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On Friday, Rhenish Girls’ High, Bloemhof Girls’ High, DSG Makhanda, and Paarl Gimnasium emerged as the top four sides at the Fairtree Super 12 Tournament after two days of outstanding hockey action at Oranje Meisieskool, in Bloemfontein.

Defending champions, Rhenish, will meet Paarl Gim in the first semifinal of the tournament at 09:30 on Saturday. The second semifinal, between DSG Makhanda and Bloemhof, starts at 10:40.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

Rhenish will be aiming to overcome a familiar Western Cape foe, which would put them into the title game, with an opportunity to go back-to-back as the champions.

Coach Chris Gerber’s charges have been in fine form. They played five in Group A and won all five.

“The main thing will be to stick to what we have been doing and stay calm in pressure situations. However, the Rhenish girls live for these moments, and they really want to play well and perform,” Gerber told SuperSport Schools Plus.

The coach stressed that his side would need to be firm on defence and be prepared to capitalise on all opportunities up front. Gerber understands the threat that his opponents possess. Paarl Gim boasts the most prolific forward at the tournament.

Alanda Rademeyer is top of the pops on the top scorers’ list, with a haul of sparkling eight goals in five outings. She is one of the reasons why Paarl Gim was beaten only once in Group B. Rademeyer has been the spearhead of the Gimmies‘ attack, and her goals account for two-thirds of all the goals Paarl Gim has recorded in the tournament.

In addition to the single loss, against DSG Makhanda, Paarl Gim won two and drew two in the pool stages to grab second spot in their group.

Coach Danelle van Zyl’s charges will be motivated to outdo their 2023 performance. That year, they finished as the runners-up, going down to Eunice in the final. Last year, they weren’t in top form last year and finished fifth.

DSG Makhanda, like Rhenish, completed their group assignments with an unbeaten record, winning three and drawing two to top Group B.

Geowynne Gamiet’s side scored 13 goals, six of which came off the stick of Abigail Holderness. The DSG captain is the second-highest individual scorer in the competition, and she will be eager to extend her tally as her side makes its bid for a spot in the final and a shot at their maiden Super 12 title.

However, DSG will be in for a tough challenge when they cross swords with Group A runners-up, Bloemhof, the third school from the Boland to make the final four. Coach Jenny King’s charges failed to make the semifinals in 2023 and 2024, finishing only ninth last year.

This year, though, they are a motivated bunch and showed off their ability to rise to the occasion in tough tournament play when they finished as the runners-up at the St Mary’s Waverley Festival, in April.

“Our wins can be attributed to a good defensive structure and scoring the goal that counted,” King said.

Her message to her players ahead of the semifinals was that a great team effort would be needed to overcome DSG. That’s what has brought Bloemhof success thus far in the tournament. They have also defended as a unit and attacked en masse.

Results

Group A

Rhenish: 3 (Leah du Plessis, Nicola van der Merwe, Katherine Sickle). Oranje: 0.
Eunice: 1 (Claire Volschenk). Bloemhof: 0.
Waterkloof: 2 (Mia Rodenburg 2). St Mary’s DSG Kloof: 0.
St Mary’s DSG Kloof: 0. Oranje: 0.
Bloemhof: 1 (Leila van Zyl). Waterkloof: 0.
Rhenish: 2 (Phillipa Viljoen 2). Eunice: 1 (Bianca Rees-Gibbs).

Group B:

Our Lady of Fatima: 1 (Stella Fourie). Collegiate: 0.
St Anne’s: 3 (Iminathi Ngxola, Emma Thomas, Willow Crawford). Paarl Gim: 3 (Alanda Rademeyer 3).
DSG Makhanda: 1 (Jessica Stevens). Collegiate: 1 (Jana Prinsloo).
Paarl Gim: 2 (Anya Swanepoel, Isabella Nel). Menlopark: 1 (Not Supplied)
St Anne’s: 1 (Belle Hofmeyr). Our Lady of Fatima (Gabby Hall).
St Anne’s: 0. Collegiate: 0.
Menlopark: 2 (Monique Gerber, Zoe Badenhorst). Our Lady of Fatima: 1 (Bella Slater)
DSG Makhanda: 3 (Abigail Holderness 2, Anna Olivier). Paarl Gim: 1 (Alanda Rademeyer)

Crosspool matches

St Mary’s DSG Kloof: 1 (Jenna-Leigh Freese). Our Lady of Fatima: 0.
Menlopark: 1 (Chanette Jansen van Vuuren). Oranje: 0.

