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“This is a special group” – Those were the words of Paarl Boys’ High captain, AJ Mostert, after leading his side to a famous 2-1 victory over Paarl Gimnasium on Saturday.

In front of a packed crowd, the teams reignited their long-standing rivalry in a highly anticipated interschools clash at Paarl Gim’s Top AstroTurf.

For the first time in six years, it was difficult to predict a winner after both teams had produced strong seasons under the tutelage of Jacques Grobler (Paarl Gim) and Rowan McLachlan (Paarl Boys’ High) respectively.

Before Saturday’s big game, though, Paarl Gim had enjoyed the better of the derby. In 2019, they won 2-1 before picking up a 2-1 win in 2023 and a 2-0 victory in 2024. The teams also shared a 2-2 draw in 2022, while the meetings in 2020 and 2021 were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Given the recent past, Paarl Gim was the favoured team, but Boishaai had other ideas, and their motivation to pull off an upset was high.

It was a serious battle between the rivals in the first half, with nothing to separate them after 30 minutes. Both had their fair share of opportunities, but the defensive units stood firm until the third chukka, when the visitors broke the deadlock.

With four minutes remaining in the quarter, Mijan Heroldt found himself in space inside the circle, and his well-directed touch landed in the back of the net for the opener.

Boishaai kept the lead until the fourth chukka, when Paarl Gim responded through their captain, Juan Swanepoel.

The clash appeared to be heading for a 1-1 draw, but captain Mostert was presented with an opportunity to steal a victory when his side was awarded a penalty corner with 36 seconds left.

Instead of going for a direct drag flick, Boishaai played a variation to Mostert, on the left of the castle. He slapped the ball goalwards, and it rocketed between the legs of the Paarl Gim goalie for a dramatic last-gasp winner.

There was no time to restart, and the umpires called the game, resulting in Boishaai beating Paarl Gim for the first time since 2018.

It was an extra special outing for Mostert, who also made his 100th appearance for the team.

“This is a game I will remember for the rest of my life,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus after securing an emotional win.

“It was a tight game, but the whole team stuck to the process, and we fought hard. Scoring the winning goal in the last minute was very special.”

Mostert also explained what went through his mind at the set piece that won it.

“I just stayed calm,” he said. “It’s a PC move we trusted in most.

“Everyone was confident about it, and we knew it was going to work.”

Mostert also had a final word for his coaches and teammates: “I will forever be thankful for the whole team and the coaches who have coached me since I was in grade eight.

“This is a special team because I have never felt such unity in a team.”

Western Cape results

Paarl Boys’ High 2-1 Paarl Gimnasium
SACS 5-2 Paul Roos Gimnasium
Bishops 4-1 DF Malan
Rondebosch Boys’ High 4-1 Durbanville
Reddam House Constantia 4-2 Somerset College
Outeniqua 5-0 Worcester Gimnasium
Fairmont High 11-0 The Settlers
Parel Vallei 2-2 Wynberg Boys’ High
York High 12-1 Oakhill

When the Eunice High School first-team made their way to the Eastern Cape to take on Collegiate Girls’ High and Pearson High over the past weekend, the objective was simple: They wanted to test themselves against two of the province’s best teams while fine-tuning their systems and getting in some game time ahead of next week’s Fairtree Super 12 Tournament.

The side, under the guidance of coach Nika Coertzen, took on Collegiate on Friday afternoon before facing Pearson on Saturday.

It was a back-and-forth tussle against Collegiate, the All Girls’ Festival champions, with the teams scoring four goals and settling for a scintillating 2-2 draw, which gave a true reflection of the game.

Kerrin Gillies netted twice for the home side, while Lanique Brider and SA u18B star Georgia Kambanis found the back of the net for Eunice.

After that tough outing, the girls from Bloemfontein quickly shifted their attention to a Saturday showdown with Pearson, a side that had suffered a 0-2 loss against Oranje Meisieskool the day before. This time, Eunice made sure of the win.

Coach Coertzen’s charges were more clinical and ruthless inside the circle and used their chances well to power their way to an impressive 5-1 victory. Bianca Rees-Gibbs led the way with a brace, while Storm Harris, Claire Volschenk, and Megan Pelser also scored to complete an impressive drubbing.

