Hoërskool Waterkloof’s Jaidon Badenhorst dives over for his second try in the Klofies’ 52-26 win over the hosts, Hoërskool Diamantveld. Photo: Frans Lombard/Actionpix.
Hoërskool Waterkloof shrugged off last week’s 24-31 defeat to Hoërskool Nelspruit to deliver a dominant performance on the opening day of the 2025 Absa Wildeklawer tournament in Kimberley.
The Klofies came out firing and handed the hosts Hoërskool Diamantveld, a resounding 54–26 loss on their home turf in the City of Diamonds.
The Pretoria school dominated up front, setting the tone from the very first line-out with a powerful driving maul, which culminated in the first of a brace of tries for hooker Ruan Jacobs.
It was a return to the physical dominance traditionally associated with the Klofies’ pack. Their supremacy in the forward battle provided the perfect platform for captain and flyhalf Ronan Bastiaanse to deliver a Man of the Match performance. His slick distribution and creative flair ignited the Pretoria backline, while he masterfully controlled the tempo of the game.
Eighthman Marko Kok looks to be hitting peak form just in time for the Craven Week selection window.
For Diamantveld, star lock Zuan Rautenbach, once again, impressed with his relentless work rate and strong carries, and stood out in an otherwise disappointing showing from the local school.
However, the spotlight ultimately fell on the home team’s nippy and explosive fullback Clinton Brits. Lethal on the counter-attack, he capitalised on two defensive lapses by the visitors to dot down twice to boost Diamantveld’s tally.
Waterkloof’s emphatic victory, and scoring over 50 points, adds extra spice to Saturday’s highly anticipated showdown against the formidable Jade Brigadefrom Hoërskool Stellenberg.
SCORES
Waterkloof 52 (35) – Tries: Jaiden Badenhorst (2), Ruan Jacobs (2), Zack Jordaan, Alexander Elliot, Stiaan Theron, Divan Botha. Conversions: Ronan Bastiaanse (6). Diamantveld 26 (7) – Tries: Clinton Brits (2), Louis Fourie, Jonathan Harding. Conversions: Ezlin Swartz (2), JG van Heerden.
PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 20: Riley Norton of South Africa U18 during the U18 International Series match between South Africa and England at Paarl Boys’ High School on August 20, 2024 in Paarl, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton said on Wednesday the SA u20s are looking forward to meeting the physical challenge of Argentina when the two teams clash in the opening round of the u20 Rugby Championship at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
The match in Gqeberha will kick off at 16h10 and will be televised live on SuperSport.
The 2025 U20 Rugby Championship is the second edition of the tournament, which was staged for the first time last year in Australia, with the best young players the Southern Hemisphere competing against each other over three rounds. New Zealand and Australia open the tournament in the first match of Thursday’s double-header at 14h00.
Speaking on the eve of the opening round clash with Argentina, Norton said they are expecting a physical challenge from the Argentina outfit, and that the meeting with the Pumitas will be a big challenge upfront.
“We pride ourselves on our set piece, and we really back our scrums and our maul, which is something all South Africans take pride in,” said Norton, adding that the SA U20s have exciting options at the back, and it would be the task of the forwards to lay a solid foundation for the backline.
“The pace we have in the backline is exhilarating. If the ball can go out wide, we have some exceptional players like Gino Cupido, who is tall, very quick, and can round defenders. So, our strengths boil down to two things: our set piece and our pace out wide, thanks to the talent of our outside backs.”
Cupido is equally at home on the wing and in midfield and recently made his debut for the Springbok Sevens team.
Meanwhile, Junior Bok head coach Kevin Foote provided further insights on what to expect from the formidable Argentina selection.
“It always comes down to the scrum, lineout, and maul,” said Foote.
“We know they will be physical, and playing for their country is a significant opportunity for them since they don’t get to play many games. Heading into the World Rugby u20 Championship there will be a real hunger and desire from Argentina.
“They are very good when the ball gets loose, with exciting outside backs that are a real threat. We understand from our game management plan how we want to play; we aim to be direct and match their physicality and passion.”
Tickets for each match day costs R20 per person and are available from the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium ticket office or online from Webtickets.
WINDHOEK: Half-centuries from Adnaan Lagadien, Jorich van Schalkwykand Kamogelo Phiri helped South Africa Under-19 Men beat an improved Cricket Namibia by 131 runs in the second match of their 50-over series as they took an unassailable 2-0 lead in Windhoek on Wednesday.
