A pretty unique occurrence happened this year with both the SA Schools’ captains for cricket and rugby hailed from the same school, Wynberg Boys’ High in Cape Town.
Juan James was named the SA Schools’ cricket captain of 2022 at the conclusion of the annual Khaya Majola Week in Stellenbosch.
His classmate Zachary Porthen captained Western Province to unofficial champions of the Craven Week earlier this year in Cape Town. Porthen was also named the SA Schools’ rugby captain becoming the first player ever from Wynberg who had this honour.
James is also the first player from Wynberg Boys’ High to captain the national school’s cricket side.
It is only the third time in history that pupils from the same school were named captain of the two sports in the same year.
The previous time this happened was in 1989 when two boys from Diocesan College (Bishops) had the honour of leading the national sides. Ian Solomon (cricket) and Michael Ehrentraut (rugby) were the players from Bishops who made their school proud.
The first time it happened was in 1980 when Joubert Strydom (cricket) and Jurie Erwee (rugby) of Grey College in Bloemfontein were named SA Schools’ captains.
The South African Schools’ cricket side was first chosen in 1940 after the inaugural Nuffield Week (later became Khaya Majola Week). The first SA Schools’ rugby team was only chosen in 1974.
For the complete lists of SA Schools’ captains visit the following pages on our site:
Stellenbosch. – Western Province came out on top in the main match of the prestigious Khaya Majola Week for the first time since 2012 by defeating KwaZulu-Natal Inland by 146 runs on the Coetzenburg Oval here.
The team from Cape Town was in trouble after 15 overs with their score are 50/4 but Bongile Mfunelwa (66) and newly named SA Schools’ captain Juan James (38) joined forces in the middle to add 86 runs over the fifth wicket to help their team reach a more than respectable 218 runs in the end.
KZN Inland’s Jake Carstens tried his best to keep his side in the game. He was the pick of his side bowlers with figures of 3/28. Carstens also top-scored with the bat as he contributed 15 runs as his side was bundled out for only 72 runs.
Asakhe Tsaka (4/19) en Liyema Waqu (2/14) caused most of the damage with the ball in hand for Western Province.
The last day of the tournament also saw three players produce five-wicket hauls. The 2022-edition of the tournament without a doubt belonged to the bowlers.
Border’s spin bowler Amangile Twani removed five of Limpopo’s batsmen from the crease for a mere 14 runs as the latter was restricted to only 96 runs.
The Namibian Cheetahs’ right-arm unorthodox spin bowler, Gerhard Janse van Rensburg (5/29), helped his side to a 31-run victory over Mpumalanga.
Free State left their best performance for the final day of the tournament. Their spin bowler Dakalo Leketa (5/33) probably booked his place in the SA Colts side thanks to his five-wicket haul in their 78-run victory over North West.
Free State batted first and Gerhard Maree (87) and Samokelo Lepheto (66) helped their side to reach 252 runs thanks to their half-centuries. Last year’s SA Colts captain, Joe Meyer (45), also weighed in with more than valuable contribution.
The Central Gauteng Lions also managed to finish the tournament with a victory as they convincingly defeated the Titans by seven wickets. Christopher King removed four of the Titans’ batsmen for only 25 as they were restricted to 141 runs.
The two national u19 players of the Lions Thebe Gazide (40) and David Teeger (39) then laid the base for their team to ease past the target set.
The highest score of the final day was recorded by Easterns’ Khayelihle Sithole (97) who just missed out on his century against the Northern Cape. Easterns’ victory of 29 runs ended Northern Cape’s unbeaten record at this year’s tournament.
Summarised Scorecards (Limited Overs):
Western Province 218 (Bongile Mfunelwa 66, Juan James 38, Maahir Joseph 30; Jake Carstens 3/38, Matthew Urquhart 2/13, Ross Boast 2/36); KwaZulu-Natal Inland 72 (Jake Carstens 15; Asakhe Tsaka 4/19, Liyema Waqu 2/14). Western Province won by 146 runs.
