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The third annual Kearsney Soccer Tournament kicks off on Thursday and brings together 36 school teams and nearly 600 young footballers from across South Africa and Botswana for a thrilling three days of all-out action.

Hosted by Kearsney College, in Botha’s Hill, the tournament has rapidly become a highlight on schools’ football calendar.

This year, the competition features 16 boys’ high school teams, eight girls’ high school teams and 12 primary school teams.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

Last year’s winners in the three divisions, Pinetown Boys’ High (senior boys), St Mary’s DSG (senior girls) and Merchiston Prep (junior boys), will be back to defend their titles.

Pinetown, after recently claiming the Kloof High Football Tournament title against an elite field, will, undoubtedly, be the team to beat.

Other participating boys’ high school teams from KwaZulu-Natal are Durban High School (DHS), Glenwood High, Clifton College, Ashton Ballito, Grace College, Maqhutshana Secondary, Siyajabula High, Queensburgh High, and the hosts, Kearsney College.

Gauteng’s interests are represented by Curro Hazeldean, Sutherland High, and Trinity House Randpark Ridge.

Urban Academy, from Gqeberha, and Curro Somerset West fly the flag for the Eastern and Western Cape respectively.

Joining St Mary’s DSG, Kloof, in the girls’ high school competition are KZN’s Durban Girls’ High, Danville Park Girls, Sastri College, Crawford La Lucia, and Ashton Ballito.

The field is completed by Curro Hazeldean, from Pretoria, and Trinity House Randpark Ridge, from Johannesburg.

Twelve primary school sides will join them, including Broadhurst Primary, from Gaberone, in Botswana.

The local teams are Highbury Prep, Hillcrest Primary, Winston Park, Atholl Heights, Westville Senior Primary, John Wesley, Ashton Ballito, Reddam Ballito, and Clifton Prep. Pelham Senior Primary and last year’s winners, Merchiston, will make the short trip from Pietermaritzburg.

“We are excited to welcome players, coaches and supporters to what promises to be another exciting and competitive tournament,” said Kearsney headmaster, Patrick Lees.

“The Kearsney Soccer Tournament provides a platform for young athletes to test their skills, foster school spirit and build lasting friendships through sport.”

In addition to fierce competition, the event aims to promote development in youth football, featuring both boys’ and girls’ teams and encouraging participation from primary and high school levels, he said.

The tournament is sponsored by Meondo Holdings, with Chemlog adding their support.

Kearsney’s Coffee Shop will be open throughout the tournament, which runs through to Saturday, 19 July, and spectators are encouraged to enjoy some thrilling games and tasty treats.

Fixtures and results will be on the Kearsney Events App, which is available on Google Play and iStore.

Cape Town football fans were treated to a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge, at Erica Park, on Sunday.

Cape Town Roses cemented their dominance in the girls’ division, capturing a historic fourth consecutive title, while Cape Town City triumphed in the boys’ division, claiming the crown after falling just short in last year’s final.

The Western Cape’s top u18 boys’ and u20 girls’ football teams competed over three days of intense action, which showcased the depth of talent in the region.

In the girls’ division, Cape Town Roses continued their reign with a commanding 2-0 win over RV United in the final, further solidifying their legacy as the team to beat in the province.

In the boys’ division, Cape Town City finally seized their moment, defeating Eagles Performance Academy 3-1 in a high-tempo title game, fuelled by their hunger to finish what they just missed out on a year ago.

The tournament once again echoed the 2025 theme, “It’s Your Moment, Future Diski Legends,” capturing the energy and ambition of South Africa’s rising stars.

Cape Town Roses and Cape Town City will now fly the province’s flag when they go in search of the national title at the Engen Champ of Champs in October.

