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Under Armour, the leading global sports performance gear recently announced a strategic partnership with SuperSport Schools, a subsidiary of SuperSport.

Under Armour will partner as the official technical apparel sponsor for SuperSport Schools throughout 2024, underpinning Under Armour’s commitment to commercial innovation, performance, and clear support of the infrastructure and development of team sports within South Africa.

“We are thrilled to align with SuperSport Schools, an organization that shares our passion for empowering young athletes and developing team sports in the country. By combining SuperSport Schools’ expertise in school and youth sports streaming with Under Armour’s cutting-edge technology and product assortment, our objective is to connect to and educate the younger market on the significance of technical performance gear and the benefits that enhance sports,” said Lorrianne Cloete, Head of Brand at Apollo Brands Pty Ltd (the official distributor of Under Armour in South Africa),

Under Armour is steadfast in its commitment to becoming a brand tailored to support the footwear and apparel needs of younger team sports athletes.

“The support from Under Armour reflects the shared vision of promoting teamwork, dedication, and excellence within our youth sports programs. Our mission at SuperSport Schools is to provide a platform where young athletes can truly shine,” remarked Kelvin Watt, CEO of SuperSport Schools, emphasising the significance of this alliance.

“Through our partnership with Under Armour, we enhance our ability to fulfil this mission by merging our focus on school and youth sports with Under Armour’s premium technology and performance gear. This partnership with Under Armour further solidifies our position as the premier over-the-top (OTT) platform for school and youth sports in Southern Africa,” 

“Aligned with our devotion to commercial excellence, together we are not only reshaping the landscape of sports streaming but also delivering school sports coverage to parents and communities, creating an unparalleled viewing experience for all stakeholders,” said Watt.

Since entering the South African market, Under Armour has witnessed remarkable growth, propelled by its expanding distribution channels and refined product assortments that meet the evolution of performance demands.

This partnership emphasises Under Armour’s commitment to the future of South African sport whilst simultaneously driving a strong vision for the brand’s continued momentum within the market.

In 2023, SuperSport Schools achieved significant success with 672 483 registered app subscribers and an outstanding 121 270 483 live views recorded by the year’s end.

The platform featured 41 diverse sporting codes, incorporating over 1000 school festivals and events, offering exposure to more than 14,500 teams. This not only provided families, communities, and alma maters with access but also transcended geographical barriers, fostering widespread engagement within South Africa

Connecting and engaging with this audience in order to provide performance solutions is key to the partnership and will be facilitated through Under Armour’s stores and partner doors nationwide, as well as the exclusive e-comm and digital platforms.

For more information, visit supersportschools.com or follow us on social media for updates.

Goudveld-Hoërskool het Dinsdag hul Wesgrow Sentrale Sportreeks-veldtog met ‘n indrukwekkende sege van 22-19 oor verlede jaar se kampioenspan, Hoërskool Fichardtpark, geopen.

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Die Leeus was van meet af op die aanval, maar die tuisspan se kaptein, Ruben Crous, kon daarin slaag om die aanvanklike druk te verlig met sy geoefende skopvoet.

Nadat hulle sowat 15 minute van druk moes absorbeer, was dit die einste Crous wat ‘n gaping gevind het om sy binnesenter, Caleb Lottering, oor te stuur vir die eerste drie van die wedstryd.

Die Gouties het aanhou druk toepas vir haker, Jan Coetzee, om ook te druk, en Crous het die voorsprong vergroot met ‘n langafstand-strafdoel.

Die Fichies se haker, MJ Hattingh, het egter, kort voor die breuk, sy span op die telbord geplaas met ‘n drie na ‘n vlymskerp breekslag deur skrumskakel, Devanté Claasen.

Die Leeus het hul ritme in die tweede helfte begin vind, met Marno Smith wat, na volgehoue druk, nog ‘n drie vir die besoekers kon aanteken.

Losvoorspeler, Thabiso Phafudi en kie het egter uitstekend gevaar daarin om die Bloemfonteiners in die los te frustreer, terwyl Coetzee hulle telkens op die voorvoet geplaas het met sy kraglopies.

Ayanda Quinisa, Fichardtpark se vleuel, het ook uiters effektief verdedig, met Aiden Engelbrecht wat goed vertoon het toe hy later opgekom het in Claasen se plek.

Coetzee het egter sy tweede drie gedruk om die Fichies te bêre, nadat plaasvervanger-skrumskakel, Janco Maass, goed gedoen het om balbesit te behou.

