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The Chatsworth Hub Girls’ u18 team was crowned the KZN Coastal Schools SA20 champion after a convincing eight-wicket win over the KCCD Hub XI on Sunday at Kloof High.

In the final, Chatsworth won the toss, opted to field, and it worked out well for them as they dismissed the KCCD XI for only 101 runs in 19.4 overs.

Opening batter, Amanda Shandu, provided stubborn resistance, making 36 off 35 balls, which included four fours. She was at the crease while 86 of KCCD’s runs were scored.

Noxolo Biyela chipped in with 15 and Angelo Mlambo made 14, but the Chatsworth bowlers dominated, none more than Sihana Naidu, who snapped up 2/7 from her four overs. Her new ball partner, Aadya Mohun, claimed 2/9 in 3.4, while Anastacia Pillay also picked up 2/9. Shreya Subbiah nabbed 2/21.

While the Chatsworth bowlers dominated, they let themselves down a little by sending down 22 wides, which played a big role in KCCD reaching triple figures.

Chatsworth’s run pursuit, though, lasted only 11.3 overs as they rapidly chased down the 102-run victory target for the loss of only two wickets.

They made a splendid start, with Shreya Subbiah and Thando Matamela putting on 68 for the first wicket in seven overs. Subbiah was then trapped in front by Lonathemba Mncwango for 32 from 21 balls. She had hit six fours.

Matamela was still going strongly, however, and she shepherded Chatsworth across the line, finishing on 50 not out, with nine fours.

Mncwango picked up both wickets to fall, ending with 2/15 from four overs.

Earlier in the day, Chatsworth faced Dr John L Dube in the semi-finals, while KCCD took on Nqabakazulu.

Dr John L Dube vs Chatsworth Hub

At the beginning of the year, Dr John L Dube lifted the regional title, comfortably beating Bonginhlanhla High in the final, but they were brushed aside by Chatworth.

Dr John L Dube tallied 94/4, batting first, with Lungile Ngcobo top-scoring with 33 from 60, and Sihana Naidu capturing 2/7 from four for Chatsworth.

It seemed like a reasonable batting effort, but Chatsworth made light work of the target, cruising to 98 without loss in only 13.5 overs.

Shreya Subbiah cracked eight fours in an unbeaten 56 off 50 balls, while Thando Matamela made a run-a-ball 34, with four fours.

KCCD Hub vs Nqabakazulu

In the other semi-final, Nqabakazulu’s innings lasted only 15.2 overs before they were dismissed for 58. Ziyanda Xulu, with 18, was the only batter to reach double figures.

Noxolo Biyela ripped through Nqabakazulu’s batting, capturing 6/6 in four overs, which included five of the first seven batters in the order.

KCCD made heavy work of the low victory target of 59, labouring to 59/5 after 15.1 overs. Only Anele Khumalo, with 19, moved beyond single figures, but 15 wides played a huge role in KCCD’s victory.

Sphesihle Danisa claimed 3/19, but Nqabakazulu didn’t have enough few runs to defend.

SCORES

Nqabakazulu 58/10 (Ziyanda Xulu 18; Noxolo Biyela 6/6); KCCD Hub 59/5 (Anela Khumalo 19; Sphesihle Danisa 3/19). KCCD won by five wickets.

Dr John L Dube 94/4 (Lungile Mgcobo 33; Sihana Naidu 2/7); Chatsworth Hub 98/0 (Shreya Subbiah 56*, Thando Matamela 34*). Chatsworth Hub won by 10 wickets.

KCCD Hub 101/10 (Amanda Shandu 36l Sihana Naidu 2/7, Aadya Mohun 2/9, Anastacia Pillay 2/9, Shreya Subbiah 2/21); Chatsworth Hub 104/2 (Thando Matamela 50*, Shreya Subbiah 32; Lonathemba Mncwango 2/15). Chatsworth Hub won by eight wickets.

The Gauteng Development League’s (GDL) weekend matches were blighted by complaints about inconsistent and unjust decisions made by match officials, and some unfortunate instances reminiscent of mixed martial arts (MMA) on the field. However, in the u19 division of the GDL, it was business as usual.

After a successful full day of GDL activities on Heritage Day, Wednesday, 24 September, the action resumed on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, Kaizer Chiefs scored a 2-0 victory over Kathorus Hyper Academy at the Kaizer Chiefs Village in Naturena.

Chiefs lived up the club’s status of being home to one of the country’s finest academies, but it was another disappointing outing for Kathorus, who dropped points for a second time within the space of a week after a 2-2 draw against Seven’s Academy on Heritage Day.

Kathorus also fell to a narrow 0-1 defeat to SuperSport United during the GDL Festival at Sicelo Stadium in Midvaal on 20 September. The recent string of setbacks follows a strong run for Kathorus, who will be determined to regain the form that helped them to victories over, among others, Mamelodi Sundowns, Panorama FC, and TS Galaxy.

The School of Excellence and the University of Pretoria (Tuks) played to a 1-1 draw, resulting in the sides earning one point each.

