Na ‘n afwesigheid van drie jaar sal die versekeringsmaatskappy, Virseker, weer die titelborg van die grootste skolerugby-kompetisie ter wêreld wees.
Die Noordvaalbeker, wat ook onder die oudste skole-toernooie op die aardbôl tel, sal voortaan as die Virseker Noordvaal Cup of Virseker Noordvaalbeker bekend staan. Die toernooi het in 1920 ontstaan en het sedertdien vele baadjies gedra.
Die toernooi het voorheen ook as die Transvaalbeker (1920-21), AG Robertsonbeker (1922-1933), Administrateursbeker (1934-1981), Direkteurstrofee (1982-1994), Beeldtrofee (1994-2015), Virseker-Beeldtrofee (2016), Virsekerbeker (2017-2021), Noordvaaltrofee (2022) en SDC Noordvaal Cup (2023-25) bekend gestaan.
Virseker was dus voorheen vir ses jaar die titelborg. Die versekeringsmaatskappy se nuwe kontrak met die Noordvaal Skolerugby-vereniging (NVSRV) sal tot en met die einde van die 2028-seisoen loop.
Die kompetisie het sedert Virseker laas betrokke was reuse tree gegee op kommersiële gebied. Die bemarkingsmaatskappy, Provantage, sien na die kompetisie se kommersiële regte om.
Boonop met die ontstaan van SuperSport Schools in 2021 het die skolerugbylandskap reuse tree vorentoe gegee wat behels die sigbaarheid asook die bemarkingsgeleenthede wat beskikbaar is. Dit het ook aan die spelers ‘n platform gegee om hul talente op die rugbyveld aan ‘n wyer gehoor ten toon te stel.
Daar sal vanjaar weer regstreekse dekking van die toernooi op SuperSport Schools se toepassings aan meeste van die wedstryde gegee word, terwyl daar ook elke Saterdag tydens dié toernooi ‘n wedstryd op DStv Kanaal 216 uitgesaai sal word.
Die Virseker Noordvaalbeker word oor vyf groepe beslis met die Hoërskool Garsfontein van Pretoria wat die afgelope drie jaar as kampioen van die Beker-afdeling gekroon is. Meer as 200 skole neem jaarliks aan dié kompetisie deel.
Die ander verdedigende kampioene in Groep 1 is HTS Middelburg (Plaat-afdeling), Montana (Skild-afdeling) en Potchefstroom Volkskool (Bowl-afdeling). Vanjaar se eindstryde van die vier afdelings sal op 22 Augustus plaasvind.
Die NVSRV het ook reeds ‘n vergrootte Bowl-afdeling vir 2026 aangekondig.
Dié afdeling sal vanjaar in twee groepe, die Oostelike en die Westelike been, verdeel word. Elke been sal uit ses spanne bestaan wat mekaar die stryd aansê. Die top-twee spanne van elke been sal mekaar, oorkruis, in die halfeindronde pak, waarna ‘n algehele wenner in die eindstryd gekroon sal word.
Dit bied ook die geleentheid aan drie nuwelinge, vanuit Afdeling 2, om hul strukture op ‘n hoër vlak te toets. Hoërskool Brandwag van Benoni is, saam met Hoërskool Die Anker en Hoërskool Hugenote van Springs, die nuwe gesigte in die Oostelike been. Die Anker en Hugenote is albei aan die einde van vanjaar se seisoen na die Bowl gerelegeer.
In die Westelike been, is Hoërskool Centurion en ‘n gevaarlike Midstream College die nuwelinge in ‘n uiters mededingende groep. Die kampioen van vanjaar se reeks, Potchefstroom Volkskool, asook die naaswenner, Potchefstroom Gimnasium, is ook albei hier in aksie.
In Groep 2 het Midstream College die kroon gedra, maar sal vanjaar in die vergrootte Bowl-afdeling van Groep 1 in aksie wees. In Groep 3 was Hoërskool Vryburg die kampioen, terwyl Carletonville met die Groep 4-titel weggestap het.
