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It was always going to be a nail-biting affair when Hoërskool Pietersburg, the defending champions of the Limpopo Super League, and Merensky Landbou Akademie clashed on Saturday in Polokwane. In the end, the Pieties sneaked home by a mere six runs.

Read and relive all the 2025 Schools Cricket action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

The defending champions batted first, posting 204, with middle-order batsman Hanru Marais leading the charge.

Entering the fray after Dian Gouws and Stephan Swanepoel had respectively scored 27 and 31 at the start of the innings, Marais used 37 deliveries to top score for his side. Smashing eight fours, he batted his way to a crucial 46, which, backed up by AJ Galloway‘s 35 not out, set a reasonable target for the Pieties.

The Plasies spearhead and captain, Luka Heinlein, asked the most questions with the ball, snapping up 4/30 in the 8.2 overs he bowled. Left-arm spinner Timothy Baker, who seems on track to be the league’s leading wicket-taker for the second year in a row, supported with 3/57 in 10 overs.

The Pietie bowlers, however, were not intent on taking a backseat to Heinlein and Baker. A combined effort, led by Willem Viljoen (2/25), saw four of the home side’s bowlers each pick up two wickets to restrict the Plasies to 198 when the last wicket fell. JP Botha nevertheless tried his destructive best, giving his side hope with 55 runs off 62 balls, before he was sent back to the pavilion.

Hoërskool Piet Potgieter continued their dominant run of form, beating Hoërskool Louis Trichardt by seven wickets. Although Triggies’ Francois Nel shone with 55 runs, the side from Louis Trichardt could only reach 153 before being bundled out. Fredrick Botes (3/15) and Michael Jooste (3/20) did most of the damage for Piet Pot with the ball.

Ridwhan Patel (48) and Muhaaz Mohammad (45) then made light work of chasing the target of 154 runs needed for victory. The side from Mokopane, who appear very dangerous this year, already reached the total on the fourth ball of the 20th over.

Hoërskool Ben Vorster‘s Dumisani Manyama tore through Phalaborwa Hub‘s batting lineup with an impressive 5/16, as the Black Caps eventually strolled to a five-wicket victory. Apart from Mandla Mashaba (37) and Marcus Ngobeni (27), the Phalaborwa side had little answer to Manyama.

Ruben Pohl, fresh off a long rugby season, led the chase with his 36 runs, while Mashalane Mphotseng chipped in with a good-looking 29 not out to get the Black Caps over the line.

Summarised scorecards: 

Hoërskool Pietersburg 204 (Hancu Marais 46, AJ Galloway 35*, Stephan Swanepoel 31, Willem Viljoen 28, Dian Gouws 27; Luka Heinlein 4/30, Timothy Baker 3/57, Topher Elphinstone 2/16); Merensky Landbou Akademie 198 (JP Botha 55, Extras 34, Rinaldo Borman 26, Timothy Baker 21; Willem Viljoen 2/25, Stephan Swanepoel 2/25, Dian Gouws 2/29, Celliers van der Merwe 2/37). Hoërskool Pietersburg won by six runs. 

Hoërskool Louis Trichardt 153 (Francois Nel 55, Shivam Patel 22; Frederick Botes 3/15, Michael Jooste 3/20, Ruben Oosthuizen 2/23); Hoërskool Piet Potgieter 154/3 (Ridwhan Patel 48, Muhaaz Mohammad 45, Zaid Vhora 20; Brendan Bruce 1/14). Hoërskool Piet Potgieter won by seven wickets. 

Phalaborwa Hub 118 (Mandla Mashaba 37, Marcus Ngobeni 27; Dumisani Manyama 5/16, Khulani Mnisi 2/24, Njabulo Maseko 2/27); Ben Vorster 118/5 (Ruben Pohl 36, Mashalane Mphotseng 29*; Lesley Zimba 2/16). Ben Vorster won by five wickets. 

Rebecca Haswell, of Pearson High, was named the Girls’ Goalkeeper of the Year at the inaugural Hyundai Hockey on 216 Awards in Johannesburg last week. Owen Mc Menamin, from Pretoria Boys High, and Khotso Mabona, from St David’s Marist Inanda, shared the Boys’ Goalkeeper of the Year Award.

