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The South African u17 Men’s National Team, Amajimbos, departed for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Saturday morning ahead of their fourth international match as they continue their preparations for the 2024 Cosafa Championships, to be played in December.

Amajimbos will compete in a Fifa Six Nations Talent Development Scheme (TDS) tournament in the West African country. The scheme is the brainchild of football’s world governing body, which introduced it as a way to expose junior players to international football at a young age to help fast-track their development.

South Africa will play three international friendlies during their week-long stay in Cote D’Ivoire. Their opening match of the tournament, against Algeria, takes place on 3 September. Two days later, on 5 September, they go up against Zambia. Their last outing is on 7 September, when they tackle Morocco.

Head Coach Vela Khumalo said Amjimbos’ aim is to qualify for the 2025 Fifa U17 Men’s World Cup, and they’re taking every opportunity provided to them to prepare as best they can.

Amajimbos last played two weeks ago in South Africa when they faced Lesotho in two practice matches. They beat their neighbours 4-0 and 3-1 respectively.

Prior to that, the u17 national team played two international friendlies earlier this year in Colombia.

The Waterkloof 1st XI produced a complete team performance as they registered a seven-wicket win over the Lions Invitation XI in their Fasken Time Cricket Festival match on Geir Oval at St David’s Marist Inanda on Friday.

Cobus Pienaar’s side exerted themselves on the game early through Jaco van der Watt, who made a breakthrough in the 11th over. From then on, Waterkloof took wickets at regular intervals, thus denying the Lions any momentum in their innings.

Kyle Davies stuck around until the 34th over on his way to top-scoring for the Lions with 54 off 104. The other batsmen in the top six reached double figures but no one did enough to get close to 50. The highest among them was Kyle Swanepoel, with 30 off 45.

When they batted, Pienaar’s charges were relentless. They shrugged off the loss of two wickets in the space of nine deliveries for only two runs, thanks to Kurt Losch’s double strike in the fifth and seventh overs. Darius Maritz (72) and Rico van der Walt (69) mounted a 135-run partnership that balanced the innings. Van der Walt’s dismissal, then, brought Waterkloof’s third half-centurion to the crease, Riley Miller, who scored a brilliant 71 off 85.

The rest of the Waterkloof batting order crumbled in the face of Reaal Hariram’s medium pacers. He ran through the Waterkloof middle- and lower-order on his way to figures of five wickets for 29 in 12 overs.

In the Lions’ second innings, Davis seemingly had to do it all alone again and the Northcliff learner almost managed it. He registered his second half-century of the match, 50 off 79, in an innings where only one other batsman passed 40 runs. Katlego Sekopane arrived at the crease after Davis’s dismissal and watched three different partners come and go as he tallied 45 off 56.

Jayden Blom, Van der Watt, and Richard Crous took seven wickets between them as the Klofies restricted the Lions to 199.

When Waterkloof’s opening pair was unable to build a substantial partnership at the start of the second innings, they needed someone to hold their innings together if they were going to prevail. That person was Stefan Stolz, who scored a wonderful 57 off 91 deliveries. He was partnered by five different partners during his stay in the middle. After his dismissal, Crous, Ruan Ferrera, and Luan Ferreira scored a combined 43 runs to see Waterkloof over the finishing line.

Anrich Liebenberg was the most successful of the Lions’ bowlers, with four wickets for 66 runs from 19.2 overs. Unfortunately for him, his efforts were in vain as Waterkloof reached 161 to claim victory.

Summarised scores

Lions Invitational XI first innings 228/10 (Kyle Davies 56, Bafana Mtunzi 24, Kyle Swanepoel 30, Keagan van Wyk 20, Katleho Sekopane 20; Ruan Ferreira 3/25, Johan Feuth 3/60); Waterkloof first innings 270/9 (Darius Maritz 73, Riley Miller 71, Rico van der Walt 69, Riley Miller 65*; Reaal Hariram 5/29, Kurt Losch 3/36); Lions Invitational XI second innings 199/10 (Kyle Davies 50, Katelho Sekopane 45, Bafana Mtunzi 38, Jaydon Blom 3/19, Jaco van der Walt 2/11, Ricardo Crous 2/21); Waterkloof second innings 161/8 (Stefan Stoltz 57, Ricardo Crous 25*, Darius Maritz 20, Anrich Liebenberg 4/66, Kamogelo Matji 2/21)

Waterkloof won by 7 wickets

St John’s College vs Maritzburg College

St John’s College was left holding out for a draw with Maritzburg College on Mitchell Oval on Friday afternoon, with the home side still 76 runs shy of victory and down to its last wicket when their Fasken Time Cricket Festival game ended.

The KZN side led by 25 runs on the first innings after posting 247/6, which was highlighted by a 112-run opening stand between Llewelyn Sutherland and Daniel Nadasan.

Sutherland was the first to fall, out for 65 from 96 balls, with seven fours and two sixes. He was also the first of five batsmen to lose their wickets to Oliver Tait. Nadasan pressed on and made 56 before Tait had him caught.

Joseph Currie gave the innings some impetus, striking six fours in his 52 from 73 balls, while wicketkeeper Tian van Niekerk did his bit, adding 33 from 53, while sharing in a 70-run stand for the fifth wicket with Currie.

