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“Lichtenburg is ‘n uitstekende span, goed afgerig en het heelwat momentum”

Beleef al die aksie regstreeks op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

So het Hoërskool Secunda se afrigter, JJ Hennop, vandeesweek sy span se uitdaging, wanneer hulle Saterdag kragte meet met Hoërskool Lichtenburg, beskryf.

Dit beloof inderdaad om ‘n taai stryd vir die besoekers van Mpumalanga af te gee. Die Liggies is boonop nog onoorwonne op hul tuisveld, het beslis goeie momentum opgebou met seges in die vorige twee rondes van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Skild-afdeling en sal moeilik gestuit word.

Die tuisspan het ná verlede naweek se oorwinning oor Hoërskool Die Anker (37-26) die voortou geneem op dié afdeling se puntelys.

“Ons sien hierdie as ‘n laaste hekkie voor ons ‘n afnaweek het en dan op die pad sal wees vir twee agtereenvolgende wedstryde daarna,” het die Liggies se breier, Michael Bondesio, gesê.

Die skote behoort voorlangs te klap, met die Lichtenburgers se agttal wat sover die grootste rede vir hul sukses was. Dit is vernaam vaskopstut, JJ Jonker, wat die vuur onder die grootmanne kan aansteek, terwyl hy ook geen vreemdeling vir die opposisie-doellyn is nie.

Hul ervare agsteman, Abrie Coetzee, is mooi op dreef en behoort met sy fisieke teenwoordigheid en hoë werkverrigting saam met Jonker, en sy barslopies, die span in blou op die voorvoet te plaas.

Die manne van Mpumalanga het ‘n taamlike taak wat voorlê indien hulle hoop om ‘n plek in die uitspeelrondes los te speel. Hulle het voor hul loslootjie verlede naweek hul rieme met 20-25 teen Hoërskool Ben Vorster in Secunda styfgeloop en dus is hul oorblywende drie wedstryde kritiek.

Agtsteman en kaptein, Bakkies Bezuidenhout, een van Secunda se staatmakers met die bal in hand, sal alles in die stryd werp om vir Coetzee en Kie te probeer tem en aanvalsgeleenthede te skep vir buitesenter, Ryan Erasmus, en die res van die besoekers se gevaarlike agterlyn.

Hoërskool Wesvalia is oorgehaal om sy Skild-veldtog op tuisbodem te hervat wanneer hy vir Hoërskool Ben Vorster in Klerksdorp verwelkom. Die Buffels het onlangs netjiese momentum  begin bou en spog met drie opeenvolgende seges, waarvan twee weg van die huis was.

Hulle sal weer heelwat staatmaak op die stewel van buitesenter, Tihandre Reyneke, wat die Buffels se sege van 24-23 in Pieterburg in die vorige ronde met sy skopskoen beklink het.

Die tuisspan betree die stryd met ‘n volsterkte span. Hul puntemasjien, Rieckardt van Heerden, maak sy langverwagte terugkeer, nadat hy, voor die vakansie op die krukkelys was, maar wél op heelagter. Willem van der Sandt, die Wessies se afrigter, het waarskynlik hierdie verandering aangebring met die hoop dat Van Heerden ‘n teenvoeter kan bied vir die Buffels se gevaarlike heelagter, Pothso Selowa.

Eduard Dreyer behoort nietemin Van Heerden se skoene op losskakel mooi vol te staan, ná ‘n klompie puik vertonings in die eerste helfte van die kompetisie.

Voorlangs behoort Francois Dumond, die Wessies se steelkantflank, en die Vossies se agsteman en kaptein, Ewald Kirstein, mekaar goed op te dreun met hul vermoë om oor die voordeellyn te kom.

In Brakpan verwelkom Hoërskool Die Anker vir die onvoorspelbare Hoërskool Jeugland. Die Brakpanse span is nog ietwat gekwes na hul nederlaag in Lichtenburg die week vantevore, maar ‘n sege hierdie naweek sal hulle weer stewig terugplaas in die wedloop vir plekke in die uitspeelrondes, met nog heelwat rugby om te speel.

Hulle verwelkom ook ‘n groot staatmaker onder die voorspelers, Gerhard Oosthuizen, terug, nadat hy die laaste twee uitstappies van die kantlyn moes aanskou weens ‘n besering.

Saterdag het Hoërskool Hugenote van Springs ‘n gulde geleentheid om terug te keer na die wenpad wanneer hulle met Hoërskool Pietersburg swaarde kruis. Die Pieties bevind hulself tans laaste op die puntelys, terwyl die Hugies ook effens momentum ingeboet het die afgelope ruk. Hul naelskraapse nederlaag met 29-30 teen Heidelberg Volkskool was verál ‘n gevoelige knou.

Om verdere sout in die wonde te smeer, bestaan daar ‘n moontlikheid dat hul binnesenter, Dylan Nel, die stryd teen die Pieties kan misloop nadat hy ‘n besering teen die Volkies in die eerste “Gatskop Derby” opgedoen het.

