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Michaelhouse kicked off the Belgotex Sport Coastal Cup in style with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Parel Vallei in one of the two opening matches of the festival at the Riverside Sports Club, in Durban, on Friday.

In a stunning turnaround, coach Nick Bérichon‘s came from 1-3 behind to score three times in the final chukka and clinch a remarkable win.

Garsfontein, Paul Roos, and St Alban’s were the other winners on the opening day, with Garsfontein defeating Glenwood 4-0, Paul Roos trouncing Westville 6-0, and St Alban’s overcoming Durban High School (DHS) 2-1.

The festival, which is co-hosted by DHS, Westville, and Clifton, College runs through until Monday. Clifton, unfortunately, had their game against Paarl Boys’ High rained out. Pearson and Menlopark were also unable to take the field.

Bérichon’s Michaelhouse side, after a year in charge for the coach, is more settled and comfortable in their game this season compared to last year. That showed when they did not panic after falling behind in the game. They kept their composure, stuck to their game plan, but raised their intensity and were more aggressive on the attack.

The result was a pulsating 4-3 victory, thanks to goals from Sithsaba Simukonda, Gordon Deutscher, Luke Camerer, and Henry Love were on target for Michaelhouse.

“I was very impressed with the guys, that they kept playing. It’s tough when the scoreboard is not going your way, and the easier thing to do is to start throwing your toys out, but we’ve emphasised just playing hockey and controlling our emotions. That was it. There was a lot of belief that we could eventually get the win,” Bérichon told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“The main thing is we want to sort out how we are starting games, but I am super happy that the guys ended with proper control.”

He also had kind words for Parel Vallei, who had made a strong start to the season. “That was an unbelievable team,” he said. “We watched a bit of their footage leading up to the game and, going forward, you can see they are so well drilled. They are really direct when they get the ball high up in the field and they caused up big problems on a few occasions, which we didn’t deal with well enough.”

The Michaelhouse vs Parel Vallei encounter ran concurrently with the fixture between Garsfontein and Glenwood, but shortly after the completion of the matches, the rain, which had been falling all day, increased in intensity, leading to a very wet warm-up for Clifton, Paarl Boys’ High, Pearson and Menlopark, followed by less than a minute of play.

The scoreline in the match between Paul Roos and Westville gives the impression of a one-sided encounter. However, Michael Baker, the Paul Roos coach, did not feel that was so. According to the gaffer, Paul Roos had to weather a tough opening session.

Coach Cameron Mackay’s young Westville side asked tough questions of the Stellenbosch school, but Paul Roos had answers to all the queries. Baker expected a tough challenge and was prepared

“We implemented what was asked in phases and looked really good. We just need to hold those phases for a lot longer,” Baker explained after the match.

Logan Lackay and Matt Cardoza led the scoring for Paul Roos with a brace each, with Ruben Gouws and Charles Lombard slotting a goal each.

In the morning, DHS played a friendly match against Pearson, triumphing 2-0. Coach Keegan Hezlett would have wanted his side to replicate that performance later in the day, however, they fell short when they went up against St Alban’s.

Hezlett’s team had only a single opportunity at goal and they converted it. Beyond that, they did not create chances and St Alban’s made them pay.

Day two kicks off with a mouthwatering contest between St Alban’s and Paul Roos.

RESULTS

Michaelhouse 4-3 Parel Vallei
Garsfontein 4-0 Glenwood
Paul Roos 6-0 Westville
St Alban’s 2-1 DHS.

Saturday, 29 March

Riverside 1

09:30 – St Alban’s vs Paul Roos
11:00 – Clifton vs Pearson
12:30 – Garsfontein vs Michaelhouse
14:00 – Paarl Boys vs Glenwood
15:30 – Menlopark vs Parel Vallei
17:00 – Westville vs St Alban’s
18:30 – DHS vs Paul Roos

Riverside 2

18:30 – Clifton vs Garsfontein

Sunday, 30 March

09:30 – DHS vs Menlopark
11:00 – St Alban’s vs Michaelhouse
12:30 – Westville vs Pearson
14:00 – Garsfontein vs Parel Vallei
15:30 – Menlopark vs Glenwood
17:00 – DHS vs Paarl Boys
18:30 – Paul Roos vs Michaelhouse

Monday, 31 March

08:00 – Pearson vs Glenwood
09:30 – Clifton vs Parel Vallei
11:00 – Westville vs Paarl Boys

Die eerste dag van Kloof-Netbalfees 2025 het afgeskop met kragmetings tussen van die land se voorste skole, en die aksie het geensins teleurgestel nie.

