Hoërskool Secunda se voorryman, Rico Schoeman, het drie keer agter die doellyn gaan kuier in sy span se gemaklike sege van 48-18 oor die besoekende Hoërskool Piet Retief. Dié loskopstut was boonop die woeligheid vanself in die vastelos en het in die skrums ook sy stem dik gemaak.
Benewens Schoeman se driekuns aan drieë, het Secunda nog ‘n verdere vyf keer agter die besoekers se doellyn gaan draai.
Slot, Renier Combrink, en die woelige oopkantflank, Sifiso Shongwe, het ook reuse werk verrig in die loopgraafoorlogvoering voorlangs. Dit het uiteraard die agterlyn toegelaat om na hartelus te baljaar, met vernaam regtervleuel, Ryan Lottering, en heelagter, Dillon Grundeling, wat die die Pieties gereeld na lug laat gryp het.
Piet Retief het, soos verwag, steeds bewonderenswaardige veggees aan die dag gelê en dit sou eenvoudig nie ‘n Pietie-wedstryd gewees het sonder dat linkervleuel, Vuyani Tshabalala, gaan druk het nie. Hy het sommer twee keer so gemaak om as sy span se groot uitblinker uit die stryd te tree.
In Heidelberg, het Heidelberg Volkskool vir die tweede agtereenvolgende week 50 punte op die telbord geplaas deur vir Hoërskool Ben Vorster met 53-17 te verslaan. Vir Volkies was agsteman, Jeandré Pretorius, voor in die koor met ‘n briljante driekuns, terwyl linkervleuel, JV Badella, ‘n tweekuns behaal het.
Die Volkies, met ‘n taamlike jong span, het voorlangs die hef in die hand gehad, met Pretorius aan die spits, en dit het vir skrumskakel, Hein Oelofse, en binnesenter, Vaughn Steynvaart, in staat gestel om die opposisie verder te kasty agterlangs.
Vir die Buffels, het haker, Ruben Pohl, en skrumskakel, Stiaan du Rand, moedig probeer, met Pohl wat gewoeker het in die vatse los en Du Rand wat onder druk steeds goeie diens agter die skrum gelewer het.
Dit gebeur nie aldag dat ‘n speler vier keer agter die opposisie se doellyn gaan kuier nie. Vir ‘n voorryman om dit te vermag, is selfs raarder.
Dit is presies hoe Hoërskool Zwartkop se haker, Regan Blignaut, Saterdag vir Hoërskool Eldoraigne gekasty het in die Zwarries se wegholsege van 59-10 in Saterdag se derby in Centurion.
Blignaut het nie alleen vier drieë gedruk nie, maar was ook ‘n algemene uitblinker regoor die Drake se tuisveld. Daarmee het hy die pas aangegee vir sy pak om vanuit die staanspoor die oorhand voorlangs te bewerkstellig en dodelike fases op te sit.
Dit het vir losskakel, Tilon Baron, en die Zwarries se giftige agterlyn oombliklik op die voorvoet geplaas sodat hulle, soos afrigter, David Gouws, beoog het, die Eldos kon looi agterlangs. Baron se verspreiding was uit die boonste rakke en het die nodige aanvalshoeke vir buitesenter, Luan Williams, geskep om self oor te wals vir ‘n tweekuns aan drieë.
Dit was die Zwarries se 11de agtereenvolgende sege vanjaar en die derde keer na mekaar wat hulle meer as 50 punte op die telbord kon sit. Dit het hul totale puntestand vir 2025 opgejaag na 498, terwyl hulle slegs 143 punte in dié 11 wedstryde afgestaan het.
Ten spyte van die oormag, het die tuisspan se flanke, Cameron Killian en Justin Meintjies, steeds daarin geslaag om uit te blink. Killian, wat ook ingestaan het as kaptein vir skrumskakel, Darren Bruwer, het weereens gewoeker en, met Meintjies, moedig probeer om die Zarries te stuit, maar helaas tevergeefs.
Agterlangs het linkervleuel, Hanno Jacobs, ook hand opgesteek en die Eldos se beste stukkie aanvalswerk met die tuisspan se enigste drie afgerond.
Die Zwarries kom volgende teen Hoërskool Kempton Park te staan, terwyl die Eldos na Rustenburg reis om met Bergsig Akademie swaarde te kruis.
Puntemakers:
Zwartkop 59 (26) – Drieë: Regan Blignaut (4), Luan Williams (2), Ettienne van Noekerk, Tilon Baron, David van Jaarsveld. Doelskoppe: Baron (7). Eldoraigne 10 (3) – Drie: Hanno Jacobs. Doelskop: Tsepang Motsomane. Strafdoel: Motsomane.
