the other is Quinton de Kock.
“I have looked up to these players since I began playing cricket and have adapted my game to try resemble how they play,” Young revealed. He hopes to emulate both and play international cricket.
“My plans for after school would be to continue playing cricket at a high level: provincial, international or franchise cricket around the world. Wherever I end up, cricket will always be a part of my life,” Young declared.
Since he was able to play the game unsupervised, cricket has been an integral part of his life. He was drawn into the sport by an older cousin, whom he watched play for hours on end.
“I started playing cricket at six years of age and only played my first ever cricket match at 10. I spent many afternoons watching my older cousin play cricket and that drew me to the game,” he recalled.
Young received a taste of first team cricket at Jeppe nine years after picking up a bat for the first time. However, it wasn’t a full debut, he was an injury replacement for their wicketkeeper at the St David’s Marist Inanda Fasken Time Cricket Festival.
“My journey into the first team cricket started at Fasken in my grade 8 year, when the wicket keeper at the time got injured. This was an honour and privilege to play at such a young age,” he said.
Life came full circle when he celebrated his 100th cap for Jeppe at the 2025 Fasken Festival. Unfortunately, Young was unable to make the milestone a landmark score. However, he could take solace from the fact that he scored a wonderful 114 off 124 balls in his 99th match, again against Bloemfontein’s St Andrew’s, a school with a strong cricket pedigree.
“[Earning] 100 caps for Jeppe’s first team is a great honour and, hopefully, when I leave the school next year I’ll be leaving with 150 caps,” he said.
In the meantime, the grade 11 learner is focused on leading Jeppe’s challenge in the Gauteng Lions League and Switch Schools SA20 – Volume Two competition.
Young cites patience, guiding and assisting teammates, calmness, determination, and commitment as his strengths.
“I have learnt how to make the worst days become better days. I try and use the lessons to create a better tomorrow,” he explained.
Die Hoërskool Menlopark se o.18A-span, beter bekend as Menlo Blou, het tydens vanjaar se nasionale Fast5-toernooi hul merkwaardige vorm en vasberadenheid gehandhaaf om as kampioen gekroon te word.
In ’n naweek gevul met opwindende, strategiese en hoëtempo-netbal, het Parkies se meisies bewys hoekom hulle tot die room van Suid-Afrikaanse skolenetbal behoort.
Menlo Blou het reeds in die kwarteindronde kragtige spel gelewer om met 30–8 oor MHS Blitz te seëvier. In die ander kwarteindstryde het Durbanville met 27–17 teen Jim Fouché gewen, Monument vir Paarl Meisies met 26–6 getroef en Ben Vorster vir Bergsig met 24–19 geklop.
Die halfeindronde het naelbytstryde afgegee, maar Menlo Blou het karakter en kalmte tentoongestel om naelskraaps met 21–20 oor Durbanville te triomfeer – in ’n kragmeting waar die uitslag tot in die doodsnikke in die weegskaal was. Monnas het vir Ben Vorster met 23–18 verslaan om hul plek in die eindstryd te bespreek.
Die groot eindstryd het die toeskouers op hul tone gehad. In ’n wipplankstryd het Menlo Blou uiteindelik die botoon gevoer met ’n dramatiese sege van 39–36 oor Monnas. Spanwerk, spoed en taktiese insig was deurslaggewend daarin om die goue medalje in te palm.
In die wedstryd om die derde en vierde plek het Durbanville hul toernooi op ’n hoë noot afgesluit met ’n oorwinning van 33–21 oor Ben Vorster.
Parkies se triomf is nie slegs ’n bewys van hul vanselfsprekende talent nie, maar ook van harde werk en toewyding agter die skerms. Die span het met trots en passie gespeel, en is waardig gekroon as Suid-Afrika se Fast5-kampioen.
ESCA Wanderers celebrated winning a second basketball title in under a month at the Westville Boys’ High Invitational Schools Stayers’ Basketball Tournament. Photo: Westville Boys’ High on Facebook
Some of South Africa’s most prominent basketball-playing schools offered a glimpse of the future at the recent Westville Boys’ HighInvitational Schools Stayers’ Basketball Tournament (ISSBT).
The lineup included many schools with big titles in their pasts and the present, including, among others, Northwood, Maritzburg College, Kearsney College, and the Elite Sporting and Cultural Academy (ESCA) Wanderers, who ultimately claimed victory in the tournament.
