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Paarl Gimnasium‘s girls’ first-team hockey captain, Joné de Winnaar, believes sound execution and staying disciplined on defence will be key if her side is to claim victory against Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria (Affies) this weekend.

Gim will welcome Affies to Paarl on Friday for an early evening derby clash at 17:45.

It has been an eventful start to the season for coach Danelle van Zyl’s side, who have included themselves in the “top teams” conversation early on.

Last weekend, they were in action at the St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival and, despite not playing to their utmost best, they still finished seventh out of the 32 teams.

Gim went down in the quarterfinals, losing 1-2 to the eventual winners, St Mary’s DSG, Kloof. Later, they defeated the 2024 champions, Durban Girls College, in the 7th/8th place playoff.

“St Mary’s was a tough challenge, but it gave us some valuable insights into where we stand,” De Winnaar told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“We are focusing on improving, learning from that experience, and using it as motivation to push harder.

“Looking ahead to Affies, we’re confident that we are going to deliver a strong performance.”

The girls from Paarl are still trying to find their rhythm this season. When they do click, they’re going to be a very dangerous side.

At St Mary’s, they let several matches slip. It came down to small margins, admitted De Winnaar. “One big lesson is the importance of maintaining composure under pressure and being consistent each game,” she commented.

“We saw moments where we let the game slip due to small mistakes, and that’s something we need to work on. We can also be more consistent in decision-making in a few areas and try to win the 50/50 balls.”

Playing at home is always a big boost for Gim, who can bank on strong backing from their loud supporters and parents on the sidelines. It will be no different come Friday afternoon.

De Winnaar has identified areas that she and her team need to work on to come away with the victory.

“I think it will be crucial for us to stick to our game plan and execute it effectively. We need to be sharp in our press, our finishing in the D, as well as the nine-yard area, and make sure we’re disciplined on defence.

“Affies will come out strong, so we need to be mentally tough and physically prepared,” she added.

“If we focus on our strengths and communicate well, we will have a great game and ensure positive results.”

WESTERN CAPE FIXTURES

Friday, 11 April

17:45 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Affies
17:45 – Rhenish vs Collegiate
19:00 – Springfield Convent School vs Paarl Girls’ High
19:15 – Herschel Girls High vs HMS Bloemhof

Saturday, 12 April

09:20 – La Rochelle vs Hermanus
11:30 – HMS Bloemhof vs Collegiate

Dag 3 van die Menlo-Netbaltoernooi het nogmaals gesorg vir sprankelende aksie wat die bruisende jong netbaltalent van Suid-Afrika uitstal.

Verskeie spanne het uitgestyg bo die res met kragtige vertonings en spogtaktiek wat wys waarom hulle as topspanne in skolenetbal gereken word.

Die gasheerspan, Menlopark, het heel toepaslik beïndruk met ’n oortuigende sege van 32-12 oor Rand Park en die dag afgesluit deur Oranje met 21-13 te troef.

Brackenfell het hulself ook as formidabele mededingers onderskei met ’n indrukwekkende sege van 35-15 oor Merensky, maar het later teen Middelburg vasgeval. Paarl Gim was onverbiddelik in hul kragmeting met Monnas om met 29-9 die botoon te voer, terwyl hul buurspan, Paarl Girls, hul onoorwonne status behou het met oorwinnings oor Oranje  (21-14) en Potch Gim (20-11).

Bloemhof het ook uitgeblink met twee seges, oor Northcliff (28-9) en Monnas (20-13), wat hul status as medalje-kandidate versterk het. Diamantveld het hul dag afgeëindig met ‘n aanskoulike oorwinning van 27-20 oor Northcliff en het vroeër ook met Dr Malan afgereken (21-12), terwyl Edenvale aangedui het dat hulle nie onderskat moet word nie met welverdiende seges oor Hugenote (28-16) en ‘n hardnekkige Duineveld (28-26).

Krugersdorp, Middelburg, Helpmekaar en Milnerton het almal waardevolle oorwinnings behaal, terwyl Swartland, Duineveld en Linden mededingend vertoon het teen van die topspanne. Alhoewel ‘n paar wedstryde deur reën onderbreek is, het die mededinging steeds die gehalte van die toernooi pragtig tentoongestel.