Die spanne: 

Hoërskool Lichtenburg t. Hoërskool Secunda om 12:30 in Lichtenburg

Hoërskool Lichtenburg: 15 Rea Motsusi, 14 Lukie Benson, 13 Dundre Dempers, 12 Oratile Sekoto, 11 Omphile Gaboutloeloe, 10 Luan Snyman, 9 Willem van Niekerk, 8 Abrie Coetzee, 7 Tiaan Booysen, 6 Kgolagano Legodi, 5 John Kleynhans, 4 GJ Malan, 3 JJ Jonker, 2 Juan van Rhyn, 1 Donovan Rosato.

Hoërskool Secunda: 15 Damian de Beer, 14 Martin Pretorius, 13 Ryan Erasmus, 12 Bismarck Jansen, 11 Brink La Grange, 10 EJ Venter, 9 Jarno Haarhoff, 8 Bakkies Bezuidenhout, 7 Zander Scheepers, 6 Zander van der Merwe, 5 Renier Combrink, 4 Zac Loock, 3 Stefan Bezuidenhout, 2 Rico Schoeman, 1 Nathan Erasmus.

Hoërskool Wesvalia t. Ben Vorster om 12:30 in Klerksdorp

Wesvalia: 15 Rieckardt van Heerden, 14 Justin Adams, 13 Xander Smit, 12 Philip Janse van Rensburg, 11 Fafa Calitz, 10 Eduard Dreyer, 9 Chad Hofmeyer, 8 Hanre Venter, 7 Francois Dumond, 6 Joshua Pieters, 5 Aiden Jacobz, 4 Franco Dumond, 3 Bernard Swanepoel, 2 Junior Kuhn, 1 Ulrigh du Preez

Ben Vorster (moontlik): 15 Potsho Selowa, 14 Migel Makhubipetsi, 13 Tihandre Reyneke, 12 Aza Mabe, 11 Damian Bye, 10 Nkateko Ngoveni, 9 Stiaan du Randt, 8 Ewald Kirstein, 7 Joshua van der Mescht, 6 Chifu Banda, 5 Lourens Harmse, 4 Raluano Ramano, 3 Makondolele Musekene, 2 Christopher Janse van Vuuren, 1 Thabang Nkuna.

Die Anker t. Jeugland in Brakpan

Die Anker: 15 Paul Schutte, 14 Ruan Smith, 13 Sean Schoeman, 12 Branden Crous, 11 Jonathan Jordaan, 10 Danie Smit, 9 Troy Joubert, 8 Ruben Herbst, 7 Xander Fraser, 6 Duvan Booyens, 5 Brendan van Lutterveld, 4 Gerhard Oosthuizen, 3 Damian Boshoff, 2 Siya Shongwe, 1 Zander Nell.

Jeugland: 15 Thando Ngomane, 14 Lehlonolo Somo, 13 Sinenhlanhla Ndlovu, 12 Alec Mohlala, 11 Oregopotse Shilubane, 10 King Agbonzo, 9 Kenneth Morka, 8 Jaden Kleyn, 7 Joseph Ngomo-Ngomo, 6 Letlala Relebohile, 5 Shamma Nsenda, 4 Sharon Nsenda, 3 Khumo Maime, 2 Siyanda Mbanjwa, 1 Lesego Moitse.

Hugenote (Springs) t. Hoërskool Pietersburg om 13:30 in Springs

Hugenote (moontlik): 15 George Lucas, 14 Ruan van Biljon, 13 Vian van Dyk, 12 Dylan Nel, 11 Musa Mahlangu, 10 Corne Pretorius, 9 Thanyani Mokiri, 8 Hendrik Eybers, 7 Tyron Hand, 6 Arne Marais, 5 Xavier Ungerer, 4 Anthony Smith, 3 Henre Oosthuizen, 2 Luan Pretorius, 1 Franko Neuhoff.

Hoërskool Pietersburg: 15 Celliers van der Merwe, 14 Brydan Retief, 13 Hanno van Zyl, 12 Siya Mahlangu, 11 Zuhan Labuschagne, 10 Vincent Luckhoff, 9 Divan Brown, 8 Hardus Otto, 7 Tiaan Vermeulen, 6 David Stander, 5 Juan Jansen van Vuuren, 4 Etienne van Jaarsveldt, 3 Elardus Erasmus, 2 JP Moster, 1 Floris Venter.

We are looking forward to yet another exciting schoolboy rugby weekend as we are at the end of the penultimate month of the season.

The Premier Interschools clash of this weekend will be between Monument and Garsfontein. This will be without a doubt an important clash for both schools on the Ras van Rooyen in Krugersdorp. For Monnas it is a must-win to keep their fate in the SDC Noordvaal Cup in their own hands.

In Pretoria, the big clash is between Pretoria Boys’ High and the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool who will attempt to finish their seasons on a high. It is one of the oldest interschools north of the Vaal River and both side’s final outings for the season.

Maritzburg College will travel once again to Gauteng to face King Edward VII in a clash that promises to be one of the best schoolboy matches this season.

Please note that the Free State and Griffons semi-finals for the various leagues will be hosted at Grey College and the HT Pelatona Stadium respectively.

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.

