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Hoërskool Montana loods sy nuwe hoofstuk, in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Skild-afdeling, Saterdag in Pretoria wanneer hy die gevaarlike Hoërskool Pietersburg ,om 13:30, tuis verwelkom.

Volg al die aksie regstreeks op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschool.com) 

Die Monties en Pieties het genoeg kans gehad om mekaar deeglik te ontleed tydens die onlangse NWU Prestige-reeks. Die twee spanne het met tye uitsonderlik vertoon, met die Monties wat in ‘n stadium drie agtereenvolgende seges kon inpalm, terwyl die Pieties dikwels met die groter name kon kers vashou.

Daar wag ‘n opwindende stryd in die middeveld tussen die twee binnesenters, Luan Barnard en Siya Mahlangu. Albei spog reeds met ‘n jaar se ervaring op eerstespan-vlak, met Mahlangu wat Barnard se kragspel sal probeer troef met sy venynige voetwerk.

Voorlangs word die Pieties aansienlik versterk met die terugkeer van vaskopstut, Stephan Jansen van Rensburg, na ‘n besering. Sy teenwoordigheid behoort vir die besoekers in sowel die skrums as op die aanval ‘n hupstoot te gee.

Vir die Monties sal flanke, Dieter Scheepers en Aiden Vorster, oudergewoonte woel in die los.

Hoërskool Die Anker durf vir Hoërskool Ben Vorster agter die sitrusgordyn in Tzaneen aan en die span van Brakpan sal alte bewus wees van die taak wat daar voorlê. Die Vossies het juis onlangs vir Hoërskool Waterkloof én Hoërskool Middelburg opdraande gegee in Tzaneen. Boonop beskou die tuisspan dit as onafgehandelde sake nadat Die Anker hom in die vorige kragmeting met 57-15 afgestof het.

Die tweestryd tussen die twee nr. 12’s, Arno Krugel, wat die beseerde Edrick Pienaar vervang en die Buffels se kragman, Gehan Hendriks, beloof ook hier om vuurwerke op te lewer. Voorlangs sal Brendan van Lutterveld en Gerhard Oosthuizen, Die Anker se woelige slotpaar, in ‘n verbete stryd gewikkel wees met die Vossies se Harmse-tweeling, Lourens en Barend Harmse.

Franko Rossouw en die span van Hoërskool Secunda sê tuis vir Hugenote van Springs die stryd aan. Die twee spanne het mekaar vroeër vanjaar in ‘n proefwedstryd teëgekom en is ou vyande in die Skild-afdeling. Rossouw, een van Secunda se sterkste aanspraakmakers op ‘n plek die Pumas se Cravenweekspan, sal sou gou as moontlik vir sy naamgenoot, Franko Neuhoff, en die Hugies-pak op die agtervoet wil plaas.

Heidelberg Volkskool, na ‘n lang blaaskans vanweë die reën wat die NWU Prestige-reeks kortgeknip het, verwelkom ‘n aantal staatmakers terug, waarvan binnesenter, Vaughn Steynvaart, straks die beduidendste is. Die Munro-tweeling, Tyrone (heelagter) en Tristan (buitesenter), sal ook weer die veld vol speel.

Die spanne: 

Montana t. Hoërskool Pietersburg om 13:30 in Pretoria: 

Montana: 15 Marq de Villiers, 14 Keagan van der Merwe, 13 Dirk Coetzee, 12 Luan Barnard, 11 Sam Schoeman, Rubel Bester, 9 Braam Schutte, 8 Ulrich van Biljon, 7 Dieter Scheepers, 6 Aiden Vorster, 5 Kyle Bronkhorst, 4 Eric Potgieter, 3 Xandré le Roux, 2 Juan Theunissen, 1 Aiden van der Made.

Hoërskool Pietersburg: 15 Ryno Mienie, 14 Armandt Venter, 13 Basson Wolmarans, 12 Siya Mahlangu, 11 Zuhan Labuschagne, 10 Juan Randall, 9 Celliers van der Merwe, 8 FC Smith, 7 Juan Janse van Vuuren, 6 Andru de Beer, 5 Ludke Pienaar, 4 Brent Vorster, 3 Stephan Jansen van Rensburg, 2 Ziahn Lombaard, 1 Kyle Swanepoel.

Ben Vorster t. Die Anker om 12:30 in Tzaneen: 

Ben Vorster: 15 Wessel Joubert, 14 Miguel Makhubupetsi, 13 Chifu Banda, 12 Gehan Hendriks, 11 Freddie Pinto, 10 Shelton-Ray Primo, 9 Stiaan du Rand, 8 Tumi Ramohlale, 7 Lesedi Motseke, 6 Kobus de Beer, 5 Lourens Harmse, 4 Barend Harmse, 3 Thaba Matlou, 2 Ruben Pohl, 1 Thabang Nkuna.

Die Anker: 15 Paul Schutte, 14 Dyllon le Roux, 13 Johnathan Jordaan, 12 Arno Krugel, 11 Ruben Botha, 10 Danie Smit, 9 Troy Joubert, 8 Jaydon Steenkamp, 7 Markus Herbst, 6 Byron van Zyl, 5 Brendan van Lutterveld, 4 Gerhard Oosthuizen, 3 Xavier Momberg, 2 Rico Goosen, 1 Branden Sauerman

Hoërskool Secunda t. Hugenote van Springs om 12:20 in Secunda: 

Secunda: 15 Dillon Grundelingh, 14 Ryan Lottering, 13 Armand Underhay, 12 Bismark Jansen, 11 Alberto Volschenck, 10 Alonzo Blakenberg, 9 JD van Coller, 8 Franko Rossouw, 7 Zander van der Merwe, 6 Sifiso Hlungwane, 5 Renier Combrink, 4 Mickey Jordaan, 3 MC Vosloo, 2 Rico Schoeman, 1 Nathan Erasmus.

