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The script could not have been written better for the 2025 Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament. It came to a close on Saturday at the Hartleyvale AstroTurf, in Cape Town, with Fairmont High School‘s boys’ and girls’ teams being crowned champions.

Both sides impressed from the opening day, and they then put the cherry on top with astonishing performances on the final day in front of a lively, buzzing crowd.

The boys defeated their Western Cape league rivals, Stellenberg High School, 3-0, while the girls edged out Namibia’s St Paul’s College, 2-1.

Both Fairmont teams finished the event unbeaten after delivering entertaining title-winning performances in their finals.

The girls kicked matters off against Windhoek’s St Paul’s, a well-coached team that had an eye on history after causing shockwaves during the week.

The opening chukka was tightly contested, with very little to separate the sides. There was only one shot on target, coming from St Paul’s Tamara Grogli, but it was saved by Gemma Pigeon.

In the second chukka. Fairmont broke the deadlock. Abigail Berghammer found herself in space, inside St Paul’s circle, where she picked up a loose ball and quickly fired it into the back of the net, past Velma Marwa, for the game’s opening goal.

St Paul’s was not about to go down without a fight and they responded almost immediately through Grogli, which left the sides level-pegging at 1-1 heading into the break.

After a goalless third chukka, drama, thrills, and suspense, filled the fourth. With five minutes left on the clock, Fairmont scored from a penalty corner, which was converted by Madison Ackerman.

Then, there was a touch of drama when a late conference of the umpires halted Fairmont’s celebrations. The incident was cleared, and the Cape side was crowned the champion.

In the third/fourth playoff match, Dr EG Jansen defeated Rustenburg Girls’ High 2-1 on penalties after the match ended in a goalless draw.

The girls’ final had lived up to expectations and a similar show was expected from the boys’ title decider.

Fairmont reached the title game after beating Worcester Gimnasium in the semifinals while Stellenberg edged out Hoërskool Monument.

It was the first meeting of the Fairmont and Stellenberg before the Western Cape league starts in the coming weeks.

After a goalless first chukka, Fairmont upped the ante in the second quarter and was duly rewarded for its persistent attack, which brought them two goals from a penalty stroke and a thunderbolt drag flick, both from the stick of Ryan Groenewald.

Stellenberg had their chances to get back into the clash, but failed to convert them and Fairmont’s defence stood firm.

Coach Bryce West‘s side put the final nail in the coffin in the fourth chukka when they added a third goal, courtesy of some smart play by Tyler Morilly.

Morilly, only 15 years old, was in the form of his life and capped off a brilliant performance with a tap-in goal on the near post to seal the win.

In the bronze medal showdown, Monument edged out Worcester Gimnasium 4-3 on penalties after the match ended tied 2-2.

FINAL STANDINGS

BOYS

Fairmont High School
Stellenberg High School
Hoërskool Monument
Worcester Gimnasium
Paul Roos Gimnasium Invitational
Hoërskool Punt
Lanenhoven Gimnasium
Hudson Park
Hoërskool Outeniqua
Bridge House
Curro Durbanville
SACS Invitational
DF Malan
Hoërskool Nelspruit
Pro-Ed Akademie
Woodridge College
St John’s College Zimbabwe
Hoërskool Middelburg
Kingswood College
Kempton Park
Durbanville
Hoërskool Eldoraigne
Rondebosch Boys’ High Invitational
Ashton College
Hoërskool Zwartkop
Stirling High
Hoërskool Strand
St Dunstan’s College
Hoërskool Upington
Windhoek Gimnasium
Stellenbosch
Glenwood House
Hoërskool Hermanus
Hugenote
HTS Drostdy
Redhill School
Windhoek High School
Penryn
Hoërskool Linden
Paarl Gimnasium Invitational
Charlie Hofmeyr
Peter House
St Dominic’s
Oudtshoorn
Paarl Boys’ High Invitational
Robertson
Northcliff College
Somerset College

GIRLS

Fairmont High School
St Paul’s College
Dr EG Jansen
Rustenburg Girls’ High School
Stellenberg High School
Durbanville
Hoërskool Outeniqua
Kempton Park
Hoërskool Nelspruit
Hoërskool Monument
DF Malan
Peterhouse
Paarl Gimnasium Invitational
Hoërskool Eldoraigne
Wynberg Girls’ High
Northcliff College
Ashton College
York High School
Stirling High
La Rochelle Girls High School
Hoërskool Linden
Woodridge College
Worcester Gimnasium
Stellenberg High School Invitational
Glenwood House
Kingswood College
Hoërskool Hermanus
Pro-Ed Akademie
Hudson Park High School
Hoërskool Strand
Robertson
Windhoek Gimnasium
Fairmont Invitational
Hoërskool Punt
Hugenote
Langenhoven Gimnasium
Durbanville Invitational
HTS Drostdy
Charlie Hofmeyr
Brackenfell
Curro Durbanville
Hoërskool Upington
Rustenburg Girls’ Invitational
Bridge House
Langa Hockey Club
St Dominic’s
Oudtshoorn
St Dunstan’s College

After six days of entertaining rugby in the 1^st XV, 2nd XV, u16, u15, and u14 age groups, the annual Glenwood Rugby Festival came to a close in Durban, on Saturday.

