Met die eindstreep in sig gaan hierdie naweek se kragmetings in die JOMO-liga beslissend wees om te bepaal watter vier spanne deurdring na die uitspeelrondes vir die Gauteng-kampioenskap.
Na ’n seisoen vol dramatiese oomblikke, fyn afronding en uitklophoue, is dit nou of nooit vir die spanne wat nog hoop om hul plek in die uitspeelstruktuur te verseker.
Helpmekaar, wat tot dusver nog onoorwonne is, is bo aan die puntelys en reeds gewaarborg van ’n plek in die top-vier. Helpies het die afgelope week weer hul oorheersing tentoongestel met ’n kragtige oorwinning van 39–10 oor Linden – ’n span wat self nog klou aan ‘n laaste kans om die uitspeelronde te haal.
Noordheuwel sit gemaklik tweede, maar hul posisie is nie onaantasbaar nie. Hulle het net-net met 26–25 teen Rand Park gewen in een van die spannendste kragmetings van die week. Dié uitslag stel Rand Park se posisie op die puntelys nou in gevaar, met Monument wat heelwat selfvertroue kon put uit hul oortuigende sege van 37–15 oor Krugersdorp.
Florida het hul kanse ook aan die lewe gehou met ’n naelskraapse sege van 20–19 oor Randburg, maar benodig sowel ‘n gunstige uitslag as ‘n bonuspunt om enigsins ’n realistiese kans te staan om in die top-vier te glip.
Met die puntelys wat as volg daar uitsien, is daar geen ruimte vir fouteer meer nie:
Helpmekaar
Noordheuwel
Rand Park
Monument
Linden
Krugersdorp
Florida
Randburg
Slegs die boonste vier spanne sal deurdring na die Gauteng-uitspele. Met ‘n enkele ronde wedstryde oor, kan daar nog heelwat skommelinge op die puntelys plaasvind.
Monument en Rand Park is in direkte kompetisie vir die vierde en laaste plek, en selfs Noordheuwel kan nie hul posisie as vanselfsprekend aanvaar nie. Helpmekaar is die enigste span wat gemaklik kan asemhaal, maar vir die res is dit ’n stryd tot die laaste fluitjie.
Hierdie naweek gaan nie slegs bepaal wie deurdring nie – dit gaan ook aandui wie die ware kampioenspanne is.
Northwood centre Bongane Khumalo is a creative and dangerous attacking weapon. Photo: Northwood School on Facebook.
Hilton College faces a massive challenge on Saturday, taking on a rugged Northwood 1st XV on Reece-Edwards Field in a tasty King Price Derby Series clash on the Durban school’s Old Boys’ Day.
That’s a tough task, but it’s made even tougher because it comes after Hilton faced Durban High School (DHS) on Van Heerden’s Field on the Horseflies’Founders Day a week ago. That was a huge battle, which DHS led only 19-18 before a last-minute try took them to a hard-fought 26-18 win.
Like DHS, Northwood features a very physical pack. The Knights have four Craven Week players in 2025 and all four – Sphe Ntshangase, Chad Howe, Lian Terblanche, and Jamie Wimble – can be found up front. Hilton, though, is made of stern stuff and it is sure to be trench warfare as the sides trade blows for forward supremacy.
The battle between Howe and Terblanche and their Hilton opposite numbers, Andrew Schnell and André Boshoff, should make for fascinating viewing. All four are sound all-round players – good in the lineouts, the tight scrums, and around the park, all while bringing a physical edge to the game.
It will be interesting, too, to compare the approaches of the number eights, Jamie Wimble, for Northwood, and Zander Muller, for Hilton. They’re both in the Sharks’ Craven Week lineup.
Both backlines have their key playmakers, with flyhalf Liyema Nela pulling the strings for Hilton and centre Bongane Khumalo doing the same for Northwood. Last time out, though, the Knightswent with Trevor van Volenstee at flyhalf against Glenwood and he impressed, kicking as well as ever, while also scoring a magical solo try.
It’s going to be a game all about exerting pressure and playing the game in the right areas. Much, too, will depend on how the teams manage the pressure they will, no doubt, be put under.
Maritzburg College will present Michaelhouse with a typically physical challenge. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Michaelhouse vs Maritzburg College
Michaelhouse hosts Maritzburg College on Saturday and, happily, they’ll be in action on Meadows, which was out of service for a while after suffering some damage after heavy rains.
They’re teams that have not performed quite as well as they would have expected in 2025, but both have played far better rugby in recent times.
While ‘House‘s record doesn’t sparkle, what does stand out when looking through their results in 2025 is the fact that they have been competitive in every match and, in their more recent outings, they’ve had few problems scoring points.
College, though, in that aforementioned one-point loss to Westville, after giving up points early on, shut down their opposition’s potent attack and made it an attritional battle, played mostly between the forwards. They would be happy to turn to that formula again.
Going on the Craven Week selections, Michaelhouse’s greatest danger will be posed by their centre pair, captain William Ridl and Rourke O’Sullivan, both of whom will represent the Sharks in Middelburg.
College is led by Craven Week number eight, Wasi Vyambwera, while loosehead prop Indiphile Mlotshwa also cracked the senior provincial nod. His battle with Michaelhouse’s mobile tighthead Nicolas Salamousas, who is in the Sharks u17 AFGRI Week squad, should be interesting.
Last week, Maritzburg College did a good job of moving the ball from one side of the field to the other after sucking in Kearsney’s forwards with their driving off of mauls, which brought them a couple of tries. ‘House will need good defensive line speed to prevent that happening.
Both sides are blessed with outstanding kickers – Stefan Moolman, for Michaelhouse, and Dom du Toit, for College – so discipline will be crucial. Giving away penalties within kicking range of the uprights would be asking for trouble.
TEAMS
Northwood vs Hilton College, Reece-Edwards Field, Durban, 15:30
Northwood: TBA
Hilton College: 15 James Peattie, 14 Guy Fender, 13 Khazimla Makali, 12 Tristan Uys, 11 John Grubb, 10 Liyema Nela, 9 Zander Vorster, 8 Zander Muller, 7 Emmanuel Dankwah, 6 Jacques Oliver, 5 Andrew Schnell, 4 André Boshoff, 3 Mholi Khuzwayo, 2 Josh Grant, 1 Khanya Jekwa.
Michaelhouse vs Maritzburg College, Meadows, Balgowan, 14:45
Michaelhouse: 15 Alex Jankowitz, 14 Lwandle Nzama, 13 Rourke O’Sullivan, 12 William Ridl, 11 Jack Carmody, 10 Stefan Moolman, 9 Dan Aissing, 8 Dom Sesink-Clee, 7 Alex Ardé, 6 Oliver Davis, 5 Daniel Carr, 4 Thomas Peach, 3 Nicolas Salamousas, 2 Max Oliva, 1 Koketso Bopape.
Maritzburg College: 15 Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein, 14 Caleb Scheepers, 13 Olwethu Kosani, 12 Jordan Thackwray, 11 Adam Cahill, 10 Liyema Tsoko, 9 Dom du Toit, 8 Wasi Wyambwera, 7 Cyril Cherayi, 6 David Colenbrander, 5 Rory Stanton, 4 Elethu Mabanga, 3 Alande Ngubane, 2 Theo Boshoff, 1 Indiphile Moltshwa.
Bowden’s Field will be buzzing on Westville Boys’ High’s Reunion Weekend for the visit of Kearsney College. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Westville Boys’ High vs Kearsney College
Unbeaten Westville Boys’ High welcomes their neighbours, Kearsney College, to Bowden’s Field for a King Price Derby Series showdown on their Reunion Weekend.
On paper, the Griffin have already dealt with their toughest KZN challengers – beating Durban High School (DHS) 33-28, Hilton College 23-15, and Northwood 16-14 – but they’ll be eager to avoid a slip-up on Saturday and will want to extend their excellent unbeaten season, which has delivered 11 wins thus far.
They will, obviously, be favoured against Kearsney, but, in the One-Stripe, they face a game opponent. Their record sits at six wins and five defeats. It’s been a little tarnished by a run of three losses in succession – to Michaelhouse, DHS, and Maritzburg College – but the evolution of the Kearsney side during the season is undeniable.
