There were wins for Parel Vallei, Stellenberg High, HMS Bloemhof, and Pinelands High School during this past weekend’s girls’ hockey action in and around the Western Cape.
The action, however, began on Friday afternoon, when Bloemfontein’s Oranje made the trip down to face Paarl Girl’s High in their first encounter of the weekend.
Both sides came into the fixture after positive results the week before.
Girls High had defeated Parel Vallei (2-1), while Oranje was held to a (2-2) draw by Garsfontein in the Free State.
This particular clash, as expected was tough, and close but Oranje did just enough against Coach Anri Keevy’s side, scrapping through a (1-0) win.
In their second match of the weekend on Saturday morning, the Bloem side came up against the stern challenge of Paarl Gimnasium.
Before the clash, the two sides had met at this year’s St Mary’s Waverley Festival and played out to a nail-biting (1-1) draw.
Early on, it didn’t look like a draw would repeat itself with Gim taking a (2-0) after they scored late in the first chukka, before doubling their lead in the second.
Their goals were netted in by Jone de Winnaar and Isabella Nel. Approaching half-time, Gim became complacent, and allowed the visitors an opportunity to creep back into the game, as Oranje pulled on back to go into half-time training (2-1).
The Bloemfontein side wasn’t done and capitalized on Gim’s lapse of concentration in the third chukka, leveling things out at (2-2).
Try as they, the hosts couldn’t get a third goal in, and both sides had to share the spoils.
In other matches on the weekend, Parel Vallei’s solitary goal proved just enough to beat St Cyprian’s. Outeniqua and Durbanville played out to a (0-0) draw.
Bloemhof beat Paarl Girls High (3-1) on Saturday morning, while Stellenberg proved too strong for Reddam Constantia. Pinelands were the big winners, netting in five against Milnerton High School.
The action returns to your screens next weekend, and you can catch it LIVE on SuperSport Schools.
RESULTS: Paarl Girls’ High 0-1 Oranje
Outeniqua 0-0 Durbanville
Stellenberg High 4-1 Reddam Constantia
Parel Vallei 1-0 St Cyprian’s
Bloemhof 3-1 Paarl Girls’ High
Paarl Gimnasium 2-2 Oranje
Pinelands High 5-1 Milnternon High School
Winter may be approaching, but the temperature was up in the 30s for the visit of Durban High School (DHS) to Goldstone’s in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday, and Maritzburg College dialled up the heat in the early going, too.
Last season, DHS withstood a powerful College challenge on Van Heerden’s Field early in the season, before going on to remain unbeaten at home in 2023. College matched that achievement by going unbeaten on Goldstone’s.
Unfortunately for the Red, Black and White, that’s not going to happen in 2024 after the Horseflies fought back from a 12-point deficit at the break, holding College scoreless in the second half, to score a gusty 21-18 win and retain the Skonk Nicholson Trophy. It was 6-18 at half-time.
In front of raucous supporters for both sides, DHS made a bright start and surged onto the attack, but College quickly forced a penalty, kicked downfield, and set up a lineout in the visitors’ territory, before putting a slow squeeze on them.
Mahle Sithole and his team have, however, proven themselves to be a very stubborn defensive unit and it took College until the 13th minute to get onto the scoreboard, with flyhalf James Slevin kicking a penalty to open the scoring.
Soon, though, it was 3-3, when Allston Cedras nailed a penalty from just outside the hosts’ 22m line.
Cedras, then, rescued DHS, ducking under two attackers near his own try line while on defence to escape a precarious position after College launched a counterattack. The pressure was on, though, and Maritzburg College picked up another three points when Slevin slotted his second penalty after 19 minutes.
With good recycling and use of the width of the field, College exited their 22 after the restart and wound their way up the field with swift movement of the ball. Eventually, they manufactured space out on the right and Nkululeko Sithole ran a good support line to take a short pop-pass and go over for a brilliant first try of the game.
Slevin was unable to convert, but College enjoyed an 11-3 lead and were good value for their eight-point advantage.
After half-an-hour, however, DHS brought themselves to within a try of the home side, when Cedras landed a second penalty.
Just before the half-time whistle, College went to lock Jake Jansen at the back of a five-metre lineout. With a superbly controlled driving maul, they knocked DHS backwards and hooker Siya Nyathi crashed over for another try. Slevin tacked on two further points and Maritzburg College were well in control at the break, leading 18-6.
For the first 10 minutes of the second half, it was also all College, who played the game in the DHS half, but School finally wrestled their way out and a counterattack took them into the home team’s 22. It was, however, a throw-in to College.
The lineouts were keenly contested, and a couple of missed throw-ins proved decisive in a tight match.
In a decisive moment in the contest, the hosts failed to secure the lineout and DHS scrumhalf Marcwin Nero darted through to snaffle the loose ball. He made five metres before picking out a supporting runner. Maritzburg College halted the charge five metres shy of their tryline, but DHS still had control of the ball.
