Jeppe High School for Boys, Jeppe High School Girls,Parktown Boys’ High School, and Parktown High School for Girls will meet on the Boden AstroTurf on Friday at an event to raise awareness about Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Sanitary towels and clothes will also be collected during the event, which begins at 15:00 with the u14A teams in action and concludes with Jeppe Boys versus Parktown Boys at 19:30.
The sanitary items will be donated to less privileged girls while the clothing will go to women’s shelters. Jeppe Girls’ Head of Sport, Joy Toerien, said: “Old clothing or shoes and sanitary products can be dropped off at either Jeppe High School for Girls or Jeppe High School for Boys.”
She emphasised the need to raise awareness of gender-based violence, adding: “We want to create awareness around this topic because we are in a crisis, and we want to create environments where we encourage teenagers to become healthy, functioning adults, where they are kind and caring in their homes as adults, are good role models, where they are good husbands and wives, fathers and mothers,” she said.
Toerien went on to explain how sports can be used to help shape young people into valuable citizens.
“Teenagers love to do adult things but do not have the emotional capacity to deal with the consequences of adult actions,” Toerien said. “Sport creates a competitive but healthy environment where coaches can teach and reach learners beyond the classroom and teach them valuable life lessons.”
She said she would also like to see the drive that the four schools will share extend to other schools. “We would encourage other schools to brand their sports clothing with ‘Say no to GBV’, to host events where we can create awareness within the community, reach out to schools to join up with choirs and bands, it doesn’t have to stop or be sport only.”
Organised under the theme “Unite Against GBV”, Friday’s game will use sport as a unifying force to educate students, promote respectful relationships, and stand in solidarity with survivors of gender-based violence.
The school also said that an outcry about incidents, such as #justiceforCwecwe, has highlighted an urgent need for collective action.
David Grace moves up from coaching Parktown’s u16A side to taking charge of the 1st team. Photo: supplied.
Parktown Boys’ High School has announced the appointment of David Grace as the new head coach of their first hockey team.
Grace takes over the reins from the highly respected Kyle Reddy, who recently stepped into his new role as Head of Sport at the school.
Grace has big shoes to fill. Under Reddy‘s guidance, the Parktown first side reached new heights, succeeding at developing talented players, cultivating a spirit of excellence, and raising the profile of Parktown hockey on and off the field.
In 2024, they also made the final of the Aitken Cup for the first time since 2010.
Grace brings an exciting CV to his position. He explained: “I am a Jeppe old boy. I played for the 1st team in 2006 and started coaching in 2007. I joined Parktown in 2022 as a Geography educator and the u16A coach.
“I am now HOD of Geography and Director of Hockey. Recently, I have been involved with the Joburg Hockey League (JHL) and Southerns.
“Last year, I was the assistant coach to the u14A Southern Gauteng boys’ team that won the first-ever u14 national IPT,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.
The appointment to take charge of Parktown’s best was a dream come true, he admitted: “Being a first-team coach has always been a dream of mine, and I am honoured to be the first-team coach at Parktown.” he said.
Last year was a season of success for the Parktown first side. They won 19 matches, drew six, and lost nine. More importantly, there was a renewed sense of pride in the school’s hockey and an expectation to challenge the best. They proved with their Aitken Cup run that they ranked among the top teams in the region.
Grace conceded that taking on the new role comes with some pressure. “There is pressure in taking over from such a distinguished coach as Kyle Reddy, but he and James Furlonger, our MIC, have been great supporters of mine over the past four years and back me 100 percent,” he said.
There will be more to Friday’s matches than the results as the four schools take a stand against gender-based violence.
“I am honoured to be the first-team coach at this proud hockey school, and, as Director of Hockey, I am determined to maintain the proud legacy of the school,” Grace continued.
Then, turning his attention to his players, he added an optimistic note, saying: “I have a very good relationship with the boys as I coached them in their u16 year.”
Grace’s coaching will be based on a motto: “We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training”.
He and Parktown face a stiff challenge on Friday. They take on Jeppe High School for Boys, who performed well at the recent Nomads Hockey Festival, where they were unbeaten.
Parktown Boys’ High, Jeppe High School for Boys, Parktown High School for Girls, and Jeppe High School for Girls will be in action on the Boden AstroTurf, at Jeppe Boys, playing their matches under the banner “Unite against GBV” [Gender-based Violence). The occasion includes a sanitary pad drive.
