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Last Saturday, Milnerton High fell to a narrow 36-42 loss against a resilient Bishops team. On Saturday, they were the team that pulled off a comeback, clawing their way back from 0-12 down at halftime to beat Stellenberg High 14-12.

As has been the case for the entire season, captain Morgan Lodewyk led from the front. On Saturday, the burly centre crossed for a try to breathe life back into his side’s challenge.

Throughout the match, his physicality in the midfield caused Stellies problems, and it wore down the visitors.

Meanwhile, fullback Chadlin Sellidon, another shining light for Millies, also bagged a try and, crucially, converted both five-pointers to see his side to a tight two-point victory.

Stellenberg was left frustrated that they were unable to replicate their dominant first half performance in the second stanza. Their tries were scored by captain Christiaan Jansen van Rensburg and outside centre Luka Tonitz.

The big difference in the second half was a much-improved Milnerton set-piece, which forced the Jade Brigade onto the back foot, with Millies taking charge of the battle for territory and possession.

Moving on, Stellenberg’s season ends with a huge derby on Saturday against Hoërskool Durbanville. Milnerton, meanwhile, welcomes Strand on the same day. 

Durbies hosted Outeniqua on Saturday. In a low-scoring match, it was the visitors from George who edged it 8-5.

Both sides, typically, like to get the ball out to their backs and to play the game at speed, but that was far from the case on Saturday.

Wet weather led to the game being slowed down as handling became difficult in the slippery conditions. The defining aspect of the contest was the physicality of both teams on defence, leading to only one try apiece being scored.

Ultimately, it was the boot of Kwaggas‘ reserve, Taylor Marias, that separated the sides.

Durbanville will be frustrated to have lost at home because it was a game that could so easily have gone their way. They’ll have an opportunity to right the ship at home next Saturday, and it doesn’t get any bigger than a derby against their great rivals, Stellenberg.

Outeniqua will draw satisfaction from the fact that they were able to win while not playing their game. They end their season in George next weekend, with a tricky challenge from HTS Drostdy lying in wait. .

Scorers

Milnerton 14 (0) – Tries: Morgan Lodewyk, Chadlin Sellidon. Conversions: Chadlin Sellidon (2); Stellenberg 12 (12) – Tries: Luka Tonitz, Christian Jansen van Rensburg. Conversion: Daniel Mongie.

Outeniqua 8 – Try: Devino Bernado. Penalty: Taylor Marias; Durbanville 5 – Try: Cole Carls.

Other Results

U19 – Milnerton II 0 Stellenberg II 48, Milnerton III 0 Stellenberg III 49; Durbanville II 25 Outeniqua II 19, Durbanville III 31 Outeniqua III 5, Durbanville IV 26 Outeniqua IV 0, Durbanville V 0 Outeniqua V 14.

U16 – Milnerton A 5 Stellenberg A 48, Milnerton B 3 Stellenberg B 54; Durbanville A 20 Outeniqua A 22, Durbanville B 14 Outeniqua B 0, Durbanville C 15 Outeniqua C 5.

U15 – Milnerton A 8 Stellenberg A 39, Milnerton B 0 Stellenberg B 47, Milnerton C 0 Stellenberg C 53; Durbanville A 11 Outeniqua A 10, Durbanville B 36 Outeniqua B 22, Durbanville C 0 Outeniqua C 10.

U14 – Milnerton A 7 Stellenberg A 24, Milnerton B 0 Stellenberg B 53, Milnerton C 0 Stellenberg C 37; Durbanville A 14 Outeniqua A 36, Durbanville B 26 Outeniqua B 0, Durbanville C 17 Outeniqua C 14, Durbanville D 7 Outeniqua D 12.

Die Speed Beez Fast5-toernooi, aangebied deur Hoërskool Montana, het die afgelope naweek nogmaals ’n naelbytfees van spoed, vaardigheid en spanwerk opgelewer.

Netbalspanne van regoor Gauteng en verder het in drie ouderdomsgroepe aan die gewilde kortformaat-kompetisie deelgeneem, met Randpark High School se Fireballs wat in die senior kategorie koning gekraai het.