Selfs tóé was die aksie nog nie verby nie, met ‘n onderskepdrie deur die blitsige buitesenter, Duan Viviers, wat die besoekers weer binne trefafstand kon bring. Dit was helaas nie genoeg om die Gouties se vroeë voorsprong in te haal nie.

In Bloemfontein het Hoërskole Jim Fouché en Witteberg spreekwoordelik “sussies gesoen” in ‘n rillerstryd om hul Wesgrow-veldtog met ‘n gelykopstryd van 24-24 af te skop.

Die besoekers het vroeg die voortou geneem met drieë deur Llewellyn Beukes (flank) en Pieter Nel (slot), maar JF het teruggeslaan danksy die effektiewe kombinasie tussen losskakel, Alldrick Johnson, en heelagter, Christian Strydom, wat op ‘n drie deur laasgenoemde uitgeloop het.

Kort daarna het die Bloemfonteiners se voorspelers kragte saamgespan om vir Nathan van Breda oor te dryf, maar skuins voor halftyd het die Witteberg-vleuel, Kenyon Morat, op die teenaanval deurgebreek om weer die bordjies te verhang.

Franco Oberholzer, die tuisspan se flank, en stut, SW van der Merwe, het die veld volgespeel en die buitesenter, Adrian de Necker, het telkens gevaarlik voorgekom met die bal in hand, terwyl Sydwell Sethi (losskakel) en Daniel Meintjies (agsteman) ook uitgeblink het vir die besoekers.

Van der Merwe het twee keer die doellyn oorgesteek om sy span gelyk te laat trek op 24-24.

Dit was ‘n opwindende kragmeting en die eindtelling is waarskynlik ‘n regverdige weerspieëling van die wedstryd, hoewel albei spanne sal voel dat hulle ‘n paar gulde geleenthede verbrou het deur ongedwonge hanteerfoute.

Puntemakers:

Goudveld-Hoërskool 22 (17) – Drieë: Jan Coetzee (2), Caleb Lottering. Doelskoppe: Ruben Crous (2). Strafdoel: Crous. Hoërskool Fichardtpark 19 (7) – Drieë: MJ Hattingh, Marno Smith, Duan Viviers. Doelskoppe: Devanté Claasen (2).

Hoërskool Jim Fouché 24 (14) – Drieë: SW van der Merwe (2), Christian Strydom, Nathan van Breda. Doelskoppe: Alldrick Johnson (2). Hoërskool Witteberg 24 (17) – Driee: Llewellyn Beukes, Pieter Nel, Tshepo Motloung, Kenyon Morat. Doelskoppe: Sydwell Sethi (2).

Ander uitslae

o. 19 – Goudveld II 23, Fichardtpark II 15; Witteberg II 22, Jim Fouché II 19; Goudveld III 26, Fichardtpark III 26; Jim Fouché III 19, Witteberg III 17; Jim Fouché IV 24, Witteberg 10.

o. 16 – Fichardtpark 31, Goudveld 10; Witteberg  25, Jim Fouché 15; Fichardtpark B 19, Goudveld B 0.

o. 15 – Fichardtpark 31, Goudveld 7; Jim Fouché 22, Witteberg 10; Jim Fouché B 33, Witteberg B 10; Fichardtpark B 26, Goudveld B 5.

o. 14 – Fichardtpark 57, Goudveld 0; Witteberg 50, Jim Fouché 0; Witteberg B 38, Jim Fouché B 0; Fichardtpark B 33, Goudveld B 7.

Hoërskool Garsfontein will look to set a definite tone for the 2024 season when they come up against Jeppe High School for Boys on Wednesday at 18:00 in Pretoria.

This will be their first game after having an early run against Pretoria Boy’s High last weekend.

This, however, didn’t have much official status as the teams only played chukkas (four sessions of 15 minutes each).

The side from Pretoria boasts some familiar faces making a return to Bere-park for a second year of first-team rugby. Speedster, Ruan Enslin, who made his mark on the right wing for the Garsies in 2023, will don the number 13 jersey for his side this year.

Upfront, Aiden King makes his return. Making his move from lock to eighthman this year gives King the opportunity for freedom with the ball in hand. His move will also add significant value to the Bere’s defence.

Another familiar face, Jacques Swarts takes up his regular position at lock, adding more experience among the side from Pretoria’s forward pack.