The action starts at 15:00 when the u14A sides meet. The u16A teams follow at 16:00, and the 2nd XIs at 17:15. At 18:15, it will be the turn of the Jeppe Girls and Parktown Girls first teams, with the first team clash between Jeppe Boys and Parktown Boys, which starts at 19:30, completing the fixtures.
Hoërskool Middelburg soek vroeg-vroeg ‘n tweede hap van die kersiekoek wanneer hy Saterdag in Boksburg vir die tweede keer in bietjie meer as ‘n maand teen Hoërskool Nelspruit te staan kom.
Dié twee spanne het hul onderskeie seisoene vanjaar teen mekaar geopen in Mbombela, met die Rhinos wat uiteindelik met 18-13 kon seëvier nadat hulle die tweede helfte oorheers het met 12 onbeantwoorde punte.
Die Middies het egter daardie stryd sonder ‘n groot wapen in hul arsenaal, losskakel, Matthew Abbey, aangepak.
Abbey is hierdie naweek terug om die nr. 10-trui oor sy kop te trek en weer die toutjies vir die span van Middelburg agterlangs te trek. Abbey is netjies op dreef en onlangs in die Oakdale Rugbyweek se Span van die Week ingesluit. Sy tweestryd met John Duncan, wat uitgeblink het vir Nellies in hul vorige wedstryd, beloof om vir heelwat vuurwerke te sorg.
Voorlangs sal die Nellies se breier, Ryno Luus, staatmaak op steelkantflank, Vian Louw, om die invloed van Middies se woelige haker, Roux Grobler, teen te werk. Grobler is ook in die Oakdale-spogspan ingesluit, terwyl Louw uithalerspel gelewer het vir die Rhinos by die onlangse Noord/Suid-toernooi in Stellenbosch.
Hoërskool Eldoraigne se pad raak nie makliker nie, met die Drake wat hul Sportreeks teen Hoërskool Oos-Moot afsluit. Die Oosies is bykans op volsterkte met die terugkeer van die gevaarlike Dewron Aford (losskakel) en Jeandré Venter (binnesenter), wat weer vir die beginspan uitdraf.
Die Oosies se breier, Braam Pretorius, meen dat sy span op ‘n goeie plek is na ‘n suksesvolle toer na die Suid-Kaap, waar hulle in altwee wedstryde by die Southern Cape Sports Tour in George koning gekraai het, insluitende ‘n sege van 34-24 oor Hoërskool Trio.
Hoërskool Ben Vorster en Hoërskool Piet Retief is vir die eerste keer vanjaar haaks. Die Pieties sal later vanjaar weer teen die Buffels te staan kom wanneer hulle in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Skild-afdeling kragte meet.
Die Pieties het ‘n verandering aan hul afrigtingskorps aangebring, met die bekwame Herman Schlebusch, wat verlede jaar by Ligbron Akademie betrokke was, wat as hoofafrigter oorneem.
Die spanne:
Hoërskool Nelspruit t. Hoërskool Middelburg om 14:00 in Boksburg:
Hoërskool Nelspruit: 15 Jean Erasmus, 14 Jordan Pretorius, 13 Ruben Greeff, 12 Rian Botha, 11 Tinyiko Silubane, 10 John Duncan, 9 Liam Pringle, 8 Vaughn van Zyl, 7 Vian Louw, 6 Prosper Chillione, 5 André Smit, 4 Ethan Esterhuizen, 3 Gert Cloete, 2 D’Angelo Roberts, 1 Lindani Ndlela.
REINHARDT HERBST, heelagter van Die Hoërskool Menlopark, op die aanval teen HTS Drostdy by die Noord/Suid in Stellenbosch. FOTO: Frans Lombard/Actionpix.
Dit sal soos déjà vu voel wanneer Die Hoërskool Menlopark en Hoërskool Waterkloof Saterdag in Boksburg weer in die eindstryd van die NWU Sportreeks swaarde kruis.
Dit is ‘n herhaling van verlede jaar se eindstryd toe die Klofies met 23-8 koning gekraai het.
Soos wat die geval was in 2024, is Parkies en Klofies weer vanjaar die enigste onoorwonne spanne in die reeks. Hoërskool Kempton Park en Hoërskool Transvalia het welliswaar ook nie verloor nie, maar moes een wedstryd weens gure weer misloop.