Uitslae | Dag 3

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After qualifying for the u17 FIFA World Cup, coach Vela Khumalo told SuperSport Schools Plus that the South African national team is in high spirits as they gear up for their u17 Afcon quarterfinal against Morocco on Thursday 10 April, at Stade El Bachir, in Mohammedia.

Khumalo said the Amajimbos‘ qualification for the u17 FIFA World Cup was a happy, exciting, and significant achievement

He reflected on the journey of his team since the implementation of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) in 2023.

The initiative has served as a strategic framework for the advancement of South African football and has contributed to the growth of the current generation, offering the players advantages that weren’t previously available to them.

“The journey has been very important and significant for the growth of the boys and the technical team,” Khumalo said. “This is the beginning of great things for the future of the players.

“TDS played a significant role in making sure that we unearth this talent that is going to the biggest stage of the football life,” he added

Casting an eye towards South Africa’s forthcoming showdown with Morocco, Khumalo said his team needs to seize the opportunity in front of them.

“We had our post-match presentation [after our last match against Cameroon] and we realised that we need to be a bit more aggressive in the last third and also try to minimise our mistakes,” he said.

Quarterfinals 

Thursday, 10 April

17:00 – Larbi Zaouli Stadium – Burkina Faso vs Zambia
20:00 – Stade El Bachir Stadium – South Africa vs Morocco

Friday, 11 April 

17:00 – Berrechid Stadium – Senegal vs Côte d’Ivoire
20:00 – El Abdi Stadium – Tunisia vs Mali

There are several big matches and derbies in the Eastern Cape this coming weekend, but many hockey enthusiasts will turn their focus to the tussle between Clarendon High School for Girls and Pearson High, in East London.

The girls from Gqeberha face their provincial rivals on Friday evening, at 18:15.

Both sides have already seen action in festivals and will be keen to lay down a marker as they head into league games and derby clashes.

They were both in action at the Synsport Greg Beling Festival before making their way to Johannesburg for the St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival, which concluded on Sunday.

At St Mary’s, Clarendon finished in 18th place, just above Collegiate Girls’ High and Herschel Girls School. After sharing a goalless draw with the hosts in their last match, Pearson ended in an impressive 11th place in the elite 32-team field.

Pearson head coach Anton Peltenburg said his side would aim to pick up where they left off and continue to build on the progress they made in Johannesburg when they take on Clarendon.

“The girls, as a group, showed pure grit and determination, and they’ve started believing in themselves and the process,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“Clarendon also attended St Mary’s. We were fortunate to watch a few of their games. Our process will always stay the same going into a derby weekend. The only adaptation we will make from St Mary’s is preparing for a longer format.”

It will be a different challenge to that of St Mary’s, with the sides set to play four chukkas comprising 13 minutes each.

Peltenburg, however, believes the 25-minute one-way format they played in Johannesburg will stand his side in good stead for the season.

“St Mary’s is an extremely tough tournament. The fixtures are back-to-back and only 25 minutes one way,” he explained.

“The experience gained by the girls was invaluable. It helped them learn to adapt quickly to different situations. I think we just need to take our opportunities and try not to be complacent in defence.”

The competition in the Eastern Cape is heating up this year, with the likes of DSG Makhanda and Collegiate set to challenge a young Pearson outfit as the season progresses.

For now, though, Pearson’s focus is solely on Clarendon, and the girls from Gqeberha will look to their skipper, Annemi De Villiers, to lead them from the front, along with their goalkeeper and vice-captain, Rebecca Haswell.

OTHER MATCHES

Elsewhere in the province, Hudson Park will make a short 20-minute drive to face Cambridge High School in their first derby of the season.

Hudson showcased their skills at the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament, where they finished in 29th place out of 48 teams.

They are the favourites against an unknown Cambridge side that will be aiming to impress their home supporters.

Stirling High School travels to Komani to face Queenstown Girls High, while York High visits Alexander Road on Saturday.

