Chloé Barnard made history when she became the first ever girl at Worcester to reach 100 appearances for the 1st XI. Photo: Supplied.
With their annual interschools clash against Hoërskool Hermanus looming on Saturday, the Worcester Gimnasium hockey programme had plenty to celebrate this past week.
Apart from recording impressive wins against Robertson High, the first team boys’ and girls’ sides honoured three players who etched themselves into the school’s history books.
The girls’ captain, Chloé Barnard, made history when she became the first ever female at Worcester to earn 100 caps.
She began her journey with the side in grade nine and has gone from strength to strength in recent seasons.
It’s been a challenging campaign in 2025, however, with Worcester Gim having to stomach some tough results, but there have also been some good performances along the way, too.
Barnard leads her side out for a final time on Saturday morning as they go in search of victory over their rivals after last year’s meeting ended in a riveting 4-4 draw. In 2023, Hermanus won 2-0.
Captain Lourens de Kock and vice-skipper Christiaan Jacobs (behind him) both reached 100 caps in a win over Robertson. Photo: Supplied.
There were also celebrations in the boys’ team when captain Lourens de Kock and vice-captain Christiaan Jacobs made their 100th appearances at home against Robertson.
They joined an elite group, with only two players before them having reached triple figures.
The Worcester Gimnasium boys have also experienced a topsy-turvy season. Recently, they participated in the Guschkie Top Schools Tournament, in Bloemfontein, where they finished in eighth place.
Historically, the Worcester Gim boys have enjoyed tight wins in their interschools games with Hermanus. In 2023 and 2024, they won 2-1, and they’ll be aiming to emulate those winning results this weekend.
Both matches take place on Saturday morning. The girls’ match is at 09:05 and the boys’ game starts at 10:30.
Stellies, meanwhile, led 12-0 at halftime against Milnerton High, but ended up on the wrong end of a 12-14 result.
Since their Interschools rivalry started in 2007, Stellenberg has recorded 13 wins. There have been two draws, and Durbanville has tasted victory only once, in 2019, when they won a high-scoring match 46-39.
Last year, Stellenberg triumphed 15-8. But, while the results have favoured Stellies, the last four clashes have been decided by 10 points or less.
Playing at home, Durbanville takes on a Stellenberg side without its general, SA u18A flyhalf, Ethan van Biljon, who’ll be in action against France, in Paarl.
The Jade Brigade will be led by prop Christiaan Jansen van Rensburg and that’s where the visitors’ challenge will begin, up front.
Stellenberg will be chasing another Interschools victory over Durbanville on Saturday. Photo: Stellenberg Rugby on Instagram.
Both sides were tested in the mud last weekend, which meant it was a physically draining outing for the packs. But Saturday’s clash is a derby showdown and they’ll both be highly motivated to take it to their opposition.
Flank Zay-Winn Januarie has been a high endurance workhorse for Durbies this season and will be focused on disrupting the visitors attacking flow with steals at the breakdown.
His fellow loose forward, Adrian Freemantle, at eighthman, is a strong ball carrier. The Stellies’ forwards will need to make sure they bring him to ground as quickly as possible, otherwise it could be a taxing afternoon for them.
Either way, both sides will need to control their emotions and convert their passion into points if they wish to be crowned the winner of their King Price Derby Series fixture.
Teams
Hoërskool Durbanville vs Stellenberg High at 13:30 in Durbanville on Saturday.
Durbanville: 15 Tylo Hess, 14 Michael Shaw, 13 Lourens Rademeyr, 12 Farrel-Leigh Dido, 11 Kyle Doyle, 10 Kyle Albertus, 9 Lorenzo Brogneri, 8 Adrian Freemantle, 7 Tiaan Kearns, 6 Zay-Winn Januarie, 5 Ethan Swartz, 4 Ruan Vosloo, 3 Ruan van Wyk, 2 Juan Smit (captain), 1 Eli Pedro.
