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Glenwood fullback Joshua Kopp kicked the Durban side to a tense one-point victory over Marlow Landbou in a low-scoring thriller on the final day of the 2025 Absa Wildeklawer in Kimberley.

Relive all the action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Kopp slotted three penalties – his only shots at goal – to snatch a dramatic win over the Wolramme. Despite the loss, Marlow impressed with a dynamic attacking performance.

The Cradock side’s midfield pairing of Ockert du Preez (inside centre) and Dawid-Malan de Ridder (outside centre) stood out as they had two days earlier in a gritty win over Welkom Gimnasium, They set their team on the front foot whenever opportunities arose.

That attacking momentum was fuelled by a commanding display from scrumhalf Gian Steyl, who was, arguably, the Eastern Cape outfit’s top performer on the day.

Besides his reliable kicking, Kopp also kept Glenwood in the hunt with his sharp counterattacking play. His fast feet challenged the Marlow defenders, while up front, blindside flank Sambesiwe Ndamase was a standout, wreaking havoc at the breakdown and proving a handful for the Wolramme in open play.

Northwood returned to winning ways with a gritty 19–12 victory over HTS Drostdy‘s Donkies. Hooker Ayavuya Makula led from the front with two tries off the back of a dominant rolling maul, which laid the platform for the five-point win.

Flyhalf Savio Stevens made full use of the momentum created by the Knights‘ pack and orchestrated play with poise for his backline. His composed distribution and attacking intent earned him a well-deserved Player of the Match award.

For the Donkies, unforced errors proved costly. They were the team’s Achilles’ heel. However, fullback Anwill Jacobs made his mark with a strong showing from deep.

In the final match of the day on the B-field, the Sentraal Suid Barbarians edged out Hoërskool Nico Malan, scoring a hard-fought 14–6 win.

In a tightly contested affair, it was the boot of openside flank Franco de Wet that proved decisive. He not only landed two difficult conversions from the touchline, but he also crossed for a crucial try.

At the back, playmaker Jaydin Windvogel dictated proceedings with pinpoint tactical kicking, which helped the Barbarians dominate territory. Their rock-solid defence ultimately suffocated the side from Humansdorp, whose inability to crack the line sealed their fate.

SCORERS

Glenwood 9 (3) – Penalties: Joshua Kopp (3). Marlow Landbou 8 (3) – Try: Cole Hurter. Penalty: Dawid-Malan de Ridder.

Northwood 19 (14) – Tries: Ayavuya Makula (2), Trevor van Vollenstee. Conversions: Savio Stevens (2). HTS Drostdy 12 (7) – Tries: Rianzo van der Westhuisen, Anwill Jacobs. Conversion: Abdul Fisher.

Sentraal Suid Barbarians 14 (7) – Tries: Franco de Wet, Darius Job. Conversions: De Wet (2). Nico Malan 6 (6) – Penalties: Leighton Lawrence (2).

Die Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool se Wit Bulle is vanjaar van stoetgehalte.

Affies het vir Boland Landbou met 74-14 gekarnuffel. Die span van Pretoria se kaptein en losskakel, Ruben Groenewald, was soos gebruiklik weer ‘n staatmaker.

Groenewald het sewe van sy span se 12 drieë verdoel. Hy het agterlangs rigting aan sy span se aanslag gegee.

Sy skakelmaat, Fourie Roberts, verdien ook ‘n klop op die skouer vir sy diens aan Groenewald. Hy het ook sy tweestryd met die hoogaangeskrewe Jayden Brits gewen.

Die span se slot Christiaan de Wet is welverdiend vir sy vuurvreter-vertoning as die Speler van die Wedstryd aangewys. Dit was sonder twyfel De Wet se beste vertoning nog in ‘n Wit Bul-trui.

De Wet het ook twee keer ‘n draai agter Boland Landbou se doellyn gemaak. Saam met hom het Roal Kruger (loskopstut), Elwin Jansen van Vuuren (flank) en Henlu Jordaan (agtsteman) voorlangs die grondslag vir dié sege gelê.

