LD Nel captained his side to glory at the 2024 Cape Town International Hockey Tournament. Photo: Lookonimages
Paarl Gimnasium‘s first boys’ hockey team will set its sights on finishing the 2024 schoolboy hockey season on a high when they take on Paarl Boys’ High on Saturday morning.
The action kicks off at 10:30 am on Paarl Boys’ High’s main Astroturf.
Coach Jacques Grobler’s Gim side has enjoyed an impressive season, recording some big victories along the way, which has led to them capturing two major trophies.
Throughout the season, the Gimmies have been well led by their charismatic captain, LD Nel. He’s been a regular on the score sheets throughout the year and his influential impact was rewarded with a place in the Boland u18A team, which finished as the runners-up at the SASHOC National Week in Bloemfontein.
On Friday, Nel will play his final match for Gim. Appropriately, his service to the school will end with the Paarl derby.
Ahead of the big clash, Nel talked hockey in an interview with SuperSport Schools Plus hockey correspondent, Short Corner, touching on his career at Paarl Gim, the massive inter schools match which will bring it to an end, and the future.
When did your journey with the first team begin, and against who? How many caps do you currently have?
I was picked for the first team in 2022, when I was in Grade 10, against a touring side from the Northern Cape. I’m currently on 97 caps.
You’ve had a pretty good season with your team. What are some of your highlights?
Yes, we’ve had an amazing season with lots of highlights. One was winning the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament for a third time in a row. Winning the Cape Town International Tournament against SACS was also huge for our school.
Which people have played the biggest role in your Hockey career?
My first team coach Stevo (Jacques Grobler) has been influential.
He is an amazing coach and person, and I thank him for believing in me. Of course, I can’t forget my parents. They’ve always backed me, and I thank them as well.
Looking at you, you look more like a rugby player than a hockey player. Do you play any other sport?
Yes, I used to play rugby until Grade 7. I also play a bit of cricket, but hockey is the game I love.
Is there anything you would have done differently?
No, I would not change anything.
The Paarl Gim vs Paarl Boys’ High interschools match is always a massive event. How does it feel to take to the Astro in such a big game?
For me and my team, it’s an honour to be part of this big event.
Interschools is a 50/50 match and on the day it’s the one who wants the win the most that normally comes out on top.
What advice do you have for young hockey players?
Keep on working hard to achieve your goals. Never stop believing in yourself. Hard work pays off.
What are your plans for 2025?
Studying at Stellenbosch, BCom in Marketing.
Favourite meal?
Steak and Chips.
Favourite Movie?
Bad Boys 2.
Other Hobbies and Interests?
My friends are very important to me. I like being with them, and hiking and just chilling with friends.
Head coach, Jacques Grobler, who has coached Nel for the past three years in the senior side, commented: “LD is a positive person and very outgoing, which helps him to create strong bonds and friendships with his teammates.
“He has played for the first team for three years, so he knows what I expect of the group and has led the group exactly as a captain should, by example.
“LD has developed and continues to develop his leadership and hockey skills, which is almost a superpower for him as he loves to learn and just loves the game of hockey,” he concluded.
We are looking forward to yet another week of scintillating schoolboy rugby in South Africa.
The main course is the biggest interschools clash in the world as more than 20,000 people will cram into the Faure Street Stadium in Paarl to watch Paarl Boys’ High and Paarl Gimnasium face each other.
Almost every match in the SDC Noordvaal Cup‘s Beker-section is important from now on, while Group 2 to Group 5 will have their semi-finals.
In the Central Region, Welkom Gimnasium will attempt to retain their title as Griffon champions against Voortrekker from Bethlehem, while Jim Fouché is aiming for their third successive Free State A-league title as they take on Landboudal from Jacobsdal.
Please note that the table of fixtures below is a working document and it will be updated as info about the kick-off times as well as streaming links on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.co.za) are made available for publication.
Potchefstroom Volkskool kan tereg nóú sy visier op ‘n plek in die uitspeelrondes van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Bowl-afdeling rig.
Herleef al die aksie op SuperSportSchools – (www.supersportschools.com)
Die Volkies se sege van 28-13 oor Hoërskool Randburg Saterdag het hul kanse om die Bowl-afdeling se uitspeelrondes te haal ‘n broodnodige hupstoot gegee. Met slegs twee rondes van rondomtalie-wedstryde oor is die Volkies tans slegs een punt agter die Randburgers op die puntelys.
Die span van Potchefstroom het weereens ‘n uitmuntende vertoning gelewer en sake agterlangs oorheers, danksy hul staatmaker, Christoff Nel, wat op binnesenter nuwe lewe in die middeveld geblaas het. Nel se kombinasie met buitesenter, Hennie Pretorius, wat net betyds van ‘n besering teen Hoërskool Piet Retief herstel het, gaan weekliks van krag tot krag en hulle het deurgaans daarin geslaag om die besoekers op die voorvoet te plaas met hul kragtige spel in die middeveld.
