Day two of the Standard Bank St John’s College Easter Festival kicked off bright and early on Saturday morning with an upset, courtesy of the Golden Lions XV.
The combined side, made up of players from smaller schools within the Golden Lions region, stunned St David’s Marist Inanda, claiming a gritty 20–16 win after 60 minutes of fiercely contested rugby.
Flyhalf Gaviel Gaff orchestrated the upset with a composed and commanding performance.
Not only did he direct his backline with authority, but he also delivered the decisive blow, sprinting down the right-hand touchline to cross the whitewash in dramatic fashion. His personal tally of 15 points, made up of a try, two conversions, and two penalties, earned him the Man of the Match accolade.
Deserved winners, the Lions XV played with fierce intent. Their committed defence made St David’s graft for every metre. Leading the charge was blindside flank Daniel Kruger, of Krugersdorp High School, whose bone-crunching tackles set the tone up front.
Hoërskool Diamantveld’s Diamonds bounced back in style following their 29–43 loss to Pretoria Boys High on Thursday evening. This time, they overwhelmed Welkom Gimnasium 50–33 in a high-scoring encounter that saw the Kimberley outfit return to winning ways, while Welkom Gim will head home empty-handed after two losses.
The Free Staters’ standout performer, outside centre Nathan Muller, again impressed with his incisive running lines, which repeatedly exposed gaps in the Diamonds’ defence. He was, however, outshone by his opposite number, Jaco Beukes, who played a pivotal role in the Diamonds’ resurgence.
The Kimberley school’s success was built upon a solid platform laid by their dominant forward pack. Vice-captain and lock, Zuan Rautenbach, delivered yet another eye-catching performance, highlighted by a brace of tries. Blindside flank, Waylon Schwemmer, the Man of the Match, matched that feat, bagging two tries of his own.
SACS capped off their debut appearance at the St John’s Easter Festival with a second win, grinding out a hard-fought 21–8 victory over Bethlehem Voortrekker. The Western Cape side was made to battle for every point, with the Trekkers putting in another resolute defensive effort.
True to their pedigree, SACS made their opportunities count, turning to their forwards to record their three tries. Openside flank, Siphe Mbungendlu, crashed over for the final score and his second try of the weekend.
The dependable Mike Skeeles slotted all three conversions with clinical precision to close out the match.
SCORERS
Golden Lions XV 20 (6) – Tries: Gaviel Graff, Khaye Mukhanda. Conversions: Graff (2). Penalties: Graff (2). St David’s Marist Inanda 16 (8) – Tries: Matthew Scott, Ben Archer. Penalties Luca Cabion (2).
The Mzwandile Mali XV and Windhoek High School wrapped up their Standard BankSaints Easter Festival campaigns at St Stithians College with commanding victories.
Mzwandile Mali ran in six tries to outclass UK-based Hartpury College’s 2nd XV 40–24 in the opening fixture on Saturday.
Right-wing Sphenati April demonstrated his searing pace, crossing the whitewash twice in a standout performance. His success was made possible by a backline that clicked beautifully against the English visitors.
Just as he did at the recent North/South Tournament in Stellenbosch, flyhalf Sibabalwe Gwintsa controlled proceedings with poise and precision.
He not only orchestrated play to unleash the speedsters out wide but also chipped in with a well-earned try and four conversions, contributing 13 points to the total.
His opposite number Harrison Ravenscroft, filling in at flyhalf for Hartpury, played his part in a thrilling duel between the number 10s. Like Gwintsa, he impressed with his vision and distribution and scored one of Hartpury’s four tries.
In the following match, Windhoek High School’s right-wing Luke Saal continued the theme of outside backs dominating, diving over for a brace in the Namibian side’s 32–10 victory over Clifton College.
Windhoek’s backline lapped up their opportunities, accounting for five of their six tries, which also included Saal’s colleague, left-wing, Sergio Steenkamp, visiting behind Clifton’s try line. The only five-pointer scored by the forwards went the way of lock, Isaiah Kazondovi, who powered over for a well-deserved try after a strong performance in the engine room.
