SA Rugby, in consultation with the local organising committee, have decided to move the 2023 Craven Week for Under-18 boys to Outeniqua Park in George.
The tournament, the second in the 2023 Youth Weeks programme, kicks off on 3 July and will run until 8 July.
It was initially scheduled to take place at Hoërskool Outeniqua in George, but the LOC informed SA Rugby that the school’s fields would not be able to handle the heavy workload due to the persistent rain that has fallen in the area in recent weeks.
As a result, the decision was taken to move the Craven Week to Outeniqua Stadium, the home ground of the SWD Eagles.
However, Hoërskool Outeniqua – who arue celebrating their centenary this year – will still host four matches on their C-Field on Saturday 8 July.
The venue for the u16 Grant Khomo Week was changed to Hoër Landbouskool Boland near Paarl recently, while the u16 and u18 Girls Weeks are still scheduled to take place at Jeppe High School for Boys in Johannesburg.
Two late goals by Hilton College proved just enough to secure a (3-1) hard-fought win against Michaelhouse in their return fixture on Saturday.
The two sides, who met earlier this season, with that clash ending in a (4-2) win for Hilton were eager to momentarily close off their seasons with wins.
Hilton, were the favourites, undoubtedly. They came into the match with a solid record and placed 5th on the country’s rankings. Before the match, however, they had also lost (1-0) against Kearsney, so Michaelhouse would’ve felt like a victory is possible away from home.
Michaelhouse adopted that exact mindset as they shocked the visitors in the first quarter with a goal from captain, John Yeadon.
Yeadon scored when he quickly pounced on a turnover after giving away a penalty. He had a powerful run into the box, shed off two defenders, and placed the ball in the bottom left corner.
That goal influenced the home side’s comeback. Damian Kimfley’s men asserted themselves into the match, getting several short corners but not capitalizing.
The hosts finally hit back, late in the first quarter when Jarred Kitto got the ball in his half and paced through the Michaelhouse defence to allow his side some time down in the other half.
Kitto lost the ball, but that run gained his side some valuable minutes down under, as they quickly pounced on a loose ball and Joel Kitshoff scored to level the scoreboard.
For a full quarter, there was nothing to separate the two sides, as Hilton continued in their dominance of ball possession while the visitors opted to sit back and await the counterattack.
However, sitting back didn’t work for the visitors and Kimfley’s side changed tactics, displaying maturity, and scored two goals through Grant Bridgeford, and Nicholas Chantler late in the game to secure the win.
The win for Hilton means that they finish the season momentarily on a high, and will maintain their spot in the top five rankings in the country.
Scorers:
Hilton College 3 (Joel Kitshoff, Grant Bridgeford, Nicholas Chantler); Michaelhouse 1 (John Yeadon).
Michaelhouse recorded their hundredth win over rivals Hilton College, in a dramatic fashion, winning in the final five minutes of the match 18-15, following an excellent passage of offensive play from the away side.
In the 206th time that these two prestigious schools have faced each other and what has been a long time coming and much spoken about a century of wins.
Michaelhouse entertained a packed Gilfillan Field to bring up the momentous occasion for the school.
The last time the school tasted victory was back in 2016 on the same field winning 21-17 and it has taken seven years to break what some would have started to think was an unbreakable curse.
This classic clash over the years has produced some nail-biting games and this will go down as one of the best as both teams showed no signs of giving up in some high-pressure situations. A match that was played with a high tempo and a number of exciting moments, going right down to the wire.
Rewatch the match on SuperSchools (www.supersportschools.com).
Hilton’s opening points of the match came in the form of a strong drive from eighth man Akhona Kunene, who muscled his way through the Michaelhouse forward pack to find the touchline, leaving the away side scratching their heads.
Luke Davidson kicked with precession, making sure he slotted over his two penalties in the firsthalf to get his side into a fighting position going into the second half.
By the halfway point, the match was sitting evenly with the scoreline reading 6-5 to Michaelhouse. Both teams showing resilience and determination.
Michaelhouse winger Leo Muziva, was brilliant in attack, he managed to charge down a kick from Hilton’s backline looking to clear the ball up field, gathering it on the bounce and giving way to an open left corner, capitalizing on the smallest of chances.
Hilton bounced back with flanker Matthew Stewart scoring after applying some pressure on Michaelhouse, in a period of play which saw a wave of attacks as the hunt for the touchline
Muziva’s second match-winning try in the dying minutes of the match ensured that the away team walked away victorious, after creating space from an overlap to find the same corner as his first try.
