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Potchefstroom Volkskool het die lewe vir die besoekende Hoërskool Marais Viljoen bitter moeilik gemaak.

Die Potchefstromers het verbete baklei vir die volle 70 minute van die kragmeting, maar moes uiteindelik met 17- 28 die aftog blaas teen die besoekers uit Alberton.

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

Die Volkies se agtsteman, Dewald Groenewald, het verál uitgestaan, en nie geskroom om die besoekers se fisieke pak met van hulle eie medisyne terug te betaal nie. Hy het dikwels, met kraglopies, oor die voordeellyn gekom, en dit het vir hom twee drieë in die sak gebring.

Marais Viljoen het egter koelkop gebly en die druk met groot ervaring verwerk. Cluade do Coute was ‘n doring in die Volkies se vlees. Die span van Alberton se binnesenter, met sy oog vir spasie en skerpsnydende aanvalslyne, het verwoesting geskep in die middeveld en ook ‘n tweekuns behaal.

Ethan Weideman, op linkervleuel, was ewe indrukwekkend, op die aanval maar verál wat sy rotsvaste verdediging betref het. Hy het ‘n goeie stukkie spel afgerond vir een van sy span se vier drieë.

Hoërskool Ben Vorster het hul seisoen op die bes moontlike noot afgeskop, deur Hoërskool Lydenburg oortuigend met 48-21 te verslaan. Binnesenter, Aza Mabe, het, soos verwag, uitgeblink in die middeveld en in ‘n japtrap deurgesny vir sy twee drieë.

Pontsho Selowa, Ben Vorster se buksie in die nr. 9-trui, het ook gaan druk, en was in die kol met vier doelskoppe.

Vir die tuisspan het die blitsige Candice Kok (linkervleuel) en  Pogisho Mohlala (binnesenter) uitgeblink, en is elk met ‘n drie beloon. Die loskopstut, Phillip Pienaar, het nie geskroom om die Ben Vorster-voorhoede aan te vat nie en het ook die Tzaneeners se doellyn oorgesteek.

Merensky Lanbou Akademie het hul besoekers van Phalaborwa, Hoërskool Frans du Toit, ‘n rugbyles geleer om met 43-14 koning te kraai. Die Plasies se heelagter, Maritz Meintjies, het die geleenthede om aan te val wat na sy kant toe gekom het, met altwee hande aangegryp en gevolglik ook twee keer die bal agter die opposisie se doellyn geplant.

Die ervaring van  Byron Hendricks, op losskakel, en buitesenter, Ulrich Mare, was opvallend, aangesien albei telkens net daardie rapsie meer tyd op die aanval gehad het.

Jabulani Shayi het as plaasvervanger op heelagter sy stempel afgedruk vir Frans du Toit, en na ‘n uitstekende stukkie individuele spel agter die Plasies se doellyn gaan kuier. Oopkantflank, Pieter Oosthuizen, het die Fransies se ander drie gedruk, met buitesenter, Kenny Moreku, wat albei verdoel het.

Bergsig Akademie het ‘n wegholsege van 47-0 oor Hoërskool Hoogenhout behaal. Losskakel, Simeon Botha, het met sy ervaring spel pragtig dikteer, en keer op keer sy driekwarte in hope spasie geplaas. Botha het self die doellyn oorgesteek, nadat hy sy eie tikskoppie opgevolg het, en was vyf keer suksesvol vanaf die skopkegel.

Die grondslag vir die oorwinning was nietemin voorlangs gelê, met die Bergsig-pak, met losskopstut, Tjaart Bernard, en steelkantflank, Dewald Potgieter, aan die spits, wat hul stempel deeglik afgedruk het.

Puntemakers: 

Hoërskool Marais Viljoen 28 (7) – Drieë: Claude do Coute (2), Rynier Welgemoed, Ethan Weideman. Doelskoppe: Rekkie Gerber (4). Potchefstroom Volkskool 17 (3) – Drieë: Dewald Groenewald (2). Doelskoppe: Johandre Maree (2). Strafdoel: Diaan van der Merwe.

=Ben Vorster 48 (19) – Drieë: Aza Mabe (2), Pontsho Selowa, Tumi Romohlale, Lethabo Sejake, Damian Bye, Chifu Banda. Doelskoppe: Selowa (4). Lydenburg 21 (14) – Drieë: Phillip Pienaar, Candice Kok, Pogisho Mohlahla. Doelskoppe: Pieter Maritz (2), Curtleigh Koetzee.

Merensky 43 (24) – Drieë: Maritz Meintjies (2), Tirelo Mashapa, Jens Bezuidenhout, Ulrich Mare, Heinrich Lubbe, Leruo Molemane. Doelskoppe: Byron Hendricks (2), JD Boshoff (2). Frans du Toit 14 (7) – Drieë: Pieter Oosthuizen, Jabulani Shayi. Doelskoppe: Kenny Moreku (2).

Bersig Akademie 47 (21) – Drieë: Simeon Botha, Tjaart Bernard, Dewald Potgieter, MJ Pretorius, Alzandro dos Santos, Steven Grobelaar, Johandre Steyl. Doelskoppe: Simeon Botha (5), Luan Duvenhage. Hoogenhout 0 (0).

