The challenges that come with organising and hosting an event as big as the recently concluded St John’s College Basketball Tournament are myriad, but the Johannesburg school, as always, successfully pulled off a sparkling four-day event.
That was achieved despite the hosts having to deal with heavy highveld rains on the opening day, which forced the organisers to scramble to arrange indoor venues.
And yet, despite Mother Nature’s challenge, the tournament was a success, with Northwood School retaining the u19 trophy by beating St John’s College in the final on Sunday.
“Hosting a tournament of this scale – which is 24 u19 teams, 24 u15 teams, and 16 u13 teams for this year – means that when you host an event like this that is held at an outdoor venue, the weather is always a big factor,” St John’s College’s Director of Basketball, Clemen Kock, told SuperSport School Plus in an exclusive interview.
“But with the resources that the school has put behind us, the support from the parents, as well as the understanding and working infrastructure of all the schools, we were able to work through and work around the challenges that the weather posed.”
Kock emphasised the importance of involving u13 boys in the festival. The goal was to infuse a passion for basketball in the youngsters and, thus, grow and preserve the sport in South Africa, he explained.
He also believes that the involvement of u13s puts pressure on other schools to take the sport more seriously by investing in its development.
“Tournaments such as this are a big beacon to a lot of young players and that’s one of the reasons why we merged our prep festival, which is our u13 division, as well as the u19 and u15 divisions,” he said.
“It gives boys who are 10 years old the understanding of what they can work on and what they can aspire to play and reach within our competition. That also puts pressure on a lot of schools to make investments in development within the entire process.”
Reaching the final this year, where they went down to a powerhouse Northwood side, proved that St John’s College has one of the best basketball programmes in the country.
Kock said its strength stems from the efforts put in by the coaches, players, and parents, both past and present.
“The 20th edition of the tournament reflects the foundation that has been laid by those before us,” he said.
“We have more than 450 boys that are participating in basketball within the school system, which means everybody who is part of St John’s College understands how important and how invested the school is in supporting basketball within the school.”
The 20th edition, despite facing huge obstacles, was a massive success. No doubt, the 21st edition, in 2026, will meet the same standards and likely even better them.
Bishops Diocesan College playmaker Matt Fenn scored a hattrick in the final of the 2025 SACS Nite Series. Photo: Bishops Diocesan College
Bishops Diocesan College first team water polo coach, Jabulani Sibiya, surely breathed a sigh of relief after his team retained the SACS Nite Series title by defeating Rondebosch Boys’ High 14-9 in the final on Tuesday in Cape Town.
Bishops was not wholly convincing during the series but they dug deep when the title was on the line to cause a frenzy at the SACS Aquatic Centre.
Their journey to the title decider was characterised by big moments, nail-biting encounters, and an ability to stage comebacks.
Apart from that loss, Bishops picked up wins over Reddam House Constantia (14-4), South African College High School (SACS) (9-8), Wynberg Boys’ High (15-6), and Paul Roos Gimnasium (8-7).
That left them in second place in the standings and set up a semifinal showdown with Wynberg for a place in the final.
They had beaten Wynberg comfortably in their round-robin meeting, and they won comfortably again, this time by a 10-4 margin. Rondebosch, meanwhile, won 9-7 against PRG in their semifinal clash.
The final marked the third time the sides met in recent weeks, and both teams were eager to secure the bragging rights after the spoils were shared in the earlier games. ‘Bosch won the first meeting, but Bishops gained revenge in a league match, winning 12-10.
Bishops celebrate their Nite Series triumph over Rondebosch. Photo: Bishops Diocesan College.
On Tuesday evening, Bishops began the final playing at a high tempo, and after the first chukka, they had rushed into a 4-2 lead.
Harry Ford and Luke Cartwright took it to Rondebosch, scoring two goals each, while Luke Burger and Dante Moore converted for ‘Bosch.
Bishops kept up their onslaught in the second chukka and again outscored coach Jared Wingate-Pearse’s side, this time by a narrow margin of four goals to three.
The Bishops’ dangerman, Matt Fenn, asserted himself and netted a brace. He was followed onto the score sheet by Timothy Young and Harry Ford.
Bosch replied through Moore, who grabbed a second before Rupert Robinson and Noah Reiback cut the deficit to 5-8 heading into the break.
It was tight in the third chukka, although ‘Bosch created more goalscoring opportunities. They were kept at bat, however, by the heroics of Bishops’ goalkeeper Michael Mafunda.
Each side added two goals, with James Malan finding the back of the net for Bishops before Young completed his brace. Reiback pulled one back for Bosch, and Joshua Ripsold got in on the action later in the chukka.
Photo: L Fenn
Leading 10-7 with six minutes remaining, Bishops raised their intensity in the fourth and final chukka.
They were clinical, solid defensively, and killed off the game in the opening three minutes.
Skipper Milo Letschert scored, and Heath Blackwell then netted his first of the day.
