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Dit was ‘n geval van so naby, maar to sover vir die eersterugbyspan van die Hoërskool Noordheuwel op die tweede dag van die NMI Toyota Noord/Suid-toernooi in Stellenbosch.

Grey-kollege het die kragmeting tussen die twee spanne met 24-22 gewen na ‘n hele paar benoude oomblikke.

Nories se puik losskakel, Jeandré Uithaler, het die geleentheid met ‘n strafskop in die doodsnikke gehad om aan sy span ‘n sege te besorg.

Die span van Krugersdorp se agtsteman, Armand van Eck, was ook boonop enkele sentimeters met slegs tien minute oor daarvan weg om ‘n moontlike wendrie te druk.

Van Eck het die bal oor die doellyn verloor met die telling op 22-19 in sy span se guns.

Die Nories het met hul verdediging daarin geslaag om Grey op die agtervoet te plaas. Hulle het ook daarin geslaag om Grey se rolmaalbewegings te ontwrig. Die Nories het keer op keer Grey verhoed om op die voorvoet in die afdeling van die spel te kom.

Grey se heelagter, Lamla Mgedezi, is welverdiend as Speler van die Wedstryd aangewys. Hy het ‘n driekuns aan drieë behaal en was elke keer gevaarlik wanneer hy is besit geplaas is. Hy is ook as die Speler van die Dag aangewys.

Só goed soos wat Mgedezi op die aanval was, só goed was sy direkte teenstander, Tidi Moeketsae, op verdediging. Hy het telkemale duikslae uitgevoer wat Grey se aanvalle in sy spore gestuit het. Uithaler was ook op sy stukke op die aanval en as planmaker vir Nories.

Voorlangs het die haker, Clinton Agu, en die slot Kean Lourens uitmuntend vir die verloorspan vertoon.

Paul Roos Gimnasium het die bordjies teen Garsfontein in die hoofwedstryd van die dag met 34-32 verhang. Die twee spanne se enigste vorige kragmeting was in 2022 tydens die Wildeklawer-toernooi in Kimberley toe die Garsie Bere met 21-18 as oorwinnaars van die veld gestap nie.

Die span van die Eikestad se losskakel, Travis Pheiffer, het met ‘n foutlose skopvertoning waarskynlik die grootste aandeel in sy span se sege gehad. Hy is tot dusver ook die beste stelskopper wat op vanjaar se toernooi in aksie was. Pheiffer het al vier sy span se drieë verdoel asook twee strafdoele tussen deur die pale gejaag.

Die laaste strafdoel was met vyf minute om aan sy span die beslissende voorsprong te gee. Drie minute voor dit het Garsies se buitesenter, Joshua Gouws, met die doelskop van Luan van der Berg (vaskopstut) se drie aan die Bere ‘n voorsprong van 32-31 gegee.

Van der Berg was soos gewoontlik skitterend in die skrums en het ook in die los ‘n groot rol vir Garsies vertolk. Hy is na afloop van die wedstryd as Speler van die Wedstryd aangewys.

Die twee spanne het mekaar behoorlik opgekeil. Vir Paul Roos was Keanu Stoffels (heelagter), Dylan van Wyk (flank) en Gert Kemp (kaptein en agtsteman) ook ‘n goeie dag op kantoor beleef.

Die Garsie Bere se skrumskakel, Derrick Kuhn, wat ‘n oud-leerling van Paul Roos is, het teen sy ou skoolmaats gewys dat hy speler van gehalte is. Junaide Stuart (vleuel) en Junade Pasensie (losskakel) verdien ook ‘n klop op die skouer.

Puntemakers: 

Paul Roos Gimnasium 34 (21) – Drieë: Jan-Jan Nel, Jordan Steenkamp, Matthew Kleyn, Dylan van Wyk. Doelskoppe: Travis Pheiffer (4). Penalties: Pheiffer (2). Garsfontein 32 (11) – Drieë: Junaide Stuart, Derrick Kuhn, Lourenz de Jager, Luan van den Berg. Doelskoppe: Joshua Gouws (3). Penalties: Gouws (2).

Grey-kollege 24 (12) – Drieë: Lamla Mgedezi (3), JG Badenhorst. Doelskoppe: Jan-Hendrik van der Linden (2). Noordheuwel 22 (15) – Drieë: Gideon Diedericks, Steph Botha, Jeandré Uithaler. Doelskoppe: Uithaler (2). Strafdoel: Uithaler.

The hosts of the Founders Hockey Festival, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) made good use of their home-ground advantage by registering back-to-back wins on the opening day of the event, in Pretoria, on Saturday.

They began their campaign with an outing against Kearsney, who hosted the Founders Festival in 2024 and went unbeaten.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

In a high-intensity clash, Affies netted their first goal when they converted a penalty corner in the first chukka. They doubled their advantage in the second chukka to take a healthy lead into the halftime break.

Kearsney strung some good sequences of play together, but they were unable to break through the home side’s stubborn defence.

They were made to pay when the hosts struck once more in the third chukka, which led to a solid 3-0 victory, courtesy of a double from Gunther Schubert, with the other goal coming from the stick of Rudolf Thiart.

In their second match, Affies took on Parktown Boys’ High School. Coach Colin Mendoza’s side picked up where they left off against Kearsney and were rewarded with a deserved 3-1 victory.

St Stithians College also went two from two, with their hard work bringing them a 3-1 win over Queen’s College, which they followed with a nail-biting 4-3 defeat of Paarl Gimnasium.

Northwood School, after a slow start to the day in a goalless draw against Rondebosch Boys’ High, found the back of the net twice against Dale College to secure a 2-0 win. Rondebosch followed their morning draw with a tight 1-0 victory over Kearsney.

Dale suffered two losses on the day, also going down 0-4 to St David’s Marist Inanda. They’ll attempt to reverse course on Sunday when they take on Kearsney and Parktown Boys’ High.

Paarl Gim is still in search of a first win at the festival. After their narrow loss to St Stithians, they played to a 2-2 draw with Parktown.

Queen’s College is also chasing a first victory. Apart from their 1-3 loss to Saints, they shared a high-scoring 3-3 draw with St David’s.

Sunday’s schedule features 10 matches.

DAY 1 RESULTS

Affies 3-0 Kearsney
Bosch 0-0 Northwood
Paarl Gim 2-2 Parktown
Saints 3-1 Queens
St David’s 4-0 Dale
Northwood 2-0 Dale
St David’s 3-3 Queens
Rondebosch 1-0 Kearsney
Saints 4-3 Paarl Gim
Affies 3-1 Parktown

FIXTURES

Sunday, 30 March

07:30 – St David’s Marist Inanda vs Paarl Gim
08:35 – St Stithians v Affies
09:40 – Northwood vs Queen’s
10:45 – Parktown vs Rondebosch
11:50 – Kearsney vs Dale
13:00 – St David’s Marist Inanda vs Affies
14:05 – Northwood vs Paarl Gim
15:10 – St Stithians vs Rondebosch
16:15 – Parktown vs Dale
17:20 – Kearsney vs Queen’s

Monday, 31 March

07:30 – Parktown vs Queen’s
08:35 – St Stithians vs Dale
09:40 – Northwood vs Affies
10:45 – St David’s vs Rondebosch
11:50 – Kearney vs Paarl Gim

Hilton College and Grey College made big statements on day one of the Nomads Hockey Festival at Jeppe High School for Boys, in Johannesburg, on Saturday, by both recording two wins on the scenic Boden AstroTurf.

They were joined by the hosts Jeppe, who were comfortable winners against Selborne College and Wynberg Boys’ High.

Hilton, guided by coach Damian Kimfley, kicked off their campaign with a sketchy 1-0 victory over St John’s College.

It was a scrappy outing by the KwaZulu-Natal side, who were taken to the gutters by St John’s but escaped an upset courtesy of a Rob Burman penalty corner flick.

They produced a more clinical performance in their second match of the day against St Benedict’s College, handing coach Owen Mvimbi’s side a 4-0 defeat.

Burman was on the score sheet again, where he was joined by Ben Wilson, Tadi ‘Tino” Hove, and Lizwe Ntshangase.

Reacting to his team’s performances, captain Xavier Enslin said they needed to work on their discipline and to be more clinical after a poor showing against St John’s.