In response, St John’s put up 222/9, led by Nkosana Sibiya‘s 66. Batting at four, Sibiya faced 110 balls and hit five fours. Connor van der Walt struck a merry 43 from 45, with six fours, and other useful contributions from Malan du Plessis (26*), Alec Loveland (24), and Joe MacRobert (22), brought the hosts to within a decent distance of the College score.

Skipper Chad Mason bagged 3/41 with his spin, while opening bowler Sam Hughes picked up 2/35 and Brandon Senzere 2/36.

Batting again, College made 239/7 to set St John’s a challenging 265 for victory. The Red, Black and White openers did their job superbly, adding another century partnership, this time putting on 137 before Nadasan was out for a patient 48.

Sutherland shone. He made 132, with 15 fours and a six, before he was eventually caught behind by MacRobert off the bowling of Cole Francis. Opening bowler, Francis, with 2/30, and Alec Loveland, with 2/38, paced the St John’s attack.

St John’s lost Thomas Ievers early in their second innings, but Darshik Lutchman and the dangerman, Joe MacRobert, then combined to add 65 for the second wicket before Lutchman had his knock ended by Nadasan, who ran out the opener.

The hard-hitting MacRobert continued onwards, with he and Malan du Plessis adding 54 for the third wicket. An aggressive knock from Du Plessis produced 28 runs from 24 balls, with two sixes and a four, before he was caught off the bowling of Kyle de Bruyn.

MacRobert went on to tally 51 from 59 balls, with a couple of sixes and five fours, before De Bruyn struck again with a caught and bowled. St John’s had been reduced to 127/4.

They lost another five wickets for 61 runs, but number 11, Michael Stubbs, had to see off only one ball to make sure the match ended in a draw.

De Bruyn finished with 2/16 and Senzere picked up two more wickets, this time for 24 runs, while College captain Mason was unusually expensive, going for 72 runs in his 13 overs, but he dismissed two more batsmen.

Jeppe High School for Boys vs Clifton College

Jeppe enjoyed the batting conditions on the Wayne Joubert Oval at St Stithians, piling on the runs against Clifton College, but they were not quite able to wangle a win. Like Maritzburg College against St John’s, they were left one wicket shy of victory.

An excellent unbeaten 141 from Munib Ayob, which contained 16 fours and a six, was the cornerstone of their big first innings of 323/5.

Keegan Caxeira went after the Clifton bowling, blasting 87 from only 53 balls, with six sixes and seven fours, while opening batsman Adam Franken performed patiently, making 52 and sending 11 deliveries to the boundary. Together, he and Ayob shared in a stand of 128 for the first wicket.

Clifton’s bowlers came in for some tap, but Caleb Naicker excelled. He knocked over 3/32 in nine overs.

In reply, seven of the Durban boys worked their way into double figures, but Hayden Drieselmann‘s 30 was their highest score. Chasing 323, that was an issue.

Clifton was bowled out for 176, leaving them 147 runs in arrears. Opener Bryon Ward was steady at the top of the order, with 27, and Lawson Dinsdale launched two sixes in his 25, but Clifton came up well short of Jeppe’s first innings.

Shreth Kumar shone with the ball, snaring 5/38 in 14.5 overs, while Cayden Fenske claimed 2/15 in six.

On reflection, Jeppe batted too long in their second innings. They were out in the middle for 55 overs and tallied 293/6, but they already had plenty of runs in the bank from the first innings, and setting Clifton 441 to win was playing it way too safe.

Ryan Young, who was out to the first ball he faced in the first innings, claimed his revenge. The second time around, he top scored with 105, spending 124 balls out in the middle, and hitting three sixes and 13 fours.

Aiden Reyneke was also aggressive, weighing in with 61 from 59 deliveries, with three sixes and six fours, while Aiden Jordaan added 36 from 55.

Gabriel Vermuelen did a fine job with the ball for Clifton, knocking over 4/39 in seven overs, and Shiraz Perumal picked up two sticks, although he was a trifle expensive, going for 68 from his 12 overs.

Clifton then put up 194/9 and they owed plenty to their first innings’ hero, Hayden Drieselmann. Batting ninth in the order, he did a tremendous job of not only keeping the Jeppe bowlers at bay but also of making them pay when they missed their lines and lengths. He cracked 13 fours and a six to finish on 64 not out from 75 balls, which meant 58 of his runs came from boundaries.

Bryon Ward was solid again, contributing 41 from 54, with eight fours, and Zach Williamson added 25.

Kumar picked up another five-for, this time 5/81, to finish with match figures of 10/119, while Sipho Potsane spun his magic, snaring 3/27 in 14.

When the match ended, Clifton had reached 194/9, still 247 runs short of victory.

Summarised Scorecards

Match drawn

Maritzburg College first innings 247/6 (Llewellyn Sutherland 66, Daniel Nadasan 56, Tian van Niekerk 51; Joseph Currie 35; Oliver Tait 5/77); St John’s College first innings 221/9 decl. (Nkosana Sibiya 67, Connor van der Walt 43, Malan du Plessis 26, Alec Loveland 24, Joe MacRobert 22; Chad Mason 3/41, Samuel Hughes 2/35, Brandon Senzere 2/36); Maritzburg College second innings 239/7 (Llewelyn Sutherland 132, Daniel Nadasan 48, Cole Francis 2/30, Alec Loveland 2/38); St John’s College 188/9 (Joe MacRobert 51, Darshik Lutchman 36, Malan du Plessis 28, Kyle de Bruyn 2/16, Brandon Senzere 2/24, Chad Mason 2/72).