Opener Lagadien top-scored with 85 off 65 balls (6 fours, 4 sixes), with fellow opener Van Schalkwyk scoring even more rapidly during his innings of 62 off 44 balls (9 fours).
Phiri then belted an unbeaten 73 off 67 balls (7 fours, 1 six) as the visitors posted a mammoth 375 for nine.
The Namibians, beaten by 10 wickets in the series opener when they were blown away for 95, put in a far more credible performance with the bat this time around, replying with 244 for eight. Captain Alexander Volschenk was their mainstay with 68 off 100 balls (3 fours, 1 six), while Paul James was the pick of the bowlers with three for 51.
In the end, the visitors still won comfortably to clinch the series with a game to spare. The final match takes place on Friday.
The junior Proteas began their latest outing with a bang thanks to openers Lagadien and Van Schalkwyk.
After losing the toss and being put in to bat, the pair tuck into the bowling during an opening stand of 122 in 14.4 overs, before the latter fell to Rowan van Vuuren (1/69).
New man and captain Muhammad Bulbulia (46) then put on 58 with Lagadien, before adding another half-century stand of 53 with Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (30).
That took the away side to 233 for two, but two quick wickets left them on 242 for four, with the innings from there then centred around Phiri as he worked his way in, before cutting loose to help his side to an impressive 376-run target. Max Heingo was the pick of the home bowlers with three for 38.
Namibia’s top four of Zacheo van Vuuren (42), Michael Muller (20), Tiaan van der Merwe (38) and skipper Volschenk ensured they made an assured start without threatening the target too much.
They enabled their side to reach 214 for four at one stage, though that was only in the 45th over.
In the end, the total proved too formidable and the bowlers helped close out the win. Apart from James, there were two wickets for Dayalan Boyce (2/33) and one each for Waco Bassick (1/30), Enathi Khitshini (1/39) and Ntando Soni (1/57).
SA U19 Men’s Squad against Cricket Namibia
Muhammad Bulbulia (captain, North West), Jason Rowles (captain, Lions), Waco Bassick (Western Province), JJ Basson (Lions), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Dayalan Boyce (Dolphins), Paul James (Western Province), Enathi Khitshini (Garden Route Badgers), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Bayanda Majola (Dolphins), Bandile Mbatha (Dolphins), Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (Titans), Kamogelo Phiri (Lions), Ntando Soni (Dolphins), and Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titans).
The South African Rugby Union (SA Rugby) is proud to announce a landmark four-year partnership agreement with Hyundai Automotive South Africa, the popular automotive brand, as the new official vehicle of South Africa’s junior national teams and Youth Week rugby tournaments.
The exciting partnership will see Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s iconic logo appear for the first time on the playing shorts of South Africa’s Under-20 men’s in Rugby Championship U20 tournament which kicks off in Gqeberha on Thursday.
Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s rights also extend to all other junior men’s and women’s national teams, as well as securing associate partner rights for the country’s prestigious Youth Week tournaments – including the Under-16 and Under-18 events for both boys and girls.
“We are thrilled to welcome Hyundai Automotive South Africa to the SA Rugby family,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby. “This partnership is a powerful endorsement of the strength and future of South African rugby, particularly at the grassroots and developmental levels.
“Hyundai’s support will play a crucial role in helping us nurture the next generation of Springboks and grow the game across all communities.”
The agreement is the first time the Korean car maker has partnered with SA Rugby and highlighted the company’s commitment to South Africa said Gideon Jansen van Rensburg, CEO of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
“We are proud to be driving the future of South African rugby,” said Jansen van Rensburg. “At Hyundai Automotive South Africa, we believe in the power of movement to inspire progress.
“Supporting youth rugby aligns perfectly with our values of innovation, resilience, and community development. As a family-centric motoring brand, we look forward to being part of the journeys of these exceptional young athletes over the coming years.”
Both parties plan to broaden and deepen the relationship over time with Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s involvement set to enhance the experience for thousands of young players participating in the annual Youth Week tournaments – a vital platform that has launched the careers of numerous South African rugby stars.
The sponsorship will also provide critical support for SA Rugby’s junior national teams as they prepare for international competition and represent the country on the world stage.
The Junior Springboks will run out carrying the Hyundai name for the first time at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at 16h10 on Thursday in a match against Argentina Under-20s.
Fortunes swung to and for until Nico Malan scored a try in the final minute and converted it to beat Glenwood 41-39. Photo: Frans Lombard/ActionPix.
