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The 2025 edition of the Cape Town International Hockey Tournament has reached its business end, with the finalists for Sunday’s title game decided on Friday, day three of the tournament in the Mother City.

It will be South African College High School (SACS) versus Reddam House Constantia for the title, with the match taking place on the Hartleyvale A Astro at 16:30.

It will also be the second time the sides meet this season after they clashed in a league fixture in June.

That clash took place at the Brewery AstroTurf, at SACS, and it was the hosts who ran out 4-0 victors, courtesy of goals by Litha Kraai (2), Reece Theunis, and Jo le Roux.

It’s a different SACS’ outfit, a Stayers’ team, that will take to the turf on Sunday, and Reddam House will fancy their chances.

SACS, led by coaches Sam Holmes and Jody Erasmus, uses the CTIHT as a chance to give young talent a run while resting their senior players who will be leaving the school at the end of the year.

Reddam, meanwhile, has thrown the kitchen sink at the event and is fielding a full-strength team, led by their influential skipper and SA Schools’ player Joe Gitlin.

Their journey to the final was far from easy. In a cross-pool playoff, they needed a penalty shootout win to get by Parel Vallei. That set them up for a semifinal showdown against Paarl Boys’ High.

It was a tightly contested affair with almost nothing to separate the two sides until a goal by Matt le Roux broke the deadlock. That solitary strike proved to be just enough for Reddam, who held on to reach the CTIHT final for the first time in their history.

In the second semi-final, it was SACS versus Hoërskool Outeniqua, from George.

SACS had dominated their opposition from the get-go and defeated the UK’s Reed’s School in a cross-pool playoff to book a spot in the final four.

Outeniqua, meanwhile, was the surprise package. After a poor showing in the group stages, they stunned Durbanville 1-0 to set up their date with SACS.

The boys from George had done well to make it through to the semis, but beating SACS was a mountain too high to climb and the Newlands boys recorded a 4-1 win, with Litha Kraai, Daniel de Wet, Mohlodi Maseko, and Matthew Lassen scoring. Wehan Meyer struck for Outeniqua.

That victory resulted in SACS reaching the CTIHT final for a third year in succession

Other matches

While the action intensified in the Elite Section, the boys playing in the Evolve Section also brought the heat with some exciting matchups on Friday.

St Paul’s College, from Windhoek, defeated Curro Durbanville 5-4 on penalties in the first semifinal after their clash ended level at 2-2.

The second semifinal saw Bridge House record a nervy 3-2 win over HTS Drostdy.

St Paul’s will tackle Bridge House in the title match. Their girls’ team, meanwhile, will play for the title in the Elite section.

The Evolve boys’ final take places at 12:30 on Sunday at the Hartleyvale B Astro.

RESULTS

Durbanville High 1-0 Reed’s School (5th/8th playoff)
St George’s Weybridge (6) 2-2 (5) Parel Vallei (5th/8th playoff)
Windhoek High (2) 2-2 (1) Western Province Invitational (13th/16th playoff)
Somerset College 3-1 Kingston Grammar (13th/16th playoff)
Windhoek Afrikaanse 2-1 Millfield School (9th/12th playoff)
Worcester Gimnasium 2-1 King Edward’s School (9th/12th playoff)
Reddam Constantia 1-0 Paarl Boys’ High (Semifinal 1)
SACS 4-1 Outeniqua (Semifinal 2)

Reddam House Constantia and St Paul’s College, from Windhoek, will meet in the Cape Town International Hockey Tournament (CTIHT) title game at the Hartleyvale A Astro on Sunday afternoon.

In the semi-finals, Reddam House prevailed 2-1 in a penalty shootout with Parel Vallei after the teams had played to a 2-2 draw, while St Paul’s College edged out Paarl Girls’ High 2-1 in regulation time.

“We are excited to be in the final. The girls worked hard to get here. They are dedicated, and the countless hours they spent in the practice matches have paid off,” Nevil Gora, the St Paul’s College coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus after his team had sealed a place in the title decider.

It’s St Paul’s College’s second international final of the year. The Namibian side also participated in the Belgotex Easter Festival and made it all the way through but lost to Fairmont High School in the final. Gora is hopeful for a change of fortune this time around.

The St Paul’s College coach has an idea of what to expect. Sunday’s showdown will be their second meeting with Reddam after the teams shared a 1-1 draw in a Pool A clash, with Stephanie Shepherd scoring for St Paul’s and Emma Hibbert for Reddam.

