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The Herschel Girls School senior hockey side will aim to hit the ground running when they take part in the Western Cape Spar Hockey Festival, at DF Malan on Sunday.

The festival sees the Western Cape’s top sides taking to the turf for pre-season action ahead of a jam-packed 2024 hockey schedule.

They enter the event intent on building on the foundations laid by an impressive 2023 1st side which defeated some of the country’s best teams.

They also impressed in the Western Cape League, claiming the sculps of Paarl Gimnasium (3-1), Rustenburg Girls High (3-2), Wynberg Girls (9-1), Somerset College (3-0), and Curro Durbanville (7-0).

For the Spar Festival, Herschel has been drawn in the Coral Pool alongside DF Malan, St Cyprian’s, Somerset College, Bloemhof, and Fairmont High School.

Speaking to SuperSport Schools ahead of the event, new head coach, Stacey-Lee Gedult, said her side is looking forward to the task at hand, as they seek to begin their campaign on a positive note.

“I am enthusiastic for the season with the team. I think this team has a lot of potential and I am looking forward to seeing them grow over the course of the season,” she said.

“We have been fortunate enough to be able to retain the bulk of the players from 2023 while also including young players, as we are looking to build for the upcoming season and beyond.

“We have a good balance between youth and experience.”

The festival allows teams an opportunity to evaluate their depth and a chance to work on combinations and teamwork ahead of the long list of league and tournament fixtures that lie ahead.

It will also allow Herschel a chance to sharpen their skills ahead of the prestigious St Mary’s Hockey Festival in early April, where many of the country’s best teams will be in action.

Gedult believes her side needs tough preparation to prepare her charges for a gruelling season.

“There are no easy games, and each tournament and fixture brings its own challenges,” she said.

“The Spar Hockey Festival provides us with an opportunity at the start of the year to kick off our season.

“We have had some preseason training sessions, and it has been going well. The team has been committed and working hard, so it would be great to see it all come together at the Spar Festival this weekend.”

HERSCHEL 1ST SQUAD

Elen Vermaak, Samantha Mary Flint, Zara-Leigh Oliphant, Emily Joy van Heerden, Anna Grace Ashbolt, Kate Megan Formby, Mia Grace Andrew, Hannah Henderson, Amy Elizabeth Gordon, Sarah Faith Ashbolt, Katherine Susan Featherstone, Gabrielle Maxien du Toit, Sofia Ivy Dearnaley, Emily Jane Dickinson, Ashley Erin Silberbauer.

Herschel’s fixtures at the Spar Hockey Festival

Sunday, 10 March 2024 – DF Malan Astro

07:30- Herschel vs Somerset College
09:00- Herschel vs Bloemhof
10:30- Herschel vs DF Malan
13:00- Herschel vs Fairmont

Jacobsdal word hierdie naweek bederf met groot rugby by die Lantiefees te Landboudal.

Die hoofwedstryd van die dag is ‘n opwarmingstryd tussen die Suzuki Griekwas en Toyota Cheetahs, ter voorbereiding vir die splinternuwe SA Beker-kompetisie wat op Menseregtedag afskop.

Vooraf is daar ook hope opwindende skolerugby te sien, met Hoërskool Noord-Kaap wat kragte meet met Landboudal se spanne.

Die eerstespanne sal net voor die hoofwedstryd mekaar die stryd aansê.

Wianco Ludike (stut) Franke Fourie (slot) Jan-Louis Nel (vleuel) en Marius Etzebeth (heelagter) het verlede jaar reeds ondervinding opgedoen in die Landboudal-eerstespan en hul ervaring behoort ‘n sleutelrol te speel in Saterdag se stryd.

Die Northerns het verlede seisoen die platteland aan die brand gespeel om ‘n paar skitterende uitslae te behaal, en kon reeds vanjaar hul seisoen met ‘n sege van 28-22 oor Hoërskool Sentraal afskop by Hoërskool Fichardtpark se Sportdag in Bloemfontein.

Tyron China (flank) het uitgetroon daardie dag en is ongetwyfeld ‘n speler om dop te hou vanjaar.

Hy was ook verlede jaar reeds deel van die eerstespan, en is een van sewe spelers uit daardie groep wat weer in 2024 beskikbaar is. Die voorry, bestaande uit Tebogo Motswenyane, JP Alexander en Alonzo Johnson, is verál gedug en sal hul ervaring optimaal aanwend om voorlangs die oorhand oor die Jacobsdal-boere te bewerkstellig.

Die tuisspan het egter ook reeds twee indrukwekkende seges onder die belt, nadat hulle vir Aliwal-Noord (39-0) en HTS Louis Botha (47-0) afgeransel het – sonder om ‘n enkele punt af te staan.

Saterdag se interskole beloof inderdaad ‘n dag propvol opwindende rugby.

Die spanne:

Landboudal t. Noord-Kaap om 13:00:

Landboudal: 15 Marius Etzebeth, 14 Jan-Louis Nel, 13 Divan Vorster, 12 Simeon de Klerk, 11 Jannie de Waal, 10 Henko Truter, 9 Craven Crause, 8 Juhan van der Westhuizen, 7 Jaco Venter, 6 Brink Bruwer, 5 Gustav Nel, 4 Franke Fourie, 3 Ruan van Bosch, 2 Regard Scheepers, 1 Wianco Ludike.

Hoërskool Noord-Kaap: 15 Jonaden Links, 14 Aphiwe Sinyona, 13 Jayden Potgieter, 12 Abdul Fischer, 11 Bjorn Olifinger, 10 Lwandle Maseko, 9 Dihan Janse van Rensburg, 8 Shaw Lourens, 7 Ambijorn Vraagom, 6 Tyron China, 5 Prince Bhila, 4 Bonsanio Fiks, 3 Tebogo Motswenyane, 2 JP Alexander, 1 Alonzo Johnson.