Match drawn

Jeppe High School for Boys first innings 323/5 (Munib Ayob 141*, Keegan Caxeira 87, Adam Franken 52, Aiden Reyneke 22; Caleb Naicker 3/32); Clifton College first innings 176/10 (Hayden Drieselmann 30, Bryon Ward 27, Lawson Dinsdale 25, Rivan Moodley 21; Shreth Kumar 5/38, Cayden Fenske 2/15); Jeppe High School for Boys second innings 293/6 (Ryan Young 105, Aiden Reyneke 61, Aiden Jordaan 36, Gabriel Vermeulen 4/39); Clifton College second innings 194/9 (Hayden Drieselman 64*, Bryon Ward 41, Zach Williamson 25, Shreth Kumar 5/81, Sipho Potsane 3/27).

Match drawn

Abdullah Mohammed delivered an outstanding all-round performance to inspire the King Edward VII (KES) 1st XI to an emphatic 13-wicket victory over Hoërskool Nelspruit in their Fasken Time Cricket Festival encounter played on the Le Rosey Oval at St David’s Marist Inanda on Friday.

On the Temba Bavuma Oval, JJ Basson blew away the Bishops’ batting order to help Noordheuwel to a first-innings lead before the sides settled for a draw after two days of back-and-forth competition.

KES vs Hoërskool Nelspruit

Mohammed was outstanding with the ball, bagging four wickets in Nelspruit’s first innings to help his side restrict the Mpumalanga side to 205/9 from their allotted 65 overs.

Mohammed’s first wicket came when KES needed a breakthrough. After losing Duan Smal early, Nelspruit had rebuilt through their captain Nathan Duncan (63) and Jayden Meyer’s 119-run second-wicket stand. The pair threatened to take the game away from KES, but Mohammed then breached Meyer’s defences to dismiss him for a well-played 65.

That wicket sparked a collapse. Including Meyer’s wicket, Nelspruit lost five batsmen for only 17 runs in 5.4 overs to slide from 154/1 after 51.2 overs to 171/6 after 57 overs. Besides Duncan and Meyer, no other Nelspruit batsman scored 20 or more runs. Mohammed finished his 10-over spell with four wickets for 33 runs.

When KES visited the crease, Mohammed was masterful with the bat. When he arrived in the middle, KES was in trouble, having lost two early wickets, on 23/2. Playing confidently, he creamed 17 fours and three sixes on his way to 115 off 152 deliveries. He was well supported by Tiago Dias (59) and Wade Mcquinn (49). Then, after Mohammed’s dismissal, Zieg Ross blasted his way to 57 off 49 as KES tallied 325/6 in 65 overs.

Despite giving away 20 extras, the KES bowling attack put up a better show their second time out as they restricted Nelspruit to 189 in their second innings. Several Nelspruit batsmen made starts, reaching the 20-run mark, but none converted that into a big total. That left KES with a 71-run target for victory, which they handled at a canter. It took them just 12 overs and the loss of a single wicket to secure the win.

Mohammed finished the match with five wickets for 50 runs in 14 overs in addition to his century with the bat.

Noordheuwel vs Bishops Diocesan College

Marius Penning (59) performed an outstanding rescue job to set a solid foundation for Noordheuwel after they lost two early wickets. When he arrived at the crease, his side was floundering on 11/2 after Waco Bassick’s whirlwind start with the ball for Bishops. The opening bowler was almost unplayable as he bagged two wickets for two runs in his first four overs.

Penning turned things around with a 65-run second-wicket partnership with Ruan Strauss (32) and followed that up with an 80-run third-wicket stand with Corné Botha (54). Penning’s 124-ball knock was a study in patience. With the foundation laid, Noordheuwel’s five next batsmen added 104 runs to see them to 280, which included a blistering 39 off 18 balls from  JJ Basson.

When he swapped his bat for the ball, Basson was nearly unplayable. Corné Olivier set the tone with three early wickets to dislodge the Bishops’ top order. He had Cameron Mcbeth, Kyle Stirk, and Alex Vintcent back in the pavilion after 16.1 overs. The Cape Town school found it tough to get back into the game from that point onwards. Singalakha Mayoyo offered some resistance, fighting his way to 45 off 114 before Basson dismissed him.

Mayoyo was the first of Basson’s five wickets in the innings. The left-arm pacer finished with five for 13 runs in seven overs.

When they emerged for their second innings, Noordheuwel struggled to get going, losing their top four batsmen for single-figure scores. Then, Botha stepped up and registered his second half-century of the match to help his side reach 200 runs. He shared a 70-run partnership with Tidimalo Moeketsane (29) and added another 70 in his sixth-wicket stand with Ethan Smith (44) on his way to a brilliant 83 off 107.

Bishops batted only 32.3 overs before the match was declared a draw. Thaafier Japtha remained unbeaten on 40 off 95 and was in the company of Waco Bassick (11 off 14). They had lost Stirk (0), Vintcent (5) and Mayoyo (15) on their way to 76 runs.

Summarised scorecards

Hoërskool Nelspruit first innings 205/9 (Jayden Meyer 65, Nathan Duncan 63; Abdullah Mohammed 4/33, Uthmaan Khan 2/21, Christian Sabela 2/22); KES first innings 325/6 (Abdullah Mohammed 115, Tiago Dias 59, Zieg Roos 57, Wade McQuinn 49; Liam Pringle 2/48); Hoërskool Nelspruit second innings 189/10 (John Duncan 29, Nathan Duncan 27, Waldemar Graham 26, Jayden Meyer 25, Rico Nel 24, Wade McQuinn 3/15,Connor Kuijers 3/46); KES second innings 71/1 (Tiago Dias 37*, Luke Clark 20).

KES won by 14 wickets

Noordheuwel first innings 280/9 (Tidi Moeketwana 60, Ruan Strauss 59, Corné Botha 52, Marius Penning 31, Extras 28, Ethan Smith 22; Waco Bassick 3/34); Bishops Diocesan College first innings 172/10 (Singalakha Mayoyo 44, Kyle Stirk 39, Waco Bassick 24, Extras 23; JJ Basson 5/13, Corné Olivier 3/20); Noordheuwel second innings 200/10 (Corné Botha 83, Ethan Smit 44, Tidi Moeketwana 29, Michael Kruiskamp 528, Alex Vintcent 2/21); Bishops Diocesan College second innings 76/3 (Thaafier Japtha 40*).

Match drawn

St David’s Marist Inanda vs St Andrew’s School

Captain Matthew West, with the bat, and Jason Rowles, with the bat and ball, spearheaded the hosts, St David’s Marist Inanda, to a 63-run win over St Andrew’s School on La Valla Oval in their Fasken Time Cricket Festival clash on Friday.

St David’s had taken a 49-run lead on the first innings, despite a superb bowling performance from Saints’ off-spinner Dakalo Leketa, who snared 7/79.

West, with 45, Morteza Manack, with 44, and Kamogelo Phiri, with 41, helped the home team to 205. It wasn’t the biggest of totals, but Rowles, who has been named in the SA Emerging u19 squad, with 6/37 in just 14 overs, laid waste to the Bloemfontein school’s batting order.

Opener Jonathan Hickley was solid for St Andrew’s, top scoring with 47 from 63 deliveries, which included seven fours, but he received little support of substance.

When Hickley fell, LBW to Rowles, St Andrew’s had slipped to 80/5. Johan Liebenberg, batting eighth in the order, arrested the slide, making 34, and he was the last man out as Saints posted 164 all out.

Batting again, St David’s cruised to 126/1. Rowles was again at it, this time getting on top of the St Andrew’s bowling in an innings of 79 from only 67 balls, striking two sixes and 10 fours. His fellow opener, Armaan Manack, weighed in with 29, but it was West who held the innings together. He made an unbeaten 65 from 77 deliveries while all around him the St David’s innings disintegrated as Leketa, once again, destroyed it.

This time the St Andrew’s captain, also an SA Emerging u19 squad member, was both economical and penetrative, knocking over 6/40 in 16 overs for a splendid match return of 13/119. FG Botha, meanwhile, claimed 2/34.

St David’s lost their last nine wickets for only 66 runs to finish on 192 all out. That left them with a 233-run lead and it proved to be more than enough.

The St Andrew’s top four all made it into double figures, but none of them pressed on much, with Reuben van Aarde‘s 20 leading the way. They made a decent start to their run chase, reaching 65/2, but their innings then fell apart as they stumbled to 88/8.

Leketa stood firm, making 27 not out and Eduan van den Heever contributed 19 from 17. Number 11, Nikhil Sukraj, mustered the innings’ top score of 28, but he was the last man out, run out for a second time in the match, as St Andrew’s were dismissed for 170.

Rowles was the destroyer in chief, bagging 4/44 from 17 overs to complete the contest with 10/81. Five others contributed a wicket each as the hosts claimed victory.

St Stithians College vs St Charles College

St Stithians began the second day of their match against St Charles on Dlamini Oval with a healthy first innings lead of 117 runs after posting 327/6 in reply to the Pietermaritzburg school’s 210 all out.

It was a solid enough batting effort from the KZN side, with four batsmen getting themselves in. The problem was that none of them managed to turn those starts into fifties. Captain Marcell Wellmann just missed out, falling for 49, while Rico Honiball made 46 and the dangerous left-hander Cian Fortmann 43. Connor Riley added a useful 30.

Tahseen Hanslo led the home side’s attack, capturing 4/33 and Cayden Sunker picked up 2/32 as St Charles were left to reflect on what might have been.

The St Stithians’ reply was rock-solid. Pranav Raichetti and Liam Mudenda posted 45 for the first wicket before Fortmann and Riley combined to run out Mudenda for 26. Ombesa Matsha and Raichetti, then, advanced the total to 132 before Kaiyuran Naidoo made Matsha the first of his two victims, removing the number three batsman for 21.

Raichetti was in full flow and he closed in on a century but was stopped just five runs shy of three figures, with Naidoo again making the breakthrough. When the opener fell for 95 from 134 balls, with 14 fours and two sixes, St Stithians were on 156/3.

Hanslo then took over, with good support from Aidan van der Westhuizen. With both players scoring at more than a run a ball, the local side charged on. The pair added 76 in 10.4 overs before Van der Westhuizen was caught by Brendon Sunguro off the bowling of Fortmann for 41. It had taken him only 37 deliveries, and he had struck six fours and two sixes.

Hanslo went on to almost match Raichetti. He was the last man to fall in the innings, out for 94 from just 86 balls, four of which were maximums, and eight of which were fours. Despite Saints making an imposing 327/6, Naidoo did an excellent job with the ball, snapping up 2/26 in 9.1 overs.

Batting again, St Charles, once more, had four players get themselves in, but the innings looked similar to their first. Fortmann top scored, with 44, which came from only 32 balls and included eight fours, while Wellmann, with 39, Sungoro, with 36, and Riley, with 35, were all well set before losing their wickets. St Charles was dismissed for 198.

Akhil Challa undid their reply, capturing 3/14 in nine overs, and Hanslo, again, was among the wickets. He kept the batsmen in check, too, claiming 3/27 in 16 tight overs. Rushil Bhulla added 2/17 from five.

That left St Stithians with the simple task of scoring 82 for victory. It took them 16.1 overs, but they cruised across the line to win comfortably, having lost only two wickets in their second knock. Raichetti and Hanslo were again to the fore, scoring 39 not out and 26 not out respectively.

Connor Simpson resisted, picking up 2/12 in five, but St Charles had far too few runs to defend.

Summarised Scorecards

St David’s Marist first innings 205 all out (Matthew West 45, Morteza Manack 44, Kamogelo Phiri 41; Dakalo Leketa 7/79); St Andrew’s School first innings 164 all out (Jonathan Hickley 47, Johan Liebenberg 34, Extras 24; Jason Rowles 6/37, Kyle Butler 1/12); St David’s Marist Inanda 192/10 (Jason Rowles 79, Matthew West 65*, Armaan Manack 29, Dakalo Leketa 6/40, FG Botha 2/32); St Andrew’s School 170/10 (Nikhil Sukraj 28, Dakalo Leketa 27*, Reuben van Aarde 20, Jason Rowles 4/44).

St David’s Marist Inanda won by 63 runs

St Charles College first innings 210/10 (Marcell Wellman 49, Rico Honiball 46, Cian Fortmann 43, Connor Riley 30; Tahseen Hanslo 4/33, Cayden Sunker 2/32); St Stithians College first innings 327/6 (Pranav Raichetti 95, Tahseen Hanslo 94, Aiden van der Westhuizen 41, Liam Mudenda 26, Ombesa Matsha 21; Kaiyuran Naidoo 2/26); St Charles College second innings 198/10 (Cian Fortmann 44, Marcel Wellmann 39, Brendon Sunguro 36, Connor Riley 35, Akhil Challa 3/14, Tahseen Hanslo 3/27, Rushil Bhulla 2/17); St Stithians College second innings 84/2 (Pranav Raichetti 39*, Tahseen Hanslo 26*, Connor Simpson 2/12)

St Stithians College won by 8 wickets

Following a rigorous four-week process of elimination, featuring top teams from across KwaZulu-Natal, the Cowie Cup has been narrowed down to Maritzburg College and Port Shepstone High, who will meet for the title.

It’s also a showdown between the past two champions. College lifted the title in 2022 and Port Shepstone is the reigning champion.

In the semi-finals, played on Wednesday, Port Shepstone faced Pietermaritzburg’s Alexandra High. A tight contest finished in a 1-1 draw, which necessitated a penalty shootout to determine the winner.

In the shootout, Port Shepstone won the game 5-4, capitalising on a missed penalty by Alex, while they converted all of their spot kicks, to move on to the final.

Maritzburg College, who have been in the mix for titles in a number of tournaments this season, but have not yet won any silverware, withstood a stiff challenge from Westville Boys’ High to book their place in the title decider.

Playing at home, on Barns’, the Red, Black and White, who had beaten the Griffin 2-1 in a recent derby clash, also in Pietermaritzburg, won 1-0 the second time around.

Semi-final Results 

Maritzburg College 1-0 Westville
Port Shepstone (5) 1-1 ( 4) Alexandra High

Final 

Maritzburg College vs Port Shepstone (TBC)

The number is 226! That’s how many matches are on the schedule for the Marius Schoeman Sevens Festival at Paarl Gimnasium, which kicks off on Friday, 30 August. It’s the largest event of its kind in the world!

There are two divisions, u15 and u17, and the fixtures, to be played on six fields, are filled with the names of renowned rugby schools: Paarl Gim, Paul Roos, Paarl Boys’ High, Grey College, Garsfontein, Boland Landbou, Oakdale… The list goes on.

With such a stacked lineup, it’s too tough to call. Sure, keep an eye on the familiar 15-man powerhouses, but don’t be surprised if some other teams pull off upsets of those big guns.

Catch the action LIVE with SuperSport School’s 1-MILLION subscribers

UNDER-17 FIXTURES

Friday, 30 August

Pitch 1 – JA Kriel

12:00 – Garsfontein vs Porterville
12:20 – Parel Vallei vs Stellenberg
12:40 – Oakdale vs St Andrew’s College
13:00 – Forward Foundation vs Hermanus
13:20 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Worcester Gimnasium
13:40 – Connect NTK vs Strand
14:00 – Affies vs Curro Langebaan
14:20 – Stellenbosch vs Milnerton
14:40 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Melkbosstrand
15:00 – Swartland vs Bellville
15:20 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs AMDEC
15:40 – Hugenote vs Durbanville
16:00 – Porterville vs Stellenberg
16:20 – Oakdale vs Forward Foundation
17:00 – Worcester Gimnasium vs Strand
17:20 – Grey College vs Bosmansdam