O.13-afdeling:
In ’n afdeling wat bruis van jong talent het die PowerPlays (CVO Combined) as wenners uit die stryd getree ná ’n reeks indrukwekkende vertonings. Die Prestige Tigers (Prestige College) het die tweede plek beklee, met die Buzzing Divas (Rabboni) wat derde geëindig het. Miche Oosthuizen van PowerPlays is aangewys as die beste speler in hierdie ouderdomsgroep.

O.15-afdeling:
Die Garsies Pumas (HS Garsfontein) het die trofee omhoog gehou nadat hulle vir die Sky Guardians (E.G. Jansen) in die eindstryd verslaan het. Die derde plek is deur Worker Beez A (HS Montana) ingepalm, terwyl Baby Beez A (HS Montana) vierde geëindig het. Karla van der Nest van Garsies Pumas het met die titel as die beste speler in die o.15-afdeling weggestap.

O.18-afdeling:
In die senior-afdeling het Fireballs hul oorheersing bevestig deur vir die Garsies Jaguars (HS Garsfontein) in die eindstryd te troef. Die Sky Hunters (E.G. Jansen) het derde geëindig, met Queen Beez Groen (HS Montana) in die vierde posisie. Oluchi Ndubueze van Fireballs is as die beste speler in dié afdeling aangewys.

 ’n Fees van netbalkultuur

Die Fast5-toernooi het nie alleen as ’n mededingende platform gedien nie, maar ook gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid en skoolgees gevier. Met hoëtempo-kragmetings, spanningsvolle eindrondes en individuele uitblinkers wat die kollig gesteel het, is dié toernooi ongetwyfeld ’n hoogtepunt op die skolenetbal-kalender.

Eindstryde:

o.13: Powerplays 22, Prestige Tigers 13

o.15: Garsies Pumas 35, Sky Guardians 29

o.18: Fireballs 28, Jaguars 15

Klein Nederburg roared to a 40-17 win over their rivals, New Orleans, in their Paarl Derby at the Faure Street Stadium, on Saturday.

After five defeats in succession, it was Klein Nederburg’s second win over New Orleans on the trot.

Thanks to the good quality ball won by their dominant pack, Klein Nederburg doubled up New Orleans, crossing for six tries to three.

In Malmesbury, the third time was the charm as Hoërskool Swartland, the losers of their first two matches of the third term, fought back from a 3-5 halftime deficit to run in three second half tries and beat Hoërskool Punt 25-15.

Competing at the breakdown with ferocious spirit, the hosts enjoyed the lions’ share of the possession in the second half, which led to them creating attacking opportunity after attacking opportunity.

Punt mustered three tries themselves, but they gave away costly penalties under pressure from the Swartland forwards.

Flyhalf De Wet van Aswegen led with the boot for the home team, landing two conversions and two penalties, which proved to be one of the big differences in the match.

Next Saturday, Swartland will set their sights on another win when they host Hoërskool Hugenote.

Scorers

Swartland 25 (3) – Tries: Christian Cupido, Daniel Walters, Langley Timotheus. Conversions: De Wet van Aswagen (2). Penalties: De Wet van Aswagen (2); Punt 15 (5) – N/A.

Klein Nederburg 40 – N/A; New Orleans 17 – Tries: Rameez Collins, Le Marc Muller, Wayman Adonis. Conversions: Royston Arendse.

Other Results

U19 – Swartland II 19 Punt II 8.

U16 – Swartland A 20 Punt A 0, Swartland B 7 Punt B 5.

U15 – Swartland A 42 Punt A 0, Swartland B 36 Punt B 0.

U14 – Swartland A 3 Punt A 7, Swartland B 38 Punt B 10.

The 2025 hockey season wasn’t the best of seasons for the Hoërskool Noordheuwel girls’ first-team , but they capped it off with silverware.

Nories, as they’re affectionately known, defeated their Krugersdorp rivals, Hoërskool Monument, 4-1 on Sunday, in Pretoria, to lift the Noordvaal Cup.

While the boys’ tournament took place in Polokwane, at Hoërskool Pietersburg, the girls’ event was hosted by Cornwall Hill College, from 7 to 10 August.

Noordheuwel put together an impressive tournament run, which began with them winning their three pool games convincingly.

They defeated both Pietersburg High School and Montana High 4-0 before thumping Kempton Park High 5-1 on day two.

Those wins set up a semifinal showdown against Potchefstroom Gimnasium. That proved to be a far tougher challenge and Nories had to dig deep to win it on penalties after the match ended in a draw.

