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Westville Boys’ High cricket captain Seth Simpson delivered a dream performance to guide his team to a seven-wicket win over Durban High School in the final of the W100 Series at Kingsmead, in Durban, on Wednesday evening.

When last the schools had met, in the final of the Clifton T20 Tournament, DHS had won by 15 runs. That day, DHS fast bowler and captain Bayanda Majola struck Simpson a fearsome blow, resulting in a concussion. To add insult to injury, the ball, after hitting the Westville skipper, trickled onto the stumps and dislodged the bails.

This time, it was Simpson, with his leg spin and his bat, dictating the path of the match. He knocked over 5/11 in four overs, which helped restrict DHS to only 101 all out. Then, he followed up with an unbeaten 50 from just 34 balls, with six fours and one memorable, humungous, straight-driven six, to see his side to the title with 22 balls to spare.

On an individual note, he said of his performance: “It’s special, but I’ll keep trying to have more of these performances. I’ve had one or two in the past, but nothing as special as that. In a final, there is always pressure, but I’m looking to do that more often. That’s my goal.”

The atmosphere was lively, with large numbers of boys from both schools out to support their teams, when DHS captain Bayanda Majola won the toss and opted to bat first.

There was an early success for Westville when Heath Stott clean-bowled Ethan Cooper for five, but Ismaeel Omar and Josh van Biljon, School‘s key batsmen, settled down quickly. Van Biljon, in particular, looked extremely comfortable. He struck two fours and effortlessly clipped a ball off his pads for six.

However, he went for one big shot too many when he attempted to loft Dayalan Boyce over long-off. His shot was a little too flat and Sean McGough raced in from the boundary and dived forward to pull off a superb catch. Van Biljon was out for 15 from 10 deliveries.

The very next ball, Boyce struck again, this time with a pinpoint yorker, which cleaned out the dangerous Taine Havermann. That was a massive blow for the Griffin and it left DHS on a wobbly 31/3.

Lazlo Jooste and Ismaeel Omar steadied the innings, however, with a well-constructed 62-run partnership. They worked the ball around the wicket nicely and ran well between the wickets. It took Boyce to end their fine stand with another superb yorker, which accounted for Omar. He had faced 36 balls, struck three fours, and made 33 runs.

DHS had fallen to 93/4, but Westville skipper Seth Simpson, after a change of ends to the Friendship Pavilion side, then destroyed School’s innings.

He bowled Dhilan Naraidu for two and also knocked back Lazlo Jooste’s, Sibusiso Msibi‘s, and Bonga Maphanga‘s stumps. Jooste had contributed a well-played 26 from 31 balls. Rahul Chetty was a further victim, trapped in front, as Simpson picked up three wickets in four balls.

While Simpson did the trick with his leg spin, Dayalan Boyce made things happen with his pace, and another precise yorker took out Bayanda Majola’s stumps.

Once 93/3, DHS crashed to 101 all out after 91 balls. While Simpson snagged a five-for, Boyce finished with 4/25 from 16 balls.

In reply, Sean and Kyle McGough put on 16 for the first wicket before Bonga Maphanga bowled Sean for three. That brought Seth Simpson to the wicket. Immediately, DHS captain Bayanda Majola brought himself on to bowl. How would Simpson respond to the challenge of the man who had caused him a concussion? The answer was with courage and class.

He and Kyle McGough added 51 runs to put their team into the ascendancy before McGough was trapped in front by Majola after scoring 17 from 22 balls, with two fours.

Simpson, though, had taken charge. He and Misbah Nair added 30, with Nair contributing only one sweetly struck four. When he was caught behind by Josh van Biljon off Taine Havermann, Westville needed only five runs to win. They made it across the line without the loss of another wicket.

Remarkably, for the fifth year in succession, Westville was crowned the 1st XI champion of the W100 League.

To no one’s surprise, Seth Simpson received the Bowler of the Match, Batsman of the Match, and Man of the Match awards.

There was some pressure to continue what had been a four-year winning streak, Simpson said afterwards: “That was always in the back of my mind. It doesn’t matter at the end of the day. Winning was our focus, not focusing on other things, just doing the small things right. That was good.”

He had dominated the game, but, he had no doubt, it was a good all-round team effort that brought his side the title: “They are a special bunch of boys,” he said of his side. “I think the vibe and the environment that we have created is something so special.”

In the u15 final, DHS, twice beaten by Westville earlier in the season, turned the tables, scoring a convincing 25-run win, while the u14 title went the way of Westville, who beat Kearsney College by 36 runs.

The u16 final, between Westville and Northwood School, will be played at Northwood on Friday.

SCORES

1st XI
Durban High School 101/10 (Ismaeel Omar 36, Lazlo Jooste 26, Seth Simpson 5/11, Dayalan Boyce 4/25); Westville Boys’ High 102/3 (Seth Simpson 50*, Taine Havermann 1/15). Westville Boys’ High won by seven wickets.

u15
Durban High School 125/4 (Jeremiah Joseph 67, Yunus Limalia 2/24); Westville Boys’ High 100/5 (K. McDowell 25, Kian Govindsamy 2/16). Durban High School won by 25 runs.

u14
Westville Boys’ High 122/5 (Cameron Rudolph 43*, M. Shea 28, Ryan Staats 1/19); Kearsney College 86/6 (L. Crandon 28, Luyanda Nzuza 1/4). Westville Boys’ High won by 36 runs.