Pitch 3 – Oukraal

12:00 – Affies vs Milnerton
12:20 – Stellenbosch vs Curro Langebaan
12:40 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Bellville
13:00 – Swartland vs Melkbosstrand
13:20 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Durbanville
13:40 – Hugenote vs AMDEC
14:00 – Boland Landbou vs Outeniqua
14:20 – Bredasdorp vs Charlie Hofmeyr
14:40 – Grey College vs HTS Drostdy
15:00 – Bosmansdam vs SACS
15:20 – Garsfontein vs Parel Vallei
15:40 – Charlie Hofmeyr vs Outeniqua
16:00 – Affies vs Stellenbosch
16:20 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Swartland
16:40 – Durbanville vs AMDEC
17:00 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Connect NTK

Pitch 5 – Fonteintjie

12:00 – Boland Landbou vs Charlie Hofmeyr
12:20 – Bredasdorp vs Outeniqua
12:40 – Grey College vs SACS
13:00 – Bosmansdam vs HTS Drostdy
13:20 – Garsfontein vs Stellenberg
13:40 – Parel Vallei vs Porterville
14:00 – Oakdale vs Hermanus
14:20 – Forward Foundation vs St Andrew’s College
14:40 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Strand
15:00 – Connect NTK vs Worcester Gimnasium
15:20 – Milnerton vs Curro Langebaan
15:40 – St Andrew’s College vs Hermanus
16:00 – Boland Landbou vs Bredasdorp
16:20 – SACS vs HTS Drostdy
16:40 – Bellville vs Melkbosstrand
17:00 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Hugenote

UNDER-15 FIXTURES

Friday, 30 August

Pitch 2 – Stofberg

12:00 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Milnerton
12:20 – Bosmansdam vs Strand
12:40 – Oakdale vs SACS
13:00 – Curro Langebaan vs Worcester Gimnasium
13:20 – Outeniqua vs Charlie Hofmeyr
13:40 – Hugenote vs Bredasdorp
14:00 – Boland Landbou vs Forward Foundation
14:20 – Gim Blitzies vs Stellenbosch
14:40 – Stellenberg vs Swartland
15:00 – Parel Vallei vs Brackenfell
15:20 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Paulus Joubert
15:40 – Melkboksstrand vs Belville
16:00 – Milnerton vs Strand
16:20 – Oakdale vs Curro Langebaan
17:00 – Charlie Hofmeyr vs Bredasdorp
17:20 – HTS Drostdy vs Connect NTK

Pitch 4 – Lemoenkloof

12:00 – Boland Landbou vs Stellenbosch
12:20 – Gim Bltizies vs Forward Foundation
12:40 – Stellenberg vs Brackenfell
13:00 – Parel Vallei vs Swartland
13:20 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Belville
13:40 – Melkbosstrand vs Paulus Joubert
14:00 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Portville
14:20 – Hermanus vs Paarl Barbarians
14:40 – HTS Drostdy vs Vooruitsig
15:00 – Connect NTK vs Durbanville
15:20 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Bosmansdam
15:40 – Paarl Barbarians vs Porterville
16:00 – Boland Landbou vs Gim Blitzies
16:20 – Stellenberg vs Parel Vallei
16:40 – Belville vs Paulus Joubert
17:00 – Outeniqua vs Hugenote

Pitch 6 – Dammetjie

12:00 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Paarl Barbarians
12:20 – Hermanus vs Porterville
12:40 – HTS Drostdy vs Durbanville
13:00 – Connect NTK vs Vooruitsig
13:20 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Strand
13:40 – Bosmansdam vs Milnerton
14:00 – Oakdale vs Worcester Gimnasium
14:20 – Curro Langebaan vs SACS
14:40 – Outeniqua vs Bredasdorp
15:00 – Hugenote vs Charlie Hofmeyr
15:20 – Stellenbosch vs Forward Foundation
15:40 – SACS vs Worcester Gimnasium
16:00 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Hermanus
16:20 – Durbanville vs Vooruitsig
16:40 – Brackenfell vs Swartland
17:00 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Melkbosstrand

The High School Sevens Series, proudly sponsored by Toyota, moves to Gauteng for the Volkskool Heidelberg Sevens, on 30 and 31 August. There are some strong contenders for the title, but no clearcut favourite.

In Pool A, the inclusion of Welkom Gimnasium, from the Free State, catches the eye. With their free-flowing 15-man game, they should be ideally suited to the seven-man format.

They’ll be up against Hugenote, Zayo Rhinos, who reached the Cup semi-finals of the Hoërskool Pionier Sevens, where they pushed the eventual champions, Sarel Cilliers, all the way, and Leeuwenhof.

Noordheuwel, after an impressive season, stands out in Pool B, where they’ll tackle Kempton Park, Lebone II College, and Die Anker.

In Pool C, it’s Helpmekaar which looks like the team to beat. They’ll take on Marais Viljoen, who won the Plate at the Pionier Sevens, Dinamika, and Overvaal.

Perhaps the group that will produce the tightest competition for top spot will be Pool D, where the hosts, Volkskool Heidelberg, will have their hands full with Transvalia, who captured the SDC Noordvaal Shield for the first time last weekend, coming from behind to beat Hoërskool Lichtenberg 23-21 to claim the title. Brandwag and Birchleigh will also be in the running.

The u15 competition will feature 12 teams, including the Pionier Sevens’ champions, Marais Viljoen. The u15 final will serve as a curtain-raiser to the u17 Cup final. All of the fixtures are below.

The action starts on Friday afternoon and goes on into the evening. There’s an early start on Saturday, with a late afternoon finish.

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POOLS

Pool A: Welkom Gimnasium, Hugenote, Zayo Rhinos, Leeuwenhof
Pool B: Noordheuwel, Kempton Park, Lebone II College, Die Anker
Pool C: Helpmekaar, Marais Viljoen, Dinamika, Overvaal
Pool D: Volkskool Heidelberg, Transvalia, Brandwag, Birchleigh

FIXTURES

Friday, 30 August

Game 1 – 14:30 – Volkskool Heidelberg vs Birchleigh
Game 2 – 14:50 – Transvalia vs Brandwag
Game 3 – 15:10 – Helpmekaar vs Overvaal
Game 4 – 15:30 – Marais Viljoen vs Dinamika
Game 5 – 15:50 – Noordheuwel vs Die Anker
Game 6 – 16:10 – Kempton Park vs Lebone College
Game 7 – 16:30 – Hugenote vs Zayo Rhinos
Game 8 – 16:50 – Welkom Gim vs Leeuwenhof
Game 9 – 17:10 – Voolkskool Heidelberg vs Brandwag
Game 10 – 17:30 – Transvalia vs Birchleigh
Game 11 – 17:50 – Helpmekaar vs Dinamika
Game 12 – 18:10 – Marais Viljoen vs Overvaal
Game 13 – 18:30 – Noordheuwel vs Lebone College
Game 14 – 18:50 – Kempton Park vs Die Anker
Game 15 – 19:10 – Hugenote vs Leeuwenhof
Game 16 – 19:30 – Welkom Gim vs Zaya Rhinos

Saturday, 31 August

Pitch 2

Game 18 – 08:00 – Brandwag vs Birchleigh
Game 20 – 08:20 – Dinamika vs Overvaal
Game 22 – 08:40 – Lebone College vs Die Anker

Pitch 1

Game 17 – 08:00 – Volkskool Heidelberg vs Transvalia
Game 19 – 08:20 – Helpmekaar vs Marais Viljoen
Game 21 – 08:40 – Noordheuwel vs Kempton Park
Game 23 – 09:00 – Zayo Rhinos vs Leeuwenhof
Game 24 – 09:20 – Welkom Gim vs Hugenote

Game 25 – 10:00 – 3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool D
Game 26 – 10:20 – 4th Pool A vs 3rd Pool D
Game 27 – 10:40 – 3rd Pool B vs 4th Pool C
Game 28 – 11:00 – 4th Pool B vs 3rd Pool C
Game 29 – 11:20 – Winner Pool A vs Runner-up Pool D
Game 30 – 11:40 – Runner-up Pool A vs Winner Pool D
Game 31 – 12:00 – Winner Pool B vs Runner-up Pool C
Game 32 – 12:20 – Runner-up Pool B vs Winner Pool C

Playoffs

Game 33 – 12:40 – Loser 25 vs Loser 26
Game 34 – 13:00 – Loser 27 vs Loser 28

Plate semi-finals

Game 35 – 13:20 – Winner 25 vs Winner 26
Game 36 – 13:40 – Winner 27 vs Winner 28

Playoff

Game 37 – 14:00 – Loser 29 vs Loser 30
Game 38 – 14:20 – Loser 31 vs Loser 32

Cup semi-finals

Game 39 – 14:40 – Winner 29 vs Winner 30
Game 40 – 15:00 – Winner 31 vs Winner 32

Plate final

Game 41 – 15:20 – Winner 35 vs Winner 36

u15 Cup final

15:40

Cup final

Game 42 – 16:00 – Winner 39 vs Winner 40

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Pools

Pool A – Helpmekaar, Overvaal, Kempton Park
Pool B – Hugenote, Transvalia, Noordheuwel
Pool C – Marais Viljoen, Die Anker, Brandwag
Pool D – Volkskool Heidelberg, Dinamika, Birchleigh

Fixtures

Friday, 30 August

14:30 – Dinamika (D2) vs Birchleigh (D3)
14:50 – Die Anker (C2) vs Brandwag (C3)
15:10 – Transvalia (B2) vs Noordheuwel (B3)
15:30 – Overvaal (A2) vs Kempton Park (A3)
15:50 – Marais Viljoen (C1) vs Brandwag (C3)
16:10 – Volkskool Heidelberg (D1) vs Birchleigh (D3)
16:30 – Helpmekaar (A1) vs Kempton Park (A3)
16:50 – Hugenote (B1) vs Noordheuwel (B3)

Saturday, 31 August

09:00 – Hugenote (B1) vs Transvalia (B2)
09:20 – Helpmekaar (A1) vs Overvaal (A2)
09:40 – Volkskool Heidelberg (D1) vs Dinamika (D2)
10:00 – Marais Viljoen (C1) vs Die Anker (C2)

Cup quarterfinals

10:40 – 1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool B
11:00 – 1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool A
11:20 – 1st Pool C vs 2nd Pool D
11:40 – 1st Pool D vs 2nd Pool C

