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Although there may be a degree of pressure after last year’s successful season, the St Andrew’s College outfit are ready to embrace the challenge as they look ahead to the Pam Golding Properties Graeme Rugby Day in Grahamstown on March 24.

The class of 2017 had one of the school’s best seasons in recent years, being unbeaten against Eastern Cape opposition and losing only to Cape Town rivals Bishops (29-21) in 17 matches.

Although there are a fairly large proportion of new faces in this year’s squad, St Andrew’s director of rugby Andy Royle said it contained as many as 13 players who had previously turned out for the first team.

“Continuity, therefore, is good and with the structures that the school has in place, those coming up from below know what the expectations are,” he said. “That makes the transition from one team to the next far easier to facilitate.”

He added that their focus was always on to try to improve on the previous year’s performances and there was a quiet feeling of confidence in the current squad.

“While the starting XV is mostly made up of Grade 12 boys, there is a very strong group of Grade 11 players coming through who will no doubt put pressure on those above them.”

Royle said there would always be some pressure after a season like 2017, but the fact that several players were in the mix last year should stand them in good stead, knowing they could compete at the top level.

While any success depends on a dedicated team effort, he said there were a number of players to watch.

“Centre Charlie Fleming was one of the success stories from last year, while captain and flank Alexander Menage also had an influential role in the squad last year. He should play a big role this year, both on and off the field.

“Flyhalf Murray Wilson was injured for much of last year but is certainly someone to watch out for.”

Looking ahead to the Graeme Rugby Day, Royle said it was always an exciting event, bringing together the traditional Eastern Cape schools for a series of good contests.

“It is an opportunity to have a look at the sides that we will be playing domestically as the season progresses and also an opportunity to expose a number of players to playing at this level,” he said.

“It used to always be the season opener for the teams but over the years that seems to have changed. It is now no longer the introduction to the season it was, with most of the teams having played one or even two games before they get there.”

St Andrew’s will be up against East London side Hudson Park in the 13.50 match and Royle acknowledged they were preparing for a serious challenge.

“Hudson Park are a proud sporting school and they play the game hard,” he said. “They are often very useful on the counter attack, always testing the defence of any side.

“They are normally physical up front and it is certainly a good fixture for us early on in the season, given that they are prepared to send other teams down to play at St Andrew’s on the day.”

Die kragmeting volgende week tussen Potchefstroom Gimnasium en Montana van Pretoria sal bepaal wie bo-aan Groep C van die NWU-Pukke Prestige-reeks eindig. Gimmies het Saterdag weg van die huis vir HTS Witbank met 39-21 geklop. 

Montana het vir Oosterlig oortuigend met 57-5 kaf gedraf. Gimmies het in die eerste ronde vir Oosterlig met 50-0 verslaan. Die wedstryd tussen Montana en Gimmies in Potchefstroom beloof dus om vir hope vuurwerk te sorg. 

Lichtenburg, Potchefstroom Volkskool en Zwartkop is feitlik reeds verseker vir hulle plekke bo-aan hul onderskeie groepe in die reeks. 

Lichtenburg het Jeugland se onoorwonne status in die reeks met ‘n sege van 36-24 beëindig, terwyl Potch Volkies hard moes werk om Die Anker van Brakpan met 20-15 uit te oorle. Zwartkop het ‘n goeie sege van 21-16 oor Hoërskool Middelburg behaal om seker te maak hy eindig bo-aan Groep B. 

Puntemakers:

Montana 57 – Drieë: Daniel Pautz (2), Thys Loubser (2), Jared Crafford (2), Henrique de Sousa, Hendré Venter, Reghard Putter. Doelskoppe: Loubser (6). Oosterlig 5 – Drie: Tegan Vermaak.

Lichtenburg 36 – Drieë: Ruben Oosthuizen (2), Max Williamson (2), Marais Oosthuizen, Wian Nortman. Doelskoppe: Williamson (3). Jeugland 24 – Drieë: Wian Calitz, Barend van Berkel, Shane Theron, Luke Arthur. Doelskoppe: Jayden Boshoff, Donovan Esterhuizen.

Potchefstroom Volkskool 20 (15) – Drieë: Le Roux White, JG de Villiers, Marno Prigge. Doelskop: Stephan van Niekerk. Strafdoel: Van Niekerk. Die Anker 15 (3) – Drieë: Jaunrich Botha, Dewaldt Coetzer. Doelskop: Corné Mulder. Strafdoel: Mulder.

Zwartkop 21 – Drieë: Kyle van Deventer (2). Doelskop: Damian Rabie. Strafdoele: Rabie (3). Hoërskool Middelburg 16 – Drieë: Gysbert Ehlers, Joseph Olivier. Strafdoele: Coenraad Visser (2).

Noordheuwel 41 – Drieë: Jason Buckingham (2), Justin Lambert, Dean Bentley, Armand Klopper, Wian van Heerden, Rudi Brink.  Doelskoppe: Renier Stander (3). Wesvalia 7 – Drie: Anton Fuller. Doelskop: Christiaan du Toit.

