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Two tries and two conversions from flyhalf Ethan Bester helped DF Malan secure a narrow 29-24 victory over Strand on Saturday.

Last weekend, the visitors edged out Swartland 25-20 when their scrumhalf Jayden Steenkamp landed two key penalty kicks. The roles were reversed in Bellville, with Strand feeling what it was like to come out on the wrong end of the result in a tough match because of the opposition’s halfback.

Just three minutes into the match, the hosts opened the scoring. After passing the ball out wide from a breakdown on the halfway line, wing Diaan Loucas cut inside before being tackled. But he picked out Bester with an offload to his left before he hit the deck. Bester collected and ran in for five.

The rest of the half was a back-and-forth affair between the evenly contested sides with the home team just 12-5 ahead at the break.

In the second half, Strand tried some enterprising variations. They tried passing the ball back and forth between the centres, then tried wrap-around moves.

Ultimately, a 42nd minute pass from the base of the ruck to flyhalf Justin Phillips, down the blindside, led to a line break and a try from the flyhalf. To quote Renaissance polymath, Leonardo Da Vinci: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

When Strand kept it simple and looked after the basics, they were able to get the better of the DF Malan defence at times.

The home side, though, was resilient and well-coordinated, and they kept possession for long spells of play. That cohesion helped them to withstand the Strand assault and was a key factor in DF Malan coming away with a well-deserved victory.

Meanwhile Hopefield travelled to Malmesbury to play Swartland. Thanks to a hat-trick from lock Nieken Lubbe, the visitors left with a 31-20 victory.

The home side’s flyhalf De Wet van Aswegen enjoyed a good game. He slotted two penalties and two conversions, and his distribution got Swartland’s backline moving at speed, although they couldn’t conjure up quite enough finishes.

The visitors, meanwhile, were clinical when they made 22-metre entries, whether their attack came from open play, or set-pieces. That was the difference between the sides.

It was a second win on the trot in the third term for Hopefield, who cruised to a 46-6 win over Hoërskool Labori on the previous weekend.

For Swartland, it was another frustrating loss after a competitive showing. They’ll aim for their first win of the term when they host Hoërskool Punt next Saturday.

Scorers

DF Malan 29 (12) – Tries: Eben Bester (2), Chris de Jager, Ruan Krugel, Johan Pieterse. Conversions: Eben Bester (2); Strand 24 (5) – Tries: Ruan Bezuidenhout, Justin Phillips, Jayden Steenkamp, Josh Lourens. Conversions: Jayden Steenkamp (2).

Swartland 20 (12) – Tries: Dimitrios Boutsikaris, Melchoir Botha. Conversions: De Wet van Aswegen (2). Penalties: De Wet van Aswegen (2); Hopefield 31 (14) – Tries: Nieken Lubbe (3), Rowan Beaton. Conversions: Jordan Loubser (4). Penalties: Jordan Loubser.

Other Results 

U19 – DF Malan II 26 Strand II 36, DF Malan III 20 Strand III 17; Swartland II 12 Hopefield II 17.

U16 – DF Malan A 17 Strand A 29, DF Malan B 21 Strand B 28; Swartland A 14 Hopefield A 3.

U15 – DF Malan A 3 Strand A 35, DF Malan B 0 Strand B 88; Swartland A 24 Hopefield A 27.

U14 – DF Malan A 7 Strand A 32; Swartland A 20 Hopefield A 22.

The HTS Witbank boys’ first-team hockey side will head off to the Noordvaal Cup Tournament, set to take place in Polokwane, brimming with confidence after winning the Mpumalanga Schools’ League a week ago.

They took on Hoërskool Nelspruit in the boys’ final, and after a tight clash had ended 1-1, they stretched clear to win 3-0 on penalties.

The league title was their second in succession.

The side, led by coaches Anel Tolmay and Kobus Dörfling, performed strongly throughout the playoffs, dismantling their oppostion and scoring goals for fun.

They downed Hoërskool Oosterland 3-0 before smashing 11 goals past Hoërskool Nelspruit’s B-team.

In the quarterfinals, they scored a comprehensive 5-1 win over Hoërskool Rob Ferreira before beating Oosterland 3-0, once again, in the semifinals.

The final, against Nelspruit, had been scheduled for 26 July, but lightning caused it to be rescheduled to Wednesday, 30 July. It was a tightly contested affair. However, after the 1-1 draw in regulation time, penalty conversions from Lehan Roux, Amogelang Ntjane, and Lwazi Nchabeleng, and some fantastic saves from goalkeeper Jeandre Schoombie, sealed the win for HTS Witbank.

“I’m beyond proud. The boys played some good hockey and defended their title well,” coach Anel Tolmay told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“Most of our games in the league were not that difficult. We faced Middelburg Hoërskool, and that was a tough game. They tested us, and the game was very tight.”

To qualify for the knockout stages of the Mpumalanga league, a team must finish in the top four in their region. Witbank advanced from the Nkangala District.

Tolmay believes the side’s success will have a major impact on their school. “This is very big for our school,” she explained. “It’s something we have been working on for the past two/three years.

“We want to get the level of hockey up and promote more development and have more teams being competitive in the region.”

