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Emily Macquet was one of the three players at the top of the circle. The injector directed the ball straight to her.

She was 17 and making her debut for South Africa’s Women’s Indoor team. Instead of being flustered and panicked, Macquet executed an outstanding drag flick that flew into the top right corner.

As she had done on her debut for Durban Girls’ College (DGC), Macquet announced herself on the big stage with a goal.

She scored her first goal for her school at the age of 15, an upright back stick shot from the top of the D.

And as she did for DGC at 15, after scoring her debut international goal, she ran back with a little smile on her face.

“It was the most incredible feeling scoring a goal for my country,” Macquet said, reliving the moment.

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In 1928, at the Olympic Games in Amsterdam, Marjorie Clark appeared on the world stage. She placed fifth in the high jump and was eliminated in the semifinals of the 100m race. Four years later, in the Los Angeles Olympics, she won a bronze medal in the 80m hurdles and again finished fifth in the high jump.

In the four years between those two Olympics, Clark set 80 metres hurdles world records in 1930 and 1931. Then, in 1934, she won gold in both the 80m hurdles and the high jump at the British Empire Games.

The world was a very different place early in the 20th century. Women had to sacrifice a lot just to participate in sports, let alone succeed in them. It was considered unladylike to dedicate oneself to becoming a top sportswoman. While there were in excess of 50 men’s events at the 1932 Olympics, there were only six for women.

Travel across continents was also by ship, which meant that attending the Olympics or British Empire Games required months away from home and family. Clark sailed so that Macquet could fly. Emily Macquet is Clark’s great-granddaughter.

Sport was a familial love passed down through the generations. However, Macquet didn’t just inherit the sports gene from her great-grandmother, she also inherited Clark’s resolve and dedication to succeed.

“I got into hockey at a young age because I watched my older sister play matches and that’s when I first picked up a hockey stick” Macquet recalled.

She was four when she first got her hands on a stick, and it has remained an important part of her life ever since. “First, we saw her just sitting around with a stick playing in the backyard and playing outside the gate on the tarmac,” Deane, her father, explained.

Deane and her mother, Georgia, nurtured Emily’s love for hockey by indulging her. They agreed to play games with her on the tarmac. What the parents had assumed would be a few minutes a day turned out to be endless hours of hockey outside their gate.

“I used to buy those cheap Mr. Price Max hockey sticks, and she would just wear them down,” Deane said. “She wore them down until there was nothing left, and then we’d have to go and get another one. She just loved the game so much.”

When Deane was at work – he is a physiotherapist – and Georgia was occupied, Macquet had her grandmother, Pam Read, throw high balls to her so she could practice interceptions.

Emily’s first memory of competitive hockey is from her first organised match. She was in Grade 3. It stands out to her because of the level of competition she brought to the match.

“I was just so determined to get the ball,” she said. She grew up with that attitude and one of her later coaches, Michael Baker, called her The General.

Emily’s hockey career properly began around the age of eight. She was adamant that she would pick her first proper hockey stick and Deane went with her to buy it. She would have loved an Osaka or a Princess, but her father bought her a Wasp wooden stick.

She was a student at Chelsea Prep and was coached by Catherine Morris. Morris’ instruction and direction were invaluable, and they prepared Emily for competition at club level, which she plunged into at 11.

At school, Macquet played against learners a year or so older than her, and at club level, the gap was bigger. She was up against players who were not only older than her, but she was also facing better-skilled individuals.

“I first saw her when she was playing for her primary school, Chelsea Prep. She scored an unbelievably great goal. She had skills I wasn’t used to seeing from a typical 13-year-old,” Chardinay Penniston, Emily’s coach at DGC, shared.

The competition against bigger and better players forced her to grow up and develop her skills fast. “She just loves to compete. I work in a sporting environment, as well. So, she’s been around a lot of famous sportsmen and all the rest. She definitely gets inspiration from there. She loves going to rugby matches and watching the competition. She loves being challenged,” Deane, who works with The Sharks, explained.

Penniston concurred with his perspective. “When she arrived at DGC, I was immediately struck by her passion and determination. She had a natural athleticism and a fierce competitive spirit,” the coach said.

Instead of wilting in the face of pressure, Emily didn’t just hold her own, she blossomed in the club environment.

“Emily displayed a maturity and understanding of the game at a young age that set her apart,” Penniston reckoned.

The DGC coach has been able to coax the best out of Macquet. She has also helped the teen grow as a strategic thinker on the Astro.

However, Penniston refuses to take credit for her Emily’s numerous strengths, emphasising that her job is simply to create an environment in which the youngster can express herself.

Penniston called Emily a coach’s dream. “She has numerous strengths. She has excellent stick-handling skills and a powerful, accurate shot, slap, hit, and drag flick.

“Her good eye for the ball and her ability to read the game make her a constant threat on the field.

“Emily is also able to read the game and anticipate plays before they unfold. Her leadership qualities are exceptional, as she is both vocal and leads by example, inspiring her teammates with her work ethic and dedication,” the coach said.

“Cindy Hack was my role model. I watched every match she played for South Africa that I could,” Emily revealed.

Every one of those games that the former South African women’s captain played provided an indelible moment, which was imprinted on the minds of teammates, opponents, and spectators. Each time she took to the field, Emily sought to embody her role model and hero. Like Hack, Emily developed a more nuanced understanding of positioning, both offensively and defensively.

“Emily has grown significantly in her tactical awareness and decision-making under pressure. Her ability to communicate effectively with her teammates has also improved, making her an even more effective leader on the pitch,” Penniston explained.

If there was ever a moment Macquet showcased all the attributes she has as a hockey player, it was in 2023 in a crucial match in which DGC was trailing by a single goal, and they couldn’t afford to lose.  The opposition was winding down the clock. Only a few minutes remained.

To Emily, the game was still there for the taking. She rallied her teammates. She wasn’t just vocal about it, she pressed and tracked back to help in defence.

