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Northern Gauteng A, Western Province A, and KwaZulu-Natal Coastal A were tied at the top of Pool B in the girls’ u18 section after day one’s action at the SASHOC Inter-Provincial Tournament on Monday.

All three won their opening fixtures and are separated by goal difference only.

KZN Coastal A, who kicked off their campaign with a 4-0 drubbing of Western Province B, are sitting at the summit.

Western Province A lies second after a 3-0 win over KZN Inland A, and Northern Gauteng A holds down third spot, thanks to a 3-1 defeat of Border A.

The event, being hosted by KZN Inland, is being played at St Anne’s DSG, in Hilton, and Maritzburg College, in Pietermaritzburg, and runs through to 5 July.

Sinoxolo Mbekeni‘s Northern Gauteng A scripted an incredible run at last year’s tournament. They went all the way through to the final, where they lost to Southern Gauteng A in a penalty shootout. in 2025, only two players, Andrea Groenewald and Okuhle Ntshaba, are back from that team.

While the lineup is almost completely different, Mbekeni’s side is keen to write another stirring chapter in the province’s hockey history.

“I think we took a while to get going in the game today. We were not doing the right things often enough,” Mbekeni told Supersport Schools Plus after her side scored a hard-fought win.

In the first chukka, Northerns A trailed 0-1 after a field goal from Tarelle Jones gave Border the lead in the 11th minute. That goal, however, stirred Northern Gauteng A to life. Still, it took them a long time before they finally cracked Border’s defence.

At last, though, in the 45th minute, Thato Dimpe registered Northern Gauteng’s first goal. Then, while Border was still feeling their way back, Motlatle Amogelang struck two minutes later with another field goal to give Northerns the lead for the first time.

Zoe Badenhorst hammered the final nail in the coffin with a last-minute strike, again a field goal, to secure victory for Mbekeni’s outfit.

“I think we did well in focusing on the right things and we needed to keep playing our style to ensure success,” Mbekeni summed up the win.

Western Province A arrived in Pietermaritzburg determined to banish memories of last year’s campaign. They finished in a disappointing seventh place in Bloemfontein, and they wanted to consign that effort to history.

Hannah Henderson, Samantha Flint, Georgia Maw, Jehan Abrahams, Khanya Moore, and Zara Berrisford, all members of last year’s side, were especially intent on writing a new, exciting chapter.

The Natalie Esteves-coached side make a good start to that endeavour with a 3-0 victory over KZN Inland to get their campaign underway in style, with Emma Hibbert, Chelsey McGregor, and Thimna Waka netting for Western Province A.

After 32 minutes, Hibbert converted a penalty corner to put Western Province A ahead. McGregor doubled their lead with a field goal nine minutes later, and Waka made it 3-0 in the final seconds of the contest.

KZN Coastal finished third in 2024, and a win in their opener helped lay a sound foundation for another run at the title.

Nicola Dudas inspired Coastal to victory with a brace, which bookended their scoring. She slotted the opener in the 16th minute, which was the first of three goals in three minutes for the KZN side. Zezethu Kunene doubled Coastal’s lead a minute later before Gabi Howarth rounded off the blitz in the 18th minute.

In the 34th minute, Dudas increased the cushion to four goals. That was a mountain too high for Western Province B to climb.

Western Province A will have an opportunity to claim their second win of the tournament when they go up against Border A at 07:30 on Tuesday morning. Northern Gauteng A will joust with Western Province B at 08:55, and KZN Coastal has a date with their neighbours and hosts, KZN Inland A at 10:20.

Results

Northern Gauteng A: 3 – Thato Dimpe, Amogelang Motlatle, Zoe Badenhorst. Border A: 1 – Tarelle Jones.
Western Province A: 3 – Emma Hibbert, Chelsey McGregor, Thimna Waka. KZN Inland A: 0.
KZN Coastal A: 4 – Nicola Dudas (2), Zezethu Kunene, Gabi Howarth. Western Province B: 0.

There was an early Monday morning start as the fog was starting to clear over Pape’s Astro, at Maritzburg College, in Pietermaritzburg. The temperature read a mere four degrees Celsius as Eastern Province A and Southern Gauteng A got the ball rolling at the 2025 SASHOC National Week.

After months of preparation, it was time for the players to walk the talk and show spectators, national selectors, and, potentially, scouts in attendance, what they had to offer.

The big winners on the opening day were the defending champions Western Province A (WP), Southern Gauteng A, Boland A, Southern Free State A, and Northern Gauteng A.

Southern Gauteng defeated Eastern Province A (EP) 1-0 in the first game of the tournament, thanks to a strike by Parktown Boys’ High stalwart, Zeyad Davids.

The boys from Gauteng were made to sweat for their win. In a scrappy first half, EP came out fighting and created ample chances. However, coach Andrew Beynon‘s boys were their own worst enemies. Their finishing let them down.

In the first half, they were awarded several short corners, but their execution was rough, and those chances went begging.

Southerns, meanwhile, struggled to gel but showed promising signs, and their defence, steered by captain Ethan Kapanda, Khanyisa Kraai, and Benjamin Simon, was rock solid.

Up front, they didn’t create much, but Davids used the single chance that came his way, while Aidan Blatch showed glimpses of his potential.

The action intensified quickly when the defending champions, Western Province, took on Boland B.

Province defeated Boland A 3-2 in last year’s final and arrived in the Midlands as one of the favourites. Boland B, on the other hand, earned promotion after winning the B-Section in 2024.