The HTS Witbank side, led by captain Daniel van Wyk, after taking a little time to enjoy their title-winning success, has since set its sights on the Noordvaal Cup, which will be hosted by Hoërskool Pietersburg, in Polokwane, from 7-9 August

Last year, HTS Witbank finished fourth, while Hoërskool Monument lifted the title.

Coach Tolmay understands the level of competition awaiting her side, but she backs her players to give a solid account of themselves.

“I’m hoping that we can compete and potentially come back with another trophy.

“With that said, the competition at Noordvaal is very tough. We will need to work hard, but I’m confident the boys have it in them,” she reckoned.

HTS Witbank opens their challenge with two matches on day one of the Noordvaal Cup, facing Hoërskool Zwartkop at 11:15 and Sasolburg High School at 15:45.

All matches will be played on Hoërskool Pietersburg’s AstroTurf.

The visitors, Bishops – thanks to a hat-trick of tries from their captain Daniel van den Heever – withstood a strong challenge from Milnerton High to win a high-scoring thriller 42-36 on Saturday.

Early on, the hosts snatched the lead, scoring through their captain, centre Morgan Lodewyk, and fullback Chadlin Sellidon, two of their most influential players.

Last season, Milnerton fought back from 10-28 down to score a shock 31-28 win on the Piley Rees, and they appeared to be on course for back-to-back wins over Bishops when they went into the halftime break 31-21 to the good.

Bishops, though, has finished matches strongly throughout the season and that ability to push it hard until the final whistle brought coach Sam Mofokeng his first win with the team in his second match in charge.

Next Saturday, Milnerton faces a stern examination from Stellenberg. Bishops, meanwhile, will prepare for a southern suburbs’ derby against Wynberg on 16 August.

On the Garden route, Outeniqua hosted Worcester Gimnasium in George on Saturday and raced away to a comfortable 45-13 win.

The Kwaggas are renowned for their silky backline skills, but their forwards dominated the game on this occasion, with five of their seven tries going to members of the pack.

Despite being forced to play off of the backfoot, Worcester had their moments. A chip-and-chase from wing Leagon Brooks almost resulted in a try, but when he was brought down only two metres short of the line, fullback Darren Murphy picked up and sniped through the opposition forward pack for an entertaining five-pointer.

Those moments, though, were few and far between for the visitors. Outeniqua dominated all facets of the contest and was 14 points clear at halftime, leading 24-10.

In the second half, the Kwaggas continued to create chances, and that brought them some fine scores, especially a try in the 53rd minute try.

They played themselves to within five metres of the Worcester Gim try line by hitting the ball up through a series of phases. Then, some misdirection from Cee-Jay Arends brought Outeniqua points. Picking up from the back of a ruck, the scrumhalf took a couple of steps sideways before finding prop, Zacary Meyer, with an inside ball. He burst through a gap and the home side increased their total by five points.

Despite the 32-point defeat, Worcester did not have a particularly bad game on defence. They didn’t miss many tackles, but they struggled to prevent the Kwaggas’ forwards from getting over the gain line. They also lost the battle at the breakdown and, too often, overcommitted, which resulted in a lot of space for Outeniqua to exploit.

Scorers

Bishops 42 (21) – Tries: Daniel van den Heever (3), Cole Robyntjies, Max Marr, Boytjie Fyfer. Conversions: Eljaron Geduld (6); Milnerton 36 (31) – Tries: Leo Weber (2), Morgan Lodewyk, Chadlin Sellidon, Zaide Vigeland, Lincoln Corner. Conversions: Chadlin Sellidon (3).

Outeniqua 45 (24) – Tries: Matthew Prins, Keenan Myners, Zacary Meyer, Aldo Gouws, Sirr Lourens, Grant Savage, Hayden Luiters. Conversions: Virgil Pockpas (4), Tyron Marias (no.22); Worcester Gim 13 (10) – Tries: Darren Murphy, Leagon Brooks. Penalty: Lohenzel Tshabatau.

Other Results

U19 – Milnerton II 10 Bishops II 42, Milnerton III 7 Bishops III 49; Outeniqua II 72 Worcester Gim II 5, Outeniqua IV 10 Worcester Gim III 10.

U16 – Milnerton A 10 Bishops A 45, Milnerton B 0 Bishops B 52; Outeniqua A 60 Worcester Gim A 26, Outeniqua B 26 Worcester Gim B 7.

U15 – Milnerton A 15 Bishops A 14, Milnerton B 0 Bishops B 22, Milnerton C 7 Bishops C 45; Outeniqua A 53 Worcester Gim A 7, Outeniqua B 25 Worcester Gim B 17.

U14 – Milnerton A 5 Bishops A 15, Milnerton B 0 Bishops B 22, Milnerton C 0 Bishops C 36; Outeniqua A 50 Worcester Gim A 7, Outeniqua B 38 Worcester Gim B 5.

Playing away, under lights on Reece-Edwards Field on Friday evening, Durban High School (DHS) made themselves at home, powering their way to an emphatic 36-5 victory over Northwood.

Recent clashes between the Durban rivals had been tight, hard-fought affairs. Earlier in the season, at DHS, School won 22-19 after trailing 0-12 at halftime. This time around, the result was not in doubt.

