JP PIETERSE, kaptein van Hoërskool Garsfontein, vier sy span se sege saam met staatmakers, Junade Pasensie en Junaide Stuart, en die res van die Bere-span. FOTO: Marius Nortjé.
Kenners meen daar is geen plaasvervanger vir spoed op die rugbyveld nie, en dit was Saterdagmiddag beslis weer die geval op Berepark.
Hoërskool Garsfontein se giftige agterste driehoek het die feit benadruk in die Bere se spogsege van 30-19 in die eindstryd van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Beker-afdeling, teen Helpmekaar Kollege.
Die Bere se derde agtereenvolgende Noordvaal-titel op die hoogste verhoog plaas hulle nou in uitgelese geselskap.
Garsies is die eerste skool wat in die nuwe millennium die titel drie keer agtereenvolgens kon inpalm, terwyl hulle die vyfde skool in 105 jaar is, na Potchefstroom Volkskool, Pretoria Boys High, Hoërskool Zeerust en Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, wat dié besonderse prestasie behaal het.
Affies is steeds die voorloper met vyf agtereenvolgende seges, maar met nie minder nie as 11 Graad 11’s in vanjaar se eerste span, kan die Bere volgende seisoen nogmaals ‘n reusekrag in die Beker-afdeling van die oudste skolekompetisie in Suid-Afrika wees.
Die Bere het hulself Saterdag teen rustyd nietemin met die rug teen die muur bevind. Hoewel hulle feitlik ál die rugby in die eerste helfte gespeel het, het Garsies met die omdraaislag ‘n agterstand van 5-12 in die gesig staar. Stelskopwerk het hulle in die steek gelaat, terwyl ongedwonge foute die gashere ook weerhou het daarvan om af te rond.
Die Helpies, daarenteen, het hul kanse aanvanklik beter benut. Dit was verál losskakel, Wian Storm, wat met ‘n “Storm-lopie” deur die middel van die veld gebars en drie verdedigers geklop het vir sy span se eerste drie.
Zaiden Krige, wat vroeg vanaf die bank ingespan is, het kort na Storm ook die doellyn oorgesteek. Helpies het vroeg in die tweede helfte weer toegeslaan toe Jandré Botha swak verdediging uitgebuit het om sy naam ook op die telbord te kry.
Hoewel dit nie Bere-losskakel, Joshua Gouws, se beste dag vanaf die skopkegel was nie, was sy taktiese skopwerk steeds van hoogstaande gehalte. Dit was juis een van sy ellelange skoppe, van binne sy eie kwartgebied, wat die momentum finaal in die guns van die Bere geswaai het.
Garsies se driekuns-held in albei die vorige twee wedstryde, Yuvrah George, is vandeesweek vanaf die bank ingespan, ‘n besluit wat duidelik vrugte afgewerp het. George het die broodnodige vonk verskaf wat die welbekende skrumpet-brigade van die tuisspan oplaas aan die gang gekry het.
Die drietal met die kopskerms, insluitende Junade Pasensie, het na hartelus begin aanval en dit het as geen verrassing gekom toe SA Skole-vleuel, Junaide Stuart, binne ‘n oogwink twee keer gaan druk het nie, terwyl losskopstut, Morné Coetzer, die finale, vyfde spyker in Helpmekaar se kis gemoker het.
Al die uitslae van die reeks soos wat ons dit ontvang sal hier opgedateer word.
Indien u uitslag of wedstryd nie op die lys is nie – tree gerus met ons in kontak deur ‘n e-pos te stuur aan rugby@ssschoolsplus.co.za of per WhatsApp na 072 172 5455.
The St Andrew’s College FootballCup kicked off on Friday afternoon, with the intense competition and some unexpected results setting the stage for two more days of intriguing action.
In Group A, the St Andrew’s College A Team began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Gqeberha’s Victoria Park High, a team recognised as one of the top Eastern Cape sides.
After that big win, though, the hosts suffered a setback in their second outing, going down 0-1 to Curro Wilgeheuwel. Victoria Park, in their second match, shared a 1-1 draw with Curro Wilgeheuwel.
Kingswood College, St Andrew’s College’s great rivals, endured a challenging day, which included a stunning 0-11 defeat at the hands of St Benedict’s College. Kingswood also fell to Mrewtyane Secondary School, who scored a 4-0 win.
Mrewtyane’s, then, picked up a 2-0 victory over St Benedict’s to lead the way in Group A.
In Group B, the St Andrew’s College B Team mirrored the achievements of their A-team, securing a 2-1 victory over AndrewMoyane in their first match before being handed a 3-0 defeat by Trinityhouse Glenvista.
Trinityhouse earned maximum points by also beating Merrifield College, winning a tight contest 1-0. Unfortunately for Merrifield, they suffered a second 0-1 loss, going down to Joza Youth Hub.