WP hardly got out of first gear but, after a well-contested first chukka, went in front in the second chukka through Litha Kraai.

They doubled their tally soon after through a thunderbolt drag flick from captain Jo le Roux. Then, in the final chukka, Aiden Topper sealed the victory with a brilliant solo goal.

Another side that had a good opening day was KZN Inland A, who finished fifth in 2024, a placing with which they were disappointed.

Coach Damian Kimfley’s boys have flown under the radar ahead of the tournament, but they’re one of the sides to keep an eye on in a tough Pool A.

They enjoyed a good start, defeating a game KZN Coastal B side 2-0. Later in the day, they played out a goalless draw with Eastern Province A.

Inland created several good goal-scoring opportunities, but were frustrated by EP. It was a tightly contested affair, but EP’s Keegan Le Roux had a golden chance to win it in the dying minutes of the game when he picked up a loose ball and made a circle entry. His shot was wide of the mark, however, and it didn’t bother Viwe Ndlovu.

Inland also had a chance to snatch victory, but Kiano Broadhurst proved why he’s so highly rated, pulling off some acrobatic saves to keep the hosts goalless.

In Hilton, St Anne’s DSG’s lower AstroTurf hosted three boys’ matches, too, with Boland A taking on Western Province B, Northern Gauteng facing KZN Coastal A, and Southern Free State A tackling Southern Gauteng B.

Province B competed wholeheartedly, but Boland controlled the contest and finished well to run up an emphatic 5-0 victory, which set a nice foundation for the Western Cape side for the remainder of the tournament.

Ruben Gouws, Tylor Carter, Christo Swanepoel, and Adam Leitch, all of Paul Roos, netted, while Luka Meets completed the scoring, converting a stroke with a minute to play, to make it five.

The match of the day was undeniably between Northern Gauteng A and KZN Coastal A.

Led by coach Steven Paulo, the Northerns boys made a poor start, but coach Paulo’s speech halfway through the match sparked his boys back to life.

They trailed 0-2 at the break courtesy of strikes by Joshua Mungherera and Luke Allen, who both netted field goals in the second chukka. Owen McMennamin, though, kept his side from going a further goal behind by saving a penalty stroke.

Northerns had to respond, and they did so early in the second stanza when Tyler Trower pulled one. With seven minutes left to play, Luken Brunette levelled matters with a successful penalty stroke.

A 2-2 draw would have been befitting of the occasion, but Northerns had other ideas.

On the hooter, the boys from Pretoria were awarded a short corner. They turned to their co-captain, Luken Brunette.

He is no stranger to big match moments, and he did what he does best and converted, rocketing the ball past Georg Wolhuter, in the Coastal goal, to snatch a dramatic 3-2 win.

Southern Free State, meanwhile, mustered a 1-0 win over Southern Gauteng B, with by captain Matthias Visser slotting a penalty corner to secure the win for the boys from Bloemfontein, who dominated the contest, but found Southerns B tough to break down.

Day 1 | Results and scorers

Pool A

Southern Gauteng A 1: Zeyad Davids. Eastern Province A 0.

KZN Inland A 2: Lynton Fitz, Gordon Deutscher. KZN Coastal B 0.

Western Province A 3: Litha Kraai, Jo le Roux, Aiden Topper. Boland B 0.

Eastern Province A 0. KZN Inland A 0.

Pool B

Southern Free State A 1: Matthias Visser. Southern Gauteng B 0.

Boland A 5: Ruben Gouws, Tylor Carter, Christo Swanepoel, Adam Leitch, Luka Meets. Western Province B 0.

Northern Gauteng A 3: Luken Brunette (2), Tyler Trower. KZN Coastal A 2: Joshua Mungherera, Luke Allen

DAY 2 FIXTURES

Pool A

11:45 – Southern Gauteng A vs KZN Inland A
13:10 – Eastern Province A vs Western Province A
14:35– KZN Coastal B vs Boland B

Pool B

07:30 – Boland A vs Northern Gauteng A
08:55 – Southern Gauteng B vs Western Province B
10:20 – KZN Coastal A vs Southern Free State A
16:00 – Boland A vs Southern Gauteng B
17:25 – Western Province B vs KZN Coastal A

Die koring is ordentlik van die kaf geskei tydens die eerste dag van die jaarlikse VKB Stedelike-week op Pieter Geyer-park in Reitz.

Verlede jaar se naaswenners die Western Cape Disas het vir Zululand met 71-10 behoorlik kaf gedraf. Die Disas se buitesenter, Armand Potgieter, was op sy stukke en het twee keer die doellyn oorgesteek.

Potgieter is vir sy blink vertoning ook met die toekenning as Speler van die Wedstryd beloon. Die span se linkervleuel, Migile Carelse, het ook twee van sy span se 11 drieë afgerond. Junior Louw het ook 19 punte tot die sege via ‘n drie en sewe doelskoppe bygedra.

Die Disas sal Dinsdag teen die Blou Bulle se o.17-span te staan kom.

Die Vrystaat Arende het oor te veel skietgoed vir Namibië in hul sege van 31-10 beskik. Die Arende sal die die hoofwedstryd van die tweede dag teen KwaZulu-Natal se o.18-span sake uitspook.

Die Arende se slot Jatin Marais heet behoorlik in die los gewoel en sal op sy vertoning van die eerste dag wil voortbou.

