Northwood was held to a draw in their opening game at the Michaelhouse Hockey Tournament. After that, they won the rest of their matches comfortably and became the inaugural winners of the event. Photo: Supplied.
Caleb Phipson netted three times to lead Northwood to a 4-1 victory over Kearsney College and the title at the Michaelhouse Hockey Tournament on Sunday.
“I’m proud of the boys’ performance and the character shown during the week. They got better every game,” Justin Collins, the Northwood coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus.
The victory confirmed Northwood as the inaugural champions of the competition. Throughout the competition, the Knights scored freely and led the way with 24 goals, followed by Hilton College, with 21 goals. Kearsney, the losing finalist, was third on the list, scoring 14 times.
A feature of Northwood’s game was a lack of reliance on a single goal scorer. They had goal-scoring contributions from various sources, including Phipson, Luc Boyall, Siseko Sebeko, and Ryan Herselman. Phipson’s hat-trick in the final made him Northwood’s highest contributor with seven goals to his name.
The Knights’ young side, which had only one matric learner in the final, scripted an unbeaten run in the tournament. They drew 3-3 with St Andrew’s College in their first match before defeating Michaelhouse 4-1, St Charles College 8-1, and Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) 5-1 on their way to the summit in Pool A.
That run earned them a berth in the final, where they went up against a high-performing Kearsney side that topped Pool B after beating Paarl Boys’ High 3-0, Hilton College 4-3, Reddam House Constantia 3-1, and Maritzburg College 3-1. .
Collins’ charges were unfazed by Kearsney’s impressive run. Instead, they took the initiative and went 1-0 ahead early in the contest. Kearsney fought back and equalised to send the teams into halftime on level terms.
However, Northwood was not done yet. If anything, they were just getting started. In the third quarter, the Knights struck three times without reply to take the game beyond Kearsney’s reach. While Caleb Phipson led the way with a hat-trick, Max Nicholson also added his name to the scoresheet.
While Kearsney took a perfect record into the final, Northwood headed into the title game with the tournament’s most high-octane attack, and that proved to be the difference as they scored a convincing win.
Kearsney’s runner-up finish should be applauded, too. Their form in the early part of the season had been mixed, but they arrived at Michaelhouse well prepared and scored some outstanding victories to top their pool, which not many would have predicted before the tournament.
RESULTS
1st XI
1st/2nd: Northwood 4-1 Kearsney
3rd/4th: Hilton 5-4 Affies
5th/6th: Michaelhouse 2-1 Maritzburg College
7th/8th: St Charles College 1-0 Paarl Boys’ High
9th/10th: St Andrew’s College 5-3 Reddam House Constantia
u16
1st/2nd: Rondebosch 3-2 Michaelhouse
3rd/4th: Maritzburg College 4-1 Kearsney
5th/6th: Northwood 2-0 Affies
7th/8th: Paarl Boys’ High 4-1 St Andrew’s College
9th/10th: Hilton 4-2 Somerset College
11th/12th: Clifton 2-0 St Charles
Junior Springboks captain, Riley Norton, with Los Pumitas captain, Tomás Dande, and the SANZAAR u20 Championship trophy. (Photo: SA Rugby)
SANZAAR’s Rugby Championship U20 competition returns to the iconic Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, when the best junior talent from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina converges on Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.
The southern hemisphere’s next generation of stars descend on Gqeberha for the second successive year, with the action kicking off with Round 1 of the three-round tournament on Freedom Day, 27 April, followed by match days on 3 and 9 May as the teams step up their preparations for the Junior World Championship in Georgia in June and July.
The defending champions are New Zealand who edged out Australia last year by a single point in the standings after three rounds in a close and very competitive tournament. The tournament is a pathway for emerging talent from Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to gain experience at international level and hopefully springboard them into international representation at senior level.
The tournament also provides the perfect preparation for the Junior World Championships, which this year will be played in Georgia. Following last year’s TRC U20 tournament, the Junior Boks and New Zealand Under-20s went on to contest the final for the word crown with captain Rily Norton’s team going on to take gold for South Africa.
SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris said: “Following the success of the tournament in Gqeberha last year, SANZAAR is delighted that the 2026 U20 Rugby Championship is to be played at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium once again this year.
“The third edition of this important U20 Championship will feature the best young talent from Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa who will go head-to-head over three rounds.
“Last year New Zealand retained the title with an exhilarating win over the hosts South Africa 48-45 in the final round to narrowly take the title from Australia.”