It took Nico Malan only three minutes to breach Glenwood‘s defences in the second game of the Absa Wildeklawer tournament on Wednesday, and it came from a clever lineout move, which stretched the Green Machine‘s lineout and opened a gap in the middle of the set piece.
8th-man and captain Pietman Kleinhans took the scoring pass and burst over for five points. Fullback Leighton Lawrence nailed the conversion from near the right-hand touchline and the team from Humansdorp led 7-0. That was the opening blow in an 80-point extravaganza of rugby.
Glenwood struck back quickly after taking possession of a kick deep into the Nico Malan 22. They swung it left down the backline and a nice show-and-go from flyhalf Kungawo Ncamazana froze the defence for a minute, which gave him time to scoot through a gap and score. Fullback Joshua Koop added the extras and it was all square in the seventh minute.
Four minutes later, Lawrence knocked over a penalty to lift the Eastern Cape boys into a three-point lead. From the kick-off, Glenwood was awarded a penalty and Koop did the necessary to make it 10-10.
Glenwood was full of running and they took the lead for the first time from a scrum 10 metres inside the Nico Malan half. After testing the defence down the right-hand touchline, they moved the ball quickly to the left flank, where wing Mvelo Ndwalane made good ground before passing back inside to his skipper Lizwe Mtetwa and the big centre charged over for a second Glenwood try. Kopp banged over the conversion kick, too.
Nico Malan responded with a try of their own in the 22nd minute, with their 8th-man Pietman Kleinhans running a terrific line against the grain to slice through the Glenwood defence, with nary a hand being laid on him before he crossed the try line. Lawrence’s trusty boot made it 17-17.
The pendulum swung again as the Green Machinepowered onto the attack. They came ever so close to scoring, but the final pass went forward. Nico Malan, though, had strayed offsides and Glenwood opted to kick for touch, rather than accept a simple penalty kick at the posts.
Glenwood’s brave decision was rewarded when, after they had won the lineout on the right touchline, Kopp, with smart footwork, went over wide on the left. His kick was wide of the mark, but the Durban school led 22-17.
With Glenwood having scored, the momentum immediately shifted as Nico Malan set up shop in the Green Machine’s 22. Then, Gelden van Niekerk took a short pass right in front of the uprights, wiggled out of an attempted tackle and held off another would-be tackler to dive over for a try. The conversion was a formality and Nico Malan took back the lead at 24-22.
After a richly entertaining first half, which produced 46 points, only two points separated the sides.
After the restart, Glenwood made most of the early running, but Nico Malan was eventually able to relieve the pressure and work their way into the Durbanites’ 22. Glenwood, though, returned the favour, holding firm through numerous phases before clearing the ball.
With play now taking place around the halfway line, Nico Malan took it up along the right touchline. Stopped, they fed the ball inside to prop Waldo Krige. He quickly released a short pass to flank Crisjan de Lange, on his left. De Lange pinned his ears back and charged through a gap. After hurdling a desperate tackle attempt, he raced up to the 22, then stepped hard off his left foot, handed off Kopp, and sprinted clear to score a stunning try in the corner.
Lawrence, right up against the touchline, deftly goaled the try to make it Nico Malan 31-22 Glenwood.
Tyler Conyngham crashed over for a try as Glenwood scored 15 points without reply to take the lead. Photo: Frans Lombard/Action Pix.
Jaco Nepgen’s charges were soon back on the attack after the kick-off. Momentum was on their side. Glenwood’s defence creaked and left-wing Tequane Koopman almost went over in the corner. Nico Malan brought the ball back inside and André van der Merwe probed at a half-gap before he was stopped just short of the try line.
When the boys in blue received a penalty because Glenwood had gone offsides, captain Kleinhans chose a kick at goal and Lawrence added the simple kick to extend Nico Malan’s lead to 12 points.
Glenwood needed to be the next team to score and they were, in the 55 minute. After sustained drives from the Green Machine’s forwards, Tyler Conyngham, on as a substitute, took the scoring pass to dot down to the left of the uprights. Kopp made it a seven-point gain with his conversion, leaving Nico Malan only five points clear.
A couple of minutes later, Glenwood tied it up when, from a five-metre lineout, Zane Kruis burst off the back of a driving maul to crash over for another five-pointer. Kopp slotted the kick and Glenwood edged into a 36-34 lead.
