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The storm has subsided following the conclusion of the Curro Halala Cup on Sunday, 10 August, when Northern Academy became the winners of the inaugural competition at HeronBridge College, in Fourways, Johannesburg.

During the Curro Halala Cup, SuperSport Schools Plus conducted an exclusive interview with Cobus Loubser, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Curro Holdings.

It was a privilege to host the finals of the Curro Halala Cup over four days at HeronBridge College, he said.

Loubser was thrilled with the success of the event and characterised the competition as a magnificent enhancement to the football calendar and as a tradition that will go from strength to strength.

Curro Holdings manages a substantial 189 schools and 81 campuses throughout South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. “I do not run Curro. Rather, I strive to keep pace with Curro,” Loubser reckoned.

Hosting a nationwide competition like the Curro Halala Cup, which included many of the schools he oversees, was a challenge, he said, because people are unfamiliar with the event and its processes. He emphasised the importance of articulating the vision and effectively communicating the concept to the audience in order to gain their support.

Curro, though, has a proven track record in organising large events, especially in athletics, which has established trust from the public.

For the inaugural Curro Halala Cup, Loubser said teams were invited to participate in the event based on their previous performances and their knowledge of the school leagues and results in recent years. In total, 64 leading teams from eight provinces participated in the event.

The opening round Cup kicked off in April, with round two following in May. From there, 16 teams advanced to the national final at HeronBridge College, which was played from 7 to 10 August.

Loubser felt the turnout was impressive, with schools relishing the opportunity to engage in highly competitive football matches on HeronBridge’s high-quality facilities.

Looking ahead, he said the competition could be expanded to as many as 120 teams. Discussions about that would take place in the future.

Referencing the importance of sport, and of football, in particular, Loubser said: “I believe education is a multifaceted endeavour. You know, there is more to it. When we discuss the development of young leaders and professionals, they must possess the ability to communicate, be creative, and engage effectively with others.

“Sport is an incredible opportunity to nurture discipline, nurture resilience, communication, and the attributes of hard work and planning. So, from our perspective, we run a holistic curriculum. It’s important for us that kids do well academically.”

Loubser said Curro is very confident in its ability to facilitate good opportunities, including national-scale events, such as the Curro Halala Cup, while also encouraging learners to work diligently, to persevere, and to forge friendships.

South Africans, he said, have a deep passion for sports, which constitutes a significant aspect of the country’s social fabric.

“We aim to leverage this passion to create opportunities for learners.

“While many of these young individuals may aspire to become professional athletes, the majority will eventually transition into the working world and citizenship. Engaging socially with others is immensely powerful, particularly when fostered within a sporting environment on the field.

Reflecting on the first edition of the Curro Halala Cup, Loubser said, for him, the most unforgettable moments of the competition occurred on the morning of Thursday, 7 August, when the teams arrived. They were singing, walking, and dancing together, showcasing camaraderie, which shone a bright, favourable spotlight on the richness of football culture in South Africa.

“I’m just very proud that we can somehow contribute to that,” he concluded.

After four remarkable years in the King Edward VII School (KES) first team, during which he earned 107 caps, captain Fynn Campbell‘s school hockey career is over. 

“To the boys who are staying,” Campbell told his teammates, “You have an exciting year ahead of you. I’ll be back to watch, and I can’t wait to see you in action. No matter what, keep your heads up and keep playing hard.

“To the coaching staff, thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me, and for supporting me throughout my journey at KES. It’s one I will miss forever and never forget.

“Thank you for always looking after the men in the team, keeping us safe to play the next game, and standing with us during those late-night training sessions. Your sacrifices mean more than you know.”

Campbell’s final match was away at Durban High School (DHS), where KES recorded one of their best wins of the season, a deserved 4-2 victory.

“The match against DHS was incredible,” Campbell said. “The tension was high, and the energy was there from both teams. No matter what, neither side was willing to give up. I’m glad I could wrap my season up the way I did, with a win against such a strong opponent. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my parents and family.”

The goals that day told the story of a team effort. Reece Small poached the first two goals, while Kamo Tsoka stuck away a rebound at a penalty corner to score KES’s third after a variation, and the captain himself scored the last goal, securing victory by converting a penalty stroke.

While his 1st team career began in grade 9, Campbell said it felt as if it was all over so quickly. “I’ve been in the first team for four years, and the night before my last game, I sat alone thinking about all the memories I’ve shared with my teammates and coaches.

“After the game, I was emotional but insanely proud of every single one of the boys I got to captain. Seeing in their eyes how much it meant to them made me realise I had done my job. Now, it’s my time to hand over the armband to the next leader.”