Engen Knockout Individual Awards

Girls
Goalkeeper of the tournament – Bilqees Salie – Salt River Blackpool
Defender of the tournament – Anathi Nqothani – Dangerous Heroes
Midfielder of the tournament – Zoe De Kock – RV United
Top Goalscorer – Lisakhaya Situlueni – Cape Town Roses
Striker of the tournament – Lisakhaya Situlueni – Cape Town Roses
Coach of the tournament – Xolile Madikane – Cape Town Roses
Player of the tournament – Lisakhaya Situluen – Cape Town Roses
Fair play team of the tournament – Dangerous Heroes

Boys
Goalkeeper of the tournament – Vaughen Sabatian – Valhalla United
Defender of the tournament – Abulele Dlekedla – Cape Town City
Midfielder of the tournament – Joshua Taylor – Cape Town City
Top Goalscorer Jack Kiewiet – Eagles Performance Academy
Striker of the tournament – Raqul Daniels – Valhalla United
Coach of the tournament – Shamieg McLaurie – Eagles Performance Academy
Player of the tournament – Joshua Taylor – Cape Town City
Fairplay team of the tournament – SAFA Cape Town Academy
Referee of the tournament – Ms Cleo Ben

The 2025 u16 Girls’ SASHOC National Week concluded on Hilton College‘s Mansergh Astro on Sunday, with KwaZulu-Natal Coastal A being crowned the national champion.

KZN Coastal A and Eastern Province (EP) A put together exceptional runs through the group stages, although EP’s run of wins was halted in their last pool stage outing when Southern Gauteng scored a surprise 2-0 victory.

The KZN Coastal girls, though, enjoyed a perfect run. They went a perfect five from five in their group games and then won the semi-final and final to finish with seven wins from seven outings.

They started with a 3-0 win over the KZN Coastal B side before edging out their neighbours, KZN Inland A, 1-0 in their second game.

Coach Yoche Blair’s side maintained their solid form, with a 4-2 win over Boland B before an even more convincing 3-0 defeat of Boland A. They were pushed hard by Northern Gauteng A but came away with a 2-1 win in their last group match.

In the semi-finals, they brushed aside Western Province, winning 3-1. On Sunday, in the title-decider, they produced a convincing 4-2 win over Eastern Province, the defending champions.

Charley-Rose Boyall, the tournament’s top goal scorer, with nine, rose to the occasion, scoring twice to lead her team from the front. Asanele Zuma and Zenokuhle Mbhele also added their names to the scoresheet as the local lasses dominated.

Eastern Province A, who had looked unstoppable for much of the tournament, showed heart and fight in the final. Lucy Holderness and Kiyara Constable both netted, but KZN Coastal enjoyed the edge throughout.

Boland A claimed third place after beating Western Province A in a penalty shootout. Initially, their playoff ended in a 1–1 draw after a tight encounter in which Nicola van der Merwe scored for Boland and Bea van den Berg netted for Western Province.

Daniella Grobbelaar scored the only goal of the game as Northern Gauteng A edged out KZN Inland A 1-0 to take fifth place.

Seventh went to Southern Gauteng A. They shared a goalless draw with Southern Free State A but then triumphed 4-2 in a penalty shootout.

It was tight in the battle for ninth and tenth, which was also decided after a shootout. KZN Coastal B and Boland B drew 1-1, with Isabella Slater scoring for Coastal and Miné King doing the trick for Boland. Coastal, then, took the shootout 4-2.

Eastern Gauteng A picked a good time to score their first win of the tournament, handing Southern Gauteng B a 1-0 loss, thanks to a lone goal from Carmen Venter.

RESULTS

Final: Eastern Province A 2: Lucy Holderness, Kiyara Constable. KZN Coastal A 2: Charley-Rose Boyall (X2), Asanele Zuma, Zenokuhle Mbhele.
3rd and 4th: Boland A 1: Nicola van der Merwe. Western Province A 1: Bea van den Berg.
5th and 6th: KZN Inland A 0: Northern Gauteng A 1: Daniella Grobbelaar.
7th and 8th: Southern Gauteng A 0 (4): Southern Free State A 0 (2).
9th and 10th: KZN Coastal B 1 (4): Isabella Slater. Boland B 1 (2): Miné King.
11th and 12th: Southern Gauteng B 0: Eastern Gauteng A 1: Carmen Venter.

