With the much-anticipated SASHOC Nationals around the corner, St Stithians Girls’ College hosted St Mary’s Waverley for a high-tempo Hyundai Friday Nite lights derby fixture that doubled as a show of support for breast cancer awareness.
The Astro was surrounded by a sea of pink, with balloons and spectators sporting the colour in support of the initiative.
From the first whistle, the game took off at pace and Saints came close to taking an early lead thanks to a defence-splitting pass, but they failed to convert.
Both sides impressed with their composure on the ball, but there was no breakthrough for either in the first quarter.
Just two minutes into the second chukka, though, Kyla Grobbelaar, of St Mary’s, scored a brilliant penalty corner to give her side the lead.
St Stithians fought back and won a penalty corner, thanks to beautiful ball played by Nicole Chikweshwe, but St Mary’s denied them the outcome they were looking for.
Both defences stood firm in the third chukka as play flowed from end to end, with St Mary’s stubbornly protecting their lead and Saints, equally determined, chasing an equaliser. The home side was able to create a handful of chances, but some crucial saves from the St Mary’s goalkeeper kept her team in front.
It was more of the same in the final chukka, with Saints relentlessly chasing a goal to level the score, but it never came and the visitors, St Mary’s, claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win.
While the result didn’t go the hosts’ way, the evening celebrated more than hockey. It showcased a spirit of competition, community support, and important awareness about breast cancer.
Speaking after the match, St Mary’s coach Cindy Brown expressed pride in her team’s performance and praised the competitive nature of the derby.
“St Mary’s and St Stithians are old rivals. There is always a great vibe and great energy that comes along with these matches, and Friday night was no different,” said Brown.
“It was so great to see so many St Mary’s girls coming to support despite being busy with exams. That was amazing, and I think it made the spectacle all the more memorable for the girls. These are the matches that people want to play in and also want to win.
“The fact that we managed to come away with the win on Friday is special. I’m chuffed with the team.
“We played good hockey and defended well when we needed to. We probably left a few chances out there, but in a big derby game, where there’s so much pressure, it’s never the prettiest hockey.
“I’m just really proud of how the girls got stuck in and defended incredibly well. I think both teams were guilty of double turnovers. As soon as we got it, we lost it, and we didn’t string enough passes together at times. That’s something both teams will look to improve.
“But, overall, in a big game like this, that mindset is really important. The fact that we managed to pull through with the win is really special. So, I am very happy about it, and I am ready for the next one.”
There’s no quarter asked or given when Hilton and Michaelhouse clash. Photo: Brad Morgan.
The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands painted a pretty picture on Saturday afternoon as Hilton College completed a season’s sweep of their great rivals, Michaelhouse, scoring a 29-20 win in the bowl of Gilfillan Field after leading 16-10 at the break.
Hilton never trailed, but twice, when it appeared as if the home side was about to firmly seize control of the contest, Michaelhouse came firing back to make a good game of it.
In the end, though, Hilton won thanks to a sound foundation laid by their pack, a crisp service from scrumhalf Benoit Rey, and a superb all-round performance from their captain and flyhalf Liyema Nela, who read the game beautifully and made excellent choices throughout. His personal contribution was 19 points.
The home side got off to a strong start when Nela, who had his kicking boots on, landing a penalty from wide on the left after only two minutes. That was followed by the contest’s opening try, 11 minutes in, with big André Boshoff finishing next to the uprights after being put into a gap from a tap-and-go five metres out.
Seizing the initiative early on was crucial to his side’s success, Hilton coach Brad Macleod-Henderson told SuperSport Schools Plusafterwards: “It was a tough game as the Hilton/Michaelhouse always is. We got off to a good start and, luckily, those first 10 points were enough to get us over the line in the end,” he reckoned.
Hilton flyhalf Liyema Nela challenged Michaelhouse with his goal kicking, tactical kicking, passing, and running, mixing up his game superbly. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Ten minutes after Boshoff’s try, Michaelhouse made it onto the scoreboard, with Stefan Moolman slotting an easy penalty. But it wasn’t what they had wanted. ‘House had hammered away at Hilton’s try line, but the home team had an answer to every surge they made. Instead of a try, they settled for a penalty.