“We are South Africans. We pride ourselves on strong scrums and driving mauls,” declared Man of the Match Gert Kemp after a dominant set-piece display from the South Africa u18 side in a 43-21 victory over France.

Relive all the u18 International Series action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com).

The youngsters in green delivered a commanding performance in their International Series opener at Hoërskool Durbanville, on Friday.

Kemp, speaking after the match, was quick to credit the rest of the pack for their imposing work in the scrums and lineouts.

He produced the kind of tireless performance to which schools’ rugby supporters across South Africa have grown accustomed.

The emphatic 22-point win was, in truth, forged by the power of the forwards. From the opening minutes, when a driving-maul try made clear the hosts’ intentions, South Africa never wavered from their plan. Their lineout dominance was matched, and perhaps surpassed, by a thunderous performance in the scrums.

In the lineouts, the South African jumpers, lock AJ Meyer and flank Josh Neill, thrived on the precision of hooker Altus Rabie, whose exceptional throwing repeatedly set the platform for rolling mauls. From these, Chinedu Amadi profited handsomely, crossing twice for five-pointers.

In the backline, the powerful Ethan Adams provided good continuity and go-forward ball with his bullocking runs, which surely left some sore bodies in the French defensive line.

It was not, however, a flawless display from the home team. France was able to expose gaps in the South African defence, particularly out wide, in the early and closing stages of the match.

French lock Christian Mendes Tani’s industrious outing was rewarded with two tries, while replacement 8th-man Lilian Baret dived over for the visitors’ first points.

In the second half, the French looked far sharper, and they’ll aim to build on the progress they made in that second stanza in their two remaining fixtures of the tour.

Scorers: 

South Africa u18 43 (31) – Tries: Chinedu Amadi (2), Gert Kemp, Markus Muller, Junaide Stuart, Jacobus de Villiers. Conversions: Liyema Nela (4), Ruben Groenewald. Penalty: Nela.
France u18 21 (0) – Tries: Christian Mendes Tani (2), Lilian Baret. Conversions: Valentin Bouju (2), Timeo Gillouin Lemaire.

A typically gritty display by Ireland saw the visiting side sneak past a spirited South Africa A and snatch a narrow 39-36 victory in the opening match of the 2025 u18 International Series, at Hoërskool Durbanville, on Friday.

Relive all the u18 International action on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

It was the big men up front who set the tone from the first whistle, with bone-crunching tackles being traded like two boxers feeling each other out in the opening round of a title fight.

Early on, South Africa’s Jeffrey Singo and Quinton Potgieter imposed themselves with a series of powerful carries.

However, it was Ireland’s captain, Lee Fitzpatrick, who opened the scoring, crossing the whitewash for the first of his two tries.

In trademark fashion, the Irish forwards established a solid platform through dominant driving mauls and clinical first-phase ball from set pieces. Coupled with a well-drilled rush defence, those tactics forced the home side into early strategic uncertainty, though the same tactics would later provide the spark South Africa A needed.

As crowds across the country have come to expect, the South African backline eventually clicked into gear, exploiting space out wide to punish the Irish. Oakdale fullback Reinhart Viljoen shone. Nippy, yet robust, he twice went over for tries as he and captain Jeandré Uithaler‘s accurate boot helped the hosts to a 26–19 lead at half-time.

The second half, however, belonged to the visitors. Ireland found their rhythm, targeting the ruck with relentless pressure, and they gradually took control of the contest thanks to tireless work from their loose forwards, led by 8th-man Alex Lautsou.

When inside centre and Man of the Match, Bernard White, scored his second try, it swung the momentum firmly in Ireland’s favour. South Africa A, though, stayed in touch as the contest seesawed, but the accurate boot of Connor McVicker ultimately proved the difference.

His two conversions and two penalties contributed 10 crucial points, and that, combined with braces from both Fitzpatrick and White, ensured Ireland began their three-match tour with a tight, hard-fought victory.

Scorers: 

Ireland u18 39 (19) – Tries: Lee Fitzpatrick (2), Bernard White (2), Alex Lautsou. Conversions: Luke Coffey (2), Connor McVicker (2). Penalties: McVicker (2). South Africa A u18 36 (26) – Tries: Reinhart Viljoen (2), Jeffrey Singo, Neutu Kepe, Lizwe Mthethwa. Conversions: Jeandré Uithaler (4). Penalty: Uithaler.

King Edward VII completes their rugby schedule with one of the tougher challenges in South African schoolboy rugby:  beating Durban High School (DHS) in Durban.