FIXTURES

Friday, 11 April

18:15 – Clarendon vs Pearson

Saturday, 12 April

08:30 – Alexander Road vs York
10:10 – Cambridge vs Hudson Park
11:00 – Queenstown Girls’ High vs Stirling High

Die halfeindronde van die NWU Prestige-reeks is Woensdag, 9 April, amptelik afgelas.

Dié besluit is uiteindelik deur die reeks se bestuur geneem nadat hewige reënbuie vir die soveelste keer die afgelope paar weke oor Potchefstroom uitgesak het.

Die rugbyaksie was geskeduleer om Saterdag, 12 April, op die Noordwes-Universiteit se Fanie du Toit-sportgronde plaas te vind.

Die swaar reën, wat ook die sportgronde van sowel Potchefstroom Gimnasium as Potchefstroom Volkskool buite perke geplaas het, het, op kort kennisgewing, geen ander uitweg vir die bestuur gelaat nie.

“Hiermee wil ons u in kennis stel dat die rugbywedstryde wat vir hierdie komende Saterdag geskeduleer was, amptelik gekanselleer is,” luid die amptelike verklaring.

“’n Formele kommunikasie sal ook aan die betrokke skole gestuur word om hierdie besluit te bevestig. Ons verseker u dat die pad vorentoe duidelik en betyds aan alle skole gekommunikeer sal word, sodat verdere beplanning in ooreenstemming gedoen kan word.”

Die gevaarlike Hoërskool Zwartkop van Centurion sou in die eerste halfeindstryd met die krag van Alberton, Hoërskool Marais Viljoen, swaarde gekruis het. In die hoofwedstryd van die dag, sou Potchefstroom Volkskool vir die naaswenners van verlede jaar se reeks, Hoërskool Wesvalia, die stryd aangesê het.

Verdere inligting rakende die toekomstige bepalings van die Prestige-reeks sal gedeel word sodra verdere inligting ontvang word.

St Mary’s DSG, Kloof, added a new trophy to their burgeoning cabinet on the weekend. They returned home from Johannesburg with their first title of the year, the prestigious St Mary’s Waverley Festival crown.

“It’s a great achievement. We worked hard for it, so we will definitely enjoy the reward,” Nolwazi Nkabinde, the St Mary’s DSG head coach, shared after they had touched down in KZN.

Nkabinde led a young side with only one Grade 12 learner in the team, their captain, Nicola Forbes. The St Mary’s captain, one of just five players who were part of St Mary’s DSG’s campaign last year, was a workhorse in the midfield, an area they dominated in their contests. She was named the Player of the Tournament.

The other four who turned out for the KZN side in 2024 are Ella Bowyer, Jamie da Silva, Jenna-Leigh Freese, and Georgia Short. That quintet helped St Mary’s DSG bridge the gap between youth and inexperience, and they brought their collective match wisdom to the team.

“We do have a lot of u16 players,” Nkabinde said. “We lean a lot on our sisterhood and are always working to make each other better for our team and school.

“They are still learning and are always pushing themselves to be better than the previous game,” Nkabinde explained.

Sisterhood is an important part of the St Mary’s DSG’s values and principles. During their campaign in Johannesburg, the ladies from Kloof were inundated with messages from their schoolmates and teachers who had remained in KZN, former learners and players, and parents of current and former students at the institution. However, not all of the messages were of encouragement. One was a sad one.

Caelan Armour, a St Mary’s first-team player in 2023, suffered a bereavement when her mother passed away whilst running the Two Oceans Marathon, in Cape Town. The team received the news moments after winning their semifinal match. That’s why St Mary’s DSG wore black armbands in the final. They, also, dedicated their performance to the Armour family.

“Understanding and respecting each player in the team is very important. Our five senior players from 2024 have been mentoring and preparing the younger players for what is expected of them in the first team set-up,” Caryn Springate, the St Mary’s DSG Director of Hockey, said.

“We have a great group of girls, good humans, who have so much fun together. When they get onto the field, they work hard for each other and know what is expected of them.”

St Mary’s DSG found the back of the net in nine of their 12 encounters at the festival thanks to Jamie da Silva’s ability in front of goal. The forward’s incisiveness in the circle and work off the ball brought her seven goals, the most in her team. Her goalscoring prowess was a combination of both individual talent and teamwork.

