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Dit sal die eerste keer in jare wees dat Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg se Rooibulle en Hoërskool Oos-Moot slaags raak tussen die vier lyne van ‘n rugbyveld.

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

Dit is te danke aan vanjaar se indeling van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Plaat-afdeling dat dié twee ongewone opponente se paaie na minstens twee dekades weer kruis.

Albei spanne het groot sukses verlede naweek behaal, met vernaam die Rooibulle wat nog op die adrenaliengolf van hul spogsege van 31-24 oor Hoërskool Middelburg, in die reuse Middelburg-derby, ry.

Die Oosies was self in ‘n plaaslike derby met hul tradisionele vyande, Hoërskool Montana, gewikkel en kon met ‘n telling van 43-31 as oorwinnaars uit die stryd tree. Dit het egter teen die prys gekom, met een van hul sleutelspelers, Jeandre Venter (buitesenter), wat homself op die krukkelys bevind met ‘n gebreekte hand.

Dié terugslag word ietwat versag deur die langverwagte terugkeer van die sneller op linkervleuel, Tapiwa Rwafa, wat vir die eerste keer in byna twee maande in aksie sal wees. Dewron Aford, wat Rwafa se skoene volgestaan het, skuif van linkervleuel na buitesenter om Venter te vervang.

Die Rooibulle het ook nie ongeskonde daarvan afgekom na verlede naweek se groot stryd nie. Staatmakers Johnny dos Santos (senter) en Reece Botha (skrumskakel) loop die kragmeting met die Oosies mis. Anthoni Smuts, wat reeds vanjaar goed vertoon het in die middeveld, vervang vir Dos Santos op binnesenter, terwyl Ruben Erasmus ‘n geleentheid op skrumskakel kry.

“Die beserings is nie ernstig nie, maar ons wil nie die risiko loop dat twee van ons staatmakers se beserings vererger nie. Johnny, véral, is uitstekend op dreef tot dusver en het nog nie ‘n swak wedstryd gehad nie, so dit is net voorkomend,” sê Jano Venter, die Rooibulle-breier.

Die tweestryd tussen losvoorspelers is beslis een waarvoor die ondersteuners hul lippe aflek. Die tuisspan se oopkantflank en kaptein, Toy Engelbrecht, was uitstekend verlede naweek en meet kragte met Oosies se vurige agtsteman, Deon Badenhorst, wat die Rooibulle vir die volle 70 minute kan besig hou.

Ligbron Akdemie streef nog na ‘n eerste sege in die nuwe afdeling wanneer hulle Saterdag in Ermelo teen Hoërskool Montana te staan kom.

Ligbron se twee Cravenweek-spelers, heelagter, Anele Ngwenya, en linkevleuel, Bandile Thanjekwayo, behoort oorgehaal te wees vir ‘n groot wedstryd na hul onlangse insluiting in die Puma-span wat eersdaags in Krugersdorp in aksie sal wees. Die duo is die span van Ermelo se vernaamste aanvalswapens en daar kan pêrre vir die Monties wees indien hulle die nodige spasie gegun word.

Die spanne: 

Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg t. Hoërskool Oos-Moot om 13:40 in Middelburg

HTS Middelburg: 15 WJ Enslin, 14 Alex Pretorius, 13 Luhan Graaf, 12 Anthoni Smuts, 11 CJ Muller, 10 Jaque Stassen, 9 Ruben Erasmus, 8 Tercius Bezuidenhout, 7 Johandre Engelbrecht, 6 Toy Engelbrecht, 5 Sam Ndwandwe, 4 Janco Aucamp, 3 Kagiso Gumbi, 2 Hanru Terblanche, 1 C-Jay Potgieter.

Oos-Moot: 15 Naylan Albertus, 14 Jayden Pretorius, 13 Drew Williams, 12 Dewron Afford, 11 Tapiwa Rwafa, 10 Ruwan Allen, 9 David Joubert, 8 Deon Badenhorst, 7 Wade Williams, 6 Bertus van Dyk, 5 Jaydon Botha, 4 Connor de Jager, 3 Christian Smith, 2 Clayton de Bruyn, 1 Jandre de Beer.

Ligbron Akademie t. Hoërskool Montana om 12:50 in Ermelo

Ligbron: 15 Anele Ngwenya, 14 Neo Zwane, 13 Siyanda Dennison, 12 Lethi Ngwenya, 11 Bandile Thanjekwayo, 10 Divan van Jaarsveld, 9 Renier van Staden, 8 Janco Classen, 7 Jurgens Bezuidenhout, 6 Tiaan Botha, 5 Jaco van Wyk, 4 Thamisanqa Lamula, 3 Devan Scheepers, 2 Marnus Marx, 1 Sabelo Nlapho.

