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The u18 Independent Schools Festival has showcased some young rugby talent from across the country. Over the past few days, teams have battled fiercely on the field, displaying exceptional skill, determination, and sportsmanship.

Kearsney remained unbeaten at the u18 Independent Schools Festival securing a 26-7 win against St David’s Marist Inanada, who up until this fixture had also gone unbeaten. Kearsney’s Nhlanhla Ndlovu scored twice to put his team in a commanding position and ending what was a close match.

The Bulls Development XV fell short of Hilton College despite both sides only registering their first points during the second half. At halftime the score read 0-0 with everything to play for. Rukudzo Madinga scored for Hilton, which was converted by flyhalf John Grubb, who added to his successful penalty. The final result finishing 10-7 to Hilton College.

Cornwall lost narrowly to St Andrew’s College by a mere margin of seven-points, with the end result going the way of Eastern Cape team, 19-7. The smaller of the two schools, Cornwall will take a lot from the performance against several top schools during the festival. St Andrew’s were awarded the only penalty try for the festival, which was added to the tries of Coel Trollope and Daniel Arnold.

St Stithians were able to ward off CBC Boksburg, who put up a fight despite eventually losing 31-17. CBC were able to stay well within the reaches of Saints, before leaking 14-points in fairly quick succession which saw CBC to stay in any sort of contention from the match. Flyhalf Oliver Wilson converted 3 tries from five but played well during the game.

St John’s College Malan Du Plesiss put in a man of the match performance to get his side over the line against Clifton College and ending the festival on a winning note with the team winning 22-12. Going unbeaten throughout the festival, is just what the coaching staff would have been hoping for. The Blues have a prospective 2025 on the horizon with an exciting talent in flyhalf Gerald Van Wyk.

St Charles blew St Benedict’s College away winning 38-0 to end off what has been a good festival for the side, finishing it off in convincing fashion.

St Alban’s clenched a narrow three-point victory over St Andrews from Bloemfontein winning their final match 29-26, in what was an exciting match-up. Tries were spread across a number of players Ntsika Ngwadla, Griff Shroeder and Keegan Dick all found themselves on the scoresheet.

St Andrew’s Pietro De Cao had a good day-out scoring two tries of his own and successfully converted three out of four of his placement kicks but wasn’t enough to get his team over the line.

From the nail-biting finishes to the spectacular tries, the festival has celebrated the true spirit of rugby. This year’s festival delivered some thrilling encounters for rugby fans, who can relive all the action on SuperSport Schools. The schools have plenty to look forward to leading up to the 2025 season with more than enough talent floating around.

Results Day 3 – Wednesday, 3 July

St David’s Stayers XV 7 -16 Kearsney Stayers XV
St Stithians Stayers XV 31-17 CBC Boksburg
Hilton College Stayers XV 10-7 Blue Bulls U17 Development XV
Cornwall Hill College 7-19 St Andrew’s College Stayers XV
St Benedict’s Stayers XV 38, St Charles Stayers XV 0
St Alban’s College Stayers XV 29-26 St Andrew’s School
St John’s College Stayers XV 22- 12 Clifton Stayers XV

It is all systems go for this weekend’s Engen Knockout Challenge Gauteng leg, as 32 teams equally split between U-18 Boys and U-20 Girls prepare to do battle in the 2024 edition of South Africa’s largest youth football tournament.

The country’s most prestigious youth football tournament makes its way to the city of gold this weekend, where reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns and UJ Ladies aim to defend their provincial title, ahead of September’s Engen Champ of Champs finals.

The draw of the Gauteng leg was officially conducted on Wednesday, 03 July where all 32 teams were drawn into their respective groups by tournament ambassadors, Thabo Senong as well as Akhona Makalima who have been travelling with Engen throughout the country over the last few weeks.

Engen External Communications Manager, Gavin Smith along with SAFA Johannesburg President, Phil Mogodi were also amongst some of the key stakeholders in attendance at the draw conducted at the Wits Sports Headquarters in Johannesburg.

As expected, the draw produced some appetising encounters, which saw reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns headlining what has been dubbed as the group of death in the boys section.  They will be up against host club, Wits FC, TS Galaxy as well as the exciting Meadowlands Academy.

