Hoërskool Klerksdorp se Daniel Schoeman en die gesoute Tyran Masango het seker gemaak dat die spogregte van sy jaarlikse derby met Hoërskool Lichtenburg saam met hom na Klerksdorp terugkeer.
Masango het twee keer die doellyn oorgesteek om vir die besoekers ‘n sege van 38-23 te verseker. In 2025 was dit ook Klerksdorp wat met die derbyloure weggestap het ná sy sege van 21-13 op sý tuisveld.
Die kollig is egter Saterdag deur Schoeman gesteel. Die slot van Klerksdorp is as Speler van die Wedstryd aangewys. Sy gewoel in die vastelos het die Liggies keer op keer uitoorlê en ook tot een van sy span se ses drieë gelei.
Dit het uiteraard vir Masango spasie aan die buitekant geskep en met sy ervaring het hy twee keer gaan afrond vir ‘n tweekuns aan drieë. Sy losskakel, Brendin Mathyse, was soos oudergewoonte op sy gemak as generaal van die agterhoede. Sy verspreiding raak wedstryd ná wedstryd beter, wat ‘n goeie teken is vir die Klerksdorpers se veldtog in die Virseker Noordvaal Beker se Plaat-afdeling.
Vir die Lichtenburgers het losskakel Hanjo Nieuwoudt en sy skopstewel uitgeblink. Nieuwoudt het die tuisspan se telbord aan die rol gehou deur albei drieë te verdoel en ook drie strafdoele oor te klits.
Voorlangs het vaskopstut Ruben Pretorius gewoel met ‘n goeie vertoning reg oor die veld. Dit is met die tuisspan se eerste drie beloon.
Hoërskool Zwartkop se Vikings, asook Hoërskool Kempton Park, het onderskeidelik groot stellings in hul onderskeie kragmetings van die Virseker Noordvaal Cup se Plaat-afdeling gemaak.
Die Vikings het Saterdagmiddag op sy tuisveld sewe drieë ingeryg om vir Hoërskool Transvalia met ‘n telling van 54-19 dragslae te gee.
Die Zwarries se linkervleuel, Waylin Papier, blyk na een van dié afdeling se groot gevaarmanne vanjaar. Papier het tot dusver die drieë ingeryg en Saterdag nog ‘n verdere twee op sy kerfstok gesit.
Papier het baljaar met die hope spasie wat deur sy losskakel, Tilon Baron, se goeie visie geskep is. Boonop het Baron ‘n goeie dag met die stewel beleef. Hy het vyf doelskoppe en drie strafdoele oorgeklits om saam met sy drie ‘n totaal van 24 punte by te dra.
Die Kempies het op sy beurt agt keer die doellyn op sy tuisveld oorgesteek om vir Hoërskool Oos-Moot met 52-8 af te ransel. Die grondslag vir die tuisspan is deur sy voorspelers gelê. Die Kempies se pak het van meet af die oorhand in die vaste fasette gehad. Dit het baie dieselfde geleenthede vir sy agterhoede geskep om te gaan afrond.
Regtervleuel Aubrey Hoskin, wat vanjaar deurgaans uitblink, was weer voor in die koor met sy tweekuns aan drieë. Die Kempies se Speler van die Wedstryd-toekenning is uiteindelik aan sy hele voorry gegee as beloning vir die trio wat onderskeidelik uit Tristan Marx (loskopstut), Matthew Vermaak (haker) en Reece van Loggenburg (vaskopstut) bestaan, se beste vertoning nóg vanjaar.
Die tendens was baie dieselfde by Hoërskool Montana in Pretoria waar die Rhinos van Hoërskool Nelspruit ‘n afgeronde vertoning aanmekaar geslaan het om die tuisspan met 37-31 te klop. Dit was dan ook die Rhinos se derde agtereenvolgende sege sedert die begin van die reeks, wat van hom ‘n uitdaging gaan maak om te stuit vir die res van sy Plaat-veldtog.
Kempton Park 52 (33) – Drieë: Aubrey Hoskin (2), Reece van Loggenburg, Christian Nixon, Bevan Grobler, Kehan Kruger, Luca du Plooy, Matthew Vermaak. Doelskoppe: Heinrich Burger (4), Rynard Burger (2). Oos-Moot 8 (8) – Drie: Arno Badenhorst. Strafdoel: Karel Kok.
Hoërskool Nelspruit 37 –Drieë: Mphobuhle Nyumba, Kamo Monkwe, Handré Smit, Jeandré Aucamp, Tye Habib, Rhandzu Mkhabela. Doelskoppe: Ewan van der Merwe (2). Strafdoel: Van der Merwe. Montana 31 – Drieë: Ulrich van Biljon (2), Reghardt van Biljon, Shawn Moabelo. Doelskoppe: Rubel Bester (4). Strafdoel: Bester.
