Bishops has a plan to combat dangerous SACS on home turf
![Bishops will have to bring their A-game against SACS at the Woodlands AstroTurf on Friday Night. Photo: Bishops [Diocesan College]](https://ssschoolsplus.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Bishops-ready-for-SACS-400x266.jpg)
That question came on the back of a disappointing campaign for Bishops [Diocesan College] after they ended the tournament in 13th place while their opponents this Friday, SACS lifted the Hibbert Shield after beating Paarl Gimnasium 6-3 in the final.
It was an interesting question because, currently, SACS is on a different level, and Bishops is going through growing pains with a young and inexperienced squad.
In Gqeberha, the boys in blue and white, led by coach Sam Holmes, ran rampant, scoring a whopping 31 goals in six matches.
Bishops, meanwhile, struggled to get going and their inconsistent performances resulted in them missing out on a quarterfinal spot after they finished last in a very tightly contested Pool D, behind Parel Vallei High School, Durban High School (DHS), and Hoërskool Garsfontein, who went on to make the semi-finals.
The boys, coached by Ryan Julius, who was not present at the Hibbert Shield due to work commitments, will now have a crack at giving their season a huge boost when they face SACS in a Hyundai Friday Nite Lights clash at the Woodlands AstroTurf, in Cape Town.
“After a bit of a setback at Hibbert Shield, we are relying on the strength of our culture and unity to pull us back,” Julius told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“It’s going to be another demanding week, similar to the Paul Roos game, where I thought we were unlucky not to get a draw. It came down to small margins and, as a coaching staff, we have to try and figure out what those small margins are.”
Before heading to the Hibbert Shield, Bishops suffered a hard-fought 2-3 loss against Paul Roos Gimnasium on home soil, with Harry Morgan and James Robb-Quinlan scoring for the hosts.
Free-scoring SACS presents a different challenge, and they head into the contest off a 9-1 victory on Stellenberg High School in a mid-week game.
Julius knows exactly what will be required from his charges. He explained: “The idea for this week is to play without fear. The boys need to be tactically sharp because SACS is a well-oiled team but, as a coach, I’m optimistic, and confident in my boys.
“We are going to play SACS to compete and to win. We need to make sure we are well-prepared and looking forward to the game.
“I think we are in a lovely position in terms of the underdogs’ mentality, and we are looking forward to taking the game to SACS and being tactically sharp.”
The meeting between the sides will also be a history-making moment with SuperSport Schools set to broadcast from the Woodlands AstroTurf for the first time. This means spectators will be able to watch the game live on DStv Channel 216, on the SuperSport Schools App, and the SABC Plus App. Pushback is at 19:00.
In other matches in the Western Cape, Paarl Gimnasium travels to Stellenbosch to take on Paul Roos in another eye-catching clash. Rondebosch Boys’ High faces Stellenberg High, while Grey College visits Paarl to play Boys’ High.
DF Malan goes up against Fairmont High School, while Hoërskool Punt hosts Hoërskool Outeniqua, in Mossel Bay. Hoërskool Durbanville faces Reddam House Durbanville in a league clash.
WESTERN CAPE FIXTURES
Friday, 9 May
18:00 – Hoërskool Durbanville vs Reddam House Durbanville
18:40 – Hoërskool Punt vs Hoërskool Outeniqua
19:00 – Bishops vs SACS
19:10 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Paarl Gimnasium
19:10 – Rondebosch Boys’ High vs Stellenberg High School
20:10 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Grey College
20:15 – DF Malan vs Fairmont High School