Die Blou Bulle se o.17-span het die UXI-uitnodigingspan met 33-17 die loef afgesteek. Die Ligbloues se losskakel, Willie Pieterse, se skopskoen het die meeste van die praatwerk gedoen. Hy het albei sy span se drieë, behalwe natuurlik die strafdrie, verdoel en ook vier strafdoele sekuur tussen deur die pale gejaag.

Die wenspan se agtsteman, Lourenz de Jager, het sy goeie vertonings vanjaar op die rugbyveld voortgesit en is as Speler van die Wedstryd aangewys.

Die Griffons Platteland was in ‘n vernietigende bui en het die Diamante vanuit die Noord-Kaap met 96-13 as steenkool afgemaak. Die wenspan se flank MJ Hattingh en vleuel Thapelo Neshunzi het elk ‘n driekuns aan drieë behaal. Hul span het uiteindelik 14 keer gaan druk.

Die losskakel, Andries De Wet Steyl, het slegs een doelskop skeef gekorrel om self 26 punte by te voeg.

Die Westelike Province Noordelike Voorstede Disas se senter Haddon Plaatjies was met ‘n driekuns aan drieë aan die voorpunt van sy span se oorwinning van 39-19 oor Noord-KwaZulu-Natal.

Puntemakers: 

Blou Bulle o.17 33 (6) – Drieë: Austin Cloete, Lourenz de Jager, Strafdrie. Doelskoppe: Willie Pieterse (2). Strafdoele: Pieterse (4). UXI Invitational 17 (10) – Drieë: Etten Haywood, Khanya Jekwa. Sihle Mazibuka, Haywood. Strafdoel: Stefan Moolman.

Vrystaat Arende 31 (7) – Drieë: Hugo Coetzer, Aidan Gottsch, Xander de Beer, JC van Niekerk, Regard Scheepers. Doelskoppe: Gottsch (2), Hanco Nel. Namibië o.18 10 (7) – Drie: Derrick Bezuidenhout. Doelskop: Sergio Pamplin. Strafdoel: Pamplin.

KwaZulu-Natal o.18 20 (6) – Drieë: Menelisi Maguduleka, Kyden Ward. Doelskoppe: Jurgens Pretorius (2). Strafdoele: Pretorius (2). Barbarians 10 (3) – Drie: Pieter Nel. Doelskop: Nolan du Plooy. Strafdoel: Du Plooy.

Western Cape Disas 71 (19) – Drieë: Migile Carelse (2), Armand Potgieter (2), Yanick Mwamba, Junior Louw, Chrismar Prinsloo, Wade Wilfred, Yibonge Malate, Caleb Reeding, Justin Phillips. Doelskoppe: Louw (7), Marquin Smith. Zululand 10 (10) – Drie: Akhona Saki. Doelskop: Okuhle Gumede. Strafdoel: Dino Bezuidenhout.

Griffons Platteland 96 (49) – Drieë: MJ Hattingh (3), Thapelo Neshunzi (3), Wian Visser (2), Rohan de Beer, Craydon Bibbey, Prince Mahlongo, Thlompo Motsapi, Lucky Ratutubala, Oratile Shata. Doelskoppe: Andries De Wet Steyl (13). Diamante 13 (8) – Drieë: Dylan van Wyk, Heinrich Swart. Strafdoel: Liam Botha.

Westelike Provinsie Noordelike Voorstede Disas 39 (34) – Drieë: Haddon Plaatjies (3), Denwill Coetzee, Luhle Ngqentsu, L David, Jannie Strauss. Doelskoppe: Zane van Schalkwyk, David. Noord-KwaZulu-Natal 19 (5) – Drieë: David Joubert, Anthony Byrnes, Ian Groenewald. Doelskoppe: Josh Jordaan (2).

Eastern Province A captain, Abigail Holderness, brought the heat to a chilly KZN midlands day with a five-goal haul on the opening day of the SASHOC Inter-Provincial Tournament.

The industrious midfielder fired in a hat-trick and a brace to help Eastern Province A secure back-to-back victories over Southern Gauteng B and Boland A on Monday.

The inter-provincial matches are being split between St Anne’s Diocesan College and Maritzburg College, with the showpiece event running through until 5 July.

“Abigail led the team from the front in both matches today,” Geowynne Gamiet, the Eastern Province A coach, told Supersport Schools Plus.

Holderness fired in a hat-trick in Eastern Province’s 6-0 victory over Southern Gauteng B, then she drilled in another two goals as EP edged out Boland A 2-1 later in the day in a meeting of two of the title contenders.

Last year, Eastern Province finished ninth. While low, that placing did not tell the full story of the province. Their hockey was on the rise, and their u16 A team winning the 2024 National Week was proof of that.

Gamiet has retained six players from last year’s u18 team, while the rest of the lineup moved up from the u16 side.

“We wanted to blow Southern Gauteng B out of the water early,” he said of his side’s opener. “The girls followed the gameplan well and we got the results we were after.”

Taryn Peltenburg opened the scoring for Eastern Province in the fifth minute before Holderness slotted goals in the sixth and 14th minutes to put Eastern Province 3-0 up in the first chukka. As Gamiet had hoped, they had blown their opposition out of the water.

Southern Gauteng B sorted their defence out and was competitive in the next two quarters. However, Eastern Province rediscovered the spark they had shown early in the contest and struck three more times in the fourth chukka,

Holderness completed her hattrick in the 47th minute before Kate Brennan and Amber-Rose Roth-Uren found the back of the net in the 52nd and 54th minutes respectively.