Former champions, Kaizer Chiefs will be looking at reclaiming their 2023 title but must first come out of a difficult group consisting of Jomo Cosmos, Randburg AFC as well as Transition Football FC.

In the Girls division, defending champions, UJ Ladies face fellow league opponents Springs Home Sweepers along with tournament hosts Wits and Panorama FC.

Another interesting group in the girls’ division sees JVW headlining a Group B pool consisting of Springs United Ladies, Future Stars as well as Emmarentia Pirates.

The tournament officially gets underway on Friday, 05 July and concludes on Sunday afternoon where the winners will be eligible to compete at the Engen Champion of Champions set to take place in September.

Eastern Province A was exceptional, winning seven out of seven games, on their way to their first SASHOC National Week u16 girls’ title since 2017 with a 1 – 0 triumph over Boland A in the final. The tournament ran from 28 June to 3 July in Bloemfontein.

“We worked so hard to achieve this,” an elated Hanna Potgieter, the Eastern Province A captain, shared after the victory.

⁠”My message to them at the start of the week was to enjoy the hunt and that message remained the same – ‘enjoy the hunt and opportunity to play. Go out and express yourself,’” Andrew Beynon, the Eastern Province A coach, explained.

Eastern Province A had an outstanding unbeaten campaign. They scored 21 goals, 16 of which came in the group stages where they won four and drew one match on their way to the top of Pool B. In the semifinals, they overcame Western Province A 4 – 1. And then beat Boland A 1 – 0 in the final. The two sides played out a 1 – 1 draw in the last match of the pool stages

Despite the team being the youngest outfit at this year’s IPTs, Beynon’s team showed a lot of growth. In 2023, they scored the ninth most goals in the tournament.

⁠”It is a young side but well-balanced, and their commitment has been exceptional. They were focused from when we assembled as a group and they continued to grow as a group throughout the week,” Beynon said.

This year, they finished with the joint-most goals by a side at the tournament. Southern Free State A is the other team with as many goals. However, Unlike Southern Free State A who have one outstanding goal-scorer, Chanette van Vuuren Jansen who has 10 goals to her name, Eastern Province A has three players in the top five scorers list. Jana Prinsloo and Lucy Holderness are in second place with six goals each and Kerrin Gillies is in joint fourth with five goals.

“It was definitely a collective effort. Different players were able to express themselves at certain times because of the hard work of the team,” Beynon explained his team’s approach.

The trio of Prinsloo, Holderness, and Gillies has been outstanding in the D and was a constant threat to Boland A’s defence throughout their contest in the final. They made several circle entries thanks to Eastern Province A’s dominating possession in the first two chukkas.

Boland A scored the third most goals but has been the best defensive team in the tournament. They conceded only two goals in their campaign, both to Eastern Province A. Staying true to form, Chris Gerber‘s charges repelled all the attacks launched towards their goal.

However, Boland A did more than just defend. They relied on the counter for most of the contest but wrestled control and were more energetic and attacking in the last five minutes of the third chukka and into the final quarter. The newfound verve turned the match from a one-sided affair to a hotly contested one that saw action swing from end to end, attacks and counter-attacks.

Alecia Louw broke the deadlock with five minutes remaining in the contest. It was not a glorious goal, but her third goal of the tournament turned out to be her most important goal of the tournament. After a period of trading volleys, Eastern Province A enjoyed a good phase of play, where an attack resulted in a penalty corner. Prinsloo teed up a shot which Louw deflected past the defenders and goalkeeper to take the lead.

The only concern for Beynon would be around his charges’ penalty corner conversion rate. They won nine short corners and only converted one. In the end, that was the only conversion that mattered.

Three members of the title-winning 2024 Eastern Province A team, Prinsloo, Louw, and Linathi Goniwe, were selected for the SA Schools u16.

Composure, grit, and determination were traits displayed by the Boland u16A boys as they capped off a superb week by claiming top honours at this year’s u16 SASOC National Week in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.

Boland defeated Eastern Province A 1-0 on showdowns after the clash ended 2-2 on regular time.

Both sides entered the final as the “in-form” teams after stellar showings during the Pool stages, and semi-finals the previous day.

Drawn in the same Pool A along last year’s champions, Western Province A, Boland, and EP finished in first and second place respectively with 12 points and separated by goal difference.