Peter Engledow‘s charges led only 10-0 at the break, but they pulled clear early in the second half, bolstering their advantage until they had put victory out of Northwood’s reach. After 10 minutes of the second stanza, the Horseflies led 29-0, and there was no coming back for the Knights.

The enthusiastic support for the home team had quietened down, but the DHS supporters felt a lot better about the state of the game and made themselves heard.

DHS was accurate, executed the basics well and, like they had done against Jeppe the previous Saturday, they hurt the opposition out wide by moving the ball smartly to the touchlines, with the left flank, especially, bringing them great success.

It took a while to get the scoreboard moving, but after 15 minutes captain Daniel Ikotela and his men at last breeched the stubborn Northwood defence, scoring from a lineout inside the hosts’ 22. It began on the right and ended in the left-hand corner, with a solid rolling maul setting the Knights on the back foot.

The home team’s defence was dented with a hit-up from the midfield, and when DHS received quick ball from that move Northwood was in trouble. The ball went swiftly through the hands to left-wing Zenkosi Mthiyane, and he finished in the corner.

An excellent conversion kick from the touchline by flyhalf Jordan van Wyk made it 7-0.

DHS did a fine job of playing the game in Northwood’s half, keeping the pressure on the home side. That would come to bear with time the further the contest progressed. However, for all their endeavour and hard work, School had only a penalty to show for the remainder of their efforts in the first half, with Cilermo Carolus slotting a simple kick from almost in front, 22 metres out.

Towards the end of the half, Northwood, finally, was able to spend considerable time in the DHS 22, but the visitors stood firm and the Knights went unrewarded.

DHS was back on the attack early in the second stanza, but a missed five-metre lineout robbed them of another try-scoring opportunity. Soon, though, they were back at it, forcing Northwood deep into their 22.

The Knights couldn’t escape their half. DHS coach Peter Engledow must have been very pleased with how his side managed the territorial game.

As was the case in the first half, it took 15 minutes before DHS cracked the Northwood defensive line again. After making good ground up the left flank, School stayed patient and hit the ball up through eight phases before Okhule Mbanjwa crashed over for a try.

Van Wyk nailed the conversion and DHS led 17-0. Northwood, forced to play from deep, had, thus far, posed few threats to their Durban rivals. 

When they made ground into the visitors’ 22, however, they found themselves torched by a scintillating DHS counterattack.

A scorching breakout that turned defence into attack saw DHS make 50 metres up the left-hand touchline. Very briefly, their charge was halted, but a sharp scissor move gave the skipper Daniel Ikotela a sniff of the try line and he pumped his legs hard to drag a defender over the whitewash with him, which put DHS 22-0 up after 20 minutes of the second half.

Van Wyk’s conversion attempt never happened because the referee ruled that he had taken too long to get his kick off. Still, the boys in blue were well in command.

It didn’t take long for them to extend their advantage, either. Again, from a lineout around the halfway line, they found success down the left touchline, thanks to their accurate, fast movement of the ball. When scrumhalf Marcwin Nero went over, the visitors celebrated with more freedom. They knew it was all over bar the shouting.

This time, Van Wyk neatly split the uprights, and the gap grew to 29 points.

Northwood had few answers. DHS took charge of territory once more, forcing the Knights to play from deep. They did well to eventually extricate themselves from their half, but when DHS turned over possession on their 22, they burst down the left flank through centre Nathan Aneke.

Northwood was scrambling to catch up. They couldn’t, and Aneke rounded the home team’s defence in the left-hand corner before running in towards the poles and finishing with a flourish.

 Van Wyk knocked over the easy conversion and DHS was out of sight at 36-0 in front.

To their credit, Northwood kept working hard and they avoided the egg by scoring the last points of the game after, for pretty much the first time in the match, being able to spend considerable time in the DHS 22.

They scored in a familiar manner, opening up an opportunity from a rolling maul, which Chulumanco Kholisa finished to being a roar out of the home supporters. The die had long been cast, however, and DHS improved their record on the season to an impressive 14 wins and only two losses.

Scorers

Northwood 5 (0) – Try: Chulumanco Kholisa; Durban High School 36 (10) – Tries: Zenkosi Mthiyane, Okhule Mbanjwa, Daniel Ikotela, Marcwin Nero, Nathan Aneke. Conversions: Jordan van Wyk (4). Penalty: Cilermo Carolus.

Results

u19 – Northwood I 5 DHS I 38; Northwood II 17 DHS III 35; Northwood III 5 DHS III 24; Northwood IV 10 DHS IV 12; Northwood V 5 DHS V 36.

u16 – Northwood A 21 DHS A 17; Northwood B 8 DHS B 14; Northwood C 42 DHS C 5

u15 – Northwood A 13 DHS A 19; Northwood B 0 DHS B 31; Northwood C 22 DHS C 22; Northwood D 5 DHS D 60

u14 – Northwood A 0 DHS A 17; Northwood B 0 DHS B 49; Northwood C 14 DHS C 52

Merensky Landbou Akademie het die eerste hekkie, in sy strewe om ‘n plek in die halfeindronde van SDC Noordvaal Cup se Bowl-afdeling los te slaan, gemaklik oorkom.

