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On Sunday, the u20 South African National Team, Amajita, lifted the u20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title for the first time.

It appears that players in schools across the country are also in high spirits, scoring goals and enjoying themselves on the football field.

This article presents a comprehensive overview of schoolboy football results nationwide, from Gauteng, the Magnificent Wednesday Schools League, the Mangaung Schools Football League, the East London High Schools Soccer League, and various fixtures in the Western Cape.

Magnificent Wednesday Schools League (Free State)

Virginia High School, buoyed by their recent triumph in the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament, continued their winning run in the Magnificent Wednesday Schools League by defeating Marematlou Secondary School 2-0 on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Fikile Yena and Mpho Nhlokoe.

The Magnificent Wednesday Schools League is still in its early stages, but Virginia High School is clearly the team to beat.

Mamello Secondary School also picked up a win, beating Harmony High 1-0.

On Saturday, Virginia High again stole the spotlight, overpowering Reatlehile Secondary School to run away to a 13-2 victory.

Fikile Yena was again on target, while Mpho Nhlokoe netted twice in the one-sided victory.

Oageng Lebesane, the u17 South African National Team’s forward, scored a hattrick, Mozwakhe Flatela added two goals, and there were further goals from Neo Mothlaoleng, Thato Kraal, Lehlohonolo Ntjana, Boikano Moloi, and Sello Mokhobo.

Mamello Secondary School and St Anne’s Technical High School shared a 1-1 draw.

Mangaung Schools Football League 

The Mangaung Schools Football League recently got underway, with no team having yet played more than three matches. The league includes some of South Africa’s leading football-playing schools, among them Brebner High, HTS Louis Botha and Grey College.

On Friday, while other matches were postponed, HTS Louis Botha delivered an impressive performance, winning 4-1 against Commtech Comprehensive Secondary School. Grassland Secondary School also excelled, handing Headstart High School a 4-0 loss.

In a surprising turn of events, Brebner went down 0-1 against the Heatherdale Secondary School A Team.

Hodisa Secondary School were 2-0 winners over Kopanong Secondary School 2-0, while Sehumelo Secondary School defeated Dr Viljoen Combined School 2-1. St. Bernard’s High played to a 0-0 stalemate with Petunia Secondary School.

The match between Bainsvlei Combined School and Sand du Plessis was a thrilling encounter, with the teams sharing the points after an exciting 3-3 draw.

East London High Schools Football League 

The East London High School Football League, which includes top schools such as Selborne College and Dale College, is recognised as one of the premier schools’ leagues in the Eastern Cape.

Sutterheim High School, past winners of the league, leads the way with a perfect five wins from five matches, giving them 15 points.

On Wednesday, they continued their winning run with a 2-1 win over Hudson Park High School.

In another exciting match, Dale College faced off against Selborne College and sneaked a 1-0 victory. After four outings, Dale has two wins and two losses. Selborne College had won four in a row before falling to Dale.

Cathcart High School clinched a hard-fought 3-2 win over West Bank High School, while the Centre of Excellence held off George Randell High School to secure a 1-0 victory.

On Thursday, the Centre of Excellence and Merrifield High shared a six-goal thriller.

Other Fixtures (Gauteng, Gqeberha, and Western Cape)

In another match played in Gqeberha on Friday, Urban Academy edged out St Dominic’s Priory School 1-0, courtesy of a strike by Musa Festile.

In Gauteng, Jeppe High School for Boys continued their impressive form, outplaying St Benedict’s College 4-0 in a friendly.

Meanwhile, in the Western Cape, Edgemead High School sneaked a 1-0 win against Westerford, while Rondebosch Boys’ High had no such problems as they overran South Peninsula School 8-1.

RESULTS

Gauteng 

Jeppe High School for Boys 4-0 St Benedict’s College Bedfordview

Maginficent Wednesday League results (Free State)

Wednesday, 14 May

Virginia High School 2-0 Marematlou Secondary School
Mamello Secondary School 1-0 Harmony High School

Saturday, 17 May

Mamello 1-1 St Anne
Virginia High School 13-2 Reatlehile Secondary School

Gqeberha

15 May

Urban Academy 1-0 St Dominic’s Priory School

B-Block BWFLA High School Soccer League (East London)

Wednesday, 14 May

Dale College 1-0 Selborne College
Cathcart 3-2 West Bank
Stutterheim 2-1 Hudson Park High School
Center of Excellence 1-0 George Randell High School

Thursday, 15 May

Merrifield 3-3 Center of Excellence

Mangaung Schools Football (Free State)

Friday, 16 May

Bainsvlei Combined School 3-3 Sand du Plessis
Heatherdale Secondary School A Team 1-0 Brebner High School
HTS Louis Botha A Team 4-1 Commtech Comprehensive Secondary School
Sehunelo Secondary School 2-1 Dr Viljoen Combined School
Grassland Secondary School 4-0 Headstart High Intermediate School
St Bernard’s High School 0-0 Petunia Secondary School
Hodisa Secondary School 2-0 Kopanong Secondary School

Western Cape 

Friday, 16 May

Edgemead High School 1-0 Westerford
Rondebosch Boys’ High 8-1 South Peninsula School

Twelve rounds into the Gauteng Development League (GDL) season, coach Skhosiphi Mgobozi and his Randburg AFC u19 boys have toppled some of the giants of African football and, for the first time, they sit at the top of the GDL standings.

