We are proud to announce the coverage of the 35th annual U19 Bayhill Premier Cup Football Tournament, taking place from March 27 to April 1, 2024.
The prestigious event will be hosted at the Erica Park sports field in Belhar, Cape Town, with the final match scheduled for Monday, April 1, 2024, at the iconic Athlone Stadium.
For fans unable to attend the matches in person, the games will be available on the SuperSport Schools App. Additionally, viewers can catch the action on DStv Channel 216 from March 29 to March 31, bringing the excitement of the tournament to homes across the country.
Football enthusiasts can look forward to six days of intense competition, culminating in the highly anticipated final match at Athlone Stadium. The tournament promises to deliver great football and exciting moments, as young athletes strive to make a name for themselves on the national stage.
SuperSport Schools is committed to supporting youth sports development in South Africa, and the U19 Bayhill Premier Cup Football Tournament is a testament to this dedication.
Join us in celebrating the passion and talent of young footballers as they compete for glory in one of the country’s most prestigious tournaments.
For more information, visit SuperSportSchools.com or follow us on social media for updates.
Charlie Hofmeyr closed out the Oakdale Klein Karoo Saadproduksie Rugby Week with a dramatic win in the main event against Hoërskool Brackenfell on Monday.
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With both teams navigating through the rest of the competition without tasting defeat, the match was set up to be a thriller from the start.
On Sunday, Charlie Hofmeyr had been awarded a prize for playing the most exciting brand of rugby at this year’s event, with their star flyhalf, Luan Giliomee, being singled out as the best backline player.
Their opponents from Brackenfell were one of only four schools to have two players in the Team of the Tournament, with their big prop Gregan Matroos and winger Cwenga Ntsapho cracking the nod for the select group.
In the showdown, Brackenfell hit the ground running, energised by a few early mistakes by the team from Ceres. Flanker Dawson Lombard opened their account after only four minutes of play, powering through the Charlies’ defence to score the game’s first try.
The Brakkies’ number 10, Junior Louw, who has been excellent for his side since the beginning of the season, maintained his spectacular record off the tee, confidently adding the extras.
After missing an earlier shot at goal, Giliomee got his team on the board with a well-struck penalty goal in the 20th minute.
The decision to take the points on offer would decide the game in the end, but when Matroos ran over three scrambling defenders from Charlie Hofmeyr to score Brackenfell’s second try and Louw added the extras with ease, the half-time score of 14-3 made for some distressing reading for the Ceres outfit.
The second half was a stop/start affair, with both teams making errors that disrupted the flow of the game.
Brackenfell did well to contain the Charlie Hofmeyr dangermen for a large part of the contest, but being able to adapt to what’s in front of you is a sign of a good player, and the Ceres attack adapted.
Two quickfire tries by centre Philip Du Plessis in the last five minutes of the match, with both coming after intelligent kicks from Giliomee, snatched a stunning victory for Charlie Hofmeyr and brought a fitting end to an action-packed event on the farm in Riversdal.
Photo: Lunchbox Photography
In the penultimate game, Swartland started slowly against Potchefstroom Gimnasium, but some strong words at halftime seemed to do the trick, and Swartland scored 18 points without reply in the second half.
Giano da Kosta‘s penalty for Hermanus was the only score in a gruelling first half against the Augsburg farmers, but Reon Goosen‘s try after the break, and another penalty from Kosta, gave their team an 11-point buffer, which they kept, to claim the win.
In their final runout, Langenhoven Gimnasium stormed to an early 20-7 lead against Hoërskool Vryburg.
Their lively scrumhalf, Jayden Arends, who impressed throughout the weekend, which earned him a spot in the Team of the Tournament, scored half of his team’s points off the kicking tee.
Vryburg, down but not out, came back with a vengeance, scoring 21 unanswered points to end their campaign on a high.
Parel Vallei also bounced back from a loss on Saturday to defeat Zwartkop 14-6. The boys from Somerset West crossed the try line twice through Diaan du Toit and Christiaan Louw but were solid in defence and restricted the Zwarries to scoring two penalties off the boot of Kyle Koopman.
Ronaldo Koker‘s try made the difference in a thriller between Hoërskool Montagu and Westering. By halftime, neither side had made any inroads onto the scoreboard, but Linden da Silva and Koker found a way through Westering’s defence in the second half, while the boys from Gqeberha crossed the whitewash only once, through Mihle Mpongoshe.