Jeppe also boasts a significant group of players returning for their second year in the famous black and white striped jersey. Captain and outside centre, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga will add lots of experience in the backline, having represented the Golden Lions at the Cravenweek last year.

On his inside, another Cravenweek representative in MacMillan Mongwana (inside centre), also makes his return as the pair looks to create havoc among the Bere defenders in the midfield.

Among the hard men upfront, Vice Captain and Headboy, Risima Khosa will look to ignite the fire needed to down a class outfit from Pretoria. Khosa, a product of Tzaneen Primary School, in Limpopo, brings calmness and experience, having already represented the Golden Lions at the Academy Week last year.

He will certainly look to the versatile Luke Cannon (lock) and his burly prop, Luca Trevisan for support, especially at scrum time.

The teams:

Hoërskool Garsfontein vs Jeppe High School for Boys at 18:00 in Pretoria:

Hoërskool Garsfontein: 15 Junade Pasensie, 14 Handre Maree, 13 Ruan Enslin, 12 Alro le Roux, 11 Kunaide Stuart, 10 Brooklyn Newman, 9 Luan Ferreira, 8 Aiden King, 7 Thinus Oosthuizen, 6 Luann Oliver, 5 Jacques Swarts, 4 James Schnetler, 3 Luan van der Beg, 2 Stephan Pretorius, 1 Aiden Holtzhausen.

Jeppe High School for Boys: 15 Sanele Simelane, 14 Lesego Zungu, 13 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 12 McMilen Mongawana, 11 Leruo Dithagiso, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Talent Sithole, 8 Risima Khosa, 7 Nathan Claasen, 6 Wanga Ndou, 5 Luke Cannon, 4 Nathan Boyder, 3 Luca Trevisan, 2 Bonga Nxumalo, 1 André Poulton.

With an illustrious 158-year rugby heritage, each season holds a profound significance for the Paul Roos Gimnasium first XV.

Named in honour of the captain of the first South African touring side of 1906, Paul Roos. This was also the first side to be called the Springboks.

Roos, a man who was also the school’s rector, the Stellenbosch institution has long remained a cornerstone of schoolboy rugby in South Africa, standing shoulder to shoulder with the nation’s top sides.

This enduring legacy is underscored by their prestigious alumni, among whom are an impressive list of 54 Springboks which are claimed by the school.

With a steadfast commitment to upholding the esteemed Paul Roos legacy, every match holds significant weight for the team. “Every opponent on our fixture list poses a challenge,” Corné Uys, the first-team head coach, told SuperSport Schools. “There are no easy games, and underestimating any of our opponents is out of the question.”

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Uys spearheads the management team for a third consecutive year since assuming the revered role in 2022. The school, deeply intertwined with its rugby programme, has witnessed an upwards trajectory under his leadership.

Under his tutelage, Paul Roos has produced leading players on the youth stage, like Jurenzo Julius, who claimed bronze with the Baby Boks last year in the World Rugby u20 Championship. He’ll return to the event again in 2024, while their 1st XV includes dual SA Schools’ star, Riley Norton, who is available for SA Schools selection again this year, having achieved the spectacular double in his grade 11 year.

Norton, Oliver Reid, Truspe Schoeman, Reuben Kruger, Samuel Badenhorst and Keenan Stoffels all served the Maroon Machine well in 2023. Their experience will, undoubtedly, fortify the Paul Roos squad.

Badenhorst is another player who made his presence felt on the field last year. He’s shaping up to be a phenomenal player, and is following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Jan “Boland” Coetzee, the Western Province and Springbok great.

Badenhorst also earned his SA colours in 2023 as part of the SA u18 Sevens squad that claimed bronze at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago.

Young guns, like Altus Rabe, Gert Kemp, Luke Kent, Luchwayito Mbliswana, Junaid Coetzee, Jordan Steenkamp and Matthew Kleyn, are all moving up the age grades since representing Paul Roos in the Western Province team at last year’s Grant Khomo Week.

“They’ve been making their presence felt during the preseason,” affirmed Uys, emphasising their potential contribution to the side, especially considering the inevitable challenges that will be posed by injuries and a demanding fixture list.

The rest of the management team consists of coaches Erhardt Muth and Ian Campbell-McGeachy, with Elric Pretorius overseeing strength and conditioning and Stephan Jordaan serving as team manager.