Na afloop van die onlangse Noord/Suid-toernooi in Stellenbosch kan die gunsteling om vanjaar die titel in te palm dalk effens anders daar uitsien. Die Parkies het ‘n uitstaande toernooi in die Wes-Kaap beleef, met goeie seges oor Hoërskool Outeniqua (34-24) en HTS Drostdy (43-29).
Daarenteen, het die Klofies hul rieme met 0-66 styfgeloop teen Paarl Boys’ High, wat as ‘n verrasingspakkie by die toernooi ontpop het. Dié reuse nederlaag het egter die Pretorianers nie heeltemal ontspoor nie, en hulle het in ander wedstryde steeds ‘n manier gevind om te wen vanuit moeilike situasies.
Indien die Klofies se breinstrust besluit om, soos in die laaste wedstryd in Stellenbosch, vir hul staatmaker en kaptein, Ronan Bastiaanse op losskakel te los, kan dit ‘n hewige tweestryd met die Parkies se generaal, Andru Keun, afgee.
Keun se hoofdoel sal wees om die giftige Leskin Samuels aan sy buitekant los te laat. Dié Cravenweek-senter het vanjaar na hoogste versnelling oorgeskakel, vernaam wat sy venynige dartellopies betref.
Agsteman, Marko Kok, se tereugkeer na die beginspan kan vir die Klofies ‘n beduidende hupstoot bied, verál in ‘n eindstryd. Kok sal egter eers verby Parkies se haker, Declan Pleser, en die res van sy pak moet kom.
In nóg ‘n herhaling van ‘n 2024-eindstryd, pak HTS Middelburg vir Hoërskool Transvalia in die uitspeelwedstryd om die derde plek. Die vorige keer dat dié twee spanne ontmoet het, het dit ‘n titaniese stryd voorlangs afgegee, met die kragmeting in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Plaat-afdeling eindstryd wat met 24-24 gelykop geëindig het.
Die Rooi Bulle moet vir ‘n geruime tyd sonder staatmaker-senter en kaptein, Johnny dos Santos, klaarkom. Dos Santos bevind homself op die krukkelys na hy sy been teen die Klofies in die halfeindstryd gebreek het en word deur die ervare Anthoni Smuts in die middeveld vervang.
Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen, die gasheer op die dag, is oorgehaal om vir sy tuisskare iets te gee om oor te glimlag. Die Jansies hoop dat ‘n sege oor Hoërskool Kempton Park ‘n keerpunt in hul seioen kan wees. Dit is geen geheim dat die Jansies vanjaar sukkel nie, maar die Arende kan nooit afgeskryf word nie.
Die spanne:
Die Hoërskool Menlopark t. Hoërskool Waterkloof om 16:00 in Boksburg:
Menlopark: 15 Reihardt Herbst, 14 Bladen Peterson, 13 Leskin Samuels, 12 Dylan Stumke, 11 Juan Joubert, 10 Andru Keun, 9 Gustav Schäffner, 8 JN van Wyk, 7 Ruan Strydom, 6 Nathen du Plessis, 5 Xander Roets, 4 Keagen Pretorius, 3 Ruvan van Aardt, 2 Declan Pelser, 1 Mattheus Prinsloo.
From left to right: Team coach Hendrick Mukwevho, captain Thabo Malatji, and Curro CEO Cobus Loubser.
In March, Curro Holdings introduced the Curro Halala Cup. This week, the fixtures, venues, dates, and times for the competition were announced.
The Curro Halala Cup will feature 60 leading teams, representing both public and private institutions, in a national contest that showcases the richness of South African football at the school level.
The tournament will feature two knockout stages. Initially, the 60 invited schools will participate in the first round. From there, the leading 32 teams will move on to the second knockout stage. After that, the top 16 teams will advance to the grand final, which will be hosted at HeronBridge College, in Gauteng, from 8 to 10 August.
Now, with the draw finalised, anticipation is mounting as the teams gear up for the competition, which will provide a national showcase for their talent, skills, and sportsmanship.
Cindy van der Merwe, Portfolio Manager at Curro Sport, expressed her excitement about the tournament’s potential: “This tournament is a world-class event that brings together young talent from every region in South Africa. We are proud to provide a platform where these players can shine and pursue their football dreams,” she said in a statement.
“Competing in this tournament gives young athletes the chance to demonstrate their talent, open doors for future opportunities, and form lasting friendships that will extend beyond their school years, into university and adulthood.
“Curro is incredibly proud to contribute to the development and growth of football at school level in South Africa.”