Ander spanne: 

o. 16: Potchefstroom Volkskool 34, Marais Viljoen 5; Ben Vorster 19, Lyndenburg 7; Merensky 57, Frans du Toit 5; Bergsig Akademie 29, Hoogenhout 0.

o. 15: Marais Viljoen 17, Potchefstroom Volkskool 15; Ben Vorster 43, Lydenburg 7; Merensky 57, Frans du Toit 0; Hoogenhout 33, Bergsig Akademie 26.

o. 14: Marais Viljoen 25, Potchefstroom Volkskool 12; Ben Vorster 19, Lydenburg 0; Merensky 58, Frans du Toit 10; Bergsig Akademie 31, Hoogenhout 15

There weren’t many points scored at Michaelhouse, where Helpmekaar scored a narrow 10-7 win on Saturday, in a season-opening match for both schools, which was dominated by the defences.

It took until the 20^th minute for the deadlock to be broken and even that came from long range, with flyhalf Wian Storm giving the visitors a 3-0 lead with a very well-taken drop goal.

Michaelhouse had to wait until the fourth minute of the second half to get themselves onto the scoreboard. When they scored, though, it came from a lovely try.

Inside the visitors’ 22, flyhalf Luke Davidson fed wing Aya Mkhokeli, to his left. After receiving the ball, with a stutter step, Mkhokeli froze the nearest defender. Then, with a dummy, he opened up a gap in front of him. Pinning his ears back, he raced through and dived over in the left-hand corner for five points.

The kick was very tough, but Davidson bisected the uprights to put the home side 7-3 in front.

Only six minutes later, Helpmekaar found a reply. From a lineout just inside the ‘House 22, Helpies formed a maul. Captain JP Lombard made a slicing break off the side of it and carried it to within 10 metres of the try line before he was brought down.

Gustav Grotius, on his captain’s right shoulder, took a short pop pass and drove up to the five-metre line. Two more phases took Helpmekaar right up to the try line and then 8th-man Molatsi Moloi dotted down, reaching over a low tackle to score just to the left of the posts.

Storm converted to give Helpmekaar a three-point advantage. Twenty more minutes remained, but both defences stood firm and no more points were added to the totals.

“It was a very tight game. The defences were amazing. Those guys tackled each other into the ground today. There were few spaces to run in,” commented Helpmekaar Director of Rugby, Eugene Marais, afterwards.

“Obviously, for both, it was a first game, and the backlines were a bit rusty, but the forwards really got stuck into each other.”

Marais said both teams had chances to convert into points but, in typical early season fashion, they failed to capitalise on those. “To be honest, that game could have gone either way. It was that close,” he reckoned.

Michaelhouse Head of Rugby James Fleming said it was disappointing to lose – everyone wants to win their opening game – but the match was a big physical challenge and both teams fronted up well.

“Honestly, overall, losing 10-7 and barring not getting over the line and ‘sinking the putt’, I was actually pretty happy,” he said.

“Helpmekaar are big strong boys, and they get stuck in, which was a good hit-out for us. Although it was disappointing that we lost, I think we actually did some really nice stuff. We worked some good field positions. We had a couple of opportunities to maul, but we didn’t get over the line.

“We had some nice opportunities on attack, but maybe went a bit too narrow a few times, instead of moving it off to another phase.

“We, unfortunately, missed a couple of opportunities at goal.

“They didn’t have too many chances to get into our try zone, but when they did, they scored.

Helpmekaar showed that Michaelhouse still needs to do some work on their scrums and lineouts, Fleming said, but with only one week of training together – and ‘House still has a 100-ball cricket match to play on Wednesday – it was a solid effort.

“We made some uncharacteristic handling errors when we were on attack. You can call it early-season rust, but you can also say well done to them for putting the heat on us. They got straight up in our faces, and that creates errors. They were good like that,” Fleming added.

“We’re not chuffed with defeat but, all things considered, it wasn’t terrible, and not the end of the world, but a good hit-out. We enjoy playing them. They’re a good physical challenge for us and our guys did really well.”

Eugene Marais said the second team match, won 33-7 by Michaelhouse, had caused him some concerns ahead of the main game.

“They’ve got a very good second team. I’ll give those guys credit. That’s a very good team, well-coached. I was next to the field for the whole game. I think they’ve maybe missed one or two guys in the second team, who need to move up to the first team.”

He also highlighted the contributions of a couple of Helpmekaar’s players, saying: “Our captain, JP Lombard, was very good at lock. He carried the ball well. He tackled guys backwards, and he was good in the lineouts. He had a very good match.

“In the backline, I think Ty Ax‘s defence was brilliant. He tackled his heart out. It was very impressive.” Certainly, a fitting name for a strong midfield defender!

In Welkom, the home team, Welkom Gimnasium confidently handled a Glenwood side that was missing a number of players who had gone down with injuries in some earlier pre-season action.

Gim dominated up front to lay a foundation for a 26-21 victory, which was more comfortable than the final scoreline might suggest.

They led 26-7 with about 10 minutes to go, but two ill-considered grubbers were turned into two converted tries for the Green Machine, to make the final score look a lot better. But it was Welkom Gimnasium’s day.

“This is the best I have seen us scrum against Glenwood in the three years that we have played them. We, at times, demolished them,” Gim coach Roaun Bezuidenhout said.

He also reserved special praise for 8^th-man Ethan Jones and flank Rovaun van Niekerk for ensuring the home team gained the upper hand at forward. Good ball control and quality possession allowed the backs to cross for a number of tries.