Luke Grobbelaar scored a late try in the right corner, converted by Daniel Miskey, and Kearsney edged out Michaelhouse, winning by a single point on Gilfillan Field. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Kearsney College and Michaelhouse dished up a tasty treat on Gilfillan Field on Saturday. Unfortunately, for Michaelhouse, they were left with a bitter taste in the mouth after losing by a single point on Hilton College‘s home ground for a second week in succession.
The margin between victory and defeat was a matter of centimetres, but Alex Jankowitz‘s late conversion attempt struck the left upright and stayed out, leaving Kearsney with a 32-31 win.
As is so often the case in matches decided by a late kick, it wasn’t the fault of the player who didn’t make the kick. The Michaelhouse centre was, in many ways, one of the main reasons they had a chance to win it at the end.
Conditions could hardly have been better. Two thumbs up to the ground staff for producing a fantastic surface for a second successive busy weekend of all-out rugby.
Early on, Michaelhouse looked full of running, pressuring the Kearsney try line with their forwards before flinging the ball wide to the right, where flank Kumkani Dwenga found himself up against the touchline. He had just enough time to dive over before the covering defence reached him, and ‘Housetook the lead. Jankowitz added the conversion with a beautiful kick.
Flyhalf Dan Miskey scored Kearsney’s first points off the kicking tee, but Michaelhouse quickly responded with some snappy passing, left and right, stretching the One-Stripe before scrumhalf Ben Hughes put left-wing Barend de Bruyn over in the corner. A fantastic team try!
Kearsney’s calling card this season is their sharp counterattacking, but they took a more direct route to score their opening try, with their pack forcing their way over from a lineout in the 18th minute. The try-scorer was a familiar source, 8th-man and captain, Nhlanhla Ndlovu. Miskey nailed the conversion.
Ndlovu presents an interesting set of skills for the Sharks’ selectors to consider. As an 8th-man, he doesn’t have prototypical size. However, as a skilful and impactful loose forward, he’s top-notch – speedy, slick, and a consistent threat around the edges, thanks to his high rugby IQ.
Talking about rugby IQ, Kearsney centre Keanu Williamson reminds one of former Sharks and Springbok inside centre Dick Muir. There’s no exceptional quality that catches the eye – speed, power, or moves – yet, his decision-making is sound, his support play outstanding, and, crucially, he makes everyone around him better. He’s a consistent all-round package.
Jankowitz, Michaelhouse’s number 12, should be on the selectors’ radar. He’s versatile, capable of covering any position in the backline, and he also offers a good boot, too. His direct, hard running also frequently gets his side over the gain-line, and him over the try line.
Fullback Lwazi Mbebe’s creative counterattacking excellence was a constant source of consternation for Michaelhouse. Photo: Martin Ashworth Sports Photography.
A long-range Miskey penalty early in the second half gave Kearsney the lead for the first time in the contest at 13-12. Michaelhouse could have taken a kick at goal not long after that, but their decision to run the ball was rewarded when Jankowitz powered his way over from close range. He also landed the conversion kick to make it 19-13 to the Balgowan boys.
A missed kick to touch, though, came back to haunt ‘House, and a Kearsney counter from their own 10-metre line brought the Botha’s Hill bunch seven points. It was all about Ndlovu, who ran a superb line to rip through the Michaelhouse defence before he put Lwandle Mkhize away for a try in the left corner.
Kearsney soon struck again when the mercurial Lwazi Mbebe saw a gap and sliced through it before setting up Oliver Ludwig for a try. Ludwig’s loose trio partnership with his fellow water polo star, James Whatmore, and Nhlanhla Ndlovu was a key component in the One-Stripe’s success.
Another Miskey conversion made it 25-19, but Michaelhouse soon hit back.
Jed Reilly scored a cracking try, the fourth of Michaelhouse’s five against Kearsney. Photo: Brad Morgan.
A stolen lineout and a line break by Barend de Bruyn put Michaelhouse on the front foot. He picked out the lanky flank Jed Reilly ranging up on his inside and, for the second weekend in succession, Reilly was over for a try. Jankowitz converted from in front to edge ‘House into a one-point lead after 59 minutes.
The see-saw continued only three minutes later when a blindside move featuring Ndlovu and Williamson put Luke Grobbelaar over in the right corner.