Potchefstroom Gimnasium 39 – Drieë: Dirkie Louw (2), JP de Lange (2), Giovanni Pestana, Anelka Barends. Doelskoppe: Frank-Lee Jackson (3). Strafdoel: Jackson. HTS Witbank 21.

Ander spanne:

Eerstespanne: Randburg 34, Driehoek 14; Marais Viljoen 50, Hugenote (Springs) 12.

o.16: Noordheuwel 19, Wesvalia 5; Die Anker 17, Potch Volkies 5; Zwartkop 23, Middelburg 12; Potch Gimmies 19, HTS Witbank 7; Montana 42, Oosterlig 13; Jeugland 24, Lichtenburg 22; Marais Viljoen 28, Hugenote 18; Driehoek 47, Randburg 0.

o.15: Noordheuwel 53, Wesvalia 0; Die Anker 22, Potch Volkies 0; Zwartkop 21, Middelburg 7; Potch Gimmies 38, HTS Witbank 12; Montana 22, Oosterlig 0; Lichtenburg 22, Jeugland 12; Marais Viljoen 52, Hugenote 5; Randburg 21, Driehoek 14.

o.14: Noordheuwel 22, Wesvalia 7; Die Anker 48, Potch Volkies 0; Zwartkop 20, Middelburg 5; Potch Gimmies 19, HTS Witbank 7; Montana 49, Oosterlig 0; Lichtenburg 48, Jeugland 0; Marais Viljoen 53, Hugenote 0; Randburg 19, Driehoek 0.

Die Hoërskool Menlopark se eerstespan spog nog met ‘n onoorwonne rekord in vanjaar se Tuks-reeks, maar vir die tweede agtereenvolgende week moes die span van Pretoria hard werk om ‘n sege te behaal. Die Parkies sal wel tevrede voel met hulle sege van 17-14 oor die Hoërskool Nelspruit in Mbombela. 

Menlopark se hoofafrigter, Regardt Botha, is na sy span se sege van 32-28 verlede week oor die Hoërskool Rustenburg sy pos by die eerstespan kwyt. Dean van der Watt het in die week die leisels by hom oorgeneem. 

Die Nelspruit Rhinos het teen rustyd ‘n voorsprong van 14-10 geniet. Die tuisspan se SA Skole-stut, Banele Mthenyane, en senter Stefan Smit het albei blink vertonings gelewer. 

Die Hoërskool Pietersburg was aan die ontvangkant in Krugersdorp. Monument het die kragmeting met 73-3 gewen na hy reeds teen rustyd ‘n voorsprong van 61-3 opgestapel het. 

Monnas se kaptein en SA Skole-haker, Morne Brandon, het ‘n driekuns aan drieë behaal en was ook sy span se uitstaande speler. Ruben Westraadt het ook drie keer die doellyn vir Monnas oorgesteek. Daar is verwag dat die Wit Bulle omgekrap sal wees na hulle verlede week 31-elk gelykop teen Transvalia gespeel het. 

Transvalia het self met ‘n oortuigende oorwinning van 68-7 oor HTS Middelburg op laasgenoemde se tuisveld gewys dat hy vanjaar onder die groot honde tel. Die span het die bal hope lug gegee en sy twee vleuels, Uli Wiese en Damian Jordan, het albei dubbelle driedruk-plesier ervaar. 

Die losskakel, Zian de Jager, het ook ‘n goeie wedstryd beleef en 21 van sy span se punte aangeteken. Hy het self een keer die doellyn oorgesteek, vyf van sy span se tien drieë verdoel en ook met twee strafdoele geslaag. 

Hoërskool Rustenburg se haker, Gustav van Staden, het ‘n driekuns aan drieë in sy span se gemaklike sege van 50-12 oor Eldoraigne van Pretoria behaal. Die Rusties is gewis ook ‘n span wat vanjaar nie sonder handskoene gepak kan word nie. 

Puntemakers: 

Menlopark 17 (10) – Drieë: Ruan Oosthuizen, Bernard van der Linde, Nsuku Baloyi. Doelskop: Van der Linde. Hoërskool Nelspruit 14 (14) – Drieë: Banele Mthenyane, Tiaan Kotze. Doelskoppe: Tiaan du Plessis (2).

Monument 73 (61) – Drieë: Morné Brandon (3), Ruben Westraadt (3), Henko van Wyk (2), Douw Scheepers, Izan Esterhuizen, Zihan Coetzee. Doelskoppe: Dean Lategan (9). Hoërskool Pietersburg 3 (3) – Strafdoel: Zander de Ridder.

Transvalia 68 (37) – Drieë: Uli Wiese (2), Damian Jordan (2), Franco Wagner, Johan van Eck, Dewald Strydom, Zian de Jager, Roelof du Plessis, Franco Pienaar. Doelskoppe: De Jager (5). Strafdoele: De Jager (2). HTS Middelburg 7 (0) – Drie: Juandré Odendaal. Doelskop: PJ de Beer.

