Five players to watch and all the teams at the KES Easter Festival
With an action-packed weekend lined up at the Standard Bank KES Easter Festival, here’s a look at the teams doing battle over the weekend with five players to watch closely.
Watch all the games live on SuperSport Schools – Register Now – Link to the event
1 – Sanele Simelane (Fullback – Jeppe)
Jeppe‘s fullback, Sanele Simelane, is right at the top of the list after his starring role in their historic victory against Grey College at the NMI Toyota North-South Tournament.
Simelane was solid on defence and exciting on the counterattack against Grey, and the Jeppe outfit will be eager to get back out on the field after their success in that match.
They take on Queen’s College on Saturday before facing Brandwag on Monday. If they can summon up the same energy they produced in their last game, Simelane and co will be a difficult force to contain this weekend.
His older brother, Wandisile Simelane, moved to the Stormers earlier in the year as part of a tradeoff, with Cornel Smit taking his place at the Vodacom Bulls.
2 – Vusi Moyo (Flyhalf – King Edward VII)
The home team’s pivot, Vusi Moyo, delivered many exciting moments for KES in the 2023 season. He directs their offence and will have a key part to play if the Red Army is to avenge their narrow 8-10 defeat to Paarl Boys’ High last season.
Moyo was excellent for KES throughout the season and stood out at the Academy Week where he helped the Golden Lions claim the title of unofficial champions after a 29-20 victory over the Western Province in the final match on the last day.
His hooker, Esethu Mnebelele, scored their solitary try in that match against Boishaai last year, and will also add a lot of valuable experience up front.
Mnebelele was one of six KES players in the Golden Lions Craven Week squad last year and went on to earn selection for the South African Schools side.
He’s a strong ball carrier with a safe pair of hands at the back of a maul and it would be no surprise to see Mnebelele’s name on the scoresheet again this weekend as KES makes use of Moyo’s massive kicking boot to set up lineouts in their opponents’ danger area.
3 – Viaan Mentoor (Flyhalf – Paarl Boys’ High)
Given the opportunity, everyone in the Boishaai lineup poses a threat.
Their big openside flanker, Ruben Dames, has been a destructive force for the team from Paarl so far this season, but it’s been their backline that has truly stolen the spotlight. Spearheaded by no. 10, Viaan Mentoor, they have outscored all of their opponents in their early season fixtures.
Mentoor contributed 18 points in Boishaai’s nailbiting 38-36 win over Garsfontein last week, converting all five tries, including his own, and slotting a penalty, to help his team seal a dramatic victory. He converted another five as they brushed Jeppe aside by 45-19 at the same event.
If their opening clash against KES resembles last year’s battle, his accuracy off the tee might become a determining factor again.
4 – Chad de Beyer (Flyhalf – Selborne College)
Chad de Beyer, who represented Selborne College and the Border Craven Week team at inside centre last year, steps into the flyhalf position for his school in 2024.
It will be interesting to see how he transitions into the role, but there is no doubt about his athletic abilities.
Given an inch, the exciting young flyer from the Eastern Cape can unlock a defence from any position.
5 – Lucca Mynhardt (Fullback – Diocesan College)
A few of Bishops’ regulars will be hoping to come off the bench in their first match against Dale College, but one name on every team sheet so far this season has been their stalwart fullback, Lucca Mynhardt.
His goalkicking was instrumental in their one-point victory over St Andrew’s College in the final match of their 175 Festival last weekend and he’s an excellent runner with the ball, having represented the first XV on the wing already last season.
With 14 top teams in action, there will be no shortage of talent on show. Some other notable mentions include Brandwag‘s captain and flyhalf, Lu-Crain Muggels, who played for the Eastern Province Craven Week team last year, and Hudson Park‘s lively little scrumhalf, Landile Gidi, who ran out for Border at that event.
Teams and fixtures for Saturday, 30 March
King Edward VII vs Paarl Boys’ High at 15:30
King Edward VII: 15 Mbuso Methula, 14 Jarell Mbuyi, 13 Olunje Mehlomakulu, 12 Tristan Maugeri, 11 Haniel Monkoti, 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Reegan McGurk, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Sam Bruwer, 6 James Kobrowlsky, 5 Thomas Beling, 4 Chinedu Amadi, 3 Nathan van der Merwe, 2 Esethu Mnebelele, 1 Connor White.
Paarl Boys’ High: 15 Francois van der Merwe, 14 Aiden Jacobs, 13 Tristan Joubert, 12 Tristan Fransman, 11 Ashwin Swarts, 10 Viaan Mentoor, 9 Keagan Smith, 8 Douw Wessels, 7 Ruben Dames, 6 Steph van der Merwe, 5 Jayden Joubert, 4 Dian Smal, 3 Juan van der Merwe, 2 Christiaan Grundling, 1 Bernard du Toit.
Queen’s College vs Jeppe at 14:15
Queen’s College: 15 Mveli Mqulo, 14 Liyakha Sipunzi, 16 Thina Fenako, 12 Sbabalwe Magwebu, 11 Jameel Fleshman, 10 Itha Mbulana, 9 Ryan Denston, 8 Mbasa Mda, 7 Jeffrey Niland, 6 Olunje Tyhala, 5 Angalakha Mangongoma, 4 Ryan Gudmanz, 3 Abulele Bolotini, 2 Sinelizwi Deleki, 1 Kuhle Stuma.
