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Over the past two seasons, in KwaZulu-Natal, Durban High School (DHS) has produced a must-watch 1^st XV.

In 2023, they were the most exciting offensive outfit in the province. In 2024, they were, arguably, the best defensive unit out of any top-tier team in the country, and they were KZN’s best team.

Only once, in their very last game against Jeppe, did an opponent reach 20 points, and Jeppe made that number exactly.

DHS won, though, 24-20, which kept intact an incredible record established by the players in matric in 2024. They finished their careers unbeaten on Van Heerden’s Field through every age group they played.

The 2025 1^st XV will look very different, with only two players remaining from last year’s outfit, but there is no panic in the ranks. Head coach Peter Engeldow and forwards’ coach Ronnie Uys have shown they know how to get the best out of their players and, unusually, for most schools, they’ll be promoting large numbers from last year’s 2^nd XV to the 1^st XV.

That’s good news for School. Why? The DHS 2^nd XV of 2024 went unbeaten for the first time since 1939.

A major highlight was a win on Goldstone’s over their great rivals, Maritzburg College, for the first time since 1986. Not only did DHS win, but they also recorded their biggest 2nd XV victory yet over the Red, Black, and White, winning 45-10. “That was a day when it all clicked,” 2nd XV coach Lyle Matthysen told SuperSport Schools Plus.

In their season-opener against Kearsney College, the DHS 2nd XV topped 50 points at Kearsney for the first time, in another memorable win.

The team revealed its never-say-die character when they played at Northwood. Matthysen recalled: “A couple of games, we had quite a disadvantage with our 2nd XV because I couldn’t play with our flyhalf, Jordan van Wyk, who was our general. He would get called up to the 1st XV. With all the players we had in our 1st XV, 2nd XV, and 3rd XV, we didn’t really have another flyhalf.

“One of the games he didn’t play was against Northwood, away, where we struggled. Up until there were six-and-a-half minutes left, we were 6-21 down. In the last six minutes, we scored four converted tries [and won 33-27].” It’s victories like that which become the building blocks of future successes, and that could stretch into the 2025 season.

Matthysen revealed one of the reasons for his side’s outstanding season, which is sure to stand the 2025 1^st XV in good stead. He explained: “The biggest contributor to the success of the 2nd XV, and I know other schools don’t do it, is we align our training like the Boks, where the firsts and seconds do everything together, so every single session the firsts and seconds are having a proper go. I put that down to the vision of Peter and Ronnie. The results showed how well it has worked.”

Focusing on the playing personnel, he said: “From a playing perspective, we had one to 15 guys who have a strong rugby IQ, and an extremely physical pack and centres, which paved the way for our nine and 10, who had superb seasons. It’s down to what the pack and the centres could do for us.”

Based on the experiences of the 2nd XV in 2024, team chemistry should not be an issue. Powerful team chemistry was also very evident in the success of their 1st XV, whose stubborn defence was powered by a pack mentality of hunting together.

Those players who were exposed to training with the 1st XV in 2024 will be joined by players promoted from the u16 ranks, where DHS also enjoyed a good year.

Their pre-season has included team building, without any talk of rugby. That’s a primary focus of the Director of Rugby, Peter Engeldow. Man management and providing players with the best support possible, including in the classroom and their social lives, is imperative, and producing good men is his goal.

Matthysen lauded Engeldow’s impact, which has permeated through the age groups and expressed his admiration for Engeldow’s rugby knowledge: “If you think you know anything about analysis, you know absolutely nothing until you’ve met Peter. His analysis is second to none. It is of international standard,” Matthysen enthused.

“It’s not only that. He’s so driven and he is so focused. On top of that, he is also a people’s person. When it comes to rugby, it’s the complete package.”

Beyond Peter Engeldow, Matthysen said the top leadership of School – Headmaster Tony Pinheiro and Director of Sport, Nathan Pillay – have played an immense role in demanding a high standard from the boys and their coaches.

Matthysen, a DHS old boy, who has been on staff for 14 years, said: “Everyone knows, when they arrived, the school, in all facets, not just rugby, was in a very dark place. Everything has stemmed from their leadership, especially the type of boy. It is because of the type of boy that now comes to DHS [that we are successful]. They are so much more coachable than they were before.”

Where exactly the coaches take the DHS 1st XV in 2025 will depend on the boys that Peter Engeldow and Ronnie Uys are working with. They produced two very different but outstanding teams over the past two years by working to enhance the strengths of the side.

Last year, DHS provided a record nine players to the Sharks’ Craven Week team. Hooker Mahle Sithole and fullback Aka Boqwana made the South African Schools side, while centre Zingce Simka was selected for the South African Schools A team.

This year, it’s unlikely those numbers will be matched, but DHS will surely be a load to deal with again. They open their season in Bethlehem on Saturday against Voortrekker.

It’s a big game and it will set the table for an even bigger clash on Saturday, 15 March, when DHS hosts their traditional rivals, Maritzburg College, in Durban.