For Campbell, KES hockey has been about more than sport, it’s been about family.

“Being a KES player is one of the best feelings in the world because we play as a brotherhood. We never leave anyone behind, and we never give up. Being captain was truly special. I couldn’t have asked to lead a better group of men.

“The journey wasn’t always smooth. We faced our ups and downs, but we went through them together,” he admitted.

“My favourite highlight has to be beating Jeppe 3–2 last year – an unforgettable match. But, honestly, the best part was seeing the boys come off the field smiling, no matter the score.”

Die laaste ronde van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Skild-afdeling eerskomende Saterdag is die belangrikste nóg, met selfs vier spanne wat vir Hoërskool Secunda uit die vierde plek op die puntelys kan lig vir ‘n plek in die halfeindronde.

Volg al die SDC Noordvaal Skild-aksie regstreeks op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Hoërskool Lichtenburg en Hoërskool Montana, wat tans bo aan die puntelys lê en reeds vir ‘n halfeindstryd gekwalifiseer het, pak mekaar vir die tweede keer vanjaar in Lichtenburg. In die vorige kragmeting, tydens die NWU Prestige-reeks, het die Monties met ‘n enkele punt (29-28) die pyp gerook.

Die Liggies sal oorgehaal wees om die bordjies te verhang, verkieslik met ‘n bonuspunt om aan die einde van die rondomtalie-wedstryde die eerste plek te beklee, wat moontlik ‘n tuiseindstryd kan verseker indien hulle die halfeindstryd oor ‘n week kan wen. Duan Kruger keer terug om die tuisspan se voorry op volsterkte te bring, met Juan van Rhyn wat weer sy plek op haker inneem.

Die Monties hoef egter slegs een punt uit die wedstryd te kry om sy voorsprong heel bo aan die puntelys te behou.

Teen wie dié twee spanne in hul onderskeie halfeindeindstryde te staan sal kom, bly egter nog ‘n raaisel. Met slegs een punt wat Secunda (23) in die vierde plek en Hoërskool Pietersburg (22) in die vyfde plek skei, kan daar hierdie naweek nog heelwat water in die see loop.

Dit maak van Secunda se besoek aan Hoërskool Ben Vorster in Tzaneen ‘n uiters belangrike een. Die moontlike terugkeer van binnesenter, Bismarck Jansen, in wat straks sy laaste en belangrikste wedstryd vir die span van Mpumalanga kan wees, sal verwelkom word.

Secunda spook nie slegs vir ‘n plek in die halfeindronde nie, maar moet boonop ook nog die relegasie-spook wat oor sy kop hang afweer. Slegs ‘n halwe punt (129.5) hou tans sy kop bo water, met die Lichtenburgers (129) wat in sy nek blaas, en teen die twee topskole in die afdeling kan sake moeilik raak Saterdag.

Selfs die Buffels het nog ‘n skraal wiskundige kans om by die agterdeur in te glip, maar sal hul stryd met Secunda met ‘n bonuspunt móét wen om daardie kans lewend te hou.

Die Pieties durf vir Hoërskool Die Anker aan met ‘n onveranderde span in Polokwane. Dié ander voorslagspan uit Limpopo het so te sê uit die dood opgestaan en staan ‘n uitstekende kans om die halfeindronde te haal na twee reuseseges in die vorige rondes.

‘n Sege oor die besoekers van Brakpan sal beteken dat hy verby Heidelberg Volkskool skuif en moontlik met 26 punte in die derde plek kan eindig. Die Volkies, met 24 punte, sal moet hoop dat Die Anker hom ‘n guns doen deur die Pieties te klop, asook dat Secunda met geen punte van Tzaneen terugkeer nie.

Die span van Brakpan kan self nog met ‘n bonuspuntsege inglip. Dit sal hom na 25 ligapunte neem, een meer as die Volkies, wat verlede naweek in hul laaste wedstryd van dié ronde vir Secunda met 31-24 verslaan het.

Die spanne: 

Hoërskool Lichtenburg t. Montana om 12:30 in Lichtenburg

Lichtenburg: 15 Xander Blom, 14 Thatu Seabo, 13 WJ Liebenberg, 12 Oratile Sekoto, 11 Kuzi Mupudzi, 10 Luan Snyman, 9 Rea Motsusi, 8 KG Legodi, 7 MC Shanahan, 6 Ruan Kroëse, 5 Darius Lombard, 4 George Bingudza, 3 Duan Kruger, 2 Juan van Rhyn, 1 Ruben Pretorius.