Voorlangs het die ander Nel, oopkantflank, Henre Nel, en haker, Louis Fourie, wat waarskynlik sy beste wedstryd van die seisoen beleef het, se gewoeker in die vastelos ook die lewe vir Randburg moeilik gemaak.
Die Randburgers het gesukkel om die ritme te herwin wat hulle oor die vorige twee weke geniet het, met ongedwonge foute wat hul Achillieshiel was en hulle telkens verhoed het om af te rond. Oopkantflank, Herman Goosen, een van sy span se harde werkers, het moedig probeer maar ‘n verlore stryd teen die Volkies gevoer.
In Alberton het Hoërskool Alberton vir die besoekers van Mpumalanga, Hoërskool Piet Retief, ietwat verras deur met 22-19 koning te kraai.
Die tuisspan se agterlyn was uitstekend op die aanval en het floreer met heelwat spasie wat aan hulle gebied is.
Heelagter, Jaydon Mostert, was een van dié spelers wat die verdediging geroer het, maar uiteindelik het binnesenter, Ewald Muller, die kollig gesteel. Muller, ‘n groot en fisieke baldraer, het telkens gapings oopgeforseer met verwoestende lopies, vernaam in die eerste helfte, en het oor die doellyn gebars vir ‘n deurslaggewende tweekuns.
Die besoekers se indrukwekkende buitesenter, Siphosetu Sibisi, het sy bes probeer om die Pieties in die kragmeting te hou en met uitstekende vaartversnelling en ratse voetwerk, nes Muller, twee keer agter die doellyn gaan draai.
Alberton se verdediging was op die einde van die dag nét goed genoeg om te kon vasklou vir waardevolle oorwinning.
Merensky Landbou Akademie is na ‘n rits moeilike kragmetings terug op die wenpad. Die Tzaneeners het al die pad na Meyerton gereis om vir Hoërskool Dr. Malan, in sy agterplaas, met 40-31 te klop.
Die besoekers se JD Boshoff, vir die tweede agtereenvolgende week sy span se beste speler en eintlik ‘n skrumskakel, moes die laaste ruk noodgedwonge buitesenter speel, maar het hom uitstekend van sy taak gekwyt en die Dokkies se flaters op verdediging gelooi.
Dokkies se Luka Pretorius het nietemin amok onder die besoekers se verdedigers gesaai met sy kenmerkende dartellopies om ‘n indrukwekkende driekuns te behaal.
Potchefstroom Gimnasium het geen twyfel gelaat dat hy die reeks se voorste span is nie deur vir Hoërskool Wagpos met 80-7 af te ransel. Dit is Wagpos se tweede agtereenvolgende nederlaag met 80 punte.
Die Gimmies het baljaar in hope spasie om 14 drieë in te ryg, met nie minder nie as vier spelers wat elk ‘n tweekuns aangeteken het. Jaco Nel, die Gimmies se haker, het sy puik seisoen voortgesit en was een van dié wat twee keer agter die doellyn gaan kuier het.
Die Gimmies se fokus verskuif nou na Hoërskool Eldoraigne se Drake. Die Drake het stil-stil hul pad na tweede op die puntelys oopgebeur, wat beteken dat eerskomende Saterdag ‘n stryd tussen die top-twee in die groep sal afgee.
Almost every team has played 20 of the 34 rounds of fixtures that have been scheduled in the 2024 Gauteng Development League. Currently, Kaizer Chiefs sit atop the standings in the under-19 division.
Mamelodi Sundowns, through circumstances beyond their control, have ceded top spot to their rivals, but the title race remains tight.
Ongama Gcwabe of SuperSport Schools Plus highlights three real title contenders as the league draws towards its business end.
Kaizer Chiefs
Ten weeks have passed since Kaizer Chiefs walked away from a Gauteng Development League fixture without a point. That happened when the Amakhosi crossed swords with coach Surprise Moriri‘s outstanding Mamelodi Sundowns unit.
Since then, Chiefs have run through almost every opponent they have faced, and that long line of successes has included handing Sundowns a first defeat of the season in the Engen Knockout Challenge. As a result, coach David Mathebula‘s side has moved to the top of table.
Chiefs have won 16 of their 20 games, drawn three and lost only once, leaving them on 51 points. Mathebula’s charges have also scored at an average of almost three goals per match and conceded an average of one a game.
Mamelodi Sundowns
Coach Moriri and his team will be slightly disappointed. They’re currently second in the standings, more than halfway through the season, yet they have not yet lost a league fixture.
