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So many games; so little time.

Maritzburg College has a whopping 21 games lined up, placing them in the top five nationwide, for most games played per season.

This Saturday, the 18^th of March, Michaelhouse will be hosting them for a highly anticipated showdown. These are big names in rugby, as big as it gets. If you’re looking for entertainment, you know where to go.

Kick-off time is 15:30.

Catch all the action from the KwaZulu-Natal interschools this weekend live on SuperSport Schools – www.supersportschools.com.

With schools of such magnitude and legacy, there are many players with fathers who once donned the same jersey.

Of Michaelhouse, Luke Davidson’s father is an old boy; who also played Natal Schools. Tom Mitchell’s father played Natal Schools in 1984, while Campbell Ridl’s uncle played for Natal and London Irish. Of Maritzburg, both Travis Walton’s and Rhett Quinn’s fathers are old boys.

Both institutions have a great line up for 2023.

Michaelhouse has many players who took part in Sharks Academy and Grant Khomo in the previous year. Their right wing, Graham Wynne, played 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd team against St Charles last year.

Murray Baker and Josh Aissing, played 1^st and 2^nd team, as well as Sharks Academy in 2022.

Donovan van Staden and Ridl both played first team and represented the Sharks durig the Academy Week last year. Thabo Njapha played first team last year, and his brother is an Olympic 400m runner, so expect some pace from this man.

Aphiwe Shelembe and Tom Baguley both played in the Grant Khomo week in 2022.

Maritzburg College has definitely built quite the reputation for their rugby, and I don’t think this year is going to slow down their momentum.

According to their head coach, there are excellent prospects to look out for. Aiden Botha (loosehead prop) and Swelihle Mbatha (fullback) played in the 2022 Grant Khomo week and are coming in strong.

Kuhle Mthimkhulu (lock) and Sasha Kadira (eightthman) represented the Sharks at the Academy Week in 2022.

A few other great match ups taking place this weekend include Glenwood up against Westville Boys’ High, which should as action packed as any game can be. Hilton College and Northwood are also facing off.

Hilton is captained by Chris Horak, with Matt Stewart and Murray Brink as vice-captains.

This will be a great weekend of rugby, for teams and spectators alike. There is certainly no shortage of options, your only problem will be choosing which game to watch live.

The teams:

Maritzburg College vs Michaelhouse on Meadows at 15:30: 

Maritzburg College: 15 Swelihle Mbatha, 14 Colm Reardon, 13 Luyanda Kunene, 12 Ayrton van der Linde, 11 Langelihle Makhathini, 10 Luc du Toit, 9 Rhett Quinn, 8 Sasha Kadira, 7 Kevin Ayliffe, 6 Travis Walton, 5 Kuhle Mthimkulu, 4 Jake Jansen, 3 Aiden Botha, 2 Elbie Mouton, 1 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka.

Michaelhouse: 15 Luke Davidson, 14 Graham Wynne, 13 Campbell Ridl, 12 Tom Baguley, 11 Leo Muziva, 10 Murray Baker, 9 Josh Aissing, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Fortune Mpofu, 6 Tristan Arde, 5 Michael Thornton, 4 Tom Mitchell, 3 Donovan van Staden, 2 Thabo Njapha, 1 Aphiwe Shelembe.

Glenwood High School vs Westville Boys’ High on Dixons at 14:45:

15 Jaco Williams, 14 Renaldo le Fleur, 13 Okanta Chijindu, 12 MJ Schoeman, 11 Bukhosibakhe, 10 Andrew Martins, 9 Carter McCleland, 8 Kane Plasket-Burne, 7 Yabo Ndzamela, 6 Tumisho Mofidokoane, 5 Laythan Sheahan, 4 Liam Terblanche, 3 Bongani Dlamini, 2 Ntokozo Ndwalane, 1 Lithemba Mfupi.

Westville Boys’ High: Coach did not provide team list.

Hilton College vs Northwood on Reece-Edwards at 15:00:

Hilton College: 15 Xola Makongolo, 14 Rukudzo Madinga, 13 RD Engelbrecht, 12 Ivan Lockem, 11 Tayedza Jaravaza, 10 Christopher Horak, 9 Luke Watt, 8 Akhona Kunene, 7 Matthew Stewart, 6 Ross Brown, 5 Luke Warren, 4 Hanu Pieterse, 3 Ben le Roux, 2 Murray Brink, 1 Bunono Jabavu.

Northwood: 15 Siyanda Nkosi, 14 Kwenzo Dlamini, 13 Keith Chirwa, 12 Juan van Heerden, 11 Ramatuku Sikahkane, 10 Cade Latham, 9 Casey Calitz, 8 Siyanda Mabuza, 7 Enzo van Niekerk, 6 Alu Nte, 5 Titas Ceonis, 4 Vuyo Gwiji, 3 Phiko Zuka, 2 Luthando Makula, 1 Reuben Vos.

 

Na ‘n indrukwekkende begin van hul seisoen stel Fichardtpark hul visier volgende op Hoërskool Trio waneer die Bloemfonteiners in Kroonstad gaan besoek aflê.

Die Fichie Leeus lyk uiters kompeterend vanjaar en het reeds vir Wesvalia (17-5) afgestof voordat hulle in ‘n enorme stryd vir die eerste keer in hul geskiedenis daarin geslaag het om ‘n sege oor Hoërskool Diamantveld  (33-27) te behaal.

Die skakelpaar van Devanté Claassen (skrumskakel) en Dailen Geldenhuys (losskakel) beheer die Fichie aanval uitstekend en speel tot dusver ‘n belangrike rol in die Bloemfonteiners se sukses.