It came down to a showdown between ESCA and Maritzburg College in the final, and there was little to separate the sides. In the end, there were only three points in it, with ESCS claiming a 54-51 victory after fiercely contested title game.
Their title-winning run at Westville was led by Siyabonga Mashaba, who is, undoubtedly, one of the most promising young talents in the game. He and his teammate Alex Price were included in the All-Star Team at Westville, with Mashaba also receiving the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. The duo also shone in the final, making key contributions to their side’s victory.
Mashaba was also honoured as the MVP of The King’s School Linbro Park Basketball Tournament. Before that, he had represented South Africa at the Giants of Africa Festival in Rwanda in July, which was followed with his selection for the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa Camp, in August.
All-Star Team, from left to right. Alex Price (MVP – ESCA), Awande Chiliza (Northwood), Pabatso Sithole (Kearsney College), Mpho Ntlakana (Maritzburg College), and Siyabonga Mashaba (ESCA). Photo: Westville Boys’ High on Facebook.
Mpho Ntlakana helped to drive Maritzburg College to the final and his efforts were recognised when he, too, was included in the All-Star Team.
The bronze playoff featured Northwood, a team that has dominated the South African schools’ basketball scene for two consecutive years, which included finishing the 2024/25 season unbeaten and winning the prestigious St John’s College Basketball Tournament in both 2024 and 2025.
Kearsney’s attempt at winning a second title in quick succession came up short against ESCA in the semi-finals, with the Gauteng side scoring a comfortable 55-37 win.
Victory in the bronze playoff went Northwood’s way. They rebounded from their loss to College with a 61-51 victory over Kearsney after an entertaining contest.
Awande Chiliza, from Northwood, was named to the All-Star Team, while Pabatso Sithole, from Kearsney, who regularly tops the scoring charts, was also included.
When Kearsney won the ISSBT on their home court, he dropped 26 points on St John’s College in the final to lead his side to a narrow one-point victory.
Group Results
Group A
Parktown Boys’ High 50-48 Pretoria Boys High
Parktown Boys’ High 47-21 Queen’s College
Pretoria Boys High 52-33 DSK German
Pretoria Boys High 35-20 Queen’s College
DSK German 33-21 Queen’s College
Parktown Boys’ High 64-35 DSK German
Group B
Northwood 60-53 KES
KES 63-55 SACS
Northwood 78-36 Kearsney College
Kearsney College 34-31 SACS
Kearsney College 66-62 KES
Group C
Westville Boys’ High 53-44 DHS
DHS 69-28 The Heritage
Westville Boys’ High 64-44 Isiseko Imara
Westville Boys’ High 66-31 The Heritage
Isiseko Imara 48-31 The Heritage
DHS 71-39 Isiseko Imara
Group D
Maritzburg College 61-23 Jeppe
Jeppe 32-24 Glenwood
ESCA 65-49 Maritzburg College
Maritzburg College 69-14 Glenwood
ESCA 69-42 Glenwood
ESCA 60-43 Jeppe
Classification Playoffs
DSK German 39-29 Glenwood
KES 77-31 The Heritage
Jeppe 42-38 Glenwood
Jeppe 45-27 Queen’s College
Isiseko Imara 58-43 SACS
SACS 69-22 The Heritage
KES 71-26 Isiseko Imara
Quarterfinals
Maritzburg College 66-32 Parktown Boys’ High
Northwood 60-59 DHS
ESCA 40-31 Pretoria Boys High
Kearsney 53-48 Westville Boys’ High
Quartefinal Playoffs
DHS 53-32 Parktown Boys’ High
Westville Boys’ High 47-44 Pretoria Boys High
Semifinals
Mairtzburg College 59-53 Northwood
ESCA 55-37 Kearsney College
Position 15/16 Glenwood 56-44 The Heritage
Position 13/14 SACS 42-41 Queen’s College
Position 11/12 DSK German 35-31 Isiseko Imara
Position 9/10 KES 68-52 Jeppe
Position 7/8 Parktown Boys’ High 33-30 Pretoria Boys High
Position 5/6 DHS 46-44 Westville Boys’ High
Position 3/4, Bronze Playoff Northwood 61-51 Kearsney College
The weekend’s football action in the Gauteng Development League (GDL) features a clash with potential title implications, with Highlands Park hosting Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) at Balfour Park.