The final will be a tough test. Reddam has been the most dominant outfit at the tournament and is unbeaten. Coach Chris Hibbert‘s side will be laser-focused on maintaining their pristine record.

“We have been focusing on work rate, chasing lost causes, and grinding the opposition down, then taking advantage of tired legs in the second half,” Hibbert said when identifying what has earned his charges to a place in the final.

Reddam’s relentlessness has helped them net 19 goals, the most by any team. Seven of those goals have come came from Emma Hibbert, who has been superb in front of goal. She is the tournament’s leading goal-scorer, and two of those goals came when the chips were down in their semifinal. Then, when that contest went to a penalty shootout, she stepped up to produce an ice-cold finish in sudden death to usher Reddam into the final.

“The semifinal was always going to be tough, having previously played Parel Vallei twice this season with honours even. Parel Vallei started well and were arguably the better side in the first half. But the Reddam girls rallied and showed some high-quality skills to come back from a goal down on two occasions,” Hibbert said.

St Paul’s College displayed a solid defence when they faced Reddam in the group stages and when they jostled with Millfield, with their goalkeepers stepping up and making outstanding saves to keep them in the contests.

“They don’t just make great saves, they also do a wonderful job in keeping the defence organised, and on their toes,” said Gora.

The St Paul’s coach will need his girls to be at their best at the back against Reddam’s marauding forwards because it’s not only Emma Hibbert that they need to worry about. Jessica Bester and Sally Gitlin have also been threats in the circle and have netted five times each.

Those three Reddam forwards feature as three of the tournament’s top four goal-scorers. However, it hasn’t been just about the forwards. Reddam has performed well as a unit.

“It’s been great to see the girls executing our plans on the turf, especially the youngsters for whom this was their first experience of top-level tournament hockey,” Hibbert said.

While they feature a strong defence, St Paul’s College is not just about preventing goals. They are one of only two teams to score 10 goals in a match – the other being Reddam – and have scored the second-most goals, with a tally of 17.

Tamara Grögli, the spearhead of a well-oiled machine, has been their most prolific player with five goals to her name.

“We have a strong leadership group that inspires the girls to play for each other. They pull together and we will do our best on Sunday.

“For the team’s success, all the parts work very well together. From the leadership group to the junior players and the management everyone has helped us to get to this point. We are also super thankful to our sponsor Food Lovers Namibia,” Gora said.

The sides have a rest day on Saturday, during which they will put up their feet and work on strategies to undo their opposition on Sunday.

Sunday’s final takes place at 15:20 on the Hartleyvale A Astro.

Results

St Paul’s College: 2 – Leila Grögli, Oyo Hinda. Paarl Girls: 1 – Charlotte Louw.
Reddam House: (2) 2 -Emma Hibbert (2). Parel Vallei: (1) 2 -Jordan Boer, Eva Blaauw.
Hoërskool Bellville: 3 – Juanine Nel (2), Anke Breyl. Worcester Gim: 0.
Millfield: 3 – Margot Earl (2), Isla Smith. Kingston Grammar: 1 – Camille Delbe-Waldron.
Chisipite: 2 – Jessica Orford, Michelle Dandara. Somerset College: 1 – Evie Benson.
Windhoek Afrikaanse Private School: (2) 1 – Marlene Coetzee. Curro Durbanville: (1) 1 – Danielleh Hugo.
HMS La Rochelle: 4 – Elizabeth Rademeyer, Aninka Muller, Cara Wilson, Gretha du Toit. Windhoek High: 0.
Outeniqua: (2) 2 – Zoe Banard, Mila Bergh. Durbanville High: (1) 2 – Jani Steenkamp, Amy Ten Cate.

HARARE: Jorich van Schalkwyk became the first batter in Youth One-Day International  (YODI) history to score a double century as South Africa Under-19 (SA U19) Men began their tri-series with a thumping 278-run win over hosts Zimbabwe in Harare on Friday.

The right-hander, who set the national record for the highest individual score in Benoni on Tuesday when he scored an unbeaten 164 against Bangladesh, went one better to smash the international record of 191 held by Sri Lanka’s Hasitha Boyagoda against Kenya in 2018.

The 18-year-old scored an incredible 215 off 153 balls (19 fours, 6 sixes) to help his side amass 385, another record beating their previous highest-score total of 359 for six against Namibia in Brisbane back in 2012.