In Groep 5 se twee afdelings het die Hoërskool Vryburger en Jabulani Secondary onderskeidelik die trofee omhoog gehou.
JVW won the inaugural u13 GWDL League title in 2025. Photo: Mondli Dube.
South Africa’s leading development leagues, the Gauteng Development League (GDL) and the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL), are set to kick off the 2026 season with the customary GDL and GWDL Top 8 competitions.
The tournaments feature the clubs that finished in the top eight of their respective leagues in the 2025 season.
In the boys’ u14 division, the 2025 champions were Kaizer Chiefs, who beat the former SuperSport United, now known as Siwelele, after the sale of the club’s status in 2025.
In the u15 division, last year’s GDL Top 8 winner, Sundowns, beat Chiefs 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular time.
SuperSport United claimed both the u17 and u19 GDL Top 8 titles, with the u17 team defeating the Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) in the title game, while the u19 side scored a 2-1 win over the School of Excellence in the u19 final. Tshiamo Selemela and Tshegofatso Modise were the key players, scoring the decisive goals for SuperSport United in the title-decider.
2025 u19 GDL Top 8 champions, SuperSport United. Photo: Supplied.
The competition kicks off on 7 February and provides teams with an opportunity to work on their match fitness and, perhaps, if all goes according to plan, to win a trophy early in the season.
Mamelodi Sundowns ruled the GDL in 2025, winning the u13, u15, u17, and u19 league titles, and the club is expected to be in the thick of the hunt for top spot again this year. However, the GDL is renowned for its competitiveness and unpredictability, which makes the path to victory a challenging one.
Sfiso Mnguni’s Highlands Park, who lost out on the u19 league title to Mamelodi Sundowns on the last day of the season in 2025, thus falling just short of a three-peat, should be in the reckoning again. RESA and Randburg, too, showed last year that they have what it takes to challenge for the title. Their presence will heighten expectations for the GDL Top 8, which should provide an exciting and unpredictable start to the 2026 GDL season.
Banyana Ba Style have consistently dominated the GWDL league across all formats over the past three editions. They secured the u15 title in 2023 during the league’s first season, when it featured only that division. In 2024, the GWDL expanded to include two divisions, u14 and u16, and Sundowns won both league titles, while not conceding a goal in 24 matches in the u16 division.
In the 2025 GWDL, there was a shift and increased competition for the Brazilians. Ultimately, though, they lifted the u17 title, but the SAFA Academy won the u15 division, and JVW claimed the inaugural u13 title.
The GWDL Top 8 mirrors the GDL Top 8, with both competitions kicking off on 7 February and sharing the same venue and date for the finals. The details will be confirmed at a later stage of the competition.
With their impressive track record, Sundowns Ladies will be the favourites to lift the trophy, but their journey will not be straightforward.
Other teams, including JVW and Panorama, will be eager to elevate their performances and to begin the season with a trophy. A tough challenge awaits, but 2025 revealed greater parity in both the GDL and the GWDL, and that will make for an exciting event.