Met ‘n propvol skedule is daar reeds ‘n aanduiding van wie die gunstelinge is, watter spanne die verrassingselement bring en watter spanne nog die regte kombinasies soek.

Waterkloof se eerste span het ’n onoorwonne openingsdag geniet met drie stewige vertonings teen Jeugland (16–11), Potch Volkies (18–11) en Eunice, laasgenoemde wat hulle swaarverdiend met 21–17 deurgetrek het.

Teen Jeugland het hulle die wedstryd in die tweede helfte oorheers, en teen Potch Volkies het hul verdediging, spesifiek hul VV met haar tweede verdediging, die verskil gemaak.

Die wedstryd teen Eunice het gewys dat Waterkloof nie bloot op talent staatmaak nie, maar ook kalmte onder druk kan aan die dag lê.

Waterkloof II, daarenteen, het swaar getrek teen van die sterker spanne. Hulle het verloor teen Framesby (9–36) en Ellisras (9–13), maar die ervaring op hierdie vlak sal van onskatbare waarde wees vir hul jonger spelers.

Framesby was beslis een van die uitblinkers van die dag, met dominante vertonings teen Wagpos (36–5), Waterkloof II (36–9), en Wesvalia (19–14). Die span se tempo en presiese afronding het teenstanders oorrompel, en hulle wys vroeg in die toernooi dat hulle hier is om te wen.

La Rochelle het op die eerste dag nie alleen ook ál hul wedstryde gewen nie, maar hulle het dit met oortuiging gedoen. Oorwinnings teen Witteberg (37–14) en Wesvalia (33–12), asook ’n wegholsege oor Wagpos (40–3) getuig van ’n span wat ten volle in beheer is.

Die hulpdoel, Marone Uys, het met haar akkuraatheid en beweging uitgeblink, terwyl die span se verdediging meedoënloos was. Daarbenewens het hul doel, Iselle, haar 100ste wedstryd gespeel – ’n spesiale mylpaal wat die oorwinning des te meer betekenisvol gemaak het.

Ashton het puik uitslae behaal teen Reitz (32–11) en Vrede (34–8), maar die knie gebuig teen ’n kragtige Redhill-span (8–29). Ashton toon nietemin belofte dat hulle nog ver kan vorder in die toernooi. Kempton Park het goeie strukture tentoongestel en drie oorwinnings behaal teen Wesvalia (22–15), Witteberg (27–19) en Brandwag (19–22 – ’n taai stryd teen ’n goed georganiseerde span).

Hoërskool Alberton het ook sterk vertoon met ’n gelykopuitslag teen Piet Retief (19–19) en oorwinnings oor Ellisras (27–12) en Vrede (25–14).

Centurion het twee belangrike oorwinnings behaal teen Empangeni (22–8) en St Anne’s (14–11), ondanks ‘n naelskraapse nederlaag teen Amanzimtoti (14–15). Brandwag het indrukwekkend vertoon om te wen teen Windhoek Pvt (17–10), Eunice (22–19) en Kempton Park (22–19), wat hulle beslis as ’n gevaarlike span onderskei.

Hoërskool Klerksdorp was ook uiters mededingend teen Windhoek Privaatskool (25–13) en Jeugland (18–9). Redhill het hul gehalte uitgestal met drie oortuigende seges, teen Amanzimtoti (23–16), Empangeni (31–6) en Ashton (29–8).

Sentraal het hul dag afgesluit met twee indrukwekkende seges oor Voortrekker (18–13) en Windhoek Pvt (23–7), met hul verdediging wat telkens die verskil gemaak het. Amanzimtoti se indrukwekkende telling van 38–5 oor Reitz was een van die grootste punteverskille van die dag, terwyl hulle ook vir Centurion met 15–14 getroef het.

