Big opening clashes highlight weekend’s rugby action
Some of the bigger names in South African schoolboy rugby are shaking out their feathers as they prepare to take to the field for the first time in the 2025 season
Follow all the action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
Collard Field, home to Jeppe High School for Boys, will host an intriguing clash between the Zebras and Hoërskool Garsfontein‘s Bere. There’s no easing into the season for either side. It’s a clash of two powerful rugby teams.
Jeppe produced a strong season in 2024 and will be eager to build upon it. Not only did the Johannesburg school thump Monument 47-31, but they also sent seismic waves across schoolboy rugby by scoring a scintillating 22-19 victory over Grey College.
Their season did, however, go down in their opener against Garsfontein, losing 31-37 in Pretoria. Four members of the Jeppe team that lost that day will be back for another crack at Garsies.
Scrumhalf, Talent Sithole, is a noteworthy name among those returning. The nippy halfback will also captain Jeppe. Lindelani Nkambule, who served on the right wing last year, will be in action in the no. 15 jumper. Up front, SA Schools A prop, André Poulton, adds further experience and his considerable scrummaging prowess, while Grady Ngui, who will be in action on the blindside flank, also returns to further strengthen the Jeppe pack.
The Bere, the defending champions of the SDC Noordvaal Cup’s Cup division, possess a wealth of experience at the back. The dangerous Junaide Passensie returns to as fly-half. Meanwhile, Poulton’s SA Schools A teammate, Junaide Stuart, slots in at fullback. He and Nkambule, Jeppe’s number 15, are both exciting counterattacking runners.
Tighthead prop, Luan “Propie” van den Berg will be a key figure for the Bere in the scrums. He will be eager to stamp his authority early, with an eye towards a possible SA Schools berth later in the season.
Helpmekaar Kollege will travel down to the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal for their annual season-opening clash with Michaelhouse.
The Helpies have an exciting mix of experience and young talent, which should make them one of the more dangerous sides in the Noordvaal this year. The return of centres, Clinton Cloete and Ty Ax, gives backline coach Shaun Jackson, a solid midfield foundation to work from.
Stefan Moolman, the talented and versatile flyhalf, will hold the key to Michaelhouse’s attack. He was a member of the ‘House 1st XV in 2024 and represented the Sharks at the Academy Week in Johannesburg last year, running out at flyhalf and fullback.
Up front, Grant Khomo openside flanker, Oliver Guy, will look to make life difficult for the Helpies’ pack, but, in the loose, he will have to contend with the experienced Gustav Grotius, who returns as the Johannesburg side’s hooker.
TEAMS
Jeppe High School for Boys vs Hoërskool Garsfontein at 12:20 in Johannesburg:
Jeppe: 15 Lindelani Nkambule, 14 Kamva Mvinjelwa, 13 Pano Letsie, 12 Ndiphiwe Mjiji, 11 Joel Akilo, 10 Nehemia Hollenach, 9 Talent Sithole, 8 Mihle Dykala, 7 Grady Ngui, 6 Mahlatse Memeza, 5 Glodi Tsipamba, 4 Lagan Leisher, 3 André Poulton, 2 Ayanda Funeka, 1 Joshua Hamman.
Garsfontein: 15 Junaide Stuart, 14 Drewyn Baron, 13 Joshua Gouws, 12 Keagan Knighton, 11 Yavrah George, 10 Junaide Passensie, 9 Derrick Khun, 8 Lourenz de Jager, 7 Kwagga van der Vyver, 6 JP Pieterse, 5 Wihan Bezuidenhout, 4 JJ Fourie, 3 Luan van den Berg, 2 Justin Blom, 1 Henré Prinsloo.
Michaelhouse vs Helpmekaar Kollege at 12:30 in Balgowan:
Michaelhouse: 15 Alex Jankowitz, 14 Lwandle Nzama, 13 Rourke O’Sullivan, 12 William Ridl, 11 Laird Hamilton, 10 Stefan Moolman, 9 Dan Aissing, 8 Dom Sesink Clee, 7 Alex Arde, 6 Oliver Guy, 5 Dan Carr, 4 Thomas Peach, 3 Nicola Salamousas, 2 Max Oliver, 1 Koketso Bopape.
Helpmekaar: 15 Ethan Lourens, 14 Francois Tonkin, 13 Ty Ax, 12 Clinton Cloete, 11 Andreas Badenhorst, 10 Wian Strom, 9 Kean Butler, 8 Zian Smit, 7 Zaiden Krige, 6 Lewellyn Vermaak, 5 Jandré Botha, 4 Eugene de Lange, 3 Dylan Engelbrecht, 2 Gustav Grotius, 1 Liam Devenier.
