Blog

Hoërskool Zwartkop kan Saterdagmiddag op sy tuisveld in Centurion teen Hoërskool Wesvalia,  sy onoorwonne segetog van 13 oorwinnings na 14 verleng.

Volg al die Plaat-aksie regstreeks op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Die Zwarries beleef tot dusver ‘n droomseisoen en beklee tans, as die enigste onoorwonne span in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Plaat-afdeling, die boonste posisie op die puntelys.

Saterdag se stryd bied egter straks hul grootste toets tot dusver vanjaar, met die Wessies wat in die Zwarries se nekke blaas in die tweede plek.

Die Vikings se breier, David Gouws, het soos verwag geen onnodige skuiwe aan sy span aangebring nie. Hy moes egter noodgedwonge die voorry skommel, met Christiaan de Vries wat op vaskopstut inskuif om die beseerde AJ Hendriks te vervang. Die Zwarries se staatmaker-haker, Regan Blignaut, is ook steeds buite aksie, met Marko Hersbt wat vir die tweede week in die middel van die voorry sak.

Die Wessies kon ‘n sug van verligting slaak met die terugkeer van haker, Fanie Linde, wat beteken dat die Wessies hul sterkste moontlike span in dié stadium van die seisoen in die veld kan stoot. Ulrigh du Preez kan dus weer in sy gunstelingposisie op loskopstut sak, terwyl Jeandré Snyman agterlangs terugskuif senter toe, met die gevaarlike Fafa Calitz wat weer op linkervleuel inkom.

Hoërskool Middelburg pak die tog na Kempton Park aan waar hy teen ‘n segelose Hoërskool Kempton Park te staan kom. Hoewel die Kempies nog stoei vir ‘n eerste oorwinning in vanjaar se reeks, bly hulle nietemin gevaarlik, vernaam as hulle vir meer as net een helfte hul beste lewer.

Kempies sal hul hande volhê met die gevaarlike Buhle Mphahlaza wat vir Middies op heelagter uitdraf. Mphahlaza, wat tydens losskakel, Matthew Abbey, se afwesigheid vroeër vanjaar in die nr. 10-trui te sien was en die beseerde Katlego Baloyi vervang, beskik oor die nodige ervaring om vir sy span tot ‘n derde sege in vanjaar se afdeling aan te spoor.

Voorts verruil Kefilwe Phamotse die nr. 14-trui vir 11, terwyl Sihle Mkhatswha sy plek op regtervleuel inneem.

Hoërskool Oos-Moot het een verandering aangebring vir sy kragmeting met Ligbron Akademie in Ermelo. Kantman, MC van Tonder, is vir die volgende ses tot agt weke buite aksie met ‘n ernstige kniebesering en Owen Basson vervang hom vir die stryd teen die Liggies.

Die tuisspan hou self nog asem op oor verskeie van sy sleutelspelers wat vandeesweek moontlike beserings in die Pumas se oefenwedstryd teen die Goue Leeus opgedoen het.

‘n Rillerstryd wag op Middelburg wanneer Hoërskool Klerksdorp vir die Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg pak.

Die Rooi Bulle, tans in die derde plek, het sopas ‘n naelbytsege van 24-22 oor die Wessies behaal, terwyl die Klerksdorpers vir die Kempies met 37-27 die loef afgesteek het. Die Klerksdorpers se losskakel, Dorian Isaacs, wat 22 van die 37 punte aangeteken het, lewer kookwaterspel en hou ‘n groot bedreiging in vir Tercius Bezuidenhout en sy Rooi Bulle.

Die spanne:

Zwartkop t. Wesvalia om 12:40 in Centurion:

Zwartkop: 15 Shayden Botha, 14 André Marx, 13 Luan Williams, 12 David van Jaarsveld, 11 Stiaan Botha, 10 Tilon Baron, 9 Luan Janse van Rensburg, 8 Wihan Roux, 7 Luan Wepener, 6 Brian Smith, 5 Jethro le Roux, 4 Ettienne van Niekerk, 3 Christiaan de Vries, 2 Marko Herbst, 1 Matthew Smith.

Wesvalia: 15 Henco Greyling, 14 Martin Bierman, 13 Jeandré Snyman, 12 Wian du Preez, 11 Fafa Calitz, 10 Eduard Dreyer, 9 Barry Niemand, 8 Franco Dumond, 7 Christiaan Swanepoel, 6 Quewen Fourie, 5 Tiaan de Kock, 4 Joshua Pieterse, 3 Ignus Nel, 2 Fanie Linde, 1, Ulrigh du Preez.

Hoërskool Kempton Park t. Hoërskool Middelburg om 12:30 in Kempton Park:

Kempton Park: 15 Ben Steyn, 14 Wian Riekert, 13 Rocco Louw, 12 Guillaume Botha, 11 Ethan Botha, 10 Stian de Villiers, 9 Ferdi Smith, 8 Ruan Mostert, 7 Luca du Plooy, 6 Matthew Vermaak, 5 Piet van den Heever, 4 Juhan Hall, 3 Dihan Keeve, 2 Damian Slabbert, 1 Juan Olivier.