It’s an important game for both sides. A home victory for the Lions of the North would, at least, see them retain their lead over second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns. At the same time, a win would mean building a bigger advantage over third-placed RESA.
A win for RESA would instil hope for a fairytale outcome. Winning the title would be considered a minor miracle, while finishing second would still be a spectacular achievement for the Vereeniging club.
Highlands Park has a reputation for handling the big moments well, however. Their BMT has been evident in the past two seasons when they went back-to-back as GDL champions. RESA, though, has kept rolling this season and they’re playing very good football of late.
Last weekend, both sides won, with RESA demonstrating strong goal-scoring ability in an impressive 6-0 win over Elspark United Academy. Highlands Park was made to work hard by East Rand Athletic Club, but as they so often do, they came away with all three points on offer after a close 2-1 victory.
Saturday’s showdown is likely to reflect a tactical battle, masterminded by the coaches, Sandile Mathumbo, of RESA, and Sfiso Mnguni, of Highland Park. With the stakes raised, a cracking encounter is on the cards.
SuperSport United, has fallen out of title contention in the latter part of the season. They’ll be eager to regain the winning form they exhibited earlier in the year when they take on Rockefvs at Megawatt Park.
Elspark United, following a heavy loss to RESA will try to reverse their fortunes when they host the University of Pretoria (Tuks) at Elspark Sports Ground.
Seven’s Academy is at home to School of Excellence. Both teams have experienced mixed fortunes this season. The School of Excellence, once one of the standard setters, has fallen off the pace in recent years, and last week they went down 0-2 to Mamelodi Sundowns.
While they didn’t lose last weekend, Seven’s Academy had to settle for only one point after a 2-2 draw against Tuks. With the league nearing its conclusion, accumulating points has become more crucial than ever and Seven’s Academy and the School of Excellence will go at it hammer and tongs at Woodlands International College.
In other matches on Saturday, Randburg hosts Kathorus Hyper Academy, another team whose form has dipped after they went on a good run earlier in the second round of league matches, while Wits Junior tackles TS Galaxy at Marks Park.
Last weekend, TS Galaxy’s game against Kaizer Chiefs was postponed due to safety concerns about the pitch. They’ll be well-rested.
Chiefs, meanwhile, host Jomo Cosmos at the Kaizer Chiefs Village on Sunday, while Joburg City duels with East Rand Athletic Club at the Greek Sporting Club.
FIXTURES
Saturday, 11 October
15:00
Woodlands International College Seven’s Academy vs School of Excellence
Elspark Sports Ground Elspark United vs Tuks
Randburg Sports Complex Randburg vs Kathorus
Megawatt Park SuperSport United vs Rockefvs
Balfour Park Highlands Park vs RESA
Marks Park Wits Junior vs TS Galaxy
Sunday, 12 October
14:00
Kaizer Chiefs Village Kaizer Chiefs vs Jomo Cosmos
Greek Sporting Club Joburg City vs East Rand Athletic Club
Amajita showed strong character at the u20 FIFA World Cup, making it out of the group stage before exiting the competition in the round of 16 after a 1-3 loss to Colombia. Photo: Safa.net.
On Wednesday, Colombia eliminated the South African u20 national team from the u20 FIFA World Cup in Chile in the round of 16, after scoring a 3-1 win over Amajitaat Estadio Fiscal de Talca.
In the early going, Amajita appeared shaky and nervous at the back and struggled to handle aerial duels. Within the first 10 minutes, the u20 Afcon champions fell behind to a goal from Joel Canchimbo.
Before the end of the half, though, South Africa equalised. Siviwe Magidigidi was fouled in the Colombia box, which resulted in a penalty. Mfundo Vilakazi‘s shot was saved by Garcia Bonnet, but the referee ordered a retake and, given another chance, Vilakazi beat the goalkeeper.
While the possession stakes slightly favoured South Africa, Colombia held a narrow advantage in shots and shots on goal. They turned that into a 63rd minute goal from Neiser Villareal. Then, in added time, he struck again, netting the Colombians’ third to put the result beyond doubt.
Amajita’s coach, Raymond Mdaka, in a press statement to the SAFA media team, admitted it was a tough loss to take.