One last hurdle remained, and it was Monument in the final. Noordheuwel, led by coaches Natasha le Roux and Martin Daniel, showed class and scored some eye-catching goals to clinch the title.

“We are very happy to have won the Noordvaal trophy,” coach Le Roux told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“Our season has been a little bit up and down throughout, but we are very happy to end it on this high. A final between Noordheuwel and Monument will always be a game worth watching, and I’m very proud of how the team played.”

Before they met in Sunday’s final, Nories and Monnas had met in a league fixture, and it was Monument who won on that occasion, coming out on top by a narrow 3-2 margin.

Tournament hockey is a different kettle of fish, though, and Le Roux’s players rose to the challenge.

“We were lucky enough to score quite a few goals in the tournament, but we knew it wouldn’t be easy once we got to the final,” she said.

“For some reason, we tend to always end in a shootout against Gimmies (Potchefstroom Gimnasium), but the girls stepped up when they needed to.“

Winning the Noordvaal Cup is always at the top of the priority list for Nories each season, and, said Le Roux, they’re always focused on improving.

“We always aim to do well in Noordvaal, so, as a school, winning it is a very big accomplishment,” she explained.

“In general, our Noordheuwel hockey had a very good weekend, and we will be hoping to build on this for the 2026 season.”

It was a full team effort that helped Nories win the title, but Ciara van der Walt deserves special mention as the tournament’s Top Goal Scorer.

Final standings

Hoërskool Noordheuwel
Hoërskool Monument
Potchefstroom Gimnasium
Hoërskool Ermelo
Hoërskool Middelburg
Helpmekaar Kollege
Hoërskool Pietersburg
Kempton Park High
Hoërskool Transvalia
Hoërskool Dr. E.G. Jansen
Midstream College
Montana High

The Durban High School (DHS) 1st XV completed an outstanding season with an emphatic 52-19 victory over King Edward VII (KES) on Van Heerden’s Field, in Durban, on Saturday.

That win took DHS to a superb record of 15 wins and only two defeats in 2025, and it also kept intact School‘s three-year unbeaten run on their main rugby field.

Three of the players who ran out on Saturday – captain Daniel Ikotela, Zenkosi Mthiyane, and Zingce Simka – represented the 1st XV for three years, and they never tasted defeat on the ground, not even in Sevens’ competition.

DHS was stung early on, though, when KES crossed for the first try of the contest after only five minutes, scored by captain Sam Bruwer, and converted by fullback Indibabale Mboniswa, but DHS immediately surged onto the attack.

Credit to KES, they did a good job of contesting the rucks, which enabled them to slow down the DHS attacks. However, when the visitors forced a knock-on only five metres from their try line, DHS, with a monstrous shove, claimed back possession by winning a penalty.

Throughout the contest, the visitors had no answers for the Horseflies‘ power in the set piece, which delighted DHS forward’s coach Ronnie Uys, especially since two of his starting front rankers, hooker Okuhle Mbanjwa and tighthead prop Omphiwe Kola, will be back next year.

That turnover eventually resulted in DHS breeching the KES defence for the first time in the 15th minute when Ama Mataboge burst through a gap to dive over beneath the uprights. Flyhalf Jordan van Wyk made the first of six successful kicks to even matters.

With that first try on the board, coach Peter Engledow‘s team took charge and Mataboge, running a hard and direct line, hit a short pass at speed to crash over for DHS’s second after 19 minutes.

KES kept contesting the loose ball well, but they were undone when fullback Cilermo Carolus sold an extravagant dummy and hit a gap to fly over for a try from 30 metres out. Richard Gyamfi, then, outstripped the visitors’ defence for DHS’s fourth, which took the Blue Typhoon 28-7 clear at halftime.

The momentum was firmly with the home side, but KES fought back well after the break. However, School’s relentlessness told, as it had in the first half, and they finished strongly as KES began to wilt under the unceasing pressure.

Lock Zion Smith broke free for a try, and centre Zenkosi Mthiyane outstripped the KES defence for another five-pointer, which was finished off with an extravagant dive behind the uprights.

Peneleo Shakwane and Jaydon Roberts added further tries as DHS sent on almost their entire bench to give their grade 12 players a run in their final game in the blue and gold jersey.

In a losing effort, scrumhalf Regan McGurk impressed for KES.