“As in previous years the tournament will provide a vital pathway for up-and-coming rugby talent through exposure to essential international competition and provide development opportunities for the next generation of coaches, team management and match officials. SANZAAR sincerely thanks SA Rugby for its support of the Championship.”
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said it was a feather in the cap of SA Rugby and the Eastern Cape to host the third instalment of this tournament for a second time.
“Last year’s event was a massive success, and we are thrilled that this tournament will be returning to Gqeberha,” said Oberholzer.
“The Eastern Cape has a rich rugby culture and a passionate fan base, and like last year we expect good crowds to come to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to see the four teams in action across three double-header match days.
“The combination of top-notch facilities at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and superb accommodation and training options, coupled with the enthusiastic support of the people of the Eastern Cape will make this another memorable experience for everyone involved.”
Tickets for the Rugby Championship U20 will be priced from only R35 per person per day for two matches, and will be sold exclusively by Ticketmaster – CLICK HERE.
Rugby Championship U20 fixtures (all matches live on SuperSport):
Saturday was a successful day for Grey High and schoolboy rugby as a whole. Photo: Mikah van Niekerk.
Scorers:
Pearson High 57 (26) – Tries: Henrico Ferreira (2), Nathan Heyns, Sebastian Playdon, Kadin Kretzman, Matthew Rademeyer, Dewald Niemand, Keano Beling, Henrico Bodenstein. Conversions: Keano Beling (6). Mzwandile Mali XV 12 (5) – Tries: Ilita Mkapa, Onwabe Tanana. Conversion: Sibabalwe Gwinsta.
Kingswood College 38 (12) – Tries: James Mackenzie (3), Sam Dunne, Sinawo Bukula, Luniko Marivate. Conversions: Christopher Zimmerman (4). St Stithians College 20 (13) – Tries: Cameron Blignaut, Matthew Anderson. Conversions: Anderson (2). Penalties: Anderson (2).
SACS 33 (7) – Tries: Josh Gorgens, Jordan Forbes, Stephan Kruger, Cameron Hirst, Zac Dall. Conversions: Jake Dave (4). Kearsney College 27 (20)– Tries: Tunga Griffiths, Luke Grobbelaar, Oliver Ludwig. Conversions: Daniel Miskey (3). Penalties: Miskey (2).
Michaelhouse 41 (17) – Tries: Fabiano Fierro (2), Oliver Guy (2), Spelo Mfazwe, Aphalele Chamane, Jack Carmody. Conversions: Alex Jankowitz (3). St Andrew’s College 5 (5) – Try: Qhawe Madikizela.
Grey High 34 (17) – Tries: Cole Bennet (2), Noah Mbizi, Daniel Naude, Christopher Vosloo, Ryan Swarbrick. Conversions: Tristan Kemp (2). GlenwoodHigh 12 (5) – Tries: Cody Soll, Rosco Williams. Conversion: Elgenio Oersen.
Parel Vallei High defeated Jeppe to book their place in the final of the Hibbert Shield. Photo: Carin Havinga
History was made on Sunday, the third day of the Standard Bank Hibbert Shield, when Parel Vallei High School(PV) defeated Jeppe High School for Boys to claim a place in the final of the tournament at Grey High School in Gqeberha.
With both schools in with a chance to play for the silverware for the first time, PV edged out Jeppe 2-1 in a penalty shootout after a pulsating clash ended in a 4-4 draw.
The boys from Somerset West will take on their Western Cape counterparts, the defending champions, South African College High School(SACS), who were taken to a penalty shootout by their rivals, Paul Roos Gimnasium. Their showdown finished 1-1 after regulation time, but SACS won through to the title game by a 3-2 shootout margin.
The day was filled with drama and breathtaking hockey, highlighted by the semi-finals. The first semi, as expected, was a heated battle between SACS and Paul Roos, who have dominated the tournament in recent years.
When they met in last year’s semi, a thrilling clash finished tied at 3-3, SACS then advanced to the final 5-4 after a penalty shootout and went on to beat Paarl Gimnasium 6-3 to lift the Hibbert Shield.
Both schools were given a good workout in their quarterfinals’ matches, with SACS defeating Bishops 3-1, while PRG sneaked past Grey High 3-2.
In the semi-final, SACS had the upper hand early on and enjoyed most of the possession and territory, but PRG’s defence held firm.