“It’s a hard pill to swallow,” he said, “more so if you have a team that you believe can get results.”
Mdaka said his team had become accustomed to winning and had forgotten how painful it is to lose. However, he said, he and the players recognise that wins and losses are all part of the game.
Participating in the World Cup had, nonetheless, been a valuable learning opportunity for the team and the technical staff, he added.
Reflecting on the game, Mdaka said Amajita struggled to impose themselves and their style of play early in the contest.
“We were caught with the first goal from the blind side,” he admitted. “I think from there we settled. Then we had a number of chances that we missed, and we had a goal through a penalty. However, after conceding the second and third goals, there is not much to say about it. We said to the boys [keep your] heads up, and we will see what will happen going forward.”
Mdaka also expressed his gratitude for the steadfast support received the from South African supporters during Amajita’s journey.
“We really appreciate the support,” he said. “We always got messages on our phones daily to show that the country was behind us, which was something we needed.
“We want the country to know that we would have loved to play in the quarterfinals, but football being football, we could not. But we want to say to them it will come, and if we continue working hard, with the support, we will represent the country well, and I think we did here,” Mdaka concluded.
Abigail Smit of Western Province Women u20 on the charge in her side’s 57-3 win over Border. Photo: Gallo
Defending champions, DHL Western Province, delivered a masterclass of rugby at Queens High School, in Johannesburg, with a big 57-3 win over Border, confirming their place in the final of the SA Rugby u20 Women’s Week on Friday, where they will face the Blue Bulls.
The Pretoria outfit made it to the final courtesy of a hard-fought 20-7 win over tournament hosts, the Golden Lions.
It was a day of close results and drama, with Boland and Free State playing to an exciting draw, while Griquas edged the Limpopo Blue Bulls by five points, and the SWD Eagirls scored the only try of the match in their narrow 11-0 win over the Valke.
Earlier in the day, the Pumas engaged fifth gear to beat the Northern Invitational XV 33-0 for the second biggest win of the day, while KwaZulu-Natal rebounded nicely from a loss to handed Eastern Province a 26-5 defeat.
Day Two match reviews
Western Province started like a house on fire against Border and then got hotter and hotter. Their 57-3 win (40-0 halftime) was full value for those watching as they effortlessly combined forward power with clinical backline execution, leaving Border clutching at thin air for most of the match.
They scored the first of their nine tries in the opening minutes through winger Ronecia Gordon after good work by the forwards. No 8 Logan Welman scored soon after and then initiated a try for lock Abigail Smit as WP showed too much power and synergy on attack for a shell-shocked Border side to lead 19-0 after only 12 minutes
Welman got a second three minutes later, again converted by Anja le Roux, for a 26-0 lead. Scrumhalf Nikicia Eksteen broke well and Welman was on hand to finish the move for her second before flanker Anothando Khatshwa scored their fifth and Le Roux added two more for a 33-0 lead.
The duo combined soon after, this time with a Le Roux show-and-go and an inside pass handing the flanker her second in as many minutes to bring 40 points up in 30 minutes played.
Border scored first in the second half with a penalty goal, but it was not long before the blue and white hoops were in full flow again.
Lock and captain Sarah Krone scored after another strong Welman burst, and Le Roux again added the extras for a 47-3 lead. Prop Lithethaa Maqhude added another try and, from the restart, WP scored again, this time through wing Saadiqah Corbett.
The Blue Bulls scored first against the Golden Lions in the final match of the afternoon, dotting down their first try after five minutes. The Lions struck back when centre Keletso Masola snatched up a loose pass by the Bulls’ backline and raced away to score under the sticks. The conversion was good and the scores were level.
That was not for long, however, as left wing Tiarisha Maritz showed her class with a well-timed run down the touchline. The conversion was made and the lead restored to seven. That margin remained until halftime.
It was extended to 10 points with 20 minutes to play when Amukelani Lisenga kicked a penalty goal. By then it had become clear that the Pretoria side had gained the upper hand on their Gauteng rivals.
A second penalty goal by the outside centre extended the lead to 13 points and that proved to be enough as the home side was unable to break through, despite some desperate attacks on the Blue Bulls; try line.
In the opening match of the day, the Pumas secured their first victory of the week with a commanding 31-0 win over the Northern Invitational side.