Hoërskool Middelburg: 15 Buhle Mphahlaza, 14 Sihle Mkhatshwa, 13 Jaco Truter, 12 Lungelo Maseko, 11 Kefilwe Phamotse, 10 Matthew Abbey, 9 Keabetswe Nkgadima, 8 Hencoe Jane van Rensburg, 7 Khensani Buthelezi, 6 CW Hanekom, 5 Jabu Mathebula, 4 Zanempilo Mahlangu, 3 Dewald du Toit, 2 Roux Grobler, 1 Wian Olwagen.

Ligbron Akademie t. Oos-Moot om 12:20 in Ermelo:

Ligbron Akademie (moontlik): 15 Gaston Brown, 14 Neo Zwane, 12 Siyanda Dennison, 12 Lethi Ngwenya, 11 Bandile Thanjekwayo, 10 Eben Degenaar, 9 Renier van Staden, 8 Jurgens Bezuidenhout, 7 Franco Groenewald, 6 Johardt Swanepoel, 5 Janco Claassen, 4 Henco Scheepers, 3 Dewan Scheepers, 2 Regard Janse van Rensburg, 1 WP Human.

Oos-Moot: 15 Brian Jacobs, 14 Royston Arendse, 13 Jayden Pretorius, 12 Jeandré Venter, 11 LJ Vaughn, 10 Dewron Aford, 9 David Joubert, 8 Jaydon Botha, 7 Riyaan Wilson, 6 Owen Basson, 5 MC van Tonder, 4 Stian de Vente, 3 Jandré de Beer, 2 Thando Telelo, 1 Divan du Preez.

HTS Middelburg t. Hoërskool Klerksdorp om 12:40 in Middelburg:

HTS Middelburg (moontlik): 15 WJ Enslin, 14 Kwanele Mkhize, 13 Jacques Greyling, 12 Nathan Jansen van Vuuren, 11 CJ Muller, 10 Danté Lubbe, 9 Reece Botha, 8 Kayden Wessels, 7 Regard Blake, 6 Dewan Coetzee, 5 Janco Aucamp, 4 Ethan Kock, 3 Marinus Oberholzer, 2 Hanru Terblanche, 1 Janco Botha.

Klerksdorp: 15 Jayden Turner, 14 Tyrand Masango, 13 Winton Abrahams, 12 Jarred van Staden, 11 Marco Symmington, 10 Dorian Isaacs, 9 Rellston Wilson, 8 Tiaan Koen, 7 Marnus van der Merwe, 6 D-Jee Treurnich, 5 Juan Hills, 4 Abrie Esterhuizen, 3 Hanro Nel, 2 Brandon Botha, 1 De Wet le Roux.

Die Arende van Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen het Saterdag onafgehandelde besigheid in Pretoria wanneer hulle met Hoërskool Waterkloof sake uitspook in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Beker-afdeling.

Volg al die Beker-askie regstreeks op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Verlede jaar het die Jansies en Klofies mekaar twee keer die stryd aangesê, waarvan die Pretorianers die eerste wedstryd met 45-38 op die Arende se tuisveld beklink het. Die tweede kragmeting, ook in Boksburg, het met 32-32 gelykop geëindig.

Saterdag bied dus vir die Jansies ‘n gulde geleentheid om die bordjies te verhang. Albei spanne het tot dusver vanjaar gemengde welslae behaal.

Waterkloof het mooi herstel nadat hy hom in die eerste wedstryd in vanjaar se Beker-wedloop teen Hoërskool Garsfontein vasgeloop het. Klofies het die nederlaag van 19-53 teen die verdedigende kampioen opgevolg met twee agtereenvolgende seges oor Hoërskool Menlopark (27-19) en Hoërskool Rustenburg (40-15).

Die Pretorianers se breier, Cobus van Dyk, verwag oudergewoonte ‘n hoë-intensiteit-aanslag van die Jansies. Derhalwe het Van Dyk ‘n aantal veranderinge aangebring aan die span wat vir die Rusties geklop het.

Die hardwerkende flank, Dawid Prinsloo skuif na slot, om vir nóg ‘n werksesel, Hugo Derckesen, aan die kant van die skrum plek te maak. Agterlangs vervang Marcel Tsiakos vir Jacobus van den Berg op skrumskakel, terwyl Ross Adams die beseerde Gustav Mienie se plek op vleuel inneem. Adams staar ‘n taamlike toets in die gesig teen die Jansies se gevaarlike agterste driehoek.

Hoewel aan die verloorkant, het die Jansies verlede naweek teen Hoërskool Noordheuwel sy beste vertoning van die jaar gelewer. Die span van Boksburg het beslis sy aanvalsvernuf herwin.

Dian Botha se insluiting op losskakel het straks iets hiermee te doen. Botha was uitmuntend teen die Nories en kan met sy goeie visie en verspeiding die Jansies se gevaarlike Deshean Pietersen en kie op die voorvoet plaas om die Klofies te teister.

In Mbombela sal twee ou bekendes mekaar weer langs die kantlyn raakloop wanneer Hoërskool Noordheuwel en Hoërskool Nelspruit mekaar Saterdagmiddag op Rhino-park pak. Dit sal die eerste keer wees dat Ryno Luus as die Nellies se nuwe hoofafrigter met oud-kollega, Ian Joubert, die Blues se voorspelerafrigter, swaarde kruis.

Luus en Joubert het vir twee jaar kragte saamgespan om die Goue Leeus tot agtereenvolgende titels by die Akademieweek te lei. Sedertien is Joubert as deel van die Leeus se Cravenweekspan opgeroep, terwyl Luus einde verlede jaar die leisels by die Nellies opgeneem het.

Die Blues besef dat om die Rhinos tuis te probeer tem geen maklike taak is nie. Hulle het dus slegs een verandering aan die beginspan aangebring, met buitesenter, Tristan Helmund, wat homself op die krukkelys bevind  en deur Brandon Pieters in die nr. 13-trui vervang word.

Nellies se breinstrust is steeds besig om te koukus, maar hulle sal waarskynlik sonder uitblinker, Tinyiko Silubane, wat verlede week ‘n rooi kaart ontvang het, moet klaarkom.

Die spanne:

Waterkloof t. EG Jansen om 12:35 in Pretoria:

Waterkloof: 15 Tiaan Posthumus, 14 Ross Adams, 13 Meyer Pretorius, 12 Dylan Botha, 11 Jaiden Badenhorst, 10 Ronan Bastiaanse, 9 Marcel Tsiakos, 8 Marko Kok, 7 Hugo Derckesen, 6 Divan Botha, 5 Heinrich Naude, 4 Dawid Prinsloo, 3 Jedri Swart, 2 Ruan Jacobs, 1 Alexander Elliott.

EG Jansen (moontlik): 15 Deshean Pietersen, 14 Otlatleng Zulu, 13 Christopher Combrink, 12 Nathan Delport, 11 Jordan van der Westhuizen, 10 Dian Botha, 9 Joseph Diesel, 8 Slade Mowbray, 7 Jaco Engelbrecht, 6 Craig Lightfoot, 5 Breyton Kruger, 4 Jacques van Tonder, 3 Deveraux Wideman, 2 Marco Ventura, 1 Ruan Rossouw.

Hoërskool Nelspruit t. Noordheuwel om 12:20 in Mbombela:

Nelspruit (moontlik): 15 Jean Erasmus, 14 Jordan Pretorius, 13 Ruben Greeff, 12 Rian Botha, 11 Kamo Monkwe, 10 John Duncan, 9 Liam Pringle, 8 Vaughn van Zyl, 7 Vian Louw, 6 Dhandré van Wyk, 5 Werno Heyns, 4 André Smit, 3 Gert Cloete, 2 D’Angelo Roberts, 1 Lindani Ndlela.

Noordheuwel (moontlik): 15 Jeandré Uithaler, 14 Jayden Steyn, 13 Brandon Pieters, 12 Kieran Reid, 11 Aidan Bester, 10 Pablo Moeketsane, 9 Ruan Nel, 8 Armand van Eck, 7 Juandré de Villiers, 6 Andrew Lambert, 5 Roehan Hoogendyk, 4 Kean Lourens, 3 Steph Botha, 2 Clinton Agu, 1 Skuttie Bezuidenhout.

Hoërskool Transvalia ruk Saterdag op na die Ras van Rooyen met een doel voor oë: om sy eerste sege oor Hoërskool Monument te behaal sedert 2018.

Volg al die Beker-aksie regstreeks op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Dit was sewe jaar gelede ook Valia se eerste oorwinning ooit oor die Wit Bulle. Hulle het naelskraaps met 34-31 vir die span van Krugersdorp verslaan, nadat ‘n vroeëre kragmeting dieselfde jaar met 31-31 gelykop geëindig het.

Die Monumentare het sedertdien die septer geswaai in die daaropvolgende twee ontmoetings, met reuse oorwinnings van 92-12 (2019) en 80-3 (2021).

Die Ligbloues het vanjaar as ‘n verrassingspakket ontpop in die Beker-afdeling, en is steeds onoorwonne in hul debuutseisoen. Dit was vernaam hul onlangse sege van 47-27 oor ‘n sterk Hoërskool Menlopark-span, wat die wenkbroue behoorlik laat lig het.

Valia beklee tans die derde posisie op dié afdeling se puntelys, met slegs Helpmekaar Kollege (eerste) en die verdedigende kampioen, Hoërskool Garsfontein (tweede), bo hom.

Die Wit Bulle, daarenteen, bevind hulself in die laaste posisie. Ten spyte daarvan dat Monnas in hul vorige twee wedstryde uithalerspel opgedis het, ontwyk ‘n eerste sege hulle steeds. Die tekens van ‘n span op ‘n opwaartse kurwe is beslis daar, soos bewys in die stryd met die Helpies ‘n week vantevore.

“Ons het aanvanklik toegespits op die basiese beginsels, maar begin nou meer fokus op die struktuur waarin ons wil speel,” sê die Wit Bulle se rugbyhoof, Reinhard Gerber.

“Dit het ‘n rukkie geneem en ons moes klippe kou, maar ons begin al hoe nader aan die eindproduk beweeg.”

Sowel Monnas as Valia betree die stryd met ‘n onveranderde beginspan. Daar is nietemin nóg goeie nuus vir die Monumentare se ondersteuners, met spelskepper, Jaydon Viljoen, wat sy terugkeer maak, maar wel vanaf die plaasvervangerbank. Die Ligbloues verwelkom ook vir hul woelige kantman, Matthew van Deventer, terug op die plaasvervangerbank, wat beteken dat die besoekers met ‘n sogenaamde “6/2-bank” na Krugersdorp reis.

In Rustenburg durf Hoërskool Rustenburg vir die Beker-Bere van Hoërskool Garsfontein aan sonder sy staatmakersenter, Jon-ré Jefthas, wat beseer geraak het in die Rusties se nederlaag van 40-15 teen Hoërskool Waterkloof. Zack Swanepoel vervang vir Jefthas, in die enigste verandering aan die beginspan.

Die Bere, wat gebuk gaan onder beserings, moes spook om vir Hoërskool Nelspruit met 32-20 op Bere-park te troef. Die beseringspook het steeds nie gewyk nie, maar Garsies het reeds aangedui dat hulle oor die nodige diepte beskik om mededingend te bly, soos twee agtereenvolgende seges, waarvan een oor die Parkies (40-27), bewys.

Indien die Bere Saterdag weer koning kraai sal dit hul vyfde agtereenvolgende oorwinning in vanjaar se reeks wees en hul aanspraak op ‘n derde agtereenvolgende titel aansienlik verstewig.

Die spanne:

Monument t. Transvalia om 12:30 in Krugersdorp:

Monument: 15 Loghan Langeveldt, 14 Jason Joubert, 13 Ruan Genis, 12 Junadré Ehlers, 11 Ewan van der Walt, 10 Cameron Kourie, 9 Ewan Bernhardi, 8 Ryno van der Westhuizen, 6 Caleb Sparks, 5 Dean Hartman, 4 Vincent Roberts, 3 Danie Smith, 2 Tristan Rodrigues, 1 Kamogelo Katisa.

Transvalia: 15 Lorenzo Flynn, 14 Dihan Crause, 13 Danté Oosthuizen, 12 Declan Hattingh, 11 Tumi Moloi, 10 Jay-Dee Maree, 9 Johan Smit, 8 Wynand Stolz, 7 Daniel Kazambo, 6 Juan Bischoff, 5 Christiaan Liebenberg, 4 Kyle Maartens, 3 Damian van Heerden, 2 Wihandré Kruger, 1 Vusi Morathi.

Hoërskool Rustenburg t. Garsfontein om 13:35 in Rustenburg:

Rustenburg: 15 Ayden Willemse, 14 Bradley Snyers, 13 Jon-Ré Jefthas, 12 Hendré Robinson, 11 Waide Davey, 10 Ricardo Enos, 9 Adriano George, 8 Thian :abuschagne, 7 Dirk Huisamen, 6 MJ Otto, 5 Evan van Heerden, 4 Tristan Myburgh, 3 Jayden Minnie, 2 Xavier Steenkamp, 1 Xander Stickling.

Garsfontein (moontlik): 15 Junade Pasensie, 14 Junaide Stuart, 13 Levi Jordaan, 12 Keagan Knighton, 11 Drewyn Baron, 10 Derrick Kuhn, 9 Dian van Aswegen, 8 Lourenz de Jager, 7 Stefan van der Vyver, 6 JP Pieterse, 5 Derik Potgieter, 4 JJ Fourie, 3 Morné Coetzer, 2 Justin Blom, 1 Morné Coetzer.

Lwazi Zangqa from Border has been named as the new head coach of the SA Schools side, and he will be assisted by the Bulls’ Cobus van Dyk, while the SA Schools ‘A’ team will be coached by Flash Malinga of KwaZulu-Natal, with Clinton van Rensburg of Western Province named as his assistant.

SA Rugby has confirmed the coaching and management teams for the SA Schools and SA U18 squads on Thursday, with a strong focus on continuity, quality, qualifications, and succession planning.

Zangqa (Hudson Park High School) was SA Schools assistant coach last year and he is also a former SA Schools Academy head coach, while Van Dyk (Hoërskool Waterkloof) was one of the specialist coaches for both the SA Schools and SA Schools ‘A’ teams in 2023 and 2024.

Malinga, a former Bulls Daisies head coach, was in charge of the Junior Springbok Women last year. He accepted a teaching and coaching role with Maritzburg College at the end of 2023. Van Rensburg (Rondebosch Boys’ High School) has led the DHL WP U18 Craven Week team to success over the past three years.

All four coaches are World Rugby Level 3 certified and have been integral to SA Rugby’s Elite Player Development (EPD) Programme, ensuring alignment with national high-performance objectives.

“I want to congratulate each of these coaches on their well-deserved appointments,” said SA Rugby CEO, Rian Oberholzer.

