South Africa’s Leonay Kock received the player of the match award in the 2024 CAF African Schools Football Champions COSAFA Qualifiers match between South Africa and Angola at the Jan Wilken Stadium in Walvis Bay, Namibia on 11 October. Photo: Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix
The South African boys’ and girls’ teams excelled on the first day of the CAF African Schools Football Championship | Cosafa qualifiers, collectively netting a total of 24 goals, with the girls’ team contributing a whopping 20 of those in Walvis Bay, Namibia, on Friday.
The defending champions, chasing a third consecutive CAF African Schools Football Championship | Cosafa qualifiers title, not only delivered exceptional attacking performances but both the boys’ and girls’ sides kept clean sheets.
South Africa opened their Group B challenge in the girls’ competition with a pair of thumping wins, crushing Zimbabwe 7-0 before overwhelming Angola 13-0.
That result was one goal shy of the competition record victory they achieved against the same opposition in Harare last year.
Although they have not yet completed their group assignments, the South African girls have already secured a place in the semi-finals.
The South African boys’ team scored a hard-fought 1-0 win over Zimbabwe in their opener and followed that up with a 3-0 victory over Angola in their second outing, which means that they, too, are through to the final four.
Both South African teams are top of their groups after the first day of action. Their group opponents include Zimbabwe, Angola, and Eswatini.
Group A features Namibia, Malawi, Lesotho, and Zambia.
Richard Seletswane during the ICC u19 Men’s World Cup between South Africa and England at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on January 23, 2024. Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images.
The Affies Oval continued to deliver a run-fest on Friday afternoon, day two of the Westvaal North/South Tournament.
Relive all the action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschool.com)
Squaring off with Rondebosch Boys’ High in a crucial encounter in Pool A, St Stithians College needed a win and Richard Seletswane took care of business.
Opening the batting, the SA u19 batsman wasted no time in putting the visitors from the Western Cape under enormous pressure.
Facing only 67 deliveries, Seletswane smashed 13 sixes and 10 fours to make his way to 149 not out, the second-highest individual score of the tournament thus far.
Chipping in with 31 and 26* respectively, Thomas Rew and Tasheen Hanslo supported Seletswane’s special knock to have the scoreboard singing their praises at 237/3 at the end of 20 overs.
The fun was not over, however. Rondebosch’s Daniel Bosman answered with a scintillating innings of 71 from 35 balls, while Joshua Neill smashed a 24-ball 46 to push Saints all the way. The difference between the two sides proved to be the bowling of Nqaba Matunda, who snapped up 4/39, and Zakier Hanslo, who took 2/35, which helped restrict Rondebosch to 214/9.
Hoërskool Menlopark‘s opening pair, Steve Stolk and Willem Sevenster, lifted them to another mammoth total and ultimately a 28-run victory over Grey High School. Stolk, as he did in the morning, did not hang around, striking eight sixes in his 89 from just 40 balls.
Sevenster was right on his heels, smashing 12 boundaries in a quickfire 80, which was another key contribution, as the Parkies tallied 244/5 in their 20 overs.
Facing a huge victory target, Grey High’s Tristan Grundling followed the same attacking blueprint, a method that seemed to suit him well. He smashed the ball to all parts of the CBC Old Boys Oval in a 50-ball 95, coming up just short of what would’ve been a magnificent century.
Anfred Jansen gave the side from Qheberha a glimmer of hope with his 67, but a mini-collapse in the middle order, brought on by two wickets from Ewald Meyer, proved costly.
Westville Boys’ High handed Hoërskool Centurion their first defeat of the tournament soaring past the 168 they required for victory with six wickets in hand to maintain their winning streak.
Captain Nicandro Kistna was the main contributor with the ball, snapping up 3/27, while Max Robertson led the run chase with an expertly constructed 72 from 47 balls. A rapid 41 from Sean McGough ensured there would be no stopping the side from KwaZulu-Natal.
The in-form Paul James smashed the ball every which way on the Camp Discovery Oval as Wynberg Boys’ High convincingly beat the struggling Potchefstroom Volkskool by six wickets. He needed just 27 balls to get to his 59 runs. James combined nicely with his opening partner Storme van Rooyen (44) to break the backbone of the chase with a 77-run opening stand.
A further 24 runs from Beni Hansen sealed the deal as the Capetonians, batting at a rate of 9.7 runs per over, overhauled the required target of 148 in the 16th over.
Their victory was set up by a pivotal spell of 2/11 from opening bowler, Michail Tarentaal, who, with his extra bounce and movement off the deck, had the Volkies’ batsmen jumping all over.
Fixtures Day 3 – Saturday:
Quarter Final 1: Waterkloof vs Grey College – Camp Discovery Quarter Final 2: Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) vs St Stithians – Sinoville Quarter Final 3: Westville Boys High vs Grey High School – Affies Oval Quarter Final 4: Menlopark vs Centurion – Harlequins
Other Games:
Jeppe High School for Boys vs St Andrew’s School – CBC Old Boys
Paarl Boys High vs SACS – Waterkloof
Rondebosch Boys High vs Potchefstroom Volkskool
Wynberg vs Northwood – Menlopark
Summarised scorecards
St Stithians College 237/3 (Richard Seletswane 149*, Thomas Rew 31, Tasheen Hanslo 26*; Daniel Bosman 1/20); Rondebosch Boys’ High 214/9 (Daniel Bosman 71, Joshua Neill 46, Daniel Cooke 22, Declan Gillespie 20; Nqaba Matunda 4/39, Zakier Hanslo 2/35, Tendai Kadyamadare 2/44). St Stithinas College won by 23 runs.