Enathi Khitshini then claimed four wickets and Bayanda Majola took three as the hosts were blown away for 107. The margin of victory was also a record, beating the 209-run triumph from that same game in Australia.

It was a fine performance by the South Africans and gave them a major confidence-boosting start to the series at Sunrise Sports Club, which also involves Bangladesh.

They won the toss and batted first with Van Schalkwyk at the heart of everything for almost the entire innings – he was only out in the 47th over.

He shared in a 178-run third-wicket partnership with co-captain Jason Rowles (76 off 79 balls, 6 fours) and then put on 105 with Paul James (41) for the next wicket.

Even though the junior side got close to 400, there was one stand out performer with the ball – Tatenda Chimugoro returned figures of six for 62 to leave the tourists all out with one ball to spare.

But the Zimbabwean innings lasted only 24.3 overs. During that time, Nathaniel Hlabangana (31) and Kupakwashe Muradzi (40) scored nearly half the runs with a 53-run opening partnership.

However, once that was snapped by Ntando Soni (1/29) it was one-way traffic for the hosts. No other batter got to double figures as extras (11) was third-best scorer and Zimbabwe faded badly.

Khitshini, Majola and Dayalan Boyce (2/18) were all outstanding, sealing a big win and strong start to the series.

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 vs Bangladesh U19 – Sunrise Sports Club, Harare

Monday, 28 July – 09:15 

Zimbabwe U19 vs Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Tuesday, 29 July – 09:15

Zimbabwe U19 vs South Africa U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Thursday, 31 July – 09:15 

Bangladesh U19 vs South Africa U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Friday, 01 August – 09:15 

Zimbabwe U19 vs Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Monday, 04 August – 09:15 

Zimbabwe U19 vs South Africa U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Wednesday, 06 August – 09:15

South Africa U19 vs Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Friday, 08 August – 09:15

Zimbabwe U19 vs Bangladesh U19 – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Sunday, 10 August – 09:15 

Number 1 vs Number 2 – Harare Sports Club, Harare

Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications

On Saturday, Riverwood College hosts the Riverwood aQuellé Soccer Festival, which brings together nine boys’ teams and 10 girls’ teams from across KwaZulu-Natal for a one-day festival in Pietermaritzburg.

It is an u19 event and includes, among others, in the boys’ competition, Linpark High, Howick High, Grace College, and Etham College.

The girls’ competition lineup includes the host team Riverwood College, St Anne’s Diocesan College, Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High, Linpark High, and Epworth School.

The festival consists of three groups – A, B, and C – across both divisions – with three teams in each group and four teams in Group C of the girls’ competition.

A round-robin format will be used to determine the top four teams, who will then compete in the semifinals, with the winners progressing to the title game.

BOYS’ COMPETITION

Groups and Fixtures 

Group A

Riverwood College, Grace College, Treverton College

Fixtures 

Field 4

08:00 – Treverton College vs Grace College

Field 1

10:05 – Treverton College vs Riverwood College
11:50 – Riverwood College vs Grace College

Group B

St Nicholas Diocesan School, Etham College, Domino Servite High

Fixtures 

Field 2

08:00 – Etham College vs Domino Servite High
09:40 – St Nicholas Diocesan School vs Domino Servite High
11:45 – Etham College vs St Nicholas Diocesan School

Group C

Linpark High, Umthoqotho High, Howick High

Fixtures 

Field 3

08:00 – Linpark High vs Howick High
09:45 – Umthoqotho High vs Linpark High
11:30 – Howick High vs Umthoqotho High

GIRLS’ COMPETITION

Groups and Fixtures 

Group A

Riverwood College, Grace College, Epworth School

Fixtures 

Field 1

08:00 – Riverwood College vs Grace College
08:55 – Epworth vs Grace College
11:05 – Riverwood College vs Epworth School

Group B

Linpark High, St Anne’s Diocesan College, St Nicholas Diocesan School

Fixtures 

Field 2

08:55 – St Anne’s vs Linpark High
09:50 – St Nicholas vs Linpark High
10:55 – St Anne’s vs St Nicholas

Group C

Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High, Howick High, The Wykeham Collegiate (TWC), St John’s DSG

Fixtures 

Field 3

08:55 – TWC vs PMB Girls’ High
10:40 – Howick High vs St John’s DSG

Field 4

11:40 – Howick High vs PMB Girls’ High
12:30 – TWC vs St John’s DSG
13:55 – Howick High vs TWC