The impressive Nela, then, struck a dagger blow for the home side when he landed a drop goal from 25 metres out, which took his side 13-3 clear after 26 minutes. “I don’t want to hype myself up, but I think that drop kick put us on the front foot,” he said.
With the momentum on Hilton’s side, they threatened to overrun Michaelhouse when a Nela penalty extended their lead to 13 points after the visitors went offsides.
William Ridl and his men showed character, though, to work their way down the field again, where they kept hammering away at the Hilton try line, with the home side stubbornly rejecting ever crack that their rivals took. Eventually, though, Michaelhouse’s patience was rewarded when Rourke O’Sullivan crashed over in the left corner.
A pinpoint conversion from Moolman took the halftime score to 16-10. It was game on again.
Early in the second half, Nela kept the scoreboard pressure building with a third successful penalty from 32 metres out.
For a second time in the match, it looked as if Hilton might break open the contest and surge clear when they went over for another try, scored by number eight Zander Muller off an inviting inside pass from Nela. Muller was in under the uprights and Nela’s easy conversion kick put Hilton 26-10 ahead after 48 minutes.
Michaelhouse clawed their way back, however. A Moolman penalty a couple of minutes later reduced the deficit before a sizzling length of the field counterattack, started in the left-hand corner of the ‘House 22 by Lwandle Nzama, was finished out on the right and over Hilton’s try line by fullback Alex Jankowitz.
A try deep in the second half by MIchaelhouse’s Alex Jankowitz set up an exciting finish. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Moolman’s steady boot and successful conversion pulled the red and white hoops to within a converted try with 10 minutes to play. Once again, the visitors were back in with a shot of victory.
Hilton responded well by playing the next five minutes deep inside the visitors’ half.
Eventually, Michaelhouse worked their way into Hilton’s 22 as time expired. But, when a lineout throw-in didn’t go to hand Hilton’s Zander Muller gratefully claimed possession, made a run, set up a ruck, and flyhalf Nela kicked high and handsome over the sideline to secure victory.
“Hats off to Michaelhouse. They kept on coming. They never back down. All in all, I think it was a good day. The weather was beautiful, too. Luckily, we came out on the right side of the result,” a grinning Brad Macleod-Henderson said while being congratulated by happy Hilton supporters.
“Nela had a great game. His kicking for poles was fantastic, his kicking out of hand, too, and he showed what he could do with his feet. I’m sure in his last game for Hilton, he is very happy to get the win.”
“It was nice,” the Hilton College skipper smiled when discussing his perfect goal kicking record on the day. “I haven’t had the greatest time off the tee, but today, luckily, I brought it.”
Describing the feeling of victory in the derby, Macleod-Henderson said: “A little bit of relief and a lot of joy. Especially for the matrics, it means a lot. It almost gives them bragging rights for life.”
Hilton’s captain, Liyema Nela broke into a big smile when he spoke about being able to deliver a victory for the Hilton community. “It’s amazing,” he said. “It’s 600 of us. We even have a war cry, ‘There’s 600 of us and we’re back in the white’.
“It’s not only 15 people on the field. There are 600 on the field against 15. It’s a surreal feeling.”
Scorers
Hilton College 29 (16) – Tries: André Boshoff, Zander Muller. Conversions: Liyema Nela (2). Penalties: Liyema Nela (4). Drop goal: Liyema Nela; Michaelhouse 20 (10) – Tries: Rourke O’Sullivan, Alex Jankowitz. Conversions: Stefan Moolman (2), Penalties: Stefan Moolman (2)
Results
u19 – Hilton I 29 Michaelhouse I 20; Hilton II 24 Michaelhouse II 24; Hilton III 15 Michaelhouse III 33; Hilton IV 12 Michaelhouse IV 7. Hilton V 0 Michaelhouse V 32; Hilton VI 0 Michaelhouse VI 71; Hilton VII 0 Michaelhouse VII 20.
u16 – Hilton A 8 Michaelhouse A 28; Hilton B 17 Michaelhouse B 49; Hilton C 5 Michaelhouse C 22; Hilton D 10 Michaelhouse D 48.
u15 – Hilton A 28 Michaelhouse A 22; Hilton B 14 Michaelhouse B 21; Hilton C 0 Michaelhouse C 26; Hilton D 5 Michaelhouse D 14.
u14 – Hilton A 24 Michaelhouse A 5; Hilton B 14 Michaelhouse B 19; Hilton C 12 Michaelhouse C 45; Hilton D 36 Michaelhouse D 45.