Die langverwagte NWU Prestige-reeks skop hierdie naweek af en beloof om vanjaar weer van Suid-Afrika se beste skolenetbal-talent ten toon te stel. Hierdie reeks, wat bekend is vir sy hoë gehalte spel en intense mededinging, bring top netbalskole bymekaar in ‘n stryd om prestige en trots.

Een van die openingswedstryde beloof reeds om ‘n kragmeting van formaat op te lewer wanneer Potchefstroom Volkskool en Hoërskool Pietersburg mekaar die stryd aansê. Albei skole het ‘n ryke sportgeskiedenis en hulself gevestig onder die bestes in die land. Die verwagting is dat hierdie stryd volop vuur en passie sal wees.

Nog ‘n opwindende ontmoeting is die kragmeting tussen Bergsig Akademie en Heidelberg Volkskool. Hierdie skole is bekend vir hul talentvolle spelers en sal ongetwyfeld ‘n intense en mededingende tweestryd afgee. Die balans tussen kragspel en taktiese vernuf behoort hier ‘n groot rol te speel.

Die laaste ontmoeting van die naweek is tussen Die Anker en Hoërskool Wagpos, waar twee trotse spanne mekaar die stryd aansê. Albei skole het ‘n sterk sportkultuur en hierdie wedstryd beloof om ‘n fassinerende botsing van spelstyle te wees.

Met die NWU Prestige-reeks wat afskop, is die tafel gedek vir ‘n skouspel van talent, toewyding en onverbiddelike geesdrif. Sportliefhebbers kan uitsien na ‘n naweek van topgehalte netbal, waar elke span alles op die baan gaan los. Hou gerus dop vir opdaterings en uitslae soos die reeks vorder.

Bepalings:

Bergsig t. Heidelberg Volkskool

09:00 o. 16 B, o. 14 A, o. 15 B

09:40 Tweede span, o. 15 A, o. 14 B

10:10 o. 14 C, o. 16 A, o. 15 C

10: 50 o. 16 C, o. 17 A

11:30 Eerste span

Die Anker t. Hoërskool Wagpos

08:30 o. 17 A, o. 14 A, o. 15 B

09:10 Tweedes, o. 16 A, o. 14 B

09:45 o. 15 A, o. 16 B, o. 17 B

10:20 Eerste span, o. 14 C, o. 14 B

Potchefstroom Volkskool t. Pietersburg

08:00 Tweedes, o. 15 B, o. 16 B

08:45 o. 14 A, o. 17 B, Derdes, o. 16 A

09:30 o. 14 B, o. 15 A, o. 17 A

10:15 Eerste span

Manchester City may be fourth in the English Premier League standings, with virtually no chance of climbing to the top spot this season, and many criticising their 2024/25 campaign. However, here at home, in South Africa, Highlands Park u19 coach, Sifiso Mnguni, takes inspiration from manager Pep Guardiola‘s tenure with City.

Who can blame Mnguni for drawing strength and learning from Guardiola’s journey at City? After all, the former Spanish international has won six league titles with the club since taking charge in 2016.

Mnguni, who will attempt to lead another defence of the Gauteng Development League (GDL) title this season, highlighted how Guardiola’s unique tactical approach and his belief in his ideas has impacted his own journey as a coach in an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus.

Mnguni has won back-to-back league titles with the “Lions of the North“, a feat that is incredibly hard to achieve.

“This guy evolved modern-era football. There are things in football that people say can’t happen because it is too risky,” Mnguni said when discussing Guardiola’s impact.

“He went to England and people said you can’t play from the back in England. He played from the back and changed the entire game.

“He changed English football and did the same in Germany and at home in Spain. He’s just a unique guy when it comes to approaching the beautiful game.”

With successive league titles in the bag, Mnguni told SuperSport Schools Plus that the second title carried more weight than the first because of the struggles that Highlands Park went through before coming out on top last season.

“The first one, we had a great team, a team that knew each other very well and a team that showed togetherness,” he said. “The second one, we had a lot of difficulties. It was just so painful. I felt like we needed to work extremely hard to achieve the back-to-back. It was so difficult to get this team going.

“We had to go to the Bayhill tournament [in Cape Town] by bus to build the team, for the players to get to know each other, and for us as the management staff, as well. We grew a lot together in that tournament and came back a totally different team.”

Mnguni will be faced with similar challenges this season. He’s seen many players depart, so it’s time for another rebuild.

However, with the experience he gained last season, Mnguni is confident he can make it work to his benefit and guide Highlands Park to another defence of the league title.

“To be honest, I have lost quite a few players,” he shared. “Egan Freese went to Chiefs, and others are now in the first team because our first team is challenging to get into the ABC Motsepe League and is on top of the log,” Mnguni said.

“We have to restructure and start again. We have four or five boys in the team. When you look at our u17 team and where they finished last year, it’s a bit tricky. It makes it difficult for us. We’ll try to build. For now, we look much better. We look decent.”

Mnguni’s second title defence of the title, and the start of an attempt to make it three GDL crowns on the trot, starts this coming weekend.

