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THE Eastern Province pair of Simon Taylor and Charles Benjamin were both on top of the game as they set up their team for an outright victory over Northern Cape on the opening day of the CSA under-17 Tournament in Pietermaritzburg and its surrounds on Friday.

Taylor, an off-spinner, had a match return of 10/46 including 7/14 in the first innings when Northern Cape could only muster a total of 67 in 40 overs.

Thereafter Benjamin made much lighter of the conditions as he scored an unbeaten century off only 117 balls with 9 fours to set Eastern Province up for a total of 241/4 declared.

It was a good day for the Eastern Cape as Border also provided a centurion in Ty Maclean (100 not out off 130 balls, 14 fours) on their way to a total of 201/5 declared that was more than enough to secure a first innings win over Limpopo. Maclean and Jason Niemand (76) were involved in the biggest partnership of the day of 153 for the 4th wicket.

There was another critical partnership of 127 for the third wicket between Tyla Scarles (86) and Jesse Christensen (67) that set up a comfortable first innings win for Western Province against North West.

The highest total of the day came from Gauteng who piled up 253/3 declared in response to Free State’s 124 with their top five batsmen all getting good starts.

There was a real cliff-hanger in the match between two of the tournament heavyweights, KZN and Northerns with the latter having to hang on for a draw with their last pair at the wicket.

On the second day of the national under-15 tournament in East London roles were reversed with the bowlers having a big say after the batsmen had dominated day one.

There were some remarkable analyses with Gerald Coetzee’s return of 6/3 in 7.4 overs against KZN Inland probably the pick. His innings of 29 was largely responsible for Free State having the first innings advantage (95 against 46) before going on to win outright by 9 wickets.

Matt Dewar, the captain of Border, was another to put in a fine all-round performance as he took 4/5 in 4.5 overs against Easterns and then made top score of 40 for his side (76 balls, 5 fours).

A third good all-round performance came from Dian Forrester of Limpopo who took 6/17 in 14.4 overs and then contributed 48 runs with the bat. In spite of these efforts Mpumalanga still won on the first innings.

The best batting performance came from Peter Jarvis of Eastern Province who made the second century of the week (113 off 141 balls, 16 fours) in his side’s first innings win over KZN while Wikus Lindeque of Northerns went close with his unbeaten 96 (131 balls, 12 fours and a six) against Western Province.

The result of the day was unquestionably Boland’s first innings win over Gauteng, a match in which Brenton Manual took 6/21 and Sam Henderson made 52 for the boys from the Western Cape.

For the second day in a row Western Province had to hold on for a draw, this time having their last pair at the crease against Northerns.

Scorecards: 

Free State first innings 124 (Philip Visser 46; Mitchell van Buuren 3/20, Travis Doyle 2/11); Gauteng first innings 253/3 decl. (Muhammed Mayed 69*, Josh Coetzee 59, Mitchell van Buuren 55*; Ofentse Thaele 2/37); Free State second innings 27/0 (Johan van Eck 13*). Gauteng won on first innings.

Western Province first innings 210/9 decl. (Tyla Scarles 84, Jesse Christensen 67, Mathew Roman 35*; Vuyo Koki 3/27); North West first innings 120 (Louis van Schalkwyk 46; Mika Ekstrom 3/12); Western Province second innings 14/1 (Mujaahid Toffar 8*). Western Province won on first innings.

KwaZulu-Natal eerste beurt 225 (James Stamatis 71, Thamsanqa Khumalo 36; Ruan Kriek 4/33, Kiel van Vollenhoven 4/61); Noordelikes eerste beurt 135/9 (Francois van Heerden 44; Sheroze Khan 3/16, Zakaiya Paruk 2/9). Onbeslis.

