Oakdale’s Bulle ran roughshod over Hoërskool Outeniqua, powering their way to victory by 43 points in George. Photo: Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale on Facebook.
Oakdale Landbou secured their first away victory against the Kwaggas, from Outeniqua, since 2015 in the King Price Derby Series on Saturday, thanks to a scintillating performance by outside centre, Anrich Scheffer.
It was a comprehensive victory of 50-7 against their old foe, with Scheffer scoring a brace of tries as his team ran in seven tries in all.
Last year, Oakdale comfortably won 60-8 on De Eike, just outside Riversdale.
The Kwaggas were able to keep Oakdale’s dangermen, Christian Vorster (inside centre) and Kai Pratt (loosehead prop), at bay, but this created an opportunity for Scheffer to utilise the space offered to him.
The outside centre also had a hand in a couple of his side’s other tries.
Early on in the match, Oakdale made clear their intent, with fullback, Reinhart Viljoen, diving over after only two minutes to open the scoring.
Rondebosch Boys’ High vs Wynberg Boys’ High
It’s usually a Saturday fixture, but Rondebosch Boys’ High hosted Wynberg Boys’ High on Friday morning, in respect of Eid ul-Adha.
Both teams entered the King Price Derby Series match off recent victories and showed strong form. Wynberg started fast, with outside centre, Kunene Gadu, scoring early and again before halftime.
‘Bosch responded through scrumhalf Caleb Bell and others, narrowing the gap to 26-19 at the break. In a thrilling second half, Bell scored again to level it, and Rondebosch, then, briefly led.
Wynberg tied the game, then clinched it when scrumhalf, Morné Noble, took a quick tap and sprinted 40 metres to score. After a closely fought, high-quality contest, Wynberg won 38-33.
Hilton College vs Northwood
Hilton College produced a superb 35-22 win over Northwood on the Durban school’s Old Boys’ Day in a King Price Derby Series clash.
Bouncing back from a loss to Durban High School (DHS), Hilton impressed with a balanced performance, blending physical forward play with sharp backline execution. Captain Liyema Nela led the way, contributing with the boot and assisting in setting up tries.
Early scores from James Peattie and Zander Vorster gave Hilton a 20-5 halftime lead. Northwood fought back, narrowing the gap to 23-22 with tries from Abenathi Ntsele, Bongane Khumalo, and a penalty try.
But Hilton’s powerful mauls and relentless pressure sealed the win, with Vorster and Mholi Khuzwayo adding second half tries in a hard-fought, statement victory on the road.
Westville Boys’ High vs Kearsney College
Westville Boys’ High’s outside centre, Jadrian Afrikaner, scored a hat-trick of tries in a man of the match-winning performance as they defeated Kearsney College 33-15 in their King Price Derby Series clash on Bowden’s Field.
It was Westville’s 12th straight victory of the season. Their final match of 2025 takes place this coming Saturday against Michaelhouse. Win, and coach Zander Erasmus’s boys will end the season with a clean record.
Westville Boys’ High captain Liam Simpkins leads his schoolmates and Old Boys in a war cry after Westville’s 33-15 win over Kearsney College. Photo: Westville Boys’ High on Facebook.
The Westville Boys’ High 1st XV delighted their alumni and other supporters who had come together on Old Boys’ Day to celebrate the school’s 70th anniversary with a King Price Derby Series 33-15 win over their local rivals, Kearsney College.
With the victory on Saturday, Westville remains unbeaten in 2025.
The school has made a number of very good sporting decisions in recent years, including appointing Pam Hayward the Director of Sport. Under her guidance, Westville has enjoyed unprecedented success across all sports.
Then, a decision to appoint Dusty Noble as the Director of Rugby has resulted in outstanding returns. He has delivered and then some.
And the appointment of Zander Erasmus, as coach of the 1st XV, has been a masterstroke. He had previously coached many of the players now under his charge with great success at u16 level.
A measure of Westville’s outstanding rugby season can also be found in the fact that for their past two derbies, against Glenwood and Kearsney, the Griffinhave won every match. That’s unprecedented in the school’s history.
Success breeds success and the Old Boys lapped it up on Saturday by turning out in their numbers.
“I’ve never seen so many Old Boys at the school,” Erasmus enthused. “You look at the stream and you see that tunnel, where the players walk from the change room. It was insane how many Old Boys pitched up and how, afterwards, everyone stayed on the field and took photos with the players.