“We thank them for their continued commitment to developing young talent and wish them every success as they embrace this opportunity. Their involvement is a testament to the strength of our EPD system and the quality of coaching emerging from our schools. We are confident they will play a vital role in shaping the future of South African rugby.”

SA Rugby’s head coach of Junior Rugby, Kevin Foote, will oversee the coaching framework and mentor the appointed coaches. SA Rugby’s integration of the SA U20 coaches – Foote, Lumumba Currie, and Melusi Mthethwa – into the SA Schools and U18 structures is a strategic move to ensure a seamless transition for both players and coaches progressing through the ranks.

Foote said: “This structure ensures our junior teams are aligned with national strategies, while also giving our coaches the tools to grow within a high-performance environment.”

The EPD Programme continues to produce top-tier coaching talent, with recent success stories including former SA Schools coaches James Winstanley, Phiwe Nomlomo, and Wessel du Plessis at the Bulls, and Mzwakhe Nkosi at the Golden Lions.

The SA Schools teams will play their traditional fixture against each other on Thursday, 17 July at 15h00 at HTS Middelburg, following the FNB U18 Craven Week, which takes place from 6 to 12 July 2025 at Hoërskool Middelburg. Details of the SA U18 matches will be confirmed in due course.

 

SA Schools and SA U18 Management:

• Head Coach: Lwazi Zangqa (Border)
• Assistant Coach: Cobus van Dyk (Blue Bulls)
• Team Manager: Dean Moodley (KwaZulu-Natal)
• Physiotherapist: Robin Williams (KwaZulu-Natal)
• Conditioning Coach: Yaw Fosu-Amoah (Eastern Province)
• Team Doctor: Dr Gershwin Kortje (Boland)

 

SA Schools ‘A’ and SA U18 ‘A’ Management:

• Head Coach: Flash Malinga (KwaZulu-Natal)
• Assistant Coach: Clinton van Rensburg (Western Province)
• Team Manager: Mandla Madaka (Blue Bulls)
• Physiotherapist: Rob Sims (Western Province)
• Conditioning Coach: Adriaan Jansen (SWD)
• Team Doctor: Dr Gershwin Kortje (Boland)

 

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

When the Western Province (WP) u18A side of 2019 won the SASHOC Inter-Provincial Tournament, they did it on the famous Pape’s AstroTurf at Maritzburg College.

The Province boys dominated Pool B, finishing atop the standings, before edging out KZN Coastal A 3-2 in the semifinals to set up a title decider against KZN Inland A.

In a close and heated contest, they defeated Inland A 3-2. That triumph was the start of something special for the men in blue and white.

Since winning in 2019, Province has successfully defended the title three times. 

They will enter this year’s tournament, set to once again be hosted on Pape’s Astro at Maritzburg College, in search of the inter-provincial crown for a fifth straight time. When their run of unbroken success began six years earlier, none of the 2025 team’s players was yet in high school.

It may sound like a fairytale, but the Western Province boys will feel, given the venue for the tournament, as if the stars are aligning for them as they seek to extend their dominance of South African schoolboy hockey.

The tournament runs from 30 June to 5 July, and the WP selectors have named a star-studded outfit to be coached by the experienced Jody Erasmus.

Erasmus, who has been part of the winning train at South African College High School (SACS), takes over the coaching reins from Bryce West, who will serve as an assistant to both the WP u18A and u18B sides, and as the technical director.

West offers a wealth of experience after leading Province to glory in last year’s tournament in Bloemfontein, which they won after defeating Boland A 3-2 in the final.

Six players who were part of that winning effort return to the squad. Four of them are from SACS: captain Jo le Roux, Reece Theunis, Aiden Hughes, and the dangerous Litha Kraai. Joe Gitlin, from Reddam House Constantia, and Wynberg Boys’ High captain, Zach Gibbon, have also cracked the nod again.

Those returning players have, not surprisingly, been making their mark this season.

The four SACS boys have been ripping it up. Le Roux and Hughes have matured well over the year, while Kraai and Theunis have taken their games to the next level.

Gitlin has been Reddam’s standout performer in a very good season for the school, while Gibbon remains a difficult problem to solve for any opposition. 

Other SACS representatives include Matthew Lassen and Zach Redfern, who both played for the WP u18B side last year. Mohlodi Maseko, who represented the u16A team in 2024, has been promoted straight to the senior side.

Rondebosch Boys’ High is represented by Daniel Fisher, Joshua Beattie, and Thomas Gordon.

Aiden Topper, from El Shaddai Christian School, who ran out for the Province u18B team in 2024, makes the step up to the u18A side. 

WP has been drawn in the pool of death, Pool A. They’ll be up against Southern Gauteng A, KZN Inland A, KZN Coastal B, Eastern Province A, and newly promoted Boland B.