Menlopark 244/5 (Steve Stolk 89, Willem Sevenster 80, Wian van Deventer 42, Marcus De Aguiar 20*; Anfred Jansen 2/38); Grey High School 216/7 (Tristan Grundling 95, Anfred Jansen 67*; Ewald Meyer 2/33, Pierre de Villiers 2/36). Menlopark won by 28 runs.
Hoërskool Centurion 167/7 (Charl Prinsloo 55, Anton Stassen 55, Rehan Lues 21*; Nicandro Kristna 3/27, Sekou Shangase 2/18); Westville Boys’ High 169/4 (Max Robertson 72, Sean McGough 41, Kyle McGough 29*; Rehan Lues 2/23, Charl Prinsloo 2/34). Westville Boys High won by six wickets.
Potchefstroom Volkskool 147/7 (Attie Liebenberg 44, Louis van Wyk 41, Eduan van der Merwe 33; Michail Tarentaal 2/11); Wynberg Boys’ High 148/4 (Paul James 59, Storme van Rooyen 44, Beni Hansen 24; Diaan van der Merwe 2/30). Wynberg Boys High won by six wickets.
At the end of 40 overs, there was nothing to separate St Andrew’s School and Paarl Boys’ High as their match on Friday afternoon finished in a tense tie.
The winner would, thus, be decided in a super-over, which finished with the Western Cape boys victorious.
Saints’ Naudé Botha followed up his half-century in the morning game against Hoërksool Menlopark with another innings of 52, which included eight boundaries and a strike rate of just over 200.
His opening partner, Andrew Sobiech, lent a crucial helping hand, contributing 31 from just 12 balls as the duo combined for a 67-run opening stand.
After the pair’s demise, the Bloemfontein boys lost wickets at regular intervals, which affected their momentum. A skillful bowling performance from Pieter Gildenhuys, who captured 4/30 in four overs, undermined the Saints’ batting effort.
Although expensive, opening bowler Daniel Lombard chipped in with two wickets but St Andrew’s passed the 200-run mark. Then, Saints’ opening bowler JC Young had Paarl Boys wobbling on 1/2, picking up both of his wickets in the first over.
Those early departures, however, gave Dian van der Westhuizen time to let loose. In only 60 balls, the Paarl top-order batsman smashed an entertaining 118 not out, which featured eight fours and eight sixes.
JJ van der Sandt weighed in with 53 to help his side match the 201 put up by St Andrew’s, which sent the match to a super-over.
Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) secured bragging right over their old foe, Grey College, thanks to a disciplined bowling performance.
The talented Affies left-hander, Vihan Pretorius, batted patiently and gradually accelerated his run-scoring rate until his demise for a well-played 62, the top score for the local team. Jorich van Schalkwyk fell six runs short of a third consecutive 50, contributing 44, while Janco Purchase hit a few bombs to help Affies to what might have seemed like a below-par total of 171/7. Sicelo Matayi did the bulk of the damage for Grey, completing his four overs with figures of 3/30.
The Grey top order all made starts. Pieter Smith led the way with 26, but a collapse in the middle order, orchestrated by the off-spin of Jorich van Schalkwyk, which brought him a return of 3/22, saw the Bloemfontein school slump to 126 all out, 46 runs short of the required target.
Meanwhile, half-centuries from Divan Behrens and Marcus Bakker led Waterkloof to their third victory on the trot, this time by six wickets over Northwood.
Behrens, as always, displayed his flair in a brisk 57 from 38 deliveries while Bakker showed signs of his destructive best, lashing 55 from only 23 balls. Northwood’s Nqobani Mokoena continued his fine form with the ball, claiming two wickets for 25 runs.
Allistair Duncan was a shining light with the bat for the Durban boys, top-scoring with 45. Mason Storm deserved a pat on the back, too, after his contribution of 41 towards the end of the innings, which gave his side something to bowl at. But it wasn’t enough against the formidable Waterkloof batting lineup.
A superb spell of 4/11 from Luke Kent-Brown lifted Jeppe High School for Boys to their first victory of the tournament.
Defending 160, thanks to a well-played 55 from Ryan Young, Kent-Brown and his new ball partner Matthew Costa (3/14) shared seven wickets between them to dismantle the SACS batting lineup as Jeppe recorded a 37-run victory.
Fixtures Day 3 – Saturday:
Quarter Final 1: Waterkloof vs Grey College – Camp Discovery Quarter Final 2: Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) vs St Stithians – Sinoville Quarter Final 3: Westville Boys High vs Grey High School – Affies Oval Quarter Final 4: Menlopark vs Centurion – Harlequins
Other Games:
Jeppe High School for Boys vs St Andrew’s School – CBC Old Boys
Paarl Boys High vs SACS – Waterkloof
Rondebosch Boys High vs Potchefstroom Volkskool
Wynberg vs Northwood – Menlopark
Summarised scorecards
St Andrew’s School 201/10 (Naudé Botha 52, Andrew Sobiech 31, Leon Athanasiou 21; Pieter Gildenhuys 4/30, Daniel Lombard 2/33); Paarl Boys’ High 201/6 (Dian van der Westhuizen 118*, JJ van der Sandt 53; Mosa Maqunqi 2/30, JC Young 2/40). Paarl Boys’ High won in the super-over.
