Blog

The KwaZulu-Natal High Schools Football Association (KZNHSFA) second-term Coastal and Inland U19 Leagues are returning to your screens on SuperSport channel 216 and the SuperSport Schools App.

Kicking off on Tuesday, 15 April, various schools from KZN will compete throughout the province in this esteemed league, showcasing the nation’s leading football schools. The league is now known as MANCOSA KZNHSFA for sponsorship purposes.

For schools like Carter High School, Empangeni High School, Glenwood High School and Edendale Technical High School, this presents an opportunity to replicate their successes from May 2024, when they won the league titles of the KZNHSFA.

Coastal A and B 2024 Recap

Glenwood High School enjoyed an unforgettable season in 2024, winning both the Coastal A League and Primo 10 titles. This team was undoubtedly one of the most formidable last year.

Glenwood had a great group of leaders, both on and off the field, and the squad featured exceptional talents like Alakhe Mdluli, the team captain, who created memorable moments throughout the 2024 KZNHSFA season. His contributions secured his legacy in a league known for producing prominent players in South African football. Mdluli delivered an outstanding performance in the Coastal A League final against Westville Boys’ High School, providing a crucial assist that led to a 1-0 victory.

Empangeni High School defeated New Forest in the Coastal B League final, winning 10-9 with a penalty shootout after the game had ended in a 1-1 draw during regulation time. This victory secured the championship title for Empangeni, which consistently delivered impressive performances in the 2024 league. As a result of their success, they have earned a well-deserved spot in the Coastal A division for the 2025 KZNHSFA U19 League.

Inland A and B 2024 Recap

Carter High School, led by captain, Nthuthuko Mnguni, won the KZNHSFA Inland A League championship  last year with a 1-0 victory over arch-rivals, Maritzburg College, in an exhilarating derby. Mnguni made the difference in the final, scoring the only goal of the match to secure the title.

That win marked a significant milestone for Carter, who had previously secured the KZNHSFA title in 2014. The year proved to be highly successful for the school as they also clinched their first-ever Carter High Super Cup, facing strong opposition from participants such as  Edendale Technical School and ML Sultan. Carter clinched the final 4-2, against Edendale, with a penalty shootout after the match had ended in a 1-1 draw during regulation time.

In a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 Inland championship, Edendale Technical High School faced off against Northbury Park Secondary School in the U19 Inland B final. Following a scoreless draw, Northbury won the championship 4-2 with yet another penalty shootout. Following a significant victory, it was subsequently discovered that Northbury had fielded an ineligible player in the final. As a result, they were required to forfeit the match, and the win was awarded to Edendale, which ultimately secured promotion to the Inland A League for the 2025 season.

College launches campaign against Carter with new head coach

In their season opener at Barns Field, Maritzburg College, the Red, Black and White will host Carter High School at 15:00 on Tuesday. This match promises to be exciting, especially considering the intensity and high standards of sportsmanship that characterise encounters between these two sides.

Maritzburg College welcomes a new head coach, Cannigia Garaba, after Chemon Petersen had concluded his successful tenure with the school in 2024. Garaba, who has spent several years coaching the junior age groups at the College, now takes on the role of head coach.

The College team will be led by CJ Sukraj, who brings extensive experience as a goalkeeper. Assisting him as vice-captains are the accomplished forward Mazithi Qasha, known for his individual awards and team championships with College, and midfielder Malachi Momple.

Tuesday, 15 April

Coastal A – Group Phase

Venue: Queensburgh High School 

Field 1 – 15:10 – 16:00 – Bechet vs Westville Boys’ High School
Field 2 – 15:10 – 16:00 – Glenwood High School vs Pinetown Boys’ High
Field 1 – 16:10 – 17:00 – Hillcrest High School vs Northwood School
Field 2 – 16:10 – 17:00 – Empangeni High School vs Port Shepstone

Tuesday, 15 April

Inland A – Group Phase

Venue: Barns Field (Maritzburg College)

15:00 – 15:00 – Carter High vs Maritzburg College
16:05 – 16:55 – Edendale Technical High School vs Linpark High School

Venue: Alexandra High School 

15:00 – 15:50 – Alexandra High School vs Newtown
16:05 – 16:55 – Haythorne Secondary School vs Ixopo Secondary School

Thursday, 17 April

Inland B – Group Phase

Venue: Alexandra High School

Field (Alex 1) – 15:00 – 15:50 – Alexandra High School Team B vs Thornhill Christian College
Field (Alex 2) – 15:00 – 15:50 – Heritage Academy vs Riverwood College
Field (Alex 1) – 16:05 – 16:55 – Maritzburg College Team B vs Northbury
Field (Alex 2) – 16:05 – 16:55 – Maritzburg Christian School vs ML Sultan