Die NWU Sportreeks loods hierdie naweek en laat weer van Suid-Afrika se beste skolenetbal-talent kragte meet. Die Sportreeks, bekend vir die hoë gehalte spel en intense mededinging wat dit jaarliks oplewer, bring top netbalskole teen mekaar te staan op die baan.

Die openingswedstryd tussen Hoërskool Middelburg en Dr. EG Jansen beloof reeds om ‘n kragmeting van formaat te lewer. As van die beste skole in die land, elk met ‘n ryke sportgeskiedenis, behoort Middies se fisieke benadering tot die spel teenoor EG Jansen se vinnige, dinamiese styl ‘n boeiende stryd af te gee. Die ondersteuners kan uitsien na ‘n spel gevul met aksie, passie en beslissende oomblikke.

Hoewel Eldoraigne en Menlopark se wedstryde nog nie finaal bevestig is nie, ly dit geen twyfel dat hierdie twee spogskole ook ‘n groot impak op die reeks kan hê nie. Beide skole is bekend vir hul uitmuntende sportprestasies en hul deelname beloof om die kompetisie verder te versterk.

Die NWU Sportreeks bied ‘n verhoog vir die skouspel van talent, toewyding en onverbiddelike geesdrif. Sportliefhebbers kan uitsien na ‘n naweek van topgehalte netbal en aksiebelaaide wedywering. Hou gerus dop vir opdaterings en uitslae soos die reeks vorder.

Bepalings:

Hoërskool Middelburg t. Dr. EG Jansen

08:15 o. 14 B, o. 15 A, o. 16 B, o. 14C

08:55 o. 17 A, o. 16 A, o. 15 B

09:40 Tweedes, o. 14 A, o. 15 C, o. 17 B

10:30 Eerstes

While some provinces take a definitive swing towards the winter season this weekend, KwaZulu-Natal continues with its summer derbies and there are some fantastic matches scheduled, including Hilton College hosting Michaelhouse on the Hart-Davis Oval.

It’s interesting not just because it is a traditional rivalry, it’s also because both teams’ fortunes have been trending in the right direction in recent weeks.

While Hilton got the better of Michaelhouse at the Clifton T20 Tournament in an eliminator game for a place in the semi-finals, Michaelhouse impressed at the past weekend’s Independent Schools Cricket Festival (ISCF), scoring three wins from three matches, taking down St Andrew’s College, St John’s College, and St John’s College (Harare).

The key to Michaelhouse’s renaissance has been much better batting, led by opening batsman and captain, Ethan Muir. He strikes the ball hard and sets the tone. It has been, pretty much, a case of a good start equalling good batting from Michaelhouse. If they don’t start well, they have been, at times, somewhat fragile. Right now, though, they’re playing confidently.

Hilton, too, has had some issues on the batting front. However, much like Michaelhouse’s Ethan Muir, their captain, Ben Hockly, has led from the front and he top-scored in wins over St Benedict’s College and Woodridge College at the ISCF.

While Hilton features a versatile spin attack, they will look to their opening bowler, Sechaba Gude, to make an impact up front. He was the Bowler of the Tournament at the Clifton T20, and if he makes early inroads against ‘House, that could set the hosts up for another win over their archrivals on the Hart-Davis Oval.

Durban High School vs Clifton College 

Clifton College and Durban High School tangle on the weekend on the Theobald Oval. Recent matches between the schools have been absorbing. Clifton won at DHS in late 2024 in a T20 while School won at the Riverside Sports Club shortly after that in a limited-overs game.

After successfully defending the Clifton T20 Tournament title, DHS will be full of confidence. Clifton, meanwhile, heads into the game after delivering one of their better performances of the season last time out, when they beat St Benedict’s College by 41 runs in a T20.

Encouragingly for Clifton, they had four batsmen make significant runs in that win. Too often this season, they’ve had one batsman produce but without enough support. However, captain Tim Saulez, openers Byron Ward and Hayden Drieselmann, and middle-order batsmen, Zach Williamson and Lawson Dinsdale, have all played important knocks, so they have the ability to go big.

The rise of DHS’s fortunes this season has coincided with a return to form from opener, Ismaeel Omar. He started slowly but made a century in the semi-finals of the Clifton T20 and top-scored for School in the final.

Josh van Biljon played a magnificent knock, scoring 103 not out in a key win over Waterkloof at the Clifton T20, and he is the wicket every team wants and needs.

Taine Havermann is an outstanding all-rounder. It’s hard to keep him quiet. He and captain, Bayanda Majola, will lead the DHS seam attack. Majola’s pace up front is what won DHS the Clifton T20 final. Watch out, too, for Dhilan Naraidu. The left-arm spinner almost always makes his mark.

If it’s bowling that one’s talking about, though, Clifton’s leg-spinner Shiraz Perumal is a dangerman. He excelled at the ISCF, picking up three wickets in the T20 win over St Benedict’s and four in a hard-fought loss to Helpmekaar Kollege, the newly-crowned Johnny Waite champions, in a limited-overs clash. Left-arm spinner Blake Johnson provides a nice contrast to Perumal’s wristy trickery.