Results and scorers
Charlie Hofmeyr 15 (3) – Tries: Philip du Toit (2). Conversion: Luan Giliomee. Penalty: Giliomee. Hoërskool Brackenfell 14 (14) – Tries: Dawson Lombard, Graigan Matroos. Conversions: Junior Louw (2).
Swartland 23 (5) – Tries: Alexander Wucherofenning, Deven Bocks, Nicholai Miggel. Conversion: Carlo van der Merwe. Penalties: Van der Merwe (2). Potchefstroom Gimnasium 7 (7) – Try: Wian Botha. Conversion: David Ndala.
Jeppe Boys’ High School caused the upset of the annual NMI Toyota Noord/Suid tournament when they defeated the mighty Grey College by 22-19 in their clash on the third day in Pretoria.
It was a historic victory for the side from Johannesburg as it was their first win over Grey College. The two teams’ only other encounter back in 1987 was won by Grey (17-6).
Jeppe enjoyed a 16-14 lead at the break after an inspiring first half. Grey made some unnecessary errors during the match, but it should not take away from Jeppe’s victory.
Jeppe’s effort on defence was something to behold. It would almost be a sin to exclude any of their players’ names from playing a vital role in the famous victory.
Eighthman Risima Khosa, lock Luke Cannon, and loosehead prop André Poulton, were impressive. Khosa and Cannon led the defensive effort while Poulton was like a fourth loose forward contesting at the breakdowns.
Flyhalf, Matthew Coetzee, kept the scoreboard ticking over by converting Khosa’s try, as well as slotting five penalties. Coetzee missed maybe his easiest attempt at goal with the score at 22-19 but, in the end, it didn’t matter.
Fullback, Sanele Simelane, also deserves a mention for his superb performance. He is the younger brother of the Stormers’ Wandisile Simelane.
Jeppe managed to keep Grey’s inside centre, Pieter van der Merwe, at bay. In the pack of forwards, Liam van Wyk (hooker) and AJ Meyer (lock) did more than what would’ve been expected of them.
This was Grey College’s first-ever defeat at the Noord/Suid tournament. What makes Jeppe’s victory even more extraordinary is the fact that they were outplayed by Paarl Boys’ High (19-45) on the opening day of the festival.
EG Jansen is still unbeaten after securing a solid 44-15 victory over HTS Drostdy of Worcester. The team from Boksburg enjoyed a more than comfortable lead of 32-5 at the break.
Their hooker, Danré Pike, as well as the lock Gerhard van Aswegen, scored a brace of tries. Both also produced outstanding performances. The Craven Week flanker Zaide-Leigh Rippenaar regularly got his side across the advantage line throughout the game.
The fullback, R-Jay Petersen, also deserves a mention for his brilliant performance.
Scorers:
Jeppe High School for Boys 22 (16) – Try: Risima Khosa. Conversion: Matthew Coetzee. Penalties: Coetzee (5). Grey College 19 (14) – Tries: Donelle Hendricks, Ruben Cilliers, Ethan Adams. Conversions: Alzeadon Felix (2).
EG Jansen 44 (32) – Tries: Danré Pike (2), Gerhard van Aswegen (2), Riekus van der Merwe, Keanu van Loggerenberg, Zian Marais, Divan Francis. Conversions: Matt Bergman, Christopher Combrinck. HTS Drostdy 15 (5) – Tries: Marcus Lee, Hareld Mbuqa, Aljay Skippers.
Marguerite Cronjé (k), Amy Frohlich, Mariaan Louw, Jessica Barnard, Cara Smith, Anja Cohen, Nadine Jonck, Dine le Roux, Karin Truter, Danielle van Jaarsveld.
Die C&N Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje van Bloemfontein het die Menlopark-netbaltoernooi oorheers, met hul o. 19 A-span wat byna onoorwonne geëindig het en agt van hul 10 wedstryde gewen het.
Oranje het ook een wedstryd gelykop gespeel en slegs een nederlaag van 16-20, teen Hoërskool Bloemhof, gely.
Die ander ouderdomsgroepe het ook prysenswaardige prestasies behaal.