Titans 141 (Tristan Luus 39, Leo Sadler 34; Christopher King 4/25, Liam Alder 2/22, Kyle Glennistor 2/26); Central Gauteng Lions 144/3 (Thebe Gazide 40, David Teeger 39, Richard Seletswane 24, Reuben du Toit 24*; Tristan Luus 2/18). Central Gauteng Lions won by seven wickets.
KwaZulu-Natal 205/9 (Mohamed Taqvi 48, Sagel Rajakumar 47*, Ross Montgomery 43; Nathan Jacobs 3/40, Riley Norton 2/31); Boland 209/8 (William September 55, Werner Brand 43*, Josh Jordaan 26, Gysbert Wege 23; Mohamed Taqvi 2/19, Ryan Jairaj 2/31). Boland won by two wickets.
Free State 252 (Gerhard Maree 87, Samokelo Lepheto 66, Joe Meyer 45; Rico Fryer 3/43, Martin Bullock 3/53); North West 174 (Bathabile Masigo 32, Rico Fryer 28, Ludwich Schuld 21, Martin Bullock 21, Dewald du Plessis 20; Dakalo Leketa 5/33, Khanyisile Nondwangu 2/55). Free State won by 78 runs.
Juan James from Wynberg Boys’ High has been named the SA Schools captain of 2022. PHOTO: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
STELLENBOSCH. – Wynberg Boys’ High’s Juan James has been named the South African Schools’ captain of 2022.
Western Province also came out on top by 146 runs against KwaZulu-Natal in the main match of the Khaya Majola Week at the Coetzenberg Oval here.
James is the first player from Wynberg Boys’ High to be named SA Schools’ captain. The first SA Schools’ side was chosen back in 1940.
Bongile Mfunelwa from Rondebosch Boys’ High and Liyema Waqu of SACS are the other two WP teammates from James who made the SA Schools’ side.
Mfunelwa was also named the Player of the Tournament for his efforts during the week.
Waqu, Nathan Jacobs (Boland), and Richard Seletswane (Gauteng) added a second SA Schools’ Cap to their collection. Meeka-eel Prince who represented the side last year in Potchefstroom did not make the cut this year. Prince was also not named in the SA Colts side.
St Stithians College of Johannesburg produced another two SA Schools’ players with Kwena Maphaka and Seletswane both earning selection. Both have already represented the national u19-side this year during Cricket South Africa’s T20 series.
More to follow…
The teams:
SA Schools: Juan James (Wynberg Boys’ High, WP – captain), Liam Alder (King Edward VII, Gauteng), Jakes Carstens (Hilton College, KZN Binneland), Nathan Jacobs (New Orleans, Boland), Tristan Luus (Waterkloof, Titans), Kwena Maphaka (St Stithians, Gauteng), Bongile Mfunelwa (Rondebosch Boys’ High, WP), Jason Muirhead (St Charles’ College, KZN Binneland), Romashan Pillay (Westville Boys’ High, KwaZulu-Natal), Ludwich Schuld (Potchefstroom Volkskool, Noordwes), Richard Seletswane (St Stithians College, Gauteng), Liyema Waqu (SACS, WP).
SA Colts: Thebe Gazide (St Stithians College, Gauteng – captain), Leketa Dakalo (St Andrews, Vrystaat), Christiaan du Toit (Waterkloof), Maahir Joseph (Rondebosch Boys’ High, WP), Ontlametse Kesiamang (Noord-Kaap, Noord-Kaap), Christopher King (St John’s College, Gauteng), Gerhard Maree (Grey-kollege, Vrystaat), Johnathan Muller (Grey-kollege, Vrystaat), Riley Norton (Paul Roos, Boland), Bonga Shezi (Durban High School, KwaZulu-Natal), Khayelihle Sithole (St Benedict’s College, Easterns), Bhamji Suleman (Laudium, Titans).
Western Province will face KwaZulu-Natal Inland in the main match of the annual Khaya Majola Week in Stellenbosch on Sunday.
It will be Western Province’s first appearance in the main match since 2019. The side has however made seven appearances in the main match since 2012.
The last time WP came out on top in the main match of the week was back in 2012 when captained by David Beddingham with Zubayr Hamza in their midst they defeated Gauteng by four wickets in Potchefstroom.
It will also only be the third main match since 2012 that Gauteng is not in action in this prestigious match.
