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The Titans team for the 2023 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week has been named, with four players from their 2022 side in the line-up for the event, which visits Makhanda this year from the 16th to the 20th of December.

Tristan Luus and Hernus Marais, from Hoërskool Waterkloof, will head up the side from Pretoria’s bowling attack for the second time in as many years, while Menlopark’s exciting prodigy, Steve Stolk, and Garsfontein’s talisman Mohammed Aslam, will seek to spearhead their batting as two-time selections.

Stolk’s performances with the bat not only earned him a call-up to the week but also secured him a spot in the Pretoria Capitals’ squad for next year’s SA20, while Luus made a couple of appearances for the SA Emerging side in the CSA Division Two One Day Cup before he was sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Marcus Bakker, from Waterkloof, gets a call-up after an amazing season with both bat and ball, and he helps give the Klofies the largest contingent in the squad.

Jorich van Schalkwyk and Lukas Janse van Rensburg are the only two representatives from Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool, while Cornwall Hill College saw Lethabo Phahlamohlaka and Jason Jansen named in the Titans’ squad.

Lungile Mabuza (Atteridgeville) and William Tshoke (Mamelodi) represent the Atteridgeville Hub and Mamelodi Hub respectively, and Prestige College’s Modise Maloka completes the squad.

Titans u19: Jorich van Schalkwyk (Affies), Dumisani Motshewene (Garsfontein), Mohammad Aslam (Garsfontein), Modise Maloka (Prestige College), Lukas Janse van Rensburg (Affies), Marcus Bakker (Waterkloof), Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (Cornwall Hill College), Jason Jansen (Cornwall Hill College), Lungile Mabuza (Atteridgeville Hub), Tristan Luus (Waterkloof), Hernus Marais (Waterkloof), William Tshoke (Mamelodi Hub), Steve Stolk (Menlopark).

The Limpopo Impala side for the 2023 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola week has been named, with only three players returning from last year’s group. Thus, it will be an exciting time for the smaller province from up north as it sets out to prove its worth at the prestigious event, which takes place in Makhanda from the 16th to the 20th of December.

The fiery quick from Ben Vorster in Tzaneen, Nsuku Mathye, will lead the attack for a second year in succession. At the same time, his counterpart Ruben Vosloo, also from Ben Vorster, will look to lead the way with the willow in hand, as the most experienced batsman in the side, along with Masilo Moremi, from the Mohodi Cricket Club, who was also part of the 2022 team.

Victor Sehata, Mochau Molema and Kamogelo Morema take their place alongside Moremi, giving the Mohodi Cricket Club from Bochum the largest contingent in the squad.

Enock Marima has graduated from last year’s Limpopo u16 team and is joined by his fellow Phalaborwa man Orasio Shillinda as the only representatives from the Phalaborwa Cricket Hub.

Pietersburg Hoërskool has two players – Michael Nel and Driaan Hartslief – who cracked the nod.

The impressive off-spinning all-rounder, Maan Mistry joins the team as the only representative from Merensky Landbou Akademie, while the exciting Jeandre Strydom breaks through as the only representative from Hoërskool Piet Potgieter. Nkowankowa Hub’s Nhalala Malungani will also be heading to the week for the first time.

Limpopo u19: Mochau Molema (Mohodi CC), Victor Sehata (Mohodi CC), Enock Marima (Phalaborwa Hub), Maan Mistry (Merensky), Driaan Hartslief (Pietersburg), Ruben Vosloo (Ben Vorster), Jeandre Strydom (Piet Potgieter), Kamogelo Morema (Mohodi CC), Nhalala Malungani (Nkowankowa Hub), Orasio Shillinda (Phalaborwa Hub), Nsuku Mathye (Ben Vorster), Masilo Moremi (Mohodi CC), Michael Nel (Pietersburg).

The South African u17 boys’ and girls’ hockey teams are set to embark on a week-long adventure, as they gear up to participate in this year’s Mirnawan Cup, which takes place in Malaysia from 18 to 26 November.

