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Paarl Gimnasium edged out Worcester Gymnasium 2-1 to win gold in the final of the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament in Cape Town on Saturday evening.

The victory was Gim’s third consecutive title at the prestigious tournament, following on from their successes in 2022 and 2023.

On their journey to the final, Gim made their case as the best boys’ team at the tournament. They were emphatic in front of goal and played an exciting brand of hockey that got spectators off their feet.

In their semi-final on Friday, they put on a masterclass, dismantling Namibia’s Private School Swakopmund 9-1 to book themselves a spot in the Cup final.

Their opponents, Worcester Gymnasium were also a cut above the rest in the pool stages, winning all four of their matches and scoring 21 goals while conceding only three.

There was little to separate them from their semi-final opponents, Stellenberg, however. The teams played to a 1-1 draw before coach Edrich Janse van Rensburg‘s charges scraped through with a 4-3 win on penalties.

The final was tightly contested through the first two chukkas, with Gim missing out on a number of chances.

They had a golden chance to go ahead early in the match from the penalty spot, but Willem Mathee‘s shot was stopped by Worcester’s goalkeeper, Barko de Wet, and the chukka ended goalless.

The deadlock was finally broken with just over a minute to play in the second chukka. After Gim received a short corner, captain LD Nel fired a superb drag flick into the back of the net to give his team a narrow lead at half-time.

The third chukka was a stalemate as both sides’ offensive forays were met by well-structured defences.

However, Juan Swanepoel struck a crucial blow for Paarl Gim in the fourth chukka, with less than six minutes to play, to make it 2-0.

Worcester was not going to go down without a fight and they pulled one back through a penalty corner, courtesy of Driesie Burger. That goal set up a tense final two minutes, with players from both sides throwing their bodies on the line.

With a minute left in the match, Worcester was granted another short corner, but Gim scrambled well to keep their lead intact. That proved to be the last goals coring opportunity of the match. Time ran out and Gim claimed the title with a 2-1 victory.

Cape Town’s Stellenberg finished third after a 3-1 win over Namibia’s Private School Swakopmund in their playoff match.

After a slow start, Stellies took charge of the contest by opening the scoring in the first chukka. They added two more in the second chukka, with Nicholas Brown, Christian Spence, and Gerrard Noukoua their goal scorers. Stellenberg thought they had added a fourth in the third chukka, but it was disallowed.

Swakopmund gave it all they had but had to settle for a solitary goal from James De Jager.

In other matches, after they had finished regulation time level at 1-1, Paarl Boys’ High defeated the SACS Invitational side 2-1 on penalties to finish 11th. Kingswood College was the best of the Eastern Cape teams, finishing 10th, after a 2-4 defeat against Hoërskool Durbanville.

Meanwhile, Hoërskool Outeniqua beat York High 2-0 to take seventh, while Somerset College finished fifth after a 1-0 win over Fairmont.

RESULTS
The Settlers 0(3)-0(4) Hoërskool Oudtshoorn (39^th-40^th Place)
Pro-Ed Akademie 1(1)-1(2) Hoërskool Swartland (37^th-38^th Place)
Hugenote 1-3 Hoërskool Robertson (35^th -36^th Place)
Hoërskool Strand 2-0 Hoërskool Punt (33^rd-34^th place)
Woodridge College 1-0 Windhoek Gymnasium (31^st-32^nd Place)
Bridge House 2-1 Redhill (29^th/30^th Place)
Hoërskool Belville 5-4 Hoërskool Stellenbosch (27^th-28^th Place)
Northcliff High 1(3)-1(1)  Hoërskool Middelburg (25^th -26^th Place)
Stirling High 1-2 Langenhoven Gimnasium (23^rd-24^th Place)
Hoërskool Rustenburg 1-0 Curro Durbanville (21^st-22^nd Place)
Hoërskool Nelspruit 1-2 Monument (19^th-20^th Place)
Hoërskool Hermanus 2-1 DF Malan (17^th-18^th Place)
Hudson Park 3-5 St George’s Diocesan School (15^th-16^th Place)
Windhoek High School 1-0 St John’s College (Harare) (13^th-14^th Place)
Paarl Boys’ High 1(2)-1(1) SACS Invitational (11^th-12^th Place)
Kingswood College 2-4 Hoërskool Durbanville (9^th/10^th Place)
Hoërskool Outeniqua 2-0 York High (7^th-8^th Place)
Somerset College 1-0 Fairmont (5^th-6^th Place)
Private School Swakopmund 1-3 Hoërskool Stellenberg (3^rd-4^th Place)
Paarl Gimnasium 2-1 Worcester Gymnasium (1^st -2^nd Place)

 

Hoërskool Noord-Kaap vs Nico Malan High School

Nico Malan High School beat Hoërskool Noord-Kaap 31-22 in Saturday’s opening game of day two at the 2024 Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival.

With both sides having copped losses on Thursday, there was plenty riding on the outcome of Saturday’s showdown. In another exciting opener, a tidy Nico Malan display boosted them to victory in a highly entertaining match-up.

The team from Humansdorp’s physicality in the tackle repelled Noord-Kaap throughout the contest, while their efficiency at maul time laid a platform for their strike play.

Although the boys in green and white held their own well at scrum time and in general contact, their inability to deal with Nico Malan’s rolling maul was a major hindrance.

Still, they started strongly and dominated the possession and territory stakes early on, and they were eventually rewarded for a prolonged period of pressure inside the Bloutrui red zone when Elrin Morkel crossed the whitewash on the left wing.

It wasn’t long before a Ruan du Preez penalty reduced the deficit for Nico Malan and lock Edrich Klue then scored under the sticks to make it 10-5 to the Eastern Cape side at half-time.

A lovely break and grubber from Keano Mettler set up his midfield partner Jayden Potgieter for Noord-Kaap’s second, before Nico Malan loosehead Francois Smit trotted in from close quarters.

Jonaden Links finished off another electrifying score for Noord-Kaap, and a successful conversion brought the teams’ level. But a series of penalties conceded by Noord-Kaap inside their own 22 resulted in a yellow card for flyhalf Abdul Fisher.

Tequine Koopman dotted down soon thereafter, which seemed to have settled the contest. However, Ambijorn Vraagom snatched the ensuing kick-off out of the sky and raced through to make it a two-point ball game with less than five minutes remaining.

Nico Malan responded well and had the last say, with Gelden van Niekerk going over for the eighth and final try of an entertaining clash.

Westville Boys’ High vs Pearson High School

Pearson, playing their first match at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, went down 11-18 to Westville Boys’ High in the second match on day two.

Westville, who were beaten 31-10 by Rondebosch Boys’ High in rainy and misty conditions on Thursday, were desperate to deliver a bounce-back performance against the side from Summerstrand, Gqeberha.

In the end, Unathi Mlotshwa‘s goal kicking was vital for coach Njabulo “Jabz” Zulu‘s troops, whose solid showing on defence set the tone for their win.

For Pearson, who face a mighty day three challenge in the form of Durban High School (DHS), creating more chances with the ball in hand will be a priority going forward after a rather subdued showing against the Griffin.

Westville’s Mlotshwa broke the deadlock with a penalty 10 minutes into the encounter, before a
fine break and finish from barnstorming midfielder Michael Satade extended their lead. In a match where genuine attacking opportunities were few and far between, Satade’s score was a major moment.

Caleb Friskin nailed a penalty for Pearson’s first points as both outfits struggled to gain a clear foothold in the game.

Friskin and Mlotshwa were on target with further penalties before a rare flurry of chances resulted in Denilo Jordaan (Pearson) and Jadrian Afrikaner (Westville) dotting down for their respective teams.

It was tight, but Westville hung on for a seven-point win.

Worcester Gimnasium vs Hoër Landbouskool Marlow

Worcester Gimnasium, 26-25 winners over Hoërskool Rustenburg on Thursday, held off Hoër Landbouskool Marlow 38-37 on Saturday.

The lead changed hands a number of times during the game, with a whopping 10 tries being scored.

It was all Marlow in the opening exchanges, and they hit the front courtesy of Gideon Jordaan‘s
boot, before his namesake Zeiss Jordaan touched down to make it 8-0.

After hardly firing a shot all game, the Bosvarke scored twice in the blink of an eye. Firstly, they
worked a superb first phase attack deep inside Marlow’s territory, which was finished off by Daren Murphy. Then, Vuyolwethu Bavuma zigzagged his way through the opposition’s defence to suddenly thrust the Western Cape boys into the lead.

Those tries, against the run of play, sparked Worcester to life, and they began to grow in
confidence as the half wore on.

When some handy work by JJ van der Mescht put Theuns Botha away for Marlow’s second, it was the Cradock boys who led 17-12 at the break.

Two more Gideon Jordaan penalties were sandwiched in between Bavuma’s second touchdown, but another Worcester try to Valentino Nomadluka nudged his side into the lead.

The boys in blue kept the momentum flowing, and the pressure told again when Elrenzo Swartz
crossed over after Teagen Wiessener saw yellow for cynical play on Marlow’s tryline.

When Waylan Pienaar dotted down it looked as though Worcester would run away with it, but
Marlow closed with tries through Wilco Nel and Albrey Rudman at the death, to come within a whisker of the win.

Scorers

Nico Malan 31 (10) – Tries: Edrich Klue, Francois Smit, Tequine Koopman, Gelden van Niekerk. Conversions: Jean Joubert (3), Ruan de Preez. Penalty: Ruan de Preez. Noord-Kaap 22 (5) – Tries: Elrin Morkel, Jayden Potgieter, Jonaden Links, Ambijorn Vraagom. Conversion: Themba Koopman.

Westville Boys’ High School 18 (10) – Tries: Michael Satade, Jadrian Afrikaner. Conversion: Unathi Mlotshwa. Penalties: Unathi Mlotshwa (2). Pearson High School 11 (3) – Try: Denilo Jordaan. Penalties: Caleb Friskin (2).

Worcester Gimnasium 38 (12) – Tries: Vuyolwethu Bavuma (2), Valentino Nomadluka, Elrenzo Swartz, Waylan Pienaar, Daren Murphy. Conversions: Aiden Abrahams (4). Hoër Landbouskool Marlow 37 (17) – Zeiss Jordaan, Theuns Botha, Wilco Nel, Albrey Rudman. Conversions: Gideon Jordaan (4). Penalties: Gideon Jordaan (3)

Fourteen of the top hockey-playing schools in the nation wielded their hockey sticks and did battle on Saturday at the King Edward VII School (KES) Easter Festival, brought to you by Standard Bank, and produced blockbuster performances. The Good Friday break had not affected their momentum.

A total of 11 matches were played across two turfs, KES’ Weinberg Astro and the St John’s Astro.

The first match of the day was a thriller between Parktown Boys’ High and Grey College. Both played with confidence and defended stubbornly.

Grey coach Wayne Coetzee‘s charges adopted an attacking approach and piled pressure onto Parktown. The Johannesburg boys were equal to the task, however, and executed their defensive responsibilities well.

But Parktown, coached by Kyle Reddy, were not merely sitting back and soaking up wave after wave of attack from Grey College. They launched their own forays, too. “We had a few opportunities towards the end of the game but unfortunately couldn’t finish,” Reddy said, after the contest ended 1-1.

The next match was between Queen’s College and Maritzburg College. Coach Kyle Emerson‘s young team produced a strong performance to fire three goals past Queen’s without reply.

Emerson’s lineup includes four u16 players, as well as a handful of grade 11s. While their assignment against Michael Baiden‘s charges turned out to be relatively easy, their next match was at the other end of the spectrum.

They went up against a fiery Waterkloof team that attacked with ferocity in a fascinating clash of systems. Emerson’s boys retained possession and played into gaps while Waterkloof ran hard.

College stayed true to their principles in the first half and scored a goal in the second chukka, but lost control of the game in the third.

“In the second half, Waterkloof came with a bit more fire and pressed us. I think, in response, we started to hang on the ball too much to try and play, and that’s not the kind of hockey we want to play. We got caught in that tussle and it became scrappy. That’s where our performance dipped. We didn’t control our game,” Emerson said.

Nonetheless, Maritzburg College held firm and emerged with a 1-0 win.

Selborne College continued their winning march at festivals by registering two wins, beating St Charles in the morning and Northwood in the afternoon.

Matt Coombes‘ St Charles College side was handicapped by the absence of a couple of players, including their captain, Connor Riley, who was out with an injury. They went two goals down in the first chukka and faced an uphill battle from then on.

Saints played good hockey in the third chukka and parts of the fourth quarter, but their efforts were not enough.

KJ Friend‘s boys had an answer for every question posed by St Charles, in the same way that they had a response to every attack launched by Northwood later in the day. As they did with St Charles, Selborne found the back of the net early and sought to impose themselves on the game.

But Northwood was a different proposition. “We managed the game really well for the most part. We could have been better, but I am happy with the result. Against Northwood, my boys ran hard. They are putting in the leg work that most others won’t do,” Friend reckoned.

Northwood’s results evened out on Saturday, when their loss to Selborne was balanced out by a 2-1 win over St John’s.

“I think we haven’t hit our straps yet. I think we are going to get better. We aren’t at our best yet. But to be able to show effort like we did this evening, I am proud of the boys.” Knights’ coach Justin Collins said.

Ashley Kemp‘s Kearsney College enjoyed a great start to the festival, registering back-to-back victories over Jeppe and KES.

Kearsney came into the festival on the back of a good Founders Festival, where they won three and drew two, and showed excellent discipline in defence and when pressing the opposition. It was their emphasis on defence that separated them from many of the other teams.

“I take massive pride in defence first. So, from the start of preseason, that’s my main objective,” Kemp explained.

“If you don’t concede, you give your boys the ability to play freely… It’s the hardest part, but if you do it well, you give yourselves a lot of opportunity to express yourself.”

Sunday, the third day of the festival, promises more high-octane hockey and will kick off with a double-header, two 07:30 matches, with Jeppe facing St Charles at KES and Maritzburg College tackling Parktown at St John’s.

Results

Parktown 1-1 Grey College, Queen’s College 0-3 Maritzburg College, St Charles 0-4 Selborne, Northwood 2-1 St John’s, Kearsney 2-1 Jeppe, Maritzburg College 1-0 Waterkloof, Rondebosch 1-2 Grey College, Jeppe 2-0 Eldoraigne, Selborne 2-1 Northwood, Waterkloof 1-2 St John’s, Kearsney 2-0 KES

Fixtures

Sunday

Weinberg Astro

07:30 – Jeppe vs St Charles, 08:40 – Selborne vs Parktown, 09:50 – KES vs Northwood, 11:00 – Grey College vs Hoëskool Eldoraigne, 13:00 – St John’s vs St Charles, 14:10 – Maritzburg College vs Parktown, 15:20 – Northwood vs Rondebosch, 16:30 – KES vs Hoëskool Eldoraigne, 17:20 – Grey College vs Kearsney

St John’s Astro

07:30 – Maritzburg College vs Rondebosch, 08:40 – Waterkloof vs Queens, 13:00 – Selborne vs Kearsney

Monday

Weinberg Astro

07:30 – Selborne vs Hoëskool Eldoraigne, 08:40 – KES vs Queens, 09:50 – Waterkloof vs Northwood, 11:00 – Jeppe vs Rondebosch, 12:10 – St John’s vs Kearsney, 13:20 – Maritzburg College vs Grey College, 14:30 – Parktown vs St Charles

 

Rukudzo Madinga was Hilton’s hero in a somewhat unexpected win for Brad McLeod-Henderson’s troops on Saturday.