The match was taken out of the reach of Rondebosch, courtesy of strikes by Fenn and Young, which countered Burger’s brace and saw Bishops to a deserved 14-9 victory and a successful defence of the title they won in 2024 by defeating SACS 14-11.
They have been drawn in Pool A and will face Northwood School, St Andrew’s College, and St Stithians College.
The other Western Cape representatives at KES include Rondebosch, SACS, and Paul Roos.
NITE SERIES FINAL DAY RESULTS
Scorers in the final
Bishops 14: Harry Ford (3), Matt Fenn (3), Timothy Young (3), Luke Cartwright (2), James Malan, Heath Blackwell, Milo Letschert. Rondebosch 9: Luke Burger (3), Noah Reiback (2), Dante Moore (2), Joshua Ripsold, Rupert Robinson.
Semifinals
Bishops 10-4 Wynberg Boys’ High
Rondebosch Boys High 9-7 Paul Roos Gimnasium
5th/6th playoff
SACS 14-10 Reddam House Constantia
Final
Bishops Diocesan College 14-9 Rondebosch Boys’ High
Die bekende krete van “Die Rooi, Die Geel, Die Groen”, sal eersdaags weer deur 1 Lynwoodweg en regoor die land weergalm wanneer een van Suid Afrika se gesogste rugbyskole, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, op die veld draf.
Affies het in 2024 ‘n vrugtevolle seisoen beleef met die eerste span wat onder die top-vyf skolerugbyspanne in Suid-Afrika geëindig het.
Vanjaar beloof om meer van dieselfde resultate op te lewer. Die span van Pretoria het egter, volgens die rugbyhoof en eerstespan-afrigter, Ruan Jacobs, een van sy taaiste bepalingslyste in ‘n lang ruk.
Dit is duidelik, met Affies wat op gebruiklike wyse hul seisoen afskop met die vriendskaplike bepaling teen Hoërskool Diamantveld op 8 Maart in Kimberley.
Daarna wag ‘n klipharde stryd met Helpmekaar Kollege in Pretoria en twee fisieke kragmetings met HTS Drostdy en Hoër Jongenskool Paarl by die NMI Toyota Noord/Suid-toernooi, wat vanjaar by Paul Roos Gimnasium in Stellenbosch aangebied word.
Die einste Paul Roos wag ook op die span van Pretoria wanneer hulle by die jaarlikse Wildeklawer-toernooi swaarde kruis.
Verder staan Paarl Gimnasium en Hoërskool Garsfontein ook in Affies se pad. Dié twee wedstryde vind onderskeidelik op 12 en 26 April plaas, met die Pretorianers wat weg speel by altwee geleenthede.
Die grootste opgewondenheid heers egter vir 17 Mei, wanneer Affies se jaarlikse derby met die Springbokfabriek, Grey-kollege, geskied. Dié kragmeting vind vanjaar in Bloemfontein plaas, wat beteken dat die Pretorianers ál vier Suid-Afrika se skole-reuse weg moet aandurf.
Dit is nietemin ‘n uitdaging waarna Jacobs en die res van sy afrigtingspan, wat Jaco Koch (voorspeler- en kondisioneringsafrigter), Heinrich van Jaarsveldt (spanbestuurder) en die gesoute Pine Pienaar (tegniese adviseur) insluit, uitsien.
Vernaam Pienaar se rugbybrein bring hope ervaring. Hy spog met 17 jaar se ondervinding op professionele vlak en het onderskeidelik by die Cheethas en Blou Bulle as die Curriebeker-afrigter diens verrig, terwyl hy ook vir bykans ‘n dekade die Bulle se verdedigingsafrigter was in Superrugby.
Affies beskik boonop oor hope talent. Die senior groep behou nie minder nie as nege lede van verlede jaar se eerste span.
Dit is verál die terugkeer van Zirk Meyer (skrumskakel) en Ruben Groenewald, wat verlede jaar op heelagter diens gedoen het, wat die Affie-ondersteuners se opgewondenheid prikkel as skakelpaar hierdie seisoen. Groenewald is die seun van voormalige Blou Bul-skrumskakel, Coenraad Groenewald, wat ondermeer ook vir die Junior Bokke uitgedraf het.
Die o. 17-groep wat verlede jaar die veld as o. 16’s aan die brand gespeel het, bring voorts agt Grant Khomo-spelers na vanjaar se senior groep.
Die vooruitsig van ervaring en jong talent laat ‘n mens onwillekeurig wonder of “Die Rooi, Die Geel, Die Groen” moontlik vanjaar weer die voorste skolerugbyspan in die land kan wees.
Sibongile Ntoane, of South Africa, celebrates, scoring a goal during the international friendly between South Africa and Lesotho on the 25 February 2025 at UJ Stadium in Soweto. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix.
The South African supporters who came out in large numbers at the University of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus expressed their joy following an improved showing by Banyana Banyana in a 2-0 win over Lesotho in an international friendly match on Tuesday.