Montana: 15 Marq de Villiers, 14 Ryan Nel, 13 Hendrew Schoeman, 12 JF Venter, 11 Dirk Coetzee, 10 Tyron van Rooyen, 9 Daelin Ludick, 8 Devan van der Merwe, 7 Justin Herbst, 6 Kyle Bronkhorst, 5 Reuben van Hamersveld, 4 Martin venter, 3 Ruan Louw, 2 Luhan Theunissen, 1 Martinus Oberholzer.

Hoërskool Transvalia t. Hoërskool Kempton Park om 12:45 in Vanderbijlpark

Transvalia: 15 Siyabonga Khambule, 14 Dihan Crause, 13 Tshepo Molakeng, 12 Brandonlee Smit, 11 Tumi Moloi, 10 Dylan Steynman, 9 Anro Nagel, 8 Wynand Stols, 7 Daniel Kazambu, 6 Juan Bishoff, 5 Breyton Kruger, 4Christiaan Liebenberg, 3 Stiaan Breedt, 2 Jayden McPearson, 1 Arne Botes.

Kempton Park: 15 Joshua Meyer, 14 Christiaan Kloppers, 13 Tian Aucamp, 12 Tiaan Delport, 11 Ettienne Stroebel, 10 Stian de Villiers, 9 Ryan Smith, 8 Preston Smith, 7 JP Barnard, 6 Armandt Botha, 5 Lourens van der Merwe, 4 Louis Mouton, 3 Zander Luckay, 2 Deon Mulligan, 1 Aiden Nepgen.

Hoërskool Middelburg t. Hoërskool Klerksdorp om 12:00 in Middelburg

Hoerskool Middelburg: 15 Andile Mahlangu, 14 Kefilwe Phamotse, 13 Eckard Marx, 12 Lungelo Maseko, 11 Sihle Mkhatshwa, 10 Matthew Abbey, 9 Keabetswe Nkgadima, 8 Jabu Mathebula, 7 Khensani Buthelezi, 6 CW Hanekom, 5 Enrico Thompson, 4 Rogan van der Walt, 3 Wandisa Mthobeni, 2 Roux Grobler, 1 Wian Olwagen.

Klerksdorp: 15 Winton Abrahams, 14 Louis Vorster, 13 Asif Sumara, 12 Ewald Jansen, 11 Tyron Masango, 10 Brendin Mathyse, 9 Jared van Staden, 8 GJ Steenberg, 7 Bokamoso Mabeleng, 6 Tiaan Koen, 5 Juan Hills, 4 Abrie Esterhuizen, 3 Liam Pretorius, 2 Janu de Wet, 1 De Wet le Roux.

Hoërskool Garsfontein girls’ hockey side is on a mission to take their season up a notch this weekend when they travel to face St Mary’s Waverley in their annual derby in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The meeting will be the first between the sides this year and it takes place on the Nathan AstroTurf, starting at 11:30.

The visitors have impressed in 2024 and will be eager to add a big name to the list of victories they’ve built up.

Coach Charlene Jonsson’s troops have punched above their weight this season, producing impressive results against some of the country’s best teams.

After starting brightly, with wins over Beaulieu College (4-1), Monument (7-0), and Noordheuwel (3-2) in pre-season encounters, the Pretoria side shifted their focus to the Saints Festival and picked up four wins from their five matches.

Soon after, they headed to the St Mary’’s Waverley Festival and, up against the cream of the crop in South Africa, they finished 18th out of 32 teams.

“We had a strong start, with good preseason results over Beaulieu, Monument, and Noordheuwel, whereafter we played in the Saints Easter festival, and had a good run,” coach Jonsson told SuperSport Schools Plus ahead of the match.

“At St Mary’s Waverley, we had a tough tournament, with plenty of draws and some inconsistent results.

“However, that set us up for the rest of our season, which has been full of good results thus far.”

In recent weeks, the Pretoria-based side took on the Bloemfontein powerhouses, Eunice and Oranje. They performed impressively in both matches and fought their way to consecutive 2-2 draws.

In their most recent action, they beat National All Girls Festival champions, Affies, 3-0, which was preceded by a goalless draw against Waterkloof.

“We are happy with the progress we have made since the St Mary’s Festival and firmly believe the tournament helped lay the foundation for a strong defensive and attacking outfit, and we look forward to the rest of our season’s fixtures,” Jonsson said.

“Along with the back-to-back draws against Eunice and Oranje, we are still unbeaten in our Pretoria league.”

In last year’s game against St Mary’s, Garsies won 2-0. If they’re to repeat that success, Jonsson said her side would need to be technically sharp and capitalise on their opportunities.

“It’s going to take sound defensive structures, a good tactical game plan, and, most importantly, using your opportunities in critical moments, to manage the game,” she added.

“It’s always a highlight fixture in our calendar to play St Mary’s Waverley, with all our teams.

“Every year has been a tough battle and it’s never easy playing them in front of their home crowd. Coach Cindy Brown always brings the heat.”