“It was really special. I have never felt the school buzzing like that, and the build-up that we had during the week, it was amazing. Goosebumps!”
The home team got off to a flyer, with fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya, who had missed the previous match against Glenwood, orchestrating a try for outside centre Jadrian Afrikaner. However, after that, they found the going tougher.
Kearsney replied with a penalty and the home side was, then, stymied. “We constantly found ourselves giving the ball away,” Erasmus lamented.
“I think the boys got trapped in the excitement of the crowd and of Old Boys’ Day, after scoring early. They lost a bit of sight of the plan and what we wanted to do. In the second half, we calmed ourselves and said play in the right areas. Turn them around, put them under pressure, be patient, and the tries will come.”
The Westville coach recognised Kearsney’s contribution to the occasion and to the home team’s stuttering first half showing.
“Kearsney was very good in terms of matching our energy. They came hard at us. They’ve got a couple of good ball carriers. Their number 12 (Keanu Williamson) played very well, setting it up in the midfield.”
Afrikaner went over for a second try in the 16th minute, the product of a good kick-chase and fantastic hands, with the forwards linking up well with the backs before the speedy centre rounded Kearsney down the left-hand touchline.
The visitors hit back in the 24th minute through their inside centre, Williamson, who sliced through the Westville defence to go over unopposed, behind the poles. Fullback Lwazi Mbebe added the conversion, and the home team led only 12-10.
When Westville won a penalty just inside the Kearsney half, with two minutes to go in the opening stanza, captain Liam Simpkins made a good decision to take a quick tap, which meant the One-Stripedidn’t have time to organise their defensive line. Lock Lwandile Mlaba made most of the running before feeding fullback Siyaya, who dived over in the right-hand corner for a five-pointer.
It was 19-10 at the break.
Commenting afterwards, Westville coach Zander Erasmus said: “I thought, in general, our performance was divided into two halves. We managed to turn it around in the second half, in terms of territory and then converting from there.”
Early in the second half, Jadrian Afrikaner made it a hattrick of tries after running onto a flat pass at pace and crashing over against the right upright. Not surprisingly, he was later named the King Price Man of the Match.
The conversion was no problem for the steady boot of Jade-Will Koopman, which extended Westville’s lead to 26-10.
Mbebe and Williamson were prominent when Kearsney launched a counterattack in the 44th minute, and when the ball went wide to the right, to wing Lwandle Mkhize, he sprinted clear and was over with a spectacular dive into the corner. The visitors thought they had scored, but the speedster was ruled out of bounds.
Instead, Westville scored next after a long looping pass out to Avumile Lisa from flyhalf Koopman was gratefully accepted by the jet-shoed wing, who flew down the touchline to make the dive for five in the left-hand corner. Koopman bisected the posts to extend the hosts’ advantage to 33-10.
Kearsney had brought a lot to the contest, and they enjoyed the final say when Lwandle Mkhize crossed for a try in the left-hand corner with two minutes remaining.
Coach Erasmus credited Kearsney for causing his side trouble at the lineouts, which have been the source of much of the Griffin’s go-forward ball this season. The Westville pack, though, had the edge in the set scrums.
Erasmus also praised the contribution of Sange Nkonki, who turned out at eighthman in place of Craven Week number eight, Lwandile Simelane. “He did a great job over the ball. He’s a specialist fetcher. We got a couple of rewards there. The number seven, Lwandile Makhanya, played very well in the loose,” he added.
Sometimes, the performances of Westville’s captain Liam Simpkins aren’t recognised as they should be, simply because he is so efficient and tidy. He’s taken for granted, but not by Erasmus.
“Liam Simpkins played exceptionally well. His tempo was good. He had a couple of good cover defence tackles.
“I want to highlight his leadership. The way he keeps the players calm. The way he can raise the tempo or slow it down when we need to manage time. The way he speaks to his players,” the coach said, ticking off the qualities that his skipper brings to a winning team.
One of the highlights of the match, Erasmus said, was the match-up between the two fullbacks.
“Siyaya was good. He had that first try assist. He scored a nice try in the corner, as well. He made a try-saving tackle in the corner, too. The match-up was a good one, because Lwazi Mbebe is the Academy Week number 15. He’s got a lot of skill. He’s also a very elusive player.”