“From our first game, we realised we lacked intentionality, and we had to get our heads in the right headspace,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“We had to fix our mentality, be hungrier inside the circle, have the desire to score goals, and increase our energy.”

Hilton played with more intensity and attacked well against Bennies, while keeping matters tight at the back.

On Sunday, they’ll face Pretoria Boys High and King Edward VII (KES). Enslin explained how they were approaching the second day of action: “I think the biggest thing for us is to rest and recover tonight,” the skipper said. “We’re not done; we go again tomorrow.

“Any game can go anywhere. It just comes down to who performs on the day, and we know that, so we’re not naïve.”

Grey College, meanwhile, continued on their impressive run so far this season. They maintained their unbeaten record with a 4-0 win over Pretoria Boys High (PBHS) and a 4-1 victory against St John’s College.

Penalty corner specialist Matthias Visser struck twice against PBHS, while Waldo Koning also found the target.

Against St John’s, Visser scored another ripper from a short corner before his brother, Luke, Gianni Tyropolis, and Koning, added their names to the scoresheet.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better start than getting two wins on day one of the Nomads,” Grey College captain Andrew Koupis told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“We just want to keep going now. We have an early game against Jeppe in the morning on their home turf. It’s going to be tough, but the boys are ready.”

Koupis and his troops entered Nomads brimming with confidence after a good showing at the Synsport Tony Godding Festival a week ago.

There, the Bloemfontein side picked up four wins, but the skipper said he urged his boys to put the past in the past and focus on the job at hand.

“I spoke to the boys coming from Tony Godding and just said we should remain grounded and keep our feet on the turf, and I think that showed today.”

The showdown against Jeppe on Sunday takes place early in the morning at 07:30.

Maritzburg College also started the festival brightly with a win against St Benedict’s and a draw with KES.

In their first match, coach Mark Sanders’ team found the back of the net three times, courtesy of Rory Schirge, Uyanda Dlamini, and Heath Hackland. They also kept a clean sheet.

They played to a 1-1 draw with KES in the day’s final match and take on Wynberg at 13:45 on Sunday, seeking their second win at the festival.

In other matches, Wynberg beat Pretoria Boys High 3-1 while KES thumped Selborne College 5-1.

RESULTS

Jeppe 4-2 Selborne College
Grey College 4-0 Pretoria Boys High
Hilton College 1-0 St John’s College
Maritzburg College 3-0 St Benedict’s College
Jeppe 4-0 Wynberg Boys’ High
King Edward VII 5-1 Selborne College
Hilton College 4-0 St Benedict’s College
Grey College 4-1 St John’s College
Wynberg Boys’ High 3-1 Pretoria Boys High
Maritzburg College 1-1 King Edward VII

FIXTURES

Sunday, 30 March

07:30 –  Jeppe vs Grey College
08:45 – St John’s College vs Wynberg Boys’ High
10:00 – Selborne College vs St Benedict’s
11:15 – Hilton College vs Pretoria Boys High
12:30 – King Edward VII vs Grey College
13:45 – Maritzburg College vs Wynberg Boys’ High
15:00 – St John’s College vs Selborne College
16:15 – St Benedict’s vs Pretoria Boys High
17:30 – King Edward VII vs Hilton College
18:45 – Jeppe vs Maritzburg College

Die Hoërskool Stellenberg se Ryan Jones (flank) en Ralton Rhode (linkervleuel) was met hul driekunste aan die spits van hul span se oortuigende oorwinning van 52-7 oor Voortrekker van Bethlehem op die tweede dag van die NMI Toyota Noord/Suid-toernooi in die Markötter-stadion in Stellenbosch.

Die Jade Brigade het in die tweede helfte na ‘n hoër rat oorgeskakel na hy ‘n skamele voorsprong van 12-7 teen rustyd geniet het.

Die Trekkers het in die eerste helfte goed van hulself rekenskap gegee. Die span vanuit die Riemland kon egter nie in die tweede helfte met dieselfde pas voorthou nie.

Jones het sy driekuns in die tweede helfte gedruk. Twee van sy drieë was na twee kraglopies terwyl sy derde drie vanaf ‘n rolmaalbeweging gekom het.