However, their campaign’s momentum has been slowed by the postponement of Sundowns’ fixtures over the past two weekends.
Most recently, issues with the facilities at Huntersfield Stadium meant that ‘Downs could not play their fixture against Kathorus Hyper Academy. A week before that, their match at Clapham High against Randburg AFC was postponed because the school was using its facilities for a tournament outside of the Gauteng Development League.
Still, although they trail Chiefs by a point, the Brazilians are well poised to take over at the top once more, with two matches in hand.
Highlands Park
“The Lions of the North” were down and out in the first few weeks of the season as they failed to fire at the start of their campaign.
At one point, looking at their conservative style of play on the pitch, it seemed that their status as the defending champions was weighing heavily on the players’ shoulders.
Their conservative style of play early in the season helped them put together the league’s best defensive record. They’ve given up only nine goals all season long, but that approach has also meant that goal-scoring has not come easy.
While they’ve netted 31 times, that mark is some way behind the aforementioned title contenders. A six-goal deluge against Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) in their most recent outing, however, shows that Highlands Park is on the right track.
Since their slow start, the Balfour Park-based club has dug deep and worked their way back into the top three on the log. With 14 victories in 18 games, they’re only six points adrift of the leaders, Kaizer Chiefs.
Match Day 19 Results
TS Galaxy 3-0 East Rand Athletic Club SuperSport United 0-2 Tuks Sevens Academy 4-2 Wits Junior School of Excellence 0-2 Highlands Park Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School vs Joburg City (postponed) RESA 1-2 Jomo Cosmos Randburg AFC 0-2 Kaizer Chiefs Panorama FC 2-0 Kathorus Hyper Academy NWU Vaal FC 0-5 Mamelodi Sundowns
Match Day 20 Results
East Rand Athletic Club 3-2 SuperSport United TS Galaxy 4-1 Sevens Academy Tuks 2-1 School of Excellence Wits Junior 2-1 Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School Highlands Park 6-0 RESA Joburg City 2-0 Randburg AFC Jomo Cosmos 1-0 Panorama FC Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 NWU Vaal FC
Kathorus Hyper Academy vs Mamelodi Sundowns (Postponed due to facility issues)
Matthew Temmis and Parel Vallei finished a very respectable fourth at the 2024 Cape Town International Hockey Tournament. Photo: Cape Town International Hockey Tournament
Calm, composed on the ball, humble, hardworking, and a team player are some of the terms that can be used to describe Matthew Temmis‘s character on and off the AstroTurf.
The 18-year-old, who plies his trade for Parel Vallei High School (PV), in Somerset West, has been, for several years, among the standout players for his school, and has represented Boland at various inter-provincial tournaments. Last year, he was named in the SA Schools u17squad.
Temmis is currently in matric, and this coming Friday night he will play his final match for Parel Vallei when they host Gqeberha’s Pearson High School in their annual interschools weekend exchange.
Ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, he chatted with SuperSport Schools Plushockey writer Avuyile Sawula about how his love for hockey began, his time at PV, representing Boland, and the future.
Accidental hockey player
In his primary school days, Temmis attended Laerskool Hendrik Louw, in Strand and, to be frank, playing hockey never crossed his mind.
He dabbled in several sporting codes from a young age and appeared to be on his way to becoming a good rugby player. Then, in grade 2, one of his best friends introduced him to hockey.
He fell in love with the game. He tried out many different positions and rugby, his first love, slowly disappeared from his radar.
“I was actually a rugby player. All of my friends played rugby in school,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“At that time, it was only my grade 2 friend who played hockey. He encouraged me to try out the sport and, since I was a kid who loved sports, I went for it. I loved it and never really looked back.”
After discovering his new passion, Temmis made the move to Parel Vallei in grade 8 and set his sights on taking his game to the next level.
It took him just two years to make his first team debut. Along the way, he was selected for the u16A Boland side, and in 2022 he was called up to the SA u16 High Performance camp.
“When I got to PV in grade 8, I didn’t know what to expect because I wanted to go to Paul Roos,” he revealed.
“I was accepted at PRG, but my dad insisted I go for PV. He knew about it and I trusted him.
“The first two years were great and in grade 10 our hockey improved, and I started enjoying it.
“I made my first team debut against Worcester Gimnasium, and I took home the man of the match accolade, so that was quite special for me.”
Temmis on the charge against Pearson High School in their meeting in 2023. Photo: Supplied
Representing Boland at SASHOC National Weeks
This year, Temmis was member of the Boland u18A hockey team which claimed the silver medal at the SASHOC National Week in Bloemfontein. In a back-and-forth final against their neighbours, Boland lost 2-3 against Western Province A.