Die o. 19 B-span het vier wedstryde gewen en ses verloor, terwyl die o. 17 A’s vier oorwinnings behaal, een gelykop gespeel en vier keer verloor het.
Die o. 16 A-span het vier gewen, een gelykop gespeel en sewe verloor, terwyl die 0. 15 A’s sterk vertoon het met sewe oorwinnings, een gelykopuitslag en drie nederlae. Die o. 14 A-span het vyf gewen en sewe verloor.
Surita le Roux, Oranje se hoof-netbalafrigter, meen dat Oranje hard werk om as ‘n eenheid te speel en te presteer.
“Die hele eerstespan het bygedra tot die sukses van die afgelope paar dae,” sê sy.
“Ons besef egter dat dit slegs die begin van die seisoen is, en dat daar nog harde werk en vele uitdagings voorlê. Dit is vir ons ‘n groot voorreg om Oranje te verteenwoordig en ons sien uit om as span te ontwikkel en te groei hierdie jaar.”
Die toernooi, wat oor vier dae by Hoërskool Menlopark, in Pretoria, aangebied is, het deurgaans intensiewe kragmetings op 10 bane gelewer. Altesaam 44 skole het deelgeneem, wat bygedra het tot die opwinding van die 880 wedstryde wat gespeel is.
Met 151 spanne en 1532 spelers in aksie, het die toernooi netbaltalent van regoor die land tentoongestel, wat dit een van die gesogste netbaltoernooie maak.
The Kloof Netball Festival’s All-Star Junior and Senior teams were revealed on Monday, the final day of the event.
Thanks to a sponsorship from Worldwide Scholarships (WWS), the 24 players – 12 juniors and 12 seniors, who were chosen from the participating schools – will travel to England in September to test their skills against overseas opposition.
The selections were based on the performances of the players over the course of the three-day festival.
Munya Maraire, the CEO of WWS, said his organisation was committed to linking players with global opportunities, including university scholarships. He also highlighted the importance of sports’ development through exposing players to different opportunities.
Maraire stated: “We are the largest university placement agency in the African region, and we are here to empower the talent by linking scholars to international colleges and universities that match their God-given talents and abilities.
He said WWS has a vigorous assessment process, which has already benefitted over a thousand students, who have not only been given opportunities to further excel at their chosen sports but also provided them with educational opportunities.
Here are the teams:
Juniors:
Goal Shooter: Emma Botha (Framesby), Tshego Ngubeni (Randpark) Goal Defence: Maya Steyn (Waterkloof), Heili Calitz (La Rochelle) Wing Defence: Carli Janse van Rensburg (Windhoek Pvt) Centre: Megan Venter (Windhoek Pvt), Kgalalelo (Lelo) Sesinyi (Jeugland) Wing Attack: Tay Hunt (Waterkloof), Kayla Janse van Vuuren (La Rochelle) HD Goal Attack: Naledi Liebenberg (Randpark), Amé van der Merwe (Waterkloof) Goalkeeper: Asange Kanzi (Eunice)
Senior
Goal Shooter: Senate Mopedi (Overkruin), Natasha Watson (Oos-Moot), Mieke van Heerden (Oos-Moot) Goal Defence: Favor Nwankwo (Jeugland) Wing Defence: Marli van der Merwe (Sentraal) Centre: Chelsey Kock (Parel Vallei), Mieke Grobler (Transvalia) Wing Attack: Elbé van der Walt (Sentraal) Goal Attack: Caitlyn Maddocks (Sentraal) Goalkeeper: Dudu Malindi (Transvalia), Zarah Noah (La Rochelle), Inge van Eck (Framesbury)
The JP Bezuidenhout Stadium in Edenvale, Johannesburg, was buzzing on Sunday as the highly anticipated Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) kicked off its 2024 season.
The opening day brought 30 goals from 12 matches – 2.5 per game – with Mamelodi Sundowns FC (Banyana Ba Style) once again showcasing their prowess in women’s football.
In their two games, they scored an impressive 12 times, while conceding only one goal to Refilwe FC, in a 5-1 victory.
In their first game, they kept a clean sheet in a resounding 7-0 triumph over Origin FC.
With their dominant performances on the opening day, the Brazilians have clearly demonstrated their intent to claim the inaugural u14 GWDL title.
