The eagerly awaited third edition of the Gauteng Schools Wednesday Champions League kicked off on Wednesday at the Kagiso Memorial and Recreation Centre in Krugersdorp.
The league features a four-week period of intense participation from high-performing schools in the Gauteng province, who compete in three sporting codes: football, netball, and volleyball.
In the girls’ football category, Jabulile Secondary School achieved back-to-back titles.
The Gauteng Schools Wednesday Champions League is a proud initiative of the Gauteng Provincial Government, and its aim is to advance the development of school sports by focusing on increasing participation and creating opportunities for talent identification in school sports.
Boys’ Competition
On Wednesday, in the boys’ football competition, Clapham High kicked off their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Ibongo Secondary School.
It was an unexpected start for the champions, who are accustomed to dominating their opponent. Ibongo, though, stood firm and were relentless in their efforts as they came away with a share of the spoils.
While Clapham was held to a draw, the School of Excellence soared, beating Mokgome Secondary 4-0 and Rutasetjhaba Secondary School 3-0.
Well beaten in their first outing, Mokgome regrouped and rebounded well, to hand Ibongo a 2-0 defeat in their second march.
On the first day of the tournament, Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sport School also excelled. They opened with a 3-0 victory over Rutasetjhaba and followed that with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Thuto Lefa Secondary School to come away with a full haul of six points.
In their second match, Thuto Lefa played to a 1-1 draw with Je Malepe Secondary School.
Girls’ Competition
While Clapham High’s boys’ team made a stuttering start to their campaign, their girls’ side had no such problems, rattling the back of the net to the tune of 15 goals on the opening day without conceding.
They began their assignments with a 3-0 win over Jabulile Secondary School and then hit top gear in a 12-0 shellacking of Randfontein High.
Khanya Lesedi Secondary School got off to a difficult start, sharing a 1-1 draw with Buhle BemFundo before falling 1-2 to Jabulile Secondary.
Randfontein High, apart from their one-sided loss against Clapham, was also beaten 4-0 by Zithobeni Secondary School. Zithobeni, though, lost their second match, suffering a 1-2 loss to Anchor Independent Academy.
Then, against Tembisa High, Anchor Independent Academy couldn’t find the back of the net, but neither could Tembisa, and they settled for a goalless stalemate.
In the final match of the day, though, Tembisa High put four past Buhle Bemfundo as they ran out 4-1 winners.
Results – u17 Boys
Rosina Sedibane 3-0 Rutasetjhaba
School of Excellence 4-0 Mokgome
Je Malepe 1-1 Thuto Lefa
Clapham High 1-1 Ibongo
School of Excellence 3-0 Rutasetjhaba
Rosina Sedibane 2-1 Thuto Lefa
Mokgome 2-0 Ibongo
Rebecca Haswell, Litha Kraai, Leah du Plessis and Khotso Mabona all walked away with big prizes during the inaugural Hockey on 216 Awards. Photos: TeamPhotoSA/Ray Chaplin/Marnus Prinsloo/St David’s Marist Inanda Photography Club.
Litha Kraai, of South African College High School (SACS), was named the Boys’ Player of the Year, while Leah du Plessis, from Rhenish Girls’ High, and Abigail Holderness, of DSG Makhanda, shared the Girls’ Player of the Year Award, at the inaugural Hyundai Hockey on 216Awards, in Johannesburg, on Wednesday.
The awards, which aired on DStv channel 216 and the SABC Plus App, honoured the best hockey players in the country after a thrilling 2025 season.
The winners were selected by the Hockey on 216 panel, which consisted of Kelvin Watt and co-hosts Bridgett Kee, Krinesan Moodley, and Manny Segale.
There were some tough decisions to be made and twice it was decided that awards should be shared in the categories of Girls’ Player of the Year and Boys’ Goalkeeper of the Year.
The breakdown
Abigail Holderness, of DSG Makhanda, shared the Girls’ Player of the Year with Leah du Plessis, from Rhenish Girls’ High. Photo: Marnus Prinsloo
Players of the Year
The winning trio – Kraai, Du Plessis, and Holderness – were outstanding from the first match of the season to the last, whether in action for their schools or their provincial teams at the SASHOC National Week, and all three scored a bucketload of goals while serving as the engines that drove their sides.