Eastern Province faced a far tougher challenge when they crossed swords with Boland A later in the day. Boland came into the fixture after thrashing Southern Free State 5-0 in the morning.

Leah du Plessis led the charge in their opening victory, with a hat-trick, while Anya Swanepoel and Rose Quinlivan contributed a goal each.

“We made a few technical changes when we played against Boland and the girls adapted well to the switch,” Gamiet said.

In a back-and-forth opening half, EP and Boland finished the first chukka goalless. It was very nearly goalless at the break, too, but Holderness struck from a penalty corner.

All three of her goals against Southern Gauteng B had also been scored from the set piece and she continued her high PC conversion rate with another drag flick scorcher.

After the break, Boland was determined to strike back and the pressure exerted by coach Chris Gerber‘s side paid dividends when Elré Oosthuizen tapped the ball into the back of the net off a short corner variation after Boland had been awarded four PCs in a six-minute period.

Eastern Provinces responded immediately. With just less than two minutes remaining in the third chukka, Gamiet’s charges reclaimed the lead.

The goal, like their first one, was through a penalty corner. This time, however, Eastern Province didn’t take the direct route. Like Boland, they opted for a variation and paid off with Holderness, again, providing the finish.

On Tuesday, they’ll have an opportunity to strengthen their position at the top of Pool A when they lock horns with the defending champions, Southern Gauteng A, at 13:10.

Coach Natasha Le Roux’s Southerns’ side is in second place after a 1-0 win over Northern Gauteng B, which was followed by a sharing of the points with Southern Free State A, with whom they drew 0-0.

Results

Eastern Province A: 6 – Abigail Holderness (3), Taryn Peltenburg, Kate Brennan, Amber-Rose Roth-Uren. Southern Gauteng B: 0.
Southern Gauteng A: 1 – Azania Petersen. Northern Gauteng B: 0.
Southern Gauteng A: 0. Southern Free State A: 0.
Eastern Province A: 2 – Abigail Holderness (2). Boland A: 1 – Elré Oosthuizen.
Boland A: 5 – Leah du Plessis (3), Anya Swanepoel, Rose Quinlivan. Southern Free State A: 0.

The quality of rugby during the opening day of the annual u13 Craven Week at Selborne College in East London was of a high standard.

The tone was set early with the Griffons producing an impressive performance as they defeated the Border Country Districts by 37-7 in the first match of the day.

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

The Sharks came out on top by 15-14 in a fiery contest with the defending unofficial champions, the Blue Bulls.

The Sharks managed to build up a 10-0 lead at half-time after playing with the wind behind their backs.

Captain and eighthman, Siphesihle Shitlhangu, scored a vital try to see his side home with about 12 minutes left on the clock. Their left wing, Bamidele Ambali, scored his side’s other try in the first half. Ambali is a big and intimidating runner with the ball in hand.

The winning side’s hooker, Sethabiso Mdakane, also produced a good performance in a very physical encounter. For the Bulls their eighthman, Jason Steyn, as well as hooker, Jovan van Dyk, deserves a pat on the back for their performances.

The Sharks will face South Western Districts in the main match of the second day. South Western Districts also produced a superb performance during the opening day with a 59-12 victory over the Valke. The team’s midfield pairing of Miguel Prins and Jordan-Ronan Sydon was on fire.

Prins scored a hat-trick of tries, while Sydon completed a brace. In the front their hooker, Jaydwin Jafta, put in some bullocking runs.

The Pumas also showcased that they are a force to be reckoned with at this year’s tournament as they defeated the Limpopo Blue Bulls by 25-0. Their outside centre, Joseph Mthetwa, was the biggest thorn in Limpopo’s side.

The Free State played some exciting running rugby as they downed the Leopards by 48-7. Their eighthman, Bakang Kgware, and hooker, Delmar Fick, both scoring a brace of tries in the victory.

The Golden Lions centre Francois du Toit played a major role in his side coming out on top by 24-12 against Griqualand West.

Western Province is without a doubt also contenders for the title of unofficial champions this year. They will however face the Free State in their second clash.

WP defeated Eastern Province by 31-7 in their opening match. It was a very physical encounter in which locks, Rohlandt Roos and Isak Swanepoel, as well as prop Philip du Toit, thrived.

Scorers: 

CRAVEN WEEK

Boland 27 (5) – Tries: Chamielo Smith, Rachaan Visagie, Evan Berling, Eltino Edons. Conversion: Berling. Border 5 (5) – Try: Mshengu Mzendana.

Sharks 15 (10) – Tries: Bamidele Ambali, Siphesihle Shitlhangu. Conversion: Quade Nicholls. Penalty: Nicholls. Blue Bulls 14 (0) – Tries: Hanru Louwrens, Jason Steyn. Conversions: Liam Gwavu (2).

Western Province 31 (17) – Tries: Rudi Coetzee, Willem Lubbe, Isak Swanepoel, Francois Gouws. Conversions: Jonathan van der Byl (4). Penalty: Van der Byl. Eastern Province 7 (0) – Try: Bulelani Norman. Conversion: Siyambonga Mila.

Golden Lions 24 (12) – Tries: Moses Ugboke, Nkosinathi Maseko, Lehumo Kgongoana, Francois du Toit. Conversions: Hanro de Beer, Lemuel Fourie. Griqualand West 12 (0) – Tries: Brayden Matshoba, Angus Hattingh. Conversion: 10.