After those two big wins, they’re top of the log. JVW Girls Football Development (JVW), who also have six points, lie second on goal difference.
JVW secured a 2-0 victory in their first match against Remember Elite Sports Academy (RESA), and they repeated that winning margin against UP Tuks to finish the day with an unblemished defensive record.
It is still early in the season, but Mamelodi Sundowns and JVW are sure to be among the frontrunners for the GWDL title.
The spectators at the JP Bezuidenhout Stadium included Andile Dlamini, the goalkeeper for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC and South Africa (Banyana Banyana). Commenting on the importance of developing women’s football from a young age, she said: “When we start at an early age, it gives us an advantage for full growth. We are going to see a lot of superstars grow from a young age.
“In the past, we used to start being recognized around about 16 years old, and I feel like that’s a late stage. If you start competing at 10 years old, you are grooming a beautiful young South African woman and I think this is the way to go.
“Credit to everyone who had this great thought, for creating the Gauteng Women’s Development League.”
Declaring herself pleased to see her club, Mamelodi Sundowns, winning both of their games, Dlamini said was happy for the young girls. Teaching them the basics of the game was vitally important, she added, and enjoying the game was of paramount importance.
RESULTS
Mamelodi Sundowns 7- 0 Origin FC
Panorama 4-0 Kempton Park FC
Refilwe FC 1-1 Kenneth FC
JVW 2-0 RESA
Tornado Academy Ladies 0-0 Highlands Park
Edenvale 2-0 West Youth Academy
Origin FC 1-1 Panorama FC
Mamelodi Sundowns 5-1 Refilwe FC
RESA 1-0 Kempton Park
Kenneth FC 2-0 Tornado Academy Ladies
JVW 2-0 Tuks
Highlands Park 0-0 West Youth Academy
The Founders Hockey Festival came to fitting climax on Monday, with two marquee clashes – SACS vs St Stithians and Kearsney College vs Paul Roos – producing some exciting and outstanding hockey.
In the penultimate game, SACS, up against the Aitken Trophy champions, took a while to impose themselves on the Johannesburg side, who played with composure and held their own, as the teams went into the half-time break goalless.
That all changed in the third chukka in a major way, however. SACS took the lead when Litha Kraai struck from a quick hit taken just outside the circle, and within a minute it was 2-0 after the Capetonians turned over possession and raced back into the circle, where Kraai doubled their advantage.
That became the story of the chukka, with SACS working hard, closing down and squeezing the ball carriers in pairs, turning over possession, swiftly getting into the circle, and finishing expertly. They struck five times in those 12 minutes and the contest was decided. Saints were stunned.
Another goal in the last chukka made it an impressive 6-0 victory.
SACS impressed with their ability to create space when on the ball, and to close down space when without it. Josh le Roux, at the back, helped give SACS a solid foundation throughout their showdown with St Stithians.
SACS’ 1st XI coach Sam Holmes declared himself “unbelievably chuffed” after the game.
He said it was a fantastic experience for SACS, last year’s number one team in South Africa, to be part of a north vs south clash, and to face teams from the Eastern Cape, KZN and Gauteng at the Founders Festival.
“It’s nice to experience different styles of hockey, and then to work out a plan mid-game for a 17- or 18-year-old and rectify errors. And that sort of stuff is fantastic to see, and I’m glad they managed to do that in the second half.
Holmes said there had been no special message at half-time. “To be honest, we’ve had a very simple plan for four months… At first team level, it’s as simple as bringing the right energy and executing, and we were able to do that in the second half.”
He added: “When you execute at that level, with players like Litha Kraai, once they get the ball rolling, it’s tickets for anyone.”
With that eye-catching win, SACS made it crystal clear that they’re not going to surrender their number one ranking without a fight.
One of the teams that has designs on that ranking is Paul Roos Gimnasium who, like SACS, had won all four of their matches heading into the final day. They hadn’t scored quite as many goals as the Cape Town school, but they hadn’t conceded any either.
Their game against Kearsney College wasn’t as pretty as the SACS’ performance, but both sides hustled and harried and put in lung-busting shifts in an effort to secure victory. Kearsney also entered the game unbeaten at Founders, having won three and drawn one on the first two days.
Paul Roos took a 1-0 lead into half-time when, unsurprisingly, Reuben Sendzel struck from a penalty corner.