The trio produced outstanding seasons for their schools and provincial sides at the SASHOC National Week, which was hosted in KwaZulu-Natal.

Haswell represented Eastern Province u18A, McMenamin donned the blue and navy of Northern Gauteng A, and Mabona was in goal for Southern Gauteng A.

With those goalkeepers backstopping their challenges, Eastern Province finished fourth in the girls’ competition, Northerns picked up the bronze medal in the boys’ tournament, and Southerns ended as the runner-up to Western Province A.

While their performances at the inter-provincial event were notable, it was their contributions to their schools’ seasons that most impressed the Hockey on 216 panel of Kelvin Watt, Bridgett Kee, Krinesan Moodley, and Manny Segale.

In the wake of the awards, SuperSport Schools Hockey caught up with all three goalkeepers to look back on the season.

Rebecca Haswell – “I’m only just getting started.”

“This season was definitely a bittersweet one,” she said.

“With regard to my school team, we had some really incredible moments and then some that were not so great, but we never gave up. Saying goodbye was definitely not easy.

“At the SASHOC National Week, we ended fourth, and I was so grateful to be a part of such a talented group. I learnt a lot about grit and determination this year.”

The Pearson goalie also revealed what motivated her to take her game to the next level while facing some of the toughest opposition in South Africa. 

“Honestly, something that really shifted my mindset this year was to play for the love of the game, not for accolades or achievements, or even people, but to go onto the pitch pressure-free, and give my all for my team.”

She added: “IPT was an incredible experience. It was the highest [placing] that I’ve ever ended with EP, and we even beat Boland in the pool stages, which was a massive feat.

“I’m very grateful for the lessons I learnt and the experience I gained. Making the SA u18A team was truly a dream come true and has just motivated me to work harder and keep building.”

Haswell described being named the Goalkeeper of the Year at the Hockey on 216 Awards as “very special” and revealed that the recognition has motivated her to get better at her game.

“It’s always amazing to receive recognition, but, more importantly, it reminds me to persevere and endure no matter what. I still have a lot of work to do, and I’m only just getting started.”

Khotso Mabona – “My path to this position hasn’t been easy or ordinary.”

“Coming into the year, we knew it would be difficult,” Mabona began when talking about the St David’s Marist Inanda 1st XI. “We lost 13 players from our 2024 team and knew it was a rebuilding year.

“Over the course of the year, our results were very inconsistent, but I’m proud of the work the boys put in. In terms of development for the St David’s side next year, I think it was a successful year.”

Heading into the season, Mabona admitted he had no expectations, He simply wanted to play hockey. However, his coaches, Andy Aldred and Shaun Laubscher, steered him in the right direction and made him aware of his potential.

“At the beginning of the year, I really had no goals for this season,” he recalled. “I actually thought it would be my last. Mr Laubscher asked me to play for his JHL team, and I thought it would be a good idea, just for some fun.

“I managed to win the ‘Keeper of the Tournament. My coaches used that to convince me that I could be better and do something special this year, and I think that’s where my personal ambition began to grow and, in a sense, inspired me to have the season I had.”

Being crowned the Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the SASHOC National Week is something Mabona will treasure for the rest of his life.

Similarly, the Hockey on 216 award meant a lot to him, and never in his wildest dreams did he think he’d be where he is currently.

“It’s absolutely amazing,” he enthused. “If you had told me when I picked up my first hockey stick in grade 8, or even at the beginning of 2025, that I’d be in this position, I’d never have believed you.

“I’m honestly grateful for the support of my mom and Mr Laubscher, who’ve played a massive role in where I am today.

“My path to this position hasn’t been easy or ordinary, but I think it should inspire all players out there to work hard, even when no one knows you or sees the effort you put in.

“Keep working because anyone can achieve something great.”

Owen Mc Menamin— “I hope I can inspire other keepers to always give their all and to work hard.”

“The year definitely came with its share of challenges, but overall, I think I had a really good and consistent season,” he said.

“The moment pre-season started, I began working towards the goals I set out, and I just continuously had those in sight. So, yes, although there is always room for improvement, I am very happy with how my season went.”

