Rondebosch and Bishops impress, Paul Roos stuns SACS in Nite Series opener
There were wins for Rondebosch Boys’ High, Bishops Diocesan College, and Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) in the opening round of the 2025 SACS Nite Series in Cape Town on Tuesday.
The action at the SACS Aquatics Centre kicked off with ‘Bosch recording a comprehensive 20-10 win over Reddam House Constantia.
Bishops followed suit and defeated Wynberg Boys’ High 15-6 before PRG stunned the hosts, SACS, 8-7, in the final match of the day.
It was a high-scoring opening round and an opportunity for Rondebosch, Bishops, and PRG to flex their muscles ahead of the St Andrew’s College (SAC) Shield, which runs from Thursday to Sunday, in Makhanda.
‘Bosch, was, without a doubt, a doubt a cut above the rest and delivered entertaining water polo that made spectators sit up and take notice.
Coach Jared Wingate-Pearse’s outfit was ruthless in front of goal, defended well, and capitalised on the chances they created.
Forward, Jack Robinson, was in a league of his own and ended the day as his team’s standout player. The Rondebosch number 11 was a match-up nightmare and netted seven times. Close behind him on the score sheet was Noah Reiback, who struck six times. Kieran Bennewith joined the party with a hat-trick of goals.
Despite the defeat, Reddam will draw inspiration from the never-say-attitude of the Brown brothers, Adam and Blake, who stood tall in the face of the Rondebosch onslaught.
That duo was by far the best of the Reddam players and, between them, they scored seven goals. Matthew Cox, Alakay Harwood, and Oliver Finlayson netted once each.
The second Nite Serie match pitted Bishops against Wynberg Boys’ High.
Bishops, the defending champion, was favoured to win the clash and, after a slow start, they found their groove in the second half.
Matt Fenn, a prolific goal scorer, was back making life miserable for defenders and scored a whopping eight goals. Owen Cross netted a hattrick, while Sebastian Kastern delivered the only silver lining for Wynberg with his brace.
The most eagerly awaited match was the showdown between SACS and PRG. It was expected to be tight and it delivered on those expectations.
Heading into the clash, both units were somewhat dissatisfied with their recent form at the Bishops Water Polo Tournament and were aiming for bounce-back performances.
Compared to the first two matches, it was a low-scoring affair. But it was keenly contested and entertaining and, after the third chukka, SACS looked set to claim victory.
The momentum shifted, however, when SACS head coach Devon Card was given his marching orders in the final chukka.
Trailing by three goals, PRG’s Karl Jeppe stepped up with two quick strikes, to pull his side back into the game. Then, a late goal from Ben van Zyl sealed the win for the Stellenbosch school.
The first round of matches suggested who the top dogs might be, but with four rounds still to be played, Tuesday’s losing sides – SACS, Reddam, and Wynberg – will not be too concerned.
Scorers
Rondebosch Boys’ High 20: Jack Robinson (7), Noah Reiback (6), Kieran Bennewith (3), Luke Burger (2), James Pinnock, Zack Labuschagne. Reddam House Constantia 10: Adam Brown (4), Blake Brown (3), Matthew Cox, Alakay Harwood, Oliver Finlayson.
Bishops Diocesan College 15: Matt Fenn (8), Owen Cross (3), Harry Ford, Timothy Young, Noah Edmunds, James Malan. Wynberg Boys’ High 6: Sebastian Kastern (2), Samuel Mocke, Riley Clarke, Jack de Beer, Logan Petersen.
Paul Roos Gimnasium 8: Migael Terblanche (2), Karl Jeppe (2), James Swart, Ruben van der Merwe, Andrew Paris Reynolds, Ben van Zyl. SACS 7: Matt Forbes (3), Jandro Rojo-Roos (3), Connor Mortlock.
Fixtures
29 January
17:00 – Bishops Diocesan College vs Rondebosch Boys’ High
17:50 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Reddam House Constantia
18:40 – SACS vs Wynberg Boys’ High
5 February
17:00 – Rondebosch Boys’ High vs Paul Roos Gimnasium
17:50 – Bishops Diocesan College vs SACS
18:40 – Reddam House Constantia vs Wynberg Boys’ High
12 February
17:00 – SACS vs Rondebosch Boys’ High
17:50 – Wynberg Boys’ High vs Paul Roos Gimnasium
18:40 – Reddam House Constantia vs Bishops Diocesan College
19 February
17:00 – Rondebosch Boys’ High vs Wynberg Boys’ High
17:50 – SACS vs Reddam House Constantia
18:40 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Bishops Diocesan College
25 February
17:00 – SF1
17:50 – SF2
18:40 – 5th/6th playoff
19:30 – Final