DHS 1ST XV FIXTURES

March
8 March: vs Voortrekker, away
15 March vs Maritzburg College, home
22: March vs Michaelhouse, away
31 March – 2 April – Grey High School Rugby Festival, Gqeberha

April
12 April vs KZN Development, home
17 April vs vs Hoërskool Rustenburg, Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival
19 April vs Hoërskool Monument, Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival
21 April vs Hoërskool Durbanville, Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival
26 April vs Northwood, home

May
1 May vs Stellenberg, Absa Wildeklawer, Kimberley
3 May vs Paarl Gimnasium, Absa Wildklawer, Kimberley
17 May vs Kearsney College, home
24 May vs Westville Boys’ High, away
31 May vs Hilton College, home|

July
26 July vs Jeppe Boys, away

August
2 August vs Northwood, away
9 August vs King Edward VII, home

Early season bragging rights will be on the line when Western Cape girls’ hockey teams square off at the Spar Hockey Festival in Cape Town on Sunday.

The annual festival, designed to assist teams with their pre-season preparations, begins on Saturday for the u16 age group, with the first team action set to take place the following day.

The event has gone from strength to strength since its inception and is the fastest-growing pre-season festival for schoolgirls in the province.

Matches will be played at four venues: DF Malan, Stellenberg High School, Durbanville, and Bellville High School, with some of the province’s powerhouses, including HMS Bloemhof, Somerset College, Springfield Convent School, Herschel Girls School, and Stellenberg, in action.

Bloemhof impressed under head coach Jenny King in 2024, and they’ll be aiming to build on the momentum they created last season. Somerset College and Stellenberg, meanwhile, are teams with points to prove this season.

Somerset, under head coach Kyran Fortuin, played some exciting and entertaining hockey at the same festival last year before going on to win the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Festival and, later, the Challenger’s Cup.

After winning the Western Province Premier League in 2024, Stellenberg is brimming with confidence. Coach Paulene de Bruin’s girls are no longer the underdogs. Instead, they have several teams breathing down their necks, wanting to take them down.

The festival will also be an opportunity for Springfield Convent School to see some action a week before they host their pre-season tournament on 14-15 March.

Other top teams in attendance include Fairmont High School, Parel Vallei (PV), Paarl Girls’ High, and Wynberg Girls’ High School.

Both Parel Vallei and Paarl Girls’ High enter new dawns under the leadership of new coaches.

PV welcomed coach Wayne Coetzee, from Grey College, this year, and he’ll take charge of his first match against St Cyprian’s at 07:30 at DF Malan.

Paarl Girls’ High also has a new face in the dugout, with Marc Landman taking over the coaching reins from Anri Keevy for the 2025 season.

Both Fairmont and Wynberg had fairly decent campaigns in 2024, but starting on a high and gaining some early confidence will be a key goal for both.

Paarl side, La Rochelle, will also be in action, along with Worcester Gimnasium, Charlie Hofmeyr, and HTS Drostdy.

In total, 68 matches will be played on Sunday. It’s an all-action, all-out start to what promises to be a cracking 2025 schoolgirls’ hockey season in the Western Cape.

FIXTURES

@DF Malan 

07:30 – Parel Vallei vs St Cyprian’s; 08:00 – Wynberg vs Paarl Girls; 08:30 – Bellville vs Fairmont; 09:00 – Parel Vallei vs Durbanville; 09:30 – Paarl

Girls vs St Cyprian’s; 10:00 – Wynberg vs Fairmont; 10:30 – Bellville vs Durbanville; 11:00 – St Cyprian’s vs Fairmont; 11:30 – Wynberg vs Parel Vallei; 12:00 – Paarl Girls vs Durbanville; 12:30 – Bellville vs St Cyprian’s; 13:00 – Parel Vallei vs Paarl Girls; 13:30 – Durbanville vs Fairmont; 14: 00 – Wynberg vs Bellville.

@Stellenberg 

07:30 – Springfield vs Reddam House Constantia; 08:00 – Herschel vs Stellenberg; 08:30 – DF Malan vs Reddam House Constantia; 09:00 – Springfield vs Somerset College; 09:30 – HMS Bloemhof vs Stellenberg; 10:00 – Herschel vs Reddam House Constantia; 10:30 – DF Malan vs Somerset College; 11:00 – HMS Bloemhof vs Herschel;  11:30 – Stellenberg vs Springfield;  12:00 – Somerset College vs Reddam House Constantia; 12:30 – DF Malan vs Stellenberg; 13:00 – Springfield vs HMS Bloemhof; 13:30 – Herschel vs Somerset College; 14: 00 – DF Malan vs HMS Bloemhof

@Durbanville High School

07:30 – Langenhoven vs El Shaddai; 08:00 – Robertson vs Fish Hoek; 08:30 – Bredasdorp vs President; 09:00 – Langenhoven vs Fish Hoek; 09:30 – Robertson vs Bredasdorp; 10:00 – El Shaddai vs President; 10:30 – Langenhoven vs Robertson; 11:00 – Bredasdorp vs EL Shaddai; 11:30 – Fish Hoek vs President; 12:00 – El Shaddai vs Robertson; 12:30 – Langenhoven vs President; 13:00 –  Bredasdorp vs Fish Hoek; 13:30 – Stellenbosch vs Milnerton; 14: 00 – Hugenote vs Melkbosstrand; 14:30 – Strand vs Tygerberg; 15:00 – Stellenbosch vs Melkbosstrand; 15:30 – Hugenote vs Strand; 16:00 – Milnerton vs Tygerberg; 16:30 – Stellenbosch vs Hugenote; 17:00 – Strand vs Milnterton; 17:30 – Melkbosstrand vs Tygerberg; 18:00 – Hugenote vs Milnerton; 18:30 – Strand vs Melkbosstrand; 19:00 – Stellenbosch vs Tygerberg.