Flank Emmanuel Dankwah powered his way over for a second-half try for Hilton. Photo: Brad Morgan.
The hosts, Hilton College, took on Glenwood High in the last game of the Sharks High Schools’ Rugby Day, on Gilfillan Field, and they put on a show for their supporters, running away to a 53-15 victory after falling behind 5-8 in the early going.
It was a well-constructed win from coach Brad Macleod-Henderson‘s charges, who played the kind of game that he would have wanted to see, although he didn’t give too much away after the match, saying only that his players need to keep their feet on the ground after their big win. He was all smiles, nonetheless.
Hilton’s victory was all about well-coordinated teamwork, a smooth understanding by the players of their roles, and sound execution of the basics.
Glenwood, though, was the first onto the scoreboard from a counterattack. When Hilton scrumhalf Zander Vorster, who had done well to cover a chip over the top, had the ball knocked loose from his grasp as he went up to field it, number eight, Mkhululi Mhlongo, was up in support to grab the ball out of the air and dive over for five points.
In the eighth minute, a beautiful pop-up by inside centre Tristan Uys, out of the back of his right hand, set left-wing Ricky Adonis up for a try against the grain, and Hilton’s opening points.
Glenwood reclaimed the lead with a penalty from inside the Hilton 22 by Joshua Kopp, but it was a long time before they scored again.
Zander Vorster, a dangerous man from close range, banged his way over after 19 minutes, and Hilton hit the front, never to be hauled in again.
A Liyema Nela penalty increased the lead to 15-8.
Although they were well beaten, Glenwood’s lineout was a source of clean ball. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Lock André Boshoff showed off his skill and pace when he snatched a high kick away out of the air on Glenwood’s 10m line and charged towards the try line. He was brought down midway into the 22. Six phases of the forwards hitting it up and hooker Josh Grant, a prolific try scorer, was over for a five-pointer. Nela’s conversion made it 22-8 at the break.
Early in the second half, Hilton turned back to the slow and patient poison of their driving pack. With Glenwood’s defenders well and truly sucked in, Vorster fed Nela on the blind side and he quickly zipped a pass to Guy Fender, who dived across the line in the right-hand corner.
In the 52nd minute, the Hilton captain, Nela, set a searing counterattack in motion by fielding a ball inside his half and wrong-footing two chasers with a hard step off his right foot. From wide on the left, a pop pass over the top of a defender picked out the speedy Ricky Adonis. He cut inside and into the 22 before offloading to Emmanuel Dankwah and the powerful flank shrugged off the tackle of Tylo Madaat for a fabulous try.
Nela struck the right upright with the simple conversion, but it ricocheted over the crossbar and the gap had grown to 32-8. Hilton had rhythm and momentum on their side and Glenwood had no answer to the home team’s organisation and slick execution.
Vorster, then, snagged a turnover at a ruck, hit the gas, and was almost over for a try. Hilton, though, had a five-metre scrum right in the middle of the field and when they quickly won another penalty from the set piece, Zander Muller took a quick tap and was over. With another conversion made by Nela, it was 39-8.
Hilton inside centre Tristan Uys impressed with some slick handling, and he showed an eye for a gap to break through the Glenwood defence for a second-half try. Photo: Brad Morgan.
With eight minutes to play, Tristan Uys was in from 35 metres out after a sneaky show and go and John Grubb, who had taken over the kicking duties after Nela was substituted, slotted the conversion.
Well beaten but still fighting, Glenwood conjured up a response from a lineout inside Hilton’s 22. The Green Machine hit it up through three phases before a long flat pass from scrumhalf Lian Lochner found Glenwood captain Lizwe Mtetwa coming in on an angled run, which broke two tackles and put him over the try line. Kopp made the conversion kick, making the score 46-15.
Hilton, however, had the final say, with their good ball retention and seamless interplay between backs and forwards eventually being finished off by Kyle-Reese Clements, who charged away from a ruck for the final try of the game.
Of all the teams in action on Friday, the home side produced the most compelling performance, unfortunately for Glenwood.
The Sharks’ Craven Week selectors will have some homework to do. They have plenty of options to consider.
The girls from Stellenbosch countered that narrative with a dominant performance on Friday night, thumping St Cyprian’s School 6-0 in Cape Town.
The much-needed victory for coach Chris Gerber and his charges meant they returned to winning ways after some bumpy outings in recent weeks.