The Cape Town school made four circle entries in the first chukka, and they made one of those opportunities count. Positioned inside the D, Litha Kraai latched onto a pass from Joshua Azevedo van Dyk and scooped it past Jeandre Cilliers to open the scoring.
SACS and Paul Roos played to a 1-1 draw in their semifinal of the Hibbert Shield, but SACS won the clash after a penalty shootout. Photo: Imraan Mahomed
Playing with the lead, SACS controlled the contest, moving the ball with conviction, but PRG threatened, too. SACS net-minder Ethan October was called upon to make three crucial saves in the first chukka, while Cilliers was kept busy at the other end of the field.
PRG worked their way into the game in the second chukka, putting SACS under greater pressure with their hard-working press.
A clumsy tackle by Cameron Cordeiro resulted in a penalty corner for Paul Roos, but Luke van der Merwe‘s drag flick was off target, and SACS went into the break up 1-0.
PRG kept plugging away, and they were rewarded for their persistence and patience in attack when Van der Merwe slotted after some scrappy play inside the SACS circle. The defending champions, meanwhile, created goal-scoring chances, but they failed to take them.
Both sides pushed for a late winner, but neither defence broke again, and regulation time was completed at 1-1.
The penalty shootout was tense. SACS held their nerve, though, to convert three times through Litha Kraai, Luke Laver, and Matthew Lassen, who showed outstanding composure to win it for his side.
Ruben Gouws and Caleb Cilliers were on target for Paul Roos, but October repelled efforts by Jeandré van Zyl, Seth Paterson, and Logan Lackay.
The second semifinal dialled the action up a notch and delivered arguably the most entertaining clash of the tournament.
It was a memorable first meeting between Parel Vallei and Jeppe, and both sides will remember the match for many years to come.
Both had booked their semi-final places with confident victories in the quarterfinals: Jeppe defeated Westville Boys’ High 3-0, while PV thumped St Stithians College 5-0.
Luka Meets stole the show with a hat-trick in Parel Vallei’s semifinal clash against Jeppe. Photo: Belgotex Sport
In the semi-final, PV opened the scoring late in the first chukka through their talisman Luka Meets, but his opener was soon cancelled out by Dylan de Kock‘s strike early in the second quarter.
It was adrenaline-pumping, end-to-end stuff after that, and Jeppe grabbed the lead, courtesy of a penalty stroke converted by Kgotsofalang Lehloenya.
With two minutes remaining in the half, however, it was all-square once more, with Meets scoring another blinder to make it 2-2 at halftime.
With a place in the title game beckoning, both sides upped the ante in the second half. Sbonelo Dishi joined in on the scoring action and thrust Jeppe into the lead again with a reverse stick shot, but PV was unrelenting, and Nicolas Havinga produced a moment of brilliance to draw his side level just a second after returning to the field following a yellow card.
The Somerset West crew thought they had won it in the fourth chukka when Meets intercepted a loose pass and buried the ball past Jason Pressly in the Jeppe goal.
Coach Gareth Heyns’s side, typical of Jeppe sports teams, has a never-say-die attitude, and, with seconds remaining in the clash, an Adam Lacy deflection made it 4-4.
The penalty shootout that followed was equally frenetic, with both goalkeepers performing superbly.
Parel Vallei’s Stephan Malan and Nathan Nissen had their attempts saved, while Adrian Laubsher and Tshimologo Mogale missed for Jeppe.
Luka Meets and Luca Jordaan were successful for PV, however. Then, when Thiering kept out Jayden Da Silva‘s attempt, coach Michael van Rensburg‘s boys were through to Monday’s final, which will kick off at 12:30.
RESULTS
Quarterfinals
SACS 3-1 Bishops
Paul Roos 3-2 Grey High
Jeppe 3-0 Westville Boys’ High
Parel Vallei 5-0 St Stithians College
Selborne College 3-2 Durban High School
Pearson High 3-2 Garsfontein
Clifton College 8-0 St Alban’s College
Grey College 2-1 Paarl Gimnasium
Playoffs
Grey High 3-2 Bishops
Durban High School 4-2 Garsfontein
Selborne 2-1 Pearson
Westville Boys’ High (3) 2-2 (0) St Stithians College
Paarl Gimnasium 3-1 St Alban’s College
Grey College (2) 1-1 (1) Clifton College
In a dramatic twist, the defending champion, Virginia High, was eliminated from the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament on Sunday, beaten 1-0 by Navalsig.