Hoërskool Rustenburg 50 – Drieë: Gustav van Staden (3), Jacques de Witt (2), De Wet Botha, Estian Heyneke, Estiaan Schönefeldt. Doelskoppe: Heyneke (5). Eldoraigne 12 – Drieë: Barend Bezuidenhout, Divan Immelman. Doelskop: Hilton Olivier. 

Ander spanne:

o.16: Menlopark 48, Nelspruit 19; Eldoraigne 17, Rustenburg 12; Monument 69, Pietersburg 3; HTS Middelburg 26, Transvalia 26; Garsfontein 17, Kempton Park 0.

o.15: Menlopark 41, Nelspruit 0; Rustenburg 53, Eldoraigne 0; Monument 38, Pietersburg 14; HTS Middelburg 15, Transvalia 8; Kempton Park 25, Garsfontein 19.

o.14: Menlopark 51, Nelspruit 0; Rustenburg 33, Eldoraigne 21; Monument 70, Pietersburg 0; Transvalia 24, HTS Middelburg 0; Garsfontein 41, Kempton Park 3.

Jeppe High School for Boys got their season off to a good start with a convincing 32-9 victory over St John’s in their opening fixture on Saturday. They led 13-6 at half time.

Jeppe lost to St John’s in the equivalent clash at the beginning of last season, a defeat that started off what was to be a bit of a nightmare year for the Black and White, so Saturday’s win was especially sweet for them.

A fair number of the players from the 2017 side were in grade 11, so they are back again and as expected, the extra year’s worth of experience has made quite a difference.

None more so than in their captain, Muzi Manyike. He played in the Craven Week as a centre last year and has been starring for the SA under-18 Sevens team in recent weeks. He is at fyhalf for Jeppe now, and he had a hand in all of their five tries. He scored two himself, set up centre Boykie Tstasane for another, and fired off the long passes that put winger Sipho Vayise over in the corner for his two first half tries.

Manyike also kicked a penalty and a conversion, and Tstasane slotted one conversion.

St John’s defended manfully throughout and, to their credit, Jeppe were never able to score via their forwards despite launching wave after wave of close range assaults on the line.

Their vaunted flyhalf, Bismark Olivier, was not given much room to move, but he showed enough touches to indicate that he is going to be a fore when he adapts to rugby at 1st team level.

Three penalties from fullback Ruben Engelbrecht were the only points they were able to score.

Jeppe’s Edward White and Callan Harvey were huge in the forward phases, while scrumhalf Kabelo Mokhethi was a constant threat with ball in hand.

Hoërskool Garsfontein het gister in die Agter-Paarl so ietwat Boland Landbou se partytjie op sy jaarlikse rugbydag bederf.

Die Garsie Bere het met 24-20 as oorwinnaars van die veld gestap. Boland Landbou het teen lemoentyd ‘n voorsprong van 17-7 geniet. Dit was egter Garsies se SA Skole-senter Diego Appollis wat met sy skitterspel sy span se terugveg-poging gelei het.

Appollis het self een drie afgerond en daarna ook die aanvoorwerk vir die plaasvervanger-heelagter, Juandré Scheepers, se drie gedoen.

Garsies het verlede jaar tydens die Noord/Suid-toernooi in Pretoria ‘n agterstand van 25 punte uitgewis om Boland Landbou met 43-41 te troef.

Boland Landbou was gister weer in beheer van die wedstryd, maar kon dit ongelukkig nie in ‘n sege omskep nie.

Die span se losskakel, Darren Hendricks, en binnesenter, Erik Lambrecht, het albei uitmuntend vertoon.

HTS Drostdy het met sy sege van 36-19 oor Stellenberg op die sportdag gewys dat hy vanjaar ‘n paar groot honde kan byt.

Affies het sy seisoen met ‘n sege van 40-7 oor Diamantveld op sy tuisveld in die Jakarandastad afgekop. Hoewel die eindtelling ‘n gemaklike sege vir die Wit Bulle aandui, het hulle met rukke en stote gespeel.

Affies kon net ‘n voorsprong van 5-0 teen rustyd opbou. Indien die geluksgodin meer vir Diamonds in die eerste helfte geglimlag het, kon hulle met ‘n voortou na die eerste helfte gaan rus het.

Affies se agtsteman, George Oosthuizen, het die vonk verskaf om sy span tot die sege aan te vuur. Oosthuizen het drie keer in die tweede helfte die doellyn oorgesteek. Hy het ook met sy verdediging en spel by die afbreekpunte vir Diamantveld probleme besorg.

Affies se heelagter, Heinrich Bischoff, het telkemale bresse in die verdediging geslaan, maar die laaste aangee het elke keer verlore gegaan. Vir Diamonds het sy kaptein en skrumskakel, Charlie Louw, nooit moed opgegee nie.

