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The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
SA's best U16 rugby players head to Pretoria for spectacle at St Alban's College
SA's best U16 rugby players head to Pretoria for spectacle at St Alban's College The FNB U16 Grant Khomo Week for provincial U16 rugby teams is coming of age this year, and Pretoria fans have the privilege of supporting the country's top young players right on their doorstep. According to Pretoria Rekord, this year marks only the second time in the tournament's 21-year history that it will be hosted in Pretoria. The previous occasion was in 2014, when it took place at the Tshwane University of Technology sports grounds in Pretoria West. The prestigious tournament was launched by SA Rugby in 2003 to serve as a stepping stone for players between the U13 Craven Week and the U18 Craven Week. It also helps identify and develop rugby talent within the U16 age group as part of SA Rugby's official development pathway. This year, the FNB U16 Grant Khomo Week will be held on the sports fields of St Alban's College in Lynnwood Glen, Pretoria. In addition to first-class facilities suited to a tournament of this scale, the school boasts two well-maintained rugby fields, which will host the matches. Although St Alban's rugby teams do not participate in an official league, their players travel across the country to compete against similar schools in nearly every major city in South Africa. Locally, their annual derby against Pretoria Boys High School is a highlight on the school rugby calendar. The school fields 13 rugby teams, including five senior teams, two U16 teams, three U15 teams and three U14 teams. The first team is known as The Hoops, while the second team is called The Greys. St Alban's College has already produced two Springboks – double Rugby World Cup winner Bongi Mbonambi, and former Bulls lock Jason Jenkins, who currently plays for the Sharks. View the programme here. The tournament is held over a week but features matches on only three days. This year, it kicks off on Monday, with further action on Wednesday (Day Two) and next Friday (Day Three). As with all national schools' tournaments, only the Day One fixtures are confirmed in advance. Fixtures for the other days are based on results. On Monday, the tournament opens at 09:00 with Zimbabwe facing Border Country Districts on the B-field. Half an hour later, Border and the Leopards will clash on the A-field. The Bulls will play their opening match at 13:30 on the A-field against Boland, followed by the official opening ceremony. The day's main fixture between Western Province and Free State is set for 15:15 on the A-field. Other A-field matches on Monday include South Western Districts vs Eastern Province (10:50) and Sharks vs Golden Lions (12:10). On the B-field, after the Zimbabwe match, the schedule continues with Falcons vs Limpopo Blue Bulls (10:20); Griffons vs Namibia (11:40); WP XV vs Pumas (13:00); and the Iqhawe Week team vs Griquas (15:15). Fixtures: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Caxton Network News (@caxtonnetworknews)
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Schools rugby spectacle brings country's best u.16 players to Pretoria
The national Grant Khomo schools rugby week for provincial u16 teams is coming of age this year and rugby fans from Pretoria have the privilege of supporting the country's best u16 rugby players right here on their doorstep. This year marks only the second time in the tournament's 21-year history that it will be hosted in Pretoria. The previous time was in 2014, when it was hosted at the Tshwane University of Technology sports grounds in Pretoria West. The prestigious tournament was started by SA Rugby in 2003 to serve as a stepping stone for young players between the u13 Craven Week and the u18 Craven Week, as well as to identify and develop young rugby talent within the u16 age group as part of SA Rugby's official development programmes. This year, the Grant Khomo week will be presented on the sports fields of St Alban's College in Lynnwood Glen, Pretoria. In addition to other first-class facilities, which will fit a tournament like this like a glove, the school boasts two very well-maintained rugby fields, on which the tournament's matches will be played. Although St Alban's rugby teams do not participate in an official league, the school's rugby players have the opportunity to travel nationwide and play against similar schools in almost every major city in South Africa. Locally, their derby against Pretoria Boys High School is a true school rugby festival every year. The school has 13 rugby teams. These include five senior teams, two u16 teams, three u15 teams and three u14 teams. The first team is known as The Hoops, while the second team is called The Greys. St Alban's College has already produced two Springboks, namely the double World Cup winner, Bongi Mbonambi and the former Bulls lock, Jason Jenkins, who currently plays for the Sharks. The Grant Khomo tournament is held over a period of one week, but action only takes place on three days. This year, the tournament kicks off on Monday, June 30, with matches also being played on Wednesday July 2 (Day 2) and Friday July 4 (Day 3). As is the case with all national schools weeks, only the fixtures for Day One are determined in advance. The fixtures for Day Two and Day Three are then determined according to the results of each day. On Monday June 30, the action at the tournament will kick off at 09:00 in the morning, when the Zimbabwe and Border Country Districts teams will play on the B field. Half an hour later, the first match will kick off on the A field, when Border and the Leopards will face each other. The Bulls team will play their first match on Monday at 13:30 on the A-field against Boland, after which the official opening ceremony will take place. Following the opening ceremony, the main match of the day will be played between WP and Free State. This match is scheduled to start at 15:15. Other matches to be decided on the A-field on Monday are those between South Western Districts and Eastern Province (10:50), as well as the Sharks against the Golden Lions (12:10). On the B-field, the opening match will be followed by the Falcons vs Limpopo Blue Bulls (10:20); Griffons vs Namibia (11:40); WP XV vs Pumas (13:00) and the Iqhawe Week team vs Griquas (15:15). Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