With a strong leg drive, Unaye Mndau broke off the ruck and powered to within two metres of the line. Then, when DHS sent the ball down their backline, good quick passing created an overlap and Zenkosi Mthiyane was over in the left-hand corner.
The conversion kick was off target, but the visitors had drawn to within a converted try of the hosts.
When Cedras landed a third penalty in the 54th minute, DHS was a try away from taking the lead. The momentum had swung and College, dominant for so long in the game, were determinedly fending off their rivals’ attacks.
A stunning try that swept DHS from their own 22 over the Maritzburg College try line then gave the Durban boys the lead. It began with a decision to run the ball from deep. As College’s defence shifted across, a beautifully judged grubber through the defensive line sat up nicely for right-wing Adriano Jackson, who gathered and raced into the home side’s half.
When he was tackled, he popped up a pass to Cedras and he took the ball down the right touchline and midway into the College 22, before grubbering inside, looking for his support. His halfback partner Nero was there. He slowed down briefly, took possession of the ball and then fell over the line for the five-pointer.
Cedras made it a seven-point score with the simple conversion and DHS led 21-18.
With time up, College had a chance to steal a victory when they won a penalty and kicked to touch, to set up a lineout just five metres from the DHS line. The visitors, though, got a hand in front of the throw-in, took possession of the ball, and then nudged it into touch to secure the win.
DHS Director of Rugby Peter Engeldow was thrilled with how his players had dug deep to turn the game around. “It was massive,” he said. “I noticed our energy levels were very low when College scored, and some of the guys had their hands on their knees already. I said alright today is all about effort, about staying in the fight. We had to keep going. And I needed the guys to keep driving.
“Our heads were gone. We were out. And that’s what I am so proud of.
“That was our topic the whole week. We were very poor in our work-rate and our effort against Northwood [last week]. It was our poorest game ever. This was a hard week. We made some big changes. I’m delighted for the boys. There were a lot of life lessons this week.”
Goldstone’s is a tough fortress, which makes winning on Maritzburg College’s main rugby field very special. “I’m proud of the boys for the effort,” Engeldow said.
“It’s my second time visiting Goldstone’s and it’s a second win here. Fortunately, I’ve had a really good run against College, and may it continue for a long time.
“For me, today, it’s the Blue and Goldstone’s and I am very proud of the boys.”
Scores
Maritzburg College 18 (18) – Tries: Nkululeko Sithole, Siya Nyathi. Conversion: James Slevin, Penalties: James Slevin (2). Durban High School 21 (6) – Tries: Zenkosi Mthiyane, Marcwin Nero. Conversion: Allston Cedras. Penalties: Allston Cedras (3).
Results
u19 – Maritzburg College II 10 DHS II 45; Maritzburg College III 15 DHS III 12; Maritzburg College IV 19 DHS IV 6; Maritzburg College V 49 DHS V 0; Maritzburg College VI 29 DHS VI 0; Maritzburg College VII 24 KZN Development 19; Maritzburg College VIII 0 Michaelhouse VII 35; Maritzburg College IX 5 Michaelhouse VIII 14; Maritzburg College X 52 Michaelhouse IX 7
U16 – Maritzburg College A 14 DHS A 17: Maritzburg College B 10 DHS B 7; Maritzburg College C 31 DHS C 7; Maritzburg College D 43 DHS D 7; Maritzburg College E 14 Michaelhouse 35; Maritzburg College F 25 Michaelhouse 26
u15 – Maritzburg College A 16 DHS A 11; Maritzburg College B 25 DHS B 24; Maritzburg College C 46 DHS C 0; Maritzburg College D 39 DHS D 7; Maritzburg College F 10-32 Northwood
u14 – Maritzburg College A 7 DHS A 33; Maritzburg College B 3 DHS B 27; Maritzburg College C 19 DHS C 12; Maritzburg College D 24 DHS D 7; Maritzburg College E 45 DHS E 5
The Parel Vallei Bulldogs fended off a fired-up Hoërskool Tygerberg team on Saturday at home, outscoring the visitors 29-14.
The proud Somerset West outfit showed off their versatility, scoring two set-piece tries, with their big tighthead, Ian Kleynhans driving over for two tries. Their other five-pointers came from exciting backline play, with flyhalf Shudley Rhoda finding space behind the rushing Tygerberg defenders to send his lightning-quick wing Iviwe Majingo over for a brace.
Majingo’s opposite number, Jodrey Yemba, scored both of his side’s tries, but the hosts controlled the game expertly to take the win.
Scrumhalf Michael Kent was phenomenal for PV, putting in some big hits on defence while keeping his team on the front foot with his sound distribution. He and Rhoda controlled the tempo of the game to drive their team to an impressive victory over the Cape Town school.
They face one of their toughest challenges of the season next weekend when they travel to George to take on Hoërskool Outeniqua.