“She scored a brilliant equaliser and then set up the winning goal in the final moments of the game. Her leadership and skill in such a high-pressure situation were truly inspiring,” Penniston recalled.

Maritzburg College claimed a first season’s double over Glenwood since 2005 when they recorded a 39-20 win over the Green Machine on Goldstone’s on Saturday.

Early in the second half, the game was tied at 15-15, but the Red, Black and White never trailed. They had a little more in the tank and they pulled away to win comfortably in the end.

On a sunny afternoon, it took almost 12 minutes for College to break through Glenwood’s hard-hitting defence. Eventually, though, after sucking in the Green Machine’s defenders with a series of pick and goes, scrumhalf Rayke Maartens sent the ball wide to the right and flyhalf Jordan Thackeray cruised over for a try, having outflanked the visiting team’s defenders.

A superb 50/22 kick from the visitors’ flyhalf Juan Viljoen then gave Glenwood possession in the home side’s 22. From there, they won themselves a penalty and Viljoen slotted the kick to start his side’s tally rolling.

A huge scrum, which resulted in a tighthead, almost put 8th-man Imivuyo Kemke over for a try. College had to settle for a penalty, however, and Thackeray had no problem with a straightforward kick to bump the College lead back up to five points.

The Red, Black and White were bossing territory and from a lineout inside the Glenwood 22, they scored again. After taking the ball through a number of phases, no. 10 Thackeray sold a dummy and ghosted through the visitors’ defence to touch down beneath the uprights. He tacked on the extras, too.

While results have not gone Glenwood’s way in 2024, their fighting spirit has never been in doubt, and they put that on display as they arrested College’s momentum.

Just before halftime, they forced their way over in the left-hand corner from a five-metre lineout. Then, they charged out of their 22 from the second half kick-off, flying up the right-hand touchline and into the home team’s 22. When they won a penalty, they kicked for touch, and their captain Junior van Wyngaardt made it count by crashing over from the subsequent rolling maul.

Flyhalf Viljoen sent the conversion sailing between the uprights from near the touchline and it was all square at 15-15.

Maritzburg College had, however, made most of the running in the first half, and they soon seized the momentum and the lead again.

With five minutes of the second half elapsed, Glenwood was in possession and fed a scrum midway between their 22 and the halfway line. When the ball squirted out the side, College scrumhalf  Maartens pounced on it and was quickly up to full speed, racing away, and challenging the Green Machine’s defenders.

Approaching the Glenwood 22, he cut to his left and, when he was taken down, he offloaded to Luyanda Kunene. The fullback injected further pace into the offensive thrust. Cutting inside and then outside, he crashed over in a tackle for a try.

Scoring ceased for the next 25 minutes, but it was Kunene who again undid the visitors’ defences. He jetted over in the left-hand corner and then raced in to dive down behind the posts. Thackeray knocked over the conversion and College enjoyed a 27-15 advantage.

Glenwood tried to give the ball air, but they were playing the game in the wrong areas of the field, pinned back deep inside their own half.

Then, when the home side splintered Glenwood’s lineout defence, close to the try line, the Durban boys brought the rolling maul to ground, but they did so illegally. The referee signalled a penalty try.

Coach Derek Heiberg‘s team hurried to kick off again, eager to chase points as time wound down. College fullback Luyanda Kunene counterattacked and carried the ball back to halfway. There, however, Glenwood turned over possession. They fed the ball to the backline where centre Lizwe Mtetwa grubbered through the host’s defensive line.

It was untidy as College tried to get their hands on the ball. Glenwood, instead, toed it ahead and chased. They were rewarded with another try.

The final say, though, belonged to Maritzburg College. They attacked from the kick off, first probing the left flank, then probing the right flank of the field.

When the attack went to ground in midfield, just outside the Glenwood 22, scrumhalf Maartens picked up and sped to the right, angling towards the corner. He was tackled, but he was over for five points, which was a deserved reward for a very good all-round showing from the no. 9.

Thackeray’s conversion attempt was narrowly wide. The referee blew his whistle and Maritzburg College had won by 19 points, 39-20.

Scores

u19 – Maritzburg College I 39 Glenwood I 20; Maritzburg College II 40 Glenwood II 7; Maritzburg College III 24 Glenwood III 7; Maritzburg College IV 50 Glenwood IV 0; Maritzburg College V 50 Glenwood V 0; Maritzburg College VI 49 Glenwood VI 0; Maritzburg College VII 5 Glenwood VII 5

u16 – Maritzburg College A 56 Glenwood A 24; Maritzburg College B 40 Glenwood B 7; Maritzburg College C 33 Glenwood C 8; Maritzburg College D 50 Glenwood D 0; Maritzburg College E 31 Glenwood E 10

u15 – Maritzburg College A 23 Glenwood A 14; Maritzburg College B 27 Glenwood B 14; Maritzburg College C 31 Glenwood C 20; Maritzburg College D 12 Glenwood D 8; Maritzburg College E 50 Glenwood E 0

u14 – Maritzburg College A 17 Glenwood A 12; Maritzburg College B 14 Glenwood B 21; Maritzburg College C 26 Glenwood C 7; Maritzburg College D 17 Glenwood D 10; Maritzburg College E 21 Glenwood E 12

The Paarl Gimnasium first girls’ hockey team will enter the Fairtree Super 12 Tournament brimming with confidence after capping off a remarkable season in the Western Cape.

Coach Ian Naudé’s side handed their arch-rivals, Paarl Girls’ High a 4-0 defeat in their annual interschools derby clash on Friday night to claim Paarl bragging rights for the next year.

With that triumph, Gim also asserted their dominance after a phenomenal, undefeated season in the Western Cape.

Gim has lost only twice all season, and both of those defeats came in early April at the loaded St Mary’s Waverley Festival, where they were beaten by St Stithians College (whom they also beat in the tournament) and Bloemfontein’s Eunice High School.