The hosts, Kimberley Boys’ High, also sent shockwaves through the event, avenging an earlier loss to Northern Academy to book their place in the semi-finals while sending the reigning Curro Halala Cup champions packing.
Group Stage Wrap
Several group matches were played on Sunday morning, with quarterfinal spots still up for grabs. Northern Academy, who had won four out of four matches, had already secured their position in the last eight on Saturday.
In Group A, Kimberley Boys’ High made sure of their place with a 2-0 win over Norkem Park High. That left the hosts with seven points, while Northern Academy progressed with a maximum haul of 12 points.
Brebner scored their first victory of the tournament, beating Victoria Park 3-2, which ended the Eastern Cape side’s chances of qualifying for the quarterfinals.
Virginia High powered to a comprehensive 4-0 win over Springs Boys’ High on Sunday, thereby wrapping up first place in Group B. Clapham High, the 2024 Absa Wildeklawer champion, beat Queen’s College 3-0 to finish second.
Last year’s runner-up, the Wildeklawer Academy, narrowly missed out, totalling seven points, just one behind Clapham
Another big gun, HTS Louis Botha, the winners in 2022 and 2023, failed to advance to the quarterfinals after placing third in Group C.
The Bloemfontein school finished their group assignments on a positive note, defeating Northwood 3-0, while Paul Roos Gimnasium downed Jeppe High School for Boys 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinals. They placed second, behind Navalsig, who topped the group with 10 points.
In Group D, Maritzburg College was winless, finishing with a record of four losses from four matches after a narrow 0-1 defeat to Emmang Mmogo. Northwood, in Group C, suffered the same misfortune.
Grey College, meanwhile, completed a clean run through Group D, finishing with the maximum 12 points after comfortably beating Reddam House Bedfordview 3-0.
Although the Johannesburg side started strongly, outplaying Maritzburg College 6-1, they didn’t win another game and placed third in the group, with four points. Emmang Mmogo secured second spot, with nine points.
Quarterfinals
In the quarterfinals, Virginia High fell to Navalsig. Despite the loss, Lehlohonolo Ntjana, from Virginia, was named the Man of the Match. Also from Virginia High Sello Mokholo received the Checkers “Most Gees” Award. On Monday, the Bloemfontein boys will face Kimberley Boys’ High for a place in the final.
The locals have improved throughout the competition. On Sunday, they kept Northern Academy goalless in regulation time, and then won 4-2 from the penalty spot. Kitso Kaseleta, from Kimberley Boys’ High, received the Man of the Match Award.
Grey College held off Emmang Mmogo, claiming a tight 1-0 win to keep their title hopes alive. In the semi-finals, they’ll put their flawless winning record to the test against Clapham High.
Clapham advanced after a penalty shootout. Their quarterfinal clash with Paul Roos Gimnasium failed to produce a goal in regulation time, but Clapham handled the subsequent penalty shootout with aplomb, advancing 5-2 from the spot.
Group A
Kimberley Boys’ High 2-0 Norkem Park High
Brebner 3-2 Victoria Park
Group B
Clapham High 3-0 Queen’s College
Virginia High 4-0 Springs Boys’ High
Group C
HTS Louis Botha 2-0 Northwood
Paul Roos 2-0 Jeppe
Group D
Grey College 3-0 Reddam House Bedfordview
Emmang Mmogo 1-0 Maritzburg College
Quarterfinals
Navalsig 1-0 Virginia High
Kimberley Boys’ High 4-2 Northern Academy
Grey College 1-0 Emmang Mmogo
Clapham 5-2 Paul Roos Gimnasium
FIXTURES
Semifinals – Monday, 27 April
08:00
Clapham vs Paul Roos Gimnasium
Navalsig vs Kimberley Boys’ High
Paul Roos edged out Grey High School 3-2 to march into the semifinals of the Hibbert Shield. Photo: Linda Holmes
The morning session on Sunday, the third day of the Standard Bank Hibbert Shield, saw four teams secure their places in the semifinals of the tournament at Grey High School in Gqeberha.
In the day’s first two matches, the defending champions, South African College High School(SACS), beat their southern suburbs’ rivals, Bishops, 3-1, while Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) overcame the hosts 3-2.