Rhode het met sy dartellopies ‘n hele paar keer vir Voortrekker se verdediging onverhoeds betrap. Hy gaan nog ‘n hele paar spanne laat bontstaan op die verdediging.

Stellenberg se losskakel, Ethan van Biljon, het ook weer ‘n blink vertoning gelewer. Hy het die bal goed versprei asook ‘n paar keer die voordeellyn aangeval. Die span van Bellville se kaptein en loskopstut, Christian Janse van Rensburg, was ook op sy stukke.

Vir die Trekkers verdien sy binnesenter, Nolan du Plooy, asook die flank Jayden de Jesus ‘n klop op die skouer.

Helpmekaar het vir Nico Malan van Humansdorp met 33-17 in hul eerste wedstryd op vanjaar se toernooi geklop. Die Helpies sal tevrede met die sege wees, maar ook besef dat daar nog werk voorlê voor hulle op alle silinders kan vuur.

Die span van Johannesburg het teen lemoentyd met 21-8 voorgeloop. Sy senterpaar, Ethan Lourens en Ty Ax, het goed vertoon, maar het elk ook tien minute in die koelkas deurgebring.

Die wenspan se regtervleuel, Andreas Badenhorst, het die geleenthede wat na sy kant toe gekom het, met albei hande aangegryp. Hy het twee keer ‘n draai agter Nico Malan se doellyn gemaak.

Die span van Humansdorp se flank Chrisjan de Lange asook die heelagter, Leighton Lawrence, kan meer as tevrede met hul vertonings voel. Nico Malan boks sonder twyfel vanjaar weer bo hul gewigsklas.

Puntemakers:

Stellenberg 52 (12) – Drieë: Ryan Jones (3), Ralton Rhode (3), Luka Tonitz, Christian Janse van Rensburg. Doelskoppe: Ethan van Biljon (6). Voortrekker 7 (7) – Drie: Jayden de Jesus. Doelskop: Nolan du Plooy.

Helpmekaar 33 (21) – Drieë:: Andreas Badenhorst (2), Ethan Lourens, Gustav Grotius, Keanan Combrinck. Doelskoppe: Wian Storm (4). Nico Malan 17 (8) – Drieë: Piet Kleynhans, Chrisjan de Lange. Doelskoppe: Liam Bekker, Leighton Lawrence. Strafdoel: Bekker, Lawrence.

Josh Neill‘s headgear was, as usual, seen all over the park as he led a rollicking Rondebosch Boys’ High side to a convincing 38-15 victory over Jeppe High School for Boys at the NMI Noord/Suid Tournament at Paul Roos Gimnasium, in Stellenbosch, on Saturday.

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

It took about five minutes for Neill to make his mark on the game. He burst through the Johannesburg school’s defensive line to dot down for the first of his two tries.

That five-pointer, though, was only the start of Jeppe’s nightmares as Neill and his fellow flank, Alutha Wesi, kept on challenging the defence and laying down a physical challenge.

Wesi, carrying the ball hard in the trenches, laid a platform for his teammate to exploit the space on the outside with some silky skills, but Neill wasn’t alone in enjoying the space.

Outside centre Randall-John Davids punished the Zebras’ defensive lapses with some outstanding runs, which also brought him a try.

Jeppe showed some signs of the team that turned it on in the second half to beat King Edward VII School last weekend, with their backs impressing, especially outside centre Lindelani Nkambule, who showed off his wheels in the midfield.

Oakdale Landbou performed as expected, beating Hoërskool Nelspruit‘s Rhinos 45-12. It was, however, not as easy as the scoreboard might suggest, with the side from the Lowveld fronting up physically to a massive pack. However, the Riversdal school made better use of their opportunities and did a good job of converting pressure into points.

Inside centre Christiaan Vorster picked from where he had left off against Grey College, running in a hat-trick of tries. It was a well-deserved reward for a physically taxing performance, which saw him making one dominant run after another to stamp his authority in the midfield.

He found good support from hooker, Adrian Smith, who was at home at the back of a strong driving maul, which led to him diving over for two tries.

The Nellies‘ loose forwards, Vaughn van Zyl and blindside flanker, Vian Louw, were a cut above the rest. Van Zyl showed a few Oakdale defenders that he’s a bus on the move, while Louw was immense on defence, putting in some earth-shaking hits.

SCORERS

Rondebosch Boys’ High 38 (19) – Tries: Josh Neill (2), 13 Randall-John Davids, Alutha Wesi, Penalty Try, Caleb Bell. Conversions: Harry Soboil (3). Jeppe High School for Boys 15 (15) – Tries: Ndimphiwe Mjiji, Lindelani Nkambule. Conv: Nehemiah Hollenbach. Penalties: Hollenbach.

Oakdale Landbou 45 (24) – Tries: Christiaan Vorster (3) Adrian Smith (2), Diaan Augustyn,Reinhart Viljoen. Conversions: CT Vosloo (5). Hoërskool Nelspruit 12 (7) – Tries: Tinyiko Silubane. Vian Louw. Doelskop: John Duncan.

Hoërskool Rustenburg en Hoërskool Marais Viljoen het die algehele telkaart ietwat beter daarna laat uitsien vir die Noorde met ‘n sege elk in hul onderskeie eerste wedstryde van die NMI Toyota Noord/Suid-toernooi in Stellenbosch.

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

Daar is min goed wat deur ‘n diamant kan sny, maar die Rusties se Snyers-broers het dit duidelik reggekry.

Die jongste van die twee, Bradley Snyers (regtervleuel), het sy teenwoordigheid behoorlik laat geld met ‘n tweekuns aan drieë, terwyl ouboet Lorenzo Snyers (heelagter) oudergewoonte ook weer die kollig gesteel. Hoewel hy self net een drie gedruk het, het die oudste Snyers ‘n beduidende aandeel in ‘n paar ander gehad en is hy welverdiend as die Speler van die Wedstryd aangewys.

Die Diamonds was beslis onkant betrap met die Rustenburgers se hoë-tempo spel en moes  skarrel om terug te veg in die tweede helfte. Skrumskakel, JG van Heerden, het dié herstelpoging gelei en was puik agter ‘n pak wat nie soos gewoonlik goeie voorvoetbal kon bewerk nie. Van Heerden se geniepsige breekslae om die afbreekpunte het aan hom twee drieë besorg.

Hoërskool Marais Viljoen se staatmaker-agsteman, Rio Tshimbalanga, het ‘n driekuns behaal om ‘n swaarverdiende sege van 41-31 in ‘n fisieke kragmeting met Worcester Gimnasium te beklink. Tshimbalanga, ‘n groot aanspraakmaker op die Leeus se nr. 8-trui vir die Cravenweek, was haas onkeerbaar met sy kenmerkende barslopies.

Die span van Alberton se dryfmaalbewegings was die hoogtepunt van ‘n kragtige vertoning. Worcester se loskopstut, Amaan Adendorff, het hom egter nie daardeur laat onderkry nie. Adendorff het ‘n puik individuele vertoning gelewer waarvoor hy ook met twee drieë, waarvan hy een keer soos ‘n wafferse senter sierlik tussen die pale oorgeduik het, beloon is.

Hoërskool Framesby se agsteman, Eden Calitz, het, nes Tshimbalanga, drie keer agter Hoërskool Duineveld se doellyn gaan draai in sy span se yslike oorwinning van 60-7 oor die span van Upington.

Calitz is netjies bygestaan deur die vlugvoetige Cole Hilpert, wat die Veldties se verdediging dikwels oorhoeks gehad het in die middeveld. Hilpert en Kie het agterlangs die standaard vir die res van die dag gestel met aanskoulike hardlooprugby wat die skare op die Markotter-stadion gereeld op hul voete gehad het.

Puntemakers: 

Hoërskool Rustenburg 60 (33) – Tries: Xavier Steenkamp (2), Hendré Robinson (2), Bradley Snyers (2), Lorenzo Snyers, Adriano George, Tihan Labuschagne, Johnré Jafthas. Conversions: Riacordo Enos (4). Diamantveld 24 (12) – Tries: JG van Heerden (2), Driaan Jacobs, Bernard Daniëls. Conversions: Van Heerden, Duran Makoni.

