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Scoring 35 points against Northwood is no mean feat. One of the defining features of the Knights is their tough defence. But Hilton College put 35 points past them on Saturday, on Northwood’s Old Boys’ Day.

The visitors claimed a 35-22 victory in a King Price Derby Series match in the cauldron-like atmosphere of Reece-Edwards Field in an impressive display.

Props to Hilton, the victory came on the back of an 18-26 loss to Durban High School (DHS) on Van Heerden’s Field last weekend. Back-to-back, away from home, those were two immensely challenging fixtures.

Hilton’s ability to create momentum through the cohesive combination of forwards and backs was the key to their success. When that well-oiled machine gets going, it is tough to stop, even for a team as physical as the Knights.

Captain Liyema Nela put Hilton on the board first, landing an early penalty. Then, from a lineout deep inside the Northwood 22, Hilton, surprisingly, found space near the touchline to make ground towards the try line. The ball was moved left and then back to the right again.

A fantastic loop-around, with Tristan Uys feeding Nela, and the flyhalf popping a pass to James Peattie put the fullback in the clear and he celebrated with an extravagant dive, right arm extended like Superman, as he bagged the first try of the match behind the uprights within the opening 10 minutes.

The conversion kick was simple and Nela extended his side’s lead to 10-0.

Northwood, with their four Sharks’ Craven Week players, bossed some of the set scrums, and they won themselves a penalty from the set piece in the 25th minute. Scrumhalf Jed Mun-Gavin took it, quick as a flash, and flung a long pass out to Abenathi Ntsele on the left wing. With nifty footwork, he avoided an attempted tackle and dived over in the corner.

With five minutes left in the half, Hilton’s dominant rolling maul won them a penalty and Nela struck again to give his team a 13-5 lead. Hilton was not yet done, however.

Northwood had a throw-in, five metres from their line, but were unable to retain possession. Hilton soon won themselves a penalty, which Kyle-Reese Clements quickly took.

After being stopped wide on the right, Hilton brought the ball to the left and Zander Muller was almost over beneath the posts. Their powerful scrumhalf, Zander Vorster, took charge, though, picking up from the resulting ruck and driving over for five. With Nela’s easy conversion kick, coach Brad Macleod-Henderson saw his boys take a convincing 20-5 lead into the break.

Early in the second half, Northwood gave Hilton a taste of their own medicine, making many metres off a lineout win by Lian Terblanche with a powerful rolling maul. They were halted agonisingly close to the try line, but when the ball went out to the backline, fleet-footed Bongane Khumalo slipped through a gap that he manufactured for a desperately needed try for the home side.

The Knights undid some of their good work a couple of minutes later when they were blown up for not releasing a ball on the ground, and Nela punished them, slotting a penalty from 40 metres out to make it 23-10 to the visitors.

Again, it was the tricky Khumalo who unlocked Hilton’s usually staunch defence, breaking through from his side’s 10-metre line. He drew the last defender and released Ntsele to score his second try in the corner, much to the delight of the huge home support.

The Knights had the bit between their teeth, and they surged back onto the attack, pressuring Hilton from a lineout. When Nela and company illegally stopped the home side’s charge at the line, the referee ran to the poles and awarded a penalty try. At 23-22 in favour of Hilton, it was game on.

The visitors responded well. Turning to their very effective driving game off of rucks and mauls, they battered the Northwood defence, inside the host’s 22. Tighthead Mholi Khuzwayo was stopped only centimetres from the whitewash. Then, for the umpteenth time this season, scrumhalf Vorster powered his way over for five points.

With Nela adding the extras, Hilton, importantly, moved eight points clear at 30-22 – more than one score.

Hilton’s relentless mauling and driving, then, brought them the final points of the game and this time Khuzwayo, the tighthead, made it over the line. The kick was missed, but visitors had scored a stirring 35-22 victory.

It was a statement win featuring physicality and flair, with both the backline and forwards bringing it and delivering against a tough opponent.

Scorers:

Northwood 22 (5) – Tries: Abenathi Ntsele (2), Bongane Khumalo, Penalty Try. Hilton College 35 (20) – Tries: Zander Vorster (2), James Peattie, Mholi Khuzwayo. Conversions: Liyema Nela (3). Penalties: Liyema Nela (3).

Michaelhouse returned to playing their home matches on Meadows on Saturday, and while their open age group teams fared well against Maritzburg College, the Red, Black, and White’s 1st XV captured a tight 31-25 victory on ‘House’s home field.

On a beautiful, mild winter’s day in the Midlands, the table was ideally laid for a rugby feast, and the teams obliged.

The opening points went the way of the visitors, who scored just before the 10-minute mark from what appeared to be a somewhat innocuous grubber in behind Michaelhouse’s blindside defence by Liyema Tsoko. Centre Jordan Thackwray had read his flyhalf’s idea perfectly, though, and he outstripped the ‘House cover defence to run onto a ball that sat up invitingly and then crash over for a try.