Thursday, 17 April 

Coastal B – Group Phase

Venue: Queensburgh High School

Field 1 – 15:10 – 16:00 – Amanzimtoti High School vs Queensburgh High School
Field 2 – 15:10 – 16:00 – Redwood College vs New Forest
Field 1 – 16:10 – 17:00 – Sastri College vs Grosvenor Boys’ High School
Field 2 – 16:10 – 17:00 – Ashton International Ballito College vs Durban High School

Ashton College Ballito edged Our Lady of Fatima 1-0 in a thrilling encounter to lift the Spar KZN Hockey Tournament’s Durban North Regional trophy at Ashton College on Sunday. Coach Nic White’s side kept a clean sheet on their way to the title.

Ashton was the sixth team to book a berth for the Spar KZN Tournament Grand Finals scheduled for 26 and 27 July. They join Maris Stella (DBN Central Regional), St Mary’s DSG Kloof (Highway Regional), Epworth School (PMB Central Regional), St Anne’s School (PMB North Regional), and Kingsway High (Durban South Regional).

Ashton gave home fans and visiting spectators a lot to cheer as they decimated their opposition – Crawford La Lucia, Danville, and Durban North College – in Pool A.

The Morgan Nel-captained side fired 10 unanswered goals past their competition to collect maximum points on their way to the summit of their group. They beat Crawford La Lucia 3-0 in their first match, followed it up with a 2-0 win over Danville, and then walloped Durban North College 5-0.

In the semi-finals, Ashton went head-to-head with Reddam House Umhlanga, who had collected eight points on their way to a second-place finish in Pool B. Their results included a 4-0 victory over Northlands Girls’ High and a 7-0 thrashing of Curro Salt Rock. They were, however, beaten 1-0 by Our Lady of Fatima, who was unbeaten in the group.

Ashton had little trouble overcoming Reddam House, winning 2-0, to book a place in the final.

Our Lady of Fatima, who topped the pool, added Northlands and Curro Salt Rock to the list of teams they shrugged aside on their path to the top of the log, triumphing 4-0 over Northlands High before galloping to a 7-0 win over Curro Salt Rock.

Then, in the second semi-final, Our Lady of Fatima ran up a 3-0 win over Danville.

The contest between Ashton and Our of Fatima brought together two evenly matched teams, who went blow-for-blow with neither finding a breakthrough until only two minutes remained in the match.

A goal from the hosts set up a thrilling finish as Our Lady of Fatima through everything into finding an equaliser. They couldn’t and Ashton held on to the win.

The next leg of the Spar KZN Hockey Tournament will be on the 10 May when KZN Coastal teams go into battle.

The Parel Vallei (PV) High School girls’ first-team hockey side has enjoyed a rewarding and successful couple of weeks under the tutelage of head coach Wayne Coetzee.

The girls from Cape Town kicked off the second term with a resounding 4-1 victory away from home over DF Malan this past weekend.

It was their first outing since they claimed top honours at the Courage Cup, which was hosted by Kingsmead College, in Johannesburg, earlier this month.

In an all-Cape Town final, PV defeated Reddam House Constantia 2-1 on penalties to lift the title. With that win, they booked themselves a spot at next year’s St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival.

It was crucial for coach Coetzee’s side to quickly put their holiday campaign behind them and shift their focus to the clash against DF Malan.

Recent history shows that PV has had the upper hand on DF Malan, and that dominance continued on Friday night as they scored four times, through Nikita Sulivan, Eva Blaauw, Roxy Setzkorn, and Skylar Bougaard.

PV was also solid at the back, despite conceding a goal, and it was a testament to the work they’ve put in during the pre-season.

Reflecting on the game, coach Coetzee said he’s happy with the progress made by the side in the last couple of weeks, but there’s a lot to improve on.

“The girls have grown from strength to strength in their game, physically and mentally,” Coetzee told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“Against DF Malan, we stayed calm and grew in the game and played some expansive hockey at stages, which allowed us to enter their circle from all sides.”

PV plays coach Mark Landman‘s Paarl Girls’ High side on Wednesday.

Girls’ High shared a 1-1 draw with Springfield Convent School on the weekend, with Lisa Craven finding the back of the net for them.

They are a dangerous and unpredictable side, and coach Coetzee has identified areas Parel Vallei needs to attend to before the meeting.

“We need to keep building on the positive moments that we create. A key focus will go into our PC attack and nine-yard scoring,” he said.

When Collegiate Girls’ High School travelled to the Western Cape to face Rhenish Girls’ High and HMS Bloemhof over the weekend, many thought the results were a foregone conclusion.

