Durban Girls’ College will be laser-focused as they set their sights on capturing a third title in quick succession. Photo: Brad Morgan.
The Durban Girls’ College(DGC) first water polo side has enjoyed an incredible start to the season under the leadership of head coach Peter Lavett and captain Lara Mervis.
DGC was dominant, dictating play from start to finish in an unbeaten run which culminated in a 10-2 win over St Anne’s Diocesan College in the final.
A week later, the Durbanites journeyed to Cape Town to contest the Mackenzie Cup, which was hosted by Reddam House Constantia.
DGC headed into the event with a good history at the tournament, having won it in 2023, but they were defeated in the semi-finals in 2024.
There were no mishaps this time around as coach Lavett’s girls brought their A-game and dominated their Pool, beating Herschel Girls School, Clarendon, and Glenwood House.
All of those outstanding achievements, however, are in the past, and DGC’s focus has shifted to the St Anne’s Water Polo Tournament, which runs from 26-28 September.
Durban Girls’ College water polo coach Peter Lavett. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Coach Lavett spoke to SuperSport Schools Plus ahead of the tournament. “The mood in the camp is really high and focused on the tournament ahead,” he said.
“All players have performed [well], and we are in a good space. At the Mackenzie Cup, we followed the game plan at all times.
“The players know their role in each position, and we play to the last whistle.”
Lavett believes his charges are in for a difficult challenge: “We are in a really tough pool and need to be at our best,” he said. “But we need to beat everyone if we want to go all the way.
“Spectators can expect a fast, disciplined team that does not stop, with a solid bench that doesn’t slow us down at the end of a game.”
DGC’s quest for a third trophy will begin against St Dominic’s at 11:45 on Friday.
Clifton College was on fire in the opening game of the Clifton Water Polo Tournament on Wednesday, roaring their way to a one-sided 21-4 victory over Maritzburg College at the Clifton Aquatic Centre.
In Wednesday’s other Pool A clash, Selborne College and Reddam House Constantia delivered a fascinating contest. The Cape Town school dominated the early going, opening up a healthy 5-1 lead, but Selborne slowly started to claw their way back into the game.
The gap was down to three goals, when Reddam led 9-6, but Selborne, then, seized control of the match to come away with a gritty 10-9 victory.
Kearsney and Northwood opened the action in Pool B, producing a fascinating rollercoaster ride of fluctuating fortunes. The first quarter was relatively quiet, with the Knights shading it 2-1, but, from there, the tempo ramped up.
Kearsney levelled at 4-4 but, right on the stroke of halftime, John Watkins struck to give Northwood a one-goal lead.
Coach Nick Rodda‘s Kearsney side, however, drew even and then opened up a 9-7 lead. Northwood was far from done and soon made it 9-9.
Kearsney inched in front again, but Northwood worked their way up the pool and created a clear-cut chance, but goalkeeper Rourke Stacey pulled off a superb save to deny them. Still, the Knights kept battling and Callum Kidd fired a left-arm rocket into the far corner to make it 10-10.
With a minute to play, Kearsney edged in front after sharp, quick ball movement opened up a gap for Thomas Francke in front of the Northwood net, and he made no mistake. Northwood drew level, though, after a long-range shot deflected up and over the goalkeeper to make it 11-11.
With less than a minute to go, Thomas Aylward unzipped a missile into the far corner, and Kearsney escaped with a heart-pounding 12-11 victory.
In Pool B’s other game, Paul Roos Gimnasium found the going easier against Grey College, swamping the Bloemfontein boys 17-5.
Pool C’s opener pitted Durban High School (DHS) against Westville Boys’ High. It was 4-4 at one point, but Westville then pulled 9-5 ahead. It looked as if they had the game in the bag, but DHS, with typical character, made a game of it in the fourth quarter.
Chipping away, they brought it back to 8-9, but they had left themselves a little too much to do, and Westville claimed a one-goal win.
The 2022 champions and last year’s runners-up, St John’s College, also won by one goal, edging out a game Affies‘ side 6-5.
It was Hilton against Michaelhouse in Pool D’s first match, and Hilton – on paper one of the title contenders – duly delivered, outplaying their arch-rivals 14-8.
‘House goalkeeper Elliot Springate, selected for the KZN Schools u19 side, was kept busy, but not even his excellent shot-stopping could prevent Hilton from taking a comfortable victory.
The Capetonians made a statement that they’re in Durban with their eyes firmly focused on claiming on a hat-trick of Clifton Water Polo Tournament titles by doubling up KES, scoring an emphatic 12-6 win.
Thursday’s schedule features 16 games, which will conclude with the places in each of the four groups decided. There’s an early start at 07:00, with Hilton eyeing a win, which would ensure them a quarterfinal place, when they take on KES.
A long day will wrap up with a 19:30 contest between Reddam House Constantia and Maritzburg College.
