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‘n Strafdrie, met speeltyd reeds verstreke, het gesorg vir Valia-jolyt in die eerste ronde van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Plaat-afdeling.

Herleef al die aksie op SuperSport Schools. (www.supersportschools.com).

Hoërskool Transvalia het daarin geslaag om met ‘n strafdrie in die doodsnikke by die agterdeur in te glip en vir Hoërskool Oos-Moot, in dié se eerste Plaat-wedstryd, met 31-27 in Vanderbijlpark te troef.

Met hul begeesterde tweede-helfte vertoning, het Wesvalia ‘n agterstand van 15 punte uitgewis. Die eerste 35 minute het ongetwyfeld aan die besoekers van die Moot behoort, en hulle het teen rustyd ook welverdiend met 20-5 voorgeloop.

Die Oosies se skrumskakel, David Joubert, het die tuisspan se verdedigers deurgaans op hul tone gehou, met sy slinkse breekslae rondom die afbreekpunte. Dit het ook vir Joubert ‘n tweekuns besorg.

Aan sy buitekant was losskakel, Ruwan Allen, ook op sy stukke. Allen, wat ewe tuis is op binnesenter, se skopstewel het vir die besoekers tot die bittereinde in die wedloop gehou.

Siya Khambuhle, Vanderbijlpark se heelagter, was uitstekend op die teenaanval en het ‘n waarskuwing gerig aan toekomstige opponente om liefs nie op hom te skop nie. Khambuhle was, na een só ‘n skitterende lopie, verantwoordelik vir sy span se eerste drie.

Voorlangs was haker, Jaydon McPearson, en agtsteman, Wynand Stolz, Transvalia se uitblinkers. Die duo was dikwels betrokke by die aksie en het met hul fisieke aanslag die platform gelê vir die tuisspan se snellers. Hulle is elk met ‘n drie beloon, wat ‘n reuse bydrae gelewer het tot Wesvalia se terugvegpoging.

Hoërskool Montana het vir ietwat van ‘n opskudding gesorg deur vir Hoërskool Kempton Park in ‘n wipplankstryd met 38-34 te verslaan.

Die Monties se linkervleuel, Sam Schoeman, was die span van Pretoria se groot uitblinker met sy lopies langs die kantlyn af en het twee keer die opposisie met sy spoed geflous om 10 punte tot die sege by te dra.

Dit het ‘n behoorlike boksgeveg afgegee tussen die twee spanne. Teen rustyd was daar nog niks wat hulle geskei het nie en moes albei nóg harder werk in die tweede helfte. Die Kempies het uiteindelik, met slegs drie minute oor, die voortou geneem toe Stian de Villiers ‘n strafdoel oorgeklits het.

Die stryd was steeds egter nog nie gewonne nie. Ryan Nel, Monties se regtervleuel, het, met tyd verstreke en teen alle verwagtinge in, agter die doellyn gaan draai om ‘n naelbytsege vir sy span te beklink.

Hoërskool Zwartkop het beïndruk met hul oorwinning van 44-31 oor Hoërskool Klerksdorp.

Dié sege wat grotendeels te danke aan ‘n uitmuntende vertoning deur regtervleuel, Milton Naudé. Naudé, wat ter elfder ure, na ‘n besering aan Denlison Metcalfe, ingesluit is in die span, het sy kans met albei hande aangegryp om ‘n briljante driekuns te behaal.

Puntemakers:

Transvalia 31 (5) – Drieë: Siya Khambuhle, Tumi Moloi, Jayden McPearson, Wynand Stolz, Strafdrie. Doelskoppe: Dylan Steynman (3). Oos-Moot 27 (20) – Drieë: David Joubert (2), Jeandre Venter. Doelskoppe: Ruwan Allen (3). Strafdoele: Allen (2).

Montana 38 (24) – Drieë: Sam Schoeman (2), JF Venter, Ryan Nel, Devan van der Merwe, Reuben van Hamersveld. Doelskoppe: Ruwald Goosen. Kempton Park 34 (24) – Drieë: Joshua Meyer (2), Rian Aucamp, Deon Mulligan. Doelskoppe: Stian de Villiers (4). Strafdoele: De Villiers (2).