That’s because a week ago, both Bloemhof and Rhenish excelled at the St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival in Johannesburg.

The Western Cape duo finished in second and third positions, respectively, behind the winners, St Mary’s DSG, Kloof. Thus, there is no doubt they were favoured heading into the clashes against Collegiate.

The Gqeberha girls, meanwhile, put together a decent showing at St Mary’s. But facing Rhenish on Friday night before taking on Bloemhof the following day was a tall order.

Collegiate had nothing to lose, similar to their brother school, Grey High, who came from behind four times to draw 4-4 with Paul Roos just a few kilometres down the road.

Facing the reigning Fairtree Super 12 champions, Rhenish, they frustrated the home side and defended like their lives depended on it.

They weren’t at their best on the attack, but they capitalised on one opportunity when Kerrin Gillies found the back of the net.

Their Friday night outing ended in an encouraging 1-1 draw, which left them with a quick turnaround before a meeting with St Mary’s runner-up, Bloemhof, on Saturday. On Friday, coach Jenny King’s Bloemhof girls had narrowly defeated Herschel Girls School 2-1.

That meant both teams carried some tired legs into Saturday’s showdown. As always, it would be about which team took its chances.

The hosts scored first, but Collegiate came from behind in the second half, striking back twice with goals from Gillies and Kate Brennen to score a thrilling victory.

“I’m very happy with the outcome of this weekend,” Collegiate head coach Michael Abrahams told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“We wanted to be competitive and play a good brand of hockey. We’ve learnt a lot, and it has given us a good look at what to work on going forward.”

Looking back on their Western Cape adventure, the Gqeberha girls will take confidence from their stubborn defence, which rescued them from some sticky situations.

Abrahams said that was about good preparation: “Our approach was to be good defensively, but, at the same time, making sure we were good in possession.

“We knew coming here would be tough, especially with the quick turnaround. So, we needed to prepare accordingly.”

The positive results will be a huge morale boost for Collegiate ahead of a busy schedule in the Eastern Cape and around the country.

“It’s always good to play against teams of this calibre. It’s important that we continue to learn and grow from these types of games,” Abrahams concluded.

RESULTS

Collegiate 1-1 Rhenish Girls’ High School
Collegiate 2-1 HMS Bloemhof

Dit het soos verwag ’n titaniese stryd afgegee in die herontmoeting tussen Hoërskool Middelburg en Hoërskool Nelspruit.

Herleef al die aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Uiteindelik het Middelburg met ‘n enkele punt die bordjies verhang teen die span van Mbombela, deur Saterdag se naelbytstryd in die NWU Sportreeks met 27–26 te wen.

Die Middies het reeds teen rustyd ’n voorsprong van 10 punte geniet, maar dit het  eenvoudig vir die Rhinos aangespoor om met ‘n verbete terugvegpoging te kom na die omdraaislag.

Die Nellies se afrigtingspan het besluit om sommige van hul eerstekeuse-spelers te rus weens ’n strawwe wedstrydprogram wat oor die volgende twee weke wag. Dit neem egter niks weg van die Middies se oorwinning nie.

Die skote het geklap onder die voorspelers, met Nellies se Werno Heyns wat die pas vir sy agttal aangegee het. Die veelsydige voorspeler was regoor die veld teenwoordig en is vir sy puik spel met twee pragdrieë beloon.

Die Middies-pak het self met oorgawe ingeklim om bruikbare voorvoet-besit te bewerkstellig. Die agttal, onder leiding van die staatmaker-haker, Roux Grobler, was verantwoordelik vir ál vier die Middies se drieë.

Die momentum het egter begin swaai toe die Rhinos se agterlyn aan die gang gekom het in die tweede skof. Linkervleuel, Tinyiko Silubane, het ’n merkbare verskil gemaak en sy drie het die vonk verskaf vir die terugvegpoging.

Hoërskool Eldoraigne het ‘n allemintige 35 punte in die tweede helfte aangeteken, maar dit was nie genoeg om ‘n nederlaag van 35-42 teen Hoërskool Oos-Moot af te weer nie.

Die Oosies het teen rustyd ’n skynbaar onaantasbare voorsprong van 21 punte geniet, met hul gevaarlike pak wat die dryfveer was agter ’n aanslag wat die Drake deurlopend onder druk geplaas het. Loskakel, Dewron Aford, wat bekend is vir sy aanvallende benadering tot die spel, het die geleentheid aangegryp om sy agterlyn op dreef te kry en het self ook agter die Eldos se doellyn gaan kuier.

Die Drake se buitesenter, Hanno Jacobs, is vinnig besig om vanjaar in ‘n driedrukmasjien vir sy span te ontpop en het Saterdag nóg twee keer oor die doellyn geglip om sy totaal in die Sportreeks tot sewe drieë op te stoot.

Hoërskool Ben Vorster het met 31–19 geseëvier in die eerste van minstens twee kragmetings vanjaar met Hoërskool Piet Retief.

Binnesenter, Gihan Hendricks, wat as Speler van die Week aangewys is tydens die onlangse Ben Vorster Rugbyweek, het weer sy merk gemaak vir die Buffels met dodelike aanvalslyne. Hy het hierdeur vir linkervleuel, Lethabo Sejake, die Buffels se dubbele driedrukker, goed bygestaan. Sejake was byna onkeerbaar op die aanval en het die lewe vir die Piet Retief-verdedigers uiters moeilik gemaak.

Piet Retief se vleuel, Vuyani Tshabalala, het self imponeer met ’n paar skitterlopies van sy eie en ‘n tweekuns aan drieë behaal om sy span in die wedloop te probeer hou.

Puntemakers:

Hoërskool Middelburg 27 (17) – Drieë: Jabu Mathebula, CW Hanekom, Dewald du Toit, Roux Grobler. Doelskoppe: Matthew Abbey (2). Strafdoel: Buhle Mphalaza. Hoërskool Nelspruit 26 (7) – Drieë: Werno Heyns (2), Liam Pringle, Tinyiko Silubane. Doelskoppe: Pringle (3).

Oos- Moot 42 (21) – Drieë: Jeandré Venter, Stian de Vente, Riyaan Wilson, Jandré de Beer, Dewran Aford, Drew Williams. Doelskoppe: Venter (6). Eldoraigne 35 (0) – Drieë: Hanno Jacobs (2), Tristan Lee, Wian White, Esdee Kotze. Doelskoppe: Damian Elferink (5)

Ben Vorster 31 (24) – Drieë: Lethabo Sejake (2), Joshua van der Mescht, Miguel Makhubupetsi. Doelskoppe: Shelton-Ray Primo (4). Strafdoel: Primo. Hoërskool Piet Retief 19 (7) – Drieë: Vuyani Tshabalala (2), Fiso Methula. Doelskop: Owethu Shabalala.

Ander spanne:

o.16: Hoërskool Middelburg 27, Ben Vorster 12; EG Jansen 33, Piet Retief 33; Menlopark 29, Waterkloof 24; Transvali 41, HTS Middelburg 19; Kempton Park 34, Nelspruit 20; Oos-Moot 38, Eldoraigne 6.

o.15: Waterkloof 17, Menlopark 10, Transvalia 18, Nelspruit 12; Oos-Moot 45, Eldoraigne 7; EG Jansen 38, Hoërskool Middelburg 5; Ben Vorster 39, Piet Retief 21; Kempton Park 25, HTS Middelburg 18.

o.14: Hoërskool Middelburg 24, Waterkloof 17; EG Jansen 18, Menlopark 15; Kempton Park 32, HTS Middelburg 0; Ben Vorster 26, Piet Retief 5; Nelspruit 31, Transvalia 14; Oos-Moot 22, Eldoraigne 0.

The 2025 schoolboy hockey season swung into full gear in the Western Cape on the weekend, with some of the province’s top teams in action.

On Friday night, hockey fans in the region were treated to four massive derby matches and two league fixtures.

In Cape Town, Wynberg Boys’ High defeated Fairmont High School 3-0 in a league clash, while their southern suburb rivals Rondebosch Boys’ High outplayed Reddam House Constantia 4-0.

It was far from a convincing performance by Wynberg, whose last outing was the Nomads Hockey Festival in Johannesburg last month, while Fairmont was recently crowned the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament champion.

Despite not firing on all cylinders, coach Ben Wiley’s boys got the job done, courtesy of a brace by Noah Laubscher and a strike from Mustafa Kajee.

Reddam House, meanwhile, entered their clash against Bosch brimming with confidence after a stellar showing at the Independent Schools Hockey Festival.

Coach Alex Gitlin’s side impressed in Pretoria, winning all five of their matches, but they couldn’t replicate their form against ‘Bosch.

Parel Vallei (PV) was another side in top form on the weekend, and they continued their impressive season with another win. This time around, they thumped DF Malan 5-1 in a display of calm, cool, and collected hockey.

Luka Meets, who is a player to watch, netted a brace on his 50th game for the school, while Luca Jordaan, Tristan Rautenbach, and SA u17 star, Stephan Malanalso scored.

PV has two big games before the Hibbert Shield, which takes place from 1-4 May. During mid-week, they’ll face Worcester Gimnasium and then, in a big test, they’ll take on South African College High School (SACS) closer to the end of the month.

While the action lived up to expectations in Cape Town, Paarl also delivered a blinder between Paarl Gimnasium and Affies.

Both sides were in action at the Founders Festival, so they would’ve been able to make some mental notes about their opposition ahead of the clash.

Gim coach Jacques Grobler told SuperSport Schools Plus that his team was still in search of its mojo, but he will feel now that they’re getting there.

It was a different kind of performance against Affies, and the home-ground advantage had a massive positive impact on Gim’s play.

John Coetzee and Stefan Wiehahn both scored from short corners to give the locals a 2-0 lead. Two further strikes, firstly from Josh Smit, with a field goal, and then from the skipper, Juan Swanepoel, with a late penalty stroke, sealed the win.

Paarl Boys’ High was also in action against Somerset College and claimed a 1-0 win, courtesy of a Nicholas Swanepoel strike.

In Stellenbosch, Paul Roos Gimnasium shared a thrilling 4-4 draw with Grey High School.

RESULTS

Paarl Gimnasium 4-1 Affies
Wynberg Boys’ High 3-0 Fairmont High School
Paarl Boys’ High 1-0 Somerset College
Parel Vallei 5-1 DF Malan
Rondebosch Boys’ High 4-0 Reddam House Constantia
Paul Roos Gimnasium 4-4 Grey High

Maritzburg College captured their first win of the 2025 season, beating Glenwood 37-25 in an entertaining clash on Goldstone’s, on Saturday, in Pietermaritzburg.

College had gone down to Northwood and Durban High School (DHS), two of KZN’s top sides, in their first two outings, while Glenwood had opened their campaign with wins over St Charles College and HTS Middelburg.

In ideal weather for rugby, scrumhalf, Dom du Toit gave College an early lead from the kicking tee, but Glenwood struck back within two minutes through their captain, Lizwe Mthethwa, who was played into a gap after a good drive by the forwards up the left created an opportunity out on the blind side, and he finished well.

Joshua Koop tacked on the extras to give the visitors a 7-3 advantage.

College skipper Wasi Vyambwera came close to replying but was brought down only five metres from the Green Machine‘s try line. Glenwood, then, turned over possession and cleared to their 22m line.

The visitors worked their way into the College half, and when a lineout throw-in wasn’t handled cleanly, they were able to pressure the Red, Black, and White into holding onto the ball on the ground and the referee raised his arm to signal a penalty to the Durban side. Koop knocked over the kick from just outside the 22 and Glenwood moved seven points clear at 10-3.

Du Toit reduced the deficit to four points from the Glenwood 10m line after 26 minutes. Koop, though, responded with his third successful kick to put the visitors 13-6 clear.

Just before the break, College levelled when Amahle Hadebe crashed over the line, just to the right of the uprights, following a five-metre penalty. Du Toit had no trouble with the kick, and the teams turned with the scores even.

Early in the second half, for the first time since the second minute, Maritzburg College hit the front and it came from a special try from their Amahle Hadebe. Following good defensive pressure from College in the Glenwood 22, the visitors cleared to the right-hand touchline. A quick throw-in, though, gave College some space in which to play.

Two quick passes and Hadebe received the ball on the halfway line, in the middle of the field. He pinned his ears back and raced up to the Glenwood 22. Then, he beat the nearest defender with an outside break before cutting back inside, while selling a dummy, to wrong-foot the cover defence and go over next to the posts. Du Toit’s conversion made it 20-13.

Within a couple of minutes, Vyambwera and company struck again. Glenwood appeared to have a ruck covered just inside the College half, but David Colenbrander picked up and rocketed over the top of the ruck and away. On the opposition 22, he found support to his outside from lock Jaden Smith, who had done fantastic work to get up on the flank’s outside. He was dragged to the ground, but, with good vision, he picked out Adam Cahill and the wing rounded Glenwood to score a superb try. Du Toit continued his good form with the boot by adding the conversion.

Just eight minutes into the second half, Maritzburg College led by 14 points after the teams had turned at 13-13.

When a Glenwood lineout throw went awry inside the host’s 22 in the 53rd minute, the Red, Black, and White flung the ball down their backline, launching a long-range counterattack. They found space on the left flank and burned Glenwood to go over for five more. Du Toit rubbed salt into the visiting side’s wounds with another accurate conversion.

At 34-13, after three tries and three conversions without reply in the second half, College had broken the game open and it looked well and truly won. Glenwood, though, is renowned for a blue-collar approach and they kept working hard.

In the 58th minute, after bashing it up through their forwards, they broke through in the right-hand corner, to tack on five points to their total.

Shortly after the kick-off, though, they undid some of their good work when they conceded a penalty and Du Toit punished them, knocking over another three-pointer.

The Green Machine, however, had the final say in the match, completing the scoring with an enterprising try. A pinpoint cross-kick from centre Thamsanqa Ngubane picked out left-wing Mvelo Ndwalane, who immediately stepped off his left foot and cut inside. He offloaded to Joshua Edwards, who shrugged off a tackle and cut back outside before sprinting away to score in the left-hand corner.

Koop converted the challenging conversion to make the final score 37-25.

RESULTS

u19: Maritzburg College I 37-25 Glenwood I; Maritzburg College II 21-14 Glenwood II; Maritzburg College III 26-12 Glenwood III; Maritzburg College IV 50-0 Glenwood IV; Maritzburg College V 50-0 Glenwood V; Maritzburg College VII 50-0 Glenwood VI; Maritzburg College VIII 50-0 Glenwood VII; Maritzburg College IV 41-0 Glenwood VIII; Maritzburg College X 0-48 Howick II

u16: Maritzburg College A 30-10 Glenwood A; Maritzburg College B 15-5 Glenwood B; Maritzburg College C 10-5 Glenwood C; Maritzburg College E 12-10 Glenwood D; Maritzburg College F 28-18 Glenwood Er

u15: Maritzburg College A 26-21 Glenwood A; Maritzburg College B 29-7 Glenwood B; Maritzburg College C 32-5 Glenwood C; Maritzburg College E 15-5 Glenwood D; Maritzburg College F 28-18 Glenwood E

u14: Maritzburg College A 29-15 Glenwood A; Maritzburg College B 40-0 Glenwood B; Maritzburg College C 50-0 Glenwood C: Maritzburg College D 34-5 Howick A; Maritzburg College E 19-28 Glenwood D; Maritzburg College F 5-14 Glenwood E

Westville Boys’ High claimed a bruising 16-14 victory over Northwood in front of a large crowd surrounding Reece-Edwards Field, in Durban, on Saturday.

It wasn’t a free-flowing, open affair. It was very physical, the kind of battle one sees when top sides meet, with both working feverishly to neutralise the opposition’s offensive flair.

The difference in the game was provided by a difference-maker, Westville fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya, who scored a stunning counterattacking solo try from 70 metres out early in the second half.

It began near the left-hand touchline and finished wide on the right over the Northwood try line. In his wake, defenders lay sprawled and beaten.

“The whole plan was not to kick on him,” Northwood coach Jacques Deen told SuperSport Schools Plus after the match. It happened only once that the Knights kicked on Siyaya and gave him space to work in, but that was enough for the SA Schools’ star to put his stamp on the contest.

“It was a very tight game, but then a special player, Zekhethelo Siyaya, cracked it open and gave us the lead,” Westville coach Zander Erasmus commented. “We kind of got momentum and a bit of tempo in the second half and a bit more urgency. Our defence came through in the lineouts.”

It was a credit to Westville that they were able to pressure Northwood in the lineouts. The Knights pride themselves on that set piece – a speciality of coach Jacques Deen – and they, usually, are among the best at pressuring the opposition’s throw-ins. On this occasion, though, Westville was able to withstand the Northwood challenge and put the home team under some pressure.

“The lineout did not function as well as it usually does. And that is normally our strength,” Deen admitted.

Give credit to Northwood, though. Apart from that instance when they allowed Siyaya space to perform his magic, they made Westville play the game in the trenches. “They, obviously, fancied their maul,” Erasmus said. Credit, too, to Westville, who were up for the fight.

“When we did our analysis, they were quite similar to our profile, so we knew coming here was going to be tough. We haven’t won here in a long time,” Erasmus said.

“We came here with a plan. It wasn’t pretty, but the plan was executed. You can’t ask for more because a lot of that fight you can’t coach.”

Late in the game, Northwood could have taken a shot at goal for the win, but they elected, instead, to kick the penalty into the corner and try to maul their way over the line. Westville stopped them. “Unfortunately, we made a mistake,” Deen said.

As good teams do, the Knights have made it a habit of pulling through to win close games – as they did earlier in the season against Michaelhouse and Maritzburg College – but this time around they couldn’t pull off another escape.

“It went the other way, but I said to the boys we didn’t take our opportunities,” Deen said. That’s the good news for Northwood, they’re creating opportunities and they’re capable of more.

“The positive thing is we’re at about 50 to 60 percent of our capability. If we hit 60 to 70 percent, we are going to be unstoppable,” Deen reckoned. “They need to realise that.”

For Westville, it was a big win, the kind of victory that strengthens bonds and belief, and the joy with which they celebrated afterwards, having withstood severe pressure in the latter stages of the game, showed that their players understood just how momentous their achievement was.

Together with Durban High School (DHS), Westville and Northwood, thus far, look like the cream of the crop in KwaZulu-Natal schools’ rugby in 2025.

Taking a look at how it unfolded: In the first half, Siyaya opened the scoring with a penalty kick from 40 metres out and flyhalf Lux Sonkononkono made it 6-0 with a second penalty.

Northwood hit back with a try from centre Tristan Parkinson after the Knights’ pack had pounded away at the Westville try line through numerous phases and a successful conversion from Savio Stevens gave them a 7-6 lead.

Then, in the second stanza, came Siyaya’s special moment and Sonkononokono added the extras to put Westville 13-7 ahead. The number 10 tacked on a penalty to extend the visitors’ advantage to nine points, but Northwood fired back.

They forced their way deep into the Westville 22 until they pried open the defensive line, with centre Bongani Khumalo finishing with a spectacular dive. Stevens slotted the conversion to pull the home team within two points.

That’s as close as they got as Westville defended stubbornly to claim a precious win.

SCORERS

Northwood 14 (7) – Tries: Tristan Parkinson, Bongani Khumalo. Conversions: Savio Stevens (2); Westville 16 (6) – Try: Zekhethelo Siyaya. Conversion: Lux Sonkononkono. Penalties: Lux Sonkononkono (2)

RESULTS

u19: Northwood I 14-16 Westville I; Northwood II 12-14 Westville II; Northwood III 20-32 Westville III; Northwood IV 12-5 Westville IV; Northwood V 21-14 Westville V; Northwood VI 15-10 Westville VI

u16: Northwood A 17-14 Westville A; Northwood B 12-22 Westville B; Northwood C 26-0 Westville C; Northwood D 15-5 Westville D; Northwood E 7-0 Westville E

u15: Northwood A 17-17 Westville A; Northwood B 0-45 Westville B; Northwood C 0-36 Westville C; Northwood D 7-24 Westville D; Northwood E 21-12 Westville E

u14: Northwood A 7-21 Westville A; Northwood B 5-5 Westville B; Northwood C 0-24 Westville; Northwood D 0-33 Westville D; Northwood E 10-21 Westville E

Hoërskool Garsfontein het die verdediging van sy Beker-titel in die SDC Noordvaal Cup met ‘n spogvertoning in Johannesburg afgeskop.

Herleef al die aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Die Bere het vyf keer agter die doellyn van Helpmekaar Kollege gaan draai om hul veldtog op ‘n drafstap te open met ‘n telling van 47-29 .

Die span van Pretoria het boonop aangedui dat hy nie slegs oor ‘n formidabele agttal beskik nie, maar agterlangs ook aanskoulike hardlooprugby kan opdis.

Skrumskakel, Derrick Kuhn, het sy indrukwekkende seisoen voortgesit om nie alleen self twee keer die doellyn oor te steek nie, maar ook puik diens te lewer vir losskakel, Junaid Passensie, waarmee hy die gevaarmanne aan sy buitekant, Junaide Stuart (regtervleuel) en Drewyn Baron (heelagter), los kon laat.

Vir die Helpies het binnesenter, Ethan Lourens, uitgeblink met bal in hand en ook op die verdediging ‘n massiewe bydrae gelewer.

Die grondslag vir die besoekers se sege was oudergewoonte voorlangs gelê, met vaskopstut, Luan “Propie” van den Berg, wat aanhou beïndruk met sy uitgebreide vaardigheidstel vir ‘n voorryman. Van den Berg beskik oor uiters betroubare hande en is vanjaar dikwels betrokke in sy span se aanvalsbewegings.

Helpies se haker, Gustav Grotius, het ook gewoel in die los en nie teruggedeins vir die fisieke stryd voorlangs nie.

Puntemakers:

Garsfontein 47 (22) – Drieë: Derrick Kuhn (2), Junaide Stuart, Drewyn Baron, Luan van den Berg. Doelskoppe: Kuhn (2). Strafdoele: Kuhn (3). Helpmekaar Kollege 29 (15) – Drieë: Ethan Lourens, Llewelyn Vermaak, Jandré Botha, Keanan Combrink. Doelskoppe: Wian Strom (3). Strafdoel: Storm.

Ander spanne:

o.16: Garsfontein 41, Helpmekaar 12.

o.15: Garsfontein 28, Helpmekaar 15.

o.14: Garsfontein 23, Helpmekaar 21.

