Michaelhouse’s Aitken and Punch Bowl Astros will host a high-quality field of 1st XIs and u16A teams from 23 to 27 April. Photo: Supplied.
Ten of the country’s top hockey-playing schoolboys’ teams will converge at Michaelhouse for the inaugural Michaelhouse Hockey Tournament, which starts on Thursday, 23 April, and ends with the final on Sunday, 27 April.
The matches will be played on the Punchbowl and Aitkens Astros. Running concurrently with the 1st team event will be an u16 tournament.
The 10 1st XIs have been divided into two pools of five teams. The hosts, Michaelhouse, are in Pool A, along with Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies), St Andrew’s College, Northwood, and St Charles College. Pool B features Hilton College, Maritzburg College, Paarl Boys’ High, Kearsney College, and Reddam House Constantia.
“Looking at this inaugural tournament, you really see the DNA of Michaelhouse hockey coming together. It’s built on that fundamental code where the game is always about more than the scoreboard,” Grant von Meyer, the Tournament Director, said in a press release.
The event is built around the notion of instilling good values in the players, making sure that they carry themselves in the right manner, and also competitiveness,” Von Meyer said.
“When you blend those two philosophies, that core humility with a real hunger to compete, that’s where the magic happens,” he added, “so, as we welcome visiting teams, the message is simple: give it everything you’ve got on the turf, but make sure you’re walking off it as friends. That’s what hockey here is all about.”
A couple of u16 matches will set the ball rolling on Thursday, with St Charles College and Northwood, and Clifton and Maritzburg College meeting at 13:30. Hilton College and Maritzburg College face off in the first of the 1st XI games at 15:00.
The group matches continue on Friday and Saturday, before the knockout stages that will lead to the final.
FIXTURES
Thursday
15:00 – Hilton vs Maritzburg College, 16:30 – Michaelhouse vs Affies, 16:30 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Kearsney, 18:00 – St Andrew’s College vs Northwood
Friday
10:00 – Michaelhouse vs Northwood, 10:00 – Affies vs St Charles College, 11:30 – Maritzburg College vs Reddam Constantia, 11:30 – Hilton vs Kearsney, 17:30 – Kearsney vs Reddam Constantia, 17:30 – Northwood vs St Charles College, 19:00 – Michaelhouse vs St Andrew’s College, 19:00 – Hilton vs Paarl Boys’ High.
Saturday
08:30 – Affies vs St Andrew’s College, 08:30 – Maritzburg College vs Paarl Boys’ High, 11:00 – Michaelhouse vs St Andrew’s College, 11:30 – Hilton vs Reddam Constantia, 16:00 – Maritzburg College vs Kearsney, 16:00 – Affies vs Northwood, 17:30 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Reddam Constantia, 17:30 – St Andrew’s College vs St Charles College.
Mandeni Primary School won the Mhleli Foundation’s primary schools’ competition in 2025. Photo: Supplied.
The concept of “Sports for Education” is poised to invigorate the Kwa Ngcedomhlophe Sports Ground on Thursday and Friday, as the Mhleli Foundation prepares to host its highly anticipated football and netball tournament in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Mhleli Foundation football and netball tournament begins at a regional level, featuring 55 schools competing in preliminary rounds. Eventually, those numbers are lowered to the four semifinalists, who will play for the championship title on Thursday and Friday.
Founded in 2022, the Mhleli Foundation has effectively utilised the pitch and courts to forge pathways leading to educational opportunities. Its impact is significant and apparent in the Mandeni and Gingidlovu Circuits, where it has fostered hope and prosperity by promoting educational progression and the development of sports in the regions.
Corporate Giants Join the Cause
The foundation’s work has attracted strong support from corporate entities and local government. Among its partners are the KZN Department of Education, the Department of Sports, Arts and Recreation, along with Digital Council Africa, the Mandeni Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulatory Authority (KZNERA), and Destinoh Lubes. Further support has been added from SAPPI and Spar.
A Mhleli Foundation spokesperson told SuperSport Schools Plus that the organisation appreciates the support and trust that those partners have placed in the organisation.
“Their involvement underscores the tournament’s evolution from a local sporting event into a major socio-economic catalyst, all unified under the ‘Victory for Knowledge’ banner, where winning teams secure essential educational resources for their entire school,” Thabile Malebo said.