At Curro Sagewood, Orifha Maubelo fired in a remarkable opening goal in SuperSport United’s 2-0 win over TS Galaxy. Maubelo also provided the assist that created the second goal for Tlotliso Makgai.

Highlands Park’s pursuit of a three-peat was boosted when they beat one of the other title contenders, Randburg AFC, by two goals to nil, at Balfour Park.

Jomo Cosmos, after a splendid 4-0 win over Tuks on Heritage Day, were brought back down to earth by Joburg City, who claimed a tight 2-1 victory. Panorama FC, meanwhile, celebrated a 1-0 win over Wits Junior.

Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) and Mamelodi Sundowns delivered one of the most captivating matches of the weekend at Sicelo Stadium, with the sides sharing a 2-2 draw. RESA demonstrated strong resolve following a 1-3 loss earlier this month to Sundowns at Clapham High.

Rockefvs picked up a 2-1 victory over East Rand Athletic Club. Njabulo Nthite, with assistance from Ramosotho Ramogetse, opened the scoring for Rockefvs, with Kopano Ubah netting their second goal, aided by Onkabetse Kabaso.

On Sunday, though, Mamelodi Sundowns enjoyed a 1-0 win over Rockefvs.

Following their draw against the Brazilians, RESA bagged a 3-2 victory against Seven’s Academy. That result was unfortunately marred by several unfortunate incidents when the clubs’ u14 sides met earlier in the day, including an altercation between a Seven’s Academy official and the referee, which was captured on the SuperSport Schools live stream of the game.

While the root cause of the issue has not been fully revealed, allegations of cheating by match officials have emerged, which seemingly led to discontent within the Seven’s Academy camp.

It is not the first instance in which complaints about match officials have been made. They’ve come up previously, not only in the GDL but also in school tournaments.

The standard of refereeing appears to be a growing concern at all levels of football within the country, with the most recent issue arising from the Betway Premiership, where Chippa United formally submitted a complaint to the Premier Soccer League, requesting an investigation into the actions of referee Philangenosi Khumalo. That followed a 1-1 draw between the Chilli Boys and Sekhukhune United on Heritage Day. Chippa’s bold move comes after a series of contentious decisions that the club suspects may indicate potential match-fixing.

Unfortunately, in the GDL, the issue has been simmering for an extended period, with both whispers and loud declarations regarding the state of refereeing emerging weekly.

Thus far, there has been no official statement from the GDL board or administrators, but it’s a matter that should be addressed by all clubs and representatives of the referees. Altercations that have involved players, coaches, referees and supporters are detrimental to the development of football.

Following the incident, on Monday morning, Seven’s Academy issued a media statement through their Instagram page. The statement read: “Following the recent incident involving one of our Seven’s Academy coaches and a GDL referee, this incident serves as a reminder that our primary focus in youth football is the benefit and well-being of our young athletes. We must conduct ourselves with integrity, respect, and a commitment to fostering a safe and supportive environment.”

While waiting on an investigation from the South African Football Association (SAFA), Seven’s Academy called on everyone involved in youth football to reflect on a shared goal to help the young players grow into honest, respectful, and dedicated athletes, while providing a positive, safe and nurturing space in which they could thrive.

“Together, let’s prioritise the values that truly matter in youth sports – integrity, respect and the well-being of young athletes,” the statement read.

After suffering a loss on Saturday, East Rand Athletic Club ensured they picked up some points on the weekend with a 2-0 win over Elspark United on Sunday. The School of Excellence played to a 1-1 stalemate with Joburg City, while Panorama FC drew 1-1 with Jomo Cosmos.

RESULTS

Saturday, 27 September

Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 Kathorus Hyper Academy
School of Excellence 1-1 Tuks
SuperSport United 2-0 TS Galaxy
Highlands Park 2-0 Randburg AFC
Joburg City 2-1 Jomo Cosmos
Panorama FC 1-0 Wits Junior
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-2 RESA

Sunday, 28 September

Panorama FC 1-1 Jomo Cosmos
East Rand Athletic 2-0 Elspark United
Joburg City 1-1 School of Excellence
Rockefvs 2-1 East Rand Athletic
RESA 3-2 Seven’s Academy
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Rockefvs

C&N Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje has announced the return of Morné Odendaal as the first team head coach and Director of Hockey at the school.

Odendaal, who left Oranje in 2022, remarked that being back at the Bloemfontein school feels like a homecoming.

“I look forward to building on the legacy we created together, working with the next generation, and competing at the highest level again,” he said.

“My focus will remain on principle and value-based coaching, getting the best out of every player, and making Oranje a dominant force in school hockey once more,” Odendaal told SuperSport Schools Plus.

When he left Oranje, Odendaal went to the USA before joining St Anne’s Diocesan College, whom he helped transform into a competitive force. As the director of hockey at the Hilton school, he successfully built a strong culture across all age groups of the hockey programme.

“My time at St Anne’s was incredibly rewarding,” he reflected. “I’ll always treasure the relationships and the values-driven environment that allowed players to enjoy their hockey, develop as people, and express themselves on the field.”

Since Odendaal’s departure, Oranje has remained competitive, but the dominance that they once enjoyed under his leadership has dwindled. Hence, their approach to bring him back to Bloemfontein.