Zwartkop 44 (18) – Drieë: Milton Naude (3), Luan Williams, Kyle Blignaut, Luhardt Booyens. Doelskoppe: Luhardt Booyens (4). Strafdoele: Booyens (2). Klerksdorp 31 (19) – Drieë: Tyran masango, Elardus Bohta, Leonard van Rhyn, Janu de Wet. Doelskop: Brendin Mathyse. Strafdoele: Deacon Loots (4).

Hoërskool Middelburg 41 (22) – Drieë: Rogan van der Walt (2), Jabu Mathebula, Eckard Marx. Doelskoppe: Matthew Abbey (3). Strafdoele: Abbey (5). Ligbron Akademie 5 (0) – Drie: Janco Claasen.

Ander spanne: 

o. 16: Transvalia 29, Oos-Moot 10; Kempton Park 68, Montana 5; Zwartkop 108, Klerksdorp 10; Ligbron Akademie 27; Middelburg 25.

o. 15: Transvalia 25, Oos-Moot 12; Montana 23, Kempton Park 17; Klerksdorp 59, Zwartkop 12; Middelburg 26, Ligbron Akademie 0.

o. 14: Transvalia 8; Oos-Moot 0; Kempton Park 24, Montana 7; Zwartkop 17, Klerksdorp 7; Middelburg 34, Ligbron Akademie 5.

 

For the first time, in its third edition, the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament has a new champion after Clapham High School defeated Grey College 2-1 in the final, at the Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley on Saturday.

On the final day, Clapham demonstrated their champion’s qualities by triumphing 3-2 over Maritzburg College in an exciting clash. It was a second meeting in two days for the teams. On Friday, they had played to a 0-0 draw in the group stage.

In the semi-finals, Clapham delivered the goods when it mattered most, outplaying the two-time defending champions, HTS Louis Botha 3-0.

Louis Botha had to settle for third position in the 20-strong field after a win over Kimberley Boys’ High.

This year’s third edition of the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament produced another significant step forward for the event, which has further bolstered the Absa Wildeklawer sports’ offerings. The soccer competition, together with the huge rugby and netball tournaments, make it the largest schools’ sports event in Africa.

The year’s football tournament featured top teams from various regions across the country, including Cape Town, East London, Pietermaritzburg, Bloemfontein, and Pretoria, among others. With many of the participants being top performers in their local leagues, the competition was keen, but played in a spirit of good sportsmanship.

While 2024’s tournament has now been consigned to the record books, the organisers are already looking ahead to next season, with the sides that advanced to the final six of the knockout stage having already qualified for the 2025 event: Clapham High School, the reigning champions; Grey College, the 2024 runners-up; HTS Louis Botha, the two-time winners; Kimberley Boys’ High; Maritzburg College; and Paul Roos Gymnasium.

RESULTS

Final Six

Grey College 1-0 Paul Roos Gymnasium
Clapham High School 3-2 Maritzburg College
HTS Louis Botha 0 (5) – 0 (4) Kimberly Boys’ High

Semifinals 

Clapham High School 3-0 HTS Louis Botha
Grey College 1-0 Kimberley Boys’ High

Final 

Clapham High School 2-1 Grey College

TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT

Goalkeeper 

Lethukuthula Mahlangu (Clapham High School)

Defenders

Tumiso Makena (Clapham High School), Thuto Lephoi (Kimberley Boys’ High), Joshua Bailey (Paul Roos Gymnasium), Tlou Lekgau (Clapham High School),

Midfielders 

Mthokozisi Mathibela (Clapham High School), Leago Ledwaba (Clapham High School), Botlhale Malokase (Grey College), Thato Pone (HTS Louis Botha)

Forwards

Sechaba Gaseitsiwe (Kimberley Boys’ High), and Freddy Mokgwe (Clapham High School)

Hoërskool Robertson kon Saterdag na ‘n naelbytstryd teen Swartland met ‘n enkele punt as oorwinnaars terugkeer huis toe.

Die Robbies, wat teen rustyd met 7-13 agter was, het uiteindelik met 24-23, en drie drieë teen twee, geseëvier.

Dit was van die eerste afskop af duidelik dat dit ‘n klipharde stryd sou afgee. Die Robbies het die toon aangegee met die eerste drie van die dag, maar dit was ook die enigste punte wat hulle in die eerste helfte kon aanteken.