Paul Roos kick off their season 16 March when they host HTS Drostdy on the Markötter.

The following week they take on two of Pretoria’s best at the NMI Toyota North South Rugby Tournament. They play their opening fixture against the hosts, Affies, at 18:00 on 23 March, before facing Waterkloof on 26 March.

As is the tradition, their season comes to a close when they take on their arch-rivals from Bloemfontein, Grey College. This year the Grey boys will make the trip down to Stellenbosch where the Maroon Machine will be primed to avenge their 20-28 loss in Bloemfontein in 2023.

Fixtures

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Hoërskool Menlopark het 48 redes verskaf hoekom hulle nie vanjaar voortydig afgeskryf behoort te word nie.

Die Parkies het Dinsdag vir Hoërskool Oos-Moot gemaklik met ‘n telling van 48-7, in die NWU Sport-reeks, afgestof.

Herleef al die aksie op SuperSport Schools. Skakel na die wedstryde.

Menlopark het vroeg in die kragmeting dit duidelik gemaak dat hulle vanjaar hul stempel behoorlik wil afdruk.

Skrumskakel, Phillipus de Bruin, het kort na die afskop reeds ‘n blaps onder die besoekers se voorspelers uitgebuit om agter die Oosies se doellyn te gaan kuier. De Bruin was ook uitstekend vanaf die skopkegel om 21 punte tot sy span se totaal by te dra.

Voorlangs het slot, Keagan Pretorius, en vaskopstut, Phillip du Plessis, die pap dik aangemaak. Pretorius het twee drieë gedruk, wat altwee die resultaat was van kragtige dryfmaalbewegings deur die pak, terwyl Du Plessis soos ‘n wafferse losvoorspeler die veld volgespeel het. Die oorhand wat Parkies voorlangs geniet het, sou hul breiers breed laat glimlag het.

In teenstelling daarmee, was dit duidelik dat dit die Oosies se eerste wedstryd van die seisoen was. Ongedwonge flaters en powere lynstaanwerk het die span van die Moot deurgaans in die steek gelaat. Die enigste ligstraal was die dinamiese spel van agsteman, Deon Badenhorst, wat met sy span se enigste drie beloon is vir sy onvermoeide pogings.

Tuis in Boksburg, het Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen onkeerbaar gelyk in hul wegholsege van 41-0 oor Hoërskool Transvalia.

Die oopkantflank, Zade-Leigh Rippenaar, het sy indrukwekkende vertoning teen Hoërskool Kemptonpark opgevolg met selfs ‘n beter een teen Transvalia. Hy het gewoel in die vaste los, maar verál die oog gevang met ‘n paar blitsige lopies in die middeveld af.

Loskopstut, Zian Marias, was ook ‘n doring met sy rotsvaste verdediging. Hy het keer op keer homself, met enorme duikslae, aan die span van Transvalia bekendgestel.

Christiaan Liebenberg (slot), het vir die span van Vanderbijlpark uitgestaan. Hy was die ene toewyding en het daarin geslaag om ‘n keer of wat sy span, met begeesterde lopies, oor die voordeellyn te kry.

Puntemakers:

Hoërskool Menlopark 48 (21) – Drieë: Keagan (2), Phillipus de Bruin, Nathan du Plessis, Divan Nel, Xander Roets. Doelskoppe: Phillipus de Bruin (5), Andru Kuhn.Strafdoele: De Bruin (2). Hoërskool Oos-Moot 7 (0) – Drie: Deon Badenhorst. Doelskop: Ruwan Allen.

Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen 41 (24) – Drieë: Zade-Leigh Rippenaar, Jeandre Jacobs, Tow Bergman, Matthew Bergman, Danre Pike, Zian Marais, Craig Lightfoot. Doelskoppe: Matthew Bergman (3). Hoërskool Transvalia 0 (0).

Ander spanne: 

o. 16: Hoërskool Menlopark 64, Oos-Moot 6; Hoërskool Transvalia 23, EG Jansen 19.

o. 15: Hoërskool Oos-Moot 20, Hoërskool Menlopark 19; EG Jansen 22, Hoërskool Transvalia 7.

o. 14: Hoërskool Menlopark 22, Hoërskool Oos-Moot 20; Hoërskool Transvalia 10, EG Jansen 7.