Durban High School (DHS) showed off their strength in depth, with a DHS Invitation XV beating Landboudal 36-17 on Tuesday before holding Transvalia to a 10-10 draw two days later. School‘s 1^st XV recently convincingly beat Kingswood College and Selborne College at the Standard Bank Grey High Rugby Festival.

Transvalia also cruised to a 45-9 victory over Vryheid Landbou, while Potchefstroom Volkskool went two for two, overpowering a KZN Select team 55-0 before claiming a hard-fought 18-7 win over Landboudal.

Jim Fouché battled to a 40-26 win over DF Malan and edged out a Glenwood XV 15-13 in their second outing. Glenwood’s 1st XV was involved in a low-scoring tussle against HTS Middelburg but came away with a 7-5 win. HTS Middelburg followed up with a 27-9 defeat of DF Malan and won 31-10 against Landboudal.

In the u14 matches, Glenwood and DHS ruled the roost. The hosts scored 100 points in two wins while conceding only seven, while DHS scored 101 and kept a clean sheet in both victories.

HTS Middelburg claimed two KZN scalps in the u15 age group, beating a Westville Invitation XV 33-22 and Northwood 19-17, but they were swamped by DHS, who roared to a 41-0 win. The Horseflies also handed Jim Fouché a 41-0 loss, and they overran CBC Bulawayo 50-0.

Glenwood was even more ruthless, crushing Jim Fouché 50-0, CBC 54-0, and a KZN Select side 54-0.

In the u16 games, DHS won by 50-0 margins against Jim Fouché, the KZN Select team, and DF Malan while Glenwood trounced DF Malan 45-0, but was made to work harder for a 33-12 victory over Jim Fouché before finishing with a 50-0 victory over DF Malan.

Transvalia was the pick of the 2nd XVs, beating Hilton College 31-14 before thumping Jim Fouché 50-3 and DF Malan 50-0.

RESULTS

1st XVs

DHS Inv 36-17 Landboudal
Potch Volkskool 55-0 KZN Select
Vryheid Landbou 9-45 Transvalia
DF Malan 26-40 Jim Fouché
Glenwood 7-5 HTS Middelburg

Vryheid Landbou 31-0 KZN Select
DHS Inv 10-10 Transvalia
HTS Middelburg 27-9 DF Malan
Landboudal 7-18 Potch Volkskool
Glenwood Inv 13-15 Jim Fouché

HTS Middelburg 31-10 Landboudal
DF Malan 50-10 KZN Select
Potch Volkskool 40-3 Vryheid Landbou
Transvalia 6-5 Glenwood Inv

Jim Fouche DNP vs DNP DHS Inv

U14

Glenwood 50-7 Jim Fouché
Westville Inv 31-17 CBC Bulawayo
DHS 47-0 KZN Select

CBC Bulawayo 0-50 Glenwood
Westville Inv 10-0 KZN Select
DHS 54-0 Jim Fouché

Westville Inv 14-36 Jim Fouché
CBC Bulawayo 7-22 KZN Select

U15

Northwood 50-0 KZN Select
DHS 50-0  CBC Bulawayo
Westville Inv 22-33 HTS Middelburg
Glenwood 50-0 Jim Fouché

Glenwood 54-0 CBC Bulawayo
DHS 41-0 Jim Fouché
Westville Inv 31-0 KZN Select
Northwood 17-19 HTS Middelburg

Westville Inv 34-0  CBC Bulawayo
DHS 41-0 HTS Middelburg
Northwood 54-5 Jim Fouché
Glenwood 52-0 KZN Select

U16

Vryheid Landbou 21-5 KZN Select
DHS 50-0 Jim Fouché

Glenwood 45-0 DF Malan
Vryheid Landbou 10-40 DF Malan
DHS 50-0 KZN Select
Glenwood 33-12 Jim Fouché

Vryheid Landbou 6-38 Jim Fouche
Glenwood 50-0 KZN Select
DHS 50-0 DF Malan

2nd XVs

Jim Fouché 50-12 KZN Select
DF Malan 6-32 Potch Volkskool
Hilton College 14-31 Transvalia

Hilton College 35-22 Potch Volkskool
Jim Fouché 3-50 Transvalia
DF Malan 33-0 KZN Select

DF Malan 0-50 Transvalia
Potch Volkskool 49-0 KZN Select

Jim Fouche DNP vs DNP Hilton College

St Mary’s DSG Kloof and HMS Bloemhof will face off for the title at the Standard Bank St Mary’s Waverley Festival on Sunday afternoon.

