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Paarl Boys’ High will be more fired up than ever to take on Paul Roos Gimnasium on Saturday in the second Sportsmans Warehouse Premier Interschools clash.

They suffered a shock defeat to Wynberg Boys’ High at home last Saturday, and they still carry the scars from last season, when Paul Roos upset them at the Buco Brug Street Stadium. Those setbacks will be more than enough motivation as they seek to make a statement.

Catch every moment of the action live on SuperSport Schools – Register now – Link to the match – Or tune in to DSTV Channel 216

The Maroon Machine, meanwhile, has quietly put together another stellar season. Building on the success of their end-of-year tour to Ireland, the Paul Roos first team remains unbeaten this year.

Their toughest challenge so far came at the NMI Toyota North-South Tournament where they bested the hosts, Affies, 30-25.

Last weekend, their loose trio, Gert Kemp, Reuben Kruger and dual SA Schools’ representative and captain, Riley Norton, starred as they beat Rondebosch Boys’ High 38-17.

In the only change to their starting 15, Gerrit van Vuuren replaces Luchwayito Mbaliswana at tighthead. The Boishaai team remains unchanged from the side that played against Wynberg.

The Paul Roos victory in Paarl last year was the first time in 20 years that they had beaten Boishaai away, and they will be expecting a fierce response this weekend.

Seven of the Paul Roos players – Kruger, Norton, Samuel Badenhorst, Keenan Stoffels, Jesse Stegehuis, Truspe Schoeman and Oliver Reid – who were part of that winning team, will be in action again on Saturday, while only Rubin Dames and Douw Wessels survive from the Paarl outfit.

Reid starred in that win, powering over for two of his side’s tries as they outplayed Boishaai 35-17.

Despite their shock defeat last weekend, Paarl Boys’ High should not be underestimated.

A riveting performance against Garsfontein saw them emerge victorious by a narrow 38-36 margin, and they’re one of only two teams who have been able to tame the Jeppe first team this season.

Flyhalf Viaan Mentoor has been a standout in their squad, along with Dames and their big hooker, Christiaan Grundling.

Teams

Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Paarl Boys’ High at 14:00

Paul Roos Gimnasium: 15 Matthew Seymore, 14 Hugo Coetzee, 13 Matthew Kleyn, 12 Samuel Badenhorst, 11 Keenan Stoffels, 10 Joshua Dampies, 9 Adeeb Boraine, 8 Reuben Kruger, 7 Riley Norton, 6 Gert Kemp, 5 Jesse Stegehuis, 4 Truspe Schoeman, 3 Gerrit van Vuuren, 2 Altus Rabe, 1 Oliver Reid.

Paarl Boys’ High: 15 Francois van der Merwe, 14 Aiden Jacobs, 13 Tristan Joubert, 12 Tristan Fransman, 11 Ashwin Swarts, 10 Viaan Mentoor, 9 Keagan Smith, 8 Douw Wessels, 7 Rubin Dames, 6 Anroux du Plessis, 5 Jayden Joubert, 4 Dian Smal, 3 Juan van der Merwe, 2 Christiaan Grundling, 1 Bernard du Toit.

Fixtures

Markötter: 08:00 – Paul Roos V vs Paarl Boys’ High V; 09:10 – Paul Roos IV vs Paarl Boys’ High IV; 10:20 – Paul Roos u16 A vs Paarl Boys’ High u16 A; 11:30 – Paul Roos III vs Paarl Boys’ High III; 12:40 – Paul Roos II vs Paarl Boys’ High II; 14:00 – Paul Roos 1st XV vs Paarl Boys’ High 1st XV.

Meulsloot: 08:00 – Paul Roos X vs Paarl Boys’ High X; 09:10 – Paul Roos IX vs Paarl Boys’ High IX; 10:20 – Paul Roos VIII vs Paarl Boys’ High VIII; 11:30 – Paul Roos VII vs Paarl Boys’ High VII; 12:40 – Paul Roos VI vs Paarl Boys’ High VI.

Doornbosch: 08:00 – Paul Roos u16 B vs Paarl Boys’ High u16 B; 09:10 – Paul Roos u16 E vs Paarl Boys’ High u16 E; 10:20 – Paul Roos u16 D vs Paarl Boys’ High u16 D; 11:30 – Paul Roos u16 C vs Paarl Boys’ High u16 C; 12:40 – Paul Roos u16 F vs Paarl Boys’ High u16 F.

Riviersveld: 08:00 – Paul Roos u15 E vs Paarl Boys’ High u15 E; 09:00 – Paul Roos u14 A vs Paarl Boys’ High u14 A; 10:00 – Paul Roos u15 D vs Paarl Boys’ High u15 D; 11:00 – Paul Roos u15 B vs Paarl Boys’ High u15 B; 12:00 – Paul Roos u15 A vs Paarl Boys’ High u15 A; 13:00 – Paul Roos u15 C vs Paarl Boys’ High u15 C.

