Hat-tricks for PV’s Von Loeper and Worcester Gim’s Baningela in wins
Hoërskool Parel Vallei‘s (PV) unbeaten record appeared to be in danger when they trailed DF Akademie 10-14 at home on Saturday, but the Somerset West school kept the visitors from adding to their total in the second half and tacked on 21 points of their own to triumph 31-14.
With the victory, the Bulldogs extended their 2026 winning streak to eight matches.
Left-wing, Rafael von Loeper, tallied three tries as part of PV’s second-half comeback. Right wing, Aydin February, also got himself onto the scoresheet with a try, as the hosts found success out wide.
DF Akademie will be wondering where they went wrong, as they were the better side in the first half, scoring tries through loosehead prop Alu Joko and outside centre Dylan Thompson. Fullback Pieter Delport added the extras.
Saturday’s setback was DF’s fourth successive defeat. They’ll aim to return to winning ways against Fairmont High next Saturday. PV will travel to Bosmansdam High in an attempt to extend their record to nine wins on the trot.
After six straight losses, Worcester Gimnasium collected a second consecutive win, battling past Hoërskool Brackenfell on Saturday to score a 32-29 victory.
Worcester held a 22-12 lead at the break, but Brakkies upped the ante in the second half. In the end, they couldn’t muster enough to overcome that 10-point deficit, with the home side largely able to match the visitors’ assaults with their own attacking plays.
Worcester Gim left-wing, Joyce Baningela, had himself a day, crossing for three tries. His hat-trick was evidence of the improvements the Bosvarke backs have shown, especially their efforts to get the ball out wide quickly, and that brought them dividends on Saturday.
It also marked the second consecutive match in which Worcester Gim has scored 30-plus points. Previously, they hadn’t reached that mark all season long.
They face a massive challenge when they take on HTS Drostdy in a fortnight. Since scoring only seven points in a season-opening loss to Paul Roos, the Donkies haven’t scored less than 35 while winning six and losing only one more.
Their latest output was 40 points in a 40-14 victory over Hoërskool Hugenote in Wellington on Saturday.
Left wing Darren Makeza and right wing Tristin Syster continued with the try-scoring form they had put on show at the Grey High Rugby Festival, dotting down two tries each.
It was a frustrating outing for the hosts, who struggled to break through the stubborn Drostdy defence, scoring only two tries, while the visitors glided through holes in the hosts’ defence to bag six tries of their own.
Jano van Deventer converted five of those. He usually plays at inside centre but looked comfortable wearing the number 10 jersey, controlling the game with his strong boot, penetrating running lines, and silky hands. He’s been a cornerstone of the Donkies’ attacking prowess this season.
Hugenote next faces Hermanus, who were thumped 80-15 by Drostdy in April. They’ll chase a sixth win of the season on Saturday, while Drostdy will go for win number seven when they take on Hoërskool Swartland.
Scorers
Hoërskool Parel Vallei 31 (10) – Tries: Rafael von Loeper (3), Keaton Philander, Aydin February. Conversions: Stephan Niemann (3). DF Akademie 14 (14) – Tries: Alu Joko, Dylan Thompson. Conversions: Pieter Delport (2).
Worcester Gimnasium 32 (22) – Tries: Joyce Baningela (3), Amaan Adendorff (2). Conversions: Luciun de Bruyn (2). Penalty: Jerran Adams. Hoërskool Brackenfell 29 (12) – N/A.
HTS Drostdy 40 – Tries: Darren Makeza (2), Tristin Syster (2), Wernard de Villiers, Simamkele Lahikele. Conversions: Jano van Deventer (5). Hoërskool Hugenote (Wellington) 14 – N/A.
Results
U19 – Worcester Gim I 32 Brackenfell I 29, Worcester Gim II 45 Brackenfell II 12, Worcester Gim III 0 Brackenfell III 7, Worcester Gim IV 24 Brackenfell IV 19; Hugenote I 14 Drostdy I 40, Hugenote II 0 Drostdy II 57, Hugenote III 14 Drostdy IV 27.
U16 – Worcester Gim A 31 Brackenfell A 20, Worcester Gim B 26 Brackenfell B 7; Hugenote A 13 Drostdy A 54, Hugenote B 17 Drostdy C 36.
U15 – Worcester Gim A 24 Brackenfell A 10, Worcester Gim B 24 Brackenfell B 20; Hugenote A 22 Drostdy A 35, Hugenote B 7 Drostdy C 26, Hugenote C 8 Drostdy D 7.
U14 – Worcester Gim A 7 Brackenfell A 5, Worcester Gim B 0 Brackenfell B 33; Hugenote A 5 Drostdy A 61, Hugenote B 22 Drostdy C 17.