Affies 171/7 (Vihan Pretorius 62, Jorich van Schalkwyk 44, Janco Purchase 30; Sicelo Matayi 3/30, Otto Krause 2/21); Grey College 126/10 (Pieter Smit 26, Ruben Maree 25, Daniel Hattingh 22; Jorich van Schalkwyk 3/22, SF Vermeulen 2/20, Divan de Villiers 2/26). Affies won by 45 runs.
Northwood 153/10 (Allistair Duncan 45, Mason Storm 41; Marno Pienaar 3/25, Marcus Bakker 2/23, Ruan Ferreira 2/25); Waterkloof 154/4 (Divan Behrens 57, Marcus Bakker 55; Nqobani Mokoena 2/25, Pride Buthelezi 2/40). Waterkloof won by six wickets.
Jeppe High School for Boys 159/9 (Ryan Young 55, Sipho Potsane 34, Jeremiah Marshall 31; Ulrich Roth 4/31, Hamish Anderson 2/18); SACS 122/10 (Luke Whitehead 32, Abhay Kalan 25; Luke Kent-Brown 4/11, Matthew Costa 3/14). Jeppe High School for Boys won by 37 runs.
Mmanape u18 Boys Champions of the Royal Bafokeng Sports Jr. NBA 2024
The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA League finals are set to be hosted at Michael Mount Waldorf School in Bryanston, Johannesburg, on Sunday, 13 October.
They will conclude this year’s Jr. NBA/WNBA Leagues in South Africa, following the recent completion of the Royal Bafokeng Sports Jr. NBA/WNBA finals in Phokeng, Rustenburg, in September, and Jr. NBA/WNBA tournaments that were hosted in Cape Town and KwaZulu Natal in August.
The final of the Johannesburg regional league will feature the boys’ and girls’ champions from both the Eastern and Western Conferences.
The Eastern Conference incorporates the Ekurhuleni Municipality, which includes Benoni, Boksburg, Kempton Park, Germiston, and Brakpan. Sandton, Bryanston, Randburg, Rivonia, and Midrand make up the Western Conference.
Before the finals, an All-Star game for both boys and girls will take place. In all, 300 participants will be in action on Sunday.
The event will conclude with an awards ceremony at 13:00.
Fixtures
09:00 – All Star Game Girls – Western Conference vs Eastern Conference
09:55 – All Star Game Boys – Western Conference vs Eastern Conference
10:15 – Girls’ Final – Sandton Hornets vs Kagiso Basketball Club
11:15 – Boys’ Final – St Stithians College vs Soweto Basketball Academy
13:00 – Awards Ceremony
Royal Bafokeng Sports Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Champions crowned
The Royal Bafokeng Finals resumed last weekend after adverse weather conditions in Phokeng on 21 September necessitated the rescheduling of the u16 and u18 finals.
In the u16 girls’ final, Tshukudu defeated Molotlegi Primary School 19-12, while the boys’ final witnessed Matale decisively defeat Thethe 45-21.
The much-anticipated u18 girls’ final was a closely contested affair, with both Kitsong School and H.F Tlou Secondary competing fiercely until the final moments. In the end, Kitsong claimed a 38-30 victory to go back-to-back as champions.
Their standout player, Reatlegile Taukobong, who recently led Team South Africa at the u18 FIBA AfroBasket Tournament in Pretoria, was honored as the Queen of the Season MVP for the u18 girls’ division, with her exceptional skills and determination being recognised.
In the u18 boys’ final, Mmamape dominated Matale, racing to a 45-2 win. Onalena Nakedi, of Mmamape, was named the MVP for his remarkable dedication and talent.
Five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, along with scouts from across South Africa, including the coaching team from Walter Sisulu University, gave the event a big boost by attending it on Saturday, 21 September.
It was preceded by an awards ceremony on the Friday to honour the outstanding youth participants in the programme, and to also recognise their academic and national accomplishments, which included the recognition of coaches and the alumni of the Jr. NBA Africa.
During a live interview conducted in a question-and-answer format, Ron Harper shared insights about his early journey in the game. He underscored the importance of dedication and collaboration in the sport, and he recounted his experiences playing under the esteemed coach Phil Jackson, both with the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Harper emphasised the importance of enhancing the performance of teammates and acknowledged the transformation of basketball into a high-scoring, athletic sport. In closing, he conveyed a positive outlook for the future of basketball in Africa, suggesting that African players have the potential to emerge as elite talents in the NBA.
The awards ceremony also featured a series of videos, which highlighted the advancements of the Royal Bafokeng Jr. NBA and illustrated its journey from 2011 to today.
Hoërskool Waterkloof‘s Wian Ruthven began by doing most of the damage with the ball for his side.
Playing at Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool and knowing that the side from Johannesburg would be looking to get off to a dominating start, Ruthven was thrown the ball to see how Saints would cope with his off-spin.
It was a gamble that paid off as he quickly dismissed the Saints’ top three, snapping up 3/24 in his four overs. He then put them to the sword when opening the batting. Playing some exquisite strokes, especially straight, the talented Titans’ u18 batsman wasted no time breaking the backbone of the 195-run chase.
Ruthven needed only 47 balls to bring up his century with a trademark pull shot. He was eventually run out for 106 from only 49 deliveries, which had included 10 fours and eight sixes.
He and his long-time batting partner Divan Behrens enjoyed their time together out in the middle. Behrens let Ruthven lead the assault as he contributed a classy 45 from 32 balls in the pair’s match-winning 147-run partnership.
Left-arm spinner, Marcus Bakker shone with the ball, too, claiming two wickets in the penultimate over to finish with a return of 2/19.
Saints’ Tasheen Hanslo batted superbly to get his side out of their hole after Ruthven’s spell. Striking at 172, the number five batsman creamed eight fours and four sixes in his classy 83. Aidan van der Westhuizen supported him well with a mix of power-hitting and elegant strokes in an innings of 63.
Daniel Cooke batted Rondebosch Boys’ High to their first victory of the tournament as his 83 helped them to a 25-run victory over Northwood. Cooke smashed seven sixes in his innings, which lasted only 44 deliveries. Nqobani Mokoena was, once again, the pick of the Northwood bowlers, snapping up three wickets and conceding only 26 runs.
David de Bruyn continued his good batting form from the first day. His 67, alongside Kyle White‘s 43, gave the side from Durban a glimmer of hope, but only until Hlumelo Mgweba set the Knights back by picking up 2/22 to restrict Northwood to 175/8.
Affies’ Jorich van Schalkwyk scored a second consecutive half-century to lead the Pretoria school to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Potchefstroom Volkskool. Vihan Pretorius was also among the runs again, batting sensibly for an unbeaten 44, as the pair steered their side to victory.
Eduan van der Merwe was the standout with the bat for the Volkies, finishing with an unbeaten 48. Berno de Klerk chipped in with 34, but Xavier de Wet and company kept the Potchefstroom side from getting going. De Wet snapped up two wickets while conceding only 18 runs.
Henru de Wet was at the forefront of another Grey College victory, this time by six wickets over Wynberg Boys’ High. His bowling will be a key feature in their forthcoming matches, especially in their afternoon showdown against their old foes, Affies. Snapping up 3/21, De Wet helped to limit the Cape Town school to 161, which was not enough on the batting-friendly track.
Christian Kind and Adem Nieuwoudt made light work of the chase. Kind top scored with 67, while Nieuwoudt batted well for his 48 to lead the Bloemfontein-based side to a second victory in as many games.
Summarised scorecards
St Stithians College 194/7 (Tasheen Hanslo 83, Aidan van der Westhuizen 63; Wian Ruthven 3/24, Marcus Bakker 2/19); Waterkloof 195/3 (Wian Ruthven 106, Divan Behrens 45; Tasheen Hanslo 1/39). Waterkloof won by seven wickets.
Rondebosch Boys’ High 200/8 (Daniel Cooke 83, Noah Heath 24, Tyler Heyns 21; Nqobani Mokoena 3/26, Mason Storm 2/33); Northwood 175/8 (David de Bruyn 67, Kyle White 43, Mason Storm 29; Hlumelo Mgweba 2/22). Rondebosch Boys’ High won by 25 runs.
Potchefstroom Volkskool 147/9 (Eduan van der Merwe 48*, Berno de Klerk 34, Arrie Liebenberg 20; Xavier de Wet 2/18, Divan de Villiers 2/21, Armin Snyman 2/24) Affies 149/2 (Jorich van Schalkwyk 51, Vihan Pretorius 44*, Ruben Groenewald 27*; Berno de Klerk 1/20). Affies won by eight wickets.
Wynberg Boys’ High 161/5 (Paul James 43, Beni Hansen 35, Storme van Rooyen 28, Xavier Garvs 25*; Henru de Wet 3/21); Grey College 162/4 (Christian Kind 67, Adem Nieuwoudt 48, Daniel Hattingh 27; Divan Linde 1/24). Grey College won by six wickets.
Steve Stolk, opening batsman of Menlopark, smashing one of his 18 sixes against St Andrew’s School. Photo: Dawie Visser
As the old saying goes, you can’t keep a good man down. That is exactly what Hoërskool Menlopark’s “Super Steve” showed on the second morning of the Westvaal North/South Tournament.
After his disappointing start of only 10 in the Parkies’ win over Paarl Boys’ High on the first day, someone was bound to fall victim to Steve Stolk’s immense power-hitting ability.
St Andrew’s School, from Bloemfontein, was, unfortunately for them, the recipient of his broad bat and hard-hitting on Friday morning.
Striking at a run rate of 276.8, Stolk lit up the André van der Walt Oval, Hoërskool Waterkloof’s home field.
Smashing an astonishing 18 sixes and six fours, the SA u19 opening batsman raced to a memorable 155 runs, which took a mere 56 deliveries. Boundaries accounted for 132 of his 155 runs.