The rollercoaster ride wasn’t over yet, however.
Once more, the team that had just conceded points, grabbed the territorial and possession advantage, with Nico Malan taking play down into Glenwood’s 22. A knock-on allowed coach Derek Heiberg‘s Green Machine to clear their lines and when they won a penalty, about 42 metres out, they opted for a kick at goal. Kopp struck it well and Glenwood was five points ahead with six minutes remaining.
When Glenwood was blown up for scrumming upwards – the entire Nico Malan front row was a good half-metre in the air – the Humansdorp boys kicked deep into Glenwood’s 22. They had a lineout throw-in eight metres out.
A high tackle gave Nico Malan another opportunity after they knocked on from the lineout. Less than two minutes were left. Then, from a whirling maul, they powered their way over and Hayden Pienaar grounded the ball just to the left of the posts. Lawrence had no issues with the conversion kick, making it 41-39 in favour of Nico Malan with under a minute to go.
Glenwood launched a feverish attack, trying to strike the final blow, and they inched their way forward through phase after phase, but, with the try line just five metres away, the Green Machine was blown up for holding onto the ball on the ground, and Nico Malan kicked the penalty to touch to secure a memorable 41-39 win.
SCORES
Nico Malan 41 (24) – Tries: Pietman Kleinhans (2), Gelden van Niekerk, Chrisjan de Lange, Hayden Pienaar. Conversions: Leighton Lawrence (5). Penalties: Lawrence (2). Glenwood 39 (22) – Tries: Kungawo Ncamazana, Lizwe Mtetwa, Joshua Kopp, Tyler Conyngham, Zane Kruis. Conversions: Kopp (4). Penalties: Kopp (2).
A vibrant 2025 All Girls’ National Festival concluded on Wednesday after three thrilling days of hockey at Wynberg Girls’ High School, in Cape Town.
The event saw 18 top government hockey-playing schools from across the country come together to challenge for the title.
Collegiate Girls’ High, from Gqeberha, and Rhenish Girls’ High, from Stellenbosch, advanced to the final with both posting unbeaten records on their way to the title game.
Rhenish, who hadn’t conceded a single goal on their way to the final, finally had their defences breached as Collegiate scored twice to force a 2-2 draw.
It also took a goal from a penalty corner after time had expired for Rhenish to equalise. That sent the title decider to a penalty shootout and the Gqberha girls captured the honours 3-2 from there.
Collegiate coach Michael Abrahams declared afterwards: “It is a proud moment for us.”
Two weeks ago, before travelling to the Western Cape for the All Girls’ Festival, Collegiate visited Stellenbosch, where they held Rhenish to a 1-1 draw before overcoming Bloemhof 2-1. Both Stellenbosch schools had established themselves among the top teams in the country, so those results spoke volumes about Collegiate’s quality.
Abrahams reckoned his side had arrived in the Mother City ready to challenge for the title. “Coming to All Girls, we knew it was going to be challenging, but the girls prepared well,” he said.
After winning the final, Collegiate had completed an unbeaten run, winning all their games with none being drawn.
“They have worked hard and they have worked on certain aspects of our game, so we were well prepared coming into it,” Abrahams said. “I think we just took it game by game and made sure that our game keeps improving.
“We were fortunate enough to work hard and make sure that we could get to the point where we did,” he added.
“Going up against Rhenish in the final, they’re a well-oiled machine. They are number one in the country for a reason. They have got special players, and we made sure we did some homework and made sure that we were solid in our performances.
“We were sound defensively, and we had to make sure that we stayed in it. The longer we stay in it, the more opportunities we will create.
“We got our opportunity and we just had to make sure that we took our chances, which I think we did. Overall, I think there were good performances from both teams, and I think it was a good final for girls’ hockey. So, yeah, it’s a very proud moment, Our girls worked hard to get over the line.”
After the last match, Collegiate’s Kerrin Gillies was named the Player of the Tournament.
In other games, Daniela Viljoen scored the only goal of the match to see Hoёr Meisieskool Bloemhof claim third place ahead of Afrikaanse Hoёr Meisieskool Pretoria (Affies).
Affies, the champions in 2024, won four out of their seven matches and lost three, all to the two Stellenbosch powerhouses. Rhenish beat them twice, claiming a tight 1-0 win on the opening day before scoring a 2-0 victory in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, there was a Bloemfontein battle for fifth place and it was as close as ever, with Eunice edging out Oranje 1-0 after a shootout.