Hugenote (Springs): 15 Christaan Basson, 14 Andile Dhlamini, 13 Yovan Prinsloo, 12 Dylan Nel, 11 Kyle de Klerk, 10 George Lucas, 9 Thanyani Mokiri, 8 Euan Venter, 7 Luan Pretorius, 6 Arné Marais, 5 André Coetzee. 4 Tristan de Beer, 3 Wian Rudolph, 2 Luan Smit, 1 Franko Neuhoff.

Heidelberg Volkskool t. Hoërskool Piet Retief in Heidelberg: 

Heidelberg Volkskool: 15 Tyrone Munro, 14 Theuns van der Merwe, 13 Tristan Munro, 12 Vaughn Steynvaart, 11 Pieter Greyling, 10 Marco Botha, 9 Hein Oelofse, 8 Juandré Pretorius, 7 Eduard Roets, 6 Jaco Botha, 5 Eduard Roets, 4 Werner Grobler, 3 Dean Last, 2 Henru Coetzer, 1 Reuben Bothma.

Piet Retief: 15 Buhle Ngubane, 14 Spephelo Phakathi, 13 Siphosethu Sibisi, 12 Gilles van der Meulen, 11 Vuyani Tshabalala, 10 Owethu Shabalala, 9 Kyle Stock, 8 Marnus Thomas, 7 SJ van Barneveld, 6 Lethu Hlope, 5 Harold Gevers, 4 Abongwe Maduna, 3 Aza Phakathi, 2 Mario de Oliveria, 1 Sfundo Mayisa.

Grey High School will be aiming to use the occasion of their Founder’s Day to halt a run of defeats against Wynberg Boys’ High when they clash in a much-anticipated showdown on the Kolisi Field in Gqeberha on Saturday, at 15:30.

This encounter is part of the King Price Derby Series.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools!

The home side has not beaten Wynberg since a high-scoring 40-30 win in Cape Town in 2017, but, in fairness to them, since then there have been two draws and two years were lost to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nonetheless, they know that they will be up against a fiercely competitive Cape outfit who will be fully motivated to rain on the Grey Reunion parade by continuing their recent impressive record.

Grey head coach Matt King acknowledged that Reunion Week at the school is always something special. “There is so much going on and the levels of excitement are palpable,” he said. “The team is especially excited as this group seems to really enjoy the challenge of playing against fiercely competitive teams, like Wynberg.”

While they’re playing at home, King knows that it is not necessarily a simple advantage. “It’s definitely a two-edged sword,” he explained. “The guys recognise that the Grey community expects them to put in a proud performance and so that comes with a lot of responsibility.

“On the other hand, it is comforting knowing that 90 percent of those in attendance on Saturday will be behind us.

“Our message to the boys is to embrace the feelings of excitement and anxiety, breathe, and try to enjoy the moment.”

Under co-captains, wing Luc de Villiers and hooker Evan Mucka, Grey has stitched together a decent run this year, with just a loss to the formidable Paul Roos Gimnasium and a draw with Michaelhouse to counter their four victories.

With vice-captain and flank David Melariri an energetic force up front, and fullback Meyer Prinsoo a constant threat, they will be focused on raising their game to the next level.

“The general feeling is that this team has not yet lived up to its potential,” King said. “While we have only lost one game, we would like to put together more complete performances in the games to follow.

“We believe we are improving every week and hope to see more of that improvement this weekend.”

Wynberg has enjoyed a solid season, winning five of their seven matches thus far, and the visitors are also excited about the annual derby.

“It’s special that 650 of our boys get to travel out of the province to compete across a variety of sporting and cultural codes,” Director of Rugby, Nick Groom said.

“They will create lasting memories both on and off the field, and they always look forward to the Grey weekend.

“It doesn’t feel like an away fixture because we have hundreds of high school and junior school boys, as well as parents and old boys, supporting on the sidelines.”

Wynberg knows that Grey boasts a number of threats in their team and they’ll be seeking a disciplined effort to overcome the “blue” surge.

“We will need to be cohesive with and without the ball, and will have to play well as a team, executing our roles selflessly,” Groom said.

The teams:

Grey High School: 15 Meyer Prinsloo, 14 Ahumzi Masoka, 13 Bradley Myburgh, 12 Noah Mbizi, 11 Luc de Villiers (co-captain), 10 Ray-Dylan Wilkinson, 9 Ryan Swarbrick, 8 Sibonelo Sturrman, 7 David Melariri (vice-captain), 6 Cody Wilmot, 5 Joandre van Jaarsveld, 4 Riley Higgs, 3 Ross Atkinson, 2 Evan Mucka (co-captain), 1 Daniel Naude.

Wynberg Boys’ High: 15 Daniel Ould, 14 Chad Campbell, 13 Kunene Gadu, 12 Yaqeen Ahmed, 11 Albert Lourens, 10 Achmat Berhardien, 9 Morné Noble, 8 Alvin Machinja, 7 Tjeripo Karuhumba, 6 Jamie Stride, 5 James Orwin, 4 Jaythen Orange (captain), 3 Luqobo Makwedini, 2 Noah Gila, 1 Luke Miller.

Results since 2015

2015: Grey 32-20 Wynberg
2016: Grey 24-7 Wynberg
2017: Grey 40-30 Wynberg
2018: Wynberg 36-33 Grey
2019: Wynberg 27-27 Grey
2022: Wynberg 18-16 Grey
2023: Wynberg 37-5 Grey
2024: Wynberg 10-10 Grey

A Muddy Brugstreet will undoubtedly be an ally for Paarl Boys’ High in their King Price Derby Series clash against Grey College on Saturday.