Stellenberg: 15 Armand Potgieter, 14 Jason O’ Brien, 13 Luka Tonitz, 12 Daniel Mongie, 11 Ralton Rhode, 10 Eben Rademan, 9 Daniel Steffan, 8 Yanos Molnar, 7 Ryan Jones, 6 Ernst van der Merwe, 5 Carlo Brink, 4 Leon Vermaak, 3 Janu van Deventer, 2 Liam Joubert, Christiaan Jansen van Rensburg (captain).
When ‘Bosch and SACS met in May, at SACS, ‘Bosch powered their way to a convincing 40-17 win.
On Saturday, they’ll be aiming for a season’s sweeps of SACS, but they will be without their SA u18 flank and captain, Josh Neill, who’ll be in action against England u18 at Paarl Gimnasium.
Neill offers rare attacking impact up front, but no need to worry for the home side. They have an exciting centre pairing of Harry Soboil and Matthew Galpin, while outside of those midfielders, wings Caleb Bell and David Kadima are good finishers.
SACS fullback, Quewinn Lackay, is their most prominent attacking threat.
Up front, flank SipheMbungendlu, will lead his side’s contestation of the breakdowns.
Rondebosch is a dangerous outfit, capable of striking from anywhere on the field, so starving them of possession or slowing down the recycling of the ball is a requirement for SACS.
Rondebosch is the clear favourite and will be aiming to pull off some champagne rugby, especially on their home field.
Traditional derbies, though, can be unpredictable. Does SACS have a special performance in them?
Teams
Rondebosch vs SACS on The Tinkie Heyns Field at 12:15 on Saturday.
Rondebosch: 15 Eathon Williams, 14 David Kadima, 13 Matthew Galpin, 12 Harry Soboil, 11 Caleb Bell, 10 Sebastian Boshoff, 9 James Kirsten, 8 Alutha Wesi, 7 Connor Arbuthnot, 6 Linakho Mehlomakulu, 5 Bertus Versfeld, 4 Dani-Nicolas Oosthuizen, 3 Damian Spence, 2 Kwaza Gobingca, 1 Bulela Mbala.
Carter High won the first-ever Carter Super Cup in 2024. Photo: Supplied.
Carter High School is set to host the second annual Carter HighSuper Cup in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday, with the one-day tournament featuring u19 and u16 teams.
In a recent press statement, Ashwin Ramgoolam, the Principal of Carter High, expressed a warm welcome to all participating students, coaches, and guests attending the annual Carter High Super Cup, which is proudly sponsored by Msunduzi Municipality and Ford Motor Company.
Ramgoolam characterised the event as not merely a competition, but a celebration of teamwork, discipline, and the unity that sport fosters.
In the u19 division as the defending champions, Carter High will be challenged by, among others, Linpark High, Howick High, Alexandra High, Ixopo High, and ML Sultan.
In June, Carter missed out on Mancosa KZNHSFA Inland A-League title, going down Maritzburg College. They’ll have another chance to add some silverware on Saturday, and they’ll have the advantage of playing at home.
u19 Teams
Pool A: Carter High, Linpark High, Wartburg Kirchdorf, Haythorne Secondary, Howick High.
Pool B: Northbury Park Secondary, Alexandra High, Ixopo High, Sobantu Secondary, ML Sultan.