That achievement follows a 3-1 win over the two-time defending champion, Highlands Park, on the weekend.

Yet, their ascension to the top, now, appears as if it was almost inevitable. To anyone who has seen Mgobozi’s team in action this season, it was clear they would be real contenders.

In an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus, Mgobozi reflected on AFC Randburg’s hot start to the season and highlighted continuity and team culture as the two standout ingredients in his team’s success.

“Firstly, we’ve got a really talented group of players who have benefitted from being in our system for a long time and having stayed at the club for a long time. Continuity is very important. It allows us to keep the same group of players, but also improve on that,” Mgobozi explained.

“A lot of these boys have moved through the ranks together, so it’s always good to see them at the end of this journey, in the u19 season, doing so well. So, I think that’s the first point.

“I think, secondly, a big emphasis was on our culture. We’re big on togetherness. We’re big on sacrifice. We’re big on suffering together, and the culture and the competitive element we have in training, we’re seeing that on the pitch.

“You’ve got a lot of talented guys, but our message every day is about what I’m doing – helping the team or is it hurting the team? The team comes first, and together we can achieve good things.

“We all have individual aspirations. We all want to play professionally, whether it’s going to an American varsity, or whatever it might be. But in order to get there, you’re going to need the collective to do so.

“So, credit to all the boys and all the coaches. It’s been a magical start.”

Heading into the showdown with Highlands Park, Randburg AFC was on a five-match winning streak, but they knew that the Lions of the North would present a massive step up in competition.

However, Mgobozi backed his team to utilise their ability to keep possession of the ball to their advantage despite Highlands Park’s reputation for holding a large percentage of ball possession themselves in the past couple of years.

“I think Highlands Park is a fantastic club, Coach Sifiso (Mnguni) is a wonderful coach,” Mgobozi said.

“Our first approach was identifying the step up we needed to take psychologically for a game like that. For the longest time, I don’t think we had beaten Highlands at u19 level, given how successful they’ve been over the last three to five years, particularly in that age group.

“So, we knew from a psychological point of view, we’re going to have to be up for it. We’re going to have to fight for every ball. We’re going to need to have the desire and the belief and the togetherness that we could go, not to draw, but to win.

“This season, the challenge has been, let’s go for the win, go for the jugular, go for the result. So that’s the first psychological piece. Tactically, we knew Highlands is a very direct team, defensively organised, and that they would set either wide or central traps. 

“But I think we nullified that well. It was a tough first half. We needed to make adjustments. We saw that they were playing with three at the back and we felt we were just isolated with our one striker.

“We actually pressed with two and then sent in a third wide midfielder in to press them, three on three, which I think really helped and disrupted their supply and allowed us to get more of the ball, which is where we’re strong. We like to keep the ball, hold the ball, and take the ball. As soon as we could affect their supply, we then started to control the game more.”

With the dominance and the rise of Randburg AFC, other smaller teams have shown fight this season with Joburg City, Kathorus Hyper Academy, and Rockefvs standing out against steep competition.

Mgobozi feels SuperSport Schools’ live streaming has levelled the playing field as the smaller teams can now better prepare for the bigger clubs, including Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and Highlands Park.

“I think the smaller teams are looking and wanting to improve and seeing that they’re having to get better. But I think, for me, the biggest contributing factor is the live streams now, and what you guys are doing with the live streams,” Mgobozi told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“That has given coaches insight into how teams are playing. You can now, for example, watch Joburg City. You can watch their last seven games, for example, and pick up patterns, pick up what they’re trying to do, which has helped in terms of preparation. So, teams are a lot more organised.”

SuperSport United, who topped the table heading into the weekend, dropping points when they were held to a goalless draw at TS Galaxy. Kaizer Chiefs, meanwhile, fell to Kathorus Hyper Academy, who notched a 1-0 win.

Joburg City’s run of five wins on the trot was brought to an end by Jomo Cosmos, who scored a narrow 1-0 win, while Elspark United Academy won 1-0 at East Rand Athletic Club.

Remember Elite Sport Academy edged out Seven’s Academy, claiming a 3-2 victory, while Tuks won by the same score against School of Excellence.