Banyana Banyana’s youthful squad, which laboured to a 1-0 win over Lesotho on Saturday, captivated the South African fans with a more dynamic performance.
Both goals were scored in the first half, with Sibongile Ntoane and Unathi Simayile finding the back of the net.
The South African team’s ball movement was better than in the first meeting of the sides and the home team also constructed well-coordinated attacks.
Defensively, the team was composed and worked collectedly and efficiently to turn over possession. That was something the fans and Banyana Banyana’s coach, Desiree Ellis, appreciated.
After the match, she declared herself satisfied with her charges’ performances, adding that there were a lot of positives to take away from the game.
“When we move the ball around, we look good. When we run with the ball, that’s now our game,” she said.
“It’s a learning curve for some of the players because we only had the week with them. Sometimes they remember and sometimes they don’t.
“But we can be proud of the performance. Those were two tough matches for them, matches that they would not necessarily have played in such quick succession. Towards the end, there were definitely tired legs, but I think the fans went home happy. I think that’s what is important,” she concluded.
Preparations are underway for the annual u19 Bayhill Premier Cup (BPC), also known as the Bayhill Tournament Premier Cup, which will be played in April.
Over the weekend, round-robin fixtures were played at William Herbert Sports Grounds in Wynberg, Cape Town. The weekend’s action was streamed on the SuperSport School App and online and saw 24 teams vying for the 12 places.
After the dust had settled, Stanturf United FC, Rygersdal FC, Ubuntu Academy, Hellenic FC, Jomo’s Power FC, Young Bafana FC, FC Porto, JL Zwane, Antalyaspor JPM CT, FN Rangers St Agnes, Eagles Performance Academy, and Valhalla United FC advanced to the Cup competition after finishing either first or second in their groups.
The Bayhill Premier Cup was first held in 1989 and has since grown to attract top teams from across South Africa and beyond, serving as a platform for young talent to be exposed to a wider audience. Apart from the Cape Town teams, last year’s event included, among others, Virginia Academy, Chippa United, Stellenbosch FC, the University of Pretoria, and Mamelodi Sundowns.,
International participants have included Swansea City (UK), Zesco United (Zambia), Manchester Schools (UK), Hessischer Futbal Verband (Germany), Komeshu FC (Namibia), Three Kings (New Zealand), South Nottingham College (UK), Wiesbaden 1926 (Germany), Gallant Academy (Kenya), SV Wehen (Germany), Dipetsana (Botswana), Windhoek Gymnasium (Namibia), and Young Warriors (Zimbabwe).
Last year’s final, won 4-1 by Cape Town Spurs, attracted a crowd of over 10 000 spectators, with Spurs’ captain Denzel du Plessis, Faiz Abrahams, Jenairho Brock, and Jeandre Gaffoor netting for the winners, and Sergio Fransch replying for the runners-up.
Numerous players, including Benni McCarthy who went on to win the UEFA Champions League with FC Porto under coach Jose Mourinho, have been identified and propelled to success through the Bayhill Premier Cup. Others to have strutted their stuff in the event include top pros, Thulani Serero, Nasief Morris, Lance Davids, Luke Baartman, and Percy Tau,
RESULTS
SATURDAY
Group A
Ulana Academy 1-0 C.R. Vasco Da Gama
Stanturf United 3-2 Reyersdal FC
Group B Hellenic FC 2-0 Good Hope FC
Ubuntu Academy 1-0 Masithandane FC
Group C Young Bafana FC 1-1 Jomo’s Power FC
Dunoon Sporting Academy 2-0 Delft FC
Group D FC Porto 1-0 Maties FC
JL Zwane FC 2-0 Aberdeen SC
Group E Antalyaspor JPM CT 2-1 Manenberg Sporting Academy
FN Rangers St Agnes 3-0 Kensington AFC
Group F Junction Rovers AFC 2-0 Premier United FC
Eagles Performance Academy 2-1 Valhalla United
SUNDAY
Group A CR Vasco Da Gama 0-0 Stanturf United FC
Rygersdal FC 2-0 Ulana Academy
Rygersdal FC 0-0 CR Vasco Da Gama
Ulana Academy 0-0 Stanturf United FC
Group B Hellenic FC 1-1 Ubuntu Academy
Good Hope FC 2-0 Masithandane FC
Masithandane FC 1-1 Hellenic FC
Ubuntu Academy 3-1 Good Hope FC
Group C Young Bafana FC 3-2 Dunoon Sporting Academy
Jomo’s Power FC 3-1 Delft FC
Jomo’s Power FC 2-0 Dunoon Sporting Academy
Young Bafana FC 3-1 Delft FC
Group D Maties FC 0-0 Aberdeen SC
JL Zwane FC 1-1 FC Porto
Maties FC 4-0 JL Zwane FC
Aberdeen SC 2-0 FC Porto
Group E FN Rangers St Agnes 1-0 Manenberg Sporting Academy
Antalyaspor JPM CT 3-1 Kensington AFC
Antalyspor JPM CT 2-1 FN Rangers St Agnes
Manenberg Sporting Academy 3-2 Kensington AFC
Group F Eagles Performance Academy 1-0 Junction Rovers FC
Valhalla United FC 2-0 Premier United
Eagles Performance Academy 1-0 Premier United
Valhalla United FC 3-0 Junction Rovers FC
Hoërskool Kempton Park se eerste span na sy sege met ses paaltjies oor Hoërskool Nelspruit in die promosie-relegasie-stryd vir die Finsbury-reeks se A-afdeling. FOTO: Verskaf deur Hoërskool Kempton Park.
