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Kearsney College welcomed Northwood School to the picturesque AH Smith Oval on Wednesday afternoon for a W100 clash, with the Knights boosted by the return of their SA u19 representative, Nqobani Mokoena.

The hosts, in turn, had been boosted by two victories the previous week over a dangerous Westville Boys’ High team in W100 and limited overs matches, and their confidence was evident from the start of their innings as they quickly went after the Knights’ bowlers. Not even Mokoena could slow their progress.

Up front, Cameron Veenstra impressed with his uncomplicated and very effective technique. In a 30-ball knock, he hit six fours and a six and tallied 47 runs.

Kearsney skipper Ross Coetzee didn’t light it up in the early stages of his innings, but he accelerated later to make 38 off 30 deliveries before he skied a shot off Connor Leclezio and Harley Jagga bagged the catch. Coetzee’s innings included four fours and two sixes, one of which was a remarkably big shot well over the long off boundary, which appeared effortless.

Keegan de Jager, batting at five, finished with 26 not out from 21 balls, while Cole Young launched the second last ball of the innings for six to contribute an unbeaten 10 off of only four balls.

With their 100 balls done, Kearsney had posted a competitive 155/4.

Connor Leclezio led the Northwood attack with 2/18 from 15 balls, while Harley Jagga did well to keep the Kearsney batsmen in check, picking up 1/15 in 15. Mokoena, though, came in for some stick, conceding 37 runs from his 20 deliveries.

In reply, Northwood made a steady start, courtesy of Thayin Kuppan. The problem for the Knights, though, was that the rest of the top six failed to fire as Asavela Khambule tore the visitors’ innings to shreds.

Coming off a decisive 3/13 against Westville on Saturday, the leg-spinner laid waste to Northwood, removing Nqobani Mokoena to reduce the visiting side to 46/3 after 44 balls. Just 18 balls later, the Knights were in tatters on 59/7, with Khambule responsible for every one of those five dismissals. His return from 20 balls was an astounding 5/12.

Khambule’s destruction was superbly followed up by Matthew Lamplough, who wiped out the Knights’ tail, knocking over 3/6 in just seven balls to end the Northwood innings on 103 after 87 balls.

Thayin Kuppan’s 36 from 31, with four fours, was the only substantial contribution from the visitors’ top order, while Kyle White was unbeaten on 19 from 14 at the end, which included one maximum. Mason Storm was defiant, cracking a six and a four, in a nine-ball stay that produced 20 runs.

In the end, though, it was another convincing W100 win for Kearsney, this time by 52 runs. Their lineup appears tailor-made for the 100-ball format and it’s going to take a special performance for another team to stop Coetzee and company’s bid for the title.

Scores

Kearsney College 155/4 (Cameron Veenstra 47, Ross Coetzee 38, Keegan de Jager 26*; Connor Leclezio 2/18, Harlee Jagga 1/15); Northwood School 103/10 (Thayin Kuppan 36, Mason Storm 20, Kyle White 19*; Asavela Khambule 5/12, Matthew Lamplough 3/6, Ross Coetzee 1/8)

Kearsney College won by 52 runs.

One of the toughest jobs in football is occupying the hot seat of a head coach, and it gets even more heated if a coach holds that position at one of the biggest clubs in the country.

Kaizer Chiefs’ u19 coach, David Mathebula, knows the hot seat all too well as he is entrusted with accelerating the talents of the players in the Soweto giant’s academy and preparing them for top-flight football in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Often, academy coaches don’t get the respect they deserve and that boils down to the understanding of the audience about what exactly those academy coaches do and what kinds of pressure they are faced with.

In an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools Plus, Mathebula described the pressure he faces as an academy coach and the kinds of expectations that come with the hot seat that he currently sits on.

“Working for Kaizer Chiefs, honestly, is not an easy thing. This is a big brand but, as a coach, you are expected to handle the pressure because if you can’t handle it, it will go down to the players,” he said.

“In terms of how I handle it, I always train myself to stay calm during the matches. When the players see a very solid coach on the touchline, they will also be calm on the field of play.”

As the 2024 edition of the Gauteng Development League (GDL) draws closer – kick off is on 2 March – Mathebula and his fellow head coaches will have to produce results once again as the public’s demand for young, exciting talent and winning football increases inexorably.

Mathebula told SuperSport Schools that the expectations from the powers that be at the club and from the general public is part of the package of being an academy coach.