Always alert to opportunities from free kicks and penalties, he caused DHS problems with his quick decision-making and sniping, which brought him a try and was the reason for fullback Indibabale Mboniswa’s try in the second half. His service was tidy, too.

After the game, DHS coach Peter Engledow told SuperSport Schools Plus: “This has been an incredible group. It has been a privilege coaching them. I was humbled by today. To put a 50 on KES and finish the season like we have is great.”

DHS was at their best late in the season, winning 24-10 at Jeppe and 36-5 at Northwood before their big win at home on Saturday.

Referencing his side’s last three matches, Engeldow explained: “We used a nice theme, based on the last World Cup, and we said we’re going to go into a quarterfinal, semi-final and final. We wanted to try and win the final, especially for the matric boys.”

Reflecting on the season, he said: “For me, personally, the forwards have always done reasonably well and excelled at times, taken us through games, but the backs didn’t ever click for me this season in the manner I know they could, but they did last weekend [against Northwood] and it was very special on Friday night under the lights. The boys did very well.”

They were every bit as effective at Jeppe, running in four tries, three of them from long-range. They added some more on Saturday in Durban.

One of the reasons for the success of DHS was the strong captaincy of flank Daniel Ikotela. Engledow related forwards’ coach Ronnie Uys’s words to the skipper, telling him: “Daniel, I don’t think I’ve seen a person with so much passion taking a team into action”.

Engledow added: “He leads by example and he’s so proud. He has become an incredible young man. I had a conversation with him this week and told him how proud I am of him. His future is bright. Lucky [will be] the university that signs him.”

Under Engledow’s leadership, DHS has enjoyed an outstanding run, and that’s not about to end any time soon. School is blessed with a deep, hard-working coaching staff.

“The rugby programme has gone very well,” Engledow said. “We’ve got a Headmaster and a Director of Sport, who are very supportive, and they help push the programme. And then, it’s a massive thank you to all the coaches, who align and come together and work for each other, and support each other. The system’s good. We get a lot of support.

“At the end of the day, I want to do things the right way. I want to get results, but I also want it to be a learning experience, something that is not just win at all costs. It’s important. If it gets that way, I will step away. I don’t want to win at all costs. I think schoolboy rugby is there to teach kids a lesson.”

Glenwood High versus Maritzburg College

Meanwhile, at nearby Glenwood High, Maritzburg College completed a hard-fought season’s sweep of the Green Machine, triumphing 14-10 after a draining arm wrestle. They had previously won 37-25 on Goldstone’s when the teams met in April.

As they have done often this season, Glenwood started well and they were on the board in the fifth minute on Dixon’s Field, scoring after manufacturing a well-worked overlap on the left flank.

Maritzburg College levelled by driving over next to the uprights, with the industrious David Colenbrander dotting down and Dom du Toit nudging over the conversion kick to make it 7-7 after 15 minutes.

Glenwood, though, led at the break, after Juan Viljoen knocked over a 25th minute penalty.

The only points of the second half – the winning points – were scored three minutes in, again from close range, with Alande Ngubane providing another finish close to the posts. Du Toit, one of the most accurate kickers in the country, didn’t miss to make it 14-10.

Scorers:

Durban High School 52 (28) – Tries: Ama Mataboge (2), Cilermo Carolus, Richard Gyamfi, Zion Smith, Zenkosi Mthiyane, Peneleo Shakwane, Jaydon Roberts. Conversions: Jordan van Wyk (6); King Edward VII 19 (7) – Tries: Sam Bruwer, Regan McGurk, Indibabale Mboniswa, Conversions: Indibabale Mboniswa (2).

Glenwood High 10 (10) – Try: N/A. Penalty: Juan Viljoen; Maritzburg College 14 (7) – Tries: David Colenbrander, Alande Ngubane. Conversions: Dom du Toit (2).

Results

u19 – DHS I 52 KES I 19; DHS II 33 KES II 21; DHS III 18 KES III 7; DHS IV 17 KES IV 5; DHS V 7 KES V 12; DHS VI 20 KES VI 24.

u16 – DHS A 27 KES A 10; DHS B 15 KES B 0; DHS C 7 KES C 7; DHS D 9 KES D 36; DHS E 0 KES E 50.

u15 – DHS A 19 KES A 12; DHS B 14 KES B 7; DHS C 14 KES C 23; DHS D 7 KES D 36; DHS E 7 KES E 50.

u14 – DHS A 17 KES A 5; DHS B 19 KES B 13; DHS C 0 KES C 28l DHS D 19 KES D 33; DHS E 0 KES E 50.