RESULTS
Pool A
Clifton College 21-4 Maritzburg College
Selborne College 10-9 Reddam House Constantia
Pool B
Kearsney College 12-11 Northwood School
Paul Roos Gimnasium 17-5 Grey College
Pool C
Durban High School 8-9 Westville Boys’ High
St John’s College 6-5 Affies
Pool D
Hilton College 14-8 Michaelhouse
SACS 12-6 KES
FIXTURES
Thursday, 26 September
Game 9 – 07:00 – Pool D – Hilton vs KES
Game 10 – 07:50 – Pool C – St John’s vs DHS
Game 11 – 08:40 – Pool B – Kearsney vs Grey College
Game 12 – 09:30 – Pool A – Clifton vs Reddam Constantia
Game 13 – 10:20 – Pool D – Michaelhouse vs SACS
Game 14 – 11:10 – Pool C – Westville vs Affies
Game 15 – 12:00 – Pool B – Paul Roos vs Northwood
Game 16 – 12:50 – Pool A – Selborne vs Maritzburg College
Game 17 – 13:40 – Pool D – Hilton vs SACS
Game 18 – 14:30 – Pool C – St John’s vs Westville
Game 19 – 15:20 – Pool B – Kearsney vs Paul Roos
Game 20 – 16:10 – Pool A – Clifton vs Selborne
Game 21 – 17:00 – Pool D – KES vs Michaelhouse
Game 22 – 17:50 – Pool C – Affies vs DHS
Game 23 – 18:40 – Pool B – Grey College vs Northwood
Game 24 – 19:30 – Pool A – Reddam Constantia vs Maritzburg College
Friday, 26 September
Game 25 – 08:00 – 2nd Pool A vs 3rd Pool C
Game 26 – 09:00 – 2nd Pool B vs 3rd Pool D
Game 27 – 10:00 – 3rd Pool A vs 2nd Pool C
Game 28 – 11:00 – 3rd Pool B vs 2nd Pool D
Game 29 – 13:00 – Loser 25 vs Pool D
Game 30 – 14:00 – Loser 26 – 4th Pool A
Game 31 – 15:00 – Loser 27 – 4th Pool B
Game 32 – 16:00 – Loser 28 – 4th Pool C
18:00 – Parents Social Evening
Saturday, 27 September
Game 33 – 07:00 – QF1 – 1st Pool D vs Winner 27
Game 34 – 08:00 – QF2 – 1st Pool C vs Winner 28
Game 35 – 09:00 – QF3 – 1st Pool B vs Winner 25
Game 36 – 10:00 – QF4 – 1st Pool A vs Winner 26
Game 37 – 11:00 – Winner 29 vs Winner 30
Game 38 – 12:00 – Winner 31 vs Winner 32
Game 39 – 13:00 – Loser 29 vs Loser 30
Game 40 – 14:00 – Loser 31 vs Loser 32
Game 41 – 15:00 – Plate SF 1 – Loser 33 vs Loser 35
Game 42 – 16:00 – Plate SF 2 – Loser 34 vs Loser 36
South Africa vs Argentina – Viewing on five big screen TVs
Game 43 – 19:30 – SF 1 – Winner 33 vs Winner 35
Game 44 – 20:30 – SF 2 – Winner 34 vs Winner 36
Sunday, 28 September
Game 45 – 07:00 – 15/16 – Loser 40 vs Loser 39
Game 46 – 07:50 – 13/14 – Winner 40 vs Winner 39
Game 47 – 08:40 – 11/12 – Loser 37 vs Loser 38
Game 48 – 09:30 – 9/10 – Winner 37 vs Winner 38
Game 49 – 10:20 – 7/8 – Loser 41 vs Loser 42
Game 50 – 11:10 – 5/6 – Winner 41 vs Winner 42
Game 51 – 12:00 – 3/4 – Loser 44 vs Loser 43
Game 52 – 13:00 – 1/2 – Winner 44 vs Winner 43
Malan du Plessis ripped through the Queens High batting order to set St John’s up for victory. Photo: Supplied.
Tiago Dias and Troy Gordon scored half-centuries to steer King Edward VII (KES) to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Jeppe High School for Boys in a 50-over match on Jeppe’s Beckwith Oval, on Wednesday afternoon.
On Tuesday, St John’s College had also scored a seven-wicket win, with Malan du Plessis unleashing his pace on Queens High School to set up his team’s T20 win on Mitchell Field.
Dias and Gordon carried the fine form they showed on tour in Zimbabwe with the Johannesburg Schools Invitational XI, where they inspired their side to the title, into Wednesday’s game.
Dias’s most notable innings for the Invitational XI was a half-century in the semifinals, which played a key role in ushering the team into the final. Gordon, who was named the Batsman of the Tournament, topped the run-scoring charts and carved a match-winning 50 in the final.
Against Jeppe, Dias held the KES innings together with a patient 56-ball 52, while Gordon accelerated to an unbeaten 39-ball 51 as his side easily chased down the target set for them by Jeppe with 24.1 overs to spare.
Jeppe had won the toss and elected to bat first, but they mustered only 142 runs in 46.5 overs. It took 25.5 overs for KES to race to 144/3.
Batting first, the hosts finished the powerplay on 46/3. That wasn’t the firmest footing, and they struggled to get their feet under them thereafter. Their captain, Ryan Young (43), did his best to keep the innings together, but the procession of wickets at the other end made it an uphill battle.
Christian Sabela was the chief architect of Jeppe’s struggles. The right-arm pacer ripped out Jeppe’s core, dismissing Munib Ayob, Aiden Reyneke, and Ryan Young, on his way to four wickets for 25 runs from 10 overs. That excellent effort earned Sabela the Player of the Match award.