Alhoewel die seuns dit verdien om die wedstryd vol selfvertroue te benader, sal daar ook natuurlik ‘n vrees vir die onbekende wees.

Fichardtpark en Trio het nog nooit vantevore teen mekaar gespeel nie, hierdie wedstryd sal die eerste van vele kragmetings wees en die spelers sal Vrydag ‘n geleentheid sal kry om eerste hul skool se naam in die wenrekordboeke te skryf.

Trio se seisoen het nie so positief begin soos hul opponente s’n nie, maar dit sal hulle net aanvuur om ‘n groot vertoning teen die besoekers te lewer.

Trio het verlede jaar eers hul buiging in Suid-Afrikaanse skolerugby gemaak, maar hulle het van die begin af gewys dat hulle van plan is om op ‘n hoë-vlak te kometeer deur om in hul eerste jaar die Griffon-liga asook die Shimla-liga in die Kovsiestreekskompetisie te wen.

Die skool van Kroonstad het vir Hoërskool Noord-Kaap hierdie jaar in die Wesgrow reeks vervang.

Voortrekker van Bethlehem kom Saterdag teen Jim Fouché in hul kragmeting in die reeks te staan.

Hierdie twee spanne se geskiedenis teen mekaar strek baie langer terug as die Wesgrow-reeks.

JF se aanslag sal versterk word deur hul kaptein, Phillip Noëth, wat terugkeer na die agsteman posisie nadat hy weens besering nie vir hul vorige bepalings beskikbaar was nie. 

Stefan Venter (haker), wie die verantwoordelikhede oorgeneem het in Noëth se afwesigheid, is besig om ‘n uitstekende seisoen te beleef sover en is een om ‘n oog op te hou in hierdie wedstryd.

Diamantveld sal twee teleurstellende nederlae aan die begin van die seisoen moet afskud voordat hulle vir Witteberg in Kimberley verwelkom. 

Toe hierdie twee spanne verlede jaar in Bethlehem ontmoet het was dit Witteberg wat met ‘n naelskraap 22-19 sege weggekom het en die Diamante sal wil wraak neem op hul tuisgrond.

Diamantveld se losskakel, Simon Liversage, en vleuel Valentino Lenge kan vir die besoekers se verdediging probleme veroorsaak, maar hulle is sonder hul staatmaker slot, JJ Fourie wat verlede naweek teen Affies ‘n besering opgedoen het.

Witteberg het verlede naweek vir Sentraal met 25-12 gemaklik gewen, ondanks die feit dat die wedstryd binne die eerste 37 minute tot ‘n einde gebring is weens die gevaar van weerlig, en sal voel hulle het momentum aan hul kant oppad na die wedstryd toe.

Hul skrumskakel, Dries Stemmett, wat ook die verdoelingsverantwoordelikhede het, is nog ‘n opwindende speler om dop te hou hierdie naweek. 

Hy en sy spanmaats sal graag vir Diamantveld wil wys dat weerlig wel twee keer kan slaan deur om nog ‘n vertoning soos verlede naweek te lewer.

Die spanne is:

Hoërskool Trio vs Fichardtpark in Kroonstad om 13:30:

Trio: 15 Jaco Steyn, 14 Louis Boshoff, 13 Haaron Kabeya, 12 Charlton Basson, 11 Thuto Kekane, 10 Byron Biennas, 9 CJ Taljaart, 8 Mavheye Tapiwa, 7 Ewald Tolmay, 6 JD Kirstein, 5 Henco Kriek, 4 Maansie Crous, 3 Dandre Bloem, 2 Heinrich Loubscher, 1 Dandre Bloem.

Fichardtpark: 15 Pule Motsilili, 14 Edward Mpinga, 13 Duan Viviers, 12 Dandré van der Merwe, 11 Janco Mollentze, 10 Dailen Geldenhuys, 9 Devanté Claassen, 8 Erick Klopper, 7 Wian Pienaar, 6 Jan-Nel du Plessis, 5 Nathan Dodd, 4 Jaco Grobbelaar, 3 Nathan Swanepoel, 2 Jaco Jansen van Rensburg, 1 Luhan du Plessis.

Jim Fouché vs Voortrekker om 13:10: 

Jim Fouche: 15 IJ Jonker, 14 Dylan Calitz, 13 Justin Groenewald, 12 Heinrich Hattingh, 11 Ruben Jacobs, 10 Rechum de Bruyn, 9 Tristan van der Walt, 8 Phillip Noëth, 7 Stefan van Rooyen, 6 JW Stone, 5 SW van der Merwe, 4 Bernard Labuschagne, 3 Wianru van der Berg, 2 Stefan Venter, 1 Stean Marais.

Voortrekker: 15 Johan Whitehead, 14 Tinus Hefer, 13 Tumi Khoza, 12 Frederik Fourie, 11 Kaneng Komane, 10 Tiaan van Rooyen, 9 Alexander Maree, 8 Fano Linde, 7 Dawie Fourie, 6 Jayden de Jesus, 5 Harry Kymdell, 4 Alberto Argentino, 3 Cecil Parsons, 2 Arnold Ras, 1 Ruan Warden.

Diamantveld vs Witteberg in Kimberley om 13:30: 

Diamantveld: 15 Marno Greef, 14 Valentino Lenge, 13 Kaliq Jacobs, 12 Charl Swanepoel, 11 Lehan van der Westhuizen, 10 Simon Liversage, 9 Dirk van Heerden, 8 Juandre Stassen, 7 Stiaan van Loggenberg, 6 Achiles de Jager, 5 Daniël Kuhn, 4 Diwan Muller, 3 Flip du Randt, 2 De Villiers Straus, 1 FJ de Fries.