Thursday, 23 April: The Primary Schools Powerhouse
The opening day of competition is dedicated to primary schools, with a mix of longstanding competitors and eager newcomers in action. Macambini Primary, which is making its third consecutive appearance and is vying for a place in the final of both the netball and football tournaments, will be in the spotlight.
A poignant narrative surrounds Sundumbili Primary, which has reached the semifinals for the first time. The school is the Alma Mater of five of the Mhleli Foundation’s board members: Thabile Malebo, Thulani Sithole, Collin Nkosi, Phumlani Nhlabathi, and Eric Mdletshe. Their return to support their former school enriches the heritage of the day’s events.
In the football division, an anticipated “Battle of the Best” is on the horizon as Lower Tugela, champions in 2024 and the runner-up in 2025, seeks to reclaim the title.
Primary Schools Fixtures (Thursday, 23 April)
Netball: Sakhesethu vs Mandeni
Vutha vs Macambini
Football: Lower Tugela vs Thekelimfundo
Sundumbili vs Macambini
High Schools Friday, 24 April- Heritage and Rivalry
High schools will be in action on Friday, leading to an increase in the intensity of the competition.
Mpoqabulungu(Mpoqa) makes a bold statement by appearing in both the football and netball semifinals. It’s their second year in succession in the final four of the netball competition. Mgandeni and Mbuyiselo also return for a second year, aiming to capitalise on the experience they gained in 2025.
High Schools Fixtures Friday, 24 April
Netball: Ndodakusuka vs Mbuyiselo
Mpoqabulungu vs KW Mathaba
Soccer: Mgandeni vs KW Mathaba
Mpoqabulungu vs Lambothi
A Grand Finale: Breaking Barriers
The Mhleli Foundation has also organised an exhibition match between the Mandeni Celtics and AmaZulu FC. Its goal is to inspire young local athletes, demonstrating to them that talent, combined with the discipline instilled through the ‘Sports for Education’ philosophy, can overcome obstacles and pave the way to professional success.
Mamelodi Sundowns has regained the club’s customary position at the top of the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) standings after defeating Refilwe 6-1 in a Pretoria derby on Sunday. That convincing victory knocked Refilwe from the top spot.
The defending champions of the u17 GWDL, Banyana Ba Style, played Refilwe at Groenkloof Campus, Sports Complex at the University of Pretoria.
With the loss, Refilwe slipped to second place. Their next match, to be played at Curro Hazeldean on Sunday, is against JVW. It, too, will be a challenging clash, with JVW in third place after a big 7-1 win over TS Galaxy this past weekend.
The University of Pretoria (Tuks), another team that had been performing well, suffered a 1-2 defeat against Hellenic Falcons. That leaves them fifth in the standings, with 13 points, just behind Panorama. It was a good weekend for the Roodepoort club, who slammed 10 goals past Black Diamond Sports.
Panorama trails third-placed JVW and second-placed Refilwe on goal difference only. All three have 15 points.
Kenneth secured a 3-0 victory over Tornado Academy Ladies, with Dintshanelo Mazibe scoring two goals and Ntshepend Maqola netting their third. Kenneth has shown consistent improvement in recent seasons and currently lies sixth in the standings.
Unfortunately, for Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA), they remain winless after suffering a 0-2 loss to Edenvale, which was preceded by a staggering 0-10 loss to JVW a week earlier.
It has been a difficult stretch for the Vereeniging club, which was expected to be among the top teams in the GWDL. After five matches this season, they have conceded 53 goals and scored only one.
The first-ever Fairtree Sport Festivalguided by Stadio bursts into life on Friday, 24 April, with a strong Noordvaal contingent in attendance.
The event, which takes place on the same weekend as the ABSA WildeklawerFestival in Kimberley, provides valuable preparation for the forthcoming Virseker Noordvaal Cup, with 11 sides from north of the Vaal River and two from the south – Hoërskool Tygerberg and Hoërskool Fichardtpark – visiting from the south.
Hoërskool Swartland was initially part of a trio of visiting schools from the south but has, however, withdrawn since. They have since been replaced by Ligbron Akademie of Ermelo.
Die Hoërskool Menlopark is the host of the festival and tackles Tygerberg in the opening match at 19:30 on Friday. The rest of the matches take place on Saturday and Monday, which is Freedom Day, a public holiday.