In their first match after the All Girls’ Festival, Rhenish drew 1-all with Herschel, with Pippa Viljoen finding the back of the net.
It was a solid outing from Rhenish. They created many opportunities against a good defensive unit, but their execution in the final third let them down.
That wasn’t the case against St Cyprian’s, who have enjoyed a good season. Gerber’s side dominated proceedings. They moved the ball well and pounced on their chances.
Skipper Leah du Plessis scored two field goals before Viljoen got in on the action with a brace of her own. Frankie Henn and Lily Newton completed the drubbing.
“The way we kept the ball and moved it impressed me a lot. I think that was the key to our success,” Gerber told SuperSport Schools Plusafter the game.
“We also have a very good defensive system this year, and [it worked well] against St Cyprian’s. They came out firing in the first five minutes, and what we did well was just to calm down and play at our pace. Overall, it was a good performance.”
While Rhenish soaked up their win away from home, Herschel claimed the bragging rights in the Herschfield Derby against Springfield Convent School, despite playing away from home.
Both sides were confident heading into the clash. The week prior, Herschel had drawn with Rhenish, while Springfield had beaten La Rochelle 1-0.
It was the visitors, though, who scored a 2-0 victory, courtesy of strikes by Samantha Flint and Sophie Maurel.
Paarl Girls’ High also enjoyed a good outing on Friday night. They claimed a 3-0 win over their town rivals, La Rochelle. It was their second consecutive win in as many matches after they beat Somerset College by the same score a week ago.
This time around, Anne Nel, Cassie Fairbairn, and Halle Williams scored for coach Marc Landman’s side.
In other matches, Parel Vallei defeated Somerset College 2-1, and HMS Bloemhof was lifted to a 2-1 win over Reddam House Constantia by goals from Mari Steyn and Nina Louw-Stanich, while Emma Hibbert struck for Reddam.
Stellenberg overpowered Wynberg Girls’ High, running away to a 7-1 victory. Zanay Gerber netted a hat-trick while Bea van den Berg picked up a pair of goals, and Juane Meiring and Stella Zwiegers made it seven.
There were also wins for Westerford High School over Curro Durbanville, while Hoërskool Durbanville put four past DF Malan.
RESULTS
Herschel Girls School 2-0 Springfield Convent School
Paarl Girls’ High 3-0 La Rochelle
Rhenish Girls’ High School 6-0 St Cyprian’s School
Parel Vallei 2-1 Somerset College
HMS Bloemhof 2-1 Reddam House Constantia
Westerford 1-0 Curro Durbanville
Durbanville 4-0 DF Malan
Stellenberg 7-1 Wynberg Girls’ High
A happy DHS 1st team after their victory over Kearsney on the Blue and Gold Astro. Photo: Supplied.
Durban High School (DHS) delivered an entertaining performance on their way to a 2-1 win over Kearsney College when the sides met at The Coliseum, at DHS, on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts showed great composure on and off the ball in a dominant outing.
“We played with good control and created a lot of opportunities. It was good to see the boys play like that,” Keegan Hezlett, the DHS coach, told Supersport Schools Plus after the game.
Hezlett wasn’t being glib when he spoke of his side being in control. The scorecard suggests a tighter contest. However, the hosts enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and created more goal-scoring chances.
Twice, DHS was denied goals by the woodwork. On another occasion, they thought they had scored, but the effort was disallowed.
The Horseflies were intent on asserting themselves and they were able to do so almost from the outset. Kearsney, though, defended well, which meant Hezlett’s charges needed to reconsider their approach.
“Kearsney played with a deeper press, and we were able to outlet a lot higher and we used our outside channels as well,” Hezlett said. “We played the ball against the grain really nicely, which found us a lot of space in the middle of the field.”
That tweak in their approach reaped dividends for School at the end of the first quarter.
A long aerial ball from deep in their half picked out Tyrique Cloete, who, with great control, received the ball and then turned on the magic with outstanding dribbling skills to shake off three defenders on the edge of the Kearsney circle.
He worked his way towards the near post before laying off to Jaiden Bramwell, who tucked the ball into the back of the net to break the deadlock.
Kearsney, young but talented and well-coached, fought back and won a penalty corner. Keegan de Jager, as SA u16 selection in 2024, snapped up the opportunity to equalise, burying a sizzling drag flick into the back of the net.
DHS wasn’t keen to share the spoils with the visitors, however, and they worked tirelessly to restore their lead. They missed a few chances and Kearsney survived some close calls. However, in the final chukka, the home team hit the front again.
