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The Maroon Machine from Stellenbosch continued to march on as Paul Roos Gymnasium (PRG) held off a spirited fightback from Grey High to triumph 28-15 in their King Price Derby Series clash on the Kolisi Field at Grey on Saturday.

After leading 14-0 at halftime and then 21-5 six minutes into the second half, the visitors had to withstand a fightback, which lifted Grey to within six points of their tally. PRG then turned to their forwards to rumble upfield, and they eventually pulled away late in the game for a deserved victory.

Grey was guilty of some defensive lapses in the first half, and a sudden burst, which resulted in tries for the Maroon Machine’s burly centre, Jean Hamman, and their speedy wing, Cadynn Samuels, saw the touring side rocket into a 14-0 lead after only 13 minutes.

Samuels took his chance when Grey failed to deal with a kick ahead by scrumhalf Tristan Armitage. The ball bounced kindly for the left wing, and he outpaced the Grey defence in a 50-metre dash for the try line.

In windy conditions, Kyle Snyers was on song with his boot, converting both Paul Roos tries.

It took Grey High until the 40th minute to get the scoreboard moving. A series of drives from the home side’s forwards ended when prop Daniel Naudé forced his way over for a try.

Those five points were quickly cancelled out when PRG no. 8 Werner du Bruin got onto the end of a pass from a quick tap close to the Grey line, and there was no stopping him from scoring the visitors’ third try.

Then came Grey’s brightest period of the match. They made Paul Roos pay for the basic error of a dropped pass, with wing Sikhu Xego snapping up possession near the halfway line and racing away to score.

Ten minutes later, excellent hands by the Grey backline quickly shifted the ball out wide to right-wing Noah Mbizi, who used nifty footwork to evade a few defenders before crossing the whitewash for the hosts’ third try.

With 19 minutes remaining, and the scoreline favouring Paul Roos 21-15, there was everything to play for, but PRG quickly tightened things up.

Although they missed a penalty kick, they took control of proceedings through their forwards, and a 25-metre maul from the halfway line underpinned their intentions.

They were able to stay in the right areas of the field, and their constant pressure eventually told when flank Christian le Roux burst over for their final try, converted by Snyers, to complete the scoring.

In a frenzied finish on the Framesby ground, down the road from Grey High, the visitors from Humansdorp, Nico Malan, held on for a slim 35-34 win after a conversion attempt from the home side dropped just short of the posts.

During the match, Nico Malan demonstrated the diversity they have introduced into their approach, while Framesby turned to their structured physicality, led by their powerful mauling pack and hard-running backline.

The visitors built a 21-7 lead, but Framesby was determined to stay in the fight and closed the gap to 21-19 at the break.

That trend continued in the second half. Nico Malan went ahead by two scores before the match went down to the wire.

With the visitors 35-29 to the good and on the attack deep inside Framesby’s 22, a knock-on gave the home side a scrum, which became a free kick, and that enabled them to go on the offensive.

Taking the ball through a number of phases, they crossed for a try in the left-hand corner. But that left the home side needing a difficult conversion into a strong wind to snatch victory. To Nico Malan’s relief, it fell short, and they claimed a nail-biting win.

There was another one-point victory in Kariega where Brandwag scored a try on the hooter and added the conversion for a 26-25 win over Muir College in the Tinara Cup.

Daniel Pienaar took control of their match against Otto du Plessis in the second half, piling on 23 points to win 33-10 after leading only 10-3 at the break.

Pearson, meanwhile, had their unbeaten run emphatically ended by Outeniqua, who charged their way to a 62-0 win.

Scorers

Paul Roos Gymnasium 28 (14) – Tries: Jean Hamman, Werner de Bruin, Cadynn Samuels, Christian le Roux. Conversions: Kyle Snyers (4). Grey High 15 (0) – Tries: Daniel Naudé, Sikhu Xego, Noah Mbizi.

Nico Malan 35 (21) – Tries: Leighton Lawrence, Callie de Lange, Elrich van Zyl, Luciano Botha, Kian van Schalkwyk. Conversions: Lawrence (5). Framesby – not available.

Since the first edition of the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament in 2022, Free State schools have shone, winning the tournament every year, except in 2024, when Clapham High claimed victory.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools 

The forthcoming Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament kicks off on Friday, 24 April, and runs through to Monday, 27 April. It features some of South Africa’s best sides in one of the country’s toughest events.

HTS Louis Botha won the first two Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament titles, going back-to-back in 2022 and 2023. Pretoria’s Clapham High then won in 2024, defeating Grey College in the final. If Grey had won, the title would have belonged to a Free State side every year because Virginia High rose to the challenge and won the tournament last year.

They met the event’s surprise package, the Wildeklawer Academy, in the 2025 final and were taken to penalties after regulation time ended with the teams level at 2-2. Holding their nerve, in a tense finish, Virginia High clinched the title 4-3 from the spot.

Six players in the Team of the Tournament underlined their dominance.