The Capetonians follow their Friday night outing with a highly anticipated fixture against Hoërskool Pietersburg on Monday.
Saturday’s 1st XV action begins at 11:50, when Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) XV outfit takes on Meyerton’s Dr Malan.
One of the day’s highlights will be the main match showdown between Pietersburg and Hoërskool Fichardtpark at 19:15. Another of the noteworthy clashes on Saturday is the Buffels of Hoërskool Ben Vorster squaring off against Hoërskool Dinamika.
Ben Vorster is one of two schools travelling from behind the citrus curtain in Tzaneen. The other is Merensky Landbou Akademie, who face Hoërskool Marais Viljoen on day one before a daunting Monday meeting with Ligbron Akademie. Ben Vorster’s second outing will be a test as they take on the challenge of Hoërskool Randburg on Monday.
Heidelberg Volkskool, initially set to face Swartland on Saturday, will kick off their first and only encounter against Fichardtpark at 13:00 on Monday.
FIXTURES
Friday, 24 April
19:30 – Menlopark vs Tygerberg
Saturday, 25 April
11:55 – Affies XV vs Dr Malan 13:15 – Menlopark XV vs Overvaal 14:35 – Randburg vs Ligbron Akademie 15:55 – Marais Viljoen vs Merensky Landbou Akademie 17:05 – Ben Vorster vs Dinamika 19:15 – Hoërskool Pietersburg vs Fichardtpark
Monday, 27 April
08:00 – Overvaal vs Dinamika 09:15 – Menlopark XV vs Dr Malan 10:30 – Hoërskool Pietersburg vs Tygerberg 11:45 – Menlopark vs Swartland – Cancelled 13:00 – Heidelberg Volkskool vs Fichardtpark 14:15 – Ben Vorster vs Randburg 15:30 – Marais Viljoen vs Merensky Landbou Akademie
The Junior Boks made an injury-forced change to their squad for the 2026 Under-20 Rugby Championship, with Siphosethu Mnebelele (hooker) replaced by Mahle Sithole for the tournament, which kicks off at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Monday, 27 April.
Mnebelele, a member of the 2025 Junior World Championship-winning squad, sustained an ankle injury late last week in Stellenbosch.
Sithole, a regular member of recent SA U20 training squads, represented the SA U18s in 2024 and toured Europe with the SA U19s late last year.
Junior Bok head coach Kevin Foote said: “Injuries are unfortunately part of the game, and we want to wish Esethu well with his recovery. He is one of our leaders in the group and has a lot of experience of the Junior Bok set-up.
“However, his injury now given Mahle a great chance to showcase his abilities, and I am sure he is excited about his call up.”
The squad arrived in Gqeberha on Sunday evening and will spend the week sharpening their preparations for next Monday’s highly anticipated opening clash with Argentina.
“The people of the Friendly City are passionate rugby supporters, and we are looking forward to connecting with them during our stay here in Gqeberha,” said Foote.
“We are all excited to be here and are looking forward to the week’s training and our participation against the best teams in the southern hemisphere.”
Tickets for the three double-header match days, to be played on 27 April, 3 and 9 May, are available at only R35 – CLICK HERE.
Some intriguing clashes highlight the schedule at the Standard Bank Grey High Rugby Festival, which will play host to 22 different 1st XVs.
Ten matches take place on Saturday, 25 April, and 11 follow on Monday, 27 April, Freedom Day. The earliest kickoff times are at 08:00, with the last matches starting at 15:25.
One of the most eagerly awaited contests will be the opening day’s last match, in which the hosts, Grey High, take on Michaelhouse. Results from last year and earlier this year make it a must-watch clash.
In 2025, at the Grey High Festival, the sides drew 28-28, but Michaelhouse will be confident that they have what it takes to grab a win this time around.
Both schools were in action at the Pretoria Boys High 125th Rugby Festival earlier in the month, where ‘Housestole the show by upsetting Affies 29-27. They also beat Jeppe 40-36, with a late flurry from the Joburg side getting them close.
The lesson has been taught numerous times: matches are played on the field and not on paper.
Worcester’s HTS Drostdy played some entertaining rugby at the NMI Toyota Noord/Suid Festival, showing off an exciting attack. They bettered 40 points in both outings, downing Dr EG Jansen 43-24 before losing 41-75 to a resurgent Monument.
