SACS and Bishops set to fight tooth and nail in Nite Series clash

Loud cheers, accompanied by churning water and a buzzing atmosphere, can be expected when South African College High School (SACS) takes on Bishops Diocesan College in round three of the SACS Nite Series in Cape Town on Wednesday.
The meeting between the rivals takes place at the SACS Aquatic Centre at 17:50.
The hosts head into the clash keen to improve their fortunes after a tricky start to the season.
Under head coach Devon Card, they suffered a narrow 7-8 loss against Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) in their opening Nite Series match.
Soon after that defeat, the Cape Town school finished in sixth place at the St Andrew’s College (SAC) Shield in Makhanda, a tournament they had won in 2024.
Card’s troops did, however, get back onto the winning trail by beating Wynberg Boys’ High in a league encounter before edging them out 5-4 in round two of the Nite Series.
“It’s always a sign of good mental strength to get over the finish line in a closely contested match,” coach Card told SuperSport Schools Plus ahead of his team’s clash with Bishops.
“However, there is always room for improvement. The teams have all grown and improved and, if we want to stay competitive, we need to hold ourselves to a higher standard and be more critical of ourselves.”
Last year, Card guided SACS to some memorable victories, but they have been forced to rebuild this year. They bade farewell to several experienced players, who have been replaced by enthusiastic youngsters eager to make their mark.
As is often the case with developing teams, they have experienced some ups and downs, and that’s what they’re working towards eliminating. “Consistency is what we are lacking right now,” the coach explained.
“Having played two tournaments as a young team, we have already proven that we can be competitive against the best teams in the country.
“Our focus and consistency across four chukkas seems to be something that is eluding us right now. That will be the main focus for the Bishops game.”

Recent history shows that meetings between SACS and Bishops entertain, with both teams bringing their A-game.
When last they met, though, Bishops cruised to a 12-3 win at the SAC Shield.
Card insisted his team understands the magnitude of the derby. “I think all our local derbies are big clashes,” he said. “The competitiveness across all the Cape Town schools is what makes Western Province so strong.
“Tradition is what drives these types of rivalries, and I think it is ingrained in you at school, regardless of what sport or team you play in.
“With Jabz [Jabulani Sibiya] at the helm of Bishops ‘polo, they have turned themselves into a powerhouse team in SA ‘polo; everyone wants to beat the best.”
SACS, at the end of the month, will make their way to Johannesburg to participate in the King Edward VII Water Polo Tournament.
After that, they will complete their league matches before heading into the off-season and returning to action later this year.
Card explained what he would regard as a successful season: “The culture at SACS, and in particular the water polo team, has been something I have always been proud to associate myself with.
“As always, our goal is to aim for excellence and for the team to ‘leave the cap in a better place’ than when they found it.
“If we achieve those things, then I will always consider the year a success,” he explained.
Fixtures
5 February
17:00 – Rondebosch Boys’ High vs Paul Roos Gimnasium
17:50 – Bishops Diocesan College vs SACS
18:40 – Reddam House Constantia vs Wynberg Boys’ High
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