Glenwood vs Maritzburg College

u19 – Glenwood I 10 Maritzburg College I 14; Glenwood II 17 Maritzburg College II 7; Glenwood III 12 Maritzburg College III 21: Glenwood IV 0 Maritzburg College IV 22; Glenwood V 7 Maritzburg College V 26.

u16 – Glenwood A 28 Maritzburg College A 38; Glenwood B 0 Maritzburg College B 24; Glenwood C 0 Maritzburg College C 40; Glenwood D 27 Maritzburg College D 21.

u15 – Glenwood A 14 Maritzburg A 21; Glenwood B 24 Maritzburg B 31; Glenwood C 6 Maritzburg College C 50; Glenwood D 12 Maritzburg College 55.

u14 – Glenwood A 14 Maritzburg College A 43; Glenwood B 14 Maritzburg College B 56; Glenwood C 0 Maritzburg College C 38; Glenwood D 7 Maritzburg College D 19.

On Saturday, in Somerset West, Parel Vallei had some questions to answer. Would their match against an in-form Melkbosstrand be full of hard lessons, or would they take another step forward in their evolution?

The Bulldogs‘ 27-6 victory provided a very clear answer.

After a competitive first half against Wynberg Boys’ High a week earlier, Parel Vallei was overwhelmed in the second half, going from 13-21 down at the break to 13-59 down at the end of the game. On Saturday, they bounced back with a strong all-round team performance.

The visitors mustered only six points off the boot of flyhalf Joel Maree.

Meanwhile, Parel Vallei crossed for five tries from five different players. It was a morale-boosting victory for the Bulldogs following the travails of the previous weekend, and it sets them up nicely for their last match of the season, at home, against Gqeberha’s Pearson High.

Tygerberg High returned to winning ways with a 29-12 victory over Strand, in Parow, to the delight of an ecstatic home crowd.

The visitors were unable to get their game flowing against the Tigers, who found their rhythm after a few bumpy outings in the third term.

Next Saturday, Tygerberg travels to Brackenfell, while Strand will be on the road at Milnerton High.

Scorers

Parel Vallei 27 – Tries: Diaan du Toit, Brad Brown, Chris de Jager, Johan van Zyl, Noah Enyang. Conversions: Shudley Rhoda; Melkbosstrand 6 – Penalties: Joel Maree (2).

Tygerberg 29 – N/A; Strand 12 – Tries: Dewald Barnard, Schalk Beukes. Conversion: Jayden Steenkamp.

Other Results

U19 – Tygerberg II 17 Strand II 10, Tygerberg III 17 Strand III 17.

U16 – Tygerberg A 5 Strand A 8, Tygerberg B 14 Strand B 17.

U15 – Tygerberg A 7 Strand A 15, Tygerberg B 0 Strand B 19, Tygerberg C 5 Strand C 34.

U14 – Tygerberg A 21 Strand A 5, Tygerberg B 10 Strand B 34, Tygerberg C 14 Strand C 7.

The St David’s Marist Inanda’s 1st XI shone brightly on their La Valla home ground on Sunday afternoon, winning the annual Nedbank Challenge Cup in front of their own supporters as the stars aligned perfectly for a rare fairytale ending.

After three days of sweat, strong teamwork, and dedication, Judah Morais, the St David’s captain, proudly led his team onto the podium to receive the winners’ prize.

With Morais’ leading the way, the likes of Zenathi Mthethwa and the rest of the St David’s players found the courage, tenacity and discipline to stomach the nerves of playing a home final, with Mthethwa successfully converting a penalty in the first half of the title game against St John’s College, which would prove to be the match-winner.

Up by one at the break, St David’s had to remain resolute in the second stanza and defend with everything that they had when St John’s pushed hard for an equaliser. The hosts, though, stood firm and the trophy was theirs.

King Edward VII (KES) claimed bronze after edging out Jeppe High School for Boys 1-0 in the third-place playoff.

While the action on the field kept the spectators entertained, the mighty Orlando Pirates sent their players to Inanda in a quest to inspire and upskill the young footballers who were at St David’s on Sunday afternoon.