Northwood’s Justin Collins will coach the boys’ team, while Waterkloof’s Omari Pienaar-Geyer has been entrusted with leading the 18-player squad in the girls’ section.

They will face stern opposition during the week-long tournament, with the likes of India, Australia, Malaysia, and Japan looking to down the South Africans.

In case you missed it, READ: Exclusive interview with the girl’s coach: Omari Pienaar-Geyer

The SA teams will, however, be banking on the experienced players they have in their respective arsenals. Their captains, Ruben Sendzul (boys), and Tanya Pieterse (girls) will also have massive roles to play in leading their teams on and off the field.

The girls’ team will kick off their campaign against Japan on Sunday, 19 November at 15:00, while Sendzul’s troops will be in action a day later against Australia at 10:00.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, the two skippers expressed how excited their respective teams were for the momentous occasion.

“This will be my first international tournament playing other countries,” said Pieterse via South African Schools Hockey (SASHOC).

“I think the tournament will produce top-class hockey, and I’m just excited to make memories.

“The goal is to make memories and take in every moment. I think the tournament will also help the team become closer, make friends for a lifetime, learn, and return to South Africa as better players,” she added.

For Sendzul, it’s clear, his side will need to be sharp from day one, if they hope to pose any threats against the world’s best.

Led by the experienced Collins, the side features players from top schools like Hilton College, SACS, Paul Roos, and Durban High School (DHS).

They will also be eager to kick off their campaign on a high against the Aussies.

“What I’m most excited about is travelling to Malaysia and travelling with the team and representing my country on the international stage in test matches,” Sendzul said.

“We are South Africa. We have a fighting spirit, we fight for each other, and that makes us stand out.

“The goal is not to just go and compete, but we are aiming for a medal, and to leave the jersey in a better place than it was before, and just play for the nation back home.”

The Teams

Boys

Nicholas Holmes (Maritzburg College), Joshua Renders (Jeppe Boys High), Grant Bridgeford (Hilton College), Dayle Gertson (Wynberg), Tre’ Gilbert (Selborne College), Robert Veldtman (Bishops), Lethabo Bogacwi (Durban High School), Jarred Kitto (Hilton College), Litha Kraai (SACS), James Grieve (Bishops), Lumi Matwele (Durban High School), Matthew Mendes de Oliveira (Kearsney College), Ruard Booysen (Pretoria Boys High), Ethan Lee (Wynberg Boys High), Reuben Sendzul (Paul Roos ©), Joshua Smit (Paul Roos), Reece Theunis (SACS), Joshua Mettler (Bishops).

Girls

Jehan Abrahams (Wynberg Girls’ High), Caprice Bengston (Durban Girls’ College), Amber Fairon (Dainfern College), Cassandra Forbes (St Mary’s DSG), Luane Janssen (Hoërskool Waterkloof), Ruby Kraus (Durban Girls’ College), Mmamorena Manthata (Cornwall Hill College), Motheo Manzi (Hoërskool Middelburg), Emily Macquet (Durban Girls’ College), Logan Marthinus (Bloemhof), Akhile Mdlalane (Cambridge High), Thabelani Metu (Lilyfontein High), Ifeoma Ndubueze (Northcliff High), Tara Pakendorf (Durban Girls’ College), Leah Petersen (Stellenberg), Tanya Pieterse (Paarl Gimnasium ©), Georgia Pollock (St Mary’s DSG), Hannah Quinton (Monument).

Fixtures

Girls

Sunday, 19 November: 15:00- South Africa vs Japan

Monday, 20 November: 17:00- South Africa vs Malaysia B

Tuesday, 21 November: 19:00- South Africa vs Australia

Thursday, 23 November: 17:00- South Africa vs Malaysia A

Friday, 24 November: 15:00- South Africa vs India

Boys

Monday, 20 November: 10:00- South Africa vs Australia

Tuesday, 21 November: 10:00- South Africa vs Malaysia B

Thursday, 23 November: 10:00- South Africa vs Malaysia A

Friday, 24 November: 10:00- South Africa vs India

In a truly remarkable achievement for St Stithians College, four of their cricketers were named in the provisional SA u19 cricket squad, which is set to fly the flag for the rainbow nation at the ICC u19 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka from 13 January to 4 February.

