Lions raring for hat-trick magic at Academy Week
Over the past two years, no team has dominated the annual Academy Week quite like the Golden Lions.
Follow all the Academy Week action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
The side from south of the Jukskei River in Gauteng has claimed the title two years in a row, albeit with the benefit of home-ground advantage, as Jeppe High School for Boys hosted both the 2023 and 2024 editions.
This year, the tournament has moved to Hoërskool Middelburg in Mpumalanga, where the Red and Whites will be aiming to complete a hat-trick of titles.
All matches will be played on the B and C fields from 7 to 11 July, promising three days of high-octane rugby. Fixtures will kick off at 09:00 on Monday and Wednesday, and at 08:30 on Friday.
In addition to the change of venue, the Lions’ coaching staff has undergone a complete overhaul. Ryno Luus, who led the team in both 2023 and 2024, has moved to Hoërskool Nelspruit, while former forwards coach Ian Joubert has earned a promotion to the Craven Week coaching staff.
Taking the reins this year is King Edward VII School‘s First XV coach, Marco Engelbrecht, while Jeppe‘s Grady Ngui and Hoërskool Noordheuwel‘s energetic Andrew Lambert take charge of the pack.
The Johannesburg outfit will begin their title defence at 14:30 on Monday, facing off against the Griffons in the main match of the opening day. Earlier in the day, the union’s under-17 side, the Welpies, take on what appears to be a formidable Blue Bulls, led by lock Joshua Fourie and vice-captain, Ronan Bastiaanse, at 11:30.
This comes right after what could be another spectacle between Thristan Maree‘s Free State troops and a dangerous Western Province outfit, featuring the likes of Paarl Boys’ High flyhalf, Francois van der Merwe, and Milnerton’s ever-impressive fullback, Chadlin Sellidon.
Preceding the main clash, another thrilling encounter is expected as Eastern Province and the Sharks go head-to-head at 12:45 on Middies’ B field. On the C field, the Leopards face the Eagles from South Western Districts in the day’s feature match, while the Valke take on neighbouring Namibia in the earlier fixture.
Tournament hosts, the Pumas, led by the Middies’ very own Hencoe Janse van Rensburg (No. 8), will meet a traditionally tough opponent in the Limpopo Blue Bulls from the far north. Boland will get proceedings underway on the B field against Border, while the LSEN XV, comprising standout players from the recent LSEN Week, will look to launch their campaign with a win over Border Country Districts.
Although seen as a tier below the prestigious Craven Week, the Academy Week has traditionally been an interesting launch pad for younger players, mostly those with a point to prove, which, in turn, produces some exhilarating performances throughout the week.
Fixtures – Day 1 – Monday, 07 June:
B-Field:
09:00 – Boland vs Border
10:15 – Western Province vs Free State
11:30 – Bulls vs Lions XV
12:45 – Eastern Province vs Sharks
14:00 – Opening Ceremony
14:30 – Golden Lions vs Griffons
C-Field:
09:00 – Border Country Districts vs LSEN XV
10:15 – Pumas vs Limpopo Blue Bulls
11:30 – Griquas vs Zimbabwe
12:45 – Valke vs Namibia
14:00 – Opening Ceremony
14:30 – Leopards vs South Western Districts