After turning over possession in the Kearsney half, the visitors were caught short-staffed at the back. Quick ball movement picked out Tyrique Cloete, who had found some space in the Kearsney circle, and he provided the finish to make it 2-1. That proved to be enough.
“All in all, I think we had a great game,” DHS coach Keegan Hezlett summed up the contest.
A sensational last-gasp tackle from Valentino Lenge jarred the ball loose just when it appeared that Marcwin
Kearsney College, a heavy underdog against Durban High School (DHS), gave a good account of themselves in the third game of the Sharks Schools’ Rugby Day on Hilton College’s Weightman-Smith Field, but a storming finish from School took DHS to a 40-20 victory on Friday.
It wasn’t their best performance, but it has been a very busy time for DHS, and their intensity and pressure bore fruit towards the end of the game when they pulled clear of the feisty One-Stripe.
Referencing his side’s slow start, DHS coach Peter Engeldow told SuperSport Schools Plus: “It’s exhaustion, to be honest. We had three games at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival. We finished on the Monday, then, on the Saturday, we played Northwood, a tough local derby. We left on the Tuesday and played on Thursday and Saturday at Wildeklawer, against Stellenberg, and then Paarl Gim, at 20:00, on Saturday night. We got home on Sunday at 19:00, just exhausted.
“We played seven games in 12 or 13 days. Other schools do it as well, but, for us, it has been tough. We trained last Saturday, but with the Friday fixture, we also had to change our schedule. It has been pretty full-on.”
Kearsney suffered a big loss to Michaelhouse last time out, but they’ve undoubtedly made good progress this season, and they eagerly fronted up to the challenge posed by School. It took almost a quarter of an hour for the first points to be scored, but they went the way of DHS, who drove hooker Okuhle Mbanjwa over the line.
Kearsney’s enterprise and imagination were on show when they replied with a wonderful try that began on the halfway line, wide left, where fullback Lwazi Mbebe fielded a clearing kick. The play was switched to the opposite flank but then finished in the left-hand corner, with centre Doan Nel being stopped just shy of the line before popping the ball into Lwandle Mkhize‘s hands for the score.
A successful conversion kick from Mbebe edged Kearsney ahead, but DHS soon took control of the contest, adding further tries from fullback Jordan van Wyk and captain Daniel Ikotela, who broke three tackles before dotting down under the posts. By halftime, they were 22-10 to the good.
It was 25-13 with eight minutes to play, but Cilermo Carolus, from long-range, and Jaydon Roberts, from close-range, went over for tries for DHS, while Keanu Williamson rounded off a sweeping attack down the left flank for Kearsney. With the conversions made, it finished 40-20.
The DHS victory was built on their edge in the set scrums. In open play, they’re well-drilled and force the opposition into having to make numerous tackles. Once they pierce the defensive line, they have the runners to take advantage of that.
With the mountains in the background providing a beautiful backdrop, Kearsney lock Joseph Roylance snags a lineout throw-in. Photo: Brad Morgan.
He’s not the biggest centre, but the Horseflies‘ Nathan Aneke impressed with his smooth reading of the game and distribution. Opposite him, Keanu Williamson was busy throughout the contest, running good support lines, and his try was a deserved reward. Lwazi Mbebe was a calm presence at fullback for Kearsney and he kicked well from the tee, too.
“Credit to Kearsney. They’re trying to play a specific brand of rugby, which is nice, and they’re improving,” DHS coach Peter Engledow said.
“They took a bit of a hammering against ‘Houselast Friday. Sometimes that could be, for our guys watching, their mindset is it’s not going to be too tough, and we have Westville in the back of our minds, for next Saturday. There are a number of factors, but, at the end of the day, the history books will say DHS W, Kearsney L.”
The DHS loose trio – Daniel Ikotela, Bradley la Grange, and Dexter Mkhencele – brought a strong physical presence to the contest, as always, while, in the opposing pack, lock Joseph Roylance caught the eye with his outstanding work rate.
Summing up the win, Peter Engledow said: “We said as long as we bring the intensity and we play in the right areas – which we didn’t at times, and which is a bit annoying – we’ll be okay. We’ll go back, learn, and prep for Westville.”
Westville Boys’ High vs Maritzburg College
Flyhalf Jade-Will Koopman weighs up his options as Westville attacks Maritzburg College early in their game on Gilfillan Field. Photo: Brad Morgan.
The action moved to Gilfillian Field for the day’s last two matches, with unbeaten Westville Boys’ High taking on Maritzburg College in the penultimate contest.
Westville claimed a 22-21 win, but they were far from their best, which their coach Zander Erasmus acknowledged: “I think we were very lucky to win today,” he said.