Reflecting on his side’s backline, Bezuidenhout said: “We don’t have as much flair as last year, but there is enough there that the guys can kick on and become a unit and we can play the same type of rugby that we want to play.”

At the Riverside Sports Club, Clifton College began their centenary rugby season with a convincing 48-0 victory over a Durban Development team.

It took a while for Clifton to get going against the opposition, who were made up of the best players from hubs in and around Durban.

With some size up front, Clifton established dominance in the set scrums and then, once they had put some of the first game-handling errors to bed, they moved the ball nicely out wide, where they created space and ran in a number of good-looking tries.

Scores

Helpmekaar 10 (3) –Try: Malotsi Moloi. Drop goal: Wian Storm. Conversion: Wian Storm. Michaelhouse 7 (0) – Try: Aya Mkhokeli. Conversion: Luke Davidson.

Welkom Gimnasium 26 – Tries: Bokang Lesenyeho, Dyllan Kemp, Zander Olivier, Hloni Mokotjo. Conversions: Renaldo Kiewiet (3). Glenwood 21.

Other Results: 

u19: Clifton College 48, Durban Development 0.

u16: Helpmekaar 36, Michaelhouse 14; Welkom Gimnasium 25, Glenwood 14; Clifton College 44, Durban Development 0.

u15: Michaelhouse 17, Helpmekaar 5; Glenwood 48, Welkom Gimnasium 7; Clifton College 55, Durban Development 0.

u14: Helpmekaar 40, Michaelhouse 0; Glenwood 42, Welkom Gimnasium 10; Clifton College 60, Durban Development 0.

The annual Greg Beling Hockey Festival will return to the SuperSport Schools screens from Thursday with a feast of exciting hockey, featuring some of South Africa’s leading girls’ hockey schools.

The action begins on Thursday evening and runs through to early on Sunday afternoon.

Top schools from all over the country will sharpen their skills, and work on combinations and team tactics as the 2024 season speeds into focus.

Matches will be played at six different venues, with Cambridge High, Stirling High, Clarendon High School for Girls, Selborne College, Merrifield College, and the Bunkers Hill Astro hosting games.

Cambridge will set matters in motion on Thursday when they run out against Montana at 17:00. Another of the local sides, Clarendon, plays their first match, against Rhenish, at 18:15.

It’s on the second day, Friday, that a smorgasbord of action will unfold, with 18 matches taking place, including Cambridge fronting up to Eunice at 09:00 in the first game of the day.

Eunice will be aiming to up their game after an up-and-down start to their season at Voortrekker’s Balling Hockey Festival. In 2023, they won three of their four games at the Greg Beling Festival, beating Parel Vallei 5-1, DSG Makhanda 5-0 and Stirling High School 2-1, and going down 1-0 to Pearson High School. Eunice would go on to become the number one ranked team in the country.

Other matches to keep an eye out for over the course of the weekend include a much-anticipated clash between Clarendon and Oranje, who made a red-hot start to the season at the Balling Hockey Festival, scoring 33 goals and conceding only one in five outings.

Pearson will lock horns with Rhenish, before Hudson Park faces Collegiate and Eunice on the same day.

Kingswood College also had a successful run at the 2023 Festival, but they will be tested over the weekend, particularly in their matches against Sasolburg High and Linden.

To wrap matters up on Sunday, Stirling High will face Voortrekker, seeking to do the double over their opponents, after they shocked the Bethlehem side 3-2 on home soil in February.

Fixtures

Thursday, 14 March 2024

Cambridge High School Astro

17:00 – Cambridge v Montana
18:00 – DSG v Eunice
18:15 – Clarendon v Rhenish

Friday, 15 March 2024

Cambridge High School Astro

09:00 – Cambridge v Eunice
12:45 – Cradock HS v Krugersdorp HS
15:15 – Brandwag v Montana
16:30 – Cambridge v HS Linden

Clarendon Astro turf

10:15 –DSG v Rhenish
11:h30 – Clarendon v Union High
14:00 – Framesby v Witterberg
15h:15 – DSG v Oranje
16:30 – Pearson v Affies
14:45 – Rhenish v Eunice

Merrifield College Astro

11:00 – Lilyfontein v Volksool
13:30 – Westering v Sasolburg
14:45 – Merrifield v Kingswood

Selborne College Astro

14:00 – Curro Waterstone v GHS
16:30 – Hudson Park v St Anne’s

Stirling High School Astro

11:30 – Alex v HS Duinveld
15:15 – Woodridge v Voortrekker
17:45 – Stirling v Collegiate

Saturday, 16 March 2024

Cambridge High School Astro

07:00 – Curro Waterstone v Brandwag
08:15 – Framesby v Krugersdorp
10:45 – Cambridge v Alex Rd
13:15 – Framesby v GHS
18:15 – Cambridge v Woodridge

Clarendon School for Girls Astro

07:00 – Clarendon Inv v Cradock
08:15 – DSG v Voortrekker
09:30 – Collegiate v Affies
10:15 – Oranje v Woodridge
12:00 – Clarendon v St Anne’s
13:15 – Union High v Duineveld
13:15 – Pearson v Voortrekker
15:45 – Rhenish Girls v Affies
17:00 – DSG v St Anne’s
18:15 – Clarendon v Oranje

Merrifield College Astro

07:00 – GHS v Volkskool
08:15 – Merrifield College v Duineveld
14:30 – Merrifield College v Montana