Na die eerste dag is daar ’n aantal spanne wat steeds onoorwonne is, naamlik La Rochelle, Framesby, Waterkloof (eerste span), Brandwag en Redhill. Hierdie spanne beskik nie bloot oor talent nie, maar ook struktuur, fiksheid en ’n wil om te wen – sleutelkenmerke van sukses in ’n kompetisie van hierdie formaat.

Al die uitslae | Dag 1: 

[ninja_tables id=”68137″]

Paarl Gimnasium capped off a successful day for the South, which won six of eight games, on the first day of the NMI Toyota North/South Tournament at Paul Roos Gimnasium, in Stellenbosch, on Friday.

Relive all the action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Four tries from right-wing, Johan Kleynhans, followed by a hat-trick of tries by captain and outside centre, Markus Muller, and doubles from Thomas Saunders and the replacement wing, Jeraahno Jager, helped power Gim to an astonishing 102-0 win over beat King Edward VII School (KES).

Muller, who is already enjoying a season to remember, continued to stake his claim for the SA Schools number 13 jersey by scoring his second hat-trick of tries and his eighth try in only three matches so far this year.

The spotlight, though, belonged to Kleynhans, who didn’t just have to run it in but had to work hard to score his four tries.

Quinton Potgieter, Gim’s eighth-man, led an impressive pack with authority. Although he scored only one try, he deserved more for his high work rate and bullocking runs, which set the KES defenders on the back foot.

In the curtain-raiser, Paarl Boys’ High made Affies, their next opponents, sit up and take notice, by smashing Hoërskool Waterkloof 66-0. That result certainly adds some spice to the clash between two of the giants of South African schoolboy rugby, who meet on Monday evening.

Tommy Muller, Boishaai’s hooker, was exceptional, as always. Apart from scoring two tries, which came off the back of strong driving mauls, Muller kept the Klofies busy with his energetic ball carries in broken play. His example fired up the potent Boishaai pack, including man of the match, lock Gershom Pieters, which dominated the contest from start to finish, and laid on a sound platform for Paarl Boys’ High’s dangerous backline.

Flyhalf Francois van der Merwe did an exceptional job in spreading the ball well with an abundance of possession. His excellent distribution created opportunities for the speedsters on the outside, who made Waterkloof pay, running in tries that looked all too simple.

SCORERS

Paarl Gimnasium 102 (38) – Tries: Johan Kleynhans (4), Markus Muller (3), Thomas Saunders (2), Jeerahno Jagers (2), Quintin Potgieter, JC Dreyer, Dawid Badenhorst, Divan Pieters, Hendré van Zyl. Conversions: Pieters (10), Louis Koen. King Edward VII 0.

Paarl Boys’ High 66 (29) – Tries: Tommie Muller (2), Gavie Kok, Kaleb Holmes, Gershom Pieters, Liam de Villiers, Tristan Joubert, Jeneal Davids, Josh le Roux, Kobus Wilken. Conversions: Iwan Jordaan (4), Mark Grindlay (4). Waterkloof 0.

Vanjaar se NMI Toyota Noord/Suid-toernooi het op ‘n geskiedkundige wyse vir Hoërskool Durbanville afgeskop.

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

Die Durbies het vir die eerste keer ooit daarin geslaag om vir Hoërskool Monument uit te stof, met ‘n telling van 30-21.

Alhoewel dié twee spanne nog nét drie keer vantevore ontmoet het, waarvan die eerste keer in 1979 met Monument wat 20-10 gewen het, word die Monumentare oor die algemeen as gunstelinge beskou.

Dit het egter nou verander.

Die span van die Wes-Kaap het soos tiere verdedig, vernaam by die afbreekpunte, waar hy die span van Krugersdorp onder groot druk geplaas het. Die Durbie-losvoorspelers het dikwels omgekeerde besit bewerkstellig om die Monumentare se momentum te stuit, terwyl dit terselftertyd ook geleenthede geskep het vir losskakel, Kyle Albertus, en die Man van die Wedstryd, Valrhinio Olckers, op heelagter.