The Kwaggas beat Hoërskool Durbanville 34-17 this weekend and will want to give themselves a further boost ahead of the Absa Wildeklawer Festival, which takes place in Kimberley at the beginning of May.
Hoërskool Hermanus put up a valiant fight against Strand, but the visitors’ scrumhalf, Jayden Steenkamp, showed nerves of steel to lift his side to a dramatic victory.
It was a game of two halves. Strand stormed to a 28-12 lead at the break but had to wait until the final minutes to score again, when Steenkamp knocked over the winning penalty.
For the hosts, Gideon Scheepers and Neo Faro stood out and made the Strand team sweat. Hermanus outscored the visitors by five tries to four, but Steenkamp’s accuracy with the boot was the difference in the contest.
For a fifth time this season, a Strand game was decided by fewer than five points. The Eagles have been an exciting watch week in and week out.
They’ll be excited to take on Stellenberg next weekend and will hope that the home-field advantage might help them to add a big name to the list of teams who have faltered against them this year.
u19 – Fish Hoek 1st XV 60, Camps Bay 1st XV 0; Hoërskool Bellville 1st XV 25, Hopefield 1st XV 12; Parel Vallei II 41, Tygerberg II 0; Parel Vallei III 20, Tygerberg III 5; Strand II 40 Hermanus II 10; Hermanus III 7 Strand III 5; Piketberg II 15, Vredenburg II 5.
u16 – Tygerberg A 17, Parel Vallei A 12; Hermanus A 19, Strand A 17; Hermanus B 14, Strand B 7.
u15 – Tygerberg A 3, Parel Vallei A 0; Parel Vallei B 17, Tygerberg B 7; Strand A 31, Hermanus A 7; Strand B 28, Hermanus B 5; Piketberg A 34, Vredenburg A 7; Piketberg B 14, Vredenburg B 10.
u14 – Tygerberg A 21, Parel Vallei A 10; Parel Vallei B 13, Tygerberg B 5; Srrand A 50, Hermanus A 7; Strand B 31, Hermanus B 12.
Hoërskool Trio het Saterdag in Bethlehem hul eerste sege in vanjaar se Wesgrow-reeks behaal, deur vas te byt vir ‘n naelbytoorwinning van 20-17 oor Witteberg.
Die besoekers het vroeg reeds vir Witteberg op die doellyn vasgepen, vir losskakel, Byron Biennas, om hul rekening met ‘n strafdoel oop te maak.
Dit was egter die tuisspan wat eerste die doellyn kon oorsteek, toe hul blitsige vleuel, Sakkie Brits, oorgeduik het na ‘n vlymskerp breekslag deur losskakel, Sydwell Sethi.
Trio het byna onmiddelik teruggeslaan deur hul groot agsteman, Tapiwa Mundeta, om weer die voortou te neem, maar Sethi het verdere bresse in die span van Kroonstad se verdediging geslaan om self te druk vir Witteberg om teen rustyd met 12-10 voor te loop.
Die tweede skof het stadig begin, maar toe Trio se blitsige regtervleuel, Thuto Kekane, die kans kry om sy ore plat te trek was daar geen keer aan hom nie en het hy ‘n steekskoppie deur skrumskakel, Ethan Smith, toegeduik vir die eerste van sy twee drieë.
Witteberg het steeds geweier om te gaan lê, en Jacques van der Merwe het vir hulle nogmaals laat voorloop. Die dag sou egter aan die besoekers behoort, met Kekane en Smith wat skitterend gekombineer het vir die wendrie, en Kekane se tweede.
Die tuisspan het dapper probeer terugkom in die doodsnikke, maar Trio het vasgebyt vir ‘n kritiese oorwinning.
In Welkom het verlede jaar se algehele kampioen, Hoërskool Voortrekker, hul spiere gebult teen Goudveld met goeie uitslae deur die bank.
Die Gouties se eerstes het nietemin vir die besoekers kwaai laat sweet vir ‘n oorwinning van 19-13.
Drieë deur die Trekker-staatmakers, Kamohelo Moses, Arnold Ras en Cecil Parsons, was uiteindelik genoeg om die knoop deur te hak, maar die uitslag was tot die einde nog in die weegskaal.
Hendro Boardman, die span van Welkom se senter, het die eerste drie gedruk en losskakel, Ruben Crous, het kort voor halftyd ‘n strafdoel oorgejaag om aan hul span ‘n voorsprong van 8-5 te besorg met die omdraaislag.
Na die Trekkers se tweede drie het die tuisspan nog een keer gedruk deur skrumskakel, JM Rensburg, maar die Bethlehem-pak het die uitklophou gelewer met ses minute speeltyd oor, toe hul Cravenweek-stut, Cecil Parsons, oorgedryf het vir die wendrie.
Hierdie Voortrekker-span lyk oorgehaal om die o. 19 A-kampioenskap ook in te palm vanjaar, maar die Gouties het ongetwyfeld met hope eer uit die stryd getree. Die enigste span wat tot dusver in die Wesgrow-reeks vir die Trekkers kon troef, is Diamantveld van Kimberley.