Dit het 25 jaar geneem, maar die Kempies is uiteindelik terug in die A-afdeling van die Finsbury-reeks.
Hoërskool Kempton Park moes Saterdag, 22 Februarie, na Nelspruit reis waar hy in vanjaar se promosie-relegasie-wedstryd teen Hoërskool Nelspruit te staan gekom het.
Dit was ‘n groot dag vir die besoekers aangesien dit ‘n kans bied om vir die eerste keer in ‘n kwarteeu weer in dié afdeling, saam met groot honde soos Hoërskool Waterkloof, Die Hoërskool Menlopark en Potchefstroom Volkskool, te blaf.
Sheldon Kruger en die res van die Kempie-kolwers het inderdaad dié mylpaal vir hul span behaal. Kruger, voorbok met die wilgerlat, het eenvoudig verseg om sy paaltjie af te staan, ál het die Nellies se boulers hoe hard probeer.
Die tuisspan het eerste gekolf en vir die besoekers ‘n teiken van 188 gestel.
Luan Siebrits was die Nellies se beste kolwer, met 36 lopies, en is ywerig bygestaan deur Waldemaar Graham (27) en John Duncan (25), maar nie een van die drietal het ‘n antwoord gehad op die vernietigende boulwerk van Kristian du Plessis (4/23) en Francois Maree (4/33) nie.
Kruger het op sy beurt dit na ‘n totaal ander kolfblad laat lyk. Die toporde-kolwer van Kempton het sy beurt tydsaam gestruktureer, teen net minder as ‘n lopie per bal gekolf en was sy span se anker met ‘n onoorwonne 77 lopies. Henré van Deventer (40) en kaptein, Marko Richter (21), het verder bygedra om die besoekers tot ‘n gemaklike oorwinning met ses paaltjies te lei.
“Dit was regtig nie maklik gewees nie, omdat die eerste span en o. 15’s se punte saam tel, maar ek is ongelooflik trots op albei groepe vanjaar,” het Kempies se hoofafrigter, Johan Fourie, gesê.
“Nou begin die harde werk om daar te bly en moontlik die A-afdeling te wen.”
Die Kempies behoort ‘n groot gros van hul spelers uit vanjaar se groep vir die 2026-seisoen te behou. Nie minder nie as ses, insluitende die blitsige Kristian du Plessis en indrukwekkende Wian Pieters, sal volgende jaar weer hul spykerskoene vir die span van Kempton Park aantrek.
Beknopte telkaart:
Hoërskool Nelspruit 187 (Luan Siebrits 36, Waldemar Graham 27, John Duncan 25; Kristian du Plessis 4/23, Francois Maree 4/33); Hoërskool Kempton Park 188/4 (Sheldon Kruger 77*, Henré van Deventer 40, Marko Richter 21, Safwaan Miller 2/46). Hoërskool Kempton Park wen met ses paaltjies.
The Wykeham Collegiate will be in action at the Balling Hockey Festival, where they’ll be aiming to get their season off to a strong start. Photo: Brad Morgan.
All roads lead to Bethlehem, where one of the most anticipated events on the hockey calendar, the 11th edition of the Balling Hockey Festival, kicks off on Thursday. The showpiece runs until Sunday, 2 March.
Matches will be contested at the BVHS Astro and New Horizon College.
“With each passing year, the festival grows in both scale and competitiveness, drawing some of the best school teams from across the region,” festival director, Emile Odendaal, said ahead of the event.
This year, 16 schools will be in action across four days. Parents and spectators can expect a higher level of hockey, Odendaal reckoned. What began as a friendly competition has evolved into a fiercely contested festival where the level of play has reached new heights.
“Elite athletes, dedicated coaching staff, and state-of-the-art facilities have set the competition down a path of continuous improvement, making it more exciting for fans, players, and schools,” Odendaal explained.
St Anne’sDiocesan College will kick off the proceedings when they tackle Voortrekker on Thursday at 16:00. That match will be followed by a tussle between The Wykeham Collegiate (TWC) and Union High at 17:00. Both ties will be played at Voortrekker.