St Mary’s DSG had a solid plan heading into the festival. “In preparation for Waverley, we ensured that in the games we played we focussed on the first five minutes of each game, applying a full-court press and attacking with numbers, to create scoring opportunities,” Springate explained.

Da Silva’s goalscoring efforts were bolstered by the contributions of others. Georgia Short scored six goals, while Tayte Stewart found the back of the net four times. Forbes, Ella Wood, Tain Enslin, Olivia Lord, and Sarah Patterson also scored during the tournament. The Kloof girls were also sound at the back, and when their backline was breached the opposition found themselves face-to-face with goalkeeper Ziyanda Mchunu, who was named the runner-up for the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.

“Winning the semis on shoot-outs to make it through to the final was a great feeling. We were so proud of our goalkeeper, Ziyanda,” Springate said. “For a young girl, a grade 10, and her first Waverley tournament, to rise to that occasion was very special.”

Nkabinde said the goal for her team is to maintain the momentum they built up at the St Mary’s Waverley Festival. “We want to keep playing our brand of hockey and seek to secure a Fairtree Super 12 spot come the end of May, and enjoy the game to the fullest,” the coach elaborated.

If their performances in Johannesburg are anything to go by, St Mary’s DSG Kloof will stake a strong claim to being number one in KZN and South Africa this year.

Easter is rugby festival season in Joburg, and the excitement is building. The three Standard Bank Festivals have been around for quite a long time now – it’s the 41st edition of the Saints Festival, KES has been around since 2002, and St John’s is calling this year their 28^th.

The numbers have been blurred by the two Covid years – 2020 and 2021 – when the festivals didn’t happen, although the Saints Sports Festival was staged in 2021 when it featured seven-a-side rugby.

Be that as it may, the rich history that exists, and the traditions that have been developed over the years, guarantee the ongoing popularity of the events, despite the plethora of other rugby activities that are now scheduled at a time when, in the old days, the Easter Festivals were pretty much the only things going on.

In the beginning, the Joburg festivals used to attract the cream of South African rugby schools. Many of those go elsewhere these days, but that doesn’t matter all that much. The games played have shown down the years that many schools play attractive rugby, and the gate-takings prove that the crowds will flock to watch them.

It all began at St Stithians back in 1984. The college turned 30 that year. A rugby festival is generally the cornerstone of such celebratory programmes, and there and then, the St Stithians Easter Rugby Festival was born. The brains’ trust at the time consisted of the headmaster, Mark Henning, the master in charge of rugby, Tim Clifford, and the chairperson of the Parents’ Association, Colin Hall. Sadly, all three are no longer with us.

The three men had different motivations. At the time, St Stithians, and the other private schools, had begun to enrol black boys, a move that wasn’t welcomed by the rugby authorities. Those players weren’t eligible for provincial selection, and schools with black players weren’t allowed to enter league competitions. Henning wanted all his boys to have every opportunity to perform, so he decided to use the idea of the festival to let the black players at all the formerly white schools who had them shine on a bigger stage.

Hall, the businessman, saw it as an opportunity to raise the profile of the school and get it noticed on the national stage. Clifford, the rugby man, wanted to see the best schools and players play at St Stithians and to test his team against them.

And so it started. Ten schools played in that first festival: Alexandra High, Bishops, Capricorn, Kearsney (now also home to a long-standing Easter Festival, backed by Standard Bank, which began in 2008), King Edward VII School, Potch Boys’ High, Pretoria Boys High, St Andrew’s College, St John’s, and St Stithians.

The words “like-minded schools,” appeared in the first festival programme, and they would be used to describe who was invited – to all the festivals – from then on. But, in the beginning, they had a more serious and sinister meaning. What they were talking about were schools that would be happy to play against players of colour, who would field boys who treated them with dignity and respect. That wasn’t always the case in those days.

It was decided at the outset that it would be a festival. There would be no overall winner, no tournament team would be selected, and no man of the match awards would be given. The idea was to match schools which didn’t normally meet during the season. Those basic principles were adopted at the other festivals too, and they are still in place, nominally anyway.

