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A feast of schools rugby awaits the Emirates Lions faithful when their team returns for their home stretch at Emirates Airline Park, kicking off with two top schools from Lions and Cheetahs country setting the table for this weekend’s big clash in Johannesburg.

The Hoërskool Monument, for many years now the premier high school within the Lions’ borders will meet the enterprising Louis Botha Technical High from Bloemfontein in the main curtain raiser.

Four other mouth-watering school games have been secured as the main appetisers for the games against the Crusaders, Hurricanes and Blues.

It’s definitely not an April fool’s joke, but KES and Helpmekaar are set to meet in a curtain raiser for the Crusader clash, while Kempton Park and Transvalia will meet before the Lions kick-off against the Hurricanes.

Parktown Boys and St Benedics will play in the curtain raiser to the Blues clash in May.

19 March 2016

Emirates Lions vs. Toyota Cheetahs
Louis Botha vs. Monument
14:30 Kick Off.

01 April 2016

Emirates Lions vs. Crusaders
King Edward VII vs. Helpmekaar 
16:30 Kick Off

30 April 2016

Emirates Lions vs. Hurricanes
Kempton Park vs. Transvalia
14:30 Kick Off

14 May 2016

Emirates Lions vs. Blues
Parktown Boys vs. St Benedict’s College
Kick-off: 16:30

Results 

EG Jansen 66,  Marais Viljoen 17
EG Jansen 40,  Garsfontein 33
EG Jansen 13,  Glenwood 14
EG Jansen 40,  Noord-Kaap 17
EG Jansen 47,  Maritzburg College 8
EG Jansen 45,  Menlopark 3
EG Jansen 24,  HTS Middelburg 21
EG Jansen 29,  Nelspruit 31
EG Jansen 19,  Louis Botha 17
EG Jansen 22,  Paarl Gimnasium 38
EG Jansen 39,  Garsfontein 36
EG Jansen 83,  Kemptonpark 14
EG Jansen 71,  Rustenburg 20
EG Jansen 59,  Marais Viljoen 10
EG Jansen 21,  Monument 40
EG Jansen 71,  Menlopark 28
EG Jansen 34,  Waterkloof 31
EG Jansen 28,  Garsfontein 32

Players: Ginter Smuts, Ruben Beytell, Andre van der Merwe, Rehann Baumann, Henry Pike, Lee-Irven Anderies, 

Coaches: Anton Lubbe and Regardt Botha. 

20 or more points in a match: 

31 – Ginter Smuts vs. Rustenburg (3 tries 8 cons)
26 – Ginter Smuts vs. Marais Viljoen (66-17) (2 tries, 8 cons)
20 – Ginster Smuts vs. Noord-Kaap (2 tries, 5 cons)

3 or more tries in a match: 

4 – Dwayne Fourie vs. Kemptonpark
3 – Ginter Smuts vs. Rustenburg
3 – Henry Pike vs. Menlopark
3 – Ruben Beytell vs. Kemptonpark
3 – Ruben Beytell vs. Marais Viljoen (66-17)
3 – Ruben Beytell vs. Marais Viljoen (59-10)
3 – Ruben Beytell vs. Menlopark
3 – Ruben Beytell vs. Paarl Gimnasium

Top Point Scorers: 

211 – Ginter Smuts (10 tries, 77 cons, 4 pens)
143 – Ruben Beytell (28 tries, 1 pen)

Top Try Scorers: 

28 – Ruben Beytell. 
10 – Ginter Smuts. 
8 – Werner Fourie.
7 – Lee-Irven Anderies, Henry Pike, Franco van Eeden, Dwayne Fourie.
6 – André van der Merwe.
5 – Quinton Beaton, Rehann Baumann.
3 – Werner Landman, Franklin Wagner.
2 – Ruben Roodt, Francois du Preez.
1 – Duane Zeelie, Carsen Koekemoer, Dylan Engelbrecht, Gerhard van der Nest, André Meyer, Dominic McArthur, Reinhard Venter.

Die grootste kykgenot wat Saterdag in Grey-kollege se tuisoorwinning met 54-22 oor Welkom-Gimnasium te sien was, was vir seker die tuisspan se indrukwekkende senterpaar.