Mc Menamin joined Pretoria Boys’ High in 2024 from their city rivals, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies).

He said motivation has been hard to come by. “There are a multitude of things that inspired me. I think a bigger inspiration was born last year when I joined PBHS, and I really wanted to just be the best I could be for the school.

“My parents are also a constant inspiration in my life. They never hesitate to put all my needs first so I can reach my goals, and I just wanted to honour them by playing my best.”

As the last line of defence, Mc Menamin played a major role in helping Northerns to finish third at the SASHOC National Week.

He made some brilliant saves in goal, but it was his performance against KZN Coastals A on the opening day of the tournament, which included saving a penalty stroke in a one-goal win, that stood out to him. At the end of the week, he was included in the SA Schools side.

“It’s always an honour to play for my province and an even bigger honour to be selected for the national side,” he said.

“I have to admit that making both those sides was the goal for the year. Seeing the hard work behind the scenes come together has been so rewarding.

“The Northerns team managed great results this year, which was not expected by anyone. So definitely big ups to the coaching staff involved there, too.

“For now, I am focused on preparing for the SA camp that will take place in October, as preparation is key.”

Commenting on his joint-win at the Hyundai Hockey on 216 Awards, the shot-stopper said: “I am stoked and feel blessed to have received this award. It was unexpected, but it just made me so proud of the work I put into my goalkeeping.

“I hope I can inspire other keepers to always give their all and to work hard,” he concluded.

The race for the u19 Gauteng Development League (GDL) title continues to heat up and now Highlands Park, the two-time defending champions, are back at the summit of the table after claiming successive wins on Saturday and Sunday.

The Lions of the North have been remarkably tough and consistent over the past couple of seasons, and their 2025 lineup has demonstrated more of that same steel that has taken them to consecutive GDL titles.

On Saturday, up against another team with title aspirations, SuperSport United, Highlands Park, coached by Sifiso Mnguni, cantered to a 4-1 win. Then, on Sunday, against the table-topping Mamelodi Sundowns, they grabbed an invaluable 1-0 win to overhaul their rivals.

With the win over SuperSport United at Balfour Park, the Lions of the North increased their season’s tally by three to 58. Then, with their win over Sundowns, they improved it to 61 while, crucially, preventing ‘Downs from adding to their total. Tsheole Kgopotso netted the game winner.

Sundowns did, however, pick up three points at Clapham High School on Saturday, with a 3-1 defeat of Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA).

Ahead of the game, on Thursday, RESA coach Sandile Mathumbo told SuperSport Schools Plus it was going to be a challenging match for both teams.

Another team in the thick of the title race, Randburg AFC, secured a 2-0 victory over the struggling School of Excellence, who lie 14th in the standings, way below their usual position towards the upper end of the table.

Kathorus Hyper Academy, who have made a huge impact this season, particularly during the second round of league fixtures, returned to winning form on Saturday after an entertaining 3-3 draw against Panorama FC last week. Up against Rockefvs, they won 2-0.

Panorama FC, after sharing the spoils with Kathorus, rebounded with a 4-1 win over Joburg City, while Wits Junior claimed a closely contested 3-2 win over Seven’s Academy.

Also on Saturday, TS Galaxy and Jomo Cosmos picked up a point each after a 1-1 draw.

The University of Pretoria (Tuks) did double duty and performed admirably to bolster their points’ total by six after a narrow 1-0 win over the East Rand Athletic Club, which they followed with a 2-0 success against TS Galaxy.

RESULTS

Saturday, 6 September

Randburg AFC 2-0 School of Excellence
Kathorus 2-0 Rockefvs
Panorama 4-1 Joburg City
Highlands Park 4-1 SuperSport United
Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 RESA
Wits 3-2 Sevens Academy
TS Galaxy 1-1 Jomo Cosmos
Tuks 1-0 East Rand Athletic Club
Kaizer Chiefs vs Elspark (Game cancelled due to bad weather)

Sunday, 7 September

Tuks 2-0 TS Galaxy
Highlands Park 1-0 Mamelodi Sundowns

Grey College’s Henru de Wet scored an unbeaten 103 in only 69 balls, blasting 10 fours and four sixes, to help his side to declare on a challenging 287/3 in a two-day match against Selborne College in Bloemfontein on the weekend.

