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The 2025 season will go down in history as one of the most memorable and successful campaigns for Jeppe High School for Boys’ hockey team under the guidance of coach Siya Sityana.

The Kensington-based powerhouse delivered a flawless run of form, finishing the season unbeaten in both league and cup competitions, a remarkable turnaround from the challenges they faced in the previous year.

For Sityana, who has steadily built a culture of discipline and resilience in the side, this achievement was more than just about results; it was about transformation.

“We won 29 out of 31 games and drew two — against Grey College and Hilton College at the Nomads Tournament,” Sityana reflected.

“It is a relief, to be honest, especially when you start counting the wins; it felt like we were putting more pressure on ourselves. But the boys showed tremendous character to keep it going.”

The coach admitted that part of the magic behind this season’s success lay in the players’ attitude and hunger to adapt. He compared the current group’s mindset to that of last year’s squad, noting the difference in approach.

“Last year’s group was difficult to manage compared to this group because they struggled with change,” Sityana said.

“They often fell back on ‘we’re not used to this, we are used to that.’ But this year’s team was just unbelievable. It was a group of boys who were open and willing to learn. They gave their all.”

The discipline and adaptability translated into dominance on the field. From clinical attacking plays to solid defensive structures, Jeppe rarely allowed their opponents a way back into games.

The two draws were the only blemishes on what otherwise was a spotless campaign, and even in those matches, the boys demonstrated their composure against strong opposition.

To seal their stellar season, Jeppe emerged with a resounding 5–2 victory in their final outing against arch-rivals, Parktown Boys High School. Juan Martin emerged as the hero of the day, netting four goals in a dazzling individual performance.

Sityana admitted that he entered the clash with nerves, given Parktown’s reputation for resilience.

“Going into the game, I was a bit nervous, especially because we’ve never had a satisfying performance against Parktown,” he said.

“They are just so difficult to play against. They’ve got that die-hard spirit, and they don’t stop — even when they concede goals, they keep going. So they are a difficult team to play against.

“With us winning, I was worried about complacency, especially since we had beaten them twice already.”

The contest didn’t start smoothly for Jeppe, either. After taking an early 1–0 lead, Parktown equalised to make it 1–1. But that moment sparked Jeppe into life.

“Once they equalised, that’s when we started to play. We turned the score to make it 5-1, and they scored at the end to make it 5-2,” Sityana recalled.

For the players, parents and the entire Jeppe community, the 2025 season will be spoken about for years to come. Beyond the silverware and the unbeaten streak, it showcased what can be achieved when talent is matched with teamwork, discipline and the right mindset.

Sityana was quick to highlight that this success was not his alone.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be coaching at a school of such prestige — it’s not something that happens every day.

“I must commend the boys for their incredible season and extend my gratitude to my colleagues and coaching staff. They were superb and played a massive role in everything. The parents, as well as many other external individuals, have helped a lot since last year. They were very supportive and played a huge role in everything we achieved this year.

“Indeed, it takes a village.”

Die Monties se tweelingpare is weer voltallig vir hul tuishalfeindstryd Saterdag teen Hoërskool Secunda in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Skild-afdeling.

Volg al die SDC Noordvaal Skild-aksie regstreeks op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Hoërskool Montana se linkervleuel, Sam Schoeman, keer terug om met broer, Hendrew, die Monties agterlangs teen die besoekers van Secunda aan te vuur.

Die ander tweelingpaar, Aiden en Ashton Vorster, behou hul plekke in die span. Ashton het sedert sy insluiting beïndruk as oopkantflank, terwyl Aiden die donkiewerk in die voorry uitstekend verrig.

Afrigter, AJ le Roux, het besluit om die res van sy span dieselfde te hou. Indien die Monties na die einstryd deurdring, sal dit Le Roux die tweede span in soveel jaar wees wat hy na ‘n eindstryd in die Noordvaal-kompetisie begelei, nadat Hoërskool Transvalia verlede jaar, met hom aan die stuur, die Plaat-titel ingepalm het.

Oorwinning eerskomende Saterdag is egter nie gegewe nie.

Hierdié Secunda span het immers vroeër in die seisoen vir die Monties met 34-19 ore aangesit. Dit was welliswaar in Secunda se agterplaas, maar steeds ‘n veelseggende sege aangesien die Monties uiteindelik bo aan die puntelys geëindig het. Secunda pak die tog na Pretoria aan met met dieselfde span wat verlede week teen Hoërskool Ben Vorster vasgeval het.

Sifiso Hlungwane se skuif na agsteman lyk of dit vrugte afwerp, en bied terselftertyd aan Renier Combrink die geleentheid om te doen wat hy die beste doen. Combrink draf weer uit op oopkantflank, waar sy vernuf by die afbreekpunte deurslaggewend kan wees.

Hoërskool Lichtenburg kry slegs twee weke nadat hy teen Hoërskool Pietersburg in Lichtenburg die aftog moes blaas, ‘n kans om die bordjies te verhang. Vir die Liggies is die halfeindronde bekende terrein, nadat hulle verlede jaar naaswenners was, terwyl dit die Pietersburgers se eerste keer is in ‘n halfeind van die Skild-afdeling.