In recent months, they’ve been in prolific form, often overwhelming their opposition, and finding the back of the net with ease. At the other end of the park, they’ve been rock-solid, resulting in goalkeeper Miné Vorster picking up several clean sheets.

Before the interschools clash against Girls’ High, coach Naude’s side posted a 3-2 win over fellow Super 12-qualified Rhenish Girls’ High, a 2-0 victory against Springfield Convent School, and 3-1 defeat of Somerset College.

In front of a packed and buzzing crowd at Girls’ High, Gim enjoyed the early ascendency, dominating possession. They had a chance to take the lead when they received a penalty stroke, but Girls’ High ‘keeper, Jana Joubert, kept it out.

Captain Tanya Pieterse scored in the second chukka, however, to give Gim a 1-0 lead at the break.

The visitors turned up the heat in the third chukka and were duly rewarded when Karea de Ridder scored a field goal to make it 2-0.

Just before the chukka ended, Isabella Nel, who has been a frequent name on the score sheets in recent weeks, scored a cracker of a reverse stick shot to extend her side’s lead.

With the damage already done, De Ridder struck again to make it 4-0. Coach Naudé described it as an important win.

“We had to overcome our biggest obstacle this week, and that was having our emotions in control,” Naudé told SuperSport Schools Plus after the encounter.

“Our game plan was to play one quarter at a time and to just go out and put everything in the field.

“We knew Girls’ High also had a lot at stake and, after drawing with us last year, they were confident. We expected them to come out firing and they didn’t make it easy.

“The girls played well, and we are excited to come out on top in the match. It’s a massive win for us.”

Naudé and his players will next shift their attention to the prestigious Fairtree Super 12 Tournament, which will bring together 12 of the best teams in the country.

The event takes place at C&N Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje in Bloemfontein and runs from 8-10 August.

Last year, Gim finished as the runners-up, going down 1-3 to Eunice in the final. They’ll be aiming to take that one extra step this time around as they attempt to claim the title for a first time.

“What we take away from this game is that we can rise above the occasion, and that’s so important for us heading into Super 12,” Naudé said.

“We want to play each game as it comes and take it one game at a time. Every match at Super 12 is a big one.

“We’re playing against the top teams in the country. We will have to pull out all the stops and bring our A-game.

“We are confident that we will perform well, but we respect our opposition, and we just need to ensure that we keep the scorelines in our favour,” he concluded.

Gim has been drawn in Pool A alongside the hosts, Oranje, their Western Cape counterparts, HMS Bloemhof, Gauteng’s Garsfontein and Waterkloof, and St Mary’s DSG (Kloof.)

They will open their challenge against HMS Bloemhof in the tournament’s first game at 07:30 on Thursday.

Catch all the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools

The Wolramme from Marlow Landbou managed to turn the tables against Framesby in their clash just outside Cradock on Saturday.

The home side came out on top by 31-26 after trailing by 10-21 at the break. It was thanks to a try just before half-time by their captain and outside centre, Theuns Botha, which kept them in the match.

Framesby easily won the first encounter between the two sides in Gqeberha by 52-12. Their flyhalf and kingpin, Logan Muller, was once again a key player on Saturday for the visiting side.

His trusty boot kept their pack of forwards on the front foot as they enjoyed a breeze from behind in the first half.

The Wolramme only took the lead for the first time with about six minutes left as their fullback, Gideon Jordaan, slotted a penalty from 50 meters out. This gave them a 28-26 lead. He stretched this lead with seconds left on the clock with his fourth and final penalty goal of the game.

Jordaan’s boot contributed 16 points to the victory. The flyhalf, JJ van der Mescht, as well as the inside centre, Christiaan van der Merwe, and the scrumhalf, Kunga Venkile, also deserve a pat on the back.

In the pack of forwards, it was Jan Els (eighthman) and Robert van Zyl (flanker) who produced outstanding performances for the Wolramme. Van Zyl was a nemesis at the breakdowns.

Framesby will face Nico Malan of Humansdorp this weekend in their final clash of the season at home.

The Tigers of HTS Daniël Pienaar are the kings of Uitenhage. They defeated Die Brandwag in a closely contested match by 26-25.

This after they lost by 5-18 against Die Brandwag earlier in the season. The victors’ lock Ntsako Maimela was the standout player on the day. The Tigers still have one match left in 2024 against Muir College.

Pearson travelled to Somerset West where they faced Parel Vallei. The hosts came out on top by 15-10.

Denilo Jordaan, scrumhalf of Pearson, scored all of his side’s points. Parel Vallei’s fullback, Luchen Meyer, also contributed ten points towards his side’s total via a try, conversion and a penalty.

Scorers: 

Marlow Landbou 31 (10) – Tries: Theuns Botha, Jan Els, Teagan Wiessener. Conversions: Gideon Jordaan (2). Strafdoele: Jordaan (4). Framesby 26 (21) – Tries: Sean Vermaak, Johan van Zyl, Mondré van Heerden, CJ Felckers. Conversions: Logan Muller (3).

HTS Daniël Pienaar 26 – Tries: Byron Chamberlain, Mauriano Pillay, Juan van Zyl. Converson: Pillay. Penalties: Pillay (2), Ikombe Tyatya. Die Brandwag (Uitenhage) 25 – Tries: Zandré van der Mescht (2), Nicolis Thysse, Lu-crain Muggels. Coversion: Angelo Adams. Penalty: Muggels.

Parel Vallei 15 – Tries: Luchen Meyer, Shudley Rhoda. Conversion: Meyer. Penalty: Meyer. Pearson 10 – Try: Denilo Jordaan. Conversion: Jordaan. Penalty: Jordaan.