@Bellville High 

07:30 -Worcester Gimnasium vs Settlers; 08:00 – Curro Durbanville vs Charlie Hofmeyr; 08:30 – La Rochelle vs Hermanus; 09:00 – HTS Drostdy vs Swartland; 09:30 – Worcester Gimnasium vs Charlie Hofmeyr; 10:00 – Curro Durbanville vs Hermanus; 10:30 -La Rochelle vs Swartland;  11:00 – HTS Drostdy vs Settlers; 11:30 – Worcester Gimnasium vs Hermanus;  12:00 – Curro Durbanville vs Swartland; 12:30 – La Rochelle vs Settlers; 13:00 – HTS Drostdy vs Charlie Hofmeyr; 13:30 – Worcester Gimnasium vs Swartland; 14: 00 – Curro Durbanville vs Settlers; 14:30 – La Rochelle vs Charlie Hofmeyr; 15:00 – HTS Drostdy vs Hermanus.

‘n Driekuns deur Die Hoërskool Menlopark se buitesenter, Leskin Samuels, het die Parkies gehelp om ‘n vyftigtal reeds in hul eerste wedstryd van die 2025-seisoen te behaal.

Herleef al die aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Hoewel dit geensins ‘n foutlose begin was nie, het Menlo nietemin goed genoeg vertoon om agt drieë in te ryg en Hoërskool Eldoraigne gemaklik tuis met 52-13 die loef af te steek.

Samuels, wat weer een van Menlopark se gevaarmanne vanjaar behoort te wees, het gewys hoekom hy reeds verlede jaar vir die Blou Bulle op die Cravenweek uitgedraf het. Met goeie visie en bedrieglike voetwerk het hy die besoekers se middeveld gereeld oorhoeks betrap, terwyl hy ewe uitmuntend op die verdediging was en ‘n paar reuse duikslae uitgevoer het.

Die grondslag vir die groot sege is voorlangs gelê, waar die ervare Declan Pelser, wat vir ‘n tweede seisoen in die Parkies se eerste span op haker uitdraf, die tuis-agttal begeesterd gelei het om die Drake se vuur te blus. Die slotpaar van Xander Roets en Keagen Pretorius het ook beïndruk met hul fisieke teenwoordigheid.

Dit het die nodige platform gebied vanwaar skrumskakel, Gustav Schäffner, en losskakel en kaptein, Andru Keun, vir Samuels en Kie op die voorvoet kon plaas. Die skakelpaar is ook terug vir ‘n tweede jaar van eerstespan-rugby. Keun het boonop met ses doelskoppe geslaag.

Die Drake, wat goed afgeskop het, is deur skrumskakel, Darren Bruwer, gelei. Bruwer, wat verlede jaar reeds uitgeblink het vir die Eldos, het die Parkies se verdedigers dikwels om die afbreekpunte getoets, en sy taktiese skopwerk kan ook vorentoe vir teenstanders hoofbrekens besorg.

Puntemakers:

Menlopark 52 (31) – Drieë: Leskin Samuels (3), Dylan Stumke, Gustav Schaffner, Lucian Read, Declan Pelser, Reinhardt Herbst. Doelskoppe: Andru Keun (6). Eldoraigne 13 (6) – Drie: Marnes Prinsloo. Doelskop: MJ Buitendag. Strafdoele: Buitendag (2).

Ander spanne:

o .16: Menlopark 64, Eldoraigne 0.

o .15: Menlopark 40, Eldoraigne 7.

o .14: Menlopark 41, Eldoraigne 0.

The last thing any batter wants is to see Karabo Meso behind the stumps.

Off the field and without the gloves, Meso is an easy-going young lady. She is soft-spoken, always smiling, and humble.

“I am a bit goofy off the field and always try to make people around me smile. On the field, I try to get into the batter’s heads,” Meso revealed.

Give her a pair of wicket-keeping mitts, transplant her behind the stumps, and she transforms into a chatterbox. No one knows this better than Scotland’s Nayma Sheikh.

In 2023, up against South Africa u19, Scotland was on 32/2, needing 81 runs from 78 balls to win. Sheikh, who had just arrived at the crease, found it tough to get off the mark and dead-batted eight consecutive deliveries.

“Welcome to Minecraft. Block. Block. Block,” Meso began her commentary with humour. At one point, she reminded the Scot that she was in a T20 encounter and not a Test match.