GDL Top 8 FIXTURES
7 February
Kaizer Chiefs Village
09:00 – Kaizer Chiefs vs Tuks (u14)
10:30 – Kaizer Chiefs vs Panorama (u15)
12:00 – Kaizer Chiefs vs Panorama (u17)
14:00 – Kaizer Chiefs vs Randburg (u19)
Eskom Megawatt Park
08:30 – Siwelele vs Seven’s Academy (u13)
10:30 – Siwelele vs East Rand Athletic Club (u14)
11:30 – Siwelele vs Randburg (u15)
13:00 – Siwelele vs Seven’s Academy (u17)
14:00 – Siwelele vs RESA (u19)
Balfour Park
08:30 – Highlands Park vs Tuks (u13)
09:30 – Highlands Park vs Panorama (u14)
11:00 – Africa School of Excellence vs Wits Junior (u15)
14:00 – RESA vs Tuks (u17)
15:00 – Highlands Park vs Wits Junior (u19)
8 February
Clapham High School
08:30 – Mamelodi Sundowns vs Panorama (u13)
09:30 – Mamelodi Sundowns vs Kathorus Hyper Academy (u14)
11:00 – Mamelodi Sundowns vs Joburg City (u15)
13:00 – Mamelodi Sundowns vs Highlands Park (u17)
15:00 – Mamelodi Sundowns vs Kathorus Hyper Academy (u19)
14 February
Semifinals
Venue: TBC
08:30 – M1 Winner u13 vs M4 Winner u13
09:30 – M1 Winner u14 vs M4 Winner u14
11:00 – M1 Winner u15 vs M4 Winner u15
13:00 – M1 Winner u17 vs M4 Winner u17
15:00 – M1 Winner u19 vs M4 Winner u19
Venue: TBC
08:30 – M2 Winner u13 vs M3 Winner u13
09:30 – M2 Winner u14 vs M3 Winner u14
11:00 – M2 Winner u15 vs M3 Winner u15
13:00 – M2 Winner u17 vs M3 Winner u17
15:00 – M2 Winner u19 vs M3 Winner u19
22 March
FINALS
Venue: TBC
08:30 – M5 Winner u13 vs M6 Winner u13
09:30 – M5 Winner u14 vs M6 Winner u14
11:00 – M5 Winner u15 vs M6 Winner u15
13:00 – M5 Winner u17 vs M6 Winner u17
15:00 – M5 Winner u19 vs M6 Winner u19
GWDL Top 8 FIXTURES
8 February
Chloorkop
09:00 – Mamelodi Sundowns vs Tuks (u13)
10:00 – Mamelodi Sundowns vs Tuks (u15)
11:30 – Mamelodi Sundowns vs Tuks (u17)
JP Bezuidenhout
09:00 – Edenvale vs Kenneth (u13)
10:15 – Edenvale vs Kenneth (u15)
11:30 – Edenvale vs Kenneth (u17)
Curro Hazeldean
09:00 – Refilwe vs Panorama (u13)
10:00 – Refilwe vs Panorama (u15)
11:30 – Refilwe vs Panorama (u17)
Highlands Park Linksfield (Bedford Park)
09:00 – JVW vs Kempton Park (u13)
10:00 – JVW vs Kempton Park (u15)
11:00 – JVW vs Kempton Park (u17)
Garsfontein 49 (13) – Drieë: Drewyn Baron (2), Derik Potgieter, Stefan van der Vyver, Lourenz de Jager, Yuvrah George. Strafdrie. Doelskoppe: Joshua Gouws (3). Strafdoele: Gouws (2). Helpmekaar Kollege 24 (14) – Drieë: John van Druten, Xander van Niekerk, Zuan Krige, Daniel van der Linden. Doelskoppe: Ethan Kruger (2)
Waterkloof 31 (5) – Drieë: Hugo Dercksen (2), Meyer Pretorius, Liam Schutte, Ben Steyn. Doelskop: Schutte (3). Hoërskool Rustenburg 10 (3) – Drie: Ruben van Heerden. Doelskop: Ricardo Enos. Strafdoel: Lian Boshoff.
Hoërskool Middelburg 26 (12) – Drieë: Kgotso Peta, Lihan de Vaal, Dewald du Toit, Blake Faber. Doelskoppe: Jano Wilson (3). Menlopark 25 (10) – Drieë: Duran Pieterse (3), Willie Pieterse. Doelskop: Pieterse Strafdoel: Pieterse.
The St Andrew’s College campus will be abuzz this weekend as some of the country’s best water polo teams take to the water in the SAC Shield. Photo: Toni Butterworth
Rivalries will be renewed, old foes will lock horns, and bragging rights will be up for grabs when the St Andrew’s College (SAC) Shield kicks off in Makhanda this week.
The annual tournament is widely recognised as one of the country’s most prestigious events and marks the start of a jam-packed water polo season.
It runs from 22 to 25 January, with the action taking place at St Andrew College’s picturesque aquatic centre.
In attendance will be some of the nation’s powerhouses who will be out to prove a point and lay hands on the first piece of silverware on offer in 2026.