Herleef al die SDC Noordvaal Bowl-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Die Plasies het tuis in Tzaneen ‘n allemintige nege keer agter die besoekende Hoërskool Ermelo se doellyn gaan kuier vir ‘n wegholsege van 57-8, en volpunte op die puntelys.

Hulle het reeds in die eerste helfte die grootste skade aangerig, met die blitsige buitesenter, Jens Bezuidenhout, wat twee keer gedruk het vir die tuisspan om ‘n stewige voorsprong van 47-0 met die omdraaislag te geniet. Die grondslag vir Plasies se drieëfees is deur die agttal gelê, met vernaam die twee voorrymanne, Marno Nel (haker) en Otto Muller, wat die besoekers laat kreun het onder hul fisieke aanslag.

Agterlangs het binnesenter, Henru Venter, sy geleentheid in die beginspan aangegryp en vir Bezuidenhout goed bygestaan met slim aanvalslyne. Venter het in die plek gespeel van die Plasies se beseerde kaptein, Maritz Meintjies, wat moontlik aanstaande week gereed sal wees om sy plek weer in te neem.

Potchefstroom Gimnasium het ‘n noue ontkoming in Alberton oorleef danksy losskakel, Zandré Da Silva, se akkurate korrelwerk. Da Silva het, met sowat 30 sekondes oor, koelkop gebly om ‘n naelskraapse sege van 27-24 oor ‘n begeesterde Hoërskool Dinamika te beklink.

Vir die tuisspan was heelagter, Zavian Mathys, deurentyd gevaarlik. Mathys se dodelike aanvalle van agter het aan hom twee drieë besorg, wat Dinamika tot op die laaste nippertjie in die wedloop teen die verdedigende kampioen en vanjaar se Bowl-voorloper gehou het.

Die driepunt-sege beteken dat die Gimmies die pylvak van die 2025-reeks steeds onoorwonne binnegaan.

Die Gimmies se bure, Potchefstroom Volkskool, het ook sy kanse om die halfeindronde te haal lewendig gehou. Die Volkies het uiteindelik met 36-26 teen Hoërskool Randburg koning gekraai, met die slotpaar, Joshua van der Westhuizen en Caden Keuger, wat voorlangs uitgetroon het.

In Kempton Park het Hoërskool Jeugland se haker, Lesego Moitse, drie keer oorgebars om vir Bergsig Akademie met 39-32 kous oor die kop terug Rustenburg toe te stuur.

Dit was van meet af aan duidelik dat dié kragmeting uiters gelykop sou verloop met die spanne wat uitstekend teen mekaar opgeweeg het. Met die rustydtelling 15-15 was daar inderdaad niks te kies tussen die spanne nie, en was dit uiteindelik Moitse se driekuns wat die dooiepunt sou breek.

Puntemakers: 

Merensky Landbou Akademie 57 (47) – Drieë: Jens Bezuidenhout (2), Marno Nel, Otto Muller, Craig Walker, Jan Pretorius, Henru Venter, Christo Venter, George Steenkamp. Doelskoppe: JD Boshoff (6). Hoërskool Ermelo 8 (0) – Drie: Dick Rouillard. Strafdoel: WJ Pretorius.

Potchefstroom Gimnasium 27 – Drieë: De Wet Grobler, Kobus Grobelaar, Dirk Stear, Strafdrie. Doelskoppe: Zandré Da Silva (2). Strafdoel: Da Silva. Dinamika 24 – Drieë: Zavian Mathys (2), Shane Serfontein. Doelskoppe: Caiden van der Merwe (3). Strafdoel: Van der Merwe.

Potchefstroom Volkskool 36 (15) – Drieë: Louis Fourie (2), Juan Fourie, AB Brink, Hennie Pretorius, Lourenzo Louw. Doelskoppe: Juhan Geldenhuys (3). Hoërskool Randburg 26 (0). 

Jeugland 39 (15) – Drieë: Lesego Moitse (3), Zaydene Adams, Thando Ngomane, Beya Nyathi. Doelskoppe: Nyathi (2), Kokets Maphopha. Strafdoel: Maphopa. Bergsig Akademie 32 (15) – Drieë: Carlo de Jager (2), Keabetswe Daile (2), Marnus Dercksen. Doelskoppe: Alzandro Dos Santos. Strafdoel: Dos Santos.

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Merensky 66, Ermelo 5; Dinamika 37, Potchefstroom Gimnasium 26; Potchefstroom Volkskool 22, Randburg 9; Bergsig 16, Jeugland 7.

o.15: Merensky 24, Ermelo 12; Dinamika 24, Potchefstroom Gimnasium 7; Potchefstroom Volkskool 13, Randburg 7; Bergsig 17, Jeugland 5.

o.14: Ermelo 8, Merensky 7; Potchefstroom Gimnasium 10, Dinamika 5; Randburg 22, Potchefstroom Volkskool 19; Jeugland 31, Bergsig 7.

Hoërskool Montana se Vorster-tweeling, Aiden en Ashton Vorster, het gesamentlik drie keer agter die doellyn in Tzaneen gaan draai in hul span se belangrike wegsege van 41-34 oor Hoërskool Ben Vorster.