More than 25 millimetres of rain is expected in Paarl before the two teams kick off at 14:00.

Catch all the action live on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com) and on DStv Channel 216 and SABC Plus.

The home side also boasts one of the most experienced coaching staff in schoolboy rugby. Their head coach, Sean Erasmus, is on a tiny list of coaches who managed to defeat the rugby factory of Grey College three years in a row. Boishaai defeated Grey in 2015 (21-19), 2016 (28-18) and 2017 (46-31). The victory in 2015 was the team from Paarl’s first victory over Grey in Bloemfontein.

Boishaai also appointed Neil de Bruin as their Director of Rugby from this season. Former British and Irish Lions player CJ Stander is also part of the coaching staff, adding his weight specifically at the breakdowns. Their backline coach, David Sadie, has also gained a lot of experience in his role over the years.

The team from Paarl smashed Monument (85-0) and Noordheuwel (42-14) during the recently completed Absa Wildeklawer in Kimberley.

It must also be stated that Grey College’s head coach, Jannie Geldenhuys, has never lost against Boishaai at first team level. Not as a coach or as a player. Geldenhuys has been in control of Grey’s first team since 2021 and recorded victories over the team from Paarl in 2021 (37-3), 2022 (21-12), 2023 (39-30) and 2024 (40-28).

Grey probably has the most experienced coaching staff in schoolboy rugby. Besides Geldenhuys, the management staff is boosted by the presence of Springboks Wian du Preez, Tiaan Liebenberg and Helgard Müller. Their Director of Rugby and backline coach, Bobby Joubert, is also an experienced former provincial player.

The team from the City of Roses also performed well during the Absa Wildeklawer with victories over Helpmekaar (56-14) and Garsfontein (45-29). Their only defeat so far in 2025 came against Paarl Gimnasium (31-43).

Boishaai also has a solitary defeat on the books against Oakdale Landbou (26-28).

Grey College had some problems with their goal kicking earlier in the season, but it seems that they have found an answer for their woes in flyhalf, Darius Erwee. He kicked all his goals during the Absa Wildeklawer slotting 14 conversions and a penalty. He also scored a try in each of the matches for a personal contribution of 21 points against Helpmekaar and 20 points against Garsfontein.

His duel with Francois van der Merwe could be one of the highlights of the clash. Van der Merwe’s halfback partner, Liam de Villiers, will also be one of their side’s key players.

The teams: 

Paarl Boys’ High: 15 Mark Grindlay, 14 Jeneal Davids, 13 Tristan Joubert, 12 Iwan Jordaan, 11 Kaleb Holmes, 10 Francois van der Merwe, 9 Liam de Villiers, 8 Gavie Kok, 7 Steph van der Merwe (captain), 6 Wege van Zyl, 5 Jayden Joubert, 4 Gershom Pieters, 3 Juan van der Merwe, 2 Tommy Muller, 1 Jordan Jooste.

Grey College: 15 Lamla Mgedezi, 14 Benjamin van den Berg, 13 Ethan Adams, 12 O’Ryan Kleyn, 11 Thristan Maree, 10 Darius Erwee, 9 Sherwin Buys, 8 AJ Booysen, 7 Xander Smit (captain), 6 Adem Nieuwoudt, 5 AJ Meyer, 4 Alexi Tyropolis, 3 JG Badenhorst, 2 Tian Fourie, 1 David Hayidakis.

Kick-Off: 14:00

The town of Upington, in the Northern Cape, will be abuzz this weekend when Hoërskool Upington takes on their biggest rivals, Hoërskool Duineveld, in the annual ‘Klein Interjol’ clash on Saturday morning.

The highly anticipated match will see the boys’ and girls’ teams from the local schools take to the turf with their sights set on quietening their noisy neighbours.

It’s LIVE on SuperSport Schools! Pushback for the boys’ clash is at 11:30, while the girls’ match starts at 12:45.

It’s been a topsy-turvy start to the 2025 season for the Uppies‘ boys’ 1st XI, which is led by coaches SD Botes and Sergio Jones.

After a couple of pre-season outings, in April, the boys in white and orange participated in the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament, in Cape Town.

It was their first time at the tournament, and Uppies came up against some tough opposition, but they held their own and finished in 29th place out of a whopping 48 teams.

“We had a very slow start to the season,” Botes told SuperSport Schools Plus. “This year, for the first time in eight years, we have a fairly young side, with only three grade 12s.

“We are not happy with the results thus far,” he admitted, “but we see every loss as a learning opportunity, and it pushes us to better ourselves every game.”

Playing in the Belgotex Easter Hockey tournament was a milestone for Hoërskool Upington’s hockey programme, which has been making massive strides within the Northern Cape region.

Although some results during the tournament didn’t go their way, the coaches believe that facing top teams will leave the boys in good stead for the remainder of the season.

“It changed our minds a bit to see we can think bigger than the Northern Cape and Free State Province, where we normally compete,” Botes shared.

“At this stage, we try to give our younger players as much exposure as possible, and each game we can see improvement from the team, as a unit. To be able to be the best, you have to compete against the best.”

The Uppies team will be required to be at their best when they face Duineveld on Saturday morning.

The Interjol is a huge occasion, and Botes explained its significance: “Interjol is massive for the players, staff and coaches from both schools.

“We, however, try to stay focused on the fact that this is also the start of the league, so we have a bigger picture in mind. This match can be likened to the derby between Paul Roos and Paarl Gimnasium. It’s fairly big and gathers big crowds.”