Rondebosch Boys’ High will be defending the title they won when they defeated St John’s College 12-7 in the final a year ago.
The Cape Town school has been drawn in Pool A along with St John’s, St Andrew’s, Bishops Diocesan College, Clifton College, and Westville Boys’ High.
It is, undoubtedly, the group of death and will certainly influence the quality of matchups when the tournament heads into the playoffs.
Bishops finished with a bronze medal last year, but they’ll be aiming to go further this time around. The side, coached by Jabulani Sibiya, will be brimming with confidence after beating Paul Roos Gimnasium 15-10 in round one of the SACS Nite Series on Tuesday.
The hosts didn’t have the greatest of campaigns a year ago, finishing ninth after beating Westville 9-5 on the final day.
Clifton will also set their sights on improving and playing an attractive brand of polo under coach Pierre le Roux, who had barely touched down in South Africa from New Zealand last year before taking charge of the Durban side.
Hilton College will aim to improve on last year’s fifth-place finish at the SAC Shield. Photo: Toni Butterworth.
While Pool A is littered with top-notch clashes, Pool B could be wide open with several teams licking their lips and eyeing upsets.
Hilton College and SACS will reignite their rivalry at the tournament. They played for fifth place last year, with Hilton winning that contest 10-9.
St Stithians College has made a promising start to the season and racked up victories over St David’s Marist Inanda and King Edward VII(KES) at the KES Night League a week ago.
Led by coaches Michal Stewart and Jason Sileno, they’ll fancy their chances of going far in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape duo of Grey High School and Selborne College will need to play their socks off to keep up with the rest of the pack.
Selborne impressed last year and finished fourth, while Grey finished last after losing 8-9 to Paul Roos Gimnasium on the final day.
The action will kick off bright and early on Thursday with a Pool A clash between the hosts and Westville at 07:30.
Pools
Pool A: Bishops, Rondebosch, St John’s College, St Andrew’s College, Clifton College, Westville Boys’ High. Pool B: SACS, St Stithians College, Hilton College, Grey High, Selborne College, Paul Roos.
Fixtures
Day 1 – Thursday, 22 January
Pool A
07:30 – Westville vs St Andrew’s; 08:20 – Clifton vs St John’s College; 09:10 – Bishops vs Rondebosch; 12:30 – Bishops vs Westville; 13:20 – Rondebosch vs Clifton; 14:10 – St John’s College vs St Andrew’s; 17:30 – Bishops vs St Andrew’s.
Pool B
10:00 – Paul Roos vs Grey High; 10:50 – Selborne vs Hilton College; 11:40 – SACS vs St Stithians; 15:00 – SACS vs Paul Roos; 15:50 – St Stithians vs Selborne; 16:40 – Hilton vs Grey High.
Day 2 – Friday, 23 January
Pool A
09:30 – St John’s vs Westville; 10:20 – St Andrew’s vs Rondebosch; 11:10 – Clifton vs Bishops; 14:30 – Rondebosch vs Westville; 15:20 – St John’s vs Bishops; 16:10 – St Andrew’s vs Clifton.
Pool B
07:00 – St Stithians vs Paul Roos; 07:50 – Hilton vs SACS; 08:40 – Grey High vs Selborne; 12:00 – Hilton vs Paul Roos; 12:50 – Grey vs St Stithians; 13:40 – Selborne vs SACS; 17:00 – Paul Roos vs Selborne; 17:50 – SACS vs Grey High.
Day 3 – Saturday, 24 January
Pool A
07:00 – Westville vs Clifton; 07:50 – Rondebosch vs St John’s.
Playing at home, SACS produced a strong all-round performance and comfortably defeated Paarl Boys’ High. Photo: SACS Cricket on Instagram.
In a T20 fixture on Tuesday night, SACS hosted Paarl Boys’ High on their De Villiers Oval.
Batting first, Boishaai produced what appeared to be a decent total of 135/8.
AB Jacobs provided his side with a strong start, swatting six fours and a six in his rapid 42 off just 28 balls.