Marais Viljoen 41 (26) – Tries: Rio Tshimbalanga (3), Sifiso Shongwe, Munga Mwengehya, Ondisa Njili, Lloyd Shoko-Schenk. Conversions: Raynhardt Kruger (3). Worcester Gimnasium 31 (12) – Tries: Amaan Adendorff (2), Elrenzo Swartz, Luke Cupido. Conversions: Lohenzel Tshabatau, Lhangquin de Bruyn.

Framesby 60 (34) – Tries: Eden Calitz (3), Cole Hilpert (2), Chales Blignaut, Dewaldry Fortuin, Mondré van Heerden, Damien Witbooi. Conversions: Jaiden Brewis (4), Van Heerden. Duineveld 7 (0) – Try: PJ Smit. Conversion: Smit.

Jeppe High School for Boys’ first-team hockey captain Ethan Kapanda said he was “happy” with his team’s performances after they recorded two victories on Saturday, day one of the Nomads Hockey Festival, in Johannesburg.

Jeppe, the hosts of the festival, which is being played on the Boden AstroTurf from 29-31 March, kicked off their campaign with a solid 4-2 win over Selborne College before beating Wynberg Boys’ High 4-0 in the afternoon.

“The games today were good, and both teams came out firing,” Kapanda told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“I think Selborne is always tough, and today was no different. Wynberg gave us troubles, and they brought their A-game, but I’m happy with how we showed up.”

In their opening match against the East London side, Jeppe scored through Adrian Laubscher, Kapanda, and Juan Martin, who scored a brace, both from drag flicks. Kapanda netted from the penalty spot, and Laubscher scored a well-executed field goal.

The home side carried the momentum from their morning win into the Wynberg game.

With a large crowd in attendance, coach Siya Sityana’s troops controlled matters, played a mature brand of hockey, and capitalised on their chances.

They led 2-0 at halftime through goals by Kian Fenske and centre-back Jarryd Gordon-Watt.

Jeppe was far from done, however, and they dominated the second half, keeping Wynberg out while attacking with vigour.

Ethan van Deventer scored his team’s third goal before Lester Mhlongo completed the drubbing late in the final chukka.

“Getting the wins in the first two games is a good start because we now know where to build from,” Kapanda said.

“With that said, we want to focus on what’s coming next and not look too far ahead.”

Jeppe will face a stiff challenge from Grey College at 07:30 on Sunday before taking on Maritzburg College at 18:45.

Catch all the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools.

Michaelhouse produced a sensational finish with a try after the final hooter had sounded to snatch a 28-28 draw against the hosts, Grey High, on the opening day of the Standard Bank Grey High Rugby Festival, in Gqeberha, on Saturday.

At the end of it all, the Grey supporters were left scratching their heads when their team failed to close out the win after receiving a penalty following the sounding of the final hooter.

Grey flyhalf Tristan Kemp tapped the ball and kicked it into touch, obviously believing the match was over, but the referee ruled that play should continue.

In a drama-filled finish, Michaelhouse, trailing 23-28, stayed in the hunt with a series of penalties and eventually they created space out wide for centre Rourke O’Sullivan to go over for the equalising try.

It was left to fullback Alex Jankowitz to try to win the match with a successful conversion, but his effort fell short, and it ended all-square.

After conceding an early try to centre William Ridl, Grey led for most of the match and were 14-7 ahead at the breakthrough tries by Evan Mucka and Adam Holmboe.

Their opponents stayed in the match through the immaculate boot of Jankowitz (three penalties and two conversions) and the result was always in the balance.

Eventually Grey, after Mucka scored his second try, seemed to put some daylight between them and their rivals when they crossed for their fourth try from a forward surge to lead 28-16 with just more than 10 minutes remaining.

Michaelhouse, however, must be admired for showing tenacity under pressure. They repeatedly found a way to attack the Grey line and this opened the way for a converted try by scrumhalf Daniel Aissing, which reduced the margin to five points.

Then came the dramatic finale for the match to end in ecstasy for the visitors and agony for the hosts.

The festival’s opening day was marked by thrilling rugby on the Kolisi Field, with Durban High School (DHS) fullback Cilermo Carolus one of the outstanding players as he jinked his way through the Kingswood defence for a hat-trick of tries in their 41-20 win.