Jeppe High School for Boys, making their Hibbert Shield debut, outplayed Westville Boys’ High 3-0, and Parel Vallei put on a masterclass to beat St Stithians College 5-0
Quarterfinal recap
Callum Anderson’s heroic performance was not enough as SACS beat Bishops in the quarterfinals of the Hibbert Shield. Photo: Frank Cadiz
SACS vs Bishops
SACS’s 4-2 win over Garsfontein on Saturday meant they’d finish top of Pool C, ahead of Westville Boys’ High. That victory also set up a date with Bishops, Pool D’s second-placed side.
In that game, SACS built up a 4-0 lead before Bishops struck twice in the final chukka. This time, Bishops started the brighter of the two and took the lead in the second chukka through Litha Mbiko.
That goal came after some slick play from Callum Anderson, whose tomahawk shot was tapped in by Mbiko at the far post.
After conceding, SACS sprang to life. They patiently built up from the back and played themselves into good positions.
Making good connections, they were rewarded with two goals before halftime, with Joshua Azevedo van Dyk providing the finish on both occasions to put his side in front.
In the third chukka, SACS scored another goal through Mohlodi Maseko. Then, they controlled play in the final quarter to see out the game.
Photo: Linda Holmes
Paul Roos vs Grey High
Paul Roos headed into the quarterfinals after scoring 20 goals in their group games, by far the most in the tournament.
They opened with a 7-1 win over Clifton College on the opening day, followed that with a 5-1 defeat of St Stithians College, and added an 8-1 thumping of Selborne College on Saturday.
Their last eight meeting with Grey produced a heated battle, similar to their Edgars Friday Nite Lights clash a week earlier, which Grey won 2-1 at the same venue.
The hosts got off to a cracking start when Logan Meyer showed excellent awareness to beat Jeandre Cilliers in the PRG goal.
Paul Roos responded almost immediately. Caleb Cilliers made a storming run down the field and raced into the circle to take on goalkeeper Ben Oosthuizen, one-on-one. When Oosthuizen fouled him, the umpire pointed to the penalty spot, and Logan Lackay took the shot to level matters.
Shortly after that, Luke van der Merwe put PRG in front, and they took that 2-1 advantage into halftime.
In the third quarter, captain Seth Paterson netted again for Paul Roos, but Grey High closed the gap to one goal through Michael Gillies.
It was end-to-end stuff in the final chukka, and Oosthuizen was called upon to make some crucial saves in the latter stages of the game.
Grey had a sniff late on, but Logan Goddard-Ford just missed the ball at the far post with a diving attempt to divert it past Cilliers. PRG defended for their lives and held on to win.
Their reward is a big semi-final showdown with SACS.
When Jeppe hosted Westville in Johannesburg last week, the boys from Kensington sneaked a 1-0 win late in the fourth chukka, thanks to a goal by Blake Sator.
Westville sought redemption in the Hibbert Shield quarterfinal, but Jeppe handled their challenge confidently.
They controlled the tempo of the match, moving the ball quickly, which kept Westville under pressure for most of the first half.
Jeppe had a short corner opportunity early on, but goalkeeper Bryce Powell-Ress rejected Kgotso Lehloenya’s shot.
Powell-Rees was called upon twice more when Jayden Da Silva found himself in a one-on-one situation with the goalie, only for his shot to go wide.
The Westville goalie stood strong and kept Jeppe out until the third chukka. Their skipper, Cole Stanbury, broke the deadlock, and a thunderbolt drag flick from Kade Lottering, just before the final chukka, flew into the back of the net after Rees-Powell was shown a yellow card.
Westville had a couple of penalty corner opportunities of their own but were let down by a lack of execution.
With six minutes remaining, Lehloenya made it 3-0 to Jeppe to make sure that the Gauteng side marched on.
Parel Vallei bolstered their impressive record at the Hibbert Shield. Photo:Belgotex Sport
Parel Vallei vs St Stithians College
Parel Vallei continued their impressive run at the tournament, adding an impressive win over St Stithians to their strong run.
After the boys from Somerset West topped Pool A with two wins and a draw, standing in their way of a place in the semifinals for the first time was Saints. They were blown away.
PV started like a house on fire and found the back of the net twice in the first chukka, with Nathan Nissen and Luca Jordaan on target for coach Michael van Rensburg‘s charges. They created more chances could’ve scored more, but the St Stithians’ defence held firm.
Saints had their fair share of chances, including being awarded seven penalty corners in the first two chukkas, compared to PV’s one, but they were unable to convert any.