Rondebosch had Bishops’ number, scoring a comfortable 21-point home win. Photo: Bishops Diocesan College on Facebook.
The honours went the way of Rondebosch Boys’ High as they scored a controlled 28-7 win over Bishops on the Tinkie Heyns Field on Saturday in a KingPrice Derby Series match.
The victory was by a similar margin to their 22-5 win over their rivals at home in 2024. Unfortunately for the visitors, that was their fifth loss in a row.
‘Bosch got the scoreboard moving early, thanks to their fullback Daniel Cooke. He fielded a downfield kick from Bishops’ outside centre Eljaron Geduld and ran it back, breaking the visitors’ defensive line before setting left wing Caleb Bell free to score in the corner. Flyhalf Sebastian Boshoff added the extras.
The speedy Cooke was in the thick of the action again in the 24th minute, when the home side extended their lead to 14-0, following another successful conversion kick from Boshoff.
Just two minutes into the second half, Rondebosch, playing in white, crossed for a third try. This time it came from a rolling maul, with hooker Ismaeel Conrad dotting down for five points. Boshoff added the extras with a precise kick from the corner of the 22 to open up a big lead.
Almost inevitably, ‘Bosch skipper, Josh Neill, got onto the score sheet. From a lineout deep in the Diocesan College 22, the home team mauled towards the try line. When their momentum was stopped, Neill shot out and scored. Boshoff made it four from four off the kicking tee when he added the extras.
Bishops showed their fight with a consolation try in the 69th minute of the game. After maintaining possession through numerous phases from a lineout just out the Rondebosch 22, inside centre Boytjie Fyfer picked up and dived over. Geduld tacked on two more points, but the day belonged to the hosts.
Both Rondebosch and Bishops return to action on 22 July against English opposition, with ‘Bosch hosting St Benedict’s and Bishops facing Sedbergh, traditionally one of the top sides in England.
St Stithians Boys College, celebrating their Pink Derby Day victory. Photo: St Stithians on Facebook.
St Stithians College powered past St John’s College, scoring a convincing 4-1 victory in an action-packed Pink Derby Day clash.
Saintshosted their Johannesburg rivals in a derby that has driven the awareness of breast cancer through sports since 2016.
The initiative has attracted huge support and on Saturday the St Stithians’ campus was packed by a large crowd of people sporting pink in support of the cause.
The hosts pulled out their A-game, controlling the tempo from the start and capitalising on key opportunities to secure a dominant win.
St John’s showed resilience under pressure, but they were reacting to the hosts dictating play, and it ended in a convincing three-goal win for the home side.
Afterwards, St Stithians, on their Facebook page, thanked people for their strong support of the breast cancer awareness initiative: “A massive thank you to the incredible St Stithians and St John’s communities for showing up in full spirit, solidarity, and style this Pink Derby Day. From the astros and fields to the stands, your energy, passion, and generosity created a day filled with purpose,” the message read.
“Together, we proved that sport is more than a game – it’s a powerful platform to unite, uplift, and stand with those affected by cancer. Your commitment to raising awareness and supporting the cause was truly inspiring.
“To our young sportsmen, their coaches and managers, we commend you for the spirit in which the games were played. To our schools, families, and supporters: thank you #OneAndAll for your compassion, courage, and heart. We look forward to many more moments where passion meets purpose.”
In Pretoria, St Alban’s College hosted Kearsney College, who were fresh off a 3-2 win over St Stithians last week.
Buoyed by that win over Saints, the KwaZulu-Natal side played with rhythm and control.
They scored in the first chukka from a penalty corner by Keegan de Jager and kept St Alban’s on the back foot. He struck twice more from the set piece to finish with a hattrick as the visitors secured an impressive 3-0 victory.
In a league outing, St David’s Marist Inanda made light work of Cornwall Hill College picking up a convincing 4-1 win.
It was a milestone game for Matteo Stipcevich, who earned his 100th cap for the St David’s first team.