Pietersburg het nietemin vanjaar twee sterk groepe saamgevoeg, met die jongelinge in die span, die graad 11’s, wat as o.14’s en 15’s die Bowl-afdeling gewen het, terwyl die matrieks onderskeidelik in ‘n eindstryd en halfeindstryd gespeel het as juniors. Corstiaan Vermaak, die Pieties se breier, het vir die vierde agtereenvolgende week sy span onveranderd behou – ‘n goed deurdagte besluit aangesien die tuisspan ongelooflike momentum sedertdien opgebou het.

Dit is ook hoogs onwaarskynlik dat die Liggies se Michael Bondesio veranderinge sal aanbring. Sy leierskorps van KG Legodi en Rea Motsusi het verlede jaar reeds ‘n beduidende rol as jongelinge gespeel en hul ervaring sal Saterdag goud werd wees.

Die spanne:

Montana t. Hoërskool Secunda om 11:45 in Pretoria: 

Montana: 15 Marq de Villiers, 14 Dixie Sethuga, 13 Luan Barnard, 12 Hendrew Schoeman, 11 Sam Schoeman, 10 Rubel Bester, 9 Braam Schutte, 8 Ulrich van Biljon, 7 Dieter Scheepers, 6 Ashton Vorster, 5 Kyle Bronkhorst, 4 Eric Potgieter, 3 Aiden Vorster, 2 Juan Theunissen, 1 Joseph Wilkonson.

Secunda: 15 Dillon Grundlingh, 14 Ryan Lottering, 13 Armand Underhay, 12 Bismarck Jansen, 11 Damian de Beer, 10 Alonzo Blakenberg, 9 JD van Coller, 8 Sifiso Hlungwane, 7 Zander van der Merwe, 6 Renier Combrink, 5 JC Olivier, 4 Mickey Jordaan, 3 MC Vosloo, 2 Rico Schoeman, 1 Nathan Erasmus.

Hoërskool Pietersburg t. Hoërskool Lichtenburg om 11:30 in Polokwane: 

Pietersburg: 15 Ryno Mienie, 14 Elkan Esterhuyze, 13 Zuhan Labuschagne 12 Siya Mahlangu, 11 Keanu Potgieter, 10 Juan Randall, 9 Celliers van der Merwe, 8, FC Smith, 7 Juan Jansen van Vuuren, 6 Andru de Beer, 5 Ludke Pienaar, 4 Brent Vorster, 3 Stephan Jansen van Rensburg, 2 Ziahn Lombaard, 1 Krissie Swanepoel.

Lichtenburg (moontlik): 15 Xander Blom, 14 Thatu Seabo, 13 WJ Liebenberg, 12 Oratile Sekoto, 11 Kuzi Mupudzi, 10 Luan Snyman, 9 Rea Motsusi, 8 KG Legodi, 7 MC Shanahan, 6 Ruan Kroëse, 5 Darius Lombard, 4 George Bingudza, 3 Duan Kruger, 2 Juan van Rhyn, 1 Ruben Pretorius.

Afskoptye van Junior spanne in Pretoria en Polokwane (Pretoria eerste): 

o.16: 10:20 – Montana t. Hoërskool Piet Retief; 10:10 – Hoërskool Pietersburg t. Ben Vorster.

o.15: 09:10 – Ben Vorster t. Hoërskool Lichtenburg; 09:00 – Hoërskool Pietersburg t. Hoërskool Piet Retief.

o.14: 08:00 – Montana vs Heidelberg Volkskool; 08:00 – Ben Vorster t. Secunda.

Die terugkeer van Junaide Pasensie en Junaide Stuart, ná hul betrokkenheid by die internasionale o.18-reeks in die Wes-Kaap, het vir die Bere se keurders met meer as een kopseer gelos.

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

Hoërskool Garsfontein, verdedigende kampioen in die Beker-afdeling van die SDC Noordvaal Cup, kom Saterdag teen ‘n gevaarlike Hoërskool Menlopark in die een halfeindstryd op sy tuisveld te staan.

Pasensie (heelagter) en Stuart (regtervleuel) se beskikbaarheid het die vraag laat opduik, wie gaan waar teen die Parkies uitdraf?

Dit volg nadat die jong linkervleuel, Yuvrah George, verlede naweek teen Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen oorgewals het vir ‘n driekuns aan drieë, terwyl Drewyn Baron, wat gewoonlik op linkervleuel uitdraf, ‘n uitstekende tweede helfte op heelagter geniet het.

Die verwagting is egter dat Pasensie weer sy gewone plek op heelagter sal inneem, met Baron wat terugskuif linkervleuel toe, Stuart wat die regterkant beman en George wat van die bank af ingespan word om die Parkies se verdediging verder te toets.

Dit is ‘n lekker kopseer. Wat wel soos ‘n paal bo water staan is dat die Bere hul sterkste span in die veld sal stoot.

“Hierdie week is ons eindstryd, want as ons verloor is daar nie ‘n volgende week nie,” het die Bere se hoofafrigter, Johan du Plessis, dit duidelik gemaak.