SCORERS
Mzwandile Mali XV 40 (19) – Tries: Sphenati April (2), Jerath Pieterse, Amile Mkatswa, Matthew Goliath, Sibabalwe Gwintsa. Conversions: Gwintsa (4), Someleze Mavata. Hartpury College 2nd XV 24 (5) – Tries: Theo Bentley, Harri Davies, Arthur Shrimpton, Harrison Ravenscroft. Conversions: Ravenscroft (2).
Windhoek High School 32 (17) – Tries: Luke Saal (2), Isaiah Kazondvi, Steven van Wyk, Sergio Steenkamp, Xavier Bampton. Conversion: William Beukes. Clifton 10 (7) – Try: Bradley Beeslaar. Conversion: Troy Young. Penalty: Young.
The joy of victory! Rustenburg celebrates a hared-fought come-from-behind victory over Durbanville. Photo: Brad Morgan.
In Saturday’s opening game on day two of the Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, Hoërskool Rustenburg captured a dramatic 26-22 win over Hoërskool Durbanville, on Stott Field.
The Western Cape outfit had picked up a big 66-22 victory over Dale College on Thursday and they were focused on keeping that momentum rolling. Rustenburg, meanwhile, had been on the receiving end of a 7-41 defeat against Durban High School (DHS) in their opener, but they produced a stoic performance to come away with the spoils.
Durbanville didn’t hang about after the opening whistle and they were quickly on the scoreboard through hooker Juan Smit, who forced his way over after an effective driving maul.
Tristan Myburgh levelled matters for Rustenburg, thanks to a maul of their own, but another Durbanville drive led to a Zay-Winn Januarie score.
Despite Durbanville dominating possession and territory for most of the first half, Rustenburg’s good work on the deck enabled them to reject a number of their opponent’s attacking forays. De Wet Viljoen had the final say of the opening stanza when he landed a sublime 50-odd metre penalty, to extend coach Johann van Deventer’s side’s lead to 17-7 at the break.
Early in the second half, Rustenburg scrumhalf Adriano George finished off a sparkling attack, which was highlighted by swift ball movement. Durbanville, though, responded immediately through Ruan Vosloo.
The boys in green and orange were not to be outdone, however, and they scored further tries through hooker Xavier Steenkamp and winger Keathwyn Afrika to edge in front with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Despite a late fightback from Durbanville, some manful defending and smart tactical play secured Rustenburg a morale-boosting victory.
Hoërskool Framesby vs Peterhouse
Framesby’s Wian Holtzhauzen accelerates away from the Peterhouse defence in his side’s 26-point win over the Zimbabwean school.
Hoërskool Framesby rolled to a comfortable 45-19 win over Peterhouse in the second match of the day.
Both sides were searching for their first victory at the festival after the Gqeberha school was put to the sword in a 0-31 drubbing by Westville Boys’ High, while the Zimbabwean side had suffered an 18-34 defeat to Milnerton in their opener on Thursday.
In the first half, both teams showed plenty of positive attacking intent, and the first blow was struck by Peterhouse, with their flyhalf James Watt, breaking the deadlock with a converted try 15 minutes in.
Wian Holtzhausen hit back soon thereafter to level it for Framesby, before captain Eden Calitz put the Eastern Cape boys in front when he crashed over from close range.
Peterhouse was made to rue an unsuccessful Watt penalty attempt when a superb Calestin Felkers break and pop off the deck allowed Mondre van Heerden to collect and dive over under the sticks.
The scrumhalf sniped over for his second not long after that to give Framesby a comfortable 26-7 advantage at the interval.
The tourists were arguably better than the scoreline suggests, but their inability to execute the basics at crucial moments let them down.
After halftime, Framesby picked up where they left off and extended their lead through Holtzhausen’s second five-pointer.