Pool A Fixtures
Joubert 1
08:00 – Carter vs Linpark
08:25 – Carter vs Haythorne
08:50 – Wartburg vs Haythorne
09:15 – Carter vs Haythorne
09:40 – Carter vs Wartburg Joubert 2
08:00 – Haythorne vs Howick
08:25 – Linpark vs Wartburg
08:50 – Howick vs Linpark
09:15 – Wartburg vs Howick
09:40 – Linpark vs Haythorne
Pool B Fixtures
Schroenn 1
08:00 – Northbury vs ML Sultan
08:25 – ML Sultan vs Sobantu
08:50 – Sobantu vs Alexandra
09:15 – Northbury vs Alexandra
09:40 – ML Sultan vs Alexandra
Schroenn 2
08:00 – Alexandra vs Ixopo
08:25 – Northbury vs Ixopo
08:50 – Ixopo vs ML Sultan
09:15 – Sobantu vs Ixopo
09:40 – Northbury vs Sobantu
Zimbabwe’s u18A team gave South Africa u16A a tough time on day three of the Allister Fredericks Africa Challenge in Johannesburg on Thursday. Photo: TeamPhotoSA
The Zimbabwean u16 and u18 boys’ teams will draw many positives from their performances on Thursday against South Africa in the Allister Fredericks Africa Challenge in Johannesburg.
The series, which began on Tuesday, ends on Friday afternoon at St David’s Marist Inanda.
The Zim boys lost both matches on day three, with their u16As going down 0-2 to the SA u16B team, while the u18s lost 1-4 to SA u16A.
Despite the results going against them, both Zimbabwean teams showed immense character, troubled the home side, and, most importantly for the visitors, showed signs of improvement.
The u16A side, meanwhile, defeated Zim’s u18A team 3-1 in both meetings and, frankly, dominated proceedings from start to finish.
Something changed on day three, though, and the visitors had a spring in their step.
In the first game of the day, the SA u16B outfit opened the scoring in the fourth minute through a penalty corner converted by Kaden Henderson, from St Andrew’s School, in Bloemfontein.
It took the hosts a full 45 minutes to get their second, however, but it came from a familiar source when Caleb Cilliers doubled their lead in the final chukka.
In between, it was a total battle, and Zimbabwe, led by their talisman Peter Mutimutema, defended like their lives depended on it.
They also linked up well in midfield and put South Africa under immense pressure for the first time in the series.
Goalkeeper Darrel Muchechemera was named the man of the match for his heroic work between the posts.
Coach Forbes Thindwa would have been pleased to see an improvement in his side, but he will demand more from them in their final game on Friday.
While their u16A side narrowly missed out, Zimbabwe’s u18A boys also gave a solid account of themselves against South Africa’s u16A team.
It was far from a walk in the park for SA, and they were made to work hard for their 4-1 win.
Dean Muzengeza scored Zimbabwe’s first goal of the series on Thursday. Photo: TeamPhotoSA
Blaine Candy scored the game’s first goal in the second chukka before Stephan Malan and Sbuyiselwe Mchunu made it 3-0 in the third quarter.
Santiago Matroos, then, netted the hosts’ fourth, but it was Zim who had the last say with a strike in the 53rd minute.
A pulled shot inside the circle by Ryan Winterboer met a diving Dean Muzengeza, and he sneaked the ball past Liam Maharaj for Zimbabwe’s first goal of the series.
Muzengeza was named the man of the match and, in the post-match interview, said he was proud to score for his nation.
“It’s such a privilege playing for my country, and scoring the first goal for the country is a big achievement,” he told SuperSport Schools.
Looking ahead to Friday’s last round of matches, he added: “We want to come back stronger and put in more effort and probably score more goals.”
Results and scorers
SA u16B: Kaden Henderson, Caleb Cilliers. Zimbabwe 0.
SA u16A: Blaine Candy, Stephan Malan, Sbuyiselwe Mchunu, Santiago Matroos. Zimbabwe 1: Dean Muzengeza.
Day four fixtures
10:00 – SA u16B vs Zimbabwe u16A 13:00 – SA u16A vs Zimbabwe u18A
Brackenfell competes fiercely in the lineouts, and their no. 8, Wade Fortuin, is dangerous off the back of rolling mauls. With his strong ball carrying, he’s a problem from close range, even for multiple defenders.
Tygerberg will need to ensure their defensive line is narrow and rushing. Brackenfell enjoys playing through the middle, and a line break can very quickly turn into a try.
Brakkies are feisty. They scored three tries in the last 10 minutes of their SACS loss. The Tigers will need to be every bit as ferocious in their season finale on Saturday.