Grens eerste beurt 266/5 verkl. (Ty MacLean 100*, Dylan Deetlefs 41; Collins Mashele 2/61); Limpopo eerste beurt 182 (Sias Willemse 45; Siphe Gqadu 3/21, Jason Niemand 3/41); Grens tweede beurt 33/3 verkl (Philip Bester 2/22). Limpopo tweede beurt 80/4 (Sias Willemse 32). Grens wen na eerste beurt.

Noord-Kaap eerste beurt 67 (Nakkie Duvenhage 18; Simon Taylor 7/14, Kenan Smith 3/21); Oostelike Provinsie eerste beurt 241/4 verkl. (Christopher Benjamin 100*, David Masaterson 50, Adrian Leibbrandt 45; Sipho Hlithana 2/64); Noord-Kaap tweede beurt 87/5 (Nakkie Duvenhage 56; Simon Taylor 3/32). Oostelike Provinsie wen regstreeks.

KZN Binneland eerste beurt 146 (Matthew Dicks 38; Davis Murwendo 3/17, Gabriel Jaya 3/21); Zimbabwe eerste beurt 200/9 verkl. (Dion Mazhawidza 50; Scott Steenkamp 3/20). Zimbabwe wen na eerste beurt.

Boland eerste beurt 163 (Benjamin Henderson 35; Branden Brodell 4/47, André Vosloo 3/32); Mpumalanga eerste beurt 148 (Branden Brodell 54; Curtley Deelman 3/33); Boland tweede beurt 42/2 verkl. (Curtley Deelman 25*); Mpumalanga tweede beurt 17/1 (Curtley Deelman 1/10). Boland wen na eerste beurt.

Oostelikes eerste beurt 247/7 verkl. (Louis Geldenhuys 76, Chris Opperman 59*; Faghan Adonis 2/14); SWD eerste beurt 112/8 (Francois Barnard 35; Brandon Harwood 3/19). Onbeslis.

The unofficial champions of the Grant Khomo Week, the Golden Lions, will take on Free State in their opening match at the 2016 edition of the tournament. The tournament will be hosted by Paarl Gimnasium in 2016. The clash between the Lions and Free State will be the main curtain raiser for the main match on the A-field. 

The hosts Western Province will lock horns with Boland in the main match of the opening day. WP didn’t feature in the main match of the Grant Khomo Week for the first time since 2011. The Lions defeated KwaZulu-Natal by 31-24 in the main match earlier this year in Oudtshoorn. In 2011 Eastern Province came out on top by 34-12 against South Western Districts in the main match on the final day.

The Limpopo Blue Bulls who also finished this year’s tournament unbeaten will face the Blue Bulls in the opening game of 2016. 

The fixtures: 

A-field: Blue Bulls vs. Limpopo Blue Bulls; KwaZulu-Natal vs. Pumas; Western Province XV vs. Griffons; Golden Lions vs. Free State; Western Province vs. Boland. 

B-field: Zimbabwe vs. Border Country Districts; Valke vs. Griqualand West Country Districts; South Western Districts vs. Namibia; Border vs. Leopards; Eastern Province vs. Griqualand West. 

Die kampioen van die jaarlikse Pukke 16-reeks, Pionier van Vryheid sal sy aanslag in volgende jaar se reeks tuis teen Ferrum afskop. Pionier het Vryburg met 28-25 in die eindstryd geklop. Vryburg het in 2014 die kroon gedra. 

Vryburg het vanjaar in die halfeindstryd van die Beeld Noordvaal Trofee vir Mediumskole teen Piet Potgieter (33-35) van Potgietersrus vasgeval. Die span behoort volgende jaar weer ‘n sterk aanspraakmaker op die titel van die Pukke 16-reeks te wees. 

Pionier is saam met Ferrum, Piet Retief en Volksrust in Groep B geloot. In Groep A sal Pretoria-Noord, Stoffberg van Brakpan, Oosterland van Secunda en Delmas teen mekaar sake uitspook. Overvaal, Fochville, Bekker van Magaliesburg en Alberton High is saam in Groep C geloot. 