When he was in charge, from 2013 to 2022, Oranje was, beyond a shadow of doubt, the gold standard in the country. They won 36 of 38 tournaments they contested under Odendaal, whose overall record was a staggering 380 matches won from 480 played. That’s a 95 percent win rate!

Odendaal’s mission is not to replicate the incredible statistical successes of his first spell with the school. Instead, it is focused on helping the school to rediscover its greatness.

“I came back because Oranje has always been special to me,” he explained. “It’s a place where excellence is expected, but also where values and culture are deeply rooted.

“After my time at St Anne’s, I felt called to return and contribute to building Oranje back to where it belongs – at the top.”

It is said that there’s no rest for the wicked. That may be true, but in my experience, there are some very good men and women who happily give up their precious periods of rest, year after year, for the benefit of other people’s children.

I’m talking about the teachers at the best of our schools, of course.

They may or may not receive some sort of travel and sustenance allowance for the days that they are away from home. Their efforts are borne in mind, I hope, when annual bonuses are allocated, since they do it for no financial reward.

I spend some time at two of Joburg’s boys’ schools these days and their forthcoming short October holiday period – which was, I guess, originally intended to give everyone a breather ahead of the push towards the final exams – is jammed with tours and tournaments in all of the summer sports codes that have only just began their 2025/6 seasons.

Two of the big first team events, the Michaelmas Cricket Festival, hosted by Maritzburg College, and the SACS Waterpolo Tournament, have been going for many years. Now they have been joined by events in other age groups, including, of course, the basketball tournaments and festivals that have emerged in response to the phenomenal growth of the game at schools.

Opportunities are created for children to do what they love and to learn the lessons that touring provides, and those are positive things, but there is another side to it all.

It’s about the calendar. There’s room for just two rounds of interschool sports fixtures in the fourth term, before exams begin. Next year’s rugby and hockey schedules are congested, and they have been steadily growing over recent years. The result has been that first term dates available for summer sports have been curtailed over the years.

So, it’s beginning to look like the summer codes are being organised according to tournaments and festivals, rather than featuring a game a week against traditional local rivals, like we used to have back when I was involved. Hockey and rugby are also going that way, it seems.

That has resulted in a number of the schools that were involved in weekly fixtures against the schools where I work dropping out. They are no longer competitive and no longer field enough teams to make it worthwhile for the bigger schools. That’s a tragedy.

There are many reasons why that has happened, with one of the main ones being that they find themselves on the other side of the professionalisation of the school sports’ coin. Their talent has been stripped through recruitment and, admittedly, they no longer put in the effort that they used to (for their own reasons).

So, at schools where mass participation is valued – alongside elite high performance – you have to go the festival route to organise enough games for your teams.

That’s why, over the next two weeks, the schools I mentioned, along with others of their ilk across the land, will be in action in the KZN Midlands, in Gqeberha, at Grey College, in Pretoria, at Paarl, and Durban.

I’ll be keeping an eye on the action as much of it as I can, thanks to the magic of SuperSport Schools. And thanking the Lord for that horde of teachers who have forgone their well-deserved rest to make it all happen.

The author, Theo Garrun, writes in his personal capacity. His views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of SuperSport Schools.

Hoërskool Middelburg se 2025-netbalseisoen het nie alleen prestasies op die baan opgelewer nie, maar ook die geleentheid gebied vir elke speler om te groei en vir die span om ’n hegte familie te word.

Volgens afrigter Marli Nel was die seisoen oor die algemeen ’n groot sukses, met vernaam die indrukwekkende verteenwoordiging van Middies se dogters in provinsiale en nasionale spanne.

“Ons het goeie verteenwoordiging geniet in die Mpumalanga-spanne,” sê Nel.

“Boonop was Olwethu Bayisa in die oefengroep vir die SA o.19-span ingesluit, terwyl Thelma Moloi gekies was vir die SA o.17-span wat na Swaziland getoer het vir die Cossasa Games.”

Hierdie prestasies beklemtoon die hoë gehalte van talent wat by die skool ontwikkel word, en dien as ’n inspirasie vir jonger spelers wat droom om dieselfde hoogtes te bereik.

Die seisoen het nietemin ook sy uitdagings gehad.

“Die eerste wedstryd wat ons verloor het in die liga was teen HTS Middelburg in die Mpumalanga-haleindstryd,” vertel Nel. “Dus was ons kans om na die Suid-Afrikaanse Kampioenskappe deur te dring daarmee heen en het ons derde in Mpumalanga geëindig.”

Alhoewel dié nederlaag uiteraard ’n groot teleurstelling was, het dit die spelers se vasberadenheid en gees versterk. Die feit dat die span steeds die derde plek in Mpumalanga verower het, getuig van harde werk en die gehalte van hul spel.

Een van die uitstaande kenmerke van die seisoen was egter nie net die kragmetings op die baan nie, maar die bande wat van die baan af gesmee is.

“Die wyse waarop die dogters saam gegroei het om onafskeidbare vriendskapsbande op te bou en op die baan as ’n eenheid gespeel het, was pragtig om te sien,” sê Nel.