Albertus het die toutjies soos ‘n gesoute generaal getrek, terwyl Olckers gereeld aansluiting by die agterlyn gevind het om die Krugersdorpers se verdediging te beproef.

Soos wat die geval teen Grey-kollege was, was die Wit Bulle se losskakel, Anthony Viljoen, weer sý span se groot uitblinker, en sy aanvalsvernuf en uitstekende visie beloof om nog vele teenstanders op hul tone te hou.

Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool het sy indrukwekkende segetog in vanjaar se jong seisoen voortgesit met ‘n slagting van HTS Drostdy. Die Rooi-, Geel-, Groen-golf het die span van die Wes-Kaap met ‘n tsoenami-telling van 61-17 getref.

Alhoewel die Pretorianers met 44 punte die oorhand geniet het, het die Donkies nietemin vir drie uiters aanskoulike drieë, waarvan twee deur heelagter, Pirlo Baron, vanuit hul eie halfgebied gesorg.

Die taktiese skopwerk van Affies se Ruben Groenewald was egter weer dodelik. Groenewald is straks die beste in die land in hierdie afdeling, wat gevaarligte vir toekomstige teenstanders laat flikker. Tesame met sy akkurate stelskopwerk en netjiese balverspreiding, het dit aan hom die Man van die Wedstryd-toekenning besorg. Die Affies-pak lyk ook soos ‘n ander gedierte, met die agttal wat nog deurentyd vanjaar sy stem dik gemaak het.

Puntemakers:

Hoërskool Durbanville 30 (24) – Drieë: Michael Shaw (2), Valrhinio Olckers, Tylo Hess. Doelskoppe: Kyle Albertus (2). Strafdoele: Albertus (2). Monument 21 (14) – Drieë: Tasliem Guyam, Ruan Genis, Ewan van der Walt. Doelskoppe: Anthony Viljoen (3).

Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool 61 (40) – Drieë: Rikus Strydom (2), Fourie Roberts, Stephan McDonald, Hugo Snyman, Bauke Swart, Lamond Baaitjies, Elwin Jansen van Rensburg, Divan Fourie. Doelskoppe: Ruben Groenewald (8). HTS Drostdy 17 (12) – Drieë: Pirlo Baron (2), Caden Juries. Doelskop: Jano van Deventer.

Grey High will be aiming to continue a proud record in the Standard Bank Grey High Rugby Festival when they take on KwaZulu-Natal’s Michaelhouse in the final match of the opening day, on Saturday.

The KZN team is making its first appearance at the festival since 2022, and they know that they will have to produce their best performance to quell the support the home team will undoubtedly have in the day’s main match.

Grey coach Matt King will be reasonably satisfied with his side’s opening match last week in Makhanda, at the Graeme College Festival, where the team unleashed some devastating backline attacks.

Under the co-captaincy of hooker Evan Mucka and wing Luc de Villiers, Grey, who have a long string of wins in their festival, ran in six tries in a solid 49-25 win over Hudson Park, although they did concede several tries to their East London opponents in the second half.

King knows they will have to tighten up that aspect of their play against Michaelhouse’s attacking flair.

“Michaelhouse plays a very expansive and highly skilful brand of rugby, which entertains all who come to support, so I know we are facing a difficult encounter,” he said.

“But it is a challenge we welcome with open arms as we continue to fine-tune our performances to build some momentum leading into the second term, in April.”

Meanwhile, Michaelhouse, under the guidance of coach James Fleming, is excited to return to the festival, after a three-year absence.

In 2022, the KZN school beat Kingswood but lost to St Andrew’s College. Fleming believes this year’s competition will be more challenging.

“We are very excited to be returning to the Bay and to be playing both Grey and Bishops on the Kolisi Field. We know we will be up against two strong schools, but we will certainly focus on bringing our A game,” he said.

“Knowing Robbie Kempson and Darron Nell (part of the Grey coaching team), we can expect a very strong set piece.

“The Grey Festival is a great opportunity to give all the squad members a run and to experience the camaraderie of touring, playing different opposition, and making new friends.”

