Hoërskool Diamantveld het met die aanstelling van Philip Molnar en Oloff Bergh ‘n hele paar tree vorentoe gegee om hul rugbyprogram ‘n hupstoot te gee.
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Molnar het reeds ‘n rykdom van ervaring by sy alma mater, Boland Landbou, verwerf. Hy is sedert 2018 betrokke by die skool en sedert 2021 as hoofafrigter van die eerstespan.
Bergh het in 2011 by Boland Landbou as sportorganiseerder begin en is in 2017 as Hoof van Sport aangestel is.
Sy betrokkenheid as hoofafrigter van die Westelike Provinsie XV-tal se span op die Cravenweek oor die afgelope twee jaar getuig van sy toewyding aan sportontwikkeling.
“Na 12 goeie jare by Boland Landbou dink ek dis tyd vir my om êrens anders bietjie ‘n verskil te probeer maak, en die mense van Kimberley en die Noord-Kaap is vriendelik en mens kan sien daar is ‘n hongerte na sukses by die skool,” vertel Bergh oor sy besluit om die skuif na die Diamantstad te maak.
Molnar beaam dat hy ook gerus voel oor die keuse, “Dit is iets wat die Here duidelik oor my pad gestuur het en op my hart gedruk het al sedert Maart toe Diamantveld met my begin gesels het,” sê Molnar.
Hy is reeds besig om voor te berei vir die komende seisoen en was verlede week al in Kimberley om ‘n bosberaad met die ander afrigters te hou.
“Die eerste doel is om ‘n kultuur te skep onder die afrigters dat ons almal saam uit een mond praat en mekaar bystaan.”
“Dit gaan nie oor my, of oor Oloff of enige ander afrigter of speler nie, dit gaan oor Diamantveld-rugby. As ons as ‘n afrigtingspan saam kan staan sal die kinders ook daardie kultuur aanleer,” sê Molnar.
“Hier is ‘n hongerte vir sukses, nie net in terme van die rugby of die sport nie, maar in die hele bestel van die skool. “Ons missie is natuurlik om die voorste Afrikaanse skool in die Noord-Kaap te wees,” sê Bergh.
Nog ‘n opwindende ontwikkeling by Diamantveld is dat landboustudies van volgende jaar af as ‘n vak aangebied sal word.
“‘n Groot deel daarvan is natuurlik om kinders op die dorp te probeer hou,” sê Bergh.
Molnar sien uit na die komende rugbyseisoen en die nuwe uitdagings. Hy onthou sy ervaring van die Diamantveld spelers se gesindheid, selfs in moeilike omstandighede en sien uit na die kans om daardie veggees te help ontwikkel.
“Toe ons as Boland Landbou hierdie jaar teen hulle gespeel het het ons in die eerste helfte die oorhand gehad, maar Diamantveld het in die tweede helfte teruggekom en nooit ophou speel nie. Dit is die tipe “fight” waarmee mens kan werk.”
Die rugbyprogram maak ook gebruik van Pieter Bergh, hoofafrigter van die Griekwas. “Hy’s ‘n konsultant vir ons en hy het reeds begin werk met van die kinders en afrigters”, vertel Molnar.
Die nuus kom kort nadat Diamonds die Noord-Kaapse legende, Eddie Lightfoot, as die Hoof van Rugby aangekondig het. Lightfoot is al ‘n held in Suid-Afrikaanse skolerugby sedert 1979, toe hy HTS Kimberley as kaptein en agtsteman na ‘n historiese oorwinning oor Grey-kollege aangevoer het.
Lightfoot is die ouer broer van die voormalige Junior Springbok en SA Skole-haker, Wessel Lightfoot. Wessel was ‘n lid van Diamantveld se 1980-span wat een van die beste in dié skool se geskiedenis is.
Vanaf 2019 rig Eddie Diamantveld se o.16 span af, wat hierdie jaar die Griekwa-liga verower het.
Alles dui na ‘n groot poging om die Diamonds ‘n hupstoot te gee vir die komende seisoen en weer ‘n trotse kultuur rondom die eerstespan te skep.