They were made to rue those missed opportunities when Jordaan punished them by scoring from the top of the D to make it 3-0. Parel Vallei kept pressing, upping the intensity, and that brought them further rewards, with goals from Andrew Moreby and Luka Meets making the final score 5-0.
Semifinal Fixtures
15:30 – SACS vs Paul Roos 18:15 – Jeppe vs Parel Vallei
Northern Academy showcased smooth skills and played entertaining football to advance to Sunday’s quarterfinals. Photo: Absa Wildeklawer Sport on Facebook.
Saturday, the second day of the Absa Wildeklawer Soccer Tournament, delivered excitement and goals, with Northern Academy and Grey College asserting themselves as strong title contenders.
Northern Academy owns a perfect record of four wins from four matches, scoring eight times while conceding only one goal.
On Saturday, they began with a 2-0 victory over Brebner in the morning. Later, in their final group match, they faced Norkem Park High in a rematch of last year’s Curro Halala Cup final. Northern Academy won that match on penalties, but they won more emphatically on this occasion, recording a 4-1 win, which secured them a place in Sunday’s quarterfinals.
The quarterfinals’ line-up will be completed on Sunday, with several key matches set to decide the top eight teams.
Among those in with a shot at the quarterfinals is the host team, Kimberley Boys’ High, who finished Saturday in second place in Group A, with four points. Victoria Park trailed the local school on goal difference only. When they met on Saturday, the sides shared a 2-2 draw. Later in the day, Kimberley Boys’ High edged out Brebner 1-0, while Vic Park suffered a 0-2 loss to Northern Academy.
Norkem Park also beat Brebner by a tight 2-1 margin, which left the Bloemfontein school with three successive defeats.
The defending champions, Virginia High, with seven points from three games, topped Pool B after Saturday’s action. Last year’s runner-up, the Wildeklawer Academy, though, also has seven points. They beat Springs Boys’ High School 2-0, but were beaten 1-0 by Virginia High. The Wildeklawer Academy bounced back, though, with a 1-0 victory over Queen’s College.
In a highly anticipated match between the 2025 and 2024 champions, Virginia High and ClaphamHigh, played to a 1-1 draw in an exciting clash. Clapham had few problems with Springs Boys’ High, cruising to a 4-0 win.
Springs picked up their only win thus far when they faced Queen’s College. They won 1-0 to keep the Komani school winless.
In Group C, Navalsig leads with 10 points from three victories and one draw. That draw came against their Bloemfontein rivals, HTS Louis Botha, on Saturday. with the contest finishing 1-1. In their other matches, Navalsig outplayed Paul Roos Gimnasium 3-0 and Jeppe High School for Boys 2-0.
Jeppe reversed their fortunes with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Northwood, while Paul Roos also defeated the Knightsby the same score. Paul Roos shocked HTS Louis Botha, winning by a goal to nil.
In Group D, Maritzburg College, surprisingly, lost their first three matches. After suffering a big 1-6 loss to Reddam House Bedfordview in their opener on Friday, the Red, Black, and White fell 0-3 to Grey College and 0-1 to Vaal High.
Grey College added a 3-0 win over Emmang Mmogo to improve their record to three wins on the trot. Emmang Mmogo got by Vaal High 1-0 and edged out Reddam House Bedfordview 3-2.
RESULTS
Group A
Northern Academy 2-0 Brebner
Kimberley Boys’ High 2-2 Victoria Park
Norkem Park 2-1 Brebner
Northern Academy 2-0 Victoria Park
Kimberley Boys’ High 1-0 Brebner
Northern Academy 4-1 Norkem
Group B
Wildeklawer Academy 1-0 SBHS
Virginia High 1-1 Clapham High
SBHS 1-0 Queen’s College
Virginia High 1-0 Wildeklawer Academy
Clapham 4-0 SBHS
Wildeklawer Academy 1-0 Queen’s College
Group C
Jeppe 1-0 Northwood
Navalsig 3-0 Paul Roos
Navaslig 2-0 Jeppe
Paul Roos 1-0 HTS Louis Botha
Paul Roos 1-0 Northwood
HTS Louis Botha 1-1 Navalsig
Group D
Grey College 3-0 Maritzburg College
Emmang Mmogo 1-0 Vaal High
Vaal High 1-0 Maritzburg College
Emmang Mmogo 3-2 Reddam House Bedfordview
Grey College 3-0 Emmang Mmogo
Reddam House Bedfordview 1-1 Vaal High
Hilton College withstood an unrelenting challenge from Bishops to record a nine-point victory on Gilfillan Field. Photo: Martin Ashworth Sports Photography.
