Poulton returns as Jeppe readies for Affies
André Poulton will return to Collard Field when Jeppe High School for Boys welcomes the formidable Wit Bulle from Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies) for their annual Jukskei derby on Saturday, at 13:30, in Johannesburg.
Follow all the action live on SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)
The mighty South African Schools A prop makes a long-awaited return after missing most of Jeppe’s season through injury. His inclusion provides the home side with a much-needed injection of power ahead of a titanic physical clash against the diesel engine from Pretoria.
Another boost for Jeppe comes in the form of openside flank Kazimla Manzi, who also moves into the starting line-up, taking over the number six jersey from Ross Schuurman.
The rivalry between the schools dates back to their first meeting in 1996, when Affies claimed a commanding 39–3 victory. Since then, the Pretoria outfit has won all 17 encounters, with Jeppe still searching for a first-ever win against the side from the Jacaranda City.
The Wit Bulle remain one of the elite “Big Five” of South African schoolboy rugby. This season, they held Paarl Gimnasium, regarded by many as the best team in the country, to a 16-16 draw. They also scored a 20-18 win over Paul Roos Gimnasium at the prestigious Absa Wildeklawer tournament in Kimberley.
However, they came up short against a top-class Paarl Boys’ High side, going down 17-25, and they also fell 37-42 to their long-time rivals, Grey College, in Bloemfontein.
The visitors, fresh off a comfortable win over King Edward VII School (KES), arrive in Johannesburg with a reshuffled side. Notably, Divan Fourie shifts from wing to fullback, replacing Lamond Baadjies, who is sidelined for 21 days under concussion protocols following a head injury sustained against the Red Army. Dian Botha comes in on the wing in Fourie’s place.
The Wit Bulle are prepared for a full-blooded 70-minute battle. Meanwhile, the striped jerseys of Jeppe have shown an ability to punch above their weight, and their form has trended up as the season has progressed.
Their 23-player squad features 13 promising youngsters, which is a deliberate effort to build experience for a second season of First XV rugby in 2026.
TEAMS
Jeppe High School for Boys vs Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool at 13:30 in Pretoria
Jeppe: 15 Dalitso Milanzi, 14 Ndimphiwe Mjiji, 13 Lindelani Nkambule, 12 Phano Letsie, 11 Lethabo Mashao, 10 Neheia Hollenbach, 9 Talent Sithole, 8 Mihle Dyakala, 7 Grady Ngui, 6 Kazimla Manzi, 5 Glodi Tshipamba, 4 Lagan Leisher, 3 Alwuwani Ndlovu, 2 Ayanda Funeka, 1 André Poulton.
Affies: 15 Divan Fourie, 14 Joshua Gouws, 13 Estian Marx, 12 Petrus Rautenbach, 11 Dian Botha, 10 Ruben Groenewald, 9 Fourie Roberts, 8 Stephan McDonald, 7 Elwin Jansen van Vuuren, 6 Luan Potgieter, 5 Christiaan De Wet, 4 Martin van Niekerk, 3 Deon Botes, 2 Bauke Swart, 1 Roal Kruger.