FIXTURES

Saturday, 29 March

Kolisi Field

08:00 – Queen’s vs St Stithians
09:10 – Dale vs Northwood
10:25 – Pretoria Boys vs Kearsney
11:45 – Graeme vs Hilton
12:55 – Kingswood vs Durban High School
14:05 – Selborne vs Westville
15:25 – Grey High vs Michaelhouse

Pollock Oval

14:05 – St Charles College vs Port Rex
15:25 – Hudson Park vs Muir

Crusaders

14:05 – Ithembelihle vs Daniel Pienaar

Monday, 31 March 

Kolisi Field

08:00 – Westville vs Dale
09:10 – Selborne vs Durban High School
10:25 – Hudson Park vs Kearsney
11:45 – Queen’s vs Pretoria Boys
12:55 – Kingswood vs Northwood
14:05 – Bishops v Michaelhouse
15:25 – Grey High v Hilton

Pollock Oval

11:45 – St Stithians vs Port Rex
12:55 – St Charles College vs Daniel Pienaar
14:05 – Muir vs Ithembelihle

Crusaders

14:15 – Mali XV v Woodridge

KwaZulu-Natal is set to host Basketball South Africa’s u16 National Championship at UKZN‘s Old Mutual Sports Hall, in Durban, from Sunday, 30 March, through to Friday, 4 April.

The event will bring together the finest u16 boys’ and girls’ basketball talents from across the nation.

KZN also hosted the event in 2024, when the KwaZulu Natal Basketball Association (KZNBA) received the accolade for the Best Organised Team, and that has led to the province hosting the u16 National Championships for a second year in succession.

There is much at stake for the players, with selection for the national boys’ and girls’ teams on the line. The South African national teams will contest the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games, in July, in Windhoek, Namibia.

Eight provinces will contest the national championships, but the North West Province is missing, which is a significant setback for emerging talent from the region, especially as it has been a solid source of player development in recent years.

The tournament tips off on Sunday afternoon, at 15:00, with the opening matches of both the boys’ and girls’ competitions being contested between the host province, KZN, and Mpumalanga.

On Monday, the competition takes off with a full schedule that continues through to Thursday. On Friday, the semi-finals and finals will be played.

BOYS’ FIXTURES

Sunday, 30 March

Court 1

15:00 – 16:45 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Mpumalanga

Monday, 31 March 

Court 1

09:00 – Gauteng vs Mpumalanga
11:00 – Eastern Cape vs Limpopo
13:00 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Western Cape
15:00 – Gauteng vs Eastern Cape
17:00 – Mpumalanga vs Limpopo

Tuesday, 1 April

Court 1

09:00 – Gauteng vs Western Cape
11:00 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Eastern Cape
13:00 – Western Cape vs Northern Cape
15:00 – Mpumalanga vs Eastern Cape
17:00 – Limpopo vs Northern Cape

Wednesday, 2 April

Court 1

09:00 – Western Cape vs Eastern Cape
11:00 – Mpumalanga vs Northern Cape
13:00 – Western Cape vs Limpopo
15:00 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Northern Cape
17:00 – Gauteng vs Limpopo

Thursday, 3 April

Court 1

09:00 – Gauteng vs KwaZulu-Natal
11:00 – Eastern Cape vs Northern Cape
13:00 – Western Cape vs Mpumalanga
15:00 – KwaZulu Natal vs Limpopo
17:00 – Gauteng vs Northern Cape

GIRLS’ FIXTURES 

Sunday, 30 March 

Court 2

15:00 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Mpumalanga

Monday, 31 March

Court 2

09:00 – Mpumalanga vs Limpopo
11:00 – Gauteng vs Eastern Cape
13:00 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Western Cape
15:00 – Eastern Cape vs Limpopo
17:00 – Gauteng vs Northern Cape

Tuesday, 1 April

Court 2

09:00 – Western Cape vs Eastern Cape
11:00 – Mpumalanga vs Northern Cape
13:00 – Western Cape vs Limpopo
15:00 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Northern Cape
17:00 – Gauteng vs Mpumalanga