KZN Inland defeated the Central Gauteng Lions by five wickets to keep their unbeaten for this year’s tournament intact. Inland’s Jason Muirhead (76) weighed in with a valuable half-century to move into the position of top run-scorer at the week with 138 runs.
The Lions’ SA u19 pace merchant Kwena Maphaka (3/39) once again led his side’s bowling attack with distinction. Maphaka has taken eight wickets at the cost of only 75 runs so far during the tournament.
Western Province kept their unbeaten record intact by defeating North West by five wickets. The latter was reduced to only 85 runs with Liyema Waqu (4/38) and Abdullah Bayoumy (2/9) causing most of the damage.
KwaZulu-Natal’s Romashan Pillay (100) recorded the only century of the third day in his side’s 72-run victory over Easterns.
Border Kei’s Esam Mpafa caused the Namibian Cheetahs’ batsmen problems as he picked up five wickets at the cost of 60 runs with his spin bowling. It did however not prevent his side from suffering a 140-run defeat.
The Cheetahs’ JC Balt (70) and Gerhard Janse van Rensburg (54) managed to get their team to 254 runs thanks to half-centuries. Kei was restricted to only 114 runs with PD Blignaut (3/11), Balt (3/22), and Dirkie Theunissen (2/8) all bowling well.
Northern Cape is the only other side that will enter the final day’s play with their unbeaten record intact after beating Mpumalanga by seven wickets. Tumiso Seetelo shone with the ball in hand removing four batsmen at the cost of a mere 23 runs.
The Titans defeated the hosts, Boland, by seven wickets thanks to a solid half-century by opening batsman Christiaan du Toit (77).
Summarised Scorecards (Limited Overs):
North West 85 (Dewald du Plessis 37; Liyema Waqu 4/38, Abdullah Bayoumy 2/9, Cameron Fraser 2/24); Western Province 87/5 (Maahir Joseph 31, Juan James 27; Samuel Bobraine 2/19, Paballo Madisa 2/42). Western Province won by five wickets.
Boland 173/9 (William September 41, Nathan Jacobs 38*, Riley Norton 28; Leo Sadler 3/22, Tristan Luus 2/56); Titans 174/3 (Christiaan du Toit 77, Bhamji Suleman 72*; Riley Norton 3/37). Titans won by seven wickets.
Central Gauteng Lions 157 (Thebe Gazide 34, Neil Timmers 28, Richard Seletswane 20; Nathan Beaumont 3/20, Matipa Denenga 2/18); KwaZulu-Natal Inland 161/5 (Jason Muirhead 76, Jake Carstens 44*; Kwena Maphaka 3/39). KwaZulu-Natal Inland won by five wickets.
KwaZulu-Natal 220/5 (Romashan Pillay 100, Aryan Gopalan 42, Evan Fouché 31; Martin Khumalo 3/42); Easterns 148 (Simele Maye 44, Jeandré Byleveld 35; Sagel Rajakumar 2/10, Ryan Jairaj 2/11, Aryan Gopalan 2/23). KwaZulu-Natal won by 72 runs.
Free State 205/9 (Foster Lubbe 68, Khanyisile Nondwangu 31, Thabiso Nkoe 27*, Samokelo Lepheto 27; Simnikile Soyaya 3/39, Aphiwe Mnyanda 2/43); Eastern Province 103 (Casey Keevy 38, Ashley Ostling 22; Johnathan Muller 4/13, Foster Lubbe 2/13, Dakalo Leketa 2/17). Free State won by 102 runs.
Border 135 (Tre Gilbert 62, Ryan Denston 23; Kamvalihle Qusheka 2/5, Liyabonga Malefi 2/6, Charl-Francois Marais 2/13, Ewald de Jager 2/21, Thurstin Murphy 2/24); Garden Route Badgers 111 (Thurstin Murphy 32, Extras 27, Liyabonga Malefi 26; Tyler Stagg 3/25, Ryan Denston 2/23). Border won by 24 runs.
Mpumalanga 102 (Sphumelelo Madonsela 21, Hannes Feuth 21, Extras 20; Tumiso Seetelo 4/23, Monnapule Jansen 2/13, Paseka Jonker 2/24); Northern Cape 105/3 (Igsaan Alexander 43, Kgotso Motlwai 37). Northern Cape won by seven wickets.