Van Heerden’s Field is a fortress, and the DHS 1st XV is unbeaten at home this season. The 2024 DHS 1st XV never lost on Van Heerden’s from the time they were u14s to when they played for the 1st XV. The 2023 side also delivered a clean record at home.

That 2023 side was a delightful attacking unit while last year’s DHS 1st XV was a defensive monster, conceding just less than nine points a game. The strengths of the 2025 team are less overt, but they’ve built up a superb record of 14 wins and losses to only Paarl Gimnasium and Westville Boys’ High. They’re well balanced and relentless.

Here’s an interesting fact. While KES has regularly faced DHS’s great rivals, Maritzburg College, Saturday’s showdown will be the first meeting of the schools since the Grey High Rugby Festival in 2014. KES claimed a narrow 20-17 win on that occasion.

Their form in 2025 has been less convincing than that of the Horseflies, however. They have, though, played far better rugby in the latter stages of the season than they did early on, recording wins over Pretoria Boys High, Helpmekaar, and Noordheuwel. Those are impressive scalps, but, again, it’s the fact that they’re going to have to do it on Van Heerden’s Field that is so daunting.

Last weekend, on Collard Field, KES gave a good account of themselves but went down 21-39 to Jeppe. The previous weekend, on the same ground, DHS beat Jeppe 24-10. With those matches being so recent, it’s clear that School will be favoured to win at home. But games are not won on paper.

Still, it’s DHS’s cohesion and scything counterattacking that are going to pose the biggest threat to the Red Army. Those are the qualities that took DHS to victory over Jeppe, with three of their four tries coming from long range. Their sharp counterattacks also fired DHS to a convincing 36-5 win over Northwood last Friday, where School’s ability to get the ball wide quickly on the counter delivered rich dividends.

With former Westville coach Jabz Zulu making the move to KES at the end of 2024, KES will be well versed on the challenge they face. Zulu, who serves as an assistant coach Marco Engelbrecht, was also involved with Sharks’ Schools provincial rugby and will know many of the DHS players well.

The issue, of course, is that footage of players and teams in action is available. In most instances, one knows what is coming. The question is whether or not anything can be done to stop that. Jeppe knew that DHS would attack the try line from close range through inside centre Zingce Simka. Three players met him, but Simka scored.

On a positive note for KES, they won’t have to face the powerhouse midfielder. He’s out of the game.

The key for KES will be how successfully they contest the tackles and rucks.

The good news for the visitors is that their captain, flank Sam Bruwer, and 8th-man Chinedu Amadi, both represented the Golden Lions at the FNB Craven Week. Unfortunately, though, they’ll have to do without Amadi, who will be on duty in the International Series, representing SA u18 against France on Friday at Hoërskool Durbanville.

Their loose trio is going to have to make an impact to slow down DHS, so that will put a lot on the shoulders of 8th-man Joshua Eykelhof, who joins Bruwer and Nkos’enhle Mafu in the loose trio. If they don’t slow down DHS’s ball, they’ll face wave after ruthless wave of attacks, and it’ll be a long day for the Johannesburg school.

The Horseflies will be without their exciting centre, Nathan Aneke, who’ll run out for SA u18A against Ireland.

Teams:

DHS vs KES at 13:30 on Saturday on Van Heerden’s Field in Durban

DHS: 15 Cilermo Carolus, 14 Amo Mataboge, 13 Zenkosi Mthiyane, 12 Peleneo Shakwane, 11 Richard Gyamfi, 10 Jordan van Wyk, 9 Marcwin Nero, 8 Bradley la Grange, 7 Jose Lottering, 6 Daniel Ikotela, 5 Zion Smith, 4 Vimbiso Kasvosve, 3 Omphiwe Kola, 2 Okuhle Mbanjwa, 1 Elvino Witbooi.

KES: 15 ⁠Indibabale Mboniswa, 14 Jarell Mbuyi, 13 Sky Segal, 12 Junior Shivuri, 11 Caid Maverick, 10 Andrew Jackson, 9 Regan McGurk, 8 Joshua Eykelhof, 7 Sam Bruwer, 6 Nkos’enhle Mafu, 5 Ashton Vreugdenburg, 4 Michael Bownes, 3 Kenneth Prins, 2 Tristan Randall, 1 Siya Nkomo.

Round two of the home and away annual rugby matches between the Maritzburg College and Glenwood High 1st XVs takes place in Durban on Saturday, on Dixon’s Field.

While College did the double over Glenwood last year for the first time since 2005, they’ll recall their 2023 visit to Durban when the Green Machine, who had gone down 15-42 on Goldstone’s earlier in the season, scored late to snatch a 27-24 win. They’re a tough out at home.