Dom du Toit, whose goal kicking has been even more reliable than that of his brother, 2023’s outstanding  flyhalf, Luc du Toit, nailed the conversion attempt from out wide to make it 7-0.

Three minutes later, a Michaelhouse attack faltered when a pass failed to go to hand and College number eight, Wasi Vyambwera snapped up the ball just inside the home team’s half. With an eye-opening turn of pace, he accelerated and headed towards the try line. At the last moment, though, midway into the 22, Jack Carmody pulled off an ankle-tap to save a try.

Maritzburg College hit it up through four phases without success, but the boys in red and white had strayed offsides and Du Toit was left to knock over an easy penalty from in front of the uprights to make it 10-0 after 15 minutes.

A couple of minutes later, College was back on the hunt in Michaelhouse’s 22. From a lineout, they drove the home team backwards about 10 metres. Then, after letting the ball out to the backline, centre Olwethu Kosani shrugged off two would-be tacklers as he cut back against the grain. He found a little space and ran over the top of the last defender on the try line to score College’s third.

With Du Toit, as usual, on target with his kick, coach Nico Breedt‘s boys led 17-0 after 19 minutes.

Michaelhouse gradually clawed their way into the game, but they had to wait until two minutes from halftime to break their duck. When they did, they did it with outstanding execution from a lineout only five metres out. It began with a clean take by lock Daniel Carr, followed by Oliver Davis powering over from a well-directed rolling maul.

At halftime, it was Maritzburg College 17-5 Michaelhouse.

Early in the second half, ‘House set up shop in the College 22, inching their way towards the try line through the pick-and-go. When the visitors conceded a penalty, Dom Sesink-Clee took a quick tap. He was stopped short of the line, but he managed to free his hands and popped the ball out. It fell to ground but bounced up kindly for Alex Jankowitz, who gathered, spun around and burst over the line for a five-pointer.

It took almost 15 minutes before the scoreboard moved again. This time, though, it was Maritzburg College who scored. With the Red, Black, and White bashing away at their try line, Michaelhouse delivered some fearsome big hits, but College kept taking it to them. Eventually, Olwethu Kosani made the breakthrough, receiving the ball on an angle before diving low through a couple of tacklers to dot down for a second time.

Du Toit turned it into a seven-point play with a successful conversion to move the visitors 14 points clear at 24-10.

Alex Jankowitz, who gave College fits with his dangerous counterattacking play, then set up a superb try in the 52nd minute. After receiving a pass from Stefan Moolman inside the ‘House half, he evaded a tackle before drawing two more players to stop him. As he went to ground, though, the fullback flipped a pass to Dan Carr and the lock drew the last defender before putting Sesink-Clee in the clear. He had 22 metres to cover and he ate them up, diving over in the left-hand corner for five points.

Unfortunately for James Fleming‘s charges, though, for a third time they took only five points from a try-scoring move, with a third conversion missing the mark.

At last, though, in the 66th minute, Michaelhouse saw a kick pass through the uprights when Stefan Moolman landed a penalty to move the home side to within a converted try of the lead.

With time almost up, however, Maritzburg College struck hammer blow to ‘House’s hopes of a come-from-behind victory when a blindside move freed up Caleb Scheepers to go over wide on the right for a try.

Dom du Toit’s deadly boot lifted the Pietermaritzburg school into a 31-17 lead.

A little time remained, though, and Michaelhouse immediately worked their way down into the College 22.

From a lineout, only five metres out, the burly tighthead Nicolas Salamousas broke away off the back of a maul to blast his way over for a try. Moolman tacked on two more points, but time was up and Maritzburg College claimed a battling 31-24 victory.

SCORES

Michaelhouse 25 (5) – Tries: Oliver Davis, Alex Jankowitz, Dom Sesink-Clee, Nicolas Salamousas. Conversion: Stefan Moolman. Penalty: Stefan Moolman; Maritzburg College 31 (17) – Tries: Olwethu Kosani (2), Jordan Thackwray, Caleb Scheepers. Conversions: Dom du Toit (4). Penalty: Dom du Toit.

u19 – Michaelhouse I 25 Maritzburg College I 31; Michaelhouse II 36 Maritzburg College II 17; Michaelhouse III 20 Maritzburg College III 17; Michaelhouse IV 28 Maritzburg College IV 26; Michaelhouse V 31 Maritzburg College V 21; Michaelhouse VI 8 Maritzburg College VI 0; Michaelhouse VII 62 Maritzburg College VIII 5; Michaelhouse VIII 21 Maritzburg College IX 13; Michaelhouse IX 27 Maritzburg College X 14

u16 – Michaelhouse A 8 Maritzburg College A 28; Michaelhouse B 24 Maritzburg College B 7; Michaelhouse C 12 Maritzburg College C 24; Michaelhouse D 42 Maritzburg College E 19; Michaelhouse E 17 Maritzburg College F 24.

u15 – Michaelhouse A 5 Maritzburg College A 15; Michaelhouse B 0 Maritzburg College B 3; Michaelhouse C 15 Maritzburg College C 21; Michaelhouse D 0 Maritzburg College E 7; Michaelhouse E 12 Maritzburg College F 19.

u14 – Michaelhouse A 7 Maritzburg College A 29; Michaelhouse B 15 Maritzburg College B 19; Michaelhouse C 3 Maritzburg College C 53; Michaelhouse D 7 Maritzburg College D 40; Michaelhouse E 5 Maritzburg College F 36.