Volkskombuis: 08:00 – Paul Roos u14 D vs Paarl Boys’ High u14 D; 09:00 – Paul Roos u14 F vs Paarl Boys’ High u14 F; 10:00 – Paul Roos u15 F vs Paarl Boys’ High u15 F; 11:00 – Paul Roos u14 C vs Paarl Boys’ High u14 C; 12:00 – Paul Roos u14 B vs Paarl Boys’ High u14 B; 13:00 – Paul Roos u14 E vs Paarl Boys’ High u14 E.

Eikestad: 08:00 – Paul Roos u14 G vs Paarl Boys’ High u14 G.

Helpmekaar Kollege en Hoërskool Monument sal albei gretig wees om litte los te maak na ‘n lang breek.

Volg al die aksie op SuperSport Schools of op Kanaal 216. (www.supersportschools.com).

Die groot vraag is egter, is dié twee spanne effe verroes, of is hulle gereed vir die opwindende paar maande wat voorlê?

Hulle skop hierdie naweek die lang verwagte SDC Noordvaal Cup se Beker-afdeling vir 2024 in Johannesburg af. Albei het ‘n aansienlike breek geniet, terwyl ander spanne in die afdeling reeds besig was om sake in ander kompetisies uit te spook.

Die Helpies se laaste wedstryd was by die St Stithians College Easter Sports Festival, waar hulle teen Hartpury College, van Engeland, met 40-13 geseëvier het. Monnas was laas in aksie by die gesogte Noord/Suid-toernooi, waar hulle gemaklik, met ‘n telling van 50-21, met Hoërskool Durbanville afgereken het.

Die tuisspan se vaskopstut, Ulrich “Baksteen” van der Merwe, is tot dusver een van die Johannesburgers se grootste uitblinkers. Van der Merwe hou verál met die bal onder die arm ‘n yslike bedreiging in en het keer op keer bewys dat dit meer as een verdediger vat om hom grond toe te bring.

Met Wian Storm, Helpies se losskakel, se vermoë om die bal van bykans enige plek in die opposisie se halfgebied, en selfs verder, oor te klits, sal Monnas voorts uiters gedissiplineerd moet wees.

Dit is egter die interessante tweestryd tussen die onderskeie spanne se linkervleuels, Pieter Moller (Helpmekaar) en Ernesto Oersen (Monument), wat die skare kan laat regop sit. Albei beskik oor heelwat vaart, maar skroom ook nie om die verdediging fisies aan te vat nie.

Die Witbulle se pak sal hiér ‘n kritieke rol hê om te vervul. Die span van Krugersdorp se makro-pak, sal reeds vroeg in die kragmeting hul stempel wil afdruk, om ook te verseker dat losskakel, Justin Viljoen, en sy agterlyn vinnige balbesit op die voorvoet geniet.

Die geharde slotte, Jacques Botha en Luhan Swart, sal gewis die pap dik aanmaak en met hul krag en fisiekheid van voor lei.

Die spanne: 

Helpmekaar Kollege t. Hoerskool Monument om 12:30 in Johannesburg

Helpmekaar: 15 Zandre van der Westhuizen, 14 Tiaan Le Roux, 13 Ty Ax, 12 Michael Benzien, 11 Pieter Moller, 10 Wian Storm, 9 Tristan van Niekerk, 8 Molatsi Moloi, 7 Eugene de Lange, 6 Zaiden Kriege, 5 JP Lombard, 4 Christiaan Tonkin, 3 Ulrich van der Merwe, 2 Gustav Grotius, 1 Dylan Engelbrecht.

Monument: 15 Hanu Fourie, 14 Kealan Milton, 13 Jason Joubert, 12 Theuns du Plooy, 11 Ernesto Oersen, 10 Justin Viljoen, 9 Hanno du Toit, 8 Vincent Roberts, 7 RJ Barnard, 6 Jamaal Feldman, 5 Luhan Swart, 4 Jacques Botha, 3 Juandre Marais, 2 Keenan Myners, 1 Wikus Meyer.

Durban Girls’ College (DGC) hosts St Mary’s DSG (Kloof) on Saturday in a blockbuster KZN clash between two of the country’s best hockey teams.

After winning the St Mary’s Festival in Johannesburg against the crème de la crème of South Africa’s girls’ hockey sides, DGC is riding the crest of the wave, but St Mary’s (Kloof), a perennial powerhouse, presents a serious challenge.

Coach Carla Ann Mackay’s St Mary’s team has played a lot of hockey. The St Mary’s Festival, in Johannesburg, followed a tour of the Netherlands, and before jetting off overseas, St Mary’s had already participated in a festival and the Spar Regional Tournament.