He also helped Western Province u18A to win their fifth straight SASHOC National Week title and made the SA Schools u18A side. He, furthermore, represented the SA u21 team, and early in the year won a bronze medal at the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup with the SA Men’s Indoor team, which was the best result in the history of South African men’s indoor hockey.
Du Plessis and Holderness were equally effective for their sides as Rhenish and DSG dominated the schoolgirls’ hockey scene.
The Rhenish skipper led her side to 38 victories in 45 matches this season. They drew seven matches and scored a whopping 140 goals while only conceding 15. On three occasions, they lost out in a penalty shootout, but they were never bettered in regulation time.
Holderness also put together a splendid run with the Eastern Province u18A side at the SASHOC National Week, but they just missed out on a podium finish, ending fourth.
Owen McMenamin shared the Goalkeeper of the Year Award with Khotso Mabona, from St David’s Marist Inanda. Photo: Pretoria Boys High on Facebook.
Goalkeepers of the Year
In the boys’ section, Khotso Mabona, from St David’s Marist Inanda shared the Goalkeeper of the Year accolade with Owen McMenamin from Pretoria Boys High.
Both shot stoppers were influential, reliable, and sometimes spectacular performers for their schools, and they represented Southern Gauteng and Northern Gauteng respectively at the SASHOC National Week.
Mabona was named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament, after helping Southerns to a runner-up finish at the SASHOC National Week, while McMenamin pulled off some incredible saves to help his side to a somewhat unexpected third place and the bronze medal under the guidance of coach Steven Paulo.
In the girls’ category, Rebecca Haswell, from Pearson High School, took home the prize. Although Pearson didn’t have the best of seasons, Haswell was a rock-solid performer in the last line of defence.
She also starred for Eastern Province and was rewarded with a place in the u18A SA Schoolsside.
Several good goalkeepers missed out, which proved how safe goalkeeping is in South Africa.
Jeppe High School for Boys captain Ethan Kapanda takes home Defender of the Year at the Hockey on 216 awards. Photo: Chriso van Deventer
Defenders of the Year
Luken Brunette (Garsfontein), Jo le Roux (SACS), and Ethan Kapanda (Jeppe) were the three defenders nominated in the boys’ category.
The Midfielder of the Year category was hotly contested, and it was an unenviable challenge to separate the nominated players.
Ultimately, the selectors went with Christo Swanepoel, from Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG), and Abigail Holderness, from DSG Makhanda.
Swanepoel, who put together an impressive season with the Stellenbosch school, was selected ahead of the SACS duo of Litha Kraai and Mohlodi Maseko.
Holderness, meanwhile, just edged out Rhenish’s Pippa Viljoen and Paarl Gimnasium skipper, Joné De Winnaar.
Reece Theunis was named boys’ forward of the year at the Hyundai Hockey on 216 awards. Photo: Ray Chaplin Media
Forwards of the Year
The Forwards of the Year awards were given to Reece Theunis, of SACS, and Leah du Plessis.
Theunis, in his second season at first-team level, came into his own and owned the striker position in a star-studded SACS outfit.
He scored some outrageous goals and was a constant source of stress for defenders.
Young Players of the Year
The special awards of boys’ and girls’ Young Players of the Year went to Alanda Rademeyer, of Paarl Gimnasium, and Callum Anderson, from Bishops Diocesan College.
Jeppe High School for Boys head coach Siya Sityana is the boys’ coach of the year. Photo: Christo van Deventer
Coaches of the Year
In the boys’ category, SiyaSityana, from Jeppe High School for Boys, received the award.
He oversaw a memorable unbeaten season for the Kensington school and also led the Southern Gauteng u16A boys’ side to IPT glory at Hilton College, in July.
Chris Gerber, from Rhenish Girls’ High, won the girls’ award. Throughout the season, Rhenish set the standard, and Gerber also guided the Boland u18A side to the SASHOC National Week title.
HOCKEY ON 216 AWARD WINNERS
Teams of the Year
SACS and Rhenish Girls’ High
SACS record in 2025: Played 32, Won 33, Drew 2. Rhenish record in 2025: Played 45, Won 38, Drew 7.