“It’s not easy as a coach because you are always expected to deliver,” he explained. “But a big part of the pressure comes from within, from us as coaches wanting to produce star players for the first team; the kind of player that will go up there and make an impact immediately. That’s what we focus on.

“Pressure is an everyday thing here. We have to deliver as coaches. But because I have played the game and some of the coaches have played the game, I think we understand how to handle the pressure and we don’t allow all of that to affect the performances of our players.

“It’s not easy because, at the end of the day, we will be judged on that in the near future – how many players have you produced, and where are they playing? So, if you can produce top players who go on to play for the first team and have a few playing regularly at a relatively young age, that would be a big achievement,” he concluded.

Last season’s academy crop included Khulumane Ndamane, a physically strong and composed centre-back, who also turned out for Kaizer Chiefs in the DStv Diski Challenge.

Mathebula’s new group of youngsters is set to start their season on Saturday, 17 February, in a GDL Top Eight clash against SuperSport United. Expectations remain, as always, sky-high for the AmaKhosi.

 

On 9 and 10 March, the Panorama Grounds will be buzzing with women’s football action, signalling the start of the 2024 season. Safa Gauteng is behind the event, which features the top eight finishers from Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) and the Safa Gauteng Sasol pre-season games.

Gauteng Women’s Development League 

It has been only a year since the GWDL launched and fireworks are expected as the league prepares for its second season.

The u15 Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Team made history by becoming the first champions of the GWDL in 2023. Although they were favoured to win the league, JVW FC and Highlands Park did not back down and gave Sundowns a run for their money.

Competition was, for the most part, tight and matches keenly contested.

GWDL Administrator and Gauteng Safa’s Sports Photographer Mondli Dube said players can expect to play more matches in 2024. Last year, the league consisted of only 10 teams in the u15 division, which was the sole age group. For the forthcoming season, the GWDL will change to u14 and u16 divisions.

Once the GWDL’s Top Eight competition concludes, the league season will start. Dube said the players will also enjoy knockout football with a GWDL Youth Cup being introduced this year.

Fixtures for the GWDL Top 8

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Origin FC
JVW FC vs Tornado FC
Highlands Park vs Tuks
RESA vs Panorama

He added that he would like to see more parents and spectators, and other stakeholders, becoming more involved in supporting women’s football, not only in the GWDL but also in the Sasol League and other leagues.

“We would love to have a GWDL sponsor for the GWDL girls,” he said. “We want to see fans continuing their respectful support…just as they did last season.”

Dube said he believes the league will be more competitive in 2024 than it was in 2023, with teams now aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Last year was a special year, as it was our pilot season. This year, we are moving higher and solidifying the brand of GDL women. Also, people can hear more about the GWDL on Safa Gauteng‘s pages online, on Facebook, Instagram and SuperSport Schools,” he explained.

SAFA Gauteng’s SASOL Pre Games 

The Sasol League’s pre-season games will give the participating clubs an opportunity to assess where they stand ahead of the start of the season. It’s a chance to shake off the rust that might have accrued during the festive season break.

Dube said the league would transition from two streams to one in 2024, which will assist the players in accumulating the hours they need to develop their games further.

“Sasol plays a pivotal role in South African’s women’s football, serving as the backbone of the Hollywoodbets Super League and Banyana Banyana.  We can’t take short cuts. This year we will definitely bring the heat,” he concluded.

Fixtures

Nicko Taurus vs Springs Home Sweepers
Mito Stars vs UJ
Zebra Force vs Diepkloof Ladies
Wits vs Blue Birds
Mathaithai vs Kempton Park
Vikings vs Blue Raycon
Future Stars vs Groesus
JVW vs NWU Vaal

Somerset College reigned supreme at their home T20 tournament on Sunday, winning two of their three matches, to lay claim to the silverware.

After battling to a stalemate in their two-day match against Framesby, the home team regrouped well and found the energy reserves to see out two more thrillers on Sunday before Outeniqua finally got the better of them in the final game of the weekend.

Firstly, Somerset had to battle hard against Wellington College, from the UK, to open their account with a narrow six-run win.

The prestigious Berkshire school’s recent cricketing alumni include brothers, Sam and Tom Curran, who represent England in all formats. With a history that spans 165 years, many English heroes of the past have also walked the halls of Wellington College.