The tournament will be broadcast live on SuperSport Schools channel 216, the SuperSport Schools App, and via the WhatsApp broadcast channel. Information regarding fixtures, results, and updates will be available on Curro Sport’s Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube platforms.
Note: The SuperSport Schools Plus website will actively deliver engaging news and updates, including results from the Curro Halala Cup. Additional information can also be found on the SuperSport Schools Footballpages on Facebook and Instagram.
The event will be hosted across eight regions, with the knockout rounds taking place at the following Curro Schools:
HeronBridge College (Gauteng)
23 April 14:30 – The King’s School Linbro Park vs HeronBridge College
16:00 – Curro Soshanguve vs Curro Pretoria
24 April 14:30 – Curro Thatchfield vs The King’s School Robin Hills
16:00 – Clapham High vs Rosina Sedibane
Waterstone College (Gauteng)
23 April 14:30 – Meridian Cosmo City vs Randfontein High
16:00 – Norkem Park vs Waterstone College
24 April
14:30 – Mondeor High vs Curro Protea Glen
16:00 – Curro Wilgeheuwel vs Queens High
Curro Century City (Western Cape)
23 April 14:30 – Curro Somerset West vs Curro Sandown
16:00 – Camps Bay High vs Somerset College
24 April
14:30 – Meridian Pinehurst vs Curro Century City
16:00 – Milnerton High vs Wellington College
Curro Hillcrest (KZN)
23 April
14:30 – Pinetown Boys’ High vs Glenwood High
16:00 – Curro Hillcrest vs Creston College
24 April
14:30 – Clifton College vs Durban High School
16:00 – Grantleigh College vs Hillcrest High
Northern Academy (Limpopo)
23 April
14:30 – Sebitja Secondary School vs Westenburg Secondary
16:00 – Happy Day Secondary vs Louis Trichardt High
24 April
14:30 – Future Comprehensive vs Flora Park
16:00 – Northern Academy vs Tom Naudé
Curro Bloemfontein (Free State)
23 April 14:30 – Navalsig High vs HTS Louis Botha
16:00 – Brebner High vs Curro Bloemfontein
24 April
14:30 – Calculus High vs Kyrios Independent
16:00 – Moroka High vs Grey College
Curro Nelspruit (Mpumalanga)
23 April
14:30 – Metropolitan College vs Lowveld High
16:00 – Barberton High vs Curro Nelspruit
24 April 14:30 – Curro Mbombela vs Stintile Secondary
16:00 – Barberton Invitational vs Meridian Karino
A year ago, Selborne College pulled off a remarkable comeback when they scored 19 points in the last 10 minutes to defeat Gqeberha’s Pearson High 29-25 in their 1st XV fixture.
Now, the two Eastern Cape rivals are set for another epic confrontation when they square off in East London on Saturday, with the visitors, no doubt, hungry for a measure of revenge.
Yet, Pearson coach Christiaan van Schalkwyk knows that they will have to be on point in all facets of the game to handle a Selborne team hurting after a couple of losses at the Standard Bank Grey High Festival.
“We have played six matches so far and have won all six, but there are always things for us to work on,” Van Schalkwyk said as he contemplated Pearson’s next challenge. “Our team is a young side and we are always working hard to improve our game.”
The Summerstrand-based school has taken massive strides to lift its profile in the sporting environment.
“I would like to improve our programme to consistently produce good sides,” the coach said. “We are working hard to establish ourselves as a top-flight rugby-playing school which can compete at a high level.”
With scrumhalf, Denilo Jordaan, an exciting attacking factor, Pearson showed their credentials with a come-from-behind 20-14 victory over Queen’s College at the Graeme College Festival, but Selborne will be another tough examination of their credentials.
“Selborne are strong opponents, and playing an all-boys school will always be tough,” Van Schalkwyk said. “We are expecting a physical challenge from a well-coached side.”
Meanwhile, Selborne coach Allan Miles will be looking to shore up a defensive frailty his charges showed in their recent fixtures.
“Defensively, we weren’t great in our last two games, and this has definitely been an area that we have worked hard at, especially when it comes to our tackle completion statistics, he said.
“Our gainline success rate on attack has also not been great, and at this stage of the season, it is common for teams to be making too many errors. We have to reduce these to be in the game.”
Despite losses to top KZN sides Westville (12-45) and DHS (5-35) at the Grey Festival, Miles said those games had been a help in assessing Selborne’s options for the season. “They have allowed us to try out different combinations, which prepares us well for the rest of the season,” he explained.