One of the rules of the Saints Festival was that schools would be invited for two years at a time and then sit out. This was done so that the net could be spread as wide as possible. St John’s was one of the original schools, but they had to stand down after two years and again four years later, after their second stint there. By then, the value of an early-season festival had become evident, and the people at St John’s asked, why not have their own festival, where their boys can play every year? So, they did that in 1995. Any fears there would not be enough good rugby teams or enough spectators to go around were soon laid to rest.

King Edward VII School celebrated its Centenary in 2002, and it decided to stage a rugby and hockey festival to mark it. The idea was that it would be a once-off, and KES had committed to go back to the Saints Festival in 2003. It was such a success, however, that it was decided to make it an annual event. There were u16 teams at the 2003 festival and, since then, it has featured first hockey and rugby teams and has been a third sell-out Joburg Easter feast every year.

From the earliest days, there has been a commercial aspect to the festivals. All sorts of businesses recognised the marketing opportunities presented by having so many of the top schools with their supporters at a single venue. There have been advertising and activations at all of them. And over-arching them all, a title sponsor.

Standard Bank has been that for the last 14 years. The role of sponsorship in school sport can be tricky. A sponsor wants a return on its investment, naturally, but I’ve always believed that there’s more to it than the numbers. At the end of the day, it has to be about the development of the children and the game.

School rugby festivals are valuable properties – I hate that term – because, as Standard Bank puts it “(they) give a glimpse into one of the most loyal community sets, from students, parents, old boys (alumni) and coaches, all the way to medics, matrons, and groundsmen. While the heart of the tournament is centred on rugby and promoting true sportsmanship, it is also an event that brings together communities and families.”

I’ve heard the organisers at all three Joburg festivals call the Standard Bank people “part of the family”. It isn’t just a “give money and measure the return” deal.

That’s the best type of sponsorship. Good for them.

There are tasty clashes on the cards at all three venues over the weekend, and I’ve often bewailed the fact that I can’t be in two or three places at the same time to watch them. SuperSport Schools has changed that now, of course.

It’s the Easter rugby festival season in Joburg, and I can’t wait.

These views are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of SuperSport Schools.

The Collegiate Girls’ High first-team hockey side will journey to Stellenbosch this weekend for challenging matches against Rhenish Girls’ High and Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof.

The girls from Gqeberha will face Rhenish on Friday at 17:45 before taking on Bloemhof on Saturday at 11:30.

A stern examination awaits Collegiate, who would’ve seen plenty of Rhenish and Bloemhof in action at the past weekend’s St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival, in Johannesburg.

There, the Western Cape duo was among the leading teams and played some outstanding hockey, displaying a high level of competitiveness and a burning desire to win.

They dominated throughout the pool stages and met in an enticing semifinal that went down to the wire and needed a penalty shootout to decide the winner.

Bloemhof held their nerve to grab a 3-1 win, which booked them a place in the final against St Mary’s DSG, Kloof. They went down 0-1 in the title-deciding clash.

Rhenish, meanwhile, played to a goalless draw with Eunice High School in the bronze medal match, which meant they tied for third with the Bloemfontein outfit.

While the two Stellenbosch schools battled it out for one of the top four positions, Collegiate was also in action and the girls from Gqeberha certainly punched above their weight.

Led by coach Michael Abrahams, they ended their festival on a high with a 2-0 victory against Herschel Girls School to finish in 20th place in the elite 32-team field.

It was a good showing from Collegiate, especially when considering the opposition they faced and the number of matches they had played before the St Mary’s Festival.

Last month, they played their first competitive fixtures at the Synsport Greg Beling Festival, in East London. They were one of the standout teams, winning each of their four matches to emerge from the challenge unscathed.

“The Greg Beling gave us a good platform for the season,” coach Abrahams told SuperSport Schools Plus after the festival. “We went there looking at different aspects and what works best for us, and the girls did well and implemented what was being said.

“They played a good and exciting brand of hockey and scored some good goals.”

Playing a similar brand of hockey will come in handy against Rhenish and Bloemhof, who might be hurting after the St Mary’s Festival and determined to demonstrate their pedigree against another leading team.