Earlier this season, in Pietermaritzburg, College won 37-25, pulling away in the second half after the teams were level at 13-13 at the break.

That has been something of a storyline for Glenwood in 2025. They’ve tended to come out strongly and play some outstanding rugby in the first half. Maintaining that intensity and consistency until the end of the game has been a challenge.

They’ve shown, no doubt, that they can hang with most teams, but for how long? They trailed unbeaten Westville Boys’ High 20-21 at halftime at Westville and led 25-21 six minutes into the second stanza before going down 25-42. At home against Northwood, it was tight until the end, with the Knights leading 18-16 before striking twice in the last minute to win 30-16.

College heads into the clash with the bitter taste of a 27-31 defeat to Pretoria Boys High in their mouths in their last home match of the season. Glenwood will feel better about their last outing – a 53-10 win over Parktown – which will have buoyed their confidence.

For both teams, it has been an up-and-down season, and their record are quite similar. Glenwood has won six, lost seven, and drawn one, while College has won seven and lost eight.

College was at their best in a narrow 20-21 defeat against Westville and a 23-20 win at Hilton College, while Glenwood’s top performances came in a 38-0 season-opening win over St Charles and, at least for a good part of it, a 37-34 win over Milnerton High, in a match they led 29-0 after a blistering start.

They were very good at Northwood on 26 July, where they played most of the rugby and built up an 11-0 lead, only to go down 11-19.

Before their 27-31 loss to Boys High, a match that they led 27-12, College appeared to have turned the corner. Before that they went down 27-45 to Affies in Pretoria, but that loss was preceded by the win over Hilton, a 31-18 victory at Michaelhouse, and a 35-20 defeat of Kearsney. The game before that was the one-point loss to Westville.

In this world of short memories and what have you done for me lately achievements, both Maritzburg College and Glenwood will be keen to add a victory at the end of the season to even their wins with their losses, and to add some gloss to their records.

Perhaps the biggest question that needs to be answered lies with the leadership of both teams. Glenwood skipper Lizwe Mtetwa will partner DHS centre Nathan Aneke for SA u18A against Ireland on Friday, while College captain Wavi Wyambwera will turn out for SA u18 against France.

Both players lead by example and both sides will need other players to step up and lead the way.

Teams:

Glenwood High vs Maritzburg College at 14:40 on Saturday on Dixon’s Field in Durban.

Maritzburg College: 15 Sandiswa Hadebe, 14 Ntsika Mkize, 13 Amahle Hadebe, 12 Jordan Thackwray, 11 Matthew Harris, 10 Liyema Tsoko, 9 Dom du Toit, 8 Mian Pretorius, 7 Elethu Mabanga, 6 David Colenbrander, 5 Connor Mountfort, 4 Phila Mkoyana, 3 Alande Ngubane, 2 Theo Boshoff, 1 Linamandla Mabanga.

Glenwood: N/A

After some relatively comfortable results in recent matches, Nico Malan and Die Brandwag are gearing up for a contest of far higher intensity in Humansdorp at 13:30 on Saturday.

The home side has impressed this season and they’re coming off big wins over DF Malherbe (50-5) and HTS Daniel Pienaar (38-8), but they will be only too well aware of the threat they face from the Kariega outfit.

Heine Erasmus‘s Brandwag side has topped 50 points in their last three matches, culminating in them overwhelming the hapless DF Malherbe 109-0.

The clash in Humansdorp will have the coach calling for his charges to focus strongly on the basics of the game and to limit their errors as they attempt to withstand the challenge that Nico Malan will undoubtedly pose.

This game looms as an important one for Nico Malan in defining their season because they have been on a good run in the past few months, scoring solid victories over Pearson and Marlow while losing by only a single point to Graeme College in Makhanda.

If they can get one past the strong Brandwag outfit, who have not lost since the Oakdale Festival at the end of March, it will put them in the right frame of mind for their remaining matches against Punt, in Mossel Bay, and Framesby.

In Kariega, both Muir College and Grey High will be aiming to pick themselves up after suffering heavy defeats last weekend – Muir falling 3-62 against Brandwag and Grey losing 15-46 against Bloem powerhouse, Grey College.

The Grey team shows a number of changes, but they still have the depth to make it a long day for Muir, with players such as Meyer Prinsloo, Noah Mbizi, and Bradley Myburgh, if given any attacking space, sure to pose serious problems for the home team.

After being competitive in their first match this season against Brandwag, which they lost 10-26, Muir was given a rude awakening last week. They will need to be on point against Grey, who have yet to fire on all cylinders this season.