It was a good day for Bishops, though, The Cape Town school edged out Andrew Moyane 1-0 and then overran Joza Youth Hub 5-0.
RESULTS
Friday, 29 August
Group A
St Andrew’s College A 1-0 Victoria Park
Mrwetyana 2-0 St Benedict’s
Victoria Park 1-1 Curro Wilgeheuwel
Mrwetyane 4-0 Kingswood
Curro Wilgeheuwel 1-0 St Andrew’s College A
St Benedict’s 11-0 Kingswood
Group B
St Andrew’s College B 2-1 Andrew Moyane
Joza 1-0 Merrifield
Bishops 1-0 Andrew Moyane
Trinityhouse Glenvista 1-0 Merrifield
Bishops 5-0 Joza
Trintyhouse Glenvista
Die Kovsiestreekkompetisie se Irawa-liga is een van die opwindenste ligas in Suid-Afrikaanse skolerugby.
Ja die liga is feitlik slegs twee weke lank, maar die spanne wat aan die liga deelneem speel meestal opwindende rugby. Die feit dat meeste van die spanne vanuit die platteland van die Noord-Kaap en Vrystaat kom dra gewis ook by tot die romantiek van hierdie liga.
Vanjaar se twee spanne in die eindstryd, Wilgerivier van Frankfort en Hoërskool Prieska, het boonop verlede week ‘n ruskans in die halfeindronde geniet. So die twee spanne behoort slaggereed en uitgerus vir Saterdag se eindstryd op Shimlapark in Bloemfontein te wees.
Prieska as die Griekwa se mediumskole-kampioen moes teen St Andrews van Bloemfontein in die halfeindronde te staan kom. Saints wat in die Vrystaatse B-liga teen Hoërskool Bloemfontein die knie gebuig het, het na die nederlaag besluit dat dit wyser sou wees van die reeks vir vanjaar te onttrek.
Die feit dat Saints se krieketspan hierdie naweek ook aan die jaarlikse Fasken-toernooi van St David’s Marist in Johannesburg deelneem, het waarskynlik ook ‘n deurslaggewende rol in die besluit gespeel.
Hoërskool Bloemfontein sal vandag in die streekkompetisie se Colt-liga eindstryd teen St Annes in aksie wees.
Prieska het in die Griekwa-eindstryd vir De Aar met 36-27 die loef afgesteek.
Wilgerivier moes teen De Aar in sy halfeindstryd in Welkom kragte meet. Die span vanuit die Noord-Kaap moes egter onttrek na die tragiese afsterwe van een van sy spelers, AJ Samson.
Hy het by ‘n trapreëling by die skool afgegly en geval ‘n dag voor sy span se eindstryd teen Prieska. Hy is die Dinsdag na die eindstryd oorlede.
Die Wilgies het hul plek in die uitspeelrondes van die reeks met ‘n klinkende sege van 51-14 oor Ficksburg in die Vrystaatse Platteland-eindstryd bespreek. Wilgerivier is oor die jare heen die mees suksesvolste span in die Irawa-liga en sal vanjaar ook as gunsteling op die veld draf.
Die span van Frankfort sal wel goed bewus wees van wat Prieska se losskakel, Aidan Gadeija, kan verwag. Hy was vroeër vanjaar een van die Griekwas se staatmakers tydens die Cravenweek vir hoërskole in Middelburg. Hy het tydens die toernooi nie gesukkel om die Poubloues se teenstanders se verdediging te ontsluit nie.
With 12 wickets in the match – six in both innings – leg-spinner Shiraz Perumal bowled Clifton to victory over Hoërskool Noordheuwel. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Jason Rowles and Shiraz Perumal proved themselves to be the most consistent players after day two of the Fasken Time Cricket Festival at St David’s Marist Inanda.
SA u19 star Rowles scored an unbeaten half-century to accompany his first-innings century, while Perumal snared his second six-wicket haul, with the duo’s brilliance propelling St David’s and Clifton College to victories.
Joining St David’s and Clifton School in the win column was King Edward VII (KES), who beat St Charles College. St David’s batted superbly in their second innings to win by nine wickets against Hoërskool Waterkloof, while Clifton also batted well in their second innings, on their way to a 55-run win.
The contest between Jeppe High School for Boys and St Andrew’s School finished in a draw, as did the fixtures between St Stithians College and the Lions Invitational XI, and St John’s College and Nelspruit.
Jason Rowles produced a well-rounded performance with both bat and ball. He scored an unbeaten century in the first innings and an outstanding second-innings 56 not out to steer St David’s to victory and took 3/100 across the two innings. On day one, his 116 had helped St David’s to 219/8 at the close of play. That total left them with a negligible nine-run deficit going into the second day.