The skipper, Tim Saulez, will lead Clifton’s seam attack, with Regan Radley and Caleb Naicker also two players who could make some noise with the ball.

Kearsney College vs St Charles College

Kearsney College welcomes St Charles College to the AH Smith Oval on Saturday and theirs is a sneaky-good showdown. It brings together two very young sides, which both boast intriguing talents. Some of the players have already made a mark in 2025 and will surely become even more regular contributors in the seasons to come.

The sides met in an eliminator at the Clifton T20 Tournament and delivered a fascinating game. It came down to the last over, with Saints needing only six runs to win, but left-arm paceman, Litha Gonya, a star performer for Kearsney this season, delivered when it mattered to see his side to a three-run victory.

What has been interesting from Kearsney in 2025 is that no one player has carried the team on his back. They’ve been unpredictable in the sense that one never knows where the next big contribution is going to come from.

Their spin bowling attack, behind Gonya’s pace, has reduced a number of teams to a snail’s pace. Leg-spinner Rivan Moodley, who has also done well with the bat, enjoyed an outstanding ISCF, capturing 5/25 against St John’s College (Harare) and 4/15 against Kingswood College.

Openers, Thando Zama and Rico Honiball, the Saints’ skipper, set the tone for their side with their batting, but others, including Caleb Sharp and Connor Simpson, have had their moments this season.

St Charles has enjoyed more consistency from their bowling attack, though, with fast bowler Rowen Rajah taking the new ball. Fellow seamer, Ryan Clarke, has been very good. His season has included 6/24, including a hat-trick, in a win over Michaelhouse. Kaiyuran Naidoo offers an effective spin option, too, and Caleb Sharp has proven his all-round worth.

Maritzburg College vs Northwood School

Maritzburg College hosts Northwood on Goldstone’s on Saturday. They’ve met there once this season already, in a Schools SA20 clash, which College won by 12 runs. The Knights, though, went on to be crowned the KZN Schools SA20 champions.

Goldstone’s has played tough for the batsmen in 2025. There are seldom easy runs to come by and it has required focused application from batsmen to make important runs. That’s where College skipper Daniel Nadasan shines. If he can settle at the crease, he could have a big say in the outcome of the game.

Northwood has enjoyed a good season but they have, at times, endured batting struggles. Much will depend on their top four – David de Bruyn, Ross McGlashan, Tuswa Phetha, and captain Kyle White – who, if they play themselves in are solid. They have done much of the heavy lifting for the Knights.

College’s strength this season has been their bowling, and they have more seam options than most, but just who will step up on Saturday is anyone’s guess. They’ve enjoyed decisive returns from many sources in 2025.

Northwood will miss all-rounder and opening bowler Jamie Wimble, who is out with injury, and they will look to left-arm spinner Jordan Matthews to continue to build on a strong season, supported by off-spinner Ben Cilliers and the skipper, Kyle White.

Westville Boys’ High vs Glenwood High School

Westville Boys’ High and Glenwood meet in the weekend’s other game. The Griffin played very good cricket at the Clifton T20 Tournament and reached the final, but came up short against DHS.

That contest turned when Westville skipper Seth Simpson was struck by fast bowler Bayanda Majola and the ball then trickled onto his stumps and dislodged the bails. Simpson has, hopefully, fully recovered because he was outstanding for his side with both bat and ball throughout the event, scoring a century against Hilton College and snapping up 4/14 in a win over St John’s College (Harare).

Incidentally, Westville will have another shot at a title against DHS on Thursday evening when they meet in the W100 final at Kingsmead. It should be a cracking game.

Glenwood struggled at the Clifton T20. All season long, their challenge has been putting together an innings of substance and that issue hurt them in the T20 tournament.

There have been glimmers here and there, however, with Krian Jugoo, Kressan Pillai, Karabo Ntsieng, and Kyle Bryan contributing some decent knocks. They’ll need to put it together as a team against Westville, though, because Westville’s batting has, generally, been solid.

The Green Machine is good in the field. Seldom does an opponent’s scorecard not feature a run out, and their captain Kyle Bryan, with his accurate off-spin, is a good match for his side’s strong performances in the field.

Bandile Mbatha does it all, spearheading their bowling attack and providing a strong presence in the batting order, but he’s missed plenty of time while representing SAu19, and that, too, has impacted Glenwood’s performances.

Westville lost Tristan Delvin to injury just before the Clifton T20 and that, likewise, hit hard. He’s enjoyed a good season with the bat and an even better one with his left-arm spin. Ewan du Toit, though, still gives Westville a good left-arm spin option. (Update: Westville confirmed on Thursday evening that Tristan Delvin has recovered after hyperbaric treatment, passed a fitness test, and will be fit to play).

Dayalan Boyce leads the Westville attack. Sometimes a bit loose, he often produces wicket-taking balls, no matter how he is bowling. Opposite him, Lwandile Bulose‘s nagging left-arm seam presents opposing batsmen with a good challenge.

FIXTURES

Hilton College vs Michaelhouse
Durban High School vs Clifton College
Kearsney College vs St Charles College
Maritzburg College vs Northwood School
Westville Boys’ High vs Glenwood High

Hoërskool Stellenbosch se eerste netbalspan het die afgelope paar jaar ontwikkel in ‘n mededingende en talentvolle groep spelers, danksy toegewyde afrigting en ‘n sterk spanmentaliteit. Onder leiding van hoofafrigter Ezelda Badenhorst en hulpafrigter Charmaine Baard, toon die span ’n verbintenis tot uitnemendheid, dissipline en voortdurende verbetering.

Die spelers en seisoenvooruitsigte

Vir die nuwe seisoen het vier ervare eerstespanspelers van verlede jaar behoue gebly: Rieze Steyn, Elsa du Plessis, Vine Mars en Likishia September. Hierdie kernspelers bring waardevolle ondervinding en leierskap na die span, terwyl nuwe, talentvolle spelers ook hul plek in die groep verdien.

Die span se seisoen skop af met ‘n belangrike wedstryd teen Brackenfell Hoërskool, terwyl die interskole-kragmeting met Vishoek’n hoogtepunt is. Hierdie wedstryde bied ‘n platform vir die spelers om hul vaardighede uit te stal en selfvertroue te skep.

Die bestuur van Stellies se netbalspan heg groot waarde aan die fisiese en emosionele welstand van hul spelers. Deur gereelde “check-ins” en oop kommunikasie verseker die afrigters dat elke speler fisies uitgerus is en emosioneel ondersteun word. Dit sluit in dat genoeg spelers na toernooie geneem word om uitputting te minimaliseer, asook om ‘n ondersteunende omgewing te skep waar spelers hul vrese, uitdagings en behoeftes vrylik kan deel. Die span se filosofie is dat ‘n gebalanseerde speler ‘n suksesvolle speler is.

Charmaine Baard: ‘n Uitnemende afrigter

Charmaine Baard speel ‘n kernrol in die sukses van die span. As hulpafrigter bring sy ‘n rykdom aan ervaring en insig in die spel. Haar fokus op basiese vaardighede en selfvertroue verseker dat spelers nie net tegnies verbeter nie, maar ook saam as ‘n span groei. Baard se indrukwekkende prestasies op nasionale en internasionale vlak maak haar ‘n inspirerende mentor vir jong netbalspelers.

Haar prestasies sluit in:

• Lid van die Protea Fast5 Nasionale Span (2016-17)
• Maties Eerste Span (2014-18)
• Gouemedaljewenner by die Nasionale Kampioenskappe (2014)
• Verteenwoordiging van Suid-Afrika by verskeie internasionale toernooie, insluitende die Region 5 o. 19-span en die SA o. 21-span vir die Wêreldbekerkwalifiseerders in Botswana (2016)
• Spelervaring vir Surrey Storm (Engeland) en die Universiteit van St Andrews (Skotland)
• Ontvanger van Universiteit Stellenbosch se Rektorstoekenning vir Uitstaande Sportprestasies (2018)

Met so ‘n indrukwekkende loopbaan en haar passie vir afrigting, is dit duidelik waarom Hoërskool Stellenbosch se netbalspan floreer onder Baard se leiding.

Netbaldatums 2025

Kwartaal 1

Maart

18 (Dinsdag) – Hoërskool Brackenfell (T)

25 (Dinsdag) – Hugenote Hoërskool (T)

27 (Donderdag) – Toerspan (o. 14’s–16’s)

28 Maart – 1 April – Eerste span Menlopark-toer

Kwartaal 2

April

9 (Woensdag)- Rhenish Girls High (T)

12 (Saterdag) – Somerset College (T)

16 (Woensdag)- Charlie Hofmeyr-sportdag (W)

23 (Woensdag) – Laborie (T)

25 (Vrydag)- Strand (W)

Mei

6 (Dinsdag) – Swartland-sportdag (T) 7 (Woensdag) – Luckhoff Hoërskool (T) 9/ 10 (Vrydag/Saterdag) – Milnerton (W)

6/ 17 (Vrydag/Saterdag) – Fairmont Sportdag (W)

21 (Woensdag) – Hottentots-Holland (W)

24 (Saterdag)- HTS Drostdy (W)

Kwartaal 3

Julie

25/ 26 (Vrydag/Saterdag) – Robertson-sportdag (T)

Augustus

1/ 2 (Vrydag/Saterdag) – Jan Van Riebeeck-sportdag (T) 8/ 9 (Vrydag/Saterdag) – Vishoek Hoërskool – Interskole (T)

Die pad vorentoe

Hoërskool Stellenbosch se netbalspan het ambisieuse doelwitte vir 2025: om tegniese vaardighede te verbeter, selfvertroue te bou en bo hul prestasies van die vorige jaar uit te styg. Onder leiding van Badenhorst en Baard, met ondersteuning van spanbestuurders Ceska Haf en Mari du Toit, is hierdie span slaggereed om elke uitdaging met vasberadenheid aan te pak.

Met ‘n stewige grondslag en ‘n afrigtingspan wat vir niks skrik nie, is Stellies se eerste span gereed om hul merk te maak in die komende seisoen. Hulle is nie net ‘n span nie, maar ‘n familie wat groei, leer en oorwinnings saam vier.

The 42nd edition of the King Edward VII (KES) Water Polo Tournament takes centre stage this weekend in Johannesburg.