In the last four, EP showed great skill, and prowess to shrug off a dangerous KZN Inland A team 4-1, while Boland left it late to record an impressive 5-2 win against KZN Coastal A.

The final between the two teams was always going to be entertaining, with great matchups and a lot riding on certain individual players to produce the goods on the big stage.

From Boland, Luka Meets was the name on everybody’s lips after his prolific goalscoring form during the week. Meanwhile, EP were to rely on the ever-present James Chree and Keegan Le Roux in front of goal.

EP were on the front foot early in the match when they took the lead in the first chukka with three minutes to play.

After winning the ball back high in Boland’s half, Mpumi Magwentshu found Keegan Le Roux in space, and he entered the circle and danced his way past Boland’s defenders to score the game’s first goal.

The Bolanders replied in the second chukka through Caleb Cilliers after a smart interlinking play between Ruben Gouws, and Seth Paterson.

Both teams kept each other at bay in the third chukka. However, it was the side from the Western Cape that made 2-1 through Luka Meets after he scored from a PC drag flick.

That goal was cancelled out by another Le Roux strike, this time from a penalty stroke to bring matters level at 2-2 with four minutes to play.

There were no goals added, and the clash went into showdowns. There, both teams struggled early on missing their opening two chances.

Boland finally scored through Luca Jordaan, and when EP’s skipper, Matthew Allibone misfired, the match ended with Boland being crowned the champions.

“It’s an amazing feel, I’m proud of the boys,” Boland’s head coach, Dewald Raath told SuperSport Schools Plus after the encounter.

“It’s also a great story because as the u16s, we were in the semi-finals for the past three years and it’s the first time we’ve won a medal and it’s gold.

“The focus this week was building team culture, and we got it right. The boys are best friends and that’s one of the many positives we can take out from this week.”

The triumph was also Raath’s first as a coach. He’s coached Boland twice in the past three years, and on both occasions missed out in the semis.

He further gave credit to some of his standout players this week, and his skipper, who helped the side clinch the title.

“Yes, there are some players who stood out but I’m just proud of the team as a whole,” he said.

“Luka was exceptional, I coach him at school (Parel Vallei) and I know he’s an absolute workhorse and plays for the team.

“Our captain, Seth, was inspirational and led the team well,” he concluded.

Luka Meets finished the tournament as the top goal scorer with 14 goals. Meanwhile, Chulumanco Mkontwana from EP and Pearson High School in Gqeberha was named the most valuable goalkeeper for his prolific shot-stopping during the week.

Boland’s Logan Lackay scooped up two accolades, Player of the Tournament, and Most Valuable Defender.

The Most Valuable Midfielder award went to KZN Coastals’ A Christopher Abrahams, and Keegan Le Roux took home the Most Valuable Striker.

In the third/fourth play-off, it was KZN Inland A that defeated KZN Coastal A 3-1 to claim the bronze medal.

Results | Day 6

KZN Inland A 3-1 KZN Coastal A
Southern Free State A 1 (2) -1 (1) KZN Inland B
Southern Gauteng B 4-0 Border A
Northern Gauteng A 0 (3)- 0(1) KZN Coastal B
Western Province A 2-0 Southern Gauteng A
Boland A 2 (1)-2(0) Eastern Province A

Full standings:

Boland A
Eastern Province A
KZN Inland A
KZN Coastal A
Western Province A
Southern Gauteng A
Northern Gauteng A
KZN Coastal B
Southern Free State A
KZN Inland B
Southern Gauteng B
Border A

Border, Eastern Province, the Golden Lions and Western Province continued their dominant run when they claimed big wins in the final round of the U18 Girls Week staged at Jeppe High School in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

EP claimed their second win of the competition when they beat the Limpopo Blue Bulls 41-0, with scrumhalf Emihle Gobelani scoring three of their seven tries. The Eastern Cape side finished the two-round tournament with the most points (140) and tries (22).

After breezing past the Leopards in the first round, Border were made to work for the result against the South Western Districts on Wednesday, and eventually emerged with a 15-3 win.

The Golden Lions also finished the tournament on a dominant note when they scored seven tries in a convincing 45-5 win over Boland.

WP proved too strong for the Blue Bulls in the final match staged on Jeppe’s A Field. After trailing by nine points at half-time, the Cape side proceeded to score 24 unanswered points en route to a 36-21 victory.