Virginia will face a tough task defending the title. Among those trying to stop them will be the two-time winners, HTS Louis Botha, and the 2024 champs, Clapham High.

KwaZulu-Natal sides have not enjoyed much luck in the tournament, but Maritzburg College, a regular participant, will aim to change that. They’ll be joined by Northwood, which is an intriguing side.

The Knights were almost relegated from the KZNHSFA Coastal A-League last year, but they caught fire later in the season, winning the Cowie Cup and also finishing as the runner-up in the Primo Big 10.

Paul Roos Gimnasium will bear watching. They have a strong football tradition, but have not yet made a significant impact at the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament. It will be their goal to change that in 2026.

In 2025, Xolile Taba, the Headmaster of the host school, Kimberley Boys’ High, described the tournament as one that creates an immediate impact and fosters real growth, providing exposure to young talent. In 2026, the event will again offer a national stage upon which some of the country’s most talented and exciting footballers will be able to express their skills.

FIXTURES

Friday, 24 April

Field 1

14:00 – Kimberley Boys’ High vs Northern Academy
15:00 – Northwood vs Navalsig
16:00 – Queen’s College vs Virginia High
19:30 – HTS Louis Botha vs Jeppe

Field 2

14:00 – Clapham vs Wildeklawer Academy
15:00 – Grey College vs Vaal High
16:00 – Norkem Park High vs Victoria Park
19:30 – Reddam Bedfordview vs Maritzburg College

Saturday, 15 April

Field 1

08:00 – Grey College vs Maritzburg College
09:30 – Northern Academy vs Brebner High
10:30 – Navalsig vs Paul Roos
11:30 – Kimberley Boys’ High vs Victoria Park
12:30 – Navalsig High vs Jeppe
13:30 – Spring Boys’ High vs Queen’s College
14:30 – Paul Roos vs HTS Louis Botha
15:30 – Northern Academy vs Victoria Park
16:30 – Kimberley Boys’ High vs Brebner High
17:30 – Northwood vs Paul Roos
18:30 – Northern Academy vs Norkem Pak High
19:30 – Reddam Bedfordview vs Vaal High

Field 2

08:30 – Northwood vs Jeppe
09:30 – Wildeklawer Academy vs Springs Boys’ High
10:30 – Vaal High vs Emmang Mmogo
11;30 – Clapham High vs Virginia High
12:30 – Brebner High vs Norkem Park High
13:30 – Vaal High vs Maritzburg College
14:30 – Emmang Mmogo vs Reddam Bedfordview
15:30 – Wildeklawer Academy vs Virginia High
16:30 – Clapham High vs Springs Boys’ High
17:30 – Grey College vs St Mark’s Academy
18:30 – Queen’s College vs Wildeklawer Academy
19:30 – HTS Louis Botha vs Navalsig High

Sunday, 26 April

Field 1

08:30 – Kimberley Boys’ High vs Norkem Park
09:30 – Northwood vs Brebner High
10:30 – Victoria Park vs Brebner High
11:30 – Jeppe vs Paul Roos
13:00 – Quarterfinal Match 1
14:00 – Quarterfinal Match 2

Field 2

08:30 – Clapham High vs Queen’s College
09:30 – Grey College vs Reddam Bedfordview
10:30 – Virginia High vs Springs Boys’ High
11:30 – Maritburg College vs Emmang Mmogo
13:00 – Quarterfinal Match 1
14:00 – Quarterfinal Match 2

Monday, 27 April

Field 1

08:00 – Semifinal: Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match 2

Field 2

08:00 – Semifinal: Winner Match 2 vs Winner Match 4

Field 1

12:00 – Final

Alissa Venter and Lianri Langeveldt were on target in a 2-0 win for Hoërskool Eldoraigne‘s girls over HTS Middelburg girls in a league match at the Eldo Astro on Saturday.

Later in the day, Daniel Beneke performed superbly in goal to help the Eldoraigne boys’ team to a 3-1 win over HTS Middelburg in a penalty shootout.

The Eldoraigne girls headed into the contest eager to redeem themselves after a narrow 2-3 loss to HTS Middelburg’s neighbours, Middelburg High, in a Puk Series tie the previous week.

“We went into the match expecting another physical game. However, our focus for the week was on getting our set piece right, specifically penalty corner defence, and then going in with a positive mindset, knowing that if we continue to work hard as a group, we will be rewarded,” Chadwin Petersen, the Eldoraigne coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus.

His charges have been guilty of starting slowly at times, which has led to them chasing the game. Against Middies, they ran onto the field with purpose and asserted themselves. This was no slow start.

Mia McArdle came close to putting Eldoraigne in front in the first few minutes of the opening chukka, but a fine save denied McArdle’s attempt.

Eldoraigne’s pressure was intense, though, and the visitors succumbed to it in the sixth minute when Alissa Venter fired in a brilliant strike after a smooth build-up by the hosts.

Although Eldos continued to pressure the visitors, they were forced to wait until the final quarter to score again. This time, Lianri Langeveldt struck.

