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The Southern Gauteng A-team scored a total of eight goals in two matches on the opening day of the u18 IPT girls’ tournament which kicked off in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

The tournament, separated in two sections saw a total of 16 matches played throughout the day.

A total of 26 goals were scored in Section A, as one of the hosting teams, the Northern Free State struggled to get going, and succumbed to two defeats against Boland and Southern Gauteng.

The team of the day, however, was the Southern Gauteng A side. The team, coached by Natasha Le Roux were tasked with playing two competitive matches in one day – one against Eastern Province before a later game against Northern Free State.

The team started the brightest in the first match, scoring as early as the eighth minute through their dangerous forward Chanel Genis through a field goal.

Their lead was quickly doubled within two minutes when Anathi Masondo managed to get her name on the scoreboard, building a solid lead early in the match for her team.

Le Roux’s team remained certain of bringing the heat to Province, as they played an attacking brand of hockey coupled with good defending and counterattacks which left Province exposed at the back.

Goals by Ifeoma Ndubueze (penalty corner), and Hannah Smyth would see the Gauteng side take a (4-0) lead into the break, with two chukkers to play and Province heavily under the pump.

The side came out in the third chukka and within three minutes scored from a well-executed penalty corner which saw the ball land on the stick of Hannah White, who slotted the goal in.

Despite a late surge by Province when they scored two quick goals courtesy of Elizabeth Porter, and Gabriella Tiat, the damage was already done, and Reabetswe Phume sealed the deal for the side right on the hooter to give the Joburg side a well deserved (7-2) win, the biggest of the day.

In other matches of the day, Western Province asserted its dominance by putting four past Mpumalanga before KZA Inland A sneaked one past the Eastern Cape’s Amathole.

Southern Free State A closed the day off by gifting Eastern Province their second defeat of the tournament by winning that one, (2-0).

A further eight matches will be on display in day two of the tournament. The match to look out for will probably be between Western Province A and KZN Coastal A. Kick off in that game is at 17:30.

After day one, Southern Free State star, Taheera Augousti is tied with Boland’s Tanya Pieterse in the leaderboard with two goals each.

Results | Day 1

Boland A 3 (0): (Tanya Pieterse (2), Johre Blommetjies). Northern Free State 0.

Southern Gauteng A 7 (4): (Chanel Genis, Anathi Masondo, Ifeoma Ndubueze, Hannah White, Hannah Smyth, Juliana Million, Reabetswe Phume). Eastern Province A 2 (0): Elizabeth Porter, Gabriella Tiat.

Southern Free State A 2 (1): (Itumeleng Semoli, Taheera Augousti). Southern Gauteng B 0.

Northern Gauteng 2 (0): (Anlu Harmse, Danielle Mccann); KZN Coastals A 2 (1): (Elizabeth Anderson, Emily Macquet).

Mpumalanga 1 (0): Lize Oosthuizen. Western Province A 4 (3): Stella Van Schalkwyk, Keziah Petersen, Jodie Blows, Paige Thomas.

KZN Inland A 2 (2): (Ella Shuttelworth, Emily Wilson). Amathole A 0.

Southern Gauteng A 1 (0): (Megan Fell). Northern Free State 0.

Southern Free State A 2 (1): (Taheera Augousti, Reatile Pitso). Eastern Province A 0 (0).

Day 2 fixtures:

09:00- KZN Coastal A vs Mpumalanga A
10:25- KZN Inland A vs Western Province A
11:50- Amathole A vs Northern Gauteng A
13:15- Eastern Province A vs Southern Gauteng B|
14:40- Northern Free State vs Southern Free State A
16:05- Boland A vs Southern Gauteng A
17:30- Western Province A vs KZN Coastal A
18:55- Mpumalanga vs Amathole A

Die VKB Stedelike-week se verdedigende kampioen, Die Blou Bulle, sal sy aanslag om sy titel te verdedig, vanjaar teen die Barbarians afskop.

Die Stedelike-week sal vanjaar sy vierde bestaansjaar vier en sal van 25 Junie tot 30 Junie op Piet Geyer-park in Reitz plaasvind.

Volg al die regstreeks op SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com).

Die Blou Bulle het die Westelike Provinsie Noordelike Voorstede XV-tal (WPNS) ‘n behoorlike loesing in verlede jaar se eindstryd met ‘n telling van 32-3 toegedien.

Altesaam agt spanne sal aan vanjaar se VKB Stedelike-week deelneem. Die spanne sluit die Blou Bulle, WPNS XV, Barbarians, Griffons Platteland, KwaZulu-Natal 0.18, Diamante, Vrystaat Arende en KwaZulu-Natal o.19 in.

Die spanne sal om ‘n troffee vir die span wat die toernooi wen meeding, asook die span wat die aanskoulikste rugby speel en die voortreflikste span, meeding. Daar sal ook na elke wedstryd ‘n man van die wedstryd aangekondig word wat ‘n medalje sal ontvang.

Na afloop van vanjaar se toernooi sal die beste spelers in elke posisie gekies word. Hierdie span sal as span van die toernooi bekend staan. Aan die einde van die week sal daar ook ‘n voorspeler en agterspeler van die week aangekondig word, asook ‘n Spelers se speler van die week.