Affies het reeds teen rustyd ‘n stewige voorsprong van 33-0 opgebou. Boland Landbou se vleuel Jason Ocks het self dubbelle driedruk-plesier ervaar.

Oakdale Landbou het vir Jeppe High School for Boys met 42-27 omgedop. Die span van Riversdal se binnesenter, Christiaan Vorster, was soos gewoonlik weer op sy stukke.

Vorster is sterk op sy bene en word nie maklik grond toe gebring nie. Hy en die losskakel, CT Vosloo, het as mekaar goed aangevul. Vorster het twee keer oor die doellyn gebars en ook met die toekenning as Speler van die Wedstryd weggestap.

Voorlangs het die agtsteman, Jakobus de Villiers, asook die flank en kaptein, Jannes Snyman, goeie vertonings opgedis.

Puntemakers:

Oakdale Landbou 42 (14) – Drieë: Christiaan Vorster (2), Anrich Scheffer, Jannes Snyman, Jakobus de Villiers, Adrian Smith. Doelskoppe: CT Vosloo (6). Jeppe High School for Boys 27 (6) – Drieë: Lagan Liesler, Jack Cannon, Imivuyo Kwenxe. Doelskoppe: Nehemia Hollenbach (3). Strafdoele: Hollenbach (2).

Affies 74 (33) – Drieë: Christiaan de Wet (2), Joshua Gouws (2), Elwin Jansen van Vuuren, Luhan Potgieter, Nicolaas Grobler, Henlo Jordaan, Lamond Baaitjies, SE du Toit, Divan Fourie, Fourie Roberts. Doelskoppe: Ruben Groenewald (7). Boland Landbou 14 (0) – Drieë: Jason Ocks (2). Doelskoppe: Jayden Brits (2).

The third and final day of the 2025 Absa Wildeklawer kicked off with three emphatic victories on the B-field at Hoërskool Diamantveld, in Kimberley.

Relive all the action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

The Northern Barbarians, a composite team featuring players from the Blue Bulls region, concluded their campaign with a dominant 50-0 victory over Voortrekker, from Bethlehem, securing their second win and an unbeaten record at the event.

Right-wing Waylan Oncke crossed the whitewash three times, earning a well-deserved hattrick after a scintillating attacking performance.

Oncke’s exploits were made possible by a commanding display from his forward pack, which was complemented by a Man of the Match performance from scrumhalf Gustav Schäffner.

The tenacious number nine produced a well-rounded game on both sides of the ball, scoring a try and making several crunching tackles in defence.

Another standout, fullback Reinhardt Herbst, from Die Hoërskool Menlopark, showcased his attacking flair with several scything runs through the Voortrekker defence. He also took on the kicking duties and slotted six conversions and a penalty for a personal tally of 15 points.

In the second 1st XV match of the day, Helpmekaar Kollege routed a struggling Framesby outfit, bouncing back well from a loss to Grey College two days earlier. They flung the ball around with confidence and left the Eastern Cape side clutching at straws on defence.

Blindside flank Zaiden Krige set a superb example, delivering a series of thunderous tackles before contributing two well-earned tries. He was ably supported by lock Diandro Botha, who also bagged a brace to further energise the men in brown.

At the back, captain Ty Ax looked increasingly comfortable in his new role at fullback. Frequently stepping in as first receiver, he distributed the ball effectively and consistently troubled Framesby with his powerful carries.

Hoërskool Rustenburg made a strong statement, putting together a commanding performance and dispatching Welkom Gimnasium 33-0. The North West side ran in five tries, with fullback Lorenzo Snyers proving a persistent threat in space and twice punishing the Welkom defence by crossing for a pair of tries.

It was, however, the Rusties‘ captain and hooker Xavier Steenkamp who stole the spotlight. Leading from the front, he strengthened his case for a Leopards Craven Week selection with a high-octane performance. He was a thorn in Gimnasium’s side in broken play, causing chaos and putting the Welkom school under pressure.