Montana: 15 Marq de Villiers, 14 Dixie Sethuga, 13 Luan Barnard, 12 Hendrew Schoeman, 11 Dirk Coetzee, 10 Rubel Bester, 9 Braam Schutte, 8 Ulrich van Biljon, 7 Dieter Scheepers, 6 Ashton Vorster, 5 Kyle Bronkhorst, 4 Eric Potgieter, 3 Aiden Vorster, 2 Juan Theunissen, 1 Joseph Wilkonson.

Ben Vorster t. Hoërskool Secunda om 13:30 in Tzaneen

Ben Vorster (moontlik): 15 Freddie Pinto, 14 Zane Trollip, 13 Gehan Hendricks, 12 Stiaan du Rand, 11 Lethabo Sejake, 10 Shelton-Ray Primo, 9 Joshua van Eeden, 8 Tumi Ramohlale, 7 Joshua van der Mescht, 6 Amaris Nortjé, 5 Chifu Banda, 4 Lourens Harmse, 3 Randy Magabe, 2 Ruben Pohl, 1 Thabang Nkuna.

Secunda (mmontlik): 15 Dillon Grundlingh, 14 Ryan Lottering, 13 Armand Underhay, 12 Bismarck Jansen, 11 Damian de Beer, 10 Alonzo Blakenberg, 9 JD van Coller, 8 Renier Combrink, 7 Zander van der Merwe, 6 Sifiso Shongwe, 5 JC Olivier, 4 Mickey Jordaan, 3 MC Vosloo, 2 Jarred Davies, 1 Nathan Erasmus.

Hoërskool Pietersburg t. Die Anker om 12:30 in Polokwane 

Hoërskool Pietersburg: 15 Ryno Mienie, 14 Elkan Esterhuyze, 13 Zuhan Labuschagne 12 Siya Mahlangu, 11 Keanu Potgieter, 10 Juan Randall, 9 Celliers van der Merwe, 8, FC Smith, 7 Juan Jansen van Vuuren, 6 Andru de Beer, 5 Ludke Pienaar, 4 Brent Vorster, 3 Stephan Jansen van Rensburg, 2 Ziahn Lombaard, 1 Krissie Swanepoel.

Die Anker (voorlopig): 15 Duan Conradie, 14 Dyllon le Roux, 13 Arno Krugel, 12 Edrick Pienaar, 11 Jonothan Jordaan, 10 Ethan Minnie, 9 Troy Joubert, 8 Altus Pretorius, 7 Markus Herbst, 6 Byron van Zyl, 5 Gerhard Oosthuizen, 4 Jaydon Steenkamp, 3 Tyron Davis, 2 Rico Goosen, 1 Branden Sauerman.

The 2025 hockey season has been a very successful one for Collegiate Girls’ High School.

The girls, coached by Michael Abrahams, have delivered a stellar campaign in which they’ve showcased their skills on  big stages and competed against some of the best teams in the country.

They will be intent on ending their season with a win when they go up against Clarendon High School for Girls in a Hyundai Friday Nite Lights clash in East London.

Push-back is at 16:55 and the match will be live on DStv Channel 216, the SuperSport Schools App, and the SABC Plus App.

Collegiate heads into the game off the back of facing the toughest opposition in the country at the Fairtree Super 12 Tournament, which was hosted by Oranje Meisieskool, in Bloemfontein last week.

There, they finished seventh after beating St Anne’s DSG 2-0 on the final day.

“It was a tough tournament but also an incredible experience,” Collegiate skipper Gemma Bower told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“The Super 12 is the most competitive tournament in South African school girls’ hockey. To be recognised as one of the top schools in the country means so much to us.

“Representing Collegiate hockey is also a huge privilege, and the girls worked hard to achieve that goal.”

Before heading to the Super 12, the Gqeberha school recorded some impressive results, including thumping Hoërskool Framesby 11-0 and beating York High 2-0 before drawing 1-1 with Oranje and 2-2 with Eunice at home.

Earlier in this season, they were outstanding in most of their outings and even added silverware to their cabinet after winning the All Girls’ Festival in Cape Town.

“This season has truly been amazing,” Bower said.

“The All Girls’ Festival was a standout moment for us. Winning the tournament after many years was filled with passion, sweat and tears. Making history for our school is a moment that I simply can’t put into words.

“Another highlight has been the Top 12. Since the start of the year, it was our main objective to work towards, and we finally achieved that. There have been ups and downs but, as a unit, we always trusted the process.

“The support has also been unreal. Just knowing that it’s all for the girls that have come before us and the girls that will come after us made those moments much more meaningful.”