Just as Jankowitz had done for Michaelhouse earlier in the contest, Miskey nailed the touchline conversion, extending Kearsney’s advantage to 32-26. That difficult kick would prove to be the difference in the contest.
Michaelhouse is a never-say-die outfit. It almost brought them a win the previous weekend, when they outscored Hilton 21-10 in the second half, and it almost brought them a win when they added another try from Fabiano Ferro in the last minute.
That left the conversion attempt to come before the final whistle. It didn’t go ‘House’s way, and Kearsney escaped with a skin-of-the-teeth victory.
Unfortunately, for Michaelhouse, they were again without their captain and tighthead, Nicolas Salamousas, but Sphelo Mfazwe, in his stead, performed superbly. His work ethic was fantastic, and he regularly drove the ball up, emulating Salamousas.
Scorers
Kearsney 32 (10) – Tries: Nhlanhla Ndlovu, Lwandle Mkhize, James Whatmore, Luke Grobbelaar. Conversions: Dan Miskey (3). Penalties: Dan Miskey (2). Michaelhouse 31 (12) – Tries: Kumkani Dwenga, Barend de Bruyn, Alex Jankowitz, Jed Reilly, Fabiano Ferro. Conversions: Alex Jankowitz (3).
Dom du Toit lines up a penalty kick with time up on the clock and Maritzburg College trailing DHS by two points. He made it, and College celebrated a gutsy 18-17 win. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Hilton College‘s Gillfillan Field hosted some outstanding clashes on Saturday, Sharks Rugby Day, with the last of the lot, a traditional showdown between Maritzburg College and Durban High School (DHS), producing a test match-like intensity and a last-second 18-17 victory for the Red, Black, and White.
They had last beaten DHS in 2021, before the arrival of Director of Rugby, Hendré Marnitz, so it was his first time coming out on the right side of that result.
“We’ve had a bit of a drought against DHS, so this means a lot,” Marnitz told SuperSport Schools News. “We’ve been on the wrong side of a couple of tight results, so it was nice to get this one across the line. It was a good day out for us.”
DHS, coming off losses to Northwood, Monument, and Paarl Gim – all outstanding teams – brought a lot to the clash. They demonstrated the pride and physicality that has become a hallmark of their rugby programme, but they ran into an extremely motivated College side, who rabidly defended every centimetre of the Gilfillan Field turf.
“The boys really showed up today. There was a lot of heart. We had one soft moment where they got a breakaway try. I thought we were fairly well in control, except for the scoreboard. We just couldn’t get the scoreboard rolling,” Marnitz commented.
DHS tested College, but the defence of Rory Stanton and company was exceptional. “We want to hunt like a pack of wolves, and the boys care about their badge, and they care about their brotherhood. Those are the fundamentals that we try to get into them, week in and week out. I’m very pleased for them,” he added
Stanton, the 8th-man, gave the selectors every reason to consider selecting four players who occupy that position for their schools for a second year in succession, perhaps even more.
Northwood’s Jamie Wimble and Hilton College’s Zander Muller cracked the nod in 2025, while Kearsney‘s Nhlanhla Ndlovu, although a touch undersized, has been dynamic this season. He exhibits a fantastic rugby IQ, which often leads to him either setting up or scoring tries.
Ama Mataboge crashed over the ty line to give DHS the lead in the first half of an epic battle against Marritzburg College. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Despite Maritzburg College’s massive effort, DHS hung tough. They scored a fantastic try in the first half on the counterattack. Their scrumhalf, Richaad Kriel, showed his greatest asset, serious wheels, before feeding Ama Mataboge, who was into space, but needed to drag a defender across the line with him to score.
Tanwil Onkers, who started the counter, knocked over the conversion to put DHS 7-3 ahead at halftime.
In the second half, College captain Rory Stanton twice breached the DHS defence, both times going over wide on the left. Dom du Toit converted the first, but not the second, which was from the touchline.
An Onkers penalty in the 45th minute had levelled the scores before Stanton’s second. Then, with only two minutes remaining, DHS forced their way over from a five-metre lineout, with Okhule Mbanjwa crashing over to the left of the uprights.
The simple conversion put the Horseflies two points up, with only two minutes to play. But Maritzburg College found a way to snatch victory.
“We had a plan to kick a good restart and try to get the ball back,” Marnitz explained. “Then, we had a plan about what we wanted to do from the scrum.
“The boys stuck to that plan, we stayed in the fight, and we got the opportunity [to win it]. If there is one guy I would back to make the kick, it’s Dom du Toit. He’s a super kicker. I’m really happy for him. He’s special.”
Dom du Toit roars with delight after nailing the game-winning penalty kick for Maritzburg College. Photo: Brad Morgan.