Free State 48 (29) – Tries: Bakang Kgware (2), Delmar Fick (2), Kaelan Joubert, RJ de Vos, Jozua Heckroodt, Avan Hoon. Conversions: Falie Oelschig (4). Leopards 7 (0) – Try: Alru Ross. Conversion: Ross.

South Western Districts 59 (26) – Tries: Miguel Prins (3), Jordan-Ronan Sydon (2), Keanan Agulhas (2), Jaydwin Jafta, Hanco Zevenster. Conversions: Sian Potgieter (4), Lucan Scholtz (3). Valke 12 (5) – Tries: Nieuwoudt Rossouw, Gert-Daniel van den Berg. Conversion: Rossouw.

Pumas 25 (8) – Tries: Joseph Mthetwa, Avuyile Bilatyi, Sandile Msipa. Conversions: Brussow Francke (2). Penalties: Francke (2). Limpopo Blue Bulls 0.

Griffons 37 (22) – Tries: Wian van der Merwe (2), Amohelang Mahlale, Moeketsi Chweu, Kgoanthi Molupe, Hendrik Cronjé, Tefo Motloung. Conversion: Kamohelo Mahlale. Border Country Districts 7 (0) – Try: Limise Vusani. Conversion: Avongwa Limana.

Western Province sent out a clear warning in their opening match of the 2025 Grant Khomo Week by walloping Free State 55-22 in the main game of the opening day at St Alban’s College in Pretoria.

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

The defending champions exhibited ferocious intent to defend their title and were relentless in turning offensive defence into lethal attack. Pressurising the Free Staters into numerous unforced errors, the hooped jerseys showcased their willingness and ability to attack from anywhere on the field.

They showed a preference to launch attacks from broken play, and their speedy backs capitalised on any space given to them. This was evident as outside centre, Luca Orgill, beat his man twice for a well-deserved brace of tries, while their pocket-rocket at scrumhalf, Devon Booysen, also kept the Free Staters guessing with his snipping runs, catching them off guard a couple of times.

Upfront, lock, Corné Ferreira, set the tone through his early try. Besides scoring, Ferreira was a workhorse in the trenches, throwing his body around all over the park to lead the commanding defensive efforts, too.

Although a tough day at the office for the men from the Free State, they never stopped probing, with No. 8 and captain, Neil du Randt, in particular putting in a massive shift on both attack and especially defence. Du Randt was ultimately rewarded with a well-deserved five-pointer, although it was not enough to even slightly rattle what seems to be a very hungry WP outfit.

In the curtain-raiser, last year’s runners-up and hosts of this year’s tournament, the Blue Bulls, kicked off their campaign by comfortably seeing off Boland 32-13. Outside centre, Dandré Brink, led the charge and crossed the whitewash for two of his side’s four tries.

Brink was well supported by flyhalf Reuben Smith‘s deadly boot. The Blue Bulls’ general nailed three conversions and three penalty goals for a personal contribution of 15 points.

On the Baloyi Field, the Western Province XV scraped by the Pumas with 30-27, thanks to a 15-point contribution from their sharpshooter, Divan Meyer, who, like Reuben Smith, slotted three conversions and three penalties to contribute half of his side’s points.

Griquas gave the Iqhawe XV a proper welcome in the Jacaranda City, scoring 36 unanswered points in the second half to reign victorious by 50-14. Although getting a hiding in the second 30, the Iqhawe XV impressed during the first stanza, scoring the first two goals of the game to lead by 14-0 in no time.

Scorers: 

Moshate Field: 

Western Province 55 (24) – Tries: Luca Orgill (2), Ziyaad Jappie, Corné Ferreira, Lunika Marvite, James Sale, Joshua Kirby, Nahum Koen. Conversions: Jake Dave (6). Penalty: Dave. Free State 22 (10) – Tries: Niel du Randt, Lino Mtwebana, Dippies Dippenaar. Conversions: Zachary Walburgh (2). Penalty: Walburgh.

Blue Bulls 32 (15) – Tries: Dandré Brink (2), Ruan Fluks, Ronald Phiri. Conversions: Reuben Smith (3). Penalties: Smith (3). Boland 13 (3) – Try: Tristin Syster. Conversion: Brent-Leigh Exstraal. Penalty: Ruan Nortjé.

Baloyi Field: 

Griquas 50 (14) – Tries: LJ Buys (2), Levaan Badenhorst, Hanco Klopper, Franklin Stevens, Schalk van Dyk, Thurswill Vers, Eaven Peterson. Conversions: Jay-Dee Isaacs (5). Iqhawe XV 14 (14) – Tries: Luthanda Marangxa, Kabelo Motlharo. Conversions: Marangxa (2).

Western Province XV 30 (17) – Tries: Janu Pretorius, Hadley Erasmus, Jean Olivier. Conversions: Divan Meyer (3). Penalties: Meyer (3). Pumas 27 (15) – Tries: Rhandzu Mkhabela, Fisokuhle Shabalala, Siphesihle Marule, Thubelihle Marule. Conversions: Kgontse Masilela (2). Penalty: Cornelius Erasmus.

The clash between the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks and the Golden Lions on the first day of the 20th annual u16 Grant Khomo Week, at St Alban’s College, in Pretoria, showcased exactly what makes u16 rugby so exciting.

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

With only a handful of minutes to spare, it was still uncertain which side would be victorious in the third match of the day.

After a breathtaking first half an hour, during which three tries were scored by both sides, the Sharks and Lions exchanged heavy blows in a seesaw second half.

Rosco Williams, who played on the right wing instead of his usual position of fullback, was the first to cross the line, on his way to a hattrick in the match. His efforts helped KZN into a handy 24-7 lead at one stage.

The tide, however, turned swiftly as the Lions’ inside centre and captain, Blessing Monareng, surpassed Williams’ feat by dotting down a memorable four tries.

Monareng’s opposite number, and the man of the match, Elgenio Oersen, proved to be the difference between the sides, however. Like Williams, he ran rampant throughout a high-intensity contest, scoring a brace of tries as the Sharks scored a 44-35 victory.

The South Western District’s Eagles’ backline proved to be equally dangerous, scoring most of their side’s points in a 27-10 victory over Eastern Province.

Captain and lock, Logan Jacobs, led his troops well and helped to establish a solid foundation with his robust physicality. That sound platform allowed flyhalf, Tanwill Onkers, to release the agile SWD speedsters out wide.

Onkers’ orechestration of the Eagles’ attack earned him the honour of being named the man of the match.

Zimbabwe lit up Baloyi Field in their opener. They ran in 11 tries to thump Border Country Districts 71-3. Inside centre, Denzel Nyambo, dotted down three times for the first hat-trick of the 2025 week, while left wing, Tafara Gara, crossed for a pair of his own.

Border opened the first day, and their account, with a tightly contested 26-22 victory over the Leopards.

Inside centre and captain, Riley Hansel, led from the front and was justly rewarded with the winning try.

Scorers:

Moshate Field

Sharks 44 (27) – Tries: Rosco Williams (3), Elgenio Oersen (2), Ben Hughes. Conversions: Daniel Misky (2). Penalties: Misky (2). Golden Lions 35 (21) – Tries: Blessing Monareng (4), Ndzalama Mbhalati. Conversions: Mbhalati (5).

South Western Districts 27 (15) – Tries: Logan Jacobs, Luan Mortlock, Dorian de Wee, Rashan Claasen. Conversions: Tanwill Onkers (2). Penalty: Onkers. Eastern Province 10 (5) – Tries: Alexander Stewart, Anfred Jansen.

Border 26 (19) – Tries: Carlo Davids, Edward Malinzi, Caleb Smith, Riley Hansel. Conversions: Josh Wilkie (3). Leopards 22 (5) – Tries: Tebogo Msiza, Daniel Schoeman, Lerato Matlaisane, Lemarc Henry. Conversion: Dian Huisamen.

Baloyi Field

Zimbabwe 71 (36) – Tries: Denzel Nyambo (3), Tafara Gara (2), Ngonidzashe Buthu, Matthew Zinyemba, Victor Watama, Liam Britten, Tristan van der Merwe, Gray van der Merwe. Conversions: Gray van der Merwe (8). Border Country Districts 3 (3) – Penalty: Luke Groepe.

Griffons 32 (15) – Tries: Brinzley Bastiaan (2), Zak Steyn, Osego Mnyungula, Jayden-Daniel Bienas. Conversions: Theuns van Rensburg (2). Namibia 24 (17) – Tries: Zasha Steenkamp, Oliver Seager, Cayleb Buys. Conversion: Matthew Raubenheimer.

Valke 24 (5) – Tries: Jerado Tafel (3), Wimpie Maritz. Conversions: Tafel (2). Limpopo Blue Bulls 15 (12) – Tries: Jodan du Bruyn, Junaid Stevens. Conversion: Johan van Biljon. Penalty: Van Biljon.

The South African u16 boys’ and girls’ basketball teams are part of a large contingent of 198 athletes selected to represent Team South Africa (SA) at the forthcoming 11th Region 5 Youth Games, which take place in Namibia from 4 July to 13 July.

The Region 5 Youth Games, an initiative of the African Union Sport Council, involves 10 participating countries – Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namiyibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The event also includes athletes with visual impairments and those competing in the Special Olympics.

Team South Africa will compete in a wide variety of sports, including athletics, visually impaired athletics, basketball, boxing, football, judo, karate, netball, Special Olympics (athletics), swimming, table tennis, tennis, and volleyball.

In the previous Region 5 Games, held in Lilongwe, Malawi, in 2022, Team South Africa excelled and finished top of the medal table with a total of 113, including 60 gold medals.

The Games have previously played host to athletes who gone on to fame on the world stage, including Olympic gold medallists, Wayde van Niekerk and Caster Semenya.

The South African basketball teams are eager to make their mark. Among the players is the somewhat reserved yet intensely competitive point guard Reza Creamer, from St John’s College, who also plays club basketball for the Jozi Stars and Westcliff Eagles. He will have a key role to play for South Africa.

In the girls’ team, watch out for Mamello Nalenyane and Bokang Lefakane, both from the Soweto Basketball Academy.

The South African lineup also includes Allie Rehaan and Thabo Marotola, from Cape Town.

Shafiek Allie, Rehaan’s father, who coaches both players, told SuperSport Schools Plus that Rehaan began his basketball journey at the age of six, and participated in his first u12 game at just eight years of age.

Rehaan, who attends Pinelands High School, was named the Jnr NBA MVP in 2023, Top Schools u14 MVP in 2023, Wynberg Boys Basketball Tournament u16 MVP in 2024, IPT March All Star that same year, IPT March All Star in 2025, and a Soweto Uprising Basketball Tournament All Star in 2025. He has represented Western Province since 2023.

Marotola joined the Montana Vikings Basketball Club 16 months ago, having begun his basketball career with Cape Waves, now known as Linge Basketball Academy. He has been part of the provincial team since 2023 and was named an IPT March 2025 All Star.

The South African u16 basketball teams fly out to Windhoek on Tuesday morning.

Team SA Basketball Squad

Girls: Jodi Stemmet, Bokang Lefakane, Mamello Nalenyane, Lethuxolo Mphaki, Aphelele Zulu, Amile Qavane, Saskia Johnson, Bogolo Koikoi, Kananelo Moloi, Kayleigh Sardien, Neo Rametse, Tintswalo Siwele.

Coaches/Management

Thesline Davids, Siphiwe Chitlango, Queen Ndlovu.

Boys: Thabo Maratola, Rehaan Allie, Reza Creamer, Simuthandile Radebe, Mpilenhle Sithole, Litha Madinda, Bhekwa Khwela, Redirile Makgoro, Mnqobi Mhlongo, Lesedi Ntlhokwa, Alexander Papadimas, Mahluli Ilunga.

Coaches/management

Sbusiso Williams, Tshepo Ntwagae, Mokhethi Khoantle.

Scorers: 

Western Province 55 (24) – Tries: Luca Orgill (2), Ziyaad Jappie, Corné Ferreira, Lunika Marvite, James Sale, Joshua Kirby, Nahum Koen. Conversions: Jake Dave (6). Penalty: Dave. Free State 22 (10) – Tries: Niel du Randt, Lino Mtwebana, Dippies Dippenaar. Conversions: Zachary Walburgh (2). Penalty: Walburgh.

Griquas 50 (14) – Tries: LJ Buys (2), Levaan Badenhorst, Hanco Klopper, Franklin Stevens, Schalk van Dyk, Thurswill Vers, Eaven Peterson. Conversions: Jay-Dee Isaacs (5). Iqhawe XV 14 (14) – Tries: Luthanda Marangxa, Kabelo Motlharo. Conversions: Marangxa (2).

Blue Bulls 32 (15) – Tries: Dandré Brink (2), Ruan Fluks, Ronald Phiri. Conversions: Reuben Smith (3). Penalties: Smith (3). Boland 13 (3) – Try: Tristin Syster. Conversion: Brent-Leigh Exstraal. Penalty: Ruan Nortjé.

Western Province XV 30 (17) – Tries: Janu Pretorius, Hadley Erasmus, Jean Olivier. Conversions: Divan Meyer (3). Penalties: Meyer (3). Pumas 27 (15) – Tries: Rhandzu Mkhabela, Fisokuhle Shabalala, Siphesihle Marule, Thubelihle Marule. Conversions: Kgontse Masilela (2). Penalty: Cornelius Erasmus.

Sharks 44 (27) – Tries: Rosco Williams (3), Elgenio Oersen (2), Ben Hughes. Conversions: Daniel Misky (2). Penalties: Misky (2). Golden Lions 35 (21) – Tries: Blessing Monareng (4), Ndzalama Mbhalati. Conversions: Mbhalati (5).

Griffons 32 (15) – Tries: Brinzley Bastiaan (2), Zak Steyn, Osego Mnyungula, Jayden-Daniel Bienas. Conversions: Theuns van Rensburg (2). Namibia 24 (17) – Tries: Zasha Steenkamp, Oliver Seager, Cayleb Buys. Conversion: Matthew Raubenheimer.

South Western Districts 27 (15) – Tries: Logan Jacobs, Luan Mortlock, Dorian de Wee, Rashan Claasen. Conversions: Tanwill Onkers (2). Penalty: Onkers. Eastern Province 10 (5) – Tries: Alexander Stewart, Anfred Jansen.

Valke 24 (5) – Tries: Jerado Tafel (3), Wimpie Maritz. Conversions: Tafel (2). Limpopo Blue Bulls 15 (12) – Tries: Jodan du Bruyn, Junaid Stevens. Conversion: Johan van Biljon. Penalty: Van Biljon.

Border 26 (19) – Tries: Carlo Davids, Edward Malinzi, Caleb Smith, Riley Hansel. Conversions: Josh Wilkie (3). Leopards 22 (5) – Tries: Tebogo Msiza, Daniel Schoeman, Lerato Matlaisane, Lemarc Henry. Conversion: Dian Huisamen.

Zimbabwe 71 (36) – Tries: Denzel Nyambo (3), Tafara Gara (2), Ngonidzashe Buthu, Matthew Zinyemba, Victor Watama, Liam Britten, Tristan van der Merwe, Gray van der Merwe. Conversions: Gray van der Merwe (8). Border Country Districts 3 (3) – Penalty: Luke Groepe.

The Kloof High School Football National Tournament features many high-profile teams and dark horse outfits keen to upset the status quo. It’s a mix that makes the event unpredictable and exciting.

Cup 

After three days of enthralling football and fluctuating fortunes, Pinetown Boys’ High was crowned the champion of the 2025 Kloof High School National Football Tournament on Sunday.

In a cracking final, they defeated the Absa Wilderklawer Soccer Champions, Virginia High School 4-3 in a penalty shootout, following a dramatic 3-3 draw in regulation time.

Khulekani Nxumalo from Pinetown, who played a pivotal role in securing the championship title for his team, was honoured with the prestigious title of Player of the Tournament. He was joined in the Team of the Tournament by his teammates Sibusiso Mdlalose, Wandile Ndimande, Ntuthuko Mdlolo, and Alwande Xaba.

Pinetown impressed and revealed themselves to be a formidable force despite starting the season in a somewhat disorganised manner. They missed several fixtures and concluded the Mancosa KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) Second Term – Coastal A-League in seventh place, accumulating only five points from one win, two draws, and four losses.

Additionally, Pinetown failed to honour their fixture against Glenwood High at the beginning of May in the Curro Halala Cup, which resulted in their elimination from the competition.

Under such circumstances, one might assume that they stood little chance of performing well, let alone winning the Kloof title. They were ready to challenge for the honours, however, and Cup football differs from league football.

Perhaps Pinetown drew inspiration from their u16 team, which recently won in the inaugural u16 Clive Barker Soccer Festival on 21 June, at Glenwood, beating Maritzburg College 2-0 in the final.

Virginia High had to settle for second place, suffering a tough defeat after they led 3-2 late in the title game. They felt that they could have won had some calls gone for the Free State side.

Nqabakazulu, beaten 1-0 by Virginia in the semi-finals, claimed the bronze medal after a 2-1 victory over TuksSport High School. The goal that Nqabakazulu conceded against Virginia was their first in the past two editions of the tournament.

Plate

Maritzburg College, who were eliminated from the Cup by Carter High in the round of 16, came firing back with a vengeance and with the Plate on the line they overwhelmed New Forest 6-0.

College’s vice-captain Malachi Momple, renowned for his goal-scoring prowess and calm demeanour, was selected for the Team of the Tournament.

The Plate bronze medal went the way of Mondeor High, who downed Nilgiri Secondary School 3-1 in the third place playoff.

Shield

Dayyan Fudu, who featured prominently in the KZNSHFA Coastal A-League, excelled for Westville. He was their top goal scorer in Westville’s KZN Coastal A-League title winning campaign.

On Sunday, Fudu was included in the Team of the Tournament after laying claim to the Golden Boot with 11 goals to his name.

Following a disappointing exit from the Cup, Westville found themselves in the Shield, where they handled the early setback with aplomb, going on to capture the title with a one-sided 6-0 thrashing of Northwood School.

The bronze playoff featured Kearsney College against Hilton College. In regulation time, they played to a 1-1 draw. That sent the contest to the penalty spot and Kearsney emerged the winners, outscoring Hilton 3-1 in the shootout.

Spoon 

In the final of the Spoon, Sarel Cilliers won emphatically, handing Howick High a 4-0 loss. Their victory in the title decider followed a 1-0 win over Linpark in the semifinals, while Howick High had upset Hillcrest High 1-0 to book their place in the final.

In the third-place playoff, Linpark had Hillcrest’s measure and rolled to a 5-2 victory.

Blair Thompson, the Director of Sports at Kloof High School, told SuperSport Schools Plus that the Kloof High Tournament is the largest top tier schoolboy tournament in the country, featuring 32 teams along with a qualifying tournament that includes up to 12 teams. The event draws elite teams from across the nation, he said.

“As the hosts, we have a guaranteed place in the tournament which gives our boys exposure playing against the best teams in the country. The tournament attracts sponsors and partners, which also benefits the soccer programme leading up to and after the tournament,” he said.

Thompson observed that schools capable of conducting full-year soccer programmes were among the top performers. He explained: “We have certainly noticed that the teams exhibiting the most structured and fluid style of football are winning matches and progressing through the various rounds.

“The inclusion of the main field games on SuperSport Schools Channel 216 has significantly enhanced this year’s tournament, along with the streaming of the other three fields on the SuperSport Schools App.”

Looking ahead, Thompson said one of the goals of the event is to arrange a tour of England for the Team of the Tournament.

“This would give the top players a chance to have trial games against some of the England top academy teams and create a pathway for them into the professional game,” he said.

RESULTS

Cup

Quarterfinals  

Nqabakazulu 1-0 HTS Louis Botha
Virginia High 2-0 Carter High
Tuks 2-1 Vuyiswa Mtolo
Pinetown 1-0 Edendale

Cup

Semifinals

Virginia High 1-0 Nqabakazulu
Pinetown (4) 1-1 (3) Tuks

Bronze Playoff

Nqabakazulu 2-1 Tuks

Cup Final 

Pinetown (4) 3-3 (3) Virginia High

Plate

Semifinals 

New Forest 2-0 Mondeor High
Maritzburg College (3) 2-2 (1) Nilgiri

Bronze Playoff 

Mondeor High 3-1 Nilgiri

Final 

Maritzburg College 6-1 New Forest

Shield Cup

Quarterfinals 

Northwood 1-0 Alexandra High
Kearsney 3-2 Amanzimtoti
Westville 5-0 Reddam House Umhlanga
Hilton College 4-1 Birdswood

Semifinals 

Northwood 1-0 Kearsney
Westville 2-1 Hilton College

Bronze Playoff

Kearsney (3) 1-1 (1) Hilton College

Final 

Westville 6-0 Northwood

Spoon Cup 

Semifinals 

Sarel Cilliers 1-0 Linpark
Howick High 1-0 Hillcrest High

Bronze Playoff 

Linpark 5-2 Hillcrest High

Final 

Sarel Cilliers 4-0 Howick High