They’re playing some attractive rugby and have usually been good for at least a couple of eye-pleasing tries in every outing. Their record includes a win over Glenwood, who gave Westville a tough game last Saturday, leading 25-21 early in the second half before going down 25-42.
Kearsney’s centre pair of Keanu Williamson and Doan Nel often catches the eye. Williamson, especially, seems to always be around the ball. He’s an industrious livewire and that was recognised with his inclusion in the Sharks Academy Week team.
One of Williamson’s Academy Week teammates, Lux Sonkonokono, has played some outstanding rugby at fullback for Westville, filling in for SA Schools number 15, Zekhethelo Siyaya, who left the field during Westville’s epic 33-28 win over DHS. The Griffin, though, will have the dangerous Siyaya back for the big game in front of their old boys. That’s a huge boost for the side.
With Siyaya sidelined, Jade-Will Koopman has done a terrific job leading the playmaking from flyhalf. He’s oozing confidence and his accurate place kicking has punished opposition indiscretions time after time.
As is often reiterated, especially in South Africa, it all starts up front, and Kearsney will be hard pressed to contain the Westville pack. They’ve shown against Hilton, Northwood, and DHS – three tough units – that they’re up to any task and will fight fire with fire.
One of Westville’s strengths, also, is how mobile their forwards are, with their locks also outstanding in the loose, and their front row strong contributors around the park.
Kearsney, though, has a never-say-die attitude, is willing to let the ball do the work, and would love nothing more than spoiling their neighbours’ Reunion Weekend.
Clifton’s Adam Selikow clears under pressure from two St Charles defenders at the Sharks Schools’ Rugby Day. Photo: Brad Morgan.
St Charles College vs Clifton College
St Charles College faces Clifton College for a second time this season. They previously scored a 47-14 win over the Durban side at the Sharks Schools’ Rugby Day, at Hilton College.
On Saturday, they’ll have the advantage of playing on their home ground, Old Orchards.
Based on their results, it hasn’t been a fantastic season for Saints. It has been solid. But there’s more to the game than results and, with 90 percent of their team set to return next season, the vibe around St Charles’ rugby is optimistic.
They play a terrific offloading game, with more than a touch of the New Zealand approach about it, which should come as no surprise given coach Craig Dwyer‘s decade of experience coaching the game in the Land of the Long White Cloud.
If Clifton doesn’t shut down space quickly, or doesn’t produce effective tactical kicking, they’ll be in for a long day; Saints are exciting on the counterattack and full of running.
They also have, in scrumhalf Thando Nyawo, an exciting play coordinator who will exploit any gaps around the fringes, either with his swift ball distribution or his feet.
Although they were well beaten when the sides met at Hilton, Clifton, for the second part of the first half of that match, played some of their best rugby of the season. They had quickly gone 0-19 down, but they dominated the remainder of the first half, crossing for two converted tries to turn at only five points down. The halftime break broke their momentum.
With two Springboks coaching the team – Heinke van der Merwe and Waylon Murray – they have made progress. Thus far, though, it hasn’t been nearly enough to catch up to their opponents as they, too, improve. Still, there is more to come from Clifton. They won’t be favoured on Saturday, but they will feel rewarded if they deliver a proud performance.
TEAMS
Westville Boys’ High vs Kearsney College, Bowden’s Field, 14:00
The Boland u18A boys’ side is aiming to go all the way at the SASHOC National Week. Photo: Boland Hockey
“Coming second best” and “almost winning it” have been the stories for the Boland u18A team at the past two SASHOC National Weeks.
In 2023, they narrowly missed out on a bronze medal after going down 0-1 against KZN Coastal A. A year later, they claimed the silver medals after falling 2-3 to Western Province in the final.
While there was a massive improvement in 2024, Boland is aiming to take it up a notch in 2025 and finally break their inter-provincial title drought.
The tournament runs from 30 June to 5 July at Maritzburg College.
The team, consisting of players from the top schools around the Boland region, will be led by head coach Dewald Raath. He’s taken over from the experienced Jacques Grobler, and will be assisted by Mick Ouwerkerk, with Davin Titus the team manager.
That trio, which has been entrusted to bring the silverware back to Boland, is trialled and tested. Last year, they guided the u16A Boland side to glory in Bloemfontein.