Witteberg: 15 Ashton Diedericks, 14 Sethi Sydwell, 13 Janus Breytenbach, 12 Kenoyen Morat, 11 Xavier Lotter, 10 Curtley Smith, 9 Dries Stemmett, 8 Nico van Rensburg, 7 Daniel Meintjies, 6 Marco Grobler, 5 Gerard de Boer, 4 Pieter Nel, 3 Bongi Mbambo, 2 Jacques van der Merwe, 1 Gerhardt Stone.

Goudveld-Hoërskool bied hierdie naweek weer hul jaarlikse sportdag aan.

Die hoofwedstryd van die dag dien dan ook as ‘n Wesgrow Sentrale Sport-reeks bepaling vir Goudveld en Sentraal.

Goudveld het hul eerste twee wedstryde albei met minder as vier punte verloor, hierdie wedstryd bied vir hulle ‘n geleentheid om hul seisoen om te draai voordat teveel skade gedoen word.

Die Gouties het die vorige ontmoeting tussen die twee skole in 2019 met 59-28 in Bloemfontein gewen en sal hoop om Saterdag weer so ‘n vertoning te lewer.

Goudveld het al reeds hierdie jaar gewys dat hulle ‘n sterk pak, en spelers soos heelagter, Ruben Crous, en senter Urban Pienaar (kaptein) in hul agterlyn het wat ook opwindend lyk. 

Hulle kon egter nog nie die ekstra bietjie wat nodig is vind om ‘n oorwinning te kry nie, maar dit is hul eerste wedstryd tuis, en die atmosfeer mag dalk net genoeg help om hulle oor die lyn te kry.

Sentraal het ‘n moeilike begin aan hul seisoen gehad, en sal net so gretig wees om hierdie wedstryd te gebruik om momentum te bou.

JP Pretorius is een van Sentraal se belowende spelers, maar hy het tot dusver nog nie veel tyd met die bal in hand gekry nie. Saterdag beweeg hy van vleuel na binnesenter waar hy dalk meer betrokke kan wees.

Die spanne is:

Goudveld vs Sentraal om 15:00:

Goudveld: 15 Enzo Beukes, 14 Ru-Bran Kock, 13 Urban Pienaar, 12 Joshua Coertzen, 11 Junior Morsamai, 10 Ruben Crous, 9 Ryan de Jager, 8 Jonathan Olivier, 7 Schalk du Plessis, 6 Kabous du Plooy, 5 Juanricht Cloete, 4 Wehan Mostert, 3 Marco-Jan Pretorius, 2 Jan Coetzee, 1 Pieter Reyneke.

Sentraal: 15 Pat Cloete, 14 Lee-Yagin Arendse, 13 Hanco Smith, 12 JP Pretorius, 11 Reece van Rooyen, 10 Hendrik Jonker, 9 Johan van der Merwe, 8 Sarel Taljaard, 7 Stephan de Lange, 6 Robert van Eeden, 5 Steven Smith, 4 Damian van Zyl, 3 AJ Senekal, 2 Marnus Earle, 1 Van Zyl Hetzel.

HTS Welkom vs Ficksburg om 13:50:

HTS Welkom: 15 Teboho Hlalele, 14 Lesego Mokgoetsi, 13 Amohelang Makhalanyane, 12 Unati Kula, 11 Ndzalama Kubayi, 10 Boitshepo Lebesa, 9 Mario Zaca, 8 William Matlabe, 7 Thabo Tlali, 6 Tshepo Ramanamane, 5 Sihle Mpikeleli, 4 Nkosi Kutyunga, 3 Oscar Mazaza, 2 Kamohele Mokhothu, 1 Keke Lebina.

Ficksburg: 15 Lefa Lehalehale, 14 Karabo Phori, 13 Khotso Potloane, 12 Ernest Makhele, 11 Bokang Ntsala, 10 Clement Molapo, 9 Thlonolofatso Matlotlo, 8 Lebo Lehohla, 7 Karabo Morobe, 6 Thato Chaka, 5 Heimierich Meyer, 4 JJ Nel, 3 Molibeli Theoha, 2 Juandre Steenkamp, 1 Thabo Mafane.

Wessel Maree vs Winburg om 12:40:

Wessel Maree: 15 Retabile Letanta, 14 Thato Lebitso, 13 Kamohelo Ntaje, 12 Mpumelelo Dumako, 11 Kabelo Oliphant, 10 Tsepo Fako, 9 Neo Broems, 8 Jeff Khobi, 7 Ntute Tsotsotso, 6 Kananelo Makethla, 5 Sizwe Mhlongo, 4 Koal Labuschagne, 3 Andile Gumedi, 2 Thebe Makatsoane, 1 Tshepo Tale.

Winburg: 15 Thabang Nyaredi, 14 Dillo Motseki, 13 Kamohelo Matobako, 12 Lebohang Senoko, 11 Goodwill Mabooe, 10 Kghetso Mokhati, 9 Tekante Ledimo, 8 Sabata Lthulo, 7 Daniel Letebele, 6 Thulo Mojau, 5 Fusi Mathobisa, 4 Pule Pitso, 3 Mosuoa Mosuoa, 2 Piet Tladi, 1 Bonga konyongo.

 

Die NWU Prestige-reeks skop hierdie week vroeg af nadat meeste spanne verlede Saterdag hul eerste bepaling in die reeks gespeel het.

Met slegs drie dae rus- en oefentyd na hul vorige wedstryd, pak Die Anker vir Hugenote vandag in Brakpan aan terwyl die verdedigende kampieone, Noordheuwel vir Oosterlig in Krugersdorp verwelkom.

Met so min tyd tussen die bepalings sal ons sekerlik sien dat die plaasvervangers ‘n groot rol gaan hê om in hierdie wedstryde te speel.