Southern Gauteng A produced an outstanding performance in the final of the u16 SASHOC National Week at Hilton College, on Sunday, overwhelming Eastern Province A 8-1 to lift the title.

“I think the boys saved their best performance for the final,” Siya Sityana, the Southerns’ u16 coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“We were slightly more clinical, and the boys connected well on the pitch.”

The victory put an exclamation mark on Southerns’ seven-match unbeaten march to the title.

Sityana’s charges beat their highveld neighbours, Northern Gauteng A, 6-2, and outclassed their compatriots, Southern Gauteng B, 5-3 at St Anne’s DSG. Playing at Hilton College, they won 4-2 against KZN Inland A, saw off Eastern Province 3-1, and triumphed 3-2 over Western Province A. They also registered a 7-0 drubbing of KZN Inland B at St John’s DSG.

Their 8-1 win in the final was the joint-biggest margin of victory at the tournament, matching their big win over Inland B.

“We knew that we had a talented group, and that we were good enough to win the tournament, but the most important thing was to play for one another, fight for one another,” Sityana said.

It is a challenge for sides to not be complacent when they go into a fixture against a team that they previously defeated, but Sityana had a good talk with his charges to ensure that they did not fall into that trap with the title on the line.

“Knowing that we had beaten them before gave us confidence,” he explained, “but we had to make sure that we execute well, so discipline was important. We had to respect them.”

The tournament featured three outstanding forwards. KZN Coastal A’s Luc Boyall topped the goal scoring charts, with 12 goals, while Southerns’ leading scorer, Candy Blaine, tied Santiago Matroos, from KZN Inland A, with nine each.

Interestingly, the top goal scorer in the girls’ u16 tournament was Luc Boyall’s sister, Charley-Rose, who netted nine times,

Blaine led the Southerns’ scoring in the final, striking twice, including the opener in the fifth minute.

“Candy is a fearless striker. He has a good eye for goal. Most would say he is a maverick. He is a predator. He has a good instinct inside the circle,” Sityana shared.

Eastern Province was still trying to conjure up a response when Kamohelo Tsoka doubled the Southerns’ lead in the 12th minute, which left the boys from the highveld 2-0 ahead at the end of the first chukka

Coach Keanon Geldenhuys’s Eastern Province side produced a better showing in the second chukka, but Southerns bolstered their advantage when Kade Lottering struck from a tight angle in the 28th minute.

In the sixth minute of the third chukka, Matthew Jung, slotted his seventh goal of the tournament to make it 4-0.

Almost immediately, Eastern Province replied when James Chree converted a penalty stroke. That setback served only to spur Southerns on.

They promptly added two more goals. Jason Joiner found the back of the net in the 44th minute, and Blaine scored his second a minute later.

“We agreed that we would make it hard for every team that comes up against us,” Sityana said.

The double-strike made a comeback all but impossible for Eastern Province. They trailed by five goals and that was turned into a seven-goal deficit by Tshimologo Mogale and Rourque van Rooyen, who hammered the final nails into their opponent’s coffin with further goals in the fourth chukka.

Results

Final: Southern Gauteng A: 8 – Candy Blaine (2), Jason Joiner, Kade Lottering, Tshimologo Mogale, Kamohelo Tsoka, Rourque van Rooyen. Eastern Province A: 1 – James Chree.
3rd and 4th: Boland A: 3 – Jeandre van Zyl, Caleb Cilliers, Luke van der Merwe. Western Province A: 1 – Ross Wille.
5th and 6th: KZN Coastal A: 4 – Matt Potgieter, Luc Boyall, Ryan Herselman. KZN Inland A: 1 – Benjamin Wilson.
7th and 8th: Northern Gauteng A: 3 – Michael Meiring (2), Will Hewitt. Southern Free State A: 3 – Eben Stander, Yandisa Litole, Ethan Seager.
9th and 10th: Southern Gauteng B: 4 – Tristan McQue (2), Mpilo Chabe, Mahlatse Maapola. Western Province B: 3 – Fourie Max (2), Divan van Eeden.
11th and 12th: KZN Inland B: 2 – Luthando Shelembe, Daniel Pieterse. KZN Coastal B: 1 – Ryan Willis.