The home side’s boys’ team then gave the home crowd plenty to cheer when they registered a 3-1 penalty shootout win over HTS Middelburg after the sides finished regulation time deadlocked at 1-1.

Unlike in the girls’ game, it was HTS Middelburg who made a strong start, and their forays into the Eldoraigne circle earned them an early penalty stroke, which they duly converted.

Eldoraigne responded well, launching attacks at an unyielding HTS Middelburg defence. Eventually, their efforts were rewarded in the final chukka when Ayden Brits levelled the scores by converting a penalty corner. Then, it was onto the penalty shootout.

The hosts took the first penalty, but were unable to convert it. HTS Middelburg scored from their opportunity to take a 1-0 lead.

Eldos replied with three penalty successes on the trot, while Daniel Beneke, the Eldoraigne goalkeeper, was unbending, and the victory belonged to the home side.

Results

Girls
Eldoraigne 2-0 HTS Middelburg

Boys
Eldoraigne (3) 1-1 (1) HTS Middelburg

The annual Hibbert Shield Hockey Tournament, sponsored by Standard Bank, is considered the pinnacle of schoolboy hockey in South Africa.

The 2026 event, hosted by Grey High School in Gqeberha, runs from 24 to 27 April at the iconic Rectory AstroTurf. Some matches will also be played at the nearby Collegiate Girls’ High.

Many of the country’s leading teams will be in attendance, aware that success at the Hibbert Shield will include them in the conversation about the best side in the country.

All the action will be LIVE on the SuperSport Schools App and DSTV Channel 216.

For results, match reports, and all the information, follow SuperSport Schools Plus Hockey.

With less than a week to go before the tournament, SuperSport Schools Plus hockey writer Avuyile Sawula shares everything you need to know about the event, taking a deep dive into the history of the tournament, the fixtures, venues, teams in action, and past winners.

HISTORY

Grey High School established the Hibbert Shield to give some of the country’s top teams an opportunity for game time and competitive play.

Named after the Hibbert family, it started with only six teams in 2019: Michaelhouse, Selborne College, Grey High, Paul Roos Gimnasium, Bishops [Diocesan College], and Hoërskool Garsfontein.

The inaugural tournament was won by Paul Roos, who defeated Bishops 4-2 in the final.

The following year, the event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It resumed in 2021.

When it returned, the tournament featured a different line-up, with Pearson High School, Paul Roos, St Stithians College, Grey College, South African College High School (SACS), and Grey High competing for the title.

The title that year went to Grey High. Since then, the tournament’s status has skyrocketed, with leading hockey-playing schools added as the event has gone from strength to strength.

TEAMS IN ACTION

In 2024, only 12 teams were in action at the Hibbert Shield, but that number increased to 16 sides for 2025 and 2026.

For hockey fans, it’s a must-watch. The event is stacked with teams that have established themselves as among the best in the country this season.

The host province, the Eastern Cape, will be represented by Grey High, Pearson High, and KuGompo City’s Selborne College.

The Western Cape provides a strong list of challengers, including the defending champions, SACS. Joining them are their provincial rivals: Paul Roos, Paarl Gimnasium, Bishops, and Parel Vallei High.

KwaZulu-Natal‘s contingent includes Westville Boys’ High, Clifton College, and Durban High School, with the latter the last remaining undefeated team in the 16-team field.

Gauteng, meanwhile, has four teams in action. Hoërskool Garsfontein, from the Noordvaal region, made the semi-finals in the last two editions. They’re joined by St Stithians College and St Alban’s College, who made their debut in 2025.

Jeppe High School for Boys is a newcomer, and they’ll be itching to make their mark, while Grey College is the sole representative from the Free State.

STRUCTURE

Unlike the previous format, in which teams that didn’t qualify for the Shield playoffs were eliminated, this year’s Hibbert Shield will continue with the Bowl section, which was introduced last year.

This means the top eight teams will progress to the quarterfinals and battle it out for the Hibbert Shield, while the bottom eight will contest the Bowl.

VENUES 

With the tournament expanding from 12 to 16 teams, the Rectory AstroTurf, at Grey High, is no longer the only venue for Hibbert Shield matches.

The nearby Collegiate Girls’ High School AstroTurf will also host some games.