Die tuisspan het teruggeslaan deur hul breker-flank, Reinhardt Adonis, maar dit was die geoefende skopskoen van Carlo van der Merwe wat vir Robertson die meeste probleme veroorsaak het en sy span met ses punte laat voorloop het met die omdraaislag. Die Robbies is egter ‘n woelige klomp en het kort na halftyd weer beheer oorgeneem.

Die wedstryd was nietemin steeds op ‘n mespunt gebalanseer toe Malmesbury se haker, Kallie Boutsikaris, die laaste drie gedruk het om Swartland binne twee punte van ‘n oorwinning te bring. Die doelskop het egter misluk en die Robbies kon vasklou om ‘n swaarverdiende sege tot hul rekord te voeg.

Hul SA o. 17 sewes-ster, Bernardo Diedericks, wat die naweek op heelagter begin het, het saam met Tyron Matthys en Kyle Cedras bresse geslaan in die tuisspan se verdediging, terwyl hul losskakel, Jayden van Niekerk, se akkuraatheid vanaf die skopkegel die oorwinning beklink het.

Die Robbies se volgende groot uitdaging volg eerskomende Saterdag wanneer Worcester Gimnasium by hulle besoek aflê. Albei spanne lewer vanjaar aantreklike rugby en daardie wedstyd behoort nogmaals ‘n skouspel af te gee.

Die Bosvarke van Worcester Gimnasium het die afgelope naweek weer hard gewerk om met Hoërskool Bellville (19-12) af te reken.

Puntemakers:

Hoërskool Robertson 24 (7) – Drieë: Bernardo Diedericks, Tyron Matthys, Kyle Cedras. Doelskoppe: Jaydan van Niekerk (3). Strafdoel: Van Niekerk. Swartland 23 (13) – Drieë: Reinhardt Adonis, Kallie Boutsikaris. Doelskoppe: Carlo van der Merwe (2). Strafdoele: Van der Merwe (3).

Hopefield 30 – Drieë: Ando Goosen, Joshua Viljoen, Jayden Engelbrecht, Altus van der Westhuizen. Doelskoppe: Bronwin Williams (2), Strafdoele: Williams (2). Augsburg Landbou 10.

Porterville 47 – Drieë: Llewellyn Fransman (2), Keanu Plaatjies, Howard Ocks, Joshua Steenkamp, Tyron Mbula, Brenden September. Doelskoppe: McAlister Boer (6). Hoërskool Vredendal 6.

Ander tellings:

o. 19 – Worcester Gimnasium 1ste XV 19, Hoërskool Bellville 1ste XV 12; Bosmandam 1ste XV 34, Rusthoff 1ste XV 3; Swartland II 25, Robertson II 12; Wesbank 1ste XV 29, Swartland III 3; Wesbank II 12, Swartland IV 5; Bosmandam II 17, Rusthoff II 0.

o. 16 – Swartland A 25, Robertson A 24; Swartland B 5, Wesbank B 5; Bosmandam A 8, Rusthoff A 0; Porterville A 31, Hoërskool Vredendal A 5.

o. 15 – Swartland A 13, Robertson A 10; Swartland B 31, Robertson B 3; Bosmandam A 31, Rusthoff A 5; Porterville A 28, Hoërskool Vredendal 6.

o. 14 – Swartland A 26, Robertson A 0; Swartland B 24, Vooruitsig o. 15 A 22; Swartland C 12, Voortuitsig A 12; Rusthoff A 38, Bosmandam A 24.

After going unbeaten in the pool stages and knock-out rounds, Paul Roos Gimnasium capped off a perfect Hibbert Shield campaign when they defeated South African College High School (SACS) 6-5 on penalties in the final of the tournament at Grey High’s Rectory Astroturf in Gqeberha on Saturday.

Coach Michael Baker’s team was forced to do it the hard way after trailing 0-3 early in the match.

However, they showed grit, character, and a never-say-die attitude to level matters at 3-3, which forced the encounter into penalties and, eventually, sudden death.

In their journey to the final, PRG put together a spotless record in the group stages, then eliminated Paarl Gimnasium in the quarterfinals, before facing Garsfontein in the last four.