The 2023 hockey season is a thing of the past. It was a season where memories were created, records were broken, and some schools asserted dominance, while others underperformed in their respective provinces.
One team, though, proved itself to be the best in the country, not just based on its results, but also on its style of play and the large number of supremely talented players that came through its ranks. Their outstanding year warrants a review and an understanding of the culture of that all-conquering side.
The team in focus is South African College High School or, as it is more commonly known, SACS, from Cape Town.
The 1st XI concluded the season ranked first in the country with a mind-blowing record for the ages. They were, at times, unplayable. In the Mother City, they were undefeated, and they concluded their season with an astonishing 11-1 victory over Wynberg in their final match.
So, let’s take a look back at their campaign, and find out what made this crop of players stand out. More importantly, can SACS move on and rebuild ahead of the 2024 season?
Structures put in place
The hockey programme at SACS is one of the most advanced in the country, with the primary goal being to equip the players with the best resources to achieve at the highest level on the pitch.
International tours are part of the structures that have been put in place to expose them to the pressures of playing against international sides, in foreign conditions, as preparation for a long season in South Africa.
This year was no different for SACS, as they embarked on a tour to The Netherlands.
Coach Pierre le Roux‘s side played six matches during their time abroad, recording four wins, and playing to a stalemate on two occasions. The side also exhibited their sharp goal-scoring form, netting 27 goals, while conceding only 12.
“We started with a tour of Holland, where we played against some of the top Dutch U18 club teams,” Le Roux said in an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools.
“That proved to be a great start to the season, and it also created the feeling in the squad that we wanted to play as many different teams as possible to grow our hockey.”
Not only did SACS remain unbeaten during their stint in The Netherlands, but their victories came against the likes of HC Athena (10-0), Den Bosch (3-1), Leiden (6-4), and Hattem (5-4), – all clubs that are held in high regard.
Just one defeat
Despite an excellent start to the season, SACS were shocked by Paul Roos at the Hibbert Shield Hockey Festival, hosted by Grey High in Gqeberha.
That loss came in the final, after SACS had cruised through the pool stages, quarterfinals, and semis.
They were made to pay for a number of lapses in concentration, which left the teams tied at 2-2 before Paul Roos netted in the dying seconds to leave the Cape Town school in silver medal position at a festival which they had comfortably won in 2022.
That, however, was the first and last defeat SACS would endure the entire season.
“Teams always start a season hoping they will be invincible,” said Le Roux.
“As a unit, we always said that a great season is one where you lose only two matches. Winning is a good feeling, but losing keeps you grounded and working to improve, and that’s why we embraced the defeat against Paul Roos.
“We lost after leading (2-1) with five minutes left in the match. It was a tough loss, but Paul Roos executed their match plan perfectly and caught us off-guard. The result spurred us on to do better in the return matches against them.”
That setback certainly spurred the side to avenge their loss when they met their old foes again during the derby season.
SACS were a much better outfit on the second occasion, playing an enterprising brand of hockey, led by captain Michael Cowen, and ran out impressive 3-1 winners.
Photo: SACS Hockey Facebook Page
From there on, the side kept their 100% winning streak intact, dismantling every opponent they faced along their way.
In the Cape, they made light work of the schools in the southern suburbs, putting 11 past Wynberg, 15 through Rondebosch Boys High, and netting three against Bishops without conceding a goal.
They won all nine derbies that they played against other Western Cape schools. To top off their season, a young side represented the school at the u18 Cape Town International Hockey Festival and convincingly breezed past every team there to win it.
It was a massive shift put in by the boys from SACS: they played 37 matches during the season, won 33 of them, drew three, and lost only one.
Accolades:
If there is something that the hockey programme at the school has proved, it is how an investment can be the catalyst, not only for results, but for the growth and betterment of players.
This season alone, SACS had over 20 players selected to represent Western Province in the u18 and u16 provincial weeks, which were held in Bloemfontein.