In an effort to replicate that triumph at u18 level, they’ve put together a strong 16-player squad, which features a whopping 10 players from Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG).
Adam Leitch, who has struggled to crack the first-team nod for PRG, has, nonetheless, cracked the nod for the Boland u18A squad. He’s joined in the lineup by his Paul Roos teammates Callum van Oudtshoorn, captain Christo Swanepoel, Danesh Titus, goalkeeper Jeandre Cilliers, Logan Lackay, Matthew Cardoza, Reuben Gouws, Seth Paterson, and Tylor Carter.
Out of that group, only Swanepoel represented Boland last year, as did John Coetzee, from Paarl Gimnasium. Coetzee and Philip Barnard are the sole Paarl Gim reps in the side.
Parel Vallei (PV), after having only one player in the mix last year, has two in 2025. Luka Meets, who has been enjoying a superb season for the Somerset West school, has been drafted along with his PV teammate Luca Jordaan.
The lineup is completed by Milani Tisana, the sole player from Paarl Boys’ High, and Bukhosi Mapete, who hails from Worcester Gimnasium.
Boland has been drawn in Pool B and will face Western Province B, Northern Gauteng A, Southern Gauteng B, KZN Coastals A, and Southern Free State A.
They open their account against Western Province B on Wednesday, 30 July, at 13:10 on Pape’s Astro.
Boland u18A Team
Adam Lietch (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Bukhosi Mapete (Worcester Gimnasium), Callum van Oudtshoorn (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Christo Swanepoel (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Danesh Titus (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Jeandre Cilliers (Paul Roos Gimnasium), John Coetzee (Paarl Gimnasium), Logan Lackay (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Luca Jordaan (Parel Vallei High School). Luka Meets (Parel Vallei High School), Matthew Cardoza (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Milani Tisana (Paarl Boys’ High), Philip Barnard (Paarl Gimnasium), Reuben Gouws (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Seth Paterson (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Tylor Carter (Paul Roos Gimnasium).
Head Coach – Dewald Raath Assistant Coach – Mick Ouwerkerk Manager – Davin Titus
POOL FIXTURES
Monday, 30 June
13:10 – Boland A vs Western Province B
Tuesday, 1 July
07:30 – Boland A vs Northern Gauteng A 16:00 – Boland A vs Southern Gauteng B
Die komende naweek is dit Noordwes se beurt om deel te neem aan die DStv Schools Challenge by Potchefstroom Gimnasium.
Sestien skole van die Noordwes-provinsie gaan teen mekaar uitspeel om die top skool van provinsie te bepaal.
Die DStv Schools Challenge, is ‘n goeie geleentheid vir spelers om blootstelling te ontvang, deur teen die top spelers van die provinsie te speel.
Die spanne speel almal teen mekaar uit om deur te gaan na die nasionale DStv Schools Challenge wat in Julie 2025 gaan plaasvind.
Die skole is opgedeel in Botho en Ubuntu groepe, Die Ubuntu groep is die skole wat nie baie blootstelling kry aan groot kompetisies nie, dit waar die DStv Schools Challenge hulle die geleentheid bied om raak gesien te word.
Elke groep het hulle eie kwarteindrondes, halfeindrondes en eindstryd. Die wenners van die finaal gaan dan deur na die nasionale DStv Schools Challenge.
Die groepe is:
Groep A: Hoërskool Klerksdorp, Christiana, Matlaitsane, Kanana.
Groep B: Potchefstroom Volkies, Bergsig, Zeerust, Lerona.
Groep C: Potchefstroom Gimnasium, Hartebeespoort, Kgapamadi, Khumosejo.
Groep D: Lichtenburg, Hoërskool Rustenburg, Iketleetso, Ramoshere.
Bepalings vir Saterdag, 7 Junie 2025:
08:30: Matlaisane vs Kanana; Potchefstroom Volkies vs Lerona; Hartbeespoort vs Potchefstroom Gimnasium; Iketleetso vs Ramoshere; Bergsig vs Zeerust; Kgapamadi vs Khumosejo; Hoërskool Rustenburg vs Lichtenburg; Hoërskool Klerksdorp vs Christiana.