When Sheikh misjudged the length of a ball and offered a caught-and-bowled opportunity to Seshnie Naidu, the commentary continued: “She is tired of this, Sesh. She wants to give up. Just give us your wicket, man, I am ready,” Meso urged.

Sheikh was eventually dismissed for 12 off 32 balls. More than anything, she was grateful to no longer have Meso in her ear. Meso is like that with every batter. She assists her bowlers by distracting the opposition. Like all great wicketkeepers, she has a thick skin and is unbothered when the opposition tries to do the same to her.

“I also try to keep my teammates motivated in the field. So, I am always encouraging them, too,” Meso explained.

However, her commentary behind the stumps is far from being her biggest weapon. Meso is lightning-quick. She executes mind-blowing stumpings and completes difficult catches with incredible agility.

She bases her wicketkeeping on another South African star, Trisha Chetty, whom she describes as the real deal. Chetty executed over 180 dismissals in her international cricket, a stat that Meso hopes to come close to matching in her own career. Judging by the quality of her wicketkeeping, it is within range.

“I have to give credit to my coach, Tholang Hlalele. I always wanted to be a bowler. I thought bowling was cool. One day, coach Hlalele took me to the nets and started throwing the ball to me and we did a few ‘keeping drills. That’s when I realised that ‘keeping was fun and unique,” Meso said.

Hlalele has been Meso’s coach since she was five years old. The two met at a KFC Mini-Cricket event at the Elkah Stadium, in Soweto. Back then, Meso wasn’t interested in the sport. She was at the oval escorting her sister, Lehlohonolo Sardick.

“She was sitting on the sidelines, watching the other kids enjoying the game. I handed her a bat and knew immediately that she had talent. She had great hand-eye coordination and picked up length early,” Hlalele, who is also Meso’s coach at Steyn City School, said.

Meso is outstanding with the bat in her hands and in front of the stumps. In one of her best knocks, in October 2024, she carved a sensational century, scoring 128 off 129 balls, with 15 fours and a single six, to lead the Lions’ Women to 296/7 against Free State. Her score was 71 percent of the opposition’s total.

The 17-year-old is a consistent performer with the bat for her school, the Lions, and the South Africa u19 team.

In 2024, she joined Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Chloé Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Suné Luus, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba, and Tumi Sekhukhune in the ranks of Momentum Proteas players to make their international debuts while still in their teens.

Meso will display and utilise her wide array of skills and experience to lead Steyn City’s bid to win the inaugural Schools SA20 girls’ title.

All eyes will be on the Tuks cricket fields in Pretoria as the inaugural Schools SA20 National Champions are crowned

The stage is set for the Final Showdown in schools cricket as the top boys’ and girls’ teams gather for the inaugural Schools SA20 National Finals from 12-15 March at the Tuks Oval in Pretoria.

SA20 in collaboration with Cricket South Africa (CSA) launched this national competition in September 2024 to discover and nurture cricket talent among both girls and boys in the U19 age group. Over 370 boys’ school teams and 200 girls’ school teams participated in the national competition, with over 1000 matches played across all provinces in the country.

CSA Chief Executive Officer Pholetsi Moseki commented: “Congratulations to all the schools that participated in the inaugural Schools SA20 and to those who have made it to the National Finals.

“It is inspiring to see the continued growth of our game at all levels, especially following the remarkable performances of our men’s and women’s teams—both senior and youth—on the global stage in the past 24 months. We look forward to the emergence of future stars of South African cricket over the weekend.”

The final phase of the tournament will feature the regional champions from a highly competitive Phase Two, which includes traditional cricket schools, CSA Hub teams and Focus Schools.

It will be the culmination of months of high-quality boys’ and girls’ school cricket, which has produced incredible individual and team performances.

SA20 League Commissioner, Graeme Smith said: “Off the back of a successful season 3 of SA20, it’s wonderful to be able to continue providing a platform for talent in South Africa to perform. The first two phases showed there is an abundance of youth talent in the pipeline. We will have some of the best boys and girls cricketers in action for the Schools SA20 National Finals and I’m looking forward to seeing the next generation of incredible in action.”

A number of young upcoming players will be showcasing their talent at the Tuks Oval including Bishops’ South Africa U19 opening batter Adnaan Lagadien, Pearson High School’s SA Colts allrounder Cayden Wilson along with St Davids’ Marist Inanda’s SA Schools representatives Armaan Manack and Jason Rowles.

Steyn City School will be showing off their two SA U19 Women stars Karabo Meso and Diara Ramlakan along with non-travelling reserve Jenna-Lee Lubbe, who were all part of the team that recently reached the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup Final in Malaysia.

Nkowankowa Hub’s allrounder Shelfa Mukhari as well as Saints Christian School allrounder Tshegofatso Monyela were also part of the SA20 supported U19 girls training camps held last year.

The eight boys’ teams have been divided into two pools of four teams each. The boys will have three matches in their respective pools with the top two sides in each pool qualifying for the semi-finals.