In another fixture in Kariega, Marlow will be hoping their players have recovered from a tummy bug which swept through the school during the week. They take on the challenge of Bergsig.

Teams:

Nico Malan vs Die Brandwag in Humansdorp on Saturday at 13:30

Nico Malan: 15 Regan Stone, 14 Kobus Strydom, 13 Gelden van Niekerk, 12 Enzo Machaba, 11 Tequane Koopman, 10 Leighton Lawrence, 9 Lleyton Mienie, 8 Pietman Kleinhans (captain), 7 Chrisjan de Lange, 6 Neil Lategan, 5 Ruben van Dijk, 4 Ulrich van Zyl, 3 Waldo Krige, 2 MC Ferreira, 1 Janu Janse van Rensburg.

Brandwag: 15 Wendell Uithaler, 14 Rezanio Petrus, 13 Angelo Adams, 12 Derono Potgieter (captain), 11 Dwayne Louw, 10 Leewin Kammies, 9 Keeran Kayster, 8 Duane Meyer, 7 Erik Rudman, 6 Nathan Fraser, 5 Damian le Roux, 4 Hanre Oberholzer, 3 Francu Fouche, 2 Liam Erasmus, 1 Zandre van der Mescht.

Muir College vs Grey High in Kariega on Saturday at 14:15

Grey High: 15 Meyer Prinsloo, 14 Noah Mbizi, 13 Bradley Myburgh, 12 Ciaran Killian, 11 Michael Oosthuizen, 10 Adam Holmboe, 9 Ray-Dylan Wilkinson, 8 Sibonelo Stuurman, 7 Jean Nel, 6 Blake Parker, 5 Osvaldas Diedonis, 4 Riley Higgs, 3 Ross Atkinson, 2 Evan Mucka, 1 Silindezihle Ntshokoma.

Muir College: 15 Lusapho Mtwa, 14 Siyahluma Ralo, 13 Onke Marola (captain), 12 Oyama Jama, 11 Buhle Rale, 10 Anzo Daniels, 9 Romano Richards, 8 Khwezi Mafongosi, 7 Riahaan Kayat (vice-captain), 6 Kamvelihle Poyo, 5 Zingisa Mdidimba, 4 Liyabukwa Zokwana, 3 Sithenkosi Mgobo, 2 Sonwabe Matika, 1 Nu’maan Jappie.

For a second week in succession, the Faure Street Stadium is going to be abuzz with a Paarl derby, and this time it’s New Orleans against Klein Nederburg, with Saturday’s kick-off at 16:00.

The teams have a decades-long rivalry which has helped the rivals to strengthen their rugby programmes through the generations.

In recent years, New Orleans had become increasingly dominant in the tie. However, after five defeats in succession against their rivals, Klein Nederburg picked up a 5-0 win last year.

Breaking the New Orleans spell in 2024 has only served to dish up further intrigue for this year’s showdown.

Hoërskool Swartland hosts Hoërskool Punt on Saturday at 13:20 in Malmesbury. So far this term, the hosts have lost both their Saturday games, but not by much. They went down 20-25 to Strand and then 20-31 to Hopefield. Punt, meanwhile, earned themselves a whopping 51-7 victory over Oudtshoorn.

The visitors will be a serious threat in all facets of the game when they step onto the A Field on Saturday. They’re playing good, flowing rugby.

Swartland has produced some good periods of play in their recent matches. Their goal will be to sustain those.

A strong start would go a long way towards helping their cause as they chase a victory. If Punt builds up early momentum, Swartland could be in trouble.

Will “third time’s a charm” be the case for Swartland this weekend?

Teams:

New Orleans vs Klein Nederburg at 16:00 in Paarl. 

New Orleans: N/A.

Klein Nederburg: N/A.

Swartland vs Punt at 13:20 in Malmesbury.

Swartland: 15 Skylar Claasen, 14 Enrico Louw, 13 Justin Vermeulen, 12 Daniel Walters, 11 Zaidell Pauhus, 10 De Wet van Aswagen, 9 Dimitrios Boutsikaris, 8 Wessel Neethling, 7 Christian Cupido, 6 James Joubert, 5 Martin Neethling, 4 Jaco van Zyl, 3 Melchior Botha, 2 Langley Timothens, 1 Lamin Bah.

Punt: N/A.

The hosts, Grey College, and Paarl Gimnasium grabbed the spotlight on Thursday, the opening day of the Guschkie Top Schools Hockey Tournament, in Bloemfontein, with both teams posting two wins each.