League newcomers, Rockefvs shared the points with Mamelodi Sundowns after holding the Brazilians to a 1-1 draw.

RESULTS

Randburg AFC 3-1 Highlands Park
TS Galaxy 0-0 SuperSport United
Kathorus Hyper Academy 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs
East Rand Athletic Club 0-1 Elspark United Academy
Remember Elite Sport Academy 3-2 Seven’s Academy
Jomo Cosmos 1-0 Joburg City
Tuks 3-2 School of Excellence
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 Rockefvs FC

Various Rugby Youth Weeks are scheduled to take place again this year, starting on the 30th of June 2025. The SA Rugby’s Youth Weeks include the u/18 Craven Week, the u/16 Grant Khomo Week,  as well as the u/16 and u/18 Girls Weeks.

Other SA Schools weeks, like the u/18 Academy Week, u/18 LSEN Week, and the u/13 Craven Week, will also take place.

The SA Schools match will take place on Thursday, 17 July. Click here to see the SA Schools and SA Schools A teams.

Here are all the dates and venues for the various weeks.

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

u18 Craven Week

Tournament	u/18 FNB Craven Week
Venue	Hoërskool Middelburg
City	Middelburg
Starting Date	07 July 2025
End Date	12 July 2025

Click here for the u18 Craven Week Teams

u18 Academy Week

Tournament	u/18 Academy Week
Venue	Hoërskool Middelburg
City	Middelburg
Starting Date	07 July 2025
End Date	11 July 2025

Click here for the Academy Week teams.

u16 Grant Khomo Week

Tournament	u/16 FNB Grant Khomo Week
Venue	St Alban’s College
City	Pretoria
Starting Date	30 June 2025
End Date	04 July 2025

Click here for the Grant Khomo Week teams.

Day Two – 2 July 2025: 

Moshate Field: 

09:30 – Obaro Golden Lions vs Boland
10:50 – Border vs Griffons
12:10 – Western Province XV vs Free State
13:30 – Sharks vs Blue Bulls
14:50 – Western Province vs South Western Districts

Baloyi Field: 

09:00 – Limpopo Blue Bulls vs Border Country Districts
10:20 – Namibia vs Iqhawe XV
11:40 – Leopards vs Valke
13:00 – Zimbabwe vs Griquas
14:20 – Pumas vs Eastern Province

u18 LSEN Week

Tournament	u/18 LSEN Week
Venue	Bethal
City	Bethal
Starting Date	28 June 2025
End Date	01 July 2025

Click here for the LSEN Week teams.

u13 Craven Week

Tournament	u/13 Craven Week
Venue	Selborne College
City	East London
Starting Date	30 June 2025
End Date	04 July 2025

u16 and u18 SA Rugby Girls Week

Tournament	U/16 & U/18 FNB Girls Weeks
Venue	Queens High School
City	Johannesburg
Starting Date	30 June 2025
End Date	04 July 2025

 U18 fixtures (Monday, 30 June):

A-Field

09h00: Eastern Province v Leopards, A Field
10h30: Sharks v Griffons, A Field
12h00: Zimbabwe v Griquas, A Field
13h30: Opening Ceremony
14h00: Golden Lions v Free State, A Field

B-Field

09h00: Western Province v Valke, B Field
10h30: South Western Districts v Pumas, B Field
12h00: Border v Blue Bulls, B Field
14h00: Limpopo Blue Bulls v Boland, B Field

U16 fixtures (Monday, 30 June):

C-Field

08h45: Border v Golden Lions Invitational XV, C Field
10h00: Sharks v Limpopo Blue Bulls, C Field
11h15: Boland v Griquas, C Field
12h30: Border Country Districts v Free State, C Field
14h00: South Western Districts v Griffons, C Field

D-Field

10h00: Western Province v Leopards, D Field
11h15: Eastern Province v Zimbabwe, D Field
12h30: Golden Lions v Valke, D Field
14h00: Pumas v Blue Bulls, D Field

Die afgelope naweek se Bowl-aksie in die SDC Noordvaal Cup het ondersteuners vasgenael gehou.

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

In Randburg was daar ‘n wipplank van emosies betrokke met Hoërskool Randburg en die verdedigende kampioen, Potchefstroom Gimnasium, wat uiteindelik met 33-33 gelykop gespeel het.

Dié uitslag behoort die Randburgers effens meer te pas, aangesien hulle reeds vroeg in die kompetisie onder taamlike druk verkeer.

Die besoekers van Potchefstroom was soos ‘n wafferse naelloper uit die blokke om binne ‘n oogwink reeds met 19-7 voor te loop, met binnesenter, Elrich Bosch, oudergewoonte aan die voorpunt. Bosch het knaend druk op die voordeellyn toegepas met sy kragtige lopies, wat aan hom ‘n tweekuns aan drieë besorg het.