Herleef al die SDC Noordvaal Skild-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Dit was ‘n styd van 70 minute wat die skare in Tzaneen vasgenael op die punte van hul stoele gehou het.

Die besoekers van Pretoria het reeds vroeg hul stempel in die vaste fasette afgedruk. Dit was vernaam in die lynstane waar hulle met kragtige dryfmaalbewegings die botoon oor die Buffels gevoer het.

Dit het aan Aiden Vorster, wat weens beserings van oopkantflank na vaskoptstut moes skuif, die geleentheid gebied om tweekeer agter die tuisspan se doellyn te gaan kuier. Broer, Ashton, is later met ‘n vyfpunter van sy eie beloon na ‘n bedrywige vertoning in die yslike stryd voorlangs.

Hoewel aan die verloorkant, was die Buffels se vertoning ook van hoogstaande gehalte. Hulle het volgens hul sterkpunte gespeel en floreer in gebroke spel om self vyf keer die Monties se verdediging te fnuik vir aanskoulike drieë. Losskakel, Shelton-Ray Primo, het ‘n beduidende aandeel hieraan gehad met sy venynige aanvalsvernuf.

Die Buffels se slot en kaptein, Chifu Banda, en agsteman, Tumi Ramohlale, het die besoekers laat brul met hul hoë werkverrigting en kragtige barslopies. Dit was egter nie genoeg om die Monties te stuit nie, nadat hulle die momentum herwin het met twee vinnige drieë kort voor rustyd.

In Secunda het die tuisspan, Hoërskool Secunda, vasgebyt vir ‘n noemenswaardige sege oor die Skild-afdeling se voorlopers, Hoërskool Lichtenburg.

Dit het, soos verwag, ‘n titaniese stryd tussen die twee kookwater-agttalle afgegee. Ten spyte van die afwesigheid van Franko Rossouw, het slot, Mickey Jordaan, en haker, Reinhardt Fourie, die pap dik aangemaak vir die tuisspan voorlangs.

In antwoord daarop, het die Liggies se Cravenweek-losvoorspeler en kaptein, KG Legodi, en slot, Realoboga Ranatshoele, die skote laat klap met woelige vertonings van hul eie.

Dit was egter uiteindelik die skopskoen van Secunda se losskakel, Alonzo Blackenberg, wat die deurslag gegee het. Hoewel hy met ‘n doelskop misluk het, was het sy twee strafdoele die knoop vir die tuisspan deurgehak.

Hoërskool Pietersburg se oopkantflank, Andru de Beer, is as Speler van die Wedstryd aangewys na sy tweekuns en algehele blink vertoning in sy span se sege van 40-25 oor Hoërskool Hugenote van Springs, in Polokwane.

Dié sege het die kat in die duiwehok gegooi, met Hoërskool Piet Retief wat boonop vir die Pietersburg ‘n reuse guns in Piet Retief bewys het deur vir Hoërskool Die Anker met 29-26 te troef, danksy ‘n strafdoel deur Olwethu Shabalala in die doodsnikke, .

Die “ander” Pieties se eerste sege in die Skild-afdeling sou egter nie moontlik gewees het sonder Letho Hlophe, wat deurgedartel het vir ‘n tweekuns aan drieë nie.

Puntemakers: 

Montana 41 (24) – Drieë: Aiden Vorster (2), Ashton Vorster, Dixie Sethuga, Juan Theunissen, Dieter Scheepers, Hendrew Schoeman. Doelskoppe: Rubel Bester (3). Ben Vorster 34 (14) – Drieë: Freddie Pinto, Stiaan du Rand, Chifu Banda, Lethabo Sejake, Tumi Ramohlale. Doelskoppe: Shelton-Ray Primo.

Hoërskool Secunda 23 (12) – Drieë: Reinhardt Fourie, Mickey Jordaan, Armand Underhay. Doelsko: Alonzo Blackenberg. Strafdoele: Blackenberg (2). Hoërskool Lichtenburg 20 (7) – Drieë: Realiboga Ranatshoele, KG Legodi, Thato Seabo. Doelskop: Luan Snyman. Strafdoel: Snyman.

Hoërskool Pietersburg 40 (12) – Drieë: Andru de Beer (2), Stephan Jansen van Rensburg, Juan Jansen van Vuuren, Celliers van der Merwe, Armand Venter. Doelskoppe: Ryno Mienie (4). Hugenote (Springs) 25 (7) – Drieë: Anzani Netshiongolwe, Tristan de Beer, Zander Janse van Rensburg, Migael Swart. Doelskop: Yovan Prinsloo. Strafdoel: Prinsloo.

Hoërskool Piet Retief 29 (19) – Drieë: Letho Hlophe (2), Abongwe Maduna, Owethu Shabalala. Doelskoppe: Shabalala (3). Strafdoel: Shabalala. Die Anker 26 (26). 

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Ben Vorster 33, Montana 7; Pietersburg 56, Hugenote (Springs) 14; Piet Retief 47, Die Anker 10.

o.15: Ben Vorster 46, Montana 7; Pietersburg 27, Hugenote (Springs) 0; Piet Retiet 22, Die Anker 17.

o.14: Montana 22, Ben Vorster 19; Pietersburg 19, Hugenote (Springs) 12; Piet Retief 21, Die Anker 12.