Vryburg sal sake teen drie ander spanne vanuit die Noordwes – Schweizer-Reneke, Wolmaransstad en Schoonspruit van Klerksdorp sake in Groep D uitspook. 

Die bepalings is: 

27 Februarie 2016 

Pretoria-Noord vs. Stoffberg
Delmas vs. Oosterland
Overvaal vs. Fochville
Bekker vs. Alberton High
Volksrust vs. Piet Retief
Pionier vs. Ferrum
Schoonspruit vs. Vryburg
Schweizer-Reneke vs. Wolmaransstad

5 Maart 2016 

Oosterland vs. Stoffberg|
Pretoria-Noord vs. Delmas
Piet Retief vs. Pionier
Ferrum vs. Volksrust
Overvaal vs. Alberton High
Fochville vs. Bekker 
Vryburg vs. Wolmaransstad
Schoonspruit vs. Schweizer-Reneke

12 Maart 2016 

Stoffberg vs. Delmas
Oosterland vs. Pretoria-Noord
Pionier vs. Volksrust
Piet Retief vs. Ferrum
Bekker vs. Overvaal
Alberton High vs. Fochville
Schwiezer-Reneke vs. Vryburg
Wolmaransstad vs. Schoonspruit

The annual St. John’s College Easter Festival will celebrate its 21st next year. Standard Bank is the main sponsor of the festival in Johannesburg. 

The big guns in attendance at the tournament is Paarl Boys’ High, Affies of Pretoria, Monument of Krugersdorp and Paul Roos Gimnasium.

The main match of the final day will be between Affies and Paul Roos Gimnasium. The team from Stellenbosch defeated Affies by 29-12 in the main match of their 150th celebration Rugbyday this year. Affies will also lock horns for the first time in history with Nelspruit on the second day of the Easter Festival. 

The main match of the first day is between the hosts and Nelspruit. The Nelspruit Rhinos will also face Paarl Boys’ High on the final day in another match which promises to be one of the highlights of the St. John’s College’s Easter Festival. The match between Monnas and Helpmekaar on the final day might decide which school side is the top team from the Golden Lions for 2016. 

Helpmekaar is one of the newbies at the tournament in 2016. Helpies played at the St. Stithian’s College Easter Festival in 2015. Helpies will also face Paarl Boys’ High and St. John’s College of Harare at the tournament. Teams that won’t be attending in 2016 that was in action earlier this year are St. Benedict’s College, St. Charles College, Garsfontein and Jeppe Boys’ High.

Besides Helpmekaar the who will be making their comeback to the St. John’s College Easter Festival are Affies, Parktown Boys’ High and St. John’s College (Harare). 

The fixtures: 

Thursday, 26 March 2016

12:15 – Paarl Boys’ High vs. Golden Lions XV
13:30 – Monument vs. Viadana (Italy) 
14:45 – Helpmekaar vs. St. John’s College (Harare)
16:45 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs. Hilton College
18:00 – Affies vs. Parktown Boys’ High
19:15 – St. John’s College vs. Nelspruit

Saturday, 26 March 2016 

08:45 – Parktown Boys’ High vs. Viadana (Italy)
10:00 – Affies vs. Nelspruit
11:15 – Hilton College vs. Golden Lions XV 
13:30 – St. John’s College vs. St. John’s College (Harare)
14:45 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs. Monument 
16:00 – Paarl Boys’ High vs. Helpmekaar

Monday, 28 March 2016 

09:00 – Golden Lions XV vs. St. John’s College (Harare)
10:15 – Parktown Boys’ High vs. Hilton College
11:30 – St. John’s College vs. Viadana (Italy)
13:30 – Monument vs. Helpmekaar
14:45 – Paarl Boys’ High vs. Nelspruit 
16:00 – Paal Roos Gimnasium vs. Affies

Die Pumas-rugbyunie het ’n groot slag geslaan deur Hein Kriek, die Suid-Afrikaanse Skolespan se afrigter, na Mbombela (Nelspruit) te lok.