Die amptelike opening vind plaas op Sondag, 25 Junie in die skoolsaal. Spelers wat aan die week deelneem sal motiveering vind uit die feit dat die VKB-week die voorloper was vir oud Springbokke Juan Smith en Deon Stegmann. Smith was deel van die Springbok-span wat in 2007 as Wereld-kampioene gekroon is en het ook vir die Cheethas en Toulon van Frankryk uitgedraf.

Stegmann het ook die groentrui oor sy kop getrek en was vir jare ‘n staatmaker op Loftus vir die Blou Bulle waar hy ook vir ‘n ruk die kaptein was.

Die bepalings vir die eerste dag is:

09:30 – Blou Bulle t. Barbarians
11:00 – WPNS XV t. Griffons Platteland
12:30 – KZN o.18 t. Diamante
14:00 – Vrystaat Arende t. NKZN o.19.

 

CAPE TOWN. – Junior Springbok head coach Bafana Nhleko says he is satisfied with his team’s performance after defeating Georgia 33-23 in the opening game of the u20 World Rugby Championship at Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday. 

Nhleko named 11 debutants in his starting lineup, one of those being flyhalf Jean Smith who contributed 18 points with the boot and claimed the man-of-the-match award. 

Nhleko’s team were quick off the ropes and scored 20 points in the first half. The first points came from a penalty slotted in by Smith in the third minute. 

The first try of the game would come five minutes later through vice-captain Katlego Letebele who chipped over the visitors’ defence, collected his kick, and dotted over the whitewash.

That score was followed by a five-pointer from hometown hero, Jurenzo Julius. The Sharks man, alongside teammate Hakeem Kunene, made something out of nothing in the corner when Kunene, running out of space, offloaded to Julius who dived in to extend his side’s lead.  

Georgia was physical up front and scored a try of their own in the first stanza through captain Lasha Tsikhistavi, converted by Petre Khutsishvili. 

The home side led 20-7 at halftime.

The second half is where Nhleko and his troops will have to focus more when reviewing the match during the week.

The home side came out and were ill-disciplined from the get-go. They gave away four penalties in a row, struggled to retain their high balls, scrums tumbled, and received no go-forward ball with the visitors all over their faces. 

Flanker, Ghudian Van Reenen also received a yellow card for repeated infringements, outlining the discipline issues the side found themselves in.

However, that didn’t stop Smith from slotting penalties in as the youngster scored a further two penalties and a conversion from Ethan Hooker’s try to seal the win for the home side.

A late try by Georgia’s replacement hooker, Nika Babunashvili wasn’t enough.

Reacting to the match, Nhleko said he was happy with the win but admitted that work still needs to be done.

“To be fair, I’m happy with the win,” he said.

“I think sometimes you need to be realistic and understand that it won’t always be easy.”

“We knew it was going to be tough today, for various reasons but at a tournament, you just want to get the first win, and we did that.” 

There were times in the game when Georgia’s physicality and smart play had the upper hand on the hosts. Nhleko admits that the shift of confidence was something they had prepared for. 

“It was all about trying to find a way to get the momentum back. We spoke about it a lot during our camps that at some point, the opposition will have momentum,” he said. 

“Georgia was desperate, they started playing that way and started exposing us, and we just needed to calm down, get back to what we know and what works for us.”

The Junior Boks will shift focus to their second pool match against Italy on Thursday in Paarl.

Italy lost their opening game 43-15 against Argentina. They are a hurting team that will be out to disappoint the hosts on home soil. 

Scorers:

South Africa 33 (20) – Tries: Katlego Letebele, Jurenzo Julius, Ethan Hooker. Conversions: Jean Smith (3). Penalties: Smith (4). Georgia 23 (7) – Tries: Lasha Tsikhistavi, Shako Aptsiauri, Nika Babunashvili. Conversion: Petre Khutsishvili. Penalties: Khutsishvili (2).

 

SASOLBURG. – Die Blou Bulle se o.18-rugbyspan sal gemengde gevoelens hê oor hulle hul laaste kragmeting voor die jaarlikse Cravenweek Saterdag op die Noordvaal Bondedag in die DP de Villiers-stadion hier.

Die Ligbloues het danksy ‘n skitterende eerste helfte die Sharks met 45-33 verslaan, maar die span het in die proses ook waarskynlik sy kaptein vir die Cravenweek verloor.

Die span se kaptein en agtsteman, Dieter Schubert, moes die veld weens ‘n skouerbesering verlaat en sal moelik betyds herstel om op 3 Julie die span op die gesogte toernooi in George op die veld te lei.

Die Blou Bulle het teen rustyd reeds ‘n gemaklik voorsprong van 35-14 geniet, maar in die tweede helfte so ietwat uitgesak. Die span se afrigters Jaco Koch, Ofentse Moeng en Ruan Jacobs sal ook dalk nog kopkrap oor hoe hul opdrafspanne in hul eerste twee kragmetings moontlik daarna kan uitsien.