The Fixtures: 

[ninja_tables id=”53398″]

There was nothing to separate Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) and South African College High School (SACS) as the two South African schoolboy hockey giants played to a 2-2 draw in their final meeting of the season on the Maties Astroturf in Stellenbosch on Wednesday night.

In what many viewed as the game of the season, a low conversion rate of goalscoring opportunities, ill-discipline, and moments of inconsistency, cost both teams a chance at victory.

It was a third meeting of the schools this season.

In their first game, in the Hibbert Shield final in Gqeberha, Paul Roos won 6-5 on sudden death penalties after the match ended level at 3-3. SACS exacted revenge a week later, thumping them 6-2 to tie the season’s series at 1-1.

On Wednesday evening, in front of a packed crowd at Maties, with hundreds of maroon blazers in attendance, each and every call that went the host’s way was greeted with cheers. Out on the field. the Paul Roos players responded positively, and the first chukka belonged to them.

They came out firing, full of energy, and when they were awarded a first penalty corner an electric thrill moved among their supporters, with many feeling that it would be converted. It was.

It was PRG’s dangerman, Reuben Sendzul, who opened their account, with a savage drag flick earning his side an early advantage.

SACS, after that goal, were awarded a PC of their own, but Reece Theunis‘ shot was wide of the mark.

In the early going, though, the side from Newlands appeared to be a little off their game. Their skipper Stephan Meyer looked good in the middle of the park, but their attack was tame, go forward ball was almost non-existent, and nothing seemed to click.

That changed, however, in the second chukka when the visitors pulled one back through a Regan Wille deflection off of a penalty corner variation.

Just before that goal, PRG’s Louan Van Zyl was shown his marching orders after a sharp exchange of words with an umpire, which left the home side a man down for the majority of the match.

An even battle raged on in the third chukka, with possession regularly being overturned.

A lack of discipline cost SACS their one-man advantage for a while as Theunis was shown a green card. It remained 1-1 at the teams started the fourth chukka.

Then, with only three minutes to play, it seemed that the visitors would steal a win when they went ahead. A strike from Aidan Hughes found the stick of PRG’s Keith Siebrits and the ball deflected into the back of the net to put SACS ahead for a first time in the contest.

Paul Roos has, however, demonstrated on a number of occasions during the season that they may be down, but they are never out. A minute later, they levelled through Joshua Smit. It was his second goal against SACS this season. He had scored when they met in May.

There was no more time for either team to find a winner and the home side, despite playing with a man down for the majority of the encounter, held on for a 2-2 draw.

Reflecting on the match afterwards, PRG head coach, Michael Baker lamented his side’s ill-discipline, which cost them an opportunity to fully execute their plans.

“The red card changed the game,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus. 

“Discipline let us down. It’s something we spoke about the whole week, and when you get a red card against SACS, it’s always going to be difficult.

“We also got a yellow card, and that’s when they scored their second goal, so it’s hard to play against a top team with a player down.”

The match was coach Baker’s third against SACS since he joined the Stellenbosch school at the start of the year. It’s a fixture his players relish and Baker believes the rivalry deserves all the hype it gets

“I will be honest, SACS are the best team in the country, and I want to be coaching the best team in the country, so as long as they’re the best, we want to beat them,” he said.

“We’ll make the game as big as it is and, from a neutral point of view, if the number one team plays against number two, then everyone will be drawn to that game.”

SACS’ coach Sam Holmes declared himself pleased with the hockey his side played, despite not connecting well at times.

“We went 0-1 down, but this team is no stranger to being a goal down, and the boys came out nicely with a beautiful equaliser,” he said.

“Paul Roos at Maties is a very hard fixture. I’ve been part of teams that come here, club teams, and u16s, and it’s always tough, and the first chukka always seems like a bit of a throw-away.

“All in all, I thought we played some nice hockey, but the times where we connected were too few and far between.”

Commenting on the intense rivalry between the sides, he said: “Yes, SACS versus Paul Roos is everything now. We’ve played them three times. It’s a massive fixture, and I think with every rivalry each team gets better.

“It’s a fantastic fixture for the boys and the schools, and ultimately it just leads to better teams, as a whole.”

Both sides will be in action on Friday again, with PRG taking on Stellenberg away from home at 19:45, while SACS will visit Reddam Constantia for a match that starts at 19:15.

Other matches

In other mid-week encounters, Cape Town International Hockey Tournament champions, Paarl Gimnasium, after going down 2-4 to Wynberg last weekend, redeemed themselves with a 2-1 win over Bishops Diocesan College in Paarl.

Coach Jacques Grobler’s side benefitted from two PC drag flick goals from Stephan Pieterse.

On Tuesday, Somerset College defeated DF Malan 3-2.

Action in the Western Cape resumes this weekend. You can catch it LIVE on SuperSport Schools.

Twelve of the country’s elite hockey-playing schools will converge on C&N Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje, in Bloemfontein, to contest the annual Fairtree Super 12 Tournament from 8-10 August.