The Donkies tackle St Stithians College on the opening day before taking on the Gqeberha locals, Pearson High, on the second day.
Kearsney College won both of their fixtures at last year’s Grey High Rugby Festival, and they’ll have their sights set on more of the same as one of the few unbeaten teams remaining in the country. Their clash against Graeme College on Saturday should delight spectators. Both teams have creative offensive identities. SACS next awaits the Botha’s Hill boys on Monday.
Parel Vallei, unbeaten this season, has won five on the trot, and they’ll be tested by Framesby on Saturday, with Hudson Park awaiting the Western Cape side on Monday.
Pretoria Boys High lost by slim margins at the festival last year, 26-28 to Kearsney and 14-17 to Queen’s College, and they’ll be hoping for better fortunes. They take on Grey High in the festival’s last match on Monday afternoon.
FIXTURES
Day 1, Saturday 25 April
Kolisi Field
09:10 – Kingswood College vs St Charles College
10:25 – Graeme College vs Kearsney College
11:45 – Parel Vallei vs Framesby
12:55 – SACS vs Selborne College
14:05 – Glenwood High vs Rondebosch Boys’ High
15:25 – Grey High vs Michaelhouse
Pollock Oval
10:25 – HTS Daniel Pienaar vs Hudson Park
11:45 – St Stithians College vs HTS Drostdy
14:05 – Dale College vs Pearson High
15:25 – Muir College vs Mzwandile Mali XV
Day 2, Monday 27 April
Kolisi Field
08:00 – Pearson High vs HTS Drostdy
09:10 – Kingswood College vs St Stithians College
10:25 – Kearsney College vs SACS
11:45 – St Andrew’s College vs Michaelhouse
12:55 – Selborne College vs Glenwood High
14:05 – Rondebosch Boys’ High vs KES
15:25 – Grey High vs Pretoria Boys’ High
Pollock Oval
09:10 – Parel Vallei vs Hudson Park
11:45 – Graeme College vs St Charles College
14:05 – Mzwandile Mali XV vs Grey Unicorns
15:25 – Muir College vs Dale College
The composition of the Gauteng Development League (GDL) has taken an intriguing turn, with the Pitso Mosimane Youth Football (PMYF) announcing its participation in the GDL on Monday.
This follows PMYF’s acquisition of the struggling East Rand Athletic Club, which currently props up the u19 GDL standings.
The PMYF is a component of the former Bafana Bafana coach’s commitment to youth football, contributing to a broader vision that includes the Pitso Mosimane Soccer Schools (PMSS), which were launched in 2023, and collaborates closely with Curro Holdings to promote both academics and football.
East Rand Athletic Club’s GDL journey was difficult after they won promotion to the league for the 2024 season. Despite having to battle to avoid relegation, they maintained their position in the league. Now, though, they find themselves on the bottom rung of the u19 division.
Their u17 team is their best-performing side, in 12th place. Their u15 team is in last place, and their u14 side is in the relegation zone, in 16th place.
Despite the struggles faced by the East Rand Athletic Club, their acquisition by PMYF presents the club with a golden opportunity to raise its standards and compete at the highest levels of youth football in the region.
The move also provides PMYF with a direct pathway for players emerging from their programme, including those from PMSS, to face some of the best talent in Gauteng.
In a recent press release, Dr Musa Khanyeza, the Chairman of the club, stated that the East Rand Athletic Club was established with an aim of building the community and providing young players with a platform to compete and develop their football.
“After reaching the GDL, I soon realised my capacity and the limits of what I can do for this team had been reached,” he said.
He said it was essential for more experienced professionals to assume leadership roles to help the team to continue progressing.
Pitso Mosimane, alongside his mentor, Jomo Sono, at the ceremony where he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Johannesburg in July 2024. Photo: Pitso Mosimane on Facebook.
“I reached out to PMYF, and immediately, we found alignment,” he explained.
Khanyeza said he is confident that the PMYF is the appropriate organisation to advance his vision and elevate it to the next level.
PMYF will retain the existing East Rand Athletic Club players, along with the club’s core technical team, thereby ensuring continuity and stability as the programme moves into a new phase.
“At the same time, the organisation will expand opportunities by opening doors to more players,” PMYF said in a press release.
Pitso Mosimane declared the new partnership a defining moment for PMYF.