Hoewel ’n mens kon sien dat die seisoen nog in sy babatokse is, het Grey se senters, Rikus Pretorius en Gerrie Koeglenberg, gewys daar is rede tot opwinding oor Grey se seisoen.

Dié twee manne is gróót en aggressief en spog boonop met genoeg vaart en vernuf om ander spanne hoofbrekens te besorg.

Wat die wedstryd self betref, het die besoekers se dissipline hulle aanvanklik in die steek gelaat. Grey het ’n paar mooi drieë gedruk en was met rustyd gemaklik met 30-10 voor.

Ná die omdraaislag het Gimmies egter soos ’n totaal ander span gelyk en het met twee vinnige drieë die telling na 22-30 laat krimp.

’n Mens wou-wou begin dink hier kom ’n ding, maar Grey was op die ou end net te sterk vir die manne van Welkom.
Gimmies hoef egter glad nie hul koppe in skaamte te laat sak nie en veral die senter Richman Gora het ’n goeie vertoning gelewer.

Die Cherries moes sweet om vir Hentie Cilliers van Virginia onder te kry. Grey se naasbestes het die wedstryd met 17-15 gewen. Die besoekers het met die omdraaislag ’n skrale voorsprong van 7-3 geniet. 

Vir Henties was sy stut Winny Kennedy, flank Dillon Hardenburg en agtsteman, Morné Mkwayi, woelig. Agterlangs het die senter William Hendricks en Jovanian du Preez stukkies met stukkies goeie spel vorendag gekom. 

Wilgerivier van Frankfort het op sy sportdag sy rieme teen Vereeniging Gimnasium met 8-38 vasgeloop. Die span van Frankfort behoort egter nie te veel slapelose nagte oor die nederlaag te hê nie. Hy sal na die wedstryd ’n goeie idee hê wat op hom in die Griffon-liga teen spanne soos Welkom-Gimnasium en Voortrekker wag. 

Reitz se skrumskakel, Geyer Terblanche, het ’n driekuns aan drieë in sy span se oortuigende sege van 42-0 oor Generaal Smuts behaal. Sy skakelmaat, Neil van der Merwe, het self ’n waardevolle bydra van 17 punte gelewer. 

Riebeeckstad was met 34-5 in sy interskole teen Hoërskool Bloemfontein baas. Riebies se voorspelers het met sy agtsteman, Johan Marais, aan die voorpunt het sake beheer. Agterlangs het die kaptein en skrumskakel, Liphoko Majoe, die losskakel, Nathan Fourie, en die senter Docter Mahkubu ook blink vertonings gelewer. 

Bothaville het vir Parys met 36-0 ’n rugbyles geleer. Die senter Carlo Kleynhans het sy goeie vertonings sover die seisoen voortgesit. Voorlangs kan die vaskopstut, Hanco van Aswegen, en die losvoorspelers Brian Fulton en Jurie Viljoen vandag breëbors rondloop. 

Landoudal van Jacobsdal het op Paul Roos Gimnasium se sportdag in Stellenbosch sy rieme behoorlik met 8-35 teen Hottentots-Holland styfgeloop. Lanties se senter Tiaan van Wyk, agtsteman Rikus Jonck en die vleuel Ferreira Strauss, wat ook op senter diens gedoen het, goeie spel gelewer.

Puntemakers: 

Grey-kollege 54 (30): Drieë: Jaco van Tonder (2), Marnus Boshoff, Rewan Kruger, Matthew Wessels, Dian Schoonees, Jandré de Beer, Rikus Pretorius. Doelskoppe: Mario Vieira (4). Strafdoele: Vieira (2). Welkom Gimnasium 24 (6): Drieë: Jason Wagman, Wian van Staden, Gift Dlamini. Doelskoppe: Kota (2). Strafdoel: Kota. 

Cherries 17 (3): Drieë: Rian Heyman, PR Serfontein. Doelskoppe: Heyman (2). Strafdoel: Heyman. Hentie Cilliers 15 (7): Drieë: Siyabonga Mzantsi, William Hendricks. Doelskop: Owen Kleinhans. Strafdoel: Kleinhans. 

Riebeeckstad 34 (12): Drieë: Docter Makubu (2), Nathan Fourie, Themba Malindi, Dibakiso Tladi, Johan Marais. Doelskoppe: Fourie (2). Hoërskool Bloemfontein 5. 

