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Die Arende wil hul posisie in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Beker-afdeling verstewig voor die Junie-vakansie.

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

Daar heers groot opwinding in Krugersdorp in afwagting op die stryd tussen Hoërskool Noordheuwel se Blues en Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen se Arende wat mekaar Saterdagmiddag op die Heuwel pak.

Die Blues het verlede naweek beïndruk deur hul tradisionele aartsvyand, Hoërskool Monument, al die pad te druk in die jaarlikse Krugersdorp-derby. Hoewel hulle uiteindelik teverede moes wees met ‘n nederlaag van 33-36, kon Nories heelwat positiewes uit die wedstryd neem.

Een hiervan sou wees dat die pak voorspelers gewys het dat hulle ongetwyfeld met die groter pakke in die afdeling kan meeding. Die Blues se agttal het met rukke en stote hul stempel stewig afgedruk in die skrum en by ‘n paar geleenthede die Witbulle se dieselenjin laat hoes.

Dit is inderdaad hier waar ‘n titaniese tweestryd Saterdag op die skare in Krugersdorp wag.

Meyer Opperman, die Blues se loskopstut en kaptein, gaan met sy Arende-eweknie en vaskop, Duwan Potgieter, voorlangs koppe stamp en dit behoort ‘n massiewe armdruk tussen die twee kapteins af te gee. Opperman sal nie op eie houtjie die Jansies se vreesaanjaende voorhoede aanvat nie, met die veelsydige Donovan Breedt, wat ewe tuis op slot of flank is, wat uiters waardevol is met sy hoë werkverrigting.

Wat die agsteman-stryd betref, sal Nories se Brad Brown, wat in die Goue Leeus se Akademieweekspan opgeneem is, oudergewoonte ‘n prominente figuur in kontaksituasies wees, terwyl Jansies se Storm Labuschagne meer tuis voel in gebroke spel waar hy sy bedrieglike vaart in spasie kan tentoonstel.

Agterlangs wag ‘n nóg hoogs opwindende duel tussen die buitesenters, met die Nories se SA Skole-verteenwoordiger, Cheswill Jooste, wat teen die Jansies se sewesster, Jeandre Jacobs, te staan kom. Albei is uitstekend op die aanval, met hope vaart en bedrieglike voetwerk, en dus behoort verdediging deurslaggewend te wees in dié tweestryd.

“Dit is ‘n wedstryd om na uit te sien, en beslis een wat die ander Bekerspanne behoort dop te hou,” het Ian Joubert, die Blues se voorspelerafrigter, gesê.

“Dit is vernaam belangrik vir ons, asook vir Jansen, om ‘n stewige posisie te probeer vestig voor die breuk. Ons is absoluut buiteperde op hierdie die staduim, maar dis lekker!”

In Pretoria is die groot vraag of Hoërskool Menlopark moontlik vir Hoërskool Garsfontein kan skok, óf kan die Bere broodnodige ritme herwin?

Die Garsies het beslis nog nie op alle silinders gevuur nie, hoewel daar belowende tekens was verlede naweek in die tweede helfte teen Hoërskool Marais Viljoen. Daar kort egter nog heelwat skaafwerk indien Garsies hoop om die reeks se uitspeelrondes te haal.

Die Parkies is nog segeloos en dus sal ‘n oorwinning op Berepark nie alleen ‘n reuse opskudding veroorsaak nie, maar kan dit ook moontlik die keerpunt in hul Noordvaal-veldtog beteken.

Die spanne:

Hoërskool Noordheuwel t. Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen om 13:10 in Krugersdorp

Noordheuwel: 15 Jade Muller, 14 Jenemo Luiters, 13 Cheswil Jooste, 12 Jared Coetzee, 11 Lindsey Jansen, 10 Jeandre Uithaler, 9 Ignatius Jantjies, 8 Brad Brown, 7 Donovan Breedt, 6 Juandré de Villiers, 5 Xander Buytendach, 4 Alex Greeff, 3 Martin Nel, 2 Brendan Naude, 1 Meyer Opperman.

Dr. EG Jansen (moontlik): 15 Ntokozo Ngobese, 14 Jean-Dre Claassen, 13 Jeandre Jacobs, 12 Steven Williams, 11 Keanu van Loggerenberg, 10 Matthew Bergman, 9 Riekus van der Merwe, 8 Storm Labuschagne, 7 Divan Francis, 6 Zaide-Leigh Rippenaar, 5 Zandre Naudé, 4 Gerhard van Aswegen, 3 Duwan Potgieter, 2 Danre Pike, 1 Zian Marais.

Hoërskool Garsfontein t. Hoërskool Menlopark om 13:20 in Pretoria

Garsfontein: 15 Handre Maree, 14 Xian Erasmus, 13 Ruan Enslin, 12 Luann Olivier, 11 Junaide Stuart, 10 Junade Pasensie, 9 Luan Ferreira, 8 Aiden King, 7 Thinus Oosthuizen, 6 JP Pieterse, 5 Jacques Swarts, 4 James Schnetler, 3 Luan van der Berg, 2 Stephan Pretorius, 1 Ethan van Dyk.

Menlopark: 15 Divan Nel, 14 Reinhardt Herbst, 13 Leskin Samuels, 12 Wynand van Wyk, 11 Ruben Fourie, 10 Andru Kuhn, 9 Gustav Schaffner, 8 JN van Wyk, 7 Justin Lottering, 6 Ruan Strydom, 5 Xander Roets, 4 Keegan Pretorius, 3 Chrisjan Brits, 2 Zander van Staden, 1 Mattheus Prinsloo.

Potchefstroom Volkskool is oorgehaal om te vergoed vir hul nederlaag teen Gimmies die afgelope naweek.

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

Die Volkies het met 13-30 die aftog geblaas teen hul tradisionele aartsvyande, Potchefstroom Gimnasium, maar is vasberade om hul veldtog in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Bowl-afdeling ‘n hupstoot te gee wanneer hulle vir Merensky Landbou Akademie in Potchefstroom verwelkom.

Die tuispan het, ongeag die uitslag verlede naweek, aanskoulike hardlooprugby gespeel, maar ongedwonge foute het verhoed dat hulle kon afrond. Dit is iets wat hierdie naweek reggestel moet word.

Volkies sal inderdaad hul beste voet moet voorsit indien hulle hoop om die span van Tzaneen te troef. Die Ligbloues is na hul eerste twee wedstryde in vanjaar se reeks nog onoorwonne en het gemaklik met Hoërskool Alberton (43-17) en Hoërskool Wagpos (48-18) afgereken.