Grey began the day with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Worcester Gimnasium. Later, the hosts turned on the style, thrashing Hoërskool DF Malan 7-0.

Grey was quickly on the front foot against DF, earning three penalty corners in quick succession but failing to score.

After seven minutes, though, they broke through via a well-played field goal. From there, the hosts took complete control, netting four goals in the second chukka to strengthen their lead to 5-0 at the break.

Paarl Gimnasium produced ruthless finishing in their opener to swamp Hoërskool Menlopark 7-1. They won by an even greater margin in their second outing, brushing aside Somerset College 8-1.

After their big loss, Menlopark regrouped and picked up a narrow 1-0 win over Hoërskool Eldoraigne. DF Malan also showed off their resilience, edging out St Andrew’s School 3-2.

Saints also shared a 1-1 draw with Hoërskool Garsfontein, who went on to beat Worcester Gimnasium 5-3 in their next match.

Garsfontein took the lead towards the end of the first chukka from a penalty corner and picked up two more goals before halftime. Worcester Gim did well to make a game of it after going three goals down, but it proved to be a bridge too far and Garsies took the points.

Thursday, 7 August, Results

Pool A

St Andrew’s School 1–1 Garsfontein
Worcester Gim 1–2 Grey College
DF Malan 3–2 St Andrew’s School
Garsfontein 5–3 Worcester Gim
Grey College 7–0 DF Malan

Pool B

Paarl Gim 7–1 Menlopark
Eldoraigne 2–1 Jim Fouché
Somerset College 1–8 Paarl Gim
Menlopark 1–0 Eldoraigne
Jim Fouché 2–1 Somerset College

In ‘n herhaling van verlede jaar se eindstryd in die Bowl-afdeling van die SDC Noordvaal Cup, is Hoërskool Eldoraigne in ‘n maak-of-breek stryd gewikkel wat sy halfeind-aspirasies betref, wanneer hy Saterdag in Potchefstroom vir die verdedigende kampioen, Potchefstroom Gimnasium, aandurf.

Volg al die SDC Noordvaal Bowl-aksie regstreeks op SuperSportSchools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Die Eldos moet albei hul laaste wedstryde met ‘n bonuspunt wen, asook hoop vir ‘n paar ander opskuddings oor die laaste twee weke, om ‘n plek in die halfeindronde te bespreek.

Verlede jaar se kragmeting het vir ‘n naelbyteinde aan dié afdeling gesorg danksy binnesenter, Elrich Bosch, wat in die doodsnikke oorgebars het om vir die Gimmies ‘n sege van 18-17 te beklink. Bosch is weer terug op sy pos vir hierdie Saterdag se groot stryd in Potchefstroom, nadat hy die eerste wedstryd na die vakansie misgeloop het weens ‘n rooi kaart.

Slot, Rynel Rautenbach maak ook ‘n welkome terugkeer na ‘n besering en sal brand om ‘n impak vanaf die bank te maak. ‘n Sege oor die Eldos kan vir die verdedigende kampioen straks ‘n tuishalfeind verseker, om sy suksesvolle verdediging van die titel te versterk.

Die Eldos, bekend vir hul heldedade laat in die reeks, het besluit om vir Cameron Killian van haker terug na oopkantflank te skuif, wat vir ‘n stryd binne die stryd met Gimmie-agsteman, De Wet Grobler, sal sorg.

Elders in Potch, moet Potchefstroom Volkskool sake uitspook teen Hoërskool Ermelo. Indien die Volkies seëvier, veral met ‘n bonuspunt, kan dit beteken dat albei halfeindstryde in dié afdeling in Potchefstroom plaasvind.

Volkies se afrigtingspan het, soos verwag, geen veranderinge aangebring aan hul goed geoliede masjien nie. Die intimiderende pak, gelei deur slot, Joshua van der Westhuizen, behoort oudergewoonte ‘n reuse faktor te wees in die uitkoms van Saterdag se stryd met die besoekers van Mpumalanga.

Die twee kragmetings in Rustenburg en Kempton Park kan op hul beurt bepalend wees wat die Bowl se top-vier betref.

Bergsig Akademie verwelkom vir Hoërskool Randburg in Rustenburg, met albei die spanne nog stewig in die wedloop. Die Eagles lê tans derde op die puntelys, met 20 ligapunte, slegs een punt voor Merensky Landbou Akademie (19) en drie voor die Randburgers (17). Laasgenoemde se nederlaag teen die Volkies verlede week het sake vir hulle bemoeilik.