The lineup features two teams from Bloemfontein – Oranje and Eunice; three from the Western Cape – Rhenish Girls’ High, Paarl Gimnasium, and Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof; three schools from KwaZulu Natal – Durban Girls’ College, St Mary’s DSG (Kloof), and St Anne’s Diocesan College; and four from Gauteng – St Stithians College, Hoërskool Garsfontein, Hoërskool Menlopark, and Hoërskool Waterkloof.

Oranje is the most dominant school in the history of the annual tournament. They rattled off four wins in succession, from 2014 to 2017, then added a further victory in 2019. Another run of titles appeared likely before the Covid-19 pandemic stopped them in their tracks.

The hosts last claimed the honours in 2022 and they will be aiming to bolster their sterling record of six wins in eight appearances.

Their neighbours, Eunice, are one of only two other schools to have won the prestigious Fairtree Super 12 title, which they achieved last year. In the semi-finals, they halted another Oranje title bid, on their way to lifting the winner’s trophy.

Coach Nika Coertzen’s charges have endured mixed results in 2024. However, they have played some very good hockey along the way, and they finished as the runners-up at the St Mary’s Waverley Festival.

Menlopark, who are making their sixth appearance at the tournament, is the third team that has previously been crowned the champions. They achieved the feat in 2018.

For a first time, Gauteng will have four teams at the showpiece, but they don’t include St Mary’s Waverley, who, along with Oranje, had been the only sides to qualify for the previous eight editions of the event.

None of the 2024 highveld representatives have been as successful as Menlopark, however. Waterkloof returns to the tournament after an eight-year absence, following their only previous appearance in 2016. St Stithians College, on the other hand, is back after a six-year hiatus. They were a regular participant in the competition, participating in its first five editions, before falling off the radar.

KZN has three representatives for a first time. Their best achievement previously was a runner-up finish, achieved by St Mary’s DSG in 2019, when they lost 2-4 to Oranje in the final.

This season, coach Carla Ann Mackay‘s side looks like a serious contender. They’ll head to Bloemfontein as the recent winners of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge. In May, they were also crowned the champions of the inaugural St Anne’s Cup, which featured a number of schools who will be in action at the Fairtree Top 12, including Durban Girls’ College, Menlopark, Waterkloof, Eunice and the hosts, St Anne’s.

Durban Girls’ College, as the winners of the St Mary’s Waverley Tournament, will be another strong challenger. They’re loaded with talent and had four players invited to the SA u21 camp this past weekend.

The Western Cape contingent is still on the hunt for a first title at the Super 12. Their best results were recorded in 2017 and 2023, when Herschel and Paarl Gim reached the final, respectively.

This year, they are represented by a strong trio, which includes the recent winners of the Cape Town International Hockey Tournament, Paarl Gim.

The Super 12 has regularly showcased some of the best talents in South African schoolgirls’ hockey. Eight players who were part of the tournament will represent the South African women’s hockey team at the Paris Olympics: Antonet Louw (Oranje, 2014), Hannah Pearce (St Mary’s Waverley, 2014-2016), Stephanie Botha (Paarl Gimnasium, 2015-2016), Ongeziwe Mali (Pearson, 2015-2017), Kayla de Waal (Herschel, 2017-2018), Ntsopa Mokoena (Voortrekker, 2022), Paris-Gail Isaacs (Beaulieu College, 2022), and Taheera Augousti, (Eunice, 2022-2023).

Three of those players were named the Super 12 Player of the Tournament: Louw, in 2014; Pearce, in 2016, and De Waal, in 2017 and 2018.

Northwood School has been crowned the champion of the KZN High Schools Football Association’s u14 Cup after defeating Durban High School (DHS) in the final on Sunday at Crawford North Coast, in Ballito.

The title-decider went down to a penalty shootout following a goalless draw, and Northwood edged it 4-3 to claim the honours.

There was a further award for Northwood, with their outstanding Kyan Valjee being named the Player of the Tournament.

Intensive training sessions during the winter holidays, which were aimed at enhancing Northwood’s overall performances, paid dividends. They had been scheduled as a response to obstacles at the beginning of the school’s football season, which had prevented them from performing at their peak.

On their way to the final, Northwood dominated against Crawford La Lucia, powering their way to a 5-1 victory. They followed that with a convincing 4-1 win over Carter High School in the quarterfinals.

In the semi-finals, they were comfortable winners again, defeating Durban Academy 3-0.

DHS pushed them all the way in the final, with little to separate the sides, but, in the end, Northwood captured the Cup.

KZHSFA u14 Cup Results

1st Round

Port Shepstone 1-4 DHS
Glenwood 2-3 Sastri
Hilton 2-3 Clifton
Ixopo 1-2 Westville
Northwood 5-1 Crawford La Lucia
Hillcrest 2-1 New Forest
St Nicholas 2-8 Durban Academy
Carter beat Ashton on penalties

Quarterfinals

DHS 2-1 Sastri
Clifton 0-1 Westville
Northwood 1-0 Carter
Hillcrest 1-3 Durban Academy

Semi-Finals

DHS 2-1 Westville
Northwood 3-0 Durban Academy

Final

Northwood (4) 0-0 (3) Durban High School

Much has been said about the fierce rivalry between Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG), and South African College High School (SACS) this season.