Indien Garsies wel wen, sal hulle die eindstryd vir ‘n vierde agtereenvolgende jaar haal.

Die vorige keer toe hulle met die Parkies in ‘n halfeind kragte gemeet het, in 2019, het dit op ‘n nagmerrie vir Garsfontein uitgeloop. Hoewel dit die laaste keer was dat die Parkies in ‘n halfeind gespeel het, het hulle vir die Bere met 72-40 afgeransel, voordat hulle vir Helpmekaar Kollege met 44-17 die loef afgesteek het in die Beker-eindstryd van die destydse Virsekerbeker.

Menlopark verwag self minstens drie groot name terug. Losskakel en kaptein, Andru Keun, het oor die laaste paar weke stelselmatig sy terugkeer begin maak. Sy vertoning vanaf die plaasvervangerbank teen Hoërskool Rustenburg het aangedui dat hy slaggereed is om sy plek in die beginspan in te neem.

Heelagter, Reinhardt Herbst, het ook ‘n groot gedeelte van die wedstryd teen die Rusties gespeel, en is saam met oopkantflank, Nathen du Plessis, weer beskikbaar om Saterdag saam met Keun in die beginspan uit te draf.

Indien Saterdag ‘n herhaling van die vorige kragmeting vanjaar afgee, sal dit ‘n senutergende 70 minute van Noordvaal-rugby wees. Dit was immers eers in die laaste kwart van die vorige stryd dat die Bere, danksy die einste Staurt en Baron, kon wegtrek om uiteindelik met 40-27 koning te kraai.

Die Bere verwag niks minder as ‘n meedoënlose aanslag van die besoekers nie, vernaam ook aangesien ‘n sege vir die Parkies van relegasie sal vrywaar.

Die spanne: 

Garsfontein t. Die Hoërskool Menlopark om 12:30 in Pretoria: 

Garsfontein (moontlik): 15 Junade Pasensie, 14 Junaide Stuart, 13 Xian Erasmus, 12 Keagan Knighton, 11 Drewyn Baron, 10 Joshua Gouws, 9 Derrick Kuhn, 8 Lourenz de Jager, 7 JP Meintjies, 6 JP Pieterse, 5 Derik Potgieter, 4 JJ Fourie, 3 Morné Coetzer, 2 Justin Blom, 1 Brendon Branford.

Menlopark (moontlik): 15 Reinhardt Hebrst, 14 Bladen Peterson, 13 Leskin Samuels, 12 Dylan Stumke, 11 Juan Joubert, 10 Andru Keun, 9 Gustav Scäffner, 8 JN van Wyk, 7 Tiaan Boshoff, 6 Nathen du Plessis, 5 Keagen Pretorius, 4 Xander Roets, 3 Ruvan van Aardt, 2 Declan Pelser, 1 Mattheus Prinsloo.

Afskoptye van Junior spanne in Pretoria:  

o.16: 11:00 – Menlopark t. Waterkloof.

o.15: 09:55 – Garsfontein t. Waterkloof.

o.14: 08:45 – Garsfontein t. Helpmekaar.

Graeme College is determined to establish itself as one of the leading cricket-playing schools in the country. Towards this goal, they have partnered with the Human Kinetics and Ergonomics Department (HKE).

The HKE is assisting Graeme College to enhance player development through scientific testing.

The institution has been on a steep development curve over the last few years. They had six players in the title-winning Eastern Province u16A team at the National Week last year, and they also made it to the finals of the inaugural Schools SA20. They hope to go all the way and clinch the title this season.

“We are excited about this partnership; the HKE is designing personalised programmes for our boys based on their body physique and composition,” Odwa Xonxa, the Graeme College coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus.

The programme, which has been running for three weeks, is assisting Graeme College’s players to develop better athleticism, balance and body literacy, which will in turn help with performance on the cricket field. According to Xonxa, this will help to bridge the gap between the school system and professional sport.

The collaboration was realised after Xonxa had approached the HKE with a vision for a programme that would ensure that every boy, one day, left Graeme College knowing that the school cared about them and their physical development.

“It was an obvious space for collaboration between us and the school,” Andrew Todd, from Rhodes University’s HKE department, said.

“For a start, we identified the cricket programme as a sensible launch pad from which our students could provide high-performance and strength and conditioning support to the high-performing cricketers.”

According to Todd, his team conducted baseline motor fitness assessments, focusing on power, flexibility, strength, balance and agility—key components of cricket performance. They tested players using countermovement jumps, centre of pressure and plyometric push-ups.

“The tests helped players to gain insights into their physical capabilities. The data that we collect enables us to customise their training programmes to better suit their individual profiles and performance goals,” Todd said.

For batters, a major area of work focuses on balance, their ability to shift weight from the front to back foot effectively and efficiently, while for fast bowlers, the HKE is deploying strengthening programmes to support them.

“We use force plate technologies to identify asymmetries and key areas to focus on for each player and will use this to track the efficacy of the programmes implemented, for example, through tracking counter movement jump characteristics,” Todd explained.

While the programme will help batters and bowlers improve their skills, it does not end there.