09:35: Hoërskool Rustenburg vs Iketleetso; Potchefstroom Gimnasium vs Kgapamadi; Potchefstroom Volkies vs Zeerust; Klerksdorp vs Kanana; Lichtenburg vs Ramoshere; Hartbeespoort vs Khumosejo; Christiana vs Matlaisane; Bergsig vs Lerona.
10:40: Potchefstroom Gimnasium vs Khumosejo; Hoërskool Rustenburg vs Ramoshere; Potchefstroom Volkies vs Bergsig; Kgapamadi vs Hartbeespoort; Lichtenburg vs Iketleetso; Zeerust vs Lerona; Hoërskool Klerksdorp vs Matlaisane; Christiana vs Kanana.
Hy kom egter Saterdag voor nóg ‘n taamlike toets te staan wanneer Merensky Landbou Akademie op die Piet Malan-veld besoek aflê.
Die Gimmies het reeds ‘n groot uitdaging teen hul gedugte bure, Potchefstroom Volkskool, te bowe gekom met ‘n sege van 21-12 in die jaarlikse Potchefstroom-derby. Boonop is hulle steeds onoorwonne in vanjaar se reeks, wat ‘n gelykopuitslag van 33-33 insluit, en dit ten spyte daarvan dat hulle nog slegs een wedstryd tuis gespeel het.
Die Plasies het die wenkbroue gelig deur vir Volkies verlede naweek met 28-19 in Tzaneen te troef en so hul teenwoordigheid in die reeks te benadruk. Hoewel hulle hierdie week die lang tog na Potchefstroom moet aanpak, doen hulle dit met hope selfvertroue en betree die kragmeting boonop met ‘n onveranderde span.
Gimmies se breier, Regardt Kleingeld, het slegs twee veranderinge aan sy onoorwonne span gemaak. Orabile Koena vervang vir Chris van Zijl op linkervleuel, in ‘n taktiese skuif, terwyl ‘n besering aan slot, Dirk Stear, vir Joubert Niemann geleentheid bied in die beginspan.
In Centurion wag nog ‘n titaniese stryd wanneer twee van die Bowl se ander swaargewigte, Potchefstroom Volkskool en Hoërskool Eldoraigne, op laasgenoemde se tuisveld in Pretoria slaags raak.
Dit lyk asof die beseringspook oplaas vir die Eldos met rus gelaat het, met die gevaarlike Kevin Earle (senter) en kantman, MC Scheepers, wat altwee hul terugkeer van die plaasvervangerbank maak.
Die Volkies ervaar las van drie beserings, maar dit is taktiese skuiwe in die agterhoede wat verál aandag trek. Anro Nel verruil die nr. 15-trui vir dié van losskakel, terwyl Lourenzo Louw sy plek in die beginspan behou, maar na regtervleuel skuif met Lethabo Riet op heealgter.
Bergsig Akdemie het ‘n groot terugslag beleef op die vooraand van sy kragmeting met Hoërskool Dinamika in Rustenburg, met flank en kaptein, Christian de Abreu, wat vir die res van die seisoen buite aksie is. De Abreu word vervang deur Tatwane Bagwase, wat van stut na die kant van die skrum skuif. Marnus Dercksen skuif na vaskopstut met Ruandré van der Mescht wat sy plek in die middel van die voorry inneem.
Dit is ‘n spesiale dag vir die Dos Santos-familie, met die broers, Paulo (skrumskakel) en Alzandro (losskakel), wat albei in hul 50ste wedstryd as Arende uitdraf.
Hoërskool Randburg verwelkom kaptein, Malan van Heerden, terug op sy pos as loskopstut, in sy kragmeting met Hoërskool Ermelo, in Ermelo. Van Heerden het die Randburgers se laaste twee uitstappies misgeloop weens ‘n besering wat hy teen die Gimmies opgedoen het.
Die spanne:
Potchefstroom Gimnasium t. Merensky Landbou Akademie om 12:30 in Potchefstroom:
Eldoraigne t. Potchefstroom Volkskool om 13:00 in Centurion:
Eldoraigne: 15 Damian Elferink, 14 Tristan Lee, 13 Justin Meintjies, 12 Hugo Theron, 11 Hanno Jacobs, 10 Darren Bruwer, 9 Aiden Labuschagne, 8 Juawan Pietere, 7 Kyle de Bruin, 6 Cameron Killian, 5 Damian Janse van Vuuren, 4 Esdee Kotze, 3 Chase Wessels, 2 JG Engelbrecht, 1 Wian White.