Die Diamonds was Saterdag in Bloemfontein in aksie, waar hulle vir Jim Fouché met 38-15 verslaan het om hul onoorwonne status in vanjaar se reeks te behou.
Linkervleuel, Jonathan Harding, het twee van sy span se drieë aangeteken, terwyl Enrique Boshoff, Marno Greeff, Clinton Brits en Stiaan van Loggerenberg ook elk vyf punte bygedra het.
Duardt Bester het albei JF se drieë gedruk, nadat hy aanvanklik nie die beginspan gehaal het nie en as ‘n plaasvervanger vir ‘n besering opgekom het.
Intussen het Fichardtpark ook hul buurskool, Sentraal, met 27-7 kafgedraf.
Heelagter, Martin Kalp, het twee drieë gedruk en die Fichies kon die besoekers tot in die laaste oomblikke van die wedstryd verhoed om enige punte aan te teken.
Die Tralies se kaptein, Marnus Earle, het einde ten laaste hul rekening oopgemaak, maar teen daardie tyd het die Fichie-Leeus reeds die spogregte vir nog ‘n jaar verseker. Na ‘n moeilike begin aan hul seisoen, lyk dit asof die Fichies nou werklik hul 40ste bestaansjaar kan begin vier met die tipe sprankelrugby wat hulle verlede seisoen reeds opgedis het.
Voortrekker 19 (5) – Drieë: Kamohelo Moses, Arnold Ras, Cecil Parsons. Doelskoppe: Christiaan van der Sandt (2). Goudveld 13 (5) – Drieë: Hendro Boardman, JM Rensburg. Doelskop: Ruben Crous. Strafdoel: Crous.
Diamantveld 38 (7) – Drieë: Jonathan Harding (2), Enrique Boshoff, Marno Greeff, Clinton Brits, Stiaan van Loggerenberg. Doelskoppe: Simon Liversage (2), Harding, Greeff. Jim Fouché 15 (3) – Drieë: Duardt Bester (2). Doelskop: Bendré Vermaak. Strafdoel: Vermaak.
Fichardtpark 27 (17) – Drieë: Martin Kalp (2), Jan-Nel du Plessis, Divan Maartens, Nathan Swanepoel. Doelskop: Devanté Claasen. Sentraal 7 (0) – Drie: Marnus Earle. Doelskop: Lee-Yagin Arendse.
Al die uitslae:
o. 19 – Witteberg II 37, Trio II 18; Witteberg III 31, Trio III 21; Voortrekker II 21, Goudveld II 3; Voortrekker III 22, Goudveld III 0; Voortrekker IV 10, Goudveld IV 0; Diamantveld II 37, Jim Fouché II 31; Diamantveld III 47, Jim Fouché III 5; Fichardtpark II 52, Sentraal II 17; Fichardtpark III 26, Sentraal III 5.
o. 16 – Witteberg A 27, Trio A 26; Witteberg B 24, Trio B 0; Voortrekker A 19, Goudveld A 7; Voortrekker B 13, Goudveld B 12; Diamantveld A 50, Jim Fouché A 17; Fichardtpark A 17, Sentraal A 5; Sentraal B 41, Fichardtpark B 5.
o. 15 – Trio A 55, Witteberg A 7; Trio B 52, Witteberg B 0; Voortrekker A 26, Goudveld A 5; Voortrekker B 56, Goudveld B 0; Jim Fouché A 22, Diamantveld A 19; Jim Fouché B 22, Diamantveld B 7; Sentraal A 24, Fichardtpark A 19; Sentraal B 55, Fichardtpark B 0.
o. 14 – Witteberg A 22, Trio A 22; Witteberg B 19, Trio B 0; Voortrekker A 55, Goudveld A 0; Voortrekker B 31, Goudveld B 12; Diamantveld A 41, Jim Fouché A 0; Diamantveld B 57, Jim Fouché B 3; Fichardtpark A 12, Sentraal A 12; Fichardtpark B 28, Sentraal B 21.
SACS’s Litha Kraai on the charge for his side during their clash against Grey High School on 20 April 2024. Kraai scored a hattrick to lead his side to a 5-2 win. Photo: Ray Chaplin Photography
South African College High School(SACS), Bishops Diocesan College, and Wynberg Boys’ High all kept their unbeaten records in the Western Cape this season intact on a busy weekend of hockey.
SACS faced two potential banana skins, but they were up for the challenge. On Friday night, they beat Rondebosch Boys’ High 3-0 before thumping Grey High 5-2 at the Brewery Astroturf on Saturday morning.
Bishops, meanwhile, overran Reddam House Constantia 7-1 at the Woodlands Astroturf, while Wynberg Boys’ High held Grey High to a 2-2 draw at home.
SACS entered their clash with Rondebosch as the favourites. They were, however, wary of coach Waseem Domingo’s side after ‘Bosch shocked Paul Roos 1-0 the previous week.