In other fixtures, the Sharks finished their campaign on a high when they thrashed the Leopards 79-0, with No 8 Thabisile Zungu scoring a whopping six tries.

The Pumas scored nine tries in their 61-17 win against Free State, while Zimbabwe recorded a 50-12 victory over the Valke.

u18 results (Wednesday 3 July):

Sharks 79 (50) Leopards 0 (0)
Pumas 61 (47) Free State 17 (0)
Griquas 12 (12) Griffons 17 (12)
Valke 12 (0) v Zimbabwe 50 (24)
Eastern Province 41 (5) Limpopo Blue Bulls 0 (0)
Border 15 (15) SWD 3 (3)
Western Province 36 (12) Blue Bulls 21 (21)
Golden Lions 45 (24) Boland 5 (5)

The last round of the U16 tournament will be staged at Jeppe High School on Thursday, with the first matches starting at 10h00. Border will face the Limpopo Blue Bulls on the A Field, while Griquas will play the Griffons on the B Field.

u16 fixtures (Thursday 4 July):

10h00: Border v Limpopo Blue Bulls, A Field
10h00: Griquas v Griffons, B Field
11h15: Border CD v Valke, A Field
11h15: Golden Lions v Leopards, B Field
12h30: Free State v WP, A Field
12h30: Pumas v Sharks, B Field
13h45: EP v Blue Bulls, A Field
13h45: SWD v Boland, B Field

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

The Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) experienced an almost three-week hiatus without any football matches. However, the GWDL returned with an exciting Sunday of football at Panorama Football Club in Roodepoort.

Panorama FC hosted the u14 and the u16 of the GWDL fixtures showcasing an entertaining display of football that evoked a range of emotions even among the spectators. Many were filled with joy at the opportunity to witness the sport after a prolonged hiatus, while others grappled with disappointment as their respective teams faced setbacks and defeats.

The day was marked by various occurrences on the field, including contentious referee decisions and other factors that influenced the outcome of the matches. Ultimately, football emerged as the true victor, with both spectators, participants alike, including the players and coaches, cherishing the experience of engaging in compelling and competitive football.

Mamelodi Sundowns, the top team team both the u14 and the u16 division, with 33 points, boasting 8 and 7 points respectively. They further solidified their positions at the top of the table over the weekend.

There were some many brilliant matches to witness, one of which was the u16 clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and JVW FC. When these two teams faced off, fans always anticipate a display of competitive football and a rollercoaster of emotions. While spectators enjoyed the spectacle, it may not have been as enjoyable for the coaches. This year alone, these teams have crossed paths in crucial moments one of which meeting in the final of Pre-season tournament of the GWDL and the Pirates Cup.

Mamelodi Sundows emerged victorious in the Pre-season GWDL tournament, but JVW FC claimed the Pirates Cup. With this history, it was no surprise that the match lived up to the expectations and delivered a thrilling display of competitive football.

The first half of this match concluded with a scoreless draw, resulting in heightened tension and frustration for all involved. In close proximity to the benches, keen observes could see both coaches issuing instructions in anticipation of the upcoming second half.

In the dying moments of the match, Mamelodi Sundowns managed to secure a dramatic victory with a last minute goal, defeating JVW FC 1-0 as the final score.

Post-match comments from coach Rhoda Mulaudzi of Mamelodi Sundowns 

Coach Rhoda Muladzi of Mamelodi Sundowns pondered over a challenging match against JVW, and upon receiving the first yellow card as a coach. Coach Rhoda remarked, “Its the first time in my coaching career that I’ve been shown a yellow card, it happening on the bench!”

“Congratulations to our technical team, the coaches that I work, coach Andisiwe, Zanele, Andile, the Goalkeeper coach, fitness coach and the Sundowns management. They are putting effort to where this team is today.”

Coach Rhoda said that the team put up a strong fight against JVW and it was a challenging match. The changes made by the technical team made impact. “The player who scored the goal was on the bench with us, and we told her to take on defenders and shoot when she sees the opportunity and that is what she did.

“To be honest these girls are gifted, they are marvelous and they listen to us. We teach these kids not to be scared of the opponent, play what you know.”

“Also congratulations to JVW, every time when we play them its a war,” Coach Rhoda concluded.

Post-match comments from Samuel Dube of JVW FC

Coach Samuel Dube said his team looks forward to play against Mamelodi Sundowns as there is a bit of personal rival there.