The match was evenly poised at 15-15 after 40 minutes, but it was changed to 34-15 in the blink of an eye and it set up a lead Kingswood had little chance of hauling in.

Kearsney had a tense showdown with Pretoria Boys High, scoring the winning try with three minutes left to win 28-26, while Queen’s College and St Stithians got the festival off to a thunderous start in a 13-13 draw.

The match came alive in the final stages when St Stithians took the lead as Queen’s failed to clear the ball close to their line and livewire flank Sipho Cele darted through to score their first try of the match.

Flyhalf Oliver Wilson, after kicking two penalties earlier, slotted the conversion to put the Johannesburg side 13-6 in front with seven minutes to go.

Queen’s, then, went on the attack courtesy of several penalties and although they conceded one themselves, they were soon back pressing hard in the St Stithians’ 22.

Eventually, with two minutes left, a grubber through the defence saw Queen’s left wing Ncutu Kepe dash through for the crucial score, although it was still left to fullback Bonga Nyakaza to land the conversion to level the score.

This he managed to do with a superb effort five metres in from touch and the final whistle went soon afterwards to leave it as a stalemate.

The match between Kearsney and Pretoria Boys High also went down to the wire, with Kearsney wing Lwandle Mkhize scoring an excellent try in the closing minutes, converted by Doan Nel, to put them 28-26 ahead.

The Pretoria side had a penalty in the final minute to snatch back the lead, but it was not successful, allowing Kearsney to celebrate.

RESULTS

Queen’s 13 St Stithians 13
Northwood 24 Dale 0
Kearsney 28 Pretoria Boys’ High 26
Hilton 27 Graeme College 17
DHS 41 Kingswood 20
Westville 45 Selborne 12
Grey High 28 Michaelhouse 28
St Charles 19 Port Rex 15
Hudson Park 36 Muir 15
Daniel Pienaar 31 Ithembelihle 13

Scorers: 

Grey High School 28 – Tries: Evan Mucka (2), Adam Holmboe, Daniel Naudé. Conversion: Tristan Kemp (3), Meyer Prinsloo. Michaelhouse 28 – Tries: William Ridl, Daniel Aissing, Rourke O’Sullivan. Conversions: Alex Jankowitz (2). Penalties: Jankowitz (3).

Westville Boys’ High 45 – Tries: Sean McGough (2), Ross Calvert, Jadrian Afrikaner, Avumile Lisa, Sibusiso Hlongwa, Zekhethelo Siyaya. Conversions: Luxolo Sononkonkono (5). Selborne College 12 – Tries: Dominic Stegmann, Luke Bowman. Conversion: Khazimla Qavile.

Durban High School 41 – Tries: Cilermo Carolus (3), Okuhle Mbanjwa, Amogelang Mataboge, M Nero. Conversions: Jordan van Wyk (4). Penalty: Van Wyk. Kingswood College 20 – Tries: Josh MacKenzie, Sinawo Bukula, Liyema Katikati. Conversion: James McMahmon. Penalty: McMahmon.

Hilton College 27 – Tries:  Stewart Falconer, Benoit Rey, Tristan Uys. Conversions: Liyema Nela (3). Penalties: Nela (2). Graeme College 17 – Tries: Luke Doyle, Lucritia Magau, Mazi Maboza. Conversion: Alden Walters.

Kearsney College 28 – Tries: Keanu Williamson, Doan Nel, Lwandle Mkhize. Conversions: Nel (2). Penalties: Nel (3). Pretoria Boys’ High 26 – Tries: Banele Mashaba (2), Blake Mager, Akin Akingbola. Conversions: Mager (3).

Northwood 24 – Tries: Jadon Smith, Bongane Khumalo, Ayavuya Makula. Conversions: Savio Stevens. Penalty: Stevens. Dale College 0.

Queen’s College 13 – Try: Ncutu Kepe. Conversion: Bonga Nyakaza. Penalties: Nyakaza (2). St Stithians College 13 – Try: Siphosamandosi Cele. Conversions: Oliver Wilson. Penalties: Wilson (2).