SACS, however, have played some fantastic hockey this season and, fresh off a 7-1 win over Parel Vallei, they showed steely resolve to withstand a rugged Rondebosch challenge and come away with a 3-0 victory.
On the scoresheet was Litha Kraai, who twice converted penalty strokes, and Reagan Wille. SACS could have had more because they won plenty of penalty corners, but ‘Bosch ‘keeper Marley Musasa did an excellent job of keeping them out.
Well less than 24 hours later, on Saturday morning, SACS took on Grey High School at home and pulled off a calm and relaxed 5-2 win. It was a game that presented itself as one of the toughest challenges the Cape Town school will face this season, but they were up for it and large and in charge once again.
Without seeming to truly exert themselves, SACS controlled the contest, dominating ball possession and territory to keep the boys from Gqeberha under pressure. This time, Kraai added another three goals to his season’s tally, and Reece Theunis bolstered his haul with another two.
Also on Friday night, in another clash that took place in the southern suburbs, Bishops continued on their unbeaten run with a straightforward and comprehensive 7-1 win over Reddam House Constantia.
Since the start of the season, Bishops has been on an upward trajectory, stacking wins and producing impressive results while sharpening the brand of hockey they want to play.
Last weekend, they dismantled DF Malan 8-0. Before that, coach Ryan Julius’s team won all of their matches at the Bishops 175 Festival.
In Friday’s outing, they were aided to the emphatic victory by goals from Robert Veldtman, Bryn Parry, James Grieve, and doubles by both Joshua Mettler and Harry Morgan.
Next week, they will face one of their toughest challenges yet, when they host Wynberg Boys’ High at home.
Wynberg is another team that has been good on the eye early in the season. Coach Ben Wiley‘s boys have gone about their business in a low-key but effective manner.
They began their local campaign with a resounding 5-1 win over Curro Durbanville on the opening weekend of hockey action earlier this month and followed up with a 5-1 thumping of Paarl Boys’ High in Paarl.
On Saturday, a brace by SA Schools’ cricket captain Beni Hansen helped them hold the high-flying Grey High to a 2-2 draw.
Wynberg’s clash against Bishops next Friday will be one to keep an eye on.
Results
Parel Vallei 4-2 Worcester Gimnasium
Worcester Gimnasium 3-1 Hugenote
DF Malan 3-0 The Settlers
Paarl Gimnasium 1-1 Grey College
Wynberg Boys’ High 2-2 Grey High
Bishops 7-1 Reddam House Constantia
Rondebosch Boys’ High 0-3 SACS
Paul Roos 4-0 Paarl Boys’ High
Outeniqua 2-2 Durbanville
Pinelands 4-1 Milnerton High School
Stellenberg 11-0 Brackenfell
SACS 5-2 Grey High
Smiles all round for Durban Girls’ College after a thrilling win over St Mary’s DSG (Kloof).
The cream of South African schoolgirls’ hockey was on show at St Mary’s DSG (Kloof) on Saturday, with the home side hosting St Mary’s Festival champions, Durban Girls’ College (DGC), on Founders Field.
Both coaches, Chardinay Penniston (DGC) and Carla Ann Mackay (St Mary’s DSG), can be justly proud of their respective team’s performances. It was a truly great game between two excellent hockey sides, with superb skill, a terrific tempo, beautiful ball speed, smart tactics, and flair on show.
On a hot autumn Saturday, DGC won the first chukka 2-0. Their first goal came down the right-hand side after an unfortunate misunderstanding between two St Mary’s players, with the hardworking Ruby Kraus receiving a neat pass from Cara Baker to score the first of her two goals off her front stick.
Offensive overheads and 40 m passes worked for DGC, resulting in them creating opportunities in the final third of St Mary’s DSG.
The first penalty corner, awarded by top umpire Richard Pentecost, went to St Mary’s. They went to a variation the first time up, with the injection not to either of the two castles but to the captain of the day, Cassandra Forbes, standing to the left of them.
The first chukka closed off with an Asanele Zuma tip-in goal from a DGC short corner, which left them looking comfortable at 2-0 in front heading into the second chukka.
Despite trailing, St Mary’s were not out of the game, and they showed character and good structure, well marshalled by their captain at the back, Cassandra Forbes.
Key player, Georgia Pollock (SA u18 last year), who is still recovering from a finger injury she picked up on St Mary’s tour of The Netherlands, would definitely have given her team more midfield control, balance, and experience.
Chelsea Woolf showed her class with a few penetrative runs and excellent vision, and through her DGC gained a number of dangerous circle entries.
Player of the match, DGC’s composed captain, Emily Macquet, controlled her side’s rhythm throughout the contest. She was also solid in defence, and in her role as the perfect pivot player on offence.
With Macquet controlling the middle of the field, St Mary’s DSG changed their tactics to play wide down the flanks of the visitors. This paid dividends, with the skilful Elizabeth Anderson scoring a well-deserved reverse stick goal for her team.