“As a coach, you are always looking at areas to improve on and these boys have set high standards for themselves. As a coaching group, it is our goal to help them achieve those.”
The teams:
Selborne College vs Pearson in East London at 14:45:
In 2024, Dr EG Jansen beat Kearsney College at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival. They meet again at the 2025 event. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Just one week remains until the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival(KERF) lights up Stott Field and Roberts Field in Botha’s Hill.
The 2025 edition of the event features 12 high school 1st XVs, 12 primary school teams, and, for the first time, four high school girls’ u16 sides.
Since the lineup was revealed on 18 February, we’ve had an opportunity to see most of the 1st XVs in action. Of the four KwaZulu-Natal representatives, three – Durban High School (DHS), Westville Boys’ High, and Glenwood – are unbeaten, albeit that the season is in its infancy and some serious challenges await them this coming weekend, Kearsney College has won three of their four matches.
DHS, the best team in KZN in 2024, is staking a strong claim to be number one again. They’re a well-coached and well-drilled side, very physical and relentless, and they’ve won five matches already.
Most recently, they were in action at the Standard Bank Grey High Rugby Festival, where they impressed in emphatic wins over Kingswood College (41-20) and Selborne College (35-5). They’ve also beaten Michaelhouse (28-20), Maritzburg College (29-10), and Bethlehem Voortrekker (63-8).
Yet, it feels like there is still more to come from School. No doubt, that’s how coaches Peter Engeldow and Ronnie Uys see it. With an Absa Wildeklawerschedule that features games against Stellenberg and Paarl Gimnasium, with Gim having already staked a strong claim to being number one in South Africa, DHS will want to find their best form as soon as possible.
They open their challenge against Hoërskool Rustenburg, a school they crushed 45-0 at KERF in 2024, which was one of those games that alerted people to the fact that DHS might have a special team. They went on to prove that case, winning 13 and losing only two by a combined seven points.
Rustieslook like a tougher out this year. They were well beaten by Hoërskool Noordheuwel (14-40) earlier this season, but Noriesshowed they’re a serious side when they pushed Grey College (22-24) and Paul Roos (19-26) to the brink at the NMI Toyota North/South Tournament.
Rustenburg has won three matches besides that, edging out Hoërskool Trio 17-14 in their season-opener on 1 March, followed by a narrow 27-25 win over Hoërskool Witteberg, and a convincing 60-24 victory over Hoërskool Diamantveld at the North/South, where they also shared a 15-15 draw with Nico Malan.
It’s a credit to DHS that they’ve been handed three tough fixtures. They also face Hoërskool Monument on Saturday, 19 April, and Hoërskool Durbanville on Monday, 21 April. Those teams met at the North/South, with Durbies scoring a hard-fought 27-21 win over Monnas.
Durbanville, first-timers at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, also faced another of the KERF teams, Dr EG Jansen, in Stellenbosch and won that one 34-16. They boast a beefy pack and some gas in the backline. They’ll be tough.
They face an interesting challenge in their opener against Dale College, who are renowned for their running rugby. Durbies will also have an early morning call on Saturday, opening the day’s menu with an outing against Rustenburg.
DHS excelled in a 45-0 win over Hoërskool Rustenburg at KERF in 2024. They do battle on the first day of the 2025 festival. Photo: Brad Morgan.
The hosts, Kearsney, face Dr EG Jansen in their opener at 13:00 on Thursday. Last year, after trailing 5-11 when they met the One-Stripe at KERF, EG Jansen shifted gears and ran away to a 36-11 victory.
They’re not the powerhouse that they were in 2024, but they’re still a decent outfit. Both teams have suffered one big loss each this season – Kearsney to Hilton College, and Jansies to Boland Landbou – but they’ve also shown enough to suggest that their meeting could be an entertaining head-to-head.
Kearsney also faces Dale College and Zimbabwe’s Peterhouse. Both matches should see the ball doing plenty of work, being put through the hands, as Dale and Peterhouse favour a running game.
Kearsney, too, has shown a real appetite for that approach early in the season, and it brought them wins over Pretoria Boys High (28-26) and Hudson Park (41-31) at the Standard Bank Grey High Rugby Festival.
Glenwood will be a team to keep an eye on. Yes, 2024 was not a big success, but they head into the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival with an experienced team and one year on that could lead to a reversal of their fortunes. They’ve played only two matches thus far in 2025, comfortably beating St Charles 38-0 before sneaking a 7-5 win over HTS Middelburg.