Die stryd tussen die twee pakke beloof om sowel aanskoulik as deurslaggewend te wees. Die Plasies se agttal het tot dusver floreer wat die fisieke aspek van die spel betref en sal vroeg reeds, vernaam in die vaste fasette, hul stempel wil afdruk.

Die Cravenweek-flank, Hardus Terblanche, wat op agtsteman vir die Ligbloues diens doen, sal die aanslag voorlangs lei, terwyl losskakel, Byron Hendricks, wat, nes Terblanche, vir ‘n tweede agtereenvolgende jaar Cravenweek toe gaan, die leisels as generaal in die agterlyn neem.

In teenstelling met die Plasies se groot pak, beskik die Volkies oor ‘n uiters beweeglike agttal. Agsteman, Dewald Groenewald, het ‘n barshou teen Gimmies gespeel en sal vir Terblanche op sy tone hou. Groenewald sal die nodige ondersteuning ontvang van oopkantflank, Henré Nel, wat baie bedrywig is by die afbreekpunte en in gebroke spel.

Agterlangs sal die Plasies se middeveld moet bontstaan wanneer Volkies se binnesenter, Ethan Leggat, geleentheid kry om met die bal op loop te sit.

Hoërskool Eldoraigne sal hul eerste nederlaag in agt jaar teen Hoërskool Zwartkop, in verlede naweek se FNB Classic Clashes-stryd, vinnig moet afskud wanneer hulle een van die gevaarlike nuwelinge in vanjaar se reeks, Hoërskool Randburg, in Centurion die stryd aansê.

Die span van Centurion het nog nét een van hul drie wedstryde in die reeks, teen Hoërskool Alberton (17-15), gewen, terwyl die span van Randburg reeds in twee uit drie, teen Hoërskool Wagpos (23-14) en Hoërskool Piet Retief (23-18), koning gekraai het.

Hoërskool Dr. Malan en Hoërskool Wagpos het sake reeds Donderdagmiddag in Meyerton uitgespook. Uitslae volg binnekort.

Die spanne: 

Potchefstroom Volkskool t. Merensky Landbou Akademie om 12:20 in Potchefstroom

Potchefstroom Volkskool: 15 Lourenzo Louw, 14 Wikus van Aswegen, 13 Hennie Pretorius, 12 Ethan Leggat, 11 Berno de Klerk, 10 Johandre Meyer, 9 Juhan Geldenhuys, 8 Dewald Groenewald, 7 Marlu du Preez, 6 Henre Nel, 5 Konrad Pretorius, 4 Altus de Jager, 3 Jaco van der Merwe, 2 Christoff Nel, 1 Daniel Strydom.

Merensky: 15 Ashten Demons, 14 Andreas Honiball, 13 Jens Bezuidenhout, 12 Maritz Meintjies, 10 Byron Hendricks, 9 JD Boshoff, 8 Hardus Terblanche, 7 PG Botes, 6 Corné Swanepoel, 5 Lukas Pieterse, 4 Craig Walker, 3 Tirelo Mashapa, 2 Ruan Marcos, 1 Ethan Maritz.

Hoërskool Eldoraigne t. Hoërskool Randburg om 13:20 in Centurion

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 Killian, 5 Rikus Rheeder, 4 Zander Engels, 3 Jaco Fourie, 2 Marnus Prinsloo, 1 Wian White.

Randburg: 15 Francois Groenewald, 14 Shandre Vermaak, 13 Quinten Fillies, 12 Hendre Breedt, 11 Charl le Roux, 10 Hendri Oosthuizen, 9 Jayden Todd, 8 Duncan Beaven, 7 Jean Venter, 6 Victor van Blerk, 5 Willie Lindeque, 4 Herman Goosen, 3 Malan van Heerden, 2 Diedelof Fourie, 1 Gastave Vorster.

Potchefstroom Gimnasium t. Hoërskool Piet Retief om 13:20 in Potchefstroom

Potchefstroom Gimnasium: 15 PC Schutte, 14 Toks Becker, 13 Lourens Jacobs, 12 Jhanco de Beer, 11 David Ndlala, 10 Justin Oosthuizen, 9 Dian Smith, 8 Elrich Bosch, 7 Morné van Aswegen, 6 Tiardt Vorster, 5 Tobias van Dyk, 4 Bart du Plooy, 3 Jayden Stofberg, 2 Jaco Nel, 1 Cobus van Rooyen.

Piet Retief: 15 Langelihle Ntuli, 14 Siphosethu Sibisi, 13 Aphiwe Khumalo, 12 Gilles van der Meulen, 11 Vuyani Tshabalala, 10 Owethu Shabalala, 9 Kyle Stock, 8 Christiaan Pienaar, 7 Melo Xulu, 6 SJ van Barendveld, 5 Jaco Klopper, 4 Vusi Nhleko, 3 Louis Grobler, 2 Jandré van Deventer, 1 Sfundo Mayisa.

 

As the second term exams approach and selected players begin preparing for the respective youth weeks, which take place in June, there are still a couple of mouth-watering fixtures on the weekend’s Western Cape menu.

The action kicks off on Friday with Charlie Hofmeyr seeking to extend their unbeaten run at Hoërskool Stellenbosch. Later in the evening, Brackenfell takes on Milnerton in what is sure to be another exciting matchup.

Both have both provided many of the season’s highlights, and they will be anxious to get back on the winning track as soon as possible after suffering defeats on the past weekend.

A spectacular start to their season saw Millies take down two southern suburbs giants with stunning come-from-behind victories.

Trailing by 3-33 on the Tinkie Heyns, they fought back to beat Rondebosch Boys’ High, 34-33. In their match against Bishops Diocesan College on the Piley Rees, Millies stormed to a 31-28 victory after a solid start by Bishops had the hosts leading 28-10.

Last weekend, though, Milnerton were well beaten by SACS on the Memorial Field, going down 19-59. They’ll be anxious to notch another win before the holiday break.

Their opponents from Brackenfell have posed a unique challenge to all of their opponents, however.

Despite ending second best against Hoërskool Durbanville last weekend, losing 21-31, they have also played their part in some thrilling games this season, often upsetting bigger name opponents with their never-say-die attitude and exciting brand of rugby.

Junior Louw slots back into the flyhalf position for the Brakkies this week, with Alldrick Johnson moving to outside centre, where he will have a massive task alongside Yibonge Malote in defending the Millies’ pair of captain Frank Hitimana and Litha Tasana.