Day two of the 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge Cape Town leg, at Erica Sports Grounds, delivered thrilling quarterfinals, with Cape Town Roses continuing their defence of the women’s u20 title, while Valhalla United ended Stellenbosch FC’s long-standing dominance in the boys’ u18 division.

Cape Town Roses cruised into the semi-finals after a commanding 5–1 win over RV United.

The defending champions topped their group, and they carried that momentum into the quarterfinals with another structured and confident performance.

In the boys’ division, Valhalla United edged out Stellenbosch FC 1–0 in a tightly contested clash.

The result was significant, not only did it eliminate the two-time champions, but it also marked the first time that Stellenbosch FC had conceded a goal in the Engen Knockout Challenge in three years.

Valhalla’s rise also underscored the vital role that platforms like the Engen Knockout Challenge play in identifying and developing emerging football talent.

Valhalla had secured second place in their group with a 2–0 win over City Town, which set up their quarterfinal clash with Stellenbosch. Their journey to the semi-finals provided further proof of the depth and competitiveness coming through Cape Town’s grassroots system.

While Stellenbosch FC bowed out of the competition, their defensive record and consistency across multiple editions of the Engen Knockout Challenge have set a high bar. They’ll, no doubt, be back among the title contenders in 2026.

Women’s quarterfinal results

Cape Town Roses 5-1 Rygate Ladies
Salt River Blackpool 1-0 Ubuntu Football
RV United 3-1 CPUT Ladies
Dangerous Heroes 3-0 Magic Ladies

Boys’ quarterfinal results

Cape Town City 2-1 Norway Parks
SAFA Cape Town Academy 1-0 Cape Town Spurs
Valhalla United 1-0 Stellenbosch
Eagles Performance United 1-0 Everton

Last year’s runners-up, Eastern Province A, will cross swords with Southern Gauteng A in the final of the u16A section of the SASHOC National Week. They lock horns at Hilton College at 11:45 on Sunday morning.

Southerns was the first team to book a berth in the title decider after scoring a hard-fought a 3-2 victory over Western Province A in their semi-final clash on Saturday.

Three hours later, Eastern Province knocked out the defending champions, Boland A, in a penalty shootout. The contest ended 2-2 after regulation time. Eastern Province, then, prevailed 5-4 on penalties.

Southerns and Eastern Province were both in Pool B, where they finished in first and second place, respectively. When they met, Candy Blaine, Matthew Jung, and Kade Lottering were on target for Southerns, while James Chree replied for Eastern Province, as the highveld side claimed a 3-1 win.

Southerns will be keen to repeat that victory, but finals, especially, rarely follow previous scripts.

The Gauteng boys were on top of their game when they exacted revenge over Province, who had beaten them 2-0 in the fifth-place playoff in 2024.

Coach Siya Sityana‘s side conceded an early goal to Province, scored by Liam Daames from a penalty corner in the 14th minute, but they bounced back to dominate the tie. That strike jolted Southerns to life and they immediately went on the hunt for an equaliser.

Three minutes later, Matthew Jung, who has been a standout for Southerns on attack, scored his seventh goal of the tournament to level the scores. Then, in the 23rd minute, Jason Joiner converted a short corner to give Southerns the lead.

Province replied through Zach Hillman, who levelled the scores with his fifth goal in six matches after 41 minutes.

Kade Lottering, another regular on the score sheet, broke the stalemate 11 minutes later, scoring his sixth goal of the tournament. It turned out to be the winner and propelled Southern Gauteng into the title game.