Helpmekaar-kollege se vleuel Christiaan Bezuidenhout het met ‘n driekuns aan drieë sy span gehelp om Waterkloof in Pretoria met 39-11 getroef. Bezuidenhout het verlede week vier drieë teen Eldoraigne gedruk.

Klofies se buitesenter, Julian Bogner, is vroeg met ‘n rooikaart van die veld na ‘n boorvat gejaag. Die tuisspan het hope durf ten toon gestel om met 14-man steeds weerstand te bied.

Helpies se heelagter, Tiaan Botes, was ongetwyfeld die speler van die wedstryd. Hy het 19 van sy span se punte in ‘n spogvertoning aangeteken.

Na gister is daar geen twyfel dat Transvalia van Vanderbijlpark vanjaar onder die groot honde tel nie. Transvalia het die Rooi Bulle van HTS Middelburg nie net getem nie, maar met 68-7 afgeransel. Die besoekers het teen rustyd reeds ‘n voorsprong van 37-0 opgebou.

Monument se kaptein en SA Skole-haker, Morné Brandon, het drie van sy span se drieë in sy weghol-oorwinning van 73-3 oor die Hoërskool Pietersburg gedruk. Teen rustyd met die telling op 61-3 in Monnas se guns was die skrif reeds teen die muur.
Monnas het egter weens ‘n paar hanteerfoute momentum vroeg in die tweede helfte verloor.

Menlopark het in Mbombela daarin geslaag om die Hoërskool Nelspruit met 17-14 te troef. Die Nelspruit Rhinos het met die omdraaislag ‘n skrale voorsprong van 14-10 geniet.

Die Hoërskool Rustenburg het op sy tuisveld vir Eldoraigne met 50-12 streepsuiker gegee.

In die NWU-Pukke 16-reeks sal daar ‘n paar verrassings moet wees om te verhoed dat Leeuwenhof en Pionier van Vryheid mekaar in die eindstryd die stryd sal aansê.

Leeuwenhof het Bekker van Magaliesburg wat verlede jaar die louere met Pionier gedeel het, met 50-7 kafgedraf. Pionier kom in die week teen Piet Retief in sy laaste groepwedstryd van die reeks te staan.

Die Hoërskool Alberton is die enigste onoorwonne span oor in die NWU-Pukke se Sport-reeks. Allies het Secunda gister met 24-20 met die kous oor die kop huis toe gestuur.

Grey-kollege het sy seisoen teen Welkom Gimnasium met ‘n sege van 49-12 afgeskop. Grey kon rustyd met net ‘n skrale voorsprong van 14-12 gaan rus.

AL DIE UITSLAE: 

VRIENDSKAPLIK

Affies 40, Diamantveld 7; Helpmekaar 39, Waterkloof 11; Garsfontein 24, Boland Landbou 20; HTS Drostdy 36, Stellenberg 19; Grey-kollege 49, Welkom Gimnasium 12; Pretoria Boys’ High 14, Noordheuwel 12; Marlow Landbou 53, Duineveld 8; Witteberg 59, Ermelo 20; Jeppe 32, St John’s College 9; King Edward VII 29, St Stithians College 19; Warmbad 24, HF Verwoerd 12; Merensky 36, Southdowns College 0; Brandwag (Uitenhage) 72, Solomon Mahlangu 3; Frans du Toit 24, Bergvlam 22; Eric Louw 15, Stanford Lake College 12; Curro Nelspruit 60, Curro Hazeldean 8; Brandwag (Uitenhage) 24, Liceo Mendoza (ARG) 17; St Benedict’s College 35, Queen’s High 5; Barberton 26, Morgenzon Landbou 24; Wessel Maree 34, Hendrik Potgieter 15; Kingswood College 61, Muir College 3; Kearsney College 23, Northwood 22; Frikkie Meyer 36, Wonderboom 8; Maritzburg College 32, St Charles College 12.

TUKS-REEKS

Monument 73, Hoërskool Pietersburg 3; Menlopark 17, Hoërskool Nelspruit 14; Transvalia 68, HTS Middelburg 7; Hoërskool Rustenburg 50, Eldoraigne 12.

NWU-PUKKE PRESTIGE-REEKS

Zwartkop 21, Hoërskool Middelburg 16; Noordheuwel 20, Die Anker 15; Noordheuwel 41, Wesvalia 7; Randburg 34, Driehoek 14; Potchefstroom Gimnasium 39, HTS Witbank 21; Montana 57, Oosterlig 5; Lichtenburg 36, Jeugland 24; Hugenote (Springs) 50, Marais Viljoen 29.

NWU-PUKKE SUPER-REEKS

Linden 57, Hartbeespoort 12; Hoogenhout 13, Riebeeckrand 12; Hoërskool Alberton 24, Secunda 20; Standerton 28, Bastion 20; Hans Moore 24, Dr. Malan 24; Florida 52, Brits 0.

NWU-PUKKE 16-REEKS

Stoffberg 33, Oosterland 3; Pretoria-Noord 38, Delmas 6; Leeuwenhof 50, Bekker 7, Fochville 14, Schoonspruit 11.

GOUDVELD SPORTDAG

Goudveld-Hoërskool 54, Fichardtpark 5; Louis Botha 17, AHS Kroonstad 17; Hoërskool Kroonstad 13, HTS Welkom 7; Bothaville 26, Ficksburg 3.

GRENS RUGBYDAG

Selborne College 31, Stirling 10; Queen’s College 24, Hoërskool Grens 8; Dale College 8, Hudson Park 3.

NWU-PUKKE PROVINSIALE REEKS

Ben Vorster 39, Centurion 7; Oos-Moot 22, Hoërskool Klerksdorp

SUPER-REEKS

Brandwag (Benoni) 47, Wagpos 10; Generaal Hertzog 29, Hoërskool Tuine 8.

FOTO: Brakkies Sport Fotos

Hilton College is the only side who managed to finish the opening day of the Coca-Cola T20 Schools Challenge finals unscathed.

Hilton College defeated Rondebosch Boys’ High and St Andrews of Bloemfontein in their two outings on Day 1. The Dolphins champions are coached by the Protea batting coach, Dale Benkenstein. The team’s victory of 47 runs over St Andrews was impressive.

Hilton College managed to reach 150/5 in their allotted overs thanks to Robert McGaw (39), Michael Schlanders (33) and Gareth Schreuder (28) all chipping in. Saints’ SA u19 allrounder, Gerald Coetzee, tried his best with bowling figures of 2/28 and adding 33 runs with the bat.

Grey High School defeated King Edward VII by six wickets to give the Johannesburg-based school their first defeat of the tournament.

KES amassed 174/7 in their 20 overs thanks to a half-century by captain, Callum Broodryk (53). Grey PE’s Tristan Stubbs (51*) got his team over the line with three deliveries to spare.

Rondebosch Boys’ High secured a convincing ten wicket victory over Prestige College during the second round of matches. Lehan Botha (59*) and captain, Gabriel Gad (43*), getting their team over the line.

St Alban’s College secured their first victory during the second round with an eight wicket victory over Graeme College. The captain of Graeme College, Mark Amm (59), top scoring with his half-century, but it was not enough as his team was restricted to 118/5.

St Alban’s Christopher Williamson (44*) en Rein Hulme (39*) weighed in to give their team the victory.

Summarised Scorecards: 

Round 2

Hilton College 150/5 (Robert McGaw 39, Michael Schlanders 33, Gareth Schreuder 28; Gerald Coetzee 2/28); St Andrew’s School 103/9 (Gerald Coetzee 33, Calvn Flanegan 22; James Ritchie 3/18, Thomas Dixon 3/25). Hilton College won by 47 runs.

King Edward VII 174/7 (Callum Broodryk 53, Bryce Parsons 29; Arend Visser 3/23, Tristan van Breda 2/24); Grey High School 177/4 (Tristan Stubbs 51*, Cody Posthumus 29, Luke Beaufort 29, Tiaan van Vuuren 28, LJ du Preez 27; Obakeng Maila 3/25). Grey High School won by six wickets.

Graeme College 118/5 (Mark Amm 59; Tristan Farrel 2/12); St Alban’s College 120/2 (Christopher Williamson 44*, Rein Hulme 39*). St Alban’s College won by eight wickets.

Prestige College 105/7 (Koos Motubatsi 28; Aneeq Gamieldien 2/23); Rondebosch Boys’ High 106/0 (Lehan Botha 59*, Gabriel Gad 43*). Rondebosch Boys’ High won by ten wickets.

Round 1 

King Edward VII 198/7 (Ambrin Snyders 62, Heinrich Pieterse 54, Bryce Parson 29; Sihle Mginywa 2/47); Graeme College 86 (Jeremy Beyleveld 21, Romario Fritz 16; Reece Botha 3/6, Dylan Fiebiger 2/5, Ian Crawshaw 2/14). King Edward VII won by 112 runs.

Grey High School 144/9 (LJ du Preez 45, Tristan Stubbs 29; Jordan Landsberg 4/18, Harshil Jeeva 3/9); St Alban’s College 120 (Jordan Landsberg 27, Ross Whitelaw 22; Eliah Thorne 3/18, Nicholas Fowler 3/27). Grey High School won by 24 runs.

Rondebosch Boys’ High 60 (Jordan Collier 17; John Turner 3/7, James Rithie 2/7, Michael Booth 2/9); Hilton College 61/2 (James Rithie 29, Michael Schlanders 16*; Michael Moore 2/26). Hilton College won by eight wickets.

Prestige College 67 (Sithembiso Mothise 14; Pheko Moletsane 3/13, JD Bruwer 2/1, Ruan Cronjé 2/7); St Andrews 70/2 (Gerald Coetzee 30*, Henré Koekemoer 25; Kamogelo Mphahlele 1/5). St Andrews won by eight wickets.