Hilton College was made to work hard on Gilfillan Field on Saturday, but they had enough in the tank to withstand the challenge of Bishops and score a 26-17 win, their fifth in succession to open the season.
The Capetonians made a strong start, spending most of the first 15 minutes in Hilton’s half, but the home side stood firm and gradually worked their way into Bishops’ territory, making good use of well-directed tactical kicks.
The visitors conceded a five-metre scrum when they carried a chip kick over their own try line, but Hilton lost the ball forward from the set piece, just as it appeared they would open the scoring.
Bishops, though, bungled their exit strategy and a loose pass was gratefully snaffled by Hilton flyhalf, John Grubb, who went over to the right of the posts. He also knocked over the conversion kick, and Hilton led 7-0 after 18 minutes.
Hilton continued to spend most of the first half in the Bishops’ half, while coach Sam Mofokeng‘s charges bravely tried to play their way into Hilton’s territory.
Eventually, after 30 minutes, Hilton’s territorial dominance paid off. From a lineout on the left touchline inside the Bishops’ 22, they flung the ball wide to the opposite flank, where right wing, Tomupeishe Gurupira, scored in the corner after good work from inside centre, Ruan Mulder. An accurate conversion kick from John Grubb put Hilton 14-0 ahead.
Just before the break, though, the contest received a boost when Bishops replied through outside centre Eljaron Geduld, who latched onto a loose Hilton pass and showed the defence a clean pair of heels, running in a try in the left-hand corner from 60 metres out.
A fantastic conversion kick by Caleb Clark from the touchline made it 14-7 at halftime.
Bishops pulled within four points in the second half when, with the breeze behind him, Clark landed a long-range penalty kick, from midway between the Hilton 10-metre and halfway line from dead in front.
Hilton surged onto the attack from the kickoff and used a penalty to set up a lineout in the visitors’ 22. From there, they forced their way over the try line, but were held up. From the subsequent scrum, Hilton was again over the try line. Bishops, though, ripped the ball away before it could be dotted down. Fortunately, for Hilton, it fell kindly for flank, Callan Kenmuir, who snatched it out of the air and fell to the ground next to the uprights.
Grubb had an easy conversion kick, but he missed it. Still, Hilton had breathing space again, up 19-10.
The home side continued to play the game in the right areas of the field, but they next added points from a move that began from inside their 22 after Bishops missed a penalty kick at touch. Grubb led the counter, linking up nicely with his backline, who shifted the ball quickly to Gurupira, wide on the right.
When he saw his way blocked, he grubbered between two defenders and regathered possession. Six phases later, all drives at the try line from the Hilton pack, the hosts were over under the uprights through their powerful no. 8, Zander Muller. Grubb’s simple conversion kick put Hilton 16 points clear.
With almost an hour played, Clark missed a penalty kick. However, the Bishops’ flyhalf immediately made amends from the drop-out, carving open a gap in the Hilton defence with a dummy before popping up a short pass, which took the Capetonians up to the Hilton try line. Through seven phases, Andrew Schell and company kept Bishops at bay, but the referee was playing advantage for a high tackle.
From the penalty, it took the dark blue-clad boys only two phases to break through next to the posts, with a neat inside pass from scrumhalf Jack Fleck sending Joe Lanning over for the visitors’ second try.
Clark added the extras to make it 26-17. That’s where the score stayed, with Hilton spilling a pass on the Bishops’ try line just before the final whistle.
Scorers
Hilton College 26 (14) – Tries: John Grubb, Tomupeishe Gurupira, Callan Kenmuir, Zander Muller Conversions: John Grubb (3) Bishops 17 (7) – Tries: Eljaron Geduld, Joe Lanning. Conversions: Caleb Clark (2). Penalty: Caleb Clark.
Kearsney College will put their perfect record in the Michaelhouse Hockey Tournament to the test against the event’s leading scorers, Northwood, when they meet in the final. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Northwood and KearsneyCollege will meet in the final of the Michaelhouse Hockey Tournament on Sunday evening after finishing top of Pool A and Pool B, respectively.
The Knights were the top scorers during the round-robin matches, netting 20 times while conceding only six goals, three of which came in their opening 3-3 draw with St Andrew’s College. They convincingly won the rest of their matches, beating Michaelhouse 4-1, St Charles 8-1, and, on Saturday, Affies 5-1.
