{"id":40105,"date":"2024-04-04T10:09:22","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T08:09:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=40105"},"modified":"2024-04-04T10:09:22","modified_gmt":"2024-04-04T08:09:22","slug":"will-hts-louis-botha-defend-their-absa-wildeklawer-crown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=40105","title":{"rendered":"Will HTS Louis Botha defend their Absa Wildeklawer Crown?"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the beginning of May, HTS Louis Botha<\/strong><\/a> will begin their defence of the Absa Wildeklawer Football Tournament<\/strong> title. In fact, they’ll be going for a three-peat.<\/p>\n

The school enjoyed a very impressive 2023, ultimately finishing it ranked in third spot in South Africa, just behind Maritzburg College<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

College had an exceptional year, led by their captain and current u19 Amazulu FC<\/strong> player Mateo Horstead,<\/strong> who was featured in SuperSport Schools Class of 2023<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Under Horstead, the College boys achieved a treble<\/a><\/strong> and were hailed by many as the best team in the school’s 160-year history. However, Westville Boys’<\/strong> High<\/strong>, after a very consistent year (throughout all the age groups)\u00a0claimed the top spot.<\/p>\n

Last year, in Kimberley, HTS Louis Botha captured the Wildeklawer tournament title with a 4-2 win over Virginia High School<\/strong> in the final.<\/p>\n

\"On
On their way to the 2023 Absa Wildeklawer title, HTS Louis Botha.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Up against a tough opponent, Louis Botha was held to a 2-2 draw in regulation time.<\/p>\n

Then, with a penalty shootout beckoning, the Bloemfontein boys struck twice in quick succession to come away with the victory and the title.<\/p>\n

That was one of many outstanding achievements by the school in 2023, during which they confirmed their position as number one in the Free State and one of the country’s elite teams.<\/p>\n

Apart from the Wildeklawer title, they were also crowned the Magnificent Wednesday Motheo District<\/strong> champions, the Magnificent Wednesday Provincial<\/strong> champions, the winners of the St Andrew’s Friday Night League<\/strong>, and the Most Entertaining team of the St Andrew’s Friday Night League.<\/p>\n

In addition, they won silver at the prestigious Kloof High Soccer Tournament<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

HTS Louis Botha defensive midfielder, Xolani Tshaka<\/strong>, who is on the books of the Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates<\/strong>, was also selected to represent the South African u17 national team at the Africa Cup of Nations,<\/strong> which was held in Algeria last year.<\/p>\n

\"SA
SA u17 midfielder Xolani Tshaka. Photo: Safa Media.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Coach CT Moahloli<\/strong> declared himself proud of Tshaka’s achievements and that of the school’s football team in 2023.<\/p>\n

In their quest for a hattrick of Wildeklawer titles, HTS Louis Botha will face determined opposition in Pool B, taking on Dale College, Navalsig High School, and Potchefstroom Boys High<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Based on their past accomplishments, HTS Louis Botha will be favoured to secure top spot in the group. Nothing is a given, however, and Dale College<\/a>, for example, have made significant progress under the guidance of Tevin Klaasen<\/strong>, the school’s football director.<\/p>\n

Another captivating group to keep an eye on is Pool C, which includes Clapham High School<\/strong>, a feeder to Mamelodi Sundowns FC’s<\/strong> football development programme, who were the runners-up in the inaugural edition of the CAF African Schools Football Championships<\/a>, Maritzburg College, Northwood School<\/strong>, and Blinkklip High School<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This group appears to be the dreaded “Group of Death”, which promises to deliver thrilling action.<\/p>\n

Pool A
\n<\/strong>Kimberley Boys High, Selborne College, Wildeklawer Academy, St Benedict’s College<\/p>\n

Pool B
\n<\/strong>HTS Louis Botha, Navalsig High School, Potchefstroom Boys High, Dale College<\/p>\n

Pool C
\n<\/strong>Clapham High School, Maritzburg College, Northwood School and Blinkklip High School<\/p>\n

Pool D
\n<\/strong>Paul Roos Gimnasium, Glenwood High School, Norkem Park High School, Emang Mmogo Comprehensive School<\/p>\n

Pool E
\n<\/strong>Benny Sports Academy, Brebner High School, Grey College, Virginia High School<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At the beginning of May, HTS Louis Botha will begin their defence of the Absa Wildeklawer Football Tournament title. In fact, they’ll be going for a three-peat. The school enjoyed a very impressive 2023, ultimately finishing it ranked in third spot in South Africa, just behind Maritzburg College. College had an exceptional year, led by […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":40110,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40105","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=40105"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40105\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=40105"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=40105"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=40105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}