Namibia Welwitchias 104 (Jandré Botha 25; Khaif Patel 2/4, Ntemi Madimola 2/16, Masilo Moremi 2/18, Gideon Goosen 2/43); Limpopo 105/5 (Shelton Ngobeni 45; Nico Pieters 2/21, Ben Burger 2/22). Limpopo won by five wickets.
Namibia Cheetahs 254 (JC Balt 70, Gerhard Janse van Rensburg 54, Extras 34, Hansie de Villiers 24; Esam Mpafa 5/60, Faiz Shaik 2/39); Kei 114 (Ntsika Ngqukumba 26, Extras 29, Thabiso Rebert 20*; PD Blignaut 3/11, JC Balt 3/22, Dirkie Theunissen 2/8). Namibia Cheetahs won by 140 runs.
Hamilton Boys’ High of New Zealand was crowned champions of the third World Schools Festival that was hosted in Thailand.
The team from Hamilton defeated Grey College of Bloemfontein, South Africa by 22 points to 10 in the final of the festival at the Pattana Sports Resort.
Hamilton has also been crowned New Zealand champions earlier this year by beating Napier Boys’ High by 17-15 in the final. They did however concede their title as New Zealand Top 8 champions by losing narrowly against Rotorua Boys’ High by 19-20 in the final.
Hamilton Boys’ High managed to secure a narrow 5-0 lead at the break of the World Schools Festival’s final thanks to a try in the corner by winger Alex Pitts-Brown in the 23rd minute.
Grey had a couple of opportunities to score in the first half and came close at least three times with the referee ruling that they got held-up in the in-goal area.
It was a try by fullback, Payton Spencer, in the second half that took the match away from the team from Bloemfontein. Spencer joined Hamilton’s backline in a sweeping movement to dive over near the corner.
Spencer, the son of former All Black Carlos Spencer, already signed with the Auckland Blues to further his rugby career in 2023. Grey also had a player in the sin bin at this time.
Spencer also slotted a penalty from the halfway line to stretch his side’s lead to 22-0 after outside centre, Aki Tuivailala also crossed the whitewash.
Grey managed to fight back in the end with Marno Stopforth and Dian Venter scoring tries to give their team’s effort some reward.
Grey College booked their place in the final thanks to a last-gasp victory over Welsh champions, Cardiff & Vale by 14-11. Hamilton Boys’ High won their clash in the other semi-final of the tournament against English powerhouse, Millfield School.
The side from Bloemfontein traveled to Thailand without their Grade 12 pupils (final year students) of 2022. The Springbok factory also decided that the team will also not be labeled as a First XV and not be allowed to play in the coveted first-team jersey because the final trials for the 2023 team are still be held next year.
Grey also played in a unique jersey which was based on the school’s original jersey from 1895.
Scorers:
Hamilton Boys’ High 22 (5) – Tries: Alex Pitts-Brown, Payton Spencer, Aki Tuivailala. Conversions: Wyndham Patuawa (2). Penalty: Spencer. Grey College 10 (0) – Tries: Marno Stopforth, Dian Venter.
STELLENBOSCH. – The South African Schools’ selection committee has their work cut out during this year’s Khaya Majola Week here.
The tournament has been shortened to only four match days for this year’s edition and a rain-interrupted second day has without a doubt put further pressure on the selectors.
“The rain will definitely make our selection process a bit more difficult than usual with the fact that the tournament has also been shortened by a day. We take performances during the Khaya Majola Week into consideration for selection for the SA Schools and Colts teams. We do however have the various youth camps within the regions to fall back on as selection panel if any of the remaining days’ play is further interrupted by rain,” said Patrick Moroney, convenor of the national u19 selection committee.
Cricket South Africa hosts various camps around the country to help them identify and develop players as part of their youth development pipeline.
Besides Moroney, the SA u19 selection panel consists of Shukri Conrad, Vincent Barnes, Loots Bosman, and Lewis Manthata. Conrad is also the national u19-side’s head coach.