The Pumas scored in the opening five minutes and never looked back, chalking up two more tries for a 21-0 lead at the break.
Both teams were guilty of basic errors, but the willingness of the Pumas to attack from anywhere handed them the advantage. They scored two more tries in the second half to close out the match.
The SWD Eagirls claimed an 11-0 win over the Valke in a tightly contested match that was dominated by defence. Both teams showed a willingness to attack but often didn’t execute the basics accurately, resulting in a stop start affair.
The Eagirls kicked an early penalty and held onto that three-point advantage until the break before another tight half ensued. The SWD side showed better game management in the second half and scored the only points – a try and another penalty goal – to secure their first win in the tournament.
Griquas flanker Rose Haka scored early in their match against Limpopo Blue Bulls off the back of a strong scrum and her team held on for a closely contested 10-5 win. While both teams demonstrated attacking intent, they were let down by handling errors.
The hard-fought affair continued in the second half, but the Northern Cape side played with more purpose and variation on attack and Haka scored her second out wide after brushing off two defenders.
Limpopo left wing Amaka Mabosi scored a great try shortly after that to cut the lead to five points, but sadly for the team from up north, they ran out of time and Griquas claimed a deserved win.
KwaZulu-Natal bounced back from their opening day defeat to DHL Western Province, outplaying Eastern Province 26-5. Most of the hard work was done in the first half, when they scored three tries to race into a 21-0 lead by halftime.
Another try early in the second half pushed the lead to 26-0, but credit to EP, who worked their way into the game and finished stronger. Their second-half effort was rewarded when Lithalethu Nombakuse scored in the final minute of the match, with the hard-running outside back showing her opponents a clean pair of heels.
Boland scored twice in the last five minutes of their match against Free State to claim a dramatic 24-24 draw. Unfortunately for the Western Cape side, after replacement fly-half Courtney Jenniker went over in the corner for their final try following a blistering run, she was unable to convert the difficult kick.
An early try handed Boland the lead in the first half, but Free State replied with a try of their own just before the halftime buzzer through flank Neidene Solomons, and converted it to lead at the break.
The Bloemfontein side took control of proceedings in the second half with another try by Solomons and added two more to move into a handsome lead. With 10 minutes to play, they looked likely to win.
Boland, though, kept fighting and produced an outstanding comeback with two tries in rapid succession levelling the scores.
From left to right, Brighton Mhlongo (Engen Sports Ambassador), Katleho Malebana (Engen Alumni and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies First Team Player), Rebecca Murudi, Tsholo Tiro (Engen Brand and Sponsorship Manager), Thabo Senong (Engen Sports Ambassador), and Gopolang Taunyana (Engen Alumni and Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development Player). Photo: Engen Sports on Facebook.
The Engen Champ of Champs media draw was conducted live by SuperSport Schools on Tuesday at the University of Pretoria High Performance Centre (HPC).
The tournament, which brings together the men’s and women’s provincial champion teams from across South Africa, takes place at the same venue, from Friday, 10 October, to Sunday, 12 October.
Some notable alumni of the Engen Cup were also in attendance, including 16-year-old Katleho Malebana, who currently plays for the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies first team. She was joined by Gopolang Taunyana, from the Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development programme, who was part of the u20 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) winning Amajita team earlier this year
Both shared their experiences and memorable moments from their participation in the Engen Champ of Champs.
They were joined by Engen Sports Ambassadors, former Orlando Pirates‘ goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo and former Amajita coach Thabo Senong.
Before a ball is kicked, one thing is certain, and that is that new national champions will be crowned in both the u18 boys’ and u20 girls’ competitions. Last season’s winners, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, failed to advance from the Gauteng Engen Knockout Challenge.
Despite winning both the Gauteng Engen Knockout Challenge and the Champ of Champs in 2024, the Mamelodi Sundowns ladies’ team missed out on the final of this year’s regional competition, which featured the University of Johannesburg (UJ) versus JVW FC, with UJ winning 1-0 to earn the right to the province at the Engen Champ of Champs.
UJ, after their win in the Gauteng tournament, will be viewed as one of the favourites. They’ve been drawn in Group B, where they will face Cape Town Roses, Mafikeng Ladies, and City Lads Ladies.
City Lads Ladies were crowned champions of the girls’ competition in the Engen Knockout Challenge Eastern Cape, at Dale College in Qonce, at the end of August.