Wednesday, 2 April

Court 2

09:00 – Limpopo vs Northern Cape
11:00 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Eastern Cape
13:00 – Western Cape vs Northern Cape
15:00 – Mpumalanga vs Eastern Cape
17:00 – Gauteng vs Western Cape

Thursday, 3 April 

Court 2

09:00 – Gauteng vs Limpopo
11:00 – Western Cape vs Mpumalanga
13:00 – KwaZulu-Natal vs Limpopo
15:00 – Eastern Cape vs Northern Cape
17:00 – Gauteng vs KwaZulu-Natal

Friday, 4 April

Semifinals 

Boys’ Semifinals: Court 1

10:00 – 1st Place vs 4th Place
12:00 – 2nd Place vs 3rd Place

Girls’ Semifinals: Court 2

10:00 – 1st Place vs 4th Place
12:00 – 2nd Place vs 3rd Place

14:00 – 15:00 – Break for Entertainment

Finals – Court 1

Girls’ Final 

15:00 – WSF1 vs WSF2

Boys’ Final 

17:00 – WSF1 vs WSF2

18:45 – Closing Ceremony 

The Gauteng Development League is regarded as one of the best academy leagues on the African continent. The standard of football and the quality of the players and the coaches is high.

This makes it difficult for teams moving up from the Gauteng Development Promotional League (GDPL) to adapt to the pace, tactics, and technical prowess of the teams that have been playing in the GDL for many years.

As a result, we have seen teams get promoted and last only one season in the GDL. Coach Tebello Kheswa‘s NWU Vaal u19 team is a prime example of a team that struggled to keep up with the experienced GDL teams after making the jump in 2024.

This season, the new kids on the block are coach Thokozani Mnguni‘s Rockefvs team, from Pretoria.

Mnguni, a former Mamelodi Sundowns and Black Leopards defender, has also been welcomed with a baptism of fire in the first few rounds of GDL fixtures this season.

Rockefvs is yet to win a game, and Mnguni puts it down to psychological challenges. “The mental strength of our players is a problem,” Mnguni told SuperSport Schools Plus in an exclusive interview.

“Look, we can dominate. We can move the ball around. That’s how we play. We can dominate, but towards the end of the match, we lack concentration,” he said. 

Mnguni added that his players are still coming to terms with playing against big-name clubs, such as Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.

The 46-year-old emphasised that, thus far, his players have displayed a little too much respect for their opposition. “With my boys, from where they come from, for them, they still, when you talk about Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, you can see the fear is there,” he explained. 

“I want them to take them as normal opposition. I tell them, “Get into the tunnel when you’re about to reach the field, tell them today it’s me against you, not you against me’.”

Mnguni has taken his young troops from humble beginnings in Pretoria and achieved a rare feat by earning a promotion from the GDPL to the GDL in their first season competing in the league.

Despite facing serious challenges, they dominated the GDPL and forced their way into the GDL this season.

“We started last season in the GDPL. So it was our first season there. We are from the Football Association of Pretoria,” Mnguni said.

“We were conquering season in and season out. We were winning trophies, cup games, and league games. We needed to step up and get ourselves playing against some of the best teams in Gauteng.  

“Coming from the local football association, going to the GDPL, was not easy, even last year. Remember, it was our first season there, and we experienced so many things, so many challenges – things like refereeing, and, financially, it was tough. But we managed to succeed.

“This year, going to the mainstream, the GDL, it’s a different ball game again. It’s not like the GDPL, whereby you can plan things. Victories can come easier.

“This year, it’s more of a tactical and technical challenge. Technically and tactically, you have to be sharp.”

This week, Mnguni will lead his charges against Seven’s Academy and will be hoping that the home advantage they will have at the ACCP Sports Ground will help them to a first victory in the GDL.

In other fixtures, Tuks will host SuperSport United at the Groenkloof Campus in a mouth-watering Tshwane derby.

Randburg AFC, after knocking off Kaizer Chiefs last weekend, welcomes Mamelodi Sundowns to the Randburg Sports Complex, Kathorus Hyper Academy takes on Panorama FC at Huntersfield Stadium, and the East Rand Athletic Club meets Wits Junior at Tsakane Stadium.