“I’m very happy with the team’s performance over the weekend,” coach Coertzen told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“We executed exactly what we’ve been working on over the past two weeks at training. The girls played a strong, cohesive brand of hockey, and I’m incredibly proud of their effort and commitment.”

The weekend in Gqeberha was also a special one for Iliana de Gouveia and Storm Harris, who both made their 100th appearances for the team against Collegiate.

Eunice’s attention now shifts to the Super 12 Tournament, which takes place at Oranje Meisieskool, in Bloemfontein, from 7 to 9 August.

Coach Coertzen said her side still want to improve ahead of the spectacle.

“Of course, there are still areas where we can improve,” she said, “but that’s part of the journey. We’ll keep building on this momentum, one step at a time.”

Eunice kicks off their Super 12 campaign with a clash against Hoërskool Waterkloof.

Other matches 

Eunice wasn’t the only side that travelled to Gqeberha. Their great rivals, Oranje, also took on Collegiate and Pearson.

As mentioned above, they defeated Pearson 2-0 but were held to a 1-1 draw by Collegiate in their second outing after Kerrin Gillies scored a penalty stroke in the final minute of the match for the home team.

In East London, Hudson Park picked up a 2-0 win over Stirling High, thanks to goals by Mackenzie Goss and Kara Batting.

Clarendon High School for Girls was held to a 1-1 draw by Queenstown Girls’ High in Komani.

RESULTS

Eunice 5-1 Pearson High
Collegiate Girls’ High 2-2 Eunice
Oranje 2-0 Pearson High
Collegiate Girls’ High 1-1 Oranje
Hudson Park 2-0 Stirling High
Queenstown Girls’ High 1-1 Clarendon High School for Girls

After defeating HTS Drostdy 31-7 last weekend, Oakdale Landbou went into their showdown with Paul Roos Gimnasium on Saturday feeling confident.

In a tight affair, the home side powered their way to a 21-17 victory on De Eike.

Oakdale started off strongly, scoring in the 10th minute from yet another memorable lineout move in a season filled with them.

On the visitors’ five-metre line, they formed two pods. The front one caught the ball before feeding the pod at the back. Then, SA Schools’ eighthman, Jacobus de Villiers, wrapped around for a pass and burst through a surprised defence for five points. Flyhalf CT Vosloo added the extras.

The home outfit continued to dominate the visitors and at halftime they led 12-5.

However, Ou Polla’s Boys weren’t going down without a fight and they crossed for two tries in the final five minutes to put a stunning comeback into play. It began from a familiar source, fullback Keenan Stoffels, who cut inside to score in the 65th minute.

The Farmers, though, pulled their socks up with the game on the line, defending stubbornly to maintain their four-point lead. In the end, they claimed a major scalp in front of their home crowd.

Stellenberg endured a tough 8-14 loss at Outeniqua last week. On Saturday, they shared another intense affair against Boland Landbou. This time, however, the Jade Brigade won, triumphing 18-10 to the delight of their home crowd.

Stellies looked strong from the start and successfully applying pressure in the set pieces. It took them 20 minutes, but they, at last, converted pressure into points, scoring a rolling maul from a lineout just five metres from the Boland Landbou try line.

Flank Ryan Jones dotted down and SA Schools A flyhalf, Ethan van Biljon, knocked over the conversion kick.

At halftime, that try separated the teams, with Stellenberg up 10-3.

Boland Landbou determinedly took the game to the home team in the second half, setting Stellenberg on the back foot through quick ball from the rucks, supplied by SA Schools’ scrumhalf, Jayden Brits. Their reward came on the hour-mark when substitute eighthman, Alex Potgieter, made a line break and went over for a try.

Captain Christian Jansen van Rensburg and his Stellenberg side kept calm under pressure, however, to survive the visitors’ fightback and emerged with a hard-fought eight-point victory after a gruelling encounter.

Scorers

Oakdale Landbou 21 (21) – Tries: Jacobus de Villiers, Christiaan Vorster, CT Vosloo. Conversions: CT Vosloo (3). Paul Roos 17 (5) – Tries: Travis Pheiffer, Keenan Stoffels, NA. Conversion: Travis Pheiffer.