“We have intentionally built each layer of our programme, from mass participation to structured club football, and this step allows us to connect everything into a meaningful pathway,” he said.
“It strengthens our offering to players, parents and partners, and positions us to contribute even more to the future of South African football.”
On 20 April, PMYF assumed control of club activities from East Rand Athletic Club. Their first GDL game will be played on Saturday, 25 April against Jomo Cosmos.
Ironically, that pits Mosimane against the club formed by his former mentor, Jomo Sono, who played a direct role in Mosimane’s development at a young age.
Scrumhalf Dom du Toit scored two tries and slotted eight conversions in Maritzburg College’s big win over Pretoria Boys High. Photo: Justin Waldman Sports Photography.
Pretoria Boys High went into Saturday’s showdown with Maritzburg College on Goldstone’s with a mixed record of three wins and two losses. Still, surely no one foresaw a thorough domination of the Candies by the Red, Black, and White, who powered their way to an eye-popping 61-5 victory.
Boys High couldn’t find a foothold for one primary reason: College dominated the set pieces, especially the scrums. That domination opened up time and space for the home side to let their backs express themselves, and they revelled in those tasty opportunities, powering to a 40-5 halftime lead over the shellshocked visitors.
Unfortunately for PBHS, they were never in the contest. Their lone try came from a loose pass by College, which set up the speedy Ayabonga Mabuza for a sprint down the left-hand touchline and a five-pointer in the corner. Apart from that gift, though, they weren’t in the game.
They were unfortunate to be up against the boot of Dom du Toit, one of the most accurate kickers in the country, and he turned tries into seven-point plays with monotonous regularity. To cap an outstanding performance, the Maritzburg College scrumhalf also dotted down twice.
The home side made the kind of start that coaches dream about: the forwards controlling possession and denting the opposition’s defences through a series of pick and goes. Then, they sent the ball down the backline and stretched the defence, which allowed Du Toit to exploit a slight gap, and College led 5-0. Du Toit, unsurprisingly, made it 7-0 in the fourth minute of the game.
College’s tempo and clean ball had Pretoria Boys High on the run, scrambling to slow the onslaught, but it kept coming, and 8th-man Rory Stanton was the next across the line, running onto a flat pass and into space before wrongfooting the last defender with a sharp step off his right foot. It was 14-0 after only nine minutes.
Three minutes later, the Candies enjoyed their lone score of the contest through Mabuza, but that had come against the run of play. Traffic was heading one way.
Olwethu Kosani delivered one of the highlight plays of the match in the 20th minute, slipping past three defenders to go over from 40 metres out. Du Toit converted.
Facing a relentless bombardment of attacks, Boys High kept missing tackles, and once that happened, they were in trouble. College made big metres regularly.
Flyhalf Liyema Tsoko was the next to score, in under the posts, and Du Toit extended College’s lead to 23 points.
A massive drive off a lineout, with College’s back joining their forwards, earned hooker Theo Boshoff the home side’s next five-pointer, and Du Toit’s trusty right foot lifted the Red, Black, and White’s total to 35 points.
By the end of the first half, Maritzburg College was 40-5 to the good, with a counterattack from Sindiswa Hadebe and a beautiful offload setting up Caleb Scheepers another try. For once, Du Toit’s kick didn’t land. But it was literally that: for once.
Du Toit got the scoreboard moving again in the second stanza with his second try and another conversion. Brent Smith sliced through the Candies’ defences for College’s eighth try, just after the hour mark, and Lwanzo Vyambwera completed the try-scoring with four minutes to go.
Scrumhalf Dom du Toit added his eighth conversion, which brought his personal tally in the match to an impressive 26 points.
Jeppe High School for Boys vs Westville Boys’ High
Jeppe dug deep to snatch a one-point victory over Westville Boys’ High right at the death on Collard Field. Photo: Jeppe High School for Boys on Facebook.
High-flying Westville Boys’ High hit the road for a showdown with Jeppe High School for Boys on Collard Field on Saturday. Despite playing away from home and in the high altitude of Johannesburg, the Griffins headed into the clash favoured to win it, and it looked as if that would happen when they built up a 14-0 lead.