UJ will be without a key player for their title challenge, with Adrielle Mibe, who was named both the Player of the Tournament and the Midfielder of the Tournament during the Engen Knockout Challenge Gauteng, currently playing in the United States, where she represents the University of Arizona. Nonetheless, UJ remains a formidable contender.
Group A is made up of Durban Ladies, Sisters FC, EastHigh Girls Academy, Royal Wizards, and Ixias Ladies.
In the boys’ division, the Gauteng representatives, Panorama, will take on Junior Birds, Postmasburg FC, and Bakgaga United in Group A.
On paper, Panorama appears to be a strong contender to move on to the knockout stages. However, their recent performances in the Gauteng Development League (GDL) have been less than convincing, and last weekend they suffered a 0-1 defeat to Randburg AFC.
While their form has been patchy, it is important to note that tournament football differs from league play, and that may serve the Roodepoort-based club well.
In Group B, Chippa United, the Eastern Cape champions, take on Cape Town City, Potch Academy, the North West winners, and KZN’s champions, the Kusekhaya Football Academy.
GROUPS
Boys’ Competition
Group A
EastHigh Boys Academy, Panorama, Junior Birds, Portsmasburg, Bagkaga United
Group B
Cape Town City, Potchefstroom Academy, Kusekhaya Football Academy, Chippa United
Girls’ Competition
Group A
Royal Wizards, Durban Ladies, EastHigh Girls Academy, Ixias Ladies, Sisters
Group B
City Lads Ladies, University of Johannesburg, Cape Town Roses, Mafikeng Ladies
FIXTURES
Day 1, Friday, 10 October
Boys’ Competition
09:00 – EastHigh Boys Academy vs Junior Birds, Field C
09:00 – Postmasburg vs Panorama, Field F
10:30 – Cape Town City vs Kusekhaya Football Academy, Field A
10:30 – Chippa United vs Potch Academy, Field B
12:00 – Bakgaka United vs EastHigh Boys Academy Field F
12:00 – Postmasburg vs Junior Birds, Field B
13:30 – Opening Ceremony
15:00 – Panorama vs Bagkaka United, Field B
Girls’ Competition
09:00 – Royal Wizards vs Sisters FC, Field A 09:00 EastHigh Girls Academy, vs Durban Ladies, Field B
10:30 – City Lads Ladies vs Cape Town Roses, Field C
10:30 – Mafikeng Ladies vs UJ, Field F
12:00 – Ixias Ladies vs Royal Wizards, Field C
12:00 – EastHigh Girls Academy vs Sisters FC, Field F
13:30 – Opening Ceremony
15:00 – Durban Ladies vs Ixias Ladies, Field A
Day 2, Saturday 11 October
Boys’ Competition
09:00 – Bakgaka United vs Junior Birds, Field A
09:00 – Postmasburg FC vs EastHigh Boys Academy, Field B
10:30 –Potch Academy vs Cape Town City, Field A
10:30 – Kusekhaya Football Academy vs Chippa United, Field B
12:00 – Panorama vs Junior Birds, Field C
12:00 – Postmasburg vs Bakgaka United, Field F
13:30 – Cape Town City vs Chippa United, Field C
13:30 – Kusekhaya Football Academy vs Potch Academy, Field F
15:00 – EastHigh Boys Academy vs Panorama, Field A
Girls’ Competition
09:00 – Ixias Ladies vs Sisters FC, Field C
09:00 – EastHigh Girls Academy vs Royal Wizards, Field F
10:30 – UJ vs City Lads Ladies, Field C
10:30 – Cape Town Roses vs Mafikeng Ladies, Field F
12:00 – Durban Ladies vs Sisters FC, Field A
12:00 – EastHigh Girls Academy vs Ixias Ladies, Field B
13:30 – City Lads Ladies vs Mafikeng Ladies, Field A
13:30 – Cape Town Roses vs UJ, Field B
15:00 –Royal Wizards vs Durban Ladies, Field B
Day 3, Sunday, 12 October
Boys’ Semifinals
08:30 – Match 17, Winner A vs Runner-up B, Field C
08:30 – Match 18, Winner B vs Runner-up A, Field F
Girls’ Semifinals
08:30 – Match 17, Winner A vs Runner-up B, Field A
08:30 – Match 18, Winner B vs Runner-up A, Field B
3rd/4th Playoffs
Boys 10:30 – Match 19, Loser M17 vs Loser Match 18, Field F
Girls
10:30 – Match 19, Loser L17 vs Loser L18, Field C
Finals
Girls
10:30 – Winner 17 vs Winner 18, Tuks Stadium
Boys
11:30 – Winner Match 17 vs Winner Match 18, Tuks Stadium
Wynberg Boys’ High celebrates victory in the final of the Nedbank Grey College Soccer Tournament. Photo: Nedbank Sport on Facebook.