There was next to nothing to separate Hilton and Michaelhouse, but the home team had the final say, scoring a late goal through their captain Xavier Enslin to claim a 3-2 victory. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Hilton College produced a brilliant performance in front of their home crowd to record a thrilling 3-2 win over Michaelhouse on Saturday morning after a tremendous tussle that ebbed and flowed.
“I am pleased with the effort and execution of the game plan. We knew they (Michaelhouse) were going to come out hot and I think we executed the plan quite nicely,” Damian Kimfley, the Hilton coach, told Supersport Schools Plusafter the match.
Kimfley and his charges prepared well for the encounter. Those preparations included working on penalty corner variations to counter Michaelhouse’s fast runners.
With ‘House getting out fast and applying pressure, Hilton stopped and played a short ball a couple of times to the left to Ben Wilson, which eliminated the runners. Blessed with a powerful shot, Wilson went with the hit and it paid dividends.
The variation worked like a dream six minutes into the first chukka when Hilton drew first blood to go up 1-0.
Michaelhouse has put together a strong season, however, showing plenty of character along the way, and they soon fought their way back to level terms.
Their equaliser came with only a minute remaining in the first chukka, also from a penalty corner, with Thandanani Zuma striking off a rebound.
Thandanani Zuma shone in midfield for Michaelhouse and scored the visitor’s opening goal. Photo: Brad Morgan.
There was little difference between the sides, and it took good decision-making and pivoting when a plan stopped working for one team to get on top of things. That is what Hilton did.
In the final stages of the first half, though, they stuck with something that had worked previously, with Ben Wilson again executing a penalty corner variation to give the home side a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Michaelhouse remained composed and worked their way to an equaliser in the third quarter. A flowing move down the right flank ended with the ball being centred and Gordon Deutscher sweeping it into the back of the goalbox, past goalkeeper Kayson Holthauzen.
Hilton College captain Xavier Enslin sent Matthew Hunter the wrong to score the winning goal from the penalty spot. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Hilton snatched the lead again when they won a penalty stroke and their captain Xavier Enslin took on the responsibility, confidently taking his chance.
Michaelhouse threw everything they had into the last few minutes. It looked as if they had scored with time almost up, but after consultation between the umpires an equaliser was ruled out and Hilton held on to score a nail-biting 3-2 win.
When they met in Balgowan, on the Punchbowl Astro, at the beginning of May, the teams drew 1-1. And while Hilton won on Saturday, it was close enough that the contest could have gone the other way. There truly was next to nothing between the teams, maybe just excellent preparation and a well-executed penalty corner variation.
SACS captain, Jo le Roux, addressing his schoolmates after their 5-1 win over Wynberg Boys’ High on Friday, 20 June 2025. Photo: AP – a_pieterse_photography
“This one is the invincible season. We want to go unbeaten throughout the rest of the year.”
Those were the words of South African College High School (SACS) captain, Jo le Roux, when he led his side to glory at the Hibbert Shield, in Gqeberha, in May.
Before winning that prestigious tournament, SACS enjoyed a stellar pre-season tour of The Netherlands where they ran rampant against some of the best hockey clubs in the world.
They returned to South African shores and defeated Parel Vallei High School 4-1 before heading to the Hibbert Shield with a point to prove, having lost in the 2024 final.
Coach Sam Holmes‘ outfit picked up from where they left off after the Hibbert Shield, beating Bishops, Rondebosch Boys’ High, DF Malan, Paul Roos, and Reddam House Constantia. They were then, surprisingly, held to a 2-2 draw by Paarl Gim.
On Friday, they recorded an emphatic 5-1 victory over Wynberg Boys’ High to end the term on a high, thus keeping their hopes of an “invincible season” alive.
Dangerman Litha Kraai struck twice, while goals from Aidan Hughes, Adam Thompson, and Reagan Wille completed the drubbing.
It was an improved showing from SACS, who weren’t at their best in their draw with Paarl Gim. Captain Jo le Roux put it down to better execution in the final third.
“Building up to the game, we mainly just spoke about our conversion of the circle and 23 entries,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“We performed well in the plan/prep for the Paarl Gim game, which was positive, and our build-up play was what we expected. It just came down to the final third of the field and we fixed that against Wynberg.”