Dias, who spent 17.5 overs out in the middle, gave KES a solid start and shared a brief 29-run partnership with Gordon before being dismissed.
Unlike Dias, who had been watchful, Gordon played his shots, launching four sixes and cracking three fours in his unbeaten half-century. He was in the company of Zieg Roos (17*), when KES claimed victory.
St John’s, meanwhile, welcomed Queens onto their hallowed Mitchell Field with some fiery pace bowling.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first but lost a wicket off the first delivery of the match. From there, they stumbled to 102/7 in 20 overs. St John’s, in reply, charged to 103/3 in 12.5 overs.
Malan du Plessis did most of the damage with the ball, delivering 16 dots while sending four Queens’ batsmen packing for 20 runs from his four overs. Had he not conceded six wides, his figures would have been even more impressive.
In pursuit of 103 to win, the hosts lost Lutchman Darshik in the third over after he had scored nine runs from 10 balls. His dismissal brought Alec Loveland to the crease, and Loveland and Herman Basson then set about the Queens’ bowling. Together, they put on 66 runs for the second wicket, which left the Blues on the cusp of victory.
Loveland fell for a brisk 33 off 23 deliveries, while Basson batted through the chase and was unbeaten on 38 from 31 balls when the game was won.
Scorecards
Jeppe High School for Boys 142/10 (Ryan Young 43, Keegan Cockburn 22; Christian Sabela 4/25, Steele Grooteman 1/19). King Edward VII School 144/3 (Tiago Dias 52, Troy Gordon 51*; Sipho Potsane 1/8, Reza Ayob 1/26.) KES won by seven wickets.
Queens High School 102/7 (Bafana Mthunzi 26, Junior Makabe 14*; Malan du Plessis 4/20, David Ireland 1/17). St John’s College 103/2 (Herman Basson 38*, Alec Loveland 33; Junior Makabe 2/27, Preceli Molapisi 1/18). St John’s won by seven wickets.
Kingswood College started its basketball season with a full slate of matches against Queen’s College in Makhanda. Photo: Supplied.
Over the weekend, the primary basketball focus was on the 20th annual St Peter’s College Sport and Cultural Festival, which featured many of Johannesburg’s basketball-playing schools and some visitors from further afield.
While the action came thick and fast at St Peter’s, there was a quieter start elsewhere. In Makhanda, Kingswood College hosted Queen’s College, while in KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Boys’ High welcomed Glenwood, and Kearsney College visited Maritzburg College.
Kingswood College vs Queen’s College
At Kingswood, the schools clashed across all age groups, with Kingswood’s u14A team edging out Queen’s 16-15. The visitors, though, won the u16B and u16C games on the Wyvern courts, by 25-15 and 32-12 respectively.
The u16A game in the High Performance Centre (HPC) went the way of the home team, though, who scored a hard-fought 15-11 victory.
In a low-scoring second team match, Kingswood claimed a comfortable 18-3 win, thus enhancing the home crowd’s confidence ahead of the showdown between the first sides.
Queen’s, however, began the game strongly, establishing a seven-point lead in the first five minutes, but Kingswood reduced the deficit as the first quarter drew to a close. It remained tight through the next two quarters, with the visitors maintaining a slight advantage.
Down by six at the start of the final quarter, Kingswood College mounted a comeback, capitalising on their offensive opportunities while defending tenaciously in the paint. Their plucky, never-say-die attitude brought the home side level at 24-24, but Queen’s had the final say, scoring a late basket to snatch a 26-24 victory.
Maritzburg College vs Kearsney College
In Pietermaritzburg, rain led to the cancellation of some matches scheduled to be played outdoors, but the action was hot in the Alan Paton Memorial Hall, where the home side, as always, was loudly cheered on.
College came out of the blocks on fire in the first team game and stormed into a 17-10 lead after the first quarter. Kearsney, however, made some defensive adjustments, which enabled them to stifle the Red, Black, and White‘s renowned high offensive tempo. By halftime, there was only one point in it, with the hosts 25-24 ahead.
Kearsney continued to build on their strong second quarter showing and edged in front, taking a 39-35 lead into the final quarter. They had a shot at sealing victory as time ticked down, but missed two free throws, which allowed Carl Fynn to secure a rebound. He sped down the floor and absorbed contact before sinking a lay-up for two points. That was the difference in the game, with Maritzburg College snatching a 54-52 victory.
Kearsney’s second team picked up a narrow 30-28 win, but College’s third team overran Kearsney 43-6. College’s fourths won 24-13.
In the clash of the u16A sides, after a tightly contested match, College came away with a 40-31 win. Kearsney’s u16B side reversed that result, winning 42-36.
Westville Boys’ High vs Glenwood High
Westville Boys’ High shot well against Glenwood to get their campaign off to a comfortable winning start, downing the Green Machine 98-55.
Westville’s thirds ran roughshod over Glenwood, winning 75-18, but the action between the u16 sides was closer, with the Westville A team winning 47-20 and the B side squeaking a 23-20 win.
The Westville u15B team won 26-8, but Glenwood’s u14A chalked up the only away win, sneaking by the home team’s u14B side 22-20.