The Hoërskool Witteberg girls’ first team will be out to maintain their unbeaten run in the WesGrow Series when they travel to Hoërskool Sentraal for their second match of the series in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

Witteberg, who played their first Wesgrow match of the season on Tuesday, were ruthless in front of goal and dominated, claiming an emphatic 7-1 win over Jim Fouché.

That victory was highlighted by an impressive showing from Arné Maritz, who netted four times for her team.

She was joined on the scoresheet by Juané Loubser and vice-captain, Juné Lombard, who struck twice to seal an emphatic win.

Before that performance, the school from Bethlehem produced positive showings during their pre-season games at the Balling Festival and Kovsie pre-season tournament.

Despite narrow losses to Monument and Hoërskool Sasolburg at the Balling Festival, they continued fighting hard and were rewarded with a 3-3 draw against Our Lady of Fatima.

That preparation, along with the challenges the team has faced so far, will place the side in good stead ahead of the season, said head coach Casey-Jean Terblanche.

“The start of the season has been positive, as we have gained valuable game time at the Balling Tournament and the Kovsie pre-season tournament,” she told SuperSport Schools.

“The Balling Tournament provided a great opportunity to assess players and determine the best positions for them, based on the style of play I want to implement.”

Terblanche’s side is a mix of youth and experience, with a handful of young players enjoying their debut seasons on the first team scene.

The coach says the newbies have gelled well in the environment as they seek to defend their league title and climb the country’s rankings.

“This year marks a rebuilding phase for us, with seven new players joining the team,” Terblanche said.

“While the team is relatively young, they show immense potential.

“The 2023 Wesgrow season was fantastic, with the first team girls clinching the Wesgrow league title.

“Our primary objective is to defend that title and improve our ranking in the SA schools’ standings.”

Witteberg will also use the game as a final preparation for the Greg Beling Festival in East London. Ahead of a big week for the side, one of their players, Juané Loubser explained what makes them a team to be reckoned with.

“We are not just a regular team. We are like sisters to each other. We always support, motivate, and laugh together, and we strive to improve as a team after every match and learn from our mistakes together,” she revealed.

“When we step onto the field as the first team, it is not just a responsibility for us but a privilege.

“I hope that, as a hockey team, we will always step onto the field with gratitude in our hearts and be a living testimony of Jesus’ love and grace. We rely not on our strength but know where our power comes from.”

Thursday’s game in Bloemfontein starts at 14:30, with Evané du Toit leading Witteberg.

Fixtures

Thursday, 14 March 2024

13:30 – Witteberg vs Sentraal (Boys u19A)
14:30 – Witteberg vs Sentraal (Girls u19A)

Friday, 15 March 2024

14:00 – Witteberg vs Sentraal (Boys u14A)
15:00 – Witteberg vs Sentraal (Boys u16A)
16:00 – Witteberg vs Sentraal (Girls u16A)

Saturday, 16 March 2024

09:00 – Witteberg vs Sentraal (Boys u19B)
10:00 – Witteberg vs Sentraal (Girls u14A)
11:00 – Witteberg vs Sentraal (Girls u18B)
12:00 – Witteberg vs Sentraal (Girls u16B)

The Western Province u18 boys’ water polo team will enter this year’s National Junior Water Polo Championship in East London with the “favourites” tag, but fully aware that a stern task lies ahead of them.

The side, coached by the energetic Jabulani Sibiya, arrives in the coastal city seeking more silverware after claiming top honours in last year’s Schools Water Polo South Africa Inter-Provincial Tournament in Gqeberha.

They defeated a gritty Central Gauteng side 8-7 on penalties in that final after regulation time had finished level at 8-8.

The Junior Nationals, known as the Currie Cup, will, no doubt, require the title contenders to dig deep throughout the three days of competition.

It’s not only silverware on the line but also places in the national team for this year’s World Aquatics Men’s u18 Water Polo Championships, which take place in Argentina from 2-8 July.

Sibiya guides a star-studded team after a very competitive first half of the season for the Western Cape schools.

The 13-player squad includes, among others, players from Bishops, SACS and Rondebosch Boys – all schools lifted titles in the first half of the season.

SACS claimed the SAC Shield in Makhanda, Bishops took gold in the SACS Nite Series and Mazinter Cup, and Rondebosch pulled off a shock by claiming the KES Water Polo Tournament title.

There’s no doubt that Sibiya has a group of confident players in his arsenal, and in an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools he revealed how difficult it was picking the side, the importance of experience in the team, and how they will aim to deal with pressure situations at the Currie Cup.