Erasmus also pointed out something else about Westville SA School’s fullback, which not many would have realised: “I think people see the Instagram highlights of him playing and scoring tries, but I am yet to see him miss a tackle this year.
“In terms of tactical kicking, I think, in South Africa, he’s right up there with the best. He can kick off of both feet.”
Erasmus’s words of praise weren’t restricted to his charges. It took two to tango, he explained: “Kearsney was good in coming out and being up for the challenge. If you give them a sniff, they will always stay in the fight. They’ve got good players and a good coaching staff.
I thought they were quite clever with the way in which they changed up their quick-tap play. They attacked into the vacuum of the lineout, which no one has really done, but they have found a way to exploit that.
“They kicked a lot, which a lot of teams don’t do. They cross-kicked and put us under a bit of pressure there. They’ve got a never-say-die attitude, and they keep on going. When you give them opportunities, they’ll punish you.
We knew we were up for a tough challenge. Credit has to go to the Kearsney coaches and players for showing up and making it a massive spectacle on Old Boys’ Day.”
u19 – Westville I 33 Kearsney I 17; Westville II 29 Kearsney II 10; Westville III 15 Kearsney III 14; Westville IV 20 Kearsney IV 12; Westville V 38 Kearsney V 10; Westville VI 19 Kearsney VI 0.
u16 – Westville A 28 Kearsney A 8; Westville B 28 Kearsney 0; Westville C 28 Kearsney C 0; Westville D 34 Kearsney D 14.
u15 – Westville A 29 Kearsney A 17; Westville B 52 Kearsney B 12; Westville C 51 Kearsney C 5
u14 – Westville A 35 Kearsney A 31; Westville B 26 Kearsney 10; Westville C 52 Kearsney C 3
Zach Williamson sparkled for Clifton with a hat-trick in their match against St Charles. Photo: Supplied.
Clifton College’s captain, Zach Williamson, and St Charles College‘s Rowen Rajah sparkled brightly, netting hat-tricks in an eight-goal thriller featuring the two sides at St Charles on Saturday morning.
The sides shared the spoils in an enthralling 4-4 draw in Pietermaritzburg.
Aside from the hattrick heroes, Tristan Smith scored for Clifton and Blake Francis added another for St Charles.
For most of the contest, the Durban school had to play catch-up, but Williamson wouldn’t let them lose.
As they did against St David’s, Clifton came from behind to force a draw.
“It took us a while to get into the game but once we did, we moved the ball nicely,” Calvin Price, the Clifton coach, told Supersport Schools Plus.
“We fell behind because we let in some silly goals. Credit to Matt Coombes and his boys. They came out with a game plan, and it worked nicely for them.”
St Charles took advantage of Clifton’s slow start and put the visitors under pressure. Their sustained excursions into the Clifton final third won the hosts a penalty corner early in the first chukka, and Coombes’ charges made no mistake as Rajah converted to give the home team the lead.
Five minutes in the second chukka, Williamson struck for the first time from a penalty corner to level the scores.
Saints quickly responded, with Rajah slotting another penalty corner to edge them 2-1 ahead, just two minutes after Williamson’s equaliser.
Having found their footing, Clifton dialled up the pressure on St Charles and their excursions won them a penalty corner six minutes into the third chukka. As he had done earlier, Williamson unfurled an outstanding drag flick to beat the St Charles goalkeeper and make it 2-2.
Williamson had a hot hand, and his drag flicks had plenty of zip on them. Within two minutes, he had unfurled another classy flick into the Saints’ net from the set piece to complete his hattrick while also giving the visitors the lead for the first time in the contest.
Both teams had their penalty corner routines humming and the score became 3-3 when St Charles struck again with another Rajah penalty corner conversion.
In the final chukka, St Charles appeared to be on the path to victory when they took the lead with a well-worked field goal through the left channel after six minutes, with Francis providing the finish. Clifton, though, had not travelled to St Charles to be handed a defeat.
The visitors retained the ball well when they attacked and pressed well when out of possession. Then, with just four minutes remaining in the contest, David Rea forced a turnover close to the Saints’ 23-metre line. Showing off some excellent close skills, Rea weaved his way past a couple of defenders before laying off to Bryon Ward, who fed Tristan Smith, and he scored levelled.
Merensky Landbou Akademie het Saterdag vir Potchefstroom Gimnasium en sy ondersteuners laat naels kou in dié twee spanne se kragmeting in die Bowl-afdeling van die SDC Noordvaal Cup.