SCORERS

Northern Barbarians 50 (24) – Tries: Waylan Oncke (3), Nathen du Plessis, Reinhardt Herbst, Gustav Scäffner. Conversions: Herbst (6). Penalty: Herbst. Voortrekker 0. 

Helpmekaar Kollege 62 (29) – Tries: Zaiden Krige (2), Diandro Botha (2), Xander van Niekerk, Francois Tonkin, Ethan Lourens, Clinton Cloete, Wian Storm, Ty Ax. Conversions: Storm (6). Framesby 7 (0) – Try: Eden Calitz. Conversion: Miles Feltham.

Hoërskool Rustenburg 33 (7) – Tries: Lorenzo Snyers (2), Jayden Mienie, Evan van Heerden, Xavier Steenkamp. Conversions: Ayden Willemse (2), Ricardo Enos (2). Welkom Gimnasium 0. 

Paarl Boys’ High steamrolled Monument 85-0 on the final day of the Absa Wildeklawer-tournament in Kimberley.

Boishaai was in a devastating mood as they ran in 13 tries to hand the Wit Bulle, from Krugersdorp, their biggest hiding ever.

Monnas‘ previous biggest defeat was handed to them last year in Bloemfontein when Grey College smashed them 87-19.

The team from Paarl’s Christiaan Grundlingh (hooker) and Jayden Joubert (flanker) both recorded first-half hat-tricks. Grundlingh also scored a fourth try in the second half.

Joubert, who usually plays lock, was outstanding on the side of the scrum before his coach, Sean Erasmus, replaced him at half-time. He was also named Man of the Match for his effort in the first 35 minutes.

His replacement, Kobus Wilken, also produced the goods as he scored a brace of tries in the second half.

Boishaai’s fullback, Mark Grindlay, contributed 20 points to his side’s victory via ten conversions.

Monnas lost both matches in Kimberley and will face EG Jansen in Boksburg in their next clash. This match is part of the SDC Noordvaal Cup. Boishaai’s next clash is against Grey College in the Brugstreet Stadium in Paarl.

Diamantveld‘s captain and inside centre, Jonathan Harding, was back in top form as his side defeated Maritzburg College by 38-31. Harding scored a hat-trick in the match that saw the two teams exchange the lead a couple of times.

He also received the Man of the Match honour for his efforts.

Diamonds’ tighthead prop, Dian Ellis, scored the match-winning try as he crashed over. Before his try, the scores were deadlocked at 31-all.

Maritzburg College’s hooker, Theo Boshoff, was his team’s best player on the day. He is difficult to bring down and scored a brace of tries.

Scorers: 

Paarl Boys’ High 85 (52) – Tries: Christiaan Grundlingh (4), Jayden Joubert (3), Kobus Wilken (2), Josh le Roux, De Wet Nel, Liam de Villiers, Kaleb Holmes. Conversions: Mark Grindlay (10). Monument 0.

Diamantveld 38 (17) – Tries: Jonathan Harding (3), Jayden de Klerk, Driaan Jacobs, Dian Ellis. Conversions: JG van Heerden (4). Maritzburg College 31 (24) – Tries: Theo Boshoff (2), Rylan Armoed, Indiphile Mlotshwa. Conversions: Liyema Tsoko (4). Penalty: Tsoko.

The Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament has a new king sitting on the throne after four days of all-out action, with Virginia High School becoming the third school to be crowned the champion of the prestigious tournament.

In an evenly contested final, Virginia defeated the Wildeklawer Academy 4-3 from the penalty spot after the teams had ended regulation time level at 2-2.

Throughout the tournament, both sides delivered exceptional performances, and both topped their groups.

Wildeklawer Academy, competing in Group A, picked up three wins and a draw, while Virginia High, in Group C, finished with a similar record.

The 2025 edition of the event was, arguably, the most exciting and unpredictable of the last three Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournaments, and some big names fell long before they were expected to be challenged. Maritzburg College failed to make it beyond the group stage, while Grey College was knocked out in the quarterfinals.