Die Anker kon verlede naweek vir Montana in hul eerste wedstryd 41-22 wen na ‘n opwindende stryd waarin AJ Roux (flank) en Benton Giessing (losskakel) elk twee drieë vir die Brakpan-span kon druk. 

Hul teenstanders van Springs, Hugenote, het hul eerste wedstryd teen ‘n sterk Rustenburg span 31-10 verloor en sal hoop om hul seisoen hierdie naweek om te draai. 

Oosterlig het ‘n strawwe toets wat op hul wag waneer hulle ‘n Noordheuwel span aanvat wat goed ingestel lyk om hul kampioen-status te verdedig.

Oosterlig het hul eerste twee wedstryde teen Oos-Moot en Potch Volkies verloor en sal moet uithaal en wys om die span van Krugersdorp te ontstel.

Donderdag onthaal die Montana Wit Bulle vir Hoërskool Rustenburg vir hul ligabepaling. 

Lorenzo Sneyers, Rustenburg se blitsige vleuel, het in hul vorige wedstryd uitgestaan, en is gewis ‘n speler om dop te hou die seisoen.

Alhoewel daar bietjie meer rustyd tussen wedstryde vir die twee spanne is, het Rustenburg se hoofafrigter, Naas Olivier, reeds verlede week gewys dat daar diepte in sy groep is, toe plaasvervangers Sybrandt Beylevelt en Johan Retief albei van die bank af gekom het en ‘n drie gedruk het.

Hoërskool Middelburg en Zwartkop speel ook Donderdag teen mekaar, en een van die spanne se onoorwonne streek sal vroeg kortgeknip word. 

Die Middies het hul seisoen goed begin deur om vir Wesvalia met 25-8 af te kaf.

Hul losskakel, Diaan van der Merwe, was instrumenteel in daardie wedstryd en sal sekerlik weer ‘n groot rol hê om te speel vir sy span.

Zwartkop kon ‘n harde aanslag van hul besoekers, Jeugland (15-10), oorleef in ‘n strawwe wedstryd wedstryd wat enige kant toe kon swaai.

Die seuns het egter goeie gees gewys om in so stryd moed te hou en die wen te verseker, en sal gemotiveerd wees om die Middies aan te pak.

Christo Bezuidenhout, die voormalige Springbok stut wat in Spanje gebore is, het sy skoolloopbaan by Zwartkop voltooi en die span van Centurion sal hoop dat daar nog toekomstige Bokke in hierdie groep van hulle is.

Die wedstryd wat veronderstel was om plaas te vind tussen Potchefstroom Gimnasium en Heidelberg Volkskool is weens ‘n botsing van skedules al verlede Woensdag gespeel.

Heidelberg Volkies het daardie ontmoeting beslissend 36-8 gewen.

Die spanne vir die week is:

Die Anker vs Hugenote om 16:15

Die Anker: 15 Damien Muller, 14 Stephan Baartman, 13 Duhan du Plessis, 12 Branden Crous, 11 Marcel Engelbrecht, 10 Benton Giessing, 9 Danie Smit, 8 Hanru Pienaar, 7 Divan du Plooy, 6 AJ Roux, 5 Ruben Herbst, 4 Reagan Pretorius, 3 Daniel du Toit, 2 Bradley van Niekerk, 1 Buks Britz.

Hugenote: 15 Dean Muller, 14 Ruan van Biljon, 13 Jason Joubert, 12 Vian van Dyk, 11 Tiaan Smit, 10 Corné Pretorius, 9 Miguelle Schoultz, 8 Hendrik Eybers, 7 JP Schutte, 6 Anthony Smith, 5 Zandre van der Schyff, 4 Xavier Ungerer, 3 Liam Davidtz, 2 Aiden Mazirel, 1 Henré Oosthuizen.

Noordheuwel vs Oosterlig om 19:15, Woensdag, 15 Maart

Noordheuwel: 15 Divan Cruywagen, 14 Jenemo Luiers, 13 Marshall de Vos, 12 Jared Coetzee, 11 Francois Venter, 10 JT Kapank, 9 Coun-Lee Koekman, 8 Juandre de Villiers, 7 Ludie Schutte, 6 Marco Maree, 5 Juan Fourie, 4 Donavan Breedt, 3 Martin Nel, 2 Juandre Schoeman, 1 Meyer Opperman.

Oosterlig: 15 Melano Pieters, 14 Dewet Delport, 13 Joel Jordaan, 12 Jan-Daniel Smit, 11 Jayden Bouwer, 10 Caiden Serfontein, 9 Jaco du Toit, 8 Ruben Jacobs, 7 Juandre Bekker, 6 Ryan de Sousa, 5 Ettienne Harmse, 4 Thorn Drinkwater, 3 Heinard Stroebel, 2 Gunther Nel, 1 Keanu Fourie.

Montana vs Hoërskool Rustenburg om 18:50, Donderdag, 16 Maart

Montana: 15 Divan Nel, 14 Liam de Villiers, 13 SW Nel, 12 JF Venter, 11 Ewald Willemse, 10 Rigard van Rensburg, 9 Ewan Korb, 8 CJ du Preez, 7 Devan van der Merwe, 6 Eduard Retief, 5 Justin Herbst, 4 Nico Oosthuizen, 3 Henco Brits, 2 Christiaan Coetzee, 1 KC Smith.

Rustenburg: TBC

Hoërskool Middelburg vs Zwartkop om 17:30, Donderdag, 16 Maart

Hoërskool Middelburg: TBC

Zwartkop: TBC

World Rugby recommendation to reduce tackle height to mid-chest to be discussed
Research shows tackles above this point four times more likely to lead to concussion
Unions being encouraged to opt-in to global law trial
Recommendation to be considered for possible school and club implementation

SA Rugby will discuss the possible implementation of experimental law changes to lower the height of a legal tackle in amateur rugby, following an announcement by World Rugby on Monday.