In their last meeting with Duineveld, Uppies scored an emphatic 6-1 victory on home soil.

They’ll be playing away this time around, and the coaches believe if they bring their A-game and execute well, another win could be on the cards.

“If we stick to the plan and execute it well again this time around, we can, in return, get another positive result, no matter if it’s home or away.

“This is a special group of boys who like to bring their A-game when necessary,” Botes concluded.

The Uppies side will be led by John-Dre Rooi, and he’ll be assisted by De Villiers Fourie. Players who could be pivotal to their challenge include Hendrik Van Der Westhuizen and Roux Erasmus.

TEAMS

Hoërskool Upington: Heinrich Goussard, CJ Botha, Thysson van Rheene, Roux Erasmus, Corné Kriek, De Villiers Fourie (vc), John-Dre Rooi (c), Hendrik van der Westhuizen, Jaco Strauss, Ruan Strauss, Fredrick du Plessis, Evan Janse van Rensburg, Franco Coetzee, Ihshan Mvuyekure, Johan Truter, Nicolaas Brockman.

Hoërskool Duineveld: Juan Zaayman (GK), Markus van der Merwe, Christian Kotzé, Jean-Pierre Smith, Luan Olivier, Drihan Venter, Werner Broodryk, Wilmar Gresse, Wade April, Wickus Nel, Henco Dege, Nico Hodgson, Albert Oberholster, Tristen du Toit, André du Rand (vc), Ewald van Rensburg (c).

Two of Pretoria’s top hockey-playing schools are set for a bumper weekend of action, covering two days, 9-10 May, when Hoërskool Garsfontein and Hoërskool Waterkloof go at it across all age groups, both girls and boys, in a home and away affair.

The action begins on Friday afternoon at Waterkloof with the u16B girls taking to the turf. They’ll be followed by the girls’ 3rd teams and the boys’ u16C sides as the matches serve to build up to the clashes of the A teams and the 1st sides.

At Garsfontein, Friday’s five build-up games include the girls’ u14B teams taking to the field first. They’ll be followed by the girls’ 2nd XIs, and, then, the u16A sides.

It will be a case of Hyundai Friday Nite Lights when both the girls’ and boys’ 1st XIs do battle at Garsfontein, with the girls’ clash starting at 18:05 and the boys playing at 19:20.

Catch the girls’ 1st XI match and the boys’ 1st XI game LIVE on SuperSport Schools, plus all the other Garsfontein vs Waterkloof games.

Garsfontein’s boys’ team, after recently finishing fourth at the Standard Bank Hibbert Shield against a high-quality field, will have drawn confidence from their excellent in Gqberha.

There is seldom much to separate the girls’ sides, which Garsies’ coach Charlene Jonsson acknowledged: “We have tightly contested matches each year,” she said. “The first-team girls drew 0-0 last year in this same fixture, and we have not played each other this year yet,” she told SuperSport School Plus.

Her team is ready for the clash, Jonsson added: “Preparations are going well. We are hitting our full in-season stride after all the tournaments are done for this phase of the year, and the focus shifts to our league matches and derbies.

“We keep focusing on getting one percent better each week,” she concluded.

FIXTURES

9 May at Garsfontein

15:00 – u14B girls
15:50 – 2nd girls
16:50 – u16A girls
18:05 – 1st girls
19:20 – 1st boys

9 May at Waterkloof

14:30 – u16B girls
15:20 – 3rd girls
16:10 – u16C boys

10 May at Garsfontein

07:45 – u15A girls
08:45 – u14A girls
09:45 – u14A boys
11:00 – u16A boys
12:15 – 2nd boys
13:15 – 3rd boys

10 May at Waterkloof

07:30 – u15B girls
08:20 – u14C girls
09:10 – u16C girls
10:00 – u16B boys
10:50 – u14B boys

After winning the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament, Lekhoba Ngakane, the Soccer Manager at Virginia High School, told SuperSport Schools Plus that the school’s win has made waves in the Free State town.

Ngakane explained that Virginia High is in partnership with the Virginia Sports Academy. In club competitions, they unite as Virginia Sports Academy, but they run out as Virginia High School in school sports events.

Working in that manner helps with the scouting of players and the dual pursuit of football and academics at Virginia High.

Since it opened in 2018, Virginia High has flourished on the football field and attracted national attention, with some players catching the eye of national teams. Oageng Lebesane has earned a place in the u17 South African National Team, while Sello Mokhobo and Lisolethu Tshangela were included in the preliminary squad.

Virginia High also excels in other sporting codes, including netball, and athletics, with Kgotso Tansi and Tshogofatso Tsokodubane representing Free State at the National Athletics South Africa (ASA) Championship in Cape Town during the March holidays.

Despite the school having already achieved so much, Ngakane humbly described winning the Absa Wildeklawer title as “surreal”.

“The school opened in 2018, and we did not have sports at all,” he explained. “We started having sports in 2022.

“That’s when we started with soccer and, in 2023, the Virginia Sports Academy was introduced to our school. To this day, it feels unbelievable, because we have always looked up to schools like Grey College with the facilities that they have.

“We have always looked up to HTS Louis Botha. We have always been scared of HTS Louis Botha. Their dream is not shallow. They take sports very seriously.”

Ngakane credited Head Coach Pitso Mokoena – a former player for Bloemfontein Celtic, Free State Stars, and AmaZulu FC – for Virginia’s success.

Competing at the highest level

It’s not as if Virginia High’s victory at the Absa Wildeklawer tournament was a bolt out of the blue, though. They’ve already made their mark in other major events, including the Engen Knockout Challenge, and they’re the provincial champion in the Engen Cup, having recorded back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.