Chelsea Woolf earned a further short corner for DGC, from which Ruby Kraus sweetly struck the ball from castle one into the left-hand corner of the St Mary’s goal.
Later in the game, DGC was perhaps unfortunate to not be awarded a penalty stroke after a strong counterattack.
With Cassandra Forbes taking on a greater attacking role, St Mary’s were more dangerous, having found the space they wanted out wide, and they forced their way back into the game with a deflection goal by Nicola Forbes off a short corner.
Another industrious run by the creative Chelsea Woolf ended with her shot going just wide of the left post, but DGC took the honours 3-2 after a remarkable game of hockey.
The KwaZulu-Natal Coastal girls’ u18A team will, no doubt, include a good number of players from both DGC and St Mary’s DSG in what will certainly be a gold medal challenging team at the Inter-Provincial Tournament in Bloemfontein. It takes place from 15 to 21 June and is followed by a Tri-Series against Malaysia u18A and Namibia u18A a week later, from 28 June to 3 July.
Jeppe’s McMillen Mongwana hauls down Affies’ Janco Purchase. Photo Credit: Theo Garrun
Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) powered to a convincing 39-26 win over Jeppe High School for Boys in Pretoria on Saturday, setting up their victory with an outstanding first 25 minutes.
Affies were brutal in the early going. Five minutes into the match, flyhalf Ruben Pienaar scooted over under the poles, from an offload from inside centre Janco Purchase, following a maul within the 10- metre line.
Soon after that, wing Rickus Strydom made a barnstorming charge down the right side to score a fantastic try.
Affies’ third try came from a sniping run by scrumhalf Zirk Meyer, who excellently exploited a small gap in the Jeppe defence.
Jeppe was, however, able to take some momentum into the second half after a try late in the opening stanza by Kuthadzo Rasivhaga made the halftime score 26-7 in favour of the Witbulle.
Although Jeppe will be disappointed by the result, they bounced back well in the second half. They hit the ground running and, while they conceded 13 points, they significantly reduced the gap by adding 19 of their own.
Displaying a never-say-die attitude, the visitors were more structured and created a number of try scoring opportunities through some phenomenal ball distribution, which brought tries for flank Wanga Ndou and substitute backline player Owaka Manaka.
Affies’ no.10 Ruben Pienaar delivered a good individual performance, converting four out of his five conversion opportunities, and also adding two penalties to the try he scored to get the scoreboard rolling.
With the win, Affies extended their unbeaten streak against Jeppe to nine on the trot. On Saturday, Jeppe had one of their better chances to cause an upset, but the hosts’ blistering start blew up those hopes of success.
Meanwhile, across the railway line, King Edward VII (KES) continued their winning streak against Pretoria Boys High School, winning by a margin of 10 points, with the final score reading 24-14.
KES pressed hard early on and built up early momentum as they controlled the territorial battle. They hit the front through wing Haniel Monkoti, who scored after a brilliant run down the left-hand flank. Moyo’s conversion attempt clipped the post but didn’t go over.
Hooker Esethu Mnebelele, back from an injury which kept him out of action the previous weekend, powered his way to a second try for KES, who were rewarded for a period of sustained pressure deep inside the Boys High half.
In the second half, Pretoria Boys High worked their way into the game and twice crossed for tries, firstly through flyhalf Seth Venter, and then through prop Ofentse Moeng, with both players scoring in front of the old boys’ section, which gave those supporters plenty of reasons to cheer.
The home side also produced a better defensive display, with KES scoring only once more, again through Monkoti.
The inclusion of Seth Venter at no. 10 was a bold move by Boys High. He had previously packed down at flank, but in his time at flyhalf he has shown off a big boot and good awareness. It will be interesting to see how much he impacts PBHS as he grows into his new role.
While KES played well, they picked up two yellow cards during the match, which the coaching staff would feel could have been avoided.
However, even when they were reduced to 14 players, they defended strongly in the face of a late barrage by Boys High over the last five minutes of the game. The home team couldn’t find a way through.
Pretoria Boys High will have another opportunity to stop the Red Army later in the season, but it will be a big challenge as that match will be played at KES on 12 July.
Point Scorers
Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool 39 (25) – Tries: Ruben Pienaar, Rickus Strydom, Zirk Meyer (2), Albert Smit. Conversions: Ruben Pienaar (4). Penalties: Ruben Pienaar (2). Jeppe High School for Boys 26 (7) – Tries: Kuthadzo Rasivhaga (2), Wanga Ndou, Owaka Manaka. Conversions: Matthew Coetzeee (3).
Pretoria Boys’ High School 14 (0) – Tries: Ofentse Moeng, Seth Venter. Conversions: Seth Venter (2). King Edward VII 24 (17) – Tries: Haniel Monkoti (2), Esethu Mnebelele, Kebotile Maake. Conversions: Simphiwe Moyo (2).