What elevates the selection of Kwena Maphaka, Richard Seletswane and Lhuan-dre Pretorius to the next level is the fact that all three are in grade 11 only. The thought for Saints’ opposition that they have to put up with another year of the triumvirate must be intimidating.

The fourth Saints’ cricketer is Esosa Aihevba, who served on the school’s Student Affairs Committee as the Head of Sport in 2023.

For Maphaka, it has been an incredible year. Not only has he excelled on the cricket field, but he was also part of the St Stithians 1st hockey team that captured the Aitken Trophy, Johannesburg’s premier schools’ hockey competition, for the first time in 48 years.

Last year, he was the youngest player in the South African under-19 squad, still aged 16. This year, in June, he made his first-class debut, turning out for South Africa A against Sri Lanka A, and returning figures of 2 for 43 and 1 for 27 as a first- or second-change bowler. Incredibly, at the time, he had not yet represented his province, the Lions.

Maphaka was also named the Under-19 Men’s Player of the Year at Cricket South Africa‘s pathway awards ceremony for the 2022-23 season.

In October, he was selected by the Paarl Royals in the SA20 auction. There, he’ll be joined by his schoolmate Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who was also tagged by the Royals.

Mphaka, Pretorius and Seletswane were, furthermore, part of the SA Emerging team that won the CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge Division Two title in October with a comprehensive 8-wicket victory over the previously undefeated ITEC Knights.

The final match of the season for Westville Boys’ High and Maritzburg College was set for an exciting finish before inclement weather in Westville brought a damp and wet end to an intriguing contest on Saturday.

The match hung in the balance, with Westville on 97 for 7 after 37 overs, chasing 110 runs to win, when the heavens opened up and started raining cats and dogs. It was far from a decided contest, with Maritzburg College spinner James Wiggell having taken 3/19 with another over to come. 

Kaeden McAllister (in feature photo) was Westville’s top scorer, with 25 from 48 balls, while last weekend’s top performer Baskhar Sellwall grafted his way to 22 from 79 balls. Both appeared set to steer the hosts to victory on a difficult batting surface. 

However, Chad Mason, who has been in outstanding all-round form this term, picked up two crucial wickets for 24 runs in his 10 overs, including the prized wicket of Westville’s skipper Max Robertson, another player who has excelled in recent times.

College batted first, after being sent in, and it was Mason who led the way for the red, black and white, exhibiting good discipline in a 76-ball stay which yielded 25 runs. All around him, wickets tumbled as the bowlers made good use of the favourable conditions. 

Dayalan Boyce, Sean McGough, Chad Van Breda and Roxton Payne each bagged two wickets apiece and it was left to Asanda Khumalo, with 20 from 21 deliveries, to help College cross the hundred-mark. 

After 40.4 overs, though, the visitors were all out for 109. 

Both coaches would have been slightly disappointed with the result, with each having cause to think the match could have gone their side’s way. The match proved, though, that heavy run scoring is not necessary for a contest to be entertaining. 

Summarised scorecard

Maritzburg College 1st XI 109/10 (Chad Mason 25, Asanda Khumalo 20; Sean McGough 2/13, Dayalan Boyce 2/15, Chad van Breda 2/15, Roxton Payne 2/23); Westville Boys’ High School 1st XI 93/7 (Kaeden McAllister 25, Baskhar Selwall 22; James Wiggell 3/19, Chad Mason 2/24) Match drawn due to inclement weather.

In the biggest derby in South African football, Orlando Pirates versus Kaizer Chiefs, former School of Excellence pupil Relebohile Mofokeng was given an earlier than expected introduction to the cauldron of the fiery rivalry on Saturday.