Die uiteindelike gelykopuitslag van 41-41 het as ‘n taamlike skok gekom. Om die waarheid te sê, teen rustyd het die besoekers van Tzaneen reeds met ‘n verrassende buffer van 26-8 voorgeloop.
Haker, Marno Nel, het voorlangs ‘n barshou gespeel om die vuur te stook onder die Plasie-pak, en dit het ‘n soliede platform vir die agterlyn geskep. Heelagter, George Steenkamp, was een van die Ligbloues se groot uitblinkers, vernaam wanneer hy die bal in hand gehad het maar óók as ‘n laaste linie van verdediging. Losskakel, JD Boshoff, het vir die Limpopo Blou Bul-keurders tong uitgesteek deur die toutjies meesterlik te trek met sy visie en besluitneming.
In die tweede skof, het Gimmies se agsteman, De Wet Grobler, egter op dramatiese wyse die momentum teruggeswaai. Grobler, nog ‘n Graad 11-leerder, het oral opgeduik om die Plasies se verdediging te teister en ‘n welverdiende driekuns aan drieë te behaal.
Slot, Rynel Rautenbach, het met sy werkverrigting en rotsvaste verdediging ook ‘n reuse aandeel gehad daarin dat Gimmies na vyf wedstryde steeds onoorwonne is in die Bowl-afdeling.
In Centurion het Porchefstroom Volkskool na die wenpad teruggekeer met ‘n naelbytsege van 36-34 oor Hoërskool Eldoraigne. Die Drake moes weereens probeer inhaal in die tweede helfte, maar die Volkies het verbete vasgebyt met briljante verdediging om die Eldos se aanslag af te weer.
Binnesenter, River Samuel, was uiters effektief daarin om die bal punte toe te skuif, waar die Volkies op hul gevaarlikste gelyk het, en ook vir sy sentermaat, Hennie Pretorius, geleentheid geskep om twee keer agter die Drake se doellyn te gaan draai.
Die Eldos se woelige rooikopflank, Cameron Killian, het deurentyd vir die besoekers hoofbrekens besorg en ook twee keer gaan druk.
Hoërskool Randburg het in ‘n aanskoulike drieëfees in Ermelo met 52-47 teen Hoërskool Ermelo geseëvier.
In dié kragmeting, wat ‘n gesamentlike totaal van 99 punte 13 drieë opgelewer het, het die Randburgers se oopkantflank, Victor van Blerk, uitgetroon met ‘n tweekuns aan drieë, terwyl die tuisspan se binnesenter, Nicolas Steyn, die kollig gedeel het met ‘n uitmuntende driekuns. Francois Homan het ook twee keer gedruk.
Bergsig Akademie se heelagter, Bradley Stonehouse, het 15 van sy span se 20 punte aangeteken, met ‘n drie, twee doelskoppe en ‘n strafdoel, om ‘n begeesterde Hoërskool Dinamika met 20-15 die hoof te bied. Die span van Alberton se held van die vorige week, regtervleuel, Nico Greyling, het weereens sy weg na die doellyn gevind, terwyl heelagter, Zavian Mathys, ook gedruk het.
Puntemakers:
Potchefstroom Gimnasium 41 (8) – Drieë: De Wet Grobler (3), MJ Viljoen, Bolt Koena, Rynel Reutenbach. Doelskoppe: Zandré da Silva (4). Strafdoel: Da Silva. Merensky Landbou Akademie 41 (26) – Drieë: Marno nel, Matthew Mockford, Henru Venter, Maritz Meintjies, Jens Bezuidenhout, Meshack Mohala. Doelskoppe: JD Boshoff (4). Penalty: Boshoff
Potchefstroom Volkskool 36 (24) – Drieë: Hennie Pretorius (2), River Samuel, Wian Victor, Marlu du Preez. Doelskoppe: Juhan Geldenhuys (5). Strafdoel: Geldenhuys. Eldoraigne 34 (15) -Drieë: Cameron Killian(2),Hugo Theron, Hanno Jacobs, Kevin Earle. Doelskoppe: Darren Bruwer, Damian Elferink. Strafdoel: Elferink.