“It sucks to lose one nil, last minute of the game after putting such great shift. It is a bitter pillow to swallow, other than that I’m proud of the girls. They really tried , we stopped Sundowns from playing like Sundowns. There was no shoe-shine football today. First time I see Sundowns playing one root-football.”

“They normally play through , I think Zihle Mkhize she wear number 15 and Moothosamy Amara , and I told my players as long as you close down those two players, and man-mark them, I really do not think they can play out.

He emphasized that his attacking trio played a crucial role in pressing Sundowns and managing possession of the ball. This strategy is essential in order to prevent Sundowns from dominating possession and taking advantage of scoring opportunities.

Coach Samuel congratulated Sundowns despite their loss, expressing his desire to outperform them in the next encounter, whether it be in a cup match or during the league play.

u16 Results 

Edenvale 2-0 West Youth Academy
Tuks 4-0 Football Origin
Refilwe 0-0 Tornado FC
RESA 2-0 Kenneth FC
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 JVW FC
Kempton Park FC 4-2 Highlands Park
Football Origin 2-0 Edenvale
Refilwe 2-0 West Youth Academy
Tuks 2-0 Kenneth FC
JVW 1-0 RESA
Panorama FC 2-0 Kempton Park FC
Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 Highlands Park

u14 Results 

Edenvale 0-0 Highlands Park FC
RESA 2-1 Refilwe
Panorama FC 3-0 Tornado FC
Tuks 4-0 Origin FC
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 West Youth Academy
Highlands Park 0-0 Kenneth FC
JVW FC 3-0 Edenvale FC
RESA 0-0 Tornado
TUKS 2-1 Refilwe
Panorama FC 2-0 West Youth Academy
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Highlands Park
Kempton Park 2-1 JVW FC
Edenvale FC 2-0 Kenneth FC

Eastern Province, Western Province, the Sharks and SWD were among the big winners in the first round of the u16 Girls Week staged at Jeppe High School in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

The Golden Lions, the tournament hosts, started well in their battle against WP, and went to the break with a 14-10 lead. WP upped the tempo in the second stanza, and eventually claimed a 29-21 victory, with centres Endinalo Fihla and Nichole Hartzenberg combining to score four of their team’s five tries.

Earlier in the day, EP scored six tries in a convincing 34-5 win against the Limpopo Blue Bulls, with flyhalf Nadelean Leeuwskieter contributing a hat-trick and a total of 19 points.

In other fixtures, South Western Districts produced a second-half blitz to down the Valke 29-5, while the Sharks cruised to a 10-0 win over Griquas.

The Blue Bulls pulled a result back for the north when they edged Border 12-10 in one of the tightest contests of the day.

The Pumas and Free State claimed convincing victories, while Boland survived a late fightback by Border Country Districts to win 10-7.

The u16 tournament will conclude at Jeppe High School on Thursday.

U16 results (Tuesday 2 July):

EP 34 (24) Limpopo Blue Bulls 5 (0)
WP 29 (10) Golden Lions 21 (14)
Pumas 31 (12) Griffons 15 (10)
Leopards 0 (0) Free State 19 (12)
Sharks 10 (5) Griquas 0 (0)
Border 10 (0) Blue Bulls 12 (5)
Boland 10 (10) Border Country Districts 7 (0)
SWD 29 (5) Valke 5 (5)

Meanwhile, the second and final round of the tournament for U18 teams will be staged at Jeppe High School on Wednesday, with the action commencing with at 10h00. The Sharks will tackle the Leopards on the A Field, while the Pumas will face Free State on the B Field.

u18 fixtures (Wednesday 3 July):

10h00: Sharks v Leopards, A Field
10h00: Pumas v Free State, B Field
11h30: Griquas v Griffons, A Field
11h30: Valke v Zimbabwe, B Field
13h00: Eastern Province v Limpopo Blue Bulls, A Field
13h00: Border v SWD, B Field
14h30: Western Province v Blue Bulls, A Field
14h30: Golden Lions v Boland, B Field

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

New champions will be crowned at this year’s u16 SASHOC National Week.

This is after Eastern Province A, and Boland A booked their spots in the final of this year’s showpiece in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

Playing at the University of Free State’s main astroturf, EP defeated KZN Inland A 4-1 in the first semi-final while Boland, in the later clash, thumped a strong KZN Coastal A team 5-2.