Potchefstroom Volkskool: 15 Lethabo Riet, 14 Lourenzo Louw, 13 Hennie Pretorius, 12 Rivel Samuel, 11 Juan Fourie, 10 Anro Nel , 9 Juhan Geldenhuys, 8 Henré Nel, 7 Nolan Roets, 6 Wian Victor, 5 Caden Kruger, 4 Joshua van der Westhuizen, 3 De Waal Coetzer, 2 Marlu du Preez, 1 Koan Smit.
Bergsig Akademie t. Dinamika om 12:30 in Rustenburg:
Bergsig Akademie: 15 Alzandro Dos Santos, 14 Keabetswe Daile, 13 Bradley Stonehouse, 12 Dan Bogopane, 11 Heinrich Krugel, 10 Carlo de Jager, 9 Paulo Dos Santos, 8 Jacques Viviers, 7 Thatano Bagwase, 5 Martin Pieterse, 4 Ryan Nagel, 3 Bagwase Thatano, 2 Marnus Dercksen, 1 Dylan Smith.
Dinamika: 15 Zavian Mathys, 14 Nathan Kearns, 13 Shane Serfontein, 12 Nico Greyling, 11 Caiden van der Merwe, 10 Keanu de Sousa, 9 Gustav Schutte, 8 Monré van Wyk, 7 Hendrik Albert, 6 Darren Pretorius, 5 Ruan van Tonder, 4 Branden Smit, 3 Jayden Smith, 2 Duandré Boshoff, 1 Janco Fourie
Hoërskool Ermelo t. Hoërskool Randburg in Ermelo:
Ermelo: 15 WJ Pretorius, 14 Luthando Mahlangi, 13 HJ Hobkirk, 12 Nicolas Steyn, 11 Thabo Mokwena, 10 Janco Kleynhas, 9 Dick Rouillard, 8 Cules Hamman, 7 Marco de bruin, 6 WJ Cronje, 5 Janneman Malan, 4 De La Rey Hattingh, 3 Jacques Diedericks, 2 Ruan Grobler, 1 Hennie Geel.
Randburg: 15 Joshua Wiggett, 14 Eduan Bakkes, 13 Bradley Bitcher, 12 Zander Drake, 11 Jayden Oosthuizen, 10 Jayden Todd, 9 Rico Vosloo, 8 Cruwin Hill, 7 Chrisjan van Niekerk, 6 Victor van Blerk, 5 Philip Rykaart, 4 Jayden Brown, 3 Kian Kritzinger, 2 Michael Payne, 1 Diedlof Fourie.
With eight wins from 10 matches, Graeme College will head into their clash with Stirling High favoured to add a ninth win to their impressive record. Photo: Graeme College on Facebook.
Graeme College will retrace their steps to East London for another showdown with rivals from across the Great Fish River when they clash with Stirling High on Saturday.
The Makhanda visitors were in the city two weeks ago and registered a hard-earned 27-22 win over Hudson Park. They know they will again have to be on their game to maintain their winning streak.
Stirling was given a stern test by Cambridge High last weekend, when they claimed a 24-17 victory in the annual derby. They will need to lift themselves again to deal with Graeme’s sharp attacking edge.
Coach Jonty van der Meulen‘s charges have won seven of their last eight matches and last week scraped home by a single point against the tough Nico Malan outfit, in Makhanda.
It’s probably true to say that Graeme has not yet produced the sort of complete performance they are seeking this season. While their attack was effective against Nico Malan, they leaked too many points for the coach’s liking.
However, they did post a decisive 50-10 win over Cambridge in their clash earlier in the season, and that is an indication of the difficult task that lies ahead for Stirling.
In Gqeberha, the action will take place on the Hannes Strydom Field, at Pearson, where the home side takes on HTS Daniel Pienaar.
The Tigers are unpredictable, and they won’t be taken lightly by Pearson, who are coming off a 19-19 draw with Framesby last Saturday.