PAST WINNERS

2019 – Paul Roos Gimnasium
2021 – Grey High School
2022 – South African College High School (SACS)
2023 – Paul Roos Gimnasium
2024 – Paul Roos Gimnasium
2025 – South African College High School (SACS)

2025 FINAL STANDINGS 

SACS
Paarl Gimnasium
Paul Roos Gimnasium
Garsfontein
St Stithians College
Grey College
Clifton College
DHS
Grey High School
Westville Boys’ High
Parel Vallei High School
St Alban’s College
Bishops
Pearson High
Maritzburg College
Selborne College

2026 FIXTURES

GROUPS

Pool A: Parel Vallei, St Alban’s College, Durban High School, Grey High School
Pool B: Paul Roos Gimnasium, Clifton College, St Stithians College, Selborne College
Pool C: SACS, Westville Boys’ High, Garsfontein, Grey College
Pool D: Jeppe High School for Boys, Paarl Gimnasium, Bishops, Pearson High

Friday, 24 April 

@Grey High School 

07:30 – St Alban’s vs DHS
08:45 – Parel Vallei vs Grey High
10:15 – Paul Roos vs Clifton
11:30 – Selborne vs St Stithians College
13:00 – SACS vs Westville
14:15 – St Alban’s vs Parel Vallei
15:45 – Jeppe vs Bishops
17:00 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Pearson High
18:30 – DHS vs Grey High

@Collegiate Girls 

08:45 – Jeppe vs Paarl Gim
10:15 – Bishops vs Pearson
11:30 – Garsfontein vs Grey College
15:45 – Clifton vs Selborne
17:00 – Paul Roos vs St Stithians College
18:30 – SACS vs Grey College

Saturday, 25 April 

@Grey High School 

07:30 – Westville vs Garsfontein
08:45 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Bishops
10:15 – St Alban’s vs Grey High School
11:30 – DHS vs Parel Vallei
13:00 – Jeppe vs Pearson
14:15 – Clifton vs St Stithians College
15:45 – SACS vs Garsfontein
17:00 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Selborne
18:30 – Westville vs Grey College

Playoff fixtures will be provided at the conclusion of the pool stages. 

Just as they did last year, Paarl Gimnasium defeated Grey College.

This time, they won by 29 points to 14 on the JA Kriel Field in Paarl in the King Price Derby Series on Saturday.

With the defeat, Grey College has, for the first time since 2015, lost three successive matches.

They previously went down to Stellenberg and Australia’s St Joseph’s Nudgee College.

The Bloemfontein outfit opened the scoring just over 10 minutes into the game through left wing, JG Horn. He chased a high kick from flyhalf, Christoff Crous. Under pressure, the ball was spilt, and Horn pounced onto it, running in the opening try of the contest.

Gimmies’ flyhalf, Louis Koen, responded with a try only three minutes later. From about 25 metres out, he sold a dummy, then cut inside to slice apart the Grey defence.

A couple of old Greys would’ve had déjà vu at this moment, as the last time they lost against Gim in Paarl was back in 1994. Paarl Gim won 10-0 back in 1994, with a certain Louis Koen as their flyhalf, playing a pivotal role.

The father of Louis, who scored the first try in Saturday’s clash. Louis sr. also represented the Springboks in 15 tests. The bragging rights in the Koen-family don’t stop here as Louis jr. older brother, Liam, played a major part in Gimmies’ victory of 18-16 over Grey during the Monnas’ Centenary Festival in 2021.

The action was intense, but Grey found their attacks consistently stymied by the Gim defence.

Hooker, Charles Whitehead, scored next for the hosts. From there, the difference widened. Near the end of the half, captain and inside centre Ethan Barker broke the line to score, and the home side went into the half-time break with a 17-7 lead.

Barker’s try was named the Suzuki Game Changing Moment of the match. Whitehead was named King of the Match for his stellar performance.

In the second half, Paarl Gimnasium added another two tries. Fullback, Lamla Mgedezi, pulled one back for Grey College with one of his trademark darting runs, but it was a lonely moment of individual brilliance in a frustrating match for the Bloemfontein school.

Since losing 19-20 to Stellenberg High at the start of the season, Paarl Gim has been a force to be reckoned with, and they’ll be aiming to extend their five-game winning streak at the Absa Wildeklawer Festival next weekend, where they face Helpmekaar Kollege and Durban High School (DHS). When those sides met at the Kearsney Eastern Rugby Festival, DHS won 39-27.

Scorers:

Paarl Gimnasium 29 (17) – Tries: Louis Koen, Charles Whitehead, Ethan Barker, Jayden Steyl, Corné Niemand. Conversions: Koen (2). Grey College 14 (7) – Tries: JG Horn, Lamla Mgedezi. Conversions: Christoff Crous (2).

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Die eindstryd van vanjaar se NWU Prestige-reeks sal tussen die Vikings van Hoërskool Zwartkop en Heidelberg Volkskool beslis word.

Die Zwarries het sy eerste hekkie oorkom deur die Wit Bulle van Hoërskool Montana met 39-26 by Hoërskool Hugenote in Springs uit die pad te vee.

Dit terwyl die Volkies van Heidelberg met 26-15 oor Hoërskool Wesvalia, by Hoërskool Die Anker in Brakpan, koning gekraai het.

Die Vikings het reeds vroeg die oorhand oor die Monties gekry. Sy uitstekende eerste helfte het die grondslag en voorsprong vir hulle gegee om uiteindelik gemaklik te wen.

Die span van Centurion het reeds met 29-7 teen die omdraaislag voorgeloop. Die Monties het dit moeilik gevind om die Zwarries se giftige agterhoede onder beheer te hou.