Selborne College Astro

07:00 – Sasolburg v Union High
09:30 – Pearson v Rhenish

Stirling High School Astro

07:00 – Kingswood College v Linden High
09:30 – Stirling v Witteberg
12:00 – Curro Waterstones v Westering
13:15 – Krugersdorp High v Volkskool
14:30 – Kingswood College v Witteberg
15:45 – Alex Rd v Linden
18:15 – Stirling v Eunice

Bunkers Hill Astro

08:15 – Montana v Westering
10:45 – Hudson Park v Eunice
12:00 – Clarendon Inv v Brandwag
13:15 – Sasolburg v Cradock
14:30 – Hudson Park v Collegiate

Sunday, 17 March 2024

Cambridge High School Astro

07:00 – Alex Rd v Krugersdorp
10:45 – Clarendon Inv v Curro Waterstone
13:15 – Cambridge v Pearson
07:00 – Collegiate v St Anne’s
08:15 – Oranje v Hudson Park
09:30 – Eunice v Affies
12:00 – Clarendon v Woodridge
09:30 – Kingswood College v Sasolburg High

Merrifield College Astro

07:00 – Brandwag v Lilyfontein
09:30 – Union High v Witteberg
12:00 – Merrifield v Volkskool

Selborne College Astro

07:00 – Framesby v Montana
07:00 – DSG v Linden
10:45 – Stirling v Voortrekker
12:00 – GHS v Duineveld
13:15 – Westering v Cradock

Goudveld-Hoërskool en Hoërskool Fichardtpark pak mekaar môre in ‘n netbalwedstryd as deel van die Wesgrow Sentrale Sportbyeenkoms.

Die wedstryd is geskeduleer vir 13:40 op Baan 1 by Goudveld in Welkom.

Goudveld het in verlede jaar se reeks met 39-32 teen Fichardtpark geseëvier en hoop om vanjaar weer met die louere weg te stap.

Karla Pretorius, afrigter van die Fichies, glo dat haar span ‘n uiters vrugtevolle voorseisoen gehad het, en hulle kan nie wag vir die eerste wedstyd vir die jaar nie.

Fichardtpark is nietemin al te bewus daarvan dat Gouties ‘n kwalitietspan is, maar die Fichies fokus op hulself en wat hulle te doen staan. Hulle wil verseker dat hulle konstant tot die beste van hul vermoëns speel, op sowel die aanval as verdediging.

Nadia Olivier en Melissa Oosthuizen, afrigters van Goudveld, durf die nuwe seisoen aan met ‘n relatiewe jong span. Nadia, wat voorheen die eerstespan gelei het, maar moes terugstaan weens familieverpligtinge, is nou weer in aksie saam met mev. Oosthuizen, ‘n gerekende netbalkenner. Albei afrigters is optimisties oor die komende seisoen.

Goudveld-span: Nigella Siebert, Carli Taljaard, Jayrin Deerling, Levi Oehley, Lara Badenhorst, Michelle Van der Westhuizen, Elandre Venter, Nyrette Steenkamp, Elre Bothma, Lele Xalabile.

The defending champions of the East London High Schools Soccer League, Stutterheim, are off to a promising start as they begin a quest to defend the title they won for the first time in 2023.

In an exciting finish to last season, Stutterheim’s captain, Nanga Hodi, scored a screamer on the final day of the league competition in a 1-0 win over Dale College to ensure his team came away with the title.

On Saturday, Stutterheim began their title defence with a 2-0 victory over Hudson Park, with both goals coming from Libhongo Singiswa, to ensure they claimed three points in their first game of the season.

Speaking to SuperSport Schools Plus, Stutterheim coach Mila Abraham said: “It’s not easy being a defending champion because all the teams will be watching you and preparing well against you, and we saw that with the first game.

“Our first game against Hudson was an example of how difficult the season will be for us. We struggled to beat them because they know our boys from last year, so they prepared themselves very well before the game.

“Hudson took the game to us and they were well prepared, like we were. Both of our goals came in the last 15 minutes of the second half.”

Moving forward, Abraham said he has made it clear to his team that they should not underestimate any side and they should treat every contest as if it is a final.

Dale College had an up-and-down 2023. They entered several competitions in which they competed against the best teams in the country, such as THS Louis Botha, Brebner, and Maritzburg College. Early in their campaign, at the Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament in Kimberley, they went winless. where they unfortunately lost all of their matches.

However, they took their lumps, learnt their lessons and went back to the drawing board. By the time the 2023 season concluded, Dale College had appeared in several finals. They had also finished as the runners-up in the East London High Schools Soccer League.

In their first outing of 2024, on Saturday, they outlasted the Centre of Excellence in a tough battle, winning 3-2, with goals from Zuko Magaloza, Sibabalo Nogwina and Yamkela Latha seeing the College boys claim all three points on offer.

In another first-round encounter, Baysville High School and George Randell shared a 2-2 draw, with Anda Nyumba and Ellen Calvary scoring for Baysville and Mofoka Ezra and Matinise Abonge replying for George Randell.