Die Randburgers het egter, soos ‘n week vantevore teen Hoërskool Dinamika, gewys dat hulle nooit voor die eindfluitjie afgeskryf moet word nie, met buitesenter, Bradley Butcher, en steelkantflank, Philip Rykaart, wat die terugvegpoging gelei het. Rykaart, vir die soveelste keer vanjaar ‘n uitblinker, het in samewerking met vuurvreter-agsteman, Curwin Hill, die platform daargestel vir Butcher en Kie agterlangs.

In Rustenburg het die vreugdevure Saterdag hoog gebrand nadat Bergsig Akademie se buitesenter, Bradley Stonehouse, met ‘n strafdoel in die doodsnikke, ‘n sege voor Merensky Landbou Akademie se neus weggeraap het. Die eindtelling was 18-17 in die tuisspan se guns.

Dit was een van twee suksesvolle pogings pale toe deur Stonehouse, met die Arende wat verwoed moes terugveg om ‘n eerste sege in vanjaar se Bowl-afdeling te beklink. Die besoekers van Tzaneen se kookwater-slot, Craig Walker, en heelagter, George Steenkamp, het elk voor rustyd agter die Arende se doellyn gaan kuier, wat ‘n rustydvoorsprong van 14 punte aan hulle besorg het.

Die tuisspan se losskakel, Carlo de Jager, en regtervleuel, Diale Keabetswe, het egter elkeen gedruk in die tweede helfte, voordat Stonehouse met sy stewel die Plasies se doppie geklink het.

Puntemakers: 

Hoërskool Randburg 33 (19) – Drieë: Diedloff Fourie, Jayden Brown, Philip Rykaart, Bradley Butcher, Josh Wiggett. Doelskoppe: Jayden Todd (2), Wiggett (2). Potchefstroom Gimnasium 33 (26) – Drieë: Elrich Bosch (2), Zandré Da Silva, Matthew Redelinghuys, Rynel Rautenbach. Doelskoppe: Da Silva (4).

Bergsig Akademie 18 (0) – Drieë: Carlo de Jager, Diale Keabetswe. Doelskop: De Jager. Strafdoele: Bradley Stonehouse (2). Merensky Landbou Akademie 17 (14) – Drieë: Craig Walker, George Steenkamp. Doelskoppe: JD Boshoff (2). Strafdoel: Boshoff.

Ander uitslae: 

Jeugland 34, Dinamika 17.

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Randburg 23, Potchefstroom Gimnasium 19; Merensky 26, Bergsig Akademie 6; Dinamika 45, Jeugland 0.

o.15: Potchefstroom Gimnasium 14, Randburg 12; Bergsig Akademie 28, Merensky 21; Dinamika 25, Jeugland 10.

o.14: Potchefstroom Gimnasium 17, Randburg 13; Bergsig Akademie 5, Merensky 0; Dinamika 12, Jeugland 10.

When Litha Kraai ran out to face Rondebosch Boys’ High at the Brewery AstroTurf on Friday, he ran into the South African College High School (SACS) history books.

The SACS star was given a heartfelt and moving guard of honour by his schoolmates as he became the first player in the school’s history to reach 100 first-team hockey matches.

After the pre-game proceedings were out of the way, Kraai and his teammates delivered a masterclass and dismantled ‘Bosch 9-1, with the man of the moment scoring five goals.

Kraai achieved the centurion milestone in about three years after making his debut in 2023 under the tutelage of former head coach Pierre Le Roux.

Since arriving on the scene, he has, arguably, been the most talked-about schoolboy hockey player in South Africa since Mustapha Cassiem.

Rightfully so, though, because Kraai has showcased his talents on the biggest stages, rising to the occasion to star for his school, club, and country.

He’s been praised by his peers, coaches, and acquaintances and someone who has been there to witness Kraai grow into the young man he is now is his grandmother, Kholiwe Kraai.

Litha grew up in front of her in KwaLanga, Cape Town, with his mother, Asanda, and father, Collen, who is heavily involved with the Langa Hockey Club.

Speaking to SuperSport Schools Plus after her grandson achieved the rare feat, Mrs Kraai relived some of his early childhood hockey memories: “Litha grew up right in front of us and attended Thembani Primary School before getting the big opportunity to go to SACS.

“It was always hockey for him. He started playing at around six-years- old with his brother, Zenani. They would spend the whole day at the stadium, playing hockey, and come back late at night, and I always wondered what they were doing all day.”

Mrs Kraai admitted she was clueless about hockey before she first watched her grandsons in action. Immediately, though, she understood the boys’ obsession with the sport. That realisation also came at a time when Kraai was starting to make waves as a junior hockey and cricket player at the southern suburbs school.