Sy losskakel, Tilon Baron, se goeie verspreiding van agter sy pak op die voorvoet het beteken dat drie van die Vikings se drieë agterlangs gedruk is. Voorlangs was dit die slot, Jethro le Roux, en steelkantflank, Luan Wepener, wat die vuur aangesteek het. Die Zwarries se ander twee drieë het na dié duo gegaan as beloning vir hul harde werk.

Die Monties se dryfmale was hul grootste wapen. Dit het daartoe gelei dat hul haker, Juan Theunissen, twee keer die doellyn oorgesteek het. Luan Barnard het agterlangs uitgeblink, maar die Zwarries se agterhoede was uitstekend op die aanval.

Die tendens in die stryd tussen die Volkies van Heidelberg en Wesvalia was baie dieselfde. Die Volkies het ’n uitmuntende eerste helfte geniet. Hulle het ook teen rustyd reeds ’n stewige voorsprong van 19-7 gehad. Albei die Volkies se vleuels het uitstekend afgerond en is elk met ’n vyfpunter beloon. Die Wessies het egter teruggeveg in die tweede 35 minute.

’n Drie deur Ruben de Klerk, asook ’n strafdrie, het die momentum oombliklik geswaai. Die Volkies se kalmte onder volgehoue druk het dividende betaal en kon hy so hul plek in die eindstryd op 1 Mei bespreek.

Twee driekunste aan drieë deur onderskeidelik Cayden Scheepers (Marais Viljoen) en Hoërskool Klerksdorp se Gerrit Koen het beteken dat daar uiteindelik niks tussen Marais Viljoen en die span van Klerksdorp te kies was nie.

Die wedstryd het uiteindelik in ’n 17-elk gelykopuitslag geëindig nadat dié spanne se onderskeie stelskoppers, Jared Mentz (Marais Viljoen) en Brendin Mathyse (Klerksdorp), elk ’n doelskop oorgeklits het.

Hoërskool Pietersburg se Ryno Mienie het in die laaste oomblikke van die wedstryd ’n doelskop deur die pale gejaag om aan sy span ’n sege van 12-11 oor Wagpos van Brits te gee.

Die span vanuit Brits het vir die grootste gedeelte van die wedstryd voorgeloop. Myburgh Henning en sy skopstewel het twee strafdoele oorgeklits. Ruben de Klerk het die span se enigste drie gedruk. Dit was egter die Pieties se Ziahn Lombard en Juan Dreyer se drieë wat die verskil gemaak het.

Potchefstroom Volkskool het sy beste vertoning tot dusver vanjaar opgelewer om vir Hoërskool Lichtenburg met 50-27 om te dop. Die Volkies van Potchefstroom het ses keer agter die Lichtenburgers se doellyn gaan draai.

Hul regtervleuel, Luke Davey, asook die senter River Samual het elk dubelle driedruk-plesier ervaar.

Die grondslag van die oorwinning is egter deur die inklimspel van die agtsteman, Johannes Lombard, en kantman Vian Victor gelê. Lombard het met sy stormramlopies ook gesorg dat sy span op die aanval op die voorvoet bly.

Die wenspan se heelagter, Carlo van der Merwe, het met sy kliniese skopwerk ook ‘n beduidende rol in die sege vertolk.

Puntemakers: 

Zwartkop 39 (29) – Drieë: Stiaan Botha (2), Luan Wepener, Waylin Papier, Shayden Botha, Jethro le Roux. Doelskoppe: Baron (3). Strafdoel: Baron. Montana 26 (7) – Drieë: Juan Theunissen (2), Eric Potgieter, Luan Barnard. Doelskoppe: Rubel Bester (3).

Heidelberg Volkskool 26 (19) – Drieë: Stef Loubser, Jano Dietrechsen, Albie Botha, Jerado Tafel. Doelskoppe: Vaughn Steynvaart (3). Wesvalia 15 (7) – Drieë: Ruben Klerk, Strafdrie. Strafdoel: Michael Kinnear.

Marais Viljoen 17 (12) – Drieë: Cayden Scheepers (2), Eldrique Adams. Doelskop: Jared Mentz. Hoërskool Klerksdorp 17 (12) – Drieë: Gerrit Koen (2), Elzeno Schalkwyk. Doelskop: Brendin Mathyse.

Hoërskool Pietersburg 12 (5) – Drieë: Ziahn Lombaard, Juan Dreyer. Doelskop: Ryno Mienie. Wagpos 11 (6) – Drie: Hendrik de Jager. Strafdoele: Myburgh Henning (2).

Potchefstroom Volkskool 50 (29) – Drieë: Luke Davey (2), River Samual (2), Johannes Lombard, Rynard de Klerk, Kyle Hattingh, . Doelskoppe: Carlo van der Merwe (6). Strafdoel: Van der Merwe. Hoërskool Lichtenburg 27 (22) – Drieë: Thato Seabo, Dries Pretorius, George Bingudza, Rea Moshusi. Doelskoppe: Hanjo Nieuwoudt (2). Strafdoel: Nieuwoudt.

