Stellenberg pulls off an upset on a bumper Western Cape weekend
Stellenberg High School produced a gritty performance, highlighted by passion and tenacity, which lifted them to a stirring 4-3 victory over Bishops in Cape Town on Friday night.
The hosts, who raced into an early 2-0 lead, had to battle hard late in the game to seal the win after a resilient fightback from Bishops.
Meetings between the teams have proved entertaining in recent seasons, most memorably in 2025 when Stellenberg grabbed a hard-fought 2-1 win at the Woodlands Astroturf.
That was Stellies‘ first-ever win over Bishops, and it propelled them forward to an encouraging season in which they showed notable progress under coach Kyle Esau.
In the Friday Nite Lights clash, they aimed to replicate the game plan that had brought them success in 2025. While more goals were scored, it delivered success again, with Jacques van Dyk scoring a brace and Gerrard Matthews Boukoua and Phillip Coetzee also netting.
Bishops kept pushing hard until the final whistle, but two goals from Luc Dicey and another from Cuan Cadiz were one goal shy of earning the side a draw.
They had several chances at the end and could’ve salvaged a share of the spoils with a late penalty corner, but the hosts held firm for their second straight win over Bishops.
“The game was definitely a battle,” Stellenberg’s head coach, Kyle Esau, said.
“We started on fire by scoring two early goals, but we let it slip and allowed Bishops back into the game by conceding due to errors we had made.
“The boys fought extremely hard as they wanted this win more than anything else.
“We needed this, as it builds confidence going forward for the next couple of league games.”
Another side that recorded a big win on Friday night was Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG), who edged out Paarl Gimnasium 2-1 in Paarl.
The visitors conceded first but demonstrated composure to fight back and, eventually, scored an amazing team goal, which was finished by Caleb Cilliers, to seal the win.
Luke van der Merwe, who has been in prolific goal-scoring form, was also on the scoresheet for PRG as they closed off their term’s assignments in style.
There were also wins for Wynberg Boys’ High and South African College High School (SACS).
Wynberg came from a goal down to beat Durbanville 5-1 at the Astro of Dreams, thanks to a hat-trick from Chad Julius, with Ethan Smith, and the dangerous Mustapha Kajee completing the Wynberg scoring.
SACS, meanwhile, powered to an emphatic 9-2 win over Reddam House Constantia.
Mohlodi Maseko enjoyed an outstanding outing, scoring a whopping four goals. Skipper Litha Kraai and Cameron Corderia both netted twice, while Chavez Sanger completed the scoring for coach Sam Holmes‘s side.
In another hotly contested clash, Paarl Boys’ High drew 1-1 with Rondebosch Boys’ High at home.
Mijan Herholdt continued his prolific goalscoring form for Boishaai, and Jason Warnke struck for ‘Bosch.
Results
Stellenberg 4-3 Bishops
Wynberg Boys’ High 4-1 Hoërskool Durbanville
SACS 9-2 Reddam House Constantia
Paarl Boys’ High 1-1 Rondebosch Boys’ High
Paul Roos Gimnasium 2-1 Paarl Gimnasium