Other Results: 

u16: SACS 26, Selborne College 10; Grey High School 40, Michaelhouse 10; St Charles College 14, Hudson Park 12; Kingswood College 26, St Alban’s College 5; HTS Daniël Pienaar 14, Dale College 8; Rondebosch Boys’ High 50, Graeme College 13; St Stithians College 19, Muir College 5; .

u15: Westville Boys’ High 33, Selborne College 5; Rondebosch Boys’ High 15, Graeme College 7; Grey High School 29, Michaelhouse 27; Hilton College 35, SACS 24; St Charles College 44, Kingswood College 7; Muir College 22, Hudson Park 12.

u14: St Charles College 7, Hudson Park 7; Grey High School 51, Michaelhouse 10; Rondebosch Boys’ High 31, Graeme College 0; Selborne College 50, Muir College 0; SACS 17, Hilton College 5; Grey High School II 5, HTS Daniël Pienaar 0; Queen’s College 59, Kingswood College 5.

Scorers:

Paul Roos Gimnasium 34 (21) – Drieë: Jan-Jan Nel, Jordan Steenkamp, Matthew Kleyn, Dylan van Wyk. Doelskoppe: Travis Pheiffer (4). Penalties: Pheiffer (2). Garsfontein 32 (11) – Drieë: Junaide Stuart, Derrick Kuhn, Lourenz de Jager, Luan van den Berg. Doelskoppe: Joshua Gouws (3). Penalties: Gouws (2).

Grey College 24 (12) – Tries: Lamla Mgedezi (3), JG Badenhorst. Conversions: Jan-Hendrik van der Linden (2). Noordheuwel 22 (15) – Tries: Gideon Diedericks, Steph Botha, Jeandré Uithaler. Conversions: Uithaler (2). Penalty: Uithaler.

Rondebosch Boys High 38 (19) – Tries: Josh Neill (2), 13 Randall-John Davids, Alutha Wesi, Penalty Try, Caileb Bell. Conversions: Harry Soboil (3). Jeppe High School for Boys 15 (15) – Tries: Ndimphiwe Mjiji, Lindelani Nkambule. Conv: Nehemiah Hollenbach. Penalties: Hollenbach.

Oakdale Landbou 45 (24) – Tries: Christiaan Vorster (3) Adrian Smith (2), Diaan Augustyn,Reinhart Viljoen. Conversions: CT Vosloo (5). Hoërskool Nelspruit 12 (7) – Tries: Tinyiko Silubane. Vian Louw. Doelskop: John Duncan.

Stellenberg 52 (12) – Tries: Ryan Jones (3), Ralton Rhode (3), Luka Tonitz, Christian Janse van Rensburg. Conversions: Ethan van Biljon (6). Voortrekker 7 (7) – Try: Jayden de Jesus. Conversion: Nolan du Plooy.

Helpmekaar 33 (21) – Tries: Andreas Badenhorst (2), Ethan Lourens, Gustav Grotius, Keanan Combrinck. Conversions: Wian Storm (4). Nico Malan 17 (8) – Tries: Piet Kleynhans, Chrisjan de Lange. Conversions: Liam Bekker, Leighton Lawrence. Penalty: Bekker, Lawrence.

Marais Viljoen 41 (26) – Tries: Rio Tshimbalanga (3), Sifiso Shongwe, Munga Mwengehya, Ondisa Njili, 19. Conversions: Raynhardt Kruger (3). Worcester Gimnasium 31 (12) – Tries: Amaan Adendorff (2), Elrenzo Swartz, Luke Cupido. Conversions: Lohenzel Tshabatau, Lhangquin de Bruyn.

Hoërskool Rustenburg 60 (33) – Tries: Xavier Steenkamp (2), Hendré Robinson (2), Bradley Sneyers (2), Lorenzo Snyers, Adriano George, Tihan Labuschagne, Johnré Jafthas. Conversions: Riacordo Enos (4). Diamantveld 24 (12) – Tries: JG van Heerden (2), Driaan Jacobs, Bernard Daniëls. Conversions: Van Heerden, Duran Makoni.

Framesby 60 (34) – Tries: Eden Calitz (3), Cole Hilpert (2), Chales Blignaut, Dewaldry Fortuin, Mondré van Heerden, Damien Witbooi. Conversions: Jaiden Brewis (4), Van Heerden. Duineveld 7 (0) – Try: PJ Smit. Conversion: Smit.