Nico Malan 29 – Tries: Damian Albrecht (2), Edrich Klue, Owen Breda, Francois Smit. Doelskoppe: Jean Joubert (2). Hoërskool Punt 19 – Tries: Thuli Oliphant, Keanu October, Henru Kuhn. Conversions: Chesley Pieterse, Ruan van Zyl.

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Marlow Landbou 17, Framesby 17; Die Brandwag 34, HTS Daniël Pienaar 27; Nico Malan 49, Hoërskool Punt 5; Parel Vallei 22, Pearson 16.

o.15: Marlow Landbou 22, Framesby 21; Die Brandwag 17, HTS Daniël Pienaar 15; Nico Malan 31, Hoërskool Punt 19; Pearson 17, Parel Vallei 12.

o.14: Marlow Landbou 3, Framesby 0; HTS Daniël Pienaar 19, Die Brandwag 15; Nico Malan 22, Hoërskool Punt 0; Parel Vallei 23, Pearson 10.

The 2024 hockey season is done and dusted for most schools, and all too quickly for some which shone, including Paarl Gimnasium.

On Saturday, Gim ended their campaign with a commanding 2-0 win over their rivals, Paarl Boys’ High in their annual interschools clash in Paarl.

First half goals, scored by skipper LD Nel and Juan Swanepoel, secured a meaningful victory for coach Jacques Grobler‘s side, which brought the curtain down on a season filled with outstanding highlights.

“I’m very happy that the boys could end the season like this,” Grobler told SuperSport Schools Plus after the match in Paarl.

“It’s been a very successful season for us. We’ve achieved most of the goals that we set.

Turning to the big Paarl derby, he added: “In an interschools match, you’re never going to get a free-flowing game because there’s a lot at stake. I think we did well to score a very good goal from LD. We had some nice PC variations and one of them worked for us.”

Gim’s campaign in 2024 was characterised by grit, consistently strong performances week in and out, a never-say-die attitude, and a belief that they could take on any team in the country.

It started in the best way possible when they claimed gold at the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament in March, sending out a strong message to their opponents in the stacked Western Cape region.

The following month they recorded an impressive 5-1 win over Outeniqua, and then won 3-0 at Affies. In a tight contest, they played to a 1-1 draw against Grey College, before narrowly going down 3-4 against a powerhouse South African College High School (SACS) team.

In May, coach Grobler took his charges on a hunt for more silverware when they travelled to Gqeberha for the Hibbert Shield.

There, after starting brightly in the pool stages, they missed out on the semi-finals after a 2-5 loss to the eventual champions, Paul Roos, in the quarterfinals. In the end, in the most talent-laden tournament of the season, they finished joint seventh with Westville Boys’ High.

Following their Hibbert Shield exploits, Gim was held to a 2-2 draw by Rondebosch Boys’ High. They were then beaten 1-0 by Paul Roos . To close off term two, Gim defeated Parel Vallei 4-2 and Fairmont High 3-0 to head into the mid-year break with a spring in their step.

In July, coach Grobler’s side returned to action at the Cape Town International Hockey Tournament.

There, they played with intensity, executed exceptionally, and that brought them the gold medal after defeating SACS 2-1 in the final.

A week later, they were brought back to earth on another trip to Cape Town, which ended in a 2-4 loss to Wynberg Boys’ High.

Before their interschools clash, Gim picked up a 3-1 win over Somerset College. Then, on Saturday, they capped off an impressive season with a win over their old foes

“We had four major goals for the year, and we achieved three of them,” Grobler said.

“We planned to win the two tournaments, win the interschools, and play in the semi-finals of the Hibbert Shield, and that’s where we really fell short.”

Goals, though, are aspirational and the bar is deliberately set high, so to achieve three out of four was rewarding, Grobler added: “We’re happy with what we’ve achieved. There’s only so much you can do, and I think the boys have achieved their personal goals as well, and I’m quite happy to see that.”

Fortunately for Grobler and his remaining players, the 1st XI won’t need a complete overhaul next year, as the squad loses only six grade 12 boys.

Skipper Nel and vice-captain Willem Matthee are part of that group, so Grobler emphasised a need for players to carry on with the good work they have done.

“Yes, without a doubt, we will need leaders to step up next year,” he said.

“I think, in terms of the brand of hockey and the way we play, there won’t be too much change.

“We’ll have to tweak a few things here and there, improve certain aspects of our game, but we won’t reinvent the wheel,” he ended.

Hulle naam is nie verniet die Chillies nie, want hulle is vir seker warm.

Hoërskool Duineveld se eerste netbalspan is die afgelope 17 onoorwonne tydens Interskole en het vanjaar weer gewys hoekom hulle deurgaans die voorste netbalspan in die Noord-Kaap is.

Die Chillies het Saterdag hul vernuf tentoongestel deur vir Hoërskool Upington met 44-34 op hul tuisveld te verslaan. Hierdie oorwinning onderstreep ‘n absoluut ongelooflike segetog.

Dit was nie die eerste keer dat dié twee spanne vanjaar slaags geraak het nie. Hulle het drie keer ontmoet in 2024, met die Chillies wat twee keer as oorwinnaars uit die stryd getree het om hul oorheersing en veerkragtigheid verder te beklemtoon.

Abriëlle de Witt en Carmi Liebenberg was uitstaande tydens die onlangse kragmeting. Carmi het  elke keer wat sy die bal gekry het punte op die telbord gesit, terwyl Abriëlle die bal behendig na die doel gedra en aansienlik tot hul triomf bygedra het.

Madre Steyn, afrigter van die Chillies, was uiteraard in haar noppies met die sege: “Dit was ‘n fantastiese seisoen en om op hierdie hoogtepunt te eindig is ‘n toonbeeld van die harde werk en toewyding van die span.”

Rieckard van Heerden laat Klerksdorp jubel, breek Secunda se harte.

Herleef al die Noordvaal Skild-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Die heelagter van Hoërskool Wesvalia het sy reputasie gestand gedoen as een van die dodelikste skerpskutters in die Noordvaal Cup se Skild-afdeling toe hy, met speeltyd verstreke, koel en kalm ‘n strafdoel oorgeklits het om die kastaiings teen Hoërskool Secunda met 32-31 uit die vuur te krap.

Met dié naelskraapse sege het die onoorwonne Wessies hul greep op die Skild-afdeling verder versterk.

Dit neem egter niks weg van die span van Secunda, wat self uitstekend gevaar het in die tweede helfte om ‘n agterstand van 14-22 uit te wis en teen die einde die voortou te neem, nie. Die besoekers se verdediging was uit die boonste rakke en het deurentyd vir die Wessies verhoed om aan die gang te kom.

Dit was eers in die laaste vyf minute van die stryd dat die Klerksdorpers weer deurkomkans kon kry. Skrumskakel, Chad Hofmeyer, het oorgewals vir sy tweede drie en Van Heerden het verdoel vir ‘n skrale voorsprong van 29-28.

Die daaropvolgende strafdoel deur Secunda se heelagter, Damian de Beer, het geblyk of dit dit doodskoot kon wees, maar Van Heerden het kort daarna die kans aangegryp om die voortou vir die derde keer in vyf minute te verwissel, en sodoende die sege te beklink.

Die Secunda-pak was oudergewoonte uiters fisiek, met agsteman en kaptein, Bakkies Bezuidenhout, aan die spits en losskop, Nathan Erasmus, wat goed hand bygesit het.

Hoërskool Die Anker het sy anker gelig om Hoërskool Hugenote van Springs met 33-19, op sy tuisveld in Brakpan, te verslaan.

Afrigter, Corneel van Dyk, sou ook in sy noppies gewees het met die fisiekheid van sy agttal, met die voorrymanne prominent en vaskopstut, Damian Boshoff, wat oorgebars het vir ‘n puik tweekuns.

Haker, Sifiso Shongwe, het egter die meeste skade voorlangs aangerig met sy fenomenale werkverrigting en fisieke teenwoordigheid by die afbreekpunte, en is welverdiend as die speler van die wedstryd aangewys.

Die tuisspan se regtervleuel, Ruan Smith, het self ‘n goeie dag beleef met die skopskoen en vier van Die Anker se vyf drieë met gemak verdoel.

Hoërskool Pietersburg het einde ten laaste sy eerste oorwinning in vanjaar se reeks behaal deur vir ‘n gedugte Heidelberg Volkskool, in Heidelberg, met 41-38 te troef.

Dit was ‘n ware drieëfees, met 11 drieë wat tussen die twee spanne gedruk is. Die Pieties se Cravenweek-skrumskakel, Divan Brown, het sy skitterende spelpeil voortgesit om die Volkies dikwels met ratse breekslae om die afbreekpunte te toets en het só twee keer agter die doellyn gaan draai.

Sy goeie diens aan losskakel, Vincent Luckhoff, het voorts gehelp om die Pietie-agterlyn op die voorvoet te plaas. Die woelwater-haker, Dewald de Beer, het ook mou opgerol en was ‘n doring in die vlees op sowel die verdediging as aanval.

Die Volkies se Munro-duo, Joshua Munro (agsteman) en Daniel Munro (steelkantflank), was weer uiters prominent met hul dryfspel wat beslis ‘n paar seer lywe vir die Pietie-verdedigers sou beteken het. Buitesenter, Marco Botha het ook beïndruk deur met al vyf doelskoppe, asook ‘n strafdoel, te slaag.

Puntemakers: 

Wesvalia 32 (22) – Drieë: Chad Hofmeyer (2), Philip Janse van Rensburg, Justin Adams. Doelskoppe: Rieckard van Heerden (3). Strafdoele: Van Heerden (2). Hoërskool Secunda 31 (14) – Drieë: Bakkies Bezuidenhoud, Nathan Erasmus, Bismarck Jansen, Brink La Grange. Doelskoppe: Damian de Beer (4). Strafdoel: De Beer.

Die Anker 33 (19) – Drieë: Damian Boshoff (2), Zander Fraser, Troy Joubert, Brendan van Lutterveld. Doelskoppe: Ruan Smith (4). Hugenote (Springs) 19 (14).

Hoërskool Pietersburg 41 (20) – Drieë: Divan Brown (2), Dewald de Beer, Juan Jansen van Vuuren, Keegan Baker, David Stander. Doelskoppe: Vincent Luckhoff (3), Divan Brown. Heidelberg Volskool 38 (17) – Drieë: Daniel Munro, Hein Oelofse, Joshua Munro, Christopher Makgongoane, Janco Coetzer. Doelskoppe: Marco Botha (5). Strafdoel: Botha.

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Die Anker 33, Hugenote 10; Heidelberg Volkies 29, Pietersburg 14; Wesvalia 34, Secunda 5.

o.15: Die Anker 45, Hugenote 7; Pietersburg 19, Heidelberg Volkies 12; Wesvalia 26, Secunda 21.

o.14: Die Anker 22, Hugenote 0; Pietersburg 62, Heidelberg Volkies 7; Wesvalia 40, Secunda 7.

‘n Wedstryd van twee helftes, maar steeds niks wat die Middies en Oosies skei nie.

Herleef al die Noordvaal Cup se Plaat-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

In hul langverwagte herontmoeting kon Hoërskool Middelburg en Hoërskool Oos-Moot steeds nie die dooiepunt tussen hulle breek nie.

Die twee spanne, wat vroeër vanjaar met 33-33 gelykop gespeel het in die NWU Sportreeks, het Saterdag op dieselfde veld, in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Plaat-afdeling, wéér die louere met 29-29 gedeel.

Dit was beslis ‘n wedstryd van twee helftes, met die Middies wat die eerste 35 minute oorheers het om teen rustyd met 19-10 voor te loop.