“Everything happened fast, and when he moved to SACS, I was told he was becoming a better hockey player,” she shared.

“I was worried about him staying at the hostel, but his mom said he would be okay. He loved hockey more and more, and the support of his brother, father, and uncle encouraged him.”

Fast forward from those years to where he is now, and Kraai has become a household name in schoolboy hockey in South Africa.

Apart from representing SACS week in and week out, he’s donned Western Province colours numerous times and was part of the title-winning side at last year’s SASHOC National Week.

He’s represented South Africa at u17 and u18 level and won the Junior Africa Cup with the u21 team earlier this year.

However, the most eye-catching achievement on his hockey CV is being part of the SA Men’s Indoor Team that won the bronze medal at the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Croatia in February. It was a first-ever Indoor Hockey World Cup medal for South Africa, and he played an important role in the team’s success while still in school.

Now, he’s reached 100 games for SACS.

“We are so proud of him, man, and so grateful to the people who have supported him: the coaches, parents at SACS, and his friends. If it wasn’t for them, he wouldn’t be where he is now,” Mrs Kraai said.

“The most important thing we preached was for him to focus on his books and then make sure his hockey is also good.

“He has done well for himself and has put our family name on a pedestal,” she concluded.

SACS will be back in action this coming Friday when they take on DF Malan in a league fixture. That will be followed by a big showdown with Paul Roos Gimnasium at the end of the month.

Follow SuperSport Schools Plus Hockey for all the latest news, updates and scores.

Twenty-eight years after their first appearance in the final of the u20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), the South African National Team, known as Amajita. has captured the title of continental champion.

Midfielder Gomolemo Kekana struck from outside the box to score the title game’s only goal as South Africa beat Morocco 1-0 in Cairo, on Sunday.

In their only previous appearance in the final, in 1997, it was the Moroccans who beat South Africa.

After dominating the first half, Amajita netted the winning goal in the second half. Only their decision-making in the final third prevented South Africa from taking a lead before the break, but they were in control of the game.

There was a brief moment of concern when the winning goal was initially disallowed due to an offside call. However, after a brief review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the decision was overturned.

Morocco displayed moments of exceptional skill in the first half, with Fletcher Symthe-Lowe, in goal, keeping the North Africans at bay with some outstanding stops. His contribution was recognised when he earned the Man of the Match award.

In his post-match remarks, Symthe-Lowe aptly stated: “Together we are stronger,” highlighting the unity and sportsmanship by Amajita throughout the tournament, which were two of the keys to their success.

Smythe-Lowe was, furthermore, named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament, thanks to his 24 impressive saves and his role in keeping three clean sheets for Amajita, including one in the final. Additionally, he provided an assist to Gomolemo Kekana for South Africa’s goal in the title game.

Tylon Smith, another standout, excelled not only in the final but throughout the tournament. He was accorded the Man of the Competition/Best Player accolade for his commanding role at centre-back, where he fortified Amajita’s defence.

Smith also scored the only goal of the game in South Africa’s 1-0 win over Nigeria in the semi-finals. Besides his defensive excellence, Smith demonstrated an ability to dictate play by laying a sound structure at the back from which Amajita was able to build their play.

South Africa’s coach, Raymond Mdaka, was named the Best Coach of the Tournament.

Morocco received the Fair Play Award, while Momoh Kamara, from Sierra Leone, was acknowledged as the Top Goal Scorer of the tournament, with four goals.

Unsurprisingly, the newly crowned champions had four players included in the Team of the Tournament. Joining Symthe-Lowe and Smith in the lineup were Neo Rapoo and Lazola Maku.

Other selections included Mohamed Goweily (Egypt), Othmane Maamma (Morocco), Daniel Bameyi (Nigeria), Hossam Essadak (Morocco), Faycal Zahouani (Morocco), and Momoh Kamara (Sierra Leone).

Amajita’s success was a triumph of perseverance and winning the title put an exclamation mark on a gutsy journey, which began with a 0-1 defeat to the hosts, Egypt, on 27 April, in a match in which South Africa controlled play and struck the woodwork multiple times.

South Africa’s path to being crowned the champion of Africa echoed past FIFA World Cup tournaments, including in South Africa in 2010 when Spain went down 0-1 to Switzerland in their opener before going on to lift the title. In 2022, the eventual champion, Argentina, lost their first match, suffering an upset 1-2 loss to Saudi Arabia.

After losing to Egypt in their Group A opener, Amajita beat Tanzania 1-0 and Sierra Leone 4-1 before being held to a 1-1 draw by their Cosafa rivals, Zambia. They topped the pool on goal difference, finishing with seven points, along with Sierra Leone and Egypt.