Log Standing: Round 1

U19 Block B	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	GD	Points
Stutterheim HS	1	1	0	0	2	3
Dale College	1	1	0	0	1	3
Baysville HS	1	0	1	0	0	1
George Randell HS	1	0	1	0	0	1
Selborne College	0	0	0	0	0	0
Catchcart HS	0	0	0	0	0	0
Merrifield HS	0	0	0	0	0	0
Westbank HS	0	0	0	0	0	0
Centre of Excellence	1	0	0	1	-1	0
Hudson Park	1	0	0	1	-2	0

Fixtures; 13/03/2024, Round 2

Hudson Park vs Westbank High School
Center of Excellence vs Selborne College

14/03/2024

Merrifield High School vs Stutterheim High School
Baysville High School vs Dale College
George Randell vs Cathcart High School

15/03/2024: Round 3

Westbank vs Center of Excellence
Hudson Park vs Merrifield
Selborne College vs Baysville
Stutterheim vs George Randall

18/03/2024

Dale College vs Cathcart

Football is a great leveller.

Last season, Highlands Park called the shots in the u19 division of the Gauteng Development League (GDL) to such an extent that people wondered what it would take for opposition teams to defeat the team based at Balfour Alexandra Park.

Home or away, it did not really matter, as The Lions of the North asserted their dominance in the division, ruling the Highveld with an iron fist.

Their run was particularly impressive given that the league is filled with some of the giants of South African football, including Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United.

However, that was all in 2023 and the new season has brought different fortunes to the “Orange Army” as they are yet to build any momentum. It is still early in the season, but Highlands Park have, thus far, failed to meet expectations.

After opening with a goalless draw at home against Tuks in the opening round of GDL fixtures, they found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-0 score against SuperSport United at Megawatt Park on the weekend.

However, it is hard to fault Highlands Park as very few teams would have been able to stop the magic of Bohlale Ngwato on Saturday afternoon. The youngster had a dream game in which everything he touched put his team on the front foot and, at the same time, hurt the Lions of the North.

Ngwato netted a brace before registering an assist on Michael Alagiozoglou‘s goal. To Highlands Park’s relief, lightning brought SuperSport’s onslaught to a halt with 12 minutes remaining on the board and United comfortably in charge of proceedings.

After stopping the match for 15 minutes, the referee decided it was not safe for play to continue and the game was called off.

It was a disappointing end to SuperSport’s day, but they had plenty of reasons to smile after their u13 and u17 sides recorded wins over their Highlands Park opposition.

Thabang Qina netted a hattrick for United’s u13s, before Mpho Pitsa and Rorisang Taukubong scored a goal each, leaving them 5-0 winners, which set the club up for an almost flawless day out on the pitch.

The u17 team won 3-1 courtesy of a Cruz Rodrigues double and Lwandle Yende‘s solitary goal, and United’s only loss to Highlands Park came in the u15 clash, which they lost 0-2.

In other u19 fixtures, Randburg AFC lost 2-3 at home to Mamelodi Sundowns, while Tuks came away with a 2-1 win over East Rand Athletic Club.

Joburg City and Sevens Academy were involved in an entertaining eight-goal draw while TS Galaxy thrashed Wits Juniors 5-1.

RESULTS

u13

Rosina Sedibane 1-4 Kaizer Chiefs
SuperSport United 5-0 Highlands Park
Tuks 2-2 East Rand Athletic Club
Joburg City 2 – 4 Sevens Academy
TS Galaxy 6-0 Wits Junior
Remember Elite Sport Academy 1-2 Kathorus Hyper Academy
Randburg AFC 4-5 Mamelodi Sundowns

u15

School of Excellence 4-3 Jomo Cosmo
Rosina Sedibane 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs
SuperSport United 0-2 Highlands Park
Tuks 1-1 East Rand Athletic Club
Joburg City 1-0 Sevens Academy
TS Galaxy 1-1 Wits Junior
Remember Elite Sport Academy 1-1 Kathorus Hyper Academy
Randburg AFC 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns

u17

School of Excellence 3-2 Jomo Cosmos
Rosina Sedibane 1-3 Kaizer Chiefs
SuperSport United 3-1 Highlands Park
Tuks 2-1 East Rand Athletic Club
Joburg City 0-4 Sevens Academy
TS Galaxy 3-3 Wits Junior
Remember Elite Sport Academy 3-2 Kathorus Hyper Academy
Randburg AFC 1-0 Mamelodi Sundowns

u19

School of Excellence 2-1 Jomo Cosmos
Rosina Sedibane 0-2 Kaizer Chiefs
SuperSport United 3-0 Highlands Park (match stopped due to lightning)
Tuks 2-1 East Rand Athletic Club
Joburg City 4-4 Sevens Academy
TS Galaxy 5-1 Wits Junior
Remember Elite Sport Academy 3-1 Kathorus Hyper Academy
Randburg AFC 2-3 Mamelodi Sundowns

Die Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool (Affies) het hul segetog voortgesit deur Hoërskool Diamantveld vir die tweede agtereenvolgende jaar op Diamonds se sportdag in Kimberley te klop.

Affies het verlede jaar oortuigend met ‘n telling van 37-15 geseëvier.

In die afgelope naweek se kragmeting met Diamonds, het Affies in die eerste kwart met 11-4 voorgeloop en mooi momentum behou om die tweede kwart met ‘n telling van 20-10 af te sluit.

Die derde kwart was heelwat meer mededingend, met albei spanne wat elk nege doele aangeteken het, maar Affies het hul voorsprong met 29-19 behou.

In die laaste kwart het Affies weer beheer oorgeneem om ‘n oorwinning van 35-25 te verseker.