The sport’s global governing body has recommended reducing the permitted tackle height to below the sternum (the middle of the chest) in the community game. If approved by the international federation’s Council in May, National unions will be given the choice of opting-in to a global trial.

SA Rugby said it would now consult with its member unions and the South African Schools Rugby Association (SASRA) on their views on the proposal prior to a potential roll-out of the trial in SA. If the trial were to be deployed in South Africa it would only apply to the school and club game.

World Rugby said the proposal followed extensive analysis and consultation with unions. It reflected World Rugby’s core mission of a global sport for all, seeking to enhance the experience for players in order to keep building engagement across the globe.

It said that trials conducted since 2019 in the community game in France, South Africa, Georgia and Fiji had delivered positive advances in player safety, by reducing the number of head impacts and concussions, and the overall game experience by supporting increased ball in play flow.

“The community game is the lifeblood of our sport, representing 99 per cent of our participants, and the proposed tackle height adjustment has already delivered positive game shape and playing experience outcomes,” said Sir Bill Beaumont, World Rugby chairman.

“This is essential to the sport’s future. The evidence we have, from France in particular, shows that not only does reducing the tackle height make the game safer but it increases numbers playing as well. That has to be the aim for everyone involved in our game.”

Mr Mark Alexander, President of SA Rugby, said: “Changes that increase enjoyment and participation while improving safety have to be welcomed and we will now workshop these proposals with those most intimately connected with the delivery of the amateur game, our member unions and the schools.

“Our sport is moving in the right direction with such initiatives but, when, where and how we would be ready to implement them in SA needs to be thoroughly considered. If they are implemented here, we must do it with clarity and full buy-in.”

World Rugby said that rigorous independent research had shown that the tackle was responsible for 74 per cent of all concussions. Reducing the height of the tackle protected both players.

“The ball carrier is protected directly because head contact leading to injury can be significantly reduced, while the tackler is protected because their head will be in what is known to be a safer proximity with the ball carrier’s torso/upper body,” World Rigby said in a statement.

“Tackles where the tackler’s head is in proximity to the ball carrier’s body above the sternum are more than four times more likely to result in a head injury, and so bringing tackle height down will benefit both players.”

Mr Alexander said the recommendation would be considered at the next meeting of the Amateur Rugby Committee of the South African Rugby Union.

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

The 2023 Premier Interschools season is upon us and promises thrilling match-ups between some of the country’s top sporting schools.

And while Premiership Interschools is celebrating its 10th anniversary, we are also delighted to announce that Sportsmans Warehouse has come on board as the new title sponsor for Premier Interschools.

Sportsmans Warehouse, Southern Africa’s home of sports equipment and apparel, is a wonderful brand to have at the forefront of school sport and Premiership Interschools is proud to be associated with them.

“In the build up to some of the biggest events on the school sporting calendar, we are thrilled to participate in a phenomenal season of sport, tradition and comradery through our partnership with Premier Interschools,” said Raymond Thomas,  Finance Executive of Sportsmans Warehouse.

The 2023 Premiership Interschools calendar sports a total of 12 rugby and 12 netball derbies stretching from the 25^th  of March to the 26^th of August.

Continued participation of top calibre teams highlights Premiers Interschools prestigious status amongst players, coaches and supporters. Schools’ rugby & netball play an invaluable role in the development of South Africa’s sport culture, and instils the values of sportsmanship, teamwork and respect in young players.

In keeping with the tradition of Premier Interschools, viewers can once again expect some of the best rugby and netball fixtures for the season.

The Rugby fixtures feature 15 different schools over a 12 match period.

Premier Interschools welcome back all their old friends who have been with them since inception. This year, a newcomer to the Premier Interschools stable will see Durban High School kick off the program on the 25^th March against old rivals Maritzburg College.

The planned rugby fixtures for the year are as follows:

Durban High School (DHS)  vs Maritzburg College  – 25/03/2023 @ DHS

The Premier Interschools 2023 season kicks off on the east coast in Durban when host DHS takes on old foes Maritzburg College from Pietermaritzburg. DHS have been rebooting their rugby prowess the last few years and with ex-Paarl Boys coach Peter Engeldow at the helm for his second season, it looks like they are heading in the right direction. The last ten encounters between these two rivals have seen College winning six, with DHS winning three and one draw. The last time DHS was victorious over College was last season under their new coach when they won comprehensively 38-14. This shows they are a team to be reckoned with.

Paul Roos vs Grey High School – 15/04/2023 @ Paul Roos

Grey High travels down to beautiful Stellenbosch to take on the might of the Maroon Machine at home. The visitors have not tasted victory against their rivals since 2017 and will be eager to set the record straight at the Markotter fields. This is the same venue where they came back from a 20-point deficit in 2014 and with a young Curwin Bosch at flyhalf, made a remarkable comeback to win the derby 27-26. Paul Roos is re-building and has very strong juniors coming through the ranks at the moment.  Playing at fortress Markotter will motivate them immensely not to make the same mistakes they did in 2014.

Paarl Gimnasium vs Affies – 22/04/2023: @Paarl Gim

Affies comes to Paarl for their annual derby with Paarl Gim, now in its seventh year, but only four matches have been played due to Covid. Having won only one of these derby encounters will see them try and even up the numbers. Their overall record against Gim in the last decade saw them winning three out of the nine matches with one draw. The game will take place at Gim’s Jan Kriel fields and they are all but invincible on their home fields.