Tournaments of the Year
Boys
Hibbert Shield
Girls
Spar KZN Challenge
Best hospitality experience
St Stithians College – Easter Festival
BOYS
Goalkeepers of the Year
Khotso Mabona – St David’s Marist Inanda
Owen McMenamin – Pretoria Boys High
Defender of the Year
Ethan Kapanda – Jeppe High School for Boys
Midfielder of the Year
Christo Swanepoel – Paul Roos Gimnasium
Forward of the Year
Reece Theunis – SACS
Player of the Year
Litha Kraai – SACS
GIRLS
Goalkeeper of the Year
Rebecca Haswell – Pearson High School
Defender of the Year
Puck Bakker – Rhenish Girls’ High
Midfielder of the Year
Abigail Holderness – DSG Makhnada
Forward of the Year
Leah du Plessis – Rhenish Girls’ High
Players of the Year
Leah du Plessis – Rhenish Girls’ High
Abigail Holderness – DSG Makhanda
Young Player of the Year – Boys
Callum Anderson – Bishops Diocesan College
Former Dafabet Warriors cricketer, Kelly Smuts, opens a new chapter in his life as the first team coach and Head of Cricket at Kingswood College. Photo: Supplied.
Kingswood College unveiled Kelly Smuts as their new Head of Cricket and first team coach on Tuesday.
Smuts, who called time on his professional career earlier this year, collected 124 first-class caps from 2009 to 2025. He also featured in 95 List A matches and 61 T20s.
“I’m really excited to be joining Kingswood. I grew up in Grahamstown, so this feels a bit like a homecoming,” Smuts told SuperSport Schools Plus.
He represented Eastern Province in representative cricket and was selected for the South Africa u19 team in 2008. A year later, Smuts debuted for the Dafabet Warriors and went on to spend 10 years with the Division 1 side. He later turned out for the Northern Cape Heat and the SWD Garden Route Badgers.
The 35-year-old confessed to having a passion for coaching from an early age and said he felt he was in his element when he played and coached for clubs in the UK during the South African off-season. However, he doesn’t see himself as only a cricket coach.
Describing how he sees his role at Kingswood, he explained: “I really want to mentor them in life, so that they grow to be good, strong people, as well as good cricketers.”
To achieve that, he hopes to instil four core values: resilience, humility, hard work, and gratitude.
“These four values are really key for me. I think humility and gratitude go together. I want them to be grateful for the opportunity that they’ve been given at Kingswood. These youngsters are at a great school, and the starting point is to be grateful for that,” Smuts said. “I think that there’s always a lot to be grateful for each and every day, so I really want to instil that.
“Hard work and resilience go together, as well. I would like them to be prepared to work hard and be able to stick with it, show resilience. When things don’t go your way and you don’t get it right the first time, keep going, and keep giving it everything.”
In his dual role as the first team coach and Head of Cricket, he has the opportunity of ensuring uniformity in spreading those values and culture across all the Kingswood teams, including in the junior school.
“I’ll also be involved in the running and organisation of cricket in both high school and junior school,” he explained.
Smuts will work hand-in-hand with the Junior School coaches to help develop good cricketers and good cricketing habits from a young age, so that when those players move into the high school they aren’t on the back foot and playing catch-up. His vision aligns with Kingswood’s outlook for the future.
The school wants to grow and develop its cricket programme. But that goal won’t rest solely on Smuts’s shoulders. Kingswood has provided him with a support structure that includes Ryan van Niekerk, the current Netherlands‘ Assistant Coach. He will assist on a consulting basis.
Smuts’ lengthy playing career taught him that sometimes speed isn’t the only way to get things done, and the Kingswood coach is not aiming to revolutionise the system overnight. It is a process. And it will unfold much like some innings during his playing days did, when he needed to spend time in the middle before accelerating the scoring.
“There isn’t a lot of cricket [to be played] in this last school term because of the matric exams and other things. So, this term will be more about settling in and getting to know the cricketers that I’ve got available and see where we’re at,” Smuts said.