Louw and Johnson have both excelled in the no. 10 jersey this season and, with talented finishers like Cwenga Ntsapho and Migile Carelse on the wings, the visitors’ backline has more than enough in the tank to keep up with Milnerton’s dangermen.

With the experienced scrumhalf Devon Damons directing the attack for the hosts, however, the Brakkies will need to be at their best to contain the Milnerton challenge.

Up front, the battle between the likes of Sheldan Puma and Graigan Matroos will likely play a decisive role, too. Matroos was one of the try-scorers last season when Brackenfell beat Milnerton 36-29 after trailing 17-24 at half time.

The proud northern suburb rivals are well-matched across their ranks and that makes it probable that they will deliver one of the games of the weekend.

Meanwhile, Charlie Hofmeyr defends their unblemished record when they tackle Hoërskool Stellenbosch in Stellenbosch.

Last year, in Ceres, Charlies ran through the Stellies’ outfit, cruising to 66-5 victory. This weekend, however, they’ll be without some of their stars, including their captain and Boland Craven Week flyhalf Luan Giliomee and their try-hungry inside centre Philip du Plessis, who has also been selected for the regional team.

Tyrone Davids steps up to captain the side in Giliomee’s absence, with Jay-Jay Janse, at flyhalf, serving as vice-captain.

They have a target on their backs, though, and Hoërskool Stellenbosch will relish an opportunity to make a statement by upsetting Charlies.

Matthayo September, Jordan Leigh February, Romario Kivido, Christiaan Bredell, Cainen Erwee, Rushin Muller and Ronwill Abrahams all have first-hand experience of last year’s defeat in Ceres and will be motivated to cause an upset on Friday as the home side tries to turn the tables.

TEAMS

Milnerton vs Brackenfell at 20:15, Friday, 24 May

Milnerton: 15 Chadlin Sellidon, 14 Jaydin Smit, 13 Litha Tasana, 12 Frank Hitimana, 11 Keagan Wood, 10 Chadwin Sellidon, 9 Devon Damons, 8 Keagan van Blerk, 7 Dylan Peverett, 6 Ethan Wilson, 5 Mathew Gabriel, 4 Keenan Togni, 3 Lincoln Corner, 2 Keagan Harding, 1 Sheldan Puma.

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

Hoërskool Stellenbosch vs Charlie Hofmeyr at 16:35, Friday, 24 May

Hoërskool Stellenbosch: 15 Drew Houston, 14 Kian Roberts, 13 Freddy Carstens, 12 Mathayo September, 11 Jordan-Leigh Februarie, 10 Romario Kivido, 9 Jackwin Olyn, 8 Christiaan Bredell, 7 Cisco Roets, 6 Jaleel Nel, 5 Niel Vockins, 4 Cainen Erwee, 3 Ronwill Abrahams, 2 Rushin Muller, 1 James Donohoe.

Charlie Hofmeyr: 15 Ryan Hendricks, 14 Zephinith Sass, 13 Deolyn Isaac, 12 Keagan Kelly, 11 Danico Sass, 10 Jay-Jay Janse, 9 Izha-vin van Wyk, 8 Tyrone Davids, 7 Caleb de Vries, 6 Daniel Bakkes, 5 Glenn Will Tromp, 4 Joshua Swarts, 3 Aaron Richter, 2 Kyle Cardoso, 1 Duran Shiba.

SPRINGS – Die wenner tussen Hugies en Wessies sal met die louere as die enigste onoorwonne span, voor die Junie-vakansie, in vanjaar se SDC Noordvaal Cup se Skild-afdeling wegstap.

Die ou hond in die Skild-afdeling, Hoërskool Hugenote van Springs, is vasbeslote om hul onoorwonne status in vanjaar se kompetisie te behou wanneer hulle vir die witwarm nuweling, Hoërskool Wesvalia, Saterdag tuis die stryd aansê.

Die Hugies spog tot dusver met oorwinnings van 41-31 en 38-7 oor onderskeidelik Hoërskool Secunda en Hoërskool Ben Vorster, waarvan die laaste weg van die huis en ‘n taamlike skaars verskynsel in die Noordvaal-kompetisie.

Die nuweling van Klerksdorp het nietemin tot dusver eweveel beïndruk met seges oor Hoërskool Lichtenburg (23-12), Hoërskool Pietersburg (41-10) en, verlede naweek, Heidelberg Volkskool (34-28), waarvan twee op die pad. Dit is dus geen verrassing dat daar hoë verwagtinge in Klerksdorp gekoester word op die vooraand van Saterdag se kragmeting nie.

“Ons weet dit gaan bitter moeilik wees om in Springs te wen. Hugenote het ‘n gedugte span vanjaar, maar ons wil graag hierdie derde wegwedstryd wen,” het Willem van der Sandt, die Wessies se afrigter, gesê. Van der Sandt is ook voorspelerafrigter van die Luiperds se Cravenweekspan.

Die Klerksdorpers se sterkpunt lê juis voorlangs, waar steelkantflank, Francois Dumond, straks die Wessies se beste speler is tot dusver vanjaar. Dumond is ook welverdiend in die Luiperds se Cravenweekspan opgeneem.

Dumond en die woelige haker, Junior Kuhn, het albei die vermoë om verdedigers te klop. Terwyl Dumond aandag trek met sy direkte dryfspel, beskik Kuhn oor uitmuntende balvaardighede en flink voetwerk wat die haker in staat stel om die kontakpunt te skuif en sodoende oor die voordeellyn te kom.

‘n Hoogs interessante tweestryd wag ook tussen die agstemanne. Hugenote se Hendrik Eybers is een van die span in maroen se groot uitblinkers vanjaar met sy vermoë om oor die voordeellyn te kom en hoë werkverrigting op die verdediging. Dieselfde geld vir die Wessies se nr. 8, Hanré Venter, wat saam met Kuhn en Dumond vir die Luiperds by vanjaar se Cravenweek sal verteenwoordig.

Agterlangs sal die Hugies se buitesenter, Vian van Dyk, fyn dopgehou moet word, vernaam as hy wéér goeie voorvoetbal van losskakel, Corné Pretorius, ontvang.

Heidelberg Volkskool verwelkom vir Hoërskool Lichtenburg, maar gaan nie maklik vir die Liggies stuit, selfs op tuisbodem, nie. Die span van Noordwes geniet tot dusver ‘n hoogs suksesvolle veldtog en het, onder andere, met 12-7 koning gekraai oor hul tradisionele vyande, Hoërskool Klerksdorp, in hul jaarlikse FNB Classic Clashes-kragmeting.