Affies het ook in hul ander drie wedstryde by die sportdag as oorwinnaars uit die stryd getree, deur vir Hoërskool Duineveld (37-26), Hoërskool Upington (40-12) en Eunice High School (80-43) te verslaan.

Diamonds, daarenteen, het gemengde resultate behaal, deur met 16-16 gelykop te speel teen Eunice, maar te verloor teen Upington (21-26) en Duineveld (26-31).

 

Die jaarlikse Pieter Swanepoel-sportdag by Hoërskool SPS Brandfort het die afgelope naweek oudergewoonte gesorg vir heerlike plattelandse rugby uit die boonste rakke.

Die hoofwedstryd het ‘n klipharde stryd afgegee tussen die manne van Brandfort se groot krag voorlangs en Wessel Maree Hoërskool se opwindende, aanvallende benadering agterlangs. Die besoekers het in die doodsnikke daarin geslaag om die wendrie te druk, en sodoende hul gashere met 16-12 te troef.

Beleef al die aksie weer op SuperSport Schools – Registreer nou – Skakel na die wedstryd.

SPS Brandfort het die enigste drie in die eerste helfte aangeteken, deur haker, Xander van Heerden.

Met albei skole wat rotsvas was op die verdediging, het Wessel Maree wyslik besluit om punte te vat waar hulle dit ookal kon kry, soos ‘n waardevolle strafdoel deur agsteman, Ntute Tsotsotso.

Dit was duidelik dat die tweede helfte op ‘n uiters spannende klimaks afgestuur het.

Spel het van een hoek van die veld na die ander gesnel, maar deurkomkans op die doellyn was min en dit het 10 minute geneem voordat Wessel Maree ‘n deurbraak kon bewerkstellig.

Buitesenter, Junior Moroke, het langs die kantlyn af genael en ‘n skopaangee dwars oor die veld gestuur vir Mpumelelelo Dumako (flank) om op te raap en oor die doellyn te val.

Tsotsotso het ‘n verdere strafdoel oorgeklits om hul voorsprong te verstewig, maar dit was nie lank nie voordat Brandfort se groot pak met ‘n skrum na aan die besoekers se doellyn vir agsteman, Greyven Dempsey, die geleentheid gebied het om bo-oor ‘n paar verdedigers te dryf vir sy span om die voortou te neem.

Met slegs drie minute se speeltyd oor, het Wessel Maree se plaasvervanger, Kamohelo Ntaje, egter oorgeduik vir die wendrie om SPS Brandfort se trotse rekord by hul fees ‘n knou toe te dien.

Hoërskool Bloemfontein het vroeë waarskuwingskote afgevuur met hul oorwinning van 26-0 oor Winburg Hoërskool. Van al die spanne wat aan die Vrystaat Hoërskole B-Liga deelneem vanjaar, was dit slegs die seuns uit die noorde van Bloemfontein wat as oorwinnaars kon wegstap na Saterdag se sportdag.

SPS Brandfort, St Andrew’s School, Hoërskole Sand du Plessis en Hendrik Potgieter (Reddersburg) het almal tweede gekom in hul onderskeie wedstryde, dus geniet die Bloemfonteiners ‘n ekstra mate van momentum wanneer die ligabepalings eersdaags afskop.

Bloemfontein-losskakel Jano Jackson en sy senters, Keanu van Heerden en Kenslin Collins, het heelwat ondernemingsgees agterlangs tentoongestel, terwyl hul lostrio ook vir Winburg kopsere besorg het by die afbreekpunte.

Vasberade verdediging het voorts beteken dat die puntevloei slegs in een rigting beweeg het, met Bloemfontein wat vier keer Winburg se doellyn kon oorsteek sonder om ‘n enkele punt af te staan.

Bokang Maichu, Wessel van der Merwe, Brandon Erasmus en Ferlin Rulf het hul name op die telkaart gekry, terwyl Jackson met drie doelskoppe geslaag het.

St Andrew’s en Reddersburg het altwee moedig teruggeveg in hul onderskeie kragmetings, maar Hoërskool Parys en Hoërskool Bothaville kon uithou vir naelskraapse seges van onderskeidelik 24-19 en 34-26.

Saints se agsteman, Eduan van den Heever, het kort voor én na rustyd drieë gedruk om die telling met 12-12 gelyk te laat trek. Senter, Naudé Botha, het die tweede drie van teenaan die kantlyn verdoel om die Bloemfonteiners tydelik te laat voorloop.

Parys het weer die voortou geneem met ‘n drie deur hul breker op binnesenter, Qenan Bekker, maar St Andrew’s se haker, Lucien Hugo, het teruggeslaan om die telling weer gelyk te maak.

Met skaars ‘n paar sekondes oor, het Parys die uitklophou gelewer met hul groot haker, Romé Pretorius, wat met brute krag deur die verdedigingslinie gebars het vir die wendrie.

Grey-kollege se verteenwordigers het ook skoonskip gemaak in hul onderskeie krangmetings met Hoërskool Ficksburg, HTS Louis Botha en Sand du Plessis.

Dit was slegs die Ficksburg-manne wat enige punte kon aanteken teen die Bloemfonteinse reuse.

Boitumelo Hlalele (senter), en Brian Samuels (losvoorspeler) kon daarin slaag om bresse te slaan in die Grey-verdediging vir ‘n drie elk, maar Ficksburg moes steeds met 12-17 die knie buig teen Grey se sesdes.