The Parow locals are no strangers to set-piece battles, and they will need their tight five to set the tone up front. They’re a team that relies on their forwards’ ball carrying ability. That sucks in defenders and sets Tygerberg up for swift attacks.
An all-out encounter can be expected, but there’ll be a happy ending for only one team, unless, of course, there’s a draw, and Naas Botha, famously, had something to say about draws…
Also in Cape Town, along the Blaauwberg Coast, Milnerton hosts Strand at 12:30 on Saturday and Millies will feel the fire inside after a morale-boosting, belief-building, come-from-behind 14-12 win over Stellenberg last Saturday.
Down 0-12 at the break, Milnerton kept Stellenberg scoreless in the second half and Chadlin Sellidon‘s accuracy off the kicking tee helped secure a narrow two-point win.
Sellidon, at fullback, and captain Morgan Lodewyk, at centre, lead the Milnerton attack, Lodewyk is a big guy and uses his physicality well. His tenacity often leads to try-scoring attacks. Sellidon, meanwhile, often finishes what his skipper starts, and then tacks on two from the kicking tee.
Strand boasts some skilful and impactful players in flank, Schalk Beukes, and scrumhalf Jayden Steenkamp. They, too, won’t be concerned about their attacking ability.
The bigger questions, though, revolve around their set piece and midfield play. Can their tight five match Milnerton’s?
If so, then it could be a battle of strong finishers vs strong finishers. In recent games, both sides have scored most of their tries in the second half.
Teams
Hoërskool Brackenfell vs Tygerberg High School at 12:35 in Brackenfell on Saturday.
When the sides met in May, at Wynberg, the hosts ran out comfortable 34-5 winners.
Bishops, though, have been improving under their new head coach, Sam Mofokeng. In just his second official league game, against Milnerton two Saturdays ago, Bishops produced a stirring comeback. After being down 21-31 at the half-time break, they clawed their way to a 42-36 victory.
Hooker Daniel van den Heever, the Bishops’ captain, scored a hat-trick to steer his side to the win. He is a leader of note, and his resilience is one of the reasons why his side is so dangerous in the latter stages of games.
Sure, Wynberg is the favourite. Two Saturdays ago, they delivered a strong second half performance to beat Parel Vallei 59-13. They’re well rested.
Wynberg are formidable, even as visitors. Photo: Wynberg Rugbyon Instagram.
They are, however, without their SA u18 scrumhalf, Morné Noble, who’ll be on duty against England u18 at Paarl Gimnasium. Blessed with the talented Achmat Behardien at flyhalf and KuneneGadu at 13, they’ll, nonetheless, be confident about their attacking prowess.
The visitors also pose a dangerous threat up front for the hosts, where Wynberg captain, lock Jaythen Orange, is a serious contester in the lineouts and serves as an extra loose forward at the breakdown.
Prop, Luqobo Makwedini, is a 120kg load in the set scrums and can plough right through an opposition’s defence from five metres out.
Bishops will have their work cut out for them, but Wynberg will be wise enough to know that it isn’t going to be a walk in the park. They’ll have to grit their teeth for every point that they may score.
Teams
Diocesan College vs Wynberg Boys’ High on the Piley Rees Field at 12:30 on Saturday.
Diocesan College: 15 Rynard Gordon, 14 Singa Mayoyo, 13 Ben Koenig, 12 Boytjie Fyfer, 11 Noah Edmunds, 11 Eljaron Geduld, 9 Max Marr, 8 Jack Venter, 7 Yazeed Salaam, 6 Ethan Venter, 5 Fouke Wagener, 4 Rieko Kidha, 3 Chris du Toit, 2 Daniel van den Heever (captain), 1 Will Reid.