TS Galaxy faces the defending champions, Highlands Park, Jomo Cosmos is home to Elspark United Academy, and Remember Elite Sport Academy meets Kaizer Chiefs at Tuks Sports Ground.

FIXTURES

Saturday, 29 March

Rockefvs vs Seven’s Academy
Randburg AFC vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Kathorus Hyper Academy vs Panorama
East Rand Athletic Club vs Wits Junior
TS Galaxy vs Highlands Park
Jomo Cosmos vs Elspark United Academy
Remember Elite Sport Academy vs Kaizer Chiefs

Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen is deur ‘n goed geoliede Boland Landbou-masjien getref op die eerste dag van die 2025 NMI Toyota Noord/Suid-toernooi in Stellenbosch.

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

Die span van die Paarl het nie minder nie as 11 keer agter die Arende se doellyn gaan kuier, om uiteindelik met 71-10 koning te kraai. Die Ocks-tweeling was vir vier van die drieë verantwoordelik.

Jason Ocks, wat op buitesenter uitgedraf het, het eerste die doellyn twee keer oorgesteek, maar broer, Jadon Ocks (linkervleuel), het nie op hom laat wag nie en die Ocks-naam in die tweede helfte verder hoog gehou met sy tweekuns. Die tweeling sal nietemin die eerste wees om hul agttal te bedank vir die formidabele grondslag wat vir dié reuse oorwinning gelê is.

Agter die skrum, het skrumskakel, Jayden Brits, sy ervaring ingespan om die uitstekende balbesit uit te kry by die snellers agterlangs, soos heelagter, Gehano van Bo, wat óók twee keer deurgedartel het vir drieë.

Die Hoërskool Menlopark se senterpaar, bestaande uit Dylan Stumke en Leskin Samuels, het die Markotter-stadion vergas op kookwaterspel waarmee hulle vir Outeniqua laat les opsê het in die Pretorianers se sege van 34-24. Samuels het die Kwaggas se verdediging dikwels oorhoeks gehad met sy venynige voetwerk, terwyl Stumke hom perfek aangevul het met sy fisieke spel.

Die span van George het wel sy ritme later begin vind om binne ‘n oogwink 24 punte aan te teken. Loskopstut, Matthew Prins, is beloon vir ‘n kragtige vertoning met ‘n tweekuns aan drieë, terwyl haker, Keenan Myners, terug van Monument, puik ondersteuning gebied het met sy woelige spel in die vaste los.

Puntemakers:

Boland Landbou 71 (33) – Drieë: Jason Ocks (2), Jadon Ocks (2), Gehano van Bo (2), Jayden Brits, Du Toit Brink, Chad Meintjies, Henry Rudder, Blake de Kock. Doelskoppe: Brits (9). EG Jansen 10 (0) – Drieë: Christopher Combrink, Joseph Diesel.

Menlopark 34 (22) – Drieë: Nathen du Plessis (2), Gustav Schäffner, Dylan Stumke, Leskin Samuels, Reinhardt Herbst. Doelskop: Andru Keun. Outeniqua 24 (0) – Drieë: Matthew Prins (2), Keenan Myners, Schalk van der Merwe. Doelskoppe: Virgil Pokpas (2).

Queen’s College will be aiming to build on a solid performance at the weekend when they take on St Stithians College in the opening match of the Standard Bank Grey High Rugby Festival, in Gqeberha, on Saturday.

Those two teams will set in motion an extravaganza of schoolboy rugby that features some of the country’s most exciting sides, culminating in the festival finale when Grey High takes on Hilton College in the last fixture on Monday afternoon, at 15:25.

It’s an early 08:00 start for Queen’s and St Stithians on the Kolisi Field, and both will be keen to make an early impression.

The Queenians have been in the thick of the action already this month, registering wins over Stirling High and Ooskus Gymnasium before suffering a narrow 17-20 loss to Pearson at the Graeme College Festival, in Makhanda, last Thursday.