Aidan Hughes netted for his side in their 5-1 victory over Wynberg Boys’ High. Photo: AP – a_pieterse_photography
While the scoreline reads 5-1, Le Roux is adamant there’s still plenty of work that lies ahead.
“It was a positive game after Paarl Gim, but there are still areas to improve going into the second half of the season,” he said.
“But I think we can be very pleased with the season so far. Having a successful, unbeaten Holland trip, gold at Hibbert, and a win at Maties against Paul Roos is not easy.
“I am super proud of the lads and all the effort we’ve put in. And we look forward to the last few games of the year.”
Le Roux and seven of his teammates will represent Western Province u18Aat the forthcoming SASHOC National Week in KwaZulu-Natal.
The province will be chasing a fifth straight title at the national event. It begins on 30 June, with the final scheduled for 5 July.
SACS 5-1 Wynberg Boys’ High
Paarl Gimnasium 1-1 Fairmont High School
Rondebosch Boys’ High 1-1 Bishops
Paarl Boys’ High 3-1 Durbanville
Reddam House Constantia 3-2 Stellenberg High School
A week after being hammered by Paarl Gimnasium, SACS gave Wynberg Boys’ High a hard fight. Photo: SACS on Facebook.
In a King Price Derby Series clash on Memorial A-Field, the visitors, Wynberg Boys’ High, scored a tough 21-10 win over SACS on Saturday, in Cape Town.
After a tight 9-7 win at home and a 29-30 defeat away in 2024, Wynberg would have been delighted with a more comprehensive result in their favour.
On Saturday, the sides were neck-and-neck in a tight first half, with both scoring only seven points each. Daniel Grant dotted down for the home side, while Yaqeen Ahmed went over for Wynberg. In the second half, their paths diverged.
Wynberg upped the ante by scoring only three minutes after the restart. They made some metres after going blindside from a scrum about 30 metres from the hosts’ goal line. Then, scrumhalf Morné Noble delivered a flat pass to the hard running flank, Tjeripo Karuhumba, who muscled his way through for five. Flyhalf Achmat Behardien added the extras.
SACS responded with a superbly struck penalty from 40 metres by outside centre Mikey Skeeles, after the home team had won a jackal penalty.
Wynberg, however, sealed the deal with a try in the 62nd minute. It began from a lineout 10m from the SACS’ try line and was finished by inside centre Yaqeen Ahmed, who scored his second of the game after sniping from the base of the ruck
Behardien made it three from three off the kicking tee to lift the visitors’ total to 21 points.
SACS next plays at Paarl Boys’ High on 26 July, while Wynberg faces a daunting trip to Paarl Gimnasium on the same day.
Hot Shots’ captain, Intando Taitai played a crucial role in helping her team secure the Youth Day Classic Basketball Tournament, at the German International School in 2024. Photo. African Grassroot Hoops on Instagram.
Day one of the Youth Classic Basketball Tournament, organised by African Grassroots Hoops, delivered captivating action on the courts of the German International School, in Cape Town, on Saturday.
The popular tournament is a highlight of the developmental basketball calendar and attracts both local teams and sides from beyond the borders of the Western Cape.
On Saturday, the Soweto Basketball Academy, Montana Vikings, and Bulldogs, caught the eye.
Male Competition
The Soweto Basketball Academy, after being beaten in the final of the Soweto Basketball Uprising Tournamentby Jozi Stars on Monday, returned to winning ways with successive victories on the opening day of the Youth Classic Basketball Tournament.
They’re top of Group A, with the maximum four points after a 49-22 win over the Titans Basketball Club, which they followed with an equally convincing 50-22 defeat of the Cape Town Sharks.
The Sharks, though, had no problems dealing with the Hout Bay Hurricanes, cruising to a one-sided 48-5 win. They’ll face the Titans in their final group game, with a win guaranteeing them a place in the semi-finals, and they look odds-on to advance to the final four.
A packed venue at the German International School with players and spectators watching on. Photo. Vincent Ntunja
It was a tough day for the Titans, who lost both their games. After their defeat to the Soweto Basketball Academy, they were edged out by Hout Bay, going down 22-25.
The Montana Vikings, who made the semi-finals of the Soweto Basketball Uprising Tournament, before falling to the Soweto Basketball Academy, picked up two wins in Group B.