Both teams battled to break through the other’s midfield, but it looked as if that single goal would be enough for the Stellenbosch side. However, with time almost up, Kearsney forced a penalty corner and with that came an opportunity to salvage a draw.
Captain Matt de Oliveira stepped up and made it count, rocketing the ball past the ‘keeper’s left and into the back of the net. It was 1-1 and with that the final whistle sounded.
Kearsney College captain Matt de Oliveira lets out a roar of delight after scoring to snatch a draw for his side against Paul Roos Gimnasium.
It felt like a fair result. The home team, always a handful on the Mason Astro, had kept fighting right to the end and their never-say-die spirit had been rewarded.
Reflecting on their rivalry with Paul Roos, SACS’ coach Sam Holmes said: It’s going to be neck-and-neck with Paul Roos the whole year.
“We played a warm-up game [against them], which actually felt like a World Cup final. High energy, very physical.
“It’s fantastic to have such a strong school so close to us, because that’s what gets these guys out of bed for early morning training, knowing there’s another side chasing them.”
Holmes previously coached the current SACS’ 1st team at u16 level and has moved up with them, with Pierre le Roux, whose son, Josh, is in the 1st side, moving down to take charge of the u16A side.
“I’m super-grateful for the opportunities, and for all the unbelievable coaches we have at SACS,” Holmes said. “To be given this position is truly a tremendous privilege.”
In the final day’s other matches, Rondebosch Boys’ High signed off with a 2-1 win over Affies, Parktown Boys’ High put it all together to blast Dale College 7-0, and Queen’s College claimed a 3-0 victory over Northwood‘s Brown Socks.
RESULTS
Rondebosch Boys’ High 2-1 Affies
Parktown Boys’ High 7-0 Dale College
Queen’s College 3-0 Northwood School
SACS 6-0 St Stithians College
Kearsney College 1-1 Paul Roos Gimnasium
Agterspeler van die byeenkoms: Luan Giliomee, Charlie Hofmeyr (Foto verskaf)
Na twee dae van bobaas-rugby op die Klein Karoo Saadproduksie-rugbyweek by die Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale in Riversdal het ‘n klompie seuns Sondagaand spesiale erkenning by die prysuitdeling ontvang het vir hul skitterende spel oor die naweek.
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Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr van Ceres het uitgestaan as die span wat die aanskoulikste rugby tentoongestel het, met hul ster-losskakel en agterspeler van die toernooi, Luan Giliomee, aan die stuur van sake.
Giliomee het in die eerste twee wedstyde 34 punte opgestapel met drie drieë, agt suksesvolle doelskoppe en ‘n strafdoel, terwyl sy generaalskap agterlangs grootliks bygedra het tot die indrukwekkende seges oor Hoërskole Die Anker en Merensky.
Die uitsoek-vyftiental se skrumskakel, Jayden Arends van Langenhoven Gimnasium, bied ook ‘n opsie as stelskopper, en het, na sy span se laaste wedstryd Maandag, die byeenkoms afgesluit met 31 punte agter sy naam.
Die Charlies speel Maandag in die hoofwedstryd teen Hoërskool Brackenfell, wat ook ‘n inspirerende begin tot hul seisoen beleef en spog met twee verteenwoordigers in die span van die byeenkoms.
Gregan Matroos, die Brakkies se groot vaskopstut, en regtervleuel, Cwenga Ntsapho, is ingesluit in die elite-groep van spelers wat uit dertig spanne saamgestel is.
Die stryd tussen die Kapenaars en die span uit die vallei behoort ‘n rugbyskouspel te lewer wanneer hulle Maandag om 12:40 op die plaas uitdraf.
Brackenfell beskik natuurlik oor hul eie losskakel-held, Junior Louw, wat nié die uitverkose vyftiental gehaal het nie, en dit behoort ‘n boeiende tweestryd tussen hom en Giliomee af te gee.
Die enigste ander skole wat met meer as een speler in die span van die byeenkoms spog is Hoërskole Middelburg, Upington en Merensky, met Middies se flank, CW Hanekom, en heelagter, Sihle Makatswe, wat ook hul hande opgesteek het in die eerste twee wedstryde.