Paul Roos vs Paarl Gim– 06/05/2023: @Paul Roos

Paarl Gim’s next big fixture is only two weeks later when they travel to Winelands to face  one of their biggest rivals, their neighbours Paul Roos. They have a score to settle as Paul Roos upset them last year on home turf and won a closely contested game 26-24. Paarl Gim will be out to return the favour and beat Paul Roos on their beloved Markotter field in front of a partisan home crowd. The last ten matches have Paarl Gim winning 7 and Paul Roos 3, so the home team would like to make it two-in-a-row for 2023.

Paarl Boys’ High vs Grey College – 13/05/2023 @Paarl Boys High

The mighty Grey College visits Paarl in May to contest a match that could possibly decide the number one spot on this years’ school rugby calendar. Both teams are predicted to have cracking teams in 2023 and with Grey having competed in the World Schools festivals in December 2022, they have already shown that they are a great side in the making. The boys from Paarl, under the guidance of head coach Sean Erasmus, have been unstoppable in recent years. Could 2023 be the start of another great run for the team?

Paarl Boys’ High vs Paul Roos– 27/05/2023 @Paarl Boys High

Paarl Boys’ High host another big derby in May when neighbours Paul Roos comes visiting from down the road. The Maroon Machine has a similar record against this Paarl team, winning seven out of their last ten encounters. The Stellenbosch outfit will not be content to leave Paarl without a win in 2023 and this derby could be one of the most contestable to date.

Outeniqua vs Paarl Gim – 22/07/2023: Outeniqua

Outeniqua celebrates their 100^th anniversary this year and if the grapevine is to be believed, they have one unbelievable team to represent them for their centenary year. This group was very strong as juniors and hardly lost a match coming through U/14, U/15 and U/16 levels. Paarl Gim will travel to George for this humdinger that could be the highlight of their season. The two sides have a very even record over the last ten games with Paarl Gim having won five with four victories going the way of Outeniqua and one draw.

Grey High vs Grey College – 29/07/2023 @Grey High

The end of August sees the PI team in the friendly city of Gqeberha again for the classic encounter between brother schools Grey College and Grey High. These two schools have the same founder in Sir George Grey and have been rivals for years. Grey High has only one victory in the last ten matches since 2014 and will dearly love to catch up to their brother school.

Paarl Boys’ High vs Paarl Gimnasium– 05/08/2023 @Faure Street Stadium, Paarl

The ninth match of the season features two great rivals in local schoolboy rugby namely Paarl Boys’ High and Paarl Gimnasium. The Galpille against the Bloedworse, South vs North. A whole town divided for one week into two definitive camps. One is either Blue and White or Gold, Maroon and Green. The passion that goes with this rugby derby is undeniable and for more than 100 years the matches have been so closely contested that the average winning margin is just four points. This one is very unpredictable and the boys give it their all for 70 minutes. When the final whistle blows, there will be nothing left on the field but blood, sweat and tears, in victory or loss.

Waterkloof vs Monument  – 12/08/2022 : @ Waterkloof

The clash between Hoërskool Monument (Monnas) and Hoërskool Waterkloof will take place in Pretoria. This is the first Northvaal derby in the Premier Interschools series for this season and promises to be a match of high intensity. While Monnas and Waterkloof’s regular Interschools only started in 1996, this has become one of the most eagerly anticipated matches on the schoolboy rugby calendar given the rich rugby history and heritage of both schools. Both schools are consistently among the top rugby schools in the country, but Monnas has the edge over Waterkloof, winning seven of their last ten encounters.

Oakdale vs Boland Landbou – 19/08/2023: @ Oakdale

Another big interschool derby is scheduled for August with the farmers clash between Boland Landbou from Paarl and Oakdale from Riversdale. These two schools regularly produce teams of outstanding quality from a very small player pool. This all comes down to the commitment of these players to their team and to their school. They are rarely out of the top 20 rankings and have produced numerous Craven Week players for their two provinces. Their Interschools match-up is usually a very close affair with neither team having a clear upper hand. The last ten games have seen both winning five each. While they have played each other on an irregular basis pre-1992, these two schools have been playing each other on an annual basis since 1992.  This year they will meet for the 29th time.

Bishops vs Rondebosch– 26/08/2023: @ Bishops

Premier Interschools will feature one of the oldest school derbies in the country for their big season finale. Rondebosch vs Bishops is one of the most highly anticipated schoolboy games in the Western Cape. This will be game number 201 for them, the first of which took place in 1911. In 1908 they played a once-off U/16 match while the annual derbies started in 1911. The first match between these two schools saw Bishops run rampant on the day winning the encounter 112-0 with Painton Cowen scoring 86 points in the match. The first recorded match nearly put paid to rugby at Rondebosch, but fortunately they continued with the rivalry in 1911. This is one of the longest running interschool derbies in the country and because they compete twice a year, the number of games played against each other is high. Pride and bragging rights are at stake in the leafy suburb of Rondebosch. The two schools are only about 400m apart and are situated in the shadows of the former home of WP Rugby, Newlands Stadium. Rondebosch has won 79 games, while Bishops reached their century of victories in the first encounter of 2018 and currently stands at 102 wins. There have been 19 draws.

 

EG Jansen of Boksburg has already thrown down the gauntlet during the first round of the newly formed NWU Series by comprehensively defeating Hoërskool Nelspruit by 41-0 in their opening match in Mbombela.

The series sponsored by the North West University is a revived series as it was formerly known as the NuPower Series as well as the Tuks Series.

Jansies’ right winger, Jaundré Jacobs, scored a hat-trick of tries while fullback, David Twala, and flanker Zaide Leigh also completed a brace of tries. Twala also converted three of his side’s tries for a personal contribution of 16 points.