Die span van Pretoria het in die eerste veral met hul vermoë op die aanval beïndruk. Die regtervleuel, Jason Hugo, het twee keer gaan afrond en moes albei kere nog ‘n paar verdedigers met sy krag, vaart en vernuf uitoorlê.

Die Ligbloues se losskakel, Nicallen Gabrielsen, het ook sy skopskoene aangehad. Hy het al ses sy span se drieë verdoel asook ‘n strafdoel van 50 meter nonchalant oorgeklits.

Die Sharks se plaasvervanger-vleuel, Maurice Willemse, het ‘n driekuns aan drieë in die tweede helfte behaal. Hy het elke keer gevaarlik gelyk wanneer hy in besit geplaas is.

Die Sharks en die Blou Bulle gaan albei buiteperde op vanjaar se toernooi in George wees om ‘n plek in die hoofwedstryd los te speel.

Die Goue Leeus sal ‘n hele paar onbeantwoorde vrae hê na die Bondedag. Die span het nouwel die Valke met 47-32 in die hoofwedstryd van die dag getroef, maar moes veel harder vir die sege sweet as wat die telling aandui.

Een ding waaroor die Leeus egter nie slapelose nagte sal hê nie, is dat hul losskakel, JT Kapank, sonder twyfel verdien om rugby op ‘n hoër vlak te speel.

Die Valke het met die omdraaislag ‘n voorsprong van 17-14 geniet en ook kort na rustyd die voorsprong van 20-14 gerek. Die tuisspan se losskakel, Duan du Toit, beskik self oor ‘n geleërde skopskoen.

Hy het die telbord aan die rol met drie doelskoppe en twee strafdoele gehou. Die Valke se lynstaanspel het hulle ongelukkig in die tweede helfte in die steek gelaat.

Dit het ook nie gehelp dat die Leeus se hoofafrigter, Tjaart van der Walt, sy grofgeskut op die veld in die tweede helfte gestuur het nie. Dit was veral die verskyning van Kapank wat die gang van die wedstryd in die besoekers se guns geswaai het.

Kapank het spel dikteer en met sy skopvoet seker gemaak dat sy span op die voorvoet bly.

Die Luiperds het die Limpopo Blou Bulle met 23-22 tydens die Bondedag geklop. Die span van Noordwes gaan vanjaar dalk vir ‘n verrassing of twee tydens die Cravenweek sorg.

Dit was veral die span se buitesenter, Lebogang Wageng, wat deurgans vrae aan Limpopo se verdediging gevra het. Die span se heelagter, Lorenzo Snyers, asook die vleuels, Teboho Sekonyela en David Ndala, het ook ‘n hele paar gevaarlike lopies geloots.

Die wenspan se losskakel, Leonard Bevan, beskik ook oor ‘n geleërde skopskoen en behoort ook een van die span se staatmakers in George te wees.

Die Limpopo Blou Bulle sal nie te ontevrede met die nederlaag wees nie. Die span het ‘n hele paar proefnemings tydens die laaste kleedrepetisie voor die Cravenweek gedoen.

Die span se flank Waldi Haasbroek speel die veld vol.

Die jaarlikse Grant Khomo-week (vir o.16-spanne) skop Maandag in die Agter-Paarl op Boland Landbou se velde af.

Die toernooi sou aanvanklik deur Paul Roos Gimnasium in Stellenbosch aangebied gewees het, maar die hoë reënval in die Eikestad het die organiseerders genoodsaak om die toernooi te skuif.

Die gasheer, Westelike Provinsie, sal in die hoofwedstryd van die eerste dag teen Boland te staan kom.

Die Vrystaat was verlede jaar die nie-amptelike kampioen toe hy die Sharks met 39-18 in die hoofwedstryd in Kimberley verslaan het.

Die o.13 Cravenweek vind ook vanaf Maandag op Maritzburg College se velde in Pietermaritzburg plaas.

Verlede jaar se nie-amptelike kampioen, die Goue Leeus, sal op die eerste dag van vanjaar se toernooi in die hoofwedstryd teen die Valke kragte meet.

In die Riemland oftewel meer spesifiek in Reitz word daar buiten bibberweer ook vuurwarm rugby voorspel.

Die jaarlikse VKB-week vir stedelike spanne skop Maandag hier op Piet Geyer-park af. Die toernooi wat ‘n uitvloeisel van die plattelandse week wat in 1998 op die dorp begin is.

Die Blou Bulle is die verdedigende kampioen na hulle vir die Westelike Provinsie se noordelike voorstede (WPNS) verlede jaar in die eindstryd met 32-3 kaf gedraf het.

Al die wedstryde van die Grant Khomo-week, o.13 Cravenweek asook die VKB-week sal regstreeks op SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com) gebeeldsend word.

Puntemakers:

Goue Leeus 47 (14) – Drieë: Tirhani Masondo, Kelvin van Wyk, Ceano Everson, Christiaan Steyn, JT Kapank, Ulrich van der Merwe, Pedri de Wet. Doelskoppe: Daylon Mayners (4), Kapank (3). Valke 32 (17) – Drieë: R-Jay Pietersen, Duan du Toit, Nathan Matthee, Piet Shilubane. Doelskoppe: Du Toit (3). Strafdoele: Du Toit (2).

Blou Bulle 45 (35) – Drieë: Jason Hugo (2), Brooklyn Newman, FC van Rooyen, Dieter Schubert, Dimitre Erasmus. Doelskoppe: Nicallen Gabrielsen (6). Strafdoel: Gabrielsen. Sharks 33 (14) – Drieë: Maurice Willemse (3), Campbell Ridl, Elbie Mouton. Doelskoppe: Chris Horak (4).

Luiperds 23 (10) – Drieë: Adriaan Liebenberg, Strafdrie. Doelskop: Leonard Bevan. Strafdoele: Bevan (3). Limpopo Blou Bulle 22 (7) – Drieë: Mahlatse Semosa (2), Waldi Haasbroek. Doelskoppe: Wian Terblanche (2). Strafdoel: Terblanche.

Jean Smith contributed 18 points as the Junior Springboks overcame a late fightback by Georgia to secure a 33-23 win (half-time 20-7) in their World Rugby U20 Championship opener at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on Saturday.

The South African U20s were made to work for their opportunities in their opening Pool C fixture. While their scrum and maul fired, they were met at the collisions and breakdowns by a fiercely combative Georgian outfit – spearheaded by skipper Lasha Tsikhistavi.

Nevertheless, the hosts capitalised on several early chances to take control on the scoreboard. Centre Katlego Letebele chipped and regathered to cross for the game’s first try in the seventh minute. Later in the half, fullback Hakeen Kunene set up winger Jurenzo Julius for a spectacular finish in the right hand-corner.

Smith slotted both conversions and added two penalty goals to steer the hosts into a 20-7 lead at half-time. The Junior Boks may well have pushed for a couple more tries in the first stanza, but captain Paul de Villiers instructed his flyhalf to shoot for goal and build scoreboard pressure.

Georgia’s scrum hit back after the break, winning several penalties for the visitors. After a sustained period on attack, winger Luka Tsirekidze jetted in for a well-deserved try in the 59th minute.

The Junior Boks sustained yet another setback after flanker Ghudian van Reenen was shown a yellow card in the 63rd minute. Petre Khutsishvili slotted the ensuing penalty goal to reduce the deficit to two points.

But Smith stepped up to nail a long-range attempt, restoring South Africa’s advantage. The flyhalf goaled a subsequent shot from close to the touchline to take the hosts eight points clear of their opponents.

Centre Ethan Hooker crashed over for his team’s third try in the 72nd minute to clinch the result. Georgia also crossed the line for the third time – but failed to secure any consolatory bonus points.

The Junior Boks’ next assignment is against Italy U20 at Paarl Gymnasium on Thursday 29 June. The Argentina U20 side beat the Azzurri 43-15 in Paarl on Saturday. South Africa will face Los Pumitas in their final pool fixture at Athlone Stadium on 4 July.

Scorers:

Junior Boks 33 (20) – Tries: Katlego Letebele, Jurenzo Julius, Ethan Hooker. Conversions: Jean Smith (3). Penalties: Smith (4). Georgia U20 23 (7) – Tries: Lasha Tsikhistavi, Luka Tsirekidze, Nika Babunashvili. Conversion: Petre Khutsishvili. Penalties: Khutsishvili (2).

Merensky Landbou Akademie will be hosting their 25^th annual cricket week starting on the 25^th of June.

The week has been a trademark for the school from Limpopo. Throughout the years it has laid the platform for various young cricketers to showcase their talent and abilities as well as some time in the middle before the different leagues start country wide.

It has featured some of the best young and up and coming talent in the past. Players like Tian Koekemoer (AET Tuskers) and Eldred Hawken who has represented the Titans, Lions and North-West Dragons at franchise level both featured in the week.

The opening ceremony will take place on Sunday the 25^th of June with the action kicking of on Monday the 26^th.

Ten schools will be represented in the week at first team and u15 level.

Merensky will welcome the following schools, Hoërskool Waterkloof, HTS Tom Naude, Hoërskool Secunda, Hoërskool Garsfontein, Cambridge Academy, SRE Cricket Academy, Hoërskool Pietersburg, Hoërskool Dinamika and Hoërskool Eldoraigne.

At the end of the week two players will be offered a 50% bursary to attend the Titans Academy from next season. There will also be a team picked from the best players on the week and will be known as the MLA Cricket week All Stars.

The tournament director, Stebian van der Walt, states that he wants the week to be the platform for bigger things for those who partake in the week. “The week is about all about cricket, it is for young players to not just cement their place in their respective sides, but to keep growing the love for the game of cricket,” van der Walt adds.

The week promises to be action packed and has been renowned for some big upsets in the years gone by.

Merensky will kick of their week on home turf when they come up against Eldoraigne at the Merensky Cricket Oval on Monday.