Tries by flying fullback Munashe Masamha and Andrew Maringa narrowed the deficit for the boys in white, but two more tries by Jaco George, off the back of more Peterhouse errors, provided the final nails in the coffin.
King Edward VII 20 (17) – Tries: Samuel Smith, Regan McGurk. Conversions: Indi Gusha-Mboniswa (2). Penalties: Gusha-Mboniswa (2). Rondebosch Boys’ High 17 (10) – Tries: Joshua Neill, Shellvon Mabooi, Danil-Nicolas Oosthuizen. Conversion: Harry Soboil.
Jeppe High School for Boys 38(17) – Tries: Lehabo Mashao (2), Grady Ngui, Lindelani Nkambule, Olivier Samuel. Conversions: Nehemiah Hollenbach (5). Penalty: Hollenbach. Selborne College 17 (3) – Try: Luthango Ngese, AN Other. Conversions: Khazimla Qavile (2). Penalty: Bungqina Nuku.
St Stithians College 27 – Tries: Kulani Tlakula (2), Cade Elsey. Conversions: Oliver Wilson (2). Penalties: Wilson (3). Michaelhouse 21 – Tries: William Ridl, Max Olivia, Daniel Aissing. Conversions: Stefan Moolman (3).
Helpmekaar 18 (5) – Tries: Zaiden Krige, Gustav Grotius, Liam Devenier. Penalty: Wian Storm. Wynberg Boys’ High 17(10) – Tries: Chad Campbell, Morné Noble. Conversion: Achmat Behardien (2). Penalty: Behardien.
Hartpury College 19(12) – Tries: Max Eite, Luke Smith, Ruben Cumming. Conversion: Taite Fortey (2). Diocesan College 14(0) – Tries: Rynard Gordon, Noah Edmunds. Conversions: Alex Laspatzis (2).
St Andrew’s College 19 – Tries: Adam Nurse, Luca Nigrini. Penalties: Will Stevens (3). St Charles College 14 – Tries: Raphael Ajibade, Athi Qumo. Conversions: AJ Bosman (2).
Northcliff 54 (28) – Tries: Troy Geyer, Declan Diesel, Vianney Nteumange, Michael Nwogwugwu, Caleb Sokolich, Troy Kaminsky, Matthew Hunt, Kyle Sher. Conversions: Hunt (7). St John’s College (Harare) 19 (14) – Tries: Jacob Viki (2), Sebastiaan du Toit. Conversions: Sebastian Sarpo (2).
Hoërskool Windhoek 32(17) – Tries: Luke Saal (2), Isaiah Kazondvi, Steven van Wyk, Sergio Steenkamp, Xavier Bampton. Conversion: William Beukes. Clifton College 10(7) – Try: Bradley Beeslaar. Conversion: Troy Young. Penalty: Young.
Mzwandile Mali XV 40(19) – Tries: Sphenati April (2), Jerath Pieterse, Amile Mkatswa, Matthew Goliath, Sibabalwe Gwintsa. Conversions: Gwintsa (4), Someleze Mavata. Hartpury College II 24 (5) – Tries: Theo Bentley, Harri Davies, Arthur Shrimpton, Harrison Ravenscroft. Conversions: Ravenscroft (2).
The King Edward VII School (KES) Easter Festival exploded into life on Thursday, with Jeppe High School for Boys and Hoërskool Eldoraigne getting the ball rolling.
Although their match started at a slow tempo, the intensity was evident from the first whistle. Both sides began cautiously, but it was Eldoraigne who shocked their more fancied opponents with the contest’s opening goal.
Jeppe, with typical character, responded with style and purpose, and they evened the score with a slick field goal.
Picking up momentum, the boys from Kensington quickly added a second to seize control of the match. By the fourth chukka, Jeppe had the crowd roaring and they slotted two more goals to seal a 4–1 victory.