Perennial powerhouses Oranje,Eunice, and St Mary’s DSG (Kloof) will take to the Astro on Friday morning. However, they will not be the only sides that bear watching. St Anne’s made waves last year and played their way to a Fairtree Super 12 invitation. TWC could also give their opposition a good run for their money.
The Pietermaritzburg school recently brought Odendaal, the festival director, on board as their head coach. The experienced gaffer is keen to help his new side take the next step from being a solid outfit to being one of the best in the region and the country.
TWC has developed a reputation for putting in workmanlike performances at festivals and tournaments without quite making it to the top spot. They’re aiming to change that narrative.
“This year marks a new chapter for Wykeham as they bring in a fresh face to their coaching staff, Emile Odendaal. The school has made a strategic move to recruit the highly experienced and well-regarded coach, who is determined to elevate the school’s performance to the next level,” a statement from TWC read.
Odendaal is known for having turned several underperforming teams into top teams in the past. TWC is hoping he helps transform their fortunes, too. The Balling Festival is the first step they are taking with Odendaal. It will be a challenging starting point.
“The festival is more than just a sporting event. It’s an opportunity for the next generation of athletes to showcase their skills, make lifelong friendships, and engage in healthy competition. With top-tier schools and rising stars, the 11th edition of the festival is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet,” Odendaal said.
FIXTURES
Thursday, 27 February
16:00 – 17:00 St Anne’s vs Voortrekker
17:00 – 18:00 TWC vs Union
Friday, 28 February
07:30 – Witteberg vs Union
08:25 – St Anne’s vs Sasolburg
09:20 – Eunice vs TWC
10:15 – Oranje 1 vs Menlopark
11:10 – Oranje 2 vs St Dominic’s Boksburg
12:05 – Goudveld vs St John’s DSG
13:00 – Noordheuwel vs Voortrekker
13:55 – Oranje 1 vs St Anne’s
14:50 – St Mary’s DSG Kloof vs Menlopark
15:45 – Monument vs TWC
16:40 – Our Lady of Fatima vs Voortrekker
17:35 – Eunice vs St John’s DSG
Saturday, 1 March
06:30 – St Anne’s vs Goudveld
07:25 – Sasolburg vs St Dominic’s Boksburg
08:20 – Oranje 1 vs St John’s
09:15 – Eunice vs St Mary’s DSG Kloof
10:10 – Our Lady of Fatima vs Monument
11:05 – TWC vs Goudveld
12:00 – Voortrekker vs Menlopark
12:00 – Orange 2 vs Union (New Horizon)
12:55 – Noordheuwel vs Witteberg
12:00 – Oranje 2 vs Union
13:50 – Eunice vs Our Lady of Fatima
14:25 – Goudveld vs Sasolburg (New Horizon)
14:45 – St John’s DSG vs Menlopark
15:40 – Monument vs Oranje 1
16:35 – BVHS vs TWC
16:50 – Witteberg vs St Dominic’s Boksburg (New Horizon)
17:30 – Noordheuwel vs St Mary’s Kloof
Sunday, 2 March
06:30 – Union vs St Dominic’s Boksburg
06:30 – Oranje 2 vs Witteberg (New Horizon)
08:10 – Our Lady of Fatima vs Oranje 1
09:05 – Sasolburg vs Monument
10:00 – St Dominic’s vs St John’s
10:55 – Eunice vs Noordheuwel
11:50 – TWC vs Menlopark
12:45 – Oranje 1 vs St Mary’s Kloof
14:25 – Oranje 2 vs Goudveld
Two age group events – u14 and u16 – will be run concurrently with the u19 competition with most matches being played at New Horizon College.
Die span van Bloemfontein het op Vrydag, 21 Februarie, en Saterdag, 22 Februarie, teen die groot honde van die Boland, Paarl Gimnasium en Hoër Jongenskool Paarl, te staan gekom, waarna hy op Sondag, 23 Februarie, in Stellenbosch met Paul Roos Gimnasium swaarde gekruis het.
Die eerste twee dae het vir naelbytstryde gesorg. Grey moes aan die einde van die eerste dag, in ‘n 30-beurt wedstryd, met ‘n nege-lopie nederlaag teen Paarl Gim die aftog blaas.
Die silwerrandjie was egter dat die gevaarlike Daniel Hattingh sy ritme met die kolf gevind het. Hattingh het die Bloemfonteiners se jaagtog van 174 gelei met sy eerste vyftigtal van die naweek.
Gim se Franco Boonzaaier (47) en Waldo de Jager (41*) het die tuisspan tot 173/7 gehelp. Die besoekers se aanvangsbouler, Otto Krause, het oudergewoonte leiding geneem met die bal om met 2/28 uit te staan. Ongelukkig vir Hattingh en Krause het die res van die Grey-kolwers gesukkel om aan die gang te kom.