RESULTS
1st Teams
KwaZulu-Natal
Westville Boys’ High 98-55 Glenwood High
Maritzburg College 55-53 Kearsney College
The girls from Clapham High were unbeaten in the Gauteng Champions League, comprehensively outplaying their opposition to finish with a flawless record. Photo: Supplied.
Clapham High emerged as double champions of the Gauteng Schools ChampionsLeague on Tuesday, at the Vaal University of Technology.
Both the boys’ and girls’ teams from Clapham High have been in fine form in the Gauteng Schools Champions League over the past four weeks and on Tuesday they turned their strong runs into titles.
The guests at the Vaal University of Technology on the final day of the league campaign included the Chairman of the Remember Elite Sport Academy, Xolani Mathumbo and former Bafana Bafana centre-back and captain, Lucas Radebe.
The Clapham boys’ team kicked off the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Ibongo Secondary, but that proved to be the only time that they dropped points.
Following that, Clapham constructed an impressive six-match winning streak. On Tuesday, it included a 2-0 win over the School of Excellence in a match in which Clapham was expected to face a stiff challenge. Following that game, Clapham cruised to a 6-0 victory over Thuto Lefa Secondary School.
With those two wins, Clapham High completed their campaign with 19 points, five points clear of second-placed Ibongo.
After going down to Clapham, the School of Excellence took on Ibongo. A tight contest ended in a 2-2 draw. Ibongo, meanwhile, picked up three points from their other game, a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sport School.
Rosina Sedibane suffered a second loss to Je Malepe Secondary, going down 0-1, while Je Malepe also won 1-0 win against Mokgome Secondary.
Rutasetjhaba Secondary School secured a 3-1 win against Thuto Lefa.
In the girls’ competition, Clapham High maintained their pristine record, winning their seven matches in dominant fashion.
Once again, Clapham was well-nigh unstoppable, overwhelming Zithobeni Secondary School 8-0 before signing off with a comfortable 4-0 win over Anchor Independent Academy.
Tembisa High finished in second place with 14 points, well behind the champion’s maximum haul of 21 points. Tembisa’s final day fixtures began with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Jabulile Secondary School, but they ended on a high by smashing 11 goals past Randfontein High without reply.
Anchor Independent Academy picked up a 1-0 victory against Buhle Bemfundo, while Khanya-Lesedi Secondary ran out 1-0 winners over Zithobeni, and Jabulile were convincing 3-0 winners against Buhle Bemfundo.
RESULTS
Boys
Je Malepe 1-0 Mokgome
Ibongo 2-1 Rosina Sedibane
Rutasetjhaba 3-1 Thuto Lefa
Clapham 2-0 School of Excellence
Mokgome 1-0 Rosina Sedibane
Ibongo 2-2 School of Excellence
Clapham 6-0 Thuto Lefa
Girls
Khanya-Lesedi 6-1 Randfontein High
Jabulile 1-1 Tembisa High
Clapham 8-0 Zithobeni
Anchor Independent 1-0 Buhle Bemfundo
Clapham 4-0 Anchor Independent
Tembisa High 11-0 Randfontein High
Khanya-Lesedi 1-0 Zithobeni High
Jabulile 3-0 Buhle Bemfundo
The Paarl Boys’ High 1st XI has reason to smile after making short work of Parel Vallei . Photo: Paarl Boys’ High on Instagram.
Paarl Boys’ High vs Parel Vallei High School
T20s are short enough as it is. But Paarl Boys’ High made Tuesday’s clash with Parel Vallei High even shorter than usual, chasing down PV’s 55-run total in only 31 balls to deliver an emphatic 10-wicket victory.
After winning the toss, Parel Vallei, the visitors, opted to bat first, but that proved to be a questionable decision.
Raaez Isaacs, though, liked it. The Boishaai bowler delivered a stellar performance, ripping the stumps out of the ground on three occasions in his four overs, on his way to capturing 5/12.
ReesePetersen also did a number on PV, snapping up 2/3 in just eight balls.
Chris Hughes was the only Parel Vallei batsman to make it into double figures, scoring 22 runs off 19 balls, which included smashing five of his side’s eight fours. After just 11.2 overs, PV was back in the changing room, all out for a disappointing 55.
Faced with a small winning target, Boishaai opening batsmen, Niel Louw and Ab Jacobs, threw caution to the wind and chased it down in only in 5.1 overs.
Jacobs flayed 42 off 21 deliveries, launching four sixes, along with three fours, in his aggressive knock, while Louw’s contribution was a more subtle 16 off 10, which featured a four and a six.
Boland Landbou vs Wesbank High School
It’s seldom that one might see 139 runs being scored and 20 wickets falling. That’s an average of 6.95 runs per wicket and a wicket falling every 10.1 balls, but that’s what happed in the match between Boland Landbou and Wesbank High at the Malmesbury Cricket Club, where conditions hugely favoured the bowlers.
Despite the low scoring, the Paarl outfit banked a huge 101-run victory over the Kuils River school.
Sent out to bat first, the Farmers struggled to make it look like they were playing a T20. Matthew Geldenhuys more than doubled up Boland Landbou’s next highest scorer, weighing in with 34 runs off 24 balls. He also struck twice as many boundaries as any other batsman, contributing three fours and a six.