The event runs from Friday, 28 February, to Sunday, 2 March, with matches being played at the Mark Stevens Aquatic Centre.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

It brings together a high-quality field, with many of the best teams in South Africa set to chase glory in the oldest schools’ water polo tournament of them all.

Those teams are littered with players boasting national and provincial colours. It promises to be a thrilling spectacle.

SuperSport Schools Plus takes a look at five players who could inspire their teams to glory.

Michael Mafunda (Diocesan College)

Too often, goalkeepers are overlooked in schoolboy water polo, but their impact on a match can be significant.

Michael Mafunda, who has taken over the goalkeeping reins for Bishops in 2025, has been outstanding, especially since he had to replace the outstanding Jordan De Sousa, who represented SA Schools and SA u18.

Not only has he not shrunk in the face of the challenge, Mafunda, affectionately known as “Money Mike”, has embraced it and has made it look as if he has been in the first team cage for years.

He has pulled off some miraculous saves for his side and recently helped them retain the SACS Nite Series after beating Rondebosch Boys’ High 14-9 in the final.

Mafunda also displays a calm and relaxed demeanour when confronted by penalties and penalty shootouts, which are vital attributes in tournaments. Bishops will lean on him to keep their opposition at bay.

James Pohl (Kearsney College)

Kearsney College will enter the  KES Water Polo Tournament viewed by some as a side that could go all the way.

If they are to do that, it will be a team effort that wins them the tournament, but a name that stands out is James Pohl, a player who has shone for his team in recent seasons.

Pohl is not only the captain of the side but the enforcer and talisman, and he plays an unconventional game of water polo.

The KwaZulu-Natal and South African Schools star is described by his coach, Nicholas Rodda, as a “dynamic player with strong leadership qualities.”

One of Pohl’s strengths is his versatility, which allows him to play in any position. He links up well with his teammates and has the ability to isolate good players in opposing teams.

Look to “Chippa” Pohl to score goals and lead from the front.

Nicholas Searle (St John’s College)

St John’s College has fallen short at the final hurdle in several major tournaments in the past season or two.

This year, they were stopped by Rondebosch Boys’ High in the final of the St Andrew’s College Shield, going down 7-12. They suffered a similar result at KES last year, going down 7-11 to ‘Bosch, also.

They head into the KES Water Polo Tournament eager to take that final step. If they’re to succeed in that quest, their captain Nicholas Searle will be a key to realising their goal.

He has been one of St John’s standout players in 2025. His ability to read the game, assess situations, and make crucial decisions in split seconds sets him apart.

The Central Gauteng u19A player is also a top leader, who sets a fine example.

Calum Emslie (St Andrew’s College)

St Andrew’s College supporters will head to KES feeling optimistic after some strong results from their team recently.

They have good reason to feel that way because St Andrew’s has been on an upward trajectory after making a slow start at the SAC Shield in January.

Earlier this month, they impressed at the Vides Water Polo Tournament, where they claimed the silver medal.

One of their top performers has been the experienced and ever-present Calum Emslie. He’s one of the older heads in coach Grant Mackenzie‘s team after earning his 100th cap against Wynberg Boys’ High at Vides.

He’s also their dangerman in attack and can shape matches and make things happen for his side.

While many might have already ruled out St Andrew’s College as a title contender, Emslie and his troops will head into the tournament with a point to prove, determined to make waves.

Noah Reiback (Rondebosch Boys’ High)

One of the first names that would be on a list of players to watch, guaranteed, would be Noah Reiback.

Only in grade 10, he is one of the most talked about water polo players in the Western Cape, alongside the likes of his team-mate, Jack Robinson, and the Bishops’ duo of Matt Fenn and Timothy Young.

Reiback is an outrageously talented player and is the full package in the pool.

He has been in clinical form in 2025, scoring goals for fun and making life miserable for defenders.

Last year, when in grade 9, he was one of ‘Bosch’s standout players at the KES Water Polo Tournament and scored a hat-trick in the final as they claimed the title.

He will be hoping for a similar showing in 2025, especially after Bishops topped Rondebosch in the final of the SACS Nite Series on Wednesday.

Groups

Pool A: Bishops, Northwood, St Andrew’s College, St Stithians.
Pool B: Kearsney College, King Edward VII, Paul Roos, Westville Boys’ High.
Pool C: Clifton College, Jeppe High School for Boys, Rondebosch Boys’ High, Selborne College.
Pool D: Hilton College, Pretoria Boys High, SACS, St John’s College.

Fixtures

Friday, 28 February 

07:00 – St Andrew’s vs St Stithians; 07:50 – Kearsney College vs Westville; 08:40 – Selborne College vs Rondebosch; 09:30 – St John’s College vs Hilton College; 10:20 – Bishops vs Northwood; 11:10 – KES vs Paul Roos; 12:00 – Clifton College vs Jeppe; 12:50 – SACS vs Pretoria Boys High; 13:40 – St Stithians vs Bishops; 14:30 – Westville vs Paul Roos; 15:20 – Selborne College vs Clifton College; 16:10 – St John’s College vs SACS; 17:00 – St Andrew’s vs Northwood; 17:50 – KES vs Kearsney; 18:40 – Rondebosch vs Jeppe; 19:30 – Pretoria Boys High vs Hilton College.