“It’s been one of the most competitive seasons in the Western Cape, while I have been involved with the first teams,” he said, “just in the sense that we have seen SACS win the SAC Shield, Rondebosch win KES, and Bishops win the Nite Series and the local league.

“It’s quite a competitive unit of schools. It has been exciting because it’s kept us all honest on our results. With that said, I’m super proud to see Province flourish in the age group, and I’m proud to be a part of the set-up.”

When asked about the challenges he and the selectors faced when picking a team for the Currie Cup, Sibiya had the following to say: “The selection was quite a difficult one, just because of the variety of players available in the Western Cape.

“I think some positions were easier to select than others, but it’s always difficult when you have the top four teams in the country in the province. You have to ask yourself a lot of questions but, for me, it always came down to what it was going to look like for the team – just seeing that we’ve got a nice balance and mix of players that offer us different combinations that we can play, and I think the players we have chosen are the right ones.”

The side also has a handful of players who were part of that IPT-winning side in Gqeberha last year.

Shot-stopper Jordan De Sousa starred in the cage for Province, and he returns to the side along with Adam October, Arkin Marais, Conor Melling-Williams and Nicholas Fall.

Sibiya says he will be banking on the chemistry and experience within the team.

“We have quite a few players that played in the IPT side. There’s quite a lot of chemistry between the players, and confidence from playing that final last year, and winning it.

“The experience is quite important for me because it always helps in different forms.

“I also think it’s important to have the new players, who add a different sort of play and contribute to how we can show up as a side.”

Whether they like it or not, Province will be the favourites to claim the title, particularly because of the quality they possess up front.

Coach Jabz says the term “favourites” doesn’t put much pressure on his charges but instead motivates the side to prove exactly what they can deliver in the pool.

“I think it’s always good to be considered as contenders for a national tournament. I think it speaks to the talent that’s in the group,” said Sibiya.

“I think, naturally, that could be seen as adding pressure, but we’ve got a team that has experience of playing at this high level. They are confident and they know that even if we are dubbed as favourites, we still have to go out there and play the game.

“I don’t think it adds any pressure, but I think it adds a little bit of responsibility that we be consistently humble, work hard, and I think it’s all in our attitude and approach to the game.

“Although we can be considered as favourites, we still have a lot of work to do, a lot to prove, and we’re just excited to get another opportunity to be playing at a high level,” he concluded.

Western Province Team

Adam October, Arkin Marais, Conor Melling-Williams, Jandro Rojo-Ross, Jordan De Sousa, Matthew De Villiers, Nicholas Fall, Pierre Du Plessis, Ross Stewart, Thomas Truter, Salahuddin Khan, Sebastian Kastern, Zack Cicero.

Non-travelling reserves:
Blake Brown, Bryn Parry, Luke Burger, Mac Lecuona, Max Hart, Nicholas Ward, William Jack Robinson.

Fixtures

Thursday, 14 March 2024

07:00 – Western Province vs Northern Tigers; 08:00 – Central Gauteng vs Nelson Mandela Bay; 09:00 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Buffalo City; 11:00 – Nelson Mandela Bay vs Western Province; 12:00 – Buffalo City vs Northern Tigers; 13:00 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Central Gauteng; 15:00 –Western Province vs Buffalo City; 16:00 – Nelson Mandela Bay vs KwaZulu-Natal; 17:00 – Central Gauteng vs Northern Tigers.

Friday, 15 March 2024

07:00 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Western Province; 08:00 – Central Gauteng vs Buffalo City; 09:00 – Northern Tigers vs Nelson Mandela Bay; 12:00 – Western Province vs Central Gauteng; 13:00 – Northern Tigers vs KwaZulu-Natal; 14:00 – Buffalo City vs Nelson Mandela Bay; 16:00 – Semi-final 1; 17:00 – Semi-final 2.

Saturday, 16 March 2024

09:00 – 3^rd/4^th play-off; 11:00 – FINAL.

The 2024 hockey season swings into full gear this coming weekend with several festivals and tournaments taking place around the country.

Amid the chaos, many hockey enthusiasts will turn their eyes to East London, in the Eastern Cape, where some of the country’s best hockey-playing schools will do battle at the Greg Beling and Tony Godding Festivals.

The two festivals, to be played at different venues, will ensure East London is a hive of hockey activity, with the action starting on Thursday and running through until Sunday.