To the delight of Stolk, Wian van Deventer also played a gem of an innings. He, too, batted briskly and contributed 60 runs from 38 balls, which included five fours and four sixes, as the pair combined expertly for a 150-run partnership. After their 20 overs, Menlopark had rushed to an intimidating 261/6.
Saints’ opening batsman, Naudé Botha, also used the batting-friendly conditions to show his class. He struck 62 from just 27 deliveries, including six sixes and four fours, Unfortunately for the Bloemfontein boys, Botha was their only batsman to make it past 20.
That had plenty to do with the bowling of Menlo seamer, Ewald Meyer, who knocked over 4/32 in his four overs. Tiaan Serfontein impressed, too, capturing 3/19, while Morné Koekemoer claimed 2/7 as St Andrew’s was dismissed for 132, leaving Menlopark the winners by a massive 129 runs.
Charl Prinsloo could bat with a stump and still score a century it seems, considering the form he is in. With Centurion chasing yet again, this time against Jeppe High School for Boys, Prinsloo upped his performance from the opening day to score another unbeaten century. He scored the winning runs to finish with an undefeated 118.
Prinsloo was, also, again among the wickets, scooping up 2/16. Logan Fourie, however, was the standout with the ball for the Woeries, boasting a return of 3/36. Munid Ayob led the charge for Jeppe, scoring an unbeaten 48, while Christopher Elston chipped in with 35 to help the Johannesburg school to 185/5 from their 20 overs.
It wasn’t enough. Jeppe’s bowlers toiled as Prinsloo took only 68 deliveries to deliver his match-winning innings. He and Jayden Potgieter (23) took charge to share the decisive partnership of the match to see Hoërskool Centurion home by six wickets.
Not even an unbeaten 82 from SACS‘s Reeza Salie was enough to topple Westville Boys’ High. Salie, however, was the only SACS’ batsman who seemed comfortable at the crease as Tristin Delvin (2/21) and Nicandro Kistna (2/25) shared four wickets between them to restrict the Captonians to a sub-standard 158/5.
Kaeden McAllister‘s 58 and 46 from Seth Simpson ensured the KwaZulu-Natal school made light work of the run chase and they cruised home with six wickets to spare.
Good bowling from Grey High School saw them to a 25-run victory over Paarl Boys’ High. Kian Cambier was the standout for the side from the Windy City, snapping up 2/13, while Nathan Howell provided good support with his 2/32.
The experienced Tristan Grundling then led the way with the willow, notching a well-played 49, to secure his side’s victory. Boys’ High’s Pieter Gildenhuys bowled well to return his side’s best figures of 2/26.
Summarised scorecards
Menlopark 261/6 (Steve Stolk 155, Wian van Deventer 60; Cullen Kakora 2/39); St Andrew’s School 132/10 (Naudé Botha 62; Ewald Meyer 4/32, Tiaan Serfontein 3/19, Morné Koekemoer 2/7). Menlopark won by 129 runs.
Jeppe High School for Boys 185/8 (Munib Ayob 48*, Christopher Elston 35, Aiden Reyneke 26; Logan Fourie 3/36, Charl Prinsloo 2/16); Hoërskool Centurion 189/4 (Charl Prinsloo 118*, Jayden Potgieter 23; Christopher Elston 1/22). Hoërskool Centurion won by six wickets.
SACS 158/5 (Reeza Salie 82*, Luke Whitehead 23; Tristin Delvin 2/21, Nicandro Kistna 2/25); Westville Boys’ High 159/4 (Kaeden McAllister 58, Seth Simpson 46; Abhy Kalan 1/16). Westville Boys’ High won by six wickets.
Paarl Boys’ High 144/8 (Ullrich Drotschie 35*, Bjorn Berry 28, Johan Wege 20; Kian Cambier 2/13, Nathan Howell 2/32); Grey High School 145/6 (Tristan Grundling 49, Dylan Garrod 28, Xander Elkington 21; Pieter Gildenhuys 2/26). Grey High School won by four wickets.
The eagerly awaited Mitchells Plain Youth Cup (MPYC) is set to unite the community for a dynamic two-day football event, taking place on 12 and 13 October at the Lentegeur Sports Field.
Sixteen local teams will challenge for the title, while the venue will also present small businesses with opportunities to promote and expand their brands.
The event has drawn significant backing from the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Government, Comtel, Albany Peninsula Beverages, MTN, Liberty Promenade, Elements Garden, and Tygerburger. Watergate Shopping Centre, meanwhile, has sponsored a prestigious award, which will be presented to the winning team at a grand ceremony after the completion of the football competition.
The Mitchells Plain Local Football Association and South African Football Association Cape Town have also sanctioned the Youth Cup.
Tournament Director, Councillor Avron Plaatjies, said he was excited about the impact the event will have on the community: “The Mitchells Plain Youth Cup is more than just a football tournament,” he explained. “It’s about uniting our community, providing opportunities for our youth, and fostering a sense of pride and ownership in revitalising Lentegeur Sports Field.”
Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, echoed that sentiment, saying: “We are incredibly proud to support an event that brings people together while also creating opportunities for local businesses. The Mitchells Plain Youth Cup is proof that sports can be a powerful driver of social and economic growth.”
Plaatjies said an invitation to the event went beyond football enthusiasts to encompass the entire Cape Town community, and he encouraged the community’s participation in a weekend brimming with exhilarating matches, delicious cuisine, and local culture.
“Together, we will support the youth of Mitchells Plain and honour the essence of community,” he said. “Let us unite to create history by rejuvenating Lentegeur Sports Field, and empowering our young people and entrepreneurs.”
12 October Saturday Fixtures
09:00. Field A: Lentegeur FC vs Strandfontein FC
09:00. Field B: Beacon City FC vs Barcelona FC
09:00. Field C: Beacon Spurs FC vs Stanturf FC
10:00. Field A: Rockafellas FC vs Milano United
10:00. Field B: Red Rovers FC vs New Foresters
10:00. Field C: Kenpark FC vs Bayhill United FC
11:00. Field A: FC Tafelzucht vs Westridge FC
11:00. Field B: Ikapa Sporting FC vs Bayview FC
11:00. Field C: Stanturf FC vs Barcelona FC
12:00: Break for opening of the tournament
13:00. Field A: Beacon Spurs FC vs Beacon City FC
13:00. Field B: Strandfontein FC vs Bayhill United FC
13:00. Field C: Lentegeur FC vs Kenpark FC
14:00. Field A: New Foresters FC vs Milano United
14:00. Field B: New Rovers FC vs Rockafellas FC
14:00. Field C: Westridge FC vs Bayview FC
15:00. Field A: FC Tafelzucht vs Ikapa Sporting FC
15:00. Field B: Barcelona FC vs Beacon Spurs FC
15:00. Field C: Stanturf FC vs Beacon City FC
16:00. Field A: Bayhill United FC vs Lentegeur FC
16:00. Field B: Stranfontein FC vs Kenpark FC
16:00. Field C: Milano United vs Red Rovers FC
17:00. Field A: New Foresters FC vs Rockafellas FC
17:00. Field B: Bayview FC vs FC Tafelzucht
17:00. Field C: Westridge FC vs Ikapa Sporting FC
Sunday, 13 October Fixtures
Plate Quarterfinals
09:00. Field A: 3rd Place Group A vs 4th Place Group D
09:00. Field B: 3rd Place Group B vs 4th Place Group C
09:00. Field C: 3rd Place Group C vs 4th Place Group B
09:00. Field A: 3rd Place Group D vs 4th Place Group A
Winner Quarterfinals
10:00: Field B: Winner Group A vs Runners up Group D
10:00. Field C: Winner Group B vs Runners up Group C
10:00. Field B: Winner Group C vs Runners up Group B
10:00. Field C: Winner Group D vs Runners up Group A
Plate Semi-finals
11:00. Field B: Winner match 25 vs Winner match 26
11:00. Field C: Winner match 27 vs Winner match 28
Winners Semi-finals
12:00. Field B: Winner match 29 vs Winner match 30
12:00. Field C: Winner match 31 vs Winner match 32
Plate Final
13:00. Field A: Winner match 33 vs Winner match 34
Note: Friendly Game: To be announced.
Winners Final
15:00. Field A: Winner match 35 vs Winner match 36
However, with a talent like Hoërskool Centurion’sCharl Prinsloo, anything seems possible.
In an astonishing turn of events, the talented Prinsloo, along with his opening partner Jayden Potgieter, sent the ball to all parts of the Affies Oval as Centurion claimed a nine-wicket victory over SACS that they will remember for some time.
Chasing 209 for victory, after Keiran Bowers had bashed 62 from 25 balls and Reeza Salie 54 off just 31, the Woeries’ opening pair produced an extraordinary, breath-taking 140-run partnership in only 11 overs. Potgieter was the main aggressor, striking 78 from just 38 balls.
Prinsloo went about his business as usual, but he was moving at a rate of knots. It was, however, only after the demise of Potgieter that he truly put the pedal to the metal, smashing 12 fours and six sixes in an unbeaten 104, which was the first century of the tournament. In just 15.3 overs, Centurion rocketed past the required target.
Carlo Kotze was the pick of the Woeries’ bowlers snapping up 2/24, while Prinsloo showcased his all-round ability by claiming two SACS’ scalps.
A return to the first side for all-rounder Franco Cronje saw him help the defending champions, HoërskoolWaterkloof, to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Rondebosch Boys’ High. Cronje who tore knee ligaments during the rugby season, received a rude welcome from Rondebosch’s batsmen, though, travelling for 20 runs in his first over.
Responding well, he brushed that off quickly and snapped up four wickets for just five runs in his second spell. The magician, Marcus Bakker, played his part, claiming three wickets for 24 runs in his four-over spell, as the side from the Western Cape was held to only 142 all out.
Wian Ruthven, who also returned from injury, got back into the swing of things with a rapid 29 at the top of the order, but it was Divan Behrens who stole the show with an unbeaten 43. Alexander Volschenk added a useful 28 to ensure a comfortable win for the Klofies.
Paarl Boys High‘s spin-bowling attack challenged the 2023 runners-up, Hoërskool Menlopark. That was, however, until Matt van der Westhuizen and Pierre de Villiers met up in the middle.
Menlopark was limping along, on 61/5, when Van der Westhuizen and De Villiers joined forces. Van der Westhuizen struck an unbeaten 41 and De Villiers made 34 not out as they shared in an unbroken 82-run partnership to take their team to a five-wicket victory.
The Camp Discovery pitch will offer something for the spinners across the four days. That was shown by Menlopark’s young right-arm off-spinner, Murray Hofmeyr, and Boys’ High’s left-arm off-spinner, Aden Batt, as they shared five wickets between them. Hofmeyr snared 3/25 while Batt impressed with a return of 2/17 from his four overs.
St Andrew’s School, from Bloemfontein, and Grey High School, from Gqeberha, put together the closest contest of the day with the Free Staters eventually winning by 10 runs. Andrew Sobiech was, without a doubt, their standout. He led their batting effort with a well-played 56 and then claimed two wickets for 28 runs with the ball.
Kian Cambier‘s 47 and Xander Elkington‘s undefeated 41 gave the Eastern Cape side a glimmer of hope, but they were unable to topple Saints.
Day One of the tournament saw 10 half-centuries and one century scored, which emphasised the abundance of talent that has made its way to the Jacaranda City.
Summarised scorecards
SACS 208/6 (Keiran Bowers 62, Reeza Salie 54, Luke Whitehead 23, Keegan Borst 22; Carlo Kotze 2/24, Charl Prinsloo 2/37); Hoërskool Centurion 212/1 (Charl Prinsloo 104*, Jayden Potgieter 78; Ulrich Roth 1/20). Hoërskool Centurion won by nine wickets.
Rondebosch Boys’ High 142/10 (Declan Gillespie 27, Joshua Neill 24, Noah Heath 20; Franco Cronje 4/25, Marcus Bakker 3/24, Marno Pienaar 2/18); Waterkloof 148/3 (Divan Behrens 43*, Wian Ruthven 29, Alexander Volschenk 28, Riley Miller 20*; Jamie Hundermark 1/13). Waterkloof won by seven wickets.
Paarl Boys’ High 139/9 (Pieter Gildenhuys 38, JJ van der Sandt 30, Christiaan Wege 25; Murray Hofmeyr 3/25, Tiaan Serfontein 2/30); Menlopark 143/5 (Matt van der Westhuizen 41*, Pierre de Villiers 34*, Wian van Deventer 30; Aden Batt 2/17). Menlopark won by five wickets.
St Andrew’s School 187/9 (Andrew Sobiech 56, FG Botha 25, Mosa Maqunqi 21; Tristan Grundling 3/52, Nathan Howell 2/18); Grey High School 177/6 (Kian Cambier 47, Xander Elkington 41*, Frederick Jansen 34*; Andrew Sobiech 2/28). St Andrew’s School won by 10 runs.
Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool(Affies) and their captain Divan de Villiers welcomed Wynberg Boys’ High to the highveld by smashing 269/4 in their 20 overs on Thursday, the opening day of the tournament.
De Villiers lit up the CBC Old Boys Oval. Opening the batting, as he usually does in the shorter form of the game, the crafty right-hander did not hang around.
He needed only 35 balls to blast an entertaining 94, bashing nine sixes and seven fours at a strike rate of 268.
Vihan Pretorius celebrated his recent inclusion in the Titans u16 side by demonstrating why he deserved his selection by cracking an equally impressive 82, also from only 35 deliveries.
Jorich van Schalkwyk contributed 51 as he and De Villiers launched the Affies’ innings with a rollicking 121-run partnership from just 9.3 overs.
Although he was expensive, Wynberg’s Joshua Prince picked up two wickets from his four overs, which made him the most successful of the Cape Town school’s bowlers.
Facing a huge run chase, Wynberg had their backs to the wall, but they possessed some serious firepower of their own. Paul James, the younger brother of SA u19 captain, Juan James, started like a house on fire. He needed only eight balls to get to 30 before he was sent back to the pavilion. Divan Linde followed suit, contributing his side’s only half-century, scoring a quickfire 52 from just 18 balls.
However, Ruben Groenewald, backed up his innings of 31 with a decisive return of 3/7, while Xavier de Wet and De Villiers each contributed two scalps as the visitors were restricted to 153, 116 runs short of the mammoth victory target.
Grey College‘s Daniel Hattingh and Ruben Maree both scored half-centuries as the side from Bloemfontein put Potchefstroom Volkskool under the pump. Volkies’ stalwart Dian Liebenberg bowled an exceptional spell, returning figures of 3/31, to get his team back into the game, but Hattingh’s 76 and Maree’s 51 lifted Grey College to 223/7.
In reply, Volkies suffered a terrible batting collapse, which was brought about by Henru de Wet, who snapped up an impressive 4/33. Diaan van der Merwe tried valiantly, making 30, and Berno de Klerk weighed in with 27, but it was not enough as they were bowled out for only 145.
St Stithians College‘s Hanslo brothers helped the Johannesburg school to a significant six-wicket victory over Northwood. Tasheen led the way, claiming three Northwood sticks, while Zakier sent two others back to the pavilion.
With only 144 required for victory, SA u19 representative, Richard Seletswane got Saints off to a good start with a breezy 31. It was, however, 56 runs from Thomas Rew that led Saints to the win in only 13 overs
Westville Boys’ High‘s Seth Simpson and Max Robertson powered their side to a 63-run victory over Jeppe High School for Boys. Simpson played well for his 65 and Robertson raced to 48, which helped the Griffin to 186/8.
Jeppe’s batsmen faltered in the early going, stumbling to 30/4, thanks to a wonderful display of fast bowling by Dayalan Boyce, who claimed four of the first five wickets to fall and conceded only 25 runs from his four overs.
Sekou Shangase struck twice to hasten Jeppe’s demise and the Johannesburg boys were bundled out for a disappointing 123.
Summarised scorecards
Affies 269/4 (Divan de Villiers 94, Vihan Pretorius 82, Jorich van Schalkwyk 51, Ruben Groenewald 31; Joshua Prince 2/41); Wynberg Boys’ High 153/10 (Divan Linde 52, Paul James 30, Xavier Garvs 29, Storme van Rooyen 22; Ruben Groenewald 3/7, Xavier de Wet 2/18, Divan de Villiers 2/28). Affies won by 116 runs.
Grey College 223/7 (Daniel Hattingh 76, Ruben Maree 51, Pieter Smit 30; Dian Liebenberg 3/31, Berno de Klerk 2/42); Potchefstroom Volkskool 145 (Diaan van der Merwe 30, Berno de Klerk 27, Jim Visser 20; Henru de Wet 4/33, Kamo Mokomela 2/5, Daniel Hattingh 2/30, Darion Rabie 2/33). Grey College won by 78 runs.
Northwood 143/6 (De Bruyn David 46, Nqobani Mokoena 25; Tasheen Hanslo 3/25, Zakier Hanslo 2/28); St Stithians College 145/4 (Thomas Rew 56, Emile Odendaal 33, Richard Seletswane 31; Nqobani Mokoena 2/39). St Stithians College won by six wickets.
Westville Boys’ High 186/8 (Seth Simpson 65, Max Robertson 48, Roxton Payne 23; Christepho Elston 2/12, Matthew Costa 2/28, Shreshth Kumar 2/47); Jeppe High School for Boys 123 (Jeremiah Marshall 29; Dayalan Boyce 4/25, Sekou Shangase 2/4). Westville Boys High won by 63 runs.
After 10 years at Grey College, Wayne Coetzee will bid farewell to the Bloemfontein school and join Parel Vallei for the 2025 hockey season.
With the 2024 schools’ hockey season in the books, the movement of coaches and directors country-wide is underway.
This week, KwaZulu-Natal’s Maritzburg College announced that their Director of Hockey Mark Sanders will assume the role of first-team coach for 2025. He takes over from Kyle Emerson, who will coach the younger age groups.
In the Eastern Cape, some moves are expected in the coming weeks. Sources close to Dale and Kingswood College have informed SuperSportSchools Plus that changes are likely.
However, Selborne College and Grey High, who enjoyed strong seasons under KJ Friend and Andrew Beynon respectively, will continue with their successful set-ups.
A notable move that has been confirmed, though, is that of Grey College‘s Head of Hockey, Wayne Coetzee, who moves from his alma mater to one of the most promising hockey programmes in the country at Parel Vallei High School in the Western Cape.
He will take on the role of the Head of Girls’ Hockey, replacing Jared Pittout, who has revealed to SuperSport Schools Plus that he will be stepping away from the game for personal reasons.
Coetzee led Grey to a very successful season in 2024, which included impressive results against some strong opposition. Captained by the dazzling Jayden Leech, they defeated Grey High School 1-0, Affies 2-1, Paarl Boys’ High 3-0, Selborne College 5-2, Outeniqua 6-0, and drew 1-1 with Paarl Gimnasium.
Coetzee also coached the Southern Free State u18A at the SASHOC National Week, where they finished sixth after going down to KZN Inland A in their last playoff match. In an interview with SuperSportSchools Plus, he said: “This was a very difficult decision to make as I care for the players and school a lot.
“Being an old boy of the school also makes it even more emotional, so the past two weeks have not been easy. Staff, players, and people around the country have supported the move with kind messages and talks.”
The Grey College first team squad for 2024. Photo: The Weekend Photography
The move for Coetzee comes after 10 years spent building the hockey programme at Grey. He revealed some of the reasons for his departure.
“It’s for family reasons and a new challenge,” he said.
“My wife’s parents and my sister and family live in the Cape, so it has been part of the plan. When I got the opportunity with an excellent school like Parel Vallei, it felt like it was the right time and right thing to do as I will certainly be challenged and that can only improve me, and that’s what I’m seeking.
“I am truly grateful to Grey College. I was just a small piece of the big puzzle and everything that has been built and achieved is because of the hockey players, staff, and parents.”
When asked what he expected from his new gig, Coetzee said: “It’s an excellent school, with excellent values, and an excellent programme.
“The challenge will be to uphold what they have created and be the best I can be for the school and programme.”
Coetzee also had some final words for Grey and the players he’s leaving behind: “Grey College hockey, you have shaped me, and you will forever be in my heart.
“Lesson learned: always leave the jersey in a better place than you found it! The whole world will stand aside for the man who knows where he is going,” he concluded.
The eagerly awaited Mitchells Plain Youth Cup (MPYC) is set to unite the community for a dynamic two-day football event, taking place on 12 and 13 October at the Lentegeur Sports Field.