Garsfontein will look to their skipper Lize-Mari Claassens to lead them from the front. Others to keep an eye out for include Andrea Groenewald, Minga Naudé, Arista van Zyl, Anje McLaren, Anjoné Lourens, and Jana Seebach– all of whom have been selected to represent their provincial team at the SASHOC Nationals in Bloemfontein.

In other matches around the Province, Zwartkop will host Eldoraigne in an FNB Classic Clash. The hosts will be out to avenge a 0-1 defeat in 2023.

Meanwhile, EG Jansen will face Hoërskool Oosterlig.

Fixtures

Saturday, 18 May

08:45 – Zwartkop vs Eldoraigne
08:50 – EG Jansen vs Hoërskool Oosterlig
11:30 – St Mary’s Waverley vs Garsfontein

 

Grey College’s last visit to Affies ended in tears, but since that loss against Jeppe High School for Boys’ during the NMI Toyota Noord/Suid-tournament the team from Bloemfontein has been in superb form.

It is their recent form that will make the rugby factory from Bloemfontein take the field as favourites for Saturday’s FNB Classic Clash against the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool of Pretoria.

Catch all the action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com).

Last year Grey College brought down the hammer on Affies beating them by 69-19 in Bloemfontein. This year’s clash will be a much tighter affair as Affies would fancy their chances to claim a seventh victory over Grey since the two schools’ first encounter back in 1923.

The Wit Bulle is also enjoying a fruitful season thus far with only two defeats at the hands of Paul Roos Gimnasium (25-30) and Paarl Gimnasium (19-20) so far. Both these teams who will also face each other on Saturday in their annual clash have occupied the top spot on the rankings.

Affies’ victory of 43-21 over Paarl Boys’ High during Wildeklawer was their first since 2012 over Boishaai. Grey College also defeated the side from Paarl last week by 40-28.

The clash between Affies and Grey College will see some good contests between some of South Africa’s top schoolboy talent. The big contest will without a doubt be in the midfield between last year’s SA Schools centre, Janco Purchase, who is also captaining Affies, and Pieter van der Merwe.

Van der Merwe’s midfield partner, Ethan Adams, will without a doubt test his direct opposition, Hendré Schoeman. The latter moved from scrumhalf to outside centre recently due to injury woes in this position for Affies. Schoeman has however shown so far that he might even be a better outside centre than a scrumhalf.

Affies’ pack of forwards and the boot of Ruben Pienaar will be key for their success. If Pienaar has his kicking boots on today and his touch finders are pin-point he could put the Wit Bulle’s pack of forwards on the front foot. The battle between Danie “Boer” Kruger (Grey College) and Ruan Smuts (Affies) in the scrum could also be one of the highlights of the game.

In the line-outs, JD Hattingh (Affies) and AJ Meyer (Grey College) could also produce some fireworks.

The teams: 

Affies: 15 Ruben Groenewald, 14 Rikus Strydom, 13 Hendré Schoeman, 12 Janco Purchase (kaptein), 11 Hugo Snyman, 10 Ruben Pienaar, 9 Zirk Meyer, 8 Ruan Lippold, 7 Albert Smit, 6 Stefan McDonald, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Muntingh Hamman, 3 Ruan Smuts, 2 Ethan van Dyk, 1 Werner Vrey.

Grey College: 15 Heinz Stockenström, 14 Pretorius Ekeji, 13 Ethan Adams, 12 Pieter van der Merwe, 11 Ruben Cilliers, 10 Alzeadon Felix, 9 Philip McLaren, 8 Liam Santos, 7 Julian Cosmo, 6 Xander Smit, 5 AJ Meyer, 4 Heinrich Theron, 3 Danie Kruger, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Dian Venter.

Referee: Jonathan Lottering.

Milnerton will be aiming to keep their spectacular record against the southern suburb schools this season alive when they travel to take on SACS on the Memorial Field on Saturday.

Don’t miss a moment of the action on SuperSport Schools – Register now – Link to the match

The Millies’ form this season has been nothing short of exceptional. They’ve recorded a couple of memorable wins thus far and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.

After showing promise in the pre-season, narrowly missing out against Boland Landbou (18-29) and St Charles College (19-25), they found their rhythm and have taken down Rondebosch Boys’ High (34-33), Hugenote (17-14), Bishops Diocesan College (31-28), Tygerberg (82-14) and most recently, Parel Vallei (55-12).

They had to overcome large deficits in both of their matches against the other peninsular powerhouses and have shown that it’s never over for them until the final whistle blows.

Spearheaded by the Sellidon twins, Chadwin and Chadlin, the Millies’ attack has been slicing through their opponents like a hot knife through butter, with scrumhalf Devon Damons controlling the tempo from behind the scrum.

Captain Frank Hitimana has been a force to be reckoned. He represented Western Province at the Academy Week in 2023 and is making waves ahead of this year’s team selections for the annual youth weeks.

Their opponents, SACS, present a different challenge.