Todd’s team will also focus on other aspects of performance enhancement, including balancing training load with recovery. His team will work with the cricketers to understand their sleeping patterns and why adequate sleep is vital for recovery post-performance. This side of the programme will receive guidance from Prof. Jono Davy, a leading expert in sleep and performance.

“The exercises will be embedded into the training routines of the cricketers through collaborating with the coaches so that the programme becomes self-sustaining in the future,” Todd said.

The programme will run for the rest of the 2025 academic calendar. However, Graeme College and HKE’s goal is to create a sustainable relationship that continues to build on the blocks put in place each year. This will result in a mutually beneficial relationship between the school and the department.

The small town of George on the outskirts of the Western Cape is abuzz on the eve of Thursday’s big derby between York High School and Hoërskool Outeniqua.

The highly anticipated clash will take place at York’s main AstroTurf, with the boys’ fixture scheduled to kick off at 17:20.

Both sides have enjoyed a solid season on the turf, with impressive results achieved while playing an exciting and lively brand of hockey.

Outeniqua are known for their unconventional style, which has yielded positive outcomes for them throughout the season. York, meanwhile, have had to adapt, think outside the box and lean on their experienced coach, Jason Slater.

Slater has been around the school block for a number of years, with first-hand experience of meetings with Outeniqua. He is now preparing his guns for another gruelling test.

“We are heading towards the end of the season, so there are some tired bodies out there,” Slater told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“The York-Outeniqua clash always brings out the best in both teams, and we are looking forward to the game on Thursday.”

York has fielded a fairly young squad in 2025 with only one matric player in the team. Slater, however, believes the young players have put their hands up this season.

“What has stood out this season is the team’s willingness to learn from every match that they play, regardless of whether it was a win or a loss.

“We are building towards a future goal, and every match is vital in that process.”

Against Outeniqua, they’ll come up against a side that’s brimming with confidence.

Last week, the Kwaggas, as they’re affectionately known, defeated HTS Drostdy 4-0 in their interschools clash, and they’ll be keen for the scalp of their city rivals too.

“Outeniqua has had the better of the York team during the last three encounters,” Slater acknowledged.

“They are well-coached, physically strong and well-conditioned. It’s a George derby, so both teams will play their hearts out, and I have no doubt it will be a cracker.

“We will need to be focused and disciplined to compete against them. Our basics will have to be on point, and we will need to be clinical on attack.”

Converting their opportunities and doing the “simple things” well will also be high on York’s agenda. No doubt, their 7-0 victory against Oudtshoorn High School a week ago will serve as a huge confidence boost.

The match will be streamed live on the SuperSport Schools App.

South Africa’s premier international age-group tournament, the annual Under-18 International Series, once again proved to be an invaluable platform for the country’s top schoolboy young talent, with Junior Springbok coach coach Kevin Foote saying it’s crucial in developing future stars and highlighting the importance of preparing the players for the rigors of professional rugby.

Featuring two national sides, the SA u18 and SA u18 ‘A’ teams, pitted against international opposition – this year France, England, Ireland and Georgia sent teams – the Series provides a unique opportunity for players to test their skills against players from abroad.

Foote said the series, staged annually in August, serves as a crucial link in SA Rugby’s Elite Player Development (EPD) programme, acting as a feeder system for the Junior Boks.

Like it did in previous seasons, this year’s series – which was hosted at the school grounds of Durbanville, Boland Landbou and Paarl Gimnasium – again underscored its value in exposing South Africa’s most promising players to a higher level of competition and forging the next generation of Junior Bok stalwarts.

The 2025 edition was especially successful for the SA u18s, who won all three of their matches, against France, Ireland, and England, by comfortable margins. They kicked off the Series with a 43-21 win over the French in a match that saw both teams compete for the Mehdi Narjissi Trophy in memory of the French player who tragically went missing off the coast at Cape Point last year.

In their second outing, they defeated Ireland by 45-5 before finishing the series on a high by dispatching England 69-24 in the final round. They scored a combined total of 157 points in their three outings for an average of 52.3 points per match, managing a series-high total of 23 tries in the process.

Meanwhile, the SA U18 ‘A’ side lost a cliffhanger opening game by three points, 39-36, to Ireland. They bounced back to comprehensively outplay Georgia 57-19, but went down 40-14 to France in their final encounter.

Foote and members of his SA u20 coaching staff played an active role, mentoring the SA u18 coaches during the preparation of their two teams. The Junior Bok coach was therefore understandably pleased with the efforts of the local teams, praising the contribution of the coaches, and speaking with admiration for the well-established SA schoolboy rugby system.

“I’m super proud of both teams’ performances throughout the series,” said Foote.

“I thought they did well, and I must credit the coaches, whom I thought prepared them well.

“The schools who hosted the three rounds also deserve a lot of credit for their fantastic efforts and hard work for staging the successful match days. The matches were well attended, and the energy from the crowd was electric.

“The schoolboy rugby system in South Africa is amazing. Every school’s coach and headmaster; everyone involved in the development of those players, deserves a huge amount of credit. Well done to our coaches, Lwazi Zangqa, Flash Malinga, Clinton van Rensburg and Cobus van Dyk, on doing a great coaching job. And also Louis Koen, who did so well in putting this programme together.”