Although all nine matches were abandoned due to rain before lunch on day two, there was still a few players who managed to produce impressive performances.
Eastern Province’s opening batsmen, Zac Micklewright (65*) and Ashley Ostling (54*) shared an unbeaten 126 in their match against Boland before play was abandoned.
Western Province’s opening batsman Maahir Joseph (69*) recorded the highest individual score of the day with his half-century against KwaZulu-Natal Inland.
The best bowling performance belonged to Namibia Cheetahs’ JC Balt who picked up three of Border’s wickets at the cost of only 18 runs.
Central Gauteng Lions’ Richard Seletswane (37*) has without a doubt caught the eye with another good innings in his side’s match against the Titans. He already represented the SA Schools side in 2021 as well as the national u19-side in 2022.
Summarised Scorecards (Limited Overs):
Western Province 141/2 (Maahir Joseph 69*, Meeka-eel Prince 38; Olwethu Kweyama 1/16); KwaZulu-Natal Inland did not bat. Match Abondoned.
Central Gauteng Lions 76/4 (Richard Seletswane 37*; Hernus Marais 2/16); Titans did not bat. Match Abandoned.
North West 202/4 (Dewald du Plessis 54*, Bathabile Masigo 54, Corné Prinsloo 52; Jeandré Byleveld 2/30); Easterns did not bat. Match Abandoned.
Free State 109/5 (Liam Doherty 24, Khanyisile Nondwangu 24, Gerhard Maree 21; Romashan Pillay 2/11, Bonga Shezi 2/16); KwaZulu-Natal did not bat. Match Abandoned.
Eastern Province 126/0 (Zac Micklewright 65*, Ashley Ostling 54*); Boland did not bat. Match Abandoned.
Mpumalanga 124/5 (Yatin Koul 42, Hannes Feuth 36*, Faiz Shaik 2/13); Kei did not bat. Match Abandoned.
Border 96/3 (Chole van Schoor 25; JC Balt 3/18); Namibia Cheetahs did not bat. Match Abandoned.
Limpopo 166 (Zack Duvenhage 61, Khaif Patel 29, Extras 28; Paseka Jonker 3/17, Tumiso Seetelo 2/13, Monnapule Jansen 2/41); Northern Cape did not bat. Match Abandoned.
Garden Route Badgers 100/4 (Elro Spies 42; Francois du Plessis 1/5); Namibia Welwitschias did not bat. Match Abandoned.
North West’s opening batsman Ludwich Schuld (119*) carried his bat for an unbeaten century as he steered his team to an impressive seven-wicket victory over Eastern Province during the opening day of the Khaya Majola Week in Stellenbosch.
The left-handed batsman shared a 153-run partnership with Dewald du Plessis (43) over the second wicket which took the game from EP. Schuld struck ten sixes and only four fours from the 97 deliveries he faced.
Northern Cape’s opening batsman Ontlametse Kesiamang (102) also shined with a century as his side defeated Kei by 188 runs in their encounter. Kei was restricted to only 59 runs in their innings with the spin bowler Jady Barends picking up four wickets at the cost of only ten runs.
Limpopo’s fast bowler Nsuku Mattye picked up the only five-wicket haul of the opening day. His bowling figures of 5/19 were however not enough to secure his side a victory over the Garden Route Badgers.
The Badgers won the match by 44 runs with Ewald de Jager (4/12) also impressing with his bowling performance.
The Central Gauteng Lions started their tournament with a 60-run victory over KwaZulu-Natal on the Coetzenburg Oval. Their South African u19 player Richard Seletswane (49) helped his side reach 181 runs in windy conditions.
KwaZulu-Natal could only answer 121 in return with another SA u19 player Kwena Maphaka (4/36) causing most of the damage with his fast bowling. Christopher King (3/17) and Liam Alder (3/19) picked up the rest of the wickets.
Western Province convincingly defeated Free State by 182 runs with Bongile Mfunelwa (91) and Juan James (40) sharing a partnership of 102 runs over the fifth wicket to help their side reach 248 runs.
Free State could only reach 66 runs before being bundled out. Asakhe Tsaka (2/13), Cameron Fraser (2/15), Fayaad Daniels (2/24) as well as a couple of runouts caused most of the damage.