In the other semi-final, Eastern Province turned the tables on Boland. Last year, the sides ended regulation time in the final at 2-2 before Boland triumphed after a penalty shootout.

On Saturday, Boland took the lead through Caleb Cilliers, who converted a penalty corner only two minutes into the contest. Eight minutes into the third quarter. Christiaan Fouché, executed a spectacular dive to guide the ball into the back of the net to put Boland 2-0 up.

Eastern Province, unbowed, maintained their pressure on the Boland goal, and they were rewarded when Michael Gillies cut the deficit in half four minutes before the end of the third chukka.

Boland goalkeeper, Ryan Bezuidenhout, kept his side ahead in the contest when he pulled off a brilliant save to keep out a strike from a penalty corner two minutes later.

Eastern Province, though, kept exerting pressure, chasing an equaliser, and just before the end of the chukka they found it, with Luke Mason striking to make it 2-2.

With no further goals accruing, the contest went to a penalty shootout.

Eastern Province took the first penalty and scored. Then, Connor Halforty pulled off a save to give his team the advantage.

Eastern Province scored from their next three attempts, but Boland matched them. Then, Eastern Province missed their fourth, while Boland converted their fifth. That sent the contest to sudden death, where Eastern Province grabbed the winner.

With one match to go for each of the teams, KZN Coastal A‘s Luc Boyall tops the goal scoring chart, with 11 to his name. His sister, Charley-Rose is tied atop the girls’ u16 goal scoring chart with Marichelle Crous.

RESULTS

Eastern Province A: (5) 2 – Michael Gillies, Luke Mason. Boland A: (4) 2 – Christiaan Fouché, Caleb Cilliers.
Southern Gauteng A: 3 – Matthew Jung, Jason Joiner, Kade Lottering. Western Province A: 2 – Liam Daames, Zach Hillman.
Southern Gauteng B: 1 – Neo Nkoana. KZN Coastal B: 0.
Western Province B: 2 – Ethan Smith, Ephram Smith. KZN Inland B: 0.
KZN Inland A: 5 – Santiago Matroos (2), Sbuyisilwe Mchunu, Nthabiseng Ntshingila, Rayhan Fitz. Southern Free State A: 2 -Eben Stander, Kamo Mohlomi.
KZN Coastal A: 7 – Luc Boyall (3), Dylan Forbes, Matt Potgieter, Luke Lambert, Daniel Rea. Northern Gauteng A: 2 – Kean Cornelissen.

Eastern Province (EP) A bounced back from a shock loss to Southern Gauteng A on Friday to win their semi-final at the SASHOC National Week, on Hilton College‘s Mansergh Astro, on Saturday.

With a place in the final on the line, EP was on their game from the first whistle and kept Boland in check throughout.

Goals from standouts Lucy Holderness, who has six for the tournament, and Iminathi Rungqu, who has five, sealed a 2-0 victory and Eastern Province’s place in the title game.

They’ll face a KZN Coastal A team, which has won every game they’ve played, in the final. After their clean run through their group, Coastal followed up with a 3-1 win over Western Province A in their semi-final.

Charley-Rose Boyall continued her fantastic tournament form with a brace, which leaves her on top of the goal scoring chart alongside Southern Free State‘s Marichelle Crous, with seven. Teagan Williamson also netted for the local side, while Jamie Gall replied for Province.

Third in 2024, KZN Coastal meets the defending champion, Eastern Province, on Sunday for the title at 10:20 on the Mansergh Astro.

Boland A and Western Province A will meet in the third-place playoff. Both ended the pool stage in second place in their pools and clashes between the neighbours are usually very keenly contested.

KZN Inland A and Northern Gauteng A will battle it out for fifth place.

In the cross-pool playoffs, Inland shocked Southern Gauteng A, who were confident after an upset of Eastern Province, scoring a memorable 2–1 win, thanks to goals from Taslyn van Wyk and Owami Mthethwa.