Uppies het net-net teen Potchefstroom Gimnasium verloor op die eerste dag, maar kon Saterdag ‘n sterk Hoërskool Vryburg troef. Binnesenter, Sylvester Hoffman en slot, Ruan Janse van Rensburg, het in daardie kragmetings genoeg uitgeblink om die aandag van die keurders te trek, terwyl Potch Gimmies se buitesenter, David Ndala, ook vir hom ‘n plek in die uitsoek-vyftiental losgespeel het.
Merenksy se twee senters was indrukwekkend oor die eerste twee dae, maar die kompetisie vir ‘n plek in die span, met minstens 30 kandidate vir elke posisie, was uiters straf. Die Tzaneeners se vaste vyf het deurgaans stewig vertoon en sowel Rico Pieterse (slot) as Ethan Maritz (stut) het die vyftiental gehaal.
Die beste voorspeler van die toernooi was Hoërskool Vryburg se haker, Kenan Joseph. Hoewel sy harde werk in die skrums en lynstane moontlik nie altyd raakgesien word nie, speel dit ‘n deurslaggewende rol in sy span se sukses.
Dit was weer die geval toe hulle Maandagoggend hul veldtog by die byeenkoms op ‘n hoë noot afgesluit het met ‘n sege van 28-20 oor die groot seuns van Langenhoven Gimnasium.
Augsburg Landbougimnasium se agsteman, Leon Loots, het opponente met sy vurige spel opgekeil en verdien ongetwyfeld sy plek in die vyftiental, bo ‘n hele aantal ander sterk kandidate.
In a significant milestone for the growth of basketball in South Africa, the u16 National Championship take place in Durban from 25-28 March, with the cream of the crop from each province representing their respective regions on the national stage.
At the same time, an u18 national selection camp is being held in Johannesburg. It follows the successful staging of the u18 National Championship in 2023, which saw Gauteng come out on top in the boys’ and girls’ competitions.
The initiative highlights the abundance of talent in the country, including Chadley Hargreaves, the basketball captain of Northwood School and his team-mate, Lusanda Hlongwane, who was named the MVP of the St John’s College Basketball Tournament after the Knights claimed the title in dominating fashion.
The u16 provincial tournament is taking small steps as the game continues to grow in South Africa. It is self-funded and features five provinces, with both boys’ and girls’ teams in action.
Fixtures.
Day one, 25 March
Boys
Court 1, 09:00: Limpopo vs KwaZulu-Natal
Court 1, 11:00: Eastern Cape vs Gauteng
Court 1, 15:00: KwaZulu-Natal vs Eastern Cape
Court 1, 17:00: Gateng vs Western Cape
Girls
Court 2, 09:00: Eastern Cape vs KwaZulu-Natal
Court 2, 11;00: Gatueng vs Western Cape
Court 2, 15:00: KwaZulu-Natal vs Gauteng
Court 2, 17:00: Western Cape vs Limpopo
Day Two, 26 March
Boys
Court 1, 09:00: Eastern Cape vs Limpopo
Court 1, 11:00: Western Cape vs KwaZulu-Natal
Court 1, 13:00: Limpopo vs Western Cape
Court 1, 15:00: KwaZulu-Natal vs Gauteng
Girls
Court 2, 09:00: Limpopo vs KwaZulu-Natal
Court 2, 11:00: Gauteng vs Eastern Cape
Court 2, 13:00: KwaZulu-Natal vs Western Cape
Court 2, 15:00: Eastern Cape vs Limpopo
Day 3, 27 March
Boys
Court 1, 09:00: Western Cape vs Eastern Cape
Court 1, 11:00: Gauteng vs Limpopo
Classification
Court 1, 13:00: Position 2 vs Position 5
Court 1, 15:00: Position 3 vs Position 4
Court 1, 17:00: Los G11 vs Los G12
Girls
Court 2, 09:00: Western Cape vs Eastern Cape
Court 2, 11:00: Limpopo vs Gauteng
Classification
Court 2, 13:00: Position 2 vs Position 5
Court 2, 15:00: Position 3 vs Position 4
Court 3, 17:00: Los G11 vs Los G12
The closing and final day is set to take place on March 28, where a new champion for the u16 National Basketball Championship will be crowned.