The hosts Boland started their tournament with a victory of 131 runs over Namibia’s Cheetahs at Boland Park in Paarl. Cormey van der Watt shone with both bat and ball as he scored 66 runs before boasting bowling figures of 2/4. Nathan Jacobs (53) also weighed in with a half-century.
An unbeaten partnership of 114 runs over the fourth wicket between Mpumalanga’s Jayden Scholtz (55*) and Hannes Feuth (52*) helped to secure their side a seven-wicket victory over Namibia’s Welwitschias.
KwaZulu-Natal Inland’s Matthew Urquhart produced an all-around performance to help his side to a two-wicket victory over the Titans. Urquhart was the pick of his side’s bowlers with bowling figures of 4/39 before also seeing his side home with an unbeaten 35 runs.
Summarised Scorecards:
Western Province 248 (Bongile Mfunelwa 91, Juan James 40, Fayaad Daniels 23, Extras 23, Jordan Neill 21; Jonathan Muller 3/39, Khanyisile Nondwangu 2/22, Sicelo Matayi 2/32); Free State 66 (Foster Lubbe 18; Asakhe Tsaka 2/13, Cameron Fraser 2/15, Fayaad Daniels 2/24). Western Province won by 182 runs.
Central Gauteng Lions 181 (Richard Seletswane 49, Siya Radebe 38; Aryan Gopalan 2/8, Romashan Pillay 2/27, Bonga Shezi 2/40); KwaZulu-Natal 121 (Evan Fouché 35, Ryan Jairaj 28, Extras 28; Kwena Maphaka 4/36, Christopher King 3/17, Liam Alder 3/19). Central Gauteng Lions won by 60 runs.
Eastern Province 187 (Russell Petersen 49, Olwakhe Goqorza 41, Ashley Ostling 25; Tumelo Makume 3/29, Corné Prinsloo 2/32, Martin Bullock 2/32); North West 190/3 (Ludwich Schuld 119*, Dewald du Plessis 43). North West won by seven wickets.
Boland 225 (Cormey van der Watt 66, Nathan Jacobs 53, Thando Prusent 25; Extras 23; Dirkie Theunissen 2/25, Salamon Nuuyoma 2/37, Alex Volschenk 2/37); Namibia Cheetahs 94 (JC Balt 26; Thato Msizi 3/22, Cormey van der Watt 2/4, Riley Norton 2/8). Boland won by 131 runs.
Titans 224/9 (Divan Engelbrecht 39, Steve Stolk 35, Tristan Luus 32*, Mohammed Aslam 28, Morati Lefhiedi 20; Matthew Urquhart 4/39, Ross Boast 2/59); KwaZulu-Natal Inland 225/8 (Jason Muirhead 62, Jonathan van Zyl 43, Matthew Urquhart 35*, Jake Carstens 25; Safwaan Sujee 2/32, Divan Engelbrecht 2/52). KZN Inland won by two wickets.
Garden Route Badgers 128 (Zander Nel 41, Extras 34; Nsuku Mattye 5/19); Limpopo 84 (Ruben Vosloo 27; Ewald de Jager 4/12, Charl-Francois Marais 2/14). Garden Route Badgers won by 44 runs.
Namibia Welwitschia 146 (Simon Sikongo 31; Suhail Patel 4/44, Curtleigh Koetzee 3/11); Mpumalanga 147/3 (Jayden Scholtz 55*, Hannes Feuth 52*; Addo Iita 2/11). Mpumalanga won by seven wickets.
Border 172 (Bradley de Kock 40, Tre Gilbert 33, Extras 33; Adam Kruger 2/8, Liphumlo Mhlongo 2/32, Tristan van Schalkwyk 2/47); Easterns 174/6 (Kyle Enoch 43, Khayelihle Sithole 42*, Extras 25, Dewan Marais 22). Easterns won by four wickets.
Could the harvest of the Khaya Majola Week of 2022 yield the same quality wine as the previous edition of the tournament that was hosted in the picturesque town of Stellenbosch in 2006?
This year’s tournament will only be the second time that Stellenbosch will host this prestigious tournament.