Puntemakers:

Wessel Maree Hoërskool 16 (3) – Drieë: Kamohelo Ntaje, Mpumelelelo Dumako. Strafskoppe: Ntute Tsotsotso (2) Hoërskool SPS Brandfort 12 (7) – Drieë: Greyven Dempsey, Xander van Heerden. Doelskop: Amolang Maloisane.

Hoërskool Parys 24 (12) – Drieë: Sibusiso Mmlutsi, Qenan Bekker (2), Romé Pretorius. Doelskoppe: Marnus Roets (2) St Andrew’s School 19 (7) – Drieë: Eduan van den Heever (2), Lucien Hugo. Doelskoppe: Naudé Botha (2).

Hoërskool Bothaville 34 (29) – Drieë: Paul Verwey (2), Josh Pietersen de Andrade, Hanco van der Walt, Francois Rossouw, Richter Scholtz. Doelskoppe: Pietersen de Andrade (2). Hoërskool Hendrik Potgieter (Reddersburg) 26 (7) – Drieë: Denver Jacobs, Waylon Strydom, Sterling Batties, Unathi Ngeyakhe. Doelskoppe: Boitshepo Nthipe (2), Ensley van Wyk.

Grey-kollege VI 17 – Hoërskool Ficksburg 12 – Drieë: Boitumelo Hlalele, Brian Samuels. Doelskop: Oratilwe Shata.

Grey-kollege IV 26 (12) – Drieë: JG Badenhorst (2), Marx van Wyk, Stephan Jacobs. Doelskoppe: Van Wyk. HTS Louis Botha 0.

Hoërskool Ladybrand 31 (12) – Drieë: Ithuteng Diphoko (2), Katleho Ramakone, Lucky Ratutubala, Isaaq Maqelepo. Doelskoppe: Calvin Molete (2), Katleho Ramakone. Hoërskool President Steyn 7 (0) – 

Grey-kollege V 76 (50) – Drieë: Stephan Meintjies (2), Arno du Plessis (2), Jatin Marais, CM Opperman, Luke Wolhuter, Juan Erasmus, Ruben Kruger, Burger Horn. Doelskoppe: Juan Erasmus (8). Hoërskool Sand du Plessis 0.

Hoërskool Bloemfontein 26 – Drieë: Bokang Maichu, Wessel van der Merwe, Brandon Erasmus, Ferlin Rulf. Doelskoppe: Jano Jackson (3). Winburg Hoërskool 0. 

St John’s Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) became the third side to book themselves a spot in the Grand final of the Spar Hockey Challenge after defeating Epworth on penalties in the final of the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional on Sunday.

The third round of the festival was hosted by Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Astroturf.

The hosts, who won the title last year, were joined by Carter High, Russell High, Alexandra High, Epworth, St John’s DSG, and Maritzburg Christian School.

It was, however, St John’s DSG who shone throughout the day, claiming victory in all six of their matches, to assert their dominance in the region.

On their way to the final, the side from Scottsville scored 19 times and kept a clean sheet in all of their games.

After dominating the round-robin stages, they met Epworth High School, who had also impressed, losing only 0-1 to their opponents for the title, in the final showdown. Epworth had sealed their spot in the title-decider with a crucial 1-0 win over Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High.

With silverware on the line, the action went back and forth, but there was nothing to separate the sides after 20 minutes, with the contest ending in a goalless stalemate as neither team was able to capitalise on the opportunities they created. That meant the winners would be decided from the penalty spot.

After Epworth missed their first take, Rebecca Macquet and Isobel Cobbald both calmly slotted their opportunities to see their side to a 2-0 win.

Reacting after the match, head coach Philip Smerdon, expressed how delighted he was for his team as they look to go all the way in the Grand Finals later this year.

“I’m really proud of our players,” he told SuperSport Schools.

“They put on a great show from start to finish. We can’t wait to play at the Grand Finals. It’s a really great opportunity for our players to go up against the best.”

Before claiming victory in the Spar Hockey Challenge, DSG was in action at the Balling Hockey Festival, hosted by Bethlehem Voortrekker, in late January.

There, Smerdon’s side was in fine form, playing an attractive brand of hockey that saw them claim a deserved 4-2 win against last year’s number-one-ranked team in the country, Eunice.

The coach said his players certainly drew inspiration from their performances in Bethlehem.

“The Balling Hockey Festival was great for team dynamics and to iron out the creases before the season starts,” he explained.

“Our young players have settled in nicely due to the Balling Hockey Festival, and the confidence we gained as a team will help for the start of the season.”

Claiming gold at the Central Regional tournament was a big boost to the St John’s DSG hockey programme, with much expected from the side in 2024.

Smerdon said there’s no doubt the win will also serve to motivate the younger teams at the school.

“The St John’s DSG Hockey programme is in a really good space.

“We have hungry athletes wanting to achieve in all sports.

“As a 1st team, all the coaching staff want to see is players getting a little better every single day. Win or lose, our 1st team must set an example for the younger player coming through our programme.,” he concluded.