There is a positive to take out of, by far, Westville’s worst performance of the season, and that’s the fact that good teams find ways to win, even when they’re not playing well. A decision early in the second half to have Zekhethelo Siyaya take a long-range kick at goal proved to be pivotal because it edged the Griffin ahead, and they were able to hold on for the win from there.
It appeared as if it was going to be a comfortable day at the office for Westville when they ran in two converted tries in the early going. The first was beautifully set up by Siyaya, who sliced through College’s defence like a scalpel and then put Jadrian Afrikaner in the clear. Then, good hands opened up an opportunity for Avumile Lisa to go over in the left-hand corner. It looked routine, but it didn’t turn out to be.
Westville coach Erasmus explained why: “That first half was just not good enough in terms of easy exits, penalties, allowing them to come back into the game. Their set piece was very good.
“We knew that there is a lot of fight in this Maritzburg College side. They’ve been coached well. They came around the corner and put their bodies on the line. They looked like they wanted it more than us,” he said.
After building up a head of steam, Maritzburg College did a good job of keeping the game tight and denying Westville chances to unleash their dangerous counterattacking game. Photo: Brad Morgan.
College got themselves back into the game through their forwards, who laid siege to the Westville try line before David Colenbrander dived over for five. The steady boot of Dom du Toit made it a seven-point play.
Westville replied with another try in the left-hand corner, scored by flank Lwandle Makhanya, after some slick passing took them up to the try line, but they lost their way after that.
Twice in one movement, College made a mess of the final pass, which would have put them over the Westville try line, but they came back for a penalty and big Indiphile Mlotshwa barrelled his way over after a quick tap. Du Toit added the extras and the teams turned with College down by five.
Early in the second half, coach Nico Breedt’s boys grabbed the lead after a clever dink over the top from Jordan Thackeray was caught by his centre partner, Olwethu Kosani, who offloaded quickly and put Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein in for the try. Du Toit converted from the left-hand touchline to make it 21-19 to the Red, Black, and White.
College was playing the kind of game they wanted to play, so when Westville won a penalty on the halfway line they turned to Siyaya to have a shot at goal. He made the vital kick. The Westville number 15 is a complete player, and while Maritzburg College did a good job of limiting his counterattacking opportunities in the second half, Siyaya imposed himself on the game with his long, well-directed kicks.
It became a down-and-dirty arm wrestle, mostly between the packs, but without the addition of points on the scoreboard, and Westville held on for their ninth win of the season.
Maritzburg College had a lot to do with Westville’s lukewarm display. Kudos to them for their work in the trenches, but the Griffin, with three good moves, bagged three tries, two of them converted, and that all-important long-range penalty from Siyaya sneaked a win.
Zander Erasmus, who keeps his cool when the going gets tough, was brutally honest in his assessment of the match: “We weren’t good enough,” he stated plainly. “We didn’t have a plan on attack. We looked flat. We missed a lot of tackles and made stupid decisions. It wasn’t what we wanted, because we planned to play and transition and offload, but we didn’t give ourselves that opportunity.”
The record books, however, will read a win for Westville, and they’ll put their unbeaten record on the line next Saturday against DHS in a high-stakes showdown on Bowden’s Field.
SCORES
Durban High School 40 (22) – Tries: Okuhle Mbanjwa, Jordan van Wyk, Daniel Ikotela, Cilermo Carolus, Jaydon Roberts. Conversions: Jordan van Wyk (4). Penalties: Jordan van Wyk (3); Kearsney College 20 (10) – Tries: Lwandle Mkhize, Keanu Williamson. Conversions: Lwazi Mbebe (2). Penalties: Lwazi Mbebe (2).
Westville Boys’ High 22 (19) – Tries: Jadrian Afrikaner, Avumile Lisa, Lwandle Makhanya. Conversions: Jade-Will Koopman (2). Penalty: Zekhethelo Siyaya. Maritzburg College 21 (14) – Tries: David Colenbrander, Indiphile Mlotshwa, Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein. Conversions:
Dom du Toit (3).
Clifton College fought gamely, but St Charles College had too much firepower for the Durban boys in the end. Photo: Brad Morgan.
The Sharks High Schools’ Rugby Day didn’t draw big crowds. It was, after all, a Friday, but Hilton College was bathed in ideal conditions for some quality competition as five matches took place, serving, also, as trials for Craven Week selection.
St Charles College vs Clifton College
St Charles College and Clifton College kicked off proceedings on the Weightman-Smith Field just as the day began to warm up, but Saints immediately turned up the heat with a blistering start, racing into a 19-0 lead, thanks to their quick off-loading game.