King Edward VII started their campaign at the Coca-Cola T20 Schools Challenge with a convincing 112-run victory over Graeme College in the opening round in Pretoria.

Ambrin Snyders (62) and Heinrich Pieterse (54) helped their side to 198/7 in their allotted 20 overs.

St Andrews of Bloemfontein also showed that they are serious contenders by beating Prestige College by eight wickets. Grey High School defeated St Alban’s College by 24 runs.

Summarised Scorecards: 

King Edward VII 198/7 (Ambrin Snyders 62, Heinrich Pieterse 54, Bryce Parson 29; Sihle Mginywa 2/47); Graeme College 86 (Jeremy Beyleveld 21, Romario Fritz 16; Reece Botha 3/6, Dylan Fiebiger 2/5, Ian Crawshaw 2/14). King Edward VII won by 112 runs.

Grey High School 144/9 (LJ du Preez 45, Tristan Stubbs 29; Jordan Landsberg 4/18, Harshil Jeeva 3/9); St Alban’s College 120 (Jordan Landsberg 27, Ross Whitelaw 22; Eliah Thorne 3/18, Nicholas Fowler 3/27). Grey High School won by 24 runs.

Rondebosch Boys’ High 60 (Jordan Collier 17; John Turner 3/7, James Rithie 2/7, Michael Booth 2/9); Hilton College 61/2 (James Rithie 29, Michael Schlanders 16*; Michael Moore 2/26). Hilton College won by eight wickets.

Prestige College 67 (Sithembiso Mothise 14; Pheko Moletsane 3/13, JD Bruwer 2/1, Ruan Cronjé 2/7); St Andrews 70/2 (Gerald Coetzee 30*, Henré Koekemoer 25; Kamogelo Mphahlele 1/5). St Andrews won by eight wickets.

Die eersterugbyspan van die Hoërskool Transvalia sal Saterdag op sy momentum van die eerste ronde van die Tuks-reeks wil voortbou. Die span van Vanderbijlpark het met 31-elk gelykop teen die verdedigende kampioen, Monument van Krugersdorp, gespeel.

Transvalia kan egter nie te oorgerus na Middelburg reis, waar die Rooi Bulle van HTS Middelburg op hom sal wag nie. Almal weet die Rooi Bulle word nie maklik getem op sy tuisveld nie. HTS Middelburg het reeds verlede week in Pretoria teen Garsfontein gewys dat hy nie sommer net ‘n stryd gewonne sal gee nie.

Garsfontein het die wedstryd met 47-40 gewen na hy ‘n voorsprong van 30-14 teen rustyd geniet het. Garsies speel sy Tuks-wedstryd van die naweek teen Kempton Park eers Dinsdag. Die Turkoois Bere kom Saterdag teen Boland Landbou in die Agter-Paarl in die hoofwedstryd van laasgenoemde se jaarlikse sportdag te staan.

Dié wedstryd kan asa ‘n wraak-wedstryd gesien word na Garsies verlede jaar tydens die Noord/Suid-toernooi vir Boland Landbou danksy ‘n reuse terugveg-poging met 43-41 getroef het.

Monument sal op sy tuisveld, die Ras van Rooyen-veld in Krugersdorp, op al sy silinders teen die Hoërskool Pietersburg wil vuur. Monnas was gewis nie op sy beste teen Transvalia nie en die Pieties mag dit dalk ontgeld.

Die Hoërskool Menlopark het nie ‘n goeie eerste week van die seisoen beleef nie. Hoewel Menlopark vir die Hoërskool Rustenburg met 32-28 getroef het, sal die span nie tevrede met die vertoning voel nie. Die Parkies het ook verlede week teen Boland Landbou op die Blou Bulle se Prestige Rugbydag met 10-45 in die stof gebyt.

Menlopark reis na Mbombela waar hy nie enige gunsies van die Hoërskool Nelspruit se Rhinos te wagte moet wees nie. Menlopark se eerstespan bestaan uit spelers wat op o.16-vlak in onderskeidelik 2016 en 2017 as kampioene van die Virsekerbeker gekroon is. Daar word dus baie van die span verwag.

Eldoraigne se Groen Drake sal sy nederlaag van Helpmekaar-kollege (21-64) agter hom wil sit voor hy op die bus vir sy kragmeting Saterdag teen Rustenburg klim.

Die bepalings is (tuisspanne eerste vermeld): 

12:30 – Monument vs Hoërskool Pietersburg; 13:15 – Hoërskool Nelspruit vs Menlopark. 

A new champion will be crowned at this year’s Coca-Cola T20 Schools Challenge in Pretoria. The defending champions, St Stithians College of Johannesburg, got knocked out in the Gauteng semi-final against King Edward VII. The latter went on to be crowned champions of the Lions region and will be in action in Pretoria.