The kick, from 32 metres out, on the 15-metre line, on the right, was true. Du Toit pumped his fists before it bisected the uprights, and the final whistle blew.
Indeed, in the midst of a bruising encounter, Du Toit stood out, not only for his kicking but also for his calm and consistent service from behind the industrious College pack.
“If you look at the last bit – the guts of the boys, the composure, and how they fight – it’s a special group of boys who have worked very hard for the last six to eight months. I’m just happy for them,” Marnitz said.
Maritzburg College 18 (3) – Tries: Rory Stanton (2). Conversions: Dom du Toit (1). Penalties: Dom du Toit (2). DHS 17 (7) – Tries: Ama Mataboge, Okuhle Mbanjwa. Conversions: Tanwil Onkers (2). Penalty: Tanwil Onkers.
With a win over Selborne College, Dale recorded their ninth win in 11 matches thus far in the 2026 season. Photo: Dale College on Facebook.
Dale College made it a reunion weekend to remember as they built a solid lead and then held off a gutsy fightback from their East London rivals, Selborne College, to win 31-27 in another thriller in Qonce on Saturday.
The result, on the occasion of Dale’s 165th anniversary, was a mirror image of an earlier victory this season in another of their big derby days when they edged out Queen’s College 31-29 in Komani last month.
It gives a promising season the glimmer of an outstanding year for Dale – they have also beaten Hudson Park High – although they know that their Border rivals will be lurking with serious intent in their return matches.
On Saturday, Dale nearly let it slip as Selborne refused to give up the fight.
Ahead 17-10 at the break, the home side put real daylight between themselves and their opponents when tries by loose forwards Ulikhaya Stuurman and Liybona Mayikana, his second of the match, propelled them into a commanding 31-10 lead, with Sonwabise Dyani adding the conversions.
But Selborne, who scored their first try of the match through hooker Joshua McKay, is not a side that is easily put away.
With 20 minutes left, they mounted their comeback with a try by Mozesh van der Byl, and then flank Daniel Rushmere pounded his way through the defence for a converted try to send jitters through the ranks of the Dale supporters at 31-22.
Selborne struck again with another powerful forward maul, resulting in Mbono Gqoboko dotting down, and suddenly the game was very much alive at 31-27.
However, with just three minutes left, Dale stood firm to keep their line intact for another significant victory.
In Makhanda, St Andrew’s College‘s players and supporters breathed a massive sigh of relief when they broke their duck this season with a solid 33-27 result over Cradock’s Marlow Agricultural.
No. 8 James Badenhorst was the standout player for the home team, crossing for two tries. He was a constant threat to the Marlow defence with his surging runs.
Big lock Josh van Zyl was also a factor when St Andrew’s built up momentum, and after one of his drives upfield, flyhalf Luke Chorley went over for a crucial score.
At that stage, the match was balanced on a knife’s edge, with St Andrew’s hanging onto a narrow 21-20 lead with 15 minutes left.
Chorley’s try gave them some breathing space, and then Van Zyl, himself, charged over for another score that increased their lead to a more comfortable 33-20 margin with just more than 10 minutes left.
Although the persistent Marlow team continued to press and scored one more try by JG de Lange, St Andrew’s had done enough to plant the seeds of a possible revival to their season.
Across town, on the Marais Field at Graeme College, the home side underlined the outstanding quality of their attacking play as they brushed aside the Cambridge High challenge, leading 66-0 at halftime before finishing with a 90-21 victory.
Typically, fullback Lucritia Magau was in the thick of things with a hat-trick of tries, and towering wing Asakhe Ranuga and hooker Athi Manyati both went over twice.
Accolades, though, must go to Cambridge, who showed enormous resolve in the second half to score three tries to nearly match their opponents in that period.
In East London, Port Rex registered a solid 31-19 win over Ooskus Gymnasium.
The following matches were cancelled due to the heavy rain: Hudson Park v Kingswood, Grey High v Queen’s, Nico Malan v Pearson, Muir v Union High.
Scorers
Dale College 31 (17) – Tries: Kungawo Jaca, Caleb Smith, Liyabona Mayikana (2), Ulikhaya Stuurman. Conversions: Sonwabise Dyani (3). Selborne College 27 (10) – Tries: Josh McKay, Zweletu Njoholo, Daniel Rushmere, Mozesh van der Byl, Mbono Gqoboko. Conversion: Connor Fowles
Graeme College 90(66) – Tries: Andrew Muir, Erin Nelson, Lucritia Magau (3), Athi Manyati (2), Asakhe Ranuga (2), Iviwe Mshubeki, Torres Fourie, Ibenathi Kondile, Akho Tonjeni, Ethan de Wet. Conversions: Nelson (8), Kondile (2). Cambridge High21 (0) – not available
St Andrew’s College 33 (14) – Tries: Ross Faber, James Badenhorst (2), Luke Chorley, Josh van Zyl. Conversions: Will Stevens (4). Marlow Agricultural 27 (10) – Tries: Matthew Lieberum, Herman le Roux, JG de Lange. Penalty: Hurter, Jan-Louw du Plessis. Conversions: Cole Hurter, Du Plessis (2).