Randburg het slegs een wedstryd oor, terwyl die Plasies en Eagles elk nog twee het om te speel. Dit beteken dat die Randburgers Saterdag se stryd met ‘n bonuspunt moet wen om nog ‘n wiskundige kans te staan.

Die Plasies kom teen ‘n gevaarlike Hoërskool Jeugland te staan en besef dat ‘n besoek aan Kempton Park, nie maklik is nie. Hulle beklee tans die vierde posisie en het dus ‘n eenvoudige doelwit: wen albei oorblywende rondomtalie-wedstryde.

Indien nie, en sou Jeugland die wa deur die drif trek, kan dit selfs vir die span van Kempton Park die deur oopmaak na die halfeindronde. Jeugland lê tans sesde, met twee wedstryde oor, en het 16 ligapunte, slegs drie agter die Plasies in die gesogde vierde plek.

Die Plasies se taak bied meer van ‘n uitdaging sonder Cravenweek-losskakel en kaptein, Maritz Meintjies. Sy plaasvervanger, Henru Venter, het egter in die Tzaneeners se vorige wedstryd teen Ermelo gewys wat in hom steek en draf Saterdag op senter uit.

Die spanne: 

Potchefstroom Gimnasium t. Eldoraigne om 12:30 in Potchefstroom

Potchefstroom Gimnasium: 15 Josh Pretoruis, 14 Rea Moalosi, 13 Itumeleng Pheto, 12 Elrich Bosch, 11 Orabile Koena, 10 Zandre Da Silva, 9 MJ Viljoen, 8 De Wet Grobler, 7 Reuel Potgieter, 6 Zach De Jager, 5 Damian Zwahlen, 4 Dirk Stear, 3 Matt Redelinghuys, 2 Kobus Grobbelaar, 1 Janru Jansen van Rensburg.

Eldoraigne: 15 Hugo Theron, 14 Aiden Labuschagne, 13 Hanno Jacobs, 12 Kevin Earle, 11 Tristan Lee, 10 Damian Elferink, 9 Darren Bruwer, 8 Justin Meintjes, 7 Kyle de Bruin, 6 Cameron Kilian, 5 MC Scheepers, 4 Luan du Preez, 3 Chase Wessels, 2 Marnes Prinsloo, 1 Wian White.

Potchefstroom Volkskool t. Hoërskool Ermelo om 12:30 in Potchefstroom

Potchefstroom Volkskool: 15 Lethabo Riet, 14 Lourenzo Louw, 13 Hennie Pretorius, 12 River Samuel, 11 Juan Fourie, 10 Anro Nel, 9 Juhan Geldenhuys, 8 Johannes Lombard, 7 Henre Nel, 6 Wian Victor, 5 Caden Kruger, 4 Joshua van der Westhuizen, 3 AB Brink, 2 Louis Fourie, 1 Koan Smit.

Ermelo: 15 WJ Pretorius, 14 Luthando Mahlangi, 13 HJ Hobkirk, 12 Nicolas Steyn, 11 Thabo Mokwena, 10 Janco Kleynhans, 9 Dick Rouillard, 8 Cules Hamman, 7 Marco de Bruin, 6 Duan Burger, 5 Janneman Malan, 4 De La Rey Hattingh, 3 Jacques Diedericks, 2 Ruan Grobler, 1 Hennie Geel.

Bergsig Akademie t. Hoërskool Randburg om 13:30 in Rustenburg

Bergsig Akademie: 15 Bradley Stonehouse, 14 Keabetswe Daile, 13 Carlo de Jager, 12 Dan Bogopane, 11 Daniel Addinal, 10 Alzandro Dos Santos, 9 Paulo Dos Santos, 8 Martin Pieterse, 7 Stephan Harmse, 6 Thatano Bagwase, 5 Jacques Viviers, 4 Ryan Nagel, 3 Thabang Machubene, 2 Marnus Dercksen, 1 Dylan Smith.

Hoërskool Randburg: 15 Josef van den Berg, 14 Eduan Bakkes, 13 Dwaine Scotson 12 Zander Drake, 11 Jayden Oosthuizen, 10 Joshua Wiggett, 9 Vino Price, 8 Cruwin Hill, 7 Chrisjan van Niekerk, 6 Victor van Blerk, 5 Dimitri Gerber, 4 Philip Rykaart, 3 Tristan Vorster, 2 Diedelov Fourie, 1 Kian Kritzinger.

