Farmers edge out Rondebosch despite Bell’s four tries in 12-try thriller
They trailed 26-29 at the halftime break, but Boland Landbou fought tooth and nail and clawed their way back to snatch a 43-41 victory over Rondebosch Boys’ High in Paarl on Saturday.
After losing four straight to start the season, the Farmers picked up their first win of 2026.
The visitors’ left wing, Caleb Bell, stole the show, running in four tries in a match that produced a dozen, while consistently leaving defenders trailing in his way with his extraordinary agility and speed.
He’s an electric talent, and some on social media have likened him to Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe.
The hosts’ outside centre Louis du Plessis was the only other player to score multiple tries, crossing the whitewash twice after making a couple of line breaks.
Momentum in the contest was a rollercoaster ride, shifting back and forth. At the end, it was fullback Divan Meyer’s accurate boot that gave his side the slightest advantage.
With their first victory in the bag, Boland Landbou will head to the ABSA Wildeklawer Festival with renewed confidence. They’ll face Jeppe and Noordheuwel in Kimberley.
Hoërskool Parel Vallei (PV) followed up last year’s 17-7 win over Hoërskool Strand with a more emphatic 34-13 victory on Saturday.
The Bulldogs once again proved that they are a formidable outfit, racking up their fifth win in five games so far this season.
PV fullback Shudley Rhoda and inside centre Brad Brown made life difficult for the opposition.
Rhoda made the most of his speed and skill to collect a try, while Brown used brute strength to break through weak links in the chain of defence, creating opportunities for his teammates while also adding a try of his own.
It was a tough outing for the hosts, who slipped to a fourth consecutive loss. Their record now stands at two wins and five losses, but they’ll have a chance to improve it next weekend when they host DF Akademie (DF).
DF fell victim to Hoërskool Tygerberg on Saturday, with the Tigers squeezing out a 27-24 victory.
They scored five tries, with five different try scorers. Flyhalf Muchiano Loggenberg was one of them and was also Tygerberg’s leading scorer after adding a conversion.
DF Akademie’s fullback Pieter Delport tallied nine points from three conversions and a penalty. The Tigers outscored DF by five tries to three, however, and that was the difference in the game.
Tygerberg will head into next weekend’s Fairtree Sports Festival with their morale boosted, thanks to the win.
Scorers
Boland Landbou 43 (26) – Tries: Louis du Plessis (2), Adrian le Roux, Nico de Beer, Tiaan Malan, Juan Visagie. Conversions: Divan Meyer (5). Penalty: Meyer. Rondebosch Boys’ High 41 (29) – Tries: Caleb Bell (4), Kelebogile Nkwana, Eathon Williams. Conversions: Williams (4). Penalty: Williams.
Hoërskool Parel Vallei 34 – Tries: Marce Els, Michael Kent, Brad Brown, Shudley Rhoda, Bjan Theron. Conversions: Stephan Niemann (3). Penalty: Niemann. Hoërskool Strand 13 – N/A.
Hoërskool Tygerberg 27 – Tries: Muchiano Loggenberg, Abdul Osaacks, Devon Booysen, Tarique Adams, Kelvin Hitemana. Conversion: Loggenberg. DF Akademie 24 – Tries: Christo Fourie, Nicholas Barker, Meyer Brits. Conversions: Pieter Delport (3). Penalty: Delport.
Other Results
U19
Boland Landbou I 43 Rondebosch I 41, Strand I 13 Parel Vallei I 34, Tygerberg 27 I DF Akademie I 24.
Boland Landbou II 28 Rondebosch II 15, Strand II 14 Parel Vallei II 15.
Boland Landbou III 20 Rondebosch III 12, Strand III 0 Parel Vallei III 7.
Boland Landbou IV 26 Rondebosch IV 15, Strand IV 7 Parel Vallei IV 36.
Boland Landbou V 15 Rondebosch V 19
Boland Landbou VI 22 Rondebosch VI 10
U16
A: Boland Landbou 20 Rondebosch 23, Strand 17 Parel Vallei 0.
B: Boland Landbou 24 Rondebosch 3, Strand 33 Parel Vallei 14.
U15
A: Boland Landbou 19 Rondebosch 7, Strand 27 Parel Vallei 15.
B: Boland Landbou 12 Rondebosch 14, Strand 12 Parel Vallei 13.
C: Boland Landbou 21 Rondebosch 5
U14
A: Boland Landbou 3 Rondebosch 9, Strand 29 Parel Vallei 7.
B: Boland Landbou 9 Rondebosch 11, Strand 44 Parel Vallei 0.
C: Boland Landbou 17 Rondebosch 11
D: Boland Landbou 12 Rondebosch 24