Entertaining hockey, some tightly contested affairs, and bucket loads of goals were the theme of matches in the Gauteng region over the past weekend.
Top sides – Jeppe High School for Boys, St Stithians College, Pretoria Boys High, and King Edward VII(KES) – all secured victories against tricky opposition.
Jeppe, fresh from claiming third place at the Hibbert Shield, made the trip to Pretoria to take on an unpredictable Affies side.
As expected, it was a gruelling battle, and the boys from Kensington had to dig deep to secure a gritty 3-2 win.
Affies opened the scoring early in the first chukka through MJ du Rand after he picked up a loose ball from a short corner, then dribbled before slamming it past goalkeeper Jason Pressley.
The visitors responded almost immediately. Jeppe won a short corner of their own at the other end and turned to the reliable Kade Lottering, who made no mistake, flicking the ball into the back of the net to level matters.
It was end-to-end stuff after that, but neither side converted in front of the goal, and they were tied 1-1 at the break.
Jeppe upped the ante in the third chukka and was rewarded when Jarryd Gordon-Watt and Adam Lacy struck to give them a two-goal lead.
Affies made it a nervy finish to the match for the visitors, though, by scoring in the dying minutes of the final chukka. They had several attacking opportunities after that, but Jeppe’s defence held firm to seal the win.
KES was also on the road at Parktown Boys’ High and produced a solid performance to win 4-1.
They dominated the majority of the clash, and an early goal from a penalty flick by Blaine Candy set them up for the win.
Thoriso Motsepa, Connor Moralee and Adam Stanton then got their names on the scoresheet to seal a comfortable victory for the Houghton school.
In other matches, St Stithians College did just enough to beat St Alban’s College 1-0. It was the second Saints‘ victory of the weekend after they thumped Linden 10-0 on Friday night.
St Benedict’s College was victorious against CBC Boksburg, while Pretoria Boys High showed class to beat St David’s Marist Inanda 3-1. Helpmekaar College and Garsfontein also registered crucial victories.
In Bloemfontein, St John’s College played to a 3-3 draw against St Andrew’s School, who were without Kaden Henderson and Tayo Fitz. They were representing the Free State men’s team at the Inter-Provincial Tournament in Johannesburg. Henderson is in Grade 11, and Fitz is in Grade 12.
RESULTS
Jeppe 3-2 Affies
St Benedict’s College 3-0 CBC Boksburg
St Stithians College 1-0 St Alban’s College
KES 4-1 Parktown Boys’ High
Helpmekaar 2-1 Menlopark
Trinity House Randpark 1-1 Penryn College
Garsfontein 2-1 Waterkloof
Pretoria Boys High 3-1 St David’s Marist Inanda
St John’s College 3-3 St Andrew’s School
The Rockefvs u19 team, coached by Thokozani Mnguni, leads the GDL standings after 10 weeks, with seven wins, one draw, and two losses. Photo: Supplied.
Unpredictability persists in the Gauteng Development League (GDL), with traditionally dominant teams, like Mamelodi Sundowns, slowly gaining momentum, while underdogs, like Rockefvs, continue to secure key victories early in the season.
The Rockefvs’ winning streak continued on Saturday with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Jomo Cosmos, which meant they maintained their place at the top of the standings for another week.
Siwelele ceded top spot to Siwelele last weekend and slipped a little further behind Rockefvs when Pitso Mosimane Youth Football (PMYF) held them to a goalless draw on Saturday.
Since earning promotion to the GDL in November 2024, Rockefvs has shown commendable improvements. They survived a tough first campaign, which often proves to be beyond newly promoted clubs, and now, in the current season, they’re setting the pace.
In Saturday’s match against EzeNkosi, Rockefvs were pushed to their limits, but they, nonetheless, picked up a 3-2 win over the 16th-placed side.
Remothabetse Dithathe, assisted by Phetogo Phetlele, netted the first goal for Rockefvs. Phetlele was also the provider for Kopano Ubah, who netted their second, and for Pontsho Makhafula, who scored the winner.