King Edward VII: Jason Bracher, Heinrigh Pieterse, Callum Broodryk (captain), Bryce Parsons, Saeed Kirsten, Ambrin Snyders, Reece Botha, Ethan Hughes, Dylan Fiebiger, Ian Crawshaw, Obakeng Maila, Uthmann Salajee, Crispen McKenzie.

St Alban’s College: Rein Hulme (captain), Christopher Williamson, Musa Twala, Jordan Landsberg, Ross Whitelaw, Aiden Ridgeway, Tristan Farrell, Harshil Jeeva, Sam da Silva, Ashton Frodsham, Thabang Mogadima, Jonathan Barwick.

Rondebosch Boys’ High: Lehan Botha, Gabriel Gad (captain), Justin Broad, Cole Walbrugh, Quinn van Oordt, Guy Sheena, Reese Scheepers, Ethan Nates, Jordan Collier, Kyle Klein, Michael Moore, Aneeq Gamieldien, Cameron Janse van Rensburg.

St Andrew’s School: JD Bruwer, Gerald Coetzee, Ruan Cronjé, Jayden Davids, Calvin Flanegan, Henré Koekemoer, Pheko Moletsane, Phillip Schoeman, Garnett Tarr (captain), Nathan van der Nest, Reece van Staden, Corné Viljoen.

Hilton College: Michael Booth, Kanya Dandala, Thomas Dixon, Colby Dyer, Michael Frost, Wezo Gqiba, Robert McGaw, Suubi Mugerwa-Sekawabe, James Ritchie (captain), Gareth Schreuder, Michael Schlanders, John Turner, Jared Venter.

Grey High School: Louis du Preez, Luke Beaufort, Tristan Stubbs (captain), Tiaan van Vuuren, Nicholas Fowler, Cody Posthumus, Matthew Biggs, Arend Visser, Connor de Lange, Calum du Plessis, Elih Thorne, Tristan van Breda, Jade Smith.

Graeme College: Christopher Gleaves, Romario Fritz, Lakhanya Sam, Sihle Mginywa, Jeremy Beyleveld, Mark Amm (captain), Riaan Labuschagne, Garwin Dampies, Liam Agnew, Siphesihle Madlongolwana, Intle Mancoko, Seth Faltain, Bavuyise Manyakanyaka.

Prestige College: Tumelo Banda, Polite Shingange, Thabang Baloyi, Ntsako Mushwana, Kagiso Ngwenya, Koos Motubatsi, Lesedi Jonas, Kamogelo Makhubela, Gontse Phuthi, Sithembiso Mothise, Sibusiso Mothise, Mduduzi Masombuka.

 

Premier Interschools features some of the top schoolboy rugby teams in the country over 12 matches stretching from the 24th March to the 25th August 2018. Some of the oldest and fiercest rivals will battle it out over 23 weeks showcasing 15 different schools.

The planned fixtures for the year are as follows:

Maritzburg College vs Glenwood High School – 24/03/2018: Goldstones, Maritzburg College, Pietermaritzburg

The first game of the season sees the two giants from KZN going head to head as the start of the season kicks off with a bang. This fixture makes a return to the Premier Interschools schedule after an absence of two years. The first match between the two schools was played in 1921 at Glenwood, which was won 5-0 by Glenwood. College dominated the earlier exchanges and has their current winning margin thanks to great teams during the 50’s, 60’s 70’s and 80’s.

Since the 90’s Glenwood has developed into a real rugby powerhouse and have dominated the last 10 years, having played 15 games, where College could only manage one win and two draws. The biggest victory for College over Glenwood was 61-13 at College in 1995, while the biggest victory for Glenwood over College was 57-12 at Kings Park in 2015.

Outeniqua vs Paarl Boys’ High – 14/04/2018: Outeniqua High School, George 

Another first for Premier Interschools is the derby between Outeniqua and Paarl Boys High. With this year being the Paarl School’s 150-year celebration, every game will have that little extra pressure to ensure the team does well. Although Paarl have dominated this fixture for the last 10 years with the boys from George having only one win in 2013, this derby has always been a close fought affair. The exciting brand of running rugby that Outeniqua brings against the disciplined and structured play from Paarl, always sees this match ebb and flow, with the result usually only decided in the last minute of play.

Paul Roos vs Grey High School – 21/04/2018: Markotter Fields, Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch

The party moves to Stellenbosch next when the Maroon Machine takes on Grey High School in their annual interschools fixture. With an equal number of victories over the past eight years, Paul Roos will look to exact revenge for their 2-point loss in PE last year. They are rumoured to have one of their best sides this year, having more than half of the team retained from 2017 and we can’t wait to see what the boys from Stellenbosch will bring to the table in 2018. Grey High have also a few returning players and will know what to expect from the boys in maroon.

Paarl Gymnasium vs Paul Roos – 05/05/2018: JA Kriel Field, Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl

Paul Roos features again for their match against Paarl Gymnasium in Paarl. This have been a tough encounter for the boys from Stellenbosch over the last few years as they have only managed 2 wins since 2008. Paarl Gim will be hoping that the winter rain comes early so they can use their forwards and eliminate the threat of the Paul Roos backs on a hard-quick outfield. This might yet prove to be a futile hope as the maroon machine seems to have all the blocks ticked in the forwards department as well.