They’ll confront Monument in their opener, which should reveal a lot about both sides. Then, they take on Milnerton, another newcomer from the Western Cape, who edged out Durbanville 20-15 at the Western Province Rugby Schools Day in mid-March. They close with a game against Dale College on Monday.
One of the KERF regulars, Hoërskool Framesby, has been handed a daunting opener against Westville Boys’ High, who have looked very good early on this season. They’re coached by Zander Erasmus, who has moved up to the 1st XV after coaching many of the players he now leads at u16 level.
They play an enterprising game. They’re strong up front but mobile, and they possess some very dangerous backline players, led by fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya, who is dynamite on the counterattack.
Westville fullback Zekhethelo Siyiya crossed for two superb tries in his side’s 14-point win over Hilton College on 25 May 2024. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Framesby will also be challenged by Peterhouse’s running game before facing a more traditional challenge from Dr EG Jansen. Westville, who upset Monument 25-22 in their last game of last year’s festival, take on EG Jansen on Saturday and finish with Rustenburg, on Monday.
Westville has played three and won three thus far, including a 24-15 win at Hilton College, a 45-12 shellacking of Selborne, and a 28-13 defeat of Dale.
Milnerton, one of 2024’s most exciting teams anywhere in the country, tackles Peterhouse in the festival’s opening game and it should be pleasing to the eye. After their Glenwood game on Saturday, they meet Monnas on Monday. They’ve been handed three very different challenges, but their rugby should be all the better for it.
Each day, on Stott Field, a prime-time spot, at 12:00, has been reserved for girls’ u16 matches. In a late change to the field of four teams, Grosvenor Girls’ High has replaced Richards Bay High School.
Thursday’s Stott Field spotlight will fall on Mowat Park High and Adams College. On Saturday, it will be the turn of Adams College and George Campbell to play the prime-time game, and, on Monday, Adams College and Grosvenor will meet.
The event also features 12 primary school teams, who will be in action on Roberts Field. Apart from the KZN primary schools, it will include two development sides and, also, the Harare Lions, from Zimbabwe.
BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL FIXTURES
Thursday, 17 April
08:00 – Milnerton High School vs Peterhouse
09:20 – Hoërskool Durbanville vs Dale College
10:40 – Durban High School vs Hoërskool Rustenburg
13:00 – Kearsney College vs Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen
14:20 – Hoërskool Monument vs Glenwood High School
15:40 – Westville Boys’ High vs Hoërskool Framesby
Saturday, 19 April
08:00 – Hoërskool Durbanville vs Hoërskool Rustenburg
09:20 – Hoërskool Framesby vs Peterhouse
10:40 – Milnerton High School vs Glenwood High School
13:00 – Westville Boys’ High vs Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen
14:20 – Kearsney College vs Dale College
15:40 – Hoërskool Monument vs Durban High School
Monday, 21 April
08:00 – Hoërskool Monument vs Milnerton High School
09:20 – Glenwood High School vs Dale College
10:40 – Hoërskool Framesby vs Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen
12:50 – Closing Ceremony
13:00 – Durban High School vs Hoërskool Durbanville
14:20 – Westville Boys’ High vs Hoërskool Rustenburg
15:40 – Kearsney College vs Peterhouse
GIRLS’ U16 FIXTURES
Thursday, 17 April
12:00 – Mowat Park High vs Adams College
12:00 – George Campbell vs Grosvenor Girls’ High School
Saturday, 19 April
12:00 – Adams College vs George Campbell
12:00 – Mowat Park High vs Grosvenor Girls’ High School
Monday, 21 April
11:00 – Mowat Park High vs George Campbell
12:00 – Adams College vs Grosvenor Girls’ High School
PRIMARY SCHOOL FIXTURES
Thursday, 17 April
08:00 – Highbury Prep vs Kloof Senior Primary
09:00 – Penzance Primary vs uThukela Team (Bergville)
10:00 – Winston Park Primary vs Westville Senior Primary
11:00 – Hillcrest Primary vs Chelsea Prep
13:00 – Umhlali Prep vs KZN Ibutho Development Team
14:00 – Glenwood Prep vs Harare Lions
Saturday, 19 April
08:00 – Kloof Senior Primary vs Winston Park Primary
09:00 – Chelsea Prep vs Harare Lions
10:00 – Westville Senior Primary vs Hillcrest Primary
11:00 – Glenwood Prep vs uThukela Team (Bergville)
13:00 – Highbury Prep vs KZN Ibutho Development Team
14:00 – Penzance Primary vs Umhlali Prep
Monday, 21 April
08:00 – Hillcrest Primary vs Winston Park Primary
09:00 – Kloof Senior Primary vs uThukela Team (Bergville)
10:00 – Glenwood Prep vs Westville Senior Prep
12:00 – Highburg Prep vs Umhlali Prep
13:00 – Penzance Primary vs Harare Lions
14:00 – Chelsea Prep vs KZN Ibutho Development Team
Paul Roos will be tested by Grey High in Stellenbosch. Photo: Janco Saunders.