St Mary’s defeated Eunice and Bloemhof downed Rhenish Girls’ High in the semifinals to punch their tickets to the showdown.

St Mary’s DSG has won the trophy on two previous occasions, 2007 and 2018, and will be looking to end their seven-year wait for a third title. Their opponents, on the other hand, have never won the St Mary’s Waverley Festival trophy and will be looking to make history.

In the first semi-final, St Mary’s DSG took on a spirited Eunice team in an entertaining clash in which they traded blows and made forays into each other’s halves without managing to breach the opposition’s defences.

That sent the contest into a penalty shootout and St Mary’s clinched a place in the title decider by a 2-0 margin.

Ziyanda Mchunu, the St Mary’s goalkeeper, emerged as the hero for the ladies from KwaZulu-Natal after pulling off two outstanding saves.

Nicola Forbes, the St Mary’s captain, struck with the first penalty, slotting past Christine Fouché, in the Eunice goal. Bianca Rees-Gibbs, the Eunice skipper, stepped up to the plate to take the first one for the Bloemfontein side but was denied by Mchunu.

Jamie da Silva, who has tormented defenders at the festival and who played an integral role in St Mary’s DSG’s victory in the semifinals, made no mistake with her team’s second effort to put them two goals clear.

Anebel Venter needed to convert her penalty to keep the contest alive, but her shot was kept out by a diving save from Mchunu.

The second semifinal, between Bloemhof and Rhenish, followed a similar script. The Stellenbosch rivals launched excursions into each other’s halves and showed great drive, but neither could find a goal as the defences kept up their outstanding form.

It was 0-0 at the end of the game, but Bloemhof won the shootout 3-1.

Elré Oosthuizen, the Bloemhof captain, led from the front and converted the first penalty for her side with little fuss.

Emeri Botes, then, exhibited sound technique to give Bloemhof the advantage when she saved Leah du Plessis’s effort.

Mari Steyn doubled Bloemhof’s lead with a brilliant feint before driving the ball beneath goalkeeper Jasmine Aitken to make it 2-0.

However, Grace Hobbs kept Rhenish in the contest with a lovely conversion of her penalty stroke, which placed pressure on Bloemhof’s Mari Boezaart. If she converted, her side would be through to the final.

Boezaart has been a top performer for Bloemhof throughout the festival with her mix of skill and power and she showed off both when she fired a rocket past the Rhenish goalkeeper for her side’s third and match-winning goal.

St Mary’s and Bloemhof have enjoyed good runs at the festival and seem to be peaking at the right time. Spectators can expect a humdinger in the final.

St Mary’s DSG, Kloof, has a date with Eunice High School in the semifinals of the Standard Bank St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival. They go head-to-head at 10:50 in what promises to be a humdinger.

Eunice qualified for the semi-finals courtesy of goals from their captain, Bianca Rees-Gibbs, and Anebel Venter in a 2-0 win over Our Lady of Fatima in the last eight.

Coach Nika Coertzen‘s charges reached the quarterfinals after finishing second in Pool B, five points behind Bloemhof after scoring 11 and conceding two in the first stage.

Eunice, last year’s beaten finalist, appeared to lose their winning mojo in the cross-pool matches after a draw with St Cyprian’s and a loss to Rhenish. However, they did enough to move on to the quarterfinals.

“We changed our strategy today and the team bought into the plan and, most importantly, executed it well against Our Lady of Fatima,” Coertzen shared.

Eunice endured a tough start, but sometimes a bit of luck can turn things around and Coertzen’s side capitalised on those moments when fortune smiled on them by taking advantage of opportunities in key moments. That shifted the momentum in their favour.

Eunice‘s semifinal opponents are a familiar foe as they run into St Mary’s DSG, Kloof, at festivals and tournaments throughout the season. They know they’re up against a high-quality opponent.

Coach Nolwazi Nkabinde‘s side punched their ticket to the final four with a 2-1 win over Paarl Gim in the quarterfinals. It was a stern challenge and St Mary’s DSG rose to it.

Coach Danelle van Zyl’s Paarl Gim went 1-0 up only four minutes into the contest, courtesy of an outstanding solo effort from Alanda Rademeyer. She made a run from deep in the Paarl Gim half, shrugging off four attempted tackles before firing high and handsome into the back of the net.

St Mary’s responded immediately. Captain Nicola Forbes laid off a pass to Jamie da Silva at the halfway line and Da Silva dribbled her way into Paarl Gim’s circle, where she won a penalty corner. The push was a little off target, but Da Silva, the stopper, cleaned up well and fired off a powerful shot to level for the KZN girls.

Da Silva was Paarl Gim’s nemesis, continually challenging the defenders with her skilful attacking and tenacious tackling.