The Pirates’ players and staff demonstrated some drills to the youngsters and shared words of inspiration with some who, maybe, will join the next generation of professional South African footballers.

Final Day Results

Final

St David’s Marist Inanda 1-0 St John’s College

Third place playoff

King Edward VII School 1-0 Jeppe High School for Boys

Semi-finals

St David’s Marist Inanda (6) 0-0 (5) King Edward VII School
St John’s College 1-0 Jeppe High School for Boys

After four days of football that showcased many of the country’s top schools’ football teams, Northern Academy became the winners of the inaugural Curro Halala Cup, on Sunday, at HeronBridge College, in Johannesburg.

The atmospehre was electric as a fiercely contested final against Norkem Park High was decided from the penalty spot.

Norkem Park gave Northern Academy everything they could handle, creating multiple chances to win, but they came up just short after the shootout went to sudden death.

In the first half of the title game, Norkem Park was the sharper of the sides, prompting Northern Academy’s bench, led by coach Hendrick Mukwevho, to urge their players to improve, especially in the midfield.

Four minutes into the second half, Sello Rambla, from Norkem Park, opened the scoring. Their impressive coordination showed in a cohesive defence and a determined attack, which used space effectively in the central field.

However, it took Northern Academy only 10 minutes to draw level, with the equaliser coming from their captain Lesetja Raphesu. Following that goal, the intensity was ratcheted up, leading to both goalkeepers needing to showcase their skills.

Regulation time finished at 1-1, which sent the contest into a penalty shootout. It was dramatic, but Northern Academy sneaked victory by 8-7 from the spot.

It could have gone the other way, but when Northern Academy missed penalty kicks, Norkem Park failed to take advantage of their opportunities.

Then, when the match moved into a sudden death shootout, the crossbar denied Norkem Park, leading to Northern Academy celebrating victory. It was an amazing ending for the Limpopo school, who very nearly didn’t make the finals.

In May, facing their local rivals, Flora Park Comprehensive, they went down 3-4 from the penalty spot in the qualifying rounds. However, when Flora Park and Westenburg Secondary qualified for the Kay Motsepe Schools provincial tournament, which was to be played on the same weekend, the way was opened for Northern Academy and Louis Trichardt to play to stay in the Curro Halala Cup. Northern Academy won that match to advance.

On Sunday, they turned that fortunate turn of events into a title and the winners’ cheque of R100 000.

After the victory, coach Mukwevho, who was named the Coach of the Tournament, told Curro Sport about his immense pride in his team, stating that his players mean everything to him.

He praised Norkem Park, acknowledging that the final was one of the most challenging matches that Northern Academy had played.

“I am bursting with pride for everyone who stepped onto that field today,” Mukwevho said. “From the very first day of this tournament to this final moment, we have felt God’s hand guiding us. Without his strength and blessing, we never would have made it this far.

“Now we are heading back home to continue out campaign in the local league, where we are still sitting at the top of the log,” he concluded.

Cobus Loubser, the CEO of Curro, said, after an impressive inaugural campaign, efforts will continue to establish the Curro Halala Cup as a prominent event, serving as an ongoing celebration of youth, talent, and unity, on the South African school sports’ calendar.

“Curro will keep on creating opportunities and we will continue to pass the ball to young heroes to do well in their lives,” Loubser said. “Our future is bright, and not just on the football field.”

The players’ honours saw Omolemo Sekowe, from Clapham High, receiving the Golden Boot Award, while the Golden Glove went to Manaka Kelelo, from Northern Academy. The Best Player of the Tournament went the way of Northern Academy’s Katlego Rhenoster.

The Halala Cup Spirit Award was presented to the Plate runner-up, Hillcrest High, a team that truly embodied the essence and passion of the beautiful game.

They went down 0-2 to Meridian Pinehurst in the Plate Final, but receiving the Halala Cup Spirit Award was a proud achievement for the KZN school which has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2025 football season.

