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The results from around South Africa will be updated here as we receive the results from the various schools.
If your school’s match is not listed below or you would like to send in your team’s results, please email us via e-mail at rugby@ssschoolsplus.co.za or via WhatsApp at 072 172 5455.
St Mary’s DSG’s prolific striker, Elizabeth Anderson.
Elizabeth Anderson has a love for Robotics and Science and hopes to use the gift of education to one day better the world through these fields. However, there is nothing robotic about her creative use of the hockey stick, though there is scientific precision in her finishing.
No one expected the goal. Not the Namibia Hawks nor the Durban PSi team. Neither did the fans on either side. The Hawks were not just the favourites to win the match; they were expected to dominate the tournament. Most importantly, no one expected the 14-year-old girl on the baseline to squeeze the ball past the defenders and goalkeeper from that angle.
However, that is what Elizabeth Anderson did, with a reverse stick flick that snuck in the inside post into the top corner, just five minutes into the contest. Anderson’s goal sent the Hawks in all directions. Durban PSi took full advantage of their opponent’s discombobulation and raced into a 4-0 lead with barely 20 minutes on the clock. The match finished 5-0. Anderson had four goals to her name, two from penalty corner conversions and one from a penalty stroke.
“I will always remember and cherish that match. It showed me the importance of the mental side in hockey; that if you set aside fear and just believe that you and your team can, you will win games,” Anderson shared.
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Anderson was barely out of her nappies when she latched on to the sport. She had the right genes. Her maternal grandmother represented Ireland, while her mother turned out for Zimbabwe in her youth. On her father’s side, her uncle Murray Anderson was part of the South African men’s side at the 1996 Olympics.
“My earliest memories of hockey are my mom teaching me how to hit a hockey ball – one of my biggest strengths now as a player – on the golf course of our golf estate when I was very young,” she recalled.
In a seamless transfer from one coach to the other, Anderson landed at Umhlanga College where she fell into AlanPaton’s capable hands. The renowned coach made hockey come to life for her, Anderson said, and helped her discover a deep passion for the sport.
Elizabeth Anderson, representing KZN Coastal for the first time, at the u13 IPT.
Hockey was not the only sport to be found on the Anderson family tree. Her grandfather represented South Africa in golf, and she has several aunts and uncles who have represented Great Britain in sports ranging from rugby to equestrian. A number are weekend warriors in water polo and tennis.
In true Anderson form, she participated in whatever sport was on offer and performed quite well in tennis, netball, and equestrian. However, her pink Grays stick was never far from her reach. “Hockey just seemed to always be the one sport I would pick above everything else,” she explained.
With her pink Grays, Anderson re-enacted the moves she watched Alex Danson execute. Watching the England and Great Britain forward perform at the highest level, scoring goals at the Olympics, was fuel for the youngster. As she grew older, she discovered MaríaGranatto’s creative approach to the game and was enamoured. “I love watching videos of her playing as she often experiments and does goal scoring in unique ways that I love to try and implement,” she said.
Her mother sits on top of that pile of inspirational beings in her life. “She has taught me so much in terms of balance and general ethics. I really aspire to be as strong-willed and selfless as she is one day,” Anderson said.
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“She can score goals that’s for sure, but what I love about Elizabeth as a player is she is just pure grit and power. She really just is a formidable presence in the circle,” reckoned Carla Ann Mackay, Anderson’s coach at St Mary’s DSG (Kloof).
Mackay, who has watched the 17-year-old blossom into one of the best forwards in schoolgirl hockey, refuses to take credit for her young charge’s abilities or incredible 2024 season. She insists that when she took over from Kelly Reed in 2023, Anderson was already a well-rounded player. Anderson already had a natural ability to score goals and her individual skill was already pretty well-defined, when she came into the picture, Mackay said.
Mackay and Anderson’s player-coach relationship was helped by the pair’s enjoyment of witty remarks and banter. “I resonate with her witty and sometimes dry sense of humour. It always gets a laugh out of me because it’s very similar to my sense of humour,” Mackay reflected.
St Mary’s DSG won the 2024 St Anne’s Cup with a clean record, which included a win over Eunice in which Elizabeth Anderson scored from this shot.