“We also played some local boys’ schools’ teams to train against face-paced and high-intensity hockey,” Mackay said.

After the St Mary’s Festival, where they finished sixth, the Kloof girls took a break to regroup.

One of the areas they have focussed on in preparation for Saturday’s showdown has been their attack. Mackay wants her team to play an attacking brand of hockey, with her forwards stretching the field. “It’s something we have been working really hard on,” she shared.

On Saturday, they’ll be led by Cassandra Forbes, with their captain, Georgia Pollock, the daughter of South African cricket legend, Shaun Pollock, out of the game because of an injury.

Losing the SA u17 star is a big blow and it means St Mary’s will have to shuffle their lineup. But they will be fresh, fast and sharp after taking some time off.

Mackay can count on Elizabeth Anderson’s goal-scoring skills up front, Anna Birt’s ball-carrying abilities and strength in marshalling the midfield, and Sibabalwe Mfaweza’s contributions out wide.  A member of the u16 national squad, she provides both go-forward and solid defence from her position at half.

That trio will need to be at their best when they take on DGC who, understandably, are high in confidence.

“We would like to defend our KZN league championship title and a win at the Spar finals would be amazing, but our main goal is a shot at Top 12 in August,” said Mackay. A win over DGC would be a big boost to their long-term plans, she added.

While they’re expecting a challenging encounter, Cassandra Forbes and company are confident they have the firepower to win. When they met in a league match last year, St Mary’s ran out 4-1 winners. Earlier this year, when they met in a 20-minute match during a festival, DGC claimed a 1-0 win.

Elsewhere in KZN, Our Lady pf Fatima takes on Westville Girls’ High.

Meanwhile, many eyes will be cast towards the Western Cape where Oranje faces Paarl Girls’ High on Friday and Paarl Gim on Saturday.

In their five past encounters against Paarl Gim, Gyster van Schalkwyk’s team has won three, lost one, and drawn one. That draw came in their last clash, which ended 1-1 at the St Mary’s Festival.

Oranje has enjoyed a better run against Paarl Girls’ High, winning four out of their last five games, with the other one ending in a draw at the St Mary’s Festival in 2019.

Fixtures

Thursday: Fichardtpark vs Eunice, Our Lady of Fatima vs Curro Hillcrest, Fichardtpark vs Sentraal, Jim Fouche vs St Michael’s School

Friday: Paarl Girls’ High vs Oranje

Saturday: DGC vs St Mary’s (Kloof), Paarl Gim vs Oranje, Our Lady of Fatima vs Westville Girls’ High, Jim Fouche vs Diamantveld

The Jeppe High School for Boys 1st XV is in a rich vein of form and has reeled off five wins in succession, which started with a special 22-19 victory over Grey College at the NMI Toyota North-South Tournament.

On Saturday, the challenge they face is huge, literally and figuratively. They take on Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) in their own paddock in one of the weekend’s most eagerly anticipated showdowns.

With their tight five leading the way, Affies has pulled off some big wins this season, including victories over Garsfontein and Helpmekaar, playing an exciting brand of rugby.

Last weekend, against Paarl Gimnasium, a team many believe to be number one in South Africa – not forgetting Gim hosts Grey College this weekend – they went down 19-20 to the boys from the Boland, with their pack giving the visitors a hard time.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 13:30 on the A-Field. SuperSport Schools will broadcast the match live.

Jeppe’s coach Drickus Venter is looking forward to the challenge: “We are very excited, and we are expecting a real tough encounter from the Witbulle. There is no doubt it is going to be a cracker of a match. We will give it horns,” he said.

Affies has a solid contingent of players returning who were part of last year’s 33-31 thriller on Collard Field, which the Witbulle clinched at the death. Flyhalf Ruben Pienaar, who missed out on 2023’s game due to injury, will be looking forward to making his mark on Saturday.

With a dynamic centre pairing of Janco Purchase and Nicolaas Grobler facing Jeppe’s exciting midfielders, Kuthadzo Rasivhanga and McMillen Mongwana, expect fireworks at the back.

Last year’s dramatic showdown was the closest Jeppe has come to pulling off a win over Affies since the teams began an annual derby in 2009. They came close, too, in 2018, when Affies claimed a 45-41 win.

Matthew Coetzee, who starred in Jeppe’s upset of Grey College, started on the bench against Westville Boys’ High last weekend, but he starts at flyhalf for Jeppe on Saturday. The game against the Griffin was good preparation for their assault on Affies, with Jeppe pulling off a hard-fought 31-24 victory.

Affies face the pressure of maintaining their excellent history of success against Jeppe, while the visitors will believe they have a good chance of altering the trajectory of that story.

Results since 2014

2014 Affies 23-11 Jeppe
2015 Affies 64-26 Jeppe
2016 Affies 52-32 Jeppe
2017 Affies 52-22 Jeppe
2018 Affies 45-41 Jeppe
2019 Affies 47-28 Jeppe
2020 Covid-19
2021 Covid-19
2022 Affies 35-17 Jeppe
2023 Affies 33-31 Jeppe

Teams

Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool: 15 Ruben Groenewald, 14 Rickus Strydom, 13 Nicolaas Grobler, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Eagan Roux, 10 Ruben Pienaar, 9 Zirk Meyer, 8 Ruan Lippold, 7 Albert Smit, 6 Srefan McDonald, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Muntingh Hamman, 3 Ruan Smuts, 2 Ethan van Dyk, 1 Werner Vrey.

Jeppe High School for Boys: 15 Sanele Simelane, 14 Lindelani Nkambule, 13 Kuthadzo Rasivhaga, 12 McMillen Mongwana, 11 Mjij Ndimphiwe, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Talent Sithole, 8 Risima Khosa, 7 Nathan Classen, 6 Ndimphiwe Mjiji, 5 Luke Cannon, 4 Lagan Leisher, 3 Luca Trevisan, 2 Bonga Nxumlao, 1 Andre Poulton.

Fixtures

U14A: 08:00 – Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool vs Jeppe High School for Boys
U15A: 09:00 – Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool vs Jeppe High School for Boys
U19B: 11:10 – Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool vs Jeppe High School for Boys
U16A: 12:20 – Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool vs Jeppe High School for Boys
U19A: 13:30 – Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool vs Jeppe High School for Boys

Die eindstryd in vanjaar se NWU Sportreeks tussen Hoërskool Menlopark en Hoërskool Waterkloof beloof om ‘n titaniese stryd af te gee.

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

Die eindstryd tussen die twee Pretoriaanse skole sal ook ‘n nuwe kampioen oplewer. Verlede jaar het Hoërskool Dr. EG Jansen met 48-10, in die eindstryd, ‘n Oosrand-affêre, teen Hoërskool Kempton Park, koning gekraai.

Albei spanne is tot dusver onoorwonne in die kompetisie en sal die status quo wil handhaaf wanneer die afskopfluitjie Saterdag om 15:30 by Eldoraigne blaas. Die Parkies het verlede naweek ‘n plek in die eindstryd verseker met ‘n oortuigende sege van 31-14 oor Hoërskool Nelspruit.

Divan Nel, die Parkies se heelagter, was grotendeels verantwoordelik daarvoor, en sal op sy driekuns in daardie wedstryd wil voortbou in die finaal. Nel is egter nie ál speler wat gevaar inhou vir Klofies nie.

Ruben Fourie, Menlopark se glibberige buitsenter, kan, nes Nel, heelwat skade aanrig indien hy die nodige spasie gegun word.

Fourie mag egter sy hande volhê met die Klofies se buitesenter, Riwan van Aswegen. Van Aswegen is uitstekend op dreef, en dit was sy stukkie individuele briljantheid wat nie nét die Jansies in Boksburg geskok het nie, maar ook sy span se plek in die eindstryd verseker het. Die week voor dit het hy die doellyn, teen Hoërskool Transvalia, drie keer oorgesteek.

Voorlangs wag die besige oopkantflank, Divan Botha, geduldig op sy kans om onder die Parkies in te klim, terwyl agsteman, Marko Kok, ook nie sal skroom om die opposisie fisies aan te vat nie.

Hoërskool Oos-Moot gaan Saterdag in ‘n Dawid-teen-Goliat-stryd met die Arende van Hoërskool Dr. EG Jansen gewikkel wees. Daar wag inderdaad ‘n reuse taak op die Oosies, na die gewonde Jansies se nederlaag, op tuisbodem, die week vantevore.

Die span van Boskburg sal egter sonder hul uitblinker op heelagter, R-Jay Pietersen, moet klaarkom. TK Ngobese vervang hom in die nr. 15-trui, terwyl Gerhardt van Aswegen skuif van slot na steelkantflank in die plek van die beseerde Divan Francis. Ettienne Smit neem Van Aswegen se plek op slot in.

Die spanne:

Hoërskool Menlopark t. Hoërskool Waterkloof om 15:30 in Centurion

Menlopark: 15 Divan Nel, 14 Reinhardt Herbst, 13 Ruben Fourie, 12 Leskin Samuels, 11 Stephan van Niekerk, 10 Andru Kuhn, 9 Gustav Shaffner, 8 Rocco Myburgh, 7 JN van Zyl, 6 Nathan du Plessis, 5 Xander Roets, 4 Keegan Pretorius, 3 Phillip du Plessis, 2 Declan Pleser, 1 Mattheus Prinsloo.

Waterkloof: 15 Ronan Bastiaanse, 14 Malcolm George, 13 Riwan van Aswegen, 12 Happy Makate, 11 Dennis Obi, 10 Franco Cronje, 9 Migael Prinsloo, 8 Marko Kok, 7 Leandrey Janse van Vuuren, 6 Divan Borha, 5 Alrich Uys, 4 Stephan de Beer, 3 Jedri Swart, 2 Ruan Jacobs, 1 Juan Gouws.

Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen t. Hoërskool Oos-Moot om 14:00 in Centurion

EG Jansen: 15 TK Ngobese, 14 Jean-dre Claassens, 13 Jeandre Jacobs, 12 Steven Williams, 11 Keanu van Loggerenberg, 10 Matthew Bergman, 9 Riekus van der Merwe, 8 Storm Labuschagne, 7 Gerhardt van Aswegen, 6 Zade-Leigh Rippenaar, 5 Zandre Naude, 4 Ettienne Smit, 3 Duwan Potgieter, 2 Danre Pike, 1 Zian Marais.

Oos-Moot: 15 Naylan Albertus, 14 Jayden Pretorius, 13 Jeandre Venter, 12 Dewron Aford, 11 Drew Williams, 10 Ruwan Allen, 9 Franco O’Neale, 8 Deon Badenhorst, 7 Wade Williams, 6 Bertus van Dyk, 5 Jaydon Botha, 4 Connor de Jager, 3 Christian Smith, 2 Clayton de Bruyn, 1 Jandre de Beer.

 

Both Paarl Gimnasium and Paarl Girls’ High will face one of the toughest challenges of their seasons when they host Bloemfontein’s Oranje this weekend in the Western Cape.

The action kicks off at Girls’ High on Friday afternoon at 15:30. Then, on Saturday morning, at 10:15, Oranje takes on Gim.

Catch all the hockey action on SuperSport Schools.

The local sides both picked up wins over the past weekend, with Girls’ High grinding out a 2-1 victory over Paarl Vallei, while Gim impressed in Pretoria, where goals from Marieka Neethling, Karea de Ridder, and Tanya Pieterse carried them to a 3-0 win at Affies.

Both schools were in action at the St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival earlier this month in Johannesburg, where 32 of South Africa’s best teams went after the prestigious title.

There, Gim achieved the highest position of any of the Western Cape teams, ending fourth after going down 0-1 to St Stithians College in the third-place play-off match.

Coach Anri Keevy’s Paarl Girls’ side found the going tougher and placed 19th. They will look to their influential captain Heyke Lombard and vice-captain Rouxné Pentz to lead their challenge against Gyster van Schalkwyk’s charges.

Oranje started their season on fire, easily winning all of their games at the Balling Festival in Bethlehem, in February, and further extended their winning run at the Greg Beling Festival in East London, which followed.

At St Mary’s, Rhenish handed them their first loss of the season, by a goal to nil, and Oranje later went down 0-1 to St Stithian’s. In the end, they finished in fifth place.

Last weekend, they were held to a 2-2 draw by Pretoria’s Garsfontein, so they will be eager to return to winning ways. That is, after all, the usual state of affairs for the Bloemfontein school.

Oranje has won the last three times they’ve met Girls’ High. Last year, it was a tight 1-0 affair at the All Girls Festival, while they cruised to a 7-0 victory in 2022.

Paarl Gim has been a much tougher nut to crack for the Bloemfontein side. At St Mary’s, the teams shared a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, at last year’s Super 12 Tournament, Gim won 2-1.

Other matches

On Friday, at 16:00, Bloemhof and Wynberg Girls’ High meet, while Outeniqua and Durbanville play at 19:00.

On Saturday, Stellenberg High hosts Reddam Constantia, while Parel Vallei will be looking to get back to winning ways, after their defeat to Paarl Girls’ High, when they take on St Cyprian’s.

Bloemhof will be back in action on Saturday, too, with a 09:50 clash against Paarl Girls’ High. Pinelands plays Milnerton High School, and Curro Durbanville welcomes Tygerberg High.

Fixtures

Friday, 19 April 2024

15:30 – Paarl Girls’ High vs Oranje
16:00 – Bloemhof vs Wynberg Girls’ High
19:00 – Outeniqua vs Durbanville

Saturday, 20 April 2024

08:00 – Stellenberg High vs Reddam Constantia
09:00 – Parel Vallei vs St Cyprian’s
09:50 – Bloemhof vs Paarl Girls’ High
10:15 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Oranje
10:30 – Pinelands High vs Milnternon High School
10:30 – Curro Durbanville vs Tygerberg High

Twee van Mpumalanga se groter honde takel mekaar hierdie naweek in ‘n vriendskaplike kragmeting in Secunda.

Hoërskool Secunda speel gasheer vir hul tradisionele aartsvyande in die SDC Noordvaal Beker se Skild-afdeling, Ligbron Akademie.