The six girls’ teams are split into two pools of three, where they will play two group matches and one cross-pool match.  The top girls’ team in each pool will automatically qualify for the Final.

In addition to the thrilling matches, the Schools SA20 Finals also serve as a vital platform for skills development, with coaches and scouts eager to spot the next generation of future stars.

The event stands as a testament to the joint commitment to strengthening the pipeline, especially with the recent success of the Rookie Draft concept introduced in the SA20 League’s second season, ensuring that the road to professional cricket is more accessible for talented players.

Spectators are encouraged to head to the Tuks Oval from 12-15 March to cheer on the future of South African cricket. Saturday will be a family-friendly outing with food and beverages on sale, shaded areas for picnics, live music, and action-packed schools cricket.

All matches from the Finals Showdown week will be live on the SuperSport Schools app, DStv Channel 216 and SABC Plus. The girls’ final on Saturday, 15 March will be shown on DStv Channel 209.

Follow @Schools_SA20 for all the match updates and behind the scenes action from the week # BattleOfTheBest. For more information visit https://schools.sa20.co.za

Format

Boys Teams

POOL A: Northwood (KwaZulu-Natal), St Andrew’s School (Central), Hoërskool Garsfontein (Gauteng North), Graeme College (Focus School).

POOL B: Pearson (Eastern Cape), Diocesan College (Western Cape), St David’s Marist (Gauteng South), CSA Hubs Invitational XI

Girls Teams

POOL A: Dr JL Dube High School (KwaZulu-Natal), Saints Christian School (Central), Nkowankowa Hub (Gauteng North).

POOL B: Nomandi Junior Secondary School (Eastern Cape), Victoria Hub (Western Cape), Steyn City School (Gauteng South)

The 2025 schoolgirls’ hockey season will kick into full gear in East London this weekend at the Hoërskool Ooskus Gimnasium Sports Festival.

The annual event, formerly known as the Grens Festival, will host the town’s best girls’ ho ckey teams from 7-8 March at the Buco AstroTurf in Bunkers Hill.

The pre-season tournament presents coaches with a chance to see their players in action for the first time before the Border Schools Day and Greg Beling Festival later this month.

In attendance will be East London’s three powerhouses: Hudson Park High School, Clarendon High School for Girls, and Stirling High School.

That trio was, by far, the best of the girls’ teams in the Border region in 2024, producing entertaining showdowns when they clashed.

They will be joined by the hosts, along with Lilyfontein School, Merrifield College, Kingsridge High School, Greenpoint, and Hangklip High School, from Komani. Making an early season impression will be on the agenda for those teams.

Hudson, under the tutelage of coach Jerry Snyman, will enter the new season with the bulk of their team from 2024 after they said goodbye to just two players, Tarelle Jones and Nandile Ndava. Four u16 players have moved up to join a squad that should be pretty solid and consistent.

They will, in the early going, however, have to make do without two key players, Busiwe Mayekiso and Melnique Langley, who are both recovering from knee injuries.

In 2024, Hudson played 36 matches, won 27, and lost only seven times. They are expected to impress again.

Stirling, on the other hand, bade farewell to many key and influential players at the end of 2024. Coach Michael Dettmer will be banking on his youngsters to step up this year, alongside newly elected captain Bella Graham.

The experienced Kishka Baartman is another player to keep an eye on, while newbies, Cayleigh Wanckel and Julia Kockett, will be keen to impress for the green and white hoops this season.

Clarendon is another interesting team that could make its mark in the Eastern Cape in 2025.

They’ve undergone significant changes and have a mix of youth and experience in their locker room.

Coach Luaan Sedras bade farewell to eight players last season and has promoted seven youngsters from the u16s. The team has also been bolstered by the return of Caroline Kretzmann from a long-term injury.

Clarendon will aim to draw inspiration from their Spar Challenge triumph last season, in which they defeated Hudson Park in the final in a penalty shootout to win the East London section of the tournament.

Cara Knott is one of their most experienced campaigners and will don the captain’s armband.

Action at the Ooskus Gimnasium Festival begins with a meeting between the hosts and Lilyfontein on Friday at 12:00. Hudson faces Stirling at 13:20 in what should be the match of the day.

FIXTURES

Friday, 7 March

12:00 – Lilyfontein vs Ooskus Gimnasium; 12:40 – Clarendon vs Merrifield; 13:20 – Hudson vs Stirling High; 14:00 – Ooskus Gimnasium vs Hudson 2nds; 14:40 – Kingsridge High School vs Greenpoint; 15:20 – Hangklip vs Hudson 2nds; 16:00 – Merrifield vs Ooskus Gimnasium.

Saturday, 8 March

08:00 – Ooskus Gimnasium vs Hangklif; 08:40 – Stirling High vs Merrifield; 09:20 – Kingsridge High School vs Hudson 2nds; 10:00 – Lilyfontein vs Greenpoint; 10:40 – Clarendon vs Stirling High; 11:20 – Ooskus Gimnasium vs Kingsridge High School; 12:00 – Lilyfontein vs Hudson 2nds; 12:40 – Hangklip vs Hudson; 13:20 – Kingsridge High School vs Clarendon; 14:00 – Greenpoint vs Hangklip; 14:40 – Stirling High vs Lilyfontein; 15:20 – Clarendon vs Hudson.