Stellenberg 18 (10) – Tries: Liam Joubert, Ryan Jones; Conversion: Ethan van Biljon. Penalties: Ethan van Biljon (2); Boland Landbou 10 (3) – Try: Alex Potgieter; Conversion: Jayden Brits. Penalty: Jayden Brits.

Other Results

U19 – Oakdale II 15 Paul Roos II 12, Oakdale III 16 Paul Roos III 21, Oakdale IV 6 Paul Roos IV 19, Oakdale V 0 Paul Roos V 3, Oakdale VI 14 Paul Roos VII 6, Oakdale VII 8 Paul Roos VIII 7; Stellenberg II 21 Boland Landbou II 26.

U16 – Oakdale A 12 Paul Roos A 31, Oakdale B 0 Paul Roos B 25, Oakdale C 40 Paul Roos E 7, Oakdale D 14 Paul Roos F 29; Stellenberg A 21 Boland Landbou A 26.

U15 – Oakdale A 14 Paul Roos A 18, Oakdale B 3 Paul Roos B 17, Oakdale C 7 Paul Roos C 7, Oakdale D 7 Paul Roos E 28, Oakdale E 5 Paul Roos F 38; Stellenberg A 19 Boland Landbou A 22.

U14 – Oakdale A 20 Paul Roos A 31, Oakdale B 12 Paul Roos B 33, Oakdale C 5 Paul Roos C 49, Oakdale E 7 Paul Roos F 19; Stellenberg A 14 Boland A 14.

Sixty-two minutes in at the Faure Street Stadium, in Paarl, on Saturday: Paarl Gim 33, Paarl Boys’ High 21.

“Kobus, how did you guys get yourselves back into the game?”

With tears flowing, Kobus Wilken replied: “We (the team) knew we can’t play for ourselves. You play for them – the supporters, the school. They are us. We are them.”

After 70 minutes, the final whistle blew: Paarl Gim 33, Paarl Boys’ High 35.

The Gimmies unbeaten streak of 17 official games had come to an end. Boishaai had redeemed their 8-30 loss to their great rivals in 2024, and with that staked a claim to be the number one team in the country.

Kobus Wilken, the smallest forward for Boishaai in the Paarl Derby and King Price Derby Series clash, started the season in his school’s second team. Now, in his final game of 2025, he produced an incredible performance to influence his side’s victory, being crowned the King of the Match. His work rate, his offloads, his passion, were awesome. Behind the Boishaai badge on his chest thumped his huge heart.

Earlier in the season, Boishaai were favoured against Oakdale Landbou. Yet, they went down to The Farmers, who went on to have one of their best seasons in history. Little did Paarl Boys’ High know that they would pull off a similar upset against Paarl Gimnasium, whose 1st XV was a seemingly unstoppable points-scoring machine, one of the best in their storied history.

Boishaai had the chance to go in front in the fourth minute, through inside centre Iwan Jordaan. However, the strong Paarl breeze dragged his penalty kick wide.

Paarl Gim responded with a try 10 minutes later when Gimmies fullback, Dawid Badenhorst, received a box kick which had gone too deep. With no pressure on him, he went on a line-breaking run before passing the ball to eighthman Quintin Potgieter, who found captain Markus Muller on his outside. The SA Schools centre ran in for a try, which he then converted.

Was it the start of yet another Markus Muller show? The centre is a generational talent. The proof was clear: In 15 official games this season, he had scored 254 points at an average of 16.93 points per match. Of those, 180 points had come from tries, an average of 2.4 per game.

On Saturday, however, the dream season finally came to an end.

While it was a disappointing way to complete an otherwise perfect 2025 for Paarl Gimnasium, it was only an end to part one of the Markus Muller story. Barring any unfortunate events, he appears to have an illustrious rugby career ahead of him.

Boishaai backs Cole Moultrie and Tristan Joubert, will remember their respective 63rd and 66th minute tries for a long time to come. Their cuts inside to beat the rushing defenders enabled them to dive over the line for one of the most resilient comebacks in recent years.

On that note, another storied chapter in the epic tale of the Paarl Derby came to a close.