On Saturday morning, they made light work of the Pretoria side netting 10 times and making a statement ahead of the final.

Their opponents SACS had a similarly clean run but were made to work hard in the semis where they needed a penalty shootout to beat Grey High 4-2.

Unlike in the semi-finals, where they struggled for goals, SACS was quickly out of the blocks in the title-decider, netting a goal within the opening minute through a PC drag flick from Litha Kraai.

The Cape Town school dictated play and camped in PRG’s half, forcing the Stellenbosch side into mistakes.

Those mistakes resulted in another PC and, after a smart variation, Kraai passed the ball to Reece Theunis, who found himself in space and easily made it 2-0.

With a minute to play in the chukka, Theunis beat shot-stopper Beor van Reenen for a second time, leaving SACS 3-0 to the good.

As the second quarter began, PRG looked rattled, but they certainly were not out of it, and they began to gain a foothold in the match.

They looked more organised in midfield, where Joshua Smit, Christo Swanepoel, and Callum van Oudsthoorn displayed some much-needed energy.

Baker’s boys finally got their opener with a minute to play in the first half when their skipper Reuben Sendzul found himself inside SACS’s circle and, with not many defenders around him, managed to sneak the ball past Noah Venter.

The scores remained static in the third chukka, but the complexion of the match changed in the fourth.

PRG’s comeback started early in the chukka, when they received a penalty corner after a SACS’ player played the ball with a hand.

From that PC, Sendzul played a variation and picked out Keith Siebrits, who was in the right spot to tap in and make it 3-2.

SACS were, then, kept in the game by their goalkeeper, Venter, who produced two fine saves to keep his side in front.

However, his heroics were short-lived as Callum van Oudtshoorn, with three minutes to play, levelled matters, much to the delight of the travelling supporters.

With the sides tied at 3-3, the contest went to eight-second penalties and onto sudden death when those failed to saparate the teams.

The winning penalty for PRG was scored by the lanky Swanepoel, while Theunis was dispossessed by Van Reenen when attempting to even the scores, giving Paul Roos a 6-5 win from the spot.

The win means Paul Roos has put together an impressive unbeaten streak over the last three weeks, with their last defeat, a shock 0-1 loss to Rondebosch, coming last month.

The Stellenbosch boys also finished the tournament as the top-scoring team with 31 goals. SACS and Grey were well behind them, with 17 goals apiece.

This coming weekend, SACS will host Paul Roos at the Brewery Astroturf. Another thriller is on the cards.

Scorers in the final: 

Paul Roos: Reuben Sendzul, Keith Siebrits, Callum van Oudsthoorn. SACS: Litha Kraai, Reece Theunis (x2).

After losing their semi-final to SACS on penalties, Grey High finished on a high, beating Garsfontein 4-1 to take bronze.

Coach Ryan Julius‘s Bishops side finished fifth after coming back from two goals down to defeat Westville Boys’ High.

Durban High School (DHS) signed off with a 3-1 win over Paarl Gimnasium, while Selborne College ended ninth after a 2-0 win over Pearson High.

Results: Day 4

St Stithians College 2-2 Clifton College
Paul Roos 10-0 Garsfontein
SACS 1(4)-1(2) Grey High
Selborne College 2-0 Pearson High
Durban High 3-1 Paarl Gimnasium
Bishops 3-2 Westville
Grey High 4-1 Garsfontein
Paul Roos 3(6)-3(5) SACS

Final Standings 

Paul Roos
SACS
Grey High
Garsfontein
Durban High School/Bishops Diocesan College
Westville Boys High/Paarl Gimnasium
Selborne College
Clifton College
St Stithians College
Pearson High

Hoërskool Rustenburg het presies 51 redes gehad om Saterdag breed te glimlag.

Herleef al die aksie op SuperSport Schools. (www.supersportschool.com).

Die span van Rustenburg het hul eerste uitstappie in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Beker-afdeling terdeë geniet om die besoekende Hoërskool Marais Viljoen ‘n loesing van 51-29 toe te dien. Hulle het in die proses agt drieë teen vyf gedruk.

Dit was vanuit die staanspoor duidelik dat die Rusties daarop uit was om vroeg in die reeks reeds hul stem dik te maak. Die aanslag is deur die tuisspan se linkervleuel, Christiaan van der Bergh, geloods, toe die sneller binne die eerste paar minute oorgewals het om die tuisspan se rekening te open.