In the last few minutes of the match Hilton College needing to either force a penalty or score a try, the home-side threw the entire kitchen sink at the away team, trying to find a crack in the Michaelhouse defense.
A couple of missed kicks from the home team ultimately made the difference in points, if one or two of the opportunities had gone through the poles, a very different outcome might have followed.
When the final whistle blew at the end of the game, the scenes were electric with a large number of Michaelhouse fans swarming the field, like bees drawn to a pot of honey, to celebrate with the heroes of the day.
This Michaelhouse side will be remembered for showing tenacious fightback and not giving up against a powerhouse Hilton College side, who have had one of their most successful seasons. The lead-up to the match gave the red and white the momentum.
What does 2024 hold for these two schools? Michaelhouse will aim to hold off Hilton College as they look for their very own hundredth win, with the school sitting currently on 96 wins.
How long can Hilton be kept away from enjoying their own celebrations?
Scorers:
Michaelhouse 18 (6) – Tries: Leo Muziva (2). Conversion: Luke Davidson Penalties: Davidson (2). Hilton College 15 (5) – Try: Akhona Kunene. Conversion: Christopher Horak Penalty: Horak.
The teams:
Hilton College: 15 Ivan Jjuuko, 14 Rukudzo Madinga, 13 RD Engelbrecht, 12 Ivan Lockem, 11 Tayedza Jaravaza, 10 Christopher Horak (captain), 9 Luke Watt, 8 Akhona Kunene, 7 Matthew Stewart (vice-captain), 6 Ross Brown, 5 Luke Warren, 4 Hanu Pieterse, 3 Ben Le Roux, 2 Murray Brink (vice-captain) 1 Bunono Jabvu.
Michaelhouse: 15 Murray Baker (vice-captain), 14 Aya Mkhokeli, 13 Campbell Ridl, 12 Tom Baguley, 11 Leo Muziva, 10 Luke Davidson, 9 Josh Aissing, 8 Carlyle Hawkins, 7 Fortune Mpofu (captain), 6 Tristan Arde, 5 Michael Thornton, 4 Jordyn Kleynhans, 3 Luthando Buthelezi, 2 Thabo Njapha, 1 Aphiwe Shelembe.
Results:
u19A: Michaelhouse 18, Hilton College 15 u19B: Michaelhouse 21, Hilton College 19 u16A: Michaelhouse 5, Hilton College 17 u15A: Michaelhouse 14, Hilton College 19 u14A: Michaelhouse 18, Hilton College 22
Kingswood College was wasting no time to get things started this Saturday and put some points on the board. At under a minute into the first half, a penalty was granted in favour on Kingswood College who opted to kick for poles by way of Praise Matsila.
Matsila was successful from more than fifty metres out, giving them a great start to the game and putting them three points ahead.
Following an aggressive tackle, St Andrew’ College received a yellow card, providing another opportunity for Kingswood College to succeed in a penalty kick. Once again, Praise Matsila came through for his squad and made the kick from quite far off. Although there was still much of the game to be played, Kingswood College had earned themselves a decent advantage of six points and positioned themselves in the lead.
Although Kingswood College held the advantage for more than fifteen minutes, St Andrew’ College quickly caught up with their next play. With around ten minutes left in the first half, Oliver Myatt-Taylor scored a try for St Andrews.
Half time would arrive with Kingswood College only one point ahead at 6-5.
After much resistance from both sides, St Andrew’ College put the first points on the board in the second half with yet another try from Oliver Myatt-Taylor. St Andrews took the lead and just needed to maintain this until the end.
Time had already run out and it seemed St Andrew’ College were safe, however, game play continued due to stoppages from the yellow cards. In the last moments, Kingswood College fought relentlessly at St Andrew’ College try line, until Amazing Vheriwa broke through the defence and scored the winning try for Kingswood College. When Praise Matsila succeeded in his third kick of the game, Kingswood took the victory at 13-10.
Kingswood College 13 – Try: Amazing Vheriwa. Conversion: Praise Matsila. Penalties: Matsila (2). St Andrew’s College 10 – Tries: Oliver Myatt-Taylor (2).
The results from around South Africa will be updated here as we receive the results from the various schools.
If your school’s match is not listed below or you would like to send in your team’s results – please contact us via e-mail at netball@superschoolsnews.co.za or via WhatsApp at 072 172 5455.
The results from around South Africa will be updated here as we receive the results from the various schools.
If your school’s match is not listed below or you would like to send in your team’s results – please contact us via e-mail at hockey@superschoolsnews.co.za or via WhatsApp at 072 172 5455.
A determined and energetic St Benedict’s College beat St Stithians College in their final match of the season, winning in style 33-15.
For a second time this season St Benedict’s have beaten Saints, this time making sure that their final match of the season was one to remember.
The school from Bedfordview started the match in a convincing fashion, racking up 18 points before the halftime break, running away from the opposition and making sure that there was enough wiggle room should anything out of the ordinary happen in the second half.
Outside center Raymond Hassim, chipping in nicely scoring two important tries for his side and was supported by Byron Smit who also scored for the home team, and showed his versatility as he was strong in defence.
With the match sitting at 28-0, St Stithians needed to show a lot of grit to claw their way back into contention. Two tries from position Tashinga Chingonzo, looked promising but with the game moving away from the visitors, a minor miracle was needed.
Much has been said about Bennies fullback Onkgopotse Monaheng this season, he once again showed his talent, scoring an individual try and making sure that he converted five out of his six placement kicks.
An excellent 50m penalty capped off what has been a successful season for the fullback, who wears his heart on his sleeve.
Bennies end the season having racked up five wins out of six matches against the other independent saints’ schools, beating St David’s Marist and both St Stithians and St Alban’s twice.
For many of the matric boys it was the final match for their school, playing in front of a packed St Benedict’s stand would have been the send-off that most of the players would have wanted, a win at home in your final schoolboy fixture definitely ticks a box.
With eleven of the fifteen boys matriculating this year, St Benedict’s will be looking at rebuilding with a number of grade 11’s currently playing in the second XV.
St Stithian’s College are not quite done yet as they still have the Independent Schools Festival, taking place next week starting on Thursday 23 June 2023 hosted at St Andrew’s College.
Saints will be looking at a couple of their players to stick up their hands as they enter in the twilight phase of a long season.
St Benedict’s College 33 (18) – Tries: Raymond Hassim (2), Byron Smit, Onkgopotse Monaheng. Conversions: Monaheng (2). Penalties: Monaheng (3). St Stithian’s College 15 (0) – Tries: Tashinga Chingonzo (2), Mathula Sikhakhane.
The teams:
St Benedict’s College: 15 Onkgopotse Monaheng, 14 Ntelezi Mchunu, 13 Raymond Hassim, 12 Uche Ejike, 11 Nathi Beda, 10 Jason Pengelley, 9 Sabelo Shangase, 8 Jason Cutler, 7 Thando Jadezweni, 6 Byron Smit, 5 Declan Murphy, 4 Luke Carr, 3 Victor Goncalves, 2 Michael Mundove, 1 Daniel Walsh.
St Stithians College: 15 Lebo Mofolo, 14 Ben Parkinson, 13 Sean Strydom, 12 Gabriel Hore, 11 Tinashe Gweshe, 10 Nthabeleng Mafole, 9 Aidan Appalsamy, 8 Tashinga Chingonzo, 7 Ryan Zvinevashe, 6 Mathula Sikhakhane, 5 Thato Madziwanyika, 4 Francois Botes, 3 Keabetswe Mapukana, 2 Braedon Hollingworth, 1 Branden Lightfoot.
The results from around South Africa will be updated here as we receive the results from the various schools.
If your school’s match is not listed below or you would like to send in your team’s results – please contact us via e-mail at rugby@superschoolsnews.co.za or via WhatsApp at 072 172 5455.
In David Fincher’s film Fight Club, lead actor Brad Pitt’s character has one very famous line which goes along the lines of “The first rule of fight club … ” addressing a room full of men in said fight club.
And quite simply answered by himself “… is you don’t talk about fight club!”
So perhaps to break the jinx around the Michaelhouse victory which eludes them, we shall not mention what the landmark is and what it would mean for the school. If you would like to do that feel free to read our previous article that covered the first match earlier this season.
Hilton College won the first of these two epic matches at Meadows by a margin of three points. The final score ending on 20-17. Both teams put up a sterling display of some very entertaining schoolboy rugby in some wet and gloomy conditions.
This weekend the First XV kicks off at 14:00, on Gilfillan Field, with what is forecasted to be a warm sunny winters afternoon.
There are several ways, that one could think of celebrating the long weekend in honor of Youth Day. A day which is so rich in South Africa’s history that it paved the way on how the country’s education system was viewed and structured.
For Michaelhouse beating a very strong Hilton College side away would be right up there amongst the ways to enjoy it.
The home side have had a wonderful season this year, winning 12 of their fixtures and are currently searching for their ninth consecutive win.
In their most recent fixture against Kearsney College, winning 28-12, where the boys put on an incredible performance and showed their strength in defence as they managed to fight off a wave of strong offensive plays. The side will look at Luke Warren and Ross Brown to put in some powerful hits.
Captain Christopher Horak will be looking at creating opportunities for his backline to get into strong offensive positions allowing the side to get points on the board and will be leading a fearless side into battle.
The red and white have been in good form as well recently beating Westville Boys’ High School (36-22), Northwood (38-12) and Pretoria Boys High School (34-19) and would feel confident going into the fixture albeit having to tweak a few minor changes to their playing XV.
Michaelhouse’s Wandile Mlaba is out after injuring his knee last weekend, the big eighth man has been ruled out of the season, needing to have surgery during the week. A disappointing end to what has been a very good season for the young man.
Flyhalf, Luke Davidson, has kicked superbly throughout this season and will be itching to get a few more points in this much anticipated classic clash, which will give captain Fortune Mpofu some comfort.
Many of the boys playing in this fixture will be playing in their last game against their rivals which boasts an incredible history that has provided supporters with some nail-biting finishes over the years.
We can expect another close encounter between these two machines from the midlands. But who will come out on top as victorious will depend very much on how badly each of these teams wants to win.
The teams:
Hilton College: 15 Ivan Jjuuko, 14 Rukudzo Madinga, 13 RD Engelbrecht, 12 Ivan Lockem, 11 Tayedza Jaravaza, 10 Christopher Horak (captain), 9 Luke Watt, 8 Akhona Kunene, 7 Matthew Stewart (vice-captain), 6 Ross Brown, 5 Luke Warren, 4 Hanu Pieterse, 3 Ben Le Roux, 2 Murray Brink (vice-captain) 1 Bunono Jabvu.
Michaelhouse: 15 Murray Baker (vice-captain), 14 Aya Mkhokeli, 13 Campbell Ridl, 12 Tom Baguley, 11 Leo Muziva, 10 Luke Davidson, 9 Josh Aissing, 8 Carlyle Hawkins, 7 Fortune Mpofu (captain), 6 Tristan Arde, 5 Michael Thornton, 4 Jordyn Kleynhans, 3 Luthando Buthelezi, 2 Thabo Njapha, 1 Aphiwe Shelembe.
Glenwood High School have been crowned champions of KwaZulu-Natal Schools coastal football league after a 4-3 victory in penalty shoot-out against Port Shepstone.
Before the match begins both teams observe a moment of silence to late former Bafana Bafana Afcon winning coach Clive Barker. The only South African coach to win Afcon in 1996.
Glenwood boys dominated the first half but Port Shepstone keeper was producing brilliant saves to keep his team in the game.
The game went deadlock 0-0 at halftime as both teams could not find the net.
The second half saw Port Shepstone take the game to Glenwood but the keeper was doing the same as the opposite keeper by making brilliant saves.
After 90 minutes of intense finals both teams could not find the back of the net on regular time all thanks to both keepers of these teams by putting in brilliant performances.
Ultimately Glenwood High school went on to win the game in sudden death penalty shoot-out 4-3.
The two teams when they last met in the group Port Shepstone won 3-2 but Glenwood got sweeter revenge in the final.
Speaking to SuperSport Schools news after the game Glenwood playmaker Sanele Mthembu said “he is happy by finally winning the league after losing in the final on numerous occasions.”
SA Rugby, in consultation with the local organising committee, have decided to move the 2023 Craven Week for Under-18 boys to Outeniqua Park in George.
Kingswood College was wasting no time to get things started this Saturday and put some points on the board. At under a minute into the first half, a penalty was granted in favour on Kingswood College who opted to kick for poles by way of Praise Matsila. 
Glenwood High School have been crowned champions of KwaZulu-Natal Schools coastal football league after a 4-3 victory in penalty shoot-out against Port Shepstone.