Wynberg: 15 Laeeq Davids, 14 Chad Campbell, 13 Kunene Gadu, 12 Daniel Oud, 11 Albert Lourens, 10 Achmat Behardien, 9 Hugo Loggenberg, 8 Alvin Machinja, 7 Tjeripo Karuhumba, 6 Jamie Stride, 5 James Orwin, 4 Jaythen Orange (captain), 3 Luqobo Makwedini, 2 Noah Gila, 1 Luke Miller.
Die feit dat nie minder nie as vier spanne tans gelyk trek, is ‘n aanduiding van hoe straf die mededinging in die Plaat-afdeling van die SDC Noordvaal Cup vanjaar is.
Hoërskool Klerksdorp is tans gelyk derde met HTS Middelburg, wat verlede naweek sy laaste rondomtalie-wedstryd in Centurion gespeel het. Dié twee spanne het elk 26 ligapunte op die oomblik.
Die groot gespook van die naweek, sover dit die Plaat aangaan, behels Hoërskool Middelburg en Hoërskool Wesvalia, wat onderskeidelik vierde en vyfde lê, met 21 punte elk.
Wesvalia moet ‘n begeesterde Hoërskool Kempton Park klop om sy kanse lewendig te hou. Hoewel die Kempies ietwat gesukkel het vanjaar, kan hulle ‘n perd van ‘n ander kleur wees nadat hulle vir Ligbron in die vorige ronde ore aangesit het. ‘n Bonuspuntsege is ononderhandelbaar vir Willem van der Sandt se span, wat na ‘n blaaskans weer na volsterkte terugkeer.
Die Middies kom Saterdag in Ermelo teen ‘n onvoorspelbare Ligbron Akademie te staan. Hul nederlaag teen Hoërskool Oos-Moot in die doodsnikke verlede naweek het nie dinge makliker gemaak nie, en boonop die Oosies ‘n kans gegun om by die agterdeur in te glip. Middies beskik nietemin steeds oor genoeg skietgoed in losskakel, Matthew Abbey, en haker, Roux Grobler, om die pap dik aan te maak in Ermelo.
Die Liggies, met spoedvrate soos Neo Zwane en Bandile Thanjekwayo op vleuel, sal egter brand om hul laaste wedstryd, boonop tuis, met ‘n opskudding af te sluit.
Vir Hoërskool Klerksdorp is sy kragmeting met die onoorwonne Hoërskool Zwartkop ewe belangrik. ‘n Sege, of selfs net twee bonuspunte in ‘n nederlaag, kan hom na tweede en ‘n moontlike tuishalfeind neem. Klerksdorp toon een verandering, met Xander Smit wat die beseerde Tyrand Masango op regtervleuel vervang.
Die Zwarries moes ook twee veranderinge aanbring na hul reusestryd met die Rooi Bulle verlede week. Herman Potgieter draf op agsteman uit met Brian Smith wat uitmis, terwyl Kyle Koopman hom as skrumskakel aansluit by losskakel Tilon Baron, in die plek van Luan Janse van Rensburg.
Die beseringspook het homself behoorlik tuisgemaak by Oos-Moot vanjaar. Die span van Pretoria moet vir Hoërskool Marais Viljoen sonder staatmaker-agsteman, Jaydon Botha, aandurf. Botha se afwesigheid gee aan Divan du Preez ‘n kans om te wys wat in hom steek.
Die Oosies sal uiteraard alles in die stryd werp vir ‘n bonuspuntsege wat, indien die Middies en Wessies albei vasval, vir hulle ‘n plek in die halfeindronde sal bespreek.
Die spanne:
Wesvalia t. Hoërskool Kempton Park om 13:30 in Klerksdorp
Wesvalia: 15 Henco Greyling, 14 Stephan Pelser, 13 Jeandré Snyman, 12 Wian du Preez, 11 Fafa Calitz, 10 Eduard Dreyer, 9 Barry Niemand, 8 Franco Dumond, 7 Christiaan Swanepoel, 6 Quewen Fourie, 5 Tiaan de Kock, 4 Joshua Pieterse, 3 Ignus Nel, 2 Fanie Linde, 1 Ulrigh du Preez.