Hierdie vriendskappe het die fondament vir die span se prestasie gelê en gewys dat sport soveel meer behels as bloot punte op die telbord. Die span se spelpeil het nietemin ook heelwat groei getoon.

“Ons aanvallende spel het die meeste verbeter deur die loop van die jaar, terwyl ons ook regtig geseënd was met ’n uitstekende verdedigende span.”

Die kombinasie van kragtige verdediging en ’n ontwikkelende aanval het die nodige balans geskep wat die span se sukses gedryf het. Juis daarom is dit moeilik vir Nel om individue uit te sonder.

“As ’n eenheid het die span bitter hard gewerk om bo uit te kom. Elke speler het insette gelewer tot en ’n sleutelrol gespeel in die wonderlike uitslae van 2025.”

Hoërskool Middelburg se eerste span van 2025 sal onthou word vir spelers wat op nasionale vlak presteer het, ’n span wat bo hul uitdagings uitgestyg het en ’n kultuur van ware spanwerk, wat ‘n stewige grondslag lê vir die toekoms.

Hoërskool Middelburg se uitslae van 2025:

Wen Ermelo 20-13

Wen Piet Retief 22-9

Verloor PHS 15-24

Gelykop Ben Vorster 21-21

Verloor Nelspruit 13-18

Verloor Affies 8-3

Wen Merensky 33-4

Verloor Garsfontein 17-22

Wen Nelspruit 16-13

Wen Kempton Park 28-15

Verloor Transvalia 17-28

Wen Eldoraigne 29-18

Wen Ben Vorster 16-7

Wen Steelcrest 62-14

Wen HTSW 43-15

Wen Eldoraigne 29-28

Wen Ben Vortser 16-7

Wen Delmas 43-18

Wen HGH 54-20

Wen Lydenburg 20-15

Wen Ligbron 24-7

Wen Lambalati 28-10

Wen Kleinwater 16-10

Wen HTS W 19-10

Verloor HTS Middelburg 19-22

Wen Ermelo 26-18

Maritzburg College, Westville Boys’ High, and Durban High School (DHS) met in three-way 100-ball matches over the weekend, with each team scoring one win.

Durban High School vs Westville

With solid scores from their top three, which has been the foundation of much of their success this term, DHS scored a comfortable victory over College at Westville.

Batting first, they put up 139/4, led by Josh van Biljon, who went at two runs a ball to score an unbeaten 56, striking six fours and three sixes.

Up front, Ismaeel Omar and Ethan Cooper put up 59 off 52 deliveries for the first wicket before Omar was caught by Luke Venter off the bowling of Karl Dedekind for 25 from 26 deliveries.

Cooper fell with the total on 92, after adding 33 runs with Van Biljon from 24 balls. He had contributed 38 from 37 deliveries.

A couple more wickets fell cheaply, but Van Biljon steered School to a competitive total.

Dom du Toit was the pick of the Maritzburg College bowlers, returning 2/25 from 20 balls, while Karl Dedekind did a tidy job, claiming 1/7 from 10.

College, in reply, mustered 117 all out from 95 balls. Their batting effort was undone by Ethan Cooper and J Matthews, who shared seven wickets between them. Cooper led the way, knocking over an exceptional 4/12 from his 20 deliveries, while Matthews picked up 3/24 from his full quota.

Du Toit, again, sparkled for College, smashing two sixes and a four in his quickfire 28 from 15 balls, while captain Daniel Nadasan contributed 24 from 20 at the top of the order.

Wickets, though, fell at regular intervals and College’s challenge spluttered before coming to an end with five balls remaining in their innings.

Westville Boys’ High vs Maritzburg College

Westville has won the KZN Coastal region’s W100 competition for five years in succession, but they were well beaten by Maritzburg College on Sunday.

A decision by College to bowl first paid off as Westville was limited to 115/4. Tristan Delvin played a good innings, hitting five fours and a six in his unbeaten 47 off 30 balls, and Heath Stott produced a useful 31 off 28 as they shared an unbroken stand of 75 from 52 balls.

The problem for Westville was that their partnership came only after the home side had slipped to 40/4 after 48 balls.

Nathan Pembridge captured 2/18 off 20, including the key wicket of Westville captain Seth Simpson, whom he bowled for two.

College’s run chase started off poorly when they lost both openers, Daniel Nadasan and Kyle de Bruyn for single figure scores to Lwandile Bulose, who captured 2/11 from 10 balls.

Deolyn Naidoo and Karl Dedekind, though, assumed control, with Dedekind, especially, getting after the Westville bowlers. He slammed four sixes and six fours in a match-winning knock of 62 not out from 33 balls.

Naidoo, meanwhile, played an outstanding support role, striking two fours and a six in his unbeaten 34 off 25, which helped take College to an emphatic eight-wicket win with 27 balls to spare.

Together, the pair put on 99 from just 55 balls.

Westville Boys’ High vs Durban High School

Westville Boys’ High ensured every team bagged at least one win when they scored a 25-run victory over DHS, which had plenty to do with their captain Seth Simpson, who delivered an outstanding unbeaten 96 not out.

His big knock helped the hosts to a strong 180/3, and they successfully defended that total, restricting School to 155/6 in reply.

Misbah Nair kept DHS in check with a fine return of 4/13.

SCORES

Durban High School 139/4 (Josh van Biljon 56*, Ethan Cooper 38, Ismaeel Omar 25; Dom du Toit 2/25); Maritzburg College 117/10 (Dom du Toit 28, Daniel Nadasan 24; Ethan Cooper 4/12, J Matthews 3/24).

DHS won by 22 runs.

Westville Boys’ High 115/4 (Tristan Delvin 47*, Heath Stott 31*; Nathan Pembridge 2/18); Maritzburg College 117/2 (Karl Dedekind 62*, Deolyn Naidoo 34*; Lwandile Bulose 2/11).

Maritzburg College won by eight wickets.

Westville 180/3 (Seth Simpson 96*); Durban High School 155/6 (Misbah Nair 4/13).

Westville won by 25 runs.

Christiaan Gouws sal in 2026 die nuwe baasbrein agter Hoërskool Middelburg se rugby wees.

Die Middies het Maandag, 29 September, Gouws se aanstelling bekendgemaak as die nuwe rugbydirekteur by een van Mpumalanga se suksesvolste rugbyskole oor die afgelope paar jaar.

“Ek dink die skool se beheerraad en bestuur het ‘n duidelike visie en dis lekker om die geleentheid te kry om saam met dit te groei,” het Gouws aan SuperSort Schools Plus gesê.

“Ons het ‘n vyfjaarplan in plek om nie alleen die skool se rugby na die volgende vlak te neem nie, maar ook om elke seun wat deur ons hande gaan te ontwikkel vir wat die lewe daar buite partykeer na ‘n mens se kant toe gooi.

“Ek en my gesin is baie opgewonde om by Hoërskool Middelburg betrokke te raak. Ek ken vir JJ Hennop (hoof) en Coene Nolte al ‘n geruime tyd en hul menswees het ‘n groot rol in my besluit gespeel om die pos te aanvaar. Ons sien ook uit daarna om ons kinders in ‘n meer plattelandse omgewing groot te maak, aangesien ek en my vrou albei van die platteland af kom.”

Gouws was in Bethlehem op laerskool waarna hy sy hoërskoolloopbaan aan die gesogte Grey Kollege in Bloemfontein voltooi het. Hy het in 2012 sy eerste geleentheid as eerstespan-afrigter gekry toe hy by Ligbron Akademie in Ermelo betrokke geraak het, terwyl hy nog voltyds in die landbou werksaam was. In sy laaste jaar by die Liggies (2016) het hulle die Mpumalanga Grootskole-liga gewen.

In 2017 het Gouws by Bethlehem Voortrekker aangesluit as rugbydirekteur, waar hy tot in 2020 diens verrig het. Hy het elke jaar die eerste span gebrei, wat dikwels die Wegrow-liga gewen het. Tydens die Covid-19-pandemie se grendeltydperk het hy weer teruggeval op die landbou en ook vir ‘n ruk uitgehelp by Hoër Landbou Skool Marlow, wat in sy streek van werk geval het.

Daarna het Gouws sy weg na die Moot gevind, waar hy in 2022 as sporthoof en eerstespan-afrigter diep spore in Hoërskool Oos-Moot se rugbygeskiedenis getrap het. Die Oosies het dieselfde jaar in die Skild-afdeling van die destydse Virsekerbeker koning gekraai. Hy het terselftertyd afgerig by die Grizzlies, wat aan die Carlton-klubliga in Pretoria deelneem.

In 2023 het ‘n kort termyn as werwer by Noordheuwel gevolg, waarna Gouws die aandag van Helpmekaar Kollege in Johannesburg getrek het. Dit is waar hy tot onlangs betrokke was. In 2024 het hy deel gevorm van die eerste span se breinstrust en vanjaar sy insette by die juniors gedeel. Gouws het ook die geleentheid ontvang om by die Goue Leeus se o.16-groepe af te rig.

Dit ly geen twyfel dat die Middies in Gouws iemand met ervaring en dryf bekom het om ‘n uiters belangrike pos te vul nie. Boonop kan sy netwerk met verskeie senior-provinsiale en universiteitsafrigters ook ‘n rol speel in die loopbane van die jong manne by die Middies.

“Ek gaan nie om eenvoudig oor te vat by MHS nie,” het Gouws bygevoeg. “Ons sal in die nabye toekoms sit en besluit presies wie waar die beste inpas.”

Gouws het dit duidelik gemaak dat hy merendeels ‘n oorkoepelende rol sal vervul by die Middies en insette lewer waar nodig. Sy uiteindelike doelwit is om elke afrigter die nodige skietgoed te gee sodat die groenes van Middelburg in die Beker-afdeling van die SDC Noordvaal Cup kan bly.

Die 2025-netbalseisoen sal vir lank in die geheue van Hoërskool Rustenburg se eerste span ingeprent bly.

Nie slegs vanweë die oorwinnings en prestasie om onder die top-vier in die land te eindig nie, maar verál oor die pad wat die dogters saam geloop het; ’n pad van geloof, vriendskap, harde werk en die oortuiging dat klein Dawids ook reuse kan verslaan.

Die hoogtepunt van die Rusties se seisoen was ongetwyfeld die Suid-Afrikaanse Skolekampioenskappe. Na maande se voorbereiding en selfondersoek het hulle presies op die regte tyd “gepeak”. Hulle het as eenheid gespeel en met vasberadenheid elke wedstryd aangepak.

Die kwarteindstryd was die keerpunt, die oomblik toe hulle die sege verseker en besef het dat hulle amptelik deel uitmaak van die top-vier skole in die land.

“Daardie oomblik was ongelooflik spesiaal,” vertel afrigter Danelle Bisschoff. “Ek kon sien hoe elke dogter haar droom uitleef, en dit was vir my die grootste beloning vir ’n jaar van harde werk.”

Bisschoff se woorde weerspieël die gevoel van triomf wat nie net op die telbord gemeet is nie, maar in die harte van elke speler wat besef het hulle drome word bewaarheid.

Die pad na glorie was natuurlik nie sonder struikelblokke nie. Rustenburg se dogters het egter naam gemaak as ’n span wat altyd weer opstaan, ál is die terugslag hoe groot. Geen nederlaag is as ’n einde gesien nie, maar eerder as ’n bousteen vir die volgende tree vorentoe.

“Wat my die trotste maak, is dat die meisies nooit moed opgegee het nie,” sê Bisschoff. “Hulle het na elke terugslag teruggekom met nóg meer vasbyt en nóg meer vuur.”

Hierdie ingesteldheid het die span se karakter gevorm, ’n onwrikbare wil om te wys dat vasbyt dikwels die sleutel tot oorwinning is. Hul geloof en die vriendskap wat deur die seisoen ontwikkel het, het die dogters ook nader aan mekaar gebring. Hulle het mekaar buite die baan leer ken, saam gelag, saam geleer en saam gebid.

“Hierdie span se geloof en die manier hoe hulle mekaar dra, is iets besonders,” meen Bisschoff. “Hulle het geleer om nie net vir hulself te speel nie, maar vir mekaar. Dit is hoekom ek glo hulle só ‘n groot prestasie kon behaal.”

Dié benadering beteken dat hulle nie net oorwinnings nagestreef het op spelvlak nie, maar ook in die waardes wat hulle as jong mense vorm, ’n band wat lank ná die laaste fluitjie sal voortleef. ’n Groot stap vorentoe was die merkbare groei in selfvertroue en ingesteldheid. Spelers het geleer om netbal as meer as ’n fisieke spel te beskou; dit is ook ’n kopspel.

“Ek het regtig gesien hoe hulle nie net beter spelers, maar ook sterker mense geword het,” sê Bisschoff. “Selfvertroue is iets wat nie geleer kan word nie; dit word opgebou deur ervaring, en hierdie span het dit in oorvloed gewys.”

Hierdie groei het ’n verskil gemaak in elke wedstryd; dit het hulle kalm gehou onder druk en slim laat speel toe dit die nodigste was.

Hoewel elke speler ’n onmisbare rol in die span gespeel het, was daar name wat die afrigter se verwagtinge ver oortref het. Anya Matchett, die doeldoeltreffende aanvaller, en Nina Breetvelt, die vasberade verdediger, het keer op keer die span vorentoe gelei en die balans op die baan gehandhaaf.

“Anya en Nina het my werklik verras vanjaar,” vertel Bisschoff. “Hulle het elke keer meer as wat nodig was op die baan gelos.

“Elke dogter in die span het my egter op ’n manier verras. Hulle het almal eienaarskap geneem en nooit teruggestaan nie.”

Wedersydse respek en waardering het aan die span ’n ekstra laag motivering gebied – dit het gewys dat niemand minder belangrik was nie en dat elke dogter se bydrae die geheel soveel sterker gemaak het.

So het die seisoen vir Hoërskool Rustenburg se eerste span ’n tydperk van groei, geloof en oorwinning geword. Dit was ’n jaar waarin hulle nie net bewys het waartoe hulle in staat is nie, maar ook waarin hulle mekaar as vriende en spanmaats ontdek het.

“Ek sal hierdie groep dogters altyd onthou as ’n span wat met die grootste harte gespeel het,” sluit Bisschoff af.  “Hulle was klein Dawids teen groot Goliats, maar hulle het bewys dat geloof, vasbyt en liefde vir die spel altyd die verskil kan maak.”

Daarmee is die verhaal van ’n span verseël, nie net in die rekords van hul skool nie, maar in die herinneringe van almal wat die voorreg gehad het om hul reis te volg.

Hoërskool Rustenburg se uitslae in 2025:

Wen Edenvale 22-18

Verloor Menlopark 20-21

Wen Noordheuwel 31-30

Wen Montana 35-31

Wen Monument 35-24

Verloor Helpmekaar 18-37

Wen Fichardpark 39-14

Wen EG Jansen 22-18

Wen Cornwall Hill 22-12

Verloor Affies 18-19

Wen Tom Naude 29-10

Wen Wilgerivier 45-17

Wen Pietersburg 12-7

Wen Trio 38-10

Verloor Stellenberg 20-30

Verloor La Rochelle 28-31

Verloor Menlopark 28-36

Verloor Bloemhof 31-33

Wen Dinamika 34-20

Verloor Transvalia 26-31

Wen Sundowns 31-28

Wen Dinamika 36-26

Wen Bergsig 25-19

Wen Sellypark 24-5

Wen Fields College 42-16

Wen Lebone 31-14

Wen Grenswag 18-8

Wen Grenville 47-7

Wen Lichtenburg 31-10

Wen Iketleetso 45-4

Wen Ramoshere 52-5

Wen Bergsig 40-13

Wen Gimmies 29-19

Wen KHS 34-15

Verloor Shayamoya 15-20

Verloor Paarl Gim 13-24

Verloor Stellenberg 21-26

Verloor AHMP 15-28

Wen Potch Gim 25-22

Verloor Helpmekaar 18-27

Wen Framesby 28-26

Wen Marais Viljoen 25-19

Verloor Menlo 30-34

Wen KHS 42-32

Wen Ben Vorster 31-15

Verloor Helpmekaar 24-35

Wen Volkies 34-17

Wen Rand Park 32-19

Wen Kayamandi 59-2

Wen Khaiso 47-9

Wen Nelspruit 35-11

Wen Voortrekker 31-21

Wen Kgetsiatsie 42-8

Wen Pietersburg 27-14

Wen Noordheuwel 20-19

Verloor Paarl Gim 22-19

Verloor La Rochelle 17-24

Honderdtalle was aan die orde van die dag in Hoërskool Middelburg en Hoërskool Nelspruit se oortuigende seges Saterdag in die Mpumalanga Premierliga.

Lees en herleef al die Mpumalanga Premierliga-aksie net hier op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Herman Potgieter het die hoofrol in die Middies se reuse totaal van 373 en uiteindelike sege met 224 lopies oor Hoërskool Secunda gespeel, en is deur Eduan Strydom (65) en Zubair Desai (59) bygestaan.

Potgieter het in slegs 102 aflewerings 124 lopies aangeteken. Hy was ongelooflik gedissiplineerd en het selde die bal in die lug geslaan, gevolglik was ál 14 sy grenshoue viere gewees.

Strydom en Gavin Genis, wat 45 lopies aangeteken het, het albei teen ‘n blitsige tempo gekolf, met Genis wat slegs 16 balle benodig het vir sy bydrae. Sy blitzkrieg het vyf viere en twee sesse ingesluit, terwyl Strydom 34 balle benodig vir sy 65, en ses viere en vier sesse gemoker het.

Strydom het met die omdraaislag selfs verder uitgeblink. Hy het 9.5 beurte afgestuur met die bal, waarin hy vier paaltjies vir net 43 lopies laat kantel het. Potgieter (2/13) het ook sy sukses voortgesit met die bal, terwyl Middies se blitsige aanvangsbouler, Hendré Nel (2/43) hand bygesit het.

Nathan Erasmus was Secunda se beste kolwer op die dag met 44 lopies. Ongelukkig het hy slegs ondersteuning van Nijan Swart (28) en ‘n paar ander kolwers ontvang, voordat die span van Secunda uiteindelik vir 149 uitgeboender is.

Hoërskool Nelspruit het die bordjies behoorlik verhang met ‘n sege van nege paaltjies oor Hoërskool Hoogenhout. Gerdu van Eeden het ‘n gesamentlike boulaanslag met syfers van 3/39 gelei, terwyl John Duncan (2/4) en Samual Day (2/28) verder gesorg dat slegs Wyatt Johnson (57) en kaptein, Pieter Viljoen (31), enige noemenswaardige bydraes kon maak. Hoogenhout het uiteindelik nét 138 bereik.

Die Nellies se aanvangskolwer, Waldemar Graham, het die jaagtog van 139 verspotmaklik laat lyk. Nie alleen was sy 102 lopies onoorwonne nie, maar dit het ook sowat 73% van sy span se totaal (140) uitgemaak. Sy beurt was boonop blitsig en het net 77 balle geduur, waartydens hy 14 viere en vyf sesse geslaan het teen ‘n treftempo van 132.5 om sy span in die 24ste beurt oor die wenstreep te kry.

Beknopte telkaarte

Hoërskool Middelburg 373/6 (Herman Potgieter 124, Eduan Strydom 65, Zubair Desai 59, Gavin Genis 45, Ekstras 26, Christian Jansen 21, Lohan Botha 21; Jayden Scholtz 1/63); Hoërskool Secunda 149 (Nathan Erasmus 44, Nijan Swart 28, Andries Coetzer 22, Walt Vorster 20, Extras 20; Eduan Strydom 4/43, Herman Potgieter 2/13, Hendré Nel 2/43). Hoërskool Middelburg wen met 224 lopies. 