Naas Hattingh se 59 lopies, was Albert Liebenberg (28) en Divan Bezuidenhout (27) die enigste kolwers wat ‘n noemenswaardige brydrae kon lewer. Boonop was Gimnasium se Louis Koen uitstekend met die bal en het sy 3/37 die platform gelê vir die res van die boulers om die besoekers uiteindelik, in die 29ste beurt, vir 164 uit te boender.
Die wedstryd teen Die Hoër Jongenskool Paarl het meer van dieselfde opgelewer, met die Bloemfonteiners wat weer gekies om te jaag, eerder as om eerste te kolf. Edrich Hanekom se swaaiboulwerk het die meeste skade aangerig en het hy uiteindelik met ‘n welverdiende 3/27 gespog, terwyl Krause ook weer gewoeker het om twee paaltjies vir 29 op te raap.
Ulrich Drotchie en Gideon du Toit was Boishaai se uitblinkers met die kolf. Drotchie het die kitaar geslaan met 34 lopies, terwyl Du Toit, kort op sy hakke met 31 terug pawiljoen toe is om die tuisspan uiteindelik tot 160/8, onder moeilike kolftoestande, in die toegelate 50 beurte te lei.
Hattingh was weer op sy stukke. Hierdie keer het hy met 76, 17 lopies meer as die vorige dag, gepronk. Bezuidenhout het ook, met twee lopies meer, na 29 verbeter, maar was dit steeds nie genoeg om Boishaai se Raeez Isaacs (3/40) en AB Jacobs (2/28) te stuit nie. Die besoekers het uiteindelik naelskraaps met ses lopies vasgeval.
Sondag, 23 Februarie, het Grey na Stellenbosch vertrek vir sy grootste stryd van die naweek, teen Paul Roos Gimnasium. Die span van Stellenbosch het steeds wonde gelek na ‘n vyf-paaltjie nederlaag twee dae vantevore, teen Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, en was oorgehaal om sake reg te stel. Luca Plekker het inderdaad só gemaak en met ‘n pragbeurt reeds vroeg die tuisspan se stempel afgedruk.
Soos teen Affies, het Plekker se hardloopwerk tussen die paaltjies uitgestaan, en het hy Paul Roos se kolfbeurt met ‘n onoorwonne 110 lopies afgesluit om sy span tot ‘n intimiderende totaal van 281/5 te lei. Sy beurt het 135 aflewerings geneem, en agt viere en ‘n ses ingesluit.
Hattingh, met sy span in die moeilikheid nadat Dion Slabber met 4/30 die besoekers op die planke gehad het, was uitstaande. Hy het sy beste beurt van die drie dae gespeel en Grey vir ‘n wyle op die voorvoet geplaas. Anders as die vorige dag, het hy weer teen ‘n treftempo van oor die 100 gekolf. Sy 80 lopies het van net 78 balle gekom, voordat hy uiteindelik vir die laaste keer, met ‘n totaal van 215 lopies oor die drie dae, terug pawiljoen toe gestuur is.
Die tuisspan se Jason Raal (2/15) en Roux Joubert (2/37) het Slabber bygestaan met die bal en, buiten vir Hattingh, die res van die Grey-kolwers laat bontstaan. Die besoekers kon uiteindelik slegs 199 aanteken voor die laaste paaltjie geval het, 83 lopies kort van die wenteiken.
Beknopte telkaarte:
Vrydag 21 Februarie:
Paarl Gimnasium 173/7 (30) (Franco Boonzaaier 47, Waldo de Jager 41*, Charles King 23; Otto Krause 2/28, Henru de Wet 2/28); Grey-kollege 164 (29.1) (Daniel Hattingh 59, Albert Liebenberg 28, Divan Bezuidenhout 27; Louis Koen 3/37, Wian Munnik 2/18, Zayd Abrahams 2/34). Paarl Gimnasium wen met nege lopies.
Saterdag 22 Februarie:
Hoër Jongenskool Paarl 183 (Ulrich Drotchie 34, Gideon du Toit 31, Pieter Gildenhuys 30, Ekstras 26, Neil Louw 22; Edrich Hanekom 3/27, Otto Krause 2/29, Daniel Hattingh 2/43); Grey-kollege 177 (Daniel Hattingh 76, Divan Bezuidenhout 29, Henru de Wet 23; Raeez Isaacs 3/40, AB Jacobs 2/28). Hoër Jongenskool Paarl wen met ses lopies.
Sondag 23 Februarie:
Paul Roos Gimnasium 281/5 (Luca Plekker 110*, Matthew Seymore 57, Liam Basson 54, Reuben Coetzee 21; Jano Venter 3/39); Grey-kollege 199 (Daniel Hattingh 80, Albert Liebenberg 29, Jaco Prinsloo 22; Dion Slabber 4/30, Jason Raal 2/15, Roux Joubert 2/37). Paul Roos Gimnasium wen met 83 lopies.