It was a disappointing outcome for Queen’s coach Clinton Loest after Pearson produced a dramatic fightback with five minutes remaining to score two tries and turn a 10-17 deficit into a 20-17 win.

“I feel that was a game we should never have lost,” Loest said, “but we showed much improvement against a strong Brandwag team on Saturday to win that match.”

Queen’s triumphed 29-15 in that clash, finishing strongly to take control of the contest, which had been evenly balanced heading into the final quarter.

Down by two points, at 15-17, Brandwag made a costly error when they attempted to play out of their own 22, which led to an interception try under the posts by centre Thina Fenako.

Later, Queen’s produced a brilliant phase of continuity, which ended with Bongo Nyakaza diving over in the corner to seal the win.

Loest said early season festivals were important in their overall planning for the season. “We would like to see constant improvement in our overall game and these matches allow us to try various combinations and to look to settle on a starting lineup for the season ahead,” he explained.

“Both teams we play (they face Pretoria Boys High on Monday) are well-known rugby-playing schools and the games will be testing for our team.

“But we are ready to embrace that challenge as we ready ourselves for a tough programme ahead.”

FIXTURES

Saturday, 29 March

Kolisi Field

08:00 – Queen’s vs St Stithians
09:10 – Dale vs Northwood
10:25 – Pretoria Boys vs Kearsney
11:45 – Graeme vs Hilton
12:55 – Kingswood vs Durban High School
14:05 – Selborne vs Westville
15:25 – Grey High vs Michaelhouse

Pollock Oval

14.05 – St Charles College vs Port Rex
15.25 – Hudson Park vs Muir

Crusaders

14.05 – Ithembelihle vs Daniel Pienaar

Monday, 31 March 

Kolisi Field

08.00 – Westville vs Dale
09.10 – Selborne vs Durban High School
10:25 – Hudson Park vs Kearsney
11.45 – Queen’s vs Pretoria Boys
12:55 – Kingswood vs Northwood
14.05 – Bishops v Michaelhouse
15.25 – Grey High v Hilton

Pollock Oval

11:45 – St Stithians vs Port Rex
12.55 – St Charles College vs Daniel Pienaar
14.05 – Muir vs Ithembelihle

Crusaders

14.15 – Mali XV v Woodridge

Qawe Sawuka dived over for a double as SACS opened their NMI Toyota North/South Tournament account with a comfortable 31-12 victory over Welkom Gimnasium in the second game of the first day.

Relive all the action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com).

It was a well-deserved reward for the loosehead prop’s excellent performance for the southern suburbs’ team.

Apart from being a handful with his pick and drives around the breakdown, which was the source of his two tries, he kept the Welkom side busy with his energetic contributions in broken play.

Parel Vallei made a splashy debut at the North/South tournament with a big 57-12 victory over their fellow newcomers, the Mzwandile Mali XV. The side from Somerset West performed confidently and showed that they were not scared to give the ball air, which was reflected in the hat-trick of tries scored by fullback Shudley Rhoda.

He benefitted from the acres of space afforded him because of the dominance of the Parel Vallei forwards, led by 8th-man Renato Tosi, whose physical presence, especially when in possession, kept his side on the front foot. That created opportunities for Rhoda and company to run rampant at the back.

There were, however, some promising signs from the Mzwandile Mali XV. In the second half, they found some rhythm on attack, which caught out the Parel Vallei defenders on a couple of occasions and brought them reward for their willingness to play running rugby.

SCORERS

SACS 31 (21) – Tries: Qawe Sawuka (2), Daniel Grant, Quewinn Lackay. Conversions: Mike Skeelers (4). Penalty: Skeelers. Welkom Gimnasium 12 (5) – Tries: Rewaldo Farmer, Aswell Makepan. Conversion: Jadewyn Solomons.

Parel Vallei 57 (40) – Tries: Shudley Rhoda (3), Renato Tosi (2), Owen Cockfort, Johan van Zyl, Stephan Nieman, Robyn Septoe. Conversions: Rhoda (6). Mzwandile Mali XV 19 (12) – Tries: Matthew Goliath, Sibabalwe Gwintsa, Denash van Sencie Conversions: Gwintsa (3).