Daarna het die span van Rustenburg in die gebroke spel baljaar en agterlangs die bal behoorlik lug gegee. Heelagter, Lorenzo Snyers, was oudergewoonte op sy gevaarlikste met ál die spasie tot sy beskikking.

Snyers het ‘n aandeel gehad in ál agt sy span se drieë en het self die doellyn twee keer oorgesteek, terwyl hy ook suksesvol was met ‘n strafdoel en ‘n doelskop om sy persoonlike bydrae op 25 punte te staan te bring. Die staatmakersenter, Hendre Robinson, was self ‘n gevaar met die bal in die hand en het, nes Snyers, ‘n tweekuns behaal.

Die besoekers het met rukke en stote ook aanskoulike hardlooprugby opgedis, wanneer hulle spasie gegun was in gebroke spel. Linkervleuel, Devin Raubenheimer, het hul eerste drie gedruk, en het op die aanval goed saamgewerk met heelagter, Tyron Bouw.

Die onderkaptein en steelkantflank, Dian Scheepers, het moedig probeer sy pak op die voorvoet te plaas, en is met een van sy span se vyf drieë beloon.

Die Rusties het egter reeds genoeg gedoen teen die tyd dat die besoekers ritme begin vind het, en dus was die agterstand net té groot vir Marais Viljoen om in te haal.

Puntemakers: 

Rustenburg 51 (36) – Drieë: Lorenzo Snyers (2), Hendre Robinson (2), Christiaan van der Bergh, Zulu Khumalo, Jayden Meyer, Pedrie Human. Doelskoppe: Meyer (3), Snyers. Strafdoel: Snyers. Marais Viljoen 29 (12) – Drieë: Devin Raubeheimer, Tyron Bouw, Loyd Shoko-Senck, Diaan Scheepers, JD Labuschagne. Doelskoppe: Rekkie Gerber (2).

Ander spanne:

o. 16: Rustenburg 43, Marais Viljoen 7.

o. 15: Rustenburg 24, Marais Viljoen 10.

o. 14: Rustenburg 76, Marais Viljoen 14.

Gqeberha – Jeppe High School for Boys flexed their muscles on the final day of The Grey Standard Bank Rugby Festival.

Winger Leruo Dithagiso spearheaded the Johannesburg outfit’s attack, unlocking the St Andrew’s defence twice, as they recorded their second victory of the week.

Jeppe beat Graeme College 29-3 on the opening day and backed up that performance by outscoring St Andrew’s College 33-5 on Saturday.

Matthew Coetzee stood out at flyhalf, crossing the try line for a five-pointer, too, and sending Dithagiso over for his second with a magnificent little pop to the inside.

Jeppe’s other tries were scored by their captain, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, and Bonga Nxumalo, while Coetzee punished the team from Makhanda with his accuracy off the kicking tee.

It’s been a mixed season for the Jeppe boys so far, with some magnificent highs and one or two lows, but they’ve shown their class throughout and continue to impress week after week.

St Andrew’s fought back hard in the second half, spurred on by the efforts of their courageous captain, Joe Wostenholm.

Some big hits by the Jeppe boys inside their danger area were enough to keep Saints out for the most part, however, and they return home with two very impressive wins added to their 2024 record.

Earlier in the day, St Charles College opened proceedings with a comprehensive 26-5 victory over Hudson Park.

The big lock, Raphael Ajibade, made his presence felt for the KZN squad with some powerful charges forward and Salmaan Mohammed stood out in the no. 15 jersey.

Outside centre, Jacqyl Wright, scored a beautiful try to open the account for the boys from Buffalo City, but that was all they could muster.

Brandwag found their rhythm late in their match against St Stithians, outscoring the Gauteng outfit 12-10 in the second stanza, thanks to scintillating scores by Keenan Kayster and Enzo Ketchim.

Saints, however, kept their cool and tries by captain Gabriel Hore and their big second rower, Keabetswe Mapukana, along with two three-pointers by their star winger, Joshua Meyer, secured the win.