He was well supported by Aiden Dodd, who made 78 and shared in a 111-run partnership with De Wet.

Then, when Selborne visited the crease, Grey’s bowling tore through their batting order, sending the East London school tumbling to 111 all out, with Joshua Wilkie‘s 29 their best batting effort.

Sicelo Matayi set the standard, garnering 3/11, while Otto Krause collected 3/32.

On day two, Grey batted quickly before declaring on 218/4 from 34.3 overs. The declaration came after Divan Bezuidenhout fell for 99 from 101 balls. His innings had featured nine fours and four sixes.

Juan Maree made exactly 50 and combined with Bezuidenhout for a 107-run partnership, which was the second highest of the match.

Selborne was set 395 to win from only 35 overs. That was not a realistic target, but they needed to put together a better innings the second time around. Once again, Joshua Wilkie stepped up, top-scoring with 67, as Selborne finished on 140/5 to clinch a draw.

Juan Maree and Aiden Dodd bowled efficiently, with Maree nabbing 2/14 and Dodd 1/10. In hindsight, an earlier declaration might have helped Grey to victory, but perhaps their focus was on their performance and some individual milestones.

In Pretoria, St Alban’s College hosted St Andrew’s School on the TC Mitchell Oval.

Batting first, the Bloemfontein boys declared on 300/8, with star all-rounder FG Botha scoring 89 and Reuben van Aarde 85 not out.

Christopher Von La Chavallerie‘s 3/23 paced the home side’s bowling attack, while Tiashin Naidoo did his bit by picking up 3/63.

In reply, St Alban’s declared their first innings on 231/6. That owed a lot to opening batsman, Kyle Block, who struck 16 fours and two sixes in an innings of 104. Liam Basch batted well, too, cracking 48 from 55 balls.

When St Andrew’s batted again, the home side’s bowlers did a decent job of picking off most of the dangermen before they could get going. However, FG Botha shone once again, making 51 for his second half-century of the contest.

When St Andrew’s declared on 175/5, St Alban’s needed 245 to win, and they needed to bat hastily. They chose instead to play for a draw and finished on 57/7. Ethan Detert‘s three not out off of 53 balls was clear evidence of their strategy.

Heindré Serfontein, with a superb 4/10 from 10 overs, almost bowled St Andrew’s to victory, but they had too few overs in which to bowl out the home side, and the match was declared a draw after 33 overs of the St Alban’s second innings.

Summarised Scorecards:

Grey College 287/3 dec. (Henru De Wet 103*, Aiden Dodd 78; Lwando Gwaza 1/36); Selborne College 111/10 (Joshua Wilkie 29; Sicelo Matayi 3/11, Otto Krause 3/32); Grey College 218/4 dec. (Divan Bezuidenhout 99, Juan Maree 50; Matt Henry 2/56); Selborne College 140/5 (Joshua Wilkie 67; Juan Maree 2/14, Aiden Dodd 1/10). Match drawn.

St Andrew’s School 300/8 dec. (FG Botha 89, Reuben van Aarde 85*; Christopher von La Chavallerie 3/23); St Alban’s College 231/6 dec. (Kyle Block 104, Liam Basch 48; Nikhil Sukraj 2/28); St Andrew’s School 175/5 dec. (FG Botha 51, WJ Lindhout 43; Luke Ward 4/68); St Alban’s College 57/7 (Liam Basch 16; Heindre Serfontein 4/10, Nikhil Sukraj 1/9). Match drawn.

After another weekend of dominance, Mamelodi Sundowns extended their advantage at the top of the u17 Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) standings, thanks to a 10-0 thrashing of Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA), on Sunday, at President Park, in Vereeniging.

It was a humbling experience for RESA, who tumbled to a third successive defeat, having previously gone down 0-3 to Panorama FC last weekend, and 0-2 to SAFA Academy the week before that.