Field 1

13:40 – St John’s DSG vs PMB Girls’ High

Boys’ Semifinals 

Field 1

13:30 – Winner Group A vs Winner Group B
14:20 – Winner Group C vs Best Runners-up

Girls’ Semifinals

Field 2

14:40 – Winner Group A vs Winner Group C

Field 

14:40 – Winner Group B vs Best Runners-up

Girls’ Final

Field 1

15:15 – Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2

Boys’ Final 

Field 1

15:50 -Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2

The prestigious Pullen and Howell Hockey Tournament gets underway on Saturday, bringing together leading teams from around the province, competing in u18 and u16 competition.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

The tournament, which was established in 2006, continues to grow from strength to strength and features 70 teams this year, with 35 in the u18 A and B sections, and another 35 in the u16 A and B sections.

The section A seniors’ matches will be played across four venues.

Tournament co-founder Rob Pullen said he was thrilled at the growth of the tournament and its popularity. “We started with just 12 schools playing across two sections,” he explained. “Now we have 35 schools each in the u18 and u16 divisions. The tournament is growing beautifully. It’s bigger and better than ever.”

Pullen also credited the participating schools for helping ensure smooth planning and logistics.
“Preparations are going well. I’ve got approximately nine venues this year, and the schools have been incredibly supportive, making it very easy for us to manage everything,” he said.

“The tournament runs over four days, and it’s always exciting to see it come together.”

In the highly competitive A Section of the u18 category, the schools are divided into four pools, with each boasting top-performing teams from across the province.

The reigning champions, St Mary’s Waverley, will lead Pool A and begin their title defence on their home ground, Nathan Field. Their opening fixture is set for 09:15 against St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls. Beaulieu College and Hoërskool Noordheuwel complete the group.

Pool B features the 2024 silver medallists, Hoërskool Monument, who will be eager to go one better this year after falling to a narrow defeat against St Mary’s in last year’s final. They’ll begin their campaign against Kingsmead College, who will host the pool matches.

Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria (Affies) takes on Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen Hoërskool in another Pool B clash.

In Pool C, Hoërskool Waterkloof opens the day against Roedean, with Trinityhouse Rand Park Ridge and Northcliff High rounding out the group. Their matches will take place at Hoërskool Linden.

Meanwhile, Pool D will see one of the tournament’s most in-form sides, St Stithians College, take on the home team, St Andrew’s School for Girls. That should be an interesting clash. Hoërskool Garsfontein and Helpmekaar Kollege also do battle in the pool’s opening round.

With a deep field of talent and many top provincial stars in action, four days of fascinating hockey is on the cards.

U18 SECTION A POOLS

Pool A: St Mary’s, Noordheuwel, Beaulieu, St Dominic’s
Pool B: Monument, Affies, Kingsmead, EG Jansen
Pool C: Waterkloof, Trinity House Randpark, Northcliff, Roedean
Pool D: St Stithians, Garsfontein, Helpmekaar, St Andrew’s

FIXTURES

Pool A – @ St Mary’s Waverley (Nathan Field)

09:15 – St Mary’s vs St Dominic’s
10:00 – Noordheuwel vs Beaulieu
12:15 – St Mary’s vs Beaulieu
13:00 – St Dominic’s vs Noordheuwel
15:15 – St Mary’s vs Noordheuwel
16:00 – Beaulieu vs St Dominic’s

Pool B – @ Kingsmead College

09:15 – Monument vs Kingsmead
10:00 – Affies vs EG Jansen
12:15 – Monument vs EG Jansen
13:00 – Kingsmead vs Affies
15:15 – Monument vs Affies
16:00 – EG Jansen vs Kingsmead

Pool C – @ Hoërskool Linden

08:45 – Waterkloof vs Roedean
09:30 – Trinityhouse Rand Park Ridge vs Northcliff
11:15 – Waterkloof vs Northcliff
12:00 – Trinityhouse Rand Park Ridge vs Roedean
13:45 – Waterkloof vs Trinityhouse Rand Park Ridge
14:30 – Northcliff vs Roedean

Pool D – @ St Andrew’s School for Girls

09:15 – St Stithians vs St Andrew’s
10:00 – Garsfontein vs Helpmekaar
12:15 – St Stithians vs Helpmekaar
13:00 – St Andrew’s vs Garsfontein
15:15 – St Stithians vs Garsfontein
16:00 – Helpmekaar vs St Andrew’s

Hoërskool Durbanville hosts Brackenfell in a northern suburbs’ derby at 12:30 on Saturday. With sunny weather expected, the school should be packed with eager spectators from the surrounding area.