Western Province u18A Team

Aiden Hughes (SACS), Aiden Topper (El Shaddai Christian School), Daniel Fisher (Rondebosch Boys’ High), Ethan Daniels (Wynberg Boys’ High), Ethan October (SACS), Jo le Roux (SACS), Joe Gitlin (Reddam House Constantia), Joshua Beattie (Rondebosch Boys’ High), Litha Kraai (SACS), Luc Dicey (Bishops), Matthew Lassen (SACS), Mohlodi Maseko (SACS), Reece Theunis (SACS), Thomas Gordon (Rondebosch Boys’ High), Zach Gibbon (Wynberg Boys’ High), Zach Redfern (SACS).

Head Coach – Jody Erasmus
Assistant Coach and Technical Director – Bryce West
Manager – Anton Augustyn

POOL FIXTURES 

Monday, 30 June

10:20 – Western Province A vs Boland B

Tuesday, 1 July

13:10 – Western Province A vs Eastern Province A

Wednesday, 2 July

08:55 – Western Province A vs Southern Gauteng A
17:25 – Western Province A vs KZN Coastal B

Thursday, 3 July

14:35 – Western Province A vs KZN Inland A

The annual South Western Districts derby between Hoërskool Outeniqua of George and Oakdale Landbou from Riversdale will headline this weekend’s King Price Derby Series action across South Africa.

Both schools boast a proud rugby tradition and have long dominated selections for the u18 Craven Week, a trend that continues in 2025. Oakdale has 14 players and Outeniqua six representing the South Western Districts at next month’s 60th Craven Week in Middelburg, Mpumalanga.

Adding to the prestige, both schools have produced British & Irish Lions players in recent years in Outeniqua’s Duhan van der Merwe and Oakdale’s CJ Stander.

On paper, the Bulle of Oakdale may seem favourites, especially after their emphatic 60–8 win in last year’s fixture. However, this year the Kwaggas from Outeniqua will enjoy home-ground advantage – a factor that historically plays a decisive role in this heated rivalry.

In fact, the last time the away side claimed victory was in 2015, when Oakdale edged Outeniqua 24–17 in George. That Oakdale side included future first-class players like Adré Smith, HP van Schoor, and Darren Adonis.

Outeniqua’s last away win in Riversdale came in 2012 with standout players like Duhan van der Merwe, Warrick Gelant, and Dewald Human.

This year’s Oakdale team will feature several returnees from last year’s rout, including fullback Reinhardt Viljoen, prop Kai Pratt, inside centre Christian Vorster, wing Lee-Winn Pretorius, and flankers Jannes Snyman and Liam Lightly.

Both teams enter the derby with just three losses each this season. Oakdale fell to Grey College (10–25), Rondebosch Boys’ High (7–10), and Paarl Gimnasium (9–29). Outeniqua’s defeats came at the hands of Menlopark (24–34), Grey College (18–29), and Noordheuwel (32–35).

The rivalry is further enriched by the legacy of professional talent produced.

Oakdale has given South Africa Springboks such as Pedrie Wannenburg, Meyer Bosman, Johann Muller, and JC Janse van Rensburg.

Outeniqua’s alumni include Manie Libbok, Warrick Gelant, Marco Wentzel, Johan Heunis, and Faan Conradie.

In another King Price Derby Series clash Rondebosch Boys’ High will face Wynberg Boys’ High in an encounter which will give them a good idea if a second successive Southern Suburb Slam is possible.

A feat Rondebosch last achieved in the late 90’s before last year’s slam. A Southern Suburb Slam is achieved when one of the four southern suburbs’ schools win all six their matches during the season.

Before Bosch’s slam last year, it was Wynberg Boys’ High in 2014 to achieve this momentous feat.

There are another two King Price Derby Series encounters this Saturday as the Northwood Knights hosts Hilton College in Durban and unbeaten Westville Boys’ High looks to extend their streak at home against Kearsney College.

Voortrekker (Bethlehem) heads into the mid-year break on a high after a thrilling penalty shootout win away from home over their great rivals, Witteberg, for whom Amy Kotze played her 100th game.

Voortrekker triumphed 3-1 in the shootout after an exciting 3-3 draw in regulation time on Saturday.

It was a welcome victory after the team delivered some good hockey at the St Anne’s Cup, although results didn’t go their way.

A long break lies ahead of them now. They return to action in term three with a contest against Diamantveld on 26 July.

Reflecting on her charges winning the Bethlehem derby, Kirsten Beneke, the Voortrekker head coach, told Supersport Schools Plus: “I am pleased with the way the team played. I think it was one of the best comebacks I have seen at school level in a long time.”

Beneke and her assistant coach, Letlotlo Maphike, watched with pride as their charges put on a coming-of-age performance.

Spurred on by their home supporters, Witteberg took control of the encounter at the outset and Voortrekker found themselves chasing the game for much of the first half while they resolutely defended their goal.

However, the hosts’ persistence was rewarded with a goal when they won a penalty stroke five minutes into the second chukka. Voortrekker wasted no time in conjuring up a response, returning to equal footing when they equalised through Lana Wessels, who converted a short corner two minutes later.

Witteberg was outstanding with their penalty corner conversions, scoring all of their goals from their set piece. They doubled their lead eight minutes into the third quarter and went 3-1 up with another conversion with only 10 minutes remaining in the contest.