RESA, who recently elevated key players, including Lesedi Motaung, Thuto Rathebe, Nthabeleng Molefi, Buhle Mthembu, and Mpumelelo Chabalala from the u17 GWDL team to their Sasol team, showed the impact of their absence. The new, young players who have taken over from them need to build up experience against the well-coordinated teams in the GWDL.

A team on the up is Refilwe FC, who defeated high-flying SAFA Academy last Sunday. Refilwe continued to build momentum by adding an impressive 5-1 victory over JVW FC to their record.

SAFA Academy, whose title aspirations suffered a big blow when they lost to Refilwe, got back on track with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Panorama FC.

Sundowns are well on course for the title. For SAFA Academy to come back into contention, they’ll need Sundowns to drop points, and they’ll also need to fire in plenty of goals while not conceding because the Brazilians have an outstanding goals-for and goals-against differential.

In other matches played on Sunday, Edenvale FC secured a tight 3-2 win over Hellenic Falcons, while the University of Pretoria (Tuks) returned to winning form with a 2-1 victory against Kempton Park.

GWDL Results 

Sunday 

Refilwe FC 5-1 JVW
Edenvale 3-2 Hellenic Falcons
Tuks 2-1 Kempton Park
Mamelodi Sundowns 10-0 RESA
SAFA Academy 3-2 Panorama FC

On a pitch better suited for bowling than batting, Boland Landbou bowled out Hoërskool Outeniqua for 83, in 50-overs-a-side match, in George, on Saturday.

Francois Pienaar and Janco Venter were the best of the morning’s bowlers, with Pienaar claiming 2/8 and Venter 2/11.

The only noteworthy resistance from the Kwaggas came from Daniel du Preez, who weighed in with 38.

With 300 balls to bat to chase down a moderate total, the Farmers got the job done off of just 103 – 17.1 overs.

However, they lost five men along the path to victory. Kobus Conradie led the way, scoring 28, while Matthew Geldenhuys kept the middle order intact with his 22 not out.

Outeniqua’s Nathan Best lived up to his surname, capturing 3/21 to put Boland Landbou under pressure.

Unfortunately for the hosts, their middle order did not match the output of the visitors from Paarl. After the loss of some early wickets, they struggled to grab a foothold. Dot balls built up pressure and that led to some loose shots being played. Some found the boundary, while others resulted in the loss of wickets.

A middle order collapse saw the home side slide from 44/4 to 49/7 and that did in their hopes of a good total.

Boland Landbou’s bowlers were relentless. They set aggressive fields, backing the ‘keeper with a slip or two. Whatever tactics they had considered beforehand must have been more or less perfectly executed.

With the pitch conditions becoming more benign later on, batting second favoured the visitors.

The Farmers displayed their bowling and fielding chops again on Sunday, coming away with another win in a low scoring T20 against Langehoven Gimnasium.

On this occasion, the Paarl school batted first and put up 120/6 in their 20 overs.

Johannes Goosen fell just short of a fifty, top-scoring with 48, while Gideon Kotze chipped in with 31.

Cameron Williams kept the Boland Landbou batsmen in line, picking up 3/24.

In reply, the Farmers made a poor start, slipping to 12/4, but their middle order again rose to the challenge once Kotze and Goosen joined forces, adding 61 for the fifth wicket before Goosen was dismissed.

On a pitch on which the ball stayed low, Langenhoven Gimnasium mustered only 80 all out in response, with Cobus Esterhuyse‘s 20 their best effort.

Gunther Schmidt inflicted heavy damage on the home team’s innings, knocking over 4/9, while Kobus Conradie‘s 2/12 helped to propel the Farmers to a convincing 40-run victory.

SCORES

50-over

Boland Landbou 86/5 (Kobus Conradie 28, Matthew Geldenhuys 22*, Nathan Best 3/21); Outeniqua 83/10 (Daniel du Preez 38, Francois Prins 2/8, Janco Venter 2/11).

Boland won by 5 wickets.

T20

Boland Landbou 120/6 (Johannes Goosen 48, Gideon Kotze 31, Cameron Williams 3/24); Langenhoven Gim 80 (Cobus Esterhuyse 20, Gunther Schmidt 4/9, Kobus Conradie 2/12).