One may argue that EP are undeniably the surprise package in this year’s tournament considering they were playing in the B Section, which they won last year to gain promotion to the big league.

In this year’s tournament, they were drawn in Pool A along with last year’s champions, Western Province A, Boland A, Northern Gauteng, hosts, Southern Free State A, and Southern Gauteng B.

EP didn’t have the best of starts on the opening day and went down 0-3 against Coach Sam Holme’s Province team.

That would be their first and last defeat in the group stages as they dominated in their remaining matches scoring 19 goals in four matches and only conceding seven times.

They booked their spot in the last four after finishing level with Boland, and Province on 12 points but progressed due to their superior goal difference compared to Province’s.

In the semi-final, they came up against a strong KZN Inland A team captained by Siwaphiwe Sithembu. In their round-robin stage campaign, Inland didn’t taste defeat winning all five matches.

They were, however, shocked in the semi when Coach Michael Abrahams’ side opened the scoring in the second chukka through Logan Goddard-Ford after a brilliant counterattack move found Inland napping.

Coach Mark Sanders’ team responded two minutes later with a goal from Roy Schirge.

Schirge’s goal would be the last time Inland found the back of the net in the clash with EP’s defence standing firm, and the likes of Dale Jennings, the strong Ameer Muller, and goalkeeper Chulumanco Mkontwana keeping their calm at the back.

In front, it was the dangerous Chris Chree who continued on his goal-scoring form netting in twice for EP to take a 3-1 lead at the break.

Chree, with that brace, reached eight goals in this year’s event and currently sits second in the goalscoring chart.

It was, however, Dante Elkington’s fourth-quarter strike that sealed the 4-1 victory for the Eastern Cape side.

“It was a slow start for us, but the boys bounced back with some good performances,” Coach Abrahams’ told SuperSport Schools Plus after the match.

“After losing on day one, the conversations have been about self-belief and trusting the process. The boys showed great character after day 1 and put in the hard work.”

“Teamwork in the final will be very important. It will take all 16 players, including the management to work together to ensure a good performance can be delivered,” he concluded.

The showdown will not be any easy for EP with Boland also aiming to take the gold medal back to the Western Cape.

In their semi-final, Boland was at their usual best and scored five times to dismantle a strong KZN Coastal A 5-2.

Luka Meets, who has been in prolific form during the week was at the forefront of his team’s performance scoring a hattrick of goals while Adam Lietch and Logan Lackay contributed a goal each to the victory.

The final on Wednesday will kick off at 11:20, and you can catch it LIVE on SuperSport Schools.

Day 5 | Results:

Southern Gauteng A 2(3) – 2(2) Northern Gauteng A
Western Province A 2(4) – 2(3) KZN Coastal B
Southern Free State A 2-1 Border A
Eastern Province A 4-1 KZN Inland A
KZN Inland B 3-2 Southern Gauteng B
Boland A 5-2 KZN Coastal A

Day 6 | Fixtures:

08:30-KZN Coastal A vs KZN Inland A
08:30- Southern Free State A vs KZN Inland B @Fichardtpark 
08:30- Border A vs Southern Gauteng B @Grey College 
09:40- Northern Gauteng A vs KZN Coastal B @Fichardtpark 
10:50- Southern Gauteng A vs Western Province A @Grey College
11:20- Boland A vs Eastern Province A

Eastern Province A and Boland A made it through to the finals of the u16 SASHOC National Week on Tuesday at the University of Free State.

Both teams enjoyed a good run in the tournament after winning four of their five games in the Pool stages. They finished the Pools – Province in the first place while Boland fell in number two, both with 13 points. Eastern Province had an advantage of the goal difference.

Today, coach Andrew Beynon’s side edged Western Province 4-1 in the semifinal to book a spot in the final against Boland.

They dominated the clash and put their opponents on the back foot from the first chukka as Lucy Holderness fired up a Penalty Corner and Jana Prinsloo, doubled the score in the second chukka.

Western Province raised to fight in the game in the third chukka and denied their opponents the chance to score, as a result, that quarter was completed without a goal.

However, in the final chukka, the Eastern Cape learners broke the Western side’s defence twice, Holderness registered her second goal and Lisa De Villiers converted the Penalty Corner to make it a 4-0 lead.