Voortrekker needed to reply quickly, and they did by throwing numbers forward and setting up camp in their rival’s half. Then, from an intercepted aerial, they drove towards goal and fired off a shot, which found Joma Viljoen, who slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Matters were intense as time ticked down and the visitors furiously chased an equaliser, dialling up the pressure as they played the game in Witteberg final third.

After repeated entries into the home team’s circle, Viljoen, again, found herself in the right place, picking up a ball played to the far post for a tap-in to make it 3-3.  That sent the game to a penalty shootout. The derby winner had yet to be decided.

With the game on the line, Jamie Rayner, Voortrekker’s goalkeeper, stepped up and pulled off two saves to win the game for her side. She was judged to be the Player of the Match for her heroics in the penalty shootout, and also for her role in keeping Voortrekker in the contest across the four chukkas.

Hermien van Biljon, Zanicka Maree, and Jolene Stevens were on target for the girls in black.

“They played with so much heart and as a team. They showed that hockey and this team is so much more to them than just an extramural,” Beneke said.

RESULT

Voortrekker (Bethlehem) (3) 3-3 (1) Witteberg

Herschel Girls School and Paarl Gimnasium lock horns on Friday night in a highly anticipated derby in the Western Cape.

The clash, which will be broadcast live on the SuperSport Schools App, kicks off at 19:00 at Herschel’s main AstroTurf, in Cape Town.

The sides will meet for the second time this season, having tackled each other in the final of the Belgotex Sport Girls Challenge in Paarl last month.

That meeting was closely contested. There was nothing to separate the teams after four chukkas, with the match a goalless draw at the end of regulation time. It, then, went to penalties, and the home side kept their nerve to secure a 3-2 win.

A lot has happened since that triumph, with Gim maintaining their unbeaten run in the province while Herschel has endured a bumpier ride.

Since winning the silverware, coach Danelle van Zyl‘s side has beaten HMS Bloemhof 2-1, Parel Vallei 3-1, and Hoërskool Durbanville 3-0.

While the margins of victory in those matches may seem close, Gim has dominated, playing their style of hockey as they continue to fine-tune their approach.

They’ll come up against a Herschel side that’s taken many by surprise this season. The girls from Claremont have produced some outstanding hockey, but their last four outings have produced mix results.

Since the Girls Challenge, they have played Rhenish Girls’ High, Springfield Convent School, Stellenberg High, and Fairmont High.

They won 2-0 against Springfield in the Herschfield Derby, drew 1-1 with Rhenish and Fairmont, but went down 2-3 against Stellenberg.

Bouncing back in front of their home supporters will be Herschel’s agenda, and they’ll view an opportunity to take down the team that beat them in the final of the Girls Challenge as an enticing opportunity. After that, they’ll have a week off before facing DF Malan in their last fixture of the term on 20 June.

Also on Friday, St Cyprian’s School hosts Rustenburg Girls’ High. Last time out, St Cyprian’s drew 2-2 with Durbanville. Rustenburg, meanwhile, suffered a narrow 2-3 loss to Reddam House Constantia.

On Saturday, Springfield visits Fairmont High for a 10:00 clash.

WESTERN CAPE GIRLS’ FIXTURES

Friday, 6 June

18:35 – Rustenburg Girls’ vs St Cyprian’s School
19:00 – Herschel Girls School vs Paarl Gimnasium

Saturday, 7 June

10:00 – Fairmont High vs Springfield Convent School

Fresh off of a 2-0 victory over Hoërskool Centurion and a 2-1 win against Hoërskool Waterkloof last weekend, Hoërskool Eldoraigne‘s boys’ hockey 1^st team is rolling under the guidance of Head Coach Stefan Coertzen.

They’ve taken on a busy schedule this season, playing 25 tournament and league matches, winning 14 and losing 11, but they’ve now won six matches on the trot.

Though the results earlier in their campaign were mixed, they now appear to have hit their stride. His team’s success hasn’t come by accident, Coertzen said.

“We’ve gone through different phases of growth,” he explained. “We worked on ironing out weak moments in games and learning from our mistakes.

“The consistency has come from simply trying to be better every match, even if it’s by just one percent. The wins are a result of all the lessons from previous matches and the commitment to constant improvement.”

While victories are always a welcome product of training and lessons learned from matches, Coach Coertzen insisted that the foundation of his team’s approach is focusing on the quality of hockey the team plays.

“No one coaches to lose, of course, but our focus is on playing good hockey. The wins are important because they show the players that there is a reward in sticking to the process. It takes time and patience, but it pays off.”

Finding the right balance between pushing players to perform and ensuring they enjoy the game is no easy task, but Coertzen believes that’s where values come in.

“The type of child we have at Eldoraigne responds well to being challenged, especially when it’s through values. When we break down the process to success, they find joy in every small achievement along the way. That short-term enjoyment leads to long-term performance.”

Mental and physical preparation go hand-in-hand to help a team achieve consistency, the coach said: “Mentally, it’s quite easy once we’ve built that value-based culture early in the season. It becomes part of everything we do during the lead-up to a match.