Bloemfontein’s Oranje Meisieskool is one of the sides that will be gracing the coastal city, and they’ll be champing at the bit, eager to build on a superb start to the season.

After an outstanding 2023, which saw them finish second in the country, the Bloemfontein girls have started this year like a rocket, claiming five one-sided wins in five outings at the Balling Hockey Festival in Bethlehem last month.

They scored a mammoth 33 goals during the three days, while conceding only one during their 5-1 win over the hosts, Voortrekker.

They breezed past St John’s DSG 3-0, and thumped Johannesburg’s St Stithians College 10-0, before handing Noordheuwel a 7-0 drubbing and closing their weekend off with an emphatic 8-0 win over Beaulieu College.

Speaking to SuperSport Schools ahead of the Greg Beling Festival, head coach Gyster van Schalkwyk said his team has put 2023 behind them and is fully focused on tackling the challenges that lie ahead this season.

“The 2023 season was a great season, despite our ending on the rankings,” he said, which also revealed the fact that number one is a position Oranje aims for and is used to achieving.

“We are much more than that. We are ready, excited, and looking forward to the 2024 season.

“Greg Beling and all other tournaments are important to us because we see it as an opportunity for us to showcase our God-given talents and greatness. We were unbeaten last year at Greg Beling.”

The Oranje side has welcomed six new members to the team this season – one in grade 8, one in grade 9, three in grade 10, and another in grade 11 – while also retaining a handful of experienced players.

Together, their first taste of first-team hockey came at the Balling Festival, and coach Van Schalkwyk was pleased with what he saw on display.

“⁠I am extremely happy and proud of their performance in Bethlehem, at the Balling Festival.

The coach says his side is ready for the healthy competition 2024 will bring and has full belief in the ability of his captain, Anriette Otto, and her deputy, Carolien Wessels, to lead them to success.

Oranje kicks off their Greg Beling Festival schedule with a clash against Makhanda’s Diocesan School for Girls on Friday at 15:15 at the Clarendon Girls High Astroturf.

Oranje’s fixtures at the Greg Beling Festival

Friday, 15 March 2024
15:15 – Oranje vs DSG Makhanda @Clarendon Astro

Saturday, 16 March 2024
10:45 – Oranje vs Woodridge @ Clarendon Astro
18:15 – Oranje vs Clarendon @Clarendon Astro

Sunday, 16 March 2024
08:15 – Oranje vs Hudson Park @ Clarendon Astro

Hoërskool Jim Fouché (JF) het Dinsdagmiddag tuis hul oorheersing oor Hoërskool Witteberg met ‘n indrukwekkende oorwinning van 50-19 voortgesit.

Jim Fouché het van die eerste fluitjie af die toon aangegee om ‘n vroeë voorsprong van 12-5 in die eerste kwart op te bou.

In die tweede kwart het JF hul voorsprong verder vergroot na 25-9, en in die proses uitsonderlike spanwerk en koördinasie aan beide kante van die baan getoon.

JF het nie alleen met hul aanvallende doeltreffendheid vir Witteberg laat wankel nie, maar ook uitmuntende verdedigingsvernuf tentoongestel.

Die Bloemfonteinse span het beheer behou in die derde kwart om hul voorsprong na 34-14 te laat rek, maar dit was egter in die vierde kwart dat JF werklik losgetrek het

Hulle het afgesluit met ‘n uitstaande spel wat die toeskouers in vervoering gehad het, en met ‘n indrukwekkende vertoning van aanvallende vuurkrag 16 verdere doele geskiet om Witteberg oortuigend met 31 doele te verslaan.

 

 

 

After five weeks of preparation, 24 of South Africa’s top hockey-playing schools will converge on East London for the annual Tony Godding Festival. Now into its seventh year, it runs from Thursday, 14 March to Sunday, 17 March.

Five venues – Selborne College, Cambridge High, Stirling High, Bunkers Hill and Merrifield – will host the season’s first major competition.

The festival is named after legendary former hockey player and coach, Tony Godding, who made a big impact on South African hockey.

Before moving to coaching schools’ hockey, Godding had a 15-year tenure as the national men’s team coach, from 1995-2010.

He also held several important positions in the sport. He served as a national selector from 1989 to 2004, held an administrative position with the SA Hockey Association between 1996 and 1998, and was a member of the SA Hockey Association Executive during the same period. He was also the Vice-President of the Amathole (Border) Hockey Association.