Northern Gauteng A edged out Southern Free State A 2–1, with Aphelele Mbatsha and Lenique Vogel scoring for the winners, and Marichelle Crous replying for the Free Staters. Vogel’s goal was her fifth of the event.

The losses for Southern Gauteng A and Southern Free State A leaves them to meet for seventh place.

In other matches, Boland B edged out Eastern Gauteng A 2–1, while KZN Coastal B outlasted Southern Gauteng B, winning a tense penalty shootout 3-2 after their match had ended 1–1 in regulation time. 

RESULTS

Eastern Gauteng A 1: Willanie Du Preez. Boland B 2: Leilah-Thul Fall.

Southern Gauteng B 1 (2): Caitlyn McLean. KZN Coastal B 1 (3): Isabella Slater.

Western Province A 1: Jamie Gall. KZN Coastal A 3: Charley-Rose Boyall (x2), Teagan Williamson.

Southern Free State A 1: Marichelle Crous. Northern Gauteng A 2: Aphelele Mbatsha, Lenique Vogel.

Eastern Province A 2: Lucy Holderness, Iminathi Rungqu. Boland A 0.

Southern Gauteng A 1: Erica Broskie. KZN Inland A 2: Taslyn Van Wyk, Owami Mthethwa.

Eight players who were part of the two SA Schools squads last year have been included in the two groups again this year when the teams do battle in Middelburg in Mpumalanga on Thursday, 17 July.

Western Province’s Josh Neill, Markus Muller, Briint Davids, and Jordan Jooste, as well as Ethan Adams and AJ Meyer from Free State, the Sharks’ Zekhethelo Siyaya, and André Poulton of the Golden Lions, all of whom featured in 2024, were again included in the two squads of 26 players each.

Western Province has the most representatives in the two groups – eight players in the SA Schools team, and 12 in the SA Schools ‘A’ squad. The annual showpiece between the two sides will kick off at 15:00 at Hoërskool Middelburg, the hosts of the FNB u18 Craven Week.

Mr Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, congratulated all the players selected for the SA Schools and SA Schools ‘A’ teams. “Your hard work, dedication, and performance have earned you this honour, and we celebrate your achievement today,” said Mr Alexander. “We also acknowledge those who missed out, and remind you that your journey is far from over.

Today, we celebrate not only the selection of these teams but the promise of a pathway that nurtures excellence, resilience, and opportunity. “These young athletes represent the future of South African rugby, and while we honour those selected, we encourage every player to remain committed to their journey. The road ahead is filled with possibilities.”

Lwazi Zangqa, from Border, has been named as the head coach of the SA Schools side, and he will be assisted by the Bulls’ Cobus van Dyk, while the SA Schools ‘A’ team will be coached by Flash Malinga, of the Sharks, with Clinton van Rensburg, of Western Province named as his assistant.

SA Schools squad 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya (Westville Boys’ High, Sharks), 14 Junaide Stuart (Garsfontein, Blue Bulls), 13 Ethan Adams (Grey College, Free State), 12 Markus Muller (Paarl Gimnasium, WP), 11 Jadrian Afrikaner (Westville Boys’ High, Sharks), 10 Liyema Nela (Hilton College, Sharks), 9 Morné Noble (Wynberg Boys’ High, WP), 8 Jacobus de Villiers (Oakdale Landbou, SWD), 7 Josh Neill (Rondebosch Boys’ High, WP), 6 Chinedu Amadi (King Edward VII, Lions), 5 AJ Meyer (Grey College, Free State), 4 Lwandile Mlaba (Westville Boys’ High, Sharks), 3 Luan van den Berg (Garsfontein, Blue Bulls), 2 Altus Rabe (Paul Roos Gimnasium, WP), 1 Kai Pratt (Oakdale Landbou, SWD). Replacements: 16 Clinton Agu (Noordheuwel, Lions), 17 Jordan Jooste (HJS Paarl, WP), 18 Matthew van der Merwe (HJS Paarl, WP), 19 Jayden Joubert (HJS Paarl, WP), 20 Wasi Vyambwera (Maritzburg College, Sharks), 21 Gert Kemp (Paul Roos Gimnasium, WP), 22 Zirk Meyer (Affies, Blue Bulls), 23 Ruben Groenewald (Affies, Blue Bulls), 24 Nathan Aneke (Durban High School, Sharks), 25 Lamla Mgedezi (Grey College, Free State), 26 Thabiso Simelane (St Alban’s College, Blue Bulls).