Die spanne: 

Hoërskool Hugenote van Springs t. Hoërskool Wesvalia om 12:30 in Springs

Hugenote (Springs) (moontlik): 15 George Loucas, 14 Leon Jacobs, 13 Vian van Dyk, 12 Dylan Nel, 11 Musa Mahlangu, 10 Corne Pretorius, 9 Thanyani Mokiri, 8 Hendrik Eybers, 7 Tyron hand, 6 Arne Marais, 5 Xavier Ungerer, 4 Anthony Smith, 3 Henre Oosthuizen , 2 Luan Pretorius, 1 Franko Neuhoff.

Wesvalia: 15 Fafa Calitz, 14 Justin Adams, 13 Jendre Snyman, 12 Philip Janse van Rensburg, 11 Xander Smit, 10 Eduard Dreyer, 9 Chad Hofmeyer, 8 Hanre Venter, 7 Francois Dumond, 6 Joshua Pieter, 5 Aiden Jacobz, 4 Franco Dumond, 3 Bernard Swanepoel, 2 Junior Kuhn, 1 Ulrigh du Preez.

Heidelberg Volkskool t. Hoërskool Lichtenburg om 13:20 in Heidelberg

Heidelberg Volkskool: 15 Theuns van der Merwe, 14 Stefan Botha, 13 Kevin Oormeyer, 12 Dean Last, 11 Tiaan Holloway, 10 Kayle Venter, 9 Hein Oelofse, 8 Joshua Munro, 7 Daniel Munro, 6 Samukelo Ngwenya, 5 Juan de Villiers, 4 Fourie Jacobs, 3 Botshelo Motsepe, 2 Janco Coetzer, 1 Christopher Makgongoane.

Lichtenburg: 15 Luan Snyman, 14 Lukie Benson, 13 Dundré Dempers, 12 Benré Pollard, 11 Rea Motsusi, 10 Albert Joubert, 9 Willem van Niekerk, 8 Abrie Coetzee, 7 Tiaan Booysen, 6 Kgolagano Legodi, 5 John Kleynhabs, 4 GJ Malan, 3 Juan van Rhyn, 2 Eddie du Preez, 1 JJ Jonker.

Hoërskool Secunda t. Hoërskool Pietersburg in Secunda

Secunda: 15 Damian de Beer, 14 Martin Pretorius, 13 Ryan Erasmus, 12 Bismarck Jansen, 11 Brink la Grange, 10 EJ Venter, 9 Jarno Haarhoff, 8 Bakkies Bezuidenhout, 7 Zander Scheepers, 6 Zander van der Merwe, 5 Franko Rossouw, 4 Zac Loock, 3 Stefan Bezuidenhout, 2 Rico Schoeman, 1 Nathan Erasmus.

Hoërskool Pietersburg: 15 Celliers van der Merwe, 14 Lersich Duba, 13 Hanno van Zyl, 12 Siya Mahlangu, 11 Brydan Retief, 10 Vincent Luckhoff, 9 Divan Brown, 8 Hardus Terblanche, 7 Tiaan Vermeulen, 6 Keegan Baker, 5 Juan Jansen van Vuuren, 4 Etienne van Jaarsveldt, 3 Elardus Erasmus, 2 JP Moster, 1 Floris Venter.

Hoërskool Ben Vorster t. Hoërskool Jeugland om 13:20 in Tzaneen

Ben Vorster (moontlik): 15 Caleb Mokgalaotse, 14 Migel Makhubipetsi, 13 Tihandre Reyneke, 12 Aza Mabe, 11 Damian Bye, 10 Pontsho Selowa, 9 Stiaan du Randt, 8 Ewald Kirstein, 7 Joshua van der Mescht, 6 Chifu Banda, 5 Ben Mashele, 4 Raluano Ramano, 3 Makondolele Musekene, 2 Christopher Janse van Vuuren, 1 Thabang Nkuna.

Jeugland (moontlik): 15 Thando Ngomane, 14 Jetao Jooste, 13 Sinenhlanhla Ndlovu, 12 Ruan Steenkamp, 11 Oregopots Shilubane, 10 King Aganzo, 9 Ruan Worst, 8 Alec Mohlala, 7 Jose Ngoma-Ngoma, 6 Lebo Letlala, 5 Sharon Nsenda, 4 Shammah Nsenda, 3 Khumo Maimane, 2 Siyanda Mbwanwa, 1 Lesego Moitse.

 

Kan Nelspruit die keerpunt vir Hoërskool Marais Viljoen beteken?

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

Dit is die vraag wat Saterdagmiddag in Nelspruit beantwoord sal word wanneer die besoekers van Alberton teen Hoërskool Nelspruit te staan kom in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Beker-afdeling.

Die span van Alberton het, ongeag die uitslae, in hul laaste twee kragmetings in dié afdeling uiters belowende rugby opgedis. Dit was verál hul vertoning in die eerste helfte teen Hoërskool Garsfontein wat die span se ondersteuners laat moed skep het.

Dit het egter nóg nie die resultate gelewer waarvoor breier, Ryno Luus, en die res van sy afrigtingspan gehoop het nie.

“Dit is moeilik,” het Luus vroeër die week gesê.

“Ons was nog elke keer, in die eerste helfte, in die wedloop, maar sowel EG Jansen as Garsfontein het sterk teruggekom in die tweede skof. Ons is egter vasbeslote om op daardie goeie vertonings van ons, voor halftyd, voort te bou en vir die volle 70 minute ons beste te lewer.”

Slot Bjorn Pieterse het ‘n vername rol om te vervul in Nelspruit .

“Bjorn is tot dusver uitstekend op dreef en is ‘n yster in ons verdedigende lynstane,” het Luus bygevoeg.

Pieterse is ewe indrukwekkend met bal in hand en behoort, saam met flank en onderkaptein, Dian Scheepers, die Rhinos se verdediging deeglik op die proef te stel. Scheepers is gekies vir die Leeus se o. 18-span wat volgende maand aan die Akademieweek by Jeppe High School deelneem.

Die Nellies beleef self ‘n strawwe Noordvaal-seisoen tot op hede. Daar was nietemin positiewe tekens  in verlede week se kragmeting met Hoërskool Rustenburg, alhoewel die Rhinos die knie met 19-22 moes buig.