Saturday, 1 March

07:00 – St Andrew’s vs Bishops; 07:50 – Kearsney vs Paul Roos; 08:40 – Clifton vs Rondebosch;  09:30 – St John’s College vs Pretoria Boys High; 10:20 – St Stithians vs Northwood; 11:10 – KES vs Westville; 12:00 – Jeppe vs Selborne College; 12:50 – SACS vs Hilton College;  13:40 – 3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool B (Plate Quarterfinal 1); 14:10 – 3rd Pool B vs 4th Pool A (Plate Quarterfinal 1); 14:40 – 3rd Pool C vs 4th Pool D (Plate Quarterfinal 1); 15:10 – 3rd Pool D vs 4th Pool C (Plate Quarterfinal 1); 15:40 – 1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool B (Cup Quarterfinal 1); 16:30 – 1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool A (Cup Quarterfinal 2); 17:20 – 1st Pool C vs 2nd Pool D (Cup Quarterfinal 3); 18:10 – 1st Pool D vs 2nd Pool C (Cup Quarterfinal 4); 19:00 – Plate Playoff;  19:30 – Plate Playoff; 20:00 – Cup Playoff; 20:30 – Cup Playoff.

Sunday, 2 March 

07:00 – Plate semifinal 1; 07:30 – Plate semifinal 2; 08:00 – Cup semifinal 1; 08:50 – Cup semifinal 2; 09:40 – Plate 7th/8th playoff match; 10:10 – Plate 5th/6th playoff match; 10:40 – Plate 3rd/4th playoff match; 11:10 – Plate final; 11:40 – Cup 7th/8th playoff match; 12:10 – Cup 5th/6th playoff match; 12:40 – 3rd/4th Playoff match; 13:30 – Final.

Juandré Verwey claimed a masterful five-wicket haul to lead Helpmekaar College to an emphatic 45-run win over King Edward VII School (KES) in the final of the Johnny Waite Trophy at the University of Johannesburg on Wednesday afternoon.

It was the first time in the history of Helpmekaar that the school had secured the prestigious T20 title.

The toss went Helpies‘ way and Kyle Swanepoel, their captain, elected to bat first.

Helpmekaar’s top seven struggled to get going, but Kevin Oliver then played an inspired innings to lift them to 117 all out in 18 overs. Verwey was in fine form with the ball, and he saw to it that the KES batsmen never settled. In just 15.5 overs, they were dismissed for only 72.

He was introduced into the attack in the fifth over, but it cost him seven runs, which included two wides. Four overs later, Swanepoel threw Verwey the ball again with KES on 47/3 and that changed the complexion of the match.

Verwey opened the over with a wicket and closed it with another one. That double strike destroyed the momentum KES had been trying to build.

In his next over, the 12th, Verwey struck again, pulling off a caught and bowled to get rid of Khwezi Nyamathe. Verwey’s last over, the 14th of the KES innings, featured another two wickets. He finished with a match-winning five wickets for 17 runs from four overs.

Henno Steyn, the next best of the Helpmekaar bowlers, returned two wickets for 10 runs from two overs.

Only Tiago Dias, who scored 25 from 21 balls, batting at three for KES, made it beyond the teens. In fact, Zieg Roos, with 14 from 18, was the only other batsman to move beyond single figures.

Helpmekaar had their own struggles when batting first, losing three wickets in the powerplay, as the KES bowling attack took control. Anthony Stone and Heinrich Minnaar attempted to stabilise matters, but their fifth-wicket partnership was worth only 21 runs. Later in the innings, Helpmekaar’s highest partnership came when Kevin Oliver and Xander Jackson combined to score 25 runs for the eighth wicket.

As he is wont to do, Oliver put on a show while Jackson watched from the other end. In just 28 balls, he struck three sixes and two fours and finished with 41, easily the highest individual score of the match.

Three KES bowlers – Wade McQuinn, Christian Sabela, and Luke Clark – returned identical figures, all picking up two wickets for 16 runs from three overs. Matthew Burgess also claimed two wickets but was a touch on the expensive side.

Scorecards

Helpmekaar 117/10 (Kevin Oliver 41, Anthony Stone 15, Luke Clark 2/16, Christian Sabela 2/16, Wade McQuinn 2/16). KES 72/10 (Tiago Dias 23, Zieg Roos 14, Juandré Verwey 5/17, Henno Steyn 2/10). Helpmekaar won by 45 runs.

Junior Springbok coach Kevin Foote has made a raft of rotational changes for the SA u20 side’s second clash with Georgia u20 on Friday in Tbilisi. Riley Norton will lead the South African team in their final tour fixture, which kicks off at 15:00 (SA time).

When the sides met on Sunday, the Junior Boks showed character and determination to stage a successful comeback and record a 38-29 victory in severely cold conditions.

Norton’s inclusion is one of six changes to the pack, and he forms a new lock combination with Morné Venter, with Heinrich Theron moving to the bench. The 19-year-old Norton, a product of Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, made both the SA Schools rugby and cricket teams while at school.

Foote has rotated the front row, which will now feature Simphiwe Ngobese, Siphosethu Mnebelele, and Jean Erasmus.