Later, Aden Batt, coming in at 10, boosted the visitors’ total with a quickfire 24 not out from 16 balls, two of which he sent to the boundary.
SACS picked up wickets regularly, though, which impacted Boys’ High’s ability to build up batting momentum.
Three bowlers claimed two wickets each in four overs, with Abhay Kalan returning 2/18 and Ben Blackburn 2/21. Saeed Conrad came in for some stick but finished with 2/55.
Much like their bowling attack, the SACS batting effort had three primary contributors.
Opener Aqeel Waggie smashed four fours and three sixes in an entertaining 51 off 34 deliveries. Benji Tilbury assisted him with 29 off 18, striking three fours and two maximums as they shared 54 runs for the first wicket.
Jordan Berry, the third man to the crease, cracked four fours and a six to contribute a sharp 35 off 26.
Batt, with 2/41 from four overs, was the only Boishaai bowler to claim more than one wicket. Jacobs, with 1/28, also removed a batsman.
With strong and aggressive batting, though, SACS bounded to a convincing victory in only 14.3 overs, reaching 136/3 to win by seven wickets.
Summarised Scorecards
Paarl Boys’ High 135/8 (AB Jacobs 42, Aden Batt 24*; Abhay Kalan 2/18, Ben Blackburn 2/21, Saeed Conrad 2/55); SACS 136/3 (Aqeel Waggie 51, Jordan Berry 35, Benji Tilbury 29; Aden Batt 2/41). SACS won by seven wickets.
Nomandi recorded a hard-fought win over Woodridge to qualify for the Schools SA20 finals. Photo: Switch Schools SA20 on Facebook.
Nomandi Junior Secondary School will return to the national finals after an edge-of-the-seat four-run win over Woodridge College in their Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two match at the Bohemians Oval, in East London, on the weekend.
Qhawe Tenjwa, the Nomandi captain, won the toss in the Eastern Cape regional final and elected to bat first. Her side advanced in fits and starts on their way to 116 all out in 19.2 overs. Tenjwa’s bowling attack then did just enough to restrict Woodridge to 112/6 in reply.
The victory underscored Nomandi’s dominance in the region, with the ladies from Port St John’s going back-to-back as the region’s number one.
After an indifferent start to the innings, which saw Nomandi’s top six batters score only 26 runs from 70 deliveries between them, Yonga Tenjwa and Yankela Mnqabashe mounted a spirited lower-order fightback that gave Nomandi a chance at victory. They joined hands at the close of the 12th over and resurrected Nomandi’s innings with a 35-run seventh-wicket partnership.
Yonga Tenjwa tallied an outstanding 28 from 24 balls, while Mnqabashe contributed 15 from 16 deliveries. Unako Nompandana (12) and Kwanele Kratshi (10*) were the only other batters to move beyond single figures.
Woodridge could have won the match had their batters better exploited a solid platform constructed by Quinn Foreman and Ava Horner.
Foreman was the top scorer in the match, with 42 from 43 balls, while Horner added 28 from 26 deliveries. Together, the duo shared an outstanding 61-run second-wicket partnership that left Woodridge on the brink of victory.
They, however, departed from consecutive deliveries in the 16th over. Foreman was the first to go, run out by Amile Bushula and Yolanda Mdumba. Then, Bushula bowled Horner with the next delivery. When they exited, Woodridge required 26 runs from 28 balls.
The pressure was on, and Woodridge’s batters struggled against Nomandi’s disciplined bowling at the death. Qhawe Tenjwa, Bushula, and Olwethu Njani held tight lines and hit good lengths to prevent Woodridge from hitting out.
Njani was Nomandi’s best bowler with a tidy 1/12 from four overs. Kratshi and Bashula took a wicket each, too, but had higher economy rates.
Fielding also played a huge role in Nomandi’s win. Of Woodridge’s six dismissals, three came by way of run outs.
Queens High’s girls team was in scorching form against Middelburg and powered their way to the national finals of the Switch Schools SA20. Photo: Switch Schools SA20 on Instagram.