Scorers

Paarl Boys’ High 35 (14) – Tries: Jeneal Davids, Gershom Pieters, Kobus Wilken, Cole Moultrie, Tristan Joubert. Conversions: Iwan Jordaan (5); Paarl Gimnasium 33 (13) – Tries: Markus Muller, Hendré van der Westhuizen, Jean Dreyer. Conversions: Markus Muller (3). Penalties: Markus Muller (4).

Other Results 

u19: Paarl Gimnasium II 26, Paarl Boys’ High II 25; Paarl Gimnasium III 21, Paarl Boys’ High III 20; Paarl Gimnasium IV 38, Paarl Boys’ High IV 36; Paarl Boys’ High V 32, Paarl Gimnasium V 12; Paarl Boys’ High VI 22, Paarl Gimnasium VI 20.

u16: Paarl Boys’ High 37, Paarl Gimnasium 21; Paarl Gimnasium II 19, Paarl Boys’ High II 15; Paarl Gimnasium III 15, Paarl Boys’ High III 13; Paarl Boys’ High IV 13, Paarl Gimnasium IV 10.

u15: Paarl Gimnasium 17, Paarl Boys’ High 16; Paarl Gimnasium II 19, Paarl Boys’ High II 17; Paarl Boys’ High III 22, Paarl Gimnasium III 18; Paarl Boys’ High IV 22, Paarl Gimnasium IV 5.

u14: Paarl Gimnasium 18, Paarl Boys’ High 6; Paarl Gimnasium II 31, Paarl Boys’ High II 26; Paarl Gimnasium III 23, Paarl Boys’ High III 21; Paarl Gimnasium IV 50, Paarl Boys’ High IV 5.

Hoërskool Noordheuwel het Saterdagmiddag tuis vir die tweede keer vanjaar ‘n wendroogte verbreek teen een van sy aartsvyande in die Noordvaal Cup.

Herleef al die SDC Noordvaal Beker-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Nadat die Blues vroeër in die seisoen vir die eerste keer in 24 jaar oor Hoërskool Monument in die Krugersdorp-derby kon koning kraai, het die ligbloues Saterdag vir die eerste keer, sedert 2011, met 28-22 oor Hoërskool Garsfontein baas gespeel.

Die twee spanne het reeds vroeër in 2025 in ‘n opwarmingswedstryd ontmoet, met die Garsies wat toe met 34-28 die botoon gevoer het. Saterdag se nederlaag teen die Blues was ook die besoekers van die Jakarandastad se eerste nederlaag in vanjaar se reeks.

Die Nories het in albei hul vorige oorwinnings oor die Bere, 14 jaar gelede, naelskraaps met onderskeidelik 12-10 en 19-15 die pyp gerook. Vanjaar was dit dieselfde storie, met die tuisspan se verbete terugvegpoging wat nog vir jare onthou sal word.

Die Bere was, soos verwag, soos ‘n wafferse naelloper uit die blokke, met haker, Justin Blom, en senter, Levi Jordaan, wat deurgebars het om binne ‘n oogwink aan die besoekers ‘n voorsprong van 17-0 te besorg. Jordaan se sentermaat, Keagan Knighton, het kort daarna ook die doellyn oorgesteek om die rustydtelling op 22-7 te staan te bring.

Na die omdraaislag het haker, Clinton Agu, die bul by die horings gepak om momentum in die tuisspan se guns te swaai met ‘n tweekuns aan drieë. Agu se tweede het behoorlik die vuur onder die Blues aangesteek, met hul durf en fisiekheid wat die deurslag gegee het.

Vleuel, Jayden Steyn, wat deurgaans uitgeblink het op sowel die aanval as verdediging, het uiteindelik briljant afgerond om die sege met ses punte te beklink.

In Johannesburg het Helpmekaar Kollege sy reeks van rondomtalie-wedstryde met ‘n sege van 38-22 oor Hoërskool Rustenburg afgesluit.

Die Helpies se losskakel, Wian Storm, gaan steeds van krag tot krag as generaal van die Johannesburgers se agterlyn. Sy uitstekende visie en aanvoeling het aan homself, sowel as binnesenter, Ethan Lourens, ‘n tweekuns aan drieë besorg.