First team players’ Rogan Stirk, Michael Cowen, and Michael Royden-Turner were the big achievers, taking home the best goalkeeper, best defender, and best attacker awards at the SASHOC Hockey Week in Bloem, where they helped Western Province lift the title.
Stirk, who is phenomenal between the posts, was also selected for the SA u18 team before being summoned to represent the SA u21 side in the World Cup in Malaysia in December.
Besides Stirk, Cowen, and Royden-Turner, SACS also had Josh Opperman, Ozair Pillai, and Liam Haupt selected for the SA u18 team. The school’s players were at the core of Western Province’s triumph at the provincial week.
In the u16 side, Litha Kraai, who featured for the first team despite being underaged, was, undoubtedly, the stand-out player.
Photo: SACS Hockey Facebook Page
He captained the Western Province u16 team and was named in the SA u16 side. After the IPT, he was named the best player and best midfielder. Later, he was selected to represent South Africa in the Mirnawan Cup in Malaysia, which takes place from the 18th to the 26th of November.
Kraai was joined in the national u16 team by Aiden Hughes, Reece Theunis, and Joshua leRoux.
The juniors will be the key to SACS’s rebuilding project for the forthcoming season. The likes of Kraai, Hughes, and other Western Province representatives, such as Ethan October and Zac Redfern, will need to step up and take responsibility for upholding their school’s sterling hockey reputation.
“We are losing several players that matriculate at the end of this year,” Le Roux said.
“Saying that, we also have a talented bunch of players coming through from our u16 programme, who won the U16 Hibbert Shield this year and the U18 Cape Town International Festival.”
Determination, focus, and consistency played a massive role in the success of SACS in 2023. They’ll be aiming to maintain those standards in the new year.
Gauteng’s best will be in action in the highly anticipated Gauteng Women’s Soccer Tournament, which takes place on the 4th and 5th of November in Alberton. It’s the second edition of the tournament, with Rovers FC serving as the hosts.
“The aim is to bring [together] women’s soccer talent and contribute towards the growth of women’s soccer in the country,” Mondli Keith, one of the event organisers and a South African Football Association (SAFA) photographer, said.
Banyana Banyana‘s participation and success in the 2023 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, has since inspired growth in women’s sports in the country, especially football.
Playing in New Zealand in Group G, Banyana suffered a narrow 1-2 loss to the eventual bronze medallists, Sweden, before drawing 2-2 with Argentina, and then beating Italy 3-2. That put them into the round of 16 where The Netherlands finally ended South Africa’s excellent campaign with a 2-0 win.
Seeing Banyana excel on world’s football biggest stage has given many young players the confidence that they, too, can overcome the many hurdles that women in South Africa often face in sport.
Mondli Keith said Banyana Banyana being crowned the champions of Africa in 2022, followed by performances that established them as a force to be reckoned with at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, has enhanced interest in competitions like the Gauteng Women’s Soccer Tournament.
A total of 16 teams will be in action, competing in groups of four.
The Boland u19 team for the 2023 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week has been announced and it looks well set up to make some noise at the prestigious event, which takes place in Makhanda this year between the 16th and 20th of December.
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Stalwarts, like Paul Roos Gimnasium‘s Riley Norton, Josh Jordaan and Cormey van der Watt, are returning to the squad for a second consecutive year, along with Thando Prusent from Somerset College.
Juanrico Vorster is the most experienced campaigner in the line-up. He represented the province in 2021 and 2022, when he was at Paarl Boys’ High. He has cracked the nod again, after moving to Curro Langebaan.
Johan Wege‘s name might also ring a bell with South African schoolboy cricket lovers, especially among the Boishaai faithful, as his older brother Gysbert tore it up at the previous two instalments of the tournament. Gysbert has continued to shine and starred for the Southern Superstars at the CSA Cubs Week in Stellenbosch earlier in the year.
Van der Watt, Norton and Prusent also represented the Southern Superstars in 2023.
Having made the SA Colts squad last year, Norton will have his eyes set on the SA Schools team this year in an effort to join an elite list of athletes to be selected for the SA Schools sides in rugby and cricket.
