Four teams could bag three victories during Standard Bank Saints Sports Festival

The boys showed no sign of fatigue and gave it their all at the second day of the Standard Bank St Stithians Easter Festival of 2023, with some teams looking to earn a hat-trick of victories by Monday.

Kingswood College, Diocesan College (Bishops), Wynberg Boys’ High and Michaelhouse will enter the final day with their unbeaten records intact during the festival.

Catch all the action on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com).

St Alban’s College and Wynberg Boys’ High started us off, with the former unfortunately coming up second best once again with a final score of 56-0.

St Albans would have loved a win after their game with St John’s College of Harare on Thursday, but there is still one day of the festival remaining to make things right. Wynberg, on the other hand, is having a very different experience with their second win of the tournament.

They played exceptionally well today, with their inside centre, Amier Adams, scoring their first try at around thirty seconds into the game.

St John’s College weren’t able to pull off a win today, as St Andrew’s College of Makhanda defeated the boys in green 43-21. The team from up north did have a much stronger game in the second half, really utilizing their pace and showing they are contenders in this game.

At half-time, St Johns tally sat at zero, they boosted that to 21 at full time.

St Andrew’s were simply too unified to be defeated today and played a really well-rounded game of rugby. St Andrew’s full-back, Jacques Cloete, not only had a near perfect kicking game, but converted his own try.

This is emblematic of their triple threat performance as a whole today.

It was KwaZulu-Natal vs KwaZulu-Natal in today’s sharky battle between Michaelhouse and Clifton.

Unfortunately for Clifton, they did not hear Michaelhouse’s plan for the season, no losses will be allowed. Michaelhouse took a 37-21 victory of their provincial peers and secured their second win for the festival.

Clifton played a beautiful game of rugby, with phenomenal kicking from Joshua Kennedy (inside centre) and some incredible running for the line from Michael Langston (scrumhalf) who managed two tries, so it is no indication of any poor efforts, Michaelhouse was simply more consistent throughout today’s game.

The name Leo Muziva should sound familiar to you by now, and if it doesn’t, he scored two tries for Michaelhouse today and will probably add points to the scoreboard all season.

Luke Davidson came in strong today, earning a try, three conversions and two penalties for his side! Watch out for Michaelhouse this season.

There always needs to be a really close game to keep everyone on the edge of their seats; today that was Helpmekaar and Bishops, with Bishops taking a 31-30 victory over the boys from the Highveld. Just after half-time, we were looking at 12-11 on the board, in Bishops favour.

Bishops was not enjoying this and decided to add a bit more distance, with their flanker Tapiwa Nkumanda scoring a try at under thirty seconds into the second half. The Helpies responded by banding together, and using great team effort to assist their lock in getting close to the line, allowing Jandre Labuschagne the opportunity to put a try on the board.

Both schools played with heart and grit, but ultimately Bishops were the top contenders and, like Michaelhouse, also managed to earn their second win.

Kingswood College can honestly give themselves a pat on the back for the rugby they’ve played at this festival; taking another victory today over the hosts, St Stithians College, at 36-17.

Their teamwork has been great, their pace and aggression towards the try line is second to none. They have probably been the most entertaining team to watch over both days. Flyhalf, Praise Matsela, managed three conversions, a penalty, and absolutely sprinted his way to a try.

The forwards also showed their speed and skill, as the eightman, Shingi Manyarara, scored two tries, and their lock Sipho Nonyalela scored a try as well.

Saints did play good rugby today, banding together for some impressive plays, and ultimately putting the final points on the board by means of a converted try, touched down by Francois Botes (lock) and put through the poles by fullback, Josh Meyer.

Kingswood did earn their exceptional victory today and played like pro’s, joining the league of schools looking to earn their third victory on Monday.

Scorers:

Kingswood 36 (15) – Tries: Shingi Manyarara (2), Sipho Nonyalela, Praise Matsela, Penalty Try. Conversions: Matsela (3). Penalty: Matsela. St Stithians College 17 (3) – Tries: Chris Anderson, Francois Botes. Conversions: Anderson, Josh Meyer. Penalty: Anderson.

St Andrew’s College 43 (26) – Tries: Jason Dovey, Andrew Baisley (2), Azaphukoyo Nonxub, Joe Wostenham, Jacques Cloete, Joe Bennie. Conversions: Cloete (4). St John’s College Harare 21 (0) – Tries: Wayne Kuraimunashe, Stefan Kruger, Joshua Covill. Conversions: Rory Honey (3).

Helpmekaar 30 (8) – Tries: Zack Smit, Jandre Labuschagne, Pieter Moller, Ruan Welman. Conversions: Michael Benzien (2). Penalties: Benzien (2). Bishops 31 (12) – Tries: Olo Sopotela, Gilermo Mentoe, Tapiwa Nkumanda, Alex Newton, Lucca Mynhardt. Conversions: Shaywan Blakenberg (2), Gilermo Mentoe.

Michaelhouse 37 (18) – Tries: Leo Muziva (2), Murray Baker, Luke Davidson, Wandile Mlaba. Conversions: Davidson (3). Penalties: Davidson (2). Clifton 21 (7) – Tries: Michael Langston (2), Njabulo Dlomo. Conversions: Joshua Kennedy (3).

Wynberg Boys’ High 56 (28) – Tries: Amier Adams, Euwyn Liberty, Yaqeen Ahmed, Matthew Ould, Xola Nyali, Ethan Thomas, Ezra Antonio, Jarryd Jackson. Conversions: Ahmed (5), Joel Kirby (3). St Alban’s College 0 (0).