Die span van Secunda was verlede jaar as kampioen van die afdeling gekroon, maar dit was Liggies se junior spanne wat verseker het dat hulle na die kompetisie se Plaat-afdeling kon skuif.

Secunda was verlede jaar die span van Ermelo se baas met seges van onderskeidelik 43-14 en 50-17. Die laaste kragmeting tussen dié spanne was in die Skild-Afdeling se halfeindstryd op die einste veld waar hulle Saterdag mekaar weer die stryd aansê.

Die tuisspan behoort geen tekort aan selfvertroue te hê nie, nadat hulle verlede naweek ‘n puik oorwinning van 47-11 oor Hoërskool Hans Moore, in Benoni, behaal het. Die Secunda-pak is besig om stewige momentum op te bou, wat ‘n lang dag vir die besoekers kan voorspel indien die tuis-agttal, onder leiding van agtsteman, Bakkies Bezuidenhout, op dreef kom.

Dit behoort ook ‘n soliede platform vir die agterlyn te skep, met verál die tuisspan se “Blink Brink” la Grange wat fyn dopgehou sal moet word. La Grange het Hans Moore se blapse kwaai gestraf om nie minder nie as vier drieë te druk. Hy draf Saterdag op regtervleuel uit, in die plek van die beseerde Nkanyiso Mashiteng, met Martin Pretorius wat La Grange se plek op buitesenter inneem.

Hulle kom nietemin teen ‘n gedugte Ligbron-agterhoede te staan, met die span van Ermelo wat nog hul wonde lek na ‘n skoknederlaag van 12-14 teen Hoërskool Rob Ferreira van Witrivier.

Die twee staatmakers in die middelveld, Anele en Lethi Ngwenya, sal hul beste voet wil voorsit om Liggies te laat terugkeer na die wenpad toe en verál soveel as moontlik spasie aan die buitekant wil probeer skep vir die sneller, Bandile Thanjekwayo, op linkervleuel.

Voorlangs sal die Liggies se breiers hoop dat slot, Thamsanga Lamula, sy deel sal bydra om die makro-pak van Secunda se momentum te probeer stuit.

Die spanne:

Hoërskool Secunda t. Ligbron Akademie om 12:20 in Secunda:

Secunda: 15 Damian de Beer, 14 Brink la Grange, 13 Martin Pretorius, 12 Bismarck Jansen, 11 Divan Mulder, 10 EJ Venter, 9 Jarno Haarhoff, 8 Bakkies Bezuidenhout, 7 Zander Scheepers, 6 Zander van der Merwe, 5 Franko Rossouw, 4 Zack Loock, 3 Jean Janse van Rensburg, 2 Rico Schoeman, 1 Stefan Bezuidenhout.

Ligbron: 15 Ntando Simelane, 14 Siyanda Dennison, 13 Anele Ngwenya, 12 Lethi Ngwenya, 11 Bandile Thanjekwayo, 10 Divan van Jaarsveld, 9 Renier van Staden, 8 Janco Claasen, 7 Jurgens Bezuidenhout, 6 Tiaan Botha, 5 Jaco van Wyk, 4 Thamsanga Lamula, 3 Sabelo Nhlapho, 2 Devan Scheepers, 1 Tiaan Groenewald.

Ander wedstrye: 

12:20 – Hoër Tegniese Skool Tom Naudé t. Hoërskool Ellisras; 12:30 – Hoërskool Randburg t. Hoërskool Ben Vorster; 12:50 – Merensky Landbou Akademie t. Hoërskool Louis Trichardt; 15:30 – Hoërskool Frans du Toit t. Hoërskool Frikkie Meyer.

Jeppe High School for Boys heads to Pretoria to take on Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) in 14 hockey matches on Friday and Saturday.

The Affies Girls’ Astro and Pretoria High School for Girls Astro host the Friday matches. The main games – u14A, u16A, 2nd team, and 1st team – all take place on the Affies Girls’ Astro on Saturday, with the 1st team game set for a 10:30 start.

After a solid 3-1 victory over Westville Boys’ High in Johannesburg last weekend, the Zebras head into that clash with confidence.

In a hard-fought contest on the Boden AstroTurf, Ezray Stadt put the hosts ahead just before the break. Ben Benjamin doubled their advantage in the third chukka, but Bo Mokoena then pulled one back for the visitors.

A late strike from Tumiso Kameel, however, ensured the victory went Jeppe’s way.

Affies, meanwhile, were outplayed by Paarl Gimnasium in Pretoria. The in-form Western Cape side won 3-0.

Since 2008, Jeppe and Affies have crossed paths nine times, with the Kensington boys winning all but one of those games. That Affies’ win was in 2017, so the hosts will be seeking to buck the trend of Jeppe victories on Saturday.