In the last two minutes before the final whistle, Zaney Gerber netted the only goal for Louise Conradie’s side to make the score 4-1.

On the other hand, Boland earned their spot in the final after they outplayed KwaZulu-Natal Coastal 2-0. Philippa Viljoen scored both goals as Boland made their way to fight for the 2024 title.

The Boland-EP clash will be a repeat of the day four fixture where both sides met in a thrilling encounter, that bettered the goal advantage of the Province.

The match ended on a 1-1 draw – a point to each side, thanks to Nicola van der Merwe’s Penalty Corner scored in three minutes and Lucy Holderness’s PC in the second Chukka.

Meanwhile, the Pool A leaders, KZN Coastal and Western Province have a date to play for positions 3 and 4 on Wednesday. This was the first defeat of the tournament for the Coastal that turned out to be very costly.

In the Pools they played five games, won four, and drew one, only to be handed their first defeat in the semifinals.  Eastern Province and Boland are still unbeaten.

In other fixtures, KwaZulu-Natal Inland shrugged off Southern Gauteng B 4-1. On the final day of the tournament Inland will play for positions 5 and 6 against Southern Gauteng A, who thumbed Northern Gauteng 3-0.

Southern Free State A wrapped up the day of the semifinals with a whopping 5 – 0 defeat against Border.

The u 16 girls final will be played at 09:55 on Wednesday at University of Free State field 1, while other games will be played at Eunice and Grey College

TUESDAY RESULTS

KZN Inland A 4 – 1 Southern Gauteng B

Northern Gauteng 0 – 3 Southern Gauteng A

Western Province A 1 – 4 Eastern Province A

KZN Coastal B 3 – 0 Boland B

KZN Coastal A 0 – 2 Boland A

Southern Free State A 5 – 0 Border

Junior Springbok coach Bafana Nhleko has tweaked the starting fifteen for Thursday’s World Rugby U20 Championship encounter with Argentina in Stellenbosch by making five changes to the run-on side that started in the win over Fiji.

Thursday’s Pool C clash at the Danie Craven Stadium will kick off at 19h00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

The inclusion of Bruce Sherwood (fullback) and Phillip-Albert van Niekerk (inside centre) are the changes in the backline, in place of Michail Damon, who will sit out this clash, and Josh Boulle, who has been included on the bench.

Amongst the forwards, Thabang Mphafi moves from No 7 flanker to the other side of the scrum to play in the No 6 jersey where he replaces Sibabalwe Mahashe, who in turn moves to the replacement bench.

Elsewhere in the starting pack, Jaco Grobbelaar is set to make his debut at lock in place of Bathobele Hlekani, who will start at flanker. Meanwhile, Nhleko has opted for a split of six forwards and two backs on the bench in anticipation of a huge battle up front with the powerful Argentine pack.

“When we faced them two months ago in Australia, as well as during a strong first-half showing against England on Saturday (in Athlone), Argentina displayed their impressive forward power, so we have to be prepared to deal with that,” said Nhleko.

Nhleko explained the variations to the match 23: “Whilst we wanted to keep the spine of the team intact, we must manage the load of the players sensibly because this is a demanding tournament due to the short turnaround time between matches and being adaptable in different circumstances.

“I am pleased for Jaco who missed the Australian tour with injury and his selection, coupled with the other tweaks, are part of the process to freshen up the team and also adapting to how we want to play against different opposition.

“We have a hardworking squad who are all contributing positively even when not playing. They are eager to continue with their learning, growth, and togetherness as a group.”

Junior Springbok team to face Argentina in Stellenbosch:

15 Bruce Sherwood, 14 Joel Leotlela, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 12 Phillip-Albert van Niekerk, 11 Litelihle Bester, 10 Liam Koen, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Tiaan Jacobs, 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Thabang Mphafi, 5 JF van Heerden, 4 Jaco Grobbelaar, 3 Zachary Porthen (captain), 2 Luca Bakkes,
1 Ruan Swart. Replacements: 16 Ethan Bester, 17 Liyema Ntshanga, 18 Casper Badenhorst, 19 Thomas Dyer, 20 Keanu Coetsee, 21 Sibabalwe Mahashe, 22 Tylor Sefoor, 23 Joshua Boulle.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications