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After kicking off their league season with commanding performances against Fairmont High School and Parel Vallei, SACS will face a stern challenge when tackle Rondebosch Boys’ High, and Grey High School in Cape Town this weekend.

SACS faces ‘Bosch on Friday night at 19:20, before hosting Grey on Saturday at 12:00.

As they did in 2023, SACS have begun their season in the best way possible, dominating every opponent they’ve faced so far.

They began competitive action at the Founders Festival, hosted at Kearsney College late last month.

There, coach Sam Holmes’ boys were the pick of the teams in action, recording emphatic results against some of the country’s best sides. In five matches, they scored a whopping 31 goals and conceded only two.

Those emphatic victories came against Affies (5-1), Parktown Boys’ High (7-1), Northwood School’s 2nd XI (8-0), Queen’s College (5-0), and Gauteng’s St Stithians College (6-0).

SACS has continued that momentum in their Western Cape league fixtures, first dismantling Fairmont 6-0, before overwhelming Parel Vallei 7-0 last weekend.

“With the number of fixtures we are playing and pre-season prep, it’s been greatly satisfying to get off to a good start,” coach Sam Holmes told SuperSport Schools before his side took on Parel Vallei.

“We’ve worked hard, but that doesn’t give you the right to win fixtures. Everyone works hard.

“But, with that said, it’s been fantastic to see the boys adapt to different styles and pressure environments and perform as a collective.”

Holmes’s team entered the season bearing the weight of SACS being the number-one-ranked team in the country last year.

With the start they’ve had, they have certainly given hockey enthusiasts around the country many reasons to believe that they could repeat last year’s feat.

As exciting as that may sound, Holmes said their focus this season is to play a brand of hockey that gets the school and hockey community excited about coming down to the Brewery Astroturf on Friday nights.

They will be well supported this weekend when they face both ‘Bosch and Grey, in games sure to excite hockey fans, in quick succession. Rondebosch upset Paul Roos 1-0 last weekend, while Grey, who are also unbeaten, put nine past Dale College.

“‘Bosch is very well coached and organised, which always makes them a tough adversary,” Holmes said, when asked about the threats their southern suburbs’ rivals possess.

“It’ll be a tall order to beat them at home but, if we manage to apply the necessary pressure, hopefully the dam wall will break.

“On the other hand, this group has had some great tussles with Grey over their age group years, which makes this fixture a mouth-watering prospect.

“We will have to be at our clinal best in the final third to put them away.”

SACS will also have to bring their A-game to both clashes if they are to continue their impressive start to the season. Both Rondebosch and Grey, of course, would like nothing more than to claim the biggest scalp in SA schoolboys’ hockey at present.

SACS boasts a high-quality squad, but Holmes mentioned two players who he feels have made significant impacts this season, Nick Paxton and Aidan Hughes.

He explained: “Hughes’s positional flexibility and Paxton’s one-versus-one elimination ability stand out. They have been able to create countless opportunities going forward and made crucial interventions while defending.”

TEAMS

SACS: Noah Venter, Jo Le Roux, Aiden Hughes, Dave Versveld, Nick Paxton, Kevin Oosthuizen, Stéphan Meyer (c), Zac Redfern. Litha Kraai, Reece Theunis, Cohen Williams, Regan Wille, Cole Allam, Matthew Jones, Mike Mthunzi, Matthew Lassen

Rondebosch Boys’ High: Marley Musasa, ⁠Thomas Gordon, Joshua Beattie, Hilton Lima (c), ⁠Nathan Ball, ⁠Noah Heath, ⁠Raeeq Daniels, ⁠Daniel Powell, ⁠Anam Nkohla, ⁠Jamie Hundermark, ⁠Martin Barnard, ⁠Cade Miller, ⁠Jasper Southwood, ⁠Imaad Martin, ⁠Oliver Roach

Grey High School: Kiano Broadhurst, Marco Giaconi, Zac Thornton, Ben Ristow, Robbie Stow, Kian Cambier, Luke Tait, Caden Skinnette, Athi Jansen, Blake Muller, Jordyn Julies, Xander Elkington, Iviwe Mazomba, Liam Poole, Caleb Humphreys.

Jim Fouché het Dinsdag vir Eunice High School, in laasgenoemde se se eerste ligawedstryd van die jaar, met 39-26 getroef.

JF spog nou reeds met twee oorwinnings, nadat hulle in hul eerste ligawedstryd vir Fichardtpark met 26 doele geklop het.

In hul onlangse kragmeting met Eunice het JF in die eerste kwart met slegs drie doele voorgeloop, maar hul voorsprong in die tweede kwart vergroot deur 10 doele teen Eunice se sewe aan te teken en so die rustydtelling op 19-13 te staan te bring.

Jim Fouché het in die derde kwart die gaping verder vergroot met ‘n telling van 29-19, en het uiteindelik té sterk vir Eunice geëindig om met 13 doele te seëvier.

Ansune Humphries het uitgeblink het as beide verdediger en hulpverdediger, terwyl Elri Pieters ook ‘n belangrike bydrae gelewer het as hulpdoel.

HTS Drostdy het verlede Saterdag tuisveldvoordeel ten volle benut teen Framesby.

Die Donkies het met ‘n telling van 22-5 in Worcester geseëvier en sodoende ‘n ernstige waarskuwing gerig aan ander spanne wat vanjaar nog op Trappespark ‘n draai moet maak.

Voor die omdraaislag het die tuisspan reeds ‘n voorsprong van 17-0 opgebou, danksy drieë deur senter, Aljay Skippers, en die vleuels, Adrian Vergotine en Berndedict George, voordat Johan van Zyl uiteindeklik die besoekers se rekening kort voor rustyd kon oopmaak.

Vroeg in die tweede helfte was daar ‘n ernstige besering aan die besoekers se kant, maar daarna het hulle begeesterd teruggeveg om die lewe effens moeiliker te maak vir Drostdy. Die tuisspan se verdediging het egter die aanslag suksesvol afgeweer.

Na nóg ‘n besering, wat die wedstryd vir ‘n geruime tyd onderbreek het, het Framesby nog ‘n hewige poging aanwend om bresse in Drostdy se verdediging te slaan. Dit het nogmaals niks opgelewer nie, met Drostdy se Rianzo van der Westhuizen wat instede vanaf omgekeerde besit die enigste drie van die tweede helfte gedruk het.

Woensdag pak Drostdy vir Hexvallei, voor die groot kragmeting met hul buurskool, Worcester Gimnasium, op die 24ste April.

Framesby sal hulself vinnig moet regruk vir nog ‘n strawwe bepaling wanneer hulle Saterdag vir Oakdale Landbou ontvang.

In Wellington het Milnerton nóg ‘n hardverdiende sege van 17-14 behaal oor ‘n hardnekkige Hugenote-span.

Die tuisspan het die skrums oordonder terwyl hul bul van ‘n agsteman en kaptein, Alrich Humphreys, en flank, Basson Truter, die bal met mening gedra het om hul span op die voorvoet te plaas. Milnerton het weereens egter oor eenvoudig té veel skietgoed agterlangs beskik.

Drieë deur die groot flank, Cullen Ruiters, en vleuel, Keenen Johnson, wat verdoel is deur losskakel, Luke Daniels, het vir Hugenote tot binne drie punte van die besoekers se telling gebring, maar Chadwin Sellidon, Milnerton se losskakel, het sy span tot oorwinning gelei met ‘n drie, doelskop en strafdoel.

Milnerton se ander drie is deur hul dinamiese agsteman, Joshua Vomberg, gedruk, met skrumskakel, Devon Damons, wat verdoel het.

Na hul ‘n spogsege van 34-33 oor Rondebosch Boys’ High op die Tinkie Heyns en hierdie inspirerende vertoning teen ‘n sterk Hugenote-span in Wellington, ry Milnerton ‘n golf van momentum in die aanloop tot hierdie naweek se stryd teen Bishops Diocesan College.

Die Biskoppe sal die Piley Rees-veld met alle mag verdedig, verál aangesien hulle hul 175ste bestaansjaar vier, maar Milnerton lyk oorgehaal vir nog ‘n paar opskuddings hierdie seisoen en daardie kragmeting beloof om hope opwinding te lewer.

Puntemakers:

HTS Drostdy 22 (17) – Drieë: Aljay Skippers, Adrian Vergotine, Berndict George, Rianzo van der Westhuizen. Doelskop: Josh Fourie. Framesby 5 (5) – Drie: Johan van Zyl.

Milnerton 17 – Drieë: Chadwin Sellidon, Joshua Vomberg. Doelskoppe: Devon Damons, Sellidon. Strafdoel: Sellidon. Hugenote (Wellington) 14 – Drieë: Cullen Ruiters, Keenen Johnson. Doelskoppe: Luke Daniels (2).

Ander tellings:

o. 19 – SACS 54, Hoërskool Brackenfell 27; Hoërskool Bellville 29, Hoërskool Tygerberg 10; HTS Drostdy II 43, Frameby II 13; HTS Drostdy III 55, Framesby III 0; HTS Drostdy IV 34, Framesby IV 5; Hugenote II 31, Milnerton II 12; Hugenote III 22, Milnerton III 7; Hoërskool Tygerberg II 21, Hoërskool Bellville II 18; Hoërskool Bellville III 32, Hoërskool Tygerberg III 0; Hoërskool Bellville IV 24, Hoërskool Tygerberg IV 0.

o. 16 – HTS Drostdy 47, Framesby 0; HTS Drostdy II 62, Framesby 0; Hugenote 20, Milnerton 3; Hugenote B 27, Milnerton B 5; Hoërskool Bellville 22, Hoërskool Tygerberg 21; Hoërskool Bellville B 14, Hoërskool Tygerberg B 10.

o. 15 – HTS Drostdy 35, Framesby 5; HTS Drostdy B 35, Framesby B 10; HTS Drostdy C 50, Framesby 0; Hugenote 17, Milnerton 17; Milnerton B 32, Hugenote B 12; Hoërskool Bellville 30, Hoërskool Tygerberg 5; Hoërskool Tygerberg B 25, Hoërskool Bellville B 24; Hoërskool Bellville C 40, Hoërskool Tygerberg C 0.

o. 14 – HTS Drostdy 24, Framesby 8; HTS Drostdy B 45, Framesby B 5; HTS Drostdy C 30, Framesby C 0; Hugenote 17, Milnerton 14; Hugenote B 20, Milnerton B 14; Hoërskool Tygerberg 35, Hoërskool Bellville 14; Hoërskool Bellville B 53, Hoërskool Tygerberg B 0; Melkbosstrand B 17, Hoërskool Bellville C 5.

 

On the back of a 3-1 win against Pinelands High School and finishing fifth at the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Festival, Somerset College will enter this weekend’s Kingswood College Hockey Festival in high spirits and keen to further build upon their early season achievements.

The festival pits Eastern Cape sides against the likes of York High, Glenwood House, and Oakhill School.

Over 800 kilometres from home, Somerset is one of a number of Western Cape sides looking to make a statement.

Last weekend, they got their Western Cape league season off to a commanding start with a 3-1 win over Pinelands, with skipper Michael du Toit, Matthew Sutherland, and Tyrone Rieth finding the back of the net.

Before that clash, coach Mick Ouwekerk’s boys were on song at the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Festival, where they finished in the top five in the 40-team event.

There, they dominated their pool but were knocked out by the eventual winners, Paarl Gimnasium, in the quarterfinals on the third day. They did, however, end their campaign on a positive note by beating Fairmont High 1-0 to seal fifth place.

“I’m very happy with the progress we’ve made during the early part of the season,” Ouwekerk told SuperSport Schools ahead of the festival.

“We had a tough start initially but have worked hard to improve on our weak areas, and the boys are starting to play some really good hockey.

“We had a solid pool stage at Belgotex, and meeting Paarl Gim in the quarters was a tough draw. They are an excellent team, well coached, and they work extremely hard on the field, so they’re always hard to play against.

“We competed well, and I am very happy with the performance,” he added.

Somerset’s team this year is a balanced blend of youth and experience, with seven senior players having departed the 2023 side.

However, Ouwekerk said those players who are now seniors have stepped up, and they’re setting a good example for the young guns in the team.

“It’s quite a big mixture of senior players with five u16s in the team, as well,” he said.

“It has been an interesting challenge, getting the senior players to help the younger guys understand what is expected at 1st team level.

“However, I feel we are starting to get it right and I’m looking forward to seeing the group continue to gel and improve throughout the season.”

Somerset College will open their campaign on Friday morning at 11:50 against Framesby. Ouwekerk believes that outing and the rest of their festival fixtures will help the side tick a few boxes before returning home.

“We, luckily, have played lots of festival and tournament hockey already, so physically I feel the team is in a good space.

“We have been struggling with getting outcomes from our 23 and circle entries this season, so that will be a big focus for this weekend.

Players to keep an eye out for include captain, Michael du Toit, who has been a commanding presence at the back and in midfield, as well as a threat at PC time.

Vice-captain Tyrone Rieth, along with Connor Murphy and Nicholas Plotz, has consistently put in strong performances in big games.

Somerset College’s fixtures at the KC Hockey Festival

Friday, 19 April 2024

11:50 – Somerset College vs Framesby
17:20 – Somerset College vs Glenwood House

Saturday, 20 April 2024

10:45 – Somerset College vs York High
17:15 – Somerset College vs Kingswood College

Sunday, 21 April 2024

09:10- Somerset College vs Oakhill School

The fixtures for The Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament have been finalised. The event runs from 2-4 May and features 20 of the country’s best football teams in all-out action at the Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley.

HTS Louis Botha, the current holders, are ready to defend their title and they’re also aiming for a three-peat.

Winning it once was an outstanding achievement. Repeating as champs was remarkable. Winning it three times on the trot would be a barely believable feat. The boys from Bloemfontein have, however, consistently proved themselves to be among South Africa’s best teams.

The participating schools include a number of others who claimed big tournament titles in 2023. Among them are Selborne College, from the Eastern Cape, who were the winners of the Urban Academy Soccer Tournament. Maritzburg College, from KwaZulu-Natal, laid claim to three titles last year, including the Primo Big 10 and Pietermaritzburg and Midlands FA Cup, and Brebner High School, also from Bloemfontein, was crowned the champion of the 19th St David’s Annual Challenge Cup.

Fixtures

Thursday, May 02, Sol Platje University SPU 1

8:00 – Kimberley Boys’ High vs St Benedict’s College
9:00 – Clapham High School vs Blinkklip High
11:00 – Benny Sports Academy vs Virginia High
12:30 – Navalsig High vs Potchefstroom Boys High
14:00 – Glenwood High vs Norkem Park High
15:30 – HTS Louis Botha vs Potchefstroom
17:00 – St Benedict’s College vs Selborne College
18:30 – Clapham High School vs Northwood School
20:00 – Paul Roos Gymnasium vs Norkem Park High

Thursday, May 02, Sol Platje SPU 2

8:00 – HTS Louis Botha vs Dale College
9:30 – Paul Roos Gymnasium vs Emang Mmogo
11:00 – Selborne College vs Wildeklawer Academy
12:30 – Maritzburg College vs Northwood School
14:00 – Brebner High School vs Grey College
15:30 – Dale College vs Navalsig High
17:00 – Kimberley Boys’ High School vs Wildeklawer Academy
18:30 – Blinkklip High vs Maritzburg College
20:00 – Emmang Mmogo vs Glenwood High

Friday, May 03 at Sol Platje University SPU 1

8:00 – Benny Sports Academy vs Grey College
9:30 – Kimberley Boys High School vs Selborne College
11:00 – HTS Louis Botha vs Navalsig High
12:30 – Clapham High School vs Maritzburg College
14:00 – Paul Roos Gymnasium vs Glenwood High
15:30 – Grey College vs Virginia High School
16:00 – A1 vs B2
18:30 – C2 vs D1
20:00 – E1 vs Best Loser 1

Friday, May 03, at Sol Platje University SPU 2

8:00 – Virginia High vs Brebner High
9:30 – Wildeklawer Academy vs St Benedict’s College
11:00 – Potchefstroom Boys High vs Dale College
12:30 – Northwood High School vs Blinkklip High
14:00 – Norkem High School vs Emmang Mmogo
15:30 – Benny Sports Academy vs Brebner High
17:00 – A2 vs B1
18:30 – C1 vs D2
20:00 – E2 vs Best Loser 2

Saturday, May 04 at Sol Platje University SPU 1

8:00 – Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match 2

Saturday, May 04 at Sol Platje University SPU2

8:00- Winner Match 3 vs Winner Match 4

Saturday, 04 at Sol Platje University SPU 2

9:30 – Winner Match 5 vs Winner Match 6

Saturday, May 04 at Sol Platje University SPU 2

12:00 – Semi-finals: Winner Match II vs Best Loser

Saturday, May 04 at Sol Platje University SPU 1

12:00 – Semi-finals: Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match III
14:00 – 3/4 Play-off: Loser Match P vs Loser Match Q
16:00 – Finals: Winner Match P vs Winner Match Q

KZN Inland Football Action 

The 2024 KZN High Schools Football League season has kicked off, with the opening matches, played during the course of last week, featuring plenty of goals and exciting action. It looks as if an entertaining season is on the cards.

On Barns’ Field at Maritzburg College, the u19 Inland champs, Maritzburg College A, almost came short against Ixopo High School in their opener as the teams played to a 2-2 draw.

College, though, showed strong character after twice falling behind. Despite facing adversity, the College boys equalised through goals from Jordan Marais and Philasande Khuzwayo, with Khuzwayo’s successful conversion of a penalty kick coming just before the final whistle.

As they set about defending their title, College will have been reminded that there will be a target on their back this year after an exceptionally successful 2023 season. Last year, their resilience and team spirit allowed them to forge several comebacks on their way to victories.

Meanwhile, the Maritzburg College B team set the cat among the pigeons by picking up a 2-1 win over Linpark, the runners-up in the 2023 u19 Inland competition.

Carter High, who were involved in the most exciting game of last season, the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands FA Cup final, in which they pushed Maritzburg College to the brink before going down 2-3, opened their account with a 2-0 win over Haythorne.

Northbury, meanwhile, surged to the top of the log by thumping Thornhill 6-0. Alexandra High School, with home ground advantage, defeated Newton 4-0, Edendale, a newcomer to the league, got off to a winning start, defeating the Alexandra B team 2-1.

KZN Coastal Football Action 

A big showdown set the KZN Coastal competition in motion, with the defending champions, Glenwood High School, tackling the team they eliminated in a semi-final penalty shootout last season, Westville Boys’ High, at Queensburgh High School.

In an intense clash, Westville edged out Glenwood, winning 3-2. Like Maritzburg College in the Inland league, they enter the 2024 season intent on living up to the standards of their predecessors, who put together an excellent campaign.

Durban High School (DHS) and Pinetown played to a 2-2 draw, while Betchet emerged victorious over Hillcrest, claiming a 2-1 victory.

Northwood High School, whose 2023 season did not go entirely as planned, began the new season on a positive note by defeating Port Shepstone 2-1. Sheppie saw the 2023 title slip out of their grasp when Glenwood scored a late equaliser in their semi-final, before claiming the title in a penalty shootout.

New Forest provided thrills in their game against Ashton International Ballito, triumphing 5-0 to claim the three points on offer and top spot in the KZN Coastal B League.

Queensburgh made a confident start, defeating Redwood 4-0, while Amanzimtoti saw off Grosvenor 2-1. Empangeni were victorious in their debut match, beating Sastri College 2-1.

Week One Results

Coastal A-League 

Westville 3-2 Glenwood
DHS 2-2 Pinetown
Bechet 2-1 Hillcrest
Northwood 2-1 Port Shepstone

Coastal B-League

Amanzimtoti 2-1 Grosvenor
New Forest 5-0 Ashton Ballito
Empangeni 2-1 Sastri College
Queensburgh 4-0 Redwood

Inland A-League

Maritzburg College B 2-1 Linpark
Carter 2-0 Haythorne
Maritzburg College 2-2 Ixopo
Alex 4-0 Newton

Inland B-League

Heritage 2-1 Riverwood
Northbury 6-0 Thornhill
Maritzburg College C 2-1 ML Sultan
Edendale 2-1 Alex B

This Week’s Fixtures

Coastal A-League 

15 April, Queensburgh High School

15:10 – Pinetown vs Glenwood (Field 1)
15:10 – Hillcrest vs Westville (Field 2)
16:10 – Port Shepstone vs DHS (Field 1)
16:10 – Northwood vs Bechet (Field 2)

Inland A-League 

18 April, Alexandra High School

15:10 – Carter vs Linpark
15:10 – Alex vs Maritzburg College B
16:10 – Maritzburg College A vs Newton
16:10 – Haythorne vs Ixopo

Coastal B-League 

19 April, Queensburgh High School

15:10 – Redwood vs Ashton Ballito (Field 1)
15:10 – Sastri College vs Amanzimtoti (Field 2)
16:10 – New Forest vs Grovesnor
16:10 – Queensburgh vs eMpangeni

Inland B-League 

19 April, Alexandra High School

15:10 – Maritzburg College C vs Northbury
15:10 – Alexandra B vs Heritage
16:10 – ML Sultan vs Riverwood
16:10 – Thornhill vs Edendale

Amajimbos, South Africa’s national u17 men’s team, is set to face Colombia in two matches this week in preparation for the u17 COSAFA Championship and the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

Under the guidance of coach Vela Khumalo, the talented squad assembled on 10 April for a camp, and matches against their South American opponent are scheduled for 17 and 20 April.

The South African squad features the best players from the country’s most renowned football academies, and its quality is testament to the substantial progress that has been made in the development of the game at junior levels.

Among those included in the squad are Emile Witbooi, who recently moved from the School of Excellence to Cape Town City, Steven Mendes, a sharpshooter from the Kaizer Chiefs Academy, Diego Da Silva, who plays for the University of Pretoria, and Madondo Ayanda, from the KZN Academy.

The majority of the players have been fortunate enough to participate in leading development competitions, such as the Multichoice Diski Challenge, with SuperSport United, Cape Town Spurs, Kaizer Chiefs and Cape Town City being among the clubs known for giving their young stars a run in the reserve league of the DStv Premiership.

Many of them are also to be seen week in and week out in the Gauteng Development League, while some have been recognised in big competitions, such as the Bayhill Premier Cup.

Despite not having much experience in international competitions, the South African squad is loaded with skilful players. Now, they’re being challenged to demonstrate the benefits of the country’s development programmes.

Notably, the team’s formation owes credit to initiatives like the u15 FIFA-SAFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) International.

Kaizer Chiefs won the inaugural TDS Tournament in 2023, triumphing 2-1 over KZN in the final. At the conclusion of the event, 23 players were selected to be part of the first-ever u15 national squad.

Meanwhile, the Bayhill Premier Cup was also used as a showcase from which players were drafted into the national u17 set-up.

Victory in the competition went to Cape Town Spurs, who scored an impressive win over FN Rangers St Agnes in front of 15 000 fans at the Athlone Stadium to lift the title.

The u15 national team had its first taste of international competition last year, when it contested the Three-Nations TDS Tournament in Rabat, Morocco in early December.

During the tournament, they faced Cote d’Ivoire and the hosts, Morocco. In their first match, South Africa suffered a 2-4 loss to Cote d’Ivoire, but they took the lessons learned in that defeat and used them to help secure a 3-2 win over Morocco.

Also, they successfully met the technical team objectives set out by coach Vela Khumalo, who described the two internationals as a good test of character for his players.

Khumalo told SAFA.net that international competition is the goal for South Africa’s junior national teams: “The plan is to increase players’ average international caps to between five and nine caps by December 2024, accelerate game time, and set the technical-tactical foundation in line with the SAFA Vision 2023.”

SA u17 Squad

Adriano Adams (Cape Town Spurs Academy, Daniel Bohloko Neo (Kaizer Chiefs Academy), Lunje Noqobo (SuperSport United Academy), Landiso Radebe (SuperSport United Academy), Tswelelo Maake (SuperSport United Academy), Kamohelo Mareletse (Kaizer Chiefs Academy), Steven Mendes (Kaizer Chiefs Academy), Anovuyo Mgoqi  (Cape Town City Academy), Bokamoso Mokokosi (Kaizer Chiefs Academy), Keabetswe Morake (Kaizer Chiefs Academy), Sabire Losper (Cape Town City Academy), Selywn Stevens (Mamelodi Sundowns Academy), Emile Witbooi (Cape Town City Academy), Mfundo Msimango (Sibanye Young Bucks), Ayanda Madondo (KZN Academy), Thandani Mhlongo (AmaZulu Academy), Athenkosi Pama Sive (Cape Town City Academy), Diego Da Silva (University of Pretoria), Sivuziwe Lonzi (Ubuntu Football Academy), Hayden Booysen (Ubuntu Football Academy), Simphiwe Mlondo (Mamelodi Sundowns Academy)

Hoërskool Jim Fouché en Eunice High School pak mekaar Dinsdag, 16 April, in ‘n liga-wedstryd om 16:00 by JF.

Volgens Some van Rensburg, JF sê afrigter, is haar span uiters positief oor die wedstryd, vernaam omdat hulle twee goeie toere agter die rug het.

“Ons sien uit uit na goeie en gesonde kompetisie, en ‘n harde wedstryd,” sê sy. “Eunice gaan dit vir seker nie vir ons maklik maak nie, maar ons is nie bang vir harde werk nie.”

Eunice se afrigter, Ané Retief, wat ook kaptein van die Crinums is, het ook volle vertroue in haar span se vermoëns.

“Ons doelwit is om ‘n kultuur van uitnemendheid te kweek wat gegrond is op beginsels van harde werk, spanwerk en selfbevoegdheid. Deur opregte sportmangees poog ons om inspirasie onder ons eweknieë en andere aan te wakker,” vertel Retief, met klem op die span se verbintenis tot waardes wat verder strek as die baan.

Lee-Ann Usher, die spankaptein, deel die afrigter se afwagting vir die nuwe seisoen.

“Ons sien uit na ‘n nuwe seisoen waar hierdie jong span met die hoogs ervare Jim Fouché kan meeding,” sê Usher, en beaam dat die span oorgehaal is om uitdagings aan te pak en hul talente op die baan ten toon te stel.

Retief, wat ervaring op nasionale vlak bring, voeg voorts by: “Daar is diversiteit in beide die aanvallende en verdedigende kante, met sterk spelers op elke gebied.”

Eunice High School:

Voor (vlnr): Tarien van der Linde (onderkaptein), mev Rachelle Rautenbach (spanbestuurder), Lee-Ann Usher (kaptein), me Ané Retief (afrigter), Keren Usher.
Agter: Daniella Ngeleka, Carné Stapelberg, Caitlyn Visser, Amy Pastor, Busisiwe Zulu, Anike van der Merwe, Nikita Kaleba.

Hoërskool Jim Fouché: Lesedi Sebiloane, Elri Pieters, Zandria Bastone, Lindsey Neveling, Jenilee Kotze, Ansune Humphries, Dimpo Totola, Jana Rossouw, Roechelle van der Merwe.

The past weekend presented teams competing in the Gauteng Development League with a demanding challenge as most of them faced back-to-back fixtures on Saturday and Sunday.

However, in the face of the steepest tests, the top contenders put their hands up and made themselves known through their teamwork and a never-say-die spirit.

Ongama Gcwabe and SuperSport Schools Plus picked Three Top Performances from the back-to-back matchdays six and seven.

Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs faced one of the tougher schedules, which included the “The Lions of the North“, Highlands Park, who were ready to pounce in their first fixture of the weekend.

In a hard-fought contest, the Soweto giants and Highlands Park drew 1-1, meaning the Amakhosi did not win both of their weekend fixtures, unlike the other teams on this list.

Therefore, more context is needed to explain why Chiefs find themselves selected as one of the top three performers.

They did not face any old Highlands Park side. They faced one that was severely wounded, having been humbled 0-2 by Mamelodi Sundowns a week earlier, a side which had managed only one league victory thus far this season.

Stung, the Balfour Park-based unit went into the Chiefs game itching to make a statement and desperate to display form worthy of the defending champions.

They took the fight to Chiefs, giving it their all, but it wasn’t enough as the sides shared the spoils.

The Soweto giants followed up their draw with a 4-1 win over Kathorus Hyper Academy at Naturena on Sunday, to complete a successful weekend on a winning note.

Mamelodi Sundowns

When the bar has been set high, it can sometimes be difficult to maintain that standard, and the standard setters from the start of the 2024 Gauteng Development League have been Mamelodi Sundowns. They entered the weekend’s fixtures with an unbeaten record, intent on preserving it.

Coach Surprise Moriri‘s charges faced Tuks on Saturday and Jomo Cosmos on Sunday.

First up, they won 3-1 at Tuks, ostensibly in the tougher of their two games. However, Cosmos put up a tremendous fight on Sunday against a Sundowns’ side that appeared tired.

‘Downs dug deep, however, and eventually found a goal to secure maximum points with a 1-0 victory, which gave them back-to-back wins.

SuperSport United

SuperSport United faced serious challenges from the in-form Panorama FC and the School of Excellence on Saturday and Sunday respectively. One thing in their favour, however, was that both matches were played in their own backyard, at Eskom Megawatt Park, in Pretoria.

Not many teams enjoyed home ground advantage in both of their weekend’s games, but SuperSport United did and they made that advantage count.

On Saturday, they put six goals past Panorama, while the visitors scored twice, with Nkosinathi Mbuyane, Samuel Ndongeni, Tyrese Davids, Michael Alagiozolou, Tshiamo Selemela, and Bohlale Ngwato netting for the winners.

On Sunday, a solitary goal from Tlotliso Makgai saw SuperSport United to a 1-0 victory over the School of Excellence, thus boosting the home team’s tally by six points from the two games.

Other under-19 results

Saturday

School of Excellence 2-1 Remember Elite Sports Academy
East Rand Athletic Club 1-1 Rosina Sedibane
Randburg AFC 3-1 Sevens Academy
Joburg City 1-2 Jomo Cosmos

Sunday
Tuks 1-2 Remember Elite Sports Academy
TS Galaxy 2-1 NWU Vaal FC
Wits Junior 1-2 Randburg AFC
East Rand Athletic Club 2-1 Sevens Academy

Hoërskool Frikkie Meyer het so stil-stil nog ‘n goeie sege in sy 2024-seisoen behaal.

Die span van Thabazimbi het vir Hoërskool Dinamika op hul tuisveld in Alberton met ‘n telling van 22-15 geklop.

Die besoekers het, nadat hulle teen rustyd met 10-15 agtergeloop het, daarin geslaag om Dinamika punteloos te hou in die tweede helfte, terwyl hulle self 12 punte kon aanteken.

Slot, Kwele Mamabolo, het ‘n barshou gespeel en die eerste bresse vir die Frikkies geslaan met sy drie. Dit het die nodige vuur aangesteek onder die res van die pak voorspelers, met loskopstut, Lourens Pieterse, wat ‘n rukkie later oorgebars het vir die besoekers om die voortou te laat neem.

Losskakel, Merico Venter, wat twee drieë verdoel het, het ewe koel ook ‘n laaste strafdoel bygevoeg om die uitslag bo alle twyfel te stel.

Dinamika se agterlyn was grotendeels verantwoordelik vir hul voorsprong met die omdraaislag. Losskakel, Dylan Feenstra, en regtervleuel, Shawlyne Minnies, het hul span se twee drieë aangeteken.

Hoërskool Wonderboom het vir Hoërskool Florida ‘n ordentlike rugbyles in Johannesburg geleer, deur ‘n asemrowende 11 drieë in te ryg en met ‘n telling van 69-0 te wen. Nie minder nie as vier van Wonderboom se spelers het elk ‘n tweekuns behaal.

Dit was egter die Van Greunen-duo wat die kollig gesteel het. Buitsenter, Ryan van Greunen, het die doellyn twee keer oorgesteek en ook met ‘n doelskop geslaag, terwyl Ruan van Greunen, van die plaasvervangerbank af, ook gedruk het en in die kol was met vier doelskoppe.

Dit het beteken dat hulle gesamentlik 25 punte aangeteken het.

Hoërskool Dr Malan se loskopstut, Bernard Benson, se twee drieë het verseker dat die span van Meyerton tuis vir Hoërskool Sasolburg met ‘n telling van 22-13 kon troef. Heelagter, Dian van den Berg, het ook beïndruk met twee doelskoppe en ‘n strafdoel.

Puntemakers:

Frikkie Meyer 22 (10) – Drieë: Kwele Mamabolo, Janco van Deventer, Lourens Pieterse. Doelskoppe: Merico Venter (2). Strafdoel: Pieterse. Dinamika 15 (15) – Drieë: Dylan Feentra, Shawlynne Mienies. Doelskop: Kyle Young. Strafdoel: Young.

Wonderboom 69 (31) – Drieë: Ryan van Greunen (2), Kevin Fensham (2), Navan Jansen (2), Eduan Kritzinger (2), Ryan Otto, Carlo Schmahl, Ruan van Greunen. Doelskoppe: Ruan Van Greunen (4), Tyron Jansen van Noordwyk, Ryan van Greunen. Florida 0.

Dr Malan 22 – Drieë: Bernard Benson (2), Andreas Botha. Doelskoppe Dian van den Berg (2). Strafdoel: Van den Berg. Sasolburg 13 – Drie: Nathan Swanepoel. Doelskop: Meyer Pretorius. Strafdoel: Pretorius.

Ander spanne: 

o. 16: Dinamika 34, Frikkie Meyer 21; Florida 12, Wonderboom 10; Dr Malan 39, Sasolburg 19.

o. 15: Dinamika 7, Frikkie Meyer 3; Florida 8, Wonderboom 8; Dr Malan 20, Sasolburg 15.

o. 14: Dinamika 37, Frikkie Meyer 3; Florida 5, Wonderboom 3; Dr Malan 27, Sasolburg 0.