Deemed by many to be the top hockey teams in the country, the Western Cape rivals have, for the most part, lived up to the pressures and expectations of those labels.

They’ve met twice already this season. In their first showdown, in the Hibbert Shield final in Gqeberha, Paul Roos came back from 0-3 down to draw 3-3, which took the game to a penalty shootout. That, then, went to sudden death, and PRG triumphed 6-5.

A week later, SACS exacted revenge, beating their opponents 6-2 at the Brewery.

This week, the two heavyweights will be presented with an opportunity to claim the bragging rights and, potentially, end the conversation about South Africa’s best in 2024.

On Wednesday night, they meet on the Maties AstroTurf in Stellenbosch, with the action starting at 18:10.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools and DStv Channel 216.

Ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, SuperSport Schools hockey writer, Avuyile Sawula, takes a deep dive into the teams’ form this season and looks at what each side will aim to execute to come out on top.

Seizing opportunities

Both coaches, Michael Baker (PRG) and Sam Holmes (SACS), will preach the importance of seizing opportunities and converting every chance created on Wednesday evening.

Past matches between the rivals have shown that it’s all about capitalising on opportunities, along with maintaining a solid defence and controlling the midfield. A perfect example of this would be the last time they met.

In that clash, SACS, despite going a goal down early on, made use of almost all of the opportunities they created on the night. They fired on all cylinders from penalty corners, put PRG under pressure in the second half, and tamed the roaring PRG lions.

Since that win, coach Holmes’ team has done a good job of turning chances into goals against their Western Cape opposition, although some may argue that they haven’t been tested and taken out of their comfort zone.

They’ll be wary of PRG, a side that has left many goals out on the park this season, but which has also, at times, scored freely.

After beginning their league season with a 0-1 defeat against Rondebosch, Paul Roos’s only other league defeat has been against SACS. Since then, they’ve been on an impeccable run despite not always playing to their full potential.

They did, however, show what they’re capable of doing when they overwhelmed Wynberg Boys High 7-1 last term. And that performance came in Stellenbosch, where they will face SACS.

Last week, they ground out a 2-0 win over a strong Bishops team, also at home, while SACS, as expected, beat Paarl Boys’ High, cruising to a 7-1 win.

The execution of penalty corners will be key. PRG, with Reuben Sendzul their primary drag flicker, had a slow start to the season with their set piece, but it has come to life in recent months.

Sendzul and his injectors – it alternates between Keith Siebrits and Callum van Oudsthoorn – along with the stoppers, will need to produce their A-game.

As for the visitors, they’ll turn to their dangermen, Litha Kraai and Reece Theunis, at PC time. Both players offer a cutting edge in open play and at the set piece.

Staying disciplined

Four quarters of hockey might appear to be quite short. However, if a team is a player or two down, it can become a long and arduous challenge.

Both sides will need to maintain their discipline and avoid putting themselves at a disadvantage. That’s easier said than done in what is likely to be a cauldron-like atmosphere.

It’s not rocket science. The team that has more players on the park for a longer duration in the game will find the scales tilted in their favour.

At crucial moments during the course of the season, both PRG and SACS have let themselves down with moments of indiscipline. Given the occasion and given the opposition, such indiscretions could be telling.

In their second meeting back in May, SACS’s SA Schools’ stars, Kraai and Theunis, were both shown yellow cards for dissension, which caused them to miss large parts of the third chukka.

Meanwhile, PRG’s Sendzul and Hano Basson were sent off for similar offenses, and goalkeeper Beor Van Reenen was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle on Kraai.

Throughout the season, country-wide, one of the most unfortunate trends has been that of players showing irritation towards umpires, questioning their decisions and backchatting them. Coaches Baker and Holmes will, no doubt, caution their players against such actions. Those could prove costly.

BMT- Big Match Temperament  

The saying “big matches, big players,” will surely be to the fore when the two loaded teams do battle.

Teamwork has been at the heart of PRG’s and SACS’s successes this season, but the ability of some individuals to elevate their games on the biggest stage could make all the difference. BMT will be required.

Paul Roos is used to dealing with pressure situations, and that could work in their favour.

In the lead-up to the Hibbert Shield, they faced Grey High School in Gqeberha. They trailed 0-2 for the majority of that match before staging a furious finish to capture a 3-2 victory.

A week later, in the Hibbert Shield final, they were 0-3 down to SACS in double-quick time. They hung tough, however, to claw their way back into the contest and even the scores. Then, the won it from the penalty spot.

SACS has not faced similar adversity this season and been taken to the gutter. That, though, may be a testament to their dominance.

In most matches in which they’ve trailed, it’s been a 0-1 deficit, and credit to them, they have quickly overturned it and outscored their opponents to run away with the match.

Two southern suburbs teams, Bishops Diocesan College and Wynberg Boys High, gave them a tough time.

They drew 1-1 with Bishops and beat Wynberg 1-0, although they never looked like losing the latter encounter.

One of the keys for SACS will be their ability to fight, and a desire to battle back from behind if that’s what’s needed.

Their response to their loss to Paul Roos in the Hibbert Shield was a good one, and it came from a strong push in the fourth quarter of their clash at the Brewery.