Management

Head Coach: Lwazi Zangqa (Border) | Assistant Coach: Cobus van Dyk (Blue Bulls) | Team Manager: Dean Moodley (Sharks) | Physiotherapist: Robin Williams (Sharks) | Conditioning Coach: Yaw Fosu-Amoah (Eastern Province) | Team Doctor: Dr Gershwin Kortje (Boland).

SA Schools A 15 Junade Pasensie (Garsfontein, Blue Bulls), 14 Lucritia Magau (Graeme College, EP), 13 Erin Nelson (Graeme College, EP), 12 Christian Vorster (Oakdale Landbou, SWD), 11 Ncuthu Kepe (Queen’s College, Border), 10 Jeandre Uithaler (Noordheuwel, Lions), 9 Jayden Brits (Boland Landbou, WP), 8 Stefan McDonald (Affies, Blue Bulls), 7 Quintin Potgieter (Paarl Gimnasium, WP), 6 Caleb Koeberg (Paul Roos Gimnasium, WP), 5 Juvan Burden (Stellenberg, WP), 4 Diaan Augustyn (Oakdale Landbou, SWD), 3 Bernhardt du Toit (HJS Paarl, WP), 2 Keenan Myners (Outeniqua, SWD), 1 Andre Poulton (Jeppe, Lions). Replacements: 16 Tommy Muller (HJS Paarl, WP), 17 Jeffrey Singo (Pretoria Boys’ High, Blue Bulls), 18 JG Badenhorst (Grey College, Free State), 19 Lian Terblanche (Northwood, Sharks), 20 Briint Davids (Milnerton, WP), 21 Mickyle Booise (Paarl Gimnasium, WP), 22 Ethan van Biljon (Stellenberg, WP), 23 Jeneall Davids (HJS Paarl, WP), 24 Pieta Cilliers (Paarl Gimnasium, WP), 25 Toriq Schambreel (Grey College, Free State), 26 Jadon Ocks (Boland Landbou, WP). Management

Head Coach: Flash Malinga (Sharks) | Assistant Coach: Clinton van Rensburg (Western Province) | Team Manager: Mandla Madaka (Blue Bulls) | Physiotherapist: Rob Sims (Western Province) | Conditioning Coach: Adriaan Jansen (SWD) | Team Doctor: Dr Gershwin Kortje (Boland) Issued by SA Rugby Communications

DHL Western Province powered past South Western Districts to win the final match of the FNB U18 Craven Week in Middelburg while the Blue Bulls, Obaro Golden Lions and Free State finished their respective campaigns on a high.

The FNB Youth Weeks programme came to an eventful conclusion on Saturday, with all 16 teams featuring in the final round of the FNB U18 Craven Week tournament staged at Hoërskool Middelburg.

WP finished the week with three victories, while the Bulls, Sanlam Boland, Lions, Leopards, Free State, Suzuki Griquas and Hollywood Foundation Pumas were among the winners on the final day of the competition.

The battle between WP and SWD was fiercely contested, with the Eagles drawing first blood. Province responded with tries from fullback Jaden Ocks, captain Josh Neill – who was named the Player of the Tournament – and No 8 Quintin Potgieter to take a 17-9 lead into the break.

SWD clawed their way back after WP were shown a yellow card early in the second half. Eagles prop Kai Prat scored during this period, while flyhalf Virgil Pockpas added the conversion to reduce the deficit to 13 points.

The Eagles scored again right before full time, but WP managed to secure a 27-21 victory and yet another unbeaten campaign.