On Saturday, after the competition was narrowed down to four teams from an initial 20, Virginia High School took on two-time champions, HTS Louis Botha, in the semifinals, while the Wildeklawer Academy had a date with Clapham High School, the defending champions.

In a hard-fought contest, Virginia halted their fellow Free Staters, recording a narrow 1-0 win to secure their place in the title decider.

Wildeklawer Academy’s fairytale run continued when they overcame Clapham 2-0 to advance to the gold medal match.

In a contest replete with outstanding skills, both teams netted twice, but that necessitated a penalty shootout to determine the winner. It went Virginia High School’s way by a 4-3 margin and the title was theirs.

In the bronze medal playoff, Clapham handed HTS Louis Botha a 1-0 loss to follow up 2024’s title win with third place in 2025.

Virginia High School’s outstanding performances were reflected in the Team of the Tournament, with six of their players cracking the nod for the 11-player lineup. Three players from the Wildeklawer Academy were included, and one each from HTS Louis Botha and Paul Roos Gimnasium.

AWARDS

TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT

Goalkeeper

Sello Mokhobo – Virginia High School

Defenders 

Katleho Monyabi – Virginia High School
Thato Kraal – Virginia High School
Cronan Willis – Paul Roos Gimnasium
Mozwakhe Flatela – Virginia High School

Midfielders 

Tina Mbuma – HTS Louis Botha
Mpho Mhlokoe – Virginia High School
Junior Papier – Wildeklawer Academy

Forwards 

Lehlohonolo Khanas  – Virginia High School
Atlegang Manqele – Wildeklawer Academy
Beyondre Bok – Wildeklawer Academy

Player of the Tournament 

Mpho Mhlokoe – Virginia High School

Top Goal scorer 

Beyondre Bok – Wildeklawer Academy

Goalkeeper of the Tournament 

Sello Mokhobo – Virginia High School

Coach of the Tournament 

Christopher Minnies – Wildeklawer Academy

Final Standings 

1. Virginia High School
2. Wildeklawer Academy
3. Clapham High School
4. HTS Louis Botha
5. Navalsig High School
6. Grey College
7. Paul Roos Gimnasium
8. Norkem Park High School
9. Emmang Mmogo
10. Glenwood High School
11. Kimberley Boys’ High
12. Northern Academy
13. Brebner High School
14. Maritzburg College
15. Jeppe High School for Boys
16. Victoria Park High School
17. Reddam House Bedfordview
18. Border High Schools
19. Potchefstroom High School for Boys
20. Northwood School

Saturday, 3 May

Semifinals 

Virginia High School 1-0 HTS Louis Botha
Wildeklawer Academy 2-0 Clapham High School

3rd/4th Playoff 

Clapham 1-0 HTS Louis Botha

Final 

Virginia High School (4) 2-2 (3) Wildeklawer Academy

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi shared some inspiring words with the future stars of South African rugby when he visited the Junior Springboks at their Saturday morning training session on the B-field of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.

The Junior Boks returned to the training field on Saturday following their victory over Argentina in the opening round of the Under-20 Rugby Championship held in Gqeberha.

Kolisi, who hails from the Eastern Cape, is visiting his hometown and made a surprise appearance at the Junior Boks’ field session.

“It’s amazing to see the boys and good to be in Gqeberha, where people are so hungry for rugby and to see our boys play,” said Kolisi.

“I can see they and the coaches are working hard, they have a great culture and I can see the future of our rugby is in good hands.”

Kolisi was quite amazed at the size of some of the players: “The size of these boys, it’s ridiculous compared to me,” he quipped.

When asked what he said to them, Kolisi replied: “I just wished them luck and told them that, at this young age, it’s a huge privilege. They represent all of us in South Africa right now; this is their opportunity, and they must use it well. They are representing not just some people, but the whole of the country.