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Klerksdorp 8, Zwartkop 3; Wesvalia 27, Pietersburg 25; Montana 31, Hugenote 26; Lichtenburg 21, Bergsig 19; Heidelberg Volkskool 21, Die Anker 19; Potch Volkies 38, Marais Viljoen 0.

o.15: Heidelberg Volkskool 31, Wesvalia 9; Montana 10, Zwartkop 10 (Montana wen as gevolg van meeste drieë); Klerksdorp 26, Wagpos 3; Pietersburg 14, Lichtenburg 5; Jeugland 19, Hugenote 13.

o.14: Montana 17, Zwartkop 15; Wesvalia 13, Klerksdorp 7; Montana 17, Zwartkop 15; Heidelberg Volkskool 24, Die Anker 15; Pietersburg 11, Marais Viljoen 9; Potch Volkies 15, Lichtenburg 10.

It was a case of so close, but yet so far for the Wit Bulle of the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool of Pretoria.

Affies almost managed to overturn a 20‑point deficit in their King Price Derby Series encounter against Hoërskool Garsfontein into a victory. The match was played at Garsies’ Bere Park.

In the end, the Bere claimed a 38-34 victory after Affies’ right wing, Dandré Brink, was tackled out just short of the try line with time already expired. Only a desperate tackle by replacement Eukan Meyers was the difference between winning and losing for the Garsie Bere.

It was the turquoise‑clad team’s first win over its biggest rival in the Jacaranda City since 2023.

The Wit Bulle trailed by 30-10 at the turnaround. In the first half, they had no answers to the home side’s attacking flair.

The home team’s back three, consisting of left wing Neil de Kock, right wing Yuvrah George, and fullback Drewyn Baron, was, as usual, a constant threat.

All three crossed the visitors’ try line. Baron’s try was probably the most spectacular and was named the Suzuki Game Changing Moment of the clash. This award highlights the specific moment that ultimately had the greatest impact on the match’s outcome.

The Bere’s openside flanker, Stefan “Kwagga” van der Vyver, was named King of the Match.

Van der Vyver was outstanding, and it was especially his high work rate over the full 70 minutes that set him apart from the rest.

For the Wit Bulle, no one was better than inside centre, Rico du Plessis, and left wing, Joshua Gouws. Gouws played the leading role in the visitors’ comeback effort. His hat‑trick of tries delivered 15 crucial points.

Although Du Plessis did not cross the try line himself, his work at the breakdowns was exceptional. He played like a powerful loose forward and repeatedly won turnover possession for his team.

In addition, his contribution to the attack was a key part of Gouws’ try‑scoring exploits. It can also not be a coincidence that Affies’ wings have scored a total of eight tries in the two matches that Du Plessis started in the midfield.

This also created an exciting head‑to‑head battle with Garsie’s inside centre, Keegan Knighton. Knighton’s direct running line tested Du Plessis and often allowed the home team to get over the gain line.

Affies’ hooker, Charl Els, crossed the try line twice himself. Els is a strong contender to run out as hooker for the Blue Bulls at this year’s Craven Week. It was specifically his first try, shortly after half‑time, that swung the momentum in the visitors’ favour and kept it there for much of the second 35 minutes.

Despite the defeat, it was still a special day for Affies’ forward coach, Jaco Koch, who was part of the Wit Bulle coaching staff for the 150th time during the encounter.

Scorers:

Garsfontein 38 (30) – Tries: Neil de Kock, Drewyn Baron, André van Wyk, Yuvrah George, Justin Blom. Conversions: Ruan Fluks (2). Penalties: Fluks (3). Affies 34 (10) – Tries: Joshua Gouws (3), Charl Els (2), Fourie Roberts. Conversions: Reuben Venter (2).

They trailed 26-29 at the halftime break, but Boland Landbou fought tooth and nail and clawed their way back to snatch a 43-41 victory over Rondebosch Boys’ High in Paarl on Saturday.

After losing four straight to start the season, the Farmers picked up their first win of 2026.

The visitors’ left wing, Caleb Bell, stole the show, running in four tries in a match that produced a dozen, while consistently leaving defenders trailing in his way with his extraordinary agility and speed.

He’s an electric talent, and some on social media have likened him to Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe.

The hosts’ outside centre Louis du Plessis was the only other player to score multiple tries, crossing the whitewash twice after making a couple of line breaks.

Momentum in the contest was a rollercoaster ride, shifting back and forth. At the end, it was fullback Divan Meyer’s accurate boot that gave his side the slightest advantage.

With their first victory in the bag, Boland Landbou will head to the ABSA Wildeklawer Festival with renewed confidence. They’ll face Jeppe and Noordheuwel in Kimberley.

Hoërskool Parel Vallei (PV) followed up last year’s 17-7 win over Hoërskool Strand with a more emphatic 34-13 victory on Saturday.

The Bulldogs once again proved that they are a formidable outfit, racking up their fifth win in five games so far this season.