Before kick-off Saturday afternoon, Eugene Mpatheni (a presenter on Smile FM) introduced two players to the spectators around the Piley Rees, as Bishops’ co-captain James le Feuvre presented a signed 1st XV jersey to St Andrew’s forward Matthew Harvey, who was injured during a match on Thursday | PHOTO: Warwick Richter (Courtesy of Diocesan College)
Bishops Diocesan College closed out their 175 Rugby Festival with a hard-fought victory over St Andrew’s College on Saturday evening.
The two proud teams produced a thrilling battle, with both squads throwing everything they had into the festival finale.
The Makhanda boys were set on spoiling the hosts’ festivities, and they showed their intent early on via their outside centre, Nic Hall, who crossed for the first of his two tries to open the St Andrew’s account after 10 minutes of dominance.
Bishops responded through their big 8th-man, Aza Gabada, who powered over after a pick-and-go, which brought the scores level.
The visitors, though, were relentless in their attack. St Andrew’s goal-kicking scrummy, Will Stern, restored his side’s lead with a long-range penalty, before their fullback, Karabo van Heerden, turned on the afterburners and left Bishops chasing shadows as he ran in a try from the halfway line.
His opposite number, Lucca Mynhardt, added a much-needed three-pointer for the hosts just before halftime, but the Eastern Cape outfit was in the ascendency.
Their loose trio were tireless at the breakdown and on defence, and Murray Wilson was rewarded for his efforts with a try shortly after the restart.
Down by 14 points, at 8-22, Bishops were staring down the barrel of another defeat. They were down, but they weren’t out and showed immense character to regroup and fight back.
Daniel van den Heever gave the local supporters something to cheer, scoring a try to close the gap after peeling around a ruck, and Mynhardt added the extras.
Not long after, the Bishops’ fullback landed another penalty to bring them to within six points of St Andrew’s.
His earlier penalty goal and linkup play with his backline had helped the hosts stay in the contest, but Mynhardt was not done. He went over for a five-pointer, then converted it, to give Bishops the lead with just more than 15 minutes left to play.
The game was far from over, though, and Hall dived over for his second try, with Stern slotting the conversion to put the visitors in the driving seat once again.
In the final 10 minutes, both sides threw absolutely everything they had at each other. Tired bodies littered the field, but every attack was met with stubborn, last-ditch defence from both sides.
With their old boys cheering on the home team from the sideline, Bishops’ big lock and co-captain, Alex Smith, dotted down what proved to be the winning try, with five minutes to go. Mynhardt’s crucial conversion then edged the hosts in front by a single point.
The final moments were filled with more frantic back-and-forth, but Bishops held on to deny St Andrew’s another score to the delight of the home crowd.
In the penultimate game, Wynberg Boys’ High continued their great early season form, powering their way to a convincing victory over Kingswood College in an historic first encounter between the two schools.
Kingswood had pulled off a stunning comeback to upset Hilton College on the first day, but the locals proved too well-drilled, recording their third win on the trot by a comfortable 35-7 margin.
Flyhalf, Yaqeen Ahmed, was on fire for ‘Berg, scoring one try and converting all five of his sides’ five-pointers to see his team to another impressive win.
SACS‘s kicking difficulties continued, but they managed to outmuscle the stars of day one, Michaelhouse, 27-24.
They made hard work of the victory, though, scoring five tries, while the visitors needed only a double from their lightning-quick winger Aya Mkhokeli and a third by centre, Tom Baguley, to get to within three points, thanks to Luke Davidson‘s accuracy off the tee.
Photo courtesy of Bishops Diocesan College
Hilton College bounced back from their defeat on the first day to double-up Grey High 34-17.
Both sides were punished for ill-discipline. Hilton saw a couple of yellow cards early on, but it was a red to Grey that caused the dam wall to break.
At half-time, Grey led 10-8, with fullback, Kyle Callaghan, having scored a brilliant try, and they kept asking questions on Hilton’s try line.
Hilton hit back after a strong carry by their 8th-man, Hanu Pieterse, to take the lead, but Jon Hobson‘s try, and a conversion from the sideline by Zephyr Smith, put Grey back in front.
The red card came shortly after that, and Hilton made full use of the one-man advantage to punish the squad from Gqeberha in the final quarter-of-an-hour, with Ricky Adonis and Xola Makongolo scoring two tries apiece for the side from KZN.