Reitz 42: Drieë: Geyer Terblanche (3), Neil van der Merwe, Dawie Lombaard, Jacques-Louis van der Merwe. Doelskoppe: Neil van der Merwe (6). Generaal Smuts 0. 

Landboudal 8 (3): Drie Handré Engela. Strafdoel: Tiaan van Wyk. Hottentots-Holland 35 (14). 

Wilgeriver 12 (5): Drieë: Cobus Erasmus, Ruan Pretorius. Doelskop: Erasmus. Hoërskool Sasolburg 0. 

Bothaville 36 (10): Drieë: Reinhardt Grobler (2), Morné Dodds (2), Hanco van Aswegen, Carlo Kleynhans. Doelskoppe: Kleynhans (3). Parys 0.

Daar bestaan geen twyfel dat Goudveld-Hoërskool se vertonings vanjaar van die spel van sy briljante losskakel, Tristen September, gaan afhang nie. September was weer op sy stukke, maar kon nie sy span van ’n loesing van 14-58 teen Waterkloof van Pretoria op sy tweede sportdag in Welkom red nie.

Wees egter gewaarsku dat daar nie veel uit die feit gelees kan word dat Welkom-Gimnasium vir Klofies met 25-15 in ’n wedstryd met slegs drieë op Loftus Versfeld geklop het nie. Die span van Pretoria het in die wedstryd sonder al sy atlete en krieketspelers gespeel.

Die Afrikaanse Hoërskool Kroonstad sal heelwat selfvertroue uit sy sege van 54-10 oor Sand du Plessis op dié sportdag put. Rooiskool het rustyd reeds ’n voorsprong van 35-0 opgebou.

Die span van Kroonstad se binnesenter, Martin Heyns, het ’n hele paar keer vlymskerp deur gapings in Sannies se verdediging geslyp. Die agtsteman, Dian de Beer, het in sy eerste wedstryd vir die eerstespan uitstekende gevaar en drie keer agter die doellyn gaan kuier. Hy het ook op ’n keer op ’n lopie vanaf sy span se eie tien tree afgesit om net kort van die doellyn gestuit te word.

Voortrekker van Bethlehem het sy seisoen met ’n glimlag begin deur Jim Fouché op sy tuisveld in Bloemfontein met 29-24 te klop. Die Trekkers gaan vanjaar gewis ’n span wees om mee rekening te hou in die Noord-Vrystaat.
JF se langeraat slot, Ernst Nebe, het gewys dat hy vanjaar nog ’n paar kragtige vertonings kan lewer. Die vleuel Flippie Jonck beskik oor die vermoë om geleenthede wat na sy kant toe kom uit te buit.

HTS Sasolburg het op Goudveld se sportdag nie veel probleme ondervind om Winburg met 52-10 af te ransel nie. President Steyn is sover die seisoen in die diep kant ingegooi. Hy het teen HTS Welkom met 12-35 sy rieme behoorlik styfgeloop.

Hoërskool Kroonstad (Blouskool) het op Gouties se sportdag sy seisoen met ’n sege van 15-7 oor Ficksburg afgeskop. Blouskool sal in die vakansie na Parys toer waar President Steyn en Brandfort ook vir oulaas aan hul taktiek vir die liga sal slyp.

Bloues se agtsteman, Piet van der Merwe, en flank Danie Meiring het voorlangs goed vertoon. In die agterlyn het die heelagter, Jaco van Zyl, en senter Mervin Touzel gevaarlik gelyk wanneer die bal lug gegee is.

Daniëlskuil het op Hartswater se sportdag vir Koffiefontein met 38-0 verslaan, terwyl Kalahari van Kuruman met 47-5 oor Blinkklip van Postmasburg baas was.

Puntemakers: 

Waterkloof 58: Drieë: PJ Krugel (2), Duhann Gunter, Lund Roos, Ruan Allers, Alex Kok, Ruben Veldsman. Doelskoppe: Gunter (3), Ulrich Maritz (2). Strafdoel: Gunter. Goudveld-Hoërskool 14: Drieë: Tristen September, Lorenzo Cloete. Doelskoppe: September (2). 