Boland won by 40 runs.

Dylan Kruger came to the rescue of Pretoria Boys High, eventually leading his side to an emphatic 49-run victory over Hoërskool Menlopark on Saturday.

Read and relive all the 2025 Schools Cricket action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Having lost three early wickets for a mere 18 runs, Kruger and the in-form Tinashe Mbingo steadied the ship with an invaluable 75-run partnership before Mbingo was sent back to the pavilion for a classy, hard-fought 54 runs off 79 balls.

Kruger, however, stood his ground. Occupying the crease like a seasoned middle-order batsman, he faced 134 deliveries, scoring a memorable 123 unbeaten runs – without hitting a six. He did, however, smash no less than 16 fours, as 64 of his runs came from boundaries.

Louis Kruyshaar, batting at six, played his part with grace, contributing 36 in a 98-run partnership, which helped Boys High to a total of 239/6 in the allotted 50 overs.

Jordan van Eck was the Parkies’ mainstay with the ball. Delivering one of the more impressive spells of late, Van Eck snapped up four wickets for only 12 runs in the 10 overs he bowled.

The batting, unfortunately, didn’t quite go to plan for Menlopark. James Bronkhorst tried valiantly with 38 runs, the visitors’ highest score on the day, while Jacques de Villiers (33) provided keen support. However, two-wicket hauls by four of the Boys High bowlers, led by Eaun Gottfried (2/29), saw the Parkies stumble to only 190 all out.

At the André van der Walt Oval, home of defending champions, Hoërskool Waterkloof, Prestige College was left wondering what might have been. The visitors from Hammanskraal suffered a massive batting collapse of six wickets for only seven runs, after it initially looked like opening batsman Thabang Kutumela had set them up to cause a major upset.

Kutumela batted superbly, facing 114 deliveries for 94 runs. His innings, four runs short of a well-deserved century, included 12 fours and a solitary six, before he lost his wicket to Rivan Booysen.

Booysen has become somewhat of a golden arm for the Klofies, picking up another three wickets for only 28 runs. Ricardo Crous also got in on the act with a contribution of three wickets, which played a crucial part in the devastating six-wicket flurry that got the Klofies over the line.

Hoërskool Garsfontein continued on their merry way, defeating Cornwall Hill College by 79 runs. Ruan Coetzee stole the spotlight with a five-wicket haul, which signalled the end for Cornwall. Making Coetzee’s accomplishment more impressive is the fact that he only conceded 27 runs in the eight overs he delivered.

The Ysbere’s impressive outing with the ball didn’t stop with Coetzee, though. Echard Struwig, when called upon, took his opportunity to inflict more pain on the Cornwall batters. In just 4.5 overs, Struwig snapped up four wickets for only 14 runs.

Vihan Pretorius was in equally destructive form with the ball in Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool‘s seven-wicket victory over Eldoraigne. Pretorius has posed a serious threat with the ball this season, rather than, as usual, with the bat, and it took him only 7.4 overs to claim four wickets for just 26 runs.

Nico Loggenberg (2/34) and Petrus Rautenbach (2/27) were in on the action, too, as Affies restricted the Eldos to a meagre 140 runs, batting only 33.4 overs.

JP Botha (36) and Ruben Groenewald (32*), upon his return from the rugby field, steered the ship home for Affies, with Groenewald looking particularly dangerous with his unbeaten 32 coming off just 20 balls.

Summarised scorecards: 

Pretoria Boys High School 239/6 (Dylan Kruger 123*, Tinashe Mbingo 54, Louis Kruyshaar 36; Jordan van Eck 4/12); Menlopark 190 (James Bronkhorst 38, Jacques de Villiers 33, Venter 30, Matt van der Westhuizen 21; Eaun Gottfried 2/29, Justin Basdeo 2/32, Jaydon Knott-Craig 2/33, Joseph van Dijk 2/40). Pretoria Boys High School won by 49 runs. 