There is no question that Collegiate hockey has exhibited a massive uptick in its fortunes in 2025. Last year, they were in a rebuilding phase and endured a topsy-turvy season.

Twelve months later, they’re among the best teams in the country, having only lost one game in the Eastern Cape against DSG Makhanda.

Bower and her teammates now prepare to face Clarendon, a team that’s known for its exciting and expensive brand of hockey.

The skipper said they’re not underestimating their opponents. “As a team, we are very excited,” she shared.

“We have gone through so much together, so it is bittersweet, as it is the matriculants’ last game for the school, but we are ready to finish the season off on a high note.

“It’s never an easy game against the girls from East London, but we know that if we stick to the process, the result will take care of itself.”

Bower is one of the players who will be representing her school for the final time.

Other matriculants in the team are the vice-captains, Anna Porter and Tayla Paxton, Darcey Brown, Cassidy Williams, and Aimee Pienaar.

It will also be a special occasion for Porter, who will make her 100th appearance for the school on Friday.

TEAMS

Clarendon: Soyama Dzengwa, Jessica Schaefer (vc), Kate Booyens, Quinn Carr, Keira Botha, Lara Schwedhelm, Hannah Viviers, Megan Phillips, Caroline Kretzmann, Cara Knott ©, Hannah Hattingh, Amber Viviers, Chadlyn Johannes, Holly McClure, Kiara Dart.

Collegiate: Amy Wilmot, Kate Brennan, Anna Porter, Jenna Coetzee, Taryn Peltenburg, Tayla Paxton, Eden Jade Oliver, Jade Grobler, Jana Prinsloo, Gemma Bower ©, Aimee Pienaar, Kerrin Gillies, Ayanda Klass, Cassidy Williams, Darcey Brown.

Eastern Cape fixtures

Friday, 15 August

17:00 – Clarendon vs Collegiate

Saturday, 16 August

11:15 – Merrifield College vs Stirling High
11:15 – Kingsridge Girls High vs Hudson Park

Glenwood High defends the Primo Big 10 title they won in 2024 at Hilton College this coming weekend.

Last year, it was a case of third time lucky for the Green Machine, who had twice fallen at the final hurdle previously.

Thus far, though, the Durban school has put together a patchy season. They reached the semi-finals of the Mancosa KZN High School Football Association Coastal A-League in the second term and, more recently, were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Plate competition at the Curro Halala Cup, which was won by Northern Academy on the past weekend.

They’ll face competition from, among others, the KZN Coastal A-League champion, Westville Boys’ High, and the KZN Inland A-League champion, Maritzburg College, for the title.

Both sides feature outstanding strikers, with Dayyan Fudu leading the Westville frontline, and Mazithi Qasha up front for College.

Glenwood is in Group A, with Hilton College and St Charles. Hilton was in action at the St David’s Marist Inanda Nedbank Challenge Cup over the past weekend, where they won three and drew three. Michaelhouse was there, too, and they, also, went three and three.

Clifton College won one, drew one, and lost four at St David’s. They, however, have been one of the busier teams thus far, also competing in the Kearsney Soccer Tournament, where the hosts finished fourth, and that could help their challenge.

Tournament football makes different demands on teams when compared to league competition, and those sides that have been in tournament action will have a leg up on those who haven’t. St Charles is a side that hasn’t seen much action, which makes them unpredictable.

Speaking of unpredictability, Clifton very nearly derailed Glenwood’s title charge in the group stage last year. They beat the Green Machine 1-0, but Glenwood pulled off a 2-1 win over Maritzburg College after going a goal down before the Red, Black, and White defeated Clifton 3-1 to knock Clifton out of contention. It was a close shave for Glenwood.

Group B features the 2024 runner-up, Durban High School (DHS), Northwood, and Maritzburg College. DHS placed third at the Kearsney Soccer Tournament after a so-so run in the KZN Coastal B-League. Much like Northwood, though, their fortunes appear to be on the up.

The Knights endured a poor KZN Coastal A-League run, but they found their form just in time to avoid relegation. Since then, they’ve played some good football.

College, though, will be favoured in Group B. After going all the way in 2023, they were ousted by Glenwood in the semifinals last year, losing 1-2 after they had eliminated highly regarded Westville in the quarterfinals.

Group C features four teams – Michaelhouse, Westville, Clifton, and Kearsney. Westville is, arguably, the favourite in the group, but it’s tough to call.

Last August, the vagaries of knockout football were exposed when unfancied Michaelhouse captured the Jody Momple Cup when facing many of the teams that will be in action on the weekend.