With only 16 minutes of their massive Premier Soccer League (PSL) showdown played, he was called on to replace the injured Kermit Erasmus.

Mofokeng, a crowd favourite, didn’t disappoint, playing until the final whistle and producing some classy touches, which left the Buccaneers’ fans wanting more.

Displaying nimble feet and making quick passes, he caught the eye, and he almost caught out Itumeleng Khune with a shot that the Chiefs’ goalkeeper stopped from going in with a fingertip save.

Mofokeng, who turned 19 on 23 October, has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the professional ranks. Just months after making his debut for Pirates in the DStv Diski Challenge, he has made the step up to the PSL.

The Sharpeville-born forward is a product of the SAFA-Transnet School of Excellence, where he was scouted by the Buccaneers ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Although he is now making his mark for the Sea Robbers in the senior ranks, Mofokeng has aspirations of taking his talents abroad.

Earlier in November, he was on trial at English Premier League club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, despite having made only 11 appearances for Pirates thus far this year. Their interest is testament to the potential the young midfielder has already displayed.

If Erasmus is set for some time on the sidelines as a result of his injury, Mofokeng will have an opportunity to stake a claim for more playing time.

Pirates will hope that he delivers some goal-scoring from the midfield. With only 11 goals in 10 games, they’ll seek a boost from their rising star to improve upon their seventh place in the PSL standings.

The quarterfinals of the Gauteng Development League Youth Cup beckon following a highly competitive round of 16 on the weekend. As teams prepare for the quarter-final’s crunch games, there will be a few big names missing from the fixture list after some favoured sides were eliminated in upsets.

SuperSport Schools looks at the THREE BIGGEST UPSETS from the Round of 16.

1. School of Excellence u13s & u15s crash-out

As the name clearly states – School of Excellence – the standards and expectations within the Gauteng-based academy are as high as they come. These standards and expectations are by no means unfounded – the academy is currently defending two GDL Youth Cup trophies across two divisions, and they were vying for more this season.

On Saturday, their u13s were given a proper run for their money by a red-hot and motivated Jomo Cosmos outfit, who were rewarded with a 1-0 win. Cosmos also inflicted further misery on the School of Excellence in the u15 division, progressing to the last eight after sneaking a 6-5 win from the penalty spot following a goalless draw.

Read: Quarter-finalists | GDL Youth Cup Round of 16

2. Rosina Sedibane u15 humble Kaizer Chiefs

It doesn’t matter the competition or where it is held, the Soweto Giants are always expected to find ways to string together victories, be it in the Premier Soccer League or in the lower leagues, including the GDL Youth Cup.

Rosina Sedibane, though, were having none of that. They matched Chiefs blow-for-blow and held their favoured opponents to a 1-1 draw. Then, they demonstrated big match temperament by triumphing 4-2 from the spot. It was an unhappy day for the Amakhosi, who were also beaten by their arch-rivals, Orlando Pirates, in the Premier Soccer League.

Read: Quarter-finalists | GDL Youth Cup Round of 16

3. SuperSport United u17s succumb to Randburg FC Pressure

This was another big upset on Saturday afternoon. SuperSport United, the winners of the Gauteng Development League’s under-17 division by seven points over runners-up Kaizer Chiefs, had their cup run ended early.

They were expected to deal with Randburg AFC in their quarter-final match-up, but it was not a simple task as Randburg had placed in the top four of the Gauteng Development League, albeit that they finished 15 points behind SuperSport. On Saturday, however, Randburg had the better of the GDL champions, recording a convincing 2-0 victory.

Read: Quarter-finalists | GDL Youth Cup Round of 16

 

 

 

After a long and gruelling Round of 16 over the weekend, just eight teams remain in the hunt for silverware. SuperSport Schools brings you each of the quarter-finalists from each division. 