The all-rounder, then, helped squeeze the Waterkloof batting lineup, which was restricted to 276/6 in their second innings. The hosts started their run chase brilliantly thanks to a 185-run opening stand between Roberto Mariano (116*) and Armaan Manack (97). After the departure of Manack, Mariano joined forces with Rowles to see St David’s home.
Clifton’s players and supported erupted into delighted cheers as they avoided a draw and sealed victory in the last over of their match against Noordheuwel.
The KwaZulu-Natal side’s victory was built around Shiraz Perumal’s beguiling leg-spin. He was the only bowler with double-digit wickets after two days of play. He bagged 12, while Nikhil Sukraj, from St Andrew’s, was the second most successful bowler with seven.
Perumal showed that his six-wicket haul on day one wasn’t due to luck but skill as he registered back-to-back six-wicket hauls against Noordheuwel. He snared 6/83 in Nories’ first innings and 6/90 in their second dig, and he also contributed a handy 44 runs with the bat in Clifton’s second innings.
Steele Grooteman’s match haul of 6/72 for KES earned him the purple cap, which is awarded to the leading performers from both teams in each match, on day two of the festival. He formed a lethal combination with Lebone Ramedupe as they ran through the St Charles top six.
With their primary batsmen removed, St Charles stumbled to 202 all out in their second innings, leaving them with a fragile lead of 165. Tiago Dias set up a successful run chase for KES with a wonderful 76 as the Johannesburg side cantered home with seven wickets to spare.
Day one centurion and purple cap recipient, Andrew Sobiech, was unable to record back-to-back milestones in his 99th appearance for St Andrew’s School. However, his century helped to put his side in a position of strength after day one. It took brilliant knocks from Aiden Reyneke (140) and Ryan Young (114) to turn the tide for Jeppe and force a draw.
Bafana Mthunzi did for the Lions Invitational XI what Reyneke and Young did for Jeppe. The top-order batsmen scored an inspirational 172 for the Lions team, which removed any chance of them losing to St Stithians.
Hoërskool Nelspruit‘s top five batsmen learned a tough lesson in their first innings, so they shelved their aggressive shots and chose a more circumspect approach in their second innings against St John’s College. Only one of them struck at a strike rate north of 50.
Their patient approach helped blunt the St John’s bowling attack and their match ended in a quiet draw.
St David’s will lock horns with the Lions XI on La Valla Oval in the second round of matches from Saturday. St John’s meets St Charles on the Mitchell Oval, while St Stithians duels with St Andrew’s on the Dlamini Oval. Jeppe crossees swords with Waterkloof on the Gier Oval, with KES taking on Clifton on the Temba Bavuma Oval, and Noordheuwel jousting with Nelspruit on the La Rosey.
Results:
Waterkloof 228/9 (Johan Feuth 100*, AJ de Villiers 81; Jared Stern 4/37, Miles Pegg 3/56). St David’s 219/8 (Jason Rowles 116*, Samrat Basu 64; Christiaan Smit 3/33, Johan Liebenberg 2/46, Vorster de Villiers 2/10). Waterkloof 276/6 (AJ de Villiers 73, Wian du Plessis 52*; Roberto Mariano 2/19, Jason Rowles 2/60). St David’s 287/1 (Roberto Mariano 116*, Armaan Manack 97, Jason Rowles 56*; Rivan Booysen 1/47). St David’s won by nine wickets.
Clifton 206/10 (Muhammed Malek 69*, Eliah van Jaarsveld 35; Hanru Begeman 3/22, Dihan Grove 3/59, Hinrich Smith 2/23). Noordheuwel 202/10 (Wander Roolvink 49, Kian Liebenberg 40; Shiraz Perumal 6/83, Keegan Watson 2/10). Clifton 274/10 (Hayden Drieselman 47, Shiraz Perumal 44, Declan Shaw 41; Gomolemo Sibi 2/48, Dihan Grove 2/60). Noordheuwel 223/10 (Wander Roolvink 78, Hinrich Smith 37; Shiraz Perumal 6/90, Blake Johnson 2/32). Clifton won by 55 runs.
Jeppe 188/10 (Goolam Ahmed 92, Keegan Cockburn 30; Nikhil Sukraj 4/41, Bohlokwa Leketa 3/34). St Andrew’s School 254/10 (Andrew Sobiech 109, Reuben van Aardé 34*; Zizi Mkhize 6/46, Shreshth Kumar 3/90). Jeppe 363/8 (Aiden Reyneke 140, Ryan Young 114; Nikhil Sukraj 3/31, FG Botha 3/96). St Andrew’s 209/4 (Naude Botha 95*, Reuben van Aarde 37*; Caleb Coates Moggee 2/39, Shreshth Kumar 1/39). Match drawn.