Kearsney’s been a tough unit to read thus far. They’ve been competitive, in every game and, with a slight improvement, could make some noise.

Clifton has been more inconsistent, but they have some good quality in their lineup. Perhaps, as was the case last year, they’re the kind of side that could pull off an upset or two, but going all the way appears unlikely.

With Group A and Group B having only three teams each compared to the four in Group C, Saturday’s afternoon schedule will include cross-pool playoff matches between sides in Group A and Group B.

FIXTURES

Saturday, 16 August

Group A (Field 1 – Zungu)

09:00 – Hilton vs St Charles
11:00 – St Charles vs Glenwood
13:00 – Hilton vs Glenwood

Group B (Field 2 – Etheridge)

09:00 – DHS vs Northwood
11:00 – Northwood vs Maritzburg College
13:00 – Maritzburg College vs DHS

Cross-group matches (A and B)

15:00 (Etheridge) – St Charles vs Northwood
15:00 (Zungu) – Hilton vs DHS
16:00 (Zungu) – Glenwood vs Maritzburg College

Group C (Field 3 – New Field)

09:00 – Michaelhouse vs Westville
10:00 – Clifton vs Kearsney
12:00 – Westville vs Clifton
13:00 – Kearsney vs Michaelhouse
15:00 – Westville vs Kearsney
16:00 – Michaelhouse vs Clifton

Playoffs: Sunday, 17 August

Quarterfinals

QF1 – 09:00 – Zungu – A1 vs 2nd best 3rd
QF2 – 09:00 – Etheridge, B1 vs Best 3rd
QF3 – 10:00 – Zungu, C1 vs B2
QF4 – 10:00 – Etheridge, A2 vs C2

* If the 2nd best 3rd place team is from Group A, they will change with the best 3rd place team.

9th/10th Playoff

12:00 – Zungu – C4 vs 3rd-best 3rd

Semi-finals

SF1 – 13:00 – Zungu – W QF1 vs W QF4
SF2 – 13:00 – Etheride – W QF3 vs W QF2

Final

15:00 – Zungu – W SF1 vs W SF2

The SA u16 teams have done very little wrong in their first two matches against Zimbabwe in the Allister Fredericks
Africa Challenge this week.

The four-day series, which concludes on Friday, is being hosted in Johannesburg at St David’s Marist Inanda.

South Africa was dominant on the first two days and, between the u16A and B teams, they scored a staggering 25 goals without conceding.

After beating Zimbabwe u16A 10-0 on Tuesday, the u16B side returned on Wednesday seeking to emulate or better their previous performance.

They were not far off it, but they had to work a little bit harder to break down Zim’s defence early on, with skipper Peter Mutimutema putting in a solid defensive shift for South Africa’s northern neighbours.

The home side eventually broke the deadlock after Matthew Jung picked up a poor clearance attempt from Zim inside the opposition’s circle, and he slapped the ball into the back of the net.

Caleb Cilliers, who scored five goals on Tuesday, was back on the scoresheet, striking after smart play between Ben Wilson and Dante Moore on the right-hand side set him up with a chance. Wilson, then, made it three just before the end of the chukka.

Before halftime, South Africa tacked on two more, with Jung converting a penalty stroke before Cilliers tapped in at the far post.

The floodgates opened in the second half, and Cilliers completed his hat-trick after clever play from Peter Abrahams put Cilliers through on goal.

Soon after, Wilson made it a brace from his stick, and Buhle Kama got in on the scoring action with Limani Makeleni assisting his Western Province teammate.

Anthony Crossley completed the drubbing with the ninth goal of the game to seal another comprehensive victory for coach Siya Sityana‘s side.

The u16A side was  in action later in the day against Zimbabwe’s u18A team.

On Tuesday, South Africa u16A, led by coach Dalan Phillips, scored a 3-0 victory, courtesy of a Stephan Malan brace and a Blaine Candy strike.

It was a composed performance from the South African defenders, while the midfielders controlled the contest, with Callum Anderson pulling the strings.

Their second outing was no different.

Although Zimbabwe put up a heroic fight, South Africa was never fazed, enjoyed more ball possession, and linked up well.

The first chukka was goalless, but that changed quickly in the second when Kade Lottering fired home a short corner to open the scoring.

Malan, who was influential on day one, scored a thunderbolt drag flick to double his side’s lead in the 30th minute.

Then, the captain of the South African side, Jeandré Van Zyl, sealed the game and another 3-0 win with a penalty stroke conversion in the third chukka.

Results and scorers

SA u16B 9: Caleb Cilliers (3), Matthew Jung (2), Ben Wilson (2), Buhle Kama, Anthony Crossley. Zimbabwe 0.