Results and Scorers, 23 March
Bishops Diocesan College 30 (8) – Tries: Aza Gabada, Daniel van den Heever, Lucca Mynhardt, Alex Smith. Conversions: Lucca Mynhardt (2). Penalties: Mynhardt (2). Saint Andrew’s College 29 (15) – Tries: Nic Hall (2), Karabo van Heerden, Murray Wilson. Conversions: Will Stern (3). Penalty: Stern.
Wynberg Boys’ High 35 (14) – Tries: Yaqeen Ahmed, Torren February, Benjamin Matthews, Albert Lourens, Luqobo Makwedini. Conversions: Ahmed (5). Kingswood College 7 (7) – Try: Munangi Kawendo. Conversion: Praise Matsila.
SACS 27 (17) – Tries: Ikhona Maxegwana, Matt Carrick, Jack Benade, Quewinn Lackay, Ethan Combrink. Conversion: Rayaan Solomons. Michaelhouse 24 (17) – Tries: Aya Mkhokeli (2), Tom Baguley. Conversions: Luke Davidson (2). Penalties: Davidson (2).
Hilton College 34 (8) – Tries: Ricky Adonis (2), Xola Makongolo (2), Zander Vorster. Conversions: Liyema Nela (3). Penalty: Nela. Grey High School 17 (10) – Tries: Kyle Callaghan, Jon Hobson Conversion: Zephyr Smith (2). Penalty: Smith.
All the results
u19 A – Bishops 30, St Andrew’s College 29; Wynberg Boys’ High 35, Kingswood College 7; SACS 27, Michaelhouse 24; Hilton College 34, Grey High 17; Grey High 7, SACS 3; Kingswood College 26, Hilton College 25; Wynberg Boys’ High 43, St Andrew’s College 21; Michaelhouse 37, Bishops 17.
u19 B – Grey High 14, SACS 5; Wynberg Boys’ High 19, St Andrew’s College 19; Bishops 12, Michaelhouse 10; Bishops 24, St Andrew’s College 0.
u16 A – Michaelhouse 38, Bishops 7; Wynberg Boys’ High 21, St Andrew’s College 0; Grey High 18, SACS 3; Bishops 29, St Andrew’s College 12.
u16 B – SACS 7, Bishops 0; Langa 27, Bishops 0; Wynberg Boys’ High 14, SACS 0; Wynberg Boys’ High 12, Bishops 0; Bishops 3, Rondebosch Boys’ High 0; SACS 7, Rondebosch Boys’ High 0.
u16 C – Bishops 21, SACS 7; Wynberg Boys’ High 25, SACS 5; Wynberg Boys’ High 21, Bishops 0; Langa 19, SACS 0.
u15 A – SACS 17, Grey High 12; Wynberg Boys’ High 17, Ubombo 0; Bishops 26, Ubombo 0; Wynberg Boys’ High 21, Bishops 0; Wynberg Boys’ High 38, Hamiltons 0.
u15 B – Wynberg Boys’ High 17, Diocesan College 0; Rondebosch Boys’ High 10, Bishops 0; SACS 19, Bishops 0; SACS 5, Rondebosch Boys’ High 0.
u15 C – SACS 29, Rondebosch Boys’ High 0; Wynberg Boys’ High 14, Rondebosch Boys’ High 0; Wynberg Boys’ High 28, Bishops 7.
u14 A – Grey High 12, SACS 9; Bishops 72, Ubombo 0.
u14 B – SACS 33, Bishops 5; Wynberg Boys’ High 28, SACS 0; Wynberg Boys’ High 47, Bishops 0; Rondebosch Boys’ High 12, SACS 8; Bishops 24, Rondebosch Boys’ High 7.
u14 C – Bishops 19, Langa 12; SACS 24, Bishops 0; Rondebosch Boys’ High 19, Bishops 12.
We are proud to announce the coverage of the 35th annual U19 Bayhill Premier Cup Football Tournament, taking place from March 27 to April 1, 2024.
The Kloof Netball Festival’s All-Star Junior and Senior teams were revealed on Monday, the final day of the event.
The Founders Hockey Festival came to fitting climax on Monday, with two marquee clashes – SACS vs St Stithians and Kearsney College vs Paul Roos – producing some exciting and outstanding hockey.
In a significant milestone for the growth of basketball in South Africa, the u16 