Kempton Park: 15 Stian de Villiers, 14 Guillaume Botha, 13 Jethro Williams, 12 Rocco Louw, 11 Ettienne Stroebel, 10 Ben Steyn, 9 Ferdi Smith, 8 Almero Gerritsen, 7 Marko van der Walt, 6 Matthew Vermaak, 5 Luca du Plooi, 4 Ruan Mostert, 3 Dihan Keeve, 2 Damian Slabbert, 1 Piet van den Heever.
Ligbron Akademie t. Hoërskool Middelburg om 12:20 in Ermelo
Hoërskool Jeugland en Merensky Landbou Akademie se laaste wedstryde in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Plaat-afdeling sal bepaal hoe die finale puntelys daar uitsien.
Vir Jeugland gaan sy besoek aan Hoërskool Ermelo oor meer as bloot kwalifikasie vir die halfeindronde, siende dat albei skole ook in ‘n stryd gewikkel is om die relegasiespook af te weer.
Skaars agt ligapunte skei die span van Kempton Park (108.5), in die laaste plek, en Ermelo (117), wat tweede laaste lê. Dus kan ‘n sege, en ‘n span in die halfeindronde, vir Jeugland van relegasie red.
Ermelo sal egter nie maklik op sy tuisveld geklop word nie. Dit is op stuk van sake waar oopkantflank, Duan Bruger, vroeër vanjaar in die doodsnikke oorgeduik het om Ermelo se eerste en enigste sege in die Bowl, oor Hoërskool Eldoraigne (32-29), te beklink.
Die span Kempton Park is nietemin netjies op dreef na twee tuisoorwinnings, teen Merensky (39-27) en Bergsig Akademie (39-32), wat hom tot vierde, met 21 punte, gelig het. Hy kan selfs nog tot derde vorder indien Bergsig in sy kragmeting met Potchefstroom Gimnasium vasval.
In Tzaneen is dit ‘n moet-wen situasie vir die Plasies wat vir Eldoraigne agter die sitrusgordyn welkom heet. Die Tzaneeners lê tans vyfde, met 20 punte, en moet met ‘n bonuspunt wen vir die beste kans om kwalifikasie. Die Eldo’s is reeds uit die halfeindwedloop, maar beplan wel om die Plasies se kaarte deurmekaar te krap.
Die ligbloues hoop om na twee weke vir senter en kaptein, Maritz Meintjies, terug te verwelkom. Sy plaasvervanger in die vorige twee wedstryde, Henru Venter, het homself egter uitstekend van sy taak gekwyt, wat sy impak van die bank, ongeag waar breier, Steve Kruger, besluit om hom in te span, groot sal maak.
Die twee spanne van Potchefstroom, die verdedigende kampioen, die Gimmies en Potchefstroom Volkskool, kan nie op hul louere rus nie. Die Volkies is steeds nie ‘n plek in die halfeindronde gewaarborg nie, wat hul besoek aan Hoërskool Dinamika in Alberton uitdagend maak. Indien hulle vasval, en Bergsig en Jeugland elk wen, sal Volkies vyfde klaarmaak.
Die Eagles, wat self nog ‘n groot gevaar inhou, pak die tog na Potch aan, waar dit moeilik is om die Gimmies te troef. Die tuisspan benodig slegs een ligapunt om te verseker dat hy eerste op die puntelys eindig, maar moet sonder staatmaker-senter, Elrich Bosch, vir die res van die seisoen klaarkom.
Bosch se ernstige kniebesering beteken dat agsteman, De Wet Grobler, die tuisspan se beste speler deur die loop van die jaar, in die middeveld moet diens doen, terwyl Damian Zwahlen hom op agsteman vervang.