They struck first after 15 minutes, with the speedy Jadrian Afrikaner making a clean break to run in a try that had begun from a lineout around the halfway line. Their second came from just inside their half, with the slick Westville backs punching a hole in the Jeppe backline before Avu Lisa sent Bukho Sotaka away for a try in the right corner.
Flyhalf Jade-Will Koopman, captaining the side in the absence of Westville’s injured SA Schools’ lock, Lwandile Mlaba, landed both conversions. What was worth noting about the visitors’ tries, though, was that they had to score them from range. Jeppe was not making it easy for them by allowing them close to their try line.
Then, Jeppe replied in the 25th minute by driving flank Hayden Venter over from a five-metre lineout, and flyhalf Mbhalati Ndzalama nailed a challenging conversion kick to half the deficit.
Soft conditions underfoot favoured a grind-it-out, pick-and-go approach from the forwards, and Jeppe executed that well to score their second just before halftime, with Venter again forcing his way over from close range and Ndzalama adding the extras to level the scores.
Jeppe’s third, though, came from inside their 22, thanks to their fullback Dalitso Milanzi, who called a mark on a high kick, then quickly took a tap. He ripped a big hole in Westville’s disorganised defence, making it up to halfway before finding support on his outside. Just one more pass and left-wing Lethabo Mashao was in the clear. Ndzalama nailed the conversion, and Jeppe led for the first time at 19-14.
Westville turned to Jeppe’s recipe for their third, forcing their way up the field and deep into the Zebras’ 22, where lock Hayden Weihman provided the finish, and flyhalf Koopman knocked over the easy conversion to make it 21-21 with just over 10 minutes to go.
The Griffins took the lead again with five to go when Jadrian Afrikaner showed why he represented SA Schools in 2025. Receiving the ball with play rather static, he side-stepped the nearest defender, cut inside, then hit the gas back outside again to score his second try of the contest. Koopman made it 28-21.
As the New York Yankees’ legendary catcher Yogi Berra famously said, “It ain’t over till it’s over”, and that, very much, reflects Jeppe’s never-say-die spirit. They finished strongly, fighting until the final whistle.
They kicked off with four minutes remaining and quickly drove their way down into Westville’s 22. Driving hard around the edges of rucks, they closed in on the visitors’ try line before swiftly moving the ball out wide, where flyhalf Mbhalati Ndzalama finished in the left corner. That left him with a very difficult conversion kick. He missed it.
Still, Jeppe kept pressing. They had the bit between their teeth and were finishing on the front foot. Then, with time also up, Westville was pinged for a high tackle, and Ndzalama nailed his penalty kick attempt from just outside the visitors’ 22 and a little left of the uprights to make it 29-28 to the home team.
When the home side retained possession from the kick off, they took the little time that remained off the clock by driving up through two phases before Ndzalama was able to kick the ball high and handsome over Jeppe’s deadball line to secure the victory.
It was a big scalp for the Zebras, one to add to that of Hoërskool Garsfontein, which looks better and better now that Garsies’ record includes wins over Noordheuwel, Stellenberg, Paarl Boys’ High, and Affies.
Scorers
Maritzburg College 61 (40) – Tries: Dom du Toit (2), Rory Stanton, Olwethu Kosani, Liyema Tsoko, Theo Boshoff, Caleb Scheepers, Brent Smith, Lwazo Vyambwera. Conversions: Dom du Toit (8). Pretoria Boys High 5 (5) – Try: Ayabonga Mabuza.
Played: 26| Maritzburg College won: 22 | Pretoria Boys High won: 3 | Drawn: 1
Maritzburg College vs Pretoria Boys High
u19
Maritzburg College II 55, PBHS II 8
Maritzburg College III 34, PBHS III 0
Maritzburg College IV 40, PBHS IV 5
Maritzburg College V 26, PBHS V 7
Maritzburg College VI 15, PBHS VI 12
Maritzburg College VII 19, PBHS VII 10
Maritzburg College VIII 29, PBHS VIII 19
Maritzburg College IX 44 PBHS 7
u16
A: PBHS 17 Maritzburg College 13. B: Maritzburg College 20, PBHS 20. C: Maritzburg College 10, PBHS 0. D: Maritzburg College 20, PBHS 15. E: Maritzburg College 25 PBHS 5 F: Maritzburg College 17 PBHS 5
u15
A: Maritzburg College 28, PBHS 19. B: Maritzburg College 27, PBHS 10. C: Maritzburg College 17, PBHS 5. D: Maritzburg College 50, PBHS 7. E: Maritzburg College 15, PBHS 0.