Queens High galloped to a resounding 10-wicket win over Hoërskool Middelburg in their Switch Schools SA20 Volume Two Phase Two match on St David’s Marist Inanda’s La Valla Oval on the weekend to claim a place in March’s national finals.
The toss went Middelburg’s way, and the Mpumalanga school elected to bat first, but they struggled to get out of the blocks, with their innings generating only 49 runs and ending after 12 overs.
Queens made light work of the chase, rocketing to 50/0 in only 3.5 overs.
Mankwana Moriri tore into Middelburg’s bowling attack, slamming an unbeaten 33 from 14 balls, including six fours, to lead her team to an emphatic victory. Nonkululeko Mthethwa, who had the best seat in the house to enjoy Moriri’s onslaught, added an unbeaten eight runs from 10 deliveries.
Earlier in the match, the Queens trio of Bonolo Phalane, Tshepang Choma, and Thanya Nkuna took eight wickets between them for a miserly combined 20 runs as they ran through the Middelburg batting lineup.
Phalane was the most successful, snapping up 3/6 in three overs, while Choma bagged 3/11 in three. Nkuna, who was the only bowler to deliver a maiden over, finished the match with the eye-catching return of 2/3 from three overs. Hlekani Chisane was the other wicket-taker, claiming one and going nine runs in two overs.
Only Alana van Melden made it into double figures for Middelburg, scoring 14 off 15 balls. Alicia Oliver came close to getting there, but she ran out of partners and was left stranded on nine not out from 11 balls.
Summarised Scorecard
Hoërskool Middelburg 49/10 (Alana van Melden 14, Alicia Oliver 9*; Bonolo Phalane 3/6, Tshepang Choma 3/11, Thanya Nkuna 2/3). Queens High 50/0 (Mankwana Moriri 33*, Nonkululeko Mthethwa 8*). Queens High won by 10 wickets.
Markus Muller of South Africa scores a try during the U18 International Series match between South Africa and Ireland at Paarl Gimnasium on August 16, 2024, in Paarl, South Africa. Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images.
Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has underlined the importance of mental freshness and a strong technical foundation as he prepares to welcome a 42-man training squad to Stellenbosch on Wednesday, with a number of last year’s SA u18 players invited to the camp.
The camp marks a major step in the SA u20s’ campaign for 2026, with the squad featuring a strategic mix of battle-hardened regulars and exciting talent graduating from the successful SA u18s, while 13 players who toured France and Ireland towards the end of last year with the SA u19s, will return to Stellenbosch.
Foote said a significant focus of the selection process was managing the workload of the younger contingent. The Junior Bok coach explained that several players were not selected for the European tour last November to allow them to recover from a taxing year that included Grade 12 exams, their school programmes, the FNB u18 Craven Week and the U18 International Series.
“Bringing them in fresh is a big positive for us. They are training hard with the unions, and we’re expecting them to do really well,” said Foote.
“I believe it isn’t a lack of talent for us; it’s about making sure we get the foundation of the culture and the environment right for these young men to excel.”
The new players invited to the camp include Kai Pratt and JG Badenhorst (props), AJ Meyer (lock), Mumbere “Wasi” Vyambwera and Gert Kemp (loose forwards), Yaqeen Ahmed (flyhalf), Markus Muller and Ethan Adams (centres), as well as the speedy Zekhethelo Siyaya (fullback).
While the squad has been bolstered by last year’s u18 stars, some familiar players return, including last year’s Junior Bok captain Riley Norton and his fellow 2025 Junior World Championship winnersOliver Reid, Rambo Kubheka, Siphosethu Mnebelele, and Alzeadon Felix.
Flyhalf Vusi Moyo, another member of last year’s successful Junior Bok side, is not part of the squad because he is busy with rehabilitation following a minor hip operation to ensure he is ready for the forthcoming international season.
Wing Cheswill Jooste is another 2025 Junior Bok stalwart who remains firmly in the selection mix but he will instead continue his duties with the Vodacom Bulls in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, while utility back Luan Giliomee is currently part of the Springbok Sevens programme.