With three balls remaining in their innings, Boland Landbou was dismissed for 120. The trio of Melvino Marang, Lee Johndre, and ElginoDyasone claimed two victims each for Wesbank, with Marang’s 2/19 and Johndre’s 2/20 leading the way.
When Wesbank batted, it was more a case of trying to survive than trying to win. Their reply lasted only 14.1 overs, and it rendered just 19 all out, with five batsmen sent packing for ducks.
Francois Prins delivered the astonishing bowling figures of 5/2 from his four overs, while Kobus Conradie also impressed, claiming 3/6, also from four overs.
SCORES
Paarl Boys’ High School 58/0 (Ab Jacobs 42*); Parel Vallei 55/10 (Chris Hughes 22; Raeez Isaacs 5/12, Reese Petersen 2/3, Aden Batt 2/14).
Paarl Boys’ High won by 10 wickets.
Boland Landbou 120/10 (Matthew Geldenhuys 34; Melvino Marang 2/19, Lee Johndre 2/20, Elgino Dyasone 2/35); Wesbank HighSchool 19/10 (Francois Prins 5/2, Kobus Conradie 3/6).
The Cape outfit won the title in 2024 after dominating Clifton College in the final, winning 10-2.
Standing in the way in their group will be Glenwood House, from George, KZN’s Maritzburg College, and the Gauteng duo of Pretoria Boys High(PBHS) and St David’s Marist Inanda.
‘Boschwas outstanding at last year’s tournament, going unbeaten through their pool assignments and in the playoffs. They faced Glenwood House, PBHS and St David’s and scored a combined whopping 33 goals in those three outings.
They’ll be favoured to go all the way once again. Their quest for back-to-back titles begins against St David’s on day one at 16:00.
Pool A, meanwhile, will be contested by Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool(Affies), Grey High, Hilton College, Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG), and the hosts, Wynberg Boys’ High. Based on last year’s performances, it’s likely to be a tightly contested group.
Out of those five teams, it was Wynberg who finished the highest in 2024, in fourth, while Hilton was right behind them, in fifth place.
Paul Roos and Grey High finished seventh and eighth, respectively, while Affies will be aiming to improve on their 11th place finish.
Pool C is wide open. Bishops, the champions of 2023, will fancy their chances of getting the job done against a Cape Town Invitational side and Reddam House Constantia. They also take on Kearsney College and Selborne College, with the East London school returning to the event after a year’s absence.
Last year’s silver medal winners, Clifton College, who are in good early season form, are in Pool D. They’re up against a Buffalo City Invitational team, Paarl Boys’ High, South African College High School(SACS), and the formidable St John’s College.
Clifton showed impressive grit when they made the final last year after finishing third in their pool with three wins, a loss and a draw.
In the quarterfinals, they edged out Kearsney 6-5 before downing Wynberg 7-6 in the semi-finals to sneak into the title deciding game.
Those tight playoff wins caught up to the Durban boys in the final, but they’ll draw inspiration from their performances as the aim to go one step further this year.
The tournament commences with two matches at 14:00 when Paarl Boys’ High and SACS meet at the Wynberg Boys’ High Pool, while Wynberg tackles Paul Roos at the Junior Pool.
Pool A: Affies, Grey High, Hilton College, Paul Roos, Wynberg Boys’ High
Pool B: Glenwood House, Maritzburg College, Pretoria Boys’ High, Rondebosch Boys’ High, St David’s Marist Inanda
Pool C: Bishops, Cape Town Invitational, Kearsney College, Reddam House Constantia, Selborne College
Pool D: Buffalo City Invitational, Clifton College, Paarl Boys’ High, SACS, St John’s College
The newly branded Wildeklawer T20 tournament has released its fixtures for 2025, and Day One already promises some exciting match-ups.
Read and follow all the Wildeklawer T20 action right here on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
The week of the Wildeklawer T20 caps an exciting period, as the Oppenheimer MichaelmasWeek and Cape Schools Festival precede the action set to take place in Pretoria. The tournament commences on Thursday, 16 October, with the final set to take place on Sunday, 19 October, at Camp Discovery.
Of the eight venues, two new venues have been introduced to host the top-quality cricket promised by 16 of South Africa’s top schoolboy cricket sides, with the Gijima and Groenkloof Ovals replacing Harlequins and CBC Old Boys in this year’s tournament. These are also the fields hosting some of the highly anticipated matches on the first day.
Groenkloof sees Menlopark, one of the three hosts, face newcomers, Paul Roos. At the same time, the Gijima Oval will feature, quite possibly, the highlight of the first round when Hoërskool Waterkloof and Rondebosch Boys’ High School‘s paths cross early in the competition.
The third of the hosting schools, and defending champions, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, meet Grey High School at the Camp Discovery Oval. Last year’s runners-up, Grey College, face a tough challenge in Northwood at the André van der Walt Oval, the home of Waterkloof cricket. The matches on Thursday are all scheduled to start at 13:30.
The Saturday promises to be another cracker of a day. Wynberg Boys’ High School clash with Durban High School at the Pretoria Old Boys Club. The Horseflies from Durban, although it’s their first appearance at the tournament, arrive as one of the favourites, looking at T20 form across 2025.