This weekend, Keano Beling and Denilo Jordaan, who both scored against Framesby, swop positions, with Beling at flyhalf and Jordaan taking the No 15 jersey.
It shouldn’t diminish their attacking play at all, and Daniel Pienaar will need to have their defensive system on point to contain the exciting duo.
If the Tigers are able to achieve a degree of parity for most of the match, they are the sort of team capable of leaving their opponents’ fans in a state of despair.
The round-robin fixtures of the Coastal and Inland B-Leagues of the KZN Schools High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) League concluded on Thursday, with Queensburgh High, Durban High School (DHS), ML Sultan, and NorthburyPark securing their places in the league finals.
Coastal B-League
After playing to a 0-0 stalemate against New Forest High in their last match, Queensburgh High concluded their assignments with an unbeaten record – five wins and two draws.
They’ll face DHS for the title, with the huge prize of promotion to the Coastal A-League in 2026 on the line. The Horseflies earned their place in the title decider after scoring a narrow 2-1 win over Sastri College.
In a crucial clash at the bottom of the table, Amanzimtoti ran out 3-1 winners over Ashton Ballito A to finish in seventh place on the log. That loss means that Ashton Ballito, after recording one draw and six losses, will be relegated.
Grosvenor Boys’ High picked up a 2-0 win over Redwood College.
Inland B-League
In KZN Inland action, ML Sultan’s 100 percent record was brought to an end by Northbury Park, who pulled off a 3-2 win to book a place against the same side, ML Sultan, in the Inland B final. Nonetheless, ML Sultan finished top of the standings with a haul of 21 points from seven wins.
The loss to Northbury Park would have stung, but, if there was a time to lose and an opponent to lose against, it was Thursday’s game against Northbury Park. ML Sultan’s place in the final had already been secured, and the setback against Northbury will serve as a warning and motivation for ML Sultan that they will need to be at their best in the title decider.
Add in the fact that a place in the KZN Inland A-League is up for grabs in the title game, to be played on Thursday, 12 June, and they’ll be ready for the rematch.
Maritzburg College B finished in third place after a 1-0 win over Thornhill. The Maritzburg College 1st team will face Carter High School on Wednesday 11 June, in the final of the Inland A-League.
Alexandra High B suffered a 1-3 loss at home against Heritage Academy, while Maritzburg Christian School (MCS) ended their season with a 1-1 draw against Riverwood College.
RESULTS
Coastal B
Grosvenor 2-0 Redwood
DHS 2-1 Sastri
Amanzimtoti 3-1 Ashton Ballito A
New Forest 0-0 Queensburgh High
Inland B
Heritage Academy 3-1 Alexandra High B
MCS 1-1 Riverwood
Maritzburg College B 1-0 Thornhill
Northbury Park 3-2 ML Sultan
Forthcoming Fixtures
Thursday, 12 June: Coastal B Final
Queensburgh High School
Field 1
15:30 – Queensburgh High School vs Durban High School
With little to lose, underdogs Port RexTechnical High and CambridgeHigh will be out to show that they can also bite when they play in Border schools matches on Saturday, in Komani and East London respectively.
Port Rex will be up against the top side in the Eastern Cape at present, Queen’s College, on Komani’s Rec Field, and nobody will need reminding just how difficult it is to take down the home side in that high-pressure environment.
Cambridge, meanwhile, will have their hands full when they entertain the potent St Andrew’s College team, from Makhanda, who are coming off a cracking win over Grey High, in Gqeberha.
On a five-match winning streak, during which they have knocked off the region’s top guns, it seems only complacency can prevent Queen’s from racking up another victory.
Fortunately for them, they will have wise counsel from experienced coaches Clinton Loest and Tyrone Rankin, who are only too well aware of the pitfalls which loom for schoolboy players who get ahead of themselves.
Additionally, Queen’s players have an extremely proud ethos when they pull on the first team jerseys and they are sure to remain committed to giving their best effort.
Port Rex will have to find a way to contain the danger out wide, where wings Ncutu Kepe (a hat-trick against Hudson Park last week) and Ayathanda Mtyando, have wreaked havoc on their opposition this season.
The East London team will be encouraged by a dominant display against Ooskus Gymnasium last week, when they won 43-10, but they know that they face a much tougher challenge this time.