Bowl semi-finals

12:00 – 3rd Pool A vs 3rd Pool B
12:20 – 3rd Pool C vs 3rd Pool D

Plate semi-finals

12:40 – Loser Cup quarter 1 vs Loser Cup quarter 2
13:00 – Loser Cup quarter 3 vs Loser Cup quarter 4

Cup semi-finals

13:20 – Winner Cup quarter 1 vs Winner Cup quarter 2
13:40 – Winner Cup quarter 3 vs Winner Cup quarter 4

Shield Final

14:00 – Loser Bowl semi 1 vs Loser Bowl semi 2

Bowl final

14:20 – Winner Bowl semi 1 vs Winner Bowl semi 2

7th/8th Playoff

14:40 – Loser Plate semi 1 vs Loser Plate semi 2

Plate final

15:00 – Winner Plate semi 1 vs Winner Plate semi 2

3rd/4th Playoff

15:20 – Loser Cup semi 1 vs Loser Cup semi 2

Cup Final

15:40 – Winner Cup semi 1 vs Winner Cup semi 2 (Pitch 1)

Kaizer Chiefs announced on Thursday that Steven Mendes, known as Stevie G, has officially joined Swedish club Hammarby IF Fotbollförening.

Mendes, recognised as one the most, promising young football talents in South Africa, made a name for himself with Kaizer Chiefs, winning multiple titles with the Kaizer Chiefs Development Youth Team in the Gauteng Development League (GDL).

He joined Chiefs in August 2022 and turned out for the Amakhosi’s u15 GDL team. Earlier this season, he was promoted to Chiefs’ u17 side. He has also played for the club’s reserve team that competes in the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC).

“The 16-year-old Reserve Team player had a successful two-week trial with the Stockholm-based club from 11-25 August, and his impressive performance convinced them to sign him up immediately”, Kaizer Chiefs said in a press statement.

“Steven is a player with tremendous potential and the type of temperament to make it as a professional footballer, so we are excited at the prospect of him displaying his unique qualities on the European stage,” said the Amakhosi Sporting Director, Kaizer Motaung Jnr.

“We are proud of him and wish him every success on his exciting journey. It is another feather in the cap of the Kaizer Chiefs’ development structures, which continue to excel in cultivating the potential of young players and it demonstrates the excellent level of our academy.”

Mendes, from St Benedict’s College, has also represented South African national teams at u15 and u17 levels, getting onto the scoresheet on a number of occasions.

In the GDL, he was a defender’s nightmare, demonstrating exceptional technical skills while possessing impressively powerful shooting ability, much to the astonishment of opposition goalkeepers. Not surprisingly, because of this, he was a fan favourite.

Mendes is a strong contributor on both ends of the field, composed on the ball, and an accurate passer. His finishing is top-notch. For those reasons, he is viewed as a potential future full South African international. Playing abroad will help Stevie G further round his already impressive game.

Saturday’s clash between Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) and Cornwall Hill College could be special for Lhuan-dré Pretorius and his younger brother, Vihan.

The Titans League match could be the last time the brothers face one other at the schoolboy level, providing Lhuan-dré is available and if they don’t meet again in the playoffs.

The SA u19 opening batsman has been called up to represent the Titans in the new Tri-Team Tournament, which will feature six matches being played between 31 August and 8 September.

This, however, won’t dampen the competitive spirits of the siblings. For Lhuan-dré, it would most certainly be a tough ask to get one over his in-form brother, who is currently the second-highest run-scorer in the strong Affies’ lineup, with 580 to his name.

Since the start of the season, Affies have performed well, with their opening batsman Jorich van Schalkwyk, who made the SA Schools team in 2023, leading the way. He has, so far, tallied 703 runs.

His achievements include an unbeaten double century (205*) against Potchefstroom Gimnasium, which he followed with 115 against Prestige College in the next game.

The experienced Divan de Villiers has also peaked at the right time. De Villiers, who has already had a few practice sessions with the Northern Cape Heat, smashed an unbeaten 108 against Hoërskool Kempton Park earlier this week.

He has also been a threat with the ball, capturing 28 wickets, to go along with his run-scoring feats. That’s not far behind Petrus Rautenbach, who will lead the Affies’ attack. He has claimed 34 victims in 2024.

Getting Lhuan-dré Pretorius’s wicket early on will be a massive focus for the Affies’ players. The left-hander has often demonstrated his ability to take the game away from the opposition, even at the international level. His finesse, combined with serious power hitting, will be something the home side has analysed in depth.

Pretorius will look to the experienced wicketkeeper/batsman, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka, for some assistance with the willow, while Mohale Pitso and Obakeng Mokanyane will have it all to do with the ball in hand.

Pretoria Boys High (PBHS) will aim to get back to winning ways when they take on Hoërskool Garsfontein on home soil. Boys High started their campaign impressively, winning two on the trot before suffering a narrow loss to Hoërskool Waterkloof last time out. Nicholas Rossouw has been a mainstay for PBHS with both the bat and ball.

Echardt Struwig will lead the Garsfontein bowling attack. He’s been among the wickets, picking up eight in Garsies’ last two outings, and he will be eager to keep up that momentum.

Hoërskool Menlopark will aim to make the most of their home-ground advantage when they host Prestige College. The Parkies will be on a high after securing a hard-fought one-wicket victory against Hoërskool Garsfontein’s Ysbere last week. Prestige College has struggled thus far, falling to two big defeats in their first two fixtures. However, in cricket, anything is possible.