Die bepalings:

09:00 – Landboudal o. 14 t. Noord-Kaap o. 14
09:55 – Landboudal o. 15 t. Noord-Kaap o. 15
10:50 – Landboudal II t. Noord-Kaap II
11:50 – Landboudal o. 16 t. Noord-Kaap o. 16
13:00 – Landboudal t. Noord-Kaap (Eerstespanne)
15:00 – Suzuki Griekwas t. Toyota Cheetahs

Hoërskool Wesvalia, wat verlede naweek vir die eerste keer in drie jaar met Hoërskool Fichardtpark kon afreken, sal met hernude selfvertroue uitsien na hul stryd teen Hoërskool Montana, wanneer hulle die Pretorianers Saterdag in Klerksdorp verwelkom.

Montana het hul eerste wedstryd van die seisoen met 20-25 teen Hoërskool Pietersburg in Polokwane verloor, en sal daarop uit wees om sake hierdie naweek reg te stel.

Losskakel, Ruwald Goosen, se skopskoen hou in ‘n mate die sleutel tot die Monties se sukses, terwyl die Monties se spoedvraat op linkervleuel, Sam Schoeman, groot gevaar inhou wanneer hy die geringste spasie gegun word.

Voorlangs sal agtsteman, Richard Botha, woel in die los, met Dieter Scheepers (oopkantflank) wat vir Wesvalia van vinnige balbesit sal wil weerhou. Scheepers is dodelik by die afbreekpunte en kan lug uit ‘n wiel steel as jy hom toelaat.

Vir Wesvalia maak Junior Kuhn, een van hul groot uitblinkers in 2023, op haker sy terugkeer, en hy sal met die twee vuurvreters op slot, Wessel Sevenster en Franco Dumond, asook Francois Dumond (steelkantflank) en Hanre Venter (agtsteman), die pap dik aanmaak voorlangs.

Die veelsydige Marno Dreyer draf op heelagter uit, terwyl Rickardt van Heerden beheer van die agterlyn sal neem in die nr. 10-trui. Chad Hofmeyer sluit by hom aan op skrumskakel, en sal goeie, vinnige balbesit wil verseker.

Elders in Klerksdorp wag Hoërskool Klerksdorp op Hoër Volkskool Heidelberg. Dit is Klerksdorp se eerste amptelike uitstappie van die seisoen, en hulle sal vasberade wees om op verlede jaar se strawwe veldtog te verbeter.

Die voorry, bestaande uit Botshelo Motsepe (loskopstut), Janco Coetzer (haker) en Dyllan Baird (vaskopstut), sal die grondslag voorlangs moet lê, vir spelskeppers agterlangs, soos losskakel Deacon Loots en buitesenter Marco Botha, om amok onder Volkies se verdedigers te probeer saai.

Die Volkies sal hul naelskraapse nederlaag van 29-30 teen Hoër Volkskool Potchefstroom wil vergeet en vir Klerksdorp met mening aandurf. Agtsteman, Joshua Monro, beskik oor ‘n jaar se ervaring op eerstespanvlak en behoort met sy vurige spel voorlangs goud werd te wees vir die besoekers.

Agterlangs kan die spelskepper, Kayle Venter, die skote op losskakel laat klap. Dit is ook sy tweede jaar in die Volkies se eerstespan en dié ervaring behoort handig te pas te kom vir die Volkies, vernaam op die aanval.

Hoërskool Hugenote van Springs meet op tuisbodem kragte met ‘n tweede groep senior speles van Hoërskool Noordheuwel. Die rede hiervoor is dat die ander groep Norrie-spelers teen Hoërskool Outeniqua op dieselfde dag te staan kom.

Die span van Springs sal hulle nie veel steur aan wie presies hul teenstanders is nie. Arne Marias, Hugenote se kookwater oopkantflank, sal die Norries voorlangs, veral by die afbreekpunte en op verdediging, besig hou, en hy sal effektief bygestaan word deur Willie Schutte (agtsteman) en Etienne Smit (steelkantflank).

Norries beskik self oor ‘n giftige agterhoede. Brandon Pieters sal beheer neem op losskakel, met Zander Nieuwenhuizen wat van heelagter ook gevaar inhou. Nieuwenhuizen beskik oor ‘n geoefende skopvoet, waarmee hy vir Hugenote dikwels kan laat omdraai.

Hoërskool Oosterlig kan hul hande moontlik volhê wanneer hulle teen Hoërskool Rustenburg in Johannesburg te staan kom. Die Rusties se groot aanvalskrag lê in hul spoed agterlangs, met Lorenzo Snyers wat sy terugkeer vir ‘n tweede jaar in die Rusties-trui maak.

Dit beteken egter nie dat die Rusties voorlangs tekort skiet nie. Pedrie Human en Erich Ackerman, Rustenburg se slotpaar, kan ‘n deurslagewende rol vertolk met hul kragtige dryfspel, terwyl MC Smit ook weer op agtsteman sy deel sal bydra.

Vir Oosterlig sal Jeandre Naude en Rubin van der Merwe, wat op slot sak, die Rusties se krag voorlangs probeer neutraliseer. Gert Nel doen in die nr. 6-trui diens en sy verdediging sal van kardinale belang wees.

Oosterlig se senterpaar, Dylan en Joel Jordaan, sal probeer om met hul gesamentlike verdediging vir die gevaarlike Snyers verder in te perk.

Die spanne:

Wesvalia t. Montana om 12:30 in Klerksdorp:

Hoërskool Wesvalia: 15 Marno Dreyer, 14 Ben Bierman, 13 Fafa Calitz, 12 Philip van Rensburg, 11 Justin Adams, 10 Rickardt van Heerden, 9 Chad Hofmeyer, 8 Hanre Venter, 7 Francois Dumond, 6 Joshua Pieters, 5 Wessel Sevenster, 4 Franco Dumond, 3 Bernard Swanepoel, 2 Junior Kuhn, 1 Jonothan Botha.