Slot, Enrico Thompson, het, in ‘n wedstryd waar die Middies se voorspelers hand moes opsteek, kop en skouers bo die res uitgestaan. Nie alleen het hy die Oosie-verdedigers deurgaans besig gehou met sy begeesterde dryfspel nie, maar ook oor die doellyn gebars vir ‘n welverdiende tweekuns.

Binnesenter, Lungelo Maseko, het met sy kragspel in die middeveld verder bygedra tot die Middelburgers se oorheersing voor die omdraaislag.

Aan Oos-Moot se kant het Dewron Aford duidelik sy gunstelingposisie gevind met sy spelpeil wat dramaties gelig het sedert sy skuif van heelagter na losskakel. Sy dinamiese dartellopies het juis die tuisspan se terugvegpoging na rustyd geloods.

Flank en kaptein, Wade Williams, wat ‘n stillerige seisoen beleef het, het ook hand opgesteek en waarskynlik sy beste wedstryd van die seisoen gelewer met sy vernuf om gapings aan te val.

‘n Uitstaande vertoning deur Hoërskool Klerksdorp se buitesenter, Winton Abrahams, het bygedra daartoe die Klerksdorpers hul laaste wedstryd op tuisbodem met 26-10 kon wen teen die voorlopers in die afdeling, Hoërskool Transvalia. Die span van Klerksdorp is steeds onoorwonne op hul tuisveld.

Voorrymanne, De Wet Le Roux (loskopstut) en Liam Pretorius (vaskopstut), het ‘n soliede fondasie daargestel, met ‘n kragtige vertoning in die vaste fasette en woelige spel in die vastelos. Dit het vir Abrahams en sy fisieke sentermaat, Asif Sumara, in staat gestel om die Valia-agterhoede gas te gee.

Die besoekers se indrukwekkende haker, Jayden McPearson, het moedig probeer om die span van Vanderbijlpark in die wedloop te hou en was, tesame met skrumskakel, Anro Nagel, die span in ligblou se groot uitblinkers in Klerksdorp.

Ligbron Akademie se twee sterre, linkervleuel, Bandile Thanjekwayo, en heelagter, Anele Ngwenya, het in die tweede helfte na hoogste versnelling oorgeskakel om elk twee keer te druk in ‘n oortuigende oorwinning van 47-22 oor Hoërskool Kempton Park. Die Kempies, wat nie vanjaar volgens potentiaal presteer het nie, het nietemin in die eerste helfte uitstekend vertoon op die verdediging.

Binnesenter, Tiaan Delport, het uitgetroon met 17 van sy span se 22 punte, danksy vyf strafdoele en ‘n doelskop, om sy span in die kragmeting te probeer hou.

Dit het Thanjekwayo en Ngwenya egter nie lank ná die omdraaislag geneem om die Kempies  se verdediging uiteindelik uit te oorlê nie. Tiaan Botha, wat van oopkantflank na slot geskuif het, was ondergewoonte bedrywig voorlangs.

Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg het sy kanse om ‘n tuishalfeindstryd te verseker vergroot. Met die Middies se gelykopuitslag, wat ook hul laaste rondomtallie-wedstryd was, is die Rooi Bulle se bonuspuntsege van 36-7 oor Hoërskool Zwartkop ‘n uiters belangrike een. Hiervoor verdien die agttal ‘n klop op die skouer .

Die Rooi Bulle se dieselenjin het van meet af die botoon gevoer onder leiding van agsteman, Tercius Bezuidenhout, en haker, Hanru Terblanche. Bezuidenhout het twee keer gedruk, terwyl Terblanche ook met ‘n vyfpunter beloon is.

Puntemakers: 

Oos-Moot 29 (10) – Drieë: Tapiwa Rwafa, David Joubert, Wade Williams, Dewron Aford. Doelskoppe: Ruwan Allen (3). Strafdoel: Allen. Hoërskool Middelburg 29 (19) – Drieë: Enrico Thompson (2), Lungelo Maseko, Sihle Mkhatshwa, Jacques Greyling. Doelskoppe: Crawford Joubert (2).

Hoërskool Klerksdorp 26 (19) – Drieë: Winton Abrahams (2), Heinrich Hovener, Tyron Masango. Doelskoppe: Deacon Loots (2), Liam Pretorius. Transvalia 10 (5) – Drieë: Jayden McPearson, Anro Nagel.

Ligbron Akademie 47 (14) – Drieë: Bandile Thanjekwayo (2), Anele Ngwenya (2), Siyanda Dennison, Janco Claasen, Tiaan Botha. Doelskoppe: Renier van Staden (5), Divan van Jaarsveld. Hoërskool Kempton Park 22 (15) – Drie: Tian Aucamp. Doelskop: Tiaan Delport. Strafdoele: Delport (5).

HTS Middelburg 36 (17) – Drieë: Tercius Bezuidenhout (2), Hanru Terblanche, Ethan Kock, Anthoni Smuts, WJ Enslin. Doelskoppe: Jaque Stassen (2), WJ Enslin. Zwartkop 7 (0) – Drie: Zulu Mona. Doelskop: Luhardt Booyens.

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Kempton Park 16, Ligbron 15; Transvalia 60, Klerksdorp 7; Middelburg 27, Oos-Moot 22; HTS Middelburg 14, Zwartkop 12.

o.15: Kempton Park 19, Ligbron 17; Klerksdorp 34, Transvalia 13; Middelburg 7, Oos-Moot 3; Zwartkop 15, HTS Middelburg 12.

o.14: Kempton Park 28, Ligbron 5; Klerksdorp 10, Transvalia 10; Middelburg 17, Oos-Moot 13; HTS Middelburg 15, Zwartkop 8.

KRUGERSDORP – Theuns du Plooy jou doring!