Voortrekker 29: Drieë: Jonathan Allison, Wessel van Huysteen, Sakkie Mollentze, Pieter van Zyl. Doelskoppe: Ruan van Niekerk (3). Strafdoel: Van Niekerk. Jim Fouché 24: Drieë: Stefan Coetzer, Willie van der Berg. Doelskoppe: Henco Venter (2). 

AHS Kroonstad 54 (35): Drieë: Dian de Beer (3), Martin Heyns (2), Marinus Aucamp, Ivan Otto, Zack van Niekerk. Doelskoppe: Chappies van der Walt (7). Sand du Plessis 10 (0): Drie: Timothy Jones. Doelskop: William Bloem. 

HTS Sasolburg 52: Drieë: Jovan Koeries (2), Cheslyn Jafta, Dealine Jafta, Ryan Davids, Kamo Motaung, Naigan Wolmarans, Adin Damons. Doelskoppe: Danwin Thomas (6). Winburg 10. 

Hoërskool Kroonstad 15: Drieë: Jacques van Biljon, Hanro Coetzee, Danie Meiring. Ficksburg 7. 

President Steyn 12: Drieë: Janco Nel, Andor van Brakel. Doelskop: Niel Smith. HTS Welkom 35. 

Hennenman 27 (12): Drieë: Richard Badenhorst, Albé Venter, Juhze Piechaczek, Fanie Pretorius, Xolani Gongo. Doelskop: Venter. Paul Erasmus Senekal 10 (10). 

Riebeeckstad 34 (12): Drieë: Docter Makubu (2), Nathan Fourie, Themba Malindi, Dibakiso Tladi, Johan Marais. Doelskoppe: Fourie (2). Hoërskool Bloemfontein 5. 

Reitz 42: Drieë: Geyer Terblanche (3), Neil van der Merwe, Dawie Lombaard, Jacques-Louis van der Merwe. Doelskoppe: Neil van der Merwe (6). Generaal Smuts 0. 

Landboudal 8 (3): Drie Handré Engela. Strafdoel: Tiaan van Wyk. Hottentots-Holland 35 (14). 

Wilgeriver 12 (5): Drieë: Cobus Erasmus, Ruan Pretorius. Doelskop: Erasmus. Hoërskool Sasolburg 0. 

Bothaville 36 (10): Drieë: Reinhardt Grobler (2), Morné Dodds (2), Hanco van Aswegen, Carlo Kleynhans. Doelskoppe: Kleynhans (3). Parys 0.

DALE 22 PEARSON 3

Dale and Pearson kicked off the day’s action in good conditions although overnight conditions made for rather muddy conditions in certain areas of the field.

The Kingwilliamstown side dominated much of the play and crossed for three tries in the first half to take a telling 15-3 lead into halftime. Pearson’s only response was a penalty by Rodwill Baatjies.

The second half was slightly more evenly fought, but Pearson could make no headway against a solid Dale defence, and it was the King side who made the breakthrough with a try under the posts by centre Sibulele Mbana.

Scorers:

Dale 22: tries by No 8 Siyanda Am, No 12 Luzuko Mtotywa, No 11 Bamanye Xenxe, No 13 Sibulele Mbana; a conversion by No 15 Sipho Dlongodlongo. Pearson 3: penalty by No 13 Rodwill Baatjies.

HUDSON PARK 29 UNION HIGH 26

A penalty after the hooter from forward Keegan Purcell gave Hudson Park a thrilling 29-26 victory over Union High in a superbly contested encounter.

Hudson made all the early moves and jumped to a 14-0 lead before Union High found their rhythm. From then it was a case of tit-for-tat because each time one side scored, the other found a way to hit back.

No sooner had Union levelled the score, than Hudson scored just before halftime to take a 21-14 lead into the break.
In the second half, Union wing Kwesi Ansah showed terrific speed when he rounded off a movement from deep inside his team’s 22-metre area as they drew level again, only for Hudson Park to score their fourth try to move 26-21 ahead.

Ansah’s pace again proved significant when he scored his second try to even the match, but a penalty on the hooter gave Hudson the victory chance, with they took through a solid strike from about 35 metres out by Purcell.