Adding to Amajita’s fantastic achievements was the fact that received their winners’ medals from a fellow South African, Patrice Motsepe, the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

In an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus in 2024, after Amajita’s victory at the u20 Cosafa Championship and qualification for the u20 Afcon, Mdaka discussed his team’s continuous pursuit of progress and the importance of maintaining composure and focusing on future objectives.

With the coach exhibiting a calm demeanour on the sidelines, they learned their lessons and went all the way to continental glory.

Amajita will next direct their attention to the 2025 u20 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in Chile on 27 September. They’ll head into the event carrying the title of the champion of Africa.

The Aitken Cup wrapped up in style on Sunday afternoon at Wits, where Jeppe High School for Boys executed a clinical comeback to defeat a determined St Stithians College 4-2 in the final.

In an action-packed match, Jeppe came from a goal down to secure the Aitken Cup title for a second year in succession.

The win solidified their dominance of Johannesburg schoolboy hockey while extending their lead as the most successful side in the competition’s history.

Early pressure from Saints paid dividends when they took the lead in the opening chukka, but Jeppe’s response was furious. They levelled in the second chukka before striking three more times in the third chukka to take control of the contest.

The final was a repeat of the 2023 title decider. On that occasion, though, St Stithians won in a penalty shootout to end a 48-year title drought.

Speaking after the match, Jeppe captain Ethan Kapanda excitedly reflected on the significance of leading his side to back-to-back titles:

“The feeling of winning twice now as captain is something I can’t describe,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus. “It feels like all that we worked on in the last six months truly paid off.”

Kapanda said winning the Aitken Cup is special, not only for his team but for the school: “As I said before, being a part of Jeppe means that Aitken is more than just a trophy. Winning this cup really means a lot. It’s not just for us, but for all the Jeppe boys that came before us.”

In a show of gratitude, he praised his teammates for their efforts: “To my team, I’d really like to say thank you. We had to fight in every game, and we fought hard for each other, especially for the matrics who were playing their last Aitken.”

He went on to acknowledge the role that Jeppe’s rich hockey culture plays in their success, explaining: “Being part of a school like Jeppe, which has such a strong hockey history, gives us, as players, a real advantage.

“The level of coaching and the calibre of players around us is very high. It gives us the best possible environment for growth.”

Jeppe’s head coach, Siya Sityana, expressed similar sentiments. While reflecting on the pressure of defending the title, he said the competition had been a tough assignment: “There was definitely more pressure this year,” he said. “We’ve been consistent all season, but Saints, along with King Edward VII School (KES), really brought their A-game.

“Last year, it felt different. There weren’t as many top-performing teams from Joburg. Even when we lost 1-4 to St David’s Marist Inanda last year, I still felt confident in our form.”

Sityana credited his team’s discipline and squad depth for their sustained success: “What really worked for us was controlling every game and having the ability to rotate players. Not every school has the luxury of a big squad, and being able to share the load made a big difference.”

He also praised his players’ growth and hunger throughout the season: “The boys truly wanted it this year. They show up eager to improve every time we meet. They challenge each other and challenge me. They’ve grown immensely, and they’ve helped me grow as a coach, too.”

KES finished third after a dominant 4-0 victory over St David’s while St John’s College beat Helpmekaar Kollege 2-0 in the fifth-place playoff.

Last year’s beaten finalist, Parktown Boys’ High finished their tournament on a high note, cruising to a 4-0 win over St Benedict’s College to take seventh.

In the ninth-place playoff, Hoërskool Monument edged out Trinityhouse Rand Park Ridge 4-3.

There was further success for Jeppe in the Boden Cup, for u15 teams. Mirroring their senior side, they won all their games.

They began their title challenge with a 4-1 win over St. Stithians on Thursday. Then, on Friday, they ran riot, thumping St David’s Marist Inanda 10-0 before overwhelming Rand Park High 20-0.

That momentum carried on into Saturday’s matches. They brushed aside Helpmekaar 6-0 and also accounted for Parktown, winning 5-0.

In the title game, Jeppe downed St John’s College 4-1 to lift the Boden Cup.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Jeppe High School for Boys
2. St Stithians College
3. King Edward VII School
4. St David’s Marist Inanda
5. St John’s College
6. Helpmekaar Kollege
7. Parktown Boys High School
8. St Benedict’s College
9. Hoërskool Monument
10. Trinityhouse Rand Park Ridge

Die groot skare wat na Hoërskool Pietersburg opgeruk het vir die jaarlikse Bosveld Interskole tussen die Pieties en Hoër Tegniese Skool Tom Naudé is met ‘n behoorlike drieëfees, aan albei kante, beloon.