Bolstered by the return of their captain, Seth Bradford, and with two of their toughest fixtures for the year out of the way, SACS will be intent on defending the southern suburbs’ pride with honour.

They were beaten in two of their last three outings, going down to two of the best teams in the country, Paul Roos Gimnasium (10-28) and Paarl Gimnasium (10-35). They made a statement against Bishops, however, in between those losses, beating their rivals 29-7 on the Piley Rees Field.

Flyhalf Rayaan Solomons has been on fire for SACS and the battle between him and Millies’ no. 10 Sellidon is set to be one of the highlights of the weekend.

Paarl Boys’ High will have their sights set on another win after going down 28-40 to an in-form Grey College in Bloemfontein last weekend.

Despite that loss to the Free State giants, Boishaai impressed, and they will run onto the Piley Rees as firm favourites.

Their loose-trio – Steph van der Merwe, Rubin Dames, and Douw Wessels – shone in their last outing, causing Grey endless trouble at the breakdowns and giving their side plenty of possession to work with.

The only change to the visitors’ lineup is Tommy Muller slotting into the front row to replace their star hooker, Christiaan Grundling.

The hosts have had a challenging season so far, but the Bishops boys’ fighting spirit is undiminished, and they are bound to reap the rewards at some point.

Boishaai have already slipped up a couple of times this season, losing against Wynberg Boys’ High (27-30) Paul Roos (10-25) and Affies (21-43) before their last defeat, so the hosts will be hoping to turn their season around by adding a big name to their record on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Hoërskool Brackenfell and Hoërskool Durbanville are ready to produce fireworks in the northern suburbs.

Both sides play an exciting brand of rugby, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if their clash ends up being a quick-paced, high-scoring thriller, with a couple of tries for the highlight reel.

The Brakkies will be looking to their two playmakers, Junior Louw and Alldrick Johnson, to unlock the visitors’ defences. For Durbies, Tobie Roelofse and Claydon Carlse have stood out so far this season, and they will be keen to make an impact again this weekend.

Stellenberg will aim to build on their momentum they’ve built up against Hoërskool Bellville after they upset Garsfontein (26-22) at the Absa Wildeklawer Festival in Kimberley and got the better of Bishops (25-19) last weekend.

TEAMS

SACS vs Milnerton at 12:15

SACS: 15 Jack Benade, 14 Quewinn Lackay, 13 Nic Reynolds, 12 Matt Carrick, 11 Endi Sidinile, 10 Rayaan Solomons, 9 Seth Bradford, 8 Daniel Grant, 7 Tashriq Bailey, 6 Zac Wilson, 5 Pierre van Selm, 4 Callum Hirst, 3 Ikhona Maxegwana, 2 Sango Zangqa, 1 Ethan Combrink.

Milnerton: 15 Chadlin Sellidon, 14 Jaydin Smit, 13 Morgan Lodewyk, 12 Frank Hitimana, 11 Keagan Wood, 10 Chadwin Sellidon, 9 Devon Damons, 8 Keagan van Blerk, 7 Ethan Wilson, 6 Briint Davids, 5 Dylan Peverett, 4 Keenan Togni, 3 Chadley Davids, 2 Keagan Harding, 1 Sheldan Puma.

Diocesan College vs Paarl Boys’ High at 12:15

Diocesan College: 15 Wa-keem Fortuin , 14 Ben Koenig, 13 Iviwe Dadamasi, 12 Ammar Laatoe, 11 Tim Visagie, 10 Jordan Petersen, 9 Lucca Mynhardt, 8 Aza Gabada, 7 Josh MacDonald, 6 James le Feuvre, 5 Rieko Kidha, 4 Alex Smith, 3 Andrew Levett, 2 Daniel van den Heever, 1 Gareth Mckinon.

Paarl Boys’ High: 15 Francois van der Merwe, 14 Aiden Jacobs, 13 Tristan Joubert, 12 Viaan Mentoor, 11 Shane Lee Simonse, 10 Jeneal Davids, 9 Keagan Smith, 8 Douw Wessels, 7 Rubin Dames, 6 Steph van der Merwe, 5 Jayden Joubert, 4 Gershom Pieters, 3 Cruz Davey, 2 Tommy Muller, 1 Jordan Jooste.

Hoërskool Brackenfell vs Hoërskool Durbanville at 12:45

Hoërskool Brackenfell: 15 Junior Louw, 14 Cwenga Ntsapho, 13 Jaydon la Douce, 12 Marquine Abrahams, 11 Migile Carelse, 10 Alldrick Johnson, 9 Jaydin Basson, 8 Wade Fortuin, 7 Dawson Lombard, 6 Antwone Julies, 5 Ntsikayomzi Njongonkulu, 4 Zander van Zyl, 3 Graigan Matroos, 2 Matthew Wyngaard, 1 Siraaj Cook.