The last time the sides met, Durbanville claimed a 31-21 win.

They also won comfortably in 2023, triumphing 45-10 in a season in which they also took down Paarl Boys’ High.

It’s been a tougher season two years on for Durbanville, but Brackenfell would do well to get one over Durbies.

Durbanville will look to exploit space out wide, hoping to evade the often-narrow defensive line of Brackenfell, who are capable of cunning intercepts. Both sides have elusive wings with plenty of gas to burn.

Of course, whether they get the ball to distribute depends on the forwards. Brackenfell have been quick to the breakdown this season, and they will be focused on spoiling the hosts’ attacking moves.

In Parow, Tygerberg hosts Milnerton at 12:30 on Saturday. Neither side has put together the strongest of seasons, but they’ll look to take their frustrations out on each other in this first bout of the third term.

Tygerberg, with Springboks Eben Etzebeth and Marvin Orie among their alumni, enjoy playing physical rugby. Their forwards will be intent on dominating up front in the set pieces and at the breakdowns.

Milnerton, the alma mater of Bok centre Damian de Allende, plays a similar game themselves and also likes to give the ball air.

It’s going to be a physical battle. It’s true, too, that it is more tiring to defend than to attack, so both teams will need to cherish the clean possession they win. Accurate tactical kicking will be key.

Ball possession and set piece supremacy will go a long way towards deciding the result.

Teams:

Tygerberg: N/A

Milnerton: 15 Chadwin Sellidon, 14 Leo Weber, 13 Sebastien Stroobants, 12 Morgan Lodewyk, 11 Litha Tasana, 10 Zaide Vigeland, 9 Andrew Kansley, 8 Jeremy Armstrong, 7 Joshua Vomberg, 6 Keagan Africa, 5 Kgaugelo Mokgobu, 4 Xavier Womarans, 3 Dane van der Merwe, 2 Divine Ambrose, 1 Chadley Davids.

Durbanville: 15 Cole Carls, 14 Kyle Doyle, 13 Michael Shaw, 12 Tiaan Kearns, 11 Zayde Cloephas, 10 Kyle Albertus, 9 Lorenzo Brogneri, 8 Adriaan Freemantle, 7 Ethan Swartz, 6 Zay-Winn Januarie, 5 Anroux Barnard, 4 Ruan Vosloo, 3 Ruan van Wyk, 2 Juan Smit, 1 Eli Pedro.

Brackenfell: 15 Zane van Schalkwyk, 14 Deros Manya, 13 Luhle Ngqentsu, 12 Yibonge Malote, 11 Migile Carelse, 10 Junior Louw, 9 Jean Oosthuizen, 8 Wade Fortuin, 7 Kamva Simama, 6 Seth Braaf, 5 Zander van Zyl, 4 Jeandre Limby, 3 Liam Hine, 2 Ethan Carr, 1 Siraaj Cook.

Hudson Park High could hardly have chosen tougher opponents as they attempt to halt a harrowing spell of defeats when they host East London rivals Selborne College on Saturday at 14.30.

Coach Onke Dubase‘s Hudson team has suffered five defeats in their last six matches, including an agonizing 24-31 loss to Port Rex in their last encounter in which they conceded a try in the closing stages.

It will be a real test of their character to regain that winning feeling against a Selborne team which is aiming to establish itself as East London’s best this season.

While they have not had the best year, Selborne have shown themselves to be a cut above the rest in the Buffalo City metro so far. Hudson Park looms as the last side with a chance to inflict a defeat on them.

Powerful Hudson No 8 Sibabalwe Mtshini will have to lead from the front to give his team a chance of a positive result, while the halfback pairing of Landile and Likho Gidi will need to quickly find their rhythm to unleash their backs.

Selborne prop and captain Robert John-Osunkwo has been a significant factor in their success this year and with support from his forwards, including hardworking flank Dominic Stegmann, will aim to set the platform to continue their winning ways against East London opposition.

In other matches, Dale College will be looking to get back to winning ways when they travel to East London to face Stirling High (13.40).

Both teams have struggled at times this season, but there is enough pride and passion in the two schools’ rugby tradition to ensure a tough fight for supremacy until the final whistle.