Following the recent 20th edition of the St John’s College Basketball Tournament, Kuda Tebeila, the basketball captain of St John’s College, sat down for an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus.

During the conversation, he shared his enthusiasm for basketball, discussed his journey, and reflected on the privilege of leading St John’s College.

Tebeila expressed pride in serving as captain of the St John’s College first team, a unit filled with talent and commitment, which was on full display during the St John’s College Basketball Tournament where the hosts finished as the runners-up after going down to the reigning champions, Northwood, in the final.

Despite the loss to the top team in the country over the past two years, St John’s College demonstrated a never-say-die spirit, battling through until the final whistle. Tebeila’s poise and leadership stood out as the hosts fought the odds.

“Being the leader on the court has taught me the importance of teamwork and selflessness,” he said.

Tebeila believes that true success in basketball comes from playing for and with your teammates. “With the growing culture of one-on-one play and individual highlights, it’s very easy to get caught up in showcasing personal skills. Leadership, to me, means elevating those around me, ensuring that my teammates improve alongside me, and always keeping the collective goal in mind, which is winning together as a team,” he explained.

Tebeila articulated that, for him, basketball transcends merely being a sport. It is a passion that ignites his competitive drive, enabling him to continually surpass his limits. Nevertheless, he emphasised that, at his core, he remains a humble individual who possesses a genuine love for the game and all that it embodies.

“My passion for basketball stems from the intense energy and competitive atmosphere surrounding the sport, he said.

He described basketball as a fast-paced, high-adrenaline game that demands both skill and mental toughness. From electrifying poster dunks to mesmerising ankle-breaking crossovers, every moment on the court is packed with excitement for both players and spectators.

“This dynamic nature of the game is what draws me in and continues to keep me motivated,” he said.

He shared his pre-game routine, which includes mental preparation, meditation, and prayer.

He spends approximately 10 minutes centering himself through prayer and meditation before participating in the pre-game activation led by the coach. Before taking to the court, the team gathers for a final prayer, which strengthens their unity and concentration before the first whistle blows, he said.

His strong points, he said, are ball-handling, playmaking, and finishing. These strengths allow him to navigate through defences efficiently, create scoring opportunities for his teammates, and execute well under pressure.

As a student-athlete, Tebeila said his days are structured and demanding. “I wake up at 04:30 for an early morning workout before heading to school. After classes, I attend team practice, and once I get home, I shift my focus to academics. Balancing both aspects requires discipline, but I embrace the challenge because I love both learning and basketball.”

Teamwork is the key to success in basketball, Tebeila emphasised, saying he does not operate in isolation when he steps onto the court. His coaches and teammates are instrumental in his growth and development, he acknowledged.

“My coaches and teammates have played a huge role in my development. My coaches have taught me how to handle the ball effectively, read defences, and make the right plays based on different defensive sets.

“Their guidance has not only improved my game but has also helped my teammates excel. My teammates have reinforced the importance of leveraging each other’s strengths, whether it’s drawing defenders to create open shots or supporting each other through tough moments.”

Basketball, like any other sport, offers life lessons. One of these, the St John’s captain shared, was that achieving victory involves more than talent. It necessitates focus, resilience, and collaboration.

He characterises basketball as a team-oriented endeavour, asserting that individual brilliance is insufficient for success unless all players are united in pursuit of a shared objective. Consequently, Tebeila identifies his teammates and coaches as his primary sources of motivation, as their enthusiasm and commitment inspire him to strive for ever-greater effort.

As a point guard, Tebeila acknowledges the significant influence of his role models, Allen Iverson and Chris Paul. He draws inspiration from Iverson’s exceptional ball-handling skills and his audacious scoring mentality, which enhanced his offensive play. Paul’s remarkable court vision and capacity to create opportunities for his teammates have been instrumental in developing Tebeila’s playmaking skills. Analysing those players’ performances has been crucial in honing his own style as a point guard, he said.

Tebeila also talked about the experience of captaining his team, St John’s College, during a very successful season. “Leading my team to the St John’s College Basketball Tournament finals was an unforgettable experience, showcasing teamwork and drive despite our loss,” he said.

“Our season featured five finals, including a victory at the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ) Tournament, proving our status as a top Johannesburg team. This event highlighted the importance of mental toughness and resilience in achieving success.”

His primary goal, Tebeila concluded, is to keep improving as both a player and a leader.

Jason Rowles pressed the restart button. It is not a physical button, it is in his head, and he did so just after he reached 50 in a Youth Test contest between the South Africa u19 team and England u19 in February. In his mind, his scoreboard was wiped clean, and he was on zero again.

This is a practice he does regularly. It helps the 16-year-old avoid falling into the trap of thinking he has reached his goal whenever he reaches a milestone with the bat. Doing that helps batsmen to refocus and not fall into the “milestone relaxation phenomenon” and lose concentration, as a result.