Hoewel die Helpies teen rustyd reeds met 31-10 voorgeloop het, het die Rusties geweier om handdoek in te gooi en met kenmerkende fisieke, harde rugby tog daarin geslaag om die tuisspan effens te ontsenu. Vernaam die twee voorrymanne, Xander Stickling en Jayden Mienie, het woelig vertoon en is elk met ‘n drie beloon.

Puntemakers: 

Noordheuwel 28 (7) – Drieë: Clinton Agu (2), Armand van Eck, Jayden Steyn. Doelskoppe: Jeandré Uithaler (4). Garsfontein 22 (22) – Drieë: Justin Blom, Levi Jordaan, Keagan Knighton. Doelskoppe: Joshua Gouws (2). Strafdoel: Gouws.

Helpmekaar Kollege 38 (31) – Drieë: Ethan Lourens (2), Wian Storm (2), Gustav Grotius, Dylan Engelbrecht. Doelskoppe: Wian Storm (4). Hoërskool Rustenburg 22 (10) – Drieë: Jon-ré Jefthas, Henré Robinson, Xander Stickling, Jayden Mienie. Doelskop: Ayden Willemse.

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Noordheuwel 31, Garsfontein 7; Helpmekaar Kollege 31, Hoërskool Rustenburg 24.

o.15: Garsfontein 21; Noordheuwel 15; Helpmekaar Kollege 31, Hoërskool Rustenburg 15.

o.14: Noordheuwel 11, Garsfontein 7; Hoërskool Rustenburg 24, Helpmekaar Kollege 19.

Catch all the action live from around the country on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com).

The results from around South Africa will be updated here as we receive the results from the various schools. For results of the SDC Noordvaal Cup – click on the following link – SDC Noordvaal Cup Results.

If your school’s match is not listed below or you would like to send in your team’s results, please email us via e-mail at rugby@ssschoolsplus.co.za or via WhatsApp at 072 172 5455.

You can also submit a result via our website – Submit Result.

All the results: 

CENTRAL REGION

Fichardtpark 26, Voortrekker (Bethlehem) 19; Diamantveld 39 Hoërskool Trio 10; Witteberg 70, Sentraal (FS) 7

EASTERN CAPE 

Pearson 26, Marlow Landbou 24; Graeme College 17, Dale College 10; Nico Malan 38, HTS Daniel Pienaar 8; Hudson Park 33, Stirling 5; Ooskus Gym  35, Cathcart 22; Die Brandwag (Uitenhage) 109, DF Malherbe 0; Grey College 48 Grey High School 15; Port Rex 22, Cambridge 17; Queen’s College 31 Selborne College 28

FREE STATE/GRIQUALAND WEST

Duineveld 48, Hoërskool Kathu 12;

KWAZULU-NATAL

Durban High School 36, Northwood 5;

NOORDVAAL

Affies 64, Waterkloof 19; Jeppe High School for Boys 39, King Edward VII 31

WESTERN CAPE

DF Malan 31, Strand 19; Stellenberg 18, Boland Landbou 10; Charlie Hofmeyr 42, Hermanus 27; Outeniqua 45, Worcester Gimnasium 13; Oakdale Landbou 21, Paul Roos Gimnasium 17; Hopefield 31, Swartland 20; Diocesan College 42, Milnerton 36; Melkbos 44, Tygerberg HS 29; Paarl Boys’ High 35, Paarl Gimnasium 33

Al die uitslae van die reeks soos wat ons dit ontvang sal hier opgedateer word.

Indien u uitslag of wedstryd nie op die lys is nie – tree gerus met ons in kontak deur ‘n e-pos te stuur aan rugby@ssschoolsplus.co.za of per WhatsApp na 072 172 5455.

Al die uitslae:

GROEP 1 

BEKER-AFDELING

Noordheuwel 28, Garsfontein 22; Helpmekaar Kollege 38, Hoërskool Rustenburg 22; Menlopark 39, Monument 37; Transvalia 20, Hoërskool Nelspruit 19;

Ander spanne:

o.16: Monument 23, Menlopark 20; Noordheuwel 31, Garsfontein 7;

o.15: Monument 10, Menlopark 3; Garsfontein 21, Noordheuwel 15;

o.14: Monument 55, Menlopark 14; Noordheuwel 11, Garsfontein 7;

PLAAT-AFDELING 

Zwartkop 61, Marais Viljoen 7; HTS Middelburg 41, Ligbron Akademie 32; Hoërskool Klerksdorp 37, Oos-Moot 19; Hoërskool Middelburg 26, Wesvalia 9.

Ander spanne:

o.16: Klerksdorp 17, Oos-Moot 12; Marais Viljoen 35, Zwartkop 31; Ligbron Akademie 17, HTS Middelburg 14.

o.15: Oos-Moot 21, Klerksdorp 5; Zwartkop 54, Marais Viljoen 15; HTS Middelburg 19, Ligbron Akademie 17.

o.14: Klerksdorp 19, Oos-Moot 7; Zwartkop 28, Marais Viljoen 7; HTS Middelburg 7, Ligbron Akademie 5.

SKILD-AFDELING

Piet Retief 29, Die Anker 26; Montana 41, Ben Vorster 34; Hoërskool Pietersburg 40, Hugenote (Springs) 25; Secunda 23, Lichtenburg 20.

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Ben Vorster 33, Montana 7;

o.15: Ben Vorster 46, Montana 7;

o.14: Montana 22, Ben Vorster 19;

BOWL-AFDELING 

Potchefstroom Volkskool 36, Randburg 26; Potchefstroom Gimnasium 27, Dinamika 24; Merensky 57, Ermelo 8; Jeugland 39, Bergsig Akademie 32.

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Potch Volkies 22, Randburg 9; Merensky 66, Ermelo 5; Dinamika 36, Potch Gimmies 27; Jeugland 31, Bergsig 7;

o.15: Potch Volkies 13, Randburg 7; Ermelo 24, Merensky 12; Dinamika 28, Potch Gimmies 7; Bergsig 17, Jeugland 5;

o.14: Randburg 22, Potch Volkies 19; Ermelo 8, Merensky 7; Potch Gimmies 10, Dinamika 5; Bergsig 22, Jeugland 7;

GROEP 2 | UITSPEELWEDSTRYDE

Eerstespanne: Hoërskool Alberton 17, Hoogenhout 14; Wagpos 38, Hans Strijdom 36; Centurion 46, Frikkie Meyer 26; Dr. Malan 22, Wonderboom 14; Brandwag (Benoni) 24, Pretoria-Noord 14; Hartbeespoort 22, Lydenburg 10; Die Wilgers 36, Ben Viljoen 18; Midstream College 32, Hoërskool Sasolburg 29.

o.16: Oosterlig 17, Lydenburg 12; Pretoria-Noord 21, Hoogenhout 15; Ellisras 31, Brits 7; Wagpos 27, Ben Viljoen 19; Dr. Malan 45, Hoërskool Tuine 17; Leeuwenhof 62, Wonderboom 5;

o.15: Hans Moore 14, Lydenburg 11; Ellisras 13, Die Wilgers 0; Ben Viljoen 20, Pretoria-Noord 10; Centurion 22, HTS Tom Naudé 15;

o.14: Die Wilgers 7, Hoërskool Alberton 7 (Die Wilgers dring deur na hul eerste druk); Ben Viljoen 33, Pretoria-Noord 5; Midstream College 14, Ellisras 8; Overkruin 27, Rob Ferreira 17;

GROEP 3 | UITSPEELWEDSTRYDE

Eerstespanne: Linden 52, Curro Nelspruit 7; Vereeniging Gimnasium 24, Curro Hazeldean 10; Riebeeckrand 29, Bergvlam 8; Gerrit Maritz 47, Elspark 29; Frans du Toit 17, Allen Glen 7;  Standerton 15, Delmas 12;  Vryburg dring deur na kwarteindronde (Louis Trichardt onttrek).

o.16: Fochville 28, Louis Trichardt 8; Standerton 29, Linden 17; Riebeeckrand 38, Generaal Hertzog 15; Wolmaransstad 34, Frans du Toit 19; Benoni High 27, Sutherland 7; Overvaal 34, Vryburg 5;

o.15: Bastion 19, Louis Trichardt 10; Volksrust 14, Elspark 10; Vereeniging Gimnasium 33, Rietondale 10; Standerton 27, Linden 24; Riebeeckrand 15, Bergvlam 0; John Vorster (Nigel) 43, Sutherland 0; Wolmaransstad 31, Piet Potgieter 7; Vryburg 21, Overvaal 17;

o.14: Fochville 29, Bergvlam 3; Linden 43, Standerton 7; Vereeniging Gimnasium 46, Barberton 31; Riebeeckrand 24, Piet Potgieter 13; Sutherland 24, John Vorster (Nigel) 20; Vryburg 17, Louis Trichardt 5; Overvaal 24, Wolmaransstad 17.