Eunice‘s and Witteberg‘s first hockey teams were in fine goal scoring form in their latest outings, recording comprehensive victories, while Oranje returned mixed results from their trip to the Cape.
Eunice got back to winning ways with a 7-0 victory over Fichardtpark on Thursday, following a 2-2 draw at home to Garsfontein on the previous weekend.
Their star player Bianca Rees-Gibbs was on target with a single goal in the tie against the Pretoria side, which continued her hot streak at the St Mary’s Festival, where she scored 17 times and was named the Player of the Tournament. Claire Volschenk was Eunice’s other scorer against Garsies.
Against Fichardtpark, coach Nika Coertzen‘s charges showed they have plenty more goalscoring options, with Rees-Gibbs not appearing on the scoresheet, although she was involved in a number of goals. Anebel Venter,Trusten Barnard, and Storm Harris scored a brace each, while Georgia Kambanis also struck.
“I am happy with the win because all seven goals were good team goals,” remarked Coertzen.
Eunice performance was highlighted by a good structure, a high press and passing accuracy. They manipulated space and provided support to each other in defence. It was an exhibition of the type of game that Coertzen wants her young team to play.
Two days after Eunice’s romp to victory, Witteberg put on a show of their own. Casey-Jean Terblanche’s charges were unstoppable as they dismembered Trio 5-1.
Despite a scoreline which suggests that Witteberg dominated from start to finish, Terblanche’s team started slowly. “The girls struggled to get going in the early stages of the game but kept pushing until they hit their straps to dominate later on, especially in the last chukka,” said Terblanche.
Arné Maritz starred for Witteberg, netting a hattrick, while Tumi Mosikili made an impact with a double of her own. Amy Kotzè and Zanè Wessels also weighed in with influential performances to guide the Bethlehem girls to victory.
Oranje set out for their trip to Cape Town expecting tough competition from both Paarl Girls’ High School and Paarl Gim. The former gave them a good run for their money, limiting the visitors to a single goal, but Oranje walked away the 1-0 victors. On Saturday, they were met by a determined Paar Gim and had to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Milnerton pulled off another stunning comeback in the southern suburbs to break Bishops Diocesan College’s hearts on the Piley Rees Field on Saturday, clawing their way back from a 10-28 deficit to win 31-28.
Captain Frank Hitimana led by example, scoring a scintillating hat-trick, to help his team add another big name to the list of opponents they’ve overcome this season.
After showing promise in early losses to Boland Landbou and St Charles College, the Milnerton first team has been tearing up the competition with courageous performances.
Playing away, they chased down Rondebosch Boys’ High to win by one point after trailing 3-33 with only 15 minutes left to play on 6 April. They followed that up by withstanding a spirited Hugenote attack in Wellington, where they won 17-14.
With this latest victory, they’ve put their future opponents on notice: against Milnerton it isn’t over until it’s over.
Apart from the win and the special performance by their captain, there were many other successes to celebrate for Milnerton. Their testy scrumhalf, Devon Damons, who was influential all over the pitch, marked the victory with a personal milestone, earning his 50th cap for the first team.
Flyhalf Chadwin Sellidon put together a perfect kicking record, opening their account with a penalty before converting all three of his captain’s tries. He then rounded off Milnerton’s comeback when he added the extras after his twin brother, fullback Chadlin Sellidon, scored the winning try.
Photo: Ayesha Kapery
The Bishops’ boys will be heartbroken at having let this one slip, but they will take away positives from the manner in which they played in the first 40 minutes.
Lucca Mynhardt, who’s been a standout all season, opened the scoring with the first of his two tries after only eight minutes of play.
Mynhardt, whose regular position is fullback, started the match at scrumhalf after a slew of injuries forced a reshuffle in the Bishops’ lineup.
His personal haul was 18 points, from two tries and four conversions, while flyhalf Jordan Petersen and flanker Alex Smith scored the home side’s other five-pointers.
With time up on the clock, the hosts were still ahead but an unforced error handed Milnerton possession, and they kept their cool, playing through the phases, until Sellidon put his side into the lead for the first time when it mattered most.
Though their season has not gone to plan, Bishops will learn from their mistakes. They face a big challenge next weekend when Wynberg Boys’ High visits the Piley Rees.
Milnerton, after their exceptional exploits on the road, play their first home fixture of the term next weekend when they host Hoërskool Bellville. No doubt, after their recent successes, the Milnerton faithful will attend in their masses to cheer on the team that is carrying their name with such distinction this year.
While Wynberg Boys’ High, fresh off of a stunning upset of Paarl Boys’ High in Paarl, retained their unbeaten record, they failed to find a winner against the visiting Grey High.
It was a gruelling battle with the only points in the first 60 minutes coming from the boots of Wynberg flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed and Grey fullback Meyer Prinsloo.
Prinsloo opened the scoring and Ahmed struck back for the hosts 20 minutes later, but as they approached the final quarter of the match it appeared as if the first team to get over the try line would take the spoils.