Buitesenter, Ian Wood, wat deel uitmaak van die Pumas se Cravenweekspan, is netjies op dreef in die middeveld, terwyl daar uitgesien word na wat haker, Regardt Vermaak, en agtsteman, Vaughn van Zyl, voorlangs kan vermag in wat beloof om ‘n uiters fisieke stryd tussen die twee pakke af te gee. Van Zyl se tweestryd met die besoekers se woelige agtsteman, Rio Tshimbalanga, is beslis een om dop te hou.

In Rustenburg wag daar ‘n reuse uitdaging op Pedrie Human en die res van Hoërskool Rustenburg se span wanneer hulle vir Hoërskool Waterkloof verwelkom.

Die Klofies is steeds onoorwonne in vanjaar se reeks en praat vanjaar met die groot kanonne saam. Die Rusties het, op hul beurt, bo verwagting presteer tot dusver in vanjaar se reeks en nog nét teen Hoërskool Noordheuwel met 34-40 vasgeval in Krugersdorp.

“Waterkloof is een van die top spanne in die land vanjaar,” het Naas Olivier, Rusties se hoofafrigter, gesê.

“Hulle speel puik rugby en vermorsel almal in hul pad. Ons besef dit gaan taai wees, maar ons het volle vertroue in ons sisteme, asook die tuisveldvoordeel.

“Ons doelwit is eenvoudig; ons wil wen. Ons het 70 minute om die plan uit te voer en in die boskgeveg te bly.”

Die Klofies verwelkom hul hardwerkende steelkantflank, Lendrey Janse van Vuuren, en haker, Ruan Jacobs, terug vir Saterdag se stryd. Albei het verlede naweek teen Hoërskool Menlopark ‘n welverdiende blaaskans geniet.

Die spanne: 

Hoërskool Nelspruit t. Hoërskool Marais Viljoen om 12:30 in Nelspruit:

Hoërskool Nelspruit: 15 Jean Erasmus, 14 Jordan Pretorius, 13 Ian Wood, 12 Theuns Meyer, 11 Tinyiko Silubane, 10 John Duncan, 9 Liam Pringle, 8 Vaughn van Zyl, 7 Marco Smith, 6 Banele Ngwenya, 5 Ronaldo van Rensburg, 4 Ethan Esterhuien, 3 Gert Cloete, 2 Regardt Vermaak, 1 Lindani Ndlela.

Marais Viljoen: 15 Tyron Bouw, 14 Devin Raubenheimer, 13 Tiaan Joubert, 12 Brandon Els, 11 Ethan Weideman, 10 Recce Gerber, 9 Weon van der Vyver, 8 Rio Tshimbalanga, 7 Dian Scheepers, 6 Lloyd Shoko-Schenck, 5 JD Labuschagne, 4 Bjorn Pieterse, 3 Sifiso Shongwe, 2 Liam Catlow, 1 Clayton Gagiano.

Hoërskool Rustenburg t. Hoërskool Waterkloof om 13:30 in Rustenburg

Hoërskool Rustenburg: 15 Lorenzo Snyers, 14 Christiaan van der Bergh, 13 Hendré Robinson, 12 Awie Alberts, 11 Zulu Khumalo, 10 Jayden Meyer, 9 Adriano George, 8 Coenraad Coetzer, 7 Dirk Huisamen, 6 Wickus Jaobs, 5 Pedri Human, 4 Edrich Potgieter, 3 Ockert Grobler, 2 Xavier Steenkamp, 1 Divan Welgemoed.

Waterkloof: 15 Ronan Bastiaanse, 14 Malcolm George, 13 Riwan van Aswegen, 12 Happy Makate, 11 Jaiden Badenhorst, 10 Dennis Obi, 9 Migael Prinsloo, 8 Marko Kok, 7 Lendrey Janse van Vuuren, 6 Divan Botha, 5 Alrich Uys, 4 Stephan de Beer, 3 Jedri Swart, 2 Ruan Jacobs, 1 Juan Gouws.

Two of the Eastern Cape’s top teams, DSG Makhanda and Pearson High School, will reignite their rivalry this weekend when they square off in a provincial derby in Makhanda on Saturday afternoon. The hosts will be eager to reverse a 1-2 defeat in last year’s clash.

The action begins at 13:00, LIVE on SuperSport Schools.

The sides have experienced different fortunes in 2024, but they have still managed to play their best hockey against some of the country’s best teams.

For the Makhanda side, it’s been about bouncing back after a sub-standard start to their season at the Greg Beling Festival in East London, in March. There, coach Geowynne Gamiet’s side played six matches, lost four, drew one, and managed a solitary win.

Context is important, however, and those losses came against some of South Africa’s best sides. They lost 1-2 to Eunice, 0-6 to Oranje, 0-1 to Rhenish and 0-1 to St Anne’s DSG. One big defeat and three one-goal losses to top teams. Now, that looks a little better.

In their other matches in East London, they played to a 2-2 draw with a very good Voortrekker Bethlehem team before beating Linden 5-0 in their final match of the weekend.

Since then, DSG has been on a superb run that has seen them beat Hudson Park 2-1, Stirling High 7-0, and Cambridge High 7-1 in recent weeks.

Last weekend, they stumbled and went down 1-2 against Gqeberha’s Collegiate Girls’ High, who showed at the All Girls Festival that they’re a formidable team.

Point one on the agenda for DSG will be getting back to winning ways against a tough Pearson outfit.

The Gqeberha school has impressed in 2024, continuing to build on the upward trajectory that has been evident in recent years.

They were also in action at the Greg Beling Festival and at the St Mary’s Waverley Festival where, up against the best teams from around the country, they finished 15th out of 32 sides.

They’ve been in good form recently, too. This week, they defeated Framesby 2-0 in the last four of the u18 EP Knockout Cup to reach the final.

Last weekend, they enjoyed a fruitful outing down to George, where they picked up a 4-1 win over York High and a 2-1 win over Outeniqua.

Before that, they held Collegiate to a 0-0 draw at Collegiate’s 150^th reunion, beat Kingswood College 2-0, and last tasted defeat against Rhenish Girls’ High last month.

Saturday’s contest will be an indicator of which team lies at the right end of the provincial standings. Finishing, as always, will be the key to victory.

The visitors, Pearson, will look to their provincial representatives, Annemi De Villiers, Jody van Aardt, Zoey Mostert, Nyssa Slabbert, and the influential Zanika Coetzer, to steer them in the right direction.