.

A remarkable second-half performance, coupled with some stunning goals, helped South African College High School (SACS) overcome a two-goal deficit on their way to a 5-2 win over Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) on Friday in Cape Town.

The highly anticipated Hyundai Friday Nite Lights clash delivered top-quality hockey and served as a reminder to many why SACS is regarded by most as the best schoolboy team in the country.

The rivalry between SACS and PRG has been fierce for the past five years, and fixtures between the teams somehow always live up to expectations.

It was their third meeting of the season, following their earlier battles in the semifinals of the Hibbert Shield Tournament, in Gqeberha, and in Stellenbosch, in May.

SACS was victorious in both those encounters, but they were closely contested, filled with drama, and it was no different this time around.

Surprisingly, though, the match got off to a slow start, with both teams playing cautiously in the early exchanges.

Early on, SACS was awarded a short corner, but captain Jo le Roux‘s drag flick was dealt with brilliantly by the first wave running of Tylor Carter.

PRG also earned themselves a PC with two minutes left in the chukka, but Reuben Gouw’s attempt was kept out.

In the second chukka, the game started to open up.

PRG dictated play, enjoying the majority of ball possession, and forced SACS into making uncharacteristic, sloppy mistakes.

The visitors, then, opened the scoring through the captain, Christo Swanepoel, who sent a penalty corner thunderbolt past Lorenzo Virissimo to silence the home crowd.

At the break, PRG led 1-0, but they quickly doubled their lead early in the third chukka when Charlie Boucher latched onto a ball inside the circle after a sharp baseline run from Seth Paterson.

That goal, though, woke SACS up. Finally, they came to life and began to play the game in the Paul Roos half. Soon, they pulled a goal back through Mohlodi Maseko.

The home side smelled blood, and a blistering run upfield by Litha Kraai earned his team a short corner after a body check by one of the PRG defenders.

Kraai took on the set piece responsibility himself and sent a drag flick whistling past Jeandre Cilliers for the equaliser. In no time at all, SACS had scored a third in three minutes, with Josh Goudling providing the finish, which gave the hosts the lead.

They were far from done, and with two minutes remaining in the quarter, Kraai made it a brace after converting another short corner.

Heading into the final chukka, SACS had turned the game on its head. They led 4-2.

PRG was stunned. They had barely made it out of their half in the third chukka, but they showed some fight in the final chukka.

They created two goal-scoring opportunities, but neither Reuben Gouws nor Caleb Cilliers was able to convert.

Then, with six minutes to play, SACS took the game out of PRG’s reach when their skipper, Jo le Roux, fired a drag flick into the top right corner for the contest’s final goal.

It was a statement performance by the boys in blue and white.

Aidan Hughes, Zac Redfern, and Mohlodi Maseko showed their class under immense pressure with the help of their teammates.

SACS coach Sam Holmes will be pleased with the fighting spirit shown by his team, while PRG coach Michael Baker, will take positives from the performance of his team in the first half.

SACS next faces Durban’s Northwood School on Friday, 8 August, at 15:00, before taking on Rondebosch Boys’ High a week later.

PRG will also play Northwood in a friendly fixture before their final match of the season against Grey College on 15 August in Bloemfontein.

Scorers

SACS 5: Litha Kraai (2), Josh Goulding, Mohlodi Maseko. Paul Roos 2: Christo Swanepoel, Charlie Boucher.

There were a whopping 23 goals scored in just four matches in the Eastern Cape on Friday night as Selborne College and Grey High School picked up massive wins on home turf.

Selborne thumped Queen’s College 8-0, while Grey High put up a brave performance to shock Grey College 3-1 in Gqeberha.

While there were also a 6-3 win for Dale College over Graeme College and a 2-1 win for Hudson Park over Stirling High, the fixtures to watch were the ones taking place at Selborne and Grey High.

Both matchups thoroughly entertained, with the home teams dominating and recording outstanding victories with just a couple of weeks left in the season.

Selborne entered their clash against Queen’s off the back of a shaky 2-1 win over Hudson Park a week ago. In that meeting, coach KJ Friend‘s side was forced to come from a goal down but strikes by Saneze Kweba and Inathi Gxobole in the fourth quarter saw them pick up the win.

On Friday night, they went up against a Queen’s side that had outplayed Merrifield College, scoring a 7-0 win, so both outfits were in red-hot form.

It was the home side, however, that started like a house on fire, scoring two goals in the first chukka through Thomas Caswell and Sonwabise Adonis.

Reid Drake joined the scoring spree early in the second chukka when he converted from a short corner before Adonis made it 4-0 heading into the break.

The boys in black and white had a quiet third chukka, but Caswell latched onto a loose ball inside the circle to make it 5-0 after three quarters.

Three more goals were scored in the final chukka.

Firstly, Adonis completed his hat-trick before Reece Wait fired in a scorcher to make it seven. Captain, Gray van Heerden completed the drubbing with a last-minute drag flick, sealing his side’s biggest win of the season.

“The last time we played Queen’s at home, it ended as a draw, so the only thing on our minds was getting the win,” Van Heerden told SuperSport Schools Plus after the match.

“We pulled through and played Selborne hockey. We played as a team and moved the ball around well. It was a team effort, and everybody played their part.”

Seborne will be aiming to continue their fine form next weekend when they visit Dale College in Qonce. Van Heerden believes his boys will step up to the task.

“It’s Dale away next week, and we are excited to get out there,” he said. “Having two of our longest rivals, Queen’s and Dale, straight after each other is special and means more to the matrics.

“We get to do it one last time against them. Yes, it’s away, but I’m sure our boys will make it feel like home when we get there.”

While Selborne ran riot in East London, Grey High sent Grey College packing at the Rectory AstroTurf.

After conceding first, late in the first chukka, the Azzurri responded before halftime through Liam Poole, who linked up well with Keegan le Roux.

It was a tussle from then on, with very little to separate the sides, and it took a moment of magic from captain Luke Tait in the final quarter to edge Grey High in front.

Showing great awareness in the circle, he pounced on a loose ball before directing it past Sayur Pillay in the Grey College goal for his side’s second.

The hosts held on and made sure of victory when they scored off the last play of the game, a penalty corner, which was converted by James Chree.

“I’m massively pleased with the win. Grey College is always a tough opponent. They bring intensity and never seem to stop running,” Grey High captain, Luke Tait, said after the game.

“I think we showed real composure as a team. We backed each other, and we stayed switched on for the full 60 minutes. So, yes, it’s a special win and one we’ll remember.”

Tait is one of the senior players in the Grey High squad and made his 100th appearance for the team against St Andrew’s College in June. He was also part of the team that went down 0-1 against Grey College in Bloemfontein last year.

“Last year hurt,” he admitted.

“I think the difference this time around was our mindset. It was the matrics’ last home derby, so we made sure to end our journey at Grey the right way with the help of every player.

“Having our school behind us like we had gave us an extra gear, and it felt like we were playing with an extra man at times.”

Tait and his troops will have a bye next weekend before they take on Selborne College in their final match of the season on 15 August in East London.

Grey College heads back to Bloemfontein to prepare for their last outing of the season against Paul Roos Gimnasium in two weeks’ time.

Other matches

In Qonce, goals from Sibongile Nzima, Caleb Ellis, Naledi Mosebi, Inga Mafanga, Solomon Qaku, and Soso Dyani propelled Dale to a 6-3 win over Graeme College.

Somila Mkokeli and Nathan Kearney were on target for coach Sipe Matafeni‘s Hudson Park, who got back to winning ways with a solid 2-1 win over Stirling High for whom AJ Durrheim scored.

EASTERN CAPE BOYS’ RESULTS

Selborne College 8-0 Queen’s College
Dale College 6-3 Graeme College
Grey High 3-1 Grey College
Hudson Park High 2-1 Stirling High