In 2023, they were also the bronze medallists of the Engen Champs of Champs when competing as Virginia Sports Sports Academy, Ngakane pointed out.

In both 2023 and 2024, they were the provincial champions of the Kay Motsepe Schools Championship, which celebrated 20 years of existence last year.

“It is not by chance that we are where we you say we are,” Ngakane explained. “[It’s because of] the amount of work that we put in before many schools start with their practices or with their matches. We start immediately when we reopen in January.

“With our preseason, I do not want to say it’s harsh, but it’s very hectic. You would swear that we are playing in a PSL League, so it’s not by chance that we are where we are.”

Virginia High also competes in the local SAFA Regional League, known as the Hollywoodbets Regional League, for sponsorship purposes. That’s the fourth tier of domestic football in the South African football pyramid.

Facing older opponents in the league has toughened the school’s players’ mentality and boosted their competitiveness.

Shift in Mindset

In 2024, they finished seventh at the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament. Ngakane believes that that squad could have won the event, and suggested that it was, in fact, better than the current squad.

“I don’t know what happened, but that team last year was the one that was going to win the Wildeklawer. But I think it’s [our winning] mentality [that won it] this year.”

Virginia’s 2025 squad is younger than last year’s powerful unit. But it is powered by a winning mindset and fighting spirit, which took it to the title in Kimberley.

“When you look at the games in which we conceded first, our team had the mentality to rebound to win those games, so it’s about their mentality. We also learned from last year,” Ngakane said.

“Winning the Wildeklawer is an honour”

“Wherever I go, they [people] keep on saying saying ‘Hello, champ’. It’s wonderful. We do not take it lightly. It’s an honour that we carry as a badge.

“We have written the name of Virginia High School among the best, and when you look at who has won Wildeklawer, it’s HTS Louis Botha and Clapham High School, then you mention Virginia High School,” he added.

Ngakane praised the parents who supported the team throughout the Absa Wildeklawer tournament and HTS Louis Botha for their support during the final, despite the Bloemfontein side being eliminated by Virginia High in the semifinals.

It was, he felt, a remarkable display of sportsmanship that they stood behind Virginia High in the final against the Wildeklawer Academy.

Dit sal ‘n dapper dobbelaar verg om vanjaar se wenner in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Plaat-afdeling te probeer voorspel.

Volg al die aksie regstreeks op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Ál nege spanne in vanjaar se reeks weeg uitstekend op teen mekaar.

Die reeks skop Saterdag af met een van die opwindendste kragmetings op vanjaar se kalender – die Klerksdorp-derby tussen vanjaar se gasheer, Hoërskool Klerksdorp, en verlede jaar se Skild-kampioen, Hoërskool Wesvalia.

Met die vrystelling van die Noordvaal-bepalings is dié kragmeting reeds met rooi omkring. Klerksdorp het vroeër ‘n voorsmakie gekry van wat wag,  toe hulle in die NWU Prestige-reeks met 12-16 die knie moes buig teen hul bure in ‘n uiters fisieke stryd voorlangs en in nat toestande.

Hierdie slag hoop die Klerksdorpers vir droër toestande sodat albei agterlyne behoorlik aan die gang kan kom.

KHS se heelagter, Dorian Isaacs, is beslis ‘n gevaarman en kan vir die Wessies heelwat hoofbrekens besorg wanneer hy besluit om van agter op loop te sit. Die gesoute Winton Abrahams is ewe gevaarlik in die middeveld en behoort die Wessies se buitesenter, Jeandré Snyman, se rotsvaste verdediging deeglik te beproef.

Die kragmeting voorlangs behoort oudergewoonte fel te wees, met die tweestryd tussen die agstemanne, Tiaan Koen en Franco Dumond, wat ‘n woelige affêre kan afgee nie. Albei is sterk aanspraakmakers om later vanjaar vir die Luiperds by die Cravenweek in Middelburg uit te draf.

Hoërskool Oos-Moot en Hoërskool Kempton Park sorg vir verdere opwinding in die Moot. Albei spanne het vanjaar beïnduk in die NWU Sportreeks, terwyl die Oosies voor die skoolvakansie hul Plaat-veldtog met ‘n sege van 23-21 oor HTS Middelburg van stapel gestuur het.

Royston Arendse keer terug op losskakel, met Dewron Aford wat na sy gunstelingposisie op binnesenter terugskuif en in ‘n klipharde stryd met die Kempies se gevaarman, Jethro Williams, gewikkel sal wees.

Die verdedigende kampioen, HTS Middelburg reis na Alberton waar ‘n taamlike uitdaging teen Hoërskool Marais Viljoen wag. Die Rooi Bulle sal wil vergoed vir die nederlaag teen die Oosies, maar om die span wat van die Beker-afdeling afgeskuif het op tuisbodem te troef is makliker gesê as gedaan.

Raynhardt Kruger, Marais Viljoen se heelagter, is netjies op dreef en sy skopstewel kan straks die deurslag vir die tuisspan bied.

Ligbron Akademie verwelkom een van vanjaar se vroeë gunstelinge, Hoërskool Zwartkop, in Ermelo. Die Liggies het vanjaar redelik ongesiens te werk gegaan, maar reeds hul merk gemaak met ‘n soet sege oor Hoërskool Secunda in die doodsnikke van ‘n vriendskaplike stryd vroeër vanjaar.

Die Zwarries beskik waarskynlik egter oor die gevaarlikste agterlyn in die reeks en die kragmeting behoort ‘n goeie maatstaf vir die span van Ermelo vroeg in die kompetisie te bied.