This, alongside the meeting between Rondebosch and Westville Boys’ High School, headlines the second day’s morning. The match between Waterkloof and newcomers, St David’s Marist Inanda, will be watched closely nonetheless, with an impending duel between Jason Rowles and Riley Miller looming at the Camp Discovery Oval.
The CSA Hub Invitational XI kick off a tough Day 2, having to first negotiate Grey High School, whereafter they have the defending champions standing in their way. The Free State Schools SA20 Champions, St Andrew’s School from Bloemfontein, will battle it out against an unpredictable King Edward VII School, before crossing paths with the Horseflies from Durban.
Another possible highlight of the second day is the encounter between Paul Roos and Grey College at Pretoria Old Boys in the afternoon. These two sides had already met earlier in September, in a two-day match ultimately decided by the Bloemfontein weather.
The playoff rounds will commence with the quarter-finals on Saturday morning, with the action once again starting at 09:00, whereafter the semi-finals await the same afternoon, starting at 14:00.
The Fixtures
Day 1 – Thursday (16 October) at 13:30
Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool vs Grey High School – Camp Discovery
King Edward VII School vs Durban High School – Sinoville Oval
Waterkloof vs Rondebosch Boys’ High School – Gijima Oval
Jeppe High School for Boys vs CSA Hub Invitational XI – Affies Oval
Paul Roos vs Menlopark – Groenkloof Oval
Grey College vs Northwood – Waterkloof
St David’s Marist vs Westville Boys’ High School – Pretoria Old Boys Club
St Andrew’s School vs Wynberg Boys’ High School – Menlopark
Day 2 – Friday (17 October) at 09:00
Waterkloof vs St David’s Marist Inanda – Camp Discovery
Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool vse Jeppe High School for Boys – Sinoville Oval
Grey High Schools vs CSA Hub Invitational XI – Gijima Oval
Menlopark vs Grey College – Affies Oval
St Andrew’s School vs King Edward VII School – Groenkloof Oval
Rondebosch Boys’ High School vs Westville Boys’ High School – Waterkloof
Wynberg Boys’ High School vs Durban High School – Pretoria Old Boys Club
Paul Roos vs Northwood – Menlopark
Day 2 – Friday (17 October) at 14:00
Menlopark vs Northwood – Camp Discovery
Waterkloof vs Westville Boys’ High School – Sinoville Oval
St David’s Marist Inanda vs Rondebosch Boys’ High School – Gijima Oval
St Andrew’s School vs Durban High School – Affies Oval
Grey High School vs Jeppe High School for Boys – Groenkloof Oval
Wynberg Boys’ High School vs King Edward VII School – Waterkloof
Paul Roos vs Grey College – Pretoria Old Boys Club
Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool vs CSA Hub Invitational XI
The Venues
Camp Discovery Oval
Affies Oval
André van der Walt Oval (Hoërskool Waterkloof)
Pretoria Old Boys Cricket Club
Gijima Oval
Groenkloof Oval
Sinoville Cricket Club
The Selborne College water polo side is eager to make a mark at the Clifton Water Polo Tournament. Photo: Toni Butterworth
“It’s do or die, from the first game.” That was the sentiment Selborne College first team coach, Storm Siebert, shared with SuperSport Schools Plus ahead of the Clifton Water Polo Tournament, which takes place at the Clifton Aquatic Centre, in Durban, from Wednesday.
An extra day has been added to the event this year, making it five days in duration, from 24-28 September.
Some of the country’s top sides will be in action, including Selborne College, the sole representatives from the Eastern Cape.
The East London school heads to Clifton with their sights set on improving on last year’s showing.
In 2024, they just sneaked into the top 10 after beating Northwood School 9-6 in the 9th/10th playoff match.
“The preparation has been good. We have had a good couple of weeks of prep heading into the Clifton Tour,” Siebert reckoned.
“We had a couple of matrics make themselves unavailable for this season due to prelims. So, we have a mix of a fair amount of core players together with some exciting youngsters, who are getting an opportunity on the big stage.”
Selborne has been drawn in Pool A where they will face Clifton, Reddam House Constantia, and Maritzburg College.
They have some serious firepower in their squad, which includes SA Schools’ stars Liam Hansen and Thomas Caswell, while the experienced Samuel van de Venter will also be eager to put on a show.
Their ability to score goals in crucial moments will be key, and attack is an area on which they’ve placed a lot of their focus.
“Our attack, at times, has been rushed, and we’ve really focused on patience and maturity on attack,” coach Siebert said. “Another big focus point has been the team’s mentality and calmness in pressure situations.
“We are expecting a pool of very close results, where any team can top another one on the day. We need to prepare thoroughly for each encounter.”
Daniel Woodin will be in action for Selborne College at the Clifton Water Polo Tournament. Photo: Toni Butterworth
The Clifton tournament will also provide coach Siebert’s side with an opportunity to prepare for the SACS Water Polo Tournament, which happens a week later, through the tough matches they’ll face in Durban.
“I’m not too concerned about a final placing as our goal. Rather, [our focus is about] getting our processes and game plan correct and trying to improve in every game.