Hoërskool Randburg 52 () – Drieë: Victor van Blerk (2), Chrisjan van Niekerk, Bradley Butcher, Eduan Bakkes, Josh Wigget, Josef van den Berg. Doelskoppe: Wigget (3), Jayden Todd (2), Van den Berg. Hoërskool Ermelo 47 () – Drieë: Nicolas Steyn (3), Francois Homan (2), JW Pretorius. Doelskoppe: WJ Pretorius (4). Strafdoele: Pretorius (3).
Eswatini National and AmaZulu FC forward. Photo. Eswatini National Football Team
Alakhe Mdluli, nicknamed “Smiley” during his time at Glenwood High School, is a Liswati footballer who plays both as a midfielder and a forward.
He represents the Eswatini National Football Team and plays for the AmaZulu in the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC).
Mdluli was first introduced to the SuperSport Schools and SuperSport Schools Plusthrough his outstanding performances and leadership of the Green Machine.
In 2024, he captained coach Khaya Mngwengwe’sside to a second consecutive KZN Coastal A-League title, beating Westville Boys’ High 1-0 in the final.
He was also a member of the Glenwood team that secured the league title in 2023, and he excelled at the Primo Big 10 in 2024, where Glenwood High defeated Durban High School (DHS) 1-0 in the final, to do the double.
Following his departure from Glenwood, Mdluli has turned out for AmaZulu’s DDC team, making his debut for against the Soweto giants, Orlando Pirateslast year at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, KZN.
Mdluli’s international football career is also progressing. He has represented Eswatini at both the u17 and u20 levels and was part of the kingdom’s team that contested the u20 Cosafa tournament in Mozambique late last year.
During that competition, he scored two goals and provided an assist in Eswatini’s opening match, a 5-4 win over the host nation, Mozambique, which earned him the Man of the Match award.
Despite that early success, Eswatini didn’t progress beyond the group stages. Ultimately, the title went to South Africa, who subsequently won the u20 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 defeat of Morocco in the final, in Egypt, in May.
Alakhe Mdluli. Photo. Supplied.
A further step up the ladder beckons for Mdluli – a moment his father, Siboniso Mdluli, characterised as graceful – with his selection for the senior Eswatini national team, known as Sihlangu SeMnikati, for the first time during the ongoing 2025 Cosafa Cup, which is being played in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
After the selection, Mdluli, told the Eswatini National Football media team that he is eagerly anticipating the side’s opening match against Madagascar on Monday, 9 June, at Seisa Ramabodu Stadium.
“Given the opportunity, I will do my best. With the presence of the experienced players, I have learned a lot. My main objective for now is to get game time in the national team,” the player said.
Madagascar heads into the match having beaten Tanzania in their opening match. It will be Eswatini’s first outing of the championship.
Khaya Mgwengwe, Mdluli’s former coach at Glenwood, said he will be following his former captain’s progress in the Cosafa tournament closely.
He said he hoped Mdluli would be given an opportunity to play, not only on Monday but throughout the Cosafa tournament. That would represent another important milestone in the former Glenwood skipper’s football career.
Hoërskool Zwartkop is na 14 wedstryde vanjaar steeds onoorwonne, maar die Vikings moes Saterdag tuis, in Centurion, met ‘n grootse terugvegpoging in die tweede helfte vorendag kom, om dit te vermag.
Die Zwarries het teen rustyd ‘n agterstand van 3-13 in die gesig gestaar, maar 25 punte in die tweede was genoeg om vir Hoërskool Wesvalia, tans tweede op die puntelys van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Plaat-afdeling, met 28-21 te troef.
Die Wessies was egter uiters klinies in die eerste helfte, met vernaam agsteman, Franco Dumond, wat uitgeblink het vir die besoekers met sy hoë werkverrigting. Ongedwonge foute na die omdraaislag het die Wessies egter duur te staan gekom.
Met slegs drie punte op die bord, te danke aan ‘n strafdoel deur losskakel, Tilon Baron, het die Zwarries in daardie stadium ook na ‘n volgende rat oorgeskakel om drie keer te gaan druk.
Heelagter, Justin Julies, was soos verwag die groot gevaarman, terwyl slot, Logan Knott, vir die derde agtereenvolgende naweek, ook oorgebars het vir ‘n belangrike vyfpunter en binnesenter, David van Jaarsveld, die derde drie gedruk het. Baron het met nóg twee strafdoele en twee doelskoppe geslaag, vir ‘n deurslaggewende bydrae van 10 punte.