Waterkloof 313/7 (Johan Feuth 58, Jaydon Blom 53*, AJ de Villiers 52, Franco Schmidt 40, Darius Maritz 31, Riley Miller 25; Bongile Sithole 2/59, Keamogetswe Semenya 2/67); Prestige College 235/9 (Thabang Kutumela 94, Lesedi Mabena 40, Omphile Maredi 32; Rivan Booysen 3/28, Ricardo Crous 3/39, AJ de Villiers 2/22). Waterkloof won by 78 runs. 

Garsfontein 238 (Jared Carr 42, Zizwe Khumalo 40, Riaan Boshoff 33, Ruan Coetzee 24*, Echard Struwig 24, Extras 22; Oliver Richards 3/48, Layton Pullen 2/18, Mohale Pitso 2/39); Cornwall Hill College 159 (Oliver Richards 46, Rourke de Lange 22, Extras 20; Ruan Coetzee 5/27, Echard Struwig 4/14). Garsfontein won by 79 runs. 

Eldoraigne 140 (Marinus Langerman 25, Kyle de Bruin 22; Vihan Pretorius 4/26, Petrus Rautenbach 2/27, Nico Loggenberg 2/34); Affies 141/3 (JP Botha 36, Ruben Groenewald 32*, Dylan Stander 23, Christian Linde 20, Vihan Pretorius 20; Vince Lotz 1/22). Affies won by seven wickets. 

St Stithians College and St John’s College were dominant on Saturday, day two of the St Alban’s College Beach Water Polo Tournament, keeping their unbeaten records intact with a series of emphatic victories.

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Both sides impressed with their commanding performances, which left them top of their pools and solidified their status as the teams to beat.

St John’s College bolstered their record with three wins, opening their account on Saturday with a 10-2 win over the hosts, St Alban’s College. They followed that with a 7-3 victory over their neighbours, King Edward VII School (KES). They, then, closed out their day in style cruising to a 11-3 victory over St Peter’s College to maintain their immaculate record and first place in Pool A.

Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) also enjoyed a three-win day. They outplayed St Peter’s 9-1 in their first outing and followed that with a clear-cut 10-3 victory over Christian Brothers College (CBC) Bulawayo. They won by even more against Parktown Boys’ High, recording a comfortable 14-3 win to confirm their place in the semifinals.

Those victories saw Affies finish in second spot in Pool A, with 15 points, having lost only to St John’s, who won 8-5 when they met on Friday KES placed third, St Alban’s fourth, followed by St Peter’s College and Parktown Boys’ High.

Meanwhile, in Pool B, St Stithians College easily wrapped up top spot in Pool B, winning 9-2 against Pretoria Boys High on Saturday, 12-2 against St Benedict’s College, and 12-4 against the St John’s College’s second team.

St David’s Marist Inanda was equally dominant, handing St Benedict’s a 12-3 loss before beating Jeppe 13-7. They also rolled to 10-1 wins overs over the St John’s and St Alban’s second teams.

Jeppe placed third in the group, behind Saints and St John’s, with Pretoria Boys High in fourth.

In Sunday’s semifinals, it’s St John’s against St David’s and St Stithians against Affies. While St John’s and St Stithians had a comfortable time of things in their group stage matches, they’ll surely be extended in their quests to qualify for the title game.

DAY 2 RESULTS

Pool A

St John’s 10-2 St Alban’s
KES 8-6 St Peter’s
Parktown 4-9 CBC Zimbabwe
St John’s 10-2 St Alban’s
Affies 9-1 St Peter’s
Parktown 4-15 KES
Affies 10-3 CBC Zimbabwe
St John’s 7-3 KES
St Peter’s 3-11 St John’s
St Alban’s 7-2 St Peter’s
Affies 14-3 Parktown
St Alban’s 8-4 CBC Zimbabwe

Pool B:

St Stithians 9-2 PBHS 2^nd team
St David’s 12-3 St Benedict’s
St John’s 2^nd team 8-2 St Alban’s 2nd team
St Benedict’s 2-12 St Stithians
PBHS 10-2 St Alban’s 2nd team
St David’s 13-7; Jeppe
PBHS 8-5 St Benedict’s
St David’s 10-1 St John’s 2^nd team
Jeppe 10-1 St Alban’s 2^nd team
St John’s 2^nd team 4-12 St Stithians
St David’s 10-1 St Alban’s 2^nd team
Jeppe 7-4 PBHS

Playoffs

St Peter’s 4-6 St John’s 2^nd team (6A vs 5B)

The defending champion, Michaelhouse, and their arch-rival, Hilton College, made the greatest impressions on day one of the Jody Momple Cup, being played at Hilton, where ‘House showed they are fully intent on holding onto the trophy they somewhat surprisingly lifted in 2024.