Meanwhile, Port Rex will be eager to build on their notable win over Hudson Park when they play the return fixture against Ooskus Gymnasium at the Ooskus ground in a morning game (10.40).

The second term clash was comfortably won 43-10 by Port Rex and it will take a massive effort by the home side to reverse that result.

Teams:

Hudson Park vs Selborne College in East London at 14:30

Hudson Park: 15 Mahle Zinto, 14 Bahlumile Mavuso, 13 Ukhona Kama, 12 Lunathi Dolo, 11 Masibulele Kwakwini, 10 Likho Gidi, 9 Landile Gidi, 8 Sibabalwe Mtshini, 7 Likhanye Mandila, 6 Phindokuhle Mdlalana, 5 Hlumelo Gobile, 4 Tautenda Saunyama, 3 Tyrique Peters, 2 Kwakokuhle Pasha, 1 Manyano Mpendu.

Selborne College: 15 Sam Jacobsen, 14 Oliver Schmidt, 13 Njongo Mbanga, 12 Armand van Rooyen, 11 Iviwe Kabale, 10 Bungqina Nuku, 9 Aaron Senekal, 8 Uviwe Jikwana, 7 Dominic Stegmann, 6 Travis Enslin, 5 Luca Liebenberg, 4 Matthew Beän, 3 Zothando Mrara, 2 Liam Hansen, 1 Robert John-Osunkwo (captain).

Stirling High vs Dale College in East London at 13:40

Dale College: 15 Inga Mafanga, 14 Achumile George, 13 Milani Madide, 12 Nxande Ngcaba, 11 Amahle Mehlomane, 10 Soso Dyani, 9 Wethumtha Malawana, 8 Kamva Sithole, 7 Liyabona Mayikana, 6 Linamandla Peter, 5 Liyabonga Mqingwana, 24 Ebenezer Sarpong, 3 Phawu Ludwaba, 2 Oluhle Fihla, 1 Azole Sodlaka.

Stirling: N/A

Port Rex vs Ooskus Gym at 10:40 in East London

Port Rex: 15 Phumelela Sheleni, 14 Deano Snyman, 13 Mivuyo Kongela, 12 Owam Nqweniso, 11 Hlalumi Tisane, 10 Ndimphiwe Songqwaba, 9 Lluthando Maseti, 8 Lonwabo Mtwapi (captain), 7 Lutho Majavu, 6 Siyo Dubula, 5 Kwakhanya George, 4 Ethan Schoeman, 3 Liam Botha, 2 Mlibo Makupula, 1 Siyema Mdyogolo.

Ooskus Gym: N/A

Recent meetings between Jeppe High School for Boys and Durban High School (DHS) have produced enthralling clashes, with DHS winning 24-20 in Durban last year, and Jeppe triumphing 39-36 in Johannesburg in 2023.

On Saturday, DHS faces Jeppe in Johannesburg, again.

With 12 wins and only two losses – against unbeaten Paarl Gimnasium and Westville Boys’ High – the Horseflies boast much the better record.

Jeppe’s record is eight wins and sevens defeats, although those losses have come against, among others, Garsfontein, Grey College, Rondebosch, Oakdale, and Affies.

There is one big eyesore among Jeppe’s results and that was a 24-70 thrashing at the hands of Monument, a team that DHS beat 32-17 at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival without really getting out of second gear. That, though, appears to be an anomaly.

The good news for the home team is that they’ve been much better in the latter part of the season than they were in the early going. In many ways, their turnaround began with a win over DHS’s arch-rivals, Maritzburg College, at the Absa Wildeklawer Festival. They went down 27-42 to a strong Oakdale team in their next game, but they were on track.

Since then, they’ve beaten Northwood, St John’s College, and Pretoria Boys High and lost by just two points at Affies, who snatched victory with a last-gasp penalty. That was a painful defeat for the boys in black and white.

DHS opened their season with 10 wins on the trot before coming unstuck against Paarl Gim, who, most would say, boasts the best 1^st XV in South Africa this year.

Playing in Johannesburg will favour Jeppe. It’s not just about the home ground advantage, but it’s also about playing at altitude. Especially for teams travelling up from the coast, the latter stages of games can really burn the lungs. But DHS is well conditioned, well drilled, and a never-say-die outfit. They’re more than the sum of their parts.