Foote explained the forthcoming camp will serve as a high-intensity training and technical preparation block, with a focus on sharpening the traditional Junior Bok DNA elements – set-piece dominance, kicking game, solid defence and attacking flair, in addition to getting to grips with their game model.
“We go pretty hard at our DNA, and we want to make sure we put a good set-piece platform together,” said Foote. “The focus is also on game management – understanding which parts of the field we want to play in and maintaining a high tempo.”
The squad will undertake a short tour of three matches to Georgia, leaving on 15 February and returning on 28 February. In preparation for the tour, the camp schedule includes training matches against the FNB Varsity Cup sides UCT and Maties.
“These sessions are vital preparation for a challenging tour to Georgia, where the squad will face extreme conditions, including training and playing in temperatures below freezing,” said Foote.
“The Georgian tour will test us with regards to the conditions and the culture, but it’s a great opportunity to focus on what we can control. We want to focus on our team combinations, understanding our culture, and creating those moments together that you can reflect on when hard times come.”
Junior Bok squad for Stellenbosch training camp
Forwards (25)
Props: Oliver Reid (DHL Western Province), Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kai Pratt (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sibabalwe Booi (Toyota Cheetahs), Ruan Smuts (Toyota Cheetahs), JG Badenhorst (Toyota Cheetahs), Danie Kruger (DHL Western Province).
Locks: Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls), JP Lombaard (Vodacom Bulls), James Schnetler (Fidelity ADT Lions), Riley Norton (DHL Western Province,) JD Hattingh (Fidelity ADT Lions), AJ Meyer (DHL Western Province).
Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Vodacom Bulls), Alutha Wesi (DHL Western Province), Luke Canon (Fidelity ADT Lions), Franko Rossouw (Vodacom Bulls), Risima Khosa (Fidelity ADT Lions), Mumbere “Wasi” Vyambwera (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Vuyo Gwiji (Fidelity ADT Lions), Gert Kemp (DHL Western Province), Reuben Kruger (DHL Western Province).
Backs (16)
Scrumhalves: Matthew Fick (Vodacom Bulls), Hendré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls), Denilo Jordaan (Durban Varsity College).
Flyhalf: Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Western Province), Alzeadon Felix (Fidelity ADT Lions).
Centres: Pieter van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls), Christian Vorster (Vodacom Bulls), Ethan Adams (Fidelity ADT Lions), Samuel Badenhorst (DHL Western Province), Markus Muller (DHL Western Province).
Outside backs: Dylan Miller (DHL Western Province), Jordan Steenkamp (DHL Western Province), Lindsey Jansen (Fidelity ADT Lions), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Reinhardt Viljoen (Fidelity ADT Lions), Aidan Bester (Saldanha RFC).
Northwood aggressively attacked the bucket against Glenwood in a match they thoroughly controlled, achieving a record-breaking score of 116 points in a single game. Photo: Anele Sibhoko/Northwood.
Although the national schools’ season has started quietly, basketball powerhouses in KwaZulu-Natal – including Northwood, Maritzburg College, Kearsney College, and Hilton College – kicked off their campaigns with loud and clear statements on Saturday.
Playing at home, where they’re unbeaten since 2020, Northwood’s Knights put on a clinic of defensive pressure and offensive execution in a big 116-50 victory over Glenwood, who were gallant but outgunned.
Especially in schools’ basketball, triple-figure totals are rare, but coach Kent Vanderyacht‘s team shot the ball well. Sims Vacu drained 15 points, while Siya Shabalala and Awande Chiliza both contributed 24 points and 19 rebounds.
Their execution, leadership, and composure established a benchmark and conveyed a strong message that the Knights will again be an imposing challenge for their opposition.
The game was highly entertaining for the audience, featuring several no-look passes and dunks by Vacu and Shabalala.
Northwood has retained a strong core of players from last season’s dominant squad, while several players have been promoted from 2025’s second team. With top talents Shabalala, Vacu, and Chiliza leading the way, the Knights will remain an exciting and powerful team in 2026.
Maritzburg College, another of the province’s leading basketball-playing schools, fell behind early to Westville Boys’ High but came roaring back to score a sound 56-37 victory.