Die spanne:
Hoërskool Ermelo t. Jeugland in Ermelo
Ermelo: 15 WJ Pretorius, 14 Luthando Mahlangi, 13 HJ Hobkirk, 12 Nicolas Steyn, 11 Thabo Mokwena, 10 Janco Kleynhans, 9 Dick Rouillard, 8 Cules Hamman, 7 Marco de Bruin, 6 Duan Burger, 5 Janneman Malan, 4 De La Rey Hattingh, 3 Jacques Diedericks, 2 Ruan Grobler, 1 Hennie Geel.
Eldoraigne: 15 Hugo Theron, 14 Aiden Labuschagne, 13 Ethan Beyer, 12 Kevin Earle, 11 Tristan Lee, 10 Damian Elferink, 9 Darren Bruwer, 8 Juawan Pieterse, 7 Kyle de Bruin, 6 Cameron Kilian, 5 MC Scheepers, 4 Luan du Preez, 3 Chase Wessels, 2 Marnes Prinsloo, 1 Wian White.
Dinamika t. Potchefstroom Volkskool om 12:30 in Alberton
Dinamika: 15 Zavian Mathys, 14 Nico Greyling, 13 Shane Serfontein, 12 Caiden van der Merwe, 11 Nathan Kearns, 10 Keanu de Sousa, 9 Gustav Schutte, 8 Monré van Wyk, 7 Hendrik Albert, 6 Darren Pretorius, 5 Dewan Gomes, 4 Branden Smit, 3 Jayden Smith, 2 Duandré Boshoff, 1 Janco Fourie.
Potchefstroom Volkskool: 15 Lethabo Riet, 14 Lourenzo Louw, 13 River Samuel, 12 Hennie Pretorius, 11 Juan Fourie, 10 Anro Nel, 9 Juhan Geldenhuys, 8 Johannes Lombard, 7 Henre Nel, 6 Wian Victor, 5 Caden Kruger, 4 Stef Schoeman, 3 AB Brink, 2 Louis Fourie, 1 Koan Smit.
Potchefstroom Gimnasium t. Bergsig Akademie om 12:30 in Potchefstroom
Potchefstroom Gimnasium: 15 Josh Pretoruis, 14 Rea Moalosi, 13 Itumeleng Pheto, 12 De Wet Grobler, 11 Orabile Koena, 10 Zandre Da Silva, 9 MJ Viljoen, 8 Damian Zwahlen, 7 Jacques van Straten, 6 Zach De Jager, 5 Rynel Rautenbach, 4 Dirk Stear, 3 Matt Redelinghuys, 2 Kobus Grobbelaar, 1 Janru Jansen van Rensburg.
Bergsig Akademie: 15 Heinrich Krugel, 14 Keabetswe Daile, 13 Carlo de Jager, 12 Dan Bogopane, 11 Daniel Addinal, 10 Alzandro Dos Santos, 9 Martin Pieterse, 8 Christian De Abreu, 7 Stephan Harmse, 6 Thatano Bagwase, 5 Ryan Nagel, 4 Jacques Viviers, 3 Thabang Machubene, 2 Marnus Dercksen, 1 Dylan Smith.
Pearson will aim to challenge the Bulldogs’ physicality with their own. Photo: Brogle Photos on Instagram.
Somerset West outfit, Parel Vallei (PV) hosts Pearson High at 14:00 on Saturday. The hosts defeated Melkbosstrand 27-6 last Saturday. Pearson meanwhile, outlasted Marlow Landbou 26-24 two Saturdays ago.
This weekend’s match is the Bulldogs’ final fixture of the season. It’s the penultimate outing for Pearson.
Both sides know their game plans well, and aren’t expected to be caught slacking in the set-pieces. The breakdowns however, are a different story.
Pearson will need to get the ball out wide quickly, as the Bulldogs’ forwards will not give them many phases with which to play. They are aggressive and physical at the breakdowns, and Pearson will have to protect their ball well or have it pilfered.
Parel Vallei no. 8, Brad Brown, sets the tone for the home team, often halting opposition attacks by driving back the ball carrier with dominant tackles, which makes counter-rucks possible for his side.