St Mary’s kept up the pressure and won a second short corner five minutes later. Like the first one, it was after a Da Silva move into the Paarl Gim D.

St Mary’s DSG kept it simple, Forbes received the pass and fired the shot at goal, but had her effort rejected by the Paarl Gim goalkeeper. However, Tayte Stewart, the injector, had moved to the near post and she latched onto the rebound to slot the ball into the goal.

The match was far from over as Paarl Gim battled to find an equaliser. The contest flowed back and forth, with both sides making forays into each other’s halves, but those efforts yielded no more goals and the match ended 2-1 to St Mary’s DSG.

Past matches between St Mary’s DSG and Eunice, both former winners of the St Mary’s Waverley Festival, have been entertaining. Thus, another thriller appears to be on the cards when they meet for an opportunity to play in the title game. There is everything to play for.

There will be at least one Stellenbosch side in the final at the 2024 Standard Bank St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival. Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof and their local rivals, Rhenish Girls’ High School will clash on Sunday morning with a place in the title game on Sunday afternoon on the line.

Rhenish reached the final after eliminating the defending champion, Durban Girls’ College (DGC) in the quarterfinals. The teams finished their match level at 0-0, but the Western Cape girls then won it 2-1 in a penalty shootout.

“I am proud of the girls. They did not let the big moment overwhelm them,” their proud coach Chris Gerber said after the match.

The Rhenish coach emphasised that his charges showed a lot of determination against a talented and skillful DGC team.

Rhenish’s defence has been outstanding all tournament. They didn’t concede a goal in their pool play and then conceded only one in the second stage. In all of those matches, Rhenish hardly needed their goalkeeper to step up. However, when they needed Jasmine Aitken, who has played over 150 matches for the 1st XI, to be a shot-stopper in the quarterfinals, she passed with flying colours.

“She is the embodiment of the spirit in the team. These girls love a big moment. She stepped up and saved the day,” Gerber commented.

Rhenish lifted the Fairtree Super 12 title in 2024 and will be looking to add the St Mary’s Waverley title to their cabinet. Unlike the other semi-finalists, Eunice and St Mary’s DSG, Kloof, neither Rhenish nor Bloemhof has previously won the St Mary’s Waverley Festival, so history beckons.

Bloemhof punched their ticket to the final four after beating Menlopark in the quarterfinals. Coach Jenny King‘s charges maintained an enviable and unbeaten record on their path to the semi-finals, winning seven of their 10 matches and drawing the other three. Like Rhenish, their defence has been stiff and their offence effective, They’ve surrendered only two goals and scored 17.

Two of those 17 came in their 2-0 win over Menlopark. The first one came seven minutes into the quarterfinal tie from Zani Boezaart, who found herself on the end of a Bloemhof move into the Menlopark D. She fired off a snapshot on goal, but her effort was blocked by the Menlopark goalkeeper. The rebound fell to her again, however, and Boezaart grabbed the chance with both hands, firing a reverse stick shot into the top of the net.

“The team played at an intensity that caught Menlopark out. We were very effective on the press, and [there was] excellent ball speed and transferring of the ball,” King said.

Nina Louw has enjoyed a good festival in front of goal. She has been on the scoresheet for Rhenish numerous times and she was on it in the quarterfinals, too. Around the halfway line, she forced a turnover and rolled the ball into Menlopark’s circle. Her first instinct was to look for a pass, but her attempt to lay off to another player was intercepted.

She fought for possession and regained it, played the ball into the circle, and executed an outstanding back-stick to slot the ball past the goalkeeper’s left foot. Menlopark tried to fight their way back but without success.

The mouthwatering semifinal tie between Bloemhof and Rhenish starts at 10:20 on Sunday morning.

Die Hoërskool Hans Strijdom se eersterugbyspan het met ‘n sege van 17-10 oor Frikkie Meyer van Thabazimbi seker gemaak dat hy vanjaar die kroon as kampioen van 31ste jaarlikse Mauritz Hansen-week in Mookgophong dra.

Dit was slegs die derde keer in die geskiedenis van die toernooi wat die gasheer as kampioen gekroon is. Hy was in 1996 en 2006 ook baas.

Kyk al die wedstryde op die hoofveld weer op SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com).

Die Hansie-week het in 1993 ontstaan met Transvalia van Vanderbijlpark wat as die eerste kampioen gekroon is.

Die Hansies se hoofafrigter, Lebu van Heerden, se pa, Johan Frazer van Heerden, was 19 jaar gelede ook die span se hoofafrigter toe hulle die titel ingepalm het.

Hans Strijdom het vanjaar se toernooi as die enigste onoorwonne span afgeluit. Buiten die gasheer het Frikkie Meyer en HTS Middelburg se naasbestes ook die laaste dag met ‘n vlekkelose rekord betree.