The hosts, Wynberg Girls’ High School, beaten in their first four games, bounced back to win their last two. They beat Danville 1-0 on Tuesday and completed their schedule with a 2-0 win over La Rochelle on Wednesday to secure a top-10 finish.
FINAL STANDINGS 1. Collegiate Girls’ High School
2. Rhenish Girls’ High School
3. Hoёr Meisieskool Bloemhof
4. Afrikaanse Hoёr Meisieskool Pretoria
5. Eunice High School
6. Oranje Meisieskool
7. Rustenburg Girls’ High School
8. Paarl Girls’ High School
9. Wynberg Girls’ High School
10. Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School
11. Danville Park Girls’ High School
12. Hoёr Meisieskool La Rochelle
13. Pretoria High School for Girls
14. Queenstown Girls’ High School
15. Clarendon High School for Girls
16. Durban Girls’ High School
17. Westville Girls’ High School
18. St Michael’s School for Girls
Marlow Landbou celebrated a hard-fought come-from-behind victory in the opening match of the 2025 Absa Wildeklawer. Photo: Frans Lombard/ActionPix.
Marlow Landbou and Welkom Gimnasium opened the stacked 2025 Absa Wildeklawer programme just after midday in Kimberley, on Thursday, with an entertaining contest that ebbed and flowed.
From the first whistle, the farmers surged onto the attack, putting the Free State side under heavy pressure in the first five minutes.
After a couple of lineouts deep inside the Welkom Gim 22, Marlow had the put-in at a five-metre scrum, but a knock-on at last allowed the boys in black to escape their half.
In the 10th minute, Gim grabbed the lead when Jadewin Solomons kicked a penalty to become the first points’ scorer of the 2025 event.
A 50/22 kick quickly put Marlow back on the attack and a big drive from a lineout had them over the Welkom Gim tryline, but the ball was held up. The Wolramme then attacked towards the uprights, but their efforts were again thwarted when Gim intercepted a pass and broke out, returning to the opposition’s half. Two good opportunities, but two chances spurned by Marlow.
When they returned to the Gim 22 for a third time, just over a quarter-of-an-hour into the contest, they looked on course for an opening try, but obstruction, after they set up a driving maul, meant Marlow, once again, failed to make the most of a fine scoring opportunity.
At last, Welkom Gim, having escaped dangerous situations three times, began to build up some rhythm, but unforced errors plagued both sides.
Solomons came close to doubling Gim’s advantage, but a penalty kick, from right in front, about 26 metres out, struck the right upright. That would have harsh consequences for his team.
Soon, though, the Free State side bagged the first try of the tournament. It began from a clean lineout take in the Marlow 22, and it finished with Reagan Krige breaking through the defensive line to dive over under the posts. The easy conversion, from Solomons, put Welkom Gim into a 10-0 lead.
Marlow looked odds-on to equalise in the 25th minute when, from a scrum just outside the Welkom Gim 22, a beautifully executed backline move put left-wing WJ Pienaar into a gap. He was tackled less than five metres from the try line but was able to pop a pass to his captain Gian Steyl, on his inside. The try line beckoned, but the ball was knocked on, making it the fourth and best try-scoring opportunity missed by the Eastern Cape side.
Soon, though, they were on the board from a penalty smack-bang in front of the uprights, only five metres out, and Dawid-Malan de Ridder knocked it over.
Welkom Gimnasium surged onto the attack from the kick-off, and a knock-on right on their try line put Marlow under pressure once more. A Gim maul crossed the whitewash, but they were unable to ground the ball. However, from the resulting five-metre scrum, 8th-man Emile Mahlelebe forced his way over and Solomons slotted the easy conversion to extend his team’s lead to 14 points.
Just before the break, it appeared as if Nathan Muller was over for five more, but the effort, which covered half the field was reversed because of a forward pass. The halftime whistle sounded with Welkom Gim up 17-3.
Marlow captain Gian Steyl rejected an attempted Welkom Gimnasium tackle with a hard hand-off. Photo: Frans Lombard/ActionPix.
Early in the second half, Marlow scored their first try, with CJ Botha providing the finishing touch after the boys from Cradock forced Welkom Gim incrementally back through a series of phases, with the forwards leading the charge.
Coach Roean Bezuidenhout‘s team came close to a very quick reply, but they knocked on mere metres from the line.
Then, when Welkom Gimnasium collapsed a strong Marlow maul, Jacques Barendse was shown a yellow card, giving Marlow a one-man advantage 10 minutes into the second stanza.