SA u16 A 3: Kade Lottering, Stephan Malan, Jeandre Van Zyl. Zimbabwe 0.

Day 3 fixtures, Thursday, 14 August

15:30 – SA u16B vs Zimbabwe u16A
18:30 – SA u16A vs Zimbabwe u18A

The Parel Vallei (PV) first boys’ side will be aiming to end their season on a high when they host Pearson High in their annual interschools derby on Friday night.

The clash, set to take place in Somerset West, will kick off at 19:00 and will be streamed LIVE on the SuperSport Schools App.

For many years, the showdown between the sides has been a massive event on each school’s calendar. It’s a full derby, with the action stretching from the AstroTurf to the netball courts, rugby fields, and onto cultural events, and chess.

Friday night, however, will belong to hockey, and both teams will be highly motivated to give a solid account of themselves in their final match of the season.

It has been a season of solid progress for PV, who caused some shocks in the Western Cape. Led by coach Michael van Rensburg, they punched above their weight, recorded some big results, and included themselves in the conversation of “top schools” around the country.

In his assessment of the team, Van Rensburg told SuperSport Schools Plus: “The season has been successful by all accounts. We only lost one home game, and it was against South African College High School (SACS).

“We have made some good strides over the last five years from where we were as a programme, going forward and doing well.

“There were one or two results that didn’t go our way, but that’s also what happens in youth sport, and it depends on the day.”

In their most recent outing, coach Van Rensburg’s boys drew 2-2 with Wynberg Boys’ High.

They also competed in the Cape Town International Hockey Tournament and finished inside the top 10.

While those results are cause for optimism, Van Rensburg understands that Pearson will pose different challenges.

“Pearson is always a big one,” he said. “It’s a full school derby, the last one of the year, and the pavilion will be packed.

“Nothing changes for us, maybe one or two small adaptations, but we are 28 games into the season. We don’t want to change much. We just want to be better.

“We want to put ourselves in the best possible position again to make sure that we grab the win. The nice thing, as well, is that 12 of the 16 guys that will be playing on Friday night will be returning in 2026.

“So, we look forward to Friday night. It’s always nice to play at home, and we are trusting our preparation and making sure we are ready.”

Pearson, meanwhile, heads to the Western Cape after a topsy-turvy season.

Under the guidance of coach Karl Lavender, the boys in green and white made a rough start, but they have found some good form in recent weeks.

Those solid performances, which, most recently, included a 2-0 victory over Graeme College, in Makhanda, will give them some much-needed confidence ahead of the big clash.

Lavender said his side’s preparations for the derby have been smooth, although not ideal. 

“Our training prep has been good, but a lack of competitive matches this term is a concern,” he explained.

“Hopefully, the boys will be well rested from this and manage to match the tempo quickly.”

Looking back on Pearson’s season, Lavender said he’s been impressed by his team’s gritty character when the chips have been down.

“We have been resilient,” he said. “We’ve lost several matches by one goal to big-name schools this year and have managed to bounce back after heartbreak. If this group goes a goal down, I back them to come back.”

Victory in the Parel Vallei derby would be a big boost and finishing a season on a high note is never a bad thing. “The boys just have to go out and enjoy it. For some, it’s their last game for the school in front of 4000 spectators,” Lavender said.

“They must enjoy the moment and leave no regrets behind as they get to play with their brothers one last time.”

Other matches taking place in the Western Cape

While an all-action encounter is expected in Somerset West, there are several other games taking place within the province, most notably two southern suburbs’ derbies.

SACS faces Rondebosch Boys’ High while Bishops Diocesan College plays host to Wynberg Boys’ High at the Woodlands AstroTurf.

Stellenberg is set for a tight battle with Durbanville in their interschools clash, while DF Malan will lock horns with Bellville High.

Worcester Gimnasium will be in action against Hermanus, and, in George, Outeniqua takes on HTS Drostdy while York High School faces Oudtshoorn.

South Africa u17A carbon copied their result from Tuesday, when they cantered to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Zimbabwe u18A in their Allistar Fredericks Africa Challenge contest at St David’s Marist Inanda, in Sandton, on Wednesday evening.

The win gave the hosts a 2-0 lead in the four-match series, which they’re using as part of their preparation for the annual Dato Mirnawan Cup, to be played in Malaysia in November.

“I think we definitely improved from yesterday,” Omari Pienaar-Geyer, the SA u17A coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus. “I am so excited to see what we can do tomorrow with a few more tweaks and combos,”

South Africa aimed to pick up from where they left off on Tuesday and quickly asserted themselves, enjoying the lion’s share of the possession. However, that advantage failed to translate into a goal in the face of a stubborn Zimbabwean defensive effort, despite several circle entries from the home team.