Results

Carter High 0-0 Russell High
Alexandra High 0-5 Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High
St John’s DSG 1-0 Epworth
Carter High 0-0 Maritzburg Christian School
Russell High 0-0 Alexandra High
Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High 0-2 St John’s DSG
Epworth 3-0 Maritzburg Christian School
Carter High 0-0 Alexandra High
Russell High 0-7 Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High
Alexandra High 0-5 St John’s DSG
Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High 2-0 Maritzburg Christian School
Carter High 0-4 Epworth
Russell High 0-1 Maritzburg Christian School
Alexandra High 0-4 Epworth
St John’s DSG 1-0 Maritzburg Christian School
Carter High 0-3 Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High
Russell High 0-5 Epworth
Alexandra High 0-0 Maritzburg Christian School
Carter High 0-5 St John’s DSG
Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High 0-1 Epworth
Russell High 0-5 St John’s DSG

Final

St Johns DSG 0(2)-0(0) Epworth

 

Schools in the Western Cape kicked off their 2024 hockey season when they participated in the Spar Challenge pre-season Hockey Festival in Cape Town over the weekend.

The one-day event was hosted at various locations, with DF Malan, Stellenberg High School, Durbanville, and Belville High all playing host to matches.

As is the case with pre-season festivals, it was also an opportunity for coaches to assess their teams’ combinations, teamwork, and fitness, among other aspects of the game.

Many of the recognised hockey powers played at the DF Malan and Stellenberg Astro turfs.

At DF Malan, Bloemhof Girls High stood out, winning three of their four matches.

They began their day with a 1-0 win over the hosts, before outscoring Fairmont High School 2-0. The Stellenbosch side went on to play out a 0-0 draw with Herschel Girls, before edging out St Cyprian’s by a solitary goal.

Somerset College was in red hot form. They scooped up wins over DF Malan, Herschel, and Fairmont, before thumping St Cyprian’s 4-1.

At Stellenberg, it was even Stevens in many of the matches. Parel Vallei won all four of their games, downing Paarl Girls’ High, Durbanville, Stellenberg, and Rustenburg Girls, to announce themselves as serious threats for the forthcoming season.

The action was even more entertaining at the Belville Astro, with most of the matches being tightly contested. Only Springfield’s 4-0 win over La Rochelle was a high-scoring affair.

Meanwhile, at Durbanville, Stellenbosch High picked up a win against Hugenote, before playing out to draws against Fish Hoek and Elkanah respectively.

The Western Cape Schools League matches officially start 5 April.

Results

Belville High School Astro

HTS Drostdy 1-0 Belville High
Charlie Hofmeyr 2-1 Curro Durbanville
Springfield High 4-0 La Rochelle
Belville High 1-0 Charlie Hofmeyr
La Rochelle 1-0 Curro Durbanville
Springfield High 1-0 HTS Drostdy
Belville 1-0 Curro Durbanville
HTS Drostdy 1-0 La Rochelle
Springfield High 1-0 Charlie Hofmeyr
Curro Durbanville 0-0 HTS Drostdy
Charlie Hofmeyr 1-0 La Rochelle
Belville High 0-0 Springfield High

Durbanville Astro

Elkanah 3-0 Fish Hoek
Stellenbosch 0-0 DF Malan Invitational
Milnerton 3-1 Hugenote
DF Malan Invitational 1-0 Fish Hoek
Stellenbosch 2-0 Hugenote
Milnerton 0-0 Elkanah
Stellenbosch 1-1 Fish Hoek
Elkanah 2-0 Hugenote
DF Malan Invitational 1-0 Milnerton
Stellenbosch 1-1 Elkanah
Hugenote 0-0 DF Malan Invitational
Milnerton 1-0 Fish Hoek

DF Malan Astro

Somerset College 1-0 Herschel
Bloemhof 1-0 DF Malan
St Cyprian’s 5-0 Fairmont High
Herschel 0-0 Bloemhof
DF Malan 0-0 St Cyprian’s
Somerset College 2-0 Fairmont
Herschel 0-0 DF Malan
Somerset College 4-1 St Cyprian’s
Bloemhof 2-0 Fairmont
Somerset College 2-0 DF Malan
Bloemhof 1-0 St Cyprian’s
Herschel 1-0 Fairmont
Melkbosstrand 5-0 Parow
Robertson 1-1 Elshadai
Bridge House 9-0 President
Melkbosstrand 1-1 Elshadai
Robertson 0-1 Bridge House
Parow 1-1 Robertson
Bridge House 3-0 Parow
President 0-3 Elshadai
Robertson 7-0 Parow
Bridge House 0-1 Elshadai
Melkbosstrand 6-0 President

Stellenberg Astro
Rustenburg Girls 1-0 Durbanville
Wynberg Girls 0-2 Stellenberg
Parel Vallei 1-0 Paarl Girls’ High
Rustenburg Girls 0-0 Stellenberg
Wynberg Girls 0-1 Parel Vallei
Durbanville 0-3 Paarl Girls’ High
Rustenburg Girls 2-0 Wynberg Girls High
Parel Vallei 1-0 Durbanville
Stellenberg 2-0 Paarl Girls High
Wynberg Girls 1-0 Durbanville
Parel Vallei 2-1 Stellenberg
Rustenburg Girls 0-2 Paarl Girls’ High
The Settlers 1-0 Brackenfell
Hermanus 1-0 Swartland
Strand 2-1 Tygerberg
The Settlers 1-0 Swartland
Hermanus 0-0 Strand
Brackenfell 1-2 Tygerberg
The Settlers 1-0 Hermanus
Strand 1-0 Brackenfell
Swartland 2-2 Tygerberg
Hermanus 1-0 Brackenfell
Strand 1-2 Swartland
The Settlers 1-0 Tygerberg