In a typical first match of the season Menlopark defeated Transvalia by 22-13 in Pretoria. The Parkies managed to score four tries to bag a valuable bonus point, but the team would feel that they could produce better rugby as the season progresses.

Transvalia was quick out of the blocks and the try by outside centre, Siya Khambula, was a beauty as he drifted through the home side’s defence. Khambula sliced through Menlo’s defense a couple of times in the first half, but the team from Vanderbijlpark couldn’t fully capatilise on this.

For Parkies their eighthman, Hanru Potgieter, put in a lot of work off the ball as well as providing the spark to help produce the victory. Their flyhalf, Marco Strydom, also played well, but didn’t enjoy a good day from the kicking tee.

For Transvalia their flyhalf, Duan du Toit, showcased that he also boasts a prolific kicking boot. He kicked some long range touch finders as well as put his backline away in a swiftly manner.

Eldoraigne secured a convincing 47-7 victory over Hoërskool Klerksdorp scoring seven tries in the process. Eldos already managed to built up a comfortable 21-7 lead at the break.

Klerksdorp’s HJ Erasmus (eighthman), Leonard Bevan (flyhalf), Lebo Wageng (outside centre) and Brink von Wielligh (fullback). could feel happy with their peformances on the day.

The visitors from Klerksdorp won’t be happy with the outcome of the main game, but they would not be distraught after all their junior A-sides came out on top in their encounters on the day.

Kempton Park also started their season with a victory as they came out on top by 29-25 against HTS Middelburg. The Kempies will be more than happy with the result as a victory in Middelburg is not always easy to achieve.

Scorers: 

EG Jansen 41 (31) – Tries: Juandré Jacobs (3), David Twala (2), Zaide Leigh (2). Doelskoppe: Twala (3). Hoërskool Nelspruit 0.

Menlopark 22 (12) – Tries: Christian Herbst, Jaden Fortuin, Stefan van Niekerk, Owen Basson. Conversions: Marco Strydom. Transvalia 13 (10) – Try: Siya Khambula. Conversion: Duan du Toit. Penalties: Du Toit (2).

Eldoraigne 47 (21) – Tries: Johan Coetsee, Divan de Jager, Shane Henery, Myburgh van Wyk, Rynhard Gelderblom, Marchand Nel, Anroux du Plessis. Conversions: Reynier Kidson (6). Hoërskool Klerksdorp 7 (7) – Try: Brink von Wielligh. Conversion: Leonard Bevan.

Kempton Park 29 (21) – Tries: Milano Hattingh, Ryan Smith, Keagan Trollip, Tian Aucamp. Conversions: Marko Opperman (3). Penalty: Opperman. HTS Middelburg 25 (12) – Tries: Kotloano Seabela (2), Johnny dos Santos, Chris Skosana. Conversion: Jacque Stassen. Strafdoel: Stassen.

Other teams: 

u16: EG Jansen 27, Nelspruit 7; Menlopark 24, Transvalia 17; Klerksdorp 19, Eldoraigne 5; Kempton Park 23, HTS Middelburg 17.

u15: EG Jansen 27, Nelspruit 6; Transvalia 19, Menlopark 10; Klerksdorp 22, Eldoraigne 17; Kempton Park 27, HTS Middelburg 0.

u14: Nelspruit 37, EG Jansen 5; Menlopark 17, Transvalia 0. Klerksdorp 26, Eldoraigne 0; Kempton Park 43, HTS Middelburg 3.

Grey College put in a solid performance, beating Welkom Gimnasium by 71-21 in their own backyard on Saturday.

Watch the game again on SuperSportSchools – https://bit.ly/GreyGim2023.

Gimmies showed grit to attempt to claw their way back in the second half, spurred on by the home supporters, but ultimately Grey simply outplayed the locals and earned an impressive win.

Five of the players in Grey’s starting forward pack had already earned caps for the first team last season, and their experience and chemistry showed as they completely dominated the Welkom pack from the first kickoff.

Within the first 12 minutes, Christiaan van der Westhuizen (scrumhalf), Jean-Henri Smit (flanker) and captain, JJ Theron (no. 8), all scored and it looked like it was going to be a long day for the home team.

Theron had to leave the field 17 minutes in after receiving a knock. This had a marked effect on the side from Bloemfontein who seemed to struggle to reset for a couple of minutes afterwards.

Soon though, the composure of their experienced players, like Marno Stopforth (flanker), allowed Grey to turn up the heat in Welkom again, scoring twice more before halftime through tries by Ranon Fouché (prop) and Vincent Wolhuter (fullback), and the two accompanying conversions by Martin Botha (winger) taking them into halftime leading by 31-0.

Ian van der Merwe, one of Grey’s most exciting prospects this year, replaced Pharrel van Wyk at flyhalf at half-time and was almost immediately called into action to convert Liam van Wyk’s (hooker) early try in the second half.

Van Wyk’s try came in a similar manner to the earlier tries, with Grey kicking a penalty to touch, being pin-point accurate in the lineout, using their forwards to carry the ball over the advantage line, allowing van der Westhuizen to choose the perfect moment to release the ball and send the hooker crashing over the try-line.

Smit then got his second try, at which point one might have forgiven Gimmies for feeling hopeless.

To their credit though, Welkom, playing in their white jerseys reserved for friendlies, rather than their traditional black and red, continued attempting to build an attack, with Naylen and Naven Goeda looking lively with ball in hand.

Indeed then, Welkom’s first score came from Naven Goeda (winger) brilliantly collecting a kick ahead at pace, darting infield and giving the ball out to Naylen Goeda (fullback) who scored the try.