PV fullback Shudley Rhoda and inside centre Brad Brown made life difficult for the opposition.

Rhoda made the most of his speed and skill to collect a try, while Brown used brute strength to break through weak links in the chain of defence, creating opportunities for his teammates while also adding a try of his own.

It was a tough outing for the hosts, who slipped to a fourth consecutive loss. Their record now stands at two wins and five losses, but they’ll have a chance to improve it next weekend when they host DF Akademie (DF).

DF fell victim to Hoërskool Tygerberg on Saturday, with the Tigers squeezing out a 27-24 victory.

They scored five tries, with five different try scorers. Flyhalf Muchiano Loggenberg was one of them and was also Tygerberg’s leading scorer after adding a conversion.

DF Akademie’s fullback Pieter Delport tallied nine points from three conversions and a penalty. The Tigers outscored DF by five tries to three, however, and that was the difference in the game.

Tygerberg will head into next weekend’s Fairtree Sports Festival with their morale boosted, thanks to the win.

Scorers

Boland Landbou 43 (26) – Tries: Louis du Plessis (2), Adrian le Roux, Nico de Beer, Tiaan Malan, Juan Visagie. Conversions: Divan Meyer (5). Penalty: Meyer. Rondebosch Boys’ High 41 (29) – Tries: Caleb Bell (4), Kelebogile Nkwana, Eathon Williams. Conversions: Williams (4). Penalty: Williams.

Hoërskool Parel Vallei 34 – Tries: Marce Els, Michael Kent, Brad Brown, Shudley Rhoda, Bjan Theron. Conversions: Stephan Niemann (3). Penalty: Niemann. Hoërskool Strand 13 – N/A.

Hoërskool Tygerberg 27 – Tries: Muchiano Loggenberg, Abdul Osaacks, Devon Booysen, Tarique Adams, Kelvin Hitemana. Conversion: Loggenberg. DF Akademie 24 – Tries: Christo Fourie, Nicholas Barker, Meyer Brits. Conversions: Pieter Delport (3). Penalty: Delport.

Other Results

U19

Boland Landbou I 43 Rondebosch I 41, Strand I 13 Parel Vallei I 34, Tygerberg 27 I DF Akademie I 24.
Boland Landbou II 28 Rondebosch II 15, Strand II 14 Parel Vallei II 15.
Boland Landbou III 20 Rondebosch III 12, Strand III 0 Parel Vallei III 7.
Boland Landbou IV 26 Rondebosch IV 15, Strand IV 7 Parel Vallei IV 36.
Boland Landbou V 15 Rondebosch V 19
Boland Landbou VI 22 Rondebosch VI 10

U16

A: Boland Landbou 20 Rondebosch 23, Strand 17 Parel Vallei 0.
B: Boland Landbou 24 Rondebosch 3, Strand 33 Parel Vallei 14.

U15

A: Boland Landbou 19 Rondebosch 7, Strand 27 Parel Vallei 15.
B: Boland Landbou 12 Rondebosch 14, Strand 12 Parel Vallei 13.
C: Boland Landbou 21 Rondebosch 5

U14

A: Boland Landbou 3 Rondebosch 9, Strand 29 Parel Vallei 7.
B: Boland Landbou 9 Rondebosch 11, Strand 44 Parel Vallei 0.
C: Boland Landbou 17 Rondebosch 11
D: Boland Landbou 12 Rondebosch 24

After two draws and a loss to Bishops in their most recent battles, SACS made their home crowd proud at Memorial Field on Saturday, defeating their southern suburbs’ rival 22-17.

The hosts were on fire from the get-go, going up 15-0 just past the 20-minute mark.

Centres James Sale and Luca Orgill both crossed the whitewash, and flyhalf Jake Dave added another try as halftime drew near.

Just before the break, Bishops hit back hard, with inside centre Boytjie Fyfer squirming his way through the defence to dot down under the posts.

At halftime, SACS led 22-10.

Throughout the second half, the visitors clawed their way back into the game. They scored their second try of the match when right wing Elihle Tsobo spotted space down his flank and stabbed a grubber through for Fyfer, who chased and then pounced on the ball for his second five-pointer.

Despite the centre’s tries and Bishops’ sterling second stanza effort, SACS held on for a much-desired victory.

Oakdale Landbou made the journey from Riversdal to Cape Town to take on Hoërskool Durbanville. In a tough battle, the visitors fought their way to a 21-7 victory.

They were exceptional in the lineouts and at set scrums, using both set pieces as attacking weapons.

Their physicality took a toll on the hosts and brought rewards, with fullback André van der Merwe bursting through a rolling maul and scoring in the first half. In the second half, lock Rico Ferreira and outside centre Myburgh Eksteen also went over for tries.

Durbies pulled one back, notching a try after a snipe from scrumhalf Lorenzo Brogneri. He sliced through the middle from the base of a ruck, and then offloaded to flyhalf Hadley Erasmus, who provided the finish. He also converted his try to make it a seven-point play.