This victory elevated Rockefvs to 22 points. Joburg City, who had been in second, one point behind the leaders, were beaten 2-1 by the Africa School of Excellence, whose goals were netted by Simthembile Khulwane and Morategi Rashefola, both assisted by Qiniso Mhlongo.
The Rockefvs’ lead at the top is now by three points over Randburg, who rose from fourth to second, following a 2-1 victory over Kathorus Hyper Academy, which improved their points’ total to 19. Sipho Muntanga and Oratile Molokoane scored for Randburg, while Lefa Radekgomo replied for Kathorus.
Newcomers, Future of Africa, in an encouraging debut season, suffered a setback against Panorama on Saturday, losing 2-4.
Junior Mabaso set up Kayle Thomas and Noah Booth for Panorama’s first two goals, while Mxolisi Ngobese netted their third from the penalty spot after Thomas was fouled in the box. Marvin Pitiki, with an assist from Thomas, scored the Roodepoort club’s fourth.
Rorisang Motaung converted a penalty for Future of Africa, and Ezieme Ajah added their second.
The defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, scraped a narrow 1-0 victory over Prestige Football Development Academy, while the 2025 runner-up, Highlands Park, secured a 2-1 win over Seven’s Academy, thanks to goals from Hope Sibande and Tumelo Ijane.
Despite goals from Mpilwenhle Mntambo, Qhama Gaji, and Loyiso Nkala, the University of Pretoria (Tuks) suffered a 3-5 defeat against Wits Junior.
On Sunday evening, Kaizer Chiefs closed out week 10 of the GDL with a tight 1-0 win over Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) on a blustery day at Curro Vanderbijlpark.
RESULTS
Saturday, 9 May
Panorama 4-2 Future of Africa
Randburg 2-1 Kathorus
Rockefvs 3-2 Jomo Cosmos
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Prestige
Wits Juniors 5-3 Tuks
Highlands Park 2-1 Seven’s Academy
Africa School of Excellence 2-1 Joburg City
Siwelele 0-0 PMYF
Ethan Fabre, Rory Schirge, and Viwe Ndlovu defend a penalty corner. The College defence was put to the test by DHS on Pape’s Astro. Photo: Maritzburg College on Facebook.
Maritzburg College and Hilton College overturned deficits on their way to victories over Durban High School (DHS) and Glenwood High, respectively, in their derby matches on Saturday.
Playing at home, on Pape’s Astro, Maritzburg College recorded a battling 2-1 win, while Hilton cruised to a 5-3 victory at the 3 Schools Astro, in Durban, after falling behind early.
In Pietermaritzburg, it was a tight affair, with neither side able to break the deadlock in the first half.
“We stuck to our guns defensively. We had to be tactically aware and defensively smart against DHS,” Mark Sanders, the Maritzburg College coach, told SuperSport Schools News.
However, despite College’s resolute defensive work, it was DHS who drew first blood midway through the third chukka. That drew a furious response from the Red, Black, and White, and Rory Schirge converted a penalty corner variation three minutes later.
In the final chukka, Maritzburg College goalkeeper Viwe Ndlovu, a member of the SA Schools u17 side that participated in the Dato Mirnawan Cup in Malaysia last year, showed why he is so highly rated, keeping the Horseflies at bay.
With just over six minutes left in an absorbing contest, Luthando Shelembe scored the winner for the home team. The remaining five minutes featured a see-saw of attacks on either side, but there were no more goals to be had.
College’s hard-won victory owed much to Siphiwe Mchunu and Andile Lembethe, who excelled in the midfield.
Hilton vs Glenwood
Hilton met a determined Glenwood side at the 3 Schools Astro, with the Durban team a much-improved unit this season. Coach Damian Kimfley’s side received a rude awakening.
Glenwood came out firing from both hips and made hay in the first chukka, charging into a 2-0 lead through goals from their u16 star, Ithani Doyi, and their captain, Murray Wicks, who is enjoying a fruitful season.
“We started the game slowly. Our boys have played a lot of hockey in the past three weeks, and there was a bit of fatigue in the legs,” Ziyaad Solomons, the Hilton team manager, told SuperSport Schools News.
The visitors absorbed the double blow and knuckled down to put on a dominant performance in the remaining three chukkas, which brought them five goals – a hat-trick from Ben Wilson, and further strikes from Nicandro Padayachee and Oyena Zulu.
Murray Wicks secured Glenwood’s third goal in the final minutes of the fourth chukka as the hosts, with typical spirit, kept fighting to the final whistle.
Reflecting on the match, Braydon Naidoo, the Glenwood Director of Hockey, said: “One of the key takeaways from that game was that the boys can get results if they go forward with intent.”