u14
A: PBHS 21 Maritzburg College 12 B: Maritzburg College 10 PBHS 3 C: Maritzburg College 17 PBHS 7 D: Maritzburg College 38 PBHS 3 E: Maritzburg College 33 PBHS 10 F: PBHS 36 Maritzburg College 8
Jeppe vs Westville Boys’ High
Played: 22 | Jeppe won: 12 | Westville won: 10
Jeppe II 35 Westville II 17
Jeppe III 22 Westville III 0
Jeppe IV 29 Westville IV 12
Jeppe V 17 Westville V 12
Jeppe VI 18 Westville VI 8
Westville VII 22 Jeppe VII 19
Dale College scored their first win over Queen’s College since 2019 on Saturday in Komani. Photo: Dale College on Facebook.
Dale College poured cold water on the 168th Reunion of their old rivals, Queen’s College, by holding on for a narrow 31-29 win in a game of two halves at the Rec Ground in Komani on Saturday.
Playing into the wind in the first half, Queen’s made too many errors. Dale capitalised. Their forwards built strong momentum through good carries, creating the sort of pressure which their dangerous backs turned into overlaps, and they ran up a 24-5 lead at halftime.
The second half saw Queen’s pull themselves together, bringing aggression to their forward drives and defending with greater commitment, which enabled them to fight their way back into the match.
However, despite scoring five tries through Bongo Nyakaza (2), Ethan Oosthuizen, Ncutu Kepe, and Luhlumile Njokweni, they were unable to cross the gap as Dale scored once more to hold on for a hard-fought victory, which will give them renewed motivation for the season ahead.
Dale also crossed for five tries, scored by Lukho Mzingaye, Caleb Smith, Azole Sodlaka, Sonwabise Dyani, and Okuhle Fihla, while Dyani added three conversions.
Selborne College rose to the occasion and handed Graeme College a first loss of the season in East London on Saturday. Photo: Selborne College on Facebook.
In East London, Selborne College rose to the occasion where it mattered most – on the field of play – to register a notable win over the previously unbeaten Graeme College in a cracking encounter.
It was a game typical of the outstanding schools’ derbies in the Eastern Cape, with each side enjoying their moments. The contest was level at 19-19 with 20 minutes to go, but Selborne finally pulled away to win 34-26.
With lock Travis Enslin and centre Iviwe Kabale the standout players for Selborne, the home side put Graeme under sustained pressure from the start, and this allowed them to build a handy 12-0 lead through two tries.
But Graeme showed why they are so highly rated this season, particularly when they are on the attack. With no. 9 Luke Doyle calling the shots from the base of the scrum, and fullback Lucritia Magau a constant menace at the back, they bounced back with three tries to go ahead 19-12.
Trailing, Selborne showed their character by levelling the score and, although Graeme scored once more, the East London school capitalised on their chances to kick a penalty and score a fifth try.
Selborne’s dotted down through Sabelo Vuso (2), Enslin, Kabale and Reece Rasmussen, with Riley Hansel kicking three conversions and a penalty.
Tries for Graeme came from Doyle (2), Asakhe Ranuga, and Lucritia Magau, while Erin Nelson kicked three conversions.
With centre Matthew Lieberum outstanding in midfield, Marlow Agricultural was able to secure a solid 26-15 win over a competitive Hudson Park team in their clash at Marlow.
While hooker Herman le Roux and lock JG de Lange led the way up front, Lieberum kept the Hudson Park defence busy with his attacking runs and ability to break through a gap.
He was rewarded with a try, while other five-pointers came from Ockert du Preez, Le Roux and De Lange. Cole Hurter kicked two conversions and Jan-Louw du Plessis one.
Hudson, for whom fullback Zearan Booysen was outstanding, will be disappointed with the final result after trailing only 10-12 at the break.
They were let down by their discipline, which resulted in them being pinned down in their own territory and unable to capitalise on their chances.
This allowed Marlow to seize the initiative to pull away for another significant victory.