The coach has watched Anderson not only beat defences and goalkeepers often, but she has also repeatedly watched the teenager do it in style.
“She has scored some amazing goals, set up some amazing attacks and defended like a Trojan at times. But the standout moment for me is the one-time reverse shot goal she scored against DGC this year in our league fixture. The awareness of space around her and timing, everything was perfect,” Mackay shared.
For her part, Anderson’s favourite goal under Mackay came from a penalty stroke. St Mary’s and Menlopark were tied on 0-0 with six minutes left in the game. “Being able to have the entire team trust and back me to take this important stroke just made it so much more memorable when I could deliver and help the team do well,” Anderson explained.
It speaks volumes that the teenager did not pick a goal where she exhibited individual brilliance. It is a testament to her qualities as a team player. Anderson might have been a near-finished article when Mackay arrived, but this was one of the areas that the teenager has improved in during her tenure, Mackay noted.
Elizabeth Anderson taking the game to the opposition, as always challenging the defenders.
“Elizabeth has grown mostly in maturity and discipline in the time I have been coaching her. Her decision-making inside the circle has become more clinical. I have seen her grow in defensive discipline as well. She works harder in defence than most attackers and it’s just added to her strengths as an all-round hockey player,” she explained.
The 17-year-old, who loves the inside pull, and her coach have added silverware to the St Mary’s cabinet after lifting the St Anne’s Cup in May, and they have still more memories to create together. In addition to those, Anderson hopes to create more timeless moments at the 2024 SASHOC National Week.
“I just want to enjoy my last schools’ hockey IPT and really make the most of my last year of schoolgirls hockey,” she said.
With the midyear exams just around the corner, the last few fixtures are set to be played before learners gear up for some academics, while others prepare for the various national youth weeks taking place around the country in the school holidays.
One match that, unfortunately, won’t be played is that between St Stithians College and Northcliff High School after a miscommunication on a fixture date, which has resulted in the cancellation of the game.
St Benedict’s will be hoping to replicate their success of 2023, when they beat St Alban’s College twice, both home and away. The scores last year were 25-20 and 17-14, with the Bedfordview boys stunning St Alban’s by converting a match winning penalty in the final minutes of the second encounter.
The Hoops, however, are firm favourites heading into the match, which kicks off at 12:30. Bennies have struggled mightily this season and have lost eight out of nine matches.
At least, as the underdogs, St Benedict’s won’t feel too much pressure ahead of the tie.
Both teams include players who featured in last year’s games. Perhaps those Bennies’ players can dig deep and use memories of those hard-fought wins to fuel and inspire the rest of their side.
Skipper Jason Cutler, who tasted victory against St Alban’s last year, has made a full recovery from his injuries earlier in the season, and he will lead the side from the front.
JJ Steenkamp and Joshua Verster, the St Alban’s halfbacks, will aim to make early inroads on their opposition, who have found it difficult to mount comebacks this season once a bit of scoreboard pressure has been applied.
Meanwhile, down the road, Pretoria Boys High School hosts St John’s College. A close encounter is expected on Brooks Field. Kick-off is at 12:15.
Boys High has experienced an indifferent run of form recently, and has been handed several losses, including, most recently, a 27-34 defeat against Michaelhouse at Balgowan.
Pacy fullback Tumisho Motswi moves into the scrumhalf position, where he replaces nuggetty Cole Williams, who has worn the number nine jersey for most of the season.
The Blues are fresh off the back of a 30-67 loss against Jeppe High School for Boys last weekend. However, leading up to the difficult fixture against one of the top performing sides this year, the team had cruised to big victories over Parktown Boys’ High School (51-7) and St Andrew’s School (80-5).
Players to look out for include their hooker and captain Kyle Watson, as well as lock Dominique Kamangu.
Last year, the Candies walked away with the win when they travelled to Johannesburg, securing a comfortable 39-5 victory.
In Johannesburg, Parktown Boys’ High will come face to face with fiery St David’s Marist Inanda, away at La Valla Field, with kick-off taking place at 12:30.
St David’s narrowly beat St Stithians College last weekend, winning that fixture by one point, which has provided the team with a welcome morale boost ahead of the Independent Schools Rugby Festival (ISRF), which takes place at St Alban’s College, from 29 June to 3 July.
Throughout the season, Luca Cabion and Teegen Rossini have swapped the all-important number ten and fifteen jerseys for St David’s, and this weekend it’s Cabion at flyhalf.
Parktown has managed to turn around their fortunes by winning their past three matches, which included a 29-5 victory over St Benedict’s last weekend.
Fullback Calestin Fulkers shone, scoring two tries, and he will be eager to build on that form.
TEAMS
Pretoria Boys High School: 15 Itu Baloyi, 14 Londie Nemudzivhadi, 13 Motheo Dimpe, 12 Tyler Mason, 11 Ompfuna Tsanwani, 10 Seth Venter, 9 Tumisho Motswi, 8 Katlego Shebu, 7 Jeffery Singo, 6 Panyaiotis Ellinas, 5 Tshepiso Shikhibana, 4 Stephen Adams, 3 Ofentse Moeng, 2 Thapelo Mphela, 1 Matthew Parrott.
St John’s College: 15 Bryson Walker, 14 Tino Munyurwa, 13. Gerald Van Wyk, 12 Malan du Plessis, 11 Jacob Smith, 10 Joe MacRobert, 9 Tom Kruger, 8 Kyle Watson, 7 Rohan Sheldon, 6 Grant Barnes, 5 Zain Newman, 4 Dom Kamangu, 3 Matthew Kaplan, 2 Kakuhle Tunguta, 1 Joshua Shannon.
St Alban’s College: 15 Matthew Nelson, 14 Aidan Kloppers, 13 Tumelo Mohale, 12 Enzo Olivier, 11 Sihle Msiza, 10 JJ Steenkamp, 9 Joshua Verster, 8 Patrick Weir, 7 Thabiso Mbembele 6 Ben Stevenson, 5 Keegan Dick, 4 Tim Garnett, 3 Neo Gama, 2 Craig Milne 1 Andreas Philippou.
St Benedict’s College: 15 Matthew Hovelmeier, 14 Tshegofatso Mojapelo, 13 Freddie Durrant, 12 Braeden Le Roux, 11 Wade Ramsay, 10 Declan Le Roux, 9 Iviwe Mlilo, 8 Jason Cutler, 7 Matthew Joubert, 6 Tebogo Phukuile, 5 Luke Carr, 4 Nicholas Moravec, 3 Matthew Rourke, 2 Thato Ntshangase, 1 Victor Goncalves.
St David’s Marist Inanda: 15 Teegen Rossini, 14 Tristan Lambe, 13 Theo Fonternel, 12 Elliot Skei, 11 Kuzivakwashe Majuru, 10 Luca Cabion, 9 Diego Ferreira, 8 Daniel Fellingham, 7 James Askew, 6 Tahin Patel, 5 Jack Brady, 4 William Allemann, 3 Marco Bitter, 2 Connor Mc Williams, 1 Siyabonga Nkomo.
u14A: 9:00 – Pretoria Boys High (u14B) vs St Johns College (Dorey Near)
u15A: 10:00 – Pretoria Boys High vs St Johns College (Oehley Far Field)
u16A: 11:00 – Pretoria Boys High vs St Johns College (Oehely Near Field)
u19B: 11:10 – Pretoria Boys High vs St Johns College (Brooks Field)
u19A: 12:15 – Pretoria Boys High vs St Johns College (Brooks Field)
St Alban’s College vs St Benedict’s College
u14A: 09:30 – St Albans vs St Benedict’s (Murray Field)
u15A: 10:30 – St Albans vs St Benedict’s (Baloyi Field)
u19B: 9:45 – St Albans vs St Benedict’s (Moshate Field)
u16A: 11:00 – St Albans vs St Benedict’s (Moshate Field)
u19A: 11:15 – St Albans vs St Benedict’s (Moshate Field)
St David’s Marist Inanda vs Parktown Boys’ High School
u15A: 09:00 – St Davids vs Parktown (Gier C Field)
u14A: 10:00 – St Davids vs Parktown (Gier D Field)
u16A: 10:10 – St Davids vs Parktown (La Valla Field)
u19B: 11:20 – St Davids vs Parktown (La Valla Field)
u19A: 12:30 – St Davids vs Parktown (La Valla Field)
SuperSport Schools and South African Hockey are thrilled to announce their partnership aimed at bolstering support for the national hockey teams as they gear up for the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
This collaboration marks an exciting milestone in the journey of both organizations as they unite to provide hockey fans with exclusive behind-the-scenes content and unprecedented access to their favourite players.