Point-scorers

Hudson Park 29: tries by No 3 Alulutho Tshakweni, No 9 Hlumelo Ndudula, No 10 Sine Qushile, No 13 Sipha Krweqe; 3 conversions by Qushile; a penalty by No 18 Keegan Purcell Union High 26: tries by No 12 Kanya Tshuni 2, No 14 Kwesi Ansah 2; 3 conversions by Ansah

GREY HIGH 50 STIRLING 0
Linking dominance up front with incisive and slick running by their backs, Grey High proved too strong for Stirling to romp to a 50-0 victory.
The East London school battled to get on to the front foot in the opening half and could not plug the gaps created by the constant, powerful surges of the Grey side. They never stopped trying, though, and had some moments in the second half when they threatened their opponents’ line, but Grey’s defence was solid.
Wing Aya Matroos crossed for two tries in the first half and fullback Sihle Njezula showed his pace and skill by scoring twice in the second half, in one instance beating at least half a dozen defenders to score under the poles.
Point-scorers:
Grey High 50: tries by No 2 Apiwe Febana, No 11 Aya Matroos 2, No 10 Waqar Solaan, No 6 Bevan Prinslo, No 15 Sihle Njezula 2, No 8 Khwezi Mafu; conversions by Njezula 3, Solaan 2.

MUIR 12 CAMBRIDGE 6
A brace of tries by centre Sicelo Tole proved the difference as Muir hit back for a hard-fought win over Cambridge.
The East Londoners were first on the board, going 6-0 up with two penalties. However, Muir hit back to pull within one point at halftime when Tole crossed for a fine try.
Cambridge were unable to break down Muir’s resistance in the second half and the Uitenhage side took the lead after a period of pressure saw Tole force his way over near the posts.
Point-scorers:
Muir 12 : tries by No 12 Sicele Tole 2, conversion by No 2 S Ncapayi.
Cambridge 6: two penalties by No 10 Milasakhe Qabaka

SELBORNE 36 FRAMESBY 10
It took Selborne more than 30 minutes to subdue Framesby, but once they did, they buried their Port Elizabeth opponents with a thrilling display of running rugby which cut the defence to shreds.
Framesby started promisingly and led 10-5 at halftime, their only blemish being a yellow card which allowed Selborne to capitalise for their first try.
After the break, though, there was only one side in it and Selborne ran away with the game to score five more tries. The Framesby defensive system fell apart in this period and Selborne continually cut through their lines, allowing scrumhalf James Bruce to score twice and wing Miles Norton to add another to his first half effort.
Point-scorers:
Selborne 36: tries by No 14 Miles Norton 2, No 9 James Bruce 2, No 21 Miles Connellan, No 12 Sango Xamlashe; three conversions by No 10 David Coetzer.
Framesby 10: try by No 11 Lindsay Potgieter; one conversion, one penalty by No 15 Riaan van Rensburg.
ST ANDREW’S 22 NICO MALAN 12
St Andrew’s took control in the second half of their clash with Nico Malan to run out fairly comfortable 22-12 winners.
It was all even at halftime after a try apiece, but St Andrew’s displayed some good running skills in the second half and opened up the Nico Malan defence to score three more tries, speedy wing Tim Bloem showing his pace to cross twice.
Nico Malan never gave up and were rewarded for their efforts late in the game when flank Johan Viljoen went over for a try after a lineout close to the St Andrew’s line. The day, however, belonged to the Andreans.
Point-scorers:
St Andrew’s 22: tries by No 11 Tim Bloem 2, No 15 Ross Ferguson, No 14 Carl Johnson; one conversion by Ferguson.
Nico Malan 12: tries by No 13 Henrico Helm, No 6 Johan Viljoen; one conversion by No 10 Jak van der Walt
MARLOW 26 GRAEME 14
Marlow showed some elusive running skills among their backs to run up a telling 26-0 lead which was enough to secure a solid victory over hosts Graeme.
At one stage, the Graeme defensive structures were sorely exposed and Marlow, with flyhalf Vaughen Isaacs often prominent, took full advantage to take control in the first three-quarters of the match.
When Graeme finally did get their tackling right, they were able to apply some pressure on their opponents and hit back in the final quarter with two fine tries to add some respectability to the score.
Point-scorers:
Marlow 26: tries by No 4 Keanan Murray, No 5 Herman Greeff, No 9 Nevaldo Fleurs, No 10 Vaughen Isaacs; 3 conversions by Isaacs
Graeme 14: tries by No 13 Simamkele Ngxesha 2, two conversions by No 10 Sivu Ngqiyaza
KINGSWOOD 31 QUEEN’S 17
Kingswood and Queen’s produced a thrilling finish to the day’s play with a display of running rugby, mixed with courageous comebacks.
The Grahamstown lads showed they will be a handful for most teams this season by running up a 24-5 lead midway through the second half. But Queen’s are a proud rugby school and they were not about to lie down, hitting back in stunning fashion with two tries in a couple of minutes to narrow the gap to seven points.
However, as they strove to find a possible match-levelling score, Kingswood seized on a loose ball and from inside their own half, they broke out and, with slick handling, Cobus van Zyl took the final pass to score under the posts.
The final whistle blew a few minutes later.
Point-scorers:
Kingswood 31: tries by No 12 Siba Mzanywa, No 15 Athi Halom, No 6 Tom Lawson-Smith, No 1 Thembi Mangwana, No 19 Cobus van Zyl; three conversions by No 10 Weston Potgieter
Queen’s 17: tries by No 11 Asi Mrubata, No 15 Bulela Sotyelelwa, No 12 Chris Hollis; one conversion by No 10 Keith Kroutz

THERE have been several skirmishes already, but the intensity in the Eastern Cape schools programme will move up a few notches when the Pam Golding Properties Graeme Rugby Day kicks off at 8 am in Grahamstown on Saturday.

Following the inaugural tournament in 1998, held to celebrate the school’s 125th anniversary, the Graeme Rugby Day has become a permanent feature of the Eastern Cape calendar, growing such in popularity that the organisers have a list of schools on a waiting list keen to be involved.

While it is still early in the preparation of many teams for the forthcoming schools programme, the day gives the coaches an ideal opportunity to assess their charges for the new season, and a chance to test certain combinations.
Of particular interest on Saturday will be the performance of Kingswood and Queen’s when they play in the feature match of the day at 16.10.

These teams had a thrilling battle in Queenstown last year, which Queen’s eventually won, and they should provide an exciting finale to what should be another festival of schools rugby at its best.

Kingswood have fielded some strong teams in recent years and underlined their prowess with they claimed the crown of Grahamstown by beating both St Andrew’s and Graeme last year.

Inevitably, the sides will have changes in personnel, but the passion and willingness to entertain should ensure a fine spectacle.

Hosts Graeme have generously conceded the top game to the Kingswood-Queen’s showdown and will play the main curtain-raiser against tough Cradock school Marlow Agricultural.

It will be something of a Graeme-Marlow derby because the U14, U15, U16 and second teams from the schools will all square off.

Graeme first team coach Jonty van der Meulen said they were looking forward to playing against opponents they rarely face.

“We know that Marlow are always a tough school to play, who have a lot of passion and often punch above their weight,” Van der Meulen. “But we are looking forward to the challenge and have tried to prepare as thoroughly as possible, given the limited time we have had.”

Eastern Cape powerhouses Grey High and Selborne will be aiming to lay down a marker for the season when they come up against Stirling and Framesby respectively.

The East London side have arguably the tougher assignment because they face a Framesby side who will be keen to atone for a less than successful season in 2015.

These teams produced a thriller in their corresponding clash in 2014, with Selborne winning 33-29. Naturally the composition of the teams will have changed, but the match should provide a good indication of the teams’ prospects for the year.

Grey High had been due to play Brandwag before the Uitenhage school had to withdraw due to other commitments.
Stirling, who are on a mission to improve their rugby, bravely stepped in to take on Grey and even if some are predicting a mismatch, nobody will be taking the game lightly.

“We know Stirling will be out to take our scalp and we have to be properly prepared for this game,” Grey coach Tim Fraser said.

The Somerset field fixtures are:

08:00 – Dale College vs. Pearson
09:10 – Union HS vs. Hudson Park 
10:20 – Grey High School vs. Stirling
11:30 – Muir College vs. Cambridge
12:40 – Selborne College vs. Framesby
13:50 – St Andrew’s College vs. Nico Malan
15:00 – Graeme College vs. Marlow Landbou
16:10 – Kingswood College vs. Queen’s College