“They must enjoy the moment because the opportunity can be taken away just like that. I also told them to dream bigger than what is happening on the field – this is not the end for them, they want to kick on to the highest level.”

After nearly 9000 people attended the Junior Boks’ opening game on Thursday, Kolisi also had a special message for the rugby supporters in the Eastern Cape city, where the Boks will face Italy in July.

“I know I don’t have to urge the rugby supporters in Gqeberha to come and support the tournament and our boys,” said the Bok captain.

“I know they are going to attend because this province is hungry for rugby and big events. That’s why every time we come here it’s always full and the people come to welcome us at the airport.

“I want to say thanks in advance to the people in Gqeberha for coming out to support the boys and filling out the stadium – you can see this province can host big events and hopefully more will come after this.”

Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton said he and his teammates were extremely excited to see the two-time Rugby World Cup winning captain take time out of his busy schedule to come and attend their morning training session.

“Seeing Siya watch the training session and then his engagement with the squad and staff afterwards was a very special moment,” said Norton. “He is our hero and we are grateful for the inspiring words he shared with us and we thoroughly enjoyed the special occasion.”

Tickets for all matches cost R20 and can be bought online at Webtickets or at the ticket office of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The second round of action takes place on Tuesday, 6 May, when New Zealand take on Argentina (14h00) and South Africa face Australia (16h10).

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Die Kwaggas van Outeniqua het amper weer in die doodsnikke hul teenstanders se harte tydens die Absa Wildeklawer-toernooi gebreek.

Die span van George se loskopstut, Matthew Prins, het met minder as twee minute oorgeduik om aan sy span ‘n voorsprong van 33-32 teen Noordheuwel na die losskakel, Virgil Pockpas, se suksesvolle doelskop te gee.

Toe Noordheuwel se losskakel, Jeandré Uithaler, die afskop waarneem was daar minder as 30 sekondes se speeltyd oor. Uithaler het kort daarna ‘n strafdoel van ongeveer 45 meter oorgeklits om aan sy span ‘n sege van 35-33 te besorg.

Die Kwaggas het in hul eerste wedstryd van die toernooi in Kimberley ‘n naelskraapse sege van 21-20 oor Monument van Krugersdorp behaal.

Die Nories se haker, Clinton Agu, het soos gebruiklik weer ‘n uitstaande vertoning opgedis. Hy was in ‘n gewigtige tweestryd met Keenan Myners betrokke. Die twee behoort later vanjaar sterk aanspraakmakers te wees om vir die SA Skole-span uit te draf.

Nories se binnesenter, Tristan Helmand, was ook ‘n doring in Outeniqua se vlees. Hy het ‘n hele paar keer bresse geslaan asook met sy verspreiding geleenthede aan sy buitekant geskep. Die linkervleuel, Jayden Steyn, het twee keer mooi lopies agter die Kwaggas se doellyn afgerond.

Vir Outeniqua was sy losskakel, Virgil Pockpas, uitstaande. Hy het ‘n hele paar keer die Nories se verdediging oopgevlek, terwyl hy ook sy skopskoene aangehad het. Voorlangs het Prins ‘n goeie wedstryd beleef.

Stellenberg en Waterkloof het eerste die koue op die hoofveld van Diamantveld op die laaste dag aangedurf. Die twee spanne se agterlyne kon nie rerig aan die gang kom nie, wat grotendeels aan die ysige weer toegeskryf kan word.

Die twee spanne het ook die louere met 17-elk gedeel na die binnesenter, Armand Potgieter, kort voor die einde vir sy tweede drie oorgeval het. Potgieter was saam met die losskakel, Ethan van Biljon, agterlangs hul span se staatmakers.

Voorlangs het die slotpaar van die Jade Brigade, Jovan Burden en Carlo Brink, uitmuntende vertonings gelewer. Burden is vir sy spel welverdiend as Speler van die Wedstryd aangewys. Die flank Remi September kan ook tevrede met sy vertoning voel.