TEAMS

Paul Roos: Beor Van Reenen, Hano Basson, Louan van Zyl, Logan Lackay, Daniel Lurie, Christo Swanepoel, Keith Siebrits, Joshua Smit, Callum van Oudsthoorn, Barend Geldenhuys, Reuben Sendzul (c), Ruben Gouws, Seth Paterson, Luke Oliver, Ruan Strauss.

SACS: Noah Venter, Jo Le Roux, Aiden Hughes, Dave Versfeld, Nick Paxton, Kevin Oosthuizen, Stéphan Meyer (c), Zac Redfern, Litha Kraai, Reece Theunis, Cohen Williams, Regan Wille, Cole Allam, Matthew Jones, Mike Mthunzi, Matthew Lassen.

The u16 Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) delivered another exciting day of action at the Panorama Football Club in Roodepoort on Sunday, with some sides strengthening their challenges for the title, while others, at the wrong end of the standings, struggled.

With nine weeks remaining, Mamelodi Sundowns continues to lead the way in both the u16 and the u14 divisions of the GWDL.

In the u16 age group, ‘Downs are seven points clear at the top, with 45 to their name. JVW, who are known for giving the Brazilians a tough time, are in second place, on 38 points.

The battle for third is tight, with Tuks holding down that position, on 35 points, while Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) lies fourth, only one point adrift, on 34.

Tuks, under the guidance of coach Tania Oliveira, enjoyed a successful Sunday of football, securing all six points available to them.

They defeated the hosts, Panorama FC, 2-0, with Rorisang Matjeding, and Maemu Rasivhaga scoring for the Pretoria-based club. In their second match, against Kempton Park, Tuks maintained a clean sheet and won 3-0, with Vhugala Netshithothole, Tshiamo Kekana, and Zanokuhle Nkosi finding the back of the net.

Tuks’ versatility was on show as their five different goal scorers attested to their ability to score from anywhere, rather than rely on a single goal threat.

RESA, on the contrary, was held to a 1-1 draw by Panorama FC. However, RESA’s coach Simeon Lekhooana, known Coach Solly, oversaw a much better performance from his charges in their second outing against Tornado FC.

RESA secured a 4-2 victory – with Thuto Rathebe netting twice, Madika Motloung also scoring, and Tornado giving up an own goal – which gave the team from Vereeniging a three-point haul.

JVW was on cruise control in their sole outing. They overpowered Football Origin, romping to an 8-2 victory. Sundowns also won comfortably in their game, beating Tornado FC 4-0.

RESULTS

RESA 1-1 Panorama
Tornado FC 0-4 Mamelodi Sundowns
Tuks 3-0 Kempton Park
Football Origin 3-0 Kenneth FC
Refilwe FC 0-0 Highlands Park
RESA 4-2 Tornado FC
JVW 8-2 Football Origin
Highlands Park 2-0 Kenneth FC

The GWDL’s focus will shift to the u14 division of the league on 28 July, with the action taking place at Jeppe Quondam, the home of JVW.

FIXTURES

09:00, Field 1 – JVW vs RESA
09:00, Field 2 – Kempton Park vs Panorama
10:30, Field 1 – Kenneth FC vs Refilwe
10:30, Field 2 – Mamelodi Sundowns vs FC Origin
11:45, Field 1 – Tuks vs Edenvale
11:45, Field 2 – Panorama vs JVW
12:45, Field 1 – FC Origin vs Kenneth FC
12:45, Field 2 – Mamelodi Sundowns vs Kempton Park
13:45, Field 1 – Edenvale FC vs Tornado FC
13:45, Field 2 – Tuks vs RESA

Carter High School is set to host its inaugural Soccer Super Cup on 27 July. The event brings together eight schools from Pietermaritzburg and its surrounds.

The hosts have earned themselves a reputation as one of the top football-playing schools in the region and are the team to beat.

In the second term, they proved their pedigree by beating Maritzburg College to be crowned the champions of the KZN High Schools Football Association’s Inland League.

Their run to the title also included an impressive win over the Red, Black and White in the round robin stage of the competition.

After back-to-back defeats to Carter, however, College beat them 2-1 in the most recent meeting of the sides, on 20 July, with Malachi Momple striking twice for the winners.

Maritzburg College, though, won’t be in action in the Soccer Super Cup. They’ll be participating in the Primo Big 10 at Hilton College, which brings together 10 of the top teams from traditional boys’ school in KZN.

Carter will be led by Ntuthuko Mnguni, whose influence includes as a leader and a top performer. They’re, arguably, the odds-on favourites to win the event.

They’ll be challenged by Linpark, Haythorne, ML Sultan, St Nicholas, Heritage, Wartburg and Ixopo High School. The latter, among the challengers, will bear close watching. They caught the eye during the KZN High Schools Football Association’s Inland League during the second term.

Alexandra High, though, achieved one of the most notable recent results, handing Maritzburg College a big 4-1 defeat just over a week ago.