HTS Middelburg het met 26-38 die knie in sy laaste kragmeting teen Hugenote van Springs se eerstes gebuig. Die span van Springs was die verdedigende kampioen na hy Hans Strijdom verlede jaar met 17-10 in die eindstryd geklop het.

Die Hansies en Frikkie Meyer sal mekaar weer op 10 Mei die stryd in die eerste ronde van die Limpopo Groep 2-liga aansê. Die span van Mookgophong het dus met dié sege in die eindstryd nie net die trofee ingepalm nie, maar ook ‘n belangrike slag voor die ligawedstryd geslaan.

Vir die Hansies was sy agtsteman, Kian du Plessis, weer uitstaande. Hy het in die vastelos asook in die lynstane goeie werk verrig. Die flank Janneman Benson en voorryman Alwyn Geyser het voorlangs ook goeie spel opgedis.

Du Plessis is na afloop van die toernooi ook as die Speler van die Week aangewys.

Die wenspan se heelagter, Tebogo Mapologelo, is na afloop van die eindstryd van die Speler van die Wedstryd vir sy vertoning aangewys. Hy het ‘n hele paar gevaarlike aanvalle vanuit die laaste vesting geloots asook ‘n mooi drie in die tweede helfte afgerond.

Die binnesenter, Henriko van der Colff, se lynskoppe het ook ‘n hele paar keer verligting vir sy span gebring. Die Hansies het aanvanklik gesukkel in die lynstane met veral Frikkie Meyer se flank en kaptein, Keanu Visser, wat hier vir hulle hoofbrekens besorg het.

Northcliff het met ‘n oortuigende sege van 34-7 oor die Hoërskool Kalahari van Kuruman gewys dat hy vanjaar nog ‘n hele paar spanne kan verras. Die span se losskakel, Matthew Hunt, kon met sy vertonings tydens die toernooi maklik ook met die toekenning as Speler van die Week weggestap het.

Die span van Johannesburg se slot Declan Diesel en flank Tyrin Crause het ook blink vertonings teen die Kalahari Leeus opgedis. Crause het twee van die wenspan se drieë afgerond.

Die span van Kuruman het nie op alle silinders gevuur na twee blink vertonings vroeër in die week. Sy agtsteman, SW van Heerden, verdien egter ‘n klop op die skouer.

Puntemakers: 

Hans Strijdom 17 (10) – Drieë: Henriko van der colff, Kian du Plessis, Tebogo Mapologelo. Doelskop: Van der Colff. Frikkie Meyer 10 (5) – Drieë: Prince Sekoboane, Anrich Fourie.

Northcliff 34 (15) – Drieë: Tyrin Crause (2), Connor Verster, Matthew Hunt, Jensen Geyer. Doelskoppe: Caleb Sokolich (2), Hunt. Strafdoel: Sokolich. Kalahari 7 (7) – Drie: SW van Heerden. Doelskop: André Venter.

Hoërskool Alberton 24 (17) – Drieë: Herman du Preez (2), Kayce Nel, Juan Gous. Doelskoppe: Joshua van Rensburg (2). Fochville 10 (5) – Drieë: Athi Nqele, Simphiwe Ntuli.

Hugenote (Springs) 38 (7) – Drieë: Luan Pretorius (2), Musa Matkangu (2), Thanyani Mokiri, Yovan Prinsloo. Doelskoppe: George Loucas (3), 10. HTS Middelburg II 26 (14) – Drieë: Fourie Joubert, Driaan Els, Bertu Harmse, Ruben Kruger. Doelskoppe: Fourie Joubert (3), Ethan Dreyer.

Jeugland 12 (7) – Drieë: Thando Ngomane, King Agbanzo. Doelskop: Agbanzo. Hoërskool Bellville 5 (5) – Drie: Ryno Higgs.

Hoërskool Brits 12 (12) – Drieë: Ludrich Ungerer, André Potgieter. Doelskop: JP Ferreira. Empangeni 7 (0) – Drie: Phila Ntuli. Doelskop: Okuhle Gumede.

Ander spanne: 

Eerstespanne: Piet Retief 7, Frans du Toit 7.

o.16: Marais Viljoen 30, Hugenote (Springs) 14 (eindstryd); Hoërskool Brits 17, Oosterlig 5; Hoërskool Bellville 13, Brandwag 8; Hans Strijdom 10, Wagpos 10; Empangeni 19, Trinityhouse 10; Merensky 12, Frikkie Meyer 0; Eldoraigne 36, HTS Middelburg 13; Hartbeespoort 24, Hoërskool Alberton 12.