In their opening match, they were pushed hard by Eagles Basketball Club A but came away with a 33-25 victory. The Eagles showed in the loss, though, that they are formidable contenders.
Their second match brought an even tighter win for the Montana Vikings, who held off Snipers Hout Bay to take a 32-30 win.
After day one, Eagles Basketball Club A, with three points, is in second place, just one point behind the Montana Vikings. They scored an impressive and hard-fought 65-62 victory over the Lions Basketball Club in their other outing on Saturday.
The Lions Basketball Club, in third, also has three points after they grabbed a one-point win over Snipers Hout Bay, triumphing 43-42 in a tense match.
In Group C, the Bulldogs made a resounding statement, not only to the teams in their group but also to every other team participating in the Youth Classic Basketball Tournament by posting a clean record while dominating their opposition.
Photo. Vincent Ntunja
The first team to suffer a defeat against the Bulldogs was Blouberg, who were beaten 43-22. The Westcliff Eagles were handed a 65-26 loss, and Eagles Basketball Club B became the third team to go down, with the Bulldogs powering their way to a 44-26 victory.
In other Group C fixtures, the Westcliff Eagles claimed a tight 33-28 victory over Eagles Basketball Club B. They made it two from three, then, with a 52-43 victory over Blouberg.
Female Competition
The women’s tournament features six teams, split into Group A and Group B.
On Saturday, the defending champions, Hotshots Basketball Club, along with the recent back-to-back champions of the Soweto Uprising Basketball Tournament, the Soweto Basketball Academy, were on song, as was the Montana Vikings.
Leading in Group A, the Hot Shots Basketball Club squeaked by Shaq Squad, winning 18-16, before letting loose against Hout Bay United and running away to a 38-11 win, which ensured their progress to the semi-finals.
In Group B, despite travelling from Johannesburg to Cape Town through the early hours of Saturday morning, the Soweto Basketball Academy showed no signs of jet lag, as evidenced by their commanding 46-16 win against the local Langa Kings in their opening match of the tournament.
Also in Group B, the Montana Vikings rumbled to a 37-17 victory over the Langa Kings.
Results
Saturday
Male Competition
Group A
Cape Town Sharks 48-5 Hout Bay Hurricanes
Soweto Basketball Academy 49-22 Titans Basketball Club
Soweto Basketball Academy 50-22 Cape Town Sharks
Hout Bay Hurricanes 25-22 Titans Basketball Club
Group B
Montana Vikings 33-25 Eagles Basketball Club A
Lions Basketball Club 43-42 Snipers Hout Bay
Montana Vikings 32-30 Snipers Hout Bay
Eagles Basketball Club 65-52 Lions Basketball Club
Group C
Bulldogs 43-22 Blouberg A
Westcliff Eagles 33-28 Eagles Basketball Club B
Bulldogs 65-26 Eagles Basketball Club B
Westcliff Eagles 52-43 Blouberg A
Bulldogs 44-26 Westcliff Eagles
Female Competition
Group A
Hotshots Basketball Club 18-16 Shaq Squad
Hotshots Basketball Club 38-11 Hout Bay United
Boland Landbou hosted the mighty Paarl Gimnasium on PerdebergA Field on Saturday, but it was the visitors who made themselves at home, powering their way to a big 80-29 victory.
At times, defence might have appeared optional as the teams scored 19 tries between them, with 14 going the way of Gimmies.
The match also showed why Paarl Gim captain MarkusMuller and Boland Landbou scrumhalf Jayden Brits are in the Western Province Craven Week side. Muller scored an astonishing 43 points, crossing for five tries while also adding nine conversions. Brits scored a try, landed two conversions and provided two try assists.
Saturday’s defeat was The Farmers‘ fifth on the trot, but they’ve all been against tough opposition. Their previous four losses came against Paarl Boys’ High, Paul Roos, Affies, and Rondebosch. Meanwhile, Paarl Gim remains unbeaten after 14 games this season.
Gimmies opened the scoring in just the third minute. It was set up by hard running from the forwards onto short, flat passes from scrumhalf Mickyle Booise and, to no one’s surprise, finished by outside centre, Makus Muller, who muscled his way through three defenders to score.
The home team, then, did themselves no favours when they had two players yellow carded in quick succession. Gim didn’t need an invitation and hooker Charles Whitehead went over after a series of phases from the tap and go on the home team’s five-metre line.
Paarl Gim showed they could strike from long distance, too, with a searing counterattack from their own 22. Attacking down the flank, they were brought up just five metres short of the try line. Good, quick hands between Booise and flyhalf Louis Koen put fullback, Dawid Badenhorst, over in the corner.
To their credit, Boland Landbou found a response in the 16th minute when, from a five-metre scrum, flyhalf Pieter Bergh sliced through after selling a dummy for a five-pointer.
An exquisite 50-22 from Starman Brits got the home team back on the attack and, from the lineout, the farmers played a phase before Brits sniped through a gap to score.
Nearing halftime, Muller was over for his second, dotting down in the corner after receiving the ball on a blindside attack.
The visitors added to their tally only moments before the half-time break, with Muller bagging his hattrick after a rolling maul inside the 22 set Boland Landbou on the back foot. After a successful conversion from the corner, the Gim captain already had 23 points to his name and his side led 33-12.
Gimmies continued to stack points after the break, striking again from range after a 40-metre run by fullback Badenhorst, which set up loosehead prop Pieta Cilliers to barge over for five.
It wasn’t long before Badenhorst was over for a try of his own after a blindside move from Booise. Then, from the kickoff, centre Ethan Barker broke the line and fed Badenhorst, who provided the finish to bag a hattrick of tries.
Boland briefly enjoyed some success when flank Stephan Griesel scored from close range, and they followed that with another try from close range through eighthman, Juan Visagie, thanks to Brits effectively manipulating the Gim defence.
Markus Muller was over for his fourth off the back of a Gim rolling maul in the 57th minute and just six minutes later he had a handful of five-pointers. This time, he hit the line at pace, running onto a flat pass that put him through the gap.
The class of Brits was on show in the 66th minute when his clever chip was gathered by Gehano van Bo. The wing side-stepped a couple of players before being brought down on the five-metre line. Visagie was on hand, though, to pick up the ball and he was bundled over the line for his second try of the game.
With time running short, Gimmies’ right wing, Johan Kleynhans profited from a Boland Landbou knock-on in the home team’s 22, claiming possession before running through to score.
Straight from the kick-off, the visitors struck one last time, with Barker breaking the line before offloading for another try. With Divan Pieters adding the conversion, Paarl Gim reached 80 points for a second week in succession.
Boland next plays on 26 July when they host Bishops.
Paarl Gim returns to action on the same day, hosting Wynberg Boys’ High in Paarl.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Durbanville visited Paarl Boys’ High at the Buco Brug Street Stadium.
Boishaai powered their way to a 54-14 win, making a fiery comeback after going down 0-7 in the first two minutes of the match. For Durbanville, despite the big defeat, it was an improvement on their 7-73 loss on the same ground last year.
Thanks to free-flowing passing down the wing, Durbanville flyhalf Valrhinio Olckers found himself with space down the flank, where he ran in for the score, and inside centre Kyle Albertus added the extras from the corner as the visitors snatched a shock lead.
The hosts struck back quickly with two tries before the 10-minute mark through hooker JP Norton and lock Jayden Joubert.
Loosehead prop Jordan Jooste picked up and ploughed over for five in the 18th minute and when Iwan Jordaan added the extras it was 19-7.
After the break, Boishaai hit their stride, running in three early tries. Durbanville found a reply through eighthman Adrian Freemantle, who squeezed his way over for a try after the Cape Town school had laid siege to the home team’s try line. Albertus added the extras.
The home side finished strongly, bagging two more tries in the last five minutes of the game.
Paarl Boys’ High returns to action on 26 July, when they host SACS, while Durbanville faces Brackenfell that same day.
Scorers:
Paarl Gimnasium 80 (33) – Tries: Markus Muller (5), Dawid Badenhorst (3), Charles Whitehead, Johan Kleynhans, Divan Pieters. Conversions: Markus Muller (9), Divan Pieters. Boland Landbou 29 (12) – Tries: Juan Visagie (2), Pieter Bergh, Jayden Brits, Stephan Griesel. Conversions: Jayden Brits (2).