As part of this sponsorship, SuperSport Schools will extend its support to the South African hockey teams, offering a platform for fans to connect with the athletes on a deeper level.
Through South African Hockey’s feed on social media channels, in collaboration with SuperSport Schools’ platforms, supporters will be treated to a plethora of engaging content showcasing the dedication, hard work, and some of the fun that goes into preparing for the PARIS 2024 Olympic Games. From captivating training sessions to intimate glimpses into the players’ lives off the field, fans can expect content that brings them closer to the action like never before.
Shaune Baaitjies, CEO ofSouth African Hockey, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are delighted to join forces with SuperSport Schools as we embark on our journey towards the Olympic Games.
“This collaboration presents an incredible opportunity for us to engage with our fans in new and innovative ways, offering them an insider’s perspective into the world of hockey and the incredible athletes who represent our nation on the global stage.”
Kelvin Watt, CEO of SuperSport Schools said, “South African Hockey is one of the great examples of a sport that benefits from the incredible school sport environment in South Africa that annually develops such incredibly talented young men and women who go on to represent South Africa so proudly.
“We have a saying at SuperSport Schools that World Cups are won 10 years before they are played. We have been delighted to stream and broadcast the progress so many of these young hockey players have made through their school and youth careers, and we are delighted to be able to support them on their journey to Paris.
“We, at SuperSport Schools, are committed to bringing you the sport you care about most and this partnership with South African Hockey is a great way to pull back the curtain on what it takes to make it at the highest level of sports.”
For more information, visit supersportschools.com or follow us on social media for updates
Carter High School and Maritzburg College produced a captivating display on Barns Field, at Maritzburg College, on Thursday in a thrilling final of the KZN High Schools Football Association’s Inland League, replete with tension, skill, and some remarkable saves.
It was an entertaining spectacle, even though there was only one goal in the game.
In the lead-up to the final, in the last round of round-robin fixtures, Carter had secured a 1-0 victory over the College boys. That reversed a run of four consecutive victories for the Red, Black and White over Carter in the previous four years.
Carter had plenty of motivation to follow up on that victory. They had last won silverware in 2014 and, since then, had been beaten in finals three times, twice by Maritzburg College and once by Port Shepstone.
Ntuthuko Mnguni, the captain of Carter High School, was outstanding, playing the game with a joyful demeanour and scoring its only goal. Throughout the contest, Carter took the attack to College, but the home side had their fair share of opportunities, particularly through their top scorer, Mazithi Qasha, who came close to replying.
In the latter part of the game, CJ Sukraj, College’s goalkeeper produced one superb save after another as Carter intensified their efforts and applied pressure.
However, it was Mnguni’s strike that settled the game. After the match, he described it as thrilling and challenging.
It was special, Mnguni said, because he recalled how, three years earlier, he had been part of a team that experienced defeat in the final. This time around, however, there was no disappointment, only joy for the Carter players and their large contingent of supporters.
Westville Boys’ High, on Bowden’s, has been in scintillating form in recent weeks. Their showdown with Northwood should be a cracker.
One of the most interesting KZN rugby clashes this weekend takes place on Bowden’s Field at Westville Boys’ High, where Northwood offers the opposition. The potential for rich entertainment is high.
The Knights, fresh off a 20-10 victory over Maritzburg College, are enjoying an excellent season. Their results also include a 10-7 win at Hilton College, and a 7-7 draw with DHS, which most people would peg as the best team in the province this season.
Number two in KZN, though? On current form, neither Westville nor Northwood would be a wrong answer. Overall, the visitors boast the better record this season, but the Griffin‘s recent form, which has been assisted by a run of games at home – their schedule was mostly away last season – has been eye-catching.