Despite the host’s improvements in 2025, Pearson is considered the favourite for Friday’s clash. They’re a side with valuable experience of tough matches. They have taken on the top schools in the Eastern Cape this season and their record includes a win over the province’s number one, Queen’s College. They’re also well rested after a huge battle against Marlow.
The Bulldogs are the underdogs, but they’ve been shedding that collar more than ever this season. Should they pull off an upset, it wouldn’t be too surprising.
Charlie Hofmeyr will present Montagu with a challenging attacking threat. Photo: Prodigy Rugby on Instagram.
Hoërskool Montagu hosts Charlie Hofmeyr at 12:50 on Saturday. The hosts raced to an emphatic 49-7 victory over HoërskoolLangenhoven last Saturday, while the Ceres locals defeated Hermanus 42-27 two Saturdays ago.
In those wins, the winning sides scored seven and six tries respectively. They’ll both fancy their chances of running in more on Saturday.
Charlies‘ scrumhalf, Phillip Boshoff, is a playmaker of note. He’ll be looking for cross-kick opportunities, and he’ll keep a keen eye on the blindside for opportunities to create overlaps.
Montagu will be up for a physical challenge, and their efforts will be led by their captain Mornè-John Roos, who ran out for Boland at the FNB Craven Week. His leadership and physicality in defence will be a vital antidote to Boshoff’s clever playmaking.
The cornerstone of a winning side, however, is most often a disciplined and gritty forward pack. Set-piece cohesion and breakdown competition are essential components for every rugby match. The side that does the dirty work the best is almost always the side that wins.
Irrespective of Saturday’s result, one can expect a game of free-flowing rugby filled with creative individuals and memorable tries.
Teams
Parel Vallei vs Pearson High School at 14:00 in Somerset West on Saturday.
Parel Vallei: 15 Shudley Rhoda, 14 Johan van Zyl, 13 Noah Enyang, 12 Tihan van der Colff, 11 Cayde Lucas, 10 Stefhan Niemann, 9 Michael Kent, 8 Bradley Brown, 7 Chris de Jager, 6 Marce Els, 5 James Paxton, 4 Renato Tosi, 3 Cayden Rautenbach, 2 Diaan du Toit, 1 Herman Diedericks.
Pearson: 15 Denilo Jordaan, 14 Matthew Els, 13 Sibu Mkhontwana, 12 Hanro Botes, 11 Siya Ncwadi, 10 Keano Beling, 9 Kadin Kretzmann, 8 Robert Harris, 7 Cameron Knoetze (Captain), 6 Siphe Myataza, 5 Mlibo Toni, 4 Ryan Herbst, 3 Jordan Bruintjies, 2 Nicholas Gillespie, 1 Joshua Pienaar.
Montagu vs Charlie Hofmeyr at 12:50 in Montagu on Saturday.
Montagu: 15 Eldrin de Koker, 14 Pieter-Wayne Soldaat, 13 Adrian Opperman, 12 Mornè-John Roos (Captain), 11 Jordan McGregor, 10 Keagan Buis, 9 Antonio Mosea, 8 Duwaine Eyberg, 7 Nazeer Ahmed, 6 Hillroy Hollenberg, 5 Jacobus van Zyl, 4 Clayton Opperman, 3 Saied Batt, 2 Christiano Visser, 1 Jowaan Pekeur.
Charlie Hofmeyr (likely): 15 Shandley Burrows, 14 Keanan Nathan, 13 Willmuth Loff, 12 Keagan Kelly, 11 Ainsley Pedro, 10 Jay-Jay Janse, 9 Phillip Boshoff, 8 Gerhard Goosen, 7 Ivan Hanekom, 6 Attie Heyns, 5 Jacob Kriel, 4 Jean Neethling, 3 Joshua Swarts, 2 Lourens Nel, 1 Dewald Jaars.