Parktown Boys’ High School, under the guidance of new 1st XI coach, David Grace, also impressed with a confident 3–1 win over St Charles College, showcasing sharp teamwork and clinical finishing.
Maritzburg College followed suit, flexing their muscles in a commanding 4–1 defeat of Helpmekaar Kollege.
In another standout encounter, the hosts King Edward VII School put on a masterclass, overpowering Glenwood High School to record a big 6–2 win.
The final fixture of the day saw Northwood School grind out a disciplined 2–0 win over Hoërskool Waterkloof. Playing with trademark control and discipline, they kept Klofies at bay and added another victory to an increasingly impressive record in 2025.
After a break on Good Friday, the action resumes on Saturday with coach Siya Sityana’s Jeppe facing Kearsney College at 07:30 on the Weinberg Astro. Maritzburg College takes on Queen’s College on the St John’s Astro at the same time. It will be the first game for Queen’s at the festival.
The hosts take on St Charles College, which will be followed by a clash between Glenwood and Helpmekaar.
RESULTS
Friday, 18 April
Jeppe High School for Boys 4-1 Hoërskool Eldoraigne
Parktown Boys’ High School 3-1 St Charles College
Maritzburg College 4-1 Helpmekaar Kollege
King Edward VII School 6-1 Glenwood High School
Northwood School 2-0 Hoërskool Waterkloof
FIXTURES
Saturday, 19 April
King Edward VII Weinberg Astro
07:30 – Jeppe vs Kearsney 08:50 – KES vs St Charles 10:10 – Glenwood vs Helpmekaar 11:30 – Eldoraigne vs Parktown 12:50 – Maritzburg College vs Selborne 14:10 – St Charles vs Queen’s College 15:30 – Pearson vs Glenwood 16:50 – KES vs Kearsney 18:10 – Selborne vs Northwood
St John’s College Astro
07:30 – Maritzburg College vs Queen’s College 08:50 – Waterkloof vs Pearson 14:10 – Jeppe vs Waterkloof
Sunday, 20 April
King Edward VII Weinberg Astro
7:30 – Glenwood vs Eldoraigne 8:50 – Selborne vs Parktown 10:10 – Waterkloof vs Queen’s College 11:30 – Jeppe vs St Charles 12:50 – Northwood vs Helpmekaar 14:10 – Maritzburg College vs Parktown 15:30 – KES vs Queen’s College 16:50 – Pearson vs Helpmekaar 18:10 – Selborne vs Kearsney
St John’s College Astro
07:30 – Pearson vs Northwood 12:50 – Eldoraigne vs Kearsney Monday, 21 April
King Edward VII Weinberg Astro
07:30 – Jeppe vs Queen’s College 08:50 – Selborne College vs Glenwood 10:10 – Pearson vs Kearsney 11:30 – Maritzburg College vs Eldoraigne 12:50 – KES vs Northwood 14:10 – St Charles vs Waterkloof 15:30 – Helpmekaar vs Parktown
Reddam House Constantia went unbeaten at the Independent Schools Festival and they have carried that momentum into the Saints Festival. Photo: St Alban’s College
After a topsy-turvy opening day, on Wednesday, clouded by inclement weather, teams returned to turf action on Thursday for day two of the Standard Bank St Stithians College Easter Hockey Festival, in Johannesburg.
The playing conditions were much better, and spectators were treated to entertaining hockey throughout the day.
St Stithians College, along with Reddam House Constantiaand St Andrew’s College, had impressed on day one, and they carried that momentum into Thursday’s matches.
The hosts, after their thrilling 4-3 win over Hilton College, defeated another KwaZulu-Natal outfit, this time beating Clifton College 3-1.
Aidan Blatch, who scored a hat-trick against Hilton, netted again, while youngster Jason Joiner scored a brace to seal the win.
The Cape Town school, which has been causing a stir this season, mustered a 1-0 win over Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) on Wednesday, so went into Thursday’s matches in a confident mood.