A 36-36 draw with KES was one of the games of the season, with both sides running in six tries, while last weekend Westville showed grit and an exciting running game to overcome an 8-23 deficit to eventually comfortably beat Hilton College 40-26.
The battle up front is going to be interesting. Northwood’s pack is an uncompromising unit, but Westville has consistently owned the honours in the set scrums throughout the season, even when faced with bigger opposition.
Behind the pack, both teams boast exciting runners and flyhalves who make things happen. Siya Nkosi, for Northwood, and Unathi Mlotshwa, for Westville, are both fine all-round no. 10s. If they receive decent ball, they both have the keys to exciting backlines.
No one, though, has been quite as exciting as Westville fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya. Northwood will need to be pinpoint with their tactical kicking and kick chase. If they are not, the Sharks’ Craven Week no. 15 will hurt them. He’s a highlights’ package waiting to happen.
The midfield should present another battle within the battle to keep an eye on. Westville’s combination of Michael Satade and Blake Allbon dovetails wonderfully well together, but Northwood’s Bongane Khumalo and Ramatuku Sikhakhane are an enterprising combo, too.
As always, rucks will be an important area of contestation, and that’s where Westville’s lead-by-example captain Chris Cloete has excelled all season long. Opposing coaches have often cited his excellence over the ball, and it earned him a call-up to the Sharks’ Craven Week side.
Despite all of their success, Northwood had only one player selected for the Craven Week, captain Vuyo Gwiji, but he’s still out of action. His absence is a big loss for the Knights, but they play well as a unit and rugby is a team game.
Northwood has, for the most part, been a very difficult defence to break down, with only Jeppe truly getting on top of it this season. However, if there is a team that passes the eye-test as one with the capability of opening up the Knights’ defences, it is Westville. The visitors will need to bring their A-game to Bowden’s. Then, anything is possible.
St Charles College, meanwhile, visits Glenwood and has, probably, its best opportunity yet to win on the Green Machine‘s hallowed Dixon’s Field.
It has been a bit of a deflating season for Glenwood. However, they have a young team and there have clearly been some signs of growth.
They’ve tended to finish strongly. The issue has been, though, that they have too often found themselves too far down to pull back the opposition. Therefore, a strong start is an absolute necessity.
Coach Derek Heiberg, no doubt, has been seeking a complete game all season long from his charges, and they’ll need that good first half against Saints, who haven’t had any problems starting strongly. They’re an entertaining side, blessed with some wonderfully skilled playmakers, and they’re not confined to the backline.
One of the most exciting talents is lock Raphael Ajibade, who’ll be turning out for the Sharks at the Rhino Week. He has scored some of the season’s most exciting tries, whether utilising his power or a serious turn of pace.
Everything, though, goes through the St Charles scrumhalf, Matthew Fick, who, once again, has cracked the Craven Week nod for the Sharks. He’s a force offensively and defensively, a consistent and excellent contributor.
Glenwood, if they can get quality ball, will be dangerous. However, a number of teams have successfully cut down the Green Machine’s space this season, forcing them to play from deep and turn to the boot. No doubt, Saints’ coach Craig Dwyer, a Glenwood old boy, will have picked that up in analysing his former school.
If they do get good ball, however, Glenwood has, in the halfback pairing of Lian Lochner and Juan Viljoen, players with the ability to create opportunities for those around them, or even do it all themselves, which Lochner, especially, is adept at doing.
TEAMS
Westville Boys’ High vs Northwood at 14:30
Westville: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Jade-Will Koopman, 13 Michael Satade, 12 Blake Allbon, 11 Jadrian Afrikaner, 10 Unatho Mlotshwa, 9 Ryan Pistor, 8 David Humphreys, 7 Brandon Eke, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Wandile Simelane, 4 Oliver Gcina, 3 Bandile Mncwango, 2 Jeshua Ferreira, 1 Akhona Maseko
Northwood: 15 Aphiwe Buthelezi, 14 Kwenzo Dlamini, 13 Ramatuku Sikhakhane, 12 Bongane Khumalo, 11 Carlos Lovell, 10 Siyanda Nkosi, 9 Jed Mun-Gavin, 8 Dewald Mostert, 9 Ethan Macey, 6 Ayavuya Makula, 5 Titas Cesonis, 4 Lian Terblanche, 3 Sphe Ntshangase, 2 Werner van Nieuwenhuizen, 1 Reuben Vos
Westville Boys’ High captain Owen Slack, selected for the KZN Coastal u18A side for a second year in succession, is a powerful presence in the middle of the Griffin’s defence.
Kearsney College travels down to Durban for a face-off with Clifton, while St Charles hosts Glenwood, and Maritzburg College crosses swords with Hilton on Saturday. However, the weekend action kicks off with a tie between Westville and Northwood on Friday.
Northwood heads into the contest on a high after putting on a great show for their alumni on Old Boys’ Day last Saturday. They recorded a 2-1 win over Maritzburg College in an entertaining match. Justin Collins’ charges’ come-from-behind victory against a talented and well-structured College outfit will give them confidence that they can overcome their hosts.
Westville, however, also impressed last weekend, handing Hilton College a 2-1 defeat, and that was without their coach and KZN Coastal u18A coach Cam Mackay on the sidelines. He was in Namibia with the South African men’s indoor hockey team, and his return will be a nice boost for the Griffin.
One of the matches scheduled for Saturday is a mouthwatering encounter between Kearsney and Clifton.
The teams have enjoyed a long-standing rivalry that was, at first, dominated by Kearsney. However, it intensified when Clifton began pulling off upsets before making a habit of defeating Kearsney. There’s now an added twist to the contest after KeeganPearce’s switch. The former Clifton first-team coach and Director of Hockey moved to Kearsney as their Director of Hockey at the start of the year.
“I think there’s going to be added motivation from the Clifton boys to beat us this year,” Ashley Kemp, the Kearsney coach, shared.
Kemp’s charges beat Glenwood 4-0 in their last match. In that tie, their captain, Matthew Mendes de Oliveira, played a starring role with a brace, scoring the first and fourth goals of the encounter. The Kearsney captain, who made the SA Schools side last year, is having the season of his life and will be a constant threat to the Clifton defence, which Kemp is hoping his side can prise open.
“They have been defensively sound, not conceding a lot of goals. But we will be looking to exploit their defence,” Kemp said.
CalvinPrice‘s charges will not be easily pushed aside. Although young, they have shown that they are a force to be reckoned, scoring a win over Northwood and, earlier this week, DHS. Jason Adams struck a late winner, which will have served as a big confidence-booster for the home side.
“We are looking forward to our final fixture of the season versus Kearsney and believe we are in a good space for the game ahead on Saturday. So, we’re hoping to carry that momentum forward into this weekend’s fixture,” Price said.
Kearsney and Clifton have each won a match in their last two meetings. Kearsney edged Clifton 1-0 when they crossed swords early last season in Botha’s Hill. The year before that, Clifton, then under Pearce’s direction, ran out 3-1 winners at the Riverside Sports Club.
On a quieter weekend than most, with teams winding down their fixtures and learners writing exams, the KZN slate presents an intriguing mix of matches.
FIXTURES
Friday Westville vs Northwood.
Saturday St Charles vs Glenwood, Maritzburg College vs Hilton, Clifton vs Kearsney.
Michaelhouse beat Pretoria Boys High 34-27 on Meadows on 25 May 2024.
Michaelhouse has been stacking up one tough test after the other, facing Hilton College, Maritzburg College and Pretoria Boys High in their past three outings, and it gets even tougher on Saturday when they take on Durban High School (DHS) on Van Heerden’s Field.
DHS has made a strong case for being the best in KZN in 2024. Any game against them is going to be a very physical challenge.
Their defence ranks among the best in the country this season. They’ve given up only 84 points in 12 matches. If you know your times tables, that’s a miserly seven per game, and their record includes four shutouts.
But James Fleming‘s charges are tough themselves. Sure, they’ve lost four times this season, but the biggest margin of defeat has been only seven points, and they did, at least, manage a two-point win over Northwood, with whom DHS drew, although the Horseflies were not at their best on the day.
Unfortunately for Michaelhouse, they’ll be without their inspirational skipper, Carlyle Hawkins. The Sharks’ 8th-man is injured and with the Craven Week approaching quickly it was decided not to risk further injury ahead of the big event.
Robert Combrinck moves to number eight and takes over the captaincy in the absence of Hawkins, with Alex Arde slotting in on the flank, where Combrinck usually does duty.
The performance of the pack against DHS is going to be crucial. The Michaelhouse forwards will concede some weight to School, but their scrum is anchored by the impressive Aphiwe Shelembe, who will be packing down against Bongani Dlamini in a battle of Craven Week team-mates.
‘House also has a number of players with something to prove, and one thinks especially of their second row, Dom Sesink Clee and Dan Carr, both u17, who’ve been strong performers all season long without gaining recognition from the provincial selectors.
If there’s one word to describe DHS, it is relentless. Any team hoping to take down the Horseflies had better prepare themselves for a battle from the first whistle to the last. It’s pedal to the metal. If not, DHS has talented ball carriers and runners with the ability to run wild.
Aka Boqwana, at fullback, is a fine goal kicker, while Michaelhouse counters with flyhalf Luke Davidson. His opposite number, Allston Cedras, and DHS scrumhalf Marcwin Nero, are playing excellent rugby and the visitors’ defences will have to be watertight around the edges of the scrums and rucks.
It should be a fantastic game between two well drilled teams.
Goldstone’s hosts Maritzburg College versus Hilton College. At home, the Red, Black and White are extremely difficult to beat but, for the second game in succession, they’ll be without their Craven Week lock Jake Jansen, an important source of lineout ball and a primary ball carrier.
College will be eager to take to Goldstone’s, too, after a 10-20 loss at Northwood last week. There’s no place like home, as the saying goes.
Hilton also went down, losing 26-40 at Westville. They were very good in the first half, well-structured and disciplined, which led to them building up a 23-15 lead at half-time. Unfortunately for coach Brad Mcleod-Henderson’s boys, they were twice undone in the opening stanza by the Griffin‘s superb counterattacking fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya, who has been simply superb in recent outings.
They’ll need to ensure they don’t allow Maritzburg College space because College fullback Luyanda Kunene is cut from the same cloth as Siyaya. He’s a threat to open even the best defences.
Hilton has, however, played College tough in recent years, even on Goldstone’s, and they’ve managed to nullify the Pietermaritzburg school’s weapons to a large degree. Last year on Gilfillan Field, Hilton won 29-14 and they were full value for that win, keeping College off balance the entire contest.
The visitors are also able to run out the same starting XV for a second week in succession, after having had to deal with some injuries. Continuity is always a good thing and that should ensure that College is given a stern examination.
Clifton College hosts Kearsney College at the Riverside Sports Club, with the Greyhounds buoyed by a win at Glenwood last week, which was their first on Dixon’s Field since 2013.
The visitors’ lineup looks familiar, although they have played with the makeup of their backline on a regular basis this season.
Their vice-captain, Cameron Veenstra, the sole player from Kearsney to make the Sharks’ Craven Week side this year, turns out at outside centre. He’s also played flyhalf and fullback this season. It may be that his versatility and his excellence in multiple positions helped him gain selection for the provincial team.
Kearsney played some good running rugby against Glenwood and Clifton’s tackling will have to be sure to stop them.
In their previous match, against DHS, Clifton did well after halftime to stunt the visitors’ attacking ambitions. They’ll need to bring that attitude and execution to Saturday’s game.
Up front, someone who has been consistently impressive for Kearsney is flank Connor McIntyre. He’s an industrious worker with a non-stop engine, who often pops up in potential try-scoring positions.
Clifton, meanwhile, will look to their vice-captain and flyhalf Nkanyiso Ntshangase to give their attack direction.
Michaelhouse: 15 Stefan Moolman, 14 Aya Mkokheli, 13 Rourke O’Sullivan, 12 Tom Baguley, 11 Connor McAlpine, 10 Luke Davidson (vc), 9 Jack Hughes, 8 Robert Combrinck (c), 7 Alex Arde, 6 Riley Gehren, 5 Dom Sesink Clee, 4 Dan Carr, 3 Luthando Buthlezi, 2 Oliver Davis, 1 Aphiwe Shelembe
SACS are bolstered by the return of their captain, Seth Bradford. The industrious scrummy has missed most of the season due to a string of injuries, but he has brought an injection of energy every time he’s featured and will be fired up to make the most of the season’s remaining fixtures.
In his absence, Nic Reynolds has been excellent as the stand-in captain, spearheading the SACS’ attack and putting in some huge hits on defence.
Wynberg shot out of the blocks at the beginning of the season, winning their first seven games, which included an historic 30-27 win away at Paarl Boys’ High and a dominant 35-8 victory over their other peninsular rivals, Bishops Diocesan College.
Yaqeen Ahmed, Torren February, Xabiso Mkiva and captain Aden da Costa have made the WP squad while Tjeripo Karuhumba and Tyron Gombe will form part of the WP XV.
Ikhona Maxegwana and Sango Zangqa of SACS provide the muscle up front in the WP XV squad.
The battle between the two big forward packs is set to be a highlight this weekend and the visitors will want to make a statement ahead of the annual youth tournaments.
Since their early successes, Wynberg has endured two tough fixtures, losing to 27-49 to Rondebosch Boys’ High and 25-50 to Paul Roos Gimnasium, and they will be eager to get back to winning ways before the term ends.
SACS lost 27-40 to an in-form Boland Landbou last weekend but showed their potential on the previous weekend when they brought Milnerton‘s winning streak in the southern suburbs to an end with a dominant 59-19 victory.
With Bradford back at the helm, SACS will be intent on avenging last year’s losses and making a statement by taking down a star-studded Wynberg on their home field. The hosts will be just as motivated to regain their early momentum with a strong showing against their old rivals.
SACS: 15 Jack Benade, 14 Quewinn Lackay, 13 Nic Reynolds, 12 Matt Carrick, 11 Endi Sidinile, 10 Rayaan Solomons, 9 Seth Bradford, 8 Daniel Grant, 7 Tashriq Bailey, 6 Zac Wilson, 5 Pierre van Selm, 4 Callum Hirst, 3 Ikhona Maxegwana, 2 Sango Zangqa, 1 Ethan Combrink.
FIXTURES
Hawthornden: 12:30 – Wynberg Boys’ High 1st XV vs SACS 1st XV; 11:15 – Wynberg Boys’ High II vs SACS II; 10:00 – Wynberg Boys’ High III vs SACS III; 09:00 – Wynberg Boys’ High u14 B vs SACS u14 B.
Silverhurst A: 11:30 – Wynberg Boys’ High IV vs SACS IV; 10:20 – Wynberg Boys’ High u16 A vs SACS u16 A; 09:10 – Wynberg Boys’ High u16 C vs SACS u16 C; 08:00 – Wynberg Boys’ High u16 B vs SACS u16 B.
Silverhurst B: 11:00 – Wynberg Boys’ High u15 B vs SACS u15 B; 10:00 – Wynberg Boys’ High u15 C vs SACS u15 C; 09:00 – Wynberg Boys’ High u15 A vs SACS u15 A; 08:00 – Wynberg Boys’ High u15 D vs SACS u15 D.
Silverhurst C: 11:20 – Wynberg Boys’ High VI vs SACS VI; 10:20 – Wynberg Boys’ High u14 A vs SACS u14 A; 09:10 – Wynberg Boys’ High V vs SACS V; 08:00 – Wynberg Boys’ High u16 D vs SACS u16 D.
JK Oval: 11:00 – Wynberg Boys’ High u14 E vs SACS u14 E; 09:00 – Wynberg Boys’ High u14 D vs SACS u14 D; 08:00 – Wynberg Boys’ High u14 C vs SACS u14 C.
SuperSport Schools and South African Hockey are thrilled to announce their partnership aimed at bolstering support for the national hockey teams as they gear up for the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
Carter High School and Maritzburg College produced a captivating display on Barns Field, at Maritzburg College, on Thursday in a thrilling final of the KZN High Schools Football Association’s Inland League, replete with tension, skill, and some remarkable saves.