RESULTS

Cup Final

Northern Academy (8) 0-0 (7) Norkem Park High

Cup Playoffs/Bronze

Grey College (3) 1-1 (1) Navalsig

Plate Final

Meridian Pinehurst 2-0 Hillcrest High

Final Rankings

1. Northern Academy
2. Norkem Park High School
3. Grey College
4. Navalsig High School
5. Clapham High School
6. Mondeor High School
7. Curro Soshanguve
8. Camps Bay High School
9. Meridian Pinehurst
10. Hillcrest High School
11. Glenwood High School
12. Brylin High School
13. Flora Park High School
14. Sitintile Secondary School
15. Barberton High School
16. Westering High School

Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool (Affies) ended their season in the best way possible by winning the Challengers’ Cup, at La Rochelle Girls’ School, in Paarl, on Sunday.

They defeated Cape Town’s Herschel Girls School 1-0 in the final to cap off an amazing run at the tournament.

The Pretoria outfit was one of the favourites heading into the event after putting together a stellar season under the guidance of head coach Nicolene Terblanche.

They were aggressive, played some exciting hockey, and asserted their dominance in Pool B from the get-go.

During the group stage, Affies recorded 2-0 wins over Durban Girls’ College and Hoërskool Outeniqua and beat Springfield Convent School 1-0.

They played out a goalless draw with Paarl Girls’ High and suffered only one defeat, going down to Herschel in their last group fixture on Saturday. 

Those results meant they finished second in Pool B with 10 points, which qualified Affies for the semifinals.

In the last four, coach Terblanche’s troops came up against their Pretoria rivals, Hoërskool Garsfontein, and, after the clash ended 1-1, they went to penalties, with Affies advancing to the title game by a narrow 1-0 margin.

That set up a date with Herschel, who remained unbeaten after shrugging off St Mary’s Waverley 2-0 to reach the final.

It was a competitive match, directed by two outstanding coaches, whose teams asked tough questions of their opposition from the first chukka.

There were no goals in the opening half, but Affies took the lead in the third chukka when Minke Van Heerden latched on to a loose ball inside the circle and tapped it into the back of the net.

After scoring, the Pretoria side defended as if their lives depended on it, with skipper, Hannah Henderson, leading Herschel’s push for an equaliser.

However, the Affies’ defence, backstopped by goalie Cara Bouwer, held their nerve to see the game out and claim a maiden Challengers’ Cup title.

“How can any coach not be proud?” coach Terblanche asked SuperSport Schools Plus after the game. “This is an amazing group of girls.

“It’s special to win tournaments, but there is much more than the trophy. Medals and trophies are the bonus, but there are small things that make a team.”

Affies arrived in Paarl just a week after winning the Pullen Cup, where they defeated Garsfontein 2-0 in the final.

Terblanche revealed the message she had delivered to her girls heading into the Challengers’ Cup: “I told them that the Pullen and Howell was over and done, and we needed to focus on the next goal.

“We went into the tournament with a winning mentality and belief. This is a team on and off the field, and that is something that I cannot explain.”

The coach also credited her side’s competitiveness, discipline and sisterhood in shaping what will go down as one of the school’s best seasons after they added two more trophies to their cabinet following their win at the All Girls Festival, in Potchefstroom, last year. 

Other matches

In other contests, Garsfontein defeated St Mary’s Waverley 2-0, courtesy of goals by Jana Seebach and Daniella Grobbelaar, to win the bronze medal.

Parel Vallei also finished on a high note, beating Durban Girls’ College 2-0, while Fairmont High put four past Outeniqua to win by three.

Day 4 | Results and scorers

Springfield Convent School 1: (Mackenzie Cathcart-Gates). Paarl Girls’ High 1: (Halle Williams).

Parel Vallei 1: (Skylar Bougaard). Durban Girls’ College 0.

Rustenburg Girls’ High 2: (Agcobile Kata, Ashley Henwood). St Cyprian’s School 2: (Cayleigh Charton, Carolyn Lords).

Garsfontein 2: (Jana Seebach, Daniella Grobbelaar). St Mary’s 1: (Lucy Viljoen).

Fairmont 4: (Madison Ackerman 2, Camryn Corner, Jorja Kruger). Outeniqua 1: (Milla Kruger).

Affies 1: (Minke van Heerden). Herschel 0.