In fact, Zimbabwe almost took the lead, against the run of play, in the latter part of the second chukka when Joice Mandozana received a through-pass that put her in a one-on-one with Annika Kloppers, in goal for South Africa. Mandozana, though, was unable to get a shot off, although South Africa conceded a short corner.

“It was a slow start, but our fundamentals improved, and our tactical play and playing together got better,” Pienaar-Geyer said.

Three minutes later, South Africa made the visitors pay dearly for missing their goal scoring opportunity. After a couple of re-awards of a penalty corner, they went the direct route, and Jemma Ferreira unfurled a flick to goalkeeper Janelle Wightman‘s left, which ricocheted off the stick of the player on the post and into the back of the goalbox.

That goal raised Ferreira’s tally to three goals in the tournament after she struck twice on Tuesday, with those two also coming from penalty corner conversions.

Three minutes later, South Africa made 2-0 when Jamie da Silva drilled the ball into the back of the net off South Africa’s sixth penalty corner.

Zimbabwe started the third chukka brightly, enjoying long attacking phases in the early going. However, the core of South Africa’s defence, Katherine Sickle, Ella Bowyer, and Ferreira, held firm and frustrated the visitors.

Soon, South Africa had reestablished control. They had Zimbabwe chasing shadows as they strung together passes, moving the ball smartly in their own half before attacking with flair in the opposition’s half.

“In the last chukka, we really stepped up our aggression in the press to turn over the ball. With most of the ball possession, we need to keep a solid structure at the back,” Pienaar-Geyer explained.

While South Africa’s aggressive pressing caused headaches for the visitors, it wasn’t the source of the home side’s third goal. That came from an intercept by Timari Jonker close to the halfway line. After briefly carrying the ball forward, she picked out Sarah-Ellen Groenewald, who cut left and then fired a sweetly-struck tomahawk past the Zimbabwe ‘keeper with six minutes remaining in the contest.

Her goal put the game out of Zimbabwe’s reach. However, the hosts were not done yet. They grabbed their fourth from a penalty corner, with the captain Phillipa Viljoen converting from the second castle.

South Africa has another date with Zimbabwe’s u18A side on Thursday at 17:00. While coach Pienaar-Geyer is not focused on the scoreline, she is hoping to see a more clinical performance from her team.

“Our biggest focus is to keep getting better. Every match is a chance to improve,” Pienaar-Geyer said.

Result

South Africa u17A: 4 (Jemma Ferreira, Jamie Da Silva, Sarah-Ellen Groenewald, Phillipa Viljoen). Zimbabwe u18A: 0.
South Africa u16A: 7. Zimbabwe u16A: 0.

Well before the Gauteng Development League (GDL) went into recess over the winter holiday, Randburg AFC had made a lasting impression on the league.

Coach Skhosiphi Mgobozi’s side had left a mark on the division, painting a vivid picture of their intentions to compete for the league honours this season.

It didn’t matter who they came up against, Mgobozi’s side simply looked a class above most of their opposition. When the league went on hiatus, they were in second place.

When the GDL resumed, however, Mgobozi and his team hit a bump on the road, losing 0-3 to SuperSport United.

That loss would have undoubtedly led the players to ask some questions of themselves, wondering whether their impressive run before the recess was who they were, or was it a mirage?

However, with Mgobozi at the helm, Randburg AFC quickly righted their ship, thrashing Kaizer Chiefs 6-1 and Wits Junior 3-0 in their following matches to dive back into contention.

Those emphatic victories would have reminded the top dogs, like Mamelodi Sundowns and Highlands Park, that Randburg AFC means business this season. They proved it again in their most recent outing, drawing 1-1 with the log leaders, Sundowns.

Reflecting on that 0-3 loss to SuperSport United, Mgobozi lauded how his players have dealt with setbacks in an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus.

“We looked at what went wrong and, in the week, we actively got back our intensity. But what was more important was our mentality. This group has been terrific in terms of how they’ve dealt with setbacks throughout the season as a team,” Mgobozi said.

“You’ve got guys in their first year of university. The majority of them are in matric, and they’re juggling a lot of things. And one of the things that’s been good to see is that we’ve placed a lot of responsibility on them in terms of their personal life and how they manage it. If you need time to go study, you cannot just leave football; you need to find a way to manage it and take responsibility.

“I think we’re seeing that responsibility and those skills starting to come across. When you do deal with setbacks and now have to bounce back immediately, can you write an exam, come to training and be at Kaizer Chiefs on a Saturday, and still be a son, a brother and all those other things that make up your identity?

“So, I think they’ve ticked that box, and these are the standards we try to push, and I think that came across over this last period especially, where we’ve played Wits, Chiefs, and then Sundowns this past weekend.

It’s just a mentality and a responsibility in your own capacity, but also a responsibility that then transfers into the environment.”

Having slayed some of the giants of the South African game, Randburg AFC is now at a point where the team needs to guard against complacency. Time and again, when teams win consistently, complacency sets in and standards subside.

Mgobozi, however, said he has instilled a unique mentality in his players, the type of mentality that encourages them to respect every opposition, regardless of their position on the log or recent form.

This week, Randburg AFC faces off against 17th-placed East Rand Athletic Club.

“To avoid complacency, I think it’s about remaining respectful of the opposition,” Mgobozi said. “We’re going to their home territory and home turf, so it’s important that we first and foremost understand that they understand the field, they understand the terrain, the atmosphere. 

“So, we must go there with an element of respect. In order to prevent complacency, we’ve got to remember what we’re actually chasing, and for us to chase it, we’re going to have to be perfect.

“East Rand, irrespective of where they sit, the score at the moment is 0-0, and for us to continue on our journey, we have to go win that game.

“So, it’s just about those motivational hooks for players and for coaches. We’re going to need to arrive, irrespective of who’s in front of us. We must arrive and be the best versions of ourselves.”

Die verdedigende kampioen van die Titans se Platinum A-liga, Hoërskool Waterkloof, het Dinsdag die nuwe krieketseisoen en sy titelverdediging as topskool in Pretoria op ‘n wennoot afgeskop.

Herleef al die Titans A-liga aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Die Klofies het vanjaar se nuweling in dié liga, Hoërskool Eldoraigne, welkom geheet met ‘n kliniese oorwinning van vyf paaltjies, waarin Franco Schmidt uitgestaan het met ‘n puik sestigtal. Dit was ‘n herhaling van die eindstryd in die Finsbury-liga vroeër vanjaar, toe die Klofies ook koning gekraai het.

Die Eldos het die loot gewen en besluit om eerste te kolf, maar die Klofie-boulers het vroeg-vroeg hul stem dik gemaak.

Darius Maritz (2/33) het vir Kyle de Bruin in die sesde beurt reeds teruggestuur kleedkamer toe. De Bruin is eerskomende Saterdag in Tzaneen ook in aksie vir die eerste span in Eldos se laaste wedstryd in die Bowl-afdeling van die SDC Noordvaal Cup teen Merensky Landbou Akademie.

Rivan Booysen het ook uitgeblink met die bal vir die Klofies, met twee paaltjies vir net 23 lopies in sy 9.1 beurte.

De Bruin se aanvangsvennoot, Ryno Mulder, het die aanslag van die tuisspan dapper trotseer terwyl die paaltjies om hom gekantel het. Dit was eers toe Ruan Steyn by hom aangesluit, dat die herstelwerk kon begin. Steyn was die besoekers se beste kolwer met 37 lopies, van slegs 36 aflewerings, terwyl Mulder hard gewerk het vir sy 30.

Die duo se terugvegpoging het die Eldos aangehelp tot ‘n totaal van 157, wat oplaas nie genoeg was teen ‘n sterk Klofie-kolfaanslag nie. Die tuisspan se kolfbeurt het nietemin ietwat wankelrig begin met Wian du Plessis wat uitgehardloop en AJ de Villiers se houtwerk wat deur Rowan McClaren (1/21) in die eerste beurt versteur is.

Dit het egter nie vir Franco Schmidt en sy warm kolf van stryk gebring nie. Schmidt het van voor gelei met ‘n aanskoulike 60 lopies. Paaltjiewagter en voorslagkolwer, Rico van der Walt, het met 33 lopies saamgespan vir ‘n 79-lopie vennootskap met Schmidt.

Kaptein, Riley Miller, het die kersie op die koek geplaas met sy bydrae van 28 lopies om die teiken in die 27ste beurt verby te steek.

Beknopte telkaart: 

Eldoraigne 157 (Ruan Steyn 37, Ryno Mulder 30, Marinus Langerman 20; AJ de Villiers 2/18, Rivan Booysen 2/23, Darius Maritz 2/33). Waterkloof 158/5 (Franco Schmidt 60, Rico van der Walt 33, Riley Miller 28; Benyael Morkel 1/21). Waterkloof wen met vyf paaltjies.