On Saturday, the Tinkie Heyns Field served as a battleground for a first meeting between Rondebosch and HTS Drostdy since 2018.

On that occasion, ‘Bosch triumphed 43-37. In another high scoring clash, Rondebosch again edged it, scoring a 34-26 win, spearheaded by a hat-trick of tries from Alutha Wesi.

The number eight helped his side forge an early 12-0 lead, dotting down twice in the first dozen minutes of play.

For his first, he received the ball on the wing inside the visitors 22. Running powerfully, he shrugged off two defenders before going over in the corner. For his second, after running onto a short ball, he broke the line just five metres out and was over before the Drostdy defence could lay a finger on him.

At half-time, the home side enjoyed a comfortable 19-5 lead, but the Donkeys came back strongly in the second stanza to make a good game of it.

Their effort was highlighted by a brilliant try from fullback Pirlo Baron, which was Drostdy’s fourth. It began with a 50-metre counterattack from wing Adrian Vergotine. In a tackle, he offloaded to Baron, who then danced his way past two defenders to score beneath the uprights.

Unfortunately, for the visitors, that try came too late to reverse the outcome of the contest. Time had run out and Rondebosch survived a feisty Drostdy fightback.

In Somerset West, Parel Vallei (PV) hosted Wynberg Boys’ High. Beaten 68-22 by Paarl Gimnasium a week earlier, Wynberg was highly motivated.

After withstanding a strong showing from PV in the first half, they kept the home side scoreless in the second to pull away to a big 59-13 victory. At just 13-21 down at the break, PV was in the contest, but they ran out of steam.

Their best moment came from their scrumhalf, Michael Kent, who pulled off an interception in the sixth minute, then hit the accelerator on a 40-metre sprint that put him in under the posts.

In the second half, though, the Bulldogs struggled to keep up the pace, conceding 38 unanswered points.

Wynberg delivered an outstanding team performance, with their eight tries being shared by seven different try scorers.

Albert Lourens was the only player to cross the whitewash twice. Just three minutes into the second half, he benefitted from a long pass from flyhalf Achmat Behardien, which put him in space, and the wing pinned his ears back to speed across the try line from 40 metres out.

Parel Vallei remains a work in progress. They produced some strong moments against tough opposition, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. They are, though, on the right track and their time will come against opponents of the calibre of Wynberg.

Scorers

Rondebosch Boys’ High 34 (19) – Tries: Alutha Wesi (3), Bulela Mbala, Jayden Wyngaard. Conversions: Sebastian Boshoff (3). Penalty: Sebastian Boshoff; HTS Drostdy 26 (5) – Tries: Caleb Cornet, Jano van Deventer, Jacques de Klerk, Pirlo Baron. Conversions: Jano van Deventer (3).

Parel Vallei High 13 (13) – Try: Michael Kent. Conversion: Stephan Niemann. Penalties: Shudley Rhoda (2); Wynberg Boys’ High 59 (21) – Tries: Albert Lourens (2), Jaythen Orange, Daniel Ould, Chad Campbell, Morné Noble, Tjeripo Karuhumba, James Orwin. Conversions: Achmat Behardien (8). Penalty: Achmat Behardien.

Other Results

U19 – Rondebosch II 13 Drostdy II 5; Parel Vallei II 12 Wynberg II 17, Parel Vallei III 5 Wynberg III 17.

U16 – Rondebosch A 21 Drostdy A 17; Parel Vallei A 7 Wynberg A 41, Parel Vallei B 6 Wynberg B 35.

U15 – Rondebosch A 45 Drostdy A 10; Parel Vallei A 0 Wynberg A 19, Parel Vallei B 0 Rondebosch B 43.

U14 – Rondebosch A 14 Drostdy A 22; Parel Vallei A 3 Wynberg A 28, Parel Vallei B 0 Wynberg B 40.

The Pullen Cup concluded in dramatic fashion, with Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool (Affies) edging out Hoërskool Garsfontein 2-0 in a tense penalty shootout following a goalless draw in regulation time at St Andrew’s School for Girls, in Johannesburg, on Saturday.

Affies, the 2024 All Girls’ Festival winners, added another trophy to their list of achievements because they held their nerve when it mattered most.

In a battle between Pretoria rivals, who know each other well, the defences ruled the game, with few clear-cut goal scoring chances being created. However, two conversions in the shootout proved to be enough for Affies to take the title.

Tournament co-founder Rob Pullen, said he was pleased to see the growing competitiveness of the competition, particularly in the B Section.

“Once again, the festival is getting tougher every year,” he said. “The B Section is such a good competition coming through, so I do believe the teams who want to remain in the A Section really need to be at their best in this tournament.”

The growth of the event, both from the standpoint of participation and playing standard, has been a point of pride for the organisers. Pullen said the landscape of the girls’ game in Gauteng was changing.

“It’s great to see other teams competing and doing well,” he said. “Yes, we’ve been disappointed by a few schools that have fallen off a bit, but, overall, we’re very impressed by the standard. It’s been strong, and it’s exciting to have so many schools involved.”