Individual awards

Goalkeeper of the tournament – Cara Bouwer (Affies)
Top goal scorer – Daniella Grobbelaar (Garsfontein)
Most Valuable Player – Caprice Bengtson (Durban Girls’ College)

Final standings

Affies Meisies
Herschel Girls School
Garsfontein
St Mary’s Waverley
Parel Vallei
Durban Girls’ College
Fairmont
Outeniqua
Rustenburg Girls’ and St Cyprian’s School – Joint ninth place
Paarl Girls’ High and Springfield Convent School – Joint 11th place

HARARE: A brave attempt by South Africa Under-19 (SA U19) Men was not enough as they were beaten by 33 runs against Bangladesh Under-19 in the Youth One-Day International (YODI) tri-series final in Harare on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 270, the top four all got starts to leave their side on 111 for two at one stage, before they lost their way to be dismissed for 236.

Jorich van Schalkwyk (19), Adnaan Lagadien (40), captain Muhammad Bulbulia (31) and Jason Rowles (35) were the men that kept the South Africans in the hunt during the early part of the chase, but Al Fahad (3/50) significantly got two of them in his impressive spell to ensure Bangladesh walked away with the title.

It was a nonetheless fruitful tournament for Malibongwe Maketa and his young charges, who have enjoyed some valuable game time over the last few weeks. This competition, as well as a preceding YODI series against the Bangladeshis, offered them further preparation as they build towards next year’s ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

On Sunday at the Harare Sports Club, they won the toss and opted to field first with Bandile Mbatha (2/50) and Bayanda Majola’s (1/41) early strikes briefly putting them on top.

The latter removed Rifat Beg (16), while the former ran out Zawad Abrar (21) and got rid of captain Azizul Hakim (7) after a fast start to reduce Bangladesh to 65 for three.

However, it was a struggle from there after Rizan Hossan (95 off 96 balls, 10 fours) and Kalam Siddiki (65 off 76 balls, 6 fours) put on 117 runs for the fourth wicket, with MD Abdullah (38*) then providing a rapid finish.

That helped propel the junior Tigers to a 269 for five.

The South African reply began well thanks to openers Van Schalkwyk and Lagadien, two of the team’s form players over the last few weeks. They put on 59 for the first wicket, before both departing.

But co-captains Bulbulia and Rowles then picked up the baton to take their side past 100 in a sound position.

However, Rizan Hossan (5/34) got through the defences of Bulbulia and Rowles fell to Shadhin Islam (2/34) as a collapse followed.

Maketa’s side then slipped to 164 for seven, only for their fighting spirit to be reignited by Mbatha (29) and Ntando Soni (34), who strung together a stand of 59 for the eighth wicket.

That briefly gave them hope before star bowler Hossan ended it and helped his side close out the win.

SA U19 Men’s Squad – Youth ODI Tri-series against Zimbabwe U19 and Bangladesh U19

Muhammad Bulbulia (captain, KZN Inland), Jason Rowles (captain, Lions), JJ Basson (Lions), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Dayalan Boyce (Dolphins), Paul James (Western Province), Enathi Khitshini (Garden Route Badgers), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Bandile Mbatha (Dolphins), Armaan Manack (Lions), Bayanda Majola (Dolphins), Kamogelo Phiri (Lions), Vihan Pretorius (Titans), Ntando Soni (Warriors) and Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titans).

YODI Tri-series Fixtures

Friday, 25 July – 09:15
Zimbabwe U19 lost to South Africa U19 by 278 runs – Sunrise Sports Club, Harare

Saturday, 26 July – 09:15
South Africa U19 lost to Bangladesh U19 by 1 wicket – Sunrise Sports Club, Harare

Monday, 28 July – 09:15
Zimbabwe U19 lost to Bangladesh U19 by 91 runs – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Tuesday, 29 July – 09:15
Zimbabwe U19 lost to South Africa U19 by 107 runs – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Thursday, 31 July – 09:15
Bangladesh U19 lost to South Africa U19 by 5 wickets – Harare Sports Club, Harare 

Friday, 01 August – 09:15
Zimbabwe U19 lost to Bangladesh U19 by 8 wickets – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Monday, 04 August – 09:15
Zimbabwe U19 lost to South Africa U19 by 226 runs – Harare Sports Club, Harare 

Wednesday, 06 August – 09:15
South Africa U19 lost to Bangladesh U19 by 5 wickets – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Friday, 08 August – 09:15
Zimbabwe U19 lost to Bangladesh U19 by 160 runs – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Sunday, 10 August – 09:15
Bangladesh U19 beat South Africa U19 by 33 runs – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications