Following four days of intense basketball competition at the annual International School of South Africa (ISSA)Tournament, Michael Mount Waldorf School claimed the boys’ title, while Sacred Heart College was crowned the girls’ champion.
It was the third year on the trot that Michael Mount secured the boys’ title. They did it with a 60-48 win over the hosts, ISSA, in the final.
Throughout the tournament, Michael Mount delivered dynamic performances to come away with an unbeaten record, which included an exceptional 52-28 defeat of the Mustangs Basketball Club in the semi-finals.
There was some consolation for the Mustangs as they secured third place by defeating ESCA 48-28 in the bronze playoff.
Unfortunately for the hosts, their girls’ team also fell at the final hurdle, going down to Sacred Heart College in the title game. The truth be told, they were never in the contest, with Sacred Heart powering their way to an emphatic 81-26 victory.
In the battle for bronze, Michael Mount triumphed 30-16 over Eswatini’s Waterford Kamhlaba.
Lufuno Musisidwa, from Michael Mount, was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the boys’ division, while Militia Cele, from Sacred Heart College, won the girls’ MVP.
RESULTS
Boys’ Bronze Playoff
Mustangs Basketball Club 48-29 ESCA
Boys’ Final
Michael Mount Waldorf School 60-48 ISSA
Girls’ Bronze Playoff
Michael Mount Waldorf School 30-16 Waterford Kamhlaba
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 17: Jason Rowles of South Africa U19 during the 1st Youth ODI Series match between South Africa U19 and England U19 Western Province Cricket Club on January 17, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
For the first time since 2019, a national T20 schools champion will be crowned in Pretoria this week.
The national T20 program received a well-deserved second life as the Schools SA20 which was formed by Cricket South Africa (CSA) in collaboration with SA20. The top schools T20 sides from each region will fight it out from Wednesday at the University of Pretoria for the Final Showdown of the competition.
Besides the six regional champions – St Andrew’s School, Pearson, St David’s Marist, Hoërskool Garsfontein, Diocesan College (Bishops) and Northwood – there will also be two additional sides in action in the boys’ section. Graeme College from Makhanda received an invitation to the Final Showdown as a Cricket South Africa Focus School.
The other side, who cracked an invitation, is a CSA Hub Invitational side which also can’t be underestimated. This side was handpicked from the various Hubs of CSA throughout South Africa by the national schools’ selection panel.
St Andrew’s from Bloemfontein is the only team in attendance who have a national T20 title in the bag. They won the Coca-Cola Schools T20 back in 2018. They had Protea paceman Gerald Coetzee in their midst and were captained by Garnett Tarr. The latter is representing the Knights these days.
Their coach in 2018, Gregg Hobson, is now the Director of Cricket at Saints with AJ van Wyk coaching the side. They will know what is expected of their side if they want to be one of the teams in action in the final on Saturday.
St David’s Marist of Johannesburg will be one of the early favourites with South African u19 player Jason Rowles, leading the charge. They also have the Manack brothers, Armaan and Morteza, which could also change the course of a match. Another player who has represented the national u19-side Kamogelo Phiri, will also be a stalwart for the side from the City of Gold.
They will open their onslaught against the CSA Hub Invitational on the opening day. They will have to be wary of the invitational side’s Ryall Julies who made the SA Colts’ side at the conclusion of last year’s Khaya Majola Week in Cape Town. Julies is one of the fastest bowlers at school level in South Africa.
Garsfontein of Pretoria will open their account against Graeme College in the opening round. The Garsie Ysbere defeated Affies in their regional final and will also be strong contenders to lift the trophy.
The Fixtures:
Wednesday, 12 March 2025
14:00 – Northwood vs St Andrew’s School | Tuks Oval 14:00 – St David’s Marist vs CSA HUB Invitational | Tuks D-field 14:00 – Graeme College vs Garsfontein | Tuks E-field
Thursday, 13 March 2025
09:30 – Garsfontein vs St Andrew’s School | Tuks E-field 09:30 – Pearson vs Diocesan College | Tuks Oval 09:30 – Northwood vs Graeme College | Tuks D-field
14:00 – Diocesan College vs CSA HUB Invitational | TUKS D-field 14:00 – Garsfontein vs Northwood | Tuks Oval 14:00 – Graeme College vs St Andrew’s School | Tuks E-field 14:00 – Pearson vs St David’s Marist | Tuks B-field
Friday, 14 March 2025
09:30 – Diocesan College vs St David’s Marist | Tuks Oval 09:30 – CSA HUB Invitational XI vs Pearson | Tuks B-field
14:00 – Semi-Final 1 (A1 vs B2) | Tuks B-field 14:00 – Semi-Final 2 (B1 vs A2) | Tuks D-field
The return of all-rounder Jamie to the Northwood side, after being sidelined with a broken finger, is a massive boost to their challenge at the Schools SA20 National Final. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Northwood School will fly the flag for KwaZulu-Natal at the Schools SA20 National Finals in Pretoria. The Knightswere an unlikely provincial representative when the competition began in late 2024, but they earned their place with a string of strong performances.
The Durban school went through a bit of a slump midway through the fourth term, when they looked like anything but contenders. All credit to the stayers’ line-up, their coaches, and management, however. They pulled off a remarkable turnaround by working on the team culture.
It brought them victory in the KZN Coastal final and they were joined by the runner-up, Glenwood High, at the KZN regional final in Pietermaritzburg. There, the two Durban sides faced Maritzburg College and Tuskers’ champions, Hilton College.
In their opening match, Northwood scored a closely-contested five-wicket win over Hilton, showing BMT when the contest became tight towards the end. They fell to Maritzburg College by just 12 runs in their second outing, but comfortably beat Glenwood by six wickets to secure a place in the title game.
Once again, it was a hard-fought contest, but Northwood batted with impressive focus to win with three balls to spare for the second time in two days against Hilton. The second time around, though, they won by seven wickets.
Within their victory in the final were the elements that have driven much of their success since the last term of 2024, beginning with the top four in their batting order – David de Bruyn, Tuswa Phetha, Ross McGlashan, and captain, Kyle White – who all made runs with the title on the line.
De Bruyn is solid up front and able to play an aggressive game. Phetha keeps it simple, but that is what makes him so effective. Often, he takes care of one end and enables his partners to play their shots.
McGlashan is a dashing left-hander who likes to go after the bowling. Once he gets going, he’s a dangerous customer. The captain, White, is a technically sound batsman. He tends to treat good balls with respect and go hard at poor balls, playing the game how it should be played.
Because of the many successes of the Northwood top-order, the batsmen to follow have, at times, been a little fragile, but the return of the big-hitting all-rounder Jamie Wimble from injury is a huge boost for the Knights.
While Northwood leans on their top four to steer them to success, others, like Alistair Duncan, Connor Leclezio, and Ben Cilliers, have also made useful contributions along the way. They, too, are capable of producing vital knocks.
The return of Wimble to take the new ball is fantastic news for Northwood. He doesn’t deal in express speed. Rather, he is accurate and consistently challenges batsmen at a lively enough pace.
Northwood’s bowling and fielding are, if anything, more reliable than their batting. The Knights won’t blast out any team, but they’ll always be at their opposition with accurate bowling and a strong effort in the field, which is aided by the astute captaincy of Kyle White.
They possess good variety in their attack, but the key to their success has often been their spin bowling, led by the left-armer Jordan Matthews, who has enjoyed an outstanding season. He’s a regular wicket-taker but often also extremely economical.
Ben Cilliers, an off-spinner, provides a good foil to Matthews and helps to tie down opposing batsmen, and he is usually good for a wicket or two or three.
Luke Allen, Thabiso Mtambo, Aiden Bauristhene, and Connor Leclezio will join Jamie Wimble as seam options, while David de Bruyn and Kyle White, maybe Hamza Amla and Tuswa Phetha, too, will supplement the frontline spinners.
Perhaps the strength of the Northwood team is that they are more than the sum of their parts. That word, “team”, is very much who they are and teamwork, especially in the cauldron of T20 cricket is vital. It is often the difference between winning and losing. That’s something the Knights proved by reversing their fortunes, with the Schools SA20 the stage on which they have done that.
They hope to continue to make their mark in the competition in Pretoria.
Nkowankowa Girls Hub after their victory over Kwa-Themba Girls Hub in the Schools SA20 regional final in Benoni. Photo: Nkowankowa Hub.
After cruising through the North and Eastern regional finals in Benoni last month, the Nkowankowa Hub ladies’ team is channeling its underdog mentality for the Schools SA20 national finals in Pretoria this week.
The ladies from Limpopo rolled past the Kwa-Thema and Soshanguve Hubs in the regional finals, convincingly winning all three matches to qualify for the finals at Tuks, which begin on 12 March.
Coach Blessing Mabunda has vowed that his charges won’t shy away from the challenge despite facing an uphill battle against the likes of Steyn City School, who are led by SA u19 ladies players Kiara Ramlakan and Karabo Meso, and Saints Christian School, who beat them in the Noordvaal Cup final in December.
“Honestly, it feels like a dream. Some of these players practiced on a soccer field, batting and bowling to a fence, before the start of the Schools SA20,” Mabunda said. “It’s an honour to coach these young talented players. They are different in their own way, but together we make the Nkowankowa Hub a team to fear.”
Breaking Boundaries
Despite their resources’ challenges, Mabunda has prepared the team well and is under no illusion that it’s going to be a walk in the park, like the regional finals. He, however, is banking on the girls’ never-die attitude to challenge for top honours.
“The competition keeps on getting [more] challenging in each phase, but my girls improve with each game. Our preparation hasn’t been easy. The girls live in different locations and our hub covers the whole of Nkowankowa and the surrounding villages and townships in Tzaneen.
“There hasn’t been a day off for me, trying to ensure all the girls get attention. We have had only one warm-up match and it was against our u13 hub boys. We are grateful for the experience, exposure, and support the hub receives from the SA20.”
Mabunda has been coaching the team for six years and has watched some of the girls overcome personal challenges to become provincial players for the Limpopo Impalas. He is thankful to the organisers of the tournament for giving his team hope.
“The growth of the girls is a touching story,” he said. “They went through a lot and cricket gave them hope. Living in rural areas is not easy, especially coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. But that never stopped these girls from breaking boundaries.
“Some have received provincial colours while one made the last 22 for the SAu19 T20 World Cup squad. This tournament will show our talent, skills, and the growth of the hub. The finals feature the best schools and hubs in the country and we are grateful to be a part of the final phase,” he said.
Players to Watch
The team will be banking on the talents of Limpopo Impalas’ seamer Shelfa Mukhari and the talent of batting all-rounder Respect Mabasa, one of their mainstays in the regionals, to get them over the line.
Their go-to player with the ball is the prolific Pontsho Mopayi, who captured an incredible 5/3 in the round-robin against Soshanguve in the regionals.
While they are underdogs, captain Karabo Monyela is confident they will rattle a few cages. They’re going to give it their best shot, she said.
“Heading into the tournament, we look forward to showcasing our bowling attack and our skills. We are going to take it a game at a time and we are also going to keep the momentum, regardless of the situation. We are going to stay humble and focused. We are also going to keep the same energy throughout the tournament,” she said.
Nkowankowa opens their account against Saints Christian School at 09:30 on Thursday.
Head coach Claudio Lucas is well aware of the challenge that awaits his team, Saints Christian School, as his players head into the Schools SA20 national finals at the University of Pretoria.
Saintsopen their account against Nkowankowa Hub, a team they defeated in the Noordvaal Cup final in November, on the Tuks C field at 09:30, on Thursday, 13 March.
Lucas said his side is primed and ready, adding that they are well-prepared for the challenge that awaits them.
“It’s an amazing feeling and, as a school. we would like to thank God for the opportunity He has given us to be in this phase of the competition. Hard work truly pays off,” he declared.
“We’ve had a lot of matches with the girls at senior level. We’ve also played a few boys’ u13 and u14 teams to make sure we are best prepared for the tournament.”
Lucas’s side goes into the final phase after winning the North West leg of the competition last September with an emphatic 66-run victory over Matlosana Hub in the final.
They then dominated the Central qualifiers in January, with victories over the Botshabelo and Kuruman hubs in the round-robin before claiming the regional title with an incredible 31-run victory over Botshabelo in the final to end phase 2 undefeated.
With the title of the best schoolgirl T20 side in the country on the line, Lucas’s team is eager to continue their good run in the tournament and the coach has promised fans “lots of passion, determination, and discipline” from the Potchefstroom school.
“We have a very good and young squad. Coaches Chè Williams, Thato Legoete, and I, have been working with these girls for the past six years and the hard work is definitely starting to pay off,” Lucas said.
Saints boasts one of the better squads in the national finals, which includes players who have represented North West and South African Schools in various age groups.
The players expected to shine for the team include the captain, Tshegofatso Monyela, a two-time SA Schools’ player. She’s also Saints’ top run scorer in the local league with 438 runs, which includes two centuries and two half-centuries, in eight innings. Monyela also offers a lot with the ball as an off-spinner.
Another prospect is opening batter Reabetswe Dithipe, who turned out for North West’s u16 side in the CSA Week in December. Besides her contribution with the bat, Dithipe is a prolific right-arm off-spinner with 18 wickets in seven games for Saints this year.
Wicket-keeper Jessica Joshua, also a provincial player for North West, is another one to watch. Lucas regards her as the best player in the country in her age group. She recently led the way with the willow for Saints, cracking 119 off 80 deliveries, in a North West Women’s League match.
Lucas said if Saints Christian School wins the competition, it would prove that their endless hours in the nets were worth the effort.
“It would be massive for every single player. It will show them that all their hard work, one-on-one training, and numerous fielding sessions, have paid off,” he said.
St Andrew’s School First XI Captain, Reuben van Aarde in action in the Saints victory over Grey College in the Schools SA20 Final in Potchefstroom. Photo: Provided by St Andrew’s School.
Bloemfontein’s powerhouse, St Andrew’s School, will not only be a force to be reckoned with at the Schools SA20 National Finals but will also be a strong contender to walk away with the spoils as South Africa’s best T20 schools side in the 2024/25 season.
Having beaten their neighbours, Grey College thrice, twice in the shorter format and once in the 50-over format, more recently, Saints have certainly stamped their authority as a serious cricketing side.
To put the cherry on top, both victories in the T20 format came in finals, firstly in the provincial and then in the regional final of the tournament.
Led by wicketkeeper/batsman Naudé Botha‘s willow, the Bloemfontein side has settled nicely as a balanced and dangerous side.
Botha, the most experienced player in their team, boasting 97 caps for the 1st XI, will bring up his 100th cap against Graeme College in the round-robin stage of the tournament’s National Playoffs, scheduled to start on 12 March at the University of Pretoria.
Alongside him, his opening partner and batting all-rounder, Andrew Sobiech will be another important piece of the Saints’ puzzle. His hard-hitting nature at the top of the order has earned him a reputation as one to watch in Pretoria. Further strengthening the Saints’ side is the talented FG Botha, who has been in tremendous form since the start of the 2025 calendar year.
He seems to love the big occasion, playing match-winning knocks of 57 and 84* in the provincial and regional finals. Also vastly experienced, with 80 1st XI caps under his belt, Botha continuously pulls his weight with the ball, too. Fooling batsman from around the country with his leg-spin, he’s taken 20 wickets in only nine T20 matches, the most of any Saints’ bowler in the Schools SA20 competition.
Captain, Reuben van Aarde, has steered the Saints’ ship nicely from the middle order, providing the batting depth to outscore any opponent on the day. In the bowling department, alongside Botha, opening bowler, Cullen Kakora, has been another shining light, especially with the new ball up front.
He’s been exceptional, conceding only 6.25 runs per over, bowling during the most difficult stages of T20 cricket, the first powerplay, and in the death overs, boasting a total of 13 wickets in the nine matches he’s played.
The squad for the National Playoffs
St Andrew’s School: Naudé Botha, Andrew Sobiech, FG Botha, Grové du Preez, Reuben van Aarde, Leon Athanasiou, Johan Liebenberg, Jonathan Hickley, Nikhil Sukraj, Erhard Barends, Heindré Serfontein, Cullen Kakora, Ryle Beckmann, Gary Simons.,
South Africa is recognised for producing top swimmers who compete at the highest levels of the sport.
In the past decade or so, we’ve seen world-class athletes Tatjana Smith and Chad le Clos, among others, carry the nation’s hopes at various international meets and the Olympic Games.
Smith called time on her illustrious career after the 2024 Olympic Games in France after winning a gold and silver medal for Team SA.
Le Clos, who famously beat the American legend Michael Phelps in the 200m butterfly final at the London Olympics Games to win gold, has slipped from his best but is still on a mission to revive his career.
There is no cause for concern, however, that South Africa’s swimming cupboard is bare because top talents, including Chris Smith, Matthew Sates, Pieter Coetze, Jessica Thompson, and Jarden Eaton have shown that swimming in South Africa is in good shape.
While Swimming SA continues to grow its pedigree in the national and international space, the schools’ scene is as healthy as it’s been in a long time.
One of the swimmers that’s been grabbing the headlines and spotlight of late is 17-year-old Grace Morris, from Stellenbosch, in the Western Cape.
Morris is a Grade 11 pupil at Rhenish Girls’ High School and is one of the most exciting, talented, and promising athletes in the country.
She is versatile in the pool and participates in a wide range of events, including the 50m and 100m freestyle and backstroke. Morris also dabbles in the relay, but her main event is the 200m backstroke, which she’s dominated in recent years.
She looks at home in the pool and always has a cracking start, thanks to the swimming lessons she was forced to take as a young child.
“I started the sport when I was four. My parents took me to a ‘Learn to Swim’ school, and I’m told I hated it,” Morris told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“I started enjoying the sport when I was about eight. At 11, I started training with a club, and that’s really when everything kicked off.
“I come from a swimming family. My dad was a swimmer before he started playing SA Water Polo, and my mom was also a good swimmer when she was younger.”
Morris spent most of her youth in Johannesburg before her family relocated to the Western Cape in 2024.
While in Gauteng, she attended St Peter’s Prep before donning the white and red of St Mary’s Waverley for two years.
She was already committed to swimming while at St Mary’s, but her move to Rhenish at the age of 16 changed her mindset for the better.
“I always had an idea of how good of a swimmer I was,” Morris explained. “I’ve always known that swimming is my passion and talent, but I started taking it seriously in 2024 when I got to Stellenbosch.
“In previous years, I was training but not as consistently as I am now. I’ve upped the training, doing so many sessions. It’s been a massive step up.”
After only a year in the Western Cape, Morris made her presence felt at the 2024 Western Province Long Course Championships. There, she was in top shape and scooped up a whopping 10 medals (five gold in individual events, four gold in relay events, and one silver).
Morris scooped up six medals at the XVI Africa Aquatics Swimming Championships. Photo: Supplied
That event, however, came a year after she made her international debut for South Africa at the 15th edition of the African Junior Championships in Mauritius.
Morris, who was aged 16 at the time, won gold in her favoured 200m backstroke event.
She also donned the green and gold at the XVI Africa Aquatics Swimming Championships in Angola, from which she returned with six medals.
“Representing my country at such a young age wasn’t something I was expecting,” she admitted.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to make the team or not, and when I got the message, I was so happy. It was a surreal moment because my hard work was starting to pay off.
“That was also one of the things that made me start working hard and putting extra effort into my swimming.”
Morris is a member of one of the top swimming clubs in the country, Lane Leader (LL), located in Stellenbosch. She’s coached by the experienced Dr Karin Hugo and trains as part of a stacked roster.
“Lane Leader has done so much for me. It’s quite amazing to train with people who have experience and to learn from them.
“Just to be coached by Karin is an honour. She’s so experienced, and I know for sure that I am in good hands.”
The Rhenish star, who revealed that her role models are her parents, top South African swimmer Emma Chelius, and Australian Kaylee McKeown, has been through a busy season.
After helping Rhenish win another 4M swimming Gala trophy, she travelled to Gqeberha for the Grand Prix 2 Invitational meeting, which served as preparation for the African Junior Championships, which will be hosted in Cairo. Morris is waiting to learn her qualification fate.
Morris donned her Lane Leader gear at the Western Province Long Course Championships. Photo: Ray Chaplin Sports Media
The big event she’s aiming for in 2025, however, is the Junior World Championships, to be swum in Romania in August.
“It’s certainly going to be a busy couple of months. I’m just hoping I get selected to represent South Africa at the junior champs in Cairo. The main goal is to qualify for Junior Worlds in Romania. That would mean a lot to me.” she admitted.
When asked about her future endeavours and possibly representing Team SA at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Morris said: “It would be an absolute honour to represent my country at the Olympics. I think that’s every swimmer’s dream.
“However, my coach and I have chatted a lot, and we want to take it one season at a time.
“I’m trying not to focus my energy on the future but investing all of it into the present. We are taking things one step at a time.”
Christo Swanepoel will lead Paul Roos Gimnasium in 2025. Photo: Karl Seebach
The 2024 schoolboy hockey season in South Africa produced thrilling matchups, storylines, and scintillating action on the Astroturf, and Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG), from Stellenbosch, played its part in the narrative.
The boys in maroon, led by coach Michael Baker, were among the cream of the crop and played an exciting brand of hockey while taking on many of South Africa’s best teams.
It was a season to savour for PRG, especially since they had changed management after the 2023 season.
There was a sense of optimism, suspense, and curiosity as to what Baker would deliver in such a competitive province.
He came from Durban High School (DHS), where he produced remarkable results, turning DHS from punching bags into one of the premier programmes in the country, which produced huge numbers of provincial players annually. Baker’s track record was rock-solid, but the competition in the Western Cape is fierce.
Despite his past achievements, Baker still had to gain the trust of the players, parents, and other staff in his programme. His mission to do so got off on a wobbly note when PRG suffered a shock 0-1 defeat against Rondebosch Boys’ High in April.
After that loss, calm heads were needed within the team and in PRG hockey circles. Baker and his boys used that defeat as motivation. It sparked the team to life, and matters quickly changed for the good.
Apart from those two losses, they showed their class against a tough line-up of opponents and recorded impressive wins against, among others, Paarl Gimnasium, Wynberg Boys’ High, and Grey College,in their last outing of the season.
“We played 26 games and lost only twice. We won the Hibbert Shield and were involved in some incredible comebacks. I would say that’s a decent season,” coach Baker told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“In this climate, with every school running great programmes, it’s getting harder and harder to have these types of seasons, especially in the Cape.
“Replacing Ash (Ashlin Freddy) left massive shoes to fill. He is a legend on the coaching circuit. So, it’s great getting this first year under the belt.”
PRG head coach Michael Baker. Photo: Janco Saunders
PRG has a fairly young and hungry squad 1st team squad for 2025.
The team bade farewell to a whopping nine senior players last season, including the outstanding Reuben Sendzul.
Baker says the youngsters coming through want to make a statement.
“The start of the year is tough with any group, balancing with summer sports, and you have no idea if your team is good or not until you play that first game.
“We will have an extremely young group this year.
“We are probably not on everyone’s radar for 2025, but this is Paul Roos. This school has a huge culture of winning and excellence, so I am sure we will cause a few surprises.”
The team will be captained by the experienced Christo Swanepoel, who is on course to win his 100th cap for the school.
The most exciting thing for Michael Baker about the forthcoming season is the element of surprise that his charges will bring to the table. “Imagine a Paul Roos team arriving at a fixture with no pressure. It’s going to be so exciting to watch,” he enthused.
“However, we have the likes of Christo and a group of boys who just love the game. We will be well prepared.”
Some people pay attention to national rankings, but, said Baker, that’s not something that is neither a focus nor an interest of his.
Paul Roos Gimnasium took home the bronze medal at the 2024 Cape Town International Hockey Tournament. Photo: Enhanced Sports (ES Media)
“The ranking system is complicated, and it’s one of those when you’re on top, you talk about it. When you’re not, you moan about it,” he candidly said.
“For me, sport is simple. Whoever wins the most hockey games is the best.
“It’s not something we talk about or strive for. We just want to beat whoever we play against next.
“If you are ranked first or 39th, we will prepare in the exact same way. It’s an honour to play for this badge.”
When asked what PRG supporters can expect from the team in 2025, Baker said: “Just never write us off. We are young. We love this game and have nothing to lose.
“A PRG fixture in 2025 will always be worth watching,” he concluded.
PRG will kick off their season at the Parel Vallei Boys’ Hockey Festival on 14-15 March.
Kaizer Chiefs put Mamelodi Sundowns under heavy pressure and made them pay for their mistakes by scoring an astonishing 5-0 victory. Photo: SAFA Gauteng.
Ahead of the second week of the Gauteng Development League season, Supersport United coach Tumelo Ndaba made clear his team’s ambitions of winning the u19 division this year, which would require them dethroning coach Sifiso Mnguni‘s Highlands Park, the back-to-back champions.
Two days after speaking to SuperSport Schools Plus in an exclusive interview, Ndaba led his troops from Pretoria to Johannesburg to face off against Wits Junior at Marks Park. Boy, did Ndaba’s team make a statement away from home!
United slotted five goals while conceding one to show they intend to live up to their coach’s lofty goal. While some might have viewed Ndaba’s comments with amusement last week, they’ve surely sat up and taken notice since then.
Star player Orifha Maubelo scored a stunning four goals for SuperSport United, while Tshegofatso Modise netted the other. Keitumetse Lesia provided two assists and there was one each from Lesego Mokae and Tshiamo Selemela.
SuperSport United’s 5-1 victory at Marks Park saw them remain unbeaten after they fought back from two goals down in their opening game to secure a 2-2 draw against coach David Mathebula‘s Kaizer Chiefs.
After struggling in the second half of their clash with SuperSport United a week ago, Chiefs hosted Mamelodi Sundowns in Johannesburg this weekend.
With a point to prove, Mathebula’s unit sent shockwaves through the league by handing the mighty Sundowns a 5-0 thrashing. It was a statement victory, the kind that seldom happens when the big-name clubs do battle.
In other results, Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA) beat Jomo Cosmos 1-0 at home, courtesy of Banele Radebe’s goal, while Randburg AFC beat Joburg City 2-1.
East Rand Athletic beat league newbies Rockefvs 2-0, while goals from Zolani Lekane and Karabo Makhudu saw Kathorus Hyper Academy scrambling to avoid a home loss to School of Excellence, and eventually earning a 2-2 draw.
Panorama FC lost 0-2 to Seven’s Academy, Tuks were 2-0 winners over TS Galaxy, and the defending champions, Highlands Park, gave Elspark United a not-so-warm welcome to the GDL, romping to a 6-1 win.
RESULTS
RESA 1-0 Jomo Cosmos Randburg AFC 2-1 Joburg City Kathorus Hyper Academy 2-2 School of Excellence Panorama FC 0-2 Seven’s Academy East Rand Athletic 2-0 Rockefvs Kaizer Chiefs 5-0 Mamelodi Sundowns Wits Junior 1-5 Supersport United TS Galaxy 0-2 Tuks
Highlands Park 6-1 Elspark United
Die afgelope naweek het skole van regoor die land mekaar die stryd aangesê in die NWU Prestige-reeks. Die naweek was propvol boeiende kragmetings, uitmuntende individuele vertonings en spanne wat bo verwagting goed gevaar het. Hier is ‘n volledige opsomming van die aksie:
Klerksdorp Hoërskool (KHS) het oorheers in hul wedstryde teen Hugenote, met die eerste span wat ‘n oortuigende sege van 33-15 behaal het. Die o.17 A-span het ook skitterend vertoon om met 35-9 te seëvier. KHS se verdediging het ‘n vername rol gespeel in hul dominante vertonings, hoewel die tweede span met 15-21 die knie gebuig het.
Heidelberg Volkskool het ook domineer in hul reeks kragmetings met Potchefstroom Volkskool. Die eerste span het met 37-12 gewen, maar Potch Volkies se o.16 A-span het hul naam hoog gehou met ‘n indrukwekkende sege van 35-7 wat heelwat belofte vir die toekoms inhou.
Marais Viljoen se eerste span het ook beïndruk deur vir Jeugland met 34-13 af te stof. Die verdedigende karakter van MV het uitgestaan, met onderkaptein Kayla Coetzee wat uitmuntend vertoon het op HV. Michelle Ferreira was ook ‘n sleutelspeler op die verdediging en het vier onderskeppings gemaak. Jaymee Joubert het haar netjies van haar taak gekwyt op hulpdoel, terwyl Mia Oosthuizen in die laaste kwart ‘n belangrike rol gespeel het met deurslaggewende doele.
Wesvalia het ál hul wedstryde gewen teen Die Anker, behalwe vir Die Anker se tweede span wat ‘n oorwinning kon behaal – en dit met 14 doele! Die Anker het ook mededingend vertoon in die eerstespan-wedstryd, maar Wesvalia het uiteindelik met 21-14 die pyp gerook.
Potchefstroom Gimnasium het haas onstuitbare vertonings gelewer om in ál hul wedstryde teen Wagpos as oorwinnaars uit die stryd te tree. Die eerste span het met 28-6 hul oorheersing onderstreep, terwyl die derde span ‘n wegholsege van 47-2 behaal het.
Montana het ‘n uitstekende reeks oorwinnings behaal om ook skoonskip te maak teen Lichtenburg. Die eerste span het ‘n skouspelagtige sege van 50-13 behaal, en met ál hul ouderdomsgroepe wat indrukwekkend vertoon het, is Montana beslis ‘n krag om mee rekening te hou in die Prestige-reeks.
Pietersburg het sake oorheers teen Bergsig, insluitende ‘n swaarverdiende sege van 30-24 in die eerstespan-wedstryd. Kaptein Kylie Campbell het met haar voorbeeld gelei, terwyl Tumelo Nkwana ‘n uitstaande vertoning op AV gelewer het. Nkwana het feitlik elke senter-afgooi bemeester en doele meesterlik uitgevoer. Carli Becker het verdedigend ‘n reuse bydrae gelewer, met talle onderskeppings en die druk wat sy toegepas het op die aanvallande spelers van Bergsig.
Die NWU Prestige-reeks het beklemtoon dat sekere skole, soos Heidelberg Volkskool, Marais Viljoen, Wesvalia, Pietersburg, Montana en Potchefstroom Gimnasium, tans bo die res uitstaan, oor verskeie ouderdomsgroepe heen. Boonop het individuele uitblinkers soos Kayla Coetzee, Michelle Ferreira, Jaymee Joubert, Kylie Campbell en Tumelo Nkwana hul merk gemaak.
Met netbal van hierdie gehalte kan uitgesien word na ‘n seisoen gevul met opwindende mededinging en nog vele meer hoogtepunte!
Head coach Claudio Lucas is well aware of the challenge that awaits his team, Saints Christian School, as his players head into the Schools SA20 national finals at the University of Pretoria.