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The Jody Momple Cup was previously known as the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands FA Cup and brings together the top teams from around the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

Playing in Group F, Michaelhouse cruised to a 3-0 win over Weston Agricultural College and then hung a 4-0 win on Grace College. Weston, meanwhile, took down Grace, winning 4-1, to place second in the group after the completion of Saturday’s action.

Hilton, the winner of the Primo Big 10 on their home ground, Zungu Field, in mid-August, appears hungry to add a second title win quick succession. They brushed aside Greytown High 4-1 before swamping Newton School 8-1. Greytown edged out Newton in the other Group A game.

Alexandra High topped Group B. They beat Wartburg Kirchdorf School 4-0, and Linpark High beat Wartburg 5-1, before Alex won the group’s key clash by a narrow 1-0 margin.

In Group C, Maritzburg Christian School (MCS) beat Haythorne Secondary, 2024’s winners of the Plate, 2-0, but went down on penalties against last year’s Bowl winners, Etham College, losing out 2-3 after the teams had played to a 2-2 draw. Ethan overran Haythorne, charging to a 7-2 victory.

Goals were hard to come by in Group D where Maritzburg College held off Nomaswazi High 2-1 and beat Howick High 2-0. Howick picked up a 1-0 win over Nomaswazi.

It was also tight in Group E, where Carter High needed a penalty shootout to sneak by Riverwood College 5-4 from the spot after the teams had finished goalless in regulation time. Umvuzo High, then, beat Riverwood 3-1. In the meeting for first place in the group, Carter got by Umvuzo 2-1.

Group G came down to a penalty shootout between St Charles College and Edendale Technical High, the team that eliminated a strong Maritzburg College team in 2024. Saints, though, won it 5-3 from the spot to stop Edendale”s Cup challenge.

In their earlier games, Edendale rolled Treverton 5-0, while St Charles beat the same opposition 4-0. They’re a bit of a dark horse, which is a description one could use of Edendale and their run last year.

ML Sultan Secondary, the winner of the second term’s KZNHSFA Inland B-League finished top of a tightly contested Group H, beating St Nicholas Diocesan School 1-0 before sneaking by last year’s beaten finalist, Ixopo Secondary 3-2 from the spot after their showdown had finished 2-2. Ixopo earlier beat St Nicholas 3-1.

Those results put Hilton College, Alexandra High, Maritzburg Christian School, Maritzburg College, Carter High, Michaelhouse, St Charles, and ML Sultan through to the Cup quarterfinals, which will be played at 11:00 on Sunday.

Hilton College, playing on the lush Zungu Field, will feel confident heading into their clash with Alex, while Michaelhouse faces a tough challenge against Maritzburg College on the bouncier turf of Etheridge. Carter and Michaelhouse go head-to-head on New Field in a tough to call contest, while St Charles and ML Sultan do battle on Lombard in an intriguingly unpredictable game.

FIXTURES

Sunday, 7 September

Bowl Quarterfinals, 08:00

Newton School vs Wartburg Kirchdorf School, Zungu
Etham College vs Nomaswazi High, Etheridge
Riverwood College vs Grace College, New Field
Treverton College vs St Nicholas Diocesan School

Plate Quarterfinals, 09:30

Greytown High vs Linpark High, Zungu
Haythorne Secondary vs Howick High, Etheridge
Umvuzo Secondary vs Weston Agricultural College
Edendale Technical High vs Ixopo Secondary

Cup Quarterfinals, 11:00

Hilton College vs Alexandra High, Zungu
Maritzburg Christian School vs Maritzburg College, Etheridge
Carter High vs Michaelhouse, New Field
St Charles College vs ML Sultan Secondary, Lombard