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

Die eerstespan-wedstryd het nie minder nie as 13 aanskoulike drieë opgelewer, met die tuisspan wat uiteindelik met 50-35 koning gekraai het. Dit was egter geensins ‘n maklike taak om die Tommies se begeesterde Tiere te tem nie. Hulle het selfs in ‘n stadium die Pietie-ondersteuners laat sweet toe hulle met 21-12 voorgeloop het.

Die span in wit, met die tuisskare agter hom, het egter na ‘n volgende rat oorgeskakel en sy punte in die tweede helfte meer as verdubbel, nadat hy voor rustyd reeds teruggeveg het om met die omdraaislag ‘n voorsprong van 24-21 te geniet.

Haker, Ziahn Lombard, is vir sy energieke, en fisieke vertoning met ‘n tweekuns aan drieë beloon, terwyl stut, Krissie Swanepoel, vir Lombard kragtig ondersteun het met sy oneindige barslopies.

Die Pieties se skakelpaar het, namate die stryd gevorder het, hul ritme gevind, met skrumskakel, Celliers van der Merwe, en loskakel, Juan Randall, wat spel netjies dikteer het.

Aan die kant van Tom Naudé was buitesenter, Fortune Sehlabane, verantwoordelik vir 15 van sy span se 35 punte met ‘n driekuns aan drieë, in straks sy grootste skolerugbywedstryd nóg. Dit is duidelik hoekom Sehlabane vir die Limpopo Blou Bulle by die Cravenweek in Middelburg sal verteenwoordig; sy aanvalsvernuf en dartellopies is van hoogstaande gehalte.

Binnesenter, Mahlatse Kekana, het ál vyf die besoekers se drieë verdoel vir ‘n persoonlike bydrae van 10 punte, en het beïndruk aan Sehlabane se binnekant met ‘n paar venynige lopies van sy eie.

Puntemakers: 

Hoërskool Pietersburg 50 (24) – Drieë: Ziahn Lombard (2), Krissie Swanepoel, Brent Vorster, FC Smit, Celliers van der Merwe, Juan Randall, Brydan Retief. Doelskoppe: Ryno Mienie (5). HTS Tom Naudé 35 (21) – Drieë: Fortune Selabane (3), Khatu Sikwheta, Mokibelo Matllhabaseletsi. Doelskoppe: Mahlatse Kekana (5).

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Pietersburg 54, Tom Naudé 5.

o.15: Pietersburg 31, Tom Naudé 3.

o.14: Pietersburg 12, Tom Naudé 3.

Die vonke het, soos verwag, gespat in Saterdag se jaarlikse Middelburg-derby, wat ook Hoërskool Middelburg en Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg se eerste ontmoeting was in die Plaat-afdeling van vanjaar se SDC Noordvaal Cup.

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

Dit was uiteindelik Middies wat daarin kon slaag om die bordjies te verhang, op die Rooi Bulle se tuisveld, met ‘n swaarverdiende sege van 16-11.

In aanloop tot dié reuse stryd, is daar bespiegel oor die strawwe stryd wat voorlangs sou woed en dit was dan ook so. Die skote, en duikslae, het verwoed geklap tussen die voorspelers.

Die Middies se staatmaker-flank, CW Hanekom, het die eerste deurbraak bewerkstellig, toe hy vanaf ‘n dryfmaal losgebreek en, eers links, toe regs, soos ‘n wafferse senter geswenk het om sy span se eerste en enigste drie te druk.

Hanekom se verdediging en dinamiese teenwoordigheid by die afbreekpunte het voorts bygedra daartoe dat hy as die Speler van die Wedstryd aangewys is.

Die skopstryd het uiteindelik egter ‘n deurslaggewende rol gespeel. Die Middies se losskakel, Matthew Abbey, was op sy stukke, met ‘n doelskop en drie strafdoele wat aan die Middies 11 waardevolle punte besorg het, terwyl die Rooi Bulle se WJ Enslin met twee strafdoele geslaag het.

HTS Middelburg se agsteman, Tercius Bezuidenhout, het met sy terugkeer ‘n beduidende verskil gemaak. Sy fisiekheid en hoë werkverrigting kan vir die Rooi Bulle nog goud werd wees in die verdediging van hul Plaat-titel.

Hoërskool Marais Viljoen se heelagter, Raynhardt Kruger, het die span van Alberton gehelp om vir Hoërskool Kempton Park met 30-20 in Kempton Park te troef. Kruger was in die kol met ál ses sy pogings pale toe, en met dié drie doelskoppe en drie strafdoele het hy die helfte van sy span se punte aangeteken.

Voorlangs het die besoekers se losvoorspelers die vuur onder die res van die pak gestook. Agsteman, Rio Tshimbalanga, was vir die soveelste keer ‘n konstante gevaar met die bal in hand, terwyl sy flankmaat, Lloyd Shoko-Schenk, in die vas en die los uiters bedrywig was.