It was his second year representing the u18A team at the inter-provincial event. In 2023, he was part of the team that finished fourth. At the conclusion of that tournament, he was named in the SA Schools u17 team.
This time around, however, he was taken out of his comfort zone. Despite preferring to play in his usual centre midfield position, he was moved to outside midfielder and, at times, right back.
The tournament, Temmis said, was a massive learning curve for him. “The tournament was good. Last year we fell out in the semi-finals and this year we went with a different mindset aiming to win,” he explained.
“It’s disappointing when you come that close, but the boys played some brilliant hockey, and I was proud to have contributed to the team.
“The experience of also being moved to other positions was nice, because I’m normally a centre midfielder.”
Influential figures, and support system
To get to where he is, Temmis, with the support of his family and the coaches at PV, has had to put in the hard yards, which have featured long hours on the Astro, in an effort to make him a better player.
From a young age, he’s been mentored and guided by the first team head coach and Head of Hockey at PV, Michael van Rensburg. Temmis credits him, and Van Rensburg’s assistant coach, Dewald Raath, for making a positive impact on his career.
“Coach Michael and Dewald have been with me for quite a long time,” he said. “They’ve continued to believe in me, motivate me constantly, and if I need anything, they are always there to help.
“I remember in grade 8, I was a centre-back, and coach Michael saw something in me that I didn’t see. He then moved me to centre-mid, and since then I’ve been playing there. All credit to him.
“It’s going to be hard saying goodbye to them, but I’m grateful for their contributions towards my hockey.
Photo: Parel Vallei High School
The youngster also praised his family, who, he said, have backed him from the first time he picked up a stick.
“I don’t come from the best background, but I’ve always had the goal and mindset of being a winner and becoming a professional hockey player one day,” he explained
“In my pursuit of that dream, my parents have backed me since day one, believed in me, trusted me, and they’ve been on my side.
“I remember all the early mornings my father had to wake up to take me to practices. Sometimes he’d be forced to take leave from work to drive me to tournaments. My father is my biggest supporter. He’s at almost every single game and I truly am grateful for him,” he concluded.
Temmis, who recently earned his 75th cap for the first team will, alongside his teammates, be aiming to end his season with a bang against Pearson High.
Parel Vallei enters the clash on the back of a narrow 2-3 defeat against Paarl Boys’ High last week.
The action will kick off on the PV Astroturf at 19:30.
King Edward VII (KES) beat Maritzburg College 47-21, with left-wing Haniel Monkoti crossing for four tries to secure an important win for the Red Army on Saturday in Johannesburg.
It is thought that Monkoti’s 22 tries are a KES record, but some of the older record-keeping makes matters a little murky.
It was a tough challenge for Maritzburg College, who travelled up to Gauteng for a second weekend in succession. They had a few injuries in their ranks, while SA Schools’ loose-forward Kebotile Maake sat out for KES because of an ankle injury.
Monkoti’s magic, though, was a deciding factor in the battle between two of South Africa’s fiercest competitors. He took full advantage of a side that struggled to find its legs in the first half, which left the Red, Black and White trailing 0-19 with only 20 minutes played.
Monkoti raced in for two tries in rapid succession down the left-hand side, which were followed by scrumhalf Regan McGurk bursting away down the middle of the field to score under the posts.
One of the hallmarks of Monkoti’s exceptional try scoring record has been his partnership with flyhalf Vusi Moyo. Many of his tries have come from the Moyo’s bullet skip pass, which is testament to the wing’s good hands. Like peanut butter and jam on toast, the duo has proved itself a winning combination.
College’s first points came from Ntsika Mkhize, who chased down a ball that had been charged down and pounced on it in the in-goal area to grab a try. At half-time, though, the visitors trailed 7-26.
KES, then, padded their lead early in the second half, before College hit back with a powerful scrum, which put scrumhalf Rayke Maartens in for an easy five-pointer. James Slevin added the extras, leaving the Red Army in a 33-14 lead.
Soon, Monkoti darted through College’s defences to notch his fourth try of the match, which gave him the KES try-scoring record. The conversion was an easy one and the home team was cruising at 40-14.
The KES coaches said whether or not Monkoti holds the record is not that important in a team game. What matters is that he a good, humble young man who deserves the accolades that he has received.
Nkululeko Sithole scored a consolation try for College, but by then the result had long ago been decided.
For KES, their SA Schools’ flyhalf Vusi Moyo orchestrated the backline with precision, directing play with crisp passes and strategic kicks. The number 10 converted four tries before being rested in the second half.
The fixture list did not help College. Making two long trips to Gauteng on successive weekends, ferrying 700 boys, is quite some task, and a rethink about such demands is probably on the cards.
Down the road, Jeppe High School for Boys was dominant against Parktown Boys’ High School, cantering to a 69-7 win in their final match of the season on Collard Field.