Fixtures | Day 1 | Limited Overs: 

First XI

Waterkloof vs SRE Academy at Premier Park Oval, Ben Vorster
Merensky vs Eldoraigne at Merensky Oval
Garsfontein vs Pietersburg at PHS Oval
Dinamika vs Secunda at Unicorn Oval
Garsfontein II vs Cambridge at Unicorn C field

u15

Merensky vs Secunda at Duiwelskloof Oval
Garsfontein vs Tom Naude at Merensky B-field
Eldoraigne vs Secunda u14 at Laerskool Tzaneen A
Dinamika vs Eldoraigne u14 at Unicorn B field

Maritzburg College will be hosting the u13 Craven Week and giving a glimpse into the future of rugby talent. Top performers at this event may well be the top performers at the u18 Craven Week in years to come. 

The Lions dominated the 2022 u13 Craven Week, taking four wins and no losses. Western Province also had a great performance, earning three wins and only one loss. 

Both teams have the potential to take control of the tournament this year, with two respectively strong squads. 

One contender to take note of, though, is the Sharks. Not only will KZN be hosting the tournament at one of their premier rugby schools, but they have also produced some top rugby talent this year. 

The Sharks will have four players from Westville as part of their squad. Westville this season has been known for their pace and aggressive rugby style. This is likely the approach we will see from the Sharks at this tournament. 

This is set to be some competitive rugby and the victory could go in any direction. 

Fixtures:

Day 1 | 26 June 2023 

Goldstones

08:00 – Namibia vs Border Country Districts
09:00 – Border vs Leopards
10:00 – Pumas vs Griffons
11:00 – Bulls vs Cheetahs
12:00 – Sharks vs Limpopo
14:00 – Western Province vs Eastern Province
15:00 – Boland vs Griquas
16:00 – Lions vs Valke

It’s that time of the year again where twelve of the country’s prestigious independent schools meet for a week of rugby hosted by St Andrew’s School down in Bloemfontein from the 24th – 28th June 2023.

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

According to St Andrew’s School headmaster Roland Rudd, ”The festival provides an opportunity for spirited competition, camaraderie, and the celebration of the great game of rugby between like-minded schools.”

Many of the schools will be without some of their more prominent players who have featured this year as many of the players will be representing their respective provinces in the upcoming Craven Week held down in George this year from the 3rd July 2023.

This gives coaches the perfect opportunity to take stock of what depth they currently have within their structures as they look to build squads for the 2024 season.

A number of schools taking place in the festival have had very mixed results this year and will be keen to end the season on a high note. The energy and new faces in changerooms might just be what is needed for several of the schools taking part.

Teams to keep an eye out for during the week include Kearseny College, St Alban’s College and then hosts St Andrew’s School who have all shown moments of brilliance throughout their 2023 campaigns.

Hilton College have shown over the last three years that they have a solid pipeline of players that are coming through the ranks and are side to watch out for. The school has been dominant during the 2023 season, at one stage winning 12 consecutive matches.

The week starts off on the 24 June 2023 with Clifton College and Union High, taking center stage as they kick off the festival in the first match.

St Alban’s facing off against Hilton College is set to be one of the fixtures of the festival along with hosts St Andrews taking on a strong Kearsney College on the last day.

Expect some high-quality and thrilling matches. The use of different tactics from the coaches as they test players in different positions looking for next year’s winning formulae, as players display remarkable sets of skills.

Squads:

CBC Boksburg: Phenyo Adons, Jose Bessit, Kutlwano Daza, Tiago De Freitas, Matthew Galliot, Kyle Galliot, Siya Gama, Joshua Lanis, Jacques Lewis, Cayden Milne, Bohlale Marutla, Ofenste Prince, Modubu, Mcebisi Ndimande, Cullen Pieterse, Dian Pretorius, Austin Qamba, Tyriq Reddy, Max Sennwitz, Byron Thorn, Chad Tullet, Malusi Twala, Hendrik van der Merwe, Brin Wede.

Clifton College: Simphiwe Ngcobo, Khanya Mgabi, Njabulo Dlomo, Ben McElligott, Ben van der Merwe, Matthew Ropertz, Nathan Shotland, Bryce Beeslaar, Michael Langston, Adam Selikow, Nkanyiso Ntshangase, Joseph Rey, Joshua Kennedy, Ebenezer Mangue, Mackenzie Haygarth, Samuel Sibande, Bandile Nhlabathi, Jordan-Dean Carstens, Matt Hammond, Lwazi Madikizela, Owen Field, Farquharson Matthew, Wandile Ngubane.

Cornwall Hill: Max Land, Evangelo Papadopoulos, Omar Sabah, Azan Sabah, Ruben Horn, Dade Kunneke, Ryan Thompson, Jon-Luc Snyman, Christiaan van der Merwe, Gideon van der Merwe, CJ Kapilikisha, Eusebio Scribante, Jon-Martin de Jesus, Jared Conradie, Tshepo Molete, Craig Bethel, Ryan Solomon, Gerald Mangara, Karl Cronje, Julian Hattingh, Thembo Jele, Onakabetse Leketi, Amo Mosupye.

Hilton College: Ewan Miski, Daniel Lyon, Ollie Proudfoot, Dylan Neill, Rowan Cox, Josh Lord, Keiran Hunter, Stewart Falconer, Luke Warren, Meyer Malherbe, Jacque Olivier, Daniel Sweeney, Khanya Jekwa, Tristan Uys, Emmanual Dankwah, Ethan Van Heerden, Mitchel Wilson, Rukudzo Madinga, Xola Makongolo, James Fender, Requilme Adonis, Ivan Jjjuuko, Oli Gaboreau.