Die spanne:  

Hoërskool Klerksdorp t. Wesvalia om 13:45 in Klerksdorp:

Klerksdorp (moontlik): 15 Dorian Isaacs, 14 Tyran Masango, 13 Marco Symington, 12 Winton Abrahams, 11 Jayden Turner, 10 Brendin Mathyse, 9 Jarred van Staden, 8 Tiaan Koen, 7 Marnus van der Merwe, 6 Stiaan Zopick, 5 Juan Hills, 4 Hanro Nel, 3 Zander Nienaber, 2 Brandon Botha, 1 De Wet le Roux.

Wesvalia: 15 Henco Greyling, 14 Martin Bierman, 13 Jeandré Snyman, 12 Wian du Preez, 11 Wilson Letholi, 10 Eduard Dreyer, 9 Barry Niemand, 8 Franco Dumond, 7 Tiaan de Kock, 6 Quewen Fourie, 5 JP Hatting, 4 Joshua Pieterse, 3 Ignus Nel, 2 Fanie Linde, 1 Ulrigh du Preez.

Oos-Moot t. Hoërskool Kempton Park om 12:30 in Pretoria:

Oos-Moot: 15 Jayden Pretorius, 14 Brian Jacobs, 13 Drew Williams, 12 Dewron Aford, 11 LJ Vaughan, 10 Royston Arendse, 9 David Joubert, 8 Jaydon Botha, 7 Riyaan Wilson, 6 Clayton du Bruyn, 5 MC van Tonder, 4 Stian de Vente, 3 Jandré de Beer, 2 Thando Telelo, 1 Divan du Preez.

Kempton Park: 15 Ben Steyn, 14 Ethan Botha, 13 Wian Riekert, 12 Jethro Williams, 11 Ettienne Stroebel, 10 Stian de Villiers, 9 Ferdi Smith, 8 Luca du Plooy, 7 Marko van der Walt, 6 Matthew Vermaak, 5 Ruan Mostert, 4 Louis Mouton, 3 Juan Olivier, 2 Damian Slabbert, 1 Piet van den Heever.

Marais Viljoen t. HTS Middelburg om 12:30 in Alberton: 

Marais Viljoen: 15 Raynhardt Kruger, 14 Cayden Scheepers, 13 Juan van den Heever, 12 Jonno Morkol, 11 Kabelo Thloaele, 10 Claude do Couto, 9 Ethan Weideman, 8 Rio Tshimbalanga, 7 Tiaan van Huysteen, 6  Munga Mwengehya, 5 Clayton Gagiano, 4 Jermaine Crause, 3 Sifiso Shongwe, 2 Ondisa Njili, 1 Juan Cooper.

HTS Middelburg (moontlik): 15 WJ Enslin, 14 Kwanele Mkhize, 13 Jacques Greyling, 12 Anthoni Smuts, 11 CJ Muller, 10 Nathan Jansen van Vuuren, 9 Reece Botha, 8 Tiaan Bezuidenhout, 7 Ethan de kock, 6 Dewan Coetzee, 5 Griffin Devonish, 4 Janco Aucamp, 3 Marinus Oberholzer, 2 Hanro Terblanche, 1 Janco Botha.

Ligbron Akademie t. Zwartkop om 12:20 in Ermelo: 

Ligbron Akademie: 15 Bandile Thanjekwayo, 14 Neo Zwane, 13 Siyanda Dennison, 12 Lethi Ngwenya, 11 Ndumiso Dlamini, 10 Eben Degenaar, 9 Renier van Staden, 8 Janco Claasen, 7 Jurgens Bezuidenhout, 6 Tiaan Botha, 5 Ian Booysen, 4 Henco Scheepers, 3 Devan Scheepers, 2 Regard Janse van Rensburg, 1 WP Human.

Zwartkop: 15 Shayden Botha, 14 André Marx, 13 Luan Williams, 12 David van Jaarsveld, 11 Stiaan Botha, 10 Tilon Baron, 9 Luan Janse van Rensburg, 8 Wihan Roux, 7 Luan Wepener, 6 Brian Smith, 5 Jethro le Roux, 4 Ettienne van Niekerk, 3 AJ Hendriks, 2 Reagan Blignaut, 1 Matthew Smith.

Graeme College will be fired up to overturn some recent narrow losses to St Andrew’s College when the first major Makhanda derby of the year takes place at the Somerset Field on Saturday, starting at 15:30.

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools!

The home team was on the end of agonising losses in their last two encounters with St Andrew’s, losing 23-24 in 2023 and 15-17 last year.

Those results were preceded by a Graeme win of 11-5 in 2022, and the impressive run of results of both Eastern Cape teams this season suggests their classic clash could again go down to the wire.

Both coaches, Jonty van der Meulen (Graeme) and Jonny Mallett, have spoken about the massive respect the schools have for each other and, while the competition will be fierce, the match has all the ingredients for an exhilarating showdown.

Graeme has compiled an impressive record in their eight matches this year, losing only to Hilton College at the Standard Bank Grey High Festival. They’re currently on a four-match winning streak.

For Van der Meulen, though, his team still lacks consistency and he will be looking for a more polished all-round display on Saturday.

“We have been really good in certain areas in some matches, but then in the next match those areas aren’t as good, and the areas that were poor seem to improve,” he said. “So, we are looking for more complete performances going forward.

“There is always something special about playing opposition from the same town and both schools have good respect for each other, but are also desperate to put their strongest foot forward on the day.”

With flank Ayola Mali one of their standout players up front, Graeme will also have hard-running backs, centre Erin Nelson and fullback Lucritia Magau, to pile the pressure on the St Andrew’s defence.