In 2006 the harvest yielded quite a few Proteas with Keshav Maharaj (Northwood, KZN), Reeza Hendricks (Noord-Kaap), Rilee Rossouw (Grey College, Free State), David Miller (Maritzburg College), Sarel Erwee (St. Charles’ College, KZN Inland), Pieter Malan (Waterkloof, Northerns), Wayne Parnell (Grey High School, Eastern Province), Jon Jon Smuts (Graeme College, Eastern Province) and Mangaliso Mosehle (Johan Jurgens, Easterns) taking an important step in their cricketing careers during this edition of the tournament.
Parnell, Rossouw, Hendricks, Malan and Smuts also played for the South Africa u19-side which reached the finals of the ICC u19 World Cup two years later in Kuala Lumpur.
It will once again be an outstanding feat to secure a SA Schools’ cap in 2022. Two players, Gerhard Maree (Free State) and Liam Alder (Gauteng), will be in action in Stellenbosch after representing the SA u19-side at the ICC u19 World Cup earlier this year in the West Indies.
Alder together with another seven player who will also attend this year’s Khaya Majola Week also helped the SA u19-side be crowned champions of Cricket South Africa’s T20-series earlier this year.
The other seven players are Abdullah Bayoumy, Meeka-eel Prince, Juan James, Liyema Waqu (all Western Province), Thebe Gazedi, Richard Seletswane, and David Teeger (all Gauteng).
From last year’s SA Schools’ team four members will attempt to get a second cap this year with Nathan Jacobs (Boland), Seletswane, Prince, and Waqu all eying selection.
Last year’s SA Colts’ captain, Joe Meyer of Free State, will be looking for an upgrade this year with another four of his Colt-teammates Shelton Ngobeni (Limpopo), Bathabile Masigo (North West), Bayoumy, and James whom will also be in action during the week in Stellenbosch.
Liam Doherty who will represent the Free State at the Khaya Majola Week represented Ireland during the ICC u19 World Cup earlier this year. His grandfather, Mike Doherty, represented Griqualand West’s senior side in his career and also sat on the union’s executive as chairman.
Ben van der Merwe, captain of Border, who will lead the side for a second successive year, also has a famous father. His father, Cassie van der Merwe, represented Border and Free State at first-class level.
The highest score ever at the Khaya Majola Week a mammoth innings of 182 by Rilee Rossouw for Free State against Kei was recorded during the 2006-edition.
Border Kei will make a comeback to the Khaya Majola Week line-up this year. Namibia will also be back after missing out on the 2021-edition in Potchefstroom due to the ICC u19 World Cup.
Our neighbours from up-north will send two teams for this year’s edition to further develop the talent from their country.
Waldo Lategan (138) also scored a century at the week and is one of the up-and-coming umpires within CSA’s system.
Other first-class players who used the Khaya Majola Week as a stepping stone back in 2006 were Jonathan Vandiar (KwaZulu-Natal), Aubrey Swanepoel (Griqualand West), Omphile Ramela (Gauteng) and Rudi Seconds (Border).
The fixtures for Day 1 are:
Boland vs Namibia Cheetahs (Boland Park)
Gauteng vs KwazZulu-Natal (Coetzenburg Oval)
Western Province vs Noordwes (Tassies Oval)
Titans vs KZN Inland (Paul Roos)
Western Province vs Free State (Van der Stel)
Northern Cape vs Kei (Maties C)
Garden Route Badgers vs Limpopo (Spes Bona)
Easterns vs Border (Maties D)
Namibia Welwitchias vs Mpumalanga (Bridgehouse).
Grey College started its World Schools Festival campaign off with a 22-7 victory over Trinity School from England.
As expected Grey started off with a bang with lock Marno Stopforth crashing over within the first two minutes of the match. At this stage, it seemed like it would be one-way traffic as in the South African’s previous matches at the World School Festival, but some gutsy performances by Trinity’s forwards kept Grey at bay.
Trinity’s flanker William Peart-Smith did more than his part at the breakdown and didn’t back down from the physical onslaught that was presented to his team. Trinity fought back and a try by outside centre, Oli Bailey, which was converted by flyhalf, Josh Bellamy, gave the English team a 7-5 lead.