Monument High vs Waterkloof High – 12/05/2018: Monument High School, Krugersdorp

The popular north vaal derby returns in May and promises to deliver a brand of exciting running rugby. Both schools are renowned for their love to give the ball some air which always makes for a spectacular encounter. Waterkloof have not been having the best of the results against Monument with their last win coming in 2012. Monument is another side that is rumoured to be very strong in 2018 and possible contenders for the highly rated Beeld trophy at the end of the season. Waterkloof have steadily been building the last couple of years and the results of their junior teams in previous seasons have given hope that the 2018 crop will once again be amongst the top teams in the country.

Paul Roos vs Paarl Boys High – 19/05/2018: Markotter Fields, Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch

Once again Premier Interschools returns to the winelands to broadcast the battle of the Western Province giants of rugby when Paul Roos hosts their neighbor from Paarl. These two boys’ schools have a great relationship and friendly rivalry that goes back 150 years. Paul Roos will hope to return the favour by beating Paarl Boys in the latter’s 150th year celebration and spoil the party as the boys from Paarl did to Paul Roos in 2015. The blue brigade will have to cope with some extra pressures during their 150th season but with seasoned coach Sean Erasmus at the helm, it will help to steady the ship and bring about the best from the team.

Oakdale vs Outeniqua – 26/05/2018: Oakdale Agricultural School, Riversdale

Brand new on the Premier Interschools circuit is the big South-Western Districts derby between Oakdale and Outeniqua. This match usually decides who can claim the bragging rights as top dog in the region. The matches have been very evenly contested with no particular team getting more wins than the other. Oakdale had a 3-year winning streak from 2014 to 2016, but came up short in George last year by a measly 4 points. Outeniqua will look to extend their win of last year and make sure the farmers from Riversdale do not claim top honours in 2018. This match also closes the first half of the season for Premier Interschools.

Paarl Gymnasium vs Outeniqua – 21/07/2018: JA Kriel Field, Paarl Gymnasium, Paarl

The second half of the season kicks off with Outeniqua in action again. This time it is against their other rival from Paarl. This fixture has the knack to produce the unexpected and the last 10 games have been very closely matched with Outeniqua winning 5, Paarl Gim 4 and one draw. The Paarl side tends to have one eye on their Interschools with rival Paarl Boys the following week, and might not be as focused as they should be. This could be a contributing factor to the success rate of Outeniqua against these rugby giants.

Grey High School vs Grey College – 28/07/2018: Grey High School, Port Elizabeth

The two brother schools will line each other up at end of July in Port Elizabeth. Both teams will by then have established themselves well on the hierarchy of SA Schools for the 2018 season. The Bloemfontein outfit have had the better of their opponents from PE in the past 10 years with nine victories. This derby always has a special vibe about it because of the history between the schools as they share the same benefactor and founder in Sir George Grey.

Paarl Gimnasium vs Paarl Boys – 04/08/2018: Faure Street Stadium, Paarl

August sees the start of the great traditional “Interskole” games and to kick off this month of madness, Premier Interschools televises the biggest of them all. Northern Paarl vs Southern Paarl with twenty odd thousand old boys, old girls, moms, dads and fans will pack Faure Stadium to the rafters to watch the famous derby between these two great schools. There is no neutral ground on this day; you are blue and white or green, gold and red. You sit on the north side or on the south side. Tough, hard and no compromises, blood sweat and tears, all will be on show in this match that captures the essence of schoolboy rugby and enthrals a whole community

This is the last match for Paarl Boys in their 150th celebration and they would want to end on a high note while their northern neighbours would like nothing more than to spoil the parade.

Boland Landbou vs Oakdale – 18/08/2018: Boland Landbou,

Our second last match of the season features the two agricultural rivals of the Western Cape. These two schools regularly produce teams of outstanding quality from a very small player pool. This all comes down to the commitment of these players to their team and to their school. They are rarely out of the top 20 rankings and have produced numerous Craven Week players for their provinces. Their Interschools is usually a very close affair with neither team having a clear upper hand. Last year Oakdale won in a very close game, beating Landbou by only 2 points. This is a interschools derby of note and the winning margin should not be more than 5 points on the day.

Bishops vs Rondebosch Boys High – 25/08/2018: Piley Rees, Diocesan College, Rondebosch Cape Town

The last Premier Interschools game of the season is the old Cape derby between Bishops and Rondebosch. One of the oldest rivalries in South Africa and one of the most well attended games as well. Old Boys come from all over the world to attend the weekend festivities with the Saturday rugby match as the highlight.
Bishops is on a 5-match losing streak and is still looking for that elusive 100th win against their old rivals. Weather permitting, this match will be full of running rugby and a feast for the schoolboy rugby lover. A perfect way to end the season.