Paarl Boys’ High 54 (19) – Tries: Jordaan Jooste (2), JP Norton, Jayden Joubert, Cruz Davey, Kobus Wilken, Juan van der Merwe, Gavie Kok. Conversions: Iwan Jordaan (5), Francois van der Merwe, Steph van der Merwe. Hoërskool Durbanville 14 (7) – Tries: Valrhinio Olckers, Adrian Freemantle. Conversions: Kyle Albertus (2).
Other results
u19 – Boland Landbou I 29 Paarl Gim I 80, Boland Landbou II 17 Paarl Gim II 50, Boland Landbou III 13 Paarl Gim III 40, Boland Landbou IV 7 Paarl Gim IV 38, Boland Landbou V 26 Paarl Gim V 22, Boland Landbou VI 0 Paarl Gim VI 19, Paarl Boys II 64 Durbanville II 3.
u16 – Boland Landbou A 9 Paarl Gim A 10, Boland Landbou B 6 Paarl Gim B 31, Boland Landbou C 7 Paarl Gim 29, Boland Landbou D 29 Paarl Gim D 31, Paarl Boys A 26 Durbanville A 7.
u15 – Boland Landbou A 7 Paarl Gim A 39, Boland Landbou B 19 Paarl Gim B 31, Boland Landbou C 12 Paarl Gim C 10, Boland landbou D 13 Paarl Gim D 5, Paarl Boys A 35 Durbanville A 11.
u14 – Boland Landbou A 0 Paarl Gim A 15, Boland Landbou B 7 Paarl Gim 70, Boland Landbou C 0 Paarl Gim C 36, Boland Landbou D 0 Paarl Gim D 80, Paarl Boys A 17 Durbanville A 0.
Doan Nel of Kearsney College dives over in the corner to score a brilliant solo try against St Alban’s College in a dominant performance by the KZN side on Moshate Field, in Pretoria, on Saturday. Photo: Frans Lombard
St Alban’s College began their final home game with energy and dominance, but Kearsney College weathered the early storm before unleashing a flurry of tries to seal a comprehensive 59-9 victory at Moshate Field, in Pretoria, on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts struck first after sustained pressure in the opening exchanges, with scrumhalf Everett Gosling slotting a penalty to give St Alban’s a 3-0 lead.
Kearsney, however, responded swiftly in the eighth minute with a well-worked team try. Fullback Lwazi Mbebe showed quick hands to send winger Bukho Hlwatika over the line, although Mbebe failed to convert, leaving the score at 5-3 in favour of the visitors.
After a dangerous off-the-ball tackle by Kearsney’s captain Simanye Mlakalaka, Gosling added another penalty to edge the hosts back in front at 6-5. He slotted a third penalty shortly after to extend the lead to 9-5 in the 22nd minute. But from there, Kearsney turned the tide and never looked back.
Mbebe and Hlwatika continued their deadly combination, linking up again for tries in the 25th and 31st minutes. The fullback’s dazzling run and offload set up Hlwatika for both scores, although Kearsney kept missing the conversion kicks.
A stunning solo effort from wing Lwandle Mkhize, who sprinted from his own half, gave Kearsney a 20-9 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Kearsney was dominant, adding another 39 points to their tally. It began with a powerful try from eighthman Nhlanhla Ndlovu in the 42nd minute. That sparked a relentless sequence of tries, including solo efforts from centre Doan Nel and Mbebe, and a brilliant assist from Mbebe to scrumhalf Fynn Verbaan.
Nel successfully converted two of the second-half tries, pushing the lead to 44-9 by the 53rd minute.
Tensions flared midway through the half when Kearsney’s hooker Micah van Wijk was shown a yellow card for a high tackle, while St Alban’s fullback Thabiso Simelani received a red card for retaliating.
Undeterred, Kearsney continued their scoring spree. Tries from flank Oliver Ludwig, Hlwatika, and another from the wing, following a slick offload by Nel, brought the final score to 59-9, with Hlwatika dotting down five times.
Scorers
St Alban’s College 9 (9) – Penalties: Everett Gosling (3). Kearney College 59 (20) – Tries: Bukho Hlwatika (5), Lwandle Mkhize, Nhlanhla Ndlovu, Doan Nel, Lwazi Mbebe, Oliver Ludwig, Fynn Verbaan. Conversions: Doan Nel (2).