Foote reckons the prestigious U18 International Series – now in its 14^th year since the inaugural event in George – plays a vital role in the preparation of these two groups of players as future Junior Springboks.

“There is, of course, a massive benefit to staging those games for our boys as it gives them the opportunity to play together at a higher level,” he said.

“Players like Ethan Adams and Markus Muller, for instance, played together and developed a partnership; and that goes for all combinations of both our teams.

“This series gave them the chance to play international rugby, and exposing them, and the coaches, to gain international experience, which is vital for their future development.”

Foote also expressed gratitude to the international teams who travel to South Africa on a regular basis to compete against the best local schoolboy talent.

With the u18 series providing young players on the cusp of their post-school careers with valuable game time at a high level as they prepare for rugby at senior level, the Junior Bok mentor was also very happy to see so many current SA U20s feature in the Carling Currie Cup.

“I spoke with Johan Ackermann (Vodacom Bulls head coach and who was a coaching consultant for the Junior Boks at the World Rugby u20 Championship in Italy) recently, and we agreed how awesome it is for our Junior Boks to get playing opportunities in the Carling Currie Cup,” said Foote.

“Hopefully, some of them will be able to put up their hands for selection in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship or the European competition.

“I thought it was brave of the provincial coaches to give them the opportunity to play in the Carling Currie Cup, and it’s nice to see some of them doing well. I am extremely proud of them, and to see them playing so well for their teams is something very special.”

u18 International Series results:

Round One:

SA U18 ‘A’ 36, Ireland 39
Georgia 35, England 31
SA U18 43, France 21 

Round Two:

SA U18 ‘A’ 57, Georgia 19
SA U18 45, Ireland 5
France 53, England 20 

Round Three:

SA U18 ‘A’ 14, France 40
Georgia 13, Ireland 13
SA U18 69, England 24

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Hilton College and Danville Park Girls’ High will defend their titles at the Kearsney Hockey 5s, powered by Belgotex Sport, from Friday, in Botha’s Hill.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

Last year, Hilton beat Hoërskool Garsfontein 3-0 in the boys’ final, having gone down 2-3 to the Pretoria school earlier in the event.

Danville Park pulled off an even greater reversal. They went down 1-5 to St Mary’s DSG in round-robin play, but rose to the occasion in the final, holding St Mary’s to a 1-1 draw before winning a penalty shootout to claim the silverware.

The lineups are almost the same as they were in 2024, with only one change to both the boys’ and girls’ teams, but both newcomers have the look of potential winners.

In the boys’ event, Durban High School (DHS) replaces last year’s third-place finishers, Clifton College. Given their flair and pedigree, School should be a strong contender. If they get their tactics right, they’ll be difficult to contain.

Meanwhile, Epworth replaces Thomas More College in the girls’ event. The Pietermaritzburg school put together a strong season, which included winning the SPAR KZN Hockey Challenge Pietermaritzburg Central title and a third-place finish at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Grand Final. That makes them a serious title threat.

The winner of that competition, though, was St Mary’s DSG and they’re back for another crack at the title, while Ashton International, who edged out Epworth for third in the SPAR tournament, should also be a contender.

With 12 teams competing, including Umhlali and Reddam for the first time, the boys’ primary school section is the largest. In case you haven’t added it up yet, there are eight high school boys’ teams and six high school girls’ sides.

TEAMS

Boys’ High School Teams

DHS, Ashton, Hilton, Garsfontein, Kearsney, St Alban’s, Michaelhouse, Westville

Girls’ High School Teams

Curro Hillcrest, Epworth, Maris Stella, Danville, St Mary’s DSG, Ashton

Boys’ Primary Schools Teams

Cowan House, Atholl Heights, Kloof, Penzance, Ashton, Highbury 1, Hillcrest, Bonisanani, Winston Park, Westville Senior Primary, Reddam, Umhlali

FIXTURES

Friday 22 August

Court 1

08:00 – Cowan House vs Atholl Heights (Junior)
08:30 – Kloof vs Penzance (Junior)
09:00 – Ashton vs Umhlali (Junior)
09:30 – Curro vs Maris Stella (Girls)
10:00 – DHS vs Kearsney (Senior)
10:30 – Michaelhouse vs Hilton (Senior)
11:00 – Reddam vs Hillcrest (Junior)
11:30 – Kloof vs Westville Senior (Junior)
12:00 – Penzance vs Umhlali (Junior)
12:30 – Kearsney vs St Alban’s (Senior)
13:00 – Hilton vs Garsfontein (Senior)
13:30 – Highbury 1 vs Reddam (Junior)
14:00 – Westville vs Ashton (Senior)
14:30 – Bonisinani vs Kloof (Junior)
15:00 – St Alban’s vs Hilton (Senior)
15:30 – Kearsney vs Michaelhouse (Senior)
16:00 – DHS vs Ashton (Senior)
16:30 – Reddam vs Cowan House (Junior)
17:00 – Highbury 1 vs Bonisanani (Junior)
17:30 – Hillcrest vs Umhlali (Junior)
18:00 – DHS vs Westville (Senior)
18:30 – Kearsney vs Garsfontein (Senior)
19:00 – Winston Park vs Kloof (Junior)
19:30 – Ashton vs Penzance (Junior)
20:00 – Hilton vs DHS (Senior)