Within the first two minutes, right-wing Mathew Ludick was put in the clear to open the scoring. Agape Nyawo, after a big bust by Matthew Naudé, sold a dummy before slipping through to go in for five more, and before the 10-minute mark St Charles had their third, with a favourable bounce of the ball and a slip from a Clifton defender enabling Saints to regather a kick, and one pass inside put flyhalf AJ Bosman over.
Clifton, to their credit, after that shaky start, came back strongly. Playing the game down in the St Charles’ half, they went close when Lukhanyiso Nala was held up over the try line, but they bashed their way over from the resulting five-metre scrum through Danyaal Motala.
Nala, then, made good ground down the right flank before being hauled to the ground, but he popped up later in the same movement to power over for a second Clifton try. Adam Selikow slotted his second conversion and it was 19-14 at halftime. Game on!
The second half, though, belonged to St Charles, who stretched their lead to win going away by a 47-14 margin. Carl Chekera, Mathew Ludick, Agape Nyawo, and Raphael Ajibade added tries, with AJ Bosman converting all four to secure a comfortable win.
Ajibade came off the bench to set up one try and to score another. He’s a special athlete, but he was a substitute because he is carrying a shoulder injury. The selectors wanted to see him in action, though, and he gave them something to think about.
Saints’ coach Craig Dwyer was happy with his side’s showing: “The whole bench got a run at the end, which was lekker to see. It was good,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus. “We had a good fast start, which was what we were aiming for. We aimed to put pressure on them early on. In that last 10 minutes of the half, we took our foot off the accelerator a little bit, but it was a much better performance.”
Last time out, St Charles went down 16-26 to Maritzburg College after a hard battle. Dwyer said the team exhibited some pleasing improvements against Clifton. “I think our ball retention was a lot better. We fixed our lineout woes,” he said. “Against College, we had a few blips. Again, we have young players and we were missing Rafa Ajibade at the start of the game, which was huge for us. But the younger players stepped up.
“We were able to build pressure and get them on the back foot and strike when it mattered most.”
Clifton will take heart from a very good period of play after going three tries down. They moved the ball well while playing the game in the St Charles half, with forwards and backs combining well, but the Pietermaritzburg school’s slick handling paid off in the second stanza.
Northwood vs Michaelhouse
The day’s second match was between Northwood and Michaelhouse. When they met at the start of the season, Northwood snatched a 15-13 win on Reece-Edwards Field. This time around, it was a far higher-scoring game and the most entertaining contest of the day, with the Knights coming away with a hard-fought 43-29 victory.
It was a fascinating match. Rourke O’Sullivan opened the scoring with a try for Michaelhouse in the left-hand corner, and then it became a back-and-forth battle. With only five minutes remaining, the Knights led just 33-29, but they finished well, with a superb try from Ludi van der Walt giving them some breathing space.
“Really well done to [Michaelhouse coach] James Fleming and his team,” Northwood’s coach Jacques Deen said after a thrilling game. “I know half of these [Michaelhouse] boys after coaching them at the Grant Khomo Week. They are a really good team. They are physical, they’re strong, they’re well-drilled. That came at us today, but we were the better team. We stuck to what we needed to do.”
Northwood’s scrum edged the battle up front, putting Michaelhouse under heavy pressure, which was exactly what Deen was after. He explained: “If our set pieces work, then it gets to a point where we’re 80 percent there. If those things work, then everything else falls in place and we’re a successful team.”
There was, as there often is, a superb try from Knights’ centre Bongane Khumalo, who reads the game well and has fantastic fast feet, although, arguably, the sweetest individual effort of the day came from Michaelhouse flyhalf, Stefan Moolman, when he danced his way through the Northwood defence.
After a topsy-turvy clash, Northwood claimed a second win of the season over Michaelhouse. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Jamie Wimble, at number eight for Northwood, impressed. He’s an excellent all-rounder in cricket, and those ball skills and his intelligent reading of play, along with his power, make him a handful.
Northwood’s locks, Chad Howe and Lian Terblanche, sparkled, too, but it was, ultimately, a team effort that got them over the line.
“We are a team. We don’t rely on individuals, even though we’ve got players like Jamie Wimble, Sphe Ntshangase, Bongane Khumalo, Savio Stevens, Tristan Parkinson, and more,” coach Deen said.
“At the end of the day, they can’t do it without the other guys. A lot of other teams are more reliant on individuals, but we’re successful because we’re 15 players.”
‘House skipper William Ridl played his part, scoring a couple of tries, the first of which highlighted the physical challenge he poses.
When the final whistle sounded, though, Northwood had scored six tries to four. Trevor van Volenstee added five conversions and a penalty just four minutes from time. That decision to take the kick and not try for a lineout and drive over the line underlined how close it was until the end.
Stefan Moolman contributed 14 points for Michaelhouse, adding a penalty and three conversions to his sensational try.
SCORES
St Charles 47 (19) – Agape Nyawo (2), Carl Chekera, Likuthi Mbalana, Matthew Ludick, AJ Bosman, Raphael Ajibade. Conversions: AJ Bosman (6). Clifton College 14 (14) – Tries: Lukhanyiso Nala, Danyaal Motala. Conversions: Adam Selikow (2).
Northwood 43 (19) – Tries: Lusanda Mabizela, Bongane Khumalo, Chad Howe, Jamie Wimble, Lian Terblanche, Ludi van der Walt. Conversions: Trevor van Volenstee (5). Penalty: Trevor van Volenstee; Michaelhouse 29 (15) – William Ridl (2), Rourke O’Sullivan, Stefan Moolman. Conversions: Stefan Moolman (3). Penalty: Stefan Moolman.
St Patrick’s College was crowned the SPAR KZN Girls Hockey Sisonke and Ugu Regional champion after they defeated Southcity Christian School 1-0 in the final of their regional tournament, at Creston College, on Saturday.
The victory made St Patrick’s the eighth team to book a berth at the SPAR KZN Tournament Grand Finals, which will be hosted by St Mary’s DSG, Kloof, on 26 and 27 July.
St Patrick’s, who lifted the regional trophy last year, kicked off their campaign in Pool A, along with the hosts Creston College, Suid Natal High School, St Monica’s Diocesan School, Southcity Christian School, and Ixopo High School.
In group action, the defending champions bagged 16 out of a possible 20 points. They got the ball rolling with a 2-0 win over Ixopo, which they followed with a 3-0 victory over St Monica’s. They overcame Southcity 2-0, before registering a 2-0 triumph over Creston in their penultimate encounter. Their run of victories was stopped by Suid Natal in their final group match, who scraped a narrow 1-0 win.
Still, they topped Pool A, which secured them a semifinal clash with Kokstad College, who had finished second in Pool B.
Kokstad gave a good account of themselves in their group, scoring two wins, a draw, and a loss. They won against Bergview School (2-0) and Scottburgh High (4-0), were held to a 0-0 draw by King Edward High, and lost 1-2 to Port Shepstone High.
With a place in the final on the line, Kokstad gave St Patrick’s a good run for their money. They were unyielding and the contest ended 0-0 after regulation time. St Patrick’s, though, advanced 2-0 on penalties.
They faced Southcity for the second time on the day in the title game.
Southcity had finished in second place in Pool A, with their loss to St Patrick’s being their only defeat. They recorded wins over St Monica’s (1-0), Suid Natal (1-0), and Ixopo (3-0), and shared a goalless draw with Creston.
Those results and the second-place finish earned them a semi-final date with Pool B winners, Port Shepstone, who went unbeaten in the group. They beat King Edward 2-0, slotted another two unanswered goals past Scottburgh, edged Kokstad 2-1, and then overcame Bergview 2-0.
The Southcity versus Port Shepstone semi-final finished 1-1, but Southcity reached the final after claiming the penalty shootout 1-0.
Having faced Southcity earlier in the day, St Patrick’s knew how to win against their opponents for the title. Southcity tightened up their defence and did a better job in the final, but all St Patrick’s needed was one goal and they got it to claim the title by a 1-0 margin.
The SPAR KZN Girls’ Hockey Tournament will visit Ladysmith High School for the Pietermaritzburg Inland Regional competition on the 24 May, before heading to St Dominic’s, in Newcastle, for the KZN North Regional tournament on 31 May.
Jeppe High School for Boys lived up to expectations as the tournament’s favourites when they booked a place in the final of the Aitken Cup, setting up another date with St Stithians College.
The big game takes place at the University of the Witwatersrand at 15:00 on Sunday.
Saturday saw the playing of the quarterfinals and semi-finals, and there were some surprises.
In a rematch of the 2024 final, Jeppe cruised past Parktown Boys’ High, scoring a dominant 4-0 victory in the quarterfinals, with Adrian Laubscher netting twice, and Raphael Madzivandondo and Juan Martin adding to the goal tally.
Coach David Grace’s Parktown side had a tough day on the Astro. In their second outing, they fell to Helpmekaar Kollege after a penalty shootout. They’ll face St Benedict’s College on Sunday for seventh place.
Jeppe took on King Edward VII School (KES) in the semi-finals. The Aitken Cup had brought up a personal milestone for the Red Sticks‘ skipper, Fynn Campbell, who achieved the 100-game milestone for his sides. However, he and his team’s title aspirations were halted one step from the final.
KES had earlier handled Helpmekaar, scoring a convincing 3-1 win. However, they met their match in the fast-paced Jeppe side, who ran out 4-2 winners, with goals from captain Ethan Kapanda, Ezray Stadt, Juan Martin, and Tshimologo Mogale.
Speaking with SuperSport Schools Plus after the match, Kapanda praised his teammates for their resilience and unity: “Aitken has been anything but smooth,” he said. “In the last few games, every player had to step up, and they did. We worked as a unit, and that reflected on the scoresheet.”
St Stithians, meanwhile, delivered a couple of strong performances to canter into the title decider. They defeated St Benedict’s 5-2 in the quarterfinals and followed that up with a solid 3-0 victory over St David’s Marist Inanda in the semifinals.
They’ve already faced Jeppe in the Aitken Cup. On Friday, when they met in a pool match, Jeppe claimed a 3-1 win, but that result will have no bearing on Sunday’s final.
St David’s will face KES for third, while fifth place will be up for grabs when Helpmekaar and St John’s College meet.
After losing to KES in their first outing on Saturday, Helpmekaar shared an exciting clash with Parktown. It ended 3-3, but Helpies then claimed a heart-in-mouth 4-3 victory in a penalty shootout.
HeronBridge College bagged their first victory, edging Fourways High School 2-1, which came as a welcome change of fortune. Playing in a group that included both finalists, they had previously conceded more goals than any other team.
RESULTS
Wits
Jeppe 4-0 Parktown
KES 3-1 Helpmekaar
St Benedict’s 2-5 St Stithians
St John’s 0-3 St David’s
Parktown (3) 3-3 (4) Helpmekaar
Jeppe 4-2 KES
St Benedict’s (3)3-3(4) St John’s
St Stithians 3-0 St David’s
UJ
Trinityhouse Rand Park Ridge 2-1 Beaulieu
Rand Park Ridge (4) 1-1 (1) Northcliff
Monument 8-0 HeronBridge
Noordheuwel 2-1 Fourways
Beaulieu 4-1 Northcliff
Trinityhouse Rand Park Ridge 4-0 Rand Park Ridge
HeronBridge 2-1 Fourways
Monument 3-2 Noordheuwel
Hoërskool Klerksdorp het daarin geslaag om ‘n wendroogte van twee jaar teen Hoërskool Lichtenburg te breek. Die Klerksdorpers het in nóg ‘n groot derby-stryd tussen dié spanne met 21-13 die pyp gerook.
Dit het soos telkens vantevore ‘n titaniese stryd afgegee tussen hierdie twee spanne, met geen genade wat gegee of gevra is nie.
Die Klerksdorpers, met ‘n punt om te bewys nadat hulle verlede naweek tuis teen bure, Hoërskool Wesvalia, vasgeval het, het egter die intensiteit gelig, boonop met ‘n groot tuisskare wat hulle luidkeels aangemoedig het.
Voorlangs het Tiaan Koen het gewys hoekom hy onlangs as die Luiperds se Cravenweek-agsteman aangewys is. Koen het die veld volgespeel op sowel die aanval as verdediging, en was boonop ‘n staatmaker in die lynstane.
Koen het duidelik vir vaskopstut, Hanro Nel, aangesteek, met die voorryman wat dikwels met mening vorentoe gebeur het in die vastelos. Dit het die platform geskep vanwaar die gevaarlike buitesenter, Winton Abrahams, vir die Liggies kon laat bontstaan.
Vir die besoekers het skrumskakel, Rea Motsusi, sy ervaring op eerstespan-vlak uitgestal met geniepsige lopies en puik diens aan die agterlyn. Agsteman en kaptein, KG Legodi, en buitesenter, Oratile Sekoto, het ook hul bes probeer om die besoekers op die voorvoet te plaas, met Legodi wat oudergewoonte by die afbreekpunte uitgetroon het.
Vir die Liggies verskuif die fokus nou na hul eerste wedstryd in die Skild-afdeling van die SDC Noordvaal Cup teen Hoërskool Piet Retief volgende naweek, terwyl die Klerksdorpers voor ‘n reuse toets te staan kom teen die besoekende Hoërskool Middelburg.