“The results and final placings will fall into place,” he ended.
Selborne kicks off their campaign in Pool A against Reddam House Constantia on Wednesday at 15:10.
SELBORNE COLLEGE TEAM
Matthew Bean, Nathan Weise, Adam de Lange, Liam Hansen, Michael Miller, Daniel Woodin, Cullen Mortlock, Thomas Caswell, Blake Abrams, Samuel van de Venter, Nico van de Venter, Joshua Lentz, Aaron James.
FIXTURES
Wednesday, 24 September
Game 1 – 11:00 – Pool A – Clifton vs Maritzburg College
Game 2 – 11:50 – Pool B – Kearsney vs Northwood
Game 3 – 12:40 – Pool C – DHS vs Westville
Game 4 – 13:30 – Pool D – Hilton vs Michaelhouse
Game 5 – 14:20 – Pool B – Paul Roos vs Grey College
Game 6 – 15:10 – Pool A – Selborne vs Reddam Constantia
Game 7 – 16:00 – Pool C – St John’s vs Affies
Game 8 – 16:50 – Pool D – SACS vs KES
18:00 – Opening Ceremony
Thursday, 26 September
Game 9 – 07:00 – Pool D – Hilton vs KES
Game 10 – 07:50 – Pool C – St John’s vs DHS
Game 11 – 08:40 – Pool B – Kearsney vs Grey College
Game 12 – 09:30 – Pool A – Clifton vs Reddam Constantia
Game 13 – 10:20 – Pool D – Michaelhouse vs SACS
Game 14 – 11:10 – Pool C – Westville vs Affies
Game 15 – 12:00 – Pool B – Paul Roos vs Northwood
Game 16 – 12:50 – Pool A – Selborne vs Maritzburg College
Game 17 – 13:40 – Pool D – Hilton vs SACS
Game 18 – 14:30 – Pool C – St John’s vs Westville
Game 19 – 15:20 – Pool B – Kearsney vs Paul Roos
Game 20 – 16:10 – Pool A – Clifton vs Selborne
Game 21 – 17:00 – Pool D – KES vs Michaelhouse
Game 22 – 17:50 – Pool C – Affies vs DHS
Game 23 – 18:40 – Pool B – Grey College vs Northwood
Game 24 – 19:30 – Pool A – Reddam Constantia vs Maritzburg College
Friday, 26 September
Game 25 – 08:00 – 2nd Pool A vs 3rd Pool C
Game 26 – 09:00 – 2nd Pool B vs 3rd Pool D
Game 27 – 10:00 – 3rd Pool A vs 2nd Pool C
Game 28 – 11:00 – 3rd Pool B vs 2nd Pool D
Game 29 – 13:00 – Loser 25 vs Pool D
Game 30 – 14:00 – Loser 26 – 4th Pool A
Game 31 – 15:00 – Loser 27 – 4th Pool B
Game 32 – 16:00 – Loser 28 – 4th Pool C
18:00 – Parents Social Evening
Game 33 – 07:00 – QF1 – 1st Pool D vs Winner 27
Game 34 – 08:00 – QF2 – 1st Pool C vs Winner 28
Game 35 – 09:00 – QF3 – 1st Pool B vs Winner 25
Game 36 – 10:00 – QF4 – 1st Pool A vs Winner 26
Game 37 – 11:00 – Winner 29 vs Winner 30
Game 38 – 12:00 – Winner 31 vs Winner 32
Game 39 – 13:00 – Loser 29 vs Loser 30
Game 40 – 14:00 – Loser 31 vs Loser 32
Game 41 – 15:00 – Plate SF 1 – Loser 33 vs Loser 35
Game 42 – 16:00 – Plate SF 2 – Loser 34 vs Loser 36
South Africa vs Argentina – Viewing on five big screen TVs
Game 43 – 19:30 – SF 1 – Winner 33 vs Winner 35
Game 44 – 20:30 – SF 2 – Winner 34 vs Winner 36
Sunday, 28 September
Game 45 – 07:00 – 15/16 – Loser 40 vs Loser 39
Game 46 – 07:50 – 13/14 – Winner 40 vs Winner 39
Game 47 – 08:40 – 11/12 – Loser 37 vs Loser 38
Game 48 – 09:30 – 9/10 – Winner 37 vs Winner 38
Game 49 – 10:20 – 7/8 – Loser 41 vs Loser 42
Game 50 – 11:10 – 5/6 – Winner 41 vs Winner 42
Game 51 – 12:00 – 3/4 – Loser 44 vs Loser 43
Game 52 – 13:00 – 1/2 – Winner 44 vs Winner 43
Paarl Gimnasium se eerste span het in 2025 ’n “geseënde seisoen” beleef, wat ‘n paar groot hoogtepunte ingesluit het. Aldus afrigter Juline van der Merwe.
“As ek twee besonderse ervaringe mag uitsonder, sal dit die ABSA Wildeklawer-eindstryd wees waar ons as kampioenspan gekroon was, asook die Interskole-oorwinning tuis,” sê Van der Merwe trots.
Bogenoemde seges het nie alleen getuig van Gim se hoë spelpeil nie, maar ook van hul vermoë om onder druk saam te staan en as kampioene uit die stryd te tree. Van der Merwe noem voorts dat die span bevoorreg was om teen topskole mee te ding, en dat sekere derby-geleenthede uitstaan.