With eight different players scoring tries, it was a points’ fest for the black and white. Inside centre Khuthadzo Rasivhaga notched a hattrick, ripping apart Parktown’s defences, while wing Leruo Dithagiso crossed for a brace. The referee also awarded Jeppe a penalty try.
In the first half, the hosts eased into a 31-point lead. After the break, they were brutal, maintaining their intensity as they took the game to Parktown.
The visitors, at least, managed a second half try from lock Kingsley Okonkwo and flyhalf Kelvin Kotey added a conversion to prevent a shutout.
Point Scorers
KES 47(19) – Tries: Haniel Monkoti (4), Regan McGurk, Olunje Mehlomakulu, Chinedu Amadi. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (4), Andrew Jackson (2). Maritzburg College 21(7) – Tries: Rayke Maartens, Nkululeko Sithole. Ntsika Mkhize. Conversions: James Slevin (2), Jordan Thackeray.
Centre Bongane Khumalo enjoyed a terrific game for Northwood and caused Glenwood problems throughout their clash with his tricky running on Dixon’s Field.
After winning on Dixon’s Field for a first time in 2023, Northwood made it back-to-back on Glenwood’s home ground with a 31-17 victory on Saturday, which brought down the curtain on an outstanding season for the Knights.
Durban High School (DHS) was the best team in KZN in 2024, with Northwood not far behind the Sharks-laden outfit, and it took DHS a second bite at the cherry to defeat the Knights after the sides shared a 7-7 draw on Reece-Edwards Field. The Horseflies picked up a hard-fought 18-11 win at home on 20 July when the teams met for a second time.
That game on Van Heerden Field, in the words of DHS Director of Rugby, Peter Engeldow, was a “Test match”. The Dixon’s Field clash was keenly contested but not as much of an attritional arm wrestle. From the start, Northwood tried to play the ball out wide to their wings.
Most of the early action took place in the Glenwood half, but it took the Knights 10 minutes to breech the hosts’ defences. With their pack driving well and setting the Green Machine on the back foot, the visitors broke through by attacking the right-hand corner before flinging the ball down the backline and putting Savio Stevens over in the left-hand corner.
The conversion, by Stevens, three metres in from the touchline, was good.
From the kick-off, Northwood surged back onto the attack and their robust pack drove hard at the hosts’ defence, denting it and gaining ground. That told eventually as their big tighthead Abulele Kuleku crashed over for another five points.
The conversion kick was a whole lot easier, but this time Stevens pulled it to the left of the uprights. A quarter-of-an-hour was in the book, and it appeared as if Glenwood might be brushed aside.
Glenwood captain Junior van Wyngaardt makes sure his team enjoys clean possession of the ball.
The Green Machine, however, found a perfect response. Almost immediately, they forced their way onto the attack, taking the ball through numerous phases as the Knights’ pack had to put in hit after hit to stop a series of pick-and-goes. In the end, those charges bore fruit as captain Junior van Wyngaardt broke to the blind and went over wide on the left for a try.
From the restart, most of the play took place between the halfway line and the Glenwood 22, with Northwood probing and the home team standing firm. Northwood’s small but sturdy inside centre Bongane Khumalo was having himself a whale of a time, challenging the Green Machine’s defenders and leaving a good number of them trailing in his wake with his quick feet and low centre of gravity.
With halftime beckoning, Glenwood conceded a penalty and Northwood kicked for the right-hand corner. From a clean take, the pack took it to the hosts and powered their way over for a try from their hooker Werner van Niewenhuizen. Another Savio Stevens conversion made it 19-5 at the interval.
Based on the first half, it appeared as if it would be smooth sailing for coach Jacques Deen‘s charges, but Glenwood has tended to play better rugby in the second half of their games during the course of the 2024 season and that was again the case on Saturday.
Early in the second stanza, they reduced the deficit, catching the Knights out by reversing direction from a five-metre penalty to send Michael Ize-Iyamu over for a try in the left-hand corner.
Northwood produced a strong response, working their way deep into the Glenwood 22. As they built through many phases, they appeared set to add to their tally. However, when their general at flyhalf, Siya Nkosi, tried to outflank the hosts’ defence with a long skip pass, Lizwe Mtetwa snatched the ball out of the air and charged 80 metres down the field for another Glenwood try.
Juan Viljoen knocked over the easy conversion and there were only two points in the contest. Glenwood was back in the game. With less than 10 minutes to go, the outcome had not yet been decided.
But when the Knights were awarded a penalty five metres from the Green Machine’s try line, their big loosehead Reuben Vos took the shortest route to the in-goal area, charging his way through a number of defenders to make the dive for five. His try meant that every member of the Northwood front row had scored.