With the tournament delivering good competition between established powers and rising contenders, the 2025 edition was arguably one of the most balanced and competitive in recent memory.

“It’s getting to a point where the tournament might grow even bigger,” Pullen reckoned. “We’re very chuffed with how far it’s come, and we’re especially excited about the schools that have improved and won in the B Section. Their hunger and progress are great signs for the future of the sport.”

Affies paved their way to title game after winning a very tough semifinal clash against St Andrew’s School for Girls. It went down to the wire, but coach Nicolene Terblanche‘s side emerged with a 1-0 win.

There was some consolation for St Andrew’s after they missed out on the title game, however. They picked up the bronze medal by downing Hoërskool Waterkloof 3-0 in a penalty shootout after the teams had finished their playoff match goalless.

Meanwhile, in the u16 Howell Cup competition, Die Hoërskool Menlopark claimed a tight 1-0 victory over Hoërskool Waterkloof to claim the title.

Player of the match, goalkeeper Abigail Small, playing under relentless pressure from Klofies, delivered an exceptional performance to keep Waterkloof scoreless.

With just eight minutes remaining in the title decider, Menlopark seized their moment when Megan Niemand showcased her skill and determination by breaking through Waterkloof’s defensive line before maneuvering into the circle and slotting the decisive goal.

St Andrew’s again placed third, this team beating Hoërskool Garsfontein 2-1 in the bronze playoff.

Die Hoërskool Menlopark moes, nes die Nories in Krugersdorp, ook verbete terugveg om vir Hoërskool Monument in Pretoria met 39-37 te verslaan, en sodoende sy kanse om die halfeindronde van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Beker-afdeling te haal, lewendig te hou.

Herleef al die SDC Noordvaal Beker-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Die Parkies het met die deur in die huis geval om vroeg-vroeg reeds twee keer agter die besoekers van Krugersdorp se doellyn te gaan kuier en met 12-0 voor te loop.

Jaydon Viljoen se skopskoen en ‘n tweekuns deur die Wit Bul-buks, Evan Berhardi, het die prentjie egter in ‘n oogwink verander.

Viljoen was oudergewoonte ‘n doring met sy korrelwerk pale toe en het nie alleen met twee doelskoppe en twee strafdoele geslaag nie, maar ook ‘n netjiese skepdoel oorgeklits om aan Monnas ‘n voorsprong van 27-12 met die omdraaislag te bied.

Die dag sou egter aan die Parkies se spoedvraat, Bladen Petersen, behoort. Petersen het weereens sy vermoë om af te rond tentoongestel met ‘n kritieke vierkuns aan drieë.

Petersen se kordaatstuk is deur die Parkies-pak moontlik gemaak. Hul dryfmale was weer uit die boonste rakke, wat vir haker, Declan Pelser, in staat gestel het om self twee keer te druk vir ‘n belangrike aandeel in die Parkies se sege, terwyl skrumskakel, Gustav Schäffner, puik diens aan die agterlyn gelewer het.

Die Wit Bulle het skuins voor die eindfluitjie amper weer die voortou geneem, maar Willie Pieterse se vier doelskoppe was oplaas genoeg om die wa deur die drif te trek.

Die kragmeting tussen Hoërskool Transvalia en Hoërskool Nelspruit in Vanderbijlpark het self ‘n naelbytstryd opgelewer. Dit was uiteindelik die ligbloues van Vanderbijl wat net-net met 20-19 die pyp teen die die Rhinos kon rook.

Hoewel aan die verloorkant, het die besoekers steeds drie keer, een keer meer as die tuisspan, agter die doellyn gaan draai. Die uiteindelike verskil was die stewel van Valia-losskakel, Jay-Dee Maree, wat albei sy span se drieë verdoel en ook met twee strafdoele geslaag het vir die helfte van sy span se punte.

Voorlangs het flank en kaptein, Juan Bisschoff, met sy voorbeeld gelei en in die los die lewe uiters ongemaklik gemaak vir die besoekers van Mbombela.

Christiaan Viljoen, die Rhinos se loskopstut, was die enigste voorspeler wat die doellyn kon oorsteek, terwyl binnesenter, Alex Hallet, in sy eerste begin vir die eerste span, ook met ‘n vyfpunter beloon is na ‘n uithalervertoning agterlangs.

Puntemakers: 

Menlopark 39 (12) – Drieë: Bladen Petersen (4), Declan Pelser (2), Reinhardt Herbst. Doelskoppe: Willie Pieterse (2). Monument 37 (27) – Drieë: Evan Bernhardi (2), Regardt Ernst, Juandré Ehlers. Doelskoppe: Jaydon Viljoen (3). Ehlers. Strafdoele: Viljoen (2). Skepdoel: Viljoen.

Transvalia 20 (10) – Drieë: Declan Hattingh, Bernard van Dyk. Doelskoppe: Jay-Dee Maree (2). Strafdoele: Maree (2). Hoërskool Nelspruit 19 (7) – Drieë: Liam Pringle, Christiaan Viljoen, Alex Hallet. Doelskoppe: Pringle (2).