Kriek is as MJ Mentz se adjudant aangestel.

Kriek kan met sy kennis van ­skolespelers die unie help om die regte talent te lok. Hy was die ­afgelope drie jaar aan stuur van die SA Skole-span asook Paul Roos-Gimnasium van ­Stellenbosch se eerste span.

Vir Kriek is die aanstelling die volgende stap in sy loopbaan as ­afrigter.

“Ek dink elke afrigter wil op ’n ­hoër vlak afrig en dié was die ­volgende stap om te neem,” het Kriek gesê.

Kriek (38) het die destydse­ Suidoos-Transvaal op die Cravenweek van 1995 in Bloemfontein verteenwoordig. Hy het aan die Hoërskool Nelspruit gematrikuleer en het in Malelane grootgeword.

“Dit is ’n goeie geleentheid om ­terug te keer na die plek waar ek lief vir rugby geword het. Die ­keuse om by die Pumas aan te sluit, was ’n maklike een. Ek hou van die ­manier waarop die Pumas speel asook die waardes wat die span ­uitleef,” het Kriek gesê.

Kriek het die Kaapse klub ­Hamilton tot nasionale klubkampioen in 2009 gebrei. Dit was die eerste keer in agt jaar dat ’n oop klub weer as nasionale kampioen gekroon is.

Onder Kriek se leiding het Paul Roos vanjaar die ­Sanix-toernooi in Japan gewen.

Paul Roos het Brisbane Boys College van Australië in die eindstryd oortuigend met 35-3 verslaan.

Paul Roos het vanjaar sy 150ste bestaansjaar gevier en die eerste span het slegs drie keer verloor. Al drie nederlae was teen spanne van die Paarl – Boland Landbou (17-24), ­­Hoër Jongenskool Paarl (10-29) en Paarl Gimnasium (21-23).

Paul Roos sal later ’n aankondiging doen oor wie Kriek sal opvolg. Paarl Gimnasium (Pieter Rossouw/Bulle) en die Hoërskool Outeniqua (Abré Minnie/Griekwas) het reeds afrigters met provinsiale ervaring vir volgende jaar aangestel.

Marais Viljoen van Alberton sal volgende jaar saam die groot honde in die Valke/Leeus/Luiperds se liga vir Makroskole blaf.

Dié skool het verlede jaar die B-afdeling van dié liga gewen en het daarom tot die A-afdeling opgeskuif.

Florida, wat laaste in die A-afdeling geëindig het, is na die B-afdeling afgeskuif.

Vereeniging-Gimnasium het besluit om volgende jaar in die Grootskole-afdeling te speel. Met Gimmies wat uitskuif, was dit dalk die ideale geleentheid vir die Beeld Noordvaal Trofee se Grootskole-kampioen, Helpmekaar-kollege, om die Makroskole-afdeling te betree.

Helpies is gewis een van die voorste rugbyspanne noord van die Vaalrivier. Dié skool behoort in 2016 weer ’n eerste span te hê om mee rekening te hou.

Die twee voorste spanne in die A-afdeling, Monument van Krugersdorp en EG Jansen van Boksburg, sal mekaar op 15 ­Junie pak. Monnas sal die gasheer vir die wedstryd wees.

Monnas wat vanjaar die liga onoorwonne afgesluit het, sal hul aanslag teen die Hoërskool Rustenburg weg van die huis afskop.

Monnas het wel vanjaar gelykop teen Kempton Park in die liga gespeel.

E.G. Jansen sal sy aanslag teen Kempton Park afskop. Jansies en Monnas het vanjaar in die halfeindronde van die Beeld Noordvaal Trofee teen onderskeidelik HTS Middelburg en die uiteindelike kampioen, Garsfontein, vasgeval.

Marais Viljoen en Florida sal mekaar soos gewoonlik in ’n ENB- Classic Clash pak.