o.15: Brandwag (Benoni) 32, Kalahari 22 (eindstryd); Hans Strijdom 10, Wagpos 10; Merensky 19, HTS Middelburg 7; Hoërskool Klerksdorp 25, Marais Viljoen 10; Wilgerivier 21, Warmbad 0; Heidelberg Volkskool 28, Eldoraigne 3; Hoërskool Alberton 9, Oosterlig 0; Northcliff 36, Frikkie Meyer 0; Potchefstroom Gimnasium XV 14, Trinityhouse 0; Potchefstroom Gimnasium 24, Hugenote (Springs) 22; Empangeni 47, Hans Strijdom XV 10.

o.14: Kalahari 21, Frikkie Meyer 5 (eindstryd); Marais Viljoen 29, Brandwag (Benoni) 10; Potchefstroom Gimnasium 52, HTS Middelburg 0; Hoërskool Klerksdorp 37, Northcliff 7; Hoërskool Alberton 33, Empangeni 14; Oosterlig 7, Hugenote (Springs) 5; Wagpos 15, Merensky 3; Eldoraigne 17, Hans Strijdom 14.

The much-anticipated Independent Schools Hockey Festival, hosted by St Alban’s College, in Pretoria, got off to a blistering start on Saturday.

The festival, which produced a whopping 60 goals on the day, runs until Monday, 7 April, and the action is live on the SuperSport Schools App.

On the opening day, York High, Bishops (Diocesan College), St Alban’s, Reddam House Constantia, and Michaelhouse were among the big winners.

York, who travelled from George to Gauteng, were a bit of an unknown, but they quickly made their mark with some impressive hockey.

Led by coaches Jason and Sean Slater, the boys from the Garden Route were impressive in front of goal and scored 11 times while conceding four goals in their two outings.

They thumped Helpmekaar Kollege 7-2 in the morning and returned later in the day to hand St Andrew’s School a 4-2 defeat.

“We knew we were arriving here as a bit of an underdog because we have a very young side that has one matric pupil in it,” Slater told SuperSport Schools Plus.

“The boys had to learn two new structures, and it was a positive to see them implement the game plan. We conceded a couple of goals, and we’ve got to work on that. Overall, we are very happy. The boys stuck together, showed grit and some guts.”

Slater has been in charge of the York side for over 900 matches and is slowly passing the baton to his co-coach, Shaun Slater.

When asked about the influence Shaun Slater has had on the team, Jason Slater said: “He’s had a huge effect on how the boys are playing and taking everything in. Technically, he’s sound and adding a lot of value.”

York will be tested by Michaelhouse and St Benedict’s College on day two.

Reddam House Constantia and Bishops, two of the three Western Cape representatives, were also on song on Saturday. Reddam defeated Bennies 3-2 before thumping Helpmekaar 6-1.

Coach Ryan Julius’s Bishops side was also among the goals while playing some entertaining hockey.

They began the day with an impressive 6-1 victory over St Charles College but were stretched by Michaelhouse in the final match of the day, which finished in a 1-1 draw.

“It was a good start to the tournament,” Julius told SuperSport Schools Plus after their win over St Charles.

“Tactically, we were sound, and the boys executed very well. We are playing with 14 players on tour, one less player, so the way we controlled the tempo of the game and ensured we had energy was good by the lads.”

The hosts, St Alban’s College, also joined in on the wins on Saturday.

Playing on their home turf and in front of their supporters, the Checks defeated Somerset College 2-0 before thumping St Charles College 4-0.

Those were two impressive performances, and St Alban’s will aim to build on the momentum they generated on Saturday when the action resumes on Sunday.

St Benedict’s posted a tight win and a tight loss. They beat Trinity House Randpark 3-2 but fell by the same margin against Reddam House Constantia. Trinity House also claimed a 3-2 win, beating St Andrew’s School by that scoreline in the opening game of the day.

It’s back to the drawing board for St Charles, St Andrew’s School, Helpmekaar, and Somerset College, who all suffered two losses.

RESULTS

Trinity House 3-2 St Andrew’s School
St Benedict’s College 2-3 Reddam House Constantia
York High 7-3 Helpmekaar Kollege
St Alban’s College 2-0 Somerset College
Bishops 6-1 St Charles College
Michaelhouse 2-1 St David’s Marist Inanda
St Benedict’s College 3-2 Trinity House
York High 4-2 St Andrew’s School
Reddam House Constantia 6-1 Helpmekaar Kollege
St Alban’s College 4-0 St Charles College
St David’s Marist Inanda 3-0 Somerset College
Bishops 1-1 Michaelhouse

Fixtures

Day 2 – Sunday, 6 April 

07:30 – St David’s Marist Inanda vs Reddam House Constantia
08:00 – St Charles College vs Helpmekaar Kollege @Pretoria Boys High AstroTurf
08:45 – Somerset College vs Trinity House
10:00 – St Alban’s College vs St Andrew’s School
11:15 – Bishops vs St Benedict’s College
12:30 – York High vs Michaelhouse
13:45 – Reddam House Constantia vs Trinity House
15:00 – St Charles College vs St David’s Marist Inanda
16:15 – Helpmekaar Kollege vs Somerset College
17:30 – St Alban’s College vs Bishops
17:30 – St Andrew’s School vs Michaelhouse @Pretoria Boys High AstroTurf
18:45 – York High vs St Benedict’s College

As per the norm, SuperSport Schools Plus decided to act as selectors during the annual NMI Toyota Noord/Suid tournament held at the Markötter Stadium in Stellenbosch.