The team from Bloemfontein scored another two tries via Jean Erasmus (tighhead prop) and JJ Theron (Nr. 8) in the first half to take a comfortable 17-7 lead into the break. Both worked hard throughout the match and deserve a pat on the back.
To put Grey College’s victory in perspective it was Trinity’s first defeat for 2022 and they are the current English National Cup Champions.
In a titanic clash between two English powerhouses, Millfield School and Sedburgh School, the former came out on top by 15-10. There was not much to choose between the two sides.
Millfield opened the scoring thanks to an intercept try by inside centre, Steffan Emanuel. He produced a solid performance throughout the match and could be one of the rising stars during the English schoolboy season of 2022/23.
The boot of flyhalf, Tom Howlett, kept Millfield ahead at the break. A try by winger Matt Hall was the final nail in the coffin to secure victory for Millfield.
In the two sides’ clash last year Millfield came out on top 20 points to 13.
Scorers:
Grey College 22 (17) – Tries: Marno Stopforth, Jean Erasmus, JJ Theron, Jean-Henri Smit. Conversions: Ian van der Merwe. Trinity School 7 (7) – Try: Oli Bailey. Conversion: Josh Bellamy.
Millfield 15 (8) – Try: Steffan Emanuel, Matt Hall. Conversion: Tom Howlett. Penalty: Howlett. Sedburgh 10 (5) – Tries: Jonny Hanson, Finn Baker.
Hamilton Boys’ High was in cruise control as they eased past the Odyssey XV by 64-0 during their opening match of the World Schools Festival in Thailand.
The boys from Hamilton ran in ten tries as the combined XV had no answers to stop their attacking process. Hamilton’s right-wing, Caelus Putoko, scored a hat-trick of tries with captain and Nr. 8, Oli Mathis and hooker, Inga Kokohu, also bagging a brace of tries.
The boys from Odyssey had the odds stacked against them as they’ve also played in the opening match of the tournament against the Rugby Travel Academy from South Africa. Players from the Rugby Travel Academy were used in the second half of the clash to secure player welfare.
The Rugby Travel Academy (RTA) won their clash against Odyssey by 29-12. RTA is coached by former Oyonnax en Blue Bulls flyhalf, Len Olivier. The Odyssey XV is coached by Wessel du Plessis who is currently the head coach of the Bulls u21-side and also a former coach of Grey College’s first XV.
Mathis is regarded as one of the best loose-forwards in New Zealand schoolboy rugby.
The match was also reduced by seven minutes in the end as the New Zealand outfit was picking up steam.
In the Celtic clash between St. Michael’s College of Ireland against Cardiff & Vale of Wales it was the latter who came out on top 12-11 in a tightly contested match.
The Irish side led by 8-7 at the break thanks to a penalty by their outside centre, Jules Fenelon. He also slotted a penalty in the second half to stretch their lead to 11-7.
It was however the captain and hooker of Cardiff & Vale, Saul Hurley, who crashed over the tryline with just a couple of minutes left on the clock to secure his team a victory as well as a place in the semi-final of the competition.
Scorers:
Hamilton Boys’ High 64 (24) – Tries: Caelys Putoko (3), Oli Mathis (2), Inga Kokohu (2) Kurtis Hana, Dupre Marshall, Breyton Legge. Conversions: Wyndham Patuawa (7). Odyssey XV 0 (0).
Cardiff & Vale 12 (7) – Tries: Dylan Lewis, Saul Hurley. Conversion: Tom Hughes. St. Michael’s College 11 (8) – Try: Joe Elliot. Penalties: Jules Fenelon (2).
A pretty unique occurrence happened this year with both the SA Schools’ captains for cricket and rugby hailed from the same school, Wynberg Boys’ High in Cape Town.
Could the harvest of the Khaya Majola Week of 2022 yield the same quality wine as the previous edition of the tournament that was hosted in the picturesque town of Stellenbosch in 2006?
Grey College started its World Schools Festival campaign off with a 22-7 victory over Trinity School from England.
Hamilton Boys’ High was in cruise control as they eased past the Odyssey XV by 64-0 during their opening match of the World Schools Festival in Thailand.