Collegiate, however, has an experienced lineup and they’ll bank on seasoned campaigners Gemma Bower and Aimee Pienaar, who both reached 100 games for the side at Mary’s, to help lead their challenge. Cassidy Williams is another key player and is also a member of the centurions’ club.

Collegiate’s ranks include seven Eastern Province u18A representatives, namely, Kerrin Gillies, Eden Oliver, Bower, Taryn Peltenburg, Ayanda Klaas, Kate Brennan, and Khazimla Nogalawe, who will all look to make their mark against the Stellenbosch powers, both of whom have already staked a solid claim to being among the best teams in the country.

The two clashes will be streamed on the SuperSport Schools App.
Follow SuperSport Schools Plus for all the updates.

Die Hoërskool Menlopark is eyeing the rest of the season with optimism. After a strong St Mary’s Waverley Festival campaign, coach Brad Brook’s side has returned home buoyed.

The Pretoria school did not go as far as they would have liked. However, in an elite 32-team field, they made the quarterfinals and were not dispirited by their run.

They finished top of Pool A, recording five wins in seven games, with one drawn and only one lost.

Then, having progressed to the Cup, Menlopark also finished in first place in Pool E, adding another two wins and one loss to the eventual runners-up, HMS Bloemhof, to their record.

Menlopark’s success was built upon their team-first principles. Brook said his side didn’t click and wasn’t as clinical as they would have liked in their first few matches at the festival but they overcame that by pulling together.

“We showed heaps of grit and character when things weren’t going our way. We managed to hold onto the ball for long periods of time and build phases, which is exciting. But, most of all, the way the team played for one another the deeper we got into the tournament impressed me the most,” Brook explained.

The coach’s team talks have revolved around sacrificing individual glory for the good of the team. His side internalised those teachings at the tournament and was able to make up for their shortcomings by pulling together at all times.

“I constantly tell them that individual goals are wonderful, but team goals are better. They give you a chance to win tournaments,” Brook elaborated.

Menlopark demonstrated dynamism and an ability to bounce back from setbacks, which drove their successes at the St Mary’s Waverley Festival. They’re taking that mindset and fighting spirit with them into the rest of their season.

“We contest a very competitive league with the likes of AHMP (Affies), Waterkloof, and Garsfontein, to name a few. So, winning the league again would be the first prize. We also would like to medal at the St Anne’s Tournament and hopefully qualify for the Fairtree Super 12 again,” Brook shared.

If they’re to achieve those lofty goals, the Menlopark girls can look back on their performances at the St Mary’s Waverley Festival and tap into the teamwork that brought them success. They already understand that it’s that all-for-one attitude that could help them achieve their ambitions.

’n Dramatiese eindstryd tussen Paarl Gimnasium en Menlopark, met Gimmies wat uiteindelik, na ekstra tyd, naelskraaps met 34-33 kon koning kraai, het die kroon gespan op ’n uiters suksesvolle Rhodes Netbaltoernooi 2025.

Die room van o.19-netbalspanne van regoor die land het van 3 tot 6 April in die Paarl saamgetrek vir vanjaar se Rhodes Netbaltoernooi wat deur Hoër Meisieskool La Rochelle aangebied is.

Die fees het bestaan uit twee dae van groepwedstryde, gevolg deur ’n opwindende uitspeelronde wat Sondag met die eindstryd ‘n gepaste klimaks bereik het. Dié fees het nie slegs die room van jong netbaltalent tentoongestel nie, maar verskeie naelbytstryde gelewer wat die gees van kompetisie perfek vasgevang het.

‘n Aantal spanne het vroeg reeds hul staal gewys. Menlopark het die toon aangegee met ‘n swaarverdiende sege van 27–26 oor Dinamika, en dit opgevolg met oorwinnings oor Rustenburg (36–28) en Transvalia (38–24).

Die gasheerskool, La Rochelle, het self beïndruk met vroeë oorwinnings oor Rustenburg (31–26), Bloemhof (36–30) en Dinamika (44–18). Paarl Gimnasium het van meet af na vore getree as een van die sterkste aanspraakmakers op die titel met oortuigende seges oor Tygerberg (38–24), Waterkloof (48–16) en Sundowns (49–22).