They shared an entertaining 1-1 draw with Boys High, courtesy of a brilliant solo goal by Charlie Naylor. They, then, went on to beat Menlopark, 1-0, with Kyle Jones slotting the winner.
St Andrew’s College, from Makhanda, is another side that’s been enjoying a good season but flying under the radar.
They arrived at Saints having played a handful of fixtures at the Synsport Tony Godding Festival in East London last month.
On Wednesday, they recorded a 1-0 victory over St Benedict’s College but drew 1-1 with Affies on Thursday morning. Then, facing Affies’ city rivals, Pretoria Boys High, they snatched a last-gasp 1-0 win, scoring with under a minute to play.
Hilton College, after their entertaining outing against St Stithians on Wednesday night, bounced back with a 4-0 defeat of St David’s Marist Inanda. They were, however, unable to replicate that form in their night game against Menlopark, having to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Affies, after their draw with St Andrew’s College, claimed a 2-1 win over Bennies, while St David’s Marist Inanda edged out Clifton College 2-1.
The teams take a break on Good Friday and return to conclude the action on Saturday.
Pretoria Boys High 1-1 Reddam House Constantia
St Benedict’s College 3-0 St Stithians Boys’ College Festival Team
Hilton College 4-0 St David’s Marist Inanda
St Andrew’s College 1-1 Affies
St Stithians Boys’ College 3-1 Clifton College
Reddam House 1-0 Menlopark
Affies 2-1 St Benedict’s College
St Andrew’s College 1-0 Pretoria Boys’ High
St David’s Marist Inanda 2-1 Clifton College
Hilton College 2-2 Menlopark
The men in white delivered a dominant and entertaining performance, securing a 29–5 victory over the hosts, St John’s College, on Thursday evening.
Flyhalf, Liyema Nela, made Burger Field his own, expertly orchestrating play. Beyond his playmaking duties, Nela took on the home team’s defensive line himself on several occasions, catching the hosts off guard, and he also sliced through for a well-earned try.
In response, St John’s playmaker Gerald van Wyk, battled valiantly to spark his team’s attack in the crisp Johannesburg evening air. He handled distribution admirably under pressure and occasionally shifted momentum with clever chips and cross-field kicks that forced Hilton onto the back foot.
Up front, the loose forward clash was fierce. Hilton’s eighthman, Zander Muller – tenacious and tireless – was a standout. His defensive commitment and high work rate proved invaluable for the KwaZulu-Natal side. His opposite number, Mako Mandizha, carried with intent but struggled to breach Hilton’s solid defensive line.
Earlier, the curtain-raiser between Pretoria Boys High School’s Candies and Hoërskool Diamantveld’s Diamonds transformed into a try-fest in the second half. The Candies’ left-wing Neo Matlaletsa dazzled with the festival’s first hat-trick, punishing the Diamonds’ defensive lapses with his blistering pace in open space.
Diamantveld’s midfield maestro, Jonathan Harding, once again impressed, while vice-captain and lock Zuan Rautenbach gave his all in trying to generate momentum for the Kimberley side’s pack. However, a quickfire burst of tries from full-back, Blake Mager, and blindside flank, Pieter Lindeboom saw the Candies surge clear, ultimately sealing a 43–29 victory.
SCORERS
Hilton College 29 (15) – Tries: Liyema Nela, Ricky Adonis, Zander Vorster, Khazimla Makali. Conversions: Nela (2), Tristan Uys. Penalty: Uys. St John’s College 5 (0) – Try: Gerald van Wyk.
Pretoria Boys High School 43 (5) – Tries: Neo Matlaletsa (3), Michael Fourie, Blake Mager, Pieter Lindeboom, Reece Holman. Conversions: Blake Mager (4). Diamantveld 29 (5) – Tries: Dian Ellis, Jonathan Harding, Zuan Rautenbach, Penalty Try, CJ Meiring. Conversions: JG van Heerden (2).