Please note that this is not an official team and won’t be playing any matches. We also picked our team only on performances during the tournament in Stellenbosch and did not take future potential or previous performances into consideration.

Paarl Gimnasium has the most players in our team, with four after two comprehensive victories over King Edward VII (102-0) and Monument (66-16). Gimmies’ captain and outside centre, Markus Muller, was probably one of the easiest picks as he led his team from the front, scoring a hat-trick of tries in both outings.

Muller also scored a hat-trick in his side’s other official match against Stellenberg (39-17) earlier this year.

The other Gimmies in the team are Johan Kleynhans (right wing), Quintin Potgieter (eighthman) and Migael Turner (lock).

We decided to pick Oakdale Landbou’s Christiaan Vorster on Muller’s inside after some impressive performances during the tournament. Vorster was a stalwart for his team in their two outings in Stellenbosch.

Stellenberg’s Ralton Rhode gets the nod on the left wing. He reminded us a lot of Kurt-Lee Arendse during the tournament with his dazzling runs and scrum cap.

Grey College’s Lamla Mgedezi will man the fullback spot on our team after a match-winning hat trick against Noordheuwel. The Nories’s fullback, Tidi Moeketsae, also deserves a mention as he put in an incredible defensive performance in the same match.

No goal kicker had a better tournament than Paul Roos Gimnasium’s flyhalf, Travis Pheiffer. His scrumhalf in SuperSport Schools Plus’ squad, Jayden Brits (Boland Landbou), was without a doubt the best backline player during the festival.

Our front row will definitely be strong contenders to represent the SA Schools’ side later this year as well. Jordan Jooste of Paarl Boys’ High showcased his class in Stellenbosch. He already represented the SA Schools A-side in 2024. Our tighthead prop, Luan van der Bergh of Garsfontein, is the strongest scrumworker at schoolboy level in South Africa.

Nories’ hooker, Clinton Agu, cracked the nod after two impressive performances against Grey College and Paul Roos Gimnasium. Agu also probably had the toughest opposition to get picked as there was some excellent performances by hookers during the tournament. Other hooker which impressed was Ruan Jacobs (Waterkloof), Charles Whitehead (Paarl Gimnasium), Keenan Myners (Outeniqua), Tommy Muller (Paarl Boys’ High), Justin Blom (Garsfontein) and Declan Pelser (Menlopark).

SuperSport Schools Plus se Noord/Suid-span van die toernooi: 

15 Lamla Mgedezi (Grey College), 14 Johan Kleynhans (Paarl Gimnasium), 13 Markus Muller (Paarl Gimnasium), 12 Christiaan Vorster (Oakdale Landbou), 11 Ralton Rhode (Stellenberg), 10 Travis Pheiffer (Paul Roos Gimnasium), 9 Jayden Brits (Boland Landbou), 8 Quintin Potgieter (Paarl Gimnasium), 7 Josh Neill (Rondebosch Boys’ High), 6 Luhan Potgieter (Affies), 5 Jayden Joubert (Paarl Boys’ High), 4 Migael Turner (Paarl Gimnasium), 3 Luan van der Berg (Garsfontein), 2 Clinton Agu (Noordheuwel), 1 Jordan Jooste (Paarl Boys’ High).

Rhenish Girls’ High School has been following the process and sticking to their playing principles in Pool C at the annual Standard Bank St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival.

With a well-organised and stubborn defence, coach Chris Gerber’s side was the only team that did not concede a goal in the first stage of the tournament, which ended on Friday.

“We pride ourselves on our defensive ability and the girls did exceptionally well in that department,” Gerber said.

However, Rhenish hasn’t simply stonewalled teams. Gerber’s charges have also been outstanding in the opposition’s half, scoring 18 unanswered goals on their way to the top of Pool C. That left them with 19 points out of a possible 21, following six wins and a single draw.

The girlsfrom Stellenbosch arrived at the festival earmarked as one of the teams with the potential to lift the title and they lived up to the hype in the first stage.

“The ladies worked hard to get to this stage, and they are not letting the favourites’ tag drag them down,” Gerber said.

Rhenish beat Clarendon 3-0, St Cyprian’s 3-0, Windhoek High 2-0, St Mary’s DSG, Kloof 3-0, St Stithians 1-0, and Pretoria High School for Girls (PHSG) 6-0. They drew 0-0 with the hosts, St Mary’s Waverley, on Thursday.