Herleef al die Noordvaal Beker aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersporschools.com) 

Du Plooy, Hoërskool Monument se heelagter het vier keer agter die besoekende Hoërskool Rustenburg se doellyn gaan kuier in die Wit Bulle se reuse oorwinning van 87-8 in die twee spanne se voorlaaste rondomtalie-stryd in die Noordvaal Cup se Beker-afdeling.

Die heelagter se vierkuns het deel uitgemaak van ‘n uitmuntende vertoning op die aanval, met die span van Krugersdorp wat nie minder nie as 12 keer die Rustenburgers se doellyn kon oorsteek.

Haker, Keenan Myners, een van dié wat sy hand vir man van die wedstryd opgesteek het, en die indrukwekkende steelkantflank, RJ Barnard, het elk twee keer oorgeduik vir dubbele driedruk-genot.

Dit was vanuit die staanspoor duidelik dat die Wit Bulle daarop uit was om ‘n reuse punt te bewys. Dié wedstryd was ook ‘n belangrike een in terme van hul Beker-aspirasies. Na dié wegholsege bevind Monnas hulself noú in die vierde plek op die puntelys en is hul plek in die halfeindrondes bespreek.

Die Monnas-agttal het soos dié van ouds gelyk. Met Myners en Barnard wat deurgaans gewoeker het en die momentum wat bewerk is deur kaptein Jacques Botha en Kie se kragtige dryfspel, is ‘n stewige grondslag gelê om die agterlyn los te laat. Dit het die tuisspan uitstekend vermag.

Die hope spasie en uitstekende vaardighede onder die snellers agterlangs het waarskynlik die Monnas-agterlyn se beste algehele vertoning van die seisoen tot gevolg gehad. Hulle het die bal soos ‘n goed geoliede masjien geskuif, wat aan Du Plooy en die res van die agterste driehoek, Ernesto Oersen (linkervleuel) en Caylum Schooney (regtervleuel), geleenthede gebied het om keer op keer wyd toe te slaan.

Shooney was ook uitstekend met sy korrelwerk pale toe en het ses doelskoppe deur die pale gejaag, terwyl plaasvervanger-losskakel, Justin Viljoen, ook met vyf doelskoppe kon slaag.

In Pretoria het Helpmekaar Kollege en Hoërskool Garsfontein baljaar in ‘n drieëfees op Berepark. Die Bere kon die wipplankstryd uiteindelik, te danke aan twee laat drieë deur vaskopstut, Luan van den Berg, en plaasvervanger-vleuel, Junaide Stuart, met 54-40 beklink.

Dit was voorwaar ‘n geval van “een vir jou, een vir my”, met albei spanne wat geweier het om die aftog te blaas.

Die Bere het met meedoënlose rolmaalbewegings die oorhand verkry in die tweede 35 minute en dit het vir haker, Justin Blom, in staat gestel om twee keer oor te duik en sy span stewig in die saal te plaas.

Dit neem egter niks van die Helpies se agttal weg nie. Hul Cravenweek-slot en kaptein, JP Lombard, was vir die soveelste, en laaste, keer uitstaande. Sy fisieke spel, gekenmerk deur sterk barslopies, het die tuisspan voor gekasty. Agsteman, Motlatsi Moloi, het oudergewoonte stewig hand bygesit en, nes Lombard, die bal hard gedra.

Linkervleuel, Pieter Moller, het egter die kollig gesteel. Moller was deurentyd dodelik met die bal in hand en het by twee geleenthede onkeerbaar deur ‘n aantal duikslae gebreek om agter die Garsies se doellyn te gaan kuier.

Die stryd tussen die twee skerpskutters sou enige skopafrigter tevrede gestel het. Die Helpies se loskakel, Michael Benzien, het slegs met twee pogings pale toe misluk en vyf van sy span se sewe drieë verdoel, terwyl Handré Maree, die Pretorianers se heelagter, met sewe uit agt pogings geslaag het om 14 punte, wat uiteindelik die verskil beteken het, by te dra.

Puntemakers:

Monument 87 (24) – Drieë: Theuns du Plooy (4), Keenan Myners (2), RJ Barnard (2), Evan Bernhardi, Jamaal Feldman, Hugo van der Merwe, Cameron Swartz. Doelskoppe: Caylum Schooney (6), Justin Viljoen (5), Theuns du Plooy. Hoërskool Rustenburg 8 (8) – Drie: Coenraad Coetzer. Strafdoel: Lorenzo Snyers.

Garsfontein 54 (28) – Drieë: Justin Blom (2), Junade Pasensie, Stephan Pretorius, Derrick Kuhn, James Schnetler, Luan van den Berg, Junaide Stuart. Doelskoppe: Handre Maree (7). Helpmekaar Kollege 40 (21) – Drieë: Pieter Moller (2), JP Lombard, Ty Ax, Darius Haasbroek, Vaughn la Grange. Doelskoppe: Michael Benzien (5).

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Helpmekaar 15, Garsfontein 13; Monument 27, Rustenburg 19.

o.15: Garsfontein 19, Helpmekaar 5; Monument 19, Rustenburg 7.

o.14: Garsfontein 36, Helpmekaar 24; Rustenburg 6, Monument 5.

The 2024 Durban High School (DHS) 1st XV cemented an outstanding legacy with a 24-20 victory over Jeppe High School for Boys on Saturday.

With the win, the grade 12 learners in the side, the core of the team, finished undefeated on Van Heerden Field throughout their time at School.

The season finale brought together two formidable teams, with the visitors having won their last eight matches in succession. They hadn’t lost since April.

While DHS had a more recent loss on their record, it was one of only two all season long.

In a good omen for the Horseflies, their 2nd XV won 34-10 to complete an unbeaten season for a first time since 1939. In fact, in a notable achievement, DHS won all of the A team matches.

Jeppe, however, had shown the difference between their 1st XV and 2nd XV when they visited Northwood on 11 May. The Durban school won the 2nd team match, but the Jeppe 1st team powered their way to a 40-8 victory over the Knights.

Given Northwood’s superb season, which included a 7-7 draw with DHS and a tough 11-18 loss to the Horseflies in a recent rematch, that Jeppe win was arguably their most impressive of the season besides their 22-19 defeat of Grey College.

The stakes were high on Saturday and that fact was reflected in a Test match-like atmosphere. The free-scoring visitors faced one of the toughest defences at the top tier of schools’ rugby this season. They managed to put 20 points on DHS, which was the most that School had conceded all season long, but it wasn’t quite enough as the hosts overcame a 3-8 halftime deficit to record a four-point win.

In the early going, it was Jeppe who made it onto the scoreboard first, courtesy of a Matthew Coetzee penalty from just outside of the 22m line, 15 metres in from the left-hand touchline.

DHS had an opportunity to equalise after a sharp counterattack, which earned them a penalty, but Aka Boqwana curled his kick at goal wide of the left upright. Then, the Blue Typhoon forced their way over the Jeppe try line from a lineout. The Joburg boys held the ball up, however, preventing it from being grounded.

DHS turned to Allston Cedras to have a crack at goal from about 30 metres out in the 21st minute, but he, too, was wide left with his kick.

Soon, School surged back onto the attack, setting up another lineout deep inside the Jeppe 22. A stubborn defence kept DHS out as they carried the ball through a number of phases, but the Zebras had strayed offsides and Boqwana opened the home side’s scoring with a simple kick from 10 metres out, directly in front of the poles. Twenty-five minutes had elapsed.

Three minutes later, from a scrum on their own 10-metre line, Jeppe launched an attack, with 8th-man Risima Khosa picking up at the back of the pack and charging down the field at pace. He was brought down five metres inside the DHS half, but popped up a pass for scrumhalf Talent Sithole, who quickly let the ball through his hands to Owaka Manaka.

The flank was immediately met by a tackle, but just as quickly he fed the ball back inside to Sithole. The no. 9 raced into the 22, drew the last man, Boqwana, and released right-wing Nkambule Lindelani, who rounded off with a spectacular swallow dive into the right-hand corner.

Down by five at the break, DHS dialled up the heat and took advantage of an overthrown ball at a Jeppe lineout early in the second half. Lock Vimbiso Kasvosve carried into the visitors’ 22, then found Daniel Ikotela to his right. The flank was brought down just shy of the try line. Jeppe, then, halted two dives at the in-goal area, but they couldn’t contain big Teddy Dlamini, with the tighthead crashing over as two defenders tried in vain to hold him up.

Boqwana’s aim on the conversion was straight and true and DHS led for a first time after 38 minutes.

Duncan Basson and his team had the bit between their teeth, and they were soon back on the attack after disrupting a Jeppe ruck and kicking the ball through as it rolled free. Left-wing Leruo Dithagiso covered, but he was swamped by three DHS players and that led to him holding onto the ball on the ground. The hosts kicked the resulting penalty into the right-hand corner.

This time, there was no stopping the rolling maul, and DHS was over for a second try, scored by Ikotela. Boqwana’s conversion was straight down the middle and suddenly the gap was nine points, with Peter Engeldow‘s charges leading 17-8.

Quality outfit that they are, Jeppe powered onto the attack immediately from the restart, carrying the ball through a number of phases as they chipped away at the Horseflies’ defences.

When Jeppe won a penalty in a central position, five metres from the DHS try line, they executed a training ground move with precision, moving the ball to the right before quickly reversing direction and opening up space out wide on the left. A long pass from flyhalf Coetzee put fullback Sanele Simelane into a gap and he dived over in Duncan Basson’s tackle to add five to the Kensington side’s total.

Just before the hour-mark, strong defence from DHS and a rip and steal from Teddy Dlamini had the home team knocking on the Jeppe try line again. His front row partner and DHS Head Boy Unaya Mndau gathered the ball from a ruck and charged forward. Zingce Simka, the Blue Typhoon’s powerful centre, then cut inside, beating a few men, before being brought down.

After one more charge at the line, towards the uprights, the ball was shipped back to the left and Simka barrelled over for another DHS try despite the attention of two Jeppe defenders. Boqwana’s conversion was good, and the home side led by 11.

Coach Drickus Venter‘s charges pursued a quick response and forced their way into the DHS 22. From a scrum, Khosa went blind and was stopped just shy of the whitewash.

After a further three charges at the line, scrumhalf Sithole spotted some space, picked up the ball and in a flash deposited it over the try line. Coetzee added the extras and there were only four points in it with just under three minutes to play.

With time up on the clock, Jeppe had possession and a lineout just outside their 22. When they attempted a short and low throw to the front, DHS contested it and claimed possession. The ball was passed back to Cedras and he knocked it into touch.

The DHS boys raised their arms in triumph and the final whistle sounded. Many of the Jeppe boys stood with hands on hips, exhausted and deflated. The home side’s frenzied second half fightback had taken its toll. Jeppe had given a good account of themselves, but on DHS’s home ground fortress it wasn’t quite enough.

Scores

DHS 24 (3) – Tries: Bongani “Teddy” Dlamini, Daniel Ikotela, Zingce Simka. Conversions: Aka Boqwana (3). Penalty: Aka Boqwana. Jeppe 20 (8) – Tries: Nkambule Lindelani, Sanele Simelane, Talent Sithole. Conversion: Matthew Coetzee. Penalty: Matthew Coetzee.

Results

u19 – DHS I 24 Jeppe I 20; DHS II 34 Jeppe II 10; DHS III 41 Jeppe III 7

u16 – DHS A 33 Jeppe A 14; DHS B 17 Jeppe B 24

u15 – DHS A 19 Jeppe A 3; DHS B 3 Jeppe B 3

u14 – DHS A 42 Jeppe A 0; DHS B 26 Jeppe B 0