In Middelburg het Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg die sluise oopgemaak om vir Hoërskool Klerksdorp met 62-26 uit die pad te vee. Die besoekers is vroeg reeds ‘n reuse knou toegedien toe agsteman en kaptein, Tiaan Koen, die veld weens ‘n besering moes verlaat, en die Rooi Bulle het dit bykans onmiddelik uitgebuit.
Die tuisspan se senterpaar was vernietigend, met binnesenter, Nathan Janses van Vuuren, wat die voortou geneem het met ‘n merkwaardige driekuns aan drieë, terwyl die man aan sy buitekant, Jacques Greyling, twee keer deur die Klerksdorpers se verdediging gesny het vir drieë.
Voorlangs het vaskoptstut, Marinus Oberholzer, en slot, Janco Aucamp, die pap dik aangemaak en albei is met ‘n kuier agter die besoekers se doellyn beloon.
Ligbron Akademie se swaargewigte het op die regte tyd gepiek om vir Hoërskool Oos-Moot met 41-38 te verras.
Vleuel, Bandile Thanjekwayo, in sy tweede jaar van eerstespan-rugby, het sy ervaring tentoongestel om met gemak deur te dartel vir ‘n tweekuns. Siyanda Dennison en die venynige Neo Zwane het elk ook een keer afgerond, terwyl heelagter, Gaston Brown, ‘n volmaakde dag van die skopkegel af beleef het om met ál vyf doelskoppe en twee strafdoele te slaag.
Die Oosies het nietemin so hittete van agter gekom om die tuisspan te skaapvang. Agsteman, Jaydon Botha, het uitgetroon met ‘n energieke vertoning voorlangs, wat die grondslag gelê het vir die moedige terugvegpoging.
Kefilewe Phamotse se skuif vanaf regter na linkervleuel het vrugte afgewerp vir Hoërskool Middelburg. Phamotse het in Kempton Park drie keer deurgewals in die Middies se sege van 36-22 oor Hoërskool Kempton Park, terwyl losskakel, Matthew Abbey, ook weer puik vertoon en in byna elke drie wat die besoekers gedruk het ‘n aandeel gehad het, om sy aanspraak op ‘n plek in een van die SA Skole-groepe te versterk.
After a competitive first half, Queen’s College put the hammer down and ran away to a 47-point win over Port Rex Technical High. Photo: Queen’s College Boys’ High School on Facebook.
After a closely contested first half, Queen’s College found their rhythm in the second period to ultimately overwhelm a gutsy Port Rex Technical High outfit 57-10 in their clash on the Rec Field, in Komani, on Saturday.
The visitors fought hard to match their high-flying opponents, who are enjoying one of their best seasons in Eastern Cape schools’ rugby for many years.
Port Rex scored a converted try and a penalty in the first half to make it 17-10 at the break, leaving the match very much in the balance.
But Queen’s then showed how dangerous an attacking side they can be, ruthlessly exploiting their opponents’ defensive mistakes to run in six tries and 30 unanswered points to record a comfortable victory.
The visitors simply ran out of steam as they tried to plug the gaps while Queen’s attacked from all parts of the field.
With their tails up, Queen’s didn’t hesitate to run the ball from deep inside their own half and, as spaces opened up, their dangerous backs, led by fullback Mveli Mqulo and wings Ncutu Kepe and Ayathanda Mtyando, took advantage to each cross for a brace of tries.
Fittingly, it was their hardworking flank and captain Jeffery Niland who crossed for their ninth and last try as the home side completed a satisfying afternoon’s performance.
It was a hard day for the underdogs because Cambridge High also found it tough going against St Andrew’s College in East London, losing 31-70 after trailing 19-42 at the break.
While the final gap was significant, Cambridge deserves plenty of credit for their fighting spirit. They never threw in the towel and crossed for five tries of their own.
St Andrew’s hooker Amo Habi had a field day behind a dominant pack, dotting down four times, while their try scorers also included locks William Beamish (2) and Matthew Harvey.
In a remarkable display of kicking accuracy, fullback Will Stevens converted all 10 tries scored by St Andrew’s.
St Andrew’s College 70 (42) – Tries: Amo Habi (4), William Beamish (2), Asante Chivere, David Chorley, Matthew Harvey, Qhawe Madikizela. Conversions: Will Stevens (10). Cambridge High 31 (19) – Tries: Lisakhanya Magoxo (2), Imange Roto, Lithemba Mpikwa, Luphumzo Maqabeni. Conversions: Mange Mhlonyeni (3).
Oakdale Landbou secured their first away victory against the Kwaggas from Outeniqua since 2015 in the King Price Derby Series thanks to a scintillating performance by outside centre, Anrich Scheffer.
It was a comprehensive victory of 50-7 against their old foe, with Scheffer scoring a brace of tries as his team ran in seven tries on the day. Oakdale also won last year’s encounter comfortably with 60-8 on De Eike just outside Riversdale.
The Kwaggas managed to keep Oakdale’s two dangermen, Christian Vorster (inside centre) and Kai Pratt (loosehead prop), at bay but this opened the opportunity for Scheffer to utilise the space offered to him.
Scheffer also had a hand in a couple of his side’s other tries.
Oakdale made their intent clear early on in the match as fullback, Reinhart Viljoen, dived over after only two minutes to open the scoring.
Rondebosch Boys’ High vs Wynberg Boys’ High
It’s usually a Saturday fixture, but Rondebosch Boys’ High hosted Wynberg Boys’ High on Friday morning, in respect of Eid ul-Adha.
Both teams entered the King Price Derby Series match off recent victories and showed strong form. Wynberg started fast, with outside centre, Kunene Gadu, scoring early and again before halftime.
Rondebosch responded through scrumhalf Caleb Bell and others, narrowing the gap to 26-19 at the break. In a thrilling second half, Bell scored again to level it, and Rondebosch briefly led.
Wynberg tied the game, then clinched it when scrumhalf, Morné Noble, took a quick tap and sprinted 40 metres to score. Wynberg won 38-33 in a closely fought, high-quality contest.
Hilton College vs Northwood
Hilton College produced a superb 35-22 win over Northwood on their Old Boys’ Day in a King Price Derby Series clash.
Bouncing back from a loss to Durban High School, Hilton impressed with a balanced performance, blending physical forward play with sharp backline execution. Captain Liyema Nela led the way, contributing with the boot and assisting tries.
Early scores from James Peattie and Zander Vorster gave Hilton a 20-5 halftime lead. Northwood fought back, narrowing the gap to 23-22 with tries from Abenathi Ntsele and a penalty try.
The finals of the Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA)Second- Term Coastal and Inland Leagues take place this week.
One of the finals is already in the books, with Brettonwood High School claiming the Coastal C-League title on Friday to earn promotion to the B-League next season.
KZN CoastalA-League
On Tuesday, in the Coastal A-League, Westville Boys’ High, beaten in the 2024 final by Glenwood High, will be aiming to go one step further this time around. They last won the title in 2022, with the Green Machinebeing crowned the champion in the following two years.
They face a determined and youthful Hillcrest High, who are through to the title game for the first time in their history. Their ascension has been one of the most exciting stories of the season.
If Hillcrest is to go all the way, they’ll have to take care of Dayyan Fudu, the Westville forward, who has been deadly for the Griffin in front of goal.
Hillcrest High’s Ayedan Whitby and Bayanda Ntombela are also among the players to keep an eye on in the final. They’ve been at the forefront of their team’s challenge.
There are several layers to the storylines leading up to the title deciding game. Westville has the advantage of experience in playing finals, but matches are played on the field and not on paper and Hillcrest High will be eager to make history.
In the Inland A-League final, Maritzburg College, which has played in every league final since 2018, will once again be chasing the title when they tackle Carter High on Barns Field, at College, on Wednesday.
In 2024, it was Carter who came out on top, with their captain Ntuthuko Mnguni playing a pivotal role and scoring the only goal of the contest. He was named the man of the match.
The College vs Carter rivalry is the biggest in the region and with a trophy at stake the tension will be dialled up to 10 on Wednesday.
While they are both well-coached and outstanding teams in their own right, finals can often turn on the performances of a single player, as was the case with Carter’s Mnguni last year. College’s Mazithi Qasha, a prolific goal scorer, could be one to watch in the title decider.
Other finals
In other contests for silverware, Queensburgh High hosts Durban High School (DHS) in the Coastal B-League final on Thursday at 15:30.
The home team topped the Coastal B-League table with 17 points, posting an undefeated record of five wins and two draws. DHS was second on the log with 14 points, just one point ahead of Grosvenor Boys’ High.
The final of the Inland B-League should be fascinating. ML Sultan had put together a run of six wins on the trot until they faced Northbury Park last Thursday, with Northbury claiming a 3-2 win to book their place in the title game against the same opponents.
With promotion to the Inland A-League on the line, there is plenty to play for and, coming off their only loss of their campaign, ML Sultan will be chomping at the bit to reverse their most recent result.
In the final of the Inland C-League, Umvuzo takes on Michaelhouse for promotion to the Inland B-League in 2026.
Umvuzo heads into the contest as the favourite. With 16 points after their round-robin matches, they doubled up second-placed Michaelhouse’s eight. That, of course, counts for nothing in the final. Only the result will determine which team moves up next year.
FIXTURES
Tuesday, 10 June: Coastal A-League Final
Queensburgh High School
Field 1
15:30 – Westville Boys’ High vs Hillcrest High
Wednesday, 11 June: Inland A-League Final
Barns Field (Maritzburg College)
15:30 – Maritzburg College vs Carter High School
Thursday, 12 June: Coastal B-League Final
Queensburgh High School
Field 1
15:30 – Queensburgh High School vs Durban High School (DHS)
Pearson held off HTS Daniel Pienaar to claim a hard-fought five-point win in a match in which 77 points were scored. Photo: Pearson High on Facebook.
PearsonHigh showed remarkable resolve on defence to hold off HTS Daniel Pienaar team in the final five minutes, scoring a sensational 41-36 win in their clash on the Hannes Strydom Field, at Pearson, in Gqeberha, on Saturday.
In doing so, the home team held onto the Principal’s Hat, which is the trophy the schools contest annually after former Pearson principal Andre van Staden donated his hat as a trophy following one of their matches.
Pearson dominated early in the first half to run up a quick 21-0 lead (26-10 at the break), but the game then became an intense scrap for supremacy as the Tigers showed massive fighting qualities to claw their way back into the hunt.
Within four minutes of the second half, the visitors closed the gap to 26-24 with tries by wing Chibuzo David and flank Etto Mapapu, both of which were converted by fullback Ashley Liesing.
But then, in a period of play which was typical of the match, Pearson crossed for two tries themselves, with Nicholas Gillespie getting his second from a lineout drive and No 8 Robert Harris diving over after a brilliant break in midfield by centre Hanro Botes saw him brought down just before the line.
It was at this time, in the 45th minute, that Daniel Pienaar received a red card for a dangerous tackle, but even playing with 14 men could not quell the fighting spirit of the Kariega outfit.
They took advantage of some defensive lapses to cross for two more tries by hooker Denovan Booysen and flyhalf Rozario Grootboom, the second after a great run down the right by David.
Liesing added the conversion of Grootboom’s try from the touchline and suddenly Pearson found themselves all square at 36-36 with 13 minutes remaining.
The home side, though, was alert to any opportunities and they delivered the final match-winning score when wing Matthew Els was put into space down the right flank for their seventh try of the contest with 10 minutes left.
Pearson almost blew it with five minutes to go when a quick tap from a penalty near the Daniel Pienaar line went astray and the visitors attacked the length of the field before being stopped by the scrambling defence.
The Tigers poured on the pressure in the closing minutes, but Pearson’s defence held firm to defend their lead in a titanic clash.
In East London, Graeme College continued their good season with a clear-cut 45-10 victory over Stirling High.
For the winners, No 8 Ayola Mali and fullback Lucritia Magau led the way with two tries each, while centre Erin Nelson again had an impressive game in attack and defence.
SCORES
Pearson High 41 (26) – Tries: Nicholas Gillespie (2), Sibhu Mkhontwana, Kadin Kretzmann, Siya Ncwadi, Robert Harris, Matthew Els. Conversions: Keano Beling (3). HTS Daniel Pienaar 36 (7) – Tries: Stiaan Coertze, Chibuzo David, Etto Mapapu, Denovan Booysen, Rozario Grootboom. Penalty: Ashley Liesing. Conversions: Liesing (4).
Graeme College 45 – Tries: Ayola Mali (2), Lucritia Magau (2), Luke Doyle, Akho Tonjeni, Athi Bonga. Conversions: Ethan Bokbaard (5). Stirling High 10 – Tries: Joshua Pickering, Lilitha Mayiji.