Given that their game against the Pretoria school was a showdown between the teams that finished first and second in the group, it was an impressive performance.
While Northwood continued to roll in Pool A, Kearsney strung together a perfect record of four wins from four matches in Pool B. Coach Keegan Pearce‘s side made a mixed start to the season, so their success at Michaelhouse caught some off guard. Props to the Botha’s Hill boys, though. They’ve risen to the challenge.
They opened their account with a comfortable 3-0 win over Paarl Boys’ High on Thursday, then followed that up with a crucial 4-3 defeat of Hilton College in the group’s most consequential clash.
A 3-1 victory over Reddam House Constantia gave Kearsney their third victory on the trot, and they wrapped up first place in Pool B with the maximum 12 points after another 3-1 success, this time against Maritzburg College on Saturday.
Hilton College’s only loss was that aforementioned defeat to Kearsney, and they’ll take on Affies, who posted a record of two wins, a draw, and a defeat, for third place.
In Saturday’s other matches, Paarl Boys’ High edged out Reddam Constantia 1-0 in a Western Cape clash, while St Charles College, winless through their first three matches, stunned St Andrew’s College 3-1 to move above them to fourth place in the Pool A standings. Earlier in the day, Saints lost 1-3 against Michaelhouse.
Hilton boosted their goal difference in their last group game, overpowering Reddam 8-0, while Affies downed St Andrew’s College 3-2, and Maritzburg College beat Paarl Boys’ High 2-1.
RESULTS
1st XI
Pool A Affies 3-2 St Andrew’s College
Michaelhouse 3-1 St Charles
Northwood 5-1 Affies
St Charles 3-1 St Andrew’s College
Pool B Maritzburg College 2-1 Paarl Boys’ High
Hilton College 8-0 Reddam House Constantia
Kearsney College 3-1 Maritzburg College
Paarl Boys’ High 1-0 Reddam House Constantia
U16
St Andrew’s College 2-0 Clifton College
Rondebosch Boys’ High 5-0 Somerset College
Affies 7-0 St Charles College
Paarl Boys’ High 4-3 Hilton College
Somerset College 2-1 St Charles College
Hilton College 3-0 Clifton College
FIXTURES
Sunday, 26 April
Punchbowl
13:00 – Michaelhouse vs Maritzburg College, (5th/6th)
14:30 – Affies vs Hilton College, (3rd/4th)
19:00 – Northwood vs Kearsney (1st/2nd)
Aitkens
13:00 – St Andrew’s College vs Reddam House Constantia, (9th/10th)
14:30 – St Charles vs Paarl Boys’ High, Aitkens, (7th/8th)
Playing on the Pollock Field at the Grey High Rugby Festival on Saturday, HTS Daniel Pienaar drew with Hudson Park High in a match that should have seen a winner.
Daniel Pienaar looked the better side for the first three quarters of the game, and led 34-17 after 45 minutes. Hudson Park, though, responded with three unanswered tries to snatch a 34-34 draw.
The try count favoured the KuGompo City school six to four, but their goal-kicking was not as good as that of their opponents.
Right-wing Cwenga Bityo scored two tries and added two conversions for Hudson, while left-wing Bubuqaqawuli Mzamo also crossed for two tries as the boys in red and white did a good job of getting the ball out wide.
Daniel Pienaar took a more direct route to the try line. Stiaan Coertze, their no. 8, dotted down twice off the back of a rolling maul and a scrum.
HTS Drostdy turned up the heat and rocked St Stithians, powering their way to a 74-0 victory.
Right-wing Tristan Syster made hay, scoring four tries, which was unmatched on the day, while Donkies‘ no. 8, Siya Lahlelike, bagged a brace.
Saints will have some homework to do ahead of their Monday meeting with Kingswood.
Scrumhalf Lukho Mzingaye and left wing Yamkela Molose both scored twice in Dale College’s 32-17 victory over Pearson High. Dale led 22-5 at halftime, but Pearson High punched back in a more evenly contested second half.
Replacement prop Nathan Heyns used his burly physique to power over the line for Pearson, while Lili Giyose and Sebastian Playdon used their speed to dot down on the left and right wings, respectively.
The Qonce locals had, however, done enough to record their sixth win of the season. They’ll try to make it seven on Monday against Muir College.
In a dramatic twist, the 