U13 Quarter-finalists
– Jomo Cosmos
– Kaizer Chiefs
– Mamelodi Sundowns
– Kathorus Hyper
– Siluma 7
– SuperSport United
– Remember Elite Sports Academy
– Joburg City

U15 Quarter-finalists
– Jomo Cosmos
– Rosina Sedibane
– Mamelodi Sundowns
– TS Galaxy
– Highlands Park
– Randburg FC
– Panorama
– Remember Elite Sports Academy

U17 Quarter-finalists
– TUKS
– Joburg City
– School of Excellence
– Kaizer Chiefs
– Prestige Football Development
– TS Galaxy
– Highlands Park
– Randburg FC

U19 Quarter-finalists
– School of Excellence
– Kaizer Chiefs
– Mamelodi Sundowns
– Joburg City
– TS Galaxy
– Highlands Park
– NWU Vaal
– TUKS

The fourth term examinations might be in full swing, but it was business as usual for some of KwaZulu-Natal’s top schools, as they locked horns in the pool in their final matches of the season before the December break.

Michaelhouse welcomed Hilton College to the Midlands and came close to upsetting their heavily favoured opponents. Meanwhile, Maritzburg College made the trip down to Westville Boys’ High, where the Griffin powered their way to a convincing victory.

Kearsney College on the other hand, welcomed St Charles College, in a match where both sides were looking to end their 2023 campaign on a high, and it was the hosts who did so, dominating proceedings to end their season with an emphatic victory.

The match of the weekend, however, was the one in the Midlands, between Michaelhouse and their old foes Hilton.

The fixture also formed part of the schools’ annual PinkDrive campaign, which seeks to shine a light and raise awareness about cancer-related issues.

There was little to separate the two sides in their last meeting, which took place at the Saint Stithians Invitational, where Hilton claimed a 9-6 win. Michaelhouse’s players, though, had an upset on their minds in their home pool.

As expected, the match started at a high tempo, with Hilton scoring two goals in the first quarter. Unfazed, Michaelhouse hit back with two of their own to finish the opening stanza on level terms.

The second quarter produced fireworks, with the hosts showing plenty of fighting spirit as they took the game to the visitors. They scored three goals, with Keegan Elliott netting twice before Reece Rezac got in on the action. Hilton, looking a little bit off of their best, remained in contention, netting twice, but they trailed by one heading into the second half.

After a back-and-forth third quarter, Michaelhouse remained one goal clear at 6-5. Hilton, though, appeared calm and confident as coach Jason Sileno delivered a team talk with eight minutes left to play.

When the visitors drew level, Michaelhouse swiftly found a response to take a 7-6 lead. Showing good poise, though, Hilton levelled with three minutes to play.

Then, with Michaelhouse pushing for victory, they were caught out by a swift counterattack, with Hilton capturing the lead for the first time since the opening quarter with a minute and 45 seconds to play.

Protecting their one-goal advantage, the visitors moved the ball smartly around, running down the clock. Michaelhouse, after a valiant effort, were unable to conjure up a reply and Hilton held on for a narrow 8-7 win.

Meanwhile, Westville Boys’ High, with five KZN A team players in their ranks, demonstrated their quality against Maritzburg College, powering their way to a 17-5 win, while Kearsney College, who’ve been a fine form in the latter part of the term, recorded an expected victory over Saint Charles, cruising to a 22-5 win.

Scorers

Hilton College: Meyer Malherbe (x2), Mitchel Garreau (x2), Tristan Uys, Retief Malherbe (x2), Matthew Thomas. Michaelhouse: Bryn Retzlaff (x2), Keegan Elliott (x2), Sean Erasmus (x2), Reece Rezac.

Other results:

Westville Boys High 17, Maritzburg College 5; Kearsney College 22, St Charles College 5.

Randburg AFC coach Kevin Mudie‘s unwavering dedication to football shines through in the next generation of young players at the club, as he overcomes the challenging circumstances faced by development coaches in South Africa in the advancement of the beautiful game.

Through his dedication and love for football, together with the Randburg family, he achieves the seemingly impossible as the club consistently produces stellar footballers and young men who contribute positively to society.

Who is Kevin Mudie?  

Mudie, who grew up in Durban, began his football journey at the tender age of four. His passion for the game was immediate, he said, and he would often play with his brother, regardless of where they were. All he knew was that he wanted to play football.

Mudie competed in age group football up until the age of 17, but he was then required to serve in the army during the apartheid era. After his two years of compulsory national service, he returned to Durban where he approached coach Clive Barker about an opportunity to play with Durban City.

He enjoyed a successful five-year stint with the club, helping it claim the league title in 1982-83. Then, he spent a year with AmaZulu FC on loan.

Mudie subsequently relocated to Johannesburg and signed with PG Rangers. However, he lasted only 5-6 months with the club. Despite being a part of a talented and hardworking team, he was dissatisfied with its coaching environment.

Two days after being placed on the club’s transfer list, Terry Paine of Wits University FC signed him up. Mudie then spent five satisfying years turning out for the Students.

Throughout his 13-year career in the top-flight, he was a regular goal-scorer, tallying an impressive 137 goals.

Exploring Kevin Mudie’s path in coaching and his services at Randburg AFC 

After hanging up his boots, Mudie assisted Terry Paine at Wits for one year. His coaching ambitions lay elsewhere, however, and he told Paine he wanted to turn his attention to working with kids. When 2024 rolls around shortly, it will mark 35 five years since he began working with development age footballers at Randburg AFC.

Vastly experienced in that arena, Mudie said South Africa possesses immense footballing talent, but there is a lot that needs to be addressed in order to enable players from a development background to contribute positively towards Bafana Bafana and the nation.

To become a better and winning nation in the sport, clubs need to become better facilitators for the youth, he explained.

“Most Premier Soccer League clubs do not have junior set-ups, and that is a big gap. There is no emphasis on our youth. The youth is the future and, if not properly trained at a junior level, we are putting at them at a disadvantage at an older age.”

Mudie said that football in South Africa has grown enormously, and since his playing days the opportunities for professionals, including financially, have been greatly enhanced. ‘There is more intensity,” he said, “but there is still a certain lack of quality in a lot of areas in our game that we need to embark on as coaches and administrators.”

Development challenges faced in South Africa

“The biggest challenge faced by players at the development stage is that many coaches are hell-bent on winning, which is not wrong. However, we need to develop players and to never lose sight of the end-goal, and that is to develop kids so that they become better tomorrow.”

Mudie said one of the challenges that South Africa faces, and which is a common trend across the world, is age cheating. “We need to get rid of it”, he stated.

Facilities, too, need to be better maintained, he added. “Countries like the USA, Australia, and most of the European nations, plough money into development and that is something that we need to look at collectively,” he continued.

Randburg Family

Mudie described Randburg as more than a club. It is a family, he reckoned.

The club is fortunate to have players who are willing to join, regardless of their social and cultural background. Since its inception, it has experienced smooth growth, with people from all walks of life joining as coaches, players, and staff members.

He attributed Randburg’s success to its strength in unity. Its growth, Mudie said, had a lot to do with the word of mouth, and people being drawn to it because of its successes.

His goals while working with Randburg AFC are to see children from underprivileged backgrounds excelling in their careers, whether those careers are in football or not.

Mudie said he hopes to see the club continuing to thrive and to keep sending young players to bigger clubs, as it has done in the past.

He concluded by urging those bigger clubs to acknowledge and compensate academies and clubs which nurture young players. He said he has witnessed coaches speaking to players at Randburg without approaching the club. Such behaviour by professional clubs is inappropriate, Mudie said.

Randburg AFC successes

Owethu Khumalo now plays for Moroka Swallows and made professional debut on Saturday, 11th of November, in a 0-0 draw against Polokwane City.

Luke Holden, the Randburg goalkeeper, joined the Mamelodi Sundowns FC Youth Academy.

Mickayle Arendse now plays for the Orlando Pirates FC Multichoice Diski Challenge side.

Ime Okon now plays for SuperSport United FC.

Thando Mthethwa, a 19-year-old goalkeeper plays for Hungry Lions in the National First Division.