Mamelodi Sundowns takes the attack to Kenneth FC in a recent u17 GWDL match. Photo: Karabo Vigour on Instagram.
The Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) is nearing its conclusion, and, on Sunday, another opportunity presents itself for teams to enhance their challenges.
On Sunday, while the SAFA Academy went down, Banyana Ba Style cruised to an impressive 7-0 victory in a derby match against the University of Pretoria (Tuks).
Sundowns have exceptional in front of goal in their 2025 campaign, netting an extraordinary 156 times while conceding only 19 goals. This Sunday, they continue their charge towards the title with a clash against Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA), at President Park, in Vereeniging.
While the Brazilians are top of the table, RESA is in fifth place, but it’s arguably a bigger game for them than ‘Downs. That’s because RESA has seen a decline in their fortunes in recent outings.
Last Sunday, they went down 0-3 against Panorama FC. The week before that, they were beaten 2-0 by the SAFA Academy. If RESA was to lose against Sundowns, that would make it three losses in succession. That loss of momentum could be difficult to reverse.
The Sundowns u17 side has been in dominant form throughout their 2025 campaign and appear on course for the GWDL title. Photo: Karabo Vigour on Instagram.
Sundowns, meanwhile, will be invigorated after their big derby victory over Tuks, especially since SAFA Academy fell a further three points off the pace on the same weekend.
An intriguing clash awaits at the University of Pretoria Football Fields – Hillcrest Campus this weekend, where SAFA Academy takes on Panorama FC.
It’ll be a contest that will test both sides. For SAFA Academy, nothing less than a win will do as they attempt to reignite their title challenge. Panorama will head into the game buoyed and confident after their recent win over RESA.
Refilwe FC, fresh off their 3-2 victory over the SAFA Academy, will host JVW FC at Curro Hazeldean.
JVW heads into the game having edged out Edenvale FC 1-0 last time out. With both JVW and Refilwe on song, it’s one of the more compelling matches of the weekend.
Tuks will seek to recover from their heavy defeat against Sundowns when they tackle Kempton Park, who enjoyed a 6-1 win over Dinoko Rondebult in their most recent outing.
Edenvale takes on Hellenic Falcons at the JP Bezuidenhout Stadium, while Dinoko Rondebult welcomes Highlands Park to Dan Kutumela School.
FIXTURES
Sunday, 7 September
11:00
President Park RESA vs Mamelodi Sundowns
11:30
University of Pretoria Football Fields (Hillcrest Campus)
SAFA Academy vs Panorama FC
Curro Hazeldean Refilwe FC vs JVW
University of Pretoria Tuks vs Kempton Park
Dan Kutumela School Dinoko vs Highlands Park
JP Bezuidenhout Stadium Edenvale FC vs Hellenic Falcons
After four days of cricket on the trot at the Fasken Time Cricket Festival, St Charles College had only one day off before being taking to the field again. This time, they faced Westville Boys’ High on Tuesday in an Eston One Insurance T20 Night League match at the Beaumont Farmers Club.
Saints, though, made a superb transition from the challenge of the long game to the short one and scored a four-wicket win over Westville with seven balls to spare.
The toss went Westville’s way and captain Seth Simpson chose to bat. That decision delivered moderate results and, unfortunately for the skipper, a second-ball duck for him.
Kyle McGough and Aarin Rasmussen gave Westville an okay start, putting up 20 runs for the first wicket before McGough was caught by Rowen Rajah off the bowling of Connor Simpson for 12. Simpson, then, struck a hammer blow for Saints when he removed his Westville namesake, Seth, without scoring.
Tristan Delvin, in at four, added 18 runs with Aarin Rasmussen he saw the opener depart for 15. Only three runs later, Misbah Nair was on his way, a third victim of Connor Simpson, who returned a hugely impactful 3/11 from three overs.
Delvin batted well and dominated a 49-run fifth-wicket partnership with Jamie Hasselbach, who was dismissed off the last ball of the 15th over for 12.
While Delvin played his part, he received no significant support and Westville’s innings lost steam. Delvin eventually departed in the 18th over for 49 from 43 balls, which had included three fours. Heath Stott, though, provided a gentle boost, cracking a six and a four in six balls, which produced 12 runs.