Ná 70 minute van klipharde rugby was daar steeds niks te kies tussen die twee Pretoriaanse spanne in vanjaar se NWU Sportreeks-eindstryd nie.

Herleef al die aksie regstreeks op SuperSport Schools – www.supersportschools.com

Hoërskool Menlopark en Hoërskool Waterkloof moes Saterdag die Sportreeks-titel deel met ’n gelykopuitslag van 23–23 in die eindstryd by Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen in Boksburg.

Klofies sluit dus vir die tweede agtereenvolgende jaar die reeks as kampioen af.

Dit was ’n effense bitter pil vir die Parkies om te sluk, aangesien hulle vanuit die staanspoor en vir die grootste gedeelte van die eerste helfte die botoon gevoer het. Die streeptruie se Keagen Pretorius (slot) en Balden Pietersen (regtervleuel) het in ’n oogwink elkeen agter die Klofies se doellyn gaan draai vir hul span om ’n vroeë voorsprong van 10–0 op te bou.

Waterkloof het egter meer ritme begin vind namate die kragmeting gevorder het, met haker, Ruan Jacobs, wat sy Parkie-eweknie, Declan Pelser, behoorlik die stryd aangesê het, terwyl die vuurvreter-agsteman, Marko Kok, ook besig is om sy beste spelpeil te herwin. Pelser was aan die stuur van die Parkies se gedugte dryfmaalbewegings wat die Klofies dikwels in trurat geforseer het.

Agterlangs het Parkies se Leskin Samuels soos verwag die verdediging beproef, maar Aiden Bester, wat besig is om die Klofies se nr. 12-trui sy eie te maak, het nie teruggestaan nie en met ’n paar kragtige lopies en groot duikslae gehelp om sy span in die wedloop te hou.

In die voorwedstryd het Hoërskool Transvalia, met losskakel, Jay-Dee Maree, wat uitgeblink het, met 21–10 geseevier oor Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg. Maree se balverspreiding het die ligbloues op die voorvoet gehou, ten spyte van ‘n rooi en geel kaart wat hul taak bemoeilik het in die tweede helfte.

Die Rooi Bulle se loskopstut, Janco Botha, verdien ’n klop op die skouer vir sy uitstaande vertoning, en sy hoë werkverrigting is met ’n tweekuns aan drieë beloon.

In die eerste wedstryd van die dag het die gasheer, Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen, danksy puik aanvallende rugby met 34–27 teen ’n vasberade Hoërskool Kempton Park koning gekraai. Die kombinasie van regtervleuel, Otlatleng Zulu, en heelagter, Deshean Pietersen, het die Kempies se verdedigers deurentyd aan die raai gehou en ook vir twee van die Jansies se vyf drieë gesorg.

Puntemakers: 

Waterkloof 23 (12) – Drieë: Ruan Jacobs, Gustav Mienie, Aiden Bester. Doelskop: Ronan Bastiaanse. Strafdoele: Bastiaanse (2). Menlopark 23 (15) – Drieë: Keagen Pretorius, Bladen Peterson, Reinhardt Herbst, Declan Pelser. Strafdoel: Andru Keun.

Transvalia 21 (14) – Drieë: Wihandré Kruger, Dihan Crause, Nog Een. Doelskoppe: Jay-Dee Maree (3). HTS Middelburg 10 (5) – Drieë: Janco Botha (2).

EG Jansen 34 (17) – Drieë: Joseph Diesel, Dian Botha, Deveraux Weideman, Otlatleng Zulu, Jaco Engelbrecht, Deshean Pietersen. Hoërskool Kempton Park 27 (10) – Drieë: Ettienne Stroebel, Louis Mouton, Strafdrie. Doelskoppe: Stiaan de Villiers (2). Strafdoele: De Villiers (2).

Ander spanne:

o.16: Hoërskool Middelburg 27, Ben Vorster 12; EG Jansen 33, Piet Retief 33; Menlopark 29, Waterkloof 24; Transvali 41, HTS Middelburg 19; Kempton Park 34, Nelspruit 20; Oos-Moot 38, Eldoraigne 6.

o.15: Waterkloof 17, Menlopark 10, Transvalia 18, Nelspruit 12; Oos-Moot 45, Eldoraigne 7; EG Jansen 38, Hoërskool Middelburg 5; Ben Vorster 39, Piet Retief 21; Kempton Park 25, HTS Middelburg 18.

o.14: Hoërskool Middelburg 24, Waterkloof 17; EG Jansen 18, Menlopark 15; Kempton Park 32, HTS Middelburg 0; Ben Vorster 26, Piet Retief 5; Nelspruit 31, Transvalia 14; Oos-Moot 22, Eldoraigne 0.