Jeppe will be favoured in the game, but they have been inconsistent in 2024, so Affies will feel they have their best opportunity in a long time of adding another win over the Zebras.

Jeppe v Affies head-to-head

2008 Jeppe 4-0 Affies
2009 Jeppe 4-2 Affies
2016 Jeppe 1-0 Affies
2017 Affies 1-0 Jeppe
2018 Jeppe 2-0 Affies
2019 Jeppe 4-0 Affies
2020 Covid-19
2021 Jeppe 8-0 Affies
2022 Jeppe 3-1 Affies
2023 Jeppe 8-0 Affies 

After showing signs of improvement early in the season, Dale College will aim to claim their biggest scalp so far, when they face their traditional rivals, Queen’s College, on Friday afternoon at the Komani school’s 166th Reunion.

The game starts at 17:00 and you can catch all the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools.

The sides enter the match in contrasting form. Last weekend, the hosts scored an impressive 1-1 draw at Selborne College, which was the first time the East London side had failed to win this season in 16 matches.

Meanwhile, Dale was trounced 9-0 by the in-form Grey High in Qonce.

Those results will mean little when the sides square off on the Chris Harker Astroturf. Derby clashes between traditional rivals are among the least predictable games.

Dale, unlike in 2023, began their season positively at the Tony Godding Festival. There, coach Junior Mqingwana’s charges performed well, played an attractive brand of hockey, and found the back of the net regularly, which helped them to wins over Montana High School (5-0), Bethlehem Voortrekker (4-3), Linden (5-0).

They finished the festival unbeaten, with the only blemish on their record being a 1-1 draw with Curro Waterstone in their opening match.

Soon after that, Dale visited Kearsney College for the Founders Festival, which brought together some of the country’s leading teams.

They found the going much tougher in Botha’s Hill, where a tough fixture list included outings against Rondebosch, Parktown, and Kearsney.

“We made really good progress from the Tony Godding Festival heading into Founders,” coach Mqingwana told SuperSport Schools ahead of their Queen’s clash.

“At Tony Godding, we got to play the type of hockey we wanted to play, the transition, and building. At Founders, I think we were good. It was just that last game [a big loss to Parktown] where we couldn’t get the result.

“I think we competed quite well and punched above our weight, so I’m very pleased with the progress.”

Dale is currently in a rebuilding phase after a nightmarish 2023 hockey season.

To help build the team’s culture, and to instil hope and belief in the players, Mqingwana is supported by two assistant coaches, Nazo Mlakalaka and Mvume Mqingwana, while Sibulele Zingitwa manages the team.

Mqingwana, who previously coached the u14s and u16s at the school, said it has been a rewarding season thus far.

“The journey has been amazing,” he reckoned. “I can say the only thing we wanted from this bunch of players is to not lose the change room.

“We wanted to get them to fall in love with playing hockey again. But it wasn’t as difficult as it should’ve been, because I’ve grown up with this group since u14 and u16, and now at the first team level.

“I think, for us, it’s all about working hard, representing our school as best as we can and, of course, competing on the turf.”

A stiff challenge awaits Dale in Komani. Queen’s, too, is a team that has made strides this season.

“Queen’s is a good team, and the difference between the sides will be who takes their chances,” Mqingwana said.

“We play a similar brand of hockey. It’s not identical, it’s just that whoever takes their chances in front of goal will win.

“That’s how you win hockey matches, and hopefully we’ll take ours,” he concluded.

TEAMS

Dale College: Libhongo Mgijima, Afika Ganda, Siyabonga Madlwabinga, Joe Mendoza, Naledi Mosebi, Akanani Msuthu, Sibongisile Nzima (Captain), Amangile Songelwa (Captain), Sonwabiso Dyani, Gavin Walton, Lihlumelo Nchukana, Imanathi Matshikwe, Caleb Ellis, Endinako Mnguni, Unesisa George, Avuyile Ngqawana.

Queen’s College:  Rowan Miles (gk), Asi Tybosch, Brett Hoffmann, Yibonge Mquqwana, Mafu Mandaba, Aiden van Jaarsveld (vc), Morgan Hayes, Mbasa Batyi, Damian Miles, Bevaneo Maytham (c), Liso Mtalaliso, Liyema Auwa, Asi Vena, Tafiro Kagoro.

Stellenbosch and Paarl will play host to two massive schoolboy hockey matches this week as Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) and Paarl Gimnasium prepare to welcome Paarl Boys’ High and Grey College respectively on Friday night.

Paul Roos faces Boys’ High at the Maties AstroTurf, with that clash kicking off at 19:30. Meanwhile, Paarl Gim and Grey College play at 18:00.

Catch all the Hockey action live on SuperSport Schools

PRG and Boishaai both enter the clash on the back of disappointing results last time out. Paul Roos suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat at Rondebosch Boys’ High, in Cape Town, while Boishaai was handed a hefty 5-1 drubbing by Wynberg Boys’ High.