A couple of stiff assignments await Oakdale at the ABSA Wildeklawer Festival. They face Westville Boys’ High on Saturday, 25 April, and Paul Roos Gimnasium on Monday, 27 April.

Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr secured victory at home, beating Hoërskool Hopefield 29-10 on Saturday. The hosts appeared to have an extra level of synchronicity at the set pieces, and they also dominated the collisions.

Fullback Shandley Burrows contributed 14 points to Charlies‘ win, scoring a try, kicking three conversions, and a penalty.

Hopefield scored two entertaining tries. The first came when their large and speedy eighthman Vis Frey was put into space from an offload by flyhalf Jordan Loubser.

The second came via a pass, which was toe-poked through, chased, and dotted down by hooker Ewout Oosthuizen. Those tries made it tight at the break, with Charlie Hofmeyr only 12-10 ahead.

They pulled clear in the second half, exhibiting better stamina as they added two converted tries and a penalty to take their victory margin to 19 points.

It was the second week in succession that they won by 19 points. They beat Hoerskool Strand 43-24 the previous weekend.

Scorers

SACS 22 (22) – Tries: James Sale, Luca Orgill, Jake Dave. Conversions: Dave (2). Penalty: Dave. Diocesan College 17 (10) – Tries: Boytjie Fyfer (2). Conversions: Caleb Clark (2). Penalty: Clark.

Oakdale Landbou 21 (7) – Tries: Rico Ferreira, André van der Merwe, Myburgh Eksteen. Conversions: Nathan-Lee Gordon (3). Hoërskool Durbanville 7 (0) – Try: Hadley Erasmus. Conversion: Erasmus.

Hoërskool Charlie Hofmeyr 29 (12) – Tries: Dewald Jaars, Randall Muller, Henry Willemse, Shandley Burrows. Conversions: Burrows (3). Penalty: Burrows. Hoërskool Hopefield 10 (10) – Tries: Vis Frey, Ewout Oosthuizen.

Results

U19

SACS I 22 Bishops I 17
Oakdale I 21 Durbanville I 7
Charlie Hofmeyr I 29 Hopefield I 10
SACS II 20 Bishops II 20

U16

A: SACS 29 Bishops 7

U15

A: SACS 12 Bishops 15

U14

A: SACS 19 Bishops 7

Annika Kloppers made four saves to help Die Hoërskool Menlopark clinch a 2-0 penalty shootout win over Hoërskool Waterkloof in the final of the NWU Puk Series at Dr EG Jansen on Saturday.

“It was a good game of hockey with end-to-end action. It could have been anyone’s [win] at the end of the day,” Brad Brooks, the Menlopark coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus.

Over the past three years, Menlopark and Waterkloof have been the tournament’s dominant sides. Clashes between the two have been thrilling affairs, and they included a stalemate in the final in 2024.

They met again in last year’s title game, with Menlopark edging out Waterkloof 2-1 to lift the title. Like the previous two finals, Saturday’s title decider was a low-scoring clash. It finished 1-1 after regulation time.

Only five minutes into the contest, Isabella Oosthuizen finished a well-worked move that originated on the right flank to put Menlopark into the lead. It didn’t last long. Coach Omari Pienaar-Geyer‘s team drew level only three minutes later through Jenna Trewin.

“There were real positives in our performance despite the loss,” Pienaar-Geyer said. The girls outletted and pressed well. They created several opportunities, but just couldn’t find the net.

After the opening chukka finished at 1-1, the next three chukkas delivered fast-paced, attacking hockey between evenly matched sides. Waterkloof stitched together brilliant moves into Menlopark’s final third, where Menlo’s defenders showed their mettle.

When they breached the Menlopark backs’ line, Waterkloof was met by Kloppers. Her brilliant performance included clearing a ball that was behind her.

“The effort and resilience were there. We just couldn’t find the finishing touch,” Pienaar-Geyer said.

Menlopark matched Waterkloof’s energy with their own attacks into the Waterkloof final third. But Klofies defended with discipline.

When the contest headed into a penalty shootout, Kloppers faced the first eight-second penalty. Displaying her experience and ability, she denied Waterkloof the lead. Kelly Vermeulen complemented Kloppers’ effort by converting Menlopark’s first attempt.

Kloppers saved the second penalty to keep Menlopark in front, but Menlo’s second penalty attempt was stopped. Waterkloof stayed in the contest.

They needed to convert their third penalty, but Kloppers rejected their attempt again.

Chanette Janse van Vuuren then converted Menlopark’s third penalty to give them a two-goal cushion. Waterkloof had to find a way past Kloppers with their fourth penalty attempt to keep their title hopes alive. The ‘keeper proved to be unbeatable.

“I am happy with the win. The midfield worked really hard, and we were defensively sound,” Menlopark coach Brad Brook summed up his side’s victory.

“It was a good reward for the hard work that we are doing.”

Result

Menlopark (2) 1-1 (0) Waterkloof