Jeugland t. Merensky Landbou Akademie in Kempton Park

Jeugland (moontlik): 15 Kokets Maphopa, 14 Beya Nyathi, 13 Andrew Khoza, 12 Innocent Vilakazi, 11 Thando Ngomane, 10 King Agbanzo, 9 Zaydene Adams, 8 Jaden Kleyn, 8 Jaden Kleyn, 7 Alec Mohlala, 6 Joseph Ngoma-Ngoma, 5 Nivan Duvenhage, 4 Daniel Wawina, 3 Khumo Maimane, 2 Lesego Moitse, 1 Phenyo Nkoana.

Merensky: 15 George Steenkamp, 14 Meshack Mohlala, 13 Jens Bezuidenhout, 12 Henru Venter, 11 Christo Venter, 10 JD Boshoff, 9 Muis Tolken, 8 Puki Mpiti, 7 PG Botes, 6 Jan Pretorius, 5 Matthew Mockford, 4 Blessing Mathebula, 3 Otto Muller, 2 Marno Nel, 1 Carel Volschenk.

On Saturday, Hoërskool Tygerberg welcomes Hoërskool Strand to Parow for a 12:25 clash. The visitors were beaten 29-24 by an electric DF Malan last Saturday, while Tygerberg fell to a 29-44 loss against Melkbosstrand.

Tygerberg was unable to make their momentum count against Melkbosstrand and that will be a point of focus on Saturday.

If they can play their natural game and establish some early flow, they could challenge Strand, but the visitors have enjoyed, by far, the better season.

Tygerberg, though, has had two weeks to prepare for Strand’s visit. Have they made good use of the extra preparation time? Their execution on Saturday will reveal the answer to that question.

Strand will be confident of victory. If they can withstand the initial assault, then they might be able to take over proceedings in the second half, as they have done in recent matches. The boot of scrumhalf Jayden Steenkamp will also be essential to the visitors’ hopes. He is a calm presence in the side and a trusty kicker when the game is tight.

Milnerton lost 32-36 against Bishops last weekend. They’ll be aiming for a change of fortune when they tackle Stellenberg at 12:30 on Saturday.

It will be a tough challenge. The Jade Brigade enjoyed a hard-earned 18-10 victory over Boland Landbou in their most recent outing.

Milnerton has a bulldozer in centre, captain Morgan Lodewyk. He’s been a brawny but skilful operator, who has troubled opposing backlines all season, frequently creating line breaks and finishing off attacking moves behind the whitewash.

As was seen in their game against Outeniqua two Saturdays ago, Stellies can be stretched and worn down. Lodewyk and company will view that Outeniqua game as a tutorial.

When going through the middle isn’t an option, the boys in blue have a dangerous creative runner in fullback Chadlin Sellidon. He’s got dancing feet and is also an accurate striker off the kicking tee.

Stellies will have to make do without their SA u18 A flyhalf, Ethan van Biljon, who will turn out against Ireland on Friday in Durbanville. That’s a big loss for the Jade Brigade, but they have the depth to remain competitive despite missing their general at number 10.

Milnerton struggled to slow down the Bishops’ lineout mauls, and that is surely an area that Stellenberg will target on Saturday.

Teams:

Tygerberg vs Strand at 12:25 in Parow. 

Tygerberg: N/A.

Strand: 15 Ashton Mitchell, 14 Marquin Smith, 13 Kealan Milton, 12 Lyle Julies, 11 Kyle Steyn, 10 Justin Phillips, 9 Jaydan Steenkamp, 8 Rohan Bezuidenhout, 7 Chrismar Prinsloo, 6 Schalk Beukes, 5 Keagan Coetzee, 4 Joshua Lourens, 3 Timothy van den Bergh, 2 Ruben Paanakker, 1 Christopher Els.

Milnerton vs Stellenberg at 12:30 in Cape Town. 

Milnerton: 15 Chadwin Sellidon, 14 Leo Weber, 13 Sebastien Stroobants, 12 Morgan Lodewyk, 11 Litha Tasana, 10 Zaide Vigeland, 9 Andrew Kansley, 8 Jeremy Armstrong, 7 Joshua Vomberg, 6 Briint Davids, 5 Kgaugelo Mokgobu, 4 Xavier Wolmarans, 3 Dane van der Merwe, 2 Divine Ambrose, 1 Chadley Davis.

Stellenberg: 15 Armand Potgieter, 14 Jason O’ Brien, 13 Luka Tonitz, 12 Daniel Mongie, 11 Christian Arendse, 10 Eben Rademan, 9 Daniel Steffan, 8 Yanos Molnar, 7 Ryan Jones, 6 Regardt Rademeyer, 5 Carlo Brink, 4 Ernst van der Merwe, 3 Jano van Deventer, 2 Liam Joubert, Christiaan Jansen van Rensburg (Captain).