After 20 overs, Westville had tallied 135/8.
Simpson led the St Charles bowling attack with his three-wicket haul, while fast bowler, Rowen Rajah, knocked over 2/21 in four. Caleb Sharp did a tidy job up front, returning 1/16 from three.
In their reply, Saints lost their captain, Rico Honiball, in the third over for six, which left them on 21/1.
That brought Caleb Sharp to the crease. He had batted lower down the order at the Fasken Time Cricket Festival, but he had excelled there, with scores of four and 84 against King Edward VII (KES), and 76 not out and 32 not out against St John’s College. He continued his good form on Tuesday night.
He and Thandolwethu Zama added 38 for the second wicket before Zama was caught by Jamie Hasselbach off Tristan Delvin’s bowling for 21 from 20 deliveries.
When Westville sent two more batsmen packing in the 70s, they had found a purchase in the game, and the removal of Sharp for 37 from 37, with three fours, in the 14th over, reduced St Charles to 88/5.
That, though, was when Saints seized the match by the scruff of the neck, thanks to the efforts of Rowen Rajah and Ryan Clarke. They added 43 in only 4.1 overs to take the Pietermaritzburg school to the brink of victory. When Rajah was bowled by Dayalan Boyce for 29 from 24 balls, four of which he had hit for four, Saints was just four runs shy of the Westville total.
Five balls later, Clarke and CovhanBaaitjies saw St Charles to victory. Clarke finished with a decisive 22 not out from only 12 balls, which included four fours, while Baaitjies was unbeaten on one.
The left-arm spinners, Tristan Delvin and Ewan du Toit, both performed well, with Delvin returning 2/21 from four overs and Du Toit snaring 2/18 from his four.
Panorama Primary School will be in action at the WP Primary Top Schools Tournament. Photo: ES MEDIA
The top 20 primary schools in the Western Province region will put themselves to the test with silverware on the line in the Western Province (WP) Primary Top Schools Tournament, which starts on Friday, in Cape Town.
The annual event continues through until Sunday, and all matches will be played on the Western Province Cricket Club AstroTurf.
The tournament, organised by the WP Primary Hockey Association, brings together many of the best young players from around the province.
In 2024, De Hoop Primary School won the girls’ section, while Bishops Diocesan College claimed top spot in the boys’ section.
Both teams will be aiming to defend their titles, but the competition this year is tighter than ever.
De Hoop has been paired in Pool B and will face Beaumont Primary School, from Somerset West, as well as Kenridge, Kirstenhof, and Durbanville.
Pool A, meanwhile, will be contested by Somerset College, Sweet Valley, Springfield, Panorama, and Eversdal.
Surprisingly, De Hoop and Springfield are the only teams in action that have won the tournament in its last seven editions.
The boys’ action also promises to entertain. Pool A is filled with strong sides, including Bishops, SACS, Kenridge, Western Province Prep, and 2023’s winners, De Hoop.
Beaumont Primary will battle it out in Pool B against Gene Louw, Sweet Valley, Somerset House, and Panorama.
Chairperson of WP Primary Schools hockey, Claudell Müller. Photo: Supplied
“It is an honour for me to welcome you to the most prestigious event on our school calendar, the Western Province Primary Top Schools Tournament,” Chairperson of WP Primary Hockey, Claudell Müller, said in a statement.
“This tournament showcases our top primary schools, and we are excited to see their talent, teamwork, and sportsmanship on display.”
Hockey in the province in a healthy state, which was proved in July when both the boys’ and girls’ Western Province u13 sides won gold at the SASHOC National Week.
Several players who featured for those teams will be in action this weekend.
“What an incredible season we’ve had in WP Primary School hockey,” Müller added.
“Our province has shone brightly, with both our girls’ and boys’ teams claiming gold and the title of top primary school province in the country.
“This achievement is a testament to the grit, determination, and perseverance of our talented young hockey players.”
Parents and spectators are also advised to download the Enhanced Sports App that will be used for fixtures, results and logs throughout the tournament.