Among those to keep an eye on in the DSG side will be Kayleigh Clayton, Hannah Lowe, and Abigail Holderness.

Other matches

While the clash in Makhanda is the pick of the provincial matches, there are plenty of others that look like they’ll be good contests.

The action starts on Friday, when Woodridge College visits Victoria Park. That game gets underway at 16:00.

The following day, East London will be treated to a clash between Cambridge High School and Clarendon High School for Girls.

Hudson Park is away at Queenstown Girls’ High, and Kingswood College is set to battle Framesby at home.

Fixtures

Friday, 24 May 

16:00 – Victoria Park vs Woodridge College

Saturday, 25 May

10:50 – Cambridge High vs Clarendon
12:00 – Kingswood College vs Framesby
13:00 – DSG Makhanda vs Pearson High
13:00 – Queenstown Girls’ High vs Hudson Park

“To make it two wins in consecutive matches,” will be the message echoed through the Paul Roos Gimnasium locker room when they welcome a dangerous Wynberg Boys’ High team to the Maties Astroturf in Stellenbosch on Friday night.

The clash between the sides kicks off at 19:45 and will be streamed live on SuperSport Schools.

Both teams head into the highly anticipated clash after winning last weekend.

The hosts, after receiving a 2-6 drubbing at the hands of South African College High School (SACS) earlier this month, redeemed themselves with a hard-fought 1-0 win over their Boland rivals, Paarl Gimnasium last Friday.

Christo Swanepoel delivered the goods in the third chukka, scoring the all-important goal from a smart penalty corner variation.

Wynberg, on the other hand, breezed to victory against Hoërskool Durbanville, winning 5-1 to further assert their position as one of the Western Province league’s dominant sides.

The match will be only the second home outing for PRG this season. They’ve played most of their league matches away, and also did duty at the Founders Festival at Kearsney College, and the Hibbert Shield at Grey High School.

Their league season started with a shock 0-1 defeat at the hands of Rondebosch Boys’ High. Apart from that setback and the loss to SACS, Paul Roos has displayed its typically gritty character and fighting spirit and racked up a long list of victories.

After going down in week one, they defeated Paarl Boys’ High 4-0, before beating an excellent Grey High team 3-2. The highlight of their season, thus far, was coming back from a 0-3 deficit to level 3-3 with SACS, and then beat them 6-5 in a penalty shootout in the final of the Hibbert Shield.

Coach Michael Baker, who took over the side this year, will be the first to admit that his side hasn’t hit the very high markers they would’ve wanted to reach, but they are getting the job done in crucial moments.

Consistency will be the name of the game when they run out against Wynberg. They’ll try to implement the “Baker Ball” approach which won them the Hibbert Shield in Gqeberha earlier this month.

For Wynberg, the clash comes at a time when the team finds itself in a healthy space after putting up some impressive performances this season.

In the Western Cape, coach Ben Wiley’s troops have only lost once, going down 0-3 to Bishops in April.

Since then, they’ve scored a total of 15 goals on their way to solid wins over Rondebosch Boys (1-0), Stellenberg (9-1), and Durbanville 5-1.

To win away from home, Wynberg’s defence will need to be wary of PRG’s attacking ability, and the likes of Dayle Gertson, Daniel Rightford, and Liam Kleintjies will need to stay sharp at the back.

The hosts will look to their playmakers, including skipper Reuben Sendzul, Swanepoel, Barend Geldenhuys, and Ruben Gouws, to break that defensive wall.

Other matches

The clash in Stellenbosch is the pick of the weekend’s matches, but there are many others that are set to entertain.

SACS will be heavily favoured to keep their winning streak intact when they host DF Malan at the Brewery. Meanwhile, Rondebosch Boys’ High travels to Paarl to face Boishaai, while Bishops Diocesan College is away at Stellenberg.

Paarl Gimnasium, after their narrow loss to Paul Roos, will chase a win against Parel Vallei. In the final match of the day, Punt (Mosselbaai) takes on Belville High.

Fixtures

Friday, 24 May 

18:15 – Durbanville vs Westerford
19:00 – SACS vs DF Malan
19:15 – Somerset College vs Bridge House
19:25 – Stellenberg vs Bishops
19:30 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Rondebosch Boys’ High
19:45 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Wynberg Boys High
19:45 – Paarl Gimnasium vs Parel Vallei
20:00 – Punt (Mosselbaai) vs Belville High

Saturday, 25 May

11:00- HTS Drostdy vs HS Swartland

The teams that will be representing Boland at the annual youth weeks have been announced, and the proud region is set to dazzle spectators with their entertaining brand of rugby once again.

Catch all the action live on SuperSport Schools 

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Lohenzel Jansen, Luan Giliomee, Petrus Coetzee, and Christiaan Kershoff form a core group of experienced players who were part of last year’s tournament.

Armand Croeser and Brett Arendse have graduated from the 2023 Academy Week team and will be itching to show off their skills on the big stage.

Giliomee has captained Charlie Hofmeyr with distinction this year, often unlocking their opponents’ defences with the help of his lively inside centre, Philip du Plessis, who has also been selected for the Boland team.

HTS Drostdy, Worcester Gimnasium, and Porterville boast the majority of representatives after setting the pace in the region this season.

Aljay Skippers, Bennedict George, MJ van der Westhuizen, RW Duggan, and Marcus Lee represent the Drostdy Donkeys this year, while the neighbouring Worcester Gim provides Lohenzel Jansen, Chris O’Neil, Armand Croeser, and Amaan Adendorff.

Porterville has exceeded all expectations in 2024, recording some brilliant results. Those achievements have not gone unnoticed and have led to the inclusion of Howard Ocks, Llewellyn Fransman, and Keanu Plaatjies in the Craven Week squad.

The teams:

Craven Week: 15 Howard Ocks (Porterville), 14 Lohenzel Jansen (Worcester Gimnasium), 13 Aljay Skippers (HTS Drostdy), 12 Philip du Plessis (Charlie Hofmeyr), 11 Bernedict George (HTS Drostdy), 10 Luan Giliomee (Charlie Hofmeyr), 9 Llewellyn Fransman (Porterville), 8 MJ van der Westhuizen (HTS Drostdy), 7 Keanu Plaatjies (Porterville), 6 Boeta Schreuder (Hopefield), 5 Chris O’Neil (Worcester Gimnasium), 4 Marcus Lee (HTS Drostdy), 3 Petrus Coetzee (Robertson), 2 Armand Croeser (Worcester Gimnasium), 1 Christiaan Kershoff (Labori). Replacements: 16 Kallie Boutsikaris (Swartland), 17 Amaan Adendorff (Worcester Gimnasium), 18 RW Duggan (HTS Drostdy), 19 Brett Arendse (Hugenote), 20 Callan Ruiters (Hugenote), 21 Shaan-Jay Lukas (Esselenpark), 22 Geraldo Davids (Langeberg Secondary), 23 Leo de Wet (Labori)

5 HTS Drostdy | 4 Worcester Gimnasium | 3 Porterville | 2 Charlie Hofmeyr | 2 Hugenote | 2 Labori | 1 Esselenpark | 1 Hopefield | 1 Langeberg Secondary | 1 Robertson | 1 Swartland 

Academy Week: 15 Irlo Liebenberg (Schoonspruit), 14 Lorenzo Krouts (Overberg), 13 Josh Fourie (HTS Drostdy), 12 Jacques de Klerk (Curro Langebaan), 11 Alungile Mothibe (Worcester Gimansium), 10 Stefan van der Merwe (HTS Drostdy), 9 Bronwin Williams (Hopefield), 8 Pieter du Tout (Overberg), 7 Gideon Scheepers (Hermanus), 6 Jaden Small (Noorder Paarl Secondary), 5 Clint Afrika (Hopefield), 4 Le Roux Groenewald (Charlie Hofmeyr), 3 Tertius Wantenaar (HTS Drostdy). 2 Ando Goosen (Hopefield), 1 De Villiers Kotzé (Hopefield). Replacements: 16 Morné Wessels (Overberg), 17 V Koen (Franschoek), 18 Wilfred Slingers (Worcester Gimnasium), 19 James Badenhorst (Overberg), 20 Henro Kotzé (Hopefield), 21 Luke Cupido (Worcester Gimnasium), 22 Brent Julies (Schoonspruit), 23 L Jossop (Noorder Paarl Secondary).

5 Hopefield | 4 Overberg | 3 HTS Drostdy | 3 Worcester Gimnasium | 2 Noorder-Paarl Secondary | 2 Schoonspruit | 1 Charlie Hofmeyr | 1 Curro Langebaan | 1 Franschoek | 1 Hermanus

Grant Khomo: 15 Anwil Jacobs (HTS Drostdy), 14 Herold da Silva (Bella Vista), 13 Wilvino Paulten (HTS Drostdy), 12 Liam Prodehl (Hermanus), 11 Darren Makeza (HTS Drostdy), 10 Jano van Deventer (HTS Drostdy), 9 Johan van Landsberg (HTS Drostdy), 8 Ryk van Zyl (HTS Drostdy), 7 Wynand Fabricus (HTS Drostdy), 6 Werno Ramsauer (HTS Drostdy), 5 Nieken Libbe (Hopefield), 4 JL Matthee (HTS Drostdy), 3 Kevin Laubscher (HTS Drostdy), 2 JP Lotriet (HTS Drotdy), 1 Leighcon du Plessis (Worcester Gimnasium). Replacements: 16 Gerald Laker (Labori), 17 Alexander Labuschagne (Jakes Gerwel), 18 Reece Matthee (Worcester Gimnasium), 19 Kayden Bhiko (HTS Drostdy), 20 Shadlyn Scholtz (Porterville), 21 Brayden Joseph (Robertson), 22 Joshua Arnoldus (Hermanus), 23 Adiu Cramford (Schoonspruit Secondary).

12 HTS Drostdy | 2 Hermanus | 2 Worcester Gimnasium | 1 Bella Vista | 1 Hopefield | 1 Jakes Gerwel | 1 Labori | 1 Porterville | 1 Robertson | 1 Schoonspruit

The teams were tied 1-1 and there were 17 seconds left on the clock. Eunice launched one last wave of attack on the Paarl Gim goal. Eunice supporters were hopeful but did not want to invest into the belief of an outcome from that foray. Neutral supporters considered the Eunice build-up a Hail Mary. A penalty shoot-out was inevitable.

Eunice’s last-ditch offensive, then, yielded a free hit just outside the Paarl Gim circle. Ian Naude’s girls had shown themselves to be strong defensively and their supporters counted down the seconds to the final whistle.

Thinking swiftly, Bianca Rees-Gibbs took the free hit quickly, ran five metres, entered the box, and fired off a shot. The goalie saved it, but it rebounded to Rees-Gibbs. The Eunice star controlled the ball and drilled it past the Paarl Gim defence and goalkeeper.

That goal was her 13^th of the 2024 St Mary’s Waverley Festival. She finished the event, which featured the top girls’ hockey teams in the country, as its top goal scorer, with 15. It was a case of lucky number 13, too, as her goal secured a place in the final for Eunice for a second year in succession.

That goal also encapsulated the 17-year-old’s abilities on the Astro. She has game smarts, spatial awareness, and a predatory instinct in front of goal.

“She has remarkable skills and a natural feeling for the game. She definitely brings the X-Factor,” said Nika Coertzen, her coach at Eunice.

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Rees-Gibbs has the sporting gene. She inherited fast-twitch fibres, depth perception, and a host of other qualities from her parents, both of whom are avid indoor cricketers. She didn’t, however, follow in their footsteps. Her athletic path was decided by a choice she made when she was six years old.

Her school offered hockey practices during school time and, like any youngster keen on joining her older brother and cousin playing a sport, she signed up. “One of the earliest memories I have was actually my first hockey practice in Grade R. I started with Elsie Coetzee, and I still remember my excitement when I did my first yardstick,” she recalled.

As she grew older and developed her game, Rees-Gibbs did not have to look far for inspiration. Her cousin, Matt Rees-Gibbs, a former New Zealand international hockey player, provided her with a role model.

Modern stories of sporting excellence among the youth often involve parents who drive their children to early specialisation with the hope that they dominate their chosen codes. Jason and Martha Rees-Gibbs chose a different approach. They did not just let their daughter spread her wings in other sports, they encouraged it. When she turned nine, Rees-Gibbs represented Eunice in squash.

She took to the sport like a duck takes to water. She dominated and excelled. Rees-Gibbs won titles in the Free State Closed tournaments at u12, u13 (x2), u14, u16 (x2), and u18 level.

She decimated opponents at the Bloemfontein Open – one of the largest squash tournaments to be found anywhere in the world – in 2017, 2018, and 2020, on her way to winning her age group.

“Last year, she was selected to represent SA u17 and took part in the Malaysia Open and Singapore Open in December 2023. She finished 10^th out of 64 players at the Malaysia Open and was 12^th at the Singapore Open. She also won the Free State Ladies Closed tournament in 2023,” Jason told Supersport Schools Plus.

Her rise through the hockey ranks for the Eunice and Free State teams has been as meteoric as her squash achievements.

Rees-Gibbs was a member of her school’s A teams from primary school and was a member of the Free State u12A team in her maiden provincial outing. Since then, she has been a member of the Free State u14A, u16A and u18A teams.

“In sports, I look up to Maria Verschoor. She is in the Netherlands national side. She is an amazing player; I learn so much from watching her. In life, I look up to my parents. They have taught me so many valuable life lessons, especially when it comes to sports, being athletes themselves,” Rees-Gibbs said.

Over the past three years, she has played under the guidance of Nika Coertzen at Eunice. The coach has watched the teenager grow and flourish to become one of the most feared strikers in schoolgirl and provincial age group hockey.

“Her competitive nature and love for sport definitely contributes to her personal performance and contribution to the team. She is also very coachable, which is every coach’s dream,” Coertzen shared.

She described Rees-Gibbs as a player who can always be counted on, especially when the chips are down. And there is no better example of that side of her game than the match Rees-Gibbs cites as her most memorable. Again, it was against Paarl Gim.

This time, the sides met in the final of the Super 12 tournament. The clock was winding down, and as she did at the St Mary’s Waverley Festival final, Rees-Gibbs wrestled control from the opposition.

“I ran from my team’s 25-metre line all the way to the Paarl Gim circle where I took a shot and scored. The draw sent us to a penalty shootout, which we won. I still remember the excitement after we won. Everyone ran to celebrate together. That is my most memorable match,” she recalled.

Rees-Gibbs, who has won more than a few titles in her career, was a member of the SA u16A team last year and has featured 134 times for Eunice. She has achieved a lot in her youth, but she is hungry for more.

“I would love to make SA u18 at the upcoming IPTs, and further improve my skills and love for the sport, and maybe one day represent my country in the SA women’s team,” she said.

Eunice’s coach, Nika Coertzen is convinced that more accomplishments and milestones await Bianca Rees-Gibbs. “Bianca is an exciting player, and you can always count on her. It is a privilege to have her in my team,” she said.

“She is still going to go far in her sporting career, which she definitely deserves, because of her hard work and commitment.”

The Western Province u18A boys’ team has set its sights on retaining the SASHOC National Week title they won in 2023. The highly anticipated 2024 tournament takes place in Bloemfontein next month.

The event will be hosted at five different venues: the University of Free State, St Andrew’s School, St Michael’s School for Girls, Grey College and Eunice High School. The action kicks off on 16 June, with the final scheduled for 21 June.

In their mission to do the double, Province will be led by coach Bryce West, who has selected a star-studded squad to do battle against the best that rest of South Africa has to offer.

In last year’s campaign, West‘s team entered the tournament as the favourites. They were all but impossible to contain and they dominated their opponents from the outset.

They impressed during the pool stages, beating, among others, Amathole 3-0, Western Province B 7-1, and Southern Free State 4-0. In the semi-finals, they ran out 4-2 winners over Boland

They came up against a solid Southern Gauteng side, led by Jaydon Brooker, in the final, but once again dictated matters to secure a 3-1 victory. Dean Carrick netted twice for Western Province before Nathan Msakiwe sealed the win.

With that result, Province ended the week as the only unbeaten side in the A-Section.

The 2024 version of Western Province bears little resemblance to the 2023 squad. Only four of the 16 players selected were in last year’s winning outfit. The bulk of the side played in Province’s title-winning u16 side.

The four returning players are Joshua Mettler and James Grieve, of Bishops Diocesan College, and Wynberg Boys’ High‘s Ethan Lee, and Dayle Gertson.

All four players have been key players for their teams this season. Mettler and Grieve, under the guidance of coach Ryan Julius, have been forces to be reckoned with.

They’ve helped their side to crucial wins over Wynberg and Paarl Boys’ High, and a 1-1 draw against SACS earlier this month.

Gertson, and Lee, on the other hand, have been at the forefront of Wynberg’s challenge. All four players represented the SA u17 team at the Mirnawan Cup in Malaysia in November 2023.

Joining them in the Western Province u18A squad this year is a large contingent of players from SACS, which has made a strong case that it is the top hockey school in South Africa at present.

SACS has eight representatives in the team, namely goalkeeper Noah Venter, Joshua le Roux, Cohen Williams, Nick Paxton, Aiden Hughes, Stéphan Meyer, and the influential duo of Reece Theunis and Litha Kraai.

While many will be looking to Kraai and Theunis to lead the way, the group from SACS is loaded with quality from top to bottom.

Last year, Le Roux, Hughes, Theunis, and Kraai were included in the SA u16A squad.

Bishops’ Mettler and Grieve are joined in the provincial lineup by their school’s hockey captain, Robert Veldtman.

Veldtman is a strong performer under pressure. His calmness and composure will be valuable attributes as Province goes in search of another title.

For Wynberg Boys High, it’s Lee, Jordan Paulsen, Dayle Gertson, and Zachary Gibbon who will don the blue and white of their province.

Reddam House Constantia’s Joe Gitlin completes the squad.

Western Province scored 27 goals during last year’s tournament. With another supremely talented lineup, they’ll be eager to surpass that total and to emulate the 2023 team by winning the SASHOC National Week title.

Western Province u18A Team:

Noah Venter (SACS), Joshua le Roux (SACS), Reece Theunis (SACS), Robert Veldtman (Bishops), Jordan Paulsen (Wynberg), Dayle Gertson(Wynberg), Joshua Mettler (Bishops), James Grieve (Bishops), Cohen Williams (SACS), Ethan Lee (Wynberg), Litha Kraai (SACS), Nick Paxton (SACS), Aiden Hughes (SACS), Stéphan Meyer (SACS), Joe Gitlin (Reddam House Constantia), Zachary Gibbon (Wynberg).

Pool fixtures:

Sunday, 16 June 2024:
11:20- Western Province A vs Southern Gauteng B

Monday, 17 June 2024:
14:25- Border A vs Western Province A

Tuesday, 18 June 2024:
09:55- Western Province A vs Boland A
15:33- Western Province A vs KZN Coastal B

Wednesday 19 June 2024:
11:35- Western Province A vs Western Province B