In their clash against ‘Bosch, coach Michael Baker’s boys were made to pay for their inaccuracies in front of goal.

Level at 0-0 at half-time, Paul Roos had several opportunities to break the deadlock through short corners and circle entries in the final two chukkas.

Their skipper, Ruben Sendzul, who was declared fit to play on the morning of the game after an injury scare on Thursday, misfired with his drag flicks and the side failed to score for the first time since the season began.

Baker commented to SuperSport Schools after the match: “It’s frustrating. We had about seven short corners, and a couple of circle entries, but couldn’t score one goal.

“I don’t think we played badly. We just have to find a way to score and convert short corners. If we can’t convert short corners, we can’t win games. Hopefully we will be okay next week.”

To get back to winning ways, Baker will need his captain Sendzul to fire on all cylinders.

He will also look to players like Barend Geldenhuys, SA u17 player, Josh Smith, Keith Siebrets, Seth Patterson, and vice-captain, Christo Swanepoel to take charge on the park.

At the back, Louan van Zyl and Hanno Basson will lead PRG’s staunch defence.

Boishaai, on the other hand, has had a rather difficult start to the season. That perception would change quickly if they managed to spring a surprise against their old foes.

Last weekend, coach Nic Neethling’s charges, playing at home, were blown away by a good Wynberg team.

Before that, Boys’ High was in action at the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament. There, they finished in 11th place out of 40 schools, defeating a SACS Invitational side 2-1 on penalties in their last playoff game.

To spring a surprise against Baker’s boys, Boishaai will need AJ Mostert and shot-stopper Luan Borman to be at their best. Both players recently received their 50th caps for the first team.

Getting good performances out of Tiaan Liebenberg, Liam Coetzee, Divan van der Westhuizen, and Gideon du Toit, will also be important for Boishaai’s chances of success.

In Paarl, expect a massive tussle between Paarl Gimnasium, and Grey College.

Paarl Gim might be the slight favourites. They’ve played some excellent hockey this season and have looked deadly in front of goal.

In their season opener against Outeniqua, Jacques Grobler‘s charges cruised to a 5-1 win.

Last weekend, they visited Pretoria, where they defeated Affies 3-0 in their backyard.

Their skipper, LD Nel has been a key performer so far and led his side to gold at the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament.

Juan Swanepoel has also been a standout player for Gim and was named the Player of the Tournament at the Belgotex event.

Bloemfontein’s Grey College will not be pushovers. They’ve produced some very good hockey this season. They’re a well-balanced team, good at both ends of the field, and last week they thumped Outeniqua 6-0.

Before that, Grey thrived at the annual KES Easter Hockey Festival, winning four of their five matches. They also delivered some good results at the Nomads Festival, where they beat Jeppe, Pretoria Boys High and KES and pushed a strong Hilton College team all the way before succumbing 2-3.

Other matches

Apart from the two big matches happening in Paarl and Stellenbosch, there’s more action to look forward to in other parts of the Western Cape.

An interesting showdown between Parel Vallei and Worcester Gimnasium starts the action on Thursday night.

Vallei will be aiming to get back to winning ways after going down to a big 0-7 defeat to SACS last Friday. Meanwhile, staying consistent will be the primary message from Worcester’s head coach Edrich Janse Van Rensburg after they picked up a 5-2 win against Hoërskool Punt.

Worcester will be in action on Friday again, when they take on Hugenote.

Wynberg Boys’ High hosts Gqeberha’s Grey High School on Friday. Both took part in the Nomads Festival, where Grey was one of only two teams to turn in a perfect five out of five record.

SACS, meanwhile, will do double duty, tackling Rondebosch on Friday night, followed by Grey High on Saturday. Both should be cracking games.

Outeniqua will aim for a bounce-back performance against Durbanville, Stellenberg travels to Brackenfell, and DF Malan takes on The Settlers.

FIXTURES

Thursday, 18 April 2024

18:45 – Parel Vallei vs Worcester Gimnasium

Friday, 19 April 2024

16:00 – Worcester Gimnasium vs Hugenote
17:00 – DF Malan vs The Settlers
18:00 –Paarl Gimnasium vs Grey College
18:15 – Wynberg Boys High vs Grey High
18:30 – Bishops vs Reddam House Constantia
19:20 – Rondebosch Boys High vs SACS
19:30 – Paul Roos vs Paarl Boys High
20:00 – Outeniqua vs Durbanville

Saturday, 20 April 2024

09:00 – Pinelands vs Milnerton High School
11:00 – Stellenberg vs Brackenfell
12:00 – SACS vs Grey High

Some of the information used in this article is credited to Short Corner Hockey (shortcornerhockey@gmail.com)