Scorers
Queen’s College 29 (7) – Tries: Ethan Oosthuizen, Bongo Nyakaza (2), Ncutu Kepe, Luhlumile Njokweni. Conversions: Inga Mnunu (2). Dale College 31 (24) – Tries: Lukho Mzingaye, Caleb Smith, Azole Sodlaka, Sonwabise Dyani and Okuhle Fihla. Conversions: Dyani (3).
Selborne College 34 (12) – Tries: Sabelo Vuso (2), Enslin, Kabale and Reece Rasmussen. Penalty: Riley Hansel. Conversions: Hansel (3). Graeme College 26 (5) – Tries – Luke Doyle (2), Asakhe Ranuga, Lucritia Magau. Conversions: Erin Nelson (3).
Goals continued to flow in the Gauteng Development League (GDL) on the weekend. There were disappointments for many, while others maintained their winning momentum.
In a goal-fest, the Africa School of Excellence and Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) shared a thrilling 4-4 draw.
Thabang Masihla and Bandile Sithole netted the first two goals for RESA, both assisted by Tsepo Mokhethi. Sithole later added his second goal, this time with assistance from Ntabo Radebe, who doubled up by assisting Nceba Jozela to score the Vaal Triangle club’s fourth.
Kagontle Oliphant set up Simthembile Khulwane for Africa School of Excellence’s opener, but that was merely the start. Oliphant still had plenty more to contribute to his team. He assisted Qiniso Mhlongo‘s second goal, and then laid on the third for Mbuso Msibi. Mhlongo later turned provider, assisting Liam Jooste on the School of Excellence’s fourth goal.
The University of Pretoria (Tuks) defeated Panorama 3-1.
Junior Mbele, assisted by Neo Msawabi, scored a consolation goal for the Roodepoort-based club, while the Tuks’ goal scorers were Mark Kiggundu, who opened the scoring, and SebolediMphahlele. An own goal sealed a 3-1 victory.
The log leaders, Siwelele, fell to their first defeat of the season on Saturday, losing 1-2 to the Prestige Football Development Academy. Malibongwe Mbanjwa and Salimu Makhomu, both assisted by Abraham Mosweu, struck for the winners, while Prince Kalaba netted for Siwelele.
Highlands Park, after a much-needed win over Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend, found their efforts undermined again by their offence. Still, they came away with a 0-0 draw against Kaizer Chiefs.
Chiefs outplayed Jomo Cosmos 6-0 last weekend. Despite the Phefeni Glamour Boys boasting the GDL’s top scorer, Njabulo Msimango, who has seven to his name, they were unable to breach Highlands Park’s defences.
While Chiefs and the Lions of the North couldn’t find the back of the net, the 2025 GDL champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, scored a 4-1 victory over Wits Junior.
Sibusiso Tolomane, Ntokozo Madondo, Sipho Mkhwanazi, and Mpho Molepo netted for the Brazilians, who were eager to redeem themselves after suffering a 0-1 defeat at Clapham High against Highlands Park.
GDL newcomers, Future of Africa, have made a good start to the season, and they’re currently positioned in the top five of the standings.
On Saturday, they defeated Rockefvs, another side that has started the season well, 2-0. Okuhle Chiya scored the first goal, assisted by Rorisang Motaung. Chiya then played in Thabo Mussinango for Future of Africa’s second.
On Sunday, the match between Randburg and Seven’s Academy was halted because of lightning, with Randburg leading 3-0 on goals from Patrick Chisunga, Lowell Borman, and Sipho Mantunga.
The remaining 25 minutes of the match still need to be played.
RESULTS
Saturday, 18 April
RESA 4-4 Africa School of Excellence
Tuks 3-1 Panorama
Prestige 2-1 Siwelele
Highlands Park 0-0 Kaizer Chiefs
Mamelodi Sundowns 4-1 Wits Junior
Future of Africa 2-0 Rockefvs
Sunday, 19 April
Randburg 3-0 Seven’s Academy (Game stopped due to lightning, 25 minutes left)
Mamelodi Sundowns has regained the club’s customary position at the top of the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) standings after defeating Refilwe 6-1 in a Pretoria derby on Sunday. That convincing victory knocked Refilwe from the top spot.
The composition of the Gauteng Development League (GDL) has taken an intriguing turn, with the Pitso Mosimane Youth Football (PMYF) announcing its participation in the GDL on Monday.
Goals continued to flow in the Gauteng Development League (GDL) on the weekend. There were disappointments for many, while others maintained their winning momentum.