Earlier in the day, the Bulls thrashed Eastern Province 76-24, with wing Thabiso Simelane, centre Dylan Stumke and flanker Elwin Jansen Van Vuuren scoring two tries apiece. Simelane went on to finish the tournament as the leading try-scorer (six).

The Lions dominated the first half of their match against the Western Province XV, before the Cape side hit back in the second stanza. After leading 17-7 at the break, the Gauteng outfit hung on for a 27-26 victory.

Free State controlled the contest against the Sharks High Schools, who struggled with their discipline. Flyhalf Darius Erwee kept the scoreboard ticking, while hooker Marinus Oosthuizen scored two tries to steer the boys from Bloemfontein to a convincing 34-12 win.

In other fixtures, the Leopards produced one of the most dominant performances of the day, scoring eight tries in a 54-7 rout of the Limpopo Blue Bulls, Griquas edged the Valke 26-19, and the Pumas were too good for Border, winning by 48-12.

 FNB U18 Craven Week day five results (Saturday, 12 July):

EP 24 (17) Bulls 76 (26)

Sanlam Boland 38 (12) Griffons 36 (12)

Obaro Golden Lions 27 (17) DHL WP XV 26 (7)

Limpopo Blue Bulls 7 (0) Leopards 54 (40)

Sharks 12 (0) Free State 34 (13)

Suzuki Griquas 26 (12) Valke 19 (12)

Hollywood Foundation Pumas 48 (24) Border 12 (7)

DHL WP 27 (17) SWD 21 (9)

 Issued by SA Rugby Communications

After making a few rotational changes for their last Pool A match against Scotland, which the SA U20s won by 73-14 in Calvisano, Foote has selected mainly the same combination that defeated Australia and England in their first two group games.

For Monday’s important knockout match with Los Pumitas, Demitre Erasmus is back at outside centre after missing the England clash due to illness and coming off the bench against Scotland.

Jaco Williams is retained at left wing for his second start in a row since replacing Siya Ndlozi, who returned home with a hamstring injury sustained against England.

The Junior Bok pack remains the same as the combination that faced Australia and England, with Norton leading a starting team that have impressed with their physicality and ability to create plenty of scoring opportunities with their speedy outside backs.

However, Foote has opted for six forwards and two backs on the bench for the semi-final in a bid to use their explosive forwards and attack the Argentina pack, with No 8 Stephanus Linde now the extra forward among the replacements.

Foote said it was a tough task to select the team to face Argentina: “It was so difficult to leave out anybody because the players did so well against Scotland. My message to those who weren’t selected for the match-23 is to help us prepare the starting team as best as we can.”

According to Foote, Argentina’s forward prowess will be a huge test for the SA U20s, which is one of the reasons why he has decided to go with a six-two split on the bench.

“The Argentinians are very confrontational and physical, and they play with lots of passion,” he said. “We know we are in for a fight which is why we went for six forwards on the bench, because we have so much respect for them.”

The SA U20s are one of three southern hemisphere teams in the world championship semi-finals, alongside Argentina and New Zealand, who face France in their playoff at 18h00.

The Junior Boks’ match will kick off at 20h30 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

The Junior Springbok team to face Argentina in Viadana:

15 Gilermo Mentoe
14 Cheswill Jooste
13 Demitre Erasmus
12 Albie Bester
11 Jaco Williams
10 Vusi Moyo
9 Haashim Pead
8 Wandile Mlaba
7 Bathobele Hlekani
6 Xola Nyali
5 JJ Theron
4 Riley Norton (captain)
3 Herman Lubbe
2 Siphosethu Mnebelele
1 Simphiwe Ngobese

Replacements:

16 Jaundré Schoeman
17 Oliver Reid
18 Jean Erasmus
19 Jaco Grobbelaar
20 Matt Romao
21 Ceano Everson
22 Dominic Malgas
23 Stephanus Linde

Issued by SA Rugby Communications