That practice has helped Rowles pile on the runs. One of his favourite innings was the 150 he blasted against Bishops in a Fasken Time Cricket Festival match in September 2024. It was one of numerous “daddy hundreds” the 16-year-old has scored for St David’s Marist Inanda in the past two years.

“As a coach, there are batters who make you hold your heart in your hands when they walk out to bat. Jason has the opposite effect. He looks the same whether he is on 51 or just arrived at the middle,” Malibongwe Maketa, the SA u19 coach, shared.

Rowles did not lose concentration while facing England’s army of talented spinners and their battery of pace bowlers in Stellenbosch’s hot and windy conditions. He added 40 more runs and was dismissed for a well-played 90 off 118 balls. It was the first of three half-centuries from the teenager in four innings.

“It is my favourite outing with SA u19,” he revealed. “It was great learning and a good challenge against a high-quality attack.”

His pride in the knock didn’t come just from the fact that he achieved a milestone, but because it contributed to a successful outing by the team. Rowles, who named Steve Smith as his favourite international player because of the Australian’s work ethic and dedication to continuous improvement, also admires Smith’s team-first philosophy. Rowles will forego a milestone if it means that his team wins a match.

His contributions with the bat for the SA u19 side earned him the Player of the Series award. No other batsman was as consistent as he was. The trophy that he received for his outstanding contributions has now been afforded pride of place in the Rowles’ home.

When he was younger, he spent hours in the backyard, training until nightfall. When his parents turned on the outside lights, he would convert his cricket games into day-night matches. He would have played all night if anyone had dared him to do so.

“Jason has an incredible appetite for the game. Our training sessions go on for hours. But don’t get me wrong, he doesn’t just want to aimlessly hit balls. He is an incredible learner. He wants to walk away with new information from every session,” Bongani Ntini, who has taken him for private coaching over the past six years, said.

“Jason is forever looking for opportunities to get into the nets and always finds someone to throw or feed balls to him, even if it is for five minutes,” Jeff Levin, his coach at St David’s, weighed in.

This drive for continuous improvement is the reason why Rowles does not focus too much on previous accolades. He loves his Player of the Series award from the u19 series against England, but he won’t let that define him as a cricketer. As far as he is concerned, it is recognition for the work he put in before that. After he received the award, he pressed the reset button because other milestones await in the future.

That is the 16-year-old’s mindset as he represents St David’s in their Schools SA20 final round campaign.

It helps that the school has strict guidelines. St David’s doesn’t allow athletes to bring provincial or national training or match kit onto the school grounds.

Rowles leaves the acclaim and success at home in the same manner. His current focus is to help his side fight for the title, whether it’s with the bat, ball, or through his fielding.

Lutho Zweli Tukayi, a 17-year-old from Maritzburg College, embodies the resilience of a rose that grew from a crack in the concrete.

Hailing from New Crossroad, Cape Town, a region notorious for its high crime rates and perilous living conditions, he has discovered a profound passion for basketball.

Through basketball, he channels his enthusiasm and pursues his aspirations.

Tukayi started his basketball journey in 2022, when he represented the Blue Cranes Basketball Club, based in Belhar. That same year, he was selected for the Western Cape u15 team, which won a bronze medal at the inter-provincial tournament in Gauteng.

In 2023, he moved from the Blue Cranes Basketball Club to the Heideveld Basketball Club, and he was chosen for the Western Cape u18 team. At the IPT, he made his mark and was named among 25 athletes selected for the South African u18 national team.

The following year, 2024, Tukayi turned out for the Spartans at the African Grassroot Hoops Basketball National Tournament. Exhibiting exceptional skill and determination throughout the event, he led the side to the gold medal.

Tukayi attended Curro Delft before transferring to Maritzburg College in 2025 to advance his education and to benefit from the expertise of one of the nation’s leading coaches, Suwi Siwila.

Playing for one of the country’s top sides in the basketball hotbed of KZN is an opportunity for Tukayi to further develop his game.

Like many, he looks towards the United States when discussing his goals in basketball. “My dream is to make an NBA team and represent my country,” Tukayi admitted.

He said that coming from New Crossroad, where crime is prevalent, has inspired him to motivate other young children in that community to pursue positive paths in their lives.

Coach Vincent Ntunja is a former South African national basketball player, who has long been one of Tukayi’s strongest supporters. Ntunja is also the Director of Ntunja Sports Management and Consulting and co-founded African Grassroot Hoops with Giovanni Freeman. 

“African Grassroot Hoops (AGH), together with coach Ntunja, has helped me to be a better basketball player and, overall, a grounded person,” Tukayi said.

Ntunja, the newly appointed ambassador for Puma Hoops, expressed immense pride in the young man, stating that his admiration for him is beyond words.

Prior to his association with Puma Hoops, Ntunja enjoyed an eight-year partnership with Under Armour, during which he served as a brand ambassador.

“It’s such a pleasure to coach Zweli, a young prospect who shows a lot of passion for the game,” Ntunja said.

“He is quite tall for his age and that gives him an advantage over his peers.

“If he could learn and practice to play all positions on the floor, he could fulfill his dream of playing abroad and turning professional.

“Today’s basketball game requires players to be versatile and adjust quickly to the game tempo.

“I wish him the best of luck in all his endeavours. New Crossroad residents must be proud of his progress so far. Aluta continua,” Ntunja added.

He also expressed his excitement to SuperSport Schools Plus regarding his new affiliation with Puma, which, he said, will positively impact young talents, like Zweli.

“As a former player turned coach, this new partnership aligns with my passion for empowering young athletes and giving back to the community.

“Together we’ll be maximising the usage of the Vincent Ntunja Basketball Court in Gugulethu, hosting the Youth Day Classic Basketball Tournament, building basketball courts and supporting youth development initiatives that will make a difference in the lives of our future leaders.”

Hoërskool Nelspruit het, na ‘n effense somerslaap in die eerste helfte, as oorwinnaars uit die Mbombela-stryd getree om hul 2025-seisoen van stapel te stuur.

Herleef al die aksie regstreeks op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Die Rhinos het tuis vir Hoërskool Middelburg, in ‘n kragmeting wat aanvanklik gesukkel het om aan die gang te kom, met 18-13 verslaan.

Die tuisspan het met die omdraaislag ‘n agterstand van sewe punte in die gesig gestaar, met die Middies se haker, Roux Grobler, wat in die eerste skof oorgeduik het vir sy span se eerste en enigste drie, wat deur losskakel, Buhle Mphahlaza, verdoel is. Ná rustyd het dit egter gelyk asof die tuisspan skielik afdraand speel – iets waaraan Nellies se ondersteuners die afgelope paar jaar gewoond geraak het.

Liam Pringle, die tuisspan se Cravenweek-skrumskakel, was oudergewoonte uitstekend met vernaam sy diens agter die Nellies se makropak wat uit die boonste rakke was. Boonop was Pringle sekuur met sy korrelwerk pale toe om met twee doelskoppe en ‘n strafdoel te slaag.

Buitesenter, Ruben Greeff, het dikwels gevaarlik vertoon op die aanval en is met een van die Rhinos se twee drieë beloon.

Hoërskool Rustenburg, wat moes swoeg en sweet om Hoërskool Trio met ‘n telling van 17-14 baas te raak, se drie drieë is aldrie deur sy giftige agterlyn gedruk.

Soos verwag het heelagter, Lorenzo Snyers, deurgaans ‘n gevaar ingehou met die bal in hand. Hy het eenvoudig floreer met loskakel, Wade Daivey, wat agterlangs die toutjies meesterlik getrek het.

Vir die span van Kroonstad het haker, Myburgh Jacobs, en losskakel, Jaydon Windvogel, uitgetroon. Nes Daivey, was Windvogel uitsonderlik met die skep van spel in die agterhoede, en het hy ook ‘n drie en twee doelskoppe bygedra.

Hoërskool Witteberg het, in sopnat toestande in Klerksdorp, met 22-7 oor Hoërskool Wesvalia koning gekraai. Die weersomstandighede het die fokus van die stryd na die grootmanne voor verskuif, waar die besoekers van Bethlehem uiters klinies was. Hulle het balbesit uitstekend behou om die Wessies voorlangs ore aan te sit.

Die senterpaar van Sedwin Gysman en JC van Rhyn het ook nie geskroom om fisies betrokke te raak in die middeveld nie, en het elk welverdiend oorgebars vir ‘n drie.

Puntemakers:

Hoërskool Nelspruit 18 (3) – Drieë: Ruben Greeff, André Smit. Doelskop: Liam Pringle. Strafdoele: Pringle (2). Hoërskool Middelburg 13 (10) – Drie: Roux Grobler. Doelskop: Buhle Mphahlaza. Strafdoele: Mphahlaza (2).

Hoërskool Rustenburg 17 – Drieë: Wade Daivey, Lorenzo Snyers, Johnré Jefthas. Doelskop: Wade Daivey. Hoërskool Trio 14 – Drieë: Myburgh Jacobs, Jayden Windvogal. Doelskoppe: Windvogel (2).

Witteberg 22 (7) – Drieë: Pieter Nel, Sedwin Gysman, JC van Rhyn. Doelskop: Tshepo Motloung. Strafdoele: Motloung (2). Wesvalia 7 (7) – Drie: Strafdrie.

Ander spanne:

o .16: Hoërskool Middelburg 33, Hoërskool Nelspruit 17; Trio 22, Hoërskool Rustenburg 20; Witteberg 14, Wesvalia 5.

o .15: Hoërskool Nelspruit 31, Hoërskool Middelburg 0; Trio 16, Hoërskool Rustenburg 14; Wesvalia 21, Witteberg 5.

o .14: Hoërskool Middelburg 22, Hoërskool Nelspruit 7; Trio 19, Hoërskool Rustenburg 16; Wesvalia 14, Witterberg 0.

Ander eerstespan-uitslae:

Marais Viljoen 24, Transvalia 15.
Kempton Park 33, Montana 27.