Solomons said Hilton plays better and finds more success when they stick to their brand of hockey. He said they run into problems when they try to employ other styles. Once they forced their imprint onto the contest in the second quarter, they wrestled control from the hosts.
On the AH Mason Astro in Botha’s Hill, the hosts, Kearsney College, played to a 1-1 draw with Michaelhouse.
Results
Maritzburg College 2-1 DHS
Hilton 5-3 Glenwood
Kearsney 1-1 Michaelhouse
Parel Vallei found their rhythm, with some exciting attacks in the second half lifting them to a 17-point victory over DF Akademie. Photo: Alwyn Burger.
Hoërskool Parel Vallei‘s (PV) unbeaten record appeared to be in danger when they trailed DF Akademie 10-14 at home on Saturday, but the Somerset West school kept the visitors from adding to their total in the second half and tacked on 21 points of their own to triumph 31-14.
With the victory, the Bulldogs extended their 2026 winning streak to eight matches.
Left-wing, Rafael von Loeper, tallied three tries as part of PV’s second-half comeback. Right wing, Aydin February, also got himself onto the scoresheet with a try, as the hosts found success out wide.
DF Akademie will be wondering where they went wrong, as they were the better side in the first half, scoring tries through loosehead prop Alu Joko and outside centre Dylan Thompson. Fullback Pieter Delport added the extras.
Saturday’s setback was DF’s fourth successive defeat. They’ll aim to return to winning ways against Fairmont High next Saturday. PV will travel to Bosmansdam High in an attempt to extend their record to nine wins on the trot.
After six straight losses, Worcester Gimnasium collected a second consecutive win, battling past Hoërskool Brackenfell on Saturday to score a 32-29 victory.
Worcester held a 22-12 lead at the break, but Brakkiesupped the ante in the second half. In the end, they couldn’t muster enough to overcome that 10-point deficit, with the home side largely able to match the visitors’ assaults with their own attacking plays.
Worcester Gim left-wing, Joyce Baningela, had himself a day, crossing for three tries. His hat-trick was evidence of the improvements the Bosvarke backs have shown, especially their efforts to get the ball out wide quickly, and that brought them dividends on Saturday.
It also marked the second consecutive match in which Worcester Gim has scored 30-plus points. Previously, they hadn’t reached that mark all season long.
They face a massive challenge when they take on HTS Drostdy in a fortnight. Since scoring only seven points in a season-opening loss to Paul Roos, the Donkieshaven’t scored less than 35 while winning six and losing only one more.
Their latest output was 40 points in a 40-14 victory over Hoërskool Hugenote in Wellington on Saturday.
Left wing Darren Makeza and right wing Tristin Syster continued with the try-scoring form they had put on show at the Grey High Rugby Festival, dotting down two tries each.
It was a frustrating outing for the hosts, who struggled to break through the stubborn Drostdy defence, scoring only two tries, while the visitors glided through holes in the hosts’ defence to bag six tries of their own.
Jano van Deventer converted five of those. He usually plays at inside centre but looked comfortable wearing the number 10 jersey, controlling the game with his strong boot, penetrating running lines, and silky hands. He’s been a cornerstone of the Donkies’ attacking prowess this season.
Hugenote next faces Hermanus, who were thumped 80-15 by Drostdy in April. They’ll chase a sixth win of the season on Saturday, while Drostdy will go for win number seven when they take on Hoërskool Swartland.
Scorers
Hoërskool Parel Vallei 31 (10) – Tries: Rafael von Loeper (3), Keaton Philander, Aydin February. Conversions: Stephan Niemann (3). DF Akademie 14 (14) – Tries: Alu Joko, Dylan Thompson. Conversions: Pieter Delport (2).
HTS Drostdy 40 – Tries: Darren Makeza (2), Tristin Syster (2), Wernard de Villiers, Simamkele Lahlekile. Conversions: Jano van Deventer (5). Hoërskool Hugenote (Wellington) 14 – N/A.
Results
U19 – Worcester Gim I 32 Brackenfell I 29, Worcester Gim II 45 Brackenfell II 12, Worcester Gim III 0 Brackenfell III 7, Worcester Gim IV 24 Brackenfell IV 19; Hugenote I 14 Drostdy I 40, Hugenote II 0 Drostdy II 57, Hugenote III 14 Drostdy IV 27.
U16 – Worcester Gim A 31 Brackenfell A 20, Worcester Gim B 26 Brackenfell B 7; Hugenote A 13 Drostdy A 54, Hugenote B 17 Drostdy C 36.