Hilton College made their trip to Northwood worthwhile, making good use of their chances to come away with a 5-3 victory over their hosts in an enthralling contest on Saturday.

Ethan Maltby, Oyena Zulu, Anthony Crossley, Darryn Bridgeford, and Tadi Hove were on target for the visitors.

The Knights, at home, are tough, but Hilton was up for the challenge. Coach Damian Kimfley‘s charges put out a statement of intent early on, starting brightly and making runs into the Northwood final third. Five minutes in, they won a penalty corner.

Hilton went with a straightforward routine, but they executed it well and Ethan Maltby drilled the ball past Northwood’s defenders and goalkeeper to give the visitors the lead.

They almost doubled it seconds before the end of the quarter with another short corner, but the Northwood defence held.

Midway through the second quarter, though, Hilton struck again. This time, Kimfley’s charges combined for a field goal, with Oyena Zulu finding the back of the net as Hilton established a two-goal cushion, which they took into the halftime break.

Early in the third chukka, Northwood pulled one back, executing a penalty corner of their own. However, that one-goal deficit stood for only a few minutes before the Knights’ defences were again breached.

Hilton made ground down the left channel, with Anthony Crossley exhibiting some good skills after receiving the ball just inside Northwood’s half. He rounded a defender with a deft change of pace and direction, then drove along the baseline before, somehow, finding enough room to slot the ball into the back of the goalbox to make it 3-1.

Darryn Bridgeford added to Northwood’s misery when he fired in Hilton’s fourth with four minutes left in the chukka.

Coach Justin Collins‘s Northwood side is known to come on strong late in their matches, and they found their second wind after going three goals behind. They kept their heads down and stayed focused as they hunted for a goal to reduce the gap. They were rewarded with seconds left in the quarter, putting away a rebound after a sharp shot on goal had been saved.

Trailing 2-4, the Knights threw players into the attack and that brave approach brought them further reward when, with only eight minutes remaining, they scored again to pull within a goal of Hilton after a deflected shot wrong-footed the ‘keeper.

Hilton, however, had the final say and they deflated Northwood’s wheels when Tadi Hove restored their two-goal advantage with another well-worked field goal.

Northwood had an opportunity to cut the deficit by one when they won a short corner in the dying moments of the match, but their effort, from the top of the circle, flashed wide of the goalbox.

Collins’ charges won another penalty corner shortly afterwards. This time they hit the target, but the Knights’ shot was rejected, and Hilton claimed a tightly contested 5-3 win.

RESULTS

Hilton 5-3 Northwood

Daar was vanjaar geen naelbyt-oomblikke vir Hoërskool Ben Vorster in sy jaarlikse Limpopo-derby met Hoërskool Pietersburg nie.

Herleef al die Skild-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Nadat die Buffels verlede jaar in Polokwane met ‘n enkele strafdoel in die doodsnikke die wa met 25-23 deur die drif getrek het, het afrigter, Frikkie Spangenberg, se span vanjaar tuisveldvoordeel optimaal benut om enige angstige oomblikke te vermy.

Die Buffels het, danksy 27 punte in die tweede helfte, gemaklik met 39-15 oor sy tradisionele vyand uit die hoofstad koning gekraai.

Met slot, Chifu Banda, wat hulle aangevuur het met sy hoë werkverrigting en uithalerspel met die bal in hand, het die span van Tzaneen vier keer in die laaste 35 minute die Pieties se doellyn oorgesteek. Banda se skuif van buitesenter na slot, om die Buffels se pak meer woema te gee, het beslis vrugte afgewerp en die besoekers dikwels in trurat gedwing.

Dit het die vuur onder die res van die agttal aangesteek, met die jong kantman, Kobus de Beer, wat sedert sy terugkeer verlede naweek teen Piet Retief ‘n beduidende verskil voorlangs maak en Tumi Ramohlale wat wys waarom hy as die voorste agsteman in die provinsie gereken word.

Agterlangs het losskakel, Shelton-Ray Primo, straks sy beste vertoning vanjaar opgedis, ten spyte daarvan dat hy gesukkel het vanaf die skopkegel. Primo was hy uitmuntend op die aanval, terwyl die gesoute linkervleuel, Lethabo Sejake, wat voorheen ook op haker en flank uitgedraf het, haas onstuitbaar was en by meer as een geleentheid die eerste verdediger geklop het.

In Heidelberg het Heidelberg Volkskool ‘n tweede sege in twee jaar oor Hoërskool Hugenote van Springs behaal. In dié nuwe derby wat verlede jaar in Springs tot stand gekom het, met die Volkies wat naelskraaps met 30-29 gewen het, was die span van Heidelberg vanjaar tuis met 43-36 baas.

Die ervare skrumskakel, Hein Oelofse het spel netjies dikteer agter die skrum en was gevaarlik wanneer hy die Hugies se verdediging aangevat het. Dit het vir vleuel, JV Badella, in staat gestel om twee keer af te rond vir ‘n tweekuns aan drieë.

Voorlangs was die tweestryd tussen Hugies se oopkantflank, Arné Marais, in sy tweede jaar van eerstespan-rugby, en Jaco Botha, die tuisspan se agsteman, ‘n hoogtepunt.

Daar was niks te kies tussen Hoërskool Die Anker en Hoërskool Lichtenburg in Brakpan nie, met die kragmeting wat na 70 uitmergelende minute met 36-36 gelykop geëindig het.

Die Brakpanners se agsteman, Ruben Herbst, se kragtige dryfspel het aan hom twee drieë besorg, terwyl heelagter, Paul Schutte, ook twee keer deurgedartel het vir ‘n verdere 10 punte. Herbst se neef, binnesenter, Edrick Pienaar, het 16 punte bygedra met ‘n drie, vier doelksoppe en ‘n strafdoel.

Die Liggies se Cravenweek-verteenwoordigers het uitgestaan, met senter, Oratile Sekoto, wat Die Anker se verdediging drie keer oopgekloof het vir ‘n driekuns en skrumskakel, Rea Motsusi, wat dikwels die eerste twee verdedigers geklop het. Kaptein, KG Legodi, het ook nie teruggestaan vir Herbst op agsteman nie.

Sam Schoeman (linkervleuel) het ook ‘n driekuns behaal in Hoërskool Montana se sege van 55-33 oor Hoërskool Piet Retief, terwyl oopkantflank, Aiden Vorster, twee keer gaan druk het. Die span van Mpumalanga het nietemin verseg om bes te gee en ‘n paar aanskoulike drieë van sy eie gedruk in die kragmeting wat ‘n gesamentlike totaal van 88 opgelewer.

Puntemakers: 

Ben Vorster 39 (12) – Drieë: Lethabo Sejake, Chifu Banda, Stiaan du Randt, Kobus de Beer, Ryan Gerhardt, Barend Harmse. Doelskoppe: Shelton-Ray Primo (3). Strafdoel: Primo. Hoërskool Pietersburg 15 (10) – Drieë: Zhian Lombaard (2), Juan Jansen van Rensburg.

Heidelberg Volkskool 43 (26) – Drieë: JV Badella (2), Jaco Botha, Hein elafse, Tristan Munro, Jason Brits, Armin Stimie. Doelskoppe: Marco Botha (3), Oelofse. Hugenote (Springs) 36 (24) – Drieë: Tanyani Mokiri, Luan Pretorius, Franco Neuhoff, Zander van Rensburg, Luan Smit, Arné Marais. Doelskoppe: George Loucas (3).

Die Anker 36 (10) – Drieë: Ruben Herbst (2), Paul Schutte (2), Edrick Pienaar. Doelskoppe: Pienaar (4). Strafdoel: Pienaar. Hoërskool Lichtenburg 36 (14) – Drieë: Oratile Sekoto (3), KG Legodi, Rea Motsusi. Doelskoppe: Luan Snyman (4). Strafdoel: Snyman.

Montana 55 (28) – Drieë: Sam Schoeman (3), Aiden Vorster (2), Kyle Bronkhorst (2), Eric Potgieter, Rubel Bester. Doelskoppe: Bester (5). Hoërskool Piet Retief 33 (19) – Drieë: Bubule Ngubane, De Klerk Ferreira, Vuyani Tshabalala, Fiso Methula, Letho Hlophe. Doelskoppe: Owethu Shabalala (4).

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Pietersburg 16, Ben Vorster 14; Heidelberg Volkskool 35, Hugenote (Springs) 14; Lichtenburg 26, Die Anker 24; Piet Retief 40, Montana 19.

o.15: Ben Vorster 16, Pietersburg 14; Hugenote (Springs) 31, Heidelberg Volkskool 5; Lichtenburg 25, Die Anker 21; Piet Retief 17, Montana 8.

o.14: Ben Vorster 22, Pietersburg 12; Heidelberg Volkskool 40, Hugenote (Springs) 5; Lichtenburg 19, Die Anker 3; Montana 10, Piet Retief 0.

Die “Dokter van Boksburg” het Saterdagmiddag vir ‘n opskudding gesorg deur die bordjies te verhang teen Hoërskool Waterkloof, op sy tuisveld in Pretoria.

Herleef al die Beker aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Jordan van der Westhuizen het die Jansie-jolyt van stapel gestuur toe hy kort voor die eindfluitjie met een van sy talle intimiderende lopies oor die doellyn gebars het om Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen in posisie te plaas om die naelskraapse sege oor die Klofies te behaal.

Losskakel, Dian Botha, het die oorwinning van 22-20 beklink met die doelskop wat hy suiwer tussen die pale deurgejaag het. Dit was die Jansies se eerste sege oor die Blou-tornado sedert 2023 .

Van der Westhuizen was een van die Jansies se groot uitblinkers. Die linkervleuel, ook ‘n kranige 110 m-hekkiesatleet, het by meer as een geleentheid sy vaart en fisiekheid uitgestal om die Klofie-verdedigers te laat bontstaan.

Die Jansies se kaptein en hoofseun, Marco Ventura, het ook gewys hoekom hy volgende maand vir die Valke se Cravenweekspan sal uitdraf. Ventura het weereens gewoeker, was prominent met die bal in hand en is uitstekend bygestaan deuroopkantflank, Craig Lightfoot, wat nogmaals ‘n onvermoeide vertoning van 70 minute gelewer het.

Lightfoot se tweestryd met die Klofies se kantman, Divan Botha, was ongetwyfeld een van die hoogtepunte van die kragmeting. Botha, self ‘n werksesel in die los, het die Jansies deurentyd besig gehou, is met een van sy span se drieë beloon en ywerig bygestaan deur agsteman, Marko Kok.

Ongedwonge foute het die tuisspan egter in die steek gelaat en daarvan weerhou om ritme te vind.

In Rustenburg het die Hoërskool Rustenburg so hittete ook vir ‘n reuse opskudding teen Hoërskool Garsfontein gesorg.

Dit was egter vir die soveelste keer die verdedigende kampioen se “skrumpet-brigade”, Drewyn Baron en Junaide Stuart, wat die kastaiings uit die vuur gekrap het vir die Bere om in die doodsnikke met 33-27 te seëvier. Baron was op sy gevaarlikste en het die Rusties twee keer met sy venynige voetwerk en vaart geklop vir drieë, waarvan een die uitklophou was. Op die ander vleuel het Stuart ook sy dansskoene aangehad en self ‘n keer deurgewals om agter die tuisspan se doellyn te gaan draai.

Benewens Baron, was Rustenburg se skrumskakel, Adriano George, die beste speler op die veld. Hy het uitgetroon met sy flink diens agter ‘n pak wat hard gewerk het en het die Bere telkens aan die raai gehou sy breekslae om die afbreekpunte. Een só ‘n lopie het op ‘n drie tussen die pale uitgeloop.

Cravenweek-heelagter, Ayden Willemse, nog in Graad 11, het sy indrukwekkende spelpeil van die afgelope ruk voortgesit, terwyl hy ook twee van sy span se drie drieë verdoel en met twee strafdoele geslaag het om die Rusties in ‘n stadium met 27-12 te laat voorloop.

Puntemakers: 

EG Jansen 22 (15) – Drieë: Marco Ventura, Deveroax Weideman, Jordan van der Westhuizen. Doelskoppe: Dian Botha (2). Strafdoel: Botha. Waterkloof 20 (12) – Drieë: Ruan Jacobs, Divan Botha, Strafdrie. Strafdoel: Ronan Bastiaanse.

Garsfontein 33 (20) – Drieë: Drewyn Baron (2), Junaide Stuart, JP Pieterse, Justin blom. Doelskoppe: Joshua Gouws (4). Hoërskool Rustenburg 27 (12) – Drieë: Adriano George, Hendré Robinson, Zack Swanepoel. Doelskoppe: Ayden Willemse (3), Swanepoel. Strafdoel: Willemse.

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Waterkloof 41, EG Jansen 29; Rustenburg 28, Garsfontein 22.

o.15: Waterkloof 38, EG Jansen 33; Garsfontein 22, Rustenburg 20.

o.14: Waterkloof 27, EG Jansen 24; Garsfontein 40, Rustenburg 22.

For most teams, the weekend presented them with their last matches of the second term. St Benedict’s College ensured it was one they would remember with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over St David’s Marist Inanda, away from home.

Keenly contested, the momentum swung back and forth as the sides took shots at one another.

Early on, Bennies enjoyed control and that earned them a reward when, from a penalty corner, Alex Johnston delivered a brilliant drag flick to put them 1-0 up.

“The game was good. It was a tough game. We created quite a lot of chances earlier on,” St Benedict’s coach, Owen Mvimbi, told SuperSport Schools Plus after the game. “Then, St David’s got their momentum back.”

The Bennies’ coach also identified a couple of top performers, saying: “Connor Odgers played well. We started dominating the right-hand side. Matteo Stepcevich (St David’s) also dominated in the midfield. He played really well.”

St Benedict’s extended their lead from another penalty corner. This time, though, it was Josh Grobler who handled the drag flick.

St David’s was not about to go quietly, though, and a swift counterattack saw Jared Beilings providing the finish to make it 2-1.

“The game was hot. The crowd went crazy,” Mvimbi said, recalling the intensity of the second half, especially after Beilings’ strike.

Bennies thought they had scored a third, but Grobler’s effort was disallowed.

In a frenzied finish, both teams had opportunities to add to their tallies from penalty corners, but the goalkeepers and defenders stood tall.

“Johnstone saved one on the line, and their keeper made some good saves, too,” Mvimbi said. “Players started to panic a bit, getting a few more cards, but the game ended at 2-1.”

On the Weinberg Astro, at King Edward VII (KES), the Red Sticks were held to a 1-1 draw by Helpmekaar Kollege in their last outing of the term.

Meanwhile, in Pretoria, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) took on Die Hoërskool Menlopark.

After suffering a sobering 0-6 defeat to high-flying Jeppe last time out, Affies, with typical character, put that loss behind them and delivered a strong performance to down Menlo 4-1.

Nearby, Pretoria Boys High faced the daunting task of facing unbeaten Jeppe on the occasion of Boys High’s 124th birthday. Credit to the home team, they gave it their all. However, in the end Jeppe’s clean record remained intact, albeit by a slim 1-0 margin.

St Alban’s College enjoyed home ground advantage against St John’s College, but the visitors rose to the challenge against a team that has enjoyed a strong season.

It rained goals, but at the end of the four chukkas there was nothing to separate the sides, and it ended 3-3 after an enthralling clash.

Die reaksie van Hoërskool Monument se afrigtingspan het boekdele gespreek toe die eindfluitjie Saterdag die Wit Bulle se eerste sege in die Beker-afdeling van vanjaar se SDC Noordvaal Cup Beker-afdeling, op die Ras van Rooyen in Krugersdorp, bevestig het.

Herleef al die Beker-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Hoewel naelskraaps, was Monnas in ekstase na hul sege van 24-22 oor Hoërskool Transvalia. Dit was terloops ook die span van Vanderbijlpark se eerste nederlaag as nuweling van die Beker-reeks.

Skrumskakel, Evan Berhardi, was die Monumentare se groot held. Die woelige buksie van die Wit Bulle het by twee geleenthede sy verbysterende vaart tentoongestel om deur te suiker vir ‘n tweekuns aan drieë en was deurgaans ‘n bedreiging met die bal in hand. Die hardwerkende slot, Dean Hartman, is met Monnas se ander drie beloon.

Die terugkeer van Jaydon Viljoen het ook ‘n merkbare impak vir die Wit Bulle gehad. Die losskakel se skopskoen het uiteindelik die verskil tussen wen of verloor beteken, toe hy kort voor die eindfluitjie met ‘n kritieke strafdoel geslaag het.

Soos verwag, het die kragmeting op die Ras ‘n titaniese stryd tussen die twee pakke voorspelers afgegee. Die Wit Bulle se kaptein, Vincent Roberts, het van voor gelei en, tesame met Hartman, die nodige voorwaartse momentum bewerkstellig om hierdie broodnodige oorwinning te help verseker.

Vir Transvalia was haker, Wihandré Kruger, oudergewoonte ‘n doring in die vastelos en het self oorgebars vir ‘n tweede agtereenvolgende tweekuns. Kaptein, Juan Bisschoff, was kort op Kruger se hakke met sy barslopies op die aanval.

Hoërskool Noordheuwel se Clinton Agu het in Mbombela sy aanspraak op die nr. 2-trui van die SA Skolespan versterk met twee kuiers agter die doellyn van Hoërskool Nelspruit, in Nories se sege van 27-14.

Oopkantflank, Andrew Lambert, was ook weer skitterend op dreef en is een van die Blues se onbesonge helde met sy hoë werkverrigting regoor die veld. Skrumskakel, Gideon “Giellie” Diedericks, het duidelik heeltemal herstel van sy dysperbesering, met sy teenwoordigheid agter die skrum wat vir die Nories ‘n raps ekstra woema gegee het.

Die Rhinos se vaskopstut, Gert Cloete, was onkeerbaar naby die doellyn en het albei die tuisspan se twee drieë gedruk, terwyl die jong binnesenter, Rian Botha, straks sy beste vertoning van die jaar op die aanval gelewer het.

Puntemakers: 

Monument 24 (14) – Drieë: Evan Berhardi (2), Dean Hartman. Doelskoppe: Cameron Kourie (2), Jaydon Viljoen. Strafdoel: Viljoen. Transvalia 22 (15) – Drieë: Wihandré Kruger (2), Daniel Kazambo. Doelskoppe: Jay-Dee Maree (2). Strafdoel: Maree.

Noordheuwel 27 (12) – Drieë: Clinton Agu (2), Gideon Diedericks, Andrew Lambert. Doelskoppe: Jeandré Uithaler (2). Strafdoel: Uithaler. Hoërskool Nelspruit 14 (7) – Drieë: Gert Cloete (2). Doelskoppe: Liam Pringle (2).

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Monument 34, Transvalia 7; Noordheuwel 47, Nelspruit 0.

o.15: Monument 50, Transvalia 13; Noordheuwel 38, Nelspruit 12.

o.14: Monument 48, Transvalia 8; Noordheuwel 33, Nelspruit 3.

The script couldn’t have been written any better ahead of the highly anticipated clash between Paarl Boys’ High and Bishops Diocesan College, which is scheduled for Friday, 13 June, in Paarl.

That’s because both sides secured monumental victories over the weekend and will head into their showdown with their tails up and confident.

Boishaai hosted a high-flying Parel Vallei (PV) outfit and claimed an impressive 4-2 win. Bishops, meanwhile, has had a challenging season, but they stunned Paarl Gimnasium 2-1 at the Woodlands AstroTurf, in Cape Town.

A week before their win over PV, Boishaai recorded a 3-1 win over Stellenberg High School, which came after they had pushed Paul Roos Gimnasium hard, but had gone down 0-2.

Despite the Stellenberg triumph, coach Rowan McLachlan’s side was wary of PV, who were coming off a stirring 3-2 win against Paarl Gimnasium.

Playing on their home turf, in front of their passionate supporters, Boys High asserted their dominance and were rewarded with the opening goal early in the second chukka through AJ Fourie, who pounced on a sloppy clearance.

It was a special moment as the goal came in his 50th appearance for the team.

The second chukka was evenly matched and produced no goals, but the home side doubled their tally late in the third chukka after a near-post tap-in by Mijan Herholdt.

Coach McLachlan’s troops upped the intensity in the final chukka and netted twice more through Alex Lategan and DaNiel Willemse.

Parel Vallei mustered two consolation goals just before the end of the match, through Luka Meets and Liyema Jijana, which brought some respectability to the scoreline.

Reacting to his team’s performance after the game, coach McLachlan said: “I’m very happy with how the boys performed this evening.

“I feel like we were well put together and were clinical when it counted most. PV are a well-coached team, so we knew we were going to have to be good, so I’m just a happy coach,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.

Boishaai had started the season promisingly but then suffered a bit of a slump, going down to Rondebosch Boys’ High, Wynberg Boys’ High, Grey College, and Paul Roos in May. although they were competitive in all of those contests.

McLachlan said he was concerned after those close defeats, but said he is glad to have his boys firing on all cylinders once again.

“I feel like we started our season very well and won 10 games on the trot. We then hit a rough patch, losing four matches consecutively. But after beating Stellenberg and now, Parel Vallei, I feel like we’re back on track.

“We face Bishops at home next week, and the only thing I’d like to work on is finishing stronger. We allowed two soft goals in the last two minutes, so we need to be better there in closing out the game properly,” he ended.

While there was joy for Boishaai at home, Bishops were also in a joyful mood after shocking Paarl Gimnasium 2-1.

Coach Ryan Julius’s side were the underdogs heading into the clash, but they proved how good they could be when under pressure. 

Troy Stockdale and Callum Jones scored their goals, while Juan Swanepoel netted the solitary goal for the visitors.

“I’m very pleased with the result. They are a well-oiled team,” Julius said after the match.

“The boys played really well. We kept the ball. We were patient. We played a lot of phases, and we got two goals we deserved.

“This gives our team more confidence to go forward, and it’s a young team, so we are building in the right direction.

“There are a lot of things we need to tweak and adjust tactically for Paarl Boys, but I’m proud of how my team carried themselves.”

Other matches

Paul Roos Gimnasium, after their 1-3 loss to South African College High School (SACS), got back to winning ways with a convincing 5-0 win over Stellenberg High School.

Ruan Strauss struck twice, while Christo Swanepoel, Callum van Oudtshoorn, and Ruben Gouws netted PRG’s other goals.

SACS continued on their merry winning way, beating Reddam House Constantia 4-0.

Litha Kraai found the back of the net twice, and he was joined on the scoresheet by his captain, Jo le Roux, and the dangerous Reece Theunis.

Rondebosch Boys’ High defeated their southern suburbs rivals, Wynberg, 3-1, and DF Malan claimed the big scalp of Durbanville, winning by the odd goal in five.

WESTERN CAPE BOYS’ RESULTS

Paul Roos Gimnasium 5-0 Stellenberg High
Bishops 2-1 Paarl Gimnasium
Rondebosch Boys’ High 3-1 Wynberg Boys’ High
SACS 4-0 Reddam House Constantia
Paarl Boys’ High 4-2 Parel Vallei
DF Malan 3-2 Durbanville

The Golden Lions secured only their third victory since 1990 over their neighbours, the Blue Bulls, at the annual FNB u18 Craven Week, when they narrowly won their encounter on the first day of the 60th edition of the tournament by 36-35.

Catch all the action live on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com).

It was the Lions’ first victory over the Bulls since 2016 when they came out on top by 41-14 in Durban. Their only previous victory over the team from Pretoria since 1990 was back in 2010 (23-20).

The Lions’ captain, Chinedu Amadi, led his team from the front with loosehead prop, André Poulton, also keeping the the side on the front foot thanks to some bullocking runs.

Scorers: 

Pumas 44 (12) – Try: Franko Rossouw (2), Siyanda Dennison, Katlego Baloyi, Jacques Greyling, D’Angelo Roberts. Conversions: Matthew Abbey (4). Penalties: Abbey (2). Limpopo Blue Bulls 22 (14) – Tries: Funi Simba (2), Tshenello Nkwana. Conversions: Ryno Mienie (2). Penalty: Mienie.

Golden Lions 36 (14) – Tries: Shaye Lourens (2), André Poulton, Lindelani Nkambule, Ethan Lourens. Conversions: Jeandré Uithaler (4). Penalty: Uithaler. Blue Bulls 35 (20) – Tries: Okuhle Hini, Drewyn Baron, Jeffrey Singo, Zirk Meyer, Thabiso Simelane. Conversions: Ruben Groenewald (2). Penalties: Groenewald (2).

Under Friday night lights, Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) hosted Stellenberg, with the Maroon Machine aiming to continue a strong season, while Stellies were hoping to reverse their fortunes after a 0-27 home loss to Paarl Boys’ High. PRG had beaten SACS 22-3 in their last outing.

Oom Polla‘s Stellenbosch boys struck early, bagging the first points of the game in the fourth minute.

After repeatedly making the gain-line on a series of quick phases, flank Luke Kent received the ball from his scrumhalf Liam de Silva, and offloaded in the tackle to eighthman Gert Kemp, who, from five metres out, charged at and dived over the line for a try. Flyhalf Travis Pheiffer collected the extras off the kicking tee.

In the seventh minute, the home forwards attempted a steal in front of poles, about 35 metres out. The referee penalised Stellies for holding onto the ball on the ground and Pheiffer split the uprights to add another three to the scoreboard.

Then, after a break from the elusive left-wing Keenan Stoffels, Paul Roos entered the Stellenberg 22. They drove the ball up through their forwards and when a gap appeared, lock Reuben Winter sniped through the space and made the dive for five. Pheiffer slotted the conversion kick to make it 17-0, which was the score at the halftime break.

Paul Roos had found themselves in disciplinary trouble near the end of the first half, when they were reduced to only 12 players after three men picked up yellow cards. However, despite the three-man disadvantage when the second half started, the home side scored through centre Tiaan Basson, who read Stellenberg’s play intelligently and snagged an intercept before pinning his ears back and going over under the uprights from 50m out.

Pheiffer improved his kicking record to four from four with the easy conversion in the 39th minute.

Eight minutes later, the highlight of the game was authored by Liam de Silva and Keenan Stoffels. Just inside the Stellenberg half, de Silva chipped the ball over a ruck. Without a single stutter in his step, the electric Stoffels sprinted after it, collected the ball out of the air, and raced through for a try, leaving defenders trailing in his wake. Pheiffer continued his perfect goal kicking by adding two more points to take the Paul Roos tally to 31 points.

Just before the hour-mark, the Jade Brigade found a response. When a ball fell loose in the home side’s 22, Paul Roos hacked it clear, but their forwards overran the kick on the heavy ground. That allowed Stellenberg scrumhalf Daniel Steffen an opportunity to claim possession.

He picked up, spun around, and saw open ground down the left flank. He hit the accelerator and was over in the corner for a try. From a narrow angle, flyhalf Ethan van Biljon was wide with the conversion attempt, but the visitors were on the scoreboard.

PRG flyhalf Travis Pheiffer completed the scoring in the 63rd minute, knocking over a simple penalty kick to finish the game with six from six from his kick attempts.

Full-time score: Paul Roos 34-5 Stellenberg.

Stellenberg played hard and competed well to make it an enjoyable game. However the quality of the Paul Roos side was overwhelming, and they delivered a dominant performance in front of their fervent home supporters.

Next Saturday, Paul Roos will be the visitors at Wynberg, who won 38-33 at Rondebosch Boys’ High, also on Friday. Stellenberg will have a long break, next playing on 26 July when they travel to George to face Outeniqua.

SCORES

Paul Roos 34 (17) – Tries: Gert Kemp, Reuben Winter, Tiaan Basson, Keenan Stoffels. Conversions: Travis Pheiffer (4). Penalties: Pheiffer (2); Stellenberg 5 (0) – Try: Daniel Steffen.

u19 – Paul Roos I 34 Stellenberg I 5; Paul Roos II 43 Stellenberg II 0; Paul Roos III 27 Stellenberg III 15; Paul Roos IV 45 Stellenberg IV 3; Paul Roos V 40 Stellenberg V 0; Paul Roos VI 64 Stellenberg VI 3.

u16 – Paul Roos A 12 Stellenberg A 21; Paul Roos B 10 Stellenberg B 16; Paul Roos C 41 Stellenberg C 3; Paul Roos D 29 Stellenberg D 0.

u15 – Paul Roos A 39 Stellenberg A 14; Paul Roos B 32 Stellenberg B 12; Paul Roos C 41 Stellenberg C 0; Paul Roos D 71 Stellenberg D 0.

u14 – Paul Roos A 36 Stellenberg A o; Paul Roos B 41 Stellenberg B 0; Paul Roos C 31 Stellenberg C 5; Paul Roos D 48 Stellenberg D 8.