“Mr Godding did wonders in our area, with his vast knowledge and passion for the men’s game. We thought it fitting to name the festival in his honour,” said festival organiser Mark Wayne Taljard.

At its inception, the festival had 18 participating teams and has since grown to 24 teams. And although the event is a celebration of the sport, the teams taking part in the festival are not taking it lightly. They are out to make a statement about their intentions for the rest of the season.

Coach Wayne Coetzee’s Grey College will make the 560-odd kilometre trek to the coastal city hoping to show their preseason successes were not because their opposition was rusty, but because they were sharper, better prepared, and ready to conquer. The Bloemfontein side has defeated Menlopark, Waterkloof, and Garsfontein in the lead-up to the festival.

Kenneth John (KJ) Friend’s Selborne College have also enjoyed a good preseason. The one-time Dale College coach has seen improvement in his relatively young team, which has been focussed on sticking to their processes and refining their game.

Their win against an experienced Phoenix Hockey Club, in a tie that appeared to be stacked against them, was vindication of Friend’s approach. Selborne will be led on the field by Tre’ Gilbert, who ran out for the national U17 team that competed in the Mirnawan Cup in Malaysia late last year.

Queen’s College enters the festival with a new coach, Michael Baiden. But Baiden is not a new face to the team. He was previously the strength and conditioning coach and spent 2023 as the assistant coach. He takes over the head coach role after Queen’s Director of Hockey, Siya Lusiba, vacated the post.

Since taking over, Baiden has sought to improve his side’s technical abilities and tactical awareness. His charges have shown that they have grasped the concepts in the preseason, and now those preparations will be put to the test.

Other teams to keep an eye on at the festival and throughout the season are Cambridge, St Andrew’s School, St Andrew’s College, Dale, Hudson Park, Kingswood College, and Pearson.

FIXTURES

Thursday

18:15 – Cambridge vs Montana

Friday

10:15 – Cambridge vs Grey College; 11:30 – Westering vs Krugersdorp HS; 12:45 – Framesby vs Linden; 12:45 – Selborne vs St Andrew’s (Bloem); 12:45 – Alex Rd vs HS Duineveld; 12:15 – Hudson Park vs St Andrew’s (GHT); 14:00 – Dale College vs Montana; 14:00 – Queen’s College vs Woodridge; 15:15 – Curro Waterstone vs Witteberg; 16:30 – Stirling vs Voortrekker; 16:00 – Merrifield vs Kingwood; 17:45 – Pearson vs Grey College; 17:45 – Cambridge vs Grey High

Saturday

07:00 – Montana vs Westering; 08:15 – Curro Waterstone vs Dale College; 08:15 – Kingswood College vs Linden High; 09:30 – Framesby vs Krugersdorp High; 09:30 – Merrifield College vs Duineveld; 09:30 – Hudson Park vs Grey College; 10:45 – Grey (PE) vs St Andrew’s (Bloem); 10:45 – Stirling vs Witteberg; 10:45 – Queen’s College vs Pearson; 12:00 – Selborne vs Woodridge; 12:00 – Cambridge vs Alex Rd; 12:00 – St Andrews (GHT) vs Voortrekker; 13:15 – Curro Waterstone vs Westering; 13:15 – Queen’s College vs Grey College; 14:30 – Framesby vs Duineveld; 14:30 – Alex Rd vs Montana; 15:45 – Dale College vs Voortrekker; 15:45 – Kingswood College vs Witteberg; 15:45 – Merrifield College vs St Andrew’s (GHT); 15:45 – Hudson Park vs Grey High; 17:00 – Pearson vs St Andrew’s (Bloem); 17:00 – Cambridge vs Woodridge; 17:00 – Stirling vs Krugersdorp High; 18:15 – Selborne vs Linden High

Sunday

08:15 – Framesby vs Montana; 08:15 – Alex Rd vs Krugersdorp; 08:15 – Westering vs Duineveld; 08:15 – Queen’s College vs Kingswood College; 09:30 – Grey College vs St Andrew’s (GHT); 09:30 – St Andrew’s (Bloem) vs Curro Waterstone; 09:30 – Stirling vs Grey High; 10:45 – Selborne College vs Voortrekker; 10:45 – Merrifield vs Witteberg; 12:00 – Dale College vs Linden High; 12:00 – Cambridge vs Pearson; 13:15 – Hudson Park vs Woodridge