Kearsney College: Aya Jikwana, Luwanda Xengxe, Nardus Grundling, Joseph Roylance, Simo Mqokoyi, Callum Steer, Seth Brown Qhamani Mlalandle, Murray Weyer, Jared van Staaden, Strydom Rogan, Jude Greig, Lindokuhle Mpungose, Joe Verbaan, Daniel Eagar, Milo Matikinca, Ewald Booyens, Andisi Ndlovu, Simanye Mlakalaka, Billy Keka, Cole Young, Bukho Hlwatika, Luca Borrageiro.

St Alban’s College: Albert Mochan, Craig Milne, Andreas Philippou, Keegan Dick, Jandré Botha, Logan Jones, Ben Stevenson, Daniel Bouwer, Joshua Verster, Wesley Ridgeway, Joshua Kirkcaldy, Julian Olivier, Aiden Kloppers, Ofentse Sema, Akhona Sontundu, Jarad Geier, Loyiso Mangcu, Thabo Mkhize, Boago Mothlabedi, Sihle Msiza, Tim Hewitt, Lukhanyo Bosch, Christopher Urban.

St Andrew’s School: Matthew Simon, Thato Kalake, Brett BarnesIoanni, Giannakopoulos Kamogelo, Leshupi Lucien Hugo, Lesedi Sipoyo, Marco De Sousa, Matthew Fletcher, Mandela Sipoyo, Jiovano Alexander, Eduan van den Heever, David Grivas, Connor Nel, CM Geel, Schalk Liebenberg, Leon Athanasiou, Elia Mokouane, Koena Ntsamai, Imani Kioko, Retshedisitswe Mokoena, Naude Botha, Junior Lebone, Dakalo Leketa, Mlungisi Lepesa.

St Charles College: Lutho Mrwata, Matthew Urquhar, Christian Allerdice, Reece Curtain, Brent Marsberg, Lazola Makaula, Marlon Mbewe, Stefan Veldsman, Kgaogelo Mashilone, Ukhanyo Ntsangani, Matthew Ludick, Connor Segar, Okuhle Peti, Keagan Lombard, Rashid Isaacs, Dean Chiwese, Yaseen Samuels, Raphael Adabajee, Luyanda Mjadu, Sam Odell, Athenkosi Qumo, Ian Cochrane.

St David’s Marist: Nkomo Siyabonga, Mushonga D’Andre, Hutchinson Matthew, Hayton William, Mc Williams Connor, Alleman William, Patel Tahin, Steven-Jennings, Julian Daniels, Michael Fellingham, Daniel Brady, Jack Bulger, Brett Ferreira, Diego Ndimande, Mudiwa Rossini, Teegan De Zwart, Nick Majuru, Kuzivakwashe Fonternal, Theo Lamb, Tristan Henderson, Michael Barnett Connor, Hwindingwi Nathan, Skei Elliot.

St Stithians College: Brandon Lightfoot, Oli Grovea, Keabetswe Mapukana, Luke Thorrold, Francois Botes, Ross Turner, Ryan Zvinavashe, Aidan Applesamy, Chris Anderson, Aphelele Ngcuka, Gabriel Hore, Rourke O’Sullivan, Hlelo Ngwenya, Sicelo Sakawuli, Jean Anthony, Eblen Chris Williams, Braedon Hollingworth, Ethan Coetzee, Thato Madziwanyika, Oliver Wilson, Bongani Mudzana, Tinashe Gweshe.

Union High: Jayden Odendaal, Finn Cilliers, Ryan Jenneke, Josh Horne, Brent Hesselink, Na’eem Mohamed, Josh Basson, Chuma Sobantu, Camran Swartz, Peter Michaels, Josh Swartland, Jude Langmead, Jared Meyer, Wade Edwards, Hlaki Skepe, Eli Robile, Ray Germishuys, Kamva Bottomani, Ababalwe Matutu, Jordan Wilmot, Caleb Jansen, Dylan Kivedo, Uyanda Tele, Ethan Linch.

Fixtures:

Saturday, 24 June 2023

08:00 – Clifton vs Union
09:15 – St Charles College vs Cornwall Hill College
10:30 – Kearsney College vs St Alban’s College
11:45 – CBC Boksburg vs Free State Development
13:00 – St Andrew’s Schools vs St David’s Marist
14:15 – Hilton College vs St Stithians College

Monday 26 June 2023

08:00 – Hilton College vs St Alban’s College
09:10 – St Andrew’s School vs CBC Boksburg
10:20 – St Charles College vs Union
13:30 – Free State Development vs St David’s Marist
14:40 – Clifton vs St Stithians College
15:50 – Cornwall Hill College vs Kearsney College

Wednesday 28 June 2023

HICKLING A

08:00 – St Charles College vs St Stithians College
09:10 – St Andrew’s School vs Kearsney College

HICKLING B 

08:00 – Hilton College vs St David’s Marist
09:10 – Union vs Free State Development

VICTORIA PARK 

08:00 – Clifton vs CBC Boksburg
09:10 – St Alban’s College vs Cornwall Hill College

The annual IPT U18 hockey tournament will kick off this coming Sunday in Bloemfontein in what is set to be a thrilling tournament after a competitive season across the country.