Die uitspeelrondes het egter die koring van die kaf geskei.

In die kwarteindronde het La Rochelle hul plek in die semi-finaal verseker met ‘n beduidende sege van 42–28 oor Upington, terwyl Menlopark en Montana in ‘n spannende stryd gewikkel was, wat Menlo met 33–30 gewen het. Bloemhof het vir Waterkloof met 35–29 uitgeskakel, terwyl Paarl Gim met gemak vir Transvalia verslaan het (38–22).

Die halfeindronde het dié toernooi behoorlik laat vlam vat, met Menlopark wat, na ‘n hewige stryd, vir La Rochelle met 33–29 getroef het. In die ander halfeindstryd, was Paarl Gimnasium met slegs een doel (33–32) baas teen Bloemhof.

Die uitspeelwedstryd om die vyfde plek tussen Transvalia en Montana het vir een van die boeiendste kragmetings van die toernooi gesorg. Met sake wat steeds gelykop getrek het ná ekstra tyd, het Transvalia uiteindelik met 43–41 geseëvier, nadat hulle die eerste span was om met twee doele voor te loop in die uitklopspel. In die uitspeelwedstryd om die derde plek, het Bloemhof hul plek op die podium verseker met nogmaals ‘n naelbytsege van 34–32 oor La Rochelle.

Die eindstryd tussen Menlopark en Paarl Gimnasium het ‘n uiters ’n tegniese, fyn beplande tweestryd afgegee, wat die toernooi op ‘n absolute hoogtepunt afgesluit het. Met die telling wat weereens gelykop was ná gewone tyd, moes ekstra tyd gespeel word en, toe die stof gaan lê het, was dit Paarl Gimnasium wat as kampioen uit die stryd getree met ‘n oorwinning van 34–33.

Die Rhodes Netbaltoernooi het ongetwyfeld die gehalte van skolenetbal in Suid-Afrika uitgestal, met elke span wat hul hart en siel op die baan gelos het.  La Rochelle verdien ook ’n pluimpie vir hul puik organisasie en aanbieding van ’n toernooi waar dié jong atlete kon skitter.

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Uitslae

Donderdag, 3 April
Menlopark 27–26 Dinamika
La Rochelle 31–26 Rustenburg
Bloemhof 27–37 Transvalia
Waterkloof 38–37 Sundowns
Tygerberg 24–38 Paarl Gim
Montana 38–35 Upington
Montana 31–31 Tygerberg
Upington 24–35 Sundowns
Paarl Gim 48–16 Waterkloof
Bloemhof 30–36 La Rochelle
Transvalia 22–25 Dinamika
Rustenburg 28–36 Menlopark
Waterkloof 34–35 Upington
Paarl Gim 39–27 Montana
Dinamika 18–44 La Rochelle
Menlopark 38–24 Transvalia
Bloemhof 33–31 Rustenburg
Tygerberg 36–31 Sundowns

Vrydag, 4 April
Dinamika 20–34 Rustenburg
La Rochelle 38–28 Transvalia
Sundowns 22–49 Paarl Gim
Tygerberg 27–34 Upington
Bloemhof 34–33 Menlopark
Montana 27–28 Waterkloof
Transvalia 31–26 Rustenburg
Waterkloof 35–34 Tygerberg
Sundowns 38–44 Montana
Dinamika 29–38 Bloemhof
Upington 25–39 Paarl Gim
Menlopark 30–29 La Rochelle

Kwarteindronde – Saterdag, 5 April
La Rochelle 42–28 Upington
Menlopark 33–30 Montana
Bloemhof 35–29 Waterkloof
Transvalia 22–38 Paarl Gim

Halfeindronde – Sondag, 6 April
La Rochelle 29–33 Menlopark
Bloemhof 32–33 Paarl Gim

Plekwedstryde – Sondag 6, April
5de/6de plek: Transvalia 43–41 Montana (sudden death na ekstra tyd)
3de/4de plek: La Rochelle 32–34 Bloemhof
Eindstryd: Menlopark 33–34 Paarl Gimnasium (na ekstra tyd)