06-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Odds on Mike: Bulls to win a close one at Loftus, Leinster to beat Glasgow in URC semi-finals
And then there were four. Nearly six months of URC action brought us to last week's pulsating quarter-finals, and now it is down to Leinster versus Glasgow and the Bulls versus the Sharks. With the home side likely to get front-foot ball, the Bulls backs should do the rest on the scoreboard. But I'm not predicting a high-scoring affair. The Sharks have a knack for pulling expansive teams down into the trenches for an arm wrestle. The challenge for the Sharks became a whole lot tougher when they lost their all-Springbok second row of Eben Etzebeth and Jason Jenkins to injury. Etzebeth is the best lock in the world and Jenkins has been playing the quality of rugby that earned him Springbok colours. The Sharks' pack was always going to be under pressure from their in-form Bulls counterpart and with a makeshift second row, it is going to be a big ask for the visitors to gain parity up front. Betting angle The bookies have the Bulls as strong favourites. To back them simply as winners will mean that for every R100 you put down, you will get R28 back at Hollywoodbets. And if you fancy the Sharks to pull off an upset, R100 will get you a R280 reward. The wise bet is to back the Bulls, but rather on the handicap than just on the scoreboard. I like the minus-7.5 handicap, which means the Bulls must win by at least 7.5 points for the bet to pay out. In this case, R100 will win you R90 plus your stake back. Alternatively, you can take the Sharks on the plus handicap. I think a tasty option is the plus-11.5 handicap. This means the Sharks won't lose by more than 11.5 points. I think this will happen. Finals are close-scoring affairs. R100 will win you R50. Leinster v Glasgow in Dublin, 3.45pm Much has been said about Leinster being chokers and an aging team because of their recent history of losing big games. I'm not so sure this Leinster team is over the hill just yet, and the recent losses will have rid them of the complacency which I think has been their problem. A correctly-focused, hungry Leinster team should win at a packed Aviva Stadium. That said, the Warriors shocked Pretoria last year when they beat the Bulls in the URC final. They are a champion team and well-coached by South African Franco Smith. They were exceptional in their quarter-final demolition of the Stormers in the quarter-finals. Betting angle Glasgow are massive underdogs and R100 on them to win will net you R580. The same amount on Leinster will win you a paltry R12. So that is not worth it. I reckon the home team will win, but by how much? The handicap is the way to go in this game and a good option is the minus 13.5 handicap. For that to pay out, Leinster need to win by more than 13.5. That is basically two converted tries. R100 will reward you with an R85 profit.
The South African
30-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Sharks call on Lucky Am to bolster Bok stocks for Munster showdown
All eyes will be on Kings Park this Saturday as the Sharks take on Munster in what promises to be a thrilling Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarter-final showdown. Head coach John Plumtree has rung the changes ahead of the high-stakes clash, making five key adjustments to the side that secured victory over Scarlets in the final round of pool play. In the forward pack, Jason Jenkins returns to the starting Sharks' XV, swapping places with Emile van Heerden in the second row. James Venter also reclaims his place in the starting lineup, recovering from a neck injury sustained against the Ospreys to replace Tino Mavesere at flank. The biggest name returning for the Sharks, however, is two-time Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi. After sitting out the Scarlets game due to national team rest protocols, Kolisi is back at No. 8, taking over from Phepsi Buthelezi, who shifts to the bench. The backline sees two major inclusions, with flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse stepping in for the injured Siya Masuku and Lukhanyo Am returning at outside centre. Am, another double World Cup winner, will make his 100th international appearance for the Sharks, replacing Jurenzo Julius, who is a surprise omission from the match-day squad. Sharks captain Eben Etzebeth believes the tight encounters leading up to the playoffs have been ideal preparation for the pressure-cooker environment of knockout rugby. 'We've won a few close games this year, which is something we weren't doing last season,' Etzebeth said. 'Those experiences give us confidence. Hopefully we won't need to make it that close again on Saturday, but if we do, we're ready.' Etzebeth is also under no illusions about the challenge posed by Munster. 'They're a top-quality side. Discipline and kicking will probably be the difference on the day—it's going to be very close.' Despite injuries and Springbok rest policies, several rising stars have stepped up. Plumtree has praised the squad depth, highlighting standout performances from players like Ethan Hooker and a consistently strong front row off the bench. 'A lot of our young guys have grown this season. The more they play, the more confident they get—and they've shown they can perform at this level,' he said. Kick-off for the quarter-final clash is scheduled for 6:30 PM on Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kings Park. SHARKS – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Ethan Hooker, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 James Venter, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche. Bench: 16. Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids, 22 Francois Venter, 23 Yaw Penxe. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Blueskyfor the latest news.
IOL News
30-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Lukhanyo Am to earn 100th cap in Sharks' quarter-fianl against Munster, Kolisi back at No 8
Lukhanyo Am Centre Lukhanyo Am is fit again and will hope to spark the Sharks' attack against Munster. Photo: Steve Haag Sports In a change to the tight five, Jason Jenkins and Emile van Heerden swap jerseys in the lock position, with the former starting in place of the latter this week. Am is over a hamstring injury and replaces youngster Jurenzo Julius, while Bok captain Siya Kolisi takes over from Phepsi Buthelezi after being rested for the match against the Scarlