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A year after Durban High School (DHS) provided nine players to the Sharks Craven Week team, Westville Boys’ High has grabbed the spotlight, with eight of their boys cracking the nod for the 2025 Week, which takes place at Middelburg High School, from 7-12 July.

Only two players – Jadrian Afrikaner and Zekhethelo Siyaya – both from Westville, were members of the 2024 Sharks Craven Week squad.

Siyaya was included in the SA Schools team and represented SA u18 in August 2024 in the International Series in the Western Cape, which also featured SA Schools A, France, England, Ireland, and Georgia.

The 23-player Sharks squad features players from only six schools: Westville Boys’ High, Durban High School (DHS), Northwood School, Hilton College, Michaelhouse, and Maritzburg College.

Westville’s contingent features three forwards and five backs, with tighthead Bandile Mncwango packing down in the front row. Lwandle Mlaba offers versatility and can play either in the second row or on the side of the scrum, while Lwandile Simelane has worn the number eight jersey for the Griffin but could also feature at flank.

Their backline players include scrumhalf and Westville captain Liam Simpkins. Jade-Will Koopman has taken charge of the flyhalf position for Westville, but he could be viewed more as a utility player, given his diverse all-round skills’ set.

Sean McGough has manned the inside centre position all season long. He’s physical, runs straight and hard, and is a sound defender. Jadrian Afrikaner has partnered McGough in the midfield, but he, also, played wing in 2024 and ran in a bucketload of tries.

Zekhethelo Siyaya, at fullback, gives the team’s most dangerous playmaker opportunities to impact the game with either his superb counterattacking or his prodigious boot.

Northwood’s contribution is four players, all from the pack. Loosehead Sphe Ntshangase, the second-row duo of Chad Howe and Lian Terblanche, who can also fill a loose-forward role, and Jamie Wimble at 8^th-man, underlines what has driven Northwood’s success in 2025.

Knights‘ coach Jacques Deen, who will serve as an assistant to head coach Dusty Noble, told SuperSport Schools Plus at the Sharks’ trials: “If our set pieces work, then it gets to a point where we’re 80 percent there. If those things work, then everything else falls in place and we’re a successful team.”

He’s a superb forwards’ coach, and his lineout work is especially effective, so the Northwood quartet will, no doubt, seamlessly assimilate into Deen’s approach.

Wimble is an exciting talent, whose physicality and sharp running lines have caught the eye, especially when facing the toughest of challenges.

Hilton College also provides four players, all of them in key playmaking positions: Josh Grant (hooker), Zander Muller (8^th-man), Zander Vorster (scrumhalf), and Liyema Nela (flyhalf).

Grant is a strong scrummager, but he’s at his best when acting as a fourth loose-forward. He has a knack for running good support lines, which create try-scoring opportunities.

Muller, at the back of the scrum, is a strong physical runner. One of the big questions that needs to be addressed by the Sharks’ leadership is who is going to wear the number eight jersey. They’ve included four regular number eights in their lineup.

Hilton’s other Zander, scrumhalf Vorster, provides a steady service, but he’s at his most dangerous when sniping at the line. He’s a big number nine, powerfully built, and mistimed or half-hearted tackles won’t bring him down.

Nela, at flyhalf, possesses a fine all-round game, although his goal-kicking can be streaky at times. His tactical kicking and ball distribution, though, are very good, and he is not afraid to take on the defence himself, either.

DHS, who are enjoying another outstanding season, has three players in the lineup – and 10 in the Academy side – and that, once again, includes a superb hooker. In 2023, DHS captain Christian Everitt was selected for the SA Schools A side. Then, last year, Mahle Sithole, earned selection for SA Schools.

Now, Okuhle Mbanjwa carries the mantle forward for the Horseflies. He’s a well-rounded player – good in the set scrums, accurate at lineout time, and effective around the field. His tighthead partner, Joseph Udo Idung, at 122 kilograms, brings bulk and strong scrumming ability to the front row.

Centre Nathan Aneke also cracked the nod. He’s not a big man, but he’s a smooth player. He has an eye for a gap, a good turn of pace, and distributes the ball well.

Michaelhouse, meanwhile, has two players in the team, and they, too, are both centres – their captain William Ridl and Rourke O’Sullivan. One of the questions that remains to be answered is whether or not the selectors will use them as a combination.

Ridl is big and strong, with the ability to break through slight gaps with his powerful running. O’Sullivan understands support lines and frequently runs himself into positions to inflict further damage on teams after his captain has dented their defensive lines. They work well together.

The Sharks’ squad is completed by two players from Maritzburg College. The first is loosehead prop Indiphile Mlotshwa, which feels like an appropriate selection given that College produced two SA Schools props in 2024, Phiwayinkosi Kubheka and Aiden Botha. Mlotshwa, though, has shown that there is more to his game than set scrums and he gets around the field well.

The other choice from Maritzburg College is their captain and 8th-man, Wasi Vyambwera. He’s a prototypical College loose-forward, the kind of player who gets stuck in and does the dirty work, and who delivers a physical punch.

Craven Week: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya (Westville Boys’ High), 14 Jade-Will Koopman (Westville Boys’ High), 13 Jadrian Afrikaner (Westville Boys’ High), 12 Sean McGough (Westville Boys’ High), 11 Nathan Aneke (Durban High School), 10 Liyema Nela (Hilton College), 9 Liam Simpkins (Westville Boys’ High), 8 Jaime Wimble (Northwood), 7 Lian Terblanche (Northwood), 6 Wandile Simelane (Westville Boys’ High), 5 Chad Howe (Northwood), 4 Lwandile Mlaba (Westville Boys’ High) 3 Bandile Mncwango (Westville Boys’ High), 2 Okuhle Mbanjwa (DHS), 1 Indiphile Mlotshwa (Maritzburg College). Replacements: 16 Josh Grant (Hilton College), 17 Sphephelo Ntshangase (Northwood), 18 Joseph Udo Idung (DHS), 19 Mumbere Vyambwera (Maritzburg College), 20 Zander Muller (Hilton College), 21 Zander Vorster (Hilton College), 22 Rourke O’Sullivan (Michaelhouse), 23 William Ridl (Michaelhouse).

8 Westville Boys’ High | 4 Hilton College | 4 Northwood | 3 Durban High School | 2 Maritzburg College | 2 Michaelhouse 

Academy Week: Ambesiwe Sipango (DHS), Amogeleng Mataboge (DHS), Andrew Schnell (Hilton College), Cilermo Carolus (DHS), Daniel Fwita (DHS), Duhan du Plessis (DHS), Iwan Slabbert (DHS), Janco Visagie (Northwood), Johannes van der Walt (Northwood), Keanu Williamson (Kearsney College), Likho Konza (DHS), Luxolo Sonkononkono (Westville Boys’ High), Lwandle Mkhize (Kearsney College), Lwazi Mbebe (Kearsney College), Milisuthando George (DHS), Nhlanhla Ndlovu (Kearsney College), Olwethu Kosani (Maritzburg College), Omphile Kola (DHS), Rory Stanton (Maritzburg College), Sambesiwe Ndamase (Glenwood High), Sibusiso Hlongwa (Westville Boys’ High), Theo Boshoff (Maritzburg College), Zion Smith (Durban High School).

10 Durban High School | 4 Kearsney College | 3 Maritzburg College | 2 Northwood School | 2 Westville Boys’ High | 1 Glenwood High | 1 Hilton College 

Die Limpopo Blou Bulle het hul voorlopige span vir die 60ste jaarlikse Cravenweek later vanjaar in Middelburg, Mpumalanga bekend gemaak.

Die toernooi vind vanjaar vanaf 7 tot 12 Julie op Hoërskool Middelburg se velde plaas.

Die span vanuit die noorde van Suid-Afrika kon verlede jaar slegs een van sy drie kragmetings tydens die toernooi in Krugersdorp wen. Dit was ‘n sege van 27-24 oor die Luiperds op die laaste dag.

Die Limpopo Blou Bulle kon sedert 2022 nog net twee keer in nege wedstryde ‘n oorwinning op die gesogte week behaal. Die ander sege was ook teen die Luiperds in 2022 toe hulle met 24-17 baas was.

Die span sal vanjaar in die eerste wedstryd van die Cravenweek teen die gasheer, die Pumas, te staan kom. Die Pumas het verlede jaar se toernooi onoorwonne afgesluit en behoort vanjaar weer ‘n gedugte span in die veld te stoot.

Slegs twee spelers wat verlede jaar vir die Limpopo Blou Bulle op die Cravenweek in aksie was – Juan Janse van Vuuren (Hoërskool Pietersburg) en Maritz Meintjies (Merensky) sal weer vanjaar vir die span uitdraf. Janse van Vuuren het verlede jaar op slot diens gedoen, maar sal vanjaar aan die kant van die skrum sak.

Die unie se Akademie-span het verlede jaar ietwat beter as die Cravenweek-span gevaar. Die span het sy toernooi in Johannesburg met ‘n sege van 106-7 oor die Suid-Afrikaanse LSOB-span (vir leerlinge met spesiale onderwysbehoeftes) afgesluit.

Hy het ook ‘n sege van 28-21 oor Namibié behaal. Die span se Gehan Hendricks (binnesenter) en Thabang Nkuna (loskopstut) is die enigste twee spelers vanuit die Akademie-span wat vanjaar op die Cravenweek in aksie sal wees.

Die Cravenweek-span sal in ‘n opwarmingswedstryd teen die Blou Bulle se B-span (Akademie-span) eerskomende Dinsdag op Loftus Versfeld se B-veld te staan kom.

Die span se hoofafrigter is Corstiaan Vermaak (Hoërskool Pietersburg) met Pierre Coetzee (Ellisras) en Juan Vos (Curro Heuwelkruin) as hulpafrigters. Die spanbestuurder is Colin Fouché.

Die spanne is: 

Cravenweek: 15 Tshenello Nkwana (HTS Tom Naudé), 14 Phenyo Pula (Ben Vorster), 13 Gehan Hendricks (Ben Vorster), 12 Siya Mahlangu (Hoërskool Pietersburg), 11 Fortune Sehlebane (HTS Tom Naudé), 10 Anzio Swartbooi (Ellisras), 9 Celliers van der Merwe (Hoërskool Pietersburg), 8 Tumi Ramo (Ben Vorster), 7 Juan Janse van Vuuren (Hoërskool Pietersburg), 6 Andru de Beer (Hoërskool Pietersburg), 5 Ludke Pienaar (Hoërskool Pietersburg), 4 Daniel Leahy (Ellisras), 3 Stephan Janse van Rensburg (Hoërskool Pietersburg), 2 Zihan Lombard (Hoërskool Pietersburg), 1 Thabang Nkuna (Ben Vorster). Plaasvervangers: 16 Ruben Pohl (Ben Vorster), 17 Krissie Swanepoel (Hoërskool Pietersburg), 18 Rhandzu Malatje (Ellisras), 19 Lumni-Lu Heswick (Ben Viljoen), 20 Thapelo Monyane (Frikkie Meyer), 21 Maritz Meintjies (Merensky), 22 Ryno Mienie (Hoërskool Pietersburg), 23 Elvis Manokoane (HTS Tom Naudé).

9 Hoërskool Pietersburg | 5 Ben Vorster | 3 Ellisras | 3 HTS Tom Naudé | 1 Frikkie Meyer | 1 Merensky | 1 Ben Viljoen

Akademie-week: 15 HP van Heerden (Frikkie Meyer), 14 Lebogang Aphane (HTS Tom Naudé), 13 Tebogo Mapologelo (Hans Strijdom), 12 Mahlatse Kekana (HTS Tom Naudé), 11 Itu Magaba (Curro Heuwelkruin), 10 Juan Randall (Hoërskool Pietersburg), 9 Jayden Enslin (Hans Strijdom), 8 Kian du Plessis (Hans Strijdom), 7 Keanu Visser (Frikkie Meyer), 6 FC Smith (Hoërskool Pietersburg), 5 Henco Venter (Hoërskool Pietersburg), 4 Puki Mpiti (Merensky), 3 Lourens Pieterse (Frikkie Meyer), 2 Khatu Sikhwethu (HTS Tom Naudé), 1 Hendro Moulder (Hoërskool Pietersburg). Plaasvervangers: 16 Dewan Windell (Hoërskool Pietersburg), 17 Matthew Okwushi (Louis Trichardt), 18 Damien Coetzee (Frans du Toit), 19 Blessing Matebula (Merensky), 20 Mukhetwa Musundwa (Merensky), 21 Rome Pieterse (Ben Viljoen), 22 Mokibelo Mathlabaseletsi (HTS Tom Naudé), 23 Rea Senyolo (Ellisras).

After narrow losses against Grey College and Wynberg Boys’ High, Paarl Boys’ High returns to action this weekend with another tough assignment. They host Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG).

The sides meet on Friday at 19:15 and the match will be broadcast live on the SuperSport Schools App.

Boys’ High, famously known as Boishaai, will face PRG head-on and with no fear as they look to cause an upset for the ages in the Boland region.

Led by coach Rowan McLachlan, Boys’ High has had a decent run so far this season and fared playing particularly well at the Cape Co-Ed Festival and the Coastal Cup in March.

Since then, they’ve defeated Somerset College and DF Malan but came up short against Rondebosch Boys’ High, Grey College and Wynberg.

Despite those three losses, Boishaai has held their own whenever they’ve been confronted by top opposition and they continue to improve.

In their loss to Wynberg, they were in it for most of the game, but some lapses of concentration allowed the Cape Town side to seal a nail-biting 3-2 win.

Martin de Bruyn and Alex Lategan were on the scoresheet for Boishaai, and they’ll need to be on their game when they tackle a dangerous PRG side.

Boys’ High skipper, AJ Mostert, who played his 75th game first-team match earlier this year, will have a key role to play, along with goalkeeper Luan Bornman.

Boys’ High has provided four players to the Boland u18 teams for the SASHOC National Week, which takes place in the last week of June and beginning of July. Milani Tisana has been included in the A-team, while Mostert, Martin De Bruyn, and Da-Niell Willemse will play for the B-side.

In Paul Roos, they will come up against a side that is high in confidence and well-rested after they had a bye last week.

Before the break, PRG made a big statement by thumping Paarl Gimnasium 6-2 at the Maties AstroTurf.

It won’t be smooth sailing for coach Michael Baker and his PRG boys, especially in front of a hostile crowd in Paarl, but they’ll be confident they can get the job done.

Also on Friday night, Wynberg Boys’ High welcomes their local rivals, Bishops, to the Astro of Dreams.

That game is scheduled to start at 18:45 and promises to entertain as both teams go in search of southern suburbs’ bragging rights.

Wynberg are the favourites heading into the clash after their 3-2 win over Boys’ High last week, and especially since Bishops was stunned 1-2 by Stellenberg High School on home soil.

Both sides are in transition after bidding farewell to several influential players at the end of last season, so they should be well matched, and a cracker is on the cards.

Rondebosch Boys’ High will be in action against Fairmont High School in a league match and South African College High School (SACS) travels to DF Malan.

Durbanville takes on an on-fire Reddam House Constantia side, while there should be fireworks in Somerset West when Parel Vallei hosts Paarl Gim.

Worcester Gimnasium faces Wellington’s Hugenote, Hoërskool Outeniqua has a date with Hoërskool Framesby, and York High tests their mettle against Langenhoven Gimnasium.

FIXTURES

17:00 – Outeniqua vs Framesby
18:10 – York High School vs Langenhoven Gimnasium
18:15 – Durbanville vs Reddam House Constantia
18:45 – Wynberg Boys’ High vs Bishops Diocesan College
19:10 – Worcester Gimnasium vs Hugenote Wellington
19:15 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Paul Roos Gimnasium
19:25 – DF Malan vs SACS
19:30 – Rondebosch Boys’ High vs Fairmont High School
20:15 – Parel Vallei vs Paarl Gimnasium

Fourth, fifth, and sixth. Those were the positions in which Eunice High, Hoërskool Menlopark, and Hoërskool Waterkloof finished in the inaugural edition of the St Anne’s Cup last year. A lot has happened since then. A lot has changed, including the teams.

The trio returns with bigger hopes and the experience and skills to improve on their 2024 showings.

Eunice will arrive at St Anne’s with a confident bounce in their legs following a positive outing against their Free State rivals, Oranje on Tuesday afternoon. Storm Harris scored for coach Nika Coertzen‘s sids as they played to a 1-1 draw with their Bloemfontein rivals.

“It’s always a privilege to take the field against any opponent, especially with the margins so tight between teams. Facing a strong Oranje side ahead of the weekend is ideal preparation, helping us adapt to high-intensity games, learn from our mistakes, and improve for what’s ahead,” Coertzen told SuperSport Schools Plus ahead of the tournament.

Eunice is in Pool C, up against St John’s DSG and Noordheuwel. They open their challenge on Friday afternoon at 14:15 against Noordheuwel, one of four newcomers to the event.

Menlopark, meanwhile, has the wind beneath their wings following a dominant showing against Hoërskool Eldoraigne on Monday night.

Monique Gerber powered them to an 8-1 win over Eldos with a hattrick. Karla van Rooyen contributed two goals to the effort, while Zoë Badenhorst, Anja Steidler, Ininke Human, and Chanette Jansen van Vuuren chipped in with a goal each.

Coach Brad Brook’s side has spent the season fine-tuning their cohesion and the comprehensive win is a sign that it has grown by leaps and bounds.

“We are very excited about St Anne’s Cup,” he declared. “Like any tournament, the plan is to win the title. But we will be happy with a podium finish because it will be an improvement on our performance from last year.”

Menlopark faces Worcester Gimnasium and the hosts, St Anne’s, in Pool A. They’ll first see action at 13:00 on Friday afternoon when they go toe-to-toe with Worcester Gim.

Coach Omari Pienaar-Geyer’s Waterkloof team also heads into the showpiece off the back of a victory, and it was a good one. They beat Affies 1-0 in their last assignment on 12 May. They were scheduled to play Menlopark after that, but the match was cancelled because a number of their players were unwell.

“We had a few good training sessions and could work on one or two things,” Pienaar-Geyer said of Waterkloof’s preparations.

They’ll have a game against Zwartkop before they hop on the bus to St Anne’s. Pienaar-Geyer is confident her side has what it takes to make a run at the Cup. They will, however, tackle the task one game at a time.

“The first step is for us to surpass last year’s finish and improve on the sixth place. We also want to showcase a quality brand of hockey and be more consistent in games.

“We want to be consistently doing the right things. We are looking forward to a great weekend of hockey at a well-organised tournament,” Pienaar-Geyer explained.

Waterkloof’s Pool B opener will be at 13:00 on Friday afternoon against The Wykeham Collegiate (TWC). Their group also includes the defending champion, St Mary’s DSG, Kloof.

Maritzburg College and Westville Boys’ High continued their winning streaks in the Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) Coastal and Inland Second-Term A-Leagues, although their closest challengers kept up the pressure on the table-topping sides.

Coastal A

On Tuesday, the Coastal A-fixtures were played at Queensburgh High School, where Westville defeated Port Shepstone High 2-1 in a key clash to bolster their points’ haul by another three.

Dayyan Fudu, who has been a standout player for the Griffin, scored both goals.

Players, like Fudu have excelled, with Westville’s outstanding work ethic and positional and tactical awareness being hallmarks of their game, which have contributed to their strong showing in the league. With two goals against Port Shepstone, Fudu lifted his total to five for the season.

Port Shepstone, after starting the season with three victories on the trot, has now gone down in their last two outings, also losing 1-3 to Glenwood last week. Sheppie takes on Pinetown Boys’ High next Tuesday, needing to right the ship.

Glenwood, the two-time defending champion, occupies third place in the standings, with 12 points. They’re level with Hillcrest High in points, but Hillcrest is in second. Westville tops the table with 13 points.

On Tuesday, Glenwood secured a 2-1 victory over the struggling Northwood School, with goals from Mbuso Gumede and Ukwazi Dludla. Despite the win and the acquisition of three vital points, the coach of the Green Machine, Khaya Mgwengwe, wasn’t satisfied with his charges’ performance.

Although pleased to have picked up three points, he expressed concern about Glenwood’s third place on the log, acknowledging that circumstances could change rapidly.

Hillcrest High continued their good run with a 3-1 defeat of Bechet High.

Banele Ngongoma has been one of the players at the forefront of Hillcrest’s success and he added another goal to his tally.

He was set up by an inviting cross from his captain, Thingo Shezi, who also got his name onto the score sheet by converting a penalty.

Jason Carter, who came off the bench, made an immediate impact by scoring the final goal for Hillcrest, also from the spot.

After a series of recent disappointments, Pinetown Boys’ High snatched a close 3-2 victory over Empangeni High School.

Inland A

The Inland A-League log leaders, Maritzburg College, hosted Newton on Barns Field. With Carter High, only two points behind them, the Red, Black, and White produced a composed, winning performance to score a 3-0 victory.

Sphelele Sibiya, Mazithi Qasha, and Malachi Momple provided the finishes, which left College with 13 points after the game.

After suffering a 0-1 loss to Maritzburg College last Tuesday, Edendale Technical High reversed their fortunes with a 2-0 victory over Ixopo Secondary School, with Wandile Madlala netting both goals.

Carter High kept up the pressure on College with a tight 1-0 win over Linpark, while the Alexandra High School A Team played to a 1-1 draw against Haythorne Secondary.

RESULTS

Coastal A

Pinetown Boys’ High 3-2 Empangeni
Hillcrest 3-1 Bechet
Glenwood 2-1 Northwood
Westville 2-1 Port Shepstone

Inland A

Carter 1-0 Linpark
Edendale 2-0 Ixopo
Alexandra High School A Team 1-1 Haythorne
Maritzburg College 3-0 Newton

Forthcoming Fixtures

Thursday, 22 May: Coastal B

Queensburgh High School 

Field 1

15:10 – Amanzimtoti vs Grosvenor
16:15 – Queensburgh High School vs Ashton Ballito A Team

Field 2

15:10 – New Forest vs Durban High School
16:15 – Redwood vs Sastri

Friday, 23 May: Coastal C

Queensburgh High School

Field 1

15:10 – Durban Academy vs George Campbell
16:15 – Canaan College vs Birdswood

Field 2

16:15 – Brettonwood vs Ashton Ballito B Team

Thursday, 22 May: Inland B

Alexandra High School

Field 1

15:00 – Alexandra High School B Team vs Maritzburg Christian School
16:05 – Northbury vs Heritage Academy

Field 2

15:00 – ML Sultan vs Maritzburg College B Team
16:05 – Riverwood vs Thornhill

Note: Inland C fixtures scheduled for this Friday, 23 May, have been moved to Wednesday, 28 May.

Venue: AB Jackson

15:00 – Umvuzo vs Maritzburg College C Team
16:05 – Newton B Team vs Michaelhouse

After a week’s break and some time out to reboot and energise, Grey High School returns to the turf this weekend when they travel to face Queen’s College, in Komani, on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Selborne College will face the stern examination when they take on St Andrew’s College, in Makhanda, at the Webster AstroTurf.

Earlier this month, Grey High scored a solid 3-1 victory over Wynberg Boys’ High, in Gqeberha.

Coach Andrew Beynon‘s squad went into that clash off the back of a disappointing Hibbert Shield campaign, but they put that behind them and put on a good show in front of a big Reunion Day crowd.

James Chree, Jordyn Billie, and captain Luke Tait were the names on the scoresheet on that occasion. It was, also, a special occasion for Athi Voigt and Liam Poole, who both reached 50 games for the 1st XI.

The boys in blue and white then turned their attention to a mid-week clash against Kingswood College, in Makhanda.

Grey dominated and despite failing to capitalise on many of the chances they created, they walked away with a 4-0 victory, courtesy of a brace by Tait, with Keegan le Roux and Luke Malherbe also scoring.

Over the bye weekend, Grey’s players stayed active by participating in the school’s annual Hockey Slam, a fundraising event that allows teams to play for different franchises and challenge for the title. They’ll be eager to get back on the park against a tricky Queen’s College side.

Queen’s has endured mixed fortunes over the past two weeks. Last Friday, they were on the receiving end of a hefty 1-5 loss against St Andrew’s College, while they defeated Dale College 4-2 the week before.

Playing in front of their supporters at the Chris Harker AstroTurf could just be the push coach Michael Baiden‘s side needs to pull off a major upset.

Selborne College will also be on the road this weekend as they travel to face St Andrew’s College in Makhanda.

The boys in black and white got their season back on track with an emphatic 5-1 triumph over Dale College in East London last week.

All five goals were scored by their talisman, Reid Drake, who has been in sublime form for coach KJ Friend’s side.

They won’t have it easy, though, against a tough St Andrew’s side that has proved to be a handful for many teams in the province and beyond its boundaries this season.

In May alone, they’ve overpowered Pearson High 3-1 and thumped Queen’s 5-1. Home ground advantage could further benefit the boys from Makhanda as they continue to assert themselves as one of the top sides in the Eastern Cape.

In other matches, Hudson Park, after playing to a 4-4 draw with Victoria Park and losing 0-4 against Pearson, will be chasing a bounce-back performance against Merrifield College.

For a second consecutive week, Dale travels to East London. This time, they face Cambridge High School, and Stirling welcomes Kingswood College.

EASTERN CAPE BOYS’ FIXTURES

Friday, 23 May

16:00 – Hudson Park vs Merrifield College
16:00 – Woodridge College vs Victoria Park
16:30 – Queen’s College vs Grey High School
17:30 – St Andrew’s College vs Selborne College
17:30 – Dale College vs Cambridge High
18:00 – Stirling vs Kingswood College

Familiar contenders, the u17 Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Team, appears to, once more, be the team to beat in the third iteration of the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL).

They’re top of the league standings after eight matches. However, this year they face stiff competition from, among others, SAFA Academy and Highlands Park FC, who are proving to be strong challengers.

Sundowns has suffered just a single defeat to date, which came when they took on the SAFA Academy on 11 May.

The highly anticipated clash lived up to expectations as goals flowed in a fierce contest that culminated in a nail-biting 6-5 win for the SAFA Academy. After an incredibly entertaining and evenly contested game, their rematch later in the season is a can’t-miss contest.

Remarkably, that defeat was the first that Sundowns has suffered since the establishment of the GWDL by SAFA Gauteng, which serves to underline just how dominant the Brazilians have been.

Despite their recent loss, Sundowns is top of the log on 21 points. However, their lead is tenuous, The SAFA Academy also has 21 points but with a match in hand, and they remain unbeaten. They’re primed to take over at the top.

Highlands Park FC concluded the 2024 GWDL season in seventh place. In 2025, however, they’re far more consistent and have 20 points after nine matches.

On Sunday, they go up against Mamelodi Sundowns in the pick of the weekend’s GWDL games. Should Highlands Park beat Sundowns, they would move up to second place, possibly even first, depending on the result of the SAFA Academy’s match against Kempton Park at Bonaero Park on the same day.

Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA), currently in fourth place, takes on the struggling Sporting CP at Hoërskool CR Swart.

It’s Sporting CP’s first season in the GWDL and it has been tough sledding for the newcomers thus far, with the side scoring only one win while losing seven times. RESA will head into the contest as hot favourites

JVW FC is another team with title aspirations. They’ve played six and won five, giving them 15 points. They meet Kenneth FC at Norkem Park High School and will be confident of picking up three points, with Kenneth FC scoring only two wins from their eight matches, which has them in 13th place ahead of the weekend’s encounter.

The University of Pretoria (Tuks), last season’s third-place finishers, are sixth in the standings. Tuks, though, are known for their resilience and competitiveness, and they remain a dangerous outfit.

They have 14 points and should RESA and JVW falter, a home victory over Tornado Academy Ladies would boost Tuks by a couple of places on the log.

Interestingly, the dynamics among JVW, RESA, and Tuks are reminiscent of last season, where the competition for the second, third, and fourth spots intensified towards the end of the season.

While Sundowns ran away with the title, JVW placed second, with 56 points. Tuks was third, on 54 points, and RESA ended fourth, with 50 points.

Refilwe FC began the season positively with some convincing wins, but they have since fallen to seventh place in the standings. But, as a young and developing team, they are still finding their footing, aided by the addition of experienced coaches like Claudia Raposo, who is the Director of Football at the club.

They’ve secured 13 points from 7 matches, achieving four wins, one draw, and two losses. Their opposition on Sunday is Dinoko Rondebuilt FC. The teams meet at Dan Kutumela School.

Panorama FC is also in action. They face off with Edenvale FC at the JP Bezuidenhout Stadium.

Sunday’s u17 GWDL matches are scheduled to start at 11:30.

GWDL Table 

	Team/Club	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
1	Mamelodi Sundowns	8	7	0	1	51	11	40	21
2	SAFA Academy	7	7	0	0	46	6	40	21
3	Highlands Park	9	6	2	1	19	7	12	20
4	RESA	8	5	1	2	18	10	8	16
5	JVW	6	5	0	1	12	2	10	15
6	University of Pretoria (Tuks)	9	4	2	3	18	26	-8	14
7	Refilwe FC	7	4	1	2	24	7	17	13
8	Kempton Park FC	9	4	0	5	18	21	-3	12
9	Tornado Academy Ladies	8	3	0	5	13	18	-5	9
10	Edenvale FC	8	2	2	4	14	19	-5	8
11	Dinoko Rondebuilt FC	9	2	1	6	14	25	-11	7
12	Panorama FC	7	2	1	4	7	22	-15	7
13	Kenneth FC	8	2	0	6	10	29	-9	6
14	Hellenic Falcons FC	9	2	0	7	8	40	-32	6
15	Sporting CP	8	1	0	7	2	23	-21	3

FIXTURES

Bonaero Park 

u15 – 10:00 – Kempton Park vs SAFA Academy
u17 – 11:30 – Kempton Park vs SAFA Academy

Norkem Park High School

u15 – 10:00 – JVW FC vs Kenneth FC
u17 – 11:30 – JVW FC vs Kenneth FC

Balfour Park

u15 – 10:00 – Highlands Park vs Mamelodi Sundowns
u17 – 11:30 – Highlands Park vs Mamelodi Sundowns

JP Bezuidenhout Stadium 

u15 – 10:00 – Edenvale vs Panorama FC
u17 – 11:30 – Edenvale vs Panorama FC

Dan Kutumela School 

u13 – 09:00 – Dinoko Rondebuilt FC vs Refilwe FC
u15 – 10:00 – Dinoko Rondebuilt FC vs Refilwe FC
u17 – 11:30 – Dinoko Rondebuilt vs Refilwe FC

Hoërskool CR Swart

u13 – 09:00 – Sporting CP vs RESA
u15 – 10:00 – Sporting CP vs RESA
u17 – 11:30 – Sporting CP vs RESA

University of Pretoria Football Fields (Hillcrest Campus)

u15 – 10:00 – Tuks vs Tornado
u17 – 11:30 – Tuks vs Tornado

Twelve of the country’s top hockey-playing girls’ schools will converge at St Anne’s Diocesan College to battle it out in one of the year’s most-anticipated schoolgirl tournaments, the St Anne’s Cup.

The event is in its second year and will run from Friday to Sunday.

The inaugural edition featured eight teams, but its resounding success prompted further growth and the addition of four more teams.

“The first edition set a high bar. Players, coaches, and spectators alike were treated to a showcase of skill and sportsmanship, making it a standout event on the regional hockey calendar,” Morné Odendaal, the St Anne’s coach and one of the organisers, told Supersport Schools Plus.

Odendaal promised an intensified level of competition in the second edition. He is not wrong to anticipate a high standard, given the pedigree of the teams taking part.

All the sides that contested the first St Anne’s Cup, with the exception of Beaulieu College are back: Eunice, St Mary’s DSG (Kloof), Durban Girls’ College (DGC), Hoërskool Waterkloof, St Anne’s, Hoërskool Menlopark, and St John’s DSG are back.

They’re joined by Worcester Gimnasium, The Wykeham Collegiate, Hoërskool Noordheuwel, Our Lady of Fatima, and Bethlehem Voortrekker.

“The increased number of teams ensures a broader representation of talent, further elevating the competitive edge and fostering a platform for aspiring athletes to shine,” Odendaal explained.

The teams have been split into four groups. The hosts, St Anne’s will begin their campaign in Pool A where they face Worcester Gimnasium and Hoërskool Menlopark.

The defending champion, St Mary’s DSG (Kloof) is on the hunt for a second title of the year after their trophy-winning run at the St Mary’s Waverley Festival. They are in Pool B where they will face TWC and Waterkloof.

Last year’s semi-finalists, Eunice will be aiming to improve on their showing in the inaugural edition. They are in Pool C, along with St John’s DSG and Noordheuwel.

DGC made it all the way to the 2024 final, where they lost to St Mary’s DSG (Kloof). They return intent on going one better. However, they will first have to get past Our Lady of Fatima and Voortrekker in Pool D.

The tournament roars to life with a double-header at 08:00 on Friday morning, with St Mary’s (DSG) Kloof going head-to-head with TWC, while DGC crosses swords with Our Lady of Fatima.

St John’s DSG and Eunice will close the day with a contest at 19:15. The tournament will pick up on Saturday morning with cross-pool contests as teams battle for a place in the playoffs and a chance to play for the title.

“The organisers are committed to maintaining the exceptional standards set by the inaugural tournament, ensuring that every aspect of the event, from logistics to hospitality, meets and exceeds expectations,” Odendaal said.

“The growth of the St. Anne’s Cup reflects not only the increasing popularity of hockey but also the dedication of the community to nurture young talent and promote the sport’s values of teamwork, discipline, and excellence.

FIXTURES

Friday, 23 May

08:00 – St Mary’s Kloof vs TWC; 08:00 – Durban Girls’ College vs Our Lady of Fatima; 09:15 – St Anne’s vs Worcester Gim; 10:30 – St John’s DSG vs Noordheuwel, 11:45 – Our Lady of Fatima vs Voortrekker; 13:00 – Worcester Gim vs Menlopark; 13:00 – TWC vs Waterkloof; 14:15 – Noordheuwel vs Eunice; 15:30 – Durban Girls’ College vs Voortrekker; 16:45 – St Mary’s Kloof vs Waterkloof; 18:00 – St Anne’s vs Menlopark; 19:15 – St John’s DSG vs Eunice.

Saturday, 24 May (cross-pool stage and playoffs)

08:00 – A3 vs D3; 08:00 – B3 vs C3; 09:15 – QF1: A2 vs D1; 10:30 – QF2: A1 vs D2; 11:45 – QF3: B2 vs C1; 13:00 – QF4: B1 vs C2; 14:15 – B3 vs D3; 14:15 – A3 vs C3; 15:30 – (5-8) Loser QF1 vs Loser QF3; 16:45 – (5-8) Loser QF2 vs Loser QF4; 18:00 – (Semi) Winner QF1 vs Winner QF3; 19:15 – (Semi) Winner QF2 vs Winner QF4.

Sunday, 25 May

08:00 – 7th/8th Place; 08:00 – A3 vs B3; 09:15 – 5th/6th Place; 09:15 – C3 vs D3; 10:30 – 3rd/4th Place; 11:45 – Final.

The Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) Coastal and Inland Second-Term A-Leagues head into round five on Tuesday.

Coastal A

Westville Boys’ High School, who are undefeated in the league this season, will face Port Shepstone High, who recently experienced their first loss, going down 1-3 to Glenwood High School, which resulted in Westville taking over at the top of the standings from Port Shepstone.

On Tuesday, the Griffin and Sheppie meet at Queensburgh High. It’s a big game for both sides.

Glenwood High is also fighting to secure the top position and is chasing a third consecutive league title. They take on Northwood School, aiming to win and to take advantage of any slip-up by Westville and Port Shepstone.

Glenwood has enjoyed a better season than Northwood thus far, with the Knights still chasing their first win, so the Green Machine will fancy their chances.

Hillcrest High is also enjoying a good year, and they recently advanced to the second round of the Curro Halala Cup. They’ll be up against Bechet, while Empangeni High will tackle Pinetown Boys’ High. All the matches will be played at Queensburgh High.

Inland A

The Maritzburg College A Team, playing at their home ground, Barns Field, has an opportunity to increase their three-point lead over Carter High at the top of the log when they meet Newton on Tuesday.

Barns Field is a stronghold for College and it also allows them to benefit from the support of their home crowd. They’ll aim to make the most of those advantages when they kick off at 15:00.

Carter High School will monitor College’s match. They could be six points adrift of the league leaders by the time they kick off against Linpark at 16:05, also on Barns Field.

In other matchups, the Alexandra High A Team is at home for a meeting with Haythorne Secondary. Positioned fourth, with five points, Alex A has a chance to climb the log if Linpark loses to Carter.

Meanwhile, in another match at Alexandra High, Ixopo Secondary takes on Edendale Technical High School.

The Inland A-League has delivered plenty of goals each week and more can be expected on Tuesday. Babalo Ntlantsana, from Carter, currently tops the goal-scoring chart, with four goals to his name, while Mazithi Qasha and Malachi Momple, from Maritzburg College, have struck three times each.

Luvuyo Mjwara, from Ixopo, is also on three goals, while Ayabonga Dladla, from Alex has netted twice. Edendale will look to Alwande Bekwa to lead their attack when they meet Ixopo.

FIXTURES

Coastal A

Queensburgh High School

Field 1

15:10 – Bechet vs Hillcrest High
16:15 – Pinetown Boys’ High vs Empangeni High

Field 2

15:10 – Northwood School vs Glenwood
16:10 – Port Shepstone vs Westville Boys’ High

Inland A

Barns Field (Maritzburg College)

15:00 – Maritzburg College A Team vs Newton
16:05 – Linpark vs Carter High

Alexandra High School 

15:00 – Alexandra High A Team vs Haythorne Secondary School
16:05 – Ixopo Secondary School vs Edendale Technical High

Die naam “Proppie“, oftewel “Prop” van den Berg, het oor die afgelope twee jaar taamlik opslae gemaak in SA Skolerugbykringe.

Lees meer oor Proppie se opkomende vertonings op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Dit is natuurlik die bynaam van Luan van den Berg, vaskoptut van Hoërskool Garsfontein se eerste rugbyspan, beter bekend as die Garsie Bere.

Dit is egter nié die naam as sulks wat vir Proppie so alombekend gemaak het nie, maar eerder sy uitstaande skrumwerk en, meer onlangs, die vaardighede wat hy by sy reeds indrukwekkende spelpeil gevoeg het.

Van den Berg was reeds in 2024 ‘n prominente figuur vir die Bere.

Sy vertoning in die eindstryd van verlede jaar se Beker-afdeling in die SDC Noordvaal Cup het hom onder die aandag van die Suid-Afrikaanse Skolespan se skrumdokter, Cobus van Dyk, ook Hoërskool Waterkloof, oor wie die Garsies hier koning gekraai het, se hoofafrigter, gebring. Dit is dus geen verrassing dat Van den Berg dié wedstryd beskou as sy gunsteling herrinnering as ‘n Beer nie.

Vanjaar was daar nog min, indien enige, vaskoppe wat tot dusver ‘n sterker aanspraak kon maak op die nr. 3-trui in die SA Skolespan.

Die jong stut se rugbyloopbaan het in die nederige provinsie van Limpopo afgeskop. Gebore in Polokwane, die hoofstad van Limpopo, het hy reeds vroeg sy stempel afgedruk by Laerskool Pietersburg-Oos, beter bekend as Oosskool, een van die provinsie se suksesvolste rugby-laerskole.

Dit was ook by Oosskool waar die Bok-fabriek van Bloemfontein, Grey Kollege, vir Van den Berg raakgesien het. Hy het uiteindelik in sy Graad 7 jaar die geleentheid kry om na Bloemfontein te skuif, waar hy vir die Vrystaat se o.13-span uitgedraf het.

‘n Paar jaar later, met die nodige skaafwerk agter die rug, haal Van den Berg, as net ‘n 15-jarige, die Vrystaat se Grant Khomo-span . Dit was die eerste van twee jaar dat hy op daardie vlak vir die Vrystaat diens gedoen het.

Sedertien het hy teruggeskuif na die noorde, waar hy in sy Graad 11 jaar reeds vir die Blou Bulle se Cravenweekspan uitgedraf het in 2024. Met sy kragtige spelpeil by dié toernooi het hy ook vir homself ‘n plek in SARU se o.17 hoëprestasie-groep losgeslaan.

“My grootste rolmodelle is Suid-Afrika se Wêreldbeker-wenner, Ox Nché, Wilco Louw en Kevin Buys,” sê Van den Berg van sy helde, wat almal bekend is vir hul uitmuntende skrumwerk. Buys het ook ‘n beduidende rol in die ontwikkeling van Van den Berg se tegniek en vaardighede gespeel as die Bere se skrumdokter.

Van den Berg meen hy is ook heelwat dank verskuldig aan Garsies se bekende Gustav Theunissen, of “Oom Gustav” soos hy hom noem, en Sylvester Booysen, mede-hoofafrigter van die Bere.

Met reeds só baie in só ‘n kort tydjie op sy kerfstok, asook die groot vooruitsigte vir die res van die jaar, kan dié jong, passievolle vaskop beslis eendag sy drome, om die Groen-en-goud oor die kop te trek, verwesenlik.