Puntemakers:

Noordheuwel 35 (17) – Drieë: Jayden Steyn (2), Andrew Lambert, Clinton Agu. Doelskoppe: Jeandré Uithaler (3). Strafdoele: Uithaler (3). Outeniqua 33 (12) – Drieë: Grant Savage, Ruan van Rensburg, Virgil Pockpas, Schalk van der Merwe, Matthew Prins. Doelskoppe: Pockpas (4).

Stellenberg 17 (7) – Drieë: Armand Potgieter (2), Ethan van Biljon. Doelskop: Van Biljon. Waterkloof 17 (10) – Drieë: Ruan Jacobs, Jhannes de Beer. Doelskoppe: Ronan Bastiaanse (2). Strafdoel: Bastiaanse.

Scorers: 

Grey College 45 (24) – Tries: Lamla Mgedezi (2), Ethan Adams, Darius Erwee, Xander Smit, Adem Nieuwoudt. Conversions: Erwee (6). Penalty: Erwee. Garsfontein 29 (15) – Tries: Junaide Stuart, Drewyn Baron, Morné Coetzer, Xian Erasmus. Conversions: Joshua Gouws (3). Penalty: Gouws.

Paul Roos Gimnasium 46 (19) – Tries: Tiaan Basson (3), Ian Smith (2), Jordan Steenkamp, Luke Kent, Keenan Stoffels. Conversions: Matthew Seymore (3). EG Jansen 17 (7) – Tries: Otlotleng Zulu, Deshean Pietersen, Marlo van der Merwe. Conversion: Juan van Aswegen.

Oakdale Landbou 42 (14) – Tries: Christiaan Vorster (2), Anrich Scheffer, Jannes Snyman, Jakobus de Villiers, Adrian Smith. Conversions: CT Vosloo (6). Jeppe High School for Boys 27 (6) – Tries: Lagan Liesler, Jack Cannon, Imivuyo Kwenxe. Conversions: Nehemia Hollenbach (3). Penalties: Hollenbach (2).

Affies 74 (33) – Tries: Christiaan de Wet (2), Elwin Jansen van Vuuren, Joshua Gouws (2), Luhan Potgieter, Nicolaas Grobler, Henlo Jordaan, Lamond Baaitjies, SE du Toit, Divan Fourie, Fourie Roberts. Conversions: Ruben Groenewald (7). Boland Landbou 14 (0) – Tries: Jason Ocks (2). Conversions: Jayden Brits (2).

Diamantveld 38 (17) – Tries: Jonathan Harding (3), Jayden de Klerk, Driaan Jacobs, Dian Ellis. Conversions: JG van Heerden (4). Maritzburg College 31 (24) – Tries: Theo Boshoff (2), Rylan Armoed, Indiphile Mlotshwa. Conversions: Liyema Tsoko (4). Penalty: Tsoko.

Paarl Boys’ High 85 (52) – Tries: Christiaan Grundlingh (4), Jayden Joubert (3), Kobus Wilken (2), Josh le Roux, De Wet Nel, Liam de Villiers, Kaleb Holmes. Conversions: Mark Grindlay (10) Monument 0.

Noordheuwel 35 (17) – Tries: Jayden Steyn (2), Andrew Lambert, Clinton Agu. Conversions: Jeandré Uithaler (3). Penalties: Uithaler (3). Outeniqua 33 (12) – Tries: Grant Savage, Ruan van Rensburg, Virgil Pockpas, Schalk van der Merwe, Matthew Prins. Conversions: Pockpas (4).

Stellenberg 17 (7) – Tries: Armand Potgieter (2), Ethan van Biljon. Conversion: Van Biljon. Waterkloof 17 (10) – Tries: Ruan Jacobs, Jhannes de Beer. Conversions: Ronan Bastiaanse (2). Penalty: Bastiaanse.

Heartbreak, joy, and elation highlighted day three’s action of the Standard Bank Hibbert Shield, in Gqeberha, on Friday as South African College High School (SACS) and Paarl Gimnasium booked places in the final, at Grey High School.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

On a day filled with anticipation and nerves, the two sides kept their calm, played some entertaining hockey, and put themselves in pole position to clinch the prestigious title.