St Andrew’s should also have too many weapons against Cambridge. The Makhanda boys showed last week that they not only have the character to overcome the biggest tests, but they also have a number of gamebreakers in their ranks.
With locks William Beamish and captain Matthew Harvey prominent up front, they should be able to lay the platform for a solid performance against an East London team which they will be wise not to underestimate.
The elusive Oli Johns is another significant threat at flyhalf for St Andrew’s as he goes about igniting the backline, while fullback Will Stevens will add an attacking thrust, as well as provide points from the boot if Cambridge fail to maintain a strict sense of discipline.
TEAMS
Queen’s College vs Port Rex, Rec Ground, Komani, 14:30
Hoërskool Ben Vorster verwelkom dan vir die ander swaargewig van die provinsie, Hoërskool Pietersburg, op die Piet Swart-veld, die Buffels se tuiste in Tzaneen.
Dit is ‘n bepaling wat sedert die begin van die jaar in rooi, óf groen, op dié twee skole se onderskeie kalenders omkring is.
Om verdere petrol op die vuur te gooi maak dié twee spanne ook die grootste gedeelte van die Limpopo Blou Bulle se Cravenweekspan uit. Die span van Pietersburg spog met nie minder nie as nege lede in dié span nie, terwyl die Buffels vyf voorsien.
Die Pieties moet egter die kort rit van 92 kilometer sonder hul vaskopstut, Stephan Janse van Rensburg, aanpak. Janse van Rensburg het die veld met ‘n kniebesering verlaat in die Pieties se stryd teen Hoërskool Secunda verlede naweek en word deur Elardus Erasmus vervang.
Goeie nuus is egter dat die Pieties se Cravenweek-haker, Zhian Lombaard na die beginspan terugkeer, wat ‘n liplekker-stryd met die Limpopo Blou Bulle se ander haker, Ruben Pohl, sal afgee. Agterlangs sê die provinsiale senterpaar, die Pieties se Siya Mahlangu en Ben Vorster se Gehan Hendriks, mekaar die stryd in die nr.-12 trui aan.
Heidelberg word óók met ‘n derby bederf wanneer Heidelberg Volkskool vir Hoërskool Hugenote van Springs verwelkom. Dié derby het verlede jaar vir die eerste keer plaasgevind met die Volkies wat naelskraaps met 30-29 oor die Hugies koning gekraai het. Vanjaar, met die kragmeting vir die eerste keer op hul tuisveld, sal Volkies oorgehaal wees om dit twee uit twee te maak.
Ten einde voort te bou op die momentum van die afgelope paar weke, het die Volkies se breier, Louwtjie Dalhouzie, slegs een noodgedwonge verandering gemaak. Reuben Bierman vervang vir Vaughn Steynvaart op binnesenter, nadat laasgenoemde ‘n rooi kaart teen Hoërskool Lichtenburg ontvang het.
In nóg ‘n rillerstryd hierdie naweek, pak Hoërskool Die Anker tuis vir Hoërskool Lichtenburg. Die span van Brakpan is, na ‘n rits beserings, oplaas weer terug op volsterkte en slaggereed om die bordjies te verhang teen die Liggies, nadat hy verlede jaar met 26-37 in Lichtenburg die knie moes buig.
Die nuus uit Hoërskool Montana se Wit Bul-kraal is dat hy sy noue ontkoming teen die Hugies verlede naweek ongedeerd deurgemaak het en vir Hoërskool Piet Retief met ‘n onveranderde span kan aandurf. Piet Retief, wat heelwat selfvertroue uit hul vertoning teen die Buffels kon put, sal egter nie ‘n maklike span wees om te klop met sy stert in die lug nie.
Die spanne:
Ben Vorster t. Hoërskool Pietersburg om 12:30 in Tzaneen:
Met die eindstreep in sig gaan hierdie naweek se kragmetings in die JOMO-liga beslissend wees om te bepaal watter vier spanne deurdring na die uitspeelrondes vir die Gauteng-kampioenskap.
The round-robin fixtures of the Coastal and Inland B-Leagues of the KZN Schools High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) League concluded on Thursday, with Queensburgh High, Durban High School (DHS), ML Sultan, and Northbury Park securing their places in the league finals.