St Charles 188/10 (Connor Simpson 51, Ryan Clarke 22; Connor Kuijers 4/56, Steele Grooteman 3/40, Luke Clark 2/25). KES 225/8 (Urav Mukhija 53, Luke Clark 44; Keegan Vermaak 3/28, Daksesh Rajah 1/47). St Charles 202/10 (Caleb Sharp 84, Ryan Clarke 71; Lebone Ramedupe 3/15, Steele Grooteman 3/32). KES 166/3 (Tiago Dias 76, Matthew Bromley 39*; Daksesh Rajah 1/23, Keegan Vermaak 1/37). KES won by seven wickets.
Lions Invitational XI 266/8 (Matthew Barbour 88, Sachin Sunkar 47, Zuan Joubert 44; Akhil Challa 3/40, Tajendra Naidu 2/36). St Stithians 207/3 (Ombesa Matsha 80, Tahseen Hanslo 40*, Nicholas Bayly 28*). Lions Invitational XI 341/4 (Bafana Mthunzi 172, Murray Leith 58; Nqaba Matunda 2/49, Tendai Kadyamadare 1/39). St Stithians 126/2 (Liam Mudenda 72, Thomas Collins 24*; Josh van Rensburg 1/33). Match drawn.
Nelspruit 227/7 (Joshua Knoetze 71, Waldemar Graham, Janco Breyl 41*; Alec Loveland 4/66, Lwazi Khupe 1/34). St John’s 232/5 (Aiden Barberin 79*, Darshik Lutchman 69; Duan Smal 2/40, Jason Knoetze 2/26). Nelspruit 215/6 (Juan Maritz 57*, Luan Siebrits 48; Alec Loveland 2/38, Malan du Plessis 1/23). St John’s 136/6 (Herman Basson 52*, Joshua Hall 30; Jason Knoetze 1/16, Safwaan Miller 1/24). Match drawn.
Ahead of the weekend’s Gauteng Development League (GDL) action, SuperSport Schools Plus conducted an exclusive interview on Friday with the u19 Mamelodi Sundowns‘ coach, Kristopher Bergman.
He relocated to Gauteng province in January, having previously worked in Cape Town with the Ubuntu Football Academy, one the most respected football development institutions in South Africa.
Bergman remarked on the positive and professional atmosphere at Sundowns, noting that he is accustomed to such an environment due to his experience playing football at a professional level and his tenure at the Ubuntu Football Academy.
He said, too, that the GDL is highly competitive and emphasised that there are no gimmes. One must earn every result, which he believes is a true reflection of what professional football should be.
Bergman also provided a succinct comparison between the football scenes in the Western Cape and Gauteng when asked about the competitive level and intensity in both provinces.
“Both regions [Cape Town and Gauteng] possess their unique advantages,” he said. “In Cape Town, the style of play tends to be more direct. There may be one or two teams that attempt to build their play, to engage in a more structured approach. This tendency is largely due to the conditions, particularly during the winter months, when the availability of suitable pitches for a ball-playing style is limited.
“Consequently, many teams opt for a more direct approach, often utilising crosses into the box. By contrast, Gauteng boasts slightly better facilities, which enables teams to focus on building up play and initiating from the back.
“There is a diverse range of styles. Some teams adopt a direct approach while others prefer a more intricate style, which is beneficial for player development.
“Ultimately, that is our primary objective. We aim for players to experience a variety of football styles against different opponents. Overall, both regions have their strengths and weaknesses, along with areas that could be enhanced,” he said.
Bergman said that during his time as a professional footballer in the Premier Soccer League he was never the biggest or the fastest player, but that forced him to become a student of the game.
Kristopher Bergman is a retired professional football player who represented Santos, Chippa United, and Stellenbosch. He is coaching the upcoming generation of football players at Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: SuperSport.
“I did not have all the necessary physical tools that one may attribute to a player. I had to think about the game in a deeper way. I had to use the mind more than the body, and I think that really helped me into the coaching side of things because I always had to think about gaining an advantage in certain moments.”
Having played the game at the highest level aids in his man management, he said.
Addressing each situation as it arises is crucial, Bergman explained. Managing the load of several simultaneous competitions that young players face, playing for both schools and clubs, is essential.
Sundowns takes on TS Galaxy on Sunday, at Alex Stadium. With the race for the title intensifying, it is important for the contenders to stack wins and not drop points. The Brazilians are in the thick of the race along with the defending champion Highlands Park, Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA), Randburg AFC, and SuperSport United.
“I think their last four games they have dropped points and before that they had three wins,” Bergman said of the unpredictable challenge that awaits his side.
TS Galaxy is capable of delivering high-level performances on their best days, and they pose a variety of challenges, he added.
“They excel in set pieces, possess effective long throws, and have skilled players on the wings, who can provide quality crosses into the box.
“We are making the necessary preparations. We understand that we need to go out and compete for every ball.
“No results will be given to us. We have to go out there. We have to go and work for it,” Bergman emphasised.
His team’s preparations have been satisfactory, he told SuperSport Schools Plus, and they have included integrating several u16 players into the u19 team.
“With that, they have brought a bit of youthfulness. Young players come in with this freedom of ideas. It’s just about aligning them with what we want as a team but providing a platform [for them] to go and express themselves without fear. If you good enough, you’re old enough,” he said of the influx of young talent.
“Ultimately, our goal is to establish momentum following a somewhat turbulent period. We must return to our previous winning form,” he concluded.
Die tweede Middelburg-derby van 2025 het aansienlik meer op die spel as die vorige keer, sowat drie maande gelede, toe dié twee plaaslike skole mekaar gepak het.
Die gesogte titel van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Plaat-afdeling is Saterdagmiddag op die spel wanneer HTS Middelburg sy titel verdedig teen die naburige Hoërskool Middelburg.
Indien die Rooi Bulle hul kroon suksesvol kan verdedig, sal dit breier, Jano Venter, se tweede titel wees sedert hy by die Rooies begin afrig het. Wat die moontlike prestasie meer spesiaal sal maak, is die feit dat Venter eers aan die einde van 2023 by die span van Middelburg aangesluit het, wat beteken dat hy in sy eerste twee jaar moontlik reeds met twee titels kan spog.
Die Rooi Bulle is die verdedigende kampioen aangesien hulle verlede jaar die louere met Hoërskool Transvalia gedeel het (24-24). Vir die Middies is dit die eerste keer sedert 2022 dat hulle in ‘n eindstryd van dié afdeling betrokke is, nadat hulle drie jaar gelede met 17-23 teen Hoërskool Nelspruit vasgeval het.
Die Middies het die daaropvolgende paar seisoene elke slag die halfeindstryd gehaal, maar kon net nie deurdring eindstryd toe nie. Dit was juis die Rooi Bulle wat hulle verlede jaar tuis met 22-17 uitgeskakel het, nadat hulle vroeër die jaar ook met 31-24 in die jaarlikse derby koning gekraai het.
Vanjaar was Middelburg egter al reeds ‘n slag groen geverf. Die Middies het die bordjies verhang deur in die rondomtalie-wedstryd met 16-11 op HTS se tuisveld die pyp te rook. Dit neem ‘n mate van die giftigheid weg wat tuisveldvoordeel bied.
Sedert sy terugkeer na ‘n gebreekte been, het die Rooi Bulle se kaptein, Johnny Dos Santos, binnesenter vir losskakel verruil vir die laaste drie wedstryde, en sy tweestryd met die Middies se generaal, Matthew Abbey, kan straks deurslaggewend wees. Abbey was die argitek van die Middies se skoksege oor Hoërskool Zwartkop in Centurion, met skrumskakel, Keabetswe Nkgadima, wat ook uitstekende diens gelewer het.
Abbey moet Saterdag egter sonder kaptein, Lungelo Maseko, op binnesenter klaarkom. Maseko loop die eindstryd mis weens ‘n rooi kaart in die halfeindstryd teen die Zwarries. Buitesenter, Jaco Truter, skuif oor binnesenter toe, met Lesego Rakale, normaalweg vleuel, wat in die nr 13-trui opdraf.
Vir die tuisspan maak die gevaarlike Jacques Greyling sy terugkeer, maar op regtervleuel in plaas van buitesenter, terwyl Nathan Jansen van Vuuren en Reynhardt Snyeders die middeveld beman.
Voorlangs het die Middies drie staatmakers terug in die vorm van slot, Wian Olwagen, nóg ‘n uitblinker in die sege oor die Zwarries, en CW Hanekom en Hencoe Janse van Rensburg wat weer gaan jag maak op die losbal.
Die spanne:
HTS Middelburg t. Hoërskool Middelburg om 13:30 in Middelburg
HTS Middelburg: 15 Wynand Cronje, 14 Jacques Greyling, 13 Reynhardt Sneyders, 12 Nathan Janse van Vuuren, 11 CJ Muller, 10 Johnny Dos Santos, 9 Danté Lubbe, 8 Tercius Bezuidenhout, 7 Ethan Kock, 6 Argu Kruger, 5 Andrea De Wet, 4 Janco Aucamp, 3 Marinus Oberholzer, 2 Hanro Terblanche, 1 Janco Botha.
Hoërskool Middelburg: 15 Buhle Mphahlaza, 14 Kefilwe Phamotse, 13 Lesego Rakale, 12 Jaco Truter, 11 Bulelani Mcira, 10 Matthew Abbey, 9 Keabetswe Nkgadima, 8 Hencoe Janse van Rensburg, 7 Jabu Mathebula, 6 CW Hanekom, 5 Jeandré Potgieter, 4 André Robberts, 3 Dewald du Toit, 2 Roux Grobler, 1 Carlo Joubert.
Skeidsregters: Shemea Ndlovu (Pumas)
Ander spanne:
o.16 – 11:20 – Hoërskool Middelburg t. Oos-Moot. o.15 – 10:10 – Oos-Moot t. Hoërskool Zwartkop. o.14 – 09:00 – Wesvalia t. Hoërskool Kempton Park.
Sedert die Bowl-afdeling se ontstaan in 2018, destyds as deel van die Virsekerbeker, was daar nog nooit ‘n span wat sy titel in dié afdeling suksesvol kon verdedig nie.
Dit is waarskynlik omdat die kampioenspanne in die Bowl dikwels promosie na die Skild-afdeling verwerf het, soos wat die geval was met Hoërskool Secunda (2022) en Hoërskool Die Anker (2023).
Vir Potchefstroom Gimnasium se jong span, afgerig deur Regardt Kelingeld, is ‘n tweede titel in soveel jaar egter Saterdagmiddag, op die Piet Malan-veld, binne bereik. Hoewel Gimmies teen ‘n sterk Potchefstroom Volkskool te staan kom in die Potch-derby, meen Kleingeld dat sy span fokus op hul sterkpunte.
“Dit is ‘n groot dag vir die dorp; ek is bly dat twee Potch-skole die eindstryd gehaal het en dat die Bowl weer hier staanplek sal kry,” sê Kleingeld. “Volkies het ‘n goeie span en die oomblik gaan groot wees, daarom fokus ons op dit wat ons beplan en geoefen het.
“Vir my persoonlik is dit spesiaal om in my eerste jaar by Gimmies reeds met hierdie groep seuns só ‘n groot dag te kan beleef. Die druk was van meet af aan kwaai, maar die seuns het groot karakter getoon om na ‘n uitdagende seisoen te wees waar hulle nou is.”
Kleingeld se span sal Saterdag vir die eerste keer sedert die laaste wedstryd voor die vakansie weer op alle silinders kan vuur.
Staatmaker stut, Jeandré Barends, neem oplaas weer sy plek in die beginspan in, met flank en kaptein, Reuel Potgieter, wat by hom aansluit om die Gimmies in die se grootste wedstryd van die seisoen aan te voer. Elrich Bosch het wonder bo wonder van sy kniebesering herstel om terug te keer na die middeveld, met De Wet Grobler wat van senter terugskuif agsteman toe.
Dit is duidelik dat die stryd tussen die twee agttalle meedoënloos sal wees, soos wat die geval was vroeër vanjaar toe die Gimmies met 21-12 baas was.
Sedertdien het daar egter heelwat water in die see geloop. Die Volkies het na dié nederlaag ‘n paar taktiese skuiwe aangebring wat hulle netjies op koers gebring het. Een van dié veranderinge was Lourenzo Louw se skuif na regtervleuel, om die spasie op die punte uit te buit saam met die gevaarlike Lethabo Riet op heelagter.
Hennie Pretorius wat as losskakel ingespan word, met Anro Nel wat na senter geskuif het, het verdere impak gehad op die Volkies se aanvalsvernuf agterlangs, en ál drie die sleutelspelers sal Saterdag wéér op hul pos wees.
Dit is moeilik om te voorspel wie hierdie slag die botoon sal voer tussen dié twee goed afgerigte spanne. Een ding is egter seker, Potchefstroom kan hom regskuif vir ‘n aksiebelaaide 70 minute wanneer die Bowl-eindstryd Saterdagmiddag hier afskop.
Die spanne:
Potchefstroom Gimnasium t. Potchefstroom Volkskool om 12:30 in Potchefstroom
South Africa celebrates victory with the trophy after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations u20 Final against Morocco at 30 June Stadium, in Cairo, on 18 May 2025. Photo: Ayman Aref/BackpagePix.
With less than a month to go until the global showpiece kicks off in Chile, Amajita’s coach, Raymond Mdaka, announced a squad on Wednesday that features talented players who have been making waves both locally and internationally.
Amajita, the 10-time champions of the Cosafa region, head into the u20 FIFA World Cup with a sense of pride and confidence after lifting the Afcon title for the first time in the nation’s history in May after defeating Morocco 1-0 in the final, held in Egypt, thanks to a long-range goal by Mamelodi Sundowns‘ midfielder Gomolemo Kekana.
A year before claiming the Afcon honours, Mdaka’s team secured the Cosafa title in Mozambique by defeating their arch-rival, Zambia in the final. Zambia has historically posed stiff challenges to South Africa’s aspirations in both the boys’ and girls’ development Cosafa tournaments.
In July, South Africa captured their tenth Cosafa title. The event formed part of the 11th annual African Union Sport Council Region 5 Youth Games in Namibia and featured various other sports, including athletics and basketball.
However, it wasn’t Amajita who were in action. Rather, it was the u17 National Team, known as Amajimbos, who were led by coach Vela Khumalo.
His young squad, which included emerging talents like Emile Witbooi, performed admirably and the tournament served as a valuable test for Amajimbos, who will contest the u17 FIFA World Cup, in November, in Qatar.
Taking a look at Mdaka’s preliminary squad, SuperSport Schools Plus was delighted to see the inclusion Siyabonga Mabena, a graduate of the School of Excellence and a current player for Mamelodi Sundowns.
He is a young talent who is cherished not only by the fans of the Brazilians but also by fans of the national team because of his captivating skills. Mabena played a significant role in South Africa’s Cosafa title win in 2024, but he missed out on the u20 Afcon because of an injury.
His rise to prominence was shared with a global audience in 2024 when he was recognised as one of the top 60 young footballers by TheGuardiannewspaper in an article titled “Next Generation 2024: 60 of the best young talents in world football“.
See Mabena being recognised on the world stage was a morale booster, not only for the player himself but also for the game in South Africa.
Tylon Smith, Amajita defender, scored the winning goal against Nigeria in the u20 Afcon semifinals
Another player included in preliminary squad, who is almost certain to be named in the final selection is Tylon Smith. After excelling at the u20 Afcon, Smith secured a permanent transfer to Queens Park Rangers (QPR), which competes in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football. Earlier this month, he made his senior debut for QPR.
Smith, the scorer of the winning goal against Nigeria in the semi-finals of Afcon, is a key player for South Africa. He’s a defensive force and was named the Player of the Tournament at the u20 Afcon.
Goalkeeper Fletcher Symthe-Lowe could, arguably, be viewed as the most valuable player in the squad. His exceptional performances were crucial to South Africa’s victories in the Cosafa and Afcon tournaments.
Some football analysts and commentators in South Africa have even advocated for Symthe-Lowe to be fast-tracked into Bafana Bafana‘s goalkeeping camp to expose him to the senior international level.
He was rightfully awarded the Best Goalkeeper of the u20 Afcon for his outstanding contributions throughout the tournament. Since then, he has transferred his skills to Portuguese Primeira Liga club, Estoril Praia FC.
Langelihle Phili, who plays for Stellenbosch FC, graduated in 2022 from Glenwood High. His former coach, Khaya Mngwengwe, who serves as the Director of Soccer and coach of the Green Machine, expressed his admiration for Phili when he represented Amajita during the u20 Afcon in Cairo, which served to underline the excellence of Glenwood’s football programme.
Indeed, Glenwood has been gaining recognition recently with players like Alakhe Mdluli, from Eswatini, who captained the Green Machine to the KZNHSFA Coastal A-League and the Primo Big titles in 2024. He was also an important player in the Glenwood team that secured the league title in 2023.
Mdluli now plays for AmaZulu and made his senior internation debut for Eswatini at the recent Cosafa tournament held in Bloemfontein.
The Orlando Pirates midfielder, Simphiwe Selepe is one of the youngest talents to emerge from Esgodini towards the end of last season and has been selected for the preliminary Amajita squad by Mdaka. Photo: BackpagePix on Facebook.
Other players to keep an eye on include Mfundo Vilakazi, Luke Baartman, and Simphiwe Selepe, from Orlando Pirates, who stepped up towards the end of last season under former Bucs‘ coach José Riveiro.
Riveiro demonstrated faith and instilled confidence in many of the young stars of Pirates who are currently playing first-team football. Among these players are Mohau Nkota, who now plays for Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League, Relebohile Mofokeng, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
Mbokazi, aged 19, played a crucial role in Mdaka’s squad when they secured the Cosafa title in Mozambique in 2024, forming a dominant defensive partnership with Smith.
He has demonstrated further growth and leadership in his football, captaining Orlando Pirates in their opening fixtures of the season, and it looks likely that he will be fast tracked to the senior national team, Bafana Bafana.
Mdaka’s team is rich in talent, and South African football fans will be pleased to learn that Shandre Campbell, who was named in the SuperSport Schools Class of 2023 and currently plays for Club Brugge, in Belgium, has also been named in the preliminary squad.
His club did not release him for the u20 Afcon, which was a significant loss. Still, without Campbell and Mabena, Amjita went all the way to the title.
However, the addition of the duo, will enhance the South Africa u20 squad, but, at the same time, it will make the decisions on the final squad all the more difficult for the coach and his technical team.
Goalkeepers
Fletcher Smythe-Lowe – Estoril Praia FC (Portugal)
Takalani Mazhamba – Kaizer Chiefs
Kgoleng Ratisani – Sekhukhune United FC
Musa Masemola – Via Sport
Defenders
Sfiso Timba – Kaizer Chiefs
Asekho Tiwani – Mamelodi Sundowns
Neo Rapoo – Siwelele FC
Gopolong Taunyane – Kaizer Chiefs
Siviwe Nkwali – Stellenbosch FC
Thato Sibiya – Mamelodi Sundowns
Tylon Smith – Queens Park Rangers (England)
Midfielders
Lazola Makola – SuperSport United Academy
Patrick Autata – Durban City FC
Gomolemo Kekana – Mamelodi Sundows
Simphiwe Selepe – Orlando Pirates
Faiz Abrahams – Hapoel Kfar Saba (Israel)
Kutlwano Letlhaku – Mamelodi Sundowns
Mfundo Vilakazi – Kaizer Chiefs
Shakeel April – Cape Town City FC
Gabriel Amato – Cape Town City FC
Thato Mpati – Magesi FC
Forward
Langelihle Phili – Stellenbosch FC
Kgomotso Madiba – Stars of Africa
Shandre Campbell – Club Brugge (Belgium)
Siyabonga Mabena – Mamelodi Sundowns
Thabang Mahlangu – Siwelele FC
Jody Ah Shene – Cape Town City FC
Siviwe Magidigidi – Siwelele FC
Naledi Hlongwane – Kaizer Chiefs
Luke Baartman – Kaizer Chiefs
Rondebosch will be aiming for a cherished double over Bishops on Saturday. That will be a tough challenge on the Piley Rees. Photo: mbl_photography4 on Instagram.
When Bishops and Rondebosch first met 117 years ago, it was a one-sided thrashing, with Bishops triumphing 112-0 behind a mammoth 86 points scored by Painton Cowen. Thankfully, since then, the rivalry has become far more tightly contested.
Historically, Rondebosch has won 85 of the 205 encounters, 19 have been drawn, and Bishops has 101 wins.
When asked how his team is feeling about the last game of their season, a King Price Derby Series clash, Bishops head coach Sam Mofokeng answered: “The team is excited and looking forward to another titanic battle (if our last two games are anything to go by).”
In 2025, Bishops has played their best rugby in the latter stages of matches. Their conditioning is one of their weapons and it combines well with their dangerous rolling mauls in the dying minutes.
Their hooker, Daniel van den Heever, directs those strength-sapping forward drives. If there is one word to describe the Bishops’ captain, it is grit. In contact, he wrestles like a bear, and he often forces turnovers at breakdowns. He’s also a bullocking force on the ball.
Rondebosch head coach Jaco Zeeman identified a number of areas of growth that his side has undergone during the season. He told SuperSport Schools Plus: “The team has grown closer as a unit, which has impacted the cohesion on the field.
“Furthermore, they have shown the ability to self-reflect, to learn from previous games and, by trying to get better, the group has improved as the season has gone on.”
Rondebosch is indeed a very enjoyable side to watch. Their constant introspection is the key to their attacking flair. If a move doesn’t work, they make adjustments and attack with a new innovation.
Flank and captain, Josh Neill, is an absolute workhorse on the field, armed with superb skills. He scores tries by joining out on the wing and by sniping from the ruck. On defence, he’s a dominant tackler and a threat at the breakdowns.
He’s their talisman, the straw that stirs the Rondebosch drink, and he’ll be supremely motivated to sign off with a bang.
Both teams are creative, blessed with exciting runners, and play with an attractive offloading game, which strives to make the ball do the work. Those ingredients suggest it’s going to be another thrilling clash between the long-standing rivals.
The teams:
Diocesan College vs Rondebosch at 12:30 on the Piley Rees this Saturday:
Diocesan College: 15 Miyolo Ngculu, 14 Singa Mayoyo, 13 Rynard Gordon, 12 Cole Robyntjies, 11 Noah Edmunds, 10 Christian Toweel, 9 Max Marr, 8 Jack Venter, 7 Josh Macdonald, 6 Ethan Venter, 5 Fouke Wagener, 4 Rieko Kidha, 3 Chris du Toit, 2 Daniel van den Heever (captain), 1 Will Reid.
Rondebosch Boys’ High: 15 Eathon Williams, 14 Matthew Galpin, 13 Alutha Wesi, 12 Harry Soboil, 11 David Kadima, 10 Sebastian Boshoff, 9 James Kirsten, 8 Connor Arbuthnot, 7 Josh Neill (captain), 6 Linakho Mehlomakulu, 5 Bertus Versfeld, 4 Finn Watermeyer, 3 Matthew van der Merwe, 2 Ismaeel Conrad, 1 Bulela Mbala.
Die Kovsiestreekkompetisie se Irawa-liga is een van die opwindenste ligas in Suid-Afrikaanse skolerugby.
Ahead of the weekend’s Gauteng Development League (GDL) action, 