SACS, after defeating Durban High School (DHS) 6-2 in the quarterfinals, met their rivals, Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) in the final four while Paarl Gim faced off against Hoërskool Garsfontein.

In the quarterfinals, Paarl Gim had claimed a 3-2 victory over Clifton College, while Garsfontein had stunned Grey College 2-0.

Playing for a place in the title game, Gim asserted their dominance against the Pretoria school, outscoring them 4-2, courtesy of goals by Mikal Janse van Rensburg and Martin Ferreira and a brace from their dangerman, Stefan Wiehahn.

While Gim bossed their way into the final, SACS was made to sweat in their semifinal clash with Paul Roos.

In a repeat of last year’s final, the sides delivered a pulsating clash, which drew a big crowd to the Rectory AstroTurf despite the unwelcoming, freezing conditions.

The tension was high during the build-up, so high it could’ve been sliced with a knife. On the sidelines, anticipation and nervousness flittered among the parents about to watch their sons in action.

PRG started brilliantly, playing at a high tempo, and exerted early pressure on SACS. That relentless pressure was soon rewarded when Caleb Cilliers and Matthew Cardoza partnered to set up Callum van Oudtshoorn, who was unmarked and tapped in to make it 1-0.

After a slow start, SACS warmed to the task and they netted four minutes into the second chukka to level the scores after Reece Theunis picked up the scraps from a PC.

It was evenly matched after that goal, but Litha Kraai put his side into the lead two minutes before halftime with a thunderbolt of a drag flick.

The scoreline remained unchanged in the third chukka, but the fourth chukka delivered goals and drama as both teams felt the pressure, with some allowing their discipline to slip and their tempers to flare.

Two SACS players, Mohlodi Maseko and Theunis, were shown yellow cards, while PRG skipper, Christo Swanepoel joined them in the naughty seat.

With six minutes left in the contest, the Stellenbosch boys pulled one back when, from a short corner, Ruben Gouws delivered the goods.

SACS responded quickly and, after some brilliant play by Matthew Lassen inside the circle, he picked out Cameron Cordeiro, who was unmarked, and beat goalkeeper Josh Boden to regain the lead.

SACS thought they had it in the bag, but a dramatic finish was in store.

With seconds remaining on the clock, PRG was awarded another penalty corner after Kraai and Aiden Hughes were controversially adjudged to have wasted time by the umpire after the ball hit their feet while being hit out of the D by a PRG player for a long corner.

The call was contested by the SACS boys, but the decision stood, and from the resulting penalty corner, Paul Roos pulled off another variation. This time, Gouws linked up with Tylor Carter, who had the final touch, to level the match at 3-3 and send it to a penalty shootout.

In the shootout, Seth Paterson, Gouws, and Van Oudtshoorn converted for PRG while their skipper, Swanepoel fired wide.

For SACS, it was Jo Le Roux, and Maseko who scored, while Theunis’s attempt resulted in a penalty stroke, which was converted by Kraai, who had earlier missed his eight-second attempt.

That sent the shootout into sudden death. Lassen and Le Roux converted for SACS. Logan Lackay fired one in for PRG, but when Gouws missed, that sealed the deal for SACS.

They progressed to the final, advancing 5-4 on penalties.

They’ll have an opportunity to go one step further than 2024 when they meet Paarl Gimnasium for the title at 18:45 on Saturday evening.