Following four days of captivating football, a new champion was crowned at the Nedbank Grey College Soccer Tournament, with Wynberg Boys’ High hoisting the trophy.
The final was a tactical affair, with neither Wynberg nor Vaal High able to find a way through their opponent’s defences. With the score deadlocked at 0-0 after regulation time, the result depended on a penalty shootout.
The Capetonians, then. kept their cool, slotting three spot kicks to Vaal High’s one to secure the title.
They fell at the final hurdle, but Vaal High had plenty of reasons to feel proud about their performances. They were a late inclusion in Group A but took it in their stride and surprised with an outstanding run all the way through to the title game.
The Vereeniging school stood firm against tough opponents and teams of pedigree, including Glenwood High, St David’s Marist Inanda, Navalsig High, Curro Thatchfield, and Victoria Park High.
They finished second in Group A, behind Navalsig, and from that point onward they kept rolling, picking up victory after victory. Eventually, though, their fairytale run ended in the final.
All credit to Cape Town’s Wynberg. They had to adjust their game to deal with the challenges of playing football on hard pitches at a high altitude and they dealt with that test superbly.
For the previous two years, the title had belonged to St Stithians College and the Johannesburg side came close to pulling off an incredible three-peat, losing out in the semi-finals to Wynberg on penalties. Their final four clash had ended 1-1 before Wynberg advanced 4-2 from the spot.
That left Saints to tackle the hosts, Grey College, in the bronze medal playoff. Grey had also missed out on the final after a penalty shootout. Their game against Vaal High finished 1-1 before Vaal progressed 5-4 on spot kicks.
With medals on the line, Grey College was on their game and dominated, scoring a 3-0 win. It was a fantastic achievement for the hosts, who remain one of the country’s most competitive outfits.
Heading into the tournament, they were crowned the champions of the Magnificent Wednesday Regional Football League in September after a 3-0 win over Hodisa Technical Secondary. Grey College also showcased their talent in the inaugural Curro Halala Cup, where they picked up another bronze medal after a win over Navalsig High.
Victory in the Plate went to Kimberley Boys’ High. They took on Pretoria Boys High in the final, which, once again, was decided only after a penalty shootout. It was 0-0 at the end of regulation time, but Kimberley Boys High triumphed 4-2 from the spot.
Third place in the Plate competition was decided by a showdown between the Gauteng rivals, Parktown Boys’ High and St David’s. In an all too familiar occurence, it was 0-0 before a penalty shootout went Parktown’s way by a 5-4 margin.
Matters were straightforward in the Bowl final, where Bloemfontein South High recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Strelitzia High.
Glenwood High faced King Edward VII School (KES) for third place in the Bowl, with the Durban school picking up a 2-1 win.
RESULTS
Tuesday, 4 October
23/24 St Andrew’s School 2-0 Witbank
21/22 Victoria Park High 4-0 DHS
19/20 Glenwood 2-1 KES
17/18, Bowl Final Bloemfontein South High 3-0 Strelitzia High
15/16 Curro Thatchifeld 5-1 Empangeni High
13/14 Jeppe (3) 1-1 (2) Brebner High
11/12 Parktown Boys’ High (5) 0-0 (4) St David’s
9/10, Plate Final Kimberley Boys’ High (4) 0-0 (2) Pretoria Boys High
7/8 Norkem Park High (4) 0-0 (3) Westville Boys’ High
5/6 Hodisa Technical High 2-1 Navalasig High
3/4, Bronze Playoff Grey College 3-0 St Stithians College
1/2, Cup Final Wynberg Boys’ High (3) 0-0 (1) Vaal High School
The weekend’s football action in the Gauteng Development League (GDL) features a clash with potential title implications, with Highlands Park hosting Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) at Balfour Park.