With a busy schedule and a short amount of time to recover between games, fitness is sure to be a crucial factor.

u19 Super Cup fixtures 

09:00 – 09:30

Field 1 – Carter vs Wartburg
Field 2 – Heritage vs Linpark
Field 3 – Ixopo vs Alexandra High School
Field 4 – ML Sultan vs Haythorne

09:45 – 10:15

Field 1 – Carter High School vs Heritage
Field 2 – Linpark vs Wartburg
Field 3 – Ixopo vs ML Sultan
Field 4 – Haythorne vs Alexandra High School

10:30 – 11:00

Field 1 – Carter vs Linpark
Field 2 – Wartburg vs Heritage
Field 3 – Ixopo vs Haythorne
Field4 – Alexandra High School vs ML Sultan

11:30 – 12:00

Field 1 – Winner Pool A vs 2nd Pool B
Field 2 – Winner Pool B vs 2nd Pool A
Field 3 – Winner Pool A u16 vs 2nd Pool B u16
Field 4 – Winner Pool B u16 vs 2nd Pool A u16

u16 fixtures

09:00 – 09:20

Field 5 – Carter vs Kokstad
Field 6 – Alexandra vs ML Sultan

09:25- 09:45

Field 5 – Ixopo vs St Nicholas
Field 6 – Haythorne vs Wartburg

10:00- 10:20

Field 5 – Carter vs St Nicholas
Field 6 – Alexandra vs Haythorne

10:25 – 10:45

Field 5 – Kokstad vs Ixopo
Field 6 – ML Sultan vs Wartburg

11:05- 11:25

Field 1 – Carter vs Ixopo
Field 2 – Kokstad vs St Nicholas
Field 3 – Alexandra vs Wartburg
Field 4 – ML Sultan vs Haythorne

12:15 – 12:50
u16 Final

13:00 – 13:45
u19 Final

13:45 – 14:00
Prize Giving

The weekend’s action in round 18 of the Gauteng Development League (GDL) was overshadowed by a tragic incident in a Stream B match between Jacaranda Callies and West Youth Academy at the Laudium Sports Field in Centurion.

During the match, 15-year-old Thlokomelo Phasa, of West Youth Academy, was struck at close range in the chest from a shot on goal. He dropped to the ground, unconscious. Medics, who were on the scene, tried to resuscitate him, but to no avail.

The GDL announced the news on its various social media platforms, stating: “Sad news in [the] Gauteng Development League as a player [has] lost his life. [We] have confirmed that the [West Youth] Academy has lost one of its players, Tlhokomelo Phasa, while [he was] on duty.”

Meanwhile, in Soweto, Kaizer Chiefs hosted a confident Rosina Sedibane Modiba unit, with the Amakhosi intent on loosening Mamelodi Sundowns‘ tight hold on the top spot in the standings.

The Pretoria team gave them a good fight, but the Soweto giants had Rosina’s number at Naturena, registering a 2-1 victory to move within five points of ‘Downs at the summit.

A long list of games was postponed for a variety of reasons, which meant Sundowns, Randburg AFC, East Rand Athletic Club, School of Excellence, Jomo Cosmos, and Tuks weren’t in action.

TS Galaxy outclassed Wits Junior, winning 3-0, to further compound the relegation concerns of Wits in a Saturday showdown.

NWU Vaal lost 1-2 to Panorama FC, while, in a bit of an upset, Kathorus Hyper Academy pulled off a 3-2 win over Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA).

Third placed Highlands Park kept their challenge rolling along with a tight 2-1 victory over SuperSport United.

The weekend’s schedule was completed on Sunday with a meeting between Joburg City and Sevens Academy, which Joburg won by a 3-1 margin.

U19 Results

Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School
NWU Vaal 0-1 Panorama FC
Kathorus Hyper Academy 3-2 RESA
Highlands Park 2-1 SuperSport United
Wits Junior 0-3 TS Galaxy
Joburg City 3-1 Sevens Academy
East Rand Athletic vs Tuks (postponed)
Jomo Cosmos vs School of Excellence (postponed)
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Randburg AFC (postponed)

Potchefstroom Volkskool se sege in Piet Retief het die Potchefstromers weer in ‘n stewige posisie geplaas wat die wedloop in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Bowl-afdeling betref.

Herleef al die aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschool.com)

Potchefstroom Volkskool het die tuisspan, Hoërskool Piet Retief, redelik maklik met 27-10 op die Jack Botes-stadion verslaan.

Daarmee het die Volkies hul kanse om ‘n plek in die uitspeelrondes los te slaan ‘n beduidende hupstoot gegee.

Agsteman en kaptein, Dewald Groenewald, het van voor gelei in ‘n kragtige vertoning deur die besoekers se voorspelers. Hy het die Volkies deurgaans met sterk en begeesterde lopies op die voorvoet geplaas en die grondslag help lê vir die agterlyn, en vernaam die senterpaar, om hul stempel af te druk.

Christoff Nel se skuif van steelkantflank na binnesenter het duidelik vrugte afgewerp, met sy fisieke benadering wat die tuisspan se middeveld onkant betrap het. Nel het ook die nodige spasie vir sy sentermaat, Hennie Pretorius, geskep om die span van Piet Retief met venynige aanvalslyne te looi.