“Derby-seges oor spanne soos Affies en Oranje is altyd spesiaal,” meen sy. Oorwinnings teen hierdie tradisionele aartsvyande is veelseggend, aangesien beide skole bekend is vir hul sterk netbalkultuur en uitstekende spanne. Dit plaas Gim se prestasies in perspektief en beklemtoon die hoë vlak waarop hulle meeding.
Wat die span se groei oor die afgelope seisoen betref, voeg Van der Merwe by: “Ons het bepaalde doelwitte aan die begin van die seisoen gestel, en elke dogter het die verwagting en hul verantwoordelikheid verstaan.
“Om vir ’n skool soos Gim se eerste span te verteenwoordig is ’n absolute voorreg, maar ‘n mens dra ook ’n groot verantwoordelikheid. Vanjaar se span was taamlik jonk, dus kon die seisoen enige kant toe gegaan het. Die dogters het egter 100% in die visie en missie van Gim-netbal ingekoop, en het in hierdie kultuur só gegroei dat gemiddeld eenvouidig nie meer aanvaarbaar was nie.”
Dié ingesteldheid het uiteindelik veroorsaak dat die span se ouderdom nie ’n beperking was nie, maar eerder ’n dryfveer om bo hul jare uit te styg. ‘n Aspek wat vir Van der Merwe uitgetroon het, was die span se kondisionering.
“Ons dogters se algemene kondisionering het dramaties verbeter. Ons het rofweg hierdie seisoen 60 wedstryde gespeel, waaruit ons een ernstige besering opgetel het. Dit is die gevolg van ’n uitstekende kondisioneringsprogram, asook puik bestuur van ons dogters.”
Hierdie fiksheidsvlak het nie slegs beserings beperk nie, maar ook verseker dat die span kompeterend kon bly regdeur ’n lang, strawwe seisoen. Van der Merwe het ook lig gewerp op hoe sy elke speler se rol waardeer.
“Ek het vanjaar met 10 dogters in my span gespeel. Van die begin af, tydens ons doelwitstelling, het ons besef dat ons nie bo aan op die ranglys kon eindig deur met slegs sewe te speel nie.
“Elke speler het haar rol en verantwoordelikheid verstaan. Ek het drie o.16-spelers vanjaar gehad wat ál drie my stoutste verwagtinge oortref het. Ek is nietemin ook dankbaar dat hulle kon staatmaak op die ondersteuning van ons seniors spelers.”
Die balans tussen jong talent en ervare seniors het die span nie slegs versterk nie, maar ook die toekomstige sukses van Gim-netbal verseker.
Die span se harde werk, toewyding en samehorigheid blyk duidelik uit hul indrukwekkende uitslae:
Paarl Gimnasium se telling eerste:
Teen Stellenberg 30-20
Teen Collegiate 10-4 (wedstryd gestop agv reën)
Teen Tygerberg 36-11
Teen HMS 23-13
Teen Parel Vallei 31-9
Teen Sentraal 30-10
Teen Nico Malan 16-8
Teen Langenhoven 24-9
Teen Pearson 26-10
Teen Bellville 24-12
Teen Randpark 25-9
Teen Secunda 35-12
Teen Duineveld 38-11
Teen Helpmekaar 22-16
Teen Oranje 20-17
Teen Monument 29-9
Teen Tygerberg 38-24
Teen Waterkloof 48-16
Teen Montana PTA 39-27
Teen Sundowns 50-22
Teen Upington 39-25
Teen Transvalia 38-22
Teen Bloemhof 33-32
Teen Menlopark 34-33
Teen Affies 34-21
Teen La Rochelle 25-29
Teen HMS 23-22
Teen Oranje 27-19
Teen Affies 22-17
Teen Rustenburg 24-13
Teen Shayamoya 36-12
Teen Helpmekaar 18-15
Teen Stellenberg 26-20
Teen Menlopark 27-20
Teen Potch Gim 31-13
Teen HMS 19-18
Teen Charlie Hofmeyr 56-20
Teen Bloemhof 32-22
Teen Parel Vallei 36-10
Teen Worcester Gim 53-7
Teen Tygerberg 33-26
Teen Nomzano 45-19
Teen Weston 64-6
Teen Stellenberg 30-24
Teen Durbanville 30-27
Teen Adelaide 44-2
Teen Ben Vorster 41-18
Teen Tswelepole 40-11
Teen Upington 39-23
Teen Oranje 21-16
Teen Affies 19-17
Teen Rustenburg 22-19
Teen Menlopark 20-21
Teen HMS 24-16
Clifton College was on fire in the opening game of the Clifton Water Polo Tournament on Wednesday, roaring their way to a one-sided 21-4 victory over Maritzburg College at the Clifton Aquatic Centre.
The newly branded Wildeklawer T20 tournament has released its fixtures for 2025, and Day One already promises some exciting match-ups.
Paarl Gimnasium se eerste span het in 2025 ’n “geseënde seisoen” beleef, wat ‘n paar groot hoogtepunte ingesluit het. Aldus afrigter Juline van der Merwe.