“Physically, we follow a structured plan of high- and low-intensity sessions, depending on where we are in the week. Sticking to that process helps us stay sharp and match ready.”

During the season, some important individual milestones have been achieved: Hanco Nel and Nico Janse van Rensburg both earned their 50th caps against Glenwood High. Aidan Troskie and Nathan van Zyl reached theirs during a derby clash with Hoërskool Zwartkop, while Daniël Fourie marked his 50th appearance in the weekend’s win over Waterkloof.

Reflecting on his side’s journey so far, the Eldos‘ mentor admitted they went through a tough start to the season. “We began the season with 11 new players in our 18-man squad. It was a challenge to get everyone on the same page. But to their credit, the boys adjusted quickly and were open to major changes in the way we play.”

He concluded by pointing out that the 2025 team is the most inexperienced side he has worked with in his four years at Eldoraigne, which makes their current run of form even more impressive.

“It just shows that our programme gives players the tools they need to grow and succeed. I’m incredibly proud of the commitment and progress they’ve shown so far,” Coertzen commented.

LAST 10 RESULTS

Eldoraigne 1-2 Affies
Eldoraigne 2-1 Waterkloof
Eldoraigne 1-2 Kearsney
Eldoraigne 0-2 Maritzburg College
Eldoraigne 5-0 Oos-Moot
Eldoraigne 3-1 Midstream
Eldoraigne 3-0 Zwartkop
Eldoraigne 4-1 Montana
Eldoraigne 2-0 Centurion
Eldoraigne 2-1 Waterkloof

The 2025 edition of the SASHOC Inter-Provincial Tournament will be held in KwaZulu-Natal, and the host province, KwaZulu-Natal Inland, has assembled a side that it hopes will challenge for the title on home turf.

Maritzburg College will be the host the u18 boys’ matches on Pape’s Astro from 29 June to 5 July. The u18 girls’ tournament will run concurrently with the boys’ event, with matches being played at St Anne’s DSG, in Hilton.

Hilton College will be the venue for the u16 boys’ event from 7-13 July, while the u16 girls’ tournament takes place on the same dates at St Anne’s.

Hilton College’s Damian Kimfley will take the reins as the head coach of the Inland u18A boys’ team. He’ll be able to lean on assistant coach Mark Sanders, team analyst Nick Bérichon, and team manager, Jason Syce, for support.

That’s an impressive quartet: Sanders is the Director of Hockey and 1st XI coach at Maritzburg College. Bérichon is Michaelhouse’s head coach, and Syce is the SA u18A team manager.

“Selecting a team is never easy, and I’d like to extend my gratitude to everyone involved for their time and efforts. Our coaching staff boasts a wealth of experience, with familiar faces returning from last year,” Kimfley told Supersport Schools Plus.

KZN Inland’s experience is not limited to the coaching staff. They have a blend of seasoned talent and promising youth in their ranks. Five of their players – Reagan Mudau, Kadin Jenkins, Dane Jackson, Gordon Deutscher, and Jayden Roux – were part of the u18A team last year. Roux was one of their top performers in 2024 and earned selection to the SA u17 team.

Siwa Sithembu and Thandanani Zuma, who represented the national u16 side last year, take a step up to join the senior ranks.

Viwe Ndlovu will man the goalbox, for KZN Inland, while Matthew Thomas, Jayden Roux, Robert Burman, Gregor von Mayer, and Dane Jackson will line up in defence. Reagan Mudau, Xavier Enslin, Ben Heuer, Andile Lembethe, and Siwe Sithembu will hold the fort in the middle of the park.

Thandanani Zuma and Kadin Jenkins will put their talents to good use in the midfield and up front, working hand-in-hand with the talented trio of Tadi Hove, Gordon Deutscher, and Lynton Fitz, who are the team’s dedicated forwards.

“As Head Coach for the third year, I’ve seen steady progress,” Kimfley said, “from sixth place to fifth place last year. Although we narrowly missed the top four, losing only one game, I’m confident we’ll build on that momentum.

“This year, we’ll continue to refine our attacking style and aim for a medal. With a strong team and coaching staff, I’m excited to see what the tournament holds,” Kimfley concluded on an optimistic note.

KZN Inland u18A

Robert Burman (Hilton College), Gordon Deutscher (Michaelhouse), Xavier Enslin (Hilton College), Lynton Fitz (Maritzburg College), Ben Heuer (Michaelhouse), Tadi Hove (Hilton College), Dane Jackson (Maritzburg College), Kadin Jenkins (Maritzburg College), Andile Lembethe (Maritzburg College), Reagan Mudau (Hilton College), Viwe Ndlovu (Maritzburg College), Jayden Roux (Hilton College), Siwe Sithembu (Maritzburg College), Matthew Thomas (Hilton College), Gregor von Mayer (Michaelhouse), Thandanani Zuma (Michaelhouse).

Head Coach – Damian Kimfley (Hilton College)
Assistant Coach – Mark Sanders (Maritzburg College)
Performance Analyst – Nick Bérichon (Michaelhouse)
Team Manager – Jason Syce