Die bepalings is (tuisspanne eerste vermeld):

A-afdeling: 14 Mei – Hoërskool Rustenburg t. Marais Viljoen; 21 Mei – Hoërskool Rustenburg t. Monument; Kempton Park t. E.G. Jansen; 28 Mei – Monument t. Kempton Pak; E.G. Jansen t. Hoërskool Rustenburg; 4 Junie – E.G. Jansen t. Marais Viljoen; Kempton Park t. Hoërskool Rustenburg; 11 Junie – Marais Viljoen t. Kempton Park; 15 Junie – Monument t. E.G. Jansen; 21 Junie – Marais Viljoen t. Monument.
B-afdeling: 7 Mei – Jeugland t. Die Anker; 14 Mei – Noordheuwel t. Florida; 21 Mei – Florida t. Jeugland; Die Anker t. Noordheuwel; 4 Junie – Florida t. Die Anker; Jeugland t. Noordheuwel.

Thys Bezuidenhout se tydperk as voorsitter van die Suid-Afrikaanse Skolerugby-vereniging (SASRV) word gekenmerk deur die samewerking wat hy tussen die SASRV en die Suid-Afrikaanse Rugbyunie (Saru) bewerkstellig het.

Bezuidenhout het twee termyne in die voorsitterstoel deurgebring voordat hy vanjaar die tuig neergelê het. Daar was nog altyd struwelinge tussen die SASRV en Saru, maar onder Bezuidenhout se voorsitterskap het die twee partye baie goed saamgewerk.

In dié tydperk het die Suid-Afrikaanse Skolespan slegs een keer teen Engeland (in 2014) die knie gebuig. “Die skole-sewesspan se verowering van die goud op die Statebond-Jeugspele in Samoa vanjaar was ook een van die hoogtepunte in my tydperk as voorsitter,” het Bezuidenhout gesê.

Daar kan nie betwyfel word nie dat Bezuidenhout diep spore in Suid-Afrikaanse skolerugby getrap het. Hy is sedert 1977 as keurder van die Leeus se Wes-streek betrokke. Hy was van 1989 tot 2000 sekretaris van dié vereniging, terwyl hy van 2001 tot vanjaar die voorsitter was.

By die Leeus se laerskole was hy sedert 1997 tot 2014 as keurder betrokke. Hy was ook die Leeus se sekretaris van 1989 tot en met 2000 voordat hy hier ook die voorsitterstoel in 2001 ingeneem het.

Hy was van 1982 tot 1988 ’n skeidsregter op die Cravenweek vir laerskole, terwyl hy ook die Goue Leeus se span na die toernooi van 1982 tot 1987 afgerig het.

Bezuidenhout het van 1996 op die SASRV se bestuur gedien. Hy was van 2008 tot 2011 die tesourier van die vereniging.

Hy het sedert 1982 al die Cravenweke vir laerskole bygewoon.

As hy vyf spelers moet uitsonder wat oor al die jare vir hom uitgestaan het, sal Corné Krige, Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, Victor Matfield en Brendan Venter die lys haal.

“Soos ek nou meer daaroor dink, is daar baie ander wie se besondere talent ook reeds op laerskool duidelik sigbaar was. Spelers soos die Oostelike Provinsie se Jan Serfontein en Curwin Bosch. Bosch het ’n belowende toekoms wat op hom wag.

“Brendan was al van jongs af ’n denker oor die spel. Toe hy 13 was, het hy by die oefening aangekom met bewegings wat hy reeds uitgewerk het,” het Bezuidenhout gesê.

Hy dien ook sedert 2011 op die Goue Leeus se presidentsraad. Bezuidenhout beplan om steeds by rugby betrokke te bly.

Hy het in 1967 aan die Hoërskool Florida gematrikuleer waar hy twee jaar vir die skool se eerste span in die middelveld diens gedoen het.

Hy was self ’n leerling aan die Laerskool Bekker net buite Magaliesburg waar hy die afgelope 25 jaar die hoof was.

“Ek is dankbaar vir al die geleenthede wat ek oor die jare gekry het. Asook die vriende wat ek gemaak het.

“’n Mens sien plekke wat jy nooit andersins sou sien nie.”

The top ranked South African school side of 2015, Paarl Boys’ High, will clash against the two Pretoria heavyweights, Waterkloof and Affies, at #Wildeklawer2016 in the proposed fixtures released on Wednesday. The clash on the second day against Affies promises to be one of the top clashes in schoolboy rugby for 2016.

Paarl Boys’ High finished the season unbeaten. The first time since 1982 that a first XV from the school managed to do so. The two new kids on the block Garsfontein and Stellenberg will play their first Wildeklawer games against Grey College and Noord-Kaap respectively. The match between Grey College and Garsfontein could be the match not to miss on the opening day. 

All the matches on the A-field of the second day will be televised live on SuperSport. The tournament will once again be hosted by Diamantveld in the City of Diamonds. Diamantveld’s head coach of 2015, Jean Stemmet, already joined Paarl Gimnasium in a marketing position. Gimmies appointed a new head of rugby in former Springbok Pieter Rossouw.

Affies will also face the Kwaggas from Outeniqua in their opening match. Monument of Krugersdorp could expect some stiff opposition from Selborne College and Outeniqua in their two encounters in Kimberley.

The fixtures are: 

Saturday, 30 April – A-field: Grey College vs. Garsfontein; Affies vs. Outeniqua; Monument vs. Selborne College; Paarl Boys’ High vs. Waterkloof; HTS Middelburg vs. Paul Roos; Menlopark vs. Paarl Gimnasium; Stellenberg vs. Noord-Kaap; EG Jansen vs. Louis Botha. B-field: Oakdale Landbou vs. Saru XV-tal; Diamantveld vs. Boland Landbou. 

Monday, 2 May – Grey College vs. Oakdale Landbou; Affies vs. Paarl Boys’ High; Waterkloof vs. Boland Landbou; Monument vs. Outeniqua; Menlopark vs. Paul Roos; EG Jansen vs. Paarl Gimnasium; HTS Middelburg vs. Diamantveld; Noord-Kaap vs. Saru XV-tal. B-field: Louis Botha vs. Selborne College; Garsfontein vs. Stellenberg.

No Affies of Grey College for Kearsney College’s annual Easter Festival in 2016. Westville Boys’ High and Menlopark of Pretoria will also not be making the trip to Durban for next year’s festival. 

The festival participants will drop from 12 teams to 10 teams. The new kids on the block are Noord-Kaap from Kimberley and Maritzburg College. Northerns’ first encounter at the festival will be against the hosts. 

The match between HTS Middelburg and Selborne College on the first day also promises to be one of the matches not to miss. 

The main match of the Saturday will be between EG Jansen of Boksburg and Noord-Kaap. Kearsney College will meet HTS Middelburg in the main match of the final day.

The fixtures are: 

Day 1 – Thursday, 24 March 2016 

10:45 – Kearsney College vs. Noord-Kaap
12:00 – HTS Middelburg vs. Selborne College
15:15 – Glenwood vs. EG Jansen
14:30 – Maritzburg College vs. Dale College
15:45 – SACS vs. Framesby

Day 2 – Saturday, 26 March 2016 

09:30 – Framesby vs. Dale College
10:45 – Glenwood vs. HTS Middelburg
12:00 – Kearsney College vs. SACS
13:15 – Maritzburg College vs. Selborne College
14:30 – EG Jansen vs. Noord-Kaap

Day 3 – Monday, 28 March 2016 

10:45 – SACS vs. Selborne College
12:00 – Framesby vs. Noord-Kaap
13:15 – Maritzburg College vs. EG Jansen
14:30 – Glenwood vs. Dale College
15:45 – Kearsney College vs. HTS Middelburg