The Wolramme kicked for touch. Then, a missed throw-in worked out well for Marlow, with Adrian Joubert, at the back of the lineout, gratefully taking possession of the ball. He shrugged off two would-be tacklers before bursting through a gap to score.
De Ridder added the extras to bring his team within two of Welkom Gimnasium.
Marlow sliced through the black-clad Gimnasium defence minutes later and was about to dot down again, but the final pass was slightly forward and Welkom Gim breathed a sigh of relief.
In the 53rd minute, after consultation between the referee and one of his assistants, Welkom Gim was struck a further blow when their fullback Jadewin Solomons was shown a red card for an incident at a ruck, leaving his team with only 13 players on the field.
With Solomons, Gim’s kicker off the field, they opted to kick for touch when they received a kickable penalty in the 57th minute. Gim, at the same time, welcomed Barendse back onto the field, leaving them one player down.
It was the lock, Barendse, who cleanly snagged the lineout that resulted from the touchline kick, only five metres from the Marlow line, and Kananelo Tutubala crashed over after being driven across the try line by his pack. There were seven points in it.
With intelligent tactical kicking, Marlow worked their way deep into the opposition’s half and laid siege to the Welkom Gim line after a strong maul took them to within close range of the try line. Then, from a penalty, good hands and swift passing by the backline put WJ Pienaar over in the left-hand corner.
De Ridder’s conversion attempt, from the touchline, fell well short, leaving the farmers still two points adrift with about three minutes remaining.
The Cradock boys had to keep possession and attack, and, from deep in their half, Marlow moved the ball down their backline where flank Adrian Joubert, who had scored earlier, ripped through the Welkom Gim midfield and raced into the Gim half. He drew the last remaining defender and put his captain Gian Steyl away for a try just to the right of the posts.
Steyl’s conversion attempt was wide, but Marlow held on to win by three points.
They made it tough on themselves in the first half with their poor finishing, but, in the second half, they tightened up their play, dug deep, and benefited from Welkom Gimnasium’s disciplinary problems to come from 14 points down at the break to win.
Scorers:
Marlow Landbou 25 (3) – Tries: CJ Botha, Adriaan Joubert, WJ Pienaar, Gian Steyl. Conversion: David-Malan de Ridder. Penalty: De Ridder. Welkom Gimnasium 22 (17) – Tries: Reagan Krige, Emile Mahlelebe, Kananelo Tutubula. Conversions: Jadewyn Solomons (2). Penalty: Solomons.
Paarl Gimnasium‘s first-team hockey captain, Juan Swanepoel, praised his side after they made an impressive start at the Hibbert Shield, scoring an eye-opening 5-0 victory over the hosts, Grey High School, in Gqeberha, on Wednesday.
In their opening match of the tournament, Gim put on a masterclass, dismantling the home side and restricting them from scoring at the Rectory AstroTurf.
It was their third outing in quick succession after they beat Grey College 4-2 and St Andrew’s School 4-1, in Bloemfontein, over the past weekend.
“It was a really good game. We set a couple of goals before the game, and we achieved them,” Swanepoel told SuperSport Schools Plus, in Gqeberha.
“There’s a lot we still need to work on, but it’s always hard coming to Grey and playing them at home, so I think we did exceptionally well today.”
Like they’ve done all season, Gim sealed the win by capitalising on their opportunities at penalty corner time, while their creative players pulled the strings in the midfield.
At the top of the circle, Swanepoel, along with Phillip Barnard and Reinhardt Honiball, scored via drag flicks, while Stefan Wiehahn and Josh Smit netted field goals.
Despite the flying start, the skipper insisted that Paarl Gim is far from a finished product.
“We set the standard for the tournament, and we’re going to go out of our way to maintain that standard,” he explained. “We focus on counterattacking hockey, but I think we need to be able to keep the ball for the majority of the game.
“We want to dictate the game better, but I’m happy with how we’re playing at the moment.”
Gim had only one fixture on the opening day, but they’ll return on Thursday with matches against Westville Boys’ High and St Stithians College, with both being played at the Collegiate Girls’ AstroTurf.
“The most important thing now for us is to be humble and stay grounded. We can’t get arrogant. Yes, we are confident, but, as a group, we want to take every game as it comes,” Swanepoel said.
Paarl Gim will face Westville at 08:00 before taking on Saints at 14:00.