Gerber’s team’s title challenge continues on Saturday in Pool G. They have a date with Garsfontein at 09:25. Then, shortly before 13:00, they tackle Eunice.

St Mary’s DSG, Kloof, finished day one on top of the log in Pool C but relinquished first place to Rhenish after going down to the Western Cape side on Friday morning. Nonetheless, Nolwazi Nkabinde‘s team still confidently bagged second place.

After going down to Rhenish, they handed Pretoria High School for Girls a 3-0 defeat a few hours later. Nkabinde’s side was far from done and they finished pool play with a bang, smashing five unanswered goals past St Stithians to end with 18 points, just one behind the log leaders.

St Mary’s DSG will go up against St John’s DSG at 08:55 in their first Pool F fixture. At midday, they’ll take on Pool B’s table-toppers, Bloemhof.

The hosts, St Mary’s Waverley, rounded off the top three teams in Pool C after finishing with 14 points. They recorded four wins in seven games, with two draws and a loss. The draws and a loss came on Thursday. They didn’t drop any points on Friday.

In their first match of the day, they beat St Stithians 1-0. They followed that with a 5-0 drubbing of Windhoek High and then completed their pool schedule with a 2-1 win over Clarendon.

Their reward is a place in Pool F. They go up against Bloemhof at 08:30 on Saturday and St John’s DSG at 12:55.

RESULTS

Rhenish 2-0 Windhoek
St Stithians 0-0 St Cyprian’s
Rhenish 3-0 St Mary’s DSG, Kloof
St Mary’s Waverley 1st XI 1-0 St Stithians
St Mary’s Waverley 1st XI 5-0 Windhoek
Clarendon 3-0 Windhoek High
St Cyprian’s 4-0 Pretoria High School for Girls
St Mary’s DSG, Kloof 3-0 Pretoria High School for Girls
Rhenish 6-0 Pretoria High School for Girls
St Cyprian’s 3-0 Windhoek High
St Cyprian’s 5-0 Clarendon
Rhenish 1-0 St Stithians

No international team has ever lifted the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament title, but St Paul’s College will have an opportunity to rewrite that script on Saturday.

The side, from Windhoek, Namibia, booked themselves a place in the girls’ final on day three when they defeated Rustenburg Girls’ High 1-0.

They’ll face Fairmont High School in the title game at 16:45 at the Hartleyvale AstroTurf in Observatory, Cape Town.

The action will be LIVE on SuperSport Schools.

St Paul’s entered the tournament as one of the underdogs, and that played to their advantage.

Led by coaches Nevil Gora, Fortune Matawu, and Jo-Andri van Heerden, they made their presence felt on the opening day with victories over La Rochelle Girls’ High School and Langenhoven Gimnasium.

Those wins sent St Paul’s into the Cup section. There, they were seeded in Pool A alongside Stellenberg High, Peterhouse, and Pretoria’s Hoërskool Eldoraigne.

The Namibians were on fire and defeated all three teams, including a 7-1 thumping of Eldoraigne. That secured them a semi-final showdown with Rustenburg Girls’ High.

It was a tight affair that went down to the wire, but a solitary goal by Tamara Grogli proved enough to send St Paul’s through to the title decider.

They’ll face a stiff challenge in the final from a tough Fairmont High outfit.

The girls from the northern suburbs of Cape Town have played some top hockey under the guidance of Bryce West, Jody Lang, and manager Liza Duckitt.

They also impressed during the knockout stages and then picked up two wins in three matches in the Cup section.

They made their title ambitions clear in the semi-finals where they brushed aside Hoërskool Dr. E.G. Jansen 5-1.

Camryn Corner picked up a pair and was joined on the score sheet by Jorja Kruger, Sarah Swanepoel, and Madison Ackerman.

Fairmont finished in ninth place last year, so they have already far surpassed their achievement of 2024. Still, they’re aiming to go all the way, which is an opportunity that also lies in front of their boys’ team, which meets Stellenberg High in the boys’ final.

RESULTS

GIRLS

CUP SECTION

Pool A

St Paul’s College 2-1 Peterhouse
Stellenberg 4-0 Hoërskool Eldoraigne

Pool B

Fairmont High 3-1 Durbanville
Monument 0-0 Paarl Gimnasium Invitational

Pool C

DF Malan 1-0 Northcliff
Hoërskool Dr. E.G. Jansen 3-2 Kempton Park

Pool D

Outeniqua 3-1 Nelspruit
Rustenburg Girls’ High 3-0 Wynberg Girls’ High

Semifinals

St Paul’s College 1-0 Rustenburg Girls’ High
Fairmont High 5-1 Hoërskool Dr. E.G. Jansen

Download the Enhanced Sports App for all the results.