The Andreans know they will have to be on point in all aspects of the game if they are to preserve their unbeaten 2025 record, which has brought them seven wins and two draws so far.

They are fresh off a tour of Zimbabwe and that will have prepared them thoroughly for Saturday’s Somerset Field challenge.

Mallett knows Graeme will be desperate to get back on the winning trail and said it would be tough going into their opponents’ backyard.

“At least we don’t have to travel,” he said, “but the Somerset Field has become a bit of a fortress for them and this is always a massive derby.

“There have been some wonderful matches over many years and we know Graeme will be chomping at the bit, so we are geared up for a tough challenge.”

With players such as Matthew Harvey and Aphindile Ngcuka leading from the front, the St Andrew’s mentor said his side’s focus would be on playing as a team.

“Everyone knows what job they have to do and if we can stick to that, we will be able to play the type of rugby that suits our style,” he said.

TEAMS

Graeme College: 15 Lucritia Magau, 14 Masi Maboza, 13 Erin Nelson, 12 Inathi Planga, 11 Elgin Fanton, 10 Alden Waters, 9 Luke Doyle, 8 Ayamila Bill, 7 Ayola Mali, 6 Lwandle Dlamini, 5 Mikhulu Yolani, 4 Akho Tonjeni, 3 Athi Bonga, 2 Lebo Mahasele, 1 Bagcine Njengele.

St Andrew’s College: 15 Will Stevens, 14 Asante Chivere, 13 Ali de Kock, 12 Aphindile Ngcuka, 11 Qhawe Madikizela, 10 Oli Johns, 9 David Chorley, 8 Joshua van Zyl, 7 Luca Nigrini, 6 Coel Trollip, 5 Matthew Harvey, 4 William Beamish, 3 Sivatho Mjali, 2 Adam Nurse, 1 Jake Jackson.

Wynberg Boys’ High School first-team hockey coach Ben Wiley has admitted his side will be in for a tough outing when they take on Grey High School, in Gqeberha, on Friday night.

The boys from Cape Town have made the trip to the Windy City to face the Azzurri on the occasion of their 169th Reunion.

The clash kicks off at 18:20 and will be LIVE on SuperSport Schools.

Through the early part of the season, Wynberg has quietly flown under the radar.

They made their way to Johannesburg for the Nomads Hockey Festival, which was hosted by Jeppe High School for Boys, in March.

There, coach Wiley’s young guns recorded a mixed bag of results, but they would’ve been pleased with how they ended the festival after beating King Edward VII (KES), a team that has enjoyed a solid season, 4-2 on the final day, courtesy of strikes by Ethan Daniels (2), Mustafa Kajee and Ethan Smith.

Upon their return to Cape Town, they faced Fairmont High School in a league fixture and they came away with a 3-0 win, with Noah Laubscher grabbing a brace and Kajee scoring again.

That was their last outing, back in April. Wiley said preparing for the big clash with Grey High has not been without its challenges.

“It has been a bit frustrating to have this break right at the start of the season, but it has given us time to improve on some issues we identified on our tour upcountry,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“The boys have been working hard in this off time and are ready to show their improvements. It is always a special trip to Grey High. The schools have cultivated this nearly 30-year tradition, and we are always welcomed with hard performances and fierce competition.

“This year, their team looks good. Their performances thus far have shown a well-structured and disciplined unit. We are going to need to be at our best to win this one.”

While some results haven’t gone their way in the 2025 season, Wynberg has played an entertaining brand of hockey, but their finishing has let them down at times.

Executing well and using every chance they create will be key against a Grey High side looking to get back to winning ways following the Standard Bank Hibbert Shield, where, after finishing ninth, they would have felt they underperformed.

“We need to start well,” Wiley said. “If we have a strong first chukka and assert ourselves in the game, then we will be able to dictate the game. If we start slowly, we will invite the pressure from a quality team.”

The three-week break might just play into Wynberg’s hands with Grey having undertaken a strenuous schedule, including the Hibbert Shield, featuring many of the country’s best sides, over the past weekend.

Wiley insists, though, that his team is focused on implementing its strategies and isn’t paying too much attention to what’s been going on in Grey’s camp.

“We made the mistake at Nomads of going a goal behind in a couple of games, and we made our own lives difficult when playing against strong opposition,” he said.

“The team has a lot of belief, and they know if they turn up and apply themselves, then they can compete with anyone in the country,” he ended optimistically.

Hoërskool Nelspruit kom voor ‘n groot toets te staan wanneer hy hierdie naweek in die Jakarandastad met Die Hoërskool Menlopark swaarde kruis.

Volg al die aksie regstreeks op SuperSports Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Die Nellies sal dié toets graag wil slaag aangesien hulle reeds vanjaar aangedui het dat hulle een van die spanne is wat voor kan hardloop in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Beker-wedloop. Die Parkies het egter ook vanjaar reeds beïndruk en na vore getree as een van die kompetisie se groot buiteperde, wat hulle in dieselfde gewigklas as die Rhinos plaas.

Die Rhinos het, voor ‘n welverdiende blaaskans, ‘n groot hond in die stof laat byt deur vir Hoërskool Waterkloof met 31-24 in Mbombela te troef. Hoewel die Parkies ook ‘n aftydjie geniet het, was nege van hul spanlede in aksie vir die Northern Barbarians by die onlangse Absa Wildeklawer-toernooi.

Daar het skrumskakel, Gustav Schäffner, in albei vertonings vir die Barbarians uitgeblink en sal hy op dié momentum wil voortbou. Dit sal hoog op prys gestel word deur die Parkie-afrigters, met die bedreiging wat die Nellies se skrumskakel, Liam Pringle, inhou.