Hayden Tolmay (winger), who had been playing brilliantly all day, then responded with a try for Grey.

Gim looked energized after finally managing to penetrate Grey’s defence and managed to drive their replacement hooker (no. 16) over for another try in which Kiewiet, Goeda and Ethan Jones (no. 8) all played important roles.

Ronaldo Kiewiet, Welkom’s playmaker flyhalf, then broke away, slicing through the field, managing to evade Grey’s covering defence, running a total of 60 meters to score Welkom’s third.

Again though, the team from Bloemfontein showed just what sets them apart as they simply absorbed the pressure, remained calm, stuck to their structures and reaped the rewards as Pieter van der Merwe scored his second before Martin Botha rounded off what was a comprehensive win for Grey College.

Jannie Geldenhuys, head coach at Grey, and his team will be very satisfied with the result, as they should be after a 50-point victory, however, Grey will surely be looking at the opportunities they let slip and any chinks in their armour exposed by the Gimmie attack as they prepare for the rest of the fixtures this season.

Welkom will take solace in the character shown by their senior players to rally the group as they were facing a humiliating loss, to fight back with pride in the second half.

Scorers:

Grey College 71 (31) – Tries: Pieter van der Merwe (2), Jean-Henri Smit (2), Vincent Wolhuter, Martin Botha, Hayden Tolmay, Christiaan van der Westhuizen, JJ Theron,  Liam van Wyk, Ranon Fouché. Conversions: Ian van der Merwe (5), Martin Botha (3). Welkom Gimnasium 21 (0) – Tries: Naylen Goeda, Kamohelo Mokoena, Ronaldo Kiewiet. Conversions: Kiewiet (2), Naylen Goeda.

‘n Driekuns aan drieë deur die Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool van Pretoria se haker, FC van Rooyen, het sy span tot ‘n klinkende sege van 27-0 oor Hoërskool Diamantveld in Kimberley aangevuur.

Van Rooyen het sy driekuns vroeg in die tweede helfte voltooi na die Wit Bulle teen rustyd met 20-0 voorgeloop het. Diamonds het dus in die tweede helfte hope durf getoon om die besoekers in toom te hou.

Affies het verlede jaar se kragmeting tussen die twee spanne mete 40-3 gewen. Dit was destyds hul hoofafrigter, Ruan Jacobs, se eerste wedstryd aan stuur van sake.

Die Wit Bulle se buitesenter, Naudé Laurens, het Saterdag sy span se rekening met ‘n drie vanaf ‘n seepgladde agterlyn-beweging geopen. Laurens het die bal op spoed vanaf die losskakel, Ruben Pienaar, ontvang na Affies se pak voorspelers die verdediging met ‘n paar kragtige fases sag gemaak het.

Dit het dan ook die tema vir die res van die stryd gestel, met al Affies se drieë wat van effektiewe rolmaalbewegings gekom het, Affies het die oorhand in die lynstane gehad en Pienaar, wie verlede jaar by die Grant Khomo-week ook uitgeblink het, het elke skrafskop geleentheid gebruik om die Wit Bulle in Diamantveld se gevaarsone te hou.

Diamonds se aanslag in die kragmeting is ‘n reuse slag toegedien toe die slot JJ Fourie en senter Kyle Taute die veld weens beserings moes verlaat. Daarna het Affies beheer van die kragmeting geneem.

Die twee staatmakers was definitief gemis, Fourie het veral ‘n leemte in die pak gelos met die Affie span wat al voor hy van die veld af is die oorhand in die lynstane gehad het, maar na die vervanging ook meer sukses gedurende skrumtyd geniet het.

Leon Karremaker, hoofafrigter van Diamantveld, se rustyd-praatjie het egter gewerk, en die Diamante het in die tweede helfte hul taktiek aangepas, met hul losskakel, Simon Liversage, en heelagter, Marno Greef, wat die bal begin hoog in die lug in stuur vir hul blitsige vleuel, Valentino Lenge om te jaag.

Die nuwe plan het daarin geslaag om Affies se aanval te neutraliseer, dit sal iets wees waaraan die Wit Bulle wil werk voor hulle hul volgende naweek vir Helpmekaar-kollege aanpak. 

Affies was deurlopend op die aanval, maar die Diamante se taktiese skoppe het hulle veilig weg van die gevaarsone gehou, en dit het gelyk asof die Kimberley son en die heen en weer skop jaag die seuns teen die einde van die wedstryd bietjie voos gemaak het.

Diamantveld probeer toe om die spel op ‘n hoogtepunt te eindig met Liversage wat aanlê vir ‘n 55 meter strafdoelpoging.

Hy tref die bal goed, en wys dat ons ‘n paar langafstand pogings van hom hierdie jaar sal sien oor gaan, maar hierdie poging is tog regs wyd, en Diamantveld moet die knie buig vir die besoekers sonder om enige punte aan te teken.

Die Diamonds het goed gedoen om die puntevloei in die tweede helfte te keer, maar Affies se lynstane en rolmaalbeweging was op die dag te goed vir die span van Kimberley.

Puntemakers: 

Affies 27 (20) – Drieë: FC van Rooyen (3), Migael de Lange, Naude Laurens. Doelskop: Ruben Pienaar. Diamantveld 0.

Ander spanne: 

o.19: Affies IV 41, Duineveld II 7; Diamantveld II 29, Affies V 21; Affies VI 21, Upington II 5; Affies VII 55, Duineveld III 0; Affies VIII 26, Diamantveld III 13; Affies IX 26, Kimberley Boys’ High 5; Diamantveld IV 14, Affies X 8.

o.16: Affies 61, Diamantveld 0.

o.15: Affies 64, Diamantveld 0.

o.14: Affies 36, Diamantveld 0.