DAY 1 FIXTURES
Friday, 5 September
BOYS
15:45 – Beaumont vs Gene Louw @Astro A 15:45 – Somerset House vs Panorama @Astro B 17:15 – De Hoop vs SACS @Astro A 17:15 – Bishops vs WP Prep @Astro B 18:45 – Gene Louw vs Panorama @Astro A 18:45 – Sweet Valley vs Somerset House @Astro B 19:30 – Kenridge vs WP Prep @Astro B
GIRLS
15:00 – Sweet Valley vs Panorama @Astro A 15:00 – Somerset College vs Springfield @Astro B 16:30 – Kenridge vs Durbanville @Astro A 16:30 – Kirstenhof vs De Hoop @Astro B 18:00 – Sweet Valley vs Somerset College @Astro A 18:00 – Eversdal vs Panorama @Astro B 19:30 – Beaumont vs Durbanville @Astro A 20:15 – Eversdal vs Springfield @Astro A 20:15 – Kenridge vs Kirstenhof @Astro B
Hoërskool Zwartkop’s first team celebrates a runner-up finish in its first tilt at the Noordvaal A Cup. Photo: supplied
After 37 matches that produced 27 victories, five draws, and only five defeats, Hoërskool Zwartkop‘s hockey programme is at an all-time high, and the school can look back with pride on the 2025 season as one of remarkable growth and great achievement.
Captain Handré Coetzee described his side’s campaign as one filled with highlights and moments of which to be proud, including a first ever invitation to the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament, in Cape Town.
“One of the standout moments for me was during our time at Belgotex,” he said. “It was our very first year representing Zwartkop, and we surpassed our own expectations by winning the league.
“Another unforgettable moment came at the end of the season when we competed in the Noordvaal A Cup. To move up from being Noordvaal B winners last year to finishing second in Noordvaal A this year was truly special.”
The Zwartkop skipper praised his teammates’ hard work and commitment to their goals. “I think we had an incredible season. The team exceeded my expectations, and I’m proud that we were able to make history for the school while reaching our goals.” he said.
Leading the side was both an honour and a learning experience, Coetzee reckoned.
“It was a great privilege to captain this group throughout the season. The journey taught me a lot, especially during a challenging low point in the season, and I am glad I had the opportunity to lead the team. I would do it a thousand times over again without hesitation.”
After playing a key role in Zwartkop’s best-ever season, he was asked what his message was to those players staying on and those who will come into the side next year.
“Something I would like to say to the team and coach is to continue building on what we have accomplished this season as a team. Keep forming an unbreakable bond with each other. Build friendships on the field as well as off the field,” Coetzee said.
“Play for each other and play for what is on the front of your jersey, not the back.
“Remember who was with us during the whole season and who will never leave your side. The Lord is with each player and remember where your strength comes from. Sterkte manne, hou ons naam hoog.”
The Reddam House Waterfall 1st XI celebrates their biggest moment of the season, winning the Graetz League title. Photo: Supplied
The past hockey season was a highly rewarding one for Reddam House Waterfall. In their first year of competing in the A-Section of the Graetz League, they went all the way to the title.
Led by coach Tetelo Maphaka and captain Thomas McMurdo, Reddam enjoyed a fairytale run in their first-ever season in the A Section, winning the majority of their matches and losing only once despite a demanding schedule.
In 2024, Reddam House Waterfall won the B-League. Incredibly, a year later, they hoisted the A-League trophy high after edging out Rand Park High in a tense final. It ended 1-1, but Reddam then triumphed 6-5 in a penalty shootout.
Coach Maphaka described the title-winning success as one of the school’s best achievements. “Winning the B-League last year and being promoted to the A-League was a great achievement for Reddam House Waterfall. But the cherry on top was winning the A League in our very first season,” he said.
“Beaulieu College had been champions for two consecutive years, so to dethrone them made this victory even more special.”
In total, Reddam played 20 matches, winning 15, drawing four, and losing only one. Those successes took them through to the league final, which featured a round-robin competition among the top four teams. There. they stayed focused and composed and came away with the title.
“The highlight of the season was definitely winning the league in our final game,” Maphaka stated. “To see the boys lift the trophy after a shootout was incredible and, beyond that, having one of our learners, Qhawe Fipaza, selected to represent the Southern Gauteng U18C team was another proud moment for the school.”
For the team’s captain, Thomas McMurdo, the season was a reward for his commitment and dedication to the sport, and his leadership played a key role in the side’s outstanding results.
Looking back on the year, Reddam House Waterfall’s Director of Sport, Reece Prinsloo, praised the commitment of the players and staff.
“We are extremely proud of what the boys achieved this season,” he said. “To step up to the A-Section and win it straight away is no small feat.
“I want to thank our coaching staff and students for their relentless effort and passion throughout the campaign. We are excited to build on this success and look forward to an even bigger 2026.”
The next challenge that awaits Reddam House Waterfall is that of sustaining success. The building blocks are in place. Their successes have built belief. They’ve given the 2026 team all the motivation they could ask for to make next season another one to remember.
The St Anne’s 1st football team has now won two titles in 2025 after capturing the Midlands Cup at Howick High on the weekend. Photo: St Anne’s Diocesan College on Facebook.
There was plenty of action across the country over the past week and weekend, with a couple of trophies on the line in KwaZulu-Natal.
At Riverwood, they edged out Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High in a shootout in the final. At Howick, they scored a tight 1-0 win over the same opposition in the title game.
St Anne’s delivered resilient and focused performances, and they were exceptionally sharp in the group stage, banging home 17 goals before moving on to the semifinals.
India Dalrymple, also of St Anne’s, was named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament, while the tournament winners also had Musa Mnisi and Alexandra Bizarre named in the Team of the Tournament.
At just 17 years old, Mnisi is an exciting, emerging talent, who signed a professional contract earlier this year with Durban Ladies FC in the SAFA Women’s Super League, which is South Africa’s top women’s football league.
The runner-up, Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High, had five players – Nyaniso Khoza, Athi Radebe, Grace Shwala, Amile Nxumalo, and Akhona Hlophe – named in the Team of the Tournament. Hlophe was also named the Player of the Tournament.
The Midlands Cup featured 16 teams from the Midlands area, including sides from Ixopo and Greytown.
In Mpumalanga, in a derby battle, Penryn College recorded a 2-0 win over Uplands College.
Boys’ Football
On Saturday, in Pietermaritzburg, Durban High School (DHS) took on Maritzburg College on Barns Field, with the Raw Cup on the line. College held the trophy after a spectacular showdown in 2024, which finished 4-4 and then was decided in a penalty shootout, which went 4-2 in favour of the Red, Black, and White.
In a fiercely contested match, DHS secured the Raw Cup with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Maritzburg College. Photo: Durban High School on Facebook.
The match was highly entertaining. At one point, it appeared that DHS was on their way to a routine victory after they took a 2-0 lead by capitalising on College’s mistakes.
However, College is renowned for being tenacious and they showed why they were crowned the champion of the KZNHSFA Inland A-League in the second term by striking back to level the match.
A late goal, though, won it for DHS, and with that the trophy swopped hands.
Every year, Glenwood hosts a floating trophy match to pay tribute to the South African football legend and Glenwood Old Boy, Clive Barker. This year, the visitors were Hilton, who had succeeded the Green Machine as the Primo Big 10 champions.
The event also included an inspiring talk from Jes Foord, of the Jes Foord Foundation, which empowers rape survivors through awareness, education and support.
On Dixon’s Field, a closely contested battle finished goalless, but Glenwood triumphed 5-3 from the penalty spot to honour the legacy of “The Dog“.
Clive Barker’s legacy at the school also lives on in the u16 Clive Barker Festival, which was introduced in June and won by Pinetown Boys’ High.
Mbuso Gumede, a promising talent from Glenwood High, prepares to take a free kick against Hilton College. Photo: Glenwood High on Facebook.
In Pietermaritzburg, St Charles College followed up on a 1-0 win over Maritzburg College with another 1-0 victory, this time over Clifton College.
Northwood bagged a 2-1 victory over Michaelhouse to continue to build on an impressive run, while Alexandra High defeated Ixopo 2-1, and Kloof High also scored a 2-1 win when they met Kingsway High School.
On Saturday, they had to come from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw with Kearsney College.