Another area that might favour Jeppe is goal kicking. Jeppe flyhalf Nehemia Hollenbach has enjoyed an outstanding season off the tee and is odds-on to punish opponents if they concede penalties within kicking distance. DHS number 10 Jordan van Wyk is a solid kicker, but he has, at times, been streaky.

Counterbalancing that is the fact that Jeppe will be without two of their stars, SA Schools A loosehead prop André Poulton and Golden Lions‘ centre Lindelani Nkambule. Poulton has been a reliable cornerstone of their set scrums, while Nkambule has produced a fantastic highlight reel of tries this season.

It’s the relentless, cohesive attack of DHS that will be the biggest challenge that Jeppe faces. The Durban team is a pedal to the metal outfit and has a strong bench. There is no let-up.

They’re also a hard-hitting defensive unit and that physical defence sets up counterattacking opportunities, which they’re good at exploiting.

They feature a potent midfield partnership with the powerful inside centre Zingce Simka, an SA Schools A selection in 2024, partnering Nathan Aneke, who was included in the SA Schools side after the FNB Craven Week this year.

There’s little chance that either side is going to be surprised by the approach of the other. They both understand what awaits them – they, in many ways, play a similar game – and it will come down to which team executives their game plan better.

Disrupting the flow of quality ball will be key and the battle of the two loose trios should be fascinating. DHS captain and number six flank Daniel Ikotela is a lead-by-example type, well backed up by Jose Lottering and Bradley la Grange, while the Jeppe trio – Kazimla Manzi, Grady Ngui, and Mihle Dyakala – bring a hard physical edge to Jeppe’s challenge.

TEAMS

Jeppe High School for Boys vs Durban High School at 13:00 in Johannesburg

Jeppe High School for Boys (provisional)

15 Dalitso Milanzi, 14 Ndimphiwe Mjiji, 13 Joel Akilo, 12 Phano Letsie, 11 Lethabo Mashao, 10 Nehemia Hollenbach, 9 Talent Sithole, 8 Mihle Dyakala, 7 Grady Ngui, 6 Kazimla Manzi, 5 Glodi Thsipamaba, 4 Lagan Fleisher, 3 Aluwani Ndlovu, 2 Ayanda Funeka, 1 Joshua Hamman.

Durban High School

15 Cilermo Carolus, 14 Neo Shakwane, 13 Nathan Aneke, 12 Zingce Simka, 11 Zenkosi Mthiyane, 10 Jordan van Wyk, 9 Marcwin Nero, 8 Bradley la Grange, 7 Jose Lottering, 6 Daniel Ikotela, 5 Zion Smith, 4 Vimbiso Kasvosve, 3 Omphiwe Kola, 2 Okuhle Mbanjwa, 1 Elvino Witbooi.

Marlow Agricultural will be aiming to become only the second Eastern Cape team to put one over Queen’s College this season when they square up in a fascinating clash at Marlow on Saturday.

The Queenians are currently riding a six-match winning streak, having beaten all the big guns in the region, with their last loss coming at the KES Easter Festival against Rondebosch, in Johannesburg, way back in April.

The only local team to have beaten them this year is Pearson, who won a close encounter 20-17 at the Graeme College Festival in Makhanda.

It’s safe to say that Queen’s have picked themselves up in impressive fashion since that setback and the confidence they have gained from getting the better of such formidable opponents, such as Selborne College, Grey High, and St Andrew’s College should make them favourites to win again.

With their industrious flank and captain Jeffrey Niland leading their charge, Queen’s have built up a strong thread of continuity in their team and backline players such as Ncutu Kepe, Thina Fenako, and Mveli Mqolo have produced some standout efforts.

They will make the trip to Cradock, though, knowing that only the ignorant would not take heed of the threat that Marlow presents.

Although they haven’t enjoyed quite the same sort of success, with four losses and a draw in their 14 games, they are a team capable of rising to the occasion.

Under captain Gian Steyl and vice-captain GD Jordaan, an opportunity to take down the form team in the Eastern Cape this year will have them fired up to produce the goods in front of their home supporters.

If Marlow dominates the territorial game, the boot of centre Dawid-Malan de Ridder could also have a big say in the final outcome.

In Kariega, Muir College will be aiming to overturn an earlier loss to Die Brandwag, but this time it will be away from home in the next round of the Tinara Cup.

Brandwag is in the driving seat of that competition, having already beaten Muir 26-10 and Daniel Pienaar 22-19.

If they can repeat that victory over Muir, they will claim the title, even with the return game against Daniel Pienaar still to come.