Court 2

08:00 – Highbury 1 vs Hillcrest (Junior)
08:30 – Reddam vs Bonisanani (Junior)
09:00 – Westville Senior vs Winston Park (Junior)
09:30 – Danville vs Epworth (Girls)
10:00 – St Alban’s vs Garsfontein (Senior)
10:30 – Highbury 1 vs Cowan House (Junior)
11:00 – Atholl Heights vs Bonisanani (Junior)
11:30 – Winston Park vs Ashton (Junior)
12:00 – Curro Hillcrest vs Epworth (Girls)
12:30 – Maris Stella vs Danville (Girls)
13:00 – DHS vs Michaelhouse (Senior)
13:30 – Hillcrest vs Cowan House (Junior)
14:00 – Westville Senior vs Atholl Heights (Junior)
14:30 – St Mary’s vs Ashton (Girls)
15:00 – Umhlali vs Winston Park (Junior)
15:30 – Garsfontein vs Westville (Senior)
16:00 – St Mary’s vs Epworth (Girls)
16:30 – Danville vs Ashton (Girls)
17:00 – Curro vs Danville (Girls)
17:30 – Ashton vs Atholl Heights (Junior)
18:00 – Hilton vs Ashton (Senior)
18:30 – Maris Stella vs Ashton (Girls)
19:00 – Westville Senior vs Penzance (Junior)
19:30 – Michaelhouse vs St Alban’s (Senior)
20:00 – Garsfontein vs Ashton (Senior)

Saturday, 23 August

Court 1

07:30 – Highbury 1 vs Kloof (Junior)
08:00 – Bonisanani vs Ashton (Junior)
08:30 – Westville Senior vs Hillcrest (Junior)
09:00 – Michaelhouse vs Ashton (Senior)
09:30 – Kearsney vs Hilton (Senior)
10:00 – Maris Stella vs Epworth (Girls)
10:30 – Ashton vs Curro Hillcrest (Girls)
11:00 – Reddam vs Penzance (Junior)
11:30 – Michaelhouse vs Westville (Senior)
12:00 – St Mary’s vs Maris Stella (Girls)
12:30 – Kearsney vs Westville (Senior)
13:00 – Ashton vs Kloof (Junior)
13:30 – Westville Senior vs Umhlali (Junior)
14:00 – Reddam vs Atholl Heights (Junior)
14:30 – Kearsney vs Ashton (Senior)
15:00 – Westville vs Hilton (Senior)
15:30 – Umhlali vs Bonisanani (Junior)
16:00 – Kloof vs Hillcrest (Junior)
16:30 – P3 vs P4 (Girls)
17:00 – P5 vs P6 (Senior Boys)
17:30 – P1 vs P2 (Girls)
18:00 – P1 vs P2 (Senior Boys)

Court 2

07:30 – Reddam vs Winston Park (Junior)
08:00 – Cowan House vs Penzance (Junior)
08:30 – Umhlali vs Atholl Heights (Junior)
09:00 – Westville vs St Alban’s (Senior)
09:30 – Garsfontein vs DHS (Senior)
10:00 – St Mary’s vs Danville (Girls)
10:30 – Winston Park vs Cowan House (Junior)
11:00 – Highbury 1 vs Atholl Heights (Junior)
11:30 – Ashton vs St Alban’s (Senior)
12:00 – Epworth vs Ashton (Girls)
12:30 – DHS vs St Alban’s (Senior)
13:00 – Garsfontein vs Michaelhouse (Senior)
13:30 – Hillcrest vs Bonisanani (Junior)
14:00 – St Mary’s vs Curro Hillcrest (Girls)
14:30 – Winston Park vs Penzance (Junior)
15:00 – Cowan House vs Ashton (Junior)
15:30 – Highbury 1 vs Westville Senior (Junior)
16:00 – P7 vs P8 (Boys senior)
16:30 – P5 vs P6 (Girls)
17:00 – P3 vs P4 (Boys Senior)

18:30 – Prize giving

Sunday 24 August

Court 1

08:00 – Hillcrest vs Penzance
08:25 – Westville vs Umhlali
08:50 – Kloof vs Umhlali
09:15 – Bonisanani vs Westville Senior
09:40 – Highbury 1 vs Winston Park
10:05 – Atholl Heights vs Penzance

Court 2

08:00 – Highbury 1 vs Ashton
08:25 – Bonisanani vs Cowan House
08:50 – Atholl Heights vs Winston Park
09:15 – Ashton vs Hillcrest
09:40 – Reddam vs Kloof
10:05 – Cowan House vs Umhlali

10:30 – Prize giving

The past week’s football action saw some big upsets nationwide, including Virginia High School securing their second title by defeating Clapham High School in the final of the inaugural Potchefstroom High School for Boys Football Tournament.

It is turning out to be a most remarkable season for Virginia High, which also won the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament.

The final against Clapham, one of South Africa’s top-rated schools, which also won both the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament and the inaugural Iber Cup South Africa Championship in 2024, no doubt provided a massive challenge for Virginia. However, the Free State outfit rose to the occasion with a 3-2 win, courtesy of a penalty shootout following a goalless draw in regulation time.

It could have been Virginia’s third title had they emerged victorious in the Kloof High Schools National Football Tournament, which they lost in the final against Pinetown Boys’ High in June.

In KZN, the Primo Big 10 Schools Cup, won by Hilton College, garnered most of the attention during the weekend’s football action in the province.

However, earlier on Saturday, Maritzburg College romped to a resounding 15-0 win against Curro Salt Rock in the Mancosa KZNHSFA Cowie Cup.

Glenwood High, who had suffered defeat against Hillcrest High on two previous occasions this season, once in the KZNHSFA Coastal A-League and again in the semifinals of the Curro Halala Cup Plate, finally managed to see off their Hillcrest counterparts with a narrow 1-0 win in the Cowie Cup.

With 32 knockout fixtures having been completed, there is still one game pending in this round, with Fairvale Secondary School and Birdswood Secondary School set to compete this week to finalise the last-16 draw.

In Gauteng, Waterstone College played Edenglen High School to an entertaining 3-3 draw, while Curro Wilgeheuwel tasted their first defeat, since late June, in the Waterstone College Super Cup. They had been on an impressive streak, but Randfontein High halted Wilgeheuwel’s momentum with a 2-0 victory.

In other school football activities in Gauteng, Pretoria Boys’ High School secured a 1-0 win against Springs Boys’ High.

In the Eastern London High Schools Football League, also known as the B Block BWFLA High Schools Football League, the reigning champions, Stutterheim High, are currently at the top of the league with 30 points, closely followed by Selborne College, also on 30. This sets the stage for intense rivalry between these two formidable outfits. Last Thursday, Stutterheim showcased its prowess in the league with a whopping 10-0 victory against George Randell High School.

For George Randell High, it was a challenging week that they would prefer to forget, as they also suffered a 0-6 loss at the hands of Selborne College on Wednesday.

Dale College, currently in third place behind Selborne College and Stutterheim High, secured a 3-0 victory over Hudson Park High on Friday. However, Dale remains well behind the league leaders, having accumulated only 18 points thus far, which places them 12 points adrift of the two frontrunners in the race for the league title.

Earlier in the week, Cathcart High School placed fourth and one point behind Dale, sealed a 3-2 win over Hudson Park High, while West Bank High School and Merrifield College played to a 1-1 draw.

In other football matches taking place in Gqeberha, Urban Academy maintained their impressive form by pipping Happy Home Academy 4-2, while, in the Western Cape, Paul Roos Gimnasium, who has experienced mixed fortunes, achieved a narrow 2-1 win over Grey College.

Mancosa KZNHSFA Cowie Cup

Maritzburg College 15-0 Curro Salt Rock
Glenwood 1-0 Hillcrest High

Gauteng 

Waterstone College 3-3 Edenglen High School
Pretoria Boys High School 1-0 Springs Boys’ High
Randfontein High 2-0 Curro Wilgeheuwel

Eastern Cape

Urban Academy 4-2 Happy Home Academy

B-Block BWFLA High Schools League/East London High Schools Football League

Dale College 3-0 Hudson High
Stutterheim High 10-0 GRHS
Selborne College 6-0 GRHS
West Bank 1-1 Merrifield
Cathcart 3-2 Hudson Park

Western Cape

Paul Roos Gimnasium 2-1 Grey College

The 2025 season has produced special moments, unforgettable results and growth for Stellenberg High School’s hockey programme.

Both the boys’ and girls’ first teams have delivered quality performances and stunned some big names in the Western Cape.

Earlier this season, the boys, guided by coach Kyle Esau, bagged a famous 2-1 victory against Bishops Diocesan College. A few weeks later, the girls defeated Herschel Girls School 3-2, marking their first win over the Cape side in many years.

Stellenberg continued their fine form throughout the season and this past weekend claimed another massive scalp when both sides defeated Hoërskool Durbanville in the annual interschools clash.

The girls, coached by Paulene de Bruin, managed a 2-0 win, while the boys thumped their opponents 6-2. It was yet another Stellenberg masterclass, and coach De Bruin praised her side for showing up on the big stage.

“I am immensely proud of the girls; they were disciplined and determined to win the game,” she told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“Before the game, I asked them to utilise the energy of the crowd to motivate them to work as hard as they could. They also focused on each team member to ensure that they were always supporting each other to the best of their ability.”

Coach De Bruin’s side also faced Fairmont High School in a league fixture on Monday, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

They take on St Cyprian’s School on Friday night in the league decider. A win or even a draw will secure the team’s second consecutive league title.

As for the boys, they were emphatic in their outing against Durbanville and bossed their opponents.

Jacques Van Dyk netted a hat-trick while other goals were scored by Justin Brown, Zach Els, and Gerrars Matthews Boukoua.

“I am extremely proud of the boys and the group as a whole,” head coach Kyle Esau said.

“It has been a rollercoaster ride for this team, which is part and parcel of participating in sport. There have been ups and downs, but we ticked most boxes.”