Catch all the action live on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com).

12 teams in Section A will battle it out for four days in search of top honours with the final scheduled for the 30^th of June at the main Astro turf at the University of Free State.

Day one consists of six fixtures with the likes of Western Province, Eastern Province, both KZN sides and Free State in action.

However, the team that will showcase itself the most on the opening day is the Southern Gauteng side coached by Anthony Woodhouse.

The side will play two fixtures, one against Amathole from the Eastern Cape before taking on Western Province B in the last game of the day.

The side from Gauteng finished in fifth place last year with Western Province the eventual tournament winners after defeating KZN Coastal in the final.

The big challenge for Woodhouse and his side on day one will arguably be their first game against Amathole. The two sides boast players in top schools, high in confidence having produced remarkable performances for their respective schools.

The Gauteng team features a total of 16 players selected from Jeppe Boys High (6), St Stithians (4), St Johns (2), St David’s Marist Inanda (1), Beaulieu College (2) and King Edward (1).

In an exclusive interview with SuperSport Schools ahead of the tournament, Woodhouse said he was pleased with his squad, and believes the boys are ready to take on the finest talent the country has to offer.

“I’m very excited to get into the tournament and test ourselves against the best the country has to offer,” he said.

“I believe we have had a comprehensive preparation, and the team is gelling well on and off the pitch. I’m eager to see what the boys can do on the big stage.”

Woodhouse is among many provincial coaches who have had a tough task in putting together a team that can perform at the highest level. He admitted that with many players on their radar performing so well, it was quite a challenge selecting his final 16.

Our selection process is quite time-consuming as we are the province with the largest pool of players.”

“We also have to accommodate trials around both term 3 and term 4 school holidays and also the Aitken Trophy which is a big event on the Johannesburg boys’ hockey calendar.”

“It makes the process quite tough logistically but credit to the selectors, convenors and chairperson of Southern Gauteng Boys hockey in making this all happen,” he added.

The side will not have it easy from the get-go when they take on Amathole in their opening game. A team boasted by Selborne College players will be out to stake a claim against Gauteng’s best. Each chukker will be highly contested and both defences need to be at their best if victory is anything to come by.

You might be interested: A successful hockey program shaped by more than just 11 players on the field.

However, Woodhouse and his troops will be counting on the experienced players that played in the tournament last year to guide the new boys.

“We have four players returning from last year’s team (Jaydon Brooker, Taine Tanner-Ellis, Liam Billett and TJ Chalmers, the former 2 having made the SA u17 HP squad last year).

“We also have some talented u17s in team in Devin Wax, Joshua Renders, Avela Sibisi, Matthew Eichweber and Boipelo Koloti.”

“Furthermore, we are luckily to have had a number of boys who played in the u18B team at IPT last year (Matthew Robinson, Kea Seome, Neo Chimyani, Dihan Alberts-Flynn, Tshedza Rashalanavho and Miguel de Jesus). Lastly, Nicholas Karlsson has also broken into the team after a stellar season for Saints.”

The side open their campaign against Amathole A at the University of Free State Astro, kick-off is at 10:25.

The teams:

Southern Gauteng u18A: Matt Eichweber (St Stithians), Tshedza Rasalanavho (Beaulieu College), Josh Renders (Jeppe Boys), Neo Chimanyi (Jeppe Boys), Diahn Alberts-Flynn (Jeppe Boys), Matthew Robinson (St Stithians), Jaydon Brooker (Jeppe Boys), Liam Billet (St Johns), Miguel De Jesus (Jeppe Boys), TJ Chalmers (St Johns), Taine Tanner-Ellis (St Stithians), Devin Wax (Beaulieu College), Keabetswe Seome (KES), Avela Sibisi (St Davids), Nic Karlsson (St Stithians), Biopelo Koloti (Jeppe Boys).

Amathole u18A: Tre’ Gilbert (Selborne College), Lunga Malusi (Selborne College), Waeden Plaatjes (Selborne College), Cade Kock (Selborne College), Masibulela Siswana (Selborne College), Daniel Sirgel (Selborne College), Charlie Cawell (Selborne College), Ben van der Merwe (Selborne College), James Carr (Selborne College), Lucan Hykes (Queens College), Calvin Bloom (Queens College), Luke Du Preez (Queens College), Trent Pillay (Merrifield College), Mpha Mboniswa (Merrifield College), Damian Alldred (Cambridge High School), Siphesihle Nodada (Cambridge High School).

Day 1 fixtures:

09:00 – Western Province B vs Southern Free State A
10:25 – Southern Gauteng A vs Amathole A
11:50 – Northern Gauteng A vs Western Province A
13:15 – Eastern Province A vs Boland A
14:40 – KZN Inland B vs KZN Coastal A
16:05 – KZN Coastal B vs KZN Inland A
17:30 – Southern Gauteng A vs Western Province B

As the school hockey takes a break, hockey players will shift their focus to one of the most highlighted tournaments of the year, the Inter Provincial Tournament.