Piet Retief se agsteman, Christiaan Pienaar, het moedig probeer om sy span in die wedloop te hou. Pienaar, tot dusver hierdie seisoen een van sy span se staatmakers op die aanval, het na hoogste versnelling oorgeskakel en was verantwoordelik vir die Pieties se enigste twee drieë.

Hoërskool Dr. Malan het tuisveldvoordeel uitstekend benut om vir Hoërskool Alberton met 20-7 ore aan te sit in Meyerton. Die voorspelers het hier ook ‘n reuse aandeel in die Dokkies se sege gehad het, met loskopstut, Devan Fouche, en steelkantflank, Anthony Botes, wat uitgetroon het op onderskeidelik die aanval en verdediging.

Die besoekers se losskakel, Dewald de Jager, het sy rol as generaal goed vertolk en moedig probeer om sy agterlyn aan die gang te kry met die hoop dat dit sy span terug in die wedloop kon kry.

Hoërskool Randburg het die Bulkraal in Tzaneen op horings geneem deur vir Merensky Landbou Akademie se Brahmane met 43-31 te troef.

Heelagter, Francois Groenewald, het die tuisspan se verdediging geteister met sy gevaarlike teenaanvalle en sy vermoë om effektief by die agterlyn aansluiting te vind het Randburg telkens oor die voordeellyn gekry het. Hy was ook verantwoordelik vir twee van sy span se sewe drieë.

Dit en oënskynlike tekortkominge in die Plasies se verdediging het beteken dat die besoekers aan die stuur van sake was teen halftyd.

Die tuisspan het egter in die tweede 35 minute ietwat beter op die aanval vertoon met losskakel, Byron Hendricks, wat beter geleenthede vir sy agterlyn geskep het. Dit het vir buitesenter, Ulrich Mare, in staat gestel om vir die tweede agtereenvolgende week ‘n tweekuns te behaal.

Dit was egter nie genoeg om die besoekers van Randburg se meedoënlose aanvalsgolf af te weer nie. Die fisieke stryd tussen die twee pakke het sy tol begin eis, die gapings het groter geraak en die Randburgers het dit behoorlik uitgebuit.

Hoërskool Eldoraigne het vir Hoërskool Wagpos ‘n reuse rugby les geleer. Die Drake het straks hul beste vertoning van 2024 opgedis om Wagpos ‘n loesing van 88-13 toe te dien.

Dit was grotendeels te danke aan nog ‘n uitmuntende vertoning deur skrumskakel, Darren Bruwer. Bruwer het verseker dat sy span struktuur behou toe die sluise oopgemaak het, terwyl heelagter, Divan-Michael van Rooyen, uiteindelik die kollig gesteel het.

Van Rooyen was haas onkeerbaar en het self ook agter die doellyn ‘n draai gaan maak. Boonop het hy, na skerpskutter, JP Meyer, die veld moes verlaat, met ses doelskoppe geslaag om sy persoonlike bydrae op 17 punte te staan te bring.

Puntemakers: 

Potchefstroom Volkskool 27 (5) – Drieë: Dewald Groenewald (2), Christoff Nel, Hennie Pretorius. Doelskoppe: Johandre Maree (2). Strafdoel: Maree. Hoërskool Piet Retief 10 (5) – Drieë: Christiaan Pienaar (2).

Dr. Malan 20 (10) – Drieë: Andreas Botha, Enrico van Zyl. Doelskoppe: Luka Pretorius (2). Strafdoele: Pretorius (2). Hoërskool Alberton 7 (0) – Drie: Sipho Sibonye. Doelskop: Jayden Mostert.

Hoërskool Randburg 43 (26) – Drieë: Francois Groenewald (2), Malan van Heerden, Reuben Botha, Curwin Hill, Shandre Vermaak, Henré Breedt. Doelskoppe: Quitin Fillies (4). Merensky 31 (14) – Drieë: Ulrich Mare (2), Corne Swanepoel, Andreas Honniball, Craig Walker. Doelskoppe: Byron Hendricks (3).

Eldoraigne 88 (29) – Driee: Justin Meintjies (2), Hendru van Zyl (2), Wihan White, Marnes Prinsloo, Rikus Rheeder, Cameron Killian, Darren Bruwer, Kevin Earle, Ivan Vermeulen, Divan Michael van Rooyen, Evan Fivas, Juan Gerhard. Doelskoppe: Divan Michael (6), JP Meyer, Darren Bruwer, Ivan Vermeulen. Wagpos 13 (10).

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Potchefstroom Volkies 22, Hoërskool Piet Retief 5; Hoërskool Alberton 59, Dr. Malan 5; Hoërskool Randburg 29, Merensky 19; Wagpos 58, Eldoraigne 22.

o.15: Hoërskool Piet Retief 38, Potchefstroom Volkies 18; Dr. Malan 41, Hoërskool Alberton 19; Merensky 57, Hoërskool Randburg 0; Wagpos 17, Eldoraigne 10.

o.14: Hoërskool Piet Retief 27, Potchefstroom Volkies 7; Dr. Malan 54, Hoërskool Alberton 0; Hoërskool Randburg 34, Merensky 0; Eldoraigne 17, Wagpos 3.