Hoërskool Montana: 15 Marq de Villiers, 14 Tyron van Rooyen, 13 Hendrew Schoeman, 12 JF Venter, 11 Sam Schoeman, 10 Ruwald Goosen, 9 Braam Schutte, 8 Richard Botha, 7 Reinardt van den Berg, 6 Dieter Scheepers, 5 Justin Herbst, 4 Martin Venter, 3 Ruan Louw, 2 Luhan Theunissen, 1 Marinus Oberholzer.

Hoërskool Klerksdorp t. Volkskool Heidelberg in Klerksdorp:

Hoërskool Klerksdorp: 15 Cohan Witbooi, 14 Yuran Malete, 13 Winton Abrhams, 12 JC de Villiers, 11 Cenzo Holland, 10 Deacon Loots, 9 Dorian Isaacs, 8 GJ Steenberg, 7 Tiaan Koen, 6 Diwan Labuschagne, 5 Heinrich Hovener, 4 Bokamoso Mabeleng, 3 Liam Pretorius, 2 Janu de Wet, 1 Gerhard Dreyer.

Hoër Volkskool Heidelberg: 15 Theuns van der Merwe, 14 Stefan Botha, 13 Marco Botha, 12 Danie Munro, 11 Tiaan Holloway, 10 Kayle Venter, 9 Hein Oelofse, 8 Joshua Monro, 7 Wilco Janse van Rensburg, 6 Samukelo Ngwenya, 5 Fourie Jacobs, 4 Juan de Villiers, 3 Dyllan Baird, 2 Janco Coetzer, 1 Botshelo Motsepe.

Hugenote t Noordheuwel om 12:30 in Springs:

Hoërskool Hugenote: 15 George Loucas, 14 Musa Mhlangu, 13 Ruan van Biljon, 12 Vian van Dyk, 11 Damien Frith, 10 Corne Pretorius, 9 Thanyani Mokiri, 8 Hendrik Eybers, 7 Tyron Hand, 6 Arne Marais, 5 Xavier Ungerer, 4 Anthony Smith, 3 Franko Neuhoff, 2 Luan Pretorius, 1 Henre Oosthuizen.

Hoërskool Noordheuwel: 15 Zander Nieuwenhuizen, 14 Regardt Tiedt, 13 Ethan Smith, 12 Zander Drake, 11 Jade Rollison, 10 Brandon Pieters, 9 Dylan Ferreira, 8 Willie Schutte, 7 Etienne Smit, 6 Raheem Schiefer, 5 Johannes Hoogendyk, 4 Christiaan Delport, 3 Jhuvann Graaf, 2 Clinton Agu, 1 Ruben Botes.

Oosterlig t. Hoërskool Rustenburg om 12:50 in Johannesburg:

Hoërskool Oosterlig: 15 Jaydon Bouwer, 14 Dean Jordaan, 13 Dylan Jordaan, 12 Joel Jordaan, 11 Joshua Booyens, 10 Tristan Else, 9 Neithan Botha, 8 Kevin Koen, 7 Juandre Bekker, 6 Gert Nel, 5 Jeandre Naude, 4 Rubin van der Merwe, 3 Joshua Niemann, 2 Gunther Nel, 1 Tiaan Louw.

Hoërskool Rustenburg: 15 Tiano Combrinck, 14 Jon-Re Jefthas, 13 Lorenzo Snyers, 12 Awie Alberts, 11 Zulu Khumalo, 10 Jayden Meyer, 9 Andriano George, 8 MC Smit, 7 Dirk Huisamen, 6 Coenraad Coetzer, 5 Erich Potgieter, 4 Pedrie Human, 3 Xander Benedetti, 2 Xavier Steenkamp, 1 Carel Schoonraad.

Under normal circumstances, Selborne College coach Kenneth John (KJ) Friend high-fives the assistant coach and players around him after his team scores. On Tuesday, 27 February, he did not. He remained “chilled” and his stoicism was only broken by the smile that hovered on his lips.

Tre’ Gilbert had scored the only goal of the game, deep into the fourth chukka, to secure a win for Selborne College. His young team had just defeated Phoenix Hockey Club 1-0.

“The victory was sweet, but the most important thing from that match was seeing that we were on track with our plans,” said Friend.

Phoenix was one of the teams Selborne played as part of their pre-season schedule, which was a little difficult to get underway because a few of their key players were also crucial members of other teams. Tre’ Gilbert, Friend’s captain and star player, is also the captain of the Selborne 1st cricket team, and a few other members of the hockey side play water polo.

Before their duel with Phoenix, Selborne had faced off against Merrifield. The challenges presented by the two teams were like night and day. That is how Friend wanted it to be. Vastly different teams ask you to adapt your play to be able to compete.

“We try to go up against teams that provide a challenge to us. Against Phoenix, we went up against adults with a lot of pace and experience. That was a learning curve for our team,” he said.

The Gilbert-led unit is no longer the same team that competed on the schools’ hockey circuit in 2023. Five of their key players matriculated and a new group has had to step up to fill the void. That was not difficult because the youngsters, who include Daniel Sirgel, Cade Kock, also a provincial u19 footballer, and Waeden Plaatjes, were part of the 2023 campaign. “Last year we had a lot of juniors in the team, and they learned a lot,” said Friend.

The four-member core doesn’t just boast experience from last year’s campaign, Sirgel, Kock and Plaatjes featured in the Amathole (Border) u18 team, while Gilbert was part of the National u17 team that competed in the Mirnawan Cup in Malaysia in October last year.

Their experience and the pre-season preparations will be crucial for Friend’s boys, who kick off their 2024 campaign with the Tony Godding Festival, which will be followed by Nomads, then the KES Easter Festival, and finally the Hibbert Shield.

Selborne will also play several Derby Day matches in an itinerary that includes Queen’s College, Pearson, and Grey College in April, Dale College, Cambridge, Stirling, and Merrifield in May, and St Andrew’s in June.

Those fixtures will put Selborne’s free-flowing and possession-based style of play to the test. “I always remind them to keep possession and the rest will happen for you,” Friend said.

However, Friend, who tends to be philosophical, pivots to add that while they want to win matches and improve on their 2023 showing, which saw Selborne finish in the top 20 among the hockey-playing schools in South Africa and secure a third-place finish at the Hibbert Shield, winning is not the be all and end all for his boys.

“Sport is the best educator in life. These boys are not just learning to compete against different teams on the field, they are also learning how to be agile and develop skills that will benefit them in the world after school. They are learning to deal with pressure and how to handle themselves as individuals,” explained Friend, who places a lot of emphasis on winning graciously and losing with grace.

While his team plays to win, he has created a safe space within the team where his players are not afraid to lose. He reminds them that after a loss, the sun will rise again tomorrow. Therefore, it’s not the end of the world.

Die Hoër Jongenskool Paarl wil hierdie naweek die bordjies verhang teen Hoërskool Durbanville by Hoërskool Porterville se jaarlikse Bulfees, nadat die Durbies in 2023 hul seisoen met ‘n opspraakwekkende sege van 26-25 oor Boishaai geopen het by dieselfde byeenkoms.

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

Porterville durf die Paarl-reuse se derdes aan in die voorlaaste wedstryd van die fees om hul seisoen af te skop, maar die hoofwedstryd is die herontmoeting waarna albei spanne reeds ‘n jaar lank uitsien. Verlede jaar het ‘n rillerstryd afgegee.

Flank, Rubin Dames, het verlede seisoen reeds vir Boishaai se eerstespan met onderskeiding verteenwoordig, maar daar is ‘n hele paar ander spelers, soos Viaan Mentoor (losskakel), Tristan Fransman (senter), en Aiden Jacobs (vleuel), wat verlede seisoen vir die tweedespan uitgeblink het en gretig sal wees om te bewys dat hulle hoort onder die elite van die skool.

Van die Durbie-span wat verlede jaar koppe in die Wes-Kaap laat draai het, is dit slegs die heelagter, Valrhino Olckers, en stut, Anru van Rhyn, wat weer beskikbaar is, so die wedstyd bied ‘n gulde geleentheid om te sien watter nuwe talent vanjaar gaan hand opsteek vir Hoërskool Durbanville.

Daar is ook ‘n interessante kragmeting tussen die eerstespanne van Hoërskole Overberg en Piketberg, terwyl Hoërskool Stellenbosch se eerstespan litte gaan losmaak teen Porterville se tweedes.

Die spanne:

Hoër Jongenskool t. Durbanville om 16:40:

Hoër Jongenskool Paarl: 15 Francois van der Merwe, 14 Aiden Jacobs, 13 Tristan Joubert, 12 Tristan Fransman, 11 Ashwin Swarts, 10 Viaan Mentoor, 9 Keagan Smith, 8 Douw Wessels, 7 Rubin Dames, 6 Anroux du Plessis, 5 Jayden Joubert, 4 Dian Smal, 3 Juan van der Merwe, 2 Tommy Muller, 1 Bernard du Toit.

Hoërskool Durbanville: 15 Valrhino Olckers, 14 Dale Martin, 13 Luke Barnard, 12 Caleb Engelbrecht, 11 Zayde Cleophas, 10 Claydon Carlse, 9 Kyle Albertus, 8 Adrian Freemantel, 7 Liebrecht Winterbach, 6 Jayden Short, 5 Daniel Havenga, 4 Murdoch van Dyk, 3 Anru van Rhyn, 2 Juan Smit, 1 Hubert Winterbach.

Bepalings op die A-veld:

07:45 – o. 13 – Wesbank t. Bredasdorp
08:30 – o. 15 – Porterville t. Hoër Jongenskool B
09:15 – o. 16 – Porterville t. Hoër Jongenskool B
10:10 – o. 16 – Overberg t. Ceres Sekondêr
11:05 – o. 16 – Hoër Jongenskool t. Durbanville
12:00 – o. 19 – Overberg t. Piketberg
13:10 – o. 19 – Porterville II t. Stellenbosch
14:20 – o. 19 – Hoër Jongenskool II t. Durbanville II
15:30 – o. 19 – Porterville t. Hoër Jongenskool III
16:40 – o. 19 – Hoër Jongenskool t. Durbanville

Die Jakarandastad is aan die gons oor die reuse stryd tussen die twee plaaslike skole, Hoërskool Eldoraigne en Hoërskool Menlopark.

Die Eldo’s het ‘n punt om te bewys na hul nederlaag met ses punte teen Hoërskool Middelburg verlede naweek. Dié kragmeting sou die span van Centurion se selfvertroue nietemin ‘n taamlike hupstoot gegee het. Eldoraigne het heelwat durf aan die dag gelê om met mening terug te veg en so hittete ‘n groot opskudding te veroorsaak.

Losskakel, JP Meyer, sal weer sy skopskoen wil inpak. Hy was nie alleen uitstekend vanaf die skopkegel nie, maar het deurentyd ook die groot Middies-pak met slim taktiese skopwerk laat omdraai.

Voorlangs behoort loskopstut, Jayden Niehaus, die Menlo-verdedigers op hul tone hou. Sy dryfspel, veral in gebroke spel, laat ‘n mens nogal terugdink aan dié van Os du Randt, terwyl sy skrumwerk ook uit die boonste rakke is en sal help om sy span op die voorvoet te plaas.

In teenstelling met Eldoraigne, sal Menlopark vir die eerste keer hierdie naweek in aksie wees. Hulle sal vroeg reeds hul stempel wil afdruk met ‘n dominerende vertoning, ter voorbereiding van die Noordvaal-reeks wat later vanjaar afskop. Die voorry, bestaande uit Phillip du Plessis (vaskopstut), Declan Pelser (haker) en Mattheus Prinsloo (loskopstut), sal ‘n belangrike rol hê om te vervul in die vaste fasette.

Agterlangs beskik hul generaal en losskakel, Logan Botha, oor hope spoed aan sy buitekant, en sal hy soveel as moontlik vir Bladen Pieterse (regtervleuel) en Ruben Fourie (buitesenter) in besit wil stel. Divan Nel, heelagter, sal ook sy lippe aflek vir geleenthede om gevaarlike teenaanvalle van agter te loods.

Hoërskool Nelspruit staar ‘n groot toets in die gesig wanneer hulle, op tuisbodem, teen ‘n goed afgeronde Hoërskool Middelburg te staan kom. Albei spanne het suksesvolle eerste uitstapies in vanjaar se seisoen beleef.

Die Nellies se binnesenter, Divan de Kock, hou beduidende gevaar in met die bal in hand. Die Middies sal ook nie enige strafskoppe in hul eie helfte wil afstaan nie, aangesien De kock ook ‘n skerpskutter van formaat is.

Hoërskool Middelburg se vername wapen is losskakel, Matthew Abbey, wat vroeg reeds in die seisoen getoon het dat hy opponente met die stewel kan straf. Voorlangs wag die woelige Khensani Buthelezi (steelkantflank) op die Nellies se pak, en hy sal moeilik gekeer word wanneer hy op loop gaan.

Hoërskool Kempton Park verwelkom vir Hoërskool Dr. E.G. Jansen tuis, en sal hul spiere, met ‘n span wat spog met 12 oorblywende spelers van 2023, wil bult. Preston Smith, die Kempies se klipharde agtsteman, sal weer hul aanslag van agter die skrum loods.

Marko Opperman, wat verlede jaar op binnesenter en losskakel diens verrig het, sal vanjaar die nr. 10-trui sy eie maak, terwyl Joshua Meyer weer op heelagter die Kempies se agterlyn verder sal versterk.

EG Jansen, bekend vir hul groot pakke voorspelers oor die jare, sal staatmaak op hul slotpaar, Zandre Naude en Gerhard van Aswegen, om met hul fisiekheid die harde manne van Kemptonpark voorlangs te probeer sagmaak. Divan Francis maak ook sy terugkeer op steelkantflank.

Matt Bergman, sal die verantwoordelik as generaal op losskakel neem, met, aan sy buitekant, die gevaarlike senterpaar van Steven Williams en Juandre Jacobs.

In ‘n derby wat vir ten minste nog een keer vanjaar op die spyskaart sal wees, verwelkom Hoërskool Transvalia vir die Rooibulle van HTS Middelburg in Vanderbijlpark.

Transvalia spog met 19 oorblywende spelers van 2023, met loskopstut en staatmaker, Dylan Booth, asook Christiaan Liebenberg (slot) en Juan Bishoff (oopkantflank), wat slaggereed is om die Rooibulle te pak.

Agterlangs maak Dylan Steynman sy terugkeer om weer die leisels as losskakel op te neem, met Anro Nagel wat die nr. 9-trui oor sy kop trek om die gevaarlike skakelpaar te voltooi.

Die Rooibulle het ‘n indrukwekkende begin tot hul seisoen beleef deur met ‘n telling van 30-7 met Hoërskool Die Anker, van Brakpan, af te reken. Die ramkatflank, Toy Engelbrecht, maak sy terugkeer vir ‘n tweede jaar om ook die span van Middelburg aan te voer, en behoort waardevolle ondersteuning van slot, Sam Ndwandwe, te ontvang.

In die agterlyn behoort die kookwater senterpaar van Luhan Graaf en Johnny Dos Santos heelwat kopsere vir die Transvalia-verdedigers te besorg.

Die spanne:

Eldoraigne t. Menlopark om 13:00 in Pretoria:

Hoërskool Eldoraigne: 15 Divan van Rooyen, 14 Hendru van Zyl, 13 Hanno Jacobs, 12 Ivan Vermeulen, 11 MJ Buitendag, 10 JP Meyer, 9 Darren Bruwer, 8 Justin Meintjies, 7 SW Liebenberg, 6 Cameron Killian, 5 Juandre Meyer, 4 Rikus Rheerde, 3 Jaco Fourie, 2 Marnus Prinsloo, 1 Jayden Niehaus.

Hoërskool Menlopark: 15 Divan Nel, 14 Bladen Pieterse, 13 Ruben Fourie, 12 Ruben Rudolph, 11 Reinardt Herbst, 10 Logan Botha, 9 Phillipus de Bruin, 8 Rocco Myburgh, 7 JN van Wyk, 6 Nathen du Plessis, 5 Xander Roets, 4 Keagen Pretorius, 3 Phillip du Plessis, 2 Declan Pelser, 1 Mattheus Prinsloo.

Nelspruit t. Hoërskool Middelburg om 12:20 in Nelspruit:

Hoërskool Nelspruit: 15 Christiaan van Deventer, 14 Tinyiko Silubane, 13 Ian Wood, 12 Divan de Kock, 11 Jordan Pretorius, 10 Theuns Meyer, 9 Liam Pringle, 8 Vaughn van Zyl, 7 Bradley Claasen, 6 Tiaan de Beer, 5 Arrie Raath, 4 Banele Ngwenya, 3 Gert Cloete, 2 Regard Vermaak, 1 Siya Gama.

Hoërskool Middelburg: 15 Le Roux French, 14 Janco Erasmus, 13 Eckard Marx, 12 Marko Mulder, 11 Jacques Greyling, 10 Matthew Abbey, 9 Crawfrod Joubert, 8 Jabu Mathebula, 7 Khensani Buthelezi, 6 CW Hanekom, 5 Joseph Loretz, 4 Rogan van der Walt, 3 Wandisa Mthombeni, 2 Roux Grobler, 1 Wian Olwagen.

Kemptonpark t. Dr. E.G. Jansen om 12:30 in Kemptonpark:

Hoërskool Kemptonpark: 15 Joshua Meyer, 14 Wian Riekert, 13 Tian Aucamp, 12 Tiaan Delport, 11 Vaughn Fouche, 10 Marko Opperman, 9 Ryan Smith, 8 Preston Smith, 7 JP Barnard, 6 Armandt Botha, 5 Luann Schreuder, 4 JP Roos, 3 Zander Luckay, 2 Deon Mulligan, 1 Aiden Nepgen.

Hoërskool Dr. E.G. Jansen: 15 R-Jay Peterson, 14 Jeandre Claassen, 13 Juandre Jacobs, 12 Steven Williams, 11 Keanu van Loggerrenberg, 10 Matt Bergman, 9 Riekus van der Merwe, 8 Storm Labuschagne, 7 Divan Francis, 6 Zaide-Lee Rippenaar, 5 Zandre Naude, 4 Gerhard van Aswegen, 3 Duwan Potgieter, 2 Danre Pike, 1 Zian Marais.

Transvalia t. HTS Middelburg om 13:45 in Vanderbijlpark:

Hoërskool Transvalia: 15 Tsepho Molakeng, 14 Kyle Esterhuyzen, 13 Siyabonga Khambula, 12 Brandonlee Smit, 11 Nkanyiso McCamel, 10 Dylan Steyman, 9 Anro Nagel, 8 Wynand Stols, 7 Daniel Kazuambu, 6 Juan Bishoff, 5 Christiaan Liebenberg, 4 Vincent Brits, 3 Stiaan Breedt, 2 Jaydan McPhearson, 1 Dylan Booth.

HTS Middelburg: 15 Jaque Stassen, 14 Chris Skosane, 13 Johnny Dos Santos, 12 Luhan Graaf, 11 Dandre Oosthuizen, 10 WJ Enslin, 9 Reece Botha, 8 Tercuis Bezuidenhout, 7 Antonie Smuts, 6 Toy Engelbrecht, 5 Sam Ndwandwe, 4 Kagiso Mabizela, 3 Kagiso Gumbi, 2 Hanro Terblanche, 1 Dirk du Plooy.

Hoërskool Wolmaransstad is oorgehaal om die lewe moeilik te maak vir Hoërskool Vryburg, wanneer die twee spanne mekaar Vrydagmiddag in Vryburg takel.

Albei spanne het puik oorwinnings in die eerste ronde van die NWU 16-reeks behaal. Vryburg het vir Hoërskool Fochville met 34-12 getroef, terwyl Wollies ook maklik, met ‘n telling van 47-29, oor Hoërskool Schoonspruit geseëvier het.

Hierdie naweek is egter ‘n perd van ‘n heel ander kleur vir albei spanne.

Die Vryburgers se agtsteman, Keenan Joseph, het sy stempel behoorlik afgedruk in die vorige ronde en sal noukeurig dopgehou moet word. Joseph spog vroeg reeds in die seisoen met twee drieë.

Sy kollega aan die kant van die skrum, Aiden Jonker, behoort ook ‘n doring in die Wollies se verdediging te wees, en is op sy gelukkigste wanneer hy in gebroke spel kan woel.

Die span van Vryburg sal hoop dat heelagter, Jayden Starke, op sy skopvertoning van verlede naweek kan verbeter om die Wollies onder druk te plaas. Starke beskik ook oor bedrieglike vaart en sal gretig wees om teenaanvalle van agter te loods.

Die Wollies beskik self oor ‘n gevaarlike skakelpaar. Lucraine van Wyngaard sal die Vryburgers se verdedigers om die skrums en losskrums besig hou, terwyl Christopher Dennis sy vaardighede op losskakel sal wil tentoonstel.

Zak Knoetze, die Wollies se vaskopstut, sal die nodige vuur voorlangs verskaf. Knoetze se stewige skrumwerk, asook sy sterk stormlopies met die bal, maak van hom ‘n uiters gevaarlike kalant. Die twee woelwater losvoorspelers, Christiaan Jonker (steelkantflank) en Thlalefo Thobeni (agtsteman), behoort ook op die aanval te floreer.

Hoërskool Fochville verwelkom Saterdag vir Hoërskool Schoonspruit in Fochville, en sal wil vergoed vir hul nederlaag teen Vryburg in die eerste ronde.

Petri Schutte, die Fochies se losskakel, sal op sy belowende spelpeil van die eerste wedstryd wil voortbou, en sy skopskoen kan ook deurslaggewend wees indien die span van Fochville ‘n eerste oorwinning van die jaar wil behaal.

Hoërskool Schoonspruit se Elmo Kruger sal die skote voorlangs laat klap. Die woelige haker is besonder effektief by die afbreekpunte, en ook nie te versmaai wanneer dit by die bal dra kom nie.

Hoërskool Ben Viljoen kan uitsien na ‘n taamlike uitdaging wat in Randfontein, teen Hoërskool Riebeeckrand, op hulle wag. Die span van Groblersdal het met hul spogsege van 47-36 oor ‘n begeesterde Leeuwenhof Akademie, ‘n duidelike waarskuwing uitgestuur.

Heelagter, Mignon Stevens, spog reeds met ‘n driekuns , na slegs een wedstryd, en moet so min as moontlik beweegruimte gegun word. Anvernio Davids (losskakel) sal ook ‘n voortdurende bedreiging op die aanval inhou.

Voorlangs sal die bedrywige oopkantflank, Janik Brits, die vuur onder die groot manne, soos die slotte Jaco Botha en Erich Labuschagne, wil aansteek.

Die Spanne:

Hoërskool Vryburg t. Hoërskool Wolmaransstad om 16:45 in Vryburg:

Hoërskool Vryburg: 15 Jayden Starke, 14 Abdurman Amien, 13 Karabelo Mbolekwa, 12 Jordan Rathebe, 11 Tefo Sejake, 10 Christoper Issacs, 9 Rikus Nieuwoudt, 8 Kenan Joseph, 7 Aiden Jonker, 6 Janco Venter, 5 Dehan du Toit, 4 Olerato Bonokwane, 3 Daniel Nortje, 2 Dirk Visser, 1 Cobus van der Berg.

Hoërskool Wolmararsstad: 15 Handro Conradie, 14 Obakeng Lerole, 13 Gisto Mbitso, 12 MJ Hattingh, 11 Antonio Pullen, 10 Christopher Dennis, 9 Lucraine Wyngaardt, 8 Thalefo Thobedi, 7 Christiaan Jonker, 6 Tumelo Senkwane, 5 Dian Smit, 4 Attie Becker, 3 Zak Knoetze, 2 Rea Madito, 1 Anton Duvenhage.

Fochville t. Schoonspruit om 11:15 in Fochville:

Hoërskool Fochville: 15 Athi Ngqele, 14 Branden Pretorius, 13 Tonny Sebola, 12 Junior Naude, 11 Christoff Nagel, 10 Petri Schutte, 9 Vrede Els, 8 Wynand Breytenbach, 7 Simphiwe Ntuli, 6 Martin Kriel, 5 AJ Scheepers, 4 Jenhardt Jansen van Vuuren, 3 Luthando Bayi, 2 Ruan Foord, 1 Pieter Botha.

Hoërskool Schoonspruit: 15 Vuyo Khumalo, 14 Thubuki Omolemo, 13 Henry Enslin, 12 Hano Stander, 11 Sithle Botha, 10 Bevan Morkel, 9 Ruan Britz, 8 Jan-Hendrik Peacock, 7 Hanrich van Antwerp, 6 Duan Kruger, 5 Francois Prinsloo, 4 Ruan van Pletzen, 3 CJ Evert, 2 Elmo Kruger, 1 George Badenhorst.

Riebeeckrand t. Ben Viljoen om 11:45 in Randfontein: 

Hoërskool Riebeeckrand: TBC

Hoërskool Ben Viljoen: 15 Mignon Stevens, 14 Botes Dippenaar, 13 Clementino Bowers, 12 Mihlali Ntlebi, 11 Nathan Boucher, 10 Anvernio Adonis, 9 Joe Cloete, 8 Asheeq Bradford, 7 Tiaan Scheepers, 6 Janik Brits, 5 Jaco Botha, 4 Erich Labuschagne, 3 JP Singleton, 2 Flippie Niemann, 1 Leuco Roberts.

Hoërskool Hans Strijdom: TBC

Leeuwenhof Akademie: TBC

 

 

 

Hoërskool Die Wilgers se netbalspan, beter bekend as die White Eagles, sê Saterdag vir Hoërskool Frikkie Meyer, van Thabazimbi, die stryd aan op hul tuisbaan.

Dit is die eerste ontmoeting tussen dié twee skole in etlike jare.

Mariëtte Keyter, afrigter van die White Eagles, is vasbeslote dat haar span hul volle potensiaal sal verwesenlik ten einde ‘n oorwinning op eie bodem te behaal.

Hoërskool Frikkie Meyer, met slegs 850 leerders, is egter deurgaans onder die top-drie in hul streek.

Volgens Anmarie Möller, die netbalafrigter, is haar spelers geweldig opgewonde oor die seisoen wat voorlê, en verwag sy ‘n geïnspireerde vertoning deur haar span, wat staatmakers soos Dimion Visser en Niché Röhrs insluit. Sy is vol vertroue dat die span, gelei deur die talentvolle HV, Thuto Mano, oorgehaal is vir sukses vanjaar.

Die hoogs verwagte kragmeting vind om 10:00 plaas op Baan 3.

Kearsney College plays their first home game of the 2024 rugby season, on Stott Field, at 15:30 on Saturday, and they open against a school that is expected to be in the conversation as being the best in KZN in 2024, Maritzburg College.

The One-Stripe not only have home ground advantage, but they also have two games under their belt already, having beaten Hoërskool Witteberg 17-5 and Hentie Cilliers 41-14. Rugby fitness has its own specific requirements and game time helps the body adjust to it, so that’s a big plus for the boys from Botha’s Hill.

Kearsney won’t be short of experience either, with nine players who turned out for the 1^st XV in 2023 running out for the side again, among them Roydan Madatt, Anele Cele and Cameron Veenstra (son of former Dolphins’ left-arm fast bowler, Ross), who were all selected for the Sharks u17 team that contested the Academy Week last year.

A number of returning College boys joined the Kearsney trio at the Academy Week, including Langelihle Makhathini, Nkuluko Sithole and Swelihle Mbatha, while Jake Jansen, who was originally selected for the Academy side, was later promoted to the Craven Week team.

When it comes to goalkicking, Daniel Eager has a big left boot and it’s an accurate boot, too. He’s been excellent from all over the field in Kearsney’s first two games and his goalkicking is an asset that can keep the scoreboard ticking over, if the opposition is not disciplined and gives away penalties.

One of the biggest challenges Kearsney will face on Saturday will be up front, with most of the returning players for Maritzburg College being forwards, headlined by their SA Schools’ loosehead, Phiwayinkosi Kubheka.

The College Deputy Head Boy, nicknamed Rambo, is not only a powerful scrummager, but he is also a dynamic ball carrier. Kearsney will know Kubheka is going to be fed the ball around the rucks and mauls. The question is whether or not they can stop him from impacting the game significantly in the visitors’ favour.

Kubheka is joined in the front row by tighthead Aiden Botha, who was also selected for the Sharks’ Craven Week team in 2023. The saying goes that it all starts up front and College will certainly be a big challenge for every opponent they face in the set pieces. They didn’t take a step back for anyone last season and it appears as if the pack will be formidable once again.

While Kearsney brings back nine players with 1^st XV experience, Maritzburg College has a team’s worth – 15 – who pulled on the famous Red, Black and White jersey, with the white badge, last season.

That number, of course, includes another SA Schools’ player in the dynamic fullback, Luyanda Kunene. A sharp weapon whether on the attack or counterattack, Kearsney will need to be aware of him at all times, and they cannot afford to kick onto him and give him time to size up his options. He has the ability to rip any defence to shreds.

For most of 2023, Kearsney beat who they were expected to beat and were beaten by teams that most people thought would beat them. Their best win, arguably, was at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, where they defeated Dr EG Jansen 17-12, and they narrowly lost 26-28 to the English powerhouse, Hartpury College.

They also came close against a very good Michaelhouse team, which was beaten only once, going down 20-23 at home.

They would certainly like to make people’s forecasts tougher to call this season.

Now, with former Springbok and Sharks’ captain Keegan Daniel installed as the Director of Rugby one would imagine their playing philosophy would mirror his creative approach to the game, which made him such a superb and entertaining player. The coaching reins belong to Neil van Heerden and Tera Mtembu, who, like Daniel, captained the Sharks.

Casting an eye over the season, Daniel said Kearsney’s first two KZN games – against College and Durban High School (DHS) – will be very tough, and he also picked out the showdown with Michaelhouse on Kearsney’s Founders Day as a big game. “It will, no doubt, be a highlight for the players, old boys and supporters of Kearsney College,” he said.

For the most part, Kearsney was tough on defence last season, but they’ll be looking to do more on offence. It was only in the Independent Schools Rugby Festival, where a number of the teams featured stayers’ lineups, that they eclipsed the 30-point mark once.

Maritzburg College had no such problems. They managed the feat 11 times, including putting 50 on Affies in Pretoria, in a 50-31 win.

They did, however, start the season with seven-point losses to two very good sides, Michaelhouse and DHS, and they will be eager to avoid a similar start to 2024.

College claimed some excellent scalps in 2023, including KES, Jeppe, the aforementioned Affies, and Noordheuwel. They also had one or two games when they were some way off their best, including against Hilton College and Stellenberg. They’ll want to iron out those inconsistencies this year.

Kearsney represents a dangerous first opponent. The Kearsney boys would know that most would regard them as underdogs, which is always a solid source of motivation, plus playing on Stott Field for the first time this season will have their players ready to run through walls.

College not only brings many players back from last year, but they also return a fine coaching team of Director of Rugby Hendré Marnitz (backs), Tim Orchard (forwards) and Kelvin Elder (defence). They’re an outstanding trio. But some huge challenges await their team, and they’ll be desperate to get away to a winning start.

Apart from the traditional and very competitive KZN derbies, Maritzburg College also faces heavyweights Grey College and Paul Roos at the Wildeklawer Festival. That’s testament to the high regard in which College is held, and it speaks to the high expectations others have for the team in 2024.

Commenting on his hopes for the season, Marnitz said: “We hope to one of the best teams in KZN and we want to go to the tournaments and surprise a couple of teams.”

Development football is in the spotlight this weekend following the DStv Premiership mid-week fixtures where a number of teenagers put on a show in the country’s top-flight competition.

One of those youngsters was 19-year-old Wandile Dube, who was named in the starting line-up for the mighty Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs, and repaid coach Cavin Johnson‘s faith in him by scoring a screamer to secure a 1-0 home win for the Amakhosi over Golden Arrows.

Relebohile Mofokeng, also 19 years of age, started and netted a goal for Orlando Pirates in their mid-week 1-1 draw with Cape Town Spurs, while Siviwe Nkwali (18) and Asekho Tiwani (18) graced the Premiership stage for Spurs and Sekhukhune United respectively.

Two more teenagers, Luphumlo Sifumba (18) and Shakeel April (18), also bagged crucial minutes on the Premiership stage, turning out for Cape Town City in a 0-1 loss to Stellenbosch Football Club on Tuesday.

In the wake of the big-time performances of those teenagers, all eyes, this weekend, will be on the Gauteng Development League (GDL), where most of those youngsters honed their skills in preparation for professional football.

Catch all the action live on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com).

Among the players that will be on show in the GDL is SuperSport United‘s Benjamin Wallis, the captain of the under-19 side from Pretoria, who leads his charges against the defending champions of the division, Highlands Park, at Eskom Megawatt Park.

Wallis will be alongside the reliable Kemorapedi Ngwato and Kagiso Mogokolo, while the promising duo of Keitumetse Lecia and Manelisi Mazibuko will also be out to deny “The Lions of the North” their first three-point haul of the season.

A majority of the SuperSport United u19 players already have experience in the semi-professional DStv Diski Challenge, which will give them confidence that they can handle whatever the defending champions throw at them. However, Highlands Park u19s have the repertoire to make the encounter a closely contested battle between two of the best sides in the division.

In other fixtures, Tuks will go up against East Rand Athletic Club at the University of Pretoria Campus on Saturday, while TS Galaxy welcomes Wits Junior at Sandown High School on the same day.

Mamelodi Sundowns travel to the Randburg Sports Complex to face Randburg AFC, while Sevens Academy takes on Joburg City at the Alberton Football Club facilities.

Rosina Sedibane and Remember Elite host Kaizer Chiefs and Kathorus Hyper at the Rosina Sedibane and President Park Stadium respectively.

In the last of Saturday’s fixtures, Panorama FC welcomes the newbies, NWU Vaal, to the Panorama Sports Ground.

Sunday Fixtures

School of Excellence vs Jomo Cosmos at Elandsfontein.