Paul Roos has been dominant in their end-of-year matches. They were unbeaten at the Cape Schools Festival, where they won against Bishops, Parel Vallei and Paarl Boys’ High. That success is reflected in the make-up of the Boland team, with the proud school from Stellenbosch boasting the most selections.
Prusent, who proved his capabilities at 2022 tournament, has been joined this year by his schoolmate Chad Ayford, who has been in splendid form with the bat for Somerset College, lighting up the Taberer Oval time after time, and he will relish the opportunity to do the same in his province’s colours in Makhanda.
The team:
Boland u19: Henrico Albertus (Paulus Joubert), Callum Appolis (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Chad Ayford (Somerset College), Stefan Conradie (Boland Landbou), Josh Jordaan (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Sibulele Makeleni (Parel Vallei), Khaya Miselo (Desmond Tutu High School), Riley Norton (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Thando Prusent (Somerset College), JJ van der Sandt (Paarl Boys’ High), Cormey van der Watt (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Juanrico Vorster (Curro Langebaan), Johan Wege (Paarl Boys’ High).
4 Paul Roos Gimnasium | 2 Paarl Boys’ High | 2 Somerset College | 1 Boland Landbou | 1 Curro Langebaan | 1 Desmond Tutu High School | 1 Parel Vallei | 1 Paulus Joubert High School
3 Paarl Boys’ High | 3 Paul Roos Gimnasium | 2 Somerset College | 1 Boland Landbou | 1 Charlie Hofmeyr | 1 Hopefield | 1 New Orleans | 1 Paulus Joubert High School
St Benedict’s College continued an outstanding run of form to be crowned the champions of the 2023 Pharoah Inanda Hoops U18 Basketball Tournament, which was hosted by St David’s Marist Inanda from the 26th of October to the 29th of October.
A month after winning the Kearsney Independent Schools Stayers’ Basketball Tournament (ISSBT), Bennies added another title to their trophy cabinet. Michael Mount joined Maritzburg College, who were beaten in the final of the ISSBT, as a victim of St Benedict’s in a gold-medal match.
In Sunday’s nail-biting final, St Benedict’s overcame a tough challenge from their fellow Johannesburgers to secure a 57-50 victory and lay claim to the prestigious title.
The rivalry between the two teams was very visible as the same schools had met in the u15 final, with Michael Mount emerging as the winners of that showdown by a 50-36 margin.
The finals of both age groups marked the end of an exciting and highly competitive tournament, which brought together some of the best academies and schools in the South African basketball fraternity for four days of lung-busting competition. Included among them were the Soweto Basketball Academy, St John’s College and Parktown Boy’s High School.
A total of 16 teams competed in both the under-15 and under-18 competitions, with each playing three full round-robin games and at least two classification games over the course of the three-day tournament.
The last match, the under-18 final, was game 100 on the programme. Despite the inclement weather in Gauteng, and the hustle and bustle, noise and excitement, of the event, everything went off without a hitch.
Players from St Benedict’s and Michael Mount made up the majority of the All-Star teams, which were announced at the conclusion of the tournament, with Luca Amerseder (Michael Mount) garnering MVP honours in the under-15 age group and Ike Ekjike (St Benedict’s) being named MVP among the under-18s.
u15 All Stars
Lesego Legoete (St John’s), Michael Okeke (King’s School Linbro Park), Leandro Varonou (St Benedict’s), Rishaan Gupta (Michael Mount).
1 Michael Mount, 2 St Benedict’s, 3 St Alban’s, 4 St John’s, 5 St Stithians, 6 St David’s, 7 Sacred Heart, 8 King’s School Linbro Park, 9 Parktown, 10 KES, 11 Hilton College, 12 Jeppe, 13 St Peter’s, 14 Redhill, 15 St Andrew’s, 16 St John’s U15B.
u18 Positions
1 St Benedict’s, 2 Michael Mount, 3 St Stithians, 4 St David’s, 5 KES, 6 St John’s, 7 Soweto, 8 Jeppe, 9 Hilton, 10 Inanda Invitation, 11 Sacred Heart, 12 St Andrew’s, 13 King’s School Linbro Park, 14 Parktown, 15 St Peter’s, 16 St John’s U18B.