Scores, Day 2

St Charles College 26 (14) – Tries: Ukhanyo Ntsangani, Mathew Ludick, Matthew Fick, Salmaan Mohammed. Conversions: Ntsangani (3). Hudson Park 5 (0) – Try: Jacqyl Wright.

St Stithians 16 (6) – Tries: Gabriel Hore, Keabetswe Mapukana. Penalties: Joshua Meyer (2). Brandwag 12 (0) – Tries: Keeran Kayster, Enzo Ketchim. Conversion: Angelo Adams.

Jeppe High School for Boys 33 (19) – Tries: Leruo Dithagiso (2), Matthew Coetzee, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, Bonga Nxumalo. Conversions: Coetzee (4). St Andrew’s College 5 (0) – Try: Joe Wostenholm.

West Mitchell-Innes scored a brace to spearhead Michaelhouse to a 3-2 upset over Hilton College on the Mansergh Astro, while Glenwood concluded a successful trip to Johannesburg by following up a 1-1 draw against Parktown on Friday with a 6-0 win over Linden on Saturday.

On paper, Damian Kimfley’s charges were expected to have the upper hand in their showdown with their old rivals, Michaelhouse.

Hilton came into the match on the back of a 5-0 win over Glenwood last week and they also held the upper hand in recent head-to-head encounters against Michaelhouse. They defeated ‘House in their 2022 encounters, when they were ranked number one in the country, and then won both 2023 matches, with a top-five ranked team. Backed by their home crowd, Hilton was confident of building on their run of success against the Balgowan boys.

However, Michaelhouse had other ideas. The 2024 team is not the same side that lost to Hilton previously and they’re now under a new coach, Nick Bérichon, who is steering Michaelhouse in a different direction, moulding the team into a more cohesive and tougher unit. “I want them to play aggressive hockey that is rooted in a structured approach. I also want to equip them to be good at set pieces,” Bérichon shared with Supersport Schools Plus early in the season.

True to their coach’s vision, Michaelhouse came out of the gates attacking and took an early 1-0 lead through West Mitchell-Innes. But Hilton captain Jarred Kitto and his teammates were not about to be run over by Michaelhouse on their home turf. They didn’t take long to level matters.

In their last match, Michaelhouse left it until it was too late before they imposed themselves on the encounter. The result was a 2-3 loss to Kearsney College. They were not about to repeat that error this time around.

They responded to Hilton’s goal by creating another one of their own through Gordon Deutscher. Spurred on by their home crowd, Hilton fought back and equalised again. A pattern seemed to be emerging.

Michaelhouse captain Patrick Lambert and company had not made the trip to Hilton to walk away with a draw. They were in it to win it and continued to launch more forays on the hosts’ goal.

After an outstanding effort in leading Michaelhouse’s attack, Mitchell-Innes was not to be denied and he fired in a third goal for the visitors to seal the win. Kimfley’s charges took the game to Michaelhouse again, but this time the visitors repelled the attacks.

“I am really happy with our short corner defence and how clinical we were in the attacking circle,” Bérichon said after his team’s victory.

Devon van der Merwe, the Hilton College Director of Hockey, congratulated Michaelhouse on a fine win and also had positive things to say about Hilton. Assessing the match, he said: “They took their opportunities. That is something I liked about their game. They were also good at the back, sat deep, and defended well.”

Glenwood, who had made a 570km journey to the highveld for the inaugural Glenwood-Parktown derby, returned to KwaZulu Natal happy with their trip.

Michael Labuschagne‘s charges bounced back from their defeat to Hilton last weekend and played confidently against Parktown on their home turf. They also controlled key phases of the game for longer periods than they had managed in the past few weeks.

By controlling possession, Glenwood was able to create the momentum that led to a goal by Mesuli Msomi, who struck with a well-placed drag flick off a penalty corner.

Msomi carried his good form into Glenwood’s next game against Linden. Early in the first chukka, the striker gave Glenwood the lead, striking with a drag flick again.

As they did against Parktown, the Siya Malatjie-captained team dictated terms, giving Linden little room to breathe, let alone manoeuvre. However, the star of their encounter was Ntando Soni, who bagged a hat-trick. He was well supported by Krian Jugoo and Kaden Henderson, who scored a goal each.