16 hardworking and talented girls come together to form one team and represent each region in their respective groups.

The tournament takes place from the 25th and the final is scheduled for the 30th of June 2023.

The tournament will be held at the UFS Astro for the section A teams, while section B will be held at Eunice High School, both in Bloemfontein. 

The action will kick off at 09:00 every morning. 

It goes without saying that this tournament is competitive and interesting, bringing teams together that would normally never play against each other forces the girls as a team and individuals to expand their knowledge and skills. 

Starting the week off strong on Sunday with an eye grabbing game lined up at 14:40 on the 25th of June at Uplands High School where the girls from Mpumalanga A go head-to-head with the Western Province A. 

Both teams are boasted with players from schools that have been head strong in their games, the girls will be motivated to show case their skills and play for a spot in the championship rounds. Fans can expect exciting hockey throughout the entire tournament as the best in the country go to the battle field.

The teams:

Mpumalanga A: Motheo Manzi (Hoërskool Middelburg), Prosperity Shabalala (Ligbron), Lize Oosthuizen (Hoërskool Nelspruit), Nolizwi Mlangeni (Penryn College), Kayla Olivier (Hoërskool Middelburg), Dune Nortje(Hoërskool Nelspruit), Mia Steenkamp (Hoërskool Ermelo), Tlangelani Ndlovu (Penryn College), Kaylee Ferreira (Hoërskool Nelspruit), Ntando Ntobeng (Hoërskool Middelburg), Carol Ndapwadza (Penryn College), Cabrianne Clarke (General Hertzog), Zane du Toit (Hoërskool Nelspruit), Rivona Martin (Hoërskool Middelburg), Chanel Hope (Hoërskool Nelspruit), Lethabo Matlala (HTS Witbank).

Western Province A: Jade Regnart (Fairmont), Keziah Petersen (Stellenberg), Emily Van Heerden (Herschel Girls High), Leah Petersen (Stellenberg), Alexa Knott (Herschel Girls High), Alex Wilken (Fairmont), Emily Bezuidenhoudt (Fairmont), Jesse Gradwell (Wynberg Girls High), Emma Clarke (Herschel Girls High), Paige Thomas (Reddam House), Mia Andrew (Herschel Girls High), Mbali Anthony (Herschel Girls High), Jodie Blows (Rustenburg Girls High), Stella van Schalkwyk (Herschel Girls High), Leya Patel (Herschel Girls High), Georgia Curd (St Cyprian’s School).

The Fixtures:

Day 1 | 25 June 2023 | UFS Astro Field II

09:00 – Northern Free State vs Boland A
10:25 – Southern Gauteng A vs Eastern Province A
11:50 – Southern Gauteng B vs Southern Free State A
13:15 – Northern Gauteng A vs KZN Coastal A
14:40 – Mpumalanga vs Western Province A
16:05 – KZN Inland A vs Amathole A
17:30 – Southern Gauteng A vs Northern Free State
18:55 – Southern Free State vs Eastern Province A

Day 2 | 26 June 2023 | UFS Astro Field I

09:00 – KZN Coastal A vs Mpumalanga
10:25 – KZN Inland A vs Western Province A
11:50 – Amathole A vs Northern Gauteng A
13:15 – Eastern Province A vs Southern Gauteng B
14:40 – Northern Free State vs Southern Free State A
16:05 – Boland A vs Southern Gauteng A
17:30 – Western Province A vs KZN Coastal A
18:55 – Mpumalanga vs Amathole A

Day 3 | 27 June 2023 | UFS Astro Field II

09:00 – Southern Gauteng A vs Southern Gauteng B
10:25 – Southern Free State A vs Boland A
11:50 – Eastern Province A vs Northern Free State
13:15 – KZN Coastal A vs KZN Inland A
14:40 – Western Province A vs KZN Inland A
16:05 – Northern Gauteng A vs Mpumalanga
17:30 – Southern Gauteng B vs Boland A 

Day 4 | 28 June 2023 | UFS Astro Field I 

09:00 – Western Province A vs Northern Gauteng A
10:25 – KZN Inland A vs Mpumalanga
11:50 – Southern Free State A vs Southern Gauteng A
13:15 – Boland A vs Eastern Province A
14:40 – Northern Free State vs Southern Gauteng B
16:05 – Amathole A vs KZN Coastal A
17:30 – Northern Gauteng A vs KZN Inland A

Day 5 | 29 June 2023 | UFS Astro Field II 

09:00 – 4th A 3rd B – Boys B4
10:25 – 2nd A 1st B – G2 Girls semi-final
11:50 – 2nd A 1st B – G2 Boys semi-final
13:15 – 1st A 2nd B – G1 Girls semi-final
14:40 – 1st A 2nd B – F1 Boys semi-final

Day 6 | 30 June 2023 | UFS Astro Field I 

09:00 – Girls | Section A | Playoff Third & Fourth Place
10:25 – Boys | Section A | Playoff Third & Fourth Place – L B1 v L B2
11:50 – Girls Final – W G1 v W G2
13:15 – Boys Final – W B1 v W B2