East London High Schools Football League
In the B Block of the BWFLA High Schools League, also known as the East London High Schools Football League,Dale College picked up a 2-0 victory over George Randell High on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Selborne College defeated the defending champion, Stutterheim High, 3-2.
The atmosphere was filled with smiles as the younger boys from Jeppe and KES competed fiercely on the field and then watched on as Jeppe’s first team defeated KES. Photo: Jeppe High School for Boys on Facebook.
On Friday, Cathcart High delivered an impressive performance against George Randell High, winning 5-1, while Dale College ran out 3-0 winners over Merrifield College.
In the Western Cape, Bishops Diocesan College claimed theSt Andrew’s College Football title on Sunday. Earlier in the week, Bishops played to a 1-1 draw against Rondebosch Boys’ High.
In Gauteng, in a derby showdown, Jeppe High School for Boys secured a 3-0 win over King Edward VII School (KES) on Saturday.
RESULTS
B Block BWFLA/ East London High School Football League
Tuesday, 26 August
Dale College 2-0 George Randell High
Wednesday, 27 August
Selborne College 3-2 Stutterheim High
Friday, 29 August
Cathcart High 5-1 George Randell High
Dale College 3-0 Merrifield College
Western Cape
Wednesday, 27 August
Rondebosch Boys’ High 1-1 Bishops Diocesan College
KwaZulu Natal
Saturday, 30 August
St Charles College 1-0 Clifton College
Northwood 2-1 Michaelhouse
Kearsney College 2-2 Westville Boys’ High
Kloof High 2-1 Kingsway High
Alexandra High 2-1 Ixopo Secondary School
Clive Barker Floating Trophy
Glenwood (5) 0-0 (3) Hilton College
Raw Cup
Durban High School 3-2 Maritzburg College
Gauteng
Jeppe 3-0 KES
Girls’ Football
Mpumalanga
Penryn College 2-0 Uplands College
Midlands Cup
Semifinals
St Anne’s Diocesan College 1-0 Kloof High
Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School 3-0 Ixopo Secondary School
Final
St Anne’s Diocesan College 1-0 Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High
Eastern Storm named their side for the 2025 Khaya Majola Week, announcing a squad of 12 players in August. The tournament takes place from 15 to 21 December in Bloemfontein.
Read and follow all the 2025 Schools Cricket season live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
It is the first time that this prestigious week returns to the City of Roses since 2016. Cape Town hosted last year’s tournament, which, under the leadership of Benni Hansen, the hosts won, having beaten the previous champion, the Lions, by five wickets.
Easterns seem to have a powerful team on paper, although they only have two returning players from last year’s squad. Hence, the early selection, with the aim of providing proper preparation over the next three months.
Xavier Coetzee leads a strong Hans Moore foursome. In addition, the school from Benoni also boasts the most representatives in this year’s 12-man squad.
Coetzee, one of the two returning players, is joined by the destructive Shaw brothers, Kenan and Aiden Shaw, who add massive firepower to the side’s batting lineup. Stephan Vermaak is the fourth Hans Moore representative, with his all-round capabilities earning him a trip to Bloemfontein.
Hoërskool Marais Viljoen’s Jaden Govender is the only other returning player. Govender, likely to take up a leadership role within the camp, is joined by Marais Viljoen all-rounder, Abdullah Tadwalla. Tadwalla has been instrumental for the side from Alberton over the last couple of years, with his performances with both bat and ball justifying his selection.
Clayton Horlick and Mark Mvuna make up the duo from St Benedict’s College, ensuring that Marais Viljoen and The Bennies share the same number of players heading to Bloem.
Hoërskool Kempton Park‘s paceman, Kristiaan du Plessis, leads the list of sole representatives, as colleague Wian Pieters, who played in Cape Town, missed out on selection this year. Mpho Thipe (Kwa-Temba Hub), Paul Matlala (Elandpark School) and Thabiso Mabe (Duduza Hub) join Du Plessis as their school’s sole representatives.
The eagerly awaited third edition of the Gauteng Schools Wednesday Champions League kicked off on Wednesday at the Kagiso Memorial and Recreation Centre in Krugersdorp.