When the hosts’ lock Jaythen Orange finally made the breakthrough, it looked like another win for Wynberg, but the visitors’ hooker Ben Viljoen dived over to return the favour with only a couple of minutes left and Prinsloo converted to level the scores once more.
Wynberg was in the ascendency as the clock ran out, but Grey put the ball into touch to secure a 10-10 draw.
Rondebosch Boys’ High responded well to back-to-back defeats against Milnerton and Paul Roos by whipping SACS 55-22. – Link to the match
Fullback Dylan Miller ran the show for ‘Bosch, crossing the whitewash on three occasions.
Despite a challenging run of fixtures, they’ve displayed strong character and will be eager for a shot at taking down the mighty Wynberg on 4 May, when their first team plays next.
Meanwhile, Brackenfell also continued their rich vein of form, beating DF Malan 45-11.
Scorers
Milnerton 31 (10) – Tries: Frank Hitimana (3), Chadlin Sellidon. Conversions: Chadwin Sellidon (4). Penalty: Chadwin Sellidon. Bishops Diocesan College 28 (14) – Tries: Lucca Mynhardt (2), Jordan Petersen, Alex Smith. Conversions: Mynhardt (4).
Wynberg Boys’ High 10 (3) – Try: Jaythen Orange. Conversion: Yaqeen Ahmed. Penalty: Ahmed. Grey High 10 (3) – Try: Ben Wessels. Conversion: Meyer Prinsloo. Penalty: Prinsloo.
Rondebosch Boys’ High 55 (33) – Tries: Dylan Miller (3), Shakeel Abrahams (2), Caleb Belelie, Luke Pretorius, Matthys du Plooy. Conversions: David Simon (5), Harry Soboil. Penalty: Simon. SACS 22 (10) – Tries: Ethan Combrink, Seth Bradford. Conversions: Jack Benade (2). Penalty: Rayaan Solomons.
Other results
u19 – Brackenfell 1st XV 45, DF Malan 1st XV 11; Milnerton II 13, Bishops Diocesan College II 12; Grey High II 12, Wynberg Boys’ High II 9; Wynberg Boys’ High III 17, Grey High III 10; Rondebosch Boys’ High II 24, SACS II 14.
u16 – Bishops Diocesan College A 8, Milnerton A 0; Bishops Diocesan College B 28, Milnerton B 7; Wynberg Boys’ High A 38, Grey High A 19; Wynberg Boys’ High B 20, Grey High B 8; Rondebosch Boys’ High A 14, SACS A 3.
u15 – Bishops Diocesan College A 38, Milnerton A 0; Bishops Diocesan College B 39, Milnerton B 0; Wynberg Boys’ High A 15, Grey High A 15; Wynberg Boys’ High B 5, Grey High B 0; Rondebosch Boys’ High A 20, SACS A 3.
u14 – Bishops Diocesan College A 33, Milnerton A 3; Bishops Diocesan College B 45, Milnerton B 0; Wynberg Boys’ High A 19, Grey High A 10; Wynberg Boys’ High B 27, Grey High B 10; Rondebosch Boys’ High A 15, SACS A 10.
Pretoria Boys High had a shock in store for King Edward VII (KES) on Saturday in Pretoria, stunning the visitors from Johannesburg 4-0 in their showdown on the Astro.
Boys High had suffered a narrow 0-1 loss to Maritzburg College in Pietermaritzburg last weekend, but back at home they found the finishes that were lacking against College.
It took them only five minutes to open the scoring and, from then on, they added a further goal in each of the remaining chukkas. KES battled hard and, although the winning margin was big, Boys High had to work hard for their win.
Earlier in the season, Boys High had beaten Jeppe 1-0, but the Zebras were in Pretoria feeling confident ahead of their clash with Affies after goals from Ezray Stadt, Ben Benjamin and Tumiso Kameel had helped them to a 3-1 win over Westville a week earlier.
Jeppe has largely owned their hockey rivalry with Affies. However, the bigger challenge they faced, which has plagued them throughout the 2024 season, was consistency. They’ve struggled to string results together and that hurt them again on Saturday.
The schools played to a 2-2 draw, which was notable because it was the first time they had shared the spoils since they started an annual derby day in 2008.
It was a big improvement for Affies, who were blown away 8-0 by a very good Jeppe side in 2023.
The talent is there, but the consistency is still lacking for coach Siya Sityana and Jeppe and they continue to work towards attaining it. Affies, considering their historical lack of success against Jeppe, will take heart from the draw.
Winter may be approaching, but the temperature was up in the 30s for the visit of Durban High School (DHS) to Goldstone’s in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday, and Maritzburg College dialled up the heat in the early going, too.
Pretoria Boys High had a shock in store for King Edward VII (KES) on Saturday in Pretoria, stunning the visitors from Johannesburg 4-0 in their showdown on the Astro.