Henco Greyling, Hoërskool Wesvalia se heelagter, het twee keer deurgedartel om Wessies aan te spoor tot ‘n sege van 32-19 oor Ligbron Akademie.

Dit was welliswaar nie die Wessies van ouds nie, maar dit was te verstane na ‘n taai derby teen Hoërskool Klerksdorp die vorige naweek, asook die laaste ronde van die Luiperds-proewe wat Dinsdag plaasgevind het. Die besoekers van Ermelo het boonop na ‘n totaal ander span daar uitgesien in die tweede 35 minute, waartydens hulle 19 punte aangeteken het.

Puntemakers: 

Hoërskool Middelburg 16 (13) – Drie: CW Hanekom. Doelskop: Matthew Abbey. Strafdoele: Abbey (3). HTS Middelburg 11 (3) – Drie: Tercius Bezuidenhout. Strafdoele: WJ Enslin (2).

Marais Viljoen 30 (20) – Drieë: Lloyd Shoko-Schenk, Ethan Weideman, Jonno Morkol. Doelskoppe: Raynhardt Kruger (3). Strafdoele: Kruger (3). Hoërskool Kempton Park 23 (13) – Drieë: Wian Riekert, Strafdrie. Doelskop: Stian de Villiers. Strafdoele: De Villiers (3).

Wesvalia 32 (10) – Drieë: Henco Greyling (2), Martin Bierman, Fafa Calitz. Doelskoppe: Eduard Dreyer (3). Strafdoele: Dreyer (2). Ligbron Akademie 19 (0). 

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Hoërskool Middelburg 50, HTS Middelburg 6; Kempton Park 20, Marais Viljoen 10; Wesvalia 36, Ligbron Akademie 36.

o.15: Hoërskool Middelburg 19, HTS Middelburg 7; Kempton Park 31, Marais Viljoen 11; Wesvalia 12, Ligbron Akademie 0.

o.14: Hoërskool Middelburg 31, HTS Middelburg 14; Kempton Park 12, Marais Viljoen 6; Wesvalia 33, Ligbron Akademie 3.

Collegiate Girls’ High School, Pearson High School, and DSG Makhanda continued their dominance of Eastern Cape hockey on the weekend.

The three sides, who are undeniably the standout teams in the province, picked up convincing wins against their provincial opposition and they did it while playing entertaining hockey.

Coach Michael Abrahams’ Collegiate side took to the turf on Saturday morning to face Kingswood College.

The hosts, who defeated Rhenish Girls’ School to win the All Girls Festival earlier this month, were high in confidence after beating Union High School 9-0 a week ago.

Out of the three teams, Collegiate has been up there in terms of accuracy, finding the goal with relative ease, and remaining rock solid at the back.

They continued their fine form, outplaying Kingswood in almost all facets of the game to seal a comfortable 4-0 victory.

Kerrin Gillies, who has starred for Collegiate this season, scored twice before Casey Groblaar and Kate Brennen struck to seal the win.

Another side that won big on the weekend was DSG Makhanda, who hosted Queenstown Girls’ High and Hudson Park High School.

It was a momentous occasion for coach Geowynne Gamiet and his players as they celebrated captain Abigail Holderness reaching her 100th first-team match for the school.

Playing in front of her schoolmates and parents, Holderness rose to the occasion and marked it by netting twice against the Komani side, while her sister, Lucy, also made it onto the score sheet.

They were joined by Lauren Managé and Miké Holder, who helped DSG seal a dominant 5-2 win.

Straight after that match, DSG had a couple of hours to rest before taking on East London’s Hudson Park. Hudson, led by coach Jerry Snyman, was coming off a 0-5 loss to Pearson the previous night, and matters didn’t get any easier for them.

Skipper Holderness fired in another brace before Anna Olivier matched her contribution. Strikes by Emily Walker, Jessica Stevens, and Jocelyn Appel completed a 7-1 drubbing for the home side.

Pearson, after going down 1-2 against DSG a week ago, had Lisa de Villiers score a hat-trick and Chanelle Venter chip in with a brace in their Friday night win over Hudson Park. It was a calm and well-executed victory for coach Anton Peltenburg‘s side.

Clarendon High School for Girls romped to a 7-0 win over Cambridge High School behind four goals from Caroline Kretzmann. Captain Cara Knott scored twice and Kate Booyens brought the total to seven.

In Gqeberha, Woodridge College recorded a tight 1-0 victory over Alexander Road High School.

RESULTS

DSG Makhanda 5-2 Queenstown Girls’ High
Clarendon 7-0 Cambridge High School
DSG Makhanda 7-1 Hudson Park
Woodridge College 1-0 Alexander Road High School
Collegiate Girls’ High 4-0 Kingswood College
Pearson High 5-0 Hudson Park