The stage is set for the maiden Hyundai Friday Nite Lights clash in the Western Cape, with Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) preparing to take on Grey High School in Stellenbosch on Friday.
It will be the first outing of the second term for both sides, who have already seen action in festivals, and on tours.
In recent years, the PRG vs. Grey fixture has been one of the most entertaining games of the season.
The two sides are usually well-matched and they play a similar brand of hockey, with strong defensive players, smooth midfielders, and forwards who can convert.
More of the same can be expected this time around with the coaches, Michael Baker and Andrew Beynon, both guiding young and energetic squads.
A lot has changed since the teams met last year in Gqeberha in a humdinger.
In that clash, Grey High dominated the early exchanges and led 2-0 at the halfway point. PRG looked down but certainly not out and they clawed their way back into the contest before pulling off a remarkable comeback by stealing a 3-2 win.
The Stellenbosch boys displayed typical grit and character and those same attributes will be key in Friday’s showdown.
On current form, many would argue that PRG is the favourite ahead of the clash. Baker’s boys are yet to taste defeat and dominated their opposition at the Parel Vallei Hockey Festivaland Coastal Cup last month.
Baker, however, will be the first to warn that “unbeaten records” flashed all over headlines mean very little when the game begins.
Luke Tait will be focused on leading Grey High to victory over PRG in Stellenbosch. Photo: Shot by Shani Photography
Grey poses an interesting challenge with some talented young players donning the blue and white jerseys affectionately known as the “Azzurri“.
The boys from Gqeberha have passed a little under the radar early in the season, although they gave a hint of their capabilities at the Synsport Tony Godding Festival, in March.
There, coach Beynon’s side was unbeaten, recording four wins, before embarking on an international tour to The Netherlands.
They played five matches there, claimed three wins and a draw, and went down once against quality opposition.
The tour and its bonding experience should stand them in good stead for the challenges that lie ahead. They’ll seek to implement some of the lessons they learnt abroad.
Both sides boast plenty of talent. Leading the way for Paul Roos will be their captain Christo Swanepoel. He’ll find strong support from exciting youngsters Seth Paterson, Tylor Carter, and Logan Lackay, while Callum van Oudtshoorn‘s experience will be useful, too.
As for Grey, their captain, Luke Tait will be on a mission to reverse last year’s result as one of the few remaining players from that team.
Other players to watch include Athi Voigt, goalkeeper Kiano Broadhurst,Liam Poole, Logan Goodard-Ford, Keegan Le Roux, and Danté Elkington.
Die pad vorentoe vir die uitspeelrondes van die NWU Prestige-reeks is bekend gemaak, nadat die halfeindronde van dié reeks noodgedwonge weens aanhoudende reën afgelas moes word.
Die bestuur van die Prestige-reeks het besluit om alle wedstryde wat op Saterdag, 12 April, by die Noordwes-Universiteit se Fanie du Toit-sportgronde sou plaasvind te kanselleer weens kommer dat die baie rugby op een dag skade aan die velde kan aanrig.
Om dié besluit verder te bemoeilik is die velde van Potchefstroom Gimnasium en Potchefstroom Volkskool ook buite perke.
Verskeie opsies om by die oorspronklike bepalings te hou is oorweeg, onder andere die moontlikheid om die wedstryde na ander velde of self ander provinsies te skuif, asook die opskiet van ‘n muntstuk.
Die uitdagings om die wedstryde te skuif was uiteindelik egter net té groot.
“Weens die laat stadium en logistieke uitdagings, finansiële implikasies, Departementele toestemming en akademiese tyd wat verlore kan gaan was dié opsies nie prakties uitvoerbaar nie,” het Fielies Coetzee, voorsitter van die Prestige-reeks, in ‘n verklaring aan die betrokke skole gesê.