Reuben Vos smashes into and through the Glenwood defence for a try in the second half.
Stevens was narrowly wide with his conversion attempt. Glenwood could draw level with a converted try.
Instead, the Knights had the final say in the game. A sweeping move from the left flank to the right-hand corner put Kwenzo Dlamini over for the visitors’ fifth and final try.
Stevens bounced his conversion kick off of the crossbar and over, and Northwood completed a 31-17 victory.
Throughout the match, the visitors’ pressure in the tight scrums and especially at lineout time was telling. The manner in which they challenged the opposition on their throw-ins was one of the calling cards of the Knights all season long.
“We do our homework. Ethan Macey and Vuyo Gwiji read the lineouts nicely,” coach Jacques Deen said. “We go according to zones. If we can take away their veges, they can’t play. We try to suffocate them and put as much pressure as possible on them, so that they make mistakes, and we can play from there.”
Northwood’s captain and South African Schools’ loose-forward Vuyo Gwiji was a difference-maker in the lineouts.
For Glenwood, 8th-man Jordan Hargreaves enjoyed a good game, making some strong runs off the back of the scrum, while fullback Leo Weber showed enterprise on the counterattack and put his body on the line to stop what looked like a certain Northwood try late in the game. Their second half try scorer Lizwe Mtetwa looked dangerous on the attack.
Northwood finished 2024 with a record of nine wins, one draw and three losses. “It has been a really, really good season,” Deen said. “I think this is a really special bunch of boys and, as you saw today, if they do what they’re capable of doing, there’s no turning them back, so I am really proud of them.”
Getting up for the Glenwood clash was not an issue, he added, even after the brutal battle against DHS a week earlier. Deen explained: “The big thing was we had 10 grade 12 boys playing today. For them, it was a special occasion. That was enough motivation for them… It was absolutely amazing today.”
Reflecting on Northwood’s strong season, which surprised many, the coach said he hadn’t been surprised: “It was expected, to be honest. We knew from the last three years about these boys coming through our system. It was just a matter of time before they put it together and, looking at them today, I am looking forward to next year with the grade 11s coming through. Northwood is in a good place.”
Asked to pinpoint what the players had done to produce outstanding results all season long, Deen said: “The boys have made it a success because of their ability to play with the ball. It’s unbelievable. From the backline to the forwards, it was incredible. They’ve got hands. They can attack, they’ve got a kicking game, and then we go and we maul and scrum like that. It’s a complete package.”
Scorers
Northwood 31 (19) – Tries: Werner van Nieuwenhuizen, Reuben Vos, Kwenzo Dlamini, Savio Stevens, Abu Keleku. Conversions: Savio Stevens (3); Glenwood 17 (5) – Tries: Junior van Wyngaardt, Michael Ize-Iyamu, Lizwe Mtetwa. Conversion: Juan Viljoen.
Results
u19 – Glenwood I 17 Northwood I 31; Glenwood II 17 Northwood II 17; Glenwood III 0 Northwood III 15; Glenwood IV 0 Northwood IV 40
u16 – Glenwood A 24 Northwood A 45; Glenwood B 0 Northwood B 29; Glenwood C 31 Northwood C 12
u15 – Glenwood A 12 Northwood A 10; Glenwood B 10 Northwood B 21; Glenwood C 7 Northwood C 43; Glenwood D 20 Northwood D 12
u14 – Glenwood A 8 Northwood A 0; Glenwood B 26 Northwood B 7; Glenwood C 40 Northwood C 0
Competition was keen, but Carter, one of the pre-tournament favourites, secured the u19 title, although they were pushed to the limit by Edendale Technical High School.
The final went to a penalty shootout after Carter and Edendale had shared a 1-1 draw in the gold medal match. The home side then won 4-2 from the spot.
Despite their loss in the final, it was an impressive outing from Edendale Technical High. The team, which was a newcomer to the KZNHSFA this season, sparkled in the second term competition and, once again, was up for the challenge on Saturday.
Without a doubt, Edendale Technical possesses one of the strongest football programmes in KZN. Their girls’ football team, led by coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo and team manager Sihle Basi, has twice represented South Africa in the CAF African Schools Championship Finals.
Both teams advanced to the Super Cup final in emphatic fashion as they both kept clean sheets in the semi-finals. Carter posted a 3-0 victory over ML Sultan, while Edendale cruised past Heritage, recording a 4-0 win. Their clash for the title proved to be a fitting final.
Nthuthuko Mnguni, the captain of Carter, was named the Player of the Tournament for his outstanding performances and exceptional leadership, which proved pivotal for his team as they secured their second piece of silverware of the season.
They’ll have their sights set on the forthcoming Pietermaritzburg and Midlands FA Cup where a win would complete an outstanding treble. Last season, Carter went down 2-3 to Maritzburg College in a spectacular FA Cup final.
RESULTS
Semi-finals
Carter High 3-0 ML Sultan
Edendale Technical 4-0 Heritage
LICHTENBERG – Die Liggies het vir die soveelste keer vanjaar hul staal op tuisbodem getoon.
Herleef al die aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
Hoërskool Lichtenburg het met ‘n skitterende vertoning in die tweede helfte sy onoorwonne status behou in sy agterplaas.
Die tuisspan het 35 punte in die tweede skof aangeteken om die besoekende Hoërskool Secunda, wat teen rustyd met 17-10 voor was, uiteindelik met 45-27 kaf te draf.
Die besoekers het inderdaad belowend afgeskop en dit was nie lank voor hul venynige vennootskap in die middeveld vir die Liggies agter die pale laat hergroeppeer het nie. Buitesenter, Ryan Erasmus, het, na ‘n sterk individuele lopie, deurgebreek om die bal agter die doellyn te plant en sy sentermaat, Brink la Grange, het kort daarna dieselfde gedoen om die besoekers se voorsprong te vergroot.
Die span van Mpumanalanga het vir die meerderheid van die eerste helfte die oorhand geniet en verdien om met die omdraaislag met sewe punte voor te loop.
Die momentum het egter dramaties geswaai na rustyd, met die tuisspan se pak wat op al agt silinders begin vuur en die besoekers onder toenemende druk geplaas het. Die meedoënlose en fisiese aanslag het spoedig aan Lichtenburg die voortou besorg en daar het hulle gebly.
Hierdie slag was dit loskopstut, Donovan Rosato, se beurt om die leiding voorlangs te neem, met sy kragtige dryfspel wat die Liggies keer op keer oor die voordeellyn laat kom het. Oopkantflank, KG Legodi, het ook ‘n barshou gespeel om, nes Rosato, een van sy span se ses drieë te druk.
Hoërskool Wesvalia het in Klerksdorp ook sy gehalte tentoongestel deur, in sy eerste wedstryd na ‘n verlenge breek, die besoekers van Tzaneen, Hoërskool Ben Vorster, met ‘n telling van 48-8 ore aan te sit.
Die Wessies was vanuit die staanspoor in beheer van sake, met hul pak wat vroeg reeds voorlangs die oorhand verkry en die besoekers geboelie het. Dit was vernaam in die vaste fasette waar die Klerksdorpers beïndruk het.
“Die voorspelers het oorheers,” het Willem van der Sandt, die tuisspan se afrigter gesê.
“Ons vaste fasette was uitstekend en ons het die fisieke stryd gewen, wat ‘n stewige grondslag gelê het.”
Haker, Junior Kuhn, en steelkantflank, Francois Dumond, het verál uitgeblink met hul hoë werkverrigting in die vastelos en só die vuur onder die Wessies se agttal aangesteek. Agterlangs het die terugkeer van staatmaker, Rieckardt van Heerden, ook ‘n beduidende rol gespeel en het die heelagter 18 van sy span se 48 punte aangeteken met ‘n drie, vyf doelskoppe en ‘n strafdoel.
Hoërskool Hugenote van Springs is uiteindelik weer terug in die sirkel van wenners na ‘n swaarverdiende oorwinning van 24-21, danksy ‘n strafdoel deur Corné Pretorius, oor Hoërskool Pietersburg in Springs. Die losskakel het ook ál drie sy span se drieë verdoel.
Oopkantflank, Arne Pretorius, was stil-stil ‘n staatmaker vir die Hugies regdeur die seisoen en Saterdag weer op sy stukke.
In Brakpan was daar niks te kies tussen Hoërskool Die Anker en Hoërskool Jeugland wat met 33-33 gelykop gespeel het nie. Die tuisspan se agsteman en kaptein, Ruben Herbst, het vir die tweede agtereenvolgende naweek oorgebars vir ‘n indrukwekkende tweekuns.
Puntemakers:
Hoërskool Lichtenburg 45 (10) – Drieë: Donovan Rosato, GJ Malan, KG Legodi, Tiaan Booysen, Willem van Niekerk, Oratile Sekoto. Doelskoppe: Luan Snyman (5). Strafdoel: Albert Joubert. Hoërskool Secunda 27 (17) – Drieë: Ryan Erasmus, Bismark Jansen, Stefan Bezuidenhout, Brink la Grange. Doelskoppe: Damian de Beer (3). Strafdoel: De Beer.
Wesvalia 48 (29) – Drieë: Junior Kuhn, Francois Dumond, Joshua Pieters, Hanre Venter, Chad Hofmeyer, Justin Adams, Rieckardt van Heerden. Doelskoppe: Rieckardt van Heerden (5). Strafdoele: Van Heerden. Ben Vorster 8 (3) – Drie: Makondolele Musekene. Strafdoel: Tihandre Reyneke.