Coach Esau said the loud, hostile crowd at Durbanville was something that his team had prepared for.

“The preparation during our training sessions allowed us to cope with the noise.

“I spoke to the boys during the team talk and moments before the game, emphasising that they should focus solely on their individual roles and the job at hand. I implored them not to focus on showing off for the crowd, and that the result would speak for itself.

“At the end of the day, the boys did exactly that. They were in the zone and focused solely on winning the game.”

Coach Esau and his troops have one league fixture remaining, when they host DF Malan on Friday at 20:15.

A triumphant St John’s College was in high spirits when they touched down at OR Tambo International Airport on Monday evening. The Blues were returning home from a successful 12-day preseason excursion to Sri Lanka that took them to Colombo, Kandy, and Galle, where they won six of their eight matches.

“The tour provided not only tough cricket but also a platform to test new combinations, blood younger players, and experience the culture of a proud cricketing nation,” Bongani Ntini, the St John’s coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus.

The Blues began their expedition with a three-match series, two 50-over contests and a single T20, against Wesley College, St Peter’s College, and St Joseph’s College in Colombo. Their first assignment was against Wesley, who won the toss and elected to field first.

Darshik Lutchman lashed a brilliant 59-ball 77 to help The Blues reach 251 in 50 overs. His effort was well-supported by James Yuill’s 39 runs from 47 balls. Alec Loveland, the skipper, and Aiden Barberini bagged two wickets apiece as they bowled St John’s to a thrilling 8-run victory.

Unfortunately, The Blues couldn’t maintain that momentum as they fell to a one-wicket loss to St Peter’s in their second outing. The visitors made 214 in 50 overs batting first, courtesy of half-centuries from Lutchman (55 off 61) and Yuill (55 off 65). However, the milestones were not enough to lead The Blues to an unassailable total.

Loveland produced his best innings of the tour in the visitors’ first T20 encounter. The captain rinsed a 56-ball 100 to lift The Blues t 183/6, before Nkosana Sibiya, Malan Du Plessis, and Joshua Nyamaropa took two wickets each, to ensure a commanding 66-run win.

“The tour was invaluable for building squad depth — with the squared rotation policy ensuring every player had the chance to make contributions deep into the tour. Even in match seven or eight, energy levels and the will to win remained high,” Ntini explained.

From Colombo, St John’s headed to Kandy, where they jostled against the RSA Academy and Maliyadeva College. Herman Basson put his all-round skills on display against RSA with a fluent half-century (82 off 61) and a three-wicket haul (3/32), as The Blues secured a 29-run win.

With the bat, Basson was supported by Aiden Barberini, who thrashed an unbeaten 89 (113), as he shepherded St John’s to 254 in 50 overs. Connor van der Walt complimented Basson with the ball with 3/30 in eight overs.

Maliyadeva put The Blues on trial by spin in their fourth 50-over fixture. However, despite their best efforts, including some resistance with the bat, Maliyadeva made light work of the total set by St John’s and registered a comfortable seven-wicket victory.

“The match against Maliyadeva proved to be a crucial learning experience about playing quality spin in subcontinental conditions,” Ntini reflected.

From Kandy, The Blues headed to Galle, where they played Richmond College in a 50-over tie and then duelled with Foundation of Goodness and Holy Cross College in T20 encounters.

Basson showed his quality with the bat again with a well-played half-century, 53 off 82, on a tough wicket as he guided The Blues to a six-wicket win over Richmond. Joshua Hall ensured that an end remained intact with a patient 58-ball 38 in the chase. St John’s victory was set up by David Ireland’s outstanding bowling spell that produced three wickets for 31 runs in 10 overs.

“The tour allowed younger players to gain confidence without the immediate pressure of local rivalries, while combinations for the coming season were tested with success,” Ntini said.

Conquering tough conditions against Richmond gave St John’s confidence as they went into their last two matches. Lwazi Khupe (3/19) and Ireland (2/18) took five wickets between them as The Blues bundled Foundation of Goodness out for 119 in a T20 tie. Michael Stubbs then lashed a 16-ball 30 as St John’s raced to a four-wicket victory.

The match against Holy Cross was supposed to be a 50-over encounter; however, it was reduced to 20 overs a side due to conditions. Hall starred with the bat, spanking an unbeaten 68 from 43 balls as he steered The Blues to 161.

Basson and Barberini, who both returned figures of 2/17, dictated terms during Holy Cross’ chase as they helped St John’s close the tour with a 25-run win.

“Beyond the matches, the squad also enjoyed valuable educational excursions that gave the boys deep insight into the humility, care, and generosity of the Sri Lankan people. They learned vital life lessons: the boys were humbled by the generosity, love, and respect of a community that, despite not having much materially, gave selflessly at every opportunity,” Ntini shared.

The Blues will put the skills they sharpened and learned during their tour in their first local assignment, the Fasken Two-Day Festival on the 28th of August, where they face Clifton and Nelspruit. After that, they will head to KwaZulu-Natal for the Michaelmas Festival from 4–7 October. Michaelmas will be the final showcase for this year’s matric group.