Relive all the action on SuperSport Schools. Link to the games.

Madinga’s brace of tries helped Hilton College to a famous 17-14 victory over Boland Landbou in the main game on the second day of the St John’s Easter Rugby Festival.

The right winger broke through shortly after half-time, with his side trailing 3-7, to score their first five-pointer. Moments later, he capitalised on a Boland Landbou lapse of concentration to score another.

That second try stretched the KwaZulu-Natal side’s lead and they managed to stay in front for the remaining 10 minutes of the game as both packs delivered heavy blows on defence.

Liyema Nela, the Hilton flyhalf, found his rhythm from the tee after a wobbly start and converted both of Madinga’s tries, while also slotting an important penalty.

Landbou’s Retagan van Rooi showed his class, this time at fullback. He contributed nine of his side’s 14 points, which included scoring the try which gave his side a sniff at a comeback. He converted that try and the five-pointer scored by scrumhalf, Jayden Brits.

Hilton’s gutsy fight in the second half was the difference between the sides, as they wrestled the momentum away from Boland Landbou.

Maritzburg College, the other school from KwaZulu-Natal in action at the St John’s Easter Rugby Festival, also came out to play and staged a stubborn fightback from 7-19 down at the break to get by a spirited SACS 26-24 in the penultimate game of day two.

Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein, College’s left wing, went over for the match-winning score with three minutes left on the clock.

Replacement flyhalf Jordan Thackwray kept his cool, slotting the all-important conversion, which sunk the men from Cape Town.

Hooker, Lwanda Khumalo, was a standout for College and lit a fire under the big men up front.

As was the case in the main match, the defence from both sides was extremely tight, with both packs taking it to the other. In the end, Maritzburg College managed to get on top of the Cape Town boys, which caused the SACS defence to miss a few tackles.

Scorers

Hilton College 17 (3) – Tries: Rukudzo Madinga (2). Conversions: Liyema Nela (2). Penalty: Nela. Boland Landbou 14 (7) – Tries: Jayden Brits, Retagan van Rooi. Conversions: Van Rooi (2).

Maritzburg College 26 (7) – Tries: Lwanda Khumalo, Struan Oosthuizen, James Slevin, Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein. Conversions: James Slevin (2), Jordan Thackwray. SACS 24 (19) – Tries: Daniel Grant, Seth Bradford, Endie Sidinele, Jack Benade. Conversions: Rayaan Solomons (2).

JOHANNESBURG. – Vonkelwyn-rugby en sprankelende voetwerk.

Dit is waarmee toeskouers tydens die vier groot Paastoernooie bederf is.

Hilton College was Saterdag met 17-14 baas in ‘n klipharde asook opwindende hoofwedstryd van St John’s College se Paastoernooi. Die wenspan se vleuel Rukudzo Madingo het twee keer hakskene vir die verdedigers gewys om te gaan druk.

Boland Landbou se heelagter, Retagen van Rooi, was op sy stukke in die laaste vesting. Hy draf gewoonlik op losskakel uit, maar het gewys dat hy met sy flinke voetwerk net so gemaklik in die laaste vesting is.

In die hoofwedstryd van die eerste dag van King Edward VII se Paastoernooi het die gasheer met 7-22 teen die Hoër Jongenskool Paarl die knie gebuig. Die telling sê dit was heelwat gemakliker as verlede jaar se sege van Boishaai (10-8) oor KES.

Dit was wel nie so maklik nie. KES het eerste bloed geruik toe sy SA Skole-haker Esethu Mnebelele oor die doellyn gebars het. Die tuissspan het meeste van die balbesit asook gebiedsvoordeel in die eerste helfte geniet, maar hul kon dit nie in meer punte omskep nie.

Boishaai het met ‘n voorsprong van 19-7 gaan rus na hy elke geleentheid op die aanval in die eerste helfte benut het. Die tweestryd tussen die twee losskakel, Vusi Moyo (KES) en Viaan Mentoor (Boishaai), het ook vir ‘n hele paar hoogtepunte gesorg.

Mentoor het ‘n pragtige drie na ‘n skerp breekslag gedruk wat waarskynlik die uitslag van die tweestryd in sy guns geswaai het. Buiten Mentoor was die span van die Paarl se flank, Ruben Dames, ook uitmuntend.

Jeppe het op sy geskiedkundige sege van Maandag oor Grey-kollege voortgebou deur Queen’s College met 47-6 kaf te draf. Die span se heelagter, Sanele Simelane, het twee van sy span se sewe drieë gedruk.

Simelane is die jonger broer van die Stormers se Wandisile Simelane.

Indien waarskynlik een van die grootste skokke in die geskiedenis van skolerugby jou die week verbygegaan het. Jeppe het danksy rotsvaste verdediging die magtige Grey met 22-19 tydens die Noord/Suid-toernooi verslaan.

Die Hoër Jongenskool Paarl het in die laaste vier minute drie keer teen Garsfontein gaan druk om ‘n sege van 38-36 teen die Bere te steel.

Eldoraigne se Groen Drake sal tevrede met hulself wees na ‘n sege van 17-12 oor Ben Vorster van Tzaneen tydens die KES-toernooi. Die laaste keer wat die twee spanne mekaar ontmoet het was in 2019 se eindstryd van die Virsekerbeker se Plaat-afdeling.

Die Vossies was op daardie dag met 37-36 baas.

Maritzburg College het in die doodsnikke van hul kragmeting vir SACS met 26-26 danksy ‘n verdoelde drie deur die linkervleuel, Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein, gesink. Die doelskop is koel en kalm deur die plaasvervanger-losskakel, Jordan Thackray, oorgeklits.

Hugenote van Springs is as die nuwe kampioen van die jaarlikse Mauritz Hansen-week gekroon. Die span van die Oos-Rand het met sy agtsteman, Hennie Eybers, aan die spits het die gasheer, Hans Strijdom van Mookgophong, met 26-10 in die eindstryd verslaan.

AL DIE UITSLAE 

ST JOHN’S COLLEGE PAASTOERNOOI

Dag 2: Hilton College 17, Boland Landbou 14; Maritzburg College 26, SACS 24; Hoërskool Nelspruit 38, St John’s College 13; Noordheuwel 40, Kingswood College 18; Graeme College 12, St David’s Marist 10; Falcon College 29, St Benedict’s College 0; Voortrekker (Bethlehem) 31, Goue Leeus XV-tal.

Dag 1: St John’s College 17, Kingswood College 17; Boland Landbou 32, Maritzburg College 17; Hilton College 57, St Benedict’s College 0; SACS 31, Graeme College 7; Noordheuwel 52, Goue Leeus XV-tal 0; Hoërskool Nelspruit 31, Voortrekker (Bethlehem) 21; Falcon College 30, St David’s Marist 19.

KING EDWARD VII PAASTOERNOOI

Dag 1: Hoër Jongenskool Paarl 22, King Edward VII 7; Jeppe 47, Queen’s College 6; Pretoria Boys’ High 26, Selborne College 21; Bishops 47, Dale College 24; Eldoraigne 17, Ben Vorster 12; Northwood 50, Die Brandwag (Uitenhage) 0; Hudson Park 12, Parktown Boys’ High 6.

KEARSNEY COLLEGE PAASTOERNOOI

Dag 2: Rondebosch Boys’ High 22, Kearsney College 8; EG Jansen 20, Glenwood 8; Monument 22, Framesby 17; Durban High School 45, Hoërskool Rustenburg 0; Worcester Gimnasium 38, Marlow Landbou 37; Westville Boys’ High 18, Pearson 11; Nico Malan 31, Noord-Kaap 22.

Dag 1: Rondebosch Boys’ High 31, Westville Boys’ High 10; Framesby 18, Kearsney College 17; Durban High School 21, Nico Malan 0; Glenwood 14, Marlow Landbou 6; EG Jansen 59, Noord-Kaap 7; Worcester Gimnasium 26, Hoërskool Rustenburg 25.

ST STITHIANS COLLEGE PAASTOERNOOI

Dag 2: St Stithians College 12, Clifton College 7; Michaelhouse 34, St Andrew’s College 14; Helpmekaar 40, Hartpury College 13; Diamantveld 53, Secunda 11; St Charles 22, St Alban’s College 16; Marais Viljoen 6, St John’s College (Harare) 5; Northcliff 23, Hartpury College II 10.

Dag 1: Helpmekaar 47, Diamantveld 7; St John’s College (Harare) 25, Michaelhouse 23; Marais Viljoen 27, Hartpury College 19; St Stithians College 27, St Andrew’s College 14; Secunda 22, St Charles College 19; Clifton College 21, Northcliff 15; St Alban’s College 22, Hartpury College II 10.

NOORD/SUID-TOERNOOI

Dag 4: Affies 38, Stellenberg 11; Monument 50, Hoërskool Durbanville 21; Paul Roos Gimnasium 47, Waterkloof 24; Noordheuwel 33, Duineveld 32; Paarl Gimnasium 75, Pretoria Boys’ High 10; Outeniqua 37, Menlopark 17.

Dag 3: Hoër Jongenskool Paarl 38, Garsfontein 36; Jeppe 22, Grey-kollege 19; Oakdale Landbou 41, Helpmekaar 24; EG Jansen 44, HTS Drostdy 15; Welkom Gimnasium 24, Hoërskool Nelspruit 20.

HANSIE-WEEK

Dag 3: Hugenote (Springs) 26, Hans Strijdom 10 (Eindstryd); Fochville 22, Kalahari 22; Ligbron Akademie 21, Northcliff 3; Hoërskool Bellville 12, Witteberg 10; Piet Retief 21, Brits 5; Linden 22, Frans du Toit 0; Pretoria-Noord 38, Empangeni 0; Ferrum 31, Die Anker II 3.

 

On Saturday, at the 20th annual Standard Bank King Edward VII Easter Festival, Paarl Boys’ High continued an early season run which has seen them assert their authority over a number of teams who either upset or came close to upsetting them last season.

In 2023, KES made them sweat for a 10-8 victory at the Easter Festival, but this time around they put some daylight between themselves and the hosts.

Imposing themselves on the Red Army, Boishaai stormed to a 19-7 lead in the first half. In a mirror image of last year’s game, King Edward VII only got on the board through a try by their big hooker, Esethu Mnebelele, and a conversion from the trusty boot of their flyhalf, Vusi Moyo.

Boishaai, though, found it slightly easier on this occasion to pry open the KES defensive line. The hosts were first on the scoreboard, but it didn’t take long for Paarl Boys’ High to reply through flanker, Steph van der Merwe.

In the opening 35 minutes, the home side looked dangerous and camped in Paarl’s danger areas while enjoying a surfeit of possession. Despite that, they simply couldn’t find a way to turn the pressure into points. The visitors, meanwhile, made use of every opportunity they created.

Further tries by winger Ashwin Swarts and flyhalf Viaan Mentoor saw the Western Cape side take a comfortable 12-point lead into the break.

In the second half, KES did a better job of containing the Paarl outfit, despite Boishaai enjoying more time with the ball, and the only points added came off of Mentoor’s boot. The damage, however, had already been done and Paarl Boys’ High continued their perfect start to the season.

Mnebelele, the sole try scorer for the Red Army, also led the locals’ defence, making a nuisance of himself at the breakdown points. He was, without a doubt, the standout performer for his side, but Mentoor and Co simply had too much firepower, even though the score could have been closer.

KES will rue a couple of missed chances, with 50/50 passes not going to hand. But Boishaai could have been more destructive in the second half.

For Paarl, flanker Ruben Dames stood out, alongside Mentoor.

A positive start put Dale College into a 12-5 lead early on in their match against Bishops Diocesan College. But the Cape Town school fought their way back into the contest and ultimately outclassed Dale to score a comprehensive victory.

Bishops opened the scoring through outside centre, Alex Laspatzis, within the first five minutes, but Dale struck back with two quickfire tries, which rattled their opponents briefly.

Bishops, however, stuck to their game plan and that paid dividends as they soon they took control of the match.

Flyhalf Jordan Petersen dotted down twice to contribute 10 points and his fullback, Lucca Mynhardt, matched him by contributing 10 points with his boot.

In Monday’s finale, Bishops takes on a wounded KES team. It’s a match-up of styles that could very well produce one of the highlights of the weekend.

After a difficult run of games at the NMI Toyota North-South Tournament, Pretoria Boys High bounced back to beat Selborne College 26-21.

Following an end-to-end first half, the Pretoria boys took control of the match, with their flanker, Panayiotis Ellinas crossing the Selbornians’ try line twice.

Paarl Gim outclassed PBHS at the North-South Tournament and another massive challenge awaits the Pretoria side when they face Gim’s arch-rivals, Paarl Boys’ High, on Monday.

Jeppe High School for Boys proved that last week’s win over Grey College was far from a one-off. It was, rather, a sign of what’s to come.

Fullback Sanele Simelane starred for the Johannesburg school, scoring two tries as they brushed aside Queen’s College 47-6.

They face Brandwag next, and Brandwag suffered a 50-point defeat against Northwood earlier in the day. If the Jeppe boys can maintain their current rhythm, their opponents could be in big trouble on Monday.

Results and scorers

Paarl Boys’ High 22 (19) – Tries: Steph van der Merwe, Ashwin Swarts, Viaan Mentoor. Conversions: Mentoor (2). Penalty: Mentoor. KES 7 (7) – Try: Esethu Mnebelele. Conversion: Vusi Moyo.

Jeppe 47 (19) – Tries: Sanele Simelane (2), Risima Khosa, Leruo Dithagiso, Macmillen Mongwana, Nathan Claassen, Luke Cannon. Conversions: Matthew Coetzee (6). Queen’s College 6 (3) – Penalties: Ryan Denston (2).

Pretoria Boys’ High 26 (12) – Tries: Panayiotis Ellinas (2), Thapelo Mphela, Stephen Adams. Conversions: Tebogo Nchabaleng (3). Selborne College 21 (7) – Tries: Siya Sakhela, Oliver Schmidt, Luke McGregor. Conversions: Page Fennel (3).

Diocesan College 47 (33) – Jordan Petersen (2), Alex Laspatzis, Alex Smith, Max Marr, Nic Reid, Aza Gabada. Conversions: Lucca Mynhardt (5), Ammar Laatoe. Dale College 24 (12) – Tries: Oyama Kuse, Liyabona Matyana, Lakhanya Mbewu, Phikolomzi Mtyalela. Conversions: Mtyalela (2).

Cheswill Jooste and Hoërskool Noordheuwel appear to have found their top form.

Relive all the action on SuperSport Schools. Link to the game.

The Norries’ SA Schools A representative crossed the try line twice in his side’s 40-18 victory over Kingswood College on Saturday at the St John’s Easter Rugby Festival.

His first five-pointer came from a moment of individual brilliance, when he rounded his opposite number on the outside, showcasing the extreme pace he possesses. The second time he rounded off a well-executed backline move to take his tally for the match to 10 points.

Lindsey Jansen, the Norries’ speedster on the left wing, also produced a solid performance. He capitalised on an accurate cross-kick from the in-form flyhalf, Jeandré Uithaler, to cross the line for Norries’ first try. Uithaler also converted five of his side’s six tries.

Daniel Stevens, Kingswood’s hooker, produced a valiant performance in a losing cause. He kept the Norries’ forwards busy with his strong ball carries, with one of those busts resulting in a try for the Mkahanda school.

Hoërskool Nelspruit executed a 180-degree turnaround. Unlike their first game, where they had to claw their way back from a 0-21 deficit against Voortrekker, they started like a house on fire and maintained their dominance throughout to hammer the hosts, St John’s College, 38-13.

Jordan Pretorius (right wing) kicked off the Nellies’ festivities, going in for a brace of tries within 10 minutes of the opening whistle. St John’s held on for the rest of the first half and trailed by only six points at half-time.

However, a strong driving maul, which resulted in a try for Nelspruit’s hooker, Regardt Pretorius, was the beginning of the end for the hosts, as Nellies ran in three more after that, including a special effort from Tinyiko Silubane, who was rewarded for his hard work when he outflanked the St John’s defence to run in a try from inside his own half.

Divan de Kock, the side from Mpumalanga’s flyhalf, enjoyed another good day out with the boot, slotting four conversions to further boost the Nelspruit total.

Scorers

Noordheuwel 40 (21) – Tries: Cheswill Jooste (2), Lindsey Jansen, Alex Greef, Jade Muller, Ighnatius Jantjes. Conversions: Jeandre Uithaler. Kingswood College 18 (8) – Tries: Daniel Stevens, Appiah Ndzengu, Matthew Paxton. Penalty: Praise Matsila.

Hoërskool Nelspruit 38 (12) – Tries: Jordan Pretorius (2), Regardt Vermaak, Tinyiko Silubane, D’Angelo Roberts, Ronaldo van Rensburg. Conversions: Divan de Kock (4). St John’s College 13 (6) – Try: Joshua Shannon. Conversion: Gerald van Wyk. Penalties: Van Wyk (2)

 

 

Hoërskool Eldoraigne came from behind to score a narrow 17-12 win over Ben Vorster on the first day of the Standard Bank King Edward VII Easter Festival on Saturday.

The last time the two sides met was in 2019, when they did battle in the “Virseker Beker” final. The boys from Tzaneen were victorious by 37-36 on that occasion, but the Eldos turned the tables this time.

Ben Vorster opened the scoring through their lightning-quick winger Damian Bye, before scrumhalf Darren Bruwer replied to open Eldoraigne’s account.

The big flanker from Tzaneen, Chifu Banda, drove over for Ben Vorster’s second try to put them in front at the break, but Eldoraigne didn’t allow them over the try line in the second half.

Scrumhalf Bruwer was involved everywhere on the field for Eldoraigne and, after scoring the first try, he also played a hand in getting into his side into position for Jayden Niehaus and Victor Koopmans to go over and earn Eldoraigne a hard-fought victory.

Northwood produced a dominant and complete performance against Brandwag to open their campaign with a convincing win.

Despite some of the big boys from Brandwag, like Jano Gerber, flattening a few of the Northwood attackers with huge tackles, the KZN boys stuck to their structures to run up 50 unanswered points.

Northwood’s hooker Werner van Niewenhuizen stormed over for a brace of tries, while flyhalf Ramutuku Sikhakhane contributed 20 points with two tries and five conversions.

The battle between Hudson Park and Parktown Boys’ High was poised on a knife’s edge for most of the contest. It took 44 minutes before Kelvin Kotey scored the first points at this year’s festival with a penalty to give Parktown a narrow advantage going into the final quarter.

Hudson Park stuck to their structures, though, and were rewarded when their big prop, Limandla Sonjani, powered his way over for the first try.

Kotey responded with another well-struck penalty to edge his team ahead by one point, but a brilliant individual effort by Hudson’s lively inside centre, Jacqyl Wright, saw him dive over for the winning try with less than 10 minutes left on the clock.

Despite the low score, the opening match was a fascinating arm-wrestle.

Hudson Park’s industrious no. 8, Siyanthanda Klass, made his presence felt on defence, and scrumhalf, Landile Gidi, played a central role in directing their attack.

Northwood and Hudson Park square off on Monday in what promises to be an exciting matchup. Hudson’s first win came off the back of the work they did on defence, but they will need to be even more clinical to contain the boys from Durban, who showed they can pounce on any opportunity.

Scorers

Hoërskool Eldoraigne 17 (5) – Tries: Darren Bruwer, Jayden Niehaus, Victor Koopmans. Conversion: JP Meyer. Ben Vorster 12 (12) – Tries: Damian Bye, Chifu Banda. Conversion: Pontsho Selowa.

Northwood 50 (31) – Tries: Werner van Nieuwenhuizen (2), Ramutuku Sikhakhane (2), Graeham de Swardt, Bongane Khumalo, Kwenzo Dlamini, Siya Nkosi. Conversions: Sikhakhane (5). Brandwag 0.

Hudson Park 12 (0) – Tries: Limandla Sonjani, Jacqyl Wright. Conversion: D’Angelo Snayers. Parktown Boys’ High 6 (0) – Penalties: Kelvin Kotey (2).

Scorers

Nico Malan 31 (10) – Tries: Edrich Klue, Francois Smit, Tequine Koopman, Gelden van Niekerk. Conversions: Jean Joubert (3), Ruan du Preez. Penalty: Du Preez. Noord-Kaap 22 (5) – Tries: Elrin Morkel, Jayden Potgieter, Jonaden Links, Ambijorn Vraagom. Conversion: Themba Koopman.

Westville Boys’ High 18 (10) – Tries: Michael Satade, Jadrian Afrikaner. Conversion: Unathi Mlotshwa. Penalties: Mlotshwa (2). Pearson 11 (3) – Try: Denilo Jordaan. Penalties: Caleb Friskin (2).

Worcester Gimnasium 38 (12) – Tries: Vuyolwethu Bavuma (2), Daren Murphy, Valentino Namodluka, Elrenzo Swartz, Waylan Pienaar. Conversions: Aiden Abrahams (4). Marlow Landbou 37 (17) – Tries: Zeiss Jordaan, Theuns Botha, Jan Nel, Albrey Rudman. Conversions: Gideon Jordaan (4). Penalties: Gideon Jordaan (3).

Durban High School 45 (17) – Tries: Adriano Jackson (2), Mahle Sithole, Khanyisa Stamper, Zenkosi Mthiyane, José Lottering. Conversions: Aka Boqwana (6). Penalty: Aka Boqwana. Hoërskool Rustenburg – 0.

Monument 22 (7) – Tries: Ernesto Oersen (2), Geoffrey French, RJ Barnard. Conversion:  Justin Viljoen. Framesby 17 (14) – Tries: Johan van Zyl, Damion Witbooi. Conversions: Logan Muller (2). Penalty: Logan Muller.

EG Jansen 20 (15) – Tries: TK Ngobese, Danré Pike, Zaide-Leigh Rippenaar, Riekus van der Merwe. Glenwood High School 8 (3) – Try: Caleb Reeding. Penalty: Leo Weber.

Rondebosch Boys’ High 22 (7) – Tries: Carl Geddie, Randall John Davids, Ismaeel Conrad. Conversions: David Simon (2). Penalty: David Simon. Kearsney College 8 (3) – Try: Daniel Eager. Penalty: Daniel Eager.

Scorers: 

St Stithians College 12 () – Tries: Jono Caveney, Ryan Zvinavashe. Conversion: Joshua Anderson. Clifton College 7 () – Try: Handré de Bruin. Conversion: Adam Selikow.

Michaelhouse 34 (14) – Tries: Stefan Moolman, William Ridl, Carlyle Hawkins. Conversions: Stefan Moolman (2). Penalties: Moolman (5).  St Andrew’s College 15 (7) – Tries: Karabo van Heerden (2). Conversion: Will Stern. Penalty: Stern.

Helpmekaar 40 (19) – Tries: Moloi (2), Ulrich van der Merwe, Krige, Ty Ax, Pieter Möller. Conversions: Wian Storm (5). Hartpury College 13 (3) – Tries: Harry Drake, Tom Phillips. Penalty: Max Price.

Diamantveld 53 (26) – Tries: Bernard Daniels, Charl Swanepoel, Lehan van der Westhuizen, Jonathan Harding, Jaden de Klerk, Zuan Rautenbach, Kyle Taute, Stiaan van Loggerenberg, Simon Liversage. Conversions: Liversage (4). Secunda 11 (6) – Try: Divan Mulder. Penalties: Damian de Beer (2).

St Charles College 22 (15) – Tries: Matthew Ludick, Rafael Ajbade, Okuhle Peri. Conversions: Ukhanyo Ntsangani (2). Penalty: Ntsangani. St Alban’s College 16 (3) – Try: Tumelo Mohale. Conversions: Joshua Verster. Penalties: Verster (3).

Marais Viljoen 6 – Penalties: Recce Gerber (2). St John’s College (Harare) 5 – Try: Dylan van Hoof.

Northcliff 23 – Tries: Luke Roos (2). Conversions: Matthew Hunt (2). Penalties: Hunt (3). Hartpury College II 10 – Tries: Harry Wilson, Ewin Hartley.