Results

Hilton 2-3 Michaelhouse
Parktown 1-1 Glenwood
Linden 0-6 Glenwood

After overwhelming Pretoria Boys High in their Kearsney Tennis Tournament opener, Westville Boys’ High comfortably defeated Grey College in what was likely to be their toughest tie in Group Alcaraz on Friday afternoon, to set themselves up for a tilt at the final on Saturday.

The tournament, founded in 1996 by Kearsney College Deputy Headmaster Ant Willows, brings together the cream of South Africa’s boys’ schools’ tennis teams. Willows has overseen every one of its 28 editions. It would have been 29 this year, but Covid-19 accounted for a one-year break.

On Saturday morning, Westville had too much firepower for Rondebosch Boys’ High, cruising to a 24-0 victory. They were far from alone, however, with Affies repeating that scoreline against St David’s, Paul Roos doing the same against Kearsney, and Grey College replicating it in a win over Pretoria Boys High.

A third win on the trot secured top spot in Group Alcaraz for Westville, which meant they would face Group Sinner runners-up, Affies, for a place in the title-decider. Paul Roos, as the Group Sinner winners, took on Grey College.

The Griffin won emphatically again, brushing aside Affies 18-0. Paul Roos, meanwhile, rolled to a 16-6 victory over Grey College to ensure that the 2024 final would be a repeat of last year’s, which Westville won to lay claim to the title for a first time.

Paul Roos will go into Sunday morning’s tie seeking a 15th Kearsney Tennis Tournament crown.

In other Saturday afternoon clashes, Kearsney had Pretoria Boys High’s number, recording a convincing 16-3 win, while Rondebosch saw off St David’s 13-6 in a tightly contested tie.

The final takes place at Kearsney on Sunday morning, as does the fifth-place playoff between the hosts and Rondebosch.

Affies and Grey will duke it out at Highbury for third, while it’s St David’s vs Pretoria Boys High at St Mary’s for seventh.

FIXTURES

1st/2nd – Paul Roos vs Westville at Kearsney
3rd/4th – Affies vs Grey at Highbury
5th/6th – Kearsney vs Rondebosch at Kearsney
7th/8th – St David’s vs Pretoria Boys at St Mary’s

 

After much hard work, Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool, Pretoria outlasted Rhenish Girls’ High School on penalties to clinch the 2024 All Girls Festival title at The Girls High School, Potchefstroom, on Saturday.

The title decider was a good, hard fight, with both Affies and Rhenish tigerishly defending to avoid going behind. That, however, left the sides deadlocked at 0-0 after regulation time, thus sending the contest to the penalty spot to decide the winner. Affies took it, just, by three goals to two.

It was a satisfying end to the event for Affies, who began it with a 0-2 setback against Oranje on Thursday. They answered that loss with three wins in succession, beating Rustenburg Girls’ High 1-0, followed by 2-0 victories over Pretoria High School for Girls and HMS La Rochelle respectively.

That left Affies in second place in Pool A, with nine points.

Then, on Friday, they showed BMT to edge out Collegiate Girls’ High School 2-1 on penalties in the quarterfinals. In the semis, they beat Paarl Girls’ High 1-0 to secure their place in the final.

Rhenish’s challenge got off to a flyer when they overran Jeppe High School for Girls 13-0 in their first match. Their Stellenbosch neighbours, Bloemhof, held them to a 1-1 draw in their second outing, but a 2-0 victory over Danville Park Girls’ High and a 1-0 win over Durban Girls’ High left them top of Pool B, with 11 points.

Oranje impressed in the third-place playoff, scoring a 3-0 win over Paarl Girls’ High. Fifth went to Bloemhof, who handed Eunice a 2-1 loss, while Collegiate ended seventh after a 1-0 win over Wynberg Girls’ High.

In 2025, the All Girls Festival heads to the Western Cape where it will be hosted by Wynberg Girls’ High, who co-hosted the event with Rustenburg Girls’ High in its very first year, in 2000.

RESULTS

Collegiate Girls’ High School 1-0 Wynberg Girls’ High
Clarendon High School for Girls (2) 0-0 (1) Danville Park Girls’ High School
HMS Bloemhof 2-1 Eunice
Durban Girls’ High 1-0 Parktown Girls’ High
Paarl Girls’ High 0-3 Oranje
La Rochelle 0- 2 Rustenburg Girls’ High
Affies (3) 0-0 (2) Rhenish Girls’ High School

Die Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool van Pretoria (Affies) het weer hul staal getoon om vir die tweede agtereenvolgende jaar as wenners van die Absa Wildeklawer-sporttoernooi in Kimberley weg te stap.

Affies het met 26-14 getriomfeer in ‘n harde eindstryd teen Meisieskool Oranje van Bloemfontein.

Hierdie oorwinning dra by tot Affies se indrukwekkende rekord, nadat hulle verlede jaar ook die Wildeklawer-titel verower het deur Hoër Meisieskool Paarl met ‘n telling van 23-16 in die eindstryd te verslaan – dit nadat Affies in 2018 laas die kroon gedra het.

Vanjaar se wedywering tussen Affies en Oranje het reeds Vrydag afgeskop, toe die twee spanne mekaar die stryd aangesê en Affies met 32-22 geseëvier het. Affies het hul plek in die eindstryd verseker deur Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof te verslaan, terwyl Oranje deurgedring het nadat hulle vir Menlopark geklop het.

Oranje het laasjaar die finaal net-net gemis, nadat Affies vir hulle naelskraaps met 22-21 uitgeskakel het.

Affies het regdeur vanjaar se eindstryd momentum behou en die gaping met elke kwart geleidelik vergroot. Teen die einde van die eerste kwart het hulle ‘n voorsprong van 9-2 opgebou, en daarop voortgebou om met 17-7 voor te loop teen rustyd.

Affies het in geen stadium die voet van die versneller gelig nie en, hoewel Oranje hard terugbaklei het, kon die span van Bloemfontein eenvoudig nie die pas volhou nie. In die derde kwart het die spanne elk vyf doele aangeteken, met Affies wat ‘n stewige voorsprong van 22-11 behou het.

Met ‘n 11-doel voordeel in die laaste kwart, het Affies gefokus en vasberade gebly om uiteindelik ‘n klinkende oorwinning oor Oranje te behaal.

Liane Lochem van Affies het uitsonderlike vaardigheid en strategie op sowel die aanval as verdediging getoon. Die doele, Izelle Grabe en Jamie Matfield, het ook hul kant gebring om tot die span se wenseges by te dra.

Met dié oorwinning het Affies hul oorheersing oor Oranje voortgesit. Die Pretorianers het nou vier uit hul laaste ses kragmetings met Oranje gewen.

Affies het, benewens hul oorwinnings in vanjaar se Wildeklawer-toernooi, ook vir Oranje verslaan tydens die 2019-Interskole in Bloemfontein (34-19) en verlede jaar se Wildeklawer (22-21).

Oranje het oorwinnings behaal in die Interskole van 2022 en 2023, in Bloemfontein en Pretoria, met tellings van onderskeidelik 33-27 en 31-26.

Affies het van meet af by vanjaar se Wildeklawer-toernooi uiters bekwaam te werk gegaan en al hul wedstryde gewen. Hulle het oorwinnings behaal oor Diamantveld (48-18), Rustenburg (37-17), Oranje (32-22), La Rochelle (17-15), Waterkloof (31-16) en Paarl Gimnasium (28-21).

Oranje spog met ses uit agt oorwinnings op die toernooi, met hul enigste nederlae die twee teen Affies.

Hoërskool Menlopark het die derde plek in die toernooi behaal, nadat hulle teen die Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof geseëvier het met ‘n eindtelling van 27-20. Dié sege is Vrydag voorafgegaan deur ‘n oorwinning van 23-18 oor Bloemhof.

Menlopark het op die eerste dag van die toernooi vir Garsfontein met 31-25 getroef, en ook oorwinnings behaal oor Sentraal en Paarl Girls High met tellings van onderskeidelik 29-11 en 27-19. Op die tweede dag het hulle vir Helpmekaar (24-17) en Durbanville (30-20) geklop.

Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof het Donderdag gelykop gespeel teen Helpmekaar met 22-22, maar gewen teen Durbanville (28-17) en Garsfontein (26-12). Bloemhof het Vrydag nederlae gely teen Hoër Meisieskool Paarl (21-17) en Menlopark, maar goed herstel om vir Sentraal van Bloemfontein met ‘n telling van 28-22 te troef.