Hugenote (Springs) 24 (14) – Drieë: Arne Pretorius, JJ Lewis, Musa Mahlangu. Doelskoppe: Corné Pretorius (3). Strafdoel: Pretorius. Hoërskool Pietersburg 21 (7) – Drieë: Hardus Otto, Zuhan Labuschagne, Siya Mhlangu. Doelskoppe: Vincent Luckoff (2). Divan Brown.
Die Anker 33 – Drieë: Ruben Herbst (2), Ruan Smith, Paul Schutte, Xander Fraser. Doelskoppe: Ruan Smith (4). Jeugland 33.
Ander spanne:
o.16: Die Anker 31, Jeugland 28; Secunda 53, Lichtenburg 14; Wesvalia 29, Ben Vorster 20; Pietersburg 43, Hugenote 15.
o.15: Die Anker 24, Jeugland 5; Secunda 26, Lichtenburg 12; Ben Vorster 19, Wesvalia 14; Pietersburg 31, Hugenote 5.
o.14: Die Anker 12, Jeugland 0; Lichtenburg 14, Secunda 5; Wesvalia 25, Ben Vorster 14; Pietersburg 48, Hugenote 5.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Lhuan-dre Pretorius of South Africa during the Men’s u19 Tri-Series, 3rd Youth ODI match between South Africa and India at Old Edwardians CC on 2 January 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Monday confirmed the forthcoming tours for the South Africa u19 men’s and women’s teams for the 2024/25 season in preparation for future ICC age-group tournaments.
The SA u19 women will start their summer of cricket with a Youth T20 International (T20I) series against Ireland u19 in Tshwane from 28 October to 1 November.
The five-match series will be held at the Groenkloof Oval in the capital city and will serve as preparation for the ICC u19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, which will be held in Thailand and Malaysia.
The SA u19 men will face England u19 in a multi-format tour from 17 January to 6 February in the Western Cape.
The three-match Youth One-Day Internationals (ODI) series features matches at the Western Province Cricket Club in Cape Town on 17 and 19 January and wraps up on 22 January at Paul Roos Gimnasium in Stellenbosch.
A two-match Youth Test series, running from 27 January to 6 February, with matches taking place at the Coetzenburg Cricket Club in Stellenbosch and the Western Province Cricket Club in Cape Town, will bring the tour to its conclusion.
A 50-over warm-up match for the tourists has also been scheduled, with Western Province’s junior side taking on England on 14 January in Cape Town.
CSA Head of High Performance, Grant van Velden commented: “Competitive international cricket is invaluable for the growth of both our SA u19 women’s and men’s teams. These tours are crucial stepping stones as we prepare for the ICC u19 Women’s T20 World Cup and the ICC u19 Men’s Cricket World Cup over the next 18 months.
“Hosting youth international cricket in South Africa not only provides our young cricketers with vital match experience but also showcases the exceptional talent we have in our country. It’s an opportunity to inspire the next generation of players and fans.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Ireland and England cricket boards for their collaboration in making these tours a reality. Their cooperation is instrumental in providing our teams with the high-level competition needed to excel on the world stage,” he said.
FIXTURES
South Africa u19 Women’s Youth T20I Series against Ireland
Monday, 28 October
South Africa u19 vs Ireland u19 – Groenkloof Oval, Tshwane
Monday, 28 October
South Africa u19 vs Ireland u19 – Groenkloof Oval, Tshwane
Wednesday, 30 October
South Africa u19 vs Ireland – Groenkloof Oval, Tshwane
Friday, 1 November
South Africa u19 vs Ireland u19 – Groenkloof Oval, Tshwane
South Africa u19 Men’s Youth Inbound Tour against England
50-over Warm-up
Tuesday, 14 January
Western Province u19 vs England u19 – Western Province CC, Cape Town
Youth ODI Series
Friday, 17 January
South Africa u19 vs England u19 – Western Province CC, Cape Town
Sunday, 19 January
South Africa u19 vs England u19 – Western Province CC, Cape Town
Wednesday, 22 January
South Africa u19 vs England u19 – Paul Roos Gimnasium, Stellenbosch
Youth Test Series
27 – 30 January
South Africa u19 vs England u19 – Coetzenburg Cricket Club, Stellenbosch
3 – 6 February
South Africa u19 vs England u19 – Western Province CC, Cape Town
Potchefstroom Volkskool kan tereg nóú sy visier op ‘n plek in die uitspeelrondes van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Bowl-afdeling rig.
LICHTENBERG – Die Liggies het vir die soveelste keer vanjaar hul staal op tuisbodem getoon.