“Ten spyte van die bogenoemde pogings, moes ons egter by ‘n finale besluit kom. Die finale besluit is as volg:
“Die halfeindstryd-bepalings word oorgedra na die eindstryde wat op 26 April sou plaasvind. Die wenners vir posisie 1-4, 5-8, 9-12 en 13-15 sal die hoogste posisie deel. Twee skole sal gesamentlik die eerste plek beklee, twee skole gesamentlik die derde plek, ensovoorts tot by die 15de plek. Sodoende kan ons by ‘n regverdige en werkbare uitslag kom.”
Die bepalings vir netbal, hokkie en ander kleiner sportsoorte wat vir die naweek geskeduleer is sal soos beplan voortgaan. Alle uitslae, insluitende dié van hierdie sporte, sal bygetel word om die uiteindelike punte op te stel en algehele wenners aan te wys soos in die verlede.
Hierdie besluit beteken uiteindelik dat vier spanne, naamlik, Hoërskool Wesvalia, Hoërskool Marais Viljoen, Potchefstroom Volkskool en Hoërskool Zwartkop steeds ‘n kans staan om die eerste silwerware van die jaar in te palm.
Die finale kragmetings van die Menlopark-Netbaltoernooi het soos verwag aksie van hoogstaande gehalte gelewer, met spanne wat enduit alles in die stryd gewerp het.
Die gasheerspan, Menlopark, het hul toernooi stylvol afgesluit met gesaghebbende vertonings teen PaarlGirls (31-18) en Duineveld (30-12). Helpmekaar het ewe indrukwekkend vertoon teen Ben Vorster (22-8) en PotchGim (26-6).
Brackenfell het voortgebou op hul belowende spelpeil van vroeër met ’n oortuigende sege van 29-13 oor Fransdu Toit, maar moes hard werk om Hans Moore met 22-18 baas te raak.
Milnerton het een van die dag se uithaler-vertonings gelewer om ‘n wegholsege van 30-4 oor Alberton te behaal, en het ook met 22-12 die pyp gerook teen Lydenburg. Monnas het ’n sterk indruk gelaat met hul wegholsege van 31-9 oor Dr Malan, en groot veggees getoon om Diamantveld met 21-16 te troef.
DF Malan het vir Merensky met 24-10 geklop en vir Oosterland met 30-8 oorweldig, terwyl Secunda hul reputasie gestand gedoen het deur Alberton (27-14) en Capricorn (29-18) te klop. Edenvale het ook uitgehaal om met 28-26 teen Ben Vorster en 21-14 teen Worcester Gim te seëvier.
Sommige spanne het dit moeilik gevind om momentum te handhaaf, met Merensky wat beide hul wedstryde op die laaste dag verloor het, terwyl Diamantveld teen Monnas en Potch Gim vasgeval het. Oosterland kon ook nie die mas opkom teen sowel Linden (14-19) as DF Malan (8-30) nie, terwyl Randburg teen Stellenbosch en Vredendal, en Pretoria Noord teen Hugenote en Oranje 2 verloor het.
Daar was ook kleiner maar betekenisvolle oorwinnings vir spanne soos Swartland wat Krugersdorp met 17-13 geklop het, en Outeniqua wat met 23-11 teen die einste Swartland koning gekraai het. Paarl Girls het teruggekom na hul nederlaag teen Menlopark om met 21-10 teen Rand Park te wen, terwyl Durbanville hul plek in die wennerskring behou het met seges oor Rand Park en Oranje.
Dit was ’n gepaste afsluiting vir ’n toernooi waar borrelende talent en, vernaam, vasberadenheid voorop gestaan het.
Jeppe High School for Boys, Jeppe High School Girls, Parktown Boys’ High School, and Parktown High School for Girls will meet on the Boden AstroTurf on Friday at an event to raise awareness about Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
A year ago, Selborne College pulled off a remarkable comeback when they scored 19 points in the last 10 minutes to defeat Gqeberha’s Pearson High 29-25 in their 1st XV fixture.
Die pad vorentoe vir die uitspeelrondes van die NWU Prestige-reeks is bekend gemaak, nadat die halfeindronde van dié reeks noodgedwonge weens aanhoudende reën afgelas moes word.
Die finale kragmetings van die Menlopark-Netbaltoernooi het soos verwag aksie van hoogstaande gehalte gelewer, met spanne wat enduit alles in die stryd gewerp het.