U15 – Worcester Gim A 24 Brackenfell A 10, Worcester Gim B 24 Brackenfell B 20; Hugenote A 22 Drostdy A 35, Hugenote B 7 Drostdy C 26, Hugenote C 8 Drostdy D 7.
U14 – Worcester Gim A 7 Brackenfell A 5, Worcester Gim B 0 Brackenfell B 33; Hugenote A 5 Drostdy A 61, Hugenote B 22 Drostdy C 17.
Paarl Boys’ High showed grit and fight to beat Grey College in Bloemfontein. Photo: Poppie Terblanche.
Paarl Boys’ High reversed their recent history against Grey College in Bloemfontein by edging out the home side 4-3 in a heart-stopping Friday Nite Lights thriller at the Grey College AstroTurf.
Boishaai were made to work extremely hard for the win as the hosts displayed a never-say-die attitude, leading to the clash going down to the wire.
It was the visitors’ first win against the Bloemfontein outfit in well over a decade.
Both sides were last in action two weeks ago. Boys’ High visited KwaZulu-Natal, where they took part in the Michaelhouse Hockey Tournament and finished in eighth place, while Grey placed ninth at the Hibbert Shield in Gqeberha.
In their previous two meetings, Grey won 3-0 in 2024, before holding off Boishaai 3-2 last season.
This time around, the script was different from the outset, and the visitors were in the ascendancy in the first half.
Mijan Herholdt opened the scoring with a breakaway field goal before Jamie Kock slotted a hat-trick, converting three penalty corners to seal the win.
Grey pushed hard for a late goal in the dying seconds, but Boishaai’s defence held firm.
“I’m very proud of the boys,” head coach Rowan McLachlan told SuperSport Schools News. “It’s the first time we’ve beaten Grey since 2013, so it’s a little rewrite of the history books for us.
“I must give credit to Grey. They really played well and made us work really hard for every inch on that field. It was a really hard-fought, classic schoolboy derby that went down to the wire.”
Luke van der Merwe bagged a hat-trick of goals against Somerset College. Photo: Dian Lategan.
While Boishaai claimed a massive win, Paul Roos Gimnasium(PRG) bolstered its record with two emphatic wins on the weekend.
On Friday night, coach Michael Baker‘s troops were on another level and turned on the style to thump Somerset College 10-0 at the Maties AstroTurf.
Luke van der Merwe netted a hat-trick, while Logan Lackay and Louis Kriel both found the back of the net twice. Other goal contributions came from Caleb Cilliers, Ruben Gouws, and Daniel de Waal.
On Saturday, PRG took on Durbanville, and that clash ended in a comfortable 8-1 victory for the Stellenbosch side.
“We have been playing great hockey but just struggled to score PCs and field goals this year, often not being rewarded for some really good moments,” Baker told SuperSport Schools News.
“So, this weekend, it was good to score PCs, some really good team goals, and make good decisions in the D. I’m proud of the boys for keeping the standards high.”
SACS captain, Litha Kraai, scored a brace in his side’s 3-3 draw with Rondebosch. Photo: Andrew Pieterse.
In a pulsating encounter at the Western Province Cricket Club, Rondebosch Boys’ High showed fight and grit to hold the Hibbert Shield champions, SACS, to a 3-3 draw.
Both sides scored some cracking goals. For SACS, their talisman, Litha Kraai, bagged a brace while Josh Goulding scored the other goal.
Martin Barnard delivered a brace for ‘ Bosch and he was joined on the scoresheet by Jason Warneke.
Max Morgan was on target twice while Luc Dicey and Callum Anderson wrapped up the win for coach Ryan Julius’s side.
While Durbanville took a drubbing from PRG, they also picked up a win, sneaking by Fairmont High 1-0 in a league encounter.
Stellenberg put four past DF Akademie, while Bellville and Worcester Gimnasium were victorious against Milnerton and Brackenfell, respectively.
RESULTS
Bellville 5-3 Milnerton
Paul Roos 10-0 Somerset College
Paarl Boys’ High 4-3 Grey College
Durbanville 1-0 Fairmont High
Stellenberg 4-1 DF Akademie
Bishops 4-0 Wynberg
Rondebosch 3-3 SACS
Worcester Gimnasium 4-0 Brackenfell
Paul Roos 8-1 Durbanville
Reddam House Constantia 8-3 Langa Hockey Club
Hoërskool Zwartkop se Vikings, asook Hoërskool Kempton Park, het onderskeidelik groot stellings in hul onderskeie kragmetings van die Virseker Noordvaal Cup se Plaat-afdeling gemaak.