Teams:

Marlow Agricultural vs Queen’s College, near Cradock at 14:15.

Marlow Agricultural: 15 Du Preez Vermaak, 14 Ockert du Preez, 13 Dawid-Malan de Ridder, 12 Gian Steyl (captain), 11 WJ Pienaar, 10 Cole Hurter, 9 Logan van Vuuren, 8 GD Jordaan (vice-captain), 7 Adrian Joubert, 6 CJ Botha, 5 Marnus Malan, 4 Burgert van Heerden, 3 Herman le Roux, 2 Markus Bester, 1 Zian Jacobs.

Queen’s College: 15 Mveli Mqolo, 14 Ayathanda Mtyando, 16 Thina Fenako, 12 Splash Magwebu, 11 Ncutu Kepe, 10 Inganathi Mnunu, 9 Ayola Somhlahlo, 8 Khaka Xoseni, 7 Sivuyise Mnyimba, 6 Jeffrey Niland (captain), 5 Sambesiwe Vetman, 4 Acwenga Saul, 3 Ahlume Gqetywa, 2 Bullz Manqina, 1 Zeacke Mata.

Brandwag vs Muir College at 14:10 in Kariega

Brandwag: 15 Wendell Uithaler, 14 Enzo Martin, 13 Angelo Adams, 12 Derono Potgieter, 11 Dwayne Louw, 10 Leewin Kammies, 9 Keeran Kayster, 8 Duane Meyer, 7 Erik Rudman, 6 Josh Badenhorst,
5 Damian le Roux, 4 Justin Swanepoel, 3 Liam Erasmus, 2 Nathan Fraser, 1 Zandré van der Mescht.

Muir: N/A

Two of South Africa’s most respected schoolboy hockey powerhouses, Durban High School (DHS) and Jeppe High School for Boys, are set to renew their rivalry in a highly anticipated fixture on Saturday.

The clash, which will be hosted by the Kensington school, has delivered some outstanding, tense and exciting matches in recent seasons, and another thriller is on the cards.

Both sides have enjoyed dominant runs in their respective provinces, but only Jeppe remains unbeaten in 2025.

Last season, DHS claimed a hard-fought 3-2 win in Durban. They’d be delighted if they could repeat that result and end Jeppe’s unbeaten run.

DHS captain Joshua Mungherera believes his side is up for the challenge, pointing to the recent experiences of many of his teammates at the Inter-Provincial Tournament (IPT) as key preparation for Saturday’s test.

“The majority of the players in our team participated in the IPT this holiday, so all of us have already played hockey at a high level,” Mungherera explained. “With that experience, plus the training we’ve had this week, we’re confident that we can rise to the occasion against Jeppe.”

However, he acknowledged, it’s challenging playing in Johannesburg. “We know it’s going to be a tough game, especially adjusting to the altitude and intensity of Joburg, but I feel we are all up to the challenge. These are the kinds of games we live for as competitive athletes.”

For Mungherera, the match carries an emotional edge as well, especially given that he was part of a team that went down at Jeppe in 2023.

“Honestly, beating Jeppe at Jeppe would mean everything to us because we lost to them in 2023, and we’re determined to change the narrative of that story.,” he admitted.

DHS head coach Keegan Hezlett echoed the captain’s optimism and praised his team’s focus ahead of the big game.

“Our preparations have gone well,” he said. “The first week back after holidays is always a challenge, but, fortunately, many of our boys have stayed sharp through provincial duties.

“We’re fortunate to have a squad packed with talent and experience. Jeppe is always a tough opponent, and they’ve had an outstanding season so far. We haven’t faced them yet this year, but last season’s narrow 3-2 win at DHS gives us belief.”

Hezlett pointed out a few standout players to keep an eye on, singling out the school’s three South African Schools representatives – Bhavesh Naicker (SA u18B), Sithsaba Siyoyo (SA u18B), and Tyrique Cloete (SA u18A) – as game-changers.

“Our biggest strength is when we’re playing cohesively and connecting as a team. When we find our rhythm and play with purpose, we’re capable of something special,” Hezlett said. “That’s what we’ll need this weekend if we hope to pull off a result away from home.”

Jeppe heads into the clash fresh off a 6-0 win over Helpmekaar Kollege on Wednesday. Coach Siya Siyana and his charges, though, are expecting a far tougher test on the Bowden AstroTurf on Saturday.