After two days of unlimited overs cricket failed to produce a winner in Bloemfontein, where St Benedict’s College were being hosted by St Andrew’s School, the deadlock was broken by a T20 match on Sunday.
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The locals managed to reach the St Benedict’s total with just six balls remaining, thanks to a dominant display at the crease by opening batsman Andrew Sobiech, who struck 62 from 38 deliveries.
That came after the St Benedict’s innings, in which Clayton Horlick looked phenomenal, smashing five sixes on his way to 93 from only 61 deliveries. His efforts were supported by Declan le Roux‘s unbeaten 55.
Dakalo Leketa, who made the SA Colts team in 2022, was a menace with the ball in hand all weekend and led the attack again on the final day, taking 2/21. His counterpart on the opposing team, Carl Goosen, matched these figures for the boys from Bedfordview.
Despite the strong start by the visitors, St Andrew’s managed to finally secure a hard-fought victory thanks to their top-order each doing their bit to help chase down the target of 170.
Sobiech laid the foundation with his rapid half-century, and the young Reuben van Aarde did well to hold up his end and see out the innings.
The T20 on Sunday turned into a decider after the weekend’s unlimited overs, double-innings game ended in a draw.
The boys from the City of Roses got the action underway on Friday, batting first, and their top order set up an impressive foundation for the innings.
Sobiech came agonizingly close to a century, falling just one run short, with 99, while FG Botha made a significant contribution of 76 runs. Naude Botha chipped in with 22.
Parth Patel, the ace of the St. Benedict’s bowling attack, claimed an impressive five wickets for 71 runs, ably supported by Ross Pengelley, who also took three crucial wickets for just 19 runs.
Horlick was the standout performer for St. Benedict’s in their first innings, scoring a gritty 73, but the bowling attack of St. Andrew’s was relentless, with Leketa leading the charge and snaring five wickets for 74 runs.
With a lead of 43 runs, St Andrew’s School took to the crease once again on Saturday, hoping to make their advantage count.
Naude Botha led the way the second time around, notching up a crucial 79, including 14 boundaries. Van Aarde was also in on the action, adding 63 more to their tally of 221/7.
Patel and Cruz Pillay continued to be a thorn in the side for St. Andrew’s, with Patel claiming 3/59, and Pillay picking up 2/49.
With a target of 265 to chase down, St. Benedict’s College showed their mettle. Goosen led from the front with a sublime knock of 87 from 49 deliveries.
Leketa was exceptional for the Bloemfontein team once again, playing a part in all five wickets, taking three himself and palming two catches off deliveries by JC Young.
Despite the determination shown by both sides to achieve a win, the match ended in a draw, with St Benedict’s College at the crease on 173/5 after 22 overs on the second day.
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Your participation will help us recognise and showcase the true stars and stories of 2023. Submit your nominations on the following link – https://bit.ly/SSClassof2023.
Summarised scorecards:
St Andrew’s School vs St Benedict’s College (T20)
St Benedict’s 170/3 (Clayton Horlick 93, Declan le Roux 55*; Dakalo Leketa 2/21); St Andrew’s School 171/5 (Andrew Sobiech 62, Reuben van Aarde 25*, Naude Botha 20; Carl Goosen 2/21). St Andrew’s won by five wickets.
St Andrew’s School vs St Benedict’s College (Double innings, unlimited overs)
St Andrew’s School first innings 254 (Andrew Sobiech 99, FG Botha 76, Naude Botha 22; Parth Patel 5/71, Ross Pengelley 3/19); St Benedict’s College first innings 211 (Clayton Horlick 73, Marco Mendes 34, Declan le Roux 30, Brandon Blake 24; Dakalo Leketa 5/74, Johan Liebenberg 2/29, JC Young 2/31); St Andrew’s School second innings 221/7 (Naude Botha 79, Reuben van Aarde 63, FG Botha 31; Parth Patel 3/59, Cruz Pillay 2/49); St Benedict’s College second innings 173/5 (Carl Goosen 87, Clayton Horlick 35, Brandon Blake 23; Dakalo Leketa 3/47, JC Young 2/50). Match drawn.
Hoërskool Trio vs St Dominic’s College (50-over)
St Dominic’s College 31 (Alessio Salvado 13; Bokang Mohasa 4/6, WJ van Niekerk 3/17, Miguel Menino 2/0); Hoërskool Trio 32/0 (Franco de Wet 20*, Miguel Menino 12*). Hoërskool Trio won by 10 wickets.
Sasolburg High School vs Witteberg (44-over)
Sasolburg High School 227 (Extras 37, Nathan Swanepoel 33, Liam Singleton 29, Meyer Pretorius 28, Francois Espach 25, Jan Hendrik Espach 21; Zander Fourie 4/61, Stefan Geldenhuys 3/15); Witteberg 98 (MC Smit 38, Zander Fourie 25; Nathan Swanepoel 4/27, Jan Hendrik Espach 3/15). Sasolburg High School won by 116 runs.
Gauteng Development League administrator Muzi Shangase has heaped praise on Highlands Park, declaring the club deserving champions of the 2023 season.
The Balfour Park-based outfit enjoyed an almost flawless campaign – occupying top-spot throughout the season.
“The games were a success,” said Shangase, reflecting on the gruelling eight-month-long league.
He was by no means surprised by the success of Highlands Park. “Looking back at last season, Highlands Park carried momentum into this year. Last season, they finished second after a Mamelodi Sundowns’ domination,” said Shangase.
“In terms of the personnel, from the players to the coaches, there’s not much change from last season. I think they are deserving champions because of the consistency they showed throughout. They have been leading from day one, and that is a tough task looking at the quality of their opponents, such as Mamelodi Sundowns, the School of Excellence and Kaizer Chiefs.” he added.
Focus now shifts to the GDL Youth Cup, which gets underway this week. The tournament features Gauteng’s top teams, including Highlands Park, but also allows for some of the sides that compete in lower promotional leagues to be part of the action.
“Regarding the GDL Youth Cup tournament, it is starting this weekend with 31 teams, [including] teams from the promotional leagues, and also teams from the recently concluded GDL,” said Shangase.
“We’re looking forward to this exciting tournament. The good thing about this tournament is that it allows teams from the promotional leagues to showcase their talents and also build relationships with GDL teams.”
The curtain raiser of the Youth Cup will be a match between Kagiso Porto and the School of Excellence on Saturday.
South African College High School (SACS), and Herschel Girls School put on impressive showings to win their respective finals at the St Stithians Water Polo Invitational in Johannesburg on Sunday.
SACS defeated St John’s College (7-6) in the boys’ final, while Herschel edged out Roedean School (5-4) to claim the girls’ honours.
The Saints title, the third won in the past month, confirmed SACS’ status as the number one side in South Africa, following on from the Clifton Water Polo Tournament, where they beat Paul Roos 7-6 in the title-decider, and the Hussar Grill SACS Water Polo Tournament, in which they handed Paul Roos a 7-6 loss to claim the honours.
The 29th edition of the tournament saw 40 schools and over 500 learners assemble to lock horns in pursuit of the prestigious silverware.
The opening two days of the tournament, which featured group stage competition, left SACS, St John’s College and St Andrew’s College unbeaten in the boys’ section, while Rondebosch won three of four but topped Pool B, ahead of Hilton College and Affies, who also lost only once, with Hilton beating Rondebosch, Rondebosch beating Affies, and Affies defeating Hilton.
There were some notable victories on day one, including Michaelhouse‘s tight 8-6 win over King Edward VII, while SACS outplayed their rivals Bishops 11-6, and the hosts, St Stithians, cruised to an emphatic 12-4 victory against Bloemfontein’s Grey College.
On day two, SACS, who had also beaten Pretoria Boys High on the opening day, kept their foot on the pedal, maintaining their momentum with a convincing 13-5 win over a Michaelhouse side who had won both of their opening day contests. They followed that up with a closer-than-expected 12-10 victory against King Edward VII.
The girls’ action got off to a cracking start with Durban Girls College and Pearson High producing 14 goals and sharing a 7-7 stalemate.
Herschel, meanwhile, asserted their dominance from the start. They opened their campaign with a 25-7 thumping of Crawford Lonehill, before seeing off Makhanda’s Kingswood College 9-4 in their second match of the opening day.
The other finalists, Roedean, also signalled their intent on day one, putting 22 goals past Rand Park High after handing a more-than-useful KingswoodCollege team an 8-3 defeat in their opener.
Day two brought Herschel and Roedean together late in the day for top spot in Pool C, and it was the Johannesburg school who comfortably handled their Cape Town opponents, pulling off a 9-4 win, despite Herschel having netted 65 times in their previous three outings.
Meanwhile, St Stithians and Reddam Constantia, went four for four in their pools, while St Dominic’s Catholic topped a very competitive Pool A.
In the boys’ playoffs, SACS saw off Clifton 7-3 in the quarterfinal and then withstood a stiff challenge from St Andrew’s College, winning 8-6, to book their place in the final.
St John’s, meanwhile, had a narrow 8-7 quarterfinals win over Bishops before handing St Stithians a 7-5 defeat to move on to the title-decider.
Having processed their defeat against Roedean overnight, Herschel came roaring back to dismantle Collegiate 15-3, which secured them a spot in the quarterfinals. There, they cruised to an 11-4 triumph over St Dominic’s to set up a semi-final against Reddam Constantia. The all-Cape clash went the way of Herschel 8-4.
Meanwhile, Roedean continued their winnings ways in the quarterfinals, doubling up Reddam House Bedfordview 8-4 before squeaking past Clarendon 8-7 to reach the final.
With the title on the line, Herschel reversed their earlier loss to Roedean, with a 5-4 win securing them the St Stithians Invitational crown for a first time.
The boys’ final had barely begun before play was stopped due to lightning, which forced the showdown to be moved to Reddam House Helderfontein‘s indoor facility. Back in the water, SACS were pushed all the way by St John’s, but they showed champions’ pedigree to win 7-6.
Their team chemistry, individual flashes of brilliance, and composure in defence proved to be a winning mix. Nicholas Fall, who ended the tournament as the best attacker, was especially influential in the title-decider and throughout the playoffs.
Overall standings:
Boys: South African College Schools (SACS), St John’s College, St Andrew’s College, St Stithians College, St David’s Marist Inanda, Rondebosch Boys High, Diocesan College (Bishops), Clifton College, Hilton College, Michaelhouse, Affies, Grey College, St Alban’s, Grey High, King Edward VII, Jeppe, Pretoria Boys High, Reddam House Constantia, Reddam House Helderfontein, St Benedict’s College.
Girls: Herschel Girls School, Roedean School, Reddam House Constantia, Clarendon High School, Reddam House Bedfordview, St Dominic’s Catholic, Diocesan School for Girls (DSG), St Stithians College, Kingswood College, St Mary’s Waverley, Collegiate, Pearson High School, St Anne’s Diocesan School, Durban Girls College, Kingsmead College, Crawford Lonehill, Chisipite Senior School, Rand Park High, St Peter’s College, Reddam House Helderfontein.
The SuperSport United Football Club has wished 10 of its DStv Diski Challenge players the best of luck, as they sit for their matric final exams from Monday, 30 October. The players are spread among various schools in Gauteng.
Among those writing is 18-year-old Chandre Campbell, who has already featured for the Matsatsantsa 1st team, after being thrown in the deep end by coach Gavin Hunt. Campbell has displayed a sweet left foot and looks like he will become a force to be reckoned with in South African football.
He has made five appearances in the DStv Premiership so far and garnered one goal assist.
Campbell played a major role as United were crowned the Diski Challenge winners, taking advantage of some slip-ups by Orlando Pirates in the last few games of the season after the Sea Robbers had topped the table for a long time.
Campbell, who slotted 16 goal goals in 27 appearances, was recently honoured by his school, Curro Sagewood, for his academic achievements. As a prefect, he also received a Leadership Award, and he was named the school’s Sportsman of the Year.
The players that will be starting their matric exam journey are Neo Rapoo, Thabang Mahlangu, Kabelo Selowa, Kagiso Makgokolo, Motebang Matube, Jason Cox, Tshepo Mahlatsi, Keabetswe Khonyane and Bohlale Ngwato.
Garsfontein’s 1st XI, known as the Ysbere, have booked themselves a mouthwatering showdown against Waterkloof in the semifinals of the Noordvaal Gunn & Moore competition after comfortably beating Hoërskool Nelspruit on Saturday.
Nelspruit won the toss and elected to make use of the batting-friendly Highveld conditions. However, the visitors were pegged back by the loss of two early wickets before Jaydon Meyer led a recovery with a fighting knock of 47 from 48 deliveries.
John Duncan also played his part, providing much-needed support for Meyer, with a run-a-ball 30, while Branden Bouch contributed a vital 25 not out.
Garsies’ Nayleo Sanna enjoyed a fine outing with the ball, capturing 4/34 from his nine overs. Sanna’s star turn, with good support from the rest of the attack, resulted in Nellies being bowled out in the 43rd over for 207.
The strong Garsie batting line then dominated at the crease. Xander Venter led their charge with an unbeaten 61 from just 45 deliveries, while Gustav Beer made a telling 58 not out from 48 balls.
They benefitted from a sturdy platform which had been laid by opening batsman Reuben van Zyl, who made 43. The trio’s consistent contributions were too much for the Nelspruit attack and Garsfontein cruised home, reaching the required target in only the 27th over.
Potchefstroom Gimnasium also booked a place in the semi-finals after seeing off Hoërskool Monument.
Gimmies, wielding the willow first, posted a respectable 240 all out. James Wood shone with a controlled 59 from 82 deliveries. In support of Wood, Caiden Seleka showcased his abilities with an important 43, while Zavier van Niekerk delivered a crucial cameo of 32, to set up a difficult chase for the side from Krugersdorp.
Joshua McCoy was the pick of the Monnas’ bowlers, sending four batsmen packing for 43 runs.
In pursuit of 241 to win, Monument’s run chase looked comfortably set at 53/2. However, they were soon in deep trouble as Philip du Plessis tore through their middle order, snatching four wickets.
Ibrahim Haffejee, with a splendid 42 from 39, did a good job of stemming the tide, but rain then ended the contest, which resulted in Gimmies taking a win by 18 runs via the Duckworth Lewis Method.
Summarised scorecards:
Nelspruit 201/10 (Jayden Meyer 47, John Duncan 30, Branden Bouch 25*, Davico Kruger 20; Nayleo Sanna 4/34); Garsfontein 209/3 (Ander Venter 61*, Gustav Beer 58*, Reuben van Zyl 43; Jayden Meyer 1/28). Garsfontein won by seven wickets.
Potchefstroom Gimnasium 240/10 (James Wood 59, Caiden Seleka 43, Zavier van Rensburg 32, Marnu Cronje 28, Ruan Lotz 22; Joshua McCoy 4/43, Antoni van Niekerk 2/34); Monument 195/8 (Ibrahim Haffejee 42*, Thlowi Davies 27, Antoni van Niekerk 21; Philip du Plessis 4/46). Potchefstroom Gimnasium won by 18 runs via DLS.
The Boland u19 team for the 2023 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week has been announced and it looks well set up to make some noise at the prestigious event, which takes place in Makhanda this year between the 16th and 20th of December.
Garsfontein’s 1st XI, known as the Ysbere, have booked themselves a mouthwatering showdown against Waterkloof in the semifinals of the Noordvaal Gunn & Moore competition after comfortably beating Hoërskool Nelspruit on Saturday.