Reinhardt Herbst het op heelagter self uithalerspel gelewer vir die uitnodigingspan in Kimberley. Sy vaart en visie stel hom in staat om gevaarlike teenaanvalle te loods, terwyl hy ook die opposisie in hul eie helfte kan vaspen met sy taktiese skopwerk.

Indien die Parkies se skopwerk egter nie akkuraat is nie, sal die Rhinos se blitsige linkervleuel, Tinyiko Silubane, elke kans aangryp om hulle te looi wanneer hy homself in spasie bevind.

‘n Titaniese stryd wag in Krugersdorp wanneer Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen vir Hoërskool Monument die stryd aansê. Hierdie is ‘n bepaling wat oor die afgelope paar jaar vir groot opwinding gesorg het, met die spanne wat uitstekend opweeg teen mekaar. Die Arende het die laaste twee jaar die hef in die hand gehad, maar dit sal nie maklik wees om die Wit Bulle op die Ras van Rooyen te slag nie.

Boonop is Monument nog gekwes na twee nederlae in Kimberley, wat hulle gevaarliker maak. Die beseringspook het wel in Krugersdorp kom draai, met Vincent Roberts, die Krugersdorpers se kaptein, wat van agsteman na slot skuif om die beseerde Janco Pretorius te vervang. Dit gee vir Ryno van der Westhuizen die geleentheid om sy staal op agsteman te wys.

Monnas kan ‘n taamlike aanslag agterlangs verwag, met die Arende se heelagter, Deshean Pietersen, en regtervleuel, Otlatleng Zulu, wat in Kimberley gewys hoekom hulle so hoog aangeskryf word.

Die nuweling in vanjaar se Beker-afdleling, Hoërskool Transvalia, se vuurdoop is teen ‘n gedugte Hoërskool Rustenburg.

Die Rusties, wat ook in aksie was by Wildeklawer, het met twee oortuigende seges teen Voortrekker (40-7) en Welkom Gimnasium (33-0) huiswaarts gekeer, met kaptein, Xavier Steenkamp, en die jong agsteman, Donovan Mosterdt, wat indrukwekkend vertoon het en Saterdag weer sleutelrolle behoort te vervul. Dit beloof om ‘n liplekker-stryd in die los met Valia se flank en kaptein, Juan Bischoff, en die gevaarlike, Daniel Khazambo, af te gee.

Die spanne: 

Die Hoërskool Menlopark t. Hoërskool Nelspruit om 12:30 in Pretoria:

Menlopark: 15 Reinhardt Herbst, 14 Bladen Peterson, 13 Leskin Samuels, 12 Dylan Stumke, 11 Juan Joubert, 10 Andru Keun, 9 Gustav Shcäffner, 8 JN van Wyk, 7 Ruan Strydom, 6 Nathen du Plessis, 5 Keagen Pretorius, 4 Jaap Stolp, 3 Ruvan van Aardt, 2 Declan Peser, 1 Mattheus Prisnloo.

Nelspruit (moontlik): 15 Jean Erasmus, 14 Jordan Pretorius, 13 Ruben Greeff, 12 Rian Botha, 11 Tinyiko Silubane, 10 John Duncan, 9 Liam Pringle, 8 Vaughn van Zyl, 7 Werno Heyns, 6 Vian Louw, 5 André Smit, 4 Ethan Esterhuizen, 3 Gert Cloete, 2 D’Angelo Roberts, 1 Lindani Ndlela.

Monument t. EG Jansen om 12:20 in Krugersdorp:

Monument: 15 Ewan van der Walt, 14 Jason Joubert, 13 Viandré van Loggenberg, 12 Juandré Ehlers, 11 Ruan Genis, 10 Cameron Kourie, 9 Evan Bernhardi, 8 Ryno van der Westhuizen, 7 Loghan Huges, 6 Siya Ncube, 5 Dean Hartman, 4 Vincent Roberts, 3 Juandré Marais, 2 Regardt Ernst, 1 Danie Smith.

EG Jansen: 15 Deshean Pietersen, 14 Otlatleng Zulu, 13 Christopher Combrink, 12 Nathan Delport, 11 Jordan van der Westhuizen, 10 Juan van Aswegen, 9 Joe Diesel, 8 Slade Mowbray, 7 Dian Botha, 6 Craig Lightfoot, 5 Breyton Kruger, 4 Jacques van Tonder, 3 Deveraux Wiedeman, 2 Marco Ventura, 1 Ruan Rossouw.

Transvalia t. Hoërskool Rustenburg om 12:40 in Vanderbijl Park:

Transvalia: 15 Tshepo Molakeng, 14 Dihan Crause, 13 Declan Hattingh, 12 Brandon Matthews, 11 Tumi Moloi, 10 Jay-Dee Maree, 9 Johan Smit, 8 Wynand Stoltz, 7 Daniel Kazambo, 6 Juan Bischoff, 5 Christiaan Liebenberg, 4 Kyle Maartens, 3 Damian van Heerden, 2 Wihandré Kruger, 1 Vusi Morathi.

Rustenburg:  15 Lorenzo Snyers, 14 Bradley Snyers, 13 Jon-Ré Jefthas, 12 Hendré Robinson, 11 Keathyn Africa, 10 Ayden Willemse, 9 Adriano George, 8 Dononvan Mosterdt, 7 MJ Otto, 6 Thian Labuschagne, 5 Evan van Heerden, 4 Tristan Myburgh, 3 Ockert Grobler, 2 Xavier Steenkamp, 1 Carel Schoonraadt.