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Monument 23, Menlopark 20; Transvalia 43, Nelspruit 19.

o.15: Monument 10, Menlopark 3; Nelspruit 10, Transvalia 7.

o.14: Monument 55, Menlopark 14; Nelspruit 8, Transvalia 7.

Die ervaring van ses Cravenweek-verteenwoordigers en die brute krag van Hoërskool Klerksdorp se agttal was nét te veel vir Hoërskool Oos-Moot Saterdagmiddag in Klerksdorp.

Herleef al die SDC Noordvaal Plaat-aksie op SuperSport School – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Die Klerksdorpers het na ‘n taai eerste helfte, waarin die Oosies self ‘n aantal skote afgevuur het, die sluise in die tweede skof oopgemaak om uiteindelik gemaklik met 37-19 oorwinning te smaak.

Agsteman, Tiaan Koen het ‘n kapteinsbeurt gespeel deur nie alleen die besoekers se doellyn twee keer oor te steek nie, maar het deurgaans sy lyf op die spel geplaas, en is kragtig bygstaan deur ‘n tweede agtereenvolgende uithalervertoning deur slot Abrie Esterhuizen.

Met die Klerksdorpers wat voorlangs die oorhand verkry het, het hul gevaarlike agterlyn, met buitesenter, Winton Abrahams, aan die spits, die krane oopgedraai om amok onder die Oosie-verdedigers te saai.

Daar was nietemin positiewe vir die besoekers, met vernaam buitesenter, Jayden Pretorius, wat die tuisspan kopsere besorg het met sy netjiese aanvalslyne.

Matthew Abbey het met vier uit vyf doelskoppe geslaag in Hoërskool Middelburg se sege van 24-9 oor Hoërskool Wesvalia, waarmee Middies na die wenpad teruggekeer het. Wessies-losskakel, Eduard Dreyer, se visier was self ingestel en hy het ál sy span se punte met drie strafdoele aangeteken.

Elders in die dorp het HTS Middelburg in ‘n wipplankstryd met 41-32 oor Ligbron Akademie geseëvier. Die eerste 35 minute het egter aan die besoekers behoort, met die Liggies wat weereens gewys het hoe gevaarlik hul snellers uit gebroke spel kan wees. Dit het selfs aan hulle ‘n voorsprong van 20-12 teen rustyd gebied, nadat regtervleuel, Neo Zwane, in die hoekie oorgeduik het.

Die Rooi Bulle se Argu Kruger en CJ Muller het egter die kitaar in die tweede helfte geslaan, deur elkeen twee keer agter die doellyn te gaan draai om hul span oor die wenstreep te kry.

Hoërskool Zwartkop het sy onoorwonne segetog van 16 wedstryde met ‘n welholsege van 61-7 oor Hoërskool Marais Viljoen voortgesit. Haker en drieëvraat, Reagan Blignaut, het sy goeie spelpeil gehandhaaf met nogmaals ‘n driekuns aan drieë.

Luan Williams, wat kort voor die afskop na binnesenter moes skuif weens ‘n besering aan David van Jaarsveld, was kort op Blignaut se hakke met twee drieë van sy eie.

Puntemakers: 

Hoërskool Klerksdorp 37 (15) – Drieë: Tiaan Koen (2), Abrie Esterhuizen, Dorian Isaacs, Winton Abrahams. Doelskoppe: Isaacs (2). Strafdoele: Isaacs (2). Oos-Moot 19 (12) – Drieë: Stian de Vente, Bradley Jacobs, Jayden Pretorius. Doelskoppe: Jeandré Venter (2).

Hoërskool Middelburg 24 (13) – Drieë: Lesego Rakale, Jaco Truter. Doelskop: Matthew Abbey. Strafdoel: Abbey (4). Wesvalia 9 (6) – Strafdoele: Eduard Dreyer (3).

HTS Middelburg 41 (12) – Drieë: Argu Kruger (2), CJ Muller (2), Danté Muller, Johnny Dos Santos, C-Jay Potgieter. Doelskoppe: WJ Enslin, Lubbe. Ligbron Akademie 32 (20) – Drieë: Bandile Thanjekwayo, Neo Zane, Siyanda Dennison, Jurgens Bezuidenhout. Doelskoppe: Gaston Brown (3). Strafdoele: Brown (2).

Zwartkop 61 (19) – Drieë: Reagan Blignaut (3), Luan Williams (2), Shayden Botha, Justin Julies, Stiaan Botha, André Marx. Doelksoppe: Tilon Barron (8). Marais Viljoen 7 (0) – Drie: Jemaine Crause. Doelskop: Tiaan van Huyssteen.

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Oos-Moot 12, Klerksdorp 7; Hoërskool Middelburg 33, Wesvalia 3; Ligbron Akademie 17, HTS Middelburg 14; Marais Viljoen 35, Zwartkop 31.

o.15: Oos-Moot 21, Klerksdorp 5; Wesvalia 13, Hoërskool Middelburg 3; HTS Middelburg 19, Ligbron Akademie 17; Zwartkop 54, Marais Viljoen 15.

o.14: Klerksdorp 14, Oos-Moot 7; Wesvalia 19, Hoërskool Middelburg 17; HTS Middelburg 7, Ligbron Akademie 5; Zwartkop 28, Marais Viljoen 17.