Jeppe: 15 Sanele Simelane, 14 Lindelani Nkambule, 13 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 12 Mcmillen Mongwana, 11 Leruo Dithagiso, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Talent Sithole, 8 Risima Khosa, 7 Nathan Claassen, 6 Ndimphiwe Mjiji, 5 Luke Cannon, 4 Lagan Leisher, 3 Luca Trevisan, 2 Bonga Nxumalo, 1 André Poulton.
Pretoria Boys’ High vs Selborne College at 13:00
Pretoria Boys’ High: 15 Tebogo Nchabeleng, 14 Itu Baloyi, 13 Ntsako Ndhlovu, 12 Rickus Wessels, 11 Ompfuna Tsanwani, 10 Tumisho Motswi, 9 Cole Williams, 8 Katlego Shebu, 7 Seth Venter, 6 Panayiotis Ellinas, 5 Tshepiso Shikhibana, 4 Stephen Adams, 3 Ofentse Moeng, 2 Thapelo Mphela, 1 Matthew Parrott.
Selborne College: 15 Bungqina Nuku, 14 Daniel Breetzke, 13 Cole Schonknecht, 12 Siya Sakhela, 11 Anjolauluwa Sogbanmu, 10 Chad de Beyer, 9 Page Fennel, 8 Gcina Puzi, 7 Adam Schwedhelm, 6 Luke Mcgregor, 5 Andrew de Smidt, 4 Thabo Sonamzi, 3 Luke Stegmann, 2 Bioti Selonyane, 1 Robert John-Osunkwo.
Ben Vorster vs Hoërskool Eldoraigne at 11:45
Ben Vorster: 15 Caleb Mokgalabata, 14 Nikelo Moyo, 13 Lesedi Motseki, 12 Aza Mabe, 11 Damian Bye, 10 Shelton Ray Primo, 9 Pontsho Selowa, 8 Tumi Ramohlale, 7 Chifu Banda, 6 Lethabo Sejake, 5 Lourens Harmse, 4 Raluano Ramano, 3 Makondelele Musekene, 2 Christopher Janse van Vuuren, 1 Ewald Kirstein.
Hoërskool Eldoraigne: 15 Divan-Michael van Rooyen, 14 SW Liebenberg, 13 Hanno Jacobs, 12 Ivan Vermeulen, 11 MJ Buitendag, 10 JP Meyer, 9 Darren Bruwer, 8 Jaundré Meyer, 7 Justin Meintjies, 6 Cameron Killian, 5 Zander Engels, 4 Rikus Rheerder, 3 Jaco Fourie, 2 Marnus Prinsloo, 1 Jayden Niehaus.
Bishops Diocesan College vs Dale College at 10:30
Diocesan College: 15 Lucca Mynhardt, 14 Iviwe Dadamasi, 13 Alex Laspatzis, 12 Alex Newton, 11 Mlibo Masala, 10 Jordan Petersen, 9 Max Marr, 8 Daniel van den Heever, 7 Imma Magongwa, 6 James le Feuvre, 5 Nic Reid, 4 Alex Smith, 3 Yusuf Ahmed, 2 Max Wurr, 1 Gareth Mckinon.
Dale College: 15 Oyama Kuse, 14 Luthando Madikane, 13 Singatha Rasi, 12 Owethu Mpondo, 11 Milani Madide, 10 Phikolomzi Mtyalela, 9 Ukho Sihole, 8 Inathi Ndevu, 7 Ebenezer Sarpong, 6 Owethu Siswana, 5 Qhawe Mtati, 24 Kuyanda Nobomvu, 3 Apolile Mgdeni, 2 Linamandla Peter, 1 Liyabona Matyana.
Northwood vs Brandwag at 09:15
Northwood: 15 Aphiwe Buthelezi, 14 Kwenzo Dlamini, 13 Ramutuku Sikhakhane, 12 Bongane Khumalo, 11 Thomas Lindsay, 10 Siya Nkosi, 9 Graeham de Swardt, 8 Dewald Mostert, 7 Vuyo Gwiji, 6 Ethan Macey, 5 Khwezi Kunene, 4 Titas Cesonis, 3 Reuben Vos, 2 Werner van Nieuwenhuizen, 1 Sphe Ntshangase.
Brandwag: 15 Bihaco Jafta, 14 Clevelon Deysel, 13 Derono Potgieter, 12 Wendall Uithaler, 11 El-Sandro Bruintjies, 10 Lu-Crain Muggels, 9 Luwayne Roman, 8 Nicolis Thysse, 7 Damian le Roux, 6 Nathan Fraser, 5 Ruan Engelbrecht, 4 Remy Heymans, 3 Jano Gerber, 2 D’Noven Scheepers, 1 Zandre van der Mescht.
Hudson Park vs Parktown Boys’ High at 08:00
Hudson Park: 15 Msuthu Mbane, 14 Lebogang Madikane, 13 Ukhona Kama, 12 Jacqyl Wright, 11 Qiqa Qwesha, 10 D’Angelo Snayers, 9 Landile Gidi, 8 Siyamthanda Klass, 7 Dante Mey, 6 Sibablwe Mtshini, 5 Hlumelo Gobile, 4 Alwaba Yili, 3 Linamandla Sonjani, 2 Ludwe Vinjwa, 1 Tyrique Peters.
Parktown Boys’ High: 15 Calestine Felkers, 14 Owami Phambuka, 13 Promise Kanda, 12 Christian Cele, 11 Kabelo Jwili, 10 Kelvin Kotey, 9 Siphesihle Mpofu, 8 Chima MfundoNkosi, 7 Keith Ncube, 6 Reval Meth, 5 Disema Mofokeng, 4 Kingsley Okonkwo, 3 Azola Peters, 2 Lethoko Mallane, 1 Manuel Motsi.