RESULTS

DAY 3

SACS 6-2 DHS (Quarterfinal 1)
Paul Roos (3) 1-1 (2) St Stithians College (Quarterfinal 2)
Grey College 0-2 Garsfontein (Quarterfinal 3)
Clifton College 2-3  Paarl Gimnasium (Quarterfinal 4)
St Stithians College 3-1 DHS (Loser of quarterfinal 1)
Grey College 2-1 Clifton College Loser of quarterfinal 2
SACS (5) 3-3 (4) Paul Roos (Semifinal 1)
Garsfontein 2-4 Paarl Gimnasium (Semifinal 2)

Collegiate AstroTurf

St Alban’s College 2-1 Bishops
Maritzburg College 0-1 Westville Boys’ High
Pearson 2-3 Parel Vallei
Selborne College 0-4 Grey High School
Bishops 2-2 Maritzburg College
Pearson High 3-1 Selborne College
St Alban’s College 1-1 Westville Boys’ High
Grey High 4-1 Parel Vallei

Herschel and Pearson will go head-to-head in the semifinals of the Belgotex Sport Girls Hockey Challenge on Saturday, at Paarl Gimnasium.

They remain in the running for the title in the inaugural edition of the tournament that has attracted some of the best hockey-playing girls’ schools from across South Africa.

Herschel beat Durban Girls’ College (DGC) 3-1 to punch their ticket to the final four, while Pearson defeated Collegiate 3-2 in a thrilling Gqeberha rivalry.

They meet at 11:15 on Saturday morning.

In the quarterfinals, DGC found a chink in Herschel’s defence to open the scoring. That was the first time the Cape Town school had conceded in the tournament. However, it wasn’t enough to stop Herschel, who replied with two goals from Emily Dickinson and another from Katherine Featherstone.

Heading into the semi-finals, Herschel has scored 17 goals and conceded only one. They’ve staked their claim as a title contender.

After a goalless first chukka, DGC claimed the lead five minutes into the second quarter of the quarterfinal when they converted a short corner. Asanele Zuma injected the ball and then headed for the near post to receive a return pass before coolly tapping the ball in.

Herschel issued a swift response. They applied pressure on the DGC defence, forced a turnover, and won a penalty corner after moving into the Durban team’s circle. A minute later, the ladies from Claremont equalised from the PC.

For the next 21 minutes, the sides were tied. Herschel, though, broke the deadlock when they converted another penalty corner deep into the third chukka.

A third goal destroyed DGC’s hopes of a comeback. The goal-scoring move began when Herschel intercepted a DGC pass and attacked down the right flank. From there, they were able to win a penalty corner and its successful conversion, with only three minutes remaining, pretty much sealed the deal.

In the other quarterfinal, which pitted Pearson – the winner of Pool C after two wins and a draw – and Collegiate against each other, Jenna Coetzee and Kerrin Gillies fired Collegiate in front in the first half. Pearson’s response was outstanding. They came out guns blazing in the second stanza and overturned the deficit through goals from Annemi de Villiers and Chanelle Venter. A second goal from De Villiers, then, carried Pearson to a pulsating 3-2 win.

Collegiate led 1-0 after the first chukka, scoring just a minute from its end. Then, five minutes from halftime, they made it to 2-0, with both goals coming from penalty corners.

Pearson fought their way back and cut the lead in half in the third chukka, thanks to their persistence in the Collegiate circle, which earned them a penalty stroke. That made it 1-2 with eight minutes remaining in the match.

The goal breathed new life into the legs of Pearson players and they upped their intensity, and soon it was 2-2. They had momentum on their side and, with 30 seconds left in the game, they found a winner to upset the recently-crowned National All Girls’ Festival champions.

RESULTS

Quarterfinals

St Mary’s DSG Kloof 1-0 Waterkloof
Paarl Gim 3-0 Rustenburg
Pearson 3-2 Collegiate
Herschel 3-1 DGC

Last Pool Matches

Pool A

Durban Girls’ College 9-0 Cornwall Hill
Herschel 2-0 Oranje

Pool B

St Mary’s Waverley 1-0 Springfield
Paarl Gim 4-0 Fairmont

Pool C

Pearson 4-1 Somerset College
Waterkloof 4-0 Stellenberg

Pool D

St Cyprian’s 1-1 Reddam Constantia
St Mary’s DSG 4-2 St Stithians

Pool E

Rustenburg 2-0 Durbanville
Collegiate 1-1 Garsfontein