Only flank Divan Fuller gets a second start among the loose forwards. He’ll be joined in the loose trio by fellow flank, Thando Biyela, and eighthman, Fano Linde.

The versatile Dominic Malgas moves from outside centre to flyhalf in one of three tweaks to the backline. He’ll form a new-look halfback combination with Haashim Pead. Scott Nel takes over at outside centre and will partner the strong running Pieter van der Merwe in midfield.

“Last week was a great team effort in difficult conditions against a determined home team, who used the conditions and made us work hard to adapt, which we did successfully in the end,” Foote reflected on the first meeting of the teams.

“We are expecting another physical battle against Georgia. However, we are looking forward to building on our performance and trying out some more combinations, which is the reason for our rotational changes.”

The SA u20 coach said he is pleased with how the players have embraced the challenge to adapt to the unfamiliar local conditions, which have seen them train and play in almost sub-zero temperatures after preparing in summer conditions back home in Stellenbosch.

“This match is another great opportunity for us to continue to grow together as a squad, to implement our game plan, and to gauge our progress,” he said.

“Our preparations have been going very well and it is pleasing to see the growth of the group. Everyone knows the importance of a good performance and what it means for our country, so we are grateful for the opportunity to again represent South Africa and are looking forward to Friday’s challenge.”

Junior Springbok team to face Georgia

15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Scott Nel, 12 Pieter van der Merwe, 11 Chijindu Okonta, 10 Dominic Malgas, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Fano Linde, 7 Thando Biyela, 6 Divan Fuller, 5 Morné Venter, 4 Riley Norton (captain), 3 Jean Erasmus, 2 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1 Simphiwe Ngobese. Replacements: 16 Ranon Fouché, 17 HB Odendaal, 18 Tebogo Nkosi, 19 Heinrich Theron, 20 Xola Nyali, 21 Yabo Ndzamela, 22 Ceano Everson, 23 JT Kapank.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Rico van der Walt se kolf het die Klofies na nog ‘n Finsbury-titel gelei.

Herleef al die aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Hoërskool Waterkloof se paaltjiewagter en voorslagkolwer het Dinsdag, 25 Februarie, die skote laat klap op Hoërskool Eldoraigne se ovaal om sy span na ‘n reuse oorwinning met 187 lopies oor die Eldos te moker. Daarmee die Klofies hul Finsbury-titel suksesvol verdedig.

Die besoekers het die loot gewen en besluit om eerste te kolf. Matthew Sampson (1/45), die tuisspan se aanvangsbouler, het vroeg toegeslaan om die eerste paaltjie reeds in die derde beurt te laat kantel.

Dit het tot die 11de beurt geneem vir die Eldo’s om weer toe te slaan toe Cornell Cousins (2/53) vir Wian du Plessis terug kleedkamer toe gestuur het vir 28 lopies.

Daarna het Van der Walt behoorlik beheer van die kolfkampie geneem en die Eldo’s se kleiner veld tot sy voordeel gebruik om die bal so ver as moontlik luglangs te slaan.

Hy het ondernemend te werk gegaan en ook briljant tussen die paaltjies gehardloop. Hoewel hy 132 aflewerings trotseer het, het hy goed gekapitaliseer, vernaam op die kort bal, om agt sesse en twee viere te slaan. Hy het uiteindelik Cousins se tweede slagoffer, op die tweede laaste bal van die beurt geword, maar eers nadat hy ‘n meesterlike 125 lopies aangeteken het.

Kaptein, Riley Miller, en verál die veelsydige Jaydon Blom het hom netjies ondersteun. Miller het 28 in sy vennootskap van 72 met Van der Walt aangeteken, terwyl Blom ‘n onoorwonne 38, wat ‘n paar indrukwekkende houe ingesluit het, van sy kolf laat klap het. Blom en Van der Walt se vennootskap van 99 lopies het die besoekers verder in staat om ‘n reuse teiken van 289 in die toegelate 50 beurte te stel.

Reinhardt Haasbroek was teen die einde van die 50 beurte die tuisspan se uitblinker met die bal. Sy twee paaltjies vir 45 lopies het ook die een van die Klofies se kaptein ingesluit.

Eldo’s se kolwers het egter les opgesê. Die tuisspan kon eenvoudig nie die druk wat deur die besoekers toegepas is hanteer nie. Met die momentum reeds aan sy kant het Cristiaan Smit die skroewe nóg stywer vasgedraai, en ‘n knaende lyn en lengte gehandhaaf wat uiteindelik met 3/13 in ses beurte beloon is.

Hy is uitstekend bygestaan deur aanvangsbouler, Jaco van der Walt (3/20) en AJ de Villiers (2/12), wat hul kant gebring het om die Eldos vir net 101 uit te haal – ‘n bittersoet einde aan die span van Centurion se eerste jaar die A-afdeling.

Beknopte telkaart:

Waterkloof 288/6 (Rico van der Walt 125, Jaydon Blom 38*, Wian du Plessis 28, Riley Miller 27; Reinardt Haasbroek 2/45, Cornell Cousins 2/53); Eldoraigne 101 (Ruan Steyn 28; Christiaan Smit 3/13, Jaco van der Walt 3/20, AJ de Villiers 2/12). Waterkloof wen met 187 lopies.