Hoërskool Durbanville: 15 Dale Martin, 14 Ruvan van der Westhuizen, 13 Caleb Engelbrecht, 12 Tobie Roelofse, 11 Cole Carls, 10 Kyle Albertus, 9 Claydon Carlse, 8 Divan Gravett, 7 Tiaan Kearns, 6 William Goldswein, 5 Liebrecht Winterbach, 4 Murdoch van Dyk, 3 Anru van Rhyn, 2 Juan Smit, 1 Hubert Winterbach.

Other fixtures

u19: 13:00 – Stellenberg vs Hoërskool Bellville.

Hoërskool Zwartkop het ‘n gulde geleentheid om vanjaar ‘n eerste sege in die jaarlikse FNB Classic Clashes-stryd teen Hoërskool Eldoraigne te behaal.

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

Die Zwarries kon laas in 2016 daarin slaag om koning te kraai in die Centurion-derby, toe hulle die Eldo’s se Drake naelskraaps met 11-7 geklop het.

Daarna het agt droë jare gevolg waartydens hul Centurion eweknieë die oorhand geniet het, met die mees onlangse uitslag ‘n oorwinning van 23-19 vir die Drake.

Die twee spanne het albei ‘n wankelrige begin tot die 2024 seisoen beleef, maar die Zwarries lyk asof hulle tans die beste op dreef is. Dit, tesame met die tuisveldvoordeel in vanjaar se stryd, maak van Zwartkop gunstelinge, maar die Drake moet beslis nie voortydig afgeskryf word nie.

Eldoraigne verwelkom drie sleutelspelers terug na beserings. Jaydon Niehaus keer na sowat drie weke terug op agtsteman; die woellige oopkantflank, Cameron Kilian, sal ook weer vir die eerste keer in ‘n wyle sy verskyning aan die kant van die skrum maak; en Divan van Rooyen sluit weer by Kevin Earle aan in die middelveld.

Die terugkeer van die drietal is verblydend vir die Eldo’s se afrigtingspan, met die hoop dat ‘n sege hierdie week die keerpunt in hul seisoen kan beteken.

“Ons wil fokus om vir 70 minute by ons spelpatroon te hou en nie by Zwartkop aan te pas nie. Dit gaan beslis ‘n harde en vinnige wedstryd wees en, glo my, hulle is vasberade om ons vir die eerste keer in ‘n paar jaar te klop,” het Deon Anderson, die Eldo’s se agterlynafrigter gesê.

Die Zwarries verwelkom ook hul groot wapen en puntemasjien, Denlison Metcalfe, terug, nadat hy weens ‘n dyspierbesering die span se laaste twee wedstryde misgeloop het. Metcalfe sal egter eers later in die wedstryd te siene wees, met Milton Naudé wat steeds die vertroue van die Zwarries se breiers geniet.

Naudé moes in die kragmeting met Hoërskool Klerksdorp inderhaas sy stewels afstof om sy plek op regtervleuel in te neem. Hy het in dié wedstryd sy kanse optimaal benut om drie keer agter die doellyn te gaan kuier en as Speler van die Wedstryd aangewys te word.

Dit beteken dat albei die Zwarries se regtervleuels vir die volle 70 minute fyn dopgehou sal moet word.

Voorlangs sal die tuisspan hewig staatmaak op hul losvoorspelers, Brian Smith (agtsteman) en Leonard Lotriet (steelkantflank). Die duo het deur die loop van die seisoen gewys dat hulle nie terugdeins vir enige uitdaging nie en hul werkverrigting kan ‘n vername rol speel in die Zwarries se strewe na sukses.

Die spanne: 

Hoërskool Zwartkop t. Hoërskool Eldoraigne om 13:00 in Centurion

Zwartkop: 15 Justin Julies, 14 Milton Naudé, 13 Kyle Blignaut, 12 Luan Williams, 11 Zulu Mona, 10 Luhardt Booyens, 9 Neil Gous, 8 Brian Smith, 7 Leonard Lotriet, 6 Adriaan Janse van Vuuren, 5 Logan Knott, 4 Ettiene van Niekerk, 3 Brogan Ackerman, 2 Dirco la Marque, 1 Julian Lubbe.

Eldoraigne: 15 Manie Buitendag, 14 Hendru van Zyl, 13 Divan van Rooyen, 12 Kevin Earle, 11 Tristan Lee, 10 JP Meyer, 9 Darren Bruwer, 8 Jayden Niehaus, 7 Justin Meintjies, 6 Cameron Kilian, 5 Rikus Rheeder, 4 SW Liebenberg, 3 Jaco Fourie, 2 Marnus Prinsloo, 1 Wihan White.

The weekend’s schoolboy rugby action kicks off on Friday evening in Worcester where the Strand High School 1st XV will be chasing a win against Worcester Gimnasium.

Catch all the action live on SuperSport Schools – Register now 

There’s no better way to start the weekend than with a game of free-flowing rugby in the Boland and the Gimmies and Strand Eagles have been involved in a couple of thrillers this season.

Last weekend, Strand fell 15-19 short against Brackenfell High School, and before that they were on the receiving end of a Stellenberg onslaught, going down 10-76. They’ve also registered a couple of memorable wins, edging past Hermanus 31-30 and overpowering DF Malan 52-22.

The home team’s season has been dramatic, as well. They’re coming off impressive wins against Robertson (35-28) and Hoërskool Bellville (19-12) but they also lost 17-22 against the Brakkies earlier in the season.

The “Bosvarke” will look to their front row – Wilfred Slingers, Armand Croeser and Amaan Adendorff – for another big performance to keep them on the front foot, and the visiting pack will have to stand their ground to contain the Worcester dangermen.

Also keep an eye on Valentino Nomadluka and Jayd-Will de Klerk, who are likely to give the visitors headaches around the breakdowns.

The Gimmies will also have to be wary, though. Strand’s backline has been able to engineer gaps in most of the defences they’ve faced this season, with playmakers’ Lyle Julies and Heinrich April tearing it up on the wing, and halfback Jaydan Steenkamp directing the attack expertly from behind the scrum.

On Saturday, Charlie Hofmeyr attempts to keep their season’s record unblemished in front of the Ceres faithful when they take on Swartland and Robertson tackles Hermanus.

Meanwhile, Parel Vallei is in town to challenge Bellville THS and Melkbosstrand hosts Hottentots-Holland High School.

TEAMS

Friday, 10 May

Worcester Gimnasium vs Strand at 16:30

Worcester Gimnasium: 15 Lorenzo Harmse, 14 Elrenzo Swarts, 13 Breyton Cupido, 12 Lukewin van Heerden, 11 Alungile Mothibe, 10 Lohenzel Jansen, 9 Luke Cupido, 8 Jayd-Will de Klerk, 7 Valentino Nomadluka, 6 Shaun Dyantyi, 5 Joshua Coetzee, 4 Waylan Pienaar, 3 Wilfred Slingers, 2 Armand Croeser, 1 Amaan Adendorff.

Strand: 15 Tyron Nicholas, 14 Lyle Julies, 13 Llewellyn Hendricks, 12 Grezano Plaatjies, 11 Heinrich April, 10 Justin Phillips, 9 Jaydan Steenkamp, 8 Na-Eem Adams, 7 Chrismar Prinsloo, 6 Ashraf Fanie, 5 Keagan Coetzee, 4 Wessel Cloete, 3 Cayden Theunissen, 2 Roeben Robinson, 1 Christopher Els.

Other fixtures

Saturday, 11 May

u19: 13:30 – Charlie Hofmeyr vs Swartland; 13:00 – Robertson vs Hermanus; 12:30 – Bellville THS vs Parel Vallei; 12:15 – Melkbosstrand vs Hottentots-Holland.

After annexing the 2023 Aitken Cup, St Stithians College will attempt a defence of the prestigious title this weekend. The tournament starts on the Saints’ Astros on Friday and wraps up on Sunday.

Last year, St Stithians outplayed St John’s College 5-1 to qualify for the final. Facing Jeppe High School for Boys for a second year in succession for the title, they triumphed 4-2 in a penalty shootout, after the teams had finished regulation time all square at 2-2, to be crowned the champions.

It was a superb fightback from Saints, who had trailed 0-2. Connor Sneddon pulled one back with a fine effort and a Taine Tanner-Ellis penalty corner goal levelled the scores.

The 2023 result was a reversal of the 2022 final, when Jeppe got the better of St Stithians.

Jeppe is the most successful team in the history of the competition, and before they were beaten by Saints last year, they had won it six times in succession.

This year, the Zebras have been up and down, struggling for consistency, but coach Siya Sityana‘s charges cannot be counted out, especially when there is silverware on the line.

Their recent results have been a cause for optimism. They outgunned Krugersdorp High School 7-0 and settled for a 2-2 draw with Affies. They also recorded a 3-2 win over King Edward VII (KES) and, in April, ran out 3-1 winners over the visiting Westville Boys’ High School.

Saints will open their challenge on Friday with an outing against Helpmekaar Kollege, who warmed up for the game with a 2-1 victory over Heronbridge on Wednesday evening.

Jeppe, on the other Astro, will face St David’s Marist Inanda in the second clash of the day. It’s a big game for both sides, especially since St David’s recorded a big 4-1 win over Jeppe in early April.

That clash will be followed by St Benedict’s College against KES. Bennies has enjoyed a solid season and should be favoured in the game, but there are no foregone conclusions, and a good tussle should be expected.

FRIDAY FIXTURES

7:30 – St Stithians v Helpmekaar; 07:45 – Jeppe v St David’s; 08:20 – St Benedict’s v KES; 08:35 – St John’s v Noordheuwel; 09:20 – Parktown v Randpark; 09:35 – Northcliff v Monument; 10:00 – Linden v Fourways; 10:15 – Trinityhouse v Beaulieu; 11:00 – St Stithians v Parktown; 11:15 – Jeppe v Northcliff; 11:50 – St Benedict’s v Linden; 12:05 – St John’s v Trinityhouse; 13:20 – Helpmekaar v Randpark; 13:35 St David’s v  Monument; 14:10 – KES v Fourways; 14:25 Noordheuwel v Beaulieu; 15:10 – St Stithians v Randpark; 15:25 – Jeppe v Monument; 16:00 – St Benedict’s v Fourways; 16:15 – St John’s v Beaulieu; 17:00 – Helpmekaar v Parktown; 16:15 – St David’s v Northcliff; 17:50 – KES v Linden; 18:05 – Noordheuwel v Trinityhouse.

Skaars twee weke na hul kragmeting in die finaal van die Absa Wildeklawer-toernooi, bevind die Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool en Meisieskool Oranje hulle weer teenoor mekaar op die baan, dié keer vir die Interskole kompetisie.

In die vorige ontmoeting het Affies ‘n oorwinning van 26-14 in die eindstryd behaal.

Met Oranje se opmars na Pretoria, gaan die twee skole mekaar hierdie naweek in 26 netbalwedstryde die stryd aansê. Die eerste spanne kom Vrydagoggend om 09:30 op die hoofbaan teen mekaar te staan.

Dit sal die sewende ontmoeting wees tussen Affies en Oranje sedert 2019. Van hul laaste ses wedstryde het Affies in vier as oorwinnaars uit die stryd getree.

Benewens die onlangse toernooi-eindstryd in Kimberley, het Affies nóg ‘n oorwinning oor Oranje tydens die Wildeklawer-byeenkoms behaal met ‘n telling van 32-32. Hul sukses strek veel verder, insluitende oorwinnings in die 2019 Interskole in Bloemfontein (34-19) en verlede jaar se Wildeklawer-toernooi (22-21).

Oranje het nietemin tydens die Interskole van 2022 en 2023 die bordjies verhang om in Bloemfontein en Pretoria te seëvier met tellings van onderskeidelik 33-27 en 31-26.

Oranje is ook die afgelope Woensdag as die netballigawenners in Bloemfontein gekroon, nadat hulle vir Jim Fouché in die eindstryd met 32-23 verslaan het.

Ontmoet die spanne:

Bethlehem se buurskole, Voortrekker en Witteberg, is Saterdag weer slaags vir nie alleen spogregte op die dorp nie, maar ook die FNB Classic Clashes-titel en waardevolle Griffons- en Wesgrow-ligapunte.

Verlede jaar het die Trekkers met 24-16 koning gekraai, en hulle sal hierdie naweek daardie sukses voor hul tuisskare wil herhaal.

Beleef die aksie regstreeks op SuperSport Schools – Registreer nou – Skakel na die wedstryd

Kamohelo Moses, Arnold Ras en Tumi Khoza het elkeen drieë aangeteken in verlede jaar se sege. Moses en Ras is albei weer in die Trekkers se begin-vyftiental, terwyl Khoza ‘n impak sal wil maak vanaf die reserwebank.

Kirsten Fourie was verlede jaar nog Witteberg se reserwe-skrumskakel, met Dries Stemmet wat 11 van die span se punte in die nr. 9-trui aangeteken het. Fourie sal in sy voorganger se spore wil volg wanneer hulle Saterdag kans kry om die bordjies te verhang.

Die besoekers beskik self oor ‘n groot korps ervare spelers, soos Sydwell Sethi, Sakkie Brits, Kenyon Morat, Tshepo Motloung, Daniel Meintjies, Llewellyn Beukes, Marco Grobler, Pieter Nel en Colin van der Merwe, wat almal in 2023 reeds hul buiging vir die eerste span gemaak het.

Morat is lid van die Griffons se voorplopige Cravenweekspan, saam met nog twee Witteberg-gevaarmanne, JC van Rhyn (senter) en Rian Roos (stut).

Hulle sal volgende maand in Krugersdorp saam met Dawie Fourie (agsteman), Kamohelo Moses (vleuel) en Cecil Parsons (stut) van Voortrekker uitdraf, maar hierdie naweek is beide groepe se fokus slegs op die derby. Parsons het verlede jaar reeds uitgeblink by die Cravenweek, en Witteberg se pak sal op hul beste moet wees om die groot rooikopstut en sy makkers in toom te hou.

Die stryd tussen die losvoorspelers behoort ewe interessant te wees, met opwindende baljagters soos Meintjies en Fourie wat teenoor mekaar te staan kom.

Agterlangs beskik albei spanne oor vurige talent. Craig Mann en Christiaan van der Sandt is twee Trekkers om dop te hou, terwyl die Cravenweek-senterpaar, Van Rhyn en Morat, sake in die Witteberg-agterlyn dirigeer.

Verlede naweek het Witteberg hul spiere gebult met ‘n wegholsege van 52-0 oor Goudveld, terwyl Voortrekker vroeër vanjaar vir die Gouties net-net met 19-13 kon troef. Die Trekkers het verlede naweek egter vir ‘n begeesterde Hentie Cilliers span met 37-12 verslaan, terwyl Witteberg vroeër weer vir Henties met net 30-24 kon klop.

Die tafel is dus gedek vir ‘n reuse kragmeting in Bethlehem, met die inspuiting van energie wat die plaaslike ondersteuners by so derby bied, wat bydra tot die opwinding.

Intussen behou Diamantveld hul onoorwonne rekord in die Wesgrow-reeks. Hul tweede span sal steeds die naweek in Bloemfontein teen Hoërskool Sentraal se eerste span uitdraf, maar die Tralies gee ligapunte oor met die Diamonds se eerstes wat ‘n welverdiende blaaskans ontvang.

Duineveld sal probeer om hul indrukwekkende momentum te behou wanneer hulle vir Hoërskool Noord-Kaap in Upington verwelkom.

Voortrekker t. Witteberg om 14:15

Voortrekker: 15 Kaneng Komane, 14 Karabelo Chaka, 13 Frederik Fourie, 12 Craig Mann, 11 Kamohelo Moses, 10 Adriaan Bonthuys, 9 Christiaan van der Sandt, 8 Dawie Fourie, 7 Jayden de Jesus, 6 Wian Fourie, 5 Tristan Meyer, 4 Luttig Roux, 3 Cecil Parsons, 2 Arnold Ras, 1 Francois Maree.

Witteberg: 15 Janco Swart, 14 Sakkie Brits, 13 JC van Rhyn, 12 Kenyon Morat, 11 Tshepo Motloung, 10 Sydwell Sethi, 9 Kirsten Fourie, 8 Daniel Meintjies, 7 Llewellyn Beukes, 6 Lesego Mosikidi, 5 Marco Grobler, 4 Pieter Nel, 3 Colin van der Merwe, 2 Jacques van der Merwe, 1 Rian Roos.

Afskoptye:

A-veld: 14:15 – Voortrekker 1ste XV t. Witteberg 1ste XV; 12:20 – Voortrekker o.16 A t. Witteberg o.16 A; 11:10 – Voortrekker II t. Witteberg II; 10:10 – Voortrekker o.15 A t. Witteberg o.15 A; 09:10 – Voortrekker o.14 A t. Witteberg o.14 A; 08:00 – Voortrekker III t. Witteberg III.

B-veld: 12:20 – Voortrekker o.15 B t. Witteberg o.15 B; 11:20 – Voortrekker o.14 B t. Witteberg o.14 B; 10:20 – Voortrekker IV t. Witteberg IV; 09:10 – Voortrekker o.16 B t. Witteberg o.16 B.

Ander bepalings:

o.19: 13:40 – Sentraal t. Diamantveld II; 12:50 – Duineveld t. Noord-Kaap.

Dit is eerskomende Saterdag weer tyd vir die groot interskole-kragmetings, beter bekend as die FNB Classic Clashes, tussen Hoërskool Voortrekker en Hoërskool Witteberg in Bethlehem – ‘n hoogtepunt op die Oos-Vrystaatse sportkalender.

Wanneer die eerste netbalspanne mekaar om 11:45 op Baan 1 pak, sal Witteberg oorgehaal wees om die bordjies te verhang en as oorwinnaars uit die stryd te tree.

Tharina 0’Connor (18), netbalkaptein van Witteberg, meen dit is belangrik om haar span met ‘n positiewe gesindheid te lei, asook om hulle te inspireer om hul beste te lewer en te strewe na sukses.

“Ek hoop om ‘n ondersteunende omgewing te skep waar elke lid van die span die geleentheid gebied word om te groei en te verbeter.”

Voortrekker-kaptein, Elizbé Heyns (17), se missie stem ooreen met dié van haar Witteberg-eweknie.

“Ek wil my span lei, motiveer, ondersteun en dryf om die heel beste weergawe van hulself te wees – ook wanneer dit moeilik gaan op die netbalbaan, sodat hulle hul koppe sal oplig en krag bymekaarskraap om nóg harder te werk vir dit wat ons as ‘n span wil bereik.”

Witteberg:

Tharina O’Connor (kaptein), Katleho Mokhina, Janė de Villiers (o/kaptein), Leozé Lottering, Marie-Lee van der Merwe, Kaylin Stofjberg, Lesedi Motaung, Jade Adams, Sharmell Nkomo en Ina-Marie Pierce.

 

Voortrekker:

Chloë Opperman, Elizbé Heyns (kaptein) en Mianca van Niekerk, Jasmine Liebenberg (S), Celri Botha (V), Marilé Jonk (HV – kaptein) en Anja van Zyl, Leané van den Berg (reserwe), Thato Mohloki (reserwe) en Jazelle Muller (reserwe).