Both St John’s College and Selborne College will be among the contenders at the KES Water Polo Tournament. Photo: Toni Butterworth
The leading schoolboys’ water polo teams in South Africa will assemble in Johannesburg this weekend to battle it out for the prestigious title in the annual King Edward VII (KES) Water Polo Tournament.
The action takes place at the Mark Stevens Aquatic Centre at KES and runs from Friday, 28 February to Sunday, 2 March.
It’s the 42nd edition of the tournament and it will be broadcast live on SuperSport Schools.
Coach Jared Wingate-Pearse’s troops dominated in their group games and went on to finish unbeaten after edging out Hilton College 12-10 in the quarterfinals and Bishops 12-11 in the final four.
They will return as one of the favourites for the title. They’ve put together a stellar season that’s seen them win the SAC Shield, in Makhanda, and dominate in the Western Cape.
Joining them on the trip up to the City of Gold will be their provincial rivals, Bishops, South African College High School (SACS), and Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG).
Coach Jabulani Sibiya’s Bishops’ side took bronze in 2024, but they’ll have their sights aimed higher this time around.
In 2024, SACS finished fourth while PRG placed seventh. Both have been in inconsistent form of late, but tournament polo could be just what they need to spark their play.
The host province, Gauteng, has a handful of teams participating in the tournament.
Kearsney College will be eager to make a big splash at the KES Water Polo Tournament. Photo: Kearsney College
KES will be joined by St Stithians College, Jeppe High School for Boys, Pretoria Boys High, and St John’s. They’re not to be underestimated and will be out to make their mark.
St John’s, led by coach Vlado Trninic, is perhaps the standout team among the Gauteng contingent.
They’ve played some great polo under captain Nicholas Searle and will be eager to go all the way after coming up just short in some major tournaments in recent times, which has included a runner-up finish in the SACS Water Polo Tournament at the end of the last year, and another silver medal in the SAC Shield earlier this year.
The Gauteng sides will lean on the keen competition within the region to prepare themselves for a tilt at the title.
Another province with strong representation at the event is KwaZulu-Natal.
They also have five teams making the trip up to Johannesburg: Northwood School, Westville Boys’ High, Clifton College, Hilton College, and Kearsney College.
Many will single out Kearsney as a top contender for the title, and rightfully so, considering their recent form under head coach Nicholas Rodda.
The Botha’s Hill boys, who lifted the St Stithians Invitational title against other stayers’ teams in late 2024, replace Grey High in the tournament line-up. They have been in sublime form and are currently unbeaten in 14 matches this year.
Both Hilton and Clifton enter the tournament under the radar, and that could also work in their favour. Hilton, especially, bears watching. They recently played to a thrilling 11-11 draw with Kearsney and they’re loaded with provincial players.
Northwood and Westville, meanwhile, will embrace the underdog tag and want to prove they’re not there just to make up the numbers. The Knights showed at the ITEC Grey College Water Polo Tournamentthat they’re ascending.
St Andrew’s College will be led by Coel Trollip at the KES Tournament. Photo: Toni Butterworth
The field is completed by the two best Eastern Cape sides, St Andrew’s College (SAC) and Selborne College.
They were last in action at the Vides Water Polo tournament, where St Andrew’s took home silver while Selborne claimed bronze.
In last year’s KES tournament, Selborne played 10th and St Andrew’s 11th. They appear to be more settled this year and could launch a stronger challenge on this occasion.
The action kicks off on Friday morning at 07:00, with t Andrew’s taking on St Stithians.
Pretoria Boys High and Hilton College will close off the day’s play, with the final match starting at 19:00.
Groups
Pool A: Bishops, Northwood, St Andrew’s College, St Stithians. Pool B: Kearsney College, King Edward VII, Paul Roos, Westville Boys’ High. Pool C: Clifton College, Jeppe High School for Boys, Rondebosch Boys’ High, Selborne College. Pool D: Hilton College, Pretoria Boys High, SACS, St John’s College.
Fixtures
Friday, 28 February
07:00 – St Andrew’s vs St Stithians; 07:50 – Kearsney College vs Westville; 08:40 – Selborne College vs Rondebosch; 09:30 – St John’s College vs Hilton College; 10:20 – Bishops vs Northwood; 11:10 – KES vs Paul Roos; 12:00 – Clifton College vs Jeppe; 12:50 – SACS vs Pretoria Boys High; 13:40 – St Stithians vs Bishops; 14:30 – Westville vs Paul Roos; 15:20 – Selborne College vs Clifton College; 16:10 – St John’s College vs SACS; 17:00 – St Andrew’s vs Northwood; 17:50 – KES vs Kearsney; 18:40 – Rondebosch vs Jeppe; 19:30 – Pretoria Boys High vs Hilton College.
Saturday, 1 March
07:00 – St Andrew’s vs Bishops; 07:50 – Kearsney vs Paul Roos; 08:40 – Clifton vs Rondebosch; 09:30 – St John’s College vs Pretoria Boys High; 10:20 – St Stithians vs Northwood; 11:10 – KES vs Westville; 12:00 – Jeppe vs Selborne College; 12:50 – SACS vs Hilton College; 13:40 – 3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool B (Plate Quarterfinal 1); 14:10 – 3rd Pool B vs 4th Pool A (Plate Quarterfinal 1); 14:40 – 3rd Pool C vs 4th Pool D (Plate Quarterfinal 1); 15:10 – 3rd Pool D vs 4th Pool C (Plate Quarterfinal 1); 15:40 – 1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool B (Cup Quarterfinal 1); 16:30 – 1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool A (Cup Quarterfinal 2); 17:20 – 1st Pool C vs 2nd Pool D (Cup Quarterfinal 3); 18:10 – 1st Pool D vs 2nd Pool C (Cup Quarterfinal 4); 19:00 – Plate Playoff; 19:30 – Plate Playoff; 20:00 – Cup Playoff; 20:30 – Cup Playoff.
Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) made their annual visit to the Western Cape over the weekend, playing three matches on the bounce, winning two and losing only one.
The boys from the north faced stiff competition, squaring off with three renowned cricketing schools. They faced a promising Paul Roos Gimnasium side and the southern suburbs’ powers, Wynberg Boys’ High and Rondebosch Boys’ High. Only ‘Bosch got the better of them.
Affies’ Vihan Pretorius, who is usually mentioned because of his batting achievements, was in scintillating form with the ball. His skilful right-arm medium-pace bowling fit right in with the conditions in the Western Cape.
On the first day, against Paul Roos, bowling at first change, he sent down his full quota of 10 overs, which cost 40 runs. It was, however, the wickets’ column that stood out.
Pretorius sent seven Paul Roos batsmen packing, which included both of the home side’s highest scorers, Luca Plekker (90) and Ruben Coetzee (55). To put the cherry on top, Pretorius also claimed a hat-trick to finish off the Stellenbosch side’s innings. They had totalled 225 runs.
Plekker produced a fine knock. He played a textbook number three innings, accumulating 90 runs from 126 deliveries. That included only six fours as he worked the ball around the field and ran well between the wickets.
JP Botha began a purple patch of run-scoring in the Affies’ innings. The opening batsman looked assured and comfortable, tallying 83 runs before he was run out. Daniel Murray, also, played a confident knock and steered the ship home with an unbeaten 76 as Affies recorded a convincing five-wicket victory.
Wynberg Boys’ High was up next. Pretorius was again the mainstay with the ball, claiming 2/36. Wynberg’s Storme van Rooyen (32) and Muhammad Schroeder (24) fought hard against the disciplined Affies’ attack and helped the home team to an eight-runs-per-over total of 160/9 from their 20 overs.
In the touring side’s reply, Murray was again among the runs and unbeaten on 36 not out, but Affies’ captain Ruben Groenewald stole the show. Striking the ball sweetly, he smashed four sixes and three fours in a 40-ball knock that brought him 50 runs, and Affies triumphed by six wickets.
On Sunday, the visitors from Pretoria fell to a defeat against against Rondebosch Boys’ High. In a low-scoring encounter, the home side’s Daniel Cooke delivered the knockout blow.
A superb 5/14 from Xavier de Wet helped limit Rondebosch to 144 all out, with Tyler Heyns‘ 36 the hosts’ best batting return. It wasn’t a big total, but Cooke and his fellow bowlers easily defended it.
Cooke’s return was even better than De Wet’s as he decimated the Affies’ batting, capturing 6/13 in only six overs. With Hlumelo Mgweba also excelling, with 3/20, Affies was unable to mount a challenge. They were bowled out for only 87 runs, leaving ‘Bosch the handsome winners by 57 runs.
Summarised scorecards
Friday, 21 February
Paul Roos Gimnasium 225/10 (Luca Plekker 90, Ruben Coetzee 55; Vihan Pretorius 7/40); Affies 228/5 (JP Botha 83, Daniel Murray 76*, Extras 31, Dylan Stander 20*; Neil Barnard 2/40). Affies won by five wickets.
Saturday, 22 February
Wynberg Boys’ High 160/8 (Storme van Rooyen 32, Muhhamad Schroeder 24, Extras 20; Vihan Pretorius 2/36); Affies 166/4 (Ruben Groenewald 50*, Daniel Murray 36*, Extras 26; Joshua Price 2/25). Affies won by six wickets.
Sunday, 23 February
Rondebosch Boys’ High 144/10 (Tyler Heyns 36, Daniel Bosman 22; Xavier de Wet 5/14, JP Botha 2/31); Affies 87/10 (JP Botha 20; Daniel Cooke 6/13, Hlumelo Mgweba 3/20). Rondebosch Boys’ High won by 57 runs.
The challenges that come with organising and hosting an event as big as the recently concluded St John’s College Basketball Tournament are myriad, but the Johannesburg school, as always, successfully pulled off a sparkling four-day event.