Chad Ayford provided the hosts with a positive start, smashing five boundaries in a sharp 30 runs from 26 deliveries. Later, Jonno Firth bolstered the Somerset total with a brisk 48 runs off of only 28 balls.

Every run proved vital as Somerset posted their highest total of the day to keep the Englishmen at bay.

Next, the hosts faced Framesby again. After the previous two days of heated competition, a tight contest was expected, but the teams managed to exceed expectations.

Somerset sneaked a victory, scoring the winning runs off the penultimate delivery of the match, with only a wicket to spare, thanks to David de Klerk‘s boundary. It was a spectacular victory, and it secured the T20 title for the home side.

JJ de Lange (58) and Dewan Wessels (47) led Framesby to 158/5 before Troy Varie was unleashed on the visitors.

He knocked over five batsmen in two overs and conceded only three runs, to stymie Framesby’s batting efforts.

Somerset College’s captain, Tyrone Rieth (77), then combined brilliantly with the young Buhle Mfunelwa (25) for a 72-run partnership, which was the cornerstone of the home team’s successful run chase.

Stefan May ripped through the hosts batting’ lineup in their final game, snaring five Somerset batsmen for a miserly eight runs. Then, batting with Daniel du Plessis, he scored the winning runs to secure the Garden Route boys’ first win of the weekend. By then, though, the trophy already belonged to Somerset College.

Even though they ended up tied in the final rankings with the visitors from the UK, Somerset College took the title over Wellington College because of their head-to-head win.

Summarised Scorecards

Somerset College 165/9 (Jonno Firth 48, Chad Ayford 30, Callum Hughes 20; Alexander Padbury 4/21); Wellington College 159/3 (Toby Barton 62, Edward Campion 43*, Hugo South 24; David de Klerk 1/28). Somerset College won by six runs.

Framesby 158/5 (JJ de Lange 58, Dewan Wessels 47, Extras 24; Troy Varie 5/3); Somerset College 159/9 (Tyrone Rieth 77, Buhle Mfunelwa 25; Juan Grigor 2/22, Juandré Vos 2/23, Logan Fleetwood 2/33). Somerset College won by one wicket.

Somerset College 97 (Chad Ayford 23; Stefan May 5/8, Danie Venter 2/11); Outeniqua 98/2 (Stefan May 40, Daniel du Plessis 27; Troy Varie 1/17). Outeniqua won by eight wickets.

Individual brilliance in team sports is almost guaranteed, with each team usually armed with one or two players that stick out from the rest of the pack.

That brilliance is often spotted from a young age, then groomed and nurtured into a powerful force. 

However, the true value of a player with individual brilliance is his or her ability to contribute those skills to a team, through a willingness to be a team player at all times, thus helping to make each of the other team members better players.

One player who has excelled in this department is Selborne’s College rising water polo star, Liam Hansen. 

He provides a vital cog in the Selborne first team, with his skills and leadership delivering important attributes to the unit. His knack for goalscoring, linking up with teammates, and fighting for his side to the final whistle, sets him apart. 

Hansen has represented Buffalo City at the annual Inter-Provincial Water Polo Tournament since he was u14 and during the past two campaigns he has led the provincial side. 

This coming weekend, he and his team will seek to capture Selborne’s first Vides Trophy since 2017, when they host the tournament. 

In an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools, he spoke about where his love for water polo began, his achievements in the pool, and his team’s objectives for the 2024 season.

The beginning

Selborne College is renowned for its rich sporting history, having produced many household names across the sporting codes the school offers. 

However, the school’s swimming pools and corridors were not always familiar territory for Hansen, who began his schooling almost 30 minutes away at Hudson Park. That’s where he met a teacher who encouraged him to take up the sport.

“I attended Hudson Park Primary School from grade R to grade 7, before moving across to Selborne College in my grade 9 year,” Hansen said.

“I am extremely thankful to Mr Le Roux Loock, who is now teaching at Grey Bloem, who persuaded me to try out for water polo in grade 7.

“I tried the sport out and immediately fell in love with it. I had been a provincial swimmer but gave up swimming at that time as I preferred the idea of playing a team sport in the pool.”

That nudge from Mr Loock received further fuel when Hansen, in grade 7, joined East London’s Eagles Water Polo Club. 

There, he met two young but very influential coaches, who both spotted something special about the way he played the game. 

Hansen said their guidance in the water and out of it contributed to the player he is today. 

“I joined Eagles Polo Club during my grade 7 year and grew from strength to strength under the coaching wings of Ms. Hannah Muller and Mr Khanyisa Mpumlwana,” he reckoned. 

“They kept encouraging me to pursue water polo and build on my natural talents.

“After making the Border IPT u14 team in grade 8, under the coaching of Mr Storm Siebert, he constantly encouraged me, guided me, and supported me in working hard to improve my skills.

“The coaches I have mentioned contributed to my dream of becoming an SA player one day.”

Finding the balance:

Despite being only 17 years old, with little experience in the first team, what he has achieved in the pool is impressive.

In the past two years, Hansen has scooped up four awards, which speak to his impact in the water. Firstly, he shared the award for the Most Promising Junior Water Polo Player at Selborne in 2022. Then, he went on to claim the “Most Valuable Player” award at the Ian Mellier Tournament in Cape Town.

Last year, he laid claim to the same award at the 2023 Nick Rey DHS U16 Water Polo Tournament in Durban, steering Selborne to the title, before leading the Buffalo City u16 side to a bronze medal at last year’s IPT in Gqeberha.

He does admit, though, that a busy schedule in the pool and classroom can get tiring, but knowing his priorities and receiving the support of his family keeps him focussed on the main goal. 

“It isn’t always easy, especially when fatigue kicks in,” he admitted. “However, my mom helps me stay focussed and I try to work consistently as much as possible.

“Paying good attention in class is also important, as well as finding a balance between sport, academics, and private time.”

Teamwork makes the dream work:

As the first part of this year’s season draws closer to its conclusion, Selborne has a shot at adding to the silverware they’ve already won this term.

Coach Storm Siebert’s side finished in sixth place at the SAC Shield in Makhanda last month against an elite field. A week later, they successfully defended their ITEC Grey College Water Polo Tournament title in Bloemfontein. 

This term, they will participate in two more tournaments, the Vides and the KES Water Polo Tournament, early next month.

Hansen says Selborne has big goals and ambitions for those events, and teamwork will be critical if they are to succeed. 

“Our team dynamic is very special, as we are all good friends, and we work very well together, focussing on team performance and continual improvement, rather than individual success,” he said.

“We have quite a young team, but we are going from strength to strength, and I am confident that we have earned our spot in the big tournaments as we strive to play a very competitive game of water polo.

“We are aiming to do very well at our very own Vides Tournament, and also hoping to make the quarterfinals at both the annual KES Festival in Johannesburg and the SACS Festival in Cape Town, towards the end of the year.”

Selborne has been drawn in Pool C for the Vides this weekend, where they’ll face Woodridge College, Reddam House Constantia, and Wynberg Boys’ High.

They open their campaign against Wynberg on Thursday at 17:40 in the final match of day one.

Catch all the action LIVE ON SUPERSPORT SCHOOLS.

From Thursday, Maritzburg College hosts the Jenny Orchard Invitational Basketball Tournament, with the first tip offs happening at 12:00. The event runs through to 12:30 on Sunday afternoon, when the final of the A Division grabs the spotlight.

A total of 26 u19 teams will be in action, with 16 competing in the A Division and 10 contesting the B Division.

Follow the Jenny Orchard Invitational action live on SuperSport Schools

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Pool A, which includes the defending champions, Michaelhouse, is a tough one to call. ‘House are up against St David’s Marist Inanda, Westville Boys’ High and DHS and they might find it a severe challenge to book a quarterfinal place, which was the stage of the tournament when they caught fire last year.

Pool B features one of KZN’s perennial powers, St Charles College, on-the-rise Clifton College, Rondebosch Boys High and the always competitive St John’s College.

Last year, in October, ‘Bosch, whose basketball will be a bit of an unknown to the KZN and Gauteng schools, finished as runners-up in the u19 division of the Wynberg Basketball Festival, while their u16s lifted the title. Clearly, they have some talent, but Cape Town’s current finest is in Pool D…

Kearsney College, who made the Jenny Orchard semi-finals last year, do battle with the Soweto Basketball Academy, Hilton College and Bishops Diocesan College, and they’ll fancy their chances of a quarterfinal spot.

Maritzburg College, for many the favourites, take on ESCA Wanderers and SACS, the u19 winners of the Wynberg Basketball Festival, who in late January thumped Rondebosch 80-47 behind a school record 46 points from Zade Darkoh-Keeton.

At first glance, though, if there is any team that is going to challenge College for supremacy in the tournament, it’s going to be the other Pool D participant, Northwood.  At the end of 2023, with the same personnel, the schools split a pair of games.

Both are in excellent form. This past weekend, College were 62-40 winners over a solid DHS side, while a stunning second-half surge lifted the Knights to an impressive 76-54 win over St Charles College.

Pool A of the B Section features UFS Invitational, Pinetown’s St Benedict’s School, the Maritzburg College 2nd team, Queen’s College, and Treverton College.

Alexandra High, Botswana’s Maru-a-Pula, the Jenny Orchard Invitational Team, Eswatini’s Enjabulweni Independent School, and Wynberg Boys’ High will duel in Pool B.

FIXTURES

A Division

Thursday

Alan Paton Hall (APH) 1

12:00 – Michaelhouse vs Westville (1); 13:30 – Maritzburg vs Northwood (3); 15:00 – SACS vs ESCA (5); 16:30 – St David’s vs DHS (7)

Alan Paton Hall (APH) 2

12:00 – St Charles vs Clifton (2); 13:30 – Kearsney vs Hilton (4); 15:00 – Rondebosch vs St John’s (6); 16:30 – Soweto vs Bishops (8)

Friday

APH 1

08:00 – Westville vs DHS (9); 09:30 – Michaelhouse vs St David’s (11); 11:00 – ESCA vs Maritzburg (13); 12:30 – LUNCH; 14:00 – SACS vs Northwood (15); 15:30 – DHS vs Michaelhouse (17); 17:00 – Westville vs St David’s (19); 18:30 – Northwood vs ESCA (21); 20:00 – SACS vs Maritzburg (23)

APH 2

08:00 – Rondebosch vs St Charles (10); 09:30 – Clifton vs St John’s (12); 11:00 – Soweto vs Kearsney (14); 12:30 – LUNCH; 14:00 – Hilton vs Bishops (16); 15:30 – Clifton vs Rondebosch (18); 17:00 – St John’s vs St Charles (20); 18:30 – Bishops vs Kearsney (22); 20:00 – Hilton vs Soweto (24)

Saturday

APH 1

08:00 – A3 vs B4 (25) – playoffs 9-16; 09:30 – C3 vd D4 (27) – playoffs 9-16; 11:30 – A1 vs B2 (29) – QF; 13:00 – BREAK; 13:30 – D1 vs C2 (31) – QF; 15:00 – L25 vs L27; 16:30 – W25 vs W27 (35); 18:00 – W29 vs W31 (35) – SF; 19:30 – L29 vs L31 – playoffs 5-8(39)

APH 2

08:00 – B3 vs A4 (26) – playoffs 9-16; 09:30 – D3 vs C4 (28) – playoffs 9-16; 11:30 – B1 vs A2 (30) – QF; 13:00 – BREAK; 13:30 – C1 vs D2 (32) – QF; 15:00 – L26 v L28; 16:30 – W26 vs W28 (36); 18:00 – W30 vs W32 (38) – SF; 19:30 – L30 vs L32 – playoffs 5-8 (40)

Sunday

APH 1

08:00 – W35 vs W36 – 9th/10th (41); 09:30 – W39 vs W40 – 5th/6th (43); 11:10 – Div B Final (45); 12:30 – W41 vs W42 – Div A Final (49)

APH 2

08:00 – L35 vs L36 (42) – 11th/12th; 09:30 – L39 vs L40 (44) – 7th/8th; 11:00 – L37 v L38 (46) – 3rd/4th

B Division

Thursday

GHS 1

16:00 – St Benedict’s vs Maritzburg B (1)

GHS 2

16:00 – Alexandra vs Wynberg (2)

Friday

GHS 1

08:00 – UFS vs Queen’s (3); 09:30 – Treverton vs Maritzburg B (5); 11:00 – UFS vs St Benedict’s (7); 12:30 – LUNCH; 14:00 – Treverton vs Queen’s (9); 15:30 – Maritzburg B vs UFS (11); 17:00 – St Benedict’s vs Treverton; 18:30 – Queen’s vs Maritzburg B (15)

GHS 2

08:00 – Maru-a-Pula vs Invitational (4); 09:30 – Alexandra vs Enjabulweni (6); 11:00 – Maru-a-Pula vs Wynberg (8); 12:30 – LUNCH; 14:00 – Enjabulweni vs Invitational (10); 15:30 – Alexandra vs Maru-a-Pula (12); 17:00 – Wynberg vs Invitational (14); 18:30 Enjabulweni vs Maru-a-Pula (16)

Saturday

GHS 1

08:00 – UFS vs Treverton (17); 09:30 – Queen’s vs St Benedict’s (19); 11:30 – A1 vs B4 – QF; 12:30 – BREAK; 13:00 – A2 vs B3 (23); 14:30 – W21 vs W22 – SF (25); 16:00 – W23 vs W24 – SF (27)

GHS 2

08:00 – Alexandra vs Invitational (18); 09:30 – Enjabulweni vs Wynberg (20); 11:00 – B2 vs A3 – QF; 12:30 – BREAK; 13:00 – B1 vs A4 – QF; 14:30 – L21 vs L22 – playoff 5-8; 16:00 – L23 vs L24 – playoff 5-8

Sunday

GHS 1

08:00 – A5 vs B5 (29) – 9th/10th; 09:30 – L25 vs L27 (31); 11:00 – W33 vs W34 (47) – Div A 13th/14th;

GHS 2

08:00 – L26 vs L28 (30) – 7th/8th; 09:30 – W26 vs 28 (32) – 5th/6th; 11:00 – L33 vs L34 (48) – Div A 15th/16th

The 2024 SACS Nite Series has proven to be very unpredictable with a series of upsets highlighting the competition which reaches its fourth round on Wednesday this week.

One team that has stood out, after being dubbed underdogs, is Rondebosch Boys High, who have impressed in the first three rounds of the series.

They’re currently unbeaten in the competition and are playing an attractive, structured, and well-orchestrated brand of water polo.

They opened their campaign with an emphatic 14-6 triumph over Reddam House Constantia. In round two, they defied the odds, edging the hosts, SACS, 9-7 in a highly competitive and entertaining match to hand coach Devon Card’s side an improbable second loss of the series. ‘Bosch then followed that up a 12-5 win over Wynberg Boys’ High last week.

This week, Rondebosch faces arguably their toughest test of the season when they take on Bishops Diocesan College, who are also unbeaten in the Nite Series, in a showdown for top spot ahead of the play-off matches, which loom at the end of the month.

Speaking exclusively to SuperSport Schools ahead of the big clash, ‘Bosch head coach Jared Wingate-Pearse said he was satisfied with his team’s performances of late, but he reiterated the need to stay focussed as the series draws to its conclusion.

“I’m very happy with the performances. We have worked hard in the season, and the season has been up and down so far, but it’s nice to have gone three for three in the Nite Series,” he said.

“Our match against SACS last week was a big confidence-booster for us. However, I believe there is still room for improvement, so we will keep working hard.”

Apart from participating in the Nite Series, Rondebosch has also faced many of the country’s leading teams this season. Last month, at the SAC Shield in Makhanda, they finished in fourth place, just above Paul Roos and Selborne College.

However, Wingate-Pearse revealed that his side was dissatisfied after they missed out on a podium place, saying that they have used that disappointment as motivation for the remainder of the Nite Series.

“We played a great game plan against SACS, and the boys executed it very well,” he said about ‘Bosch’s win over the Nite Series hosts.

“We were the underdogs going into the game, so you could say we didn’t have the pressure on us, but the boys wanted a big performance after a disappointing St Andrew’s tournament.

“Our composure on attack was the difference in the game as a good offence leads to a good defence.”

Bishops have been in superb form this season, finishing as runners-up at the SAC Shield, while remaining unbeaten through the first three rounds of the Nite Series.

Coach Jabulani Sibiya’s side has also beaten SAC Shield winners SACS twice this season and they’ll go into round three intent on keeping their Nite Series record clean.

Wingate-Pearse says his side understands the task at hand and they will need to be sharp in every department to claim victory.

“Bishops are definitely one of the form teams this year and also unbeaten in the Nite Series,” he said.

“They have a well-drilled team and a great coach.

“We will have to be very sharp on defence for those quick balls into the centre and shoot well to take this one. I look forward to a cracker game, hopefully,” he concluded.

In other matches, SACS will look to make it two Nite Series wins in a row when they face Wynberg Boys’, while Paul Roos tackle Reddam House.

All the action will be LIVE on SuperSport School.

Fixtures: Round 4

17:00- SACS vs Wynberg Boys High
18:00- Rondebosch Boys High vs Bishops
19:00- Reddam House Constantia vs Paul Roos

Die Hoërskool President Steyn sal weer teen Wessel Maree van Odendaalsrus sake tydens sy jaarlikse Hester van der Walt Sportsdag op Bainsvlei net buite Bloemfontein sake uitspook. Die Steyners was verlede jaar met 17-0 baas in die hoofwedstryd van die dag oor Wessel Maree.

Die sportdag sal vir die 31ste keer op Saterdag, 24 Februarie aangebied word. Al die aksie kan regstreeks op SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com) gevolg word.

Die land se voorste skolespan van 2023, Grey-kollege, sal ook weer sy seisoen tydens die sportdag afskop. Hy sal soos verlede jaar weer teen die Hoërskool Trio van Kroonstad te staan kom. Grey het verlede jaar die kragmeting met 38-10 gewen.

Die span van die Rosestad het egter nie ‘n volsterkte span in die veld gestoot nie en daar kan verwag word dat Trio ‘n ietwat meer omgekrapte Grey te woord sal staan. Trio word deur die voormalige Italiaanse-kaptein Quintin Geldenhuys gebrei. Hy sal gewis ‘n hele paar planne beraam voor die kragmeting.

Nog ‘n hoogtepunt van die sportdag sal die kragmeting tussen Wolmaransstad en Bultfontein wees. Wollies is een van die voorste spanne in Groep 3 van die SDC Noordvaal Cup, terwyl Bultfontein ook jaarliks sy stem in die Kovsiestreek-kompetisie dik maak.

Jim Fouché sal teen Welkom Gimnasium in ‘n tweestryd op dié dag gewikkel wees.

Die bepalings is: 

GONVAL STORE-PARK | o.19

17:35 – President Steyn vs Wessel Maree
16:20 – Grey College vs Hoërskool Trio
15:05 – Jim Fouché vs Welkom Gimnasium
13:50 – Cherries vs Voortrekker II
12:40 – Brandfort vs Postmasburg
11:30 – Louis Botha vs Voortrekker
10:20 – Sand du Plessis vs Hennenman
09:10 – Wolmaransstad vs Bultfontein
08:00 – Sentraal vs Hentie Cilliers

B-VELD 

17:30 – o.19 – Hoërskool Bloemfontein vs Marquard
16:25 – o.19 – Hendrik Potgieter vs Ladybrand
15:15 – o.19 – Hoopstad vs Ficksburg
14:10 – o.15 – Wolmaransstad vs Ladybrand
13:15 – o.15 – Jim Fouché vs Welkom Gimnasium
12:20 – o.16 – Wessel Maree vs President Steyn
11:25 – o.16 – Grey College II vs Hentie Cilliers
10:30 – o.16 – Grey College vs Hoërskool Trio
09:45 – o.14 – Jim Fouché vs Welkom Gimnasium
08:40 – o.15 – President Steyn vs Wessel Maree
07:45 – o.15 – Brandfort vs Ladybrand

Overflow FC u17 and Kathorus Juventus u19 grabbed the spotlight as they were crowned the champions of the 4th edition of the Legacy Soccer Tournament at the Vosloorus Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Contesting the u17 age category, Overflow FC remained strong and consistent over the course of many weeks of intense competition, which brought together some of the finest development football teams from across the Gauteng region.

Having qualified for the semi-finals, Overflow FC faced Kathorus Hyper Academy, which has previously campaigned in the prestigious Gauteng Development League. Overflow FC were up for the challenge, however, and claimed an exciting 3-2 win to book a place in the final against Mojo City FC.

A penalty shootout success had earned Mojo City FC their place in the title-decider. Their final four meeting with Alaska ended level at 1-1 after regulation time. Then, Mojo City advanced 4-3 from the penalty spot.

In the final, though, their luck ran out as Overflow FC secured the silverware with a 3-1 win.

The u19 section of the Legacy Soccer Tournament lived up to its high expectations, with some sparkling football delivering plenty of enjoyment to the fans in attendance.

Mojo City made it all the way to the u19 title game. Unfortunately for them, their u19 side suffered the same fate as their u17 counterparts and they were stopped in the final, with Kathorus Juventus recording a 2-0 victory.

Kathorus Juventus take with them the bragging rights for the next 12 months after succeeding New Jack City FC, who won the third edition of the Legacy Soccer Tournament.

Success and Challenges of the tournament

This year’s tournament featured a record of 36 teams in total, with 20 teams battling it out in the u17 division, while 16 teams featured in the u19 division.

The contenders included teams from the Gauteng Provincial League, as well as regional and local leagues.

In only its fourth year, the competition has already revealed itself as an ideal showcase of young talent.

Backing was provided by the South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA), which sponsored two football kits and R15 000, while The Department of Sports and Recreation also donated two kits. Those four playing kits were then presented to the finalists of both divisions.

During the tournament, it became apparent that some teams had issues meeting the South Africa Football Association (Safa) uniform rules. Another issue was a reduction in support from the local community, with viewing numbers down compared to the last edition of the event.

At the conclusion of the competition, the organisers appealed to more sponsors to come forward to back the tournament to help it continue to grow and achieve its full potential.

The KwaZulu-Natal region’s fourth round of derby weekend matches dished up some mouthwatering clashes in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday, with Maritzburg College hosting Durban High School (DHS) and Northwood School visiting St Charles College.

The Knights headed into their encounter against Saints high in confidence after defeating DHS 67-64 the previous weekend. However, after a nine-point win over Westville Boys’ High, the home team also carried momentum into the contest.

In an electric first half, St Charles opened up a five-point lead over the visitors, but the second half was all about the Knights. With Callum Magurno and Siyamthanda Shabalala calling the defensive shots and Lusanda Hlongwane dominating the boards, Northwood stacked up scoring opportunities to break open a tight contest.

Magurno, alongside Chadley Hargreaves, took the game away from the hosts, with the pair regularly converting three-pointers as the Knights pulled away to a convincing 76-54 victory.

Maritzburg College, meanwhile, awaited a wounded DHS outfit following the Horseflies’ narrow loss to the Knights.

Looking for redemption, the Durban boys gave College a proper run for their money, playing a fast-paced game and supplementing it with accurate shooting. However, coach Suwi Siwila‘s College side was up for the challenge.

Exhibiting outstanding tactical awareness and skills, they defused the visitor’s enthusiastic challenge. By the time the referee blew the final whistle, College had 62 points on the board to DHS’s 40.

Westville Boys High hosted Kearsney College in a local rivalry and the two sides put together an enthralling, nail-biting encounter.

Despite a slow start to the game, the action intensified towards the latter part of the first quarter, when the home team caught the visitors napping on defence and managed to forge a 17-12 lead.

Both teams added six points each to their scorelines in the second quarter, and the defensive domination continued after half-time.

However, the final quarter was explosive as both teams, finally, found their offensive rhythm. Thanks to the trio of Luca Borragerio (14 points), Reabetswe Sithole (13 points) and Sihle Ngcobo, Kearsney managed to erase Westville’s lead.

However, Westville’s Enzokuhke Mweli (34 points) and John Dickson (11 points) made full use of their opportunities and they produced just enough offense to overcome a four-point fourth quarter deficit and secure a thrilling one-point victory.

Clifton College, after a breakthrough win over Glenwood High last week, followed that up with the scalp of Hilton College in a big victory for coach Sibu Cele‘s charges in light rain and windy conditions.

In the Eastern Cape, Queen’s College, winners over Mthatha in round three, tasted defeat in their clash with the visiting St Andrew’s College, who recorded a 38-27 victory.

Up on the highveld, Jeppe High for Boys was on the receiving end of a second successive tough loss. In round three, they had gone down 41-46 at Pretoria Boys High, and on Saturday there were, again, only five points in it as St David’s Marist Inanda took the win.

Boys High suffered a three-point loss against King Edward VII (KES), but their Pretoria neighbours, St Alban’s College, caught the eye with an emphatic 22-point win at St John’s College.

RESULTS

Queen’s College 22, St Andrew’s College 38
Kingswood College 17, PE Comets 23
Maritzburg College 62, Durban High School 40
St Charles College 54, Northwood School 76
Westville Boys’ High 53, Kearsney College 52
Clifton College 49, Hilton College 38
Glenwood High 33, Michaelhouse 59
St Stithians College 30, St Benedict’s College 35
St David’s Marist Inanda 50, Jeppe High for Boys 45
King Edward VII 37-24 Pretoria Boys High
St John’s College 36, St Alban’s College 58