The Red, Black, and Whiteexhibited enthusiasm, determination, and exceptional teamwork, showcasing a strong series of performances across all age categories. However, it was the first team that stood out with an impressive, high-intensity win.
Also in Pietermaritzburg, St Charles College welcomed Kearsney College at the Samukele Khumalo Arena. The visitors made themselves at home, claiming an 84-61 victory after a fast start, which put them 15 points ahead before Saints scored their first.
St Charles pulled to within 12-23 at the end of the first quarter, but had to play catch-up throughout, and they were unable to close the gap.
Phabatso Sithole, who regularly tops the scoring for Kearsney, did so once again, finishing with 26 points, while Kwa Sibiya lent strong support with 15 of his own. Tividar Maphosa, with 22, and Kwezi Simelane, with 10, led the way for St Charles.
In hot conditions at the Riverside Sports Club, in Durban, Hilton College hung a 60-22 defeat on Clifton College.
The visitors defended their net well, forcing Clifton to take low percentage shots, often from distance. Hilton was also able to get to the basket more often than the home team, leading to easy layups and a comfortable win.
Muhammed Bulbulia playing for SA u19 Men’s cricket team against Namibia.
WINDHOEK: Another commanding performance from Jason Rowles, backed by skipper Muhammad Bulbulia, ensured South Africa U19 Men set the second-largest winning margin in an ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup and the biggest ever recorded by a South African U19 side in the tournament.
After being sent in to bat, SA posted a mammoth 397/5 in their 50 overs.
SA U19 openers, Jorich van Schalwyk (47) and Adnaan Lagadien (32) laid a solid foundation, but it was Bulbulia (108) and Rowles (125*) who took control of the innings.
The pair combined in a commanding 201-run partnership for the third wicket, ensuring the Junior Proteas set an imposing total.
Late fireworks came courtesy of Paul James, who struck a rapid 46 off just 18 balls, while Lethabo Phahlamohlaka added a brisk 16* from five deliveries to further pile the pressure on the Tanzanian attack.
Rowles then carried his fine form into the field, finishing with two wickets and a run-out, while Bayanda Majola continued his impressive wicket-taking streak, returning figures of 2/6 in just under seven overs.
Reflecting on the performance, Bulbulia praised Rowles and the collective effort from his side.
“I thought our entire batting innings was a really good effort today. The batting group has been in a good space for a while, and a score close to 400 has been coming. It was great to see us put it together as a unit.
“Jason is a special character, and he’s been in really good form for a long time. Over the last couple of years, he’s been batting really well, and recently he’s started converting those starts into big scores. To have someone who contributes with the bat, the ball, and in the field makes him a lovely player to captain.”
South Africa U19 Squad: ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026
Muhammad Bulbulia (Captain-KZN Inland), JJ Basson (Lions), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Corne Botha (Lions), Paul James (Western Province), Enathi Khitshini (SWD), Michael Kruiskamp (Western Province), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Bayanda Majola (Dolphins), Armaan Manack (Lions), Bandile Mbatha (Dolphins), Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (Titans), Jason Rowles (Lions), Ntandoyenkosi Soni (Eastern Province), Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titans).
SA U19 Men Fixtures: ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 (15 January – 06 February)
Friday, 16 January – 09h30: Afghanistan v South Africa, HP Oval, Windhoek – Afghanistan won by 28 runs.
Monday, 19 January – 09h30: South Africa v Tanzania, HP Oval, Windhoek – South Africa won by 329 runs.
Thursday, 22 January – 09h30: West Indies v South Africa, HP Oval, Windhoek
Tuesday, 03 February – 09h30: First semi-final, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Wednesday, 04 February – 09h30: Second semi-final, Harare Sports Club, Harare
Friday, 06 February – 09h30: Final, Harare Sports Club, Harare
Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications
Na ‘n afwesigheid van drie jaar sal die versekeringsmaatskappy, Virseker, weer die titelborg van die grootste skolerugby-kompetisie ter wêreld wees.