Hoërskool Hoogenhout 138 (Wyatt Johnson 57, Pieter Viljoen 31; Gerdu van Eeden 3/39, John Duncan 2/4, Samual Day 2/28); Hoërskool Nelspruit 140/1 (Waldemar Graham 102*; Wyatt Johnson 1/26). Hoërskool Neslrpuit wen met nege paaltjies. 

Paul Roos Gimnasium experienced a challenging weekend tour of Pretoria from 26 to 28 September, with their abilities being put to the test in conditions different from those they are accustomed to back home.

Read and relive all the 2025 School Cricket action right here on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Head coach and director of cricket at the Stellenbosch powerhouse, Deon Botes, however, had a plan for the tour, a method behind the madness, as it were.

The trip up north would ultimately be used to build depth and experience for the years to come. No matrics were chosen for the tour, with the side including six u15 players and three u16 and u17 players respectively, all of whom experienced invaluable learnings over the three days.

First up, on Friday 26 September, Paul Roos faced their toughest challenge of the trip, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool. Affies are currently the flagship cricket side in Pretoria, leading one of the toughest leagues at schoolboy level, the Titans Platinum League, and are poised to become the first new champion of this league in five years.

Their extremely talented youngster, Christian Linde, decided to shine bright on the day once again. Having been sent in to bat by the visitors and following a 63-run opening stand by Dylan Stander (42) and JP Botha (41), Linde had a strong foundation from which he could launch an all-out attack.

As is his custom, anything loose was dispatched to the boundary for nine fours and a six. That, however, brought only 42 of his runs, which illustrates his efficient running between the wickets. This enabled him to still score at more than a run a ball, with his innings ending on 104 from only 91 deliveries.

Paul Roos’ opening bowler, Dion Slabber, who emerged as one of the top performers over the weekend, stood out with the ball, snapping up 2/52 in his quota of 10 overs.

In terms of Paul Roos’ batting, though, there wasn’t much to write home about, except for Nathan van den Berg. Van den Berg played a patient innings of 51, facing 64 balls. Unfortunately, he was the only Paul Roos batsman to surpass the 20-run mark, as Affies closed out a sizeable 193-run victory.

The following day, St Alban’s College and the TC Mitchell lay in wait. It was another tough outing for the bowling unit from Stellenbosch, with the day belonging to St Alban’s Liam Bash. Bash bossed with willow, smashing 15 fours and six sixes for a mammoth contribution of 143 runs. Kyle Block (64) and Tiashin Naidoo (59) both chipped in with half-centuries.

Dion Slabber (2/68) was impressive again in his 10 overs. The only other bowler to get two wickets was Benn Coetzee, the pick of the bowlers on the day. He too bowled his 10 allotted overs, taking 2/54.

Bash then continued where he had left off with the bat, picking up two wickets for only 19 runs. Kyle Earle‘s contribution of 3/29 proved decisive as St Alban’s bagged a victory by 129 runs.

On Sunday, 28 September, the visitors produced their best performance of the three days at the Hofmeyr Oval, the home of Pretoria Boys High, with Slabber and Coetzee at the top of their game.

Slabber, again bowling with the new nut, snapped up 4/26, taking his tally for the weekend to eight wickets. Coetzee also sent four batsmen back to the pavilion, costing only 32 runs in his nine overs. Thus, Boys High could only manage a total of 162, with Dylan Kruger, as their main contributor, working hard for his 40 runs.

The home side’s bowling was tight, too, and led by stalwart Justin Basdeo (3/25) and Ruan Coetzee (2/29), all their bowlers operated at an economy rate of four or less. That meant that Paul Roos could only manage 144/9, thereby suffering a third consecutive defeat, this time by 18 runs.

Summarised scorecards

Friday – 26 September 

Affies 312/7 (Christian Linde 104, Dylan Stander 42, JP Botha 41, Vihan Pretorius 33, Zian Labuschagne 31, Extras 30, AJ Morkel 28; Dion Slabber 2/52); Paul Roos Gimnasium 119 (Nathan van den Berg 51; Nico Loggenberg 3/15, Zian Labuschagne 3/29, Armin Snyman 2/10). Affies won by 193 runs. 

Saturday – 27 September 

St Alban’s College 317/6 (Liam Basch 143, Kyle Block 64, Tiashin Naidoo 59; Benn Coetzee 2/54, Dion Slabber 2/68); Paul Roos Gimnasium 188 (Marcus Conradie 37, Morné Pauw 32, Nathan van den Berg 23, Ben Coetzee 21*, Tian van Niekerk 21; Kyle Earle 3/29, Liam Basch 2/19, Luke Ward 2/50). St Alban’s College won by 129 runs. 

Sunday – 28 September 

Pretoria Boys High 162 (Dylan Kruger 40, Louis Kruyshaar 35, Justin Basdeo 22*, Extras 20; Dion Slabber 4/26, Benn Coetzee 4/32); Paul Roos Gimnasium 144/9 (45) (Nathan van den Berg 35, Enré van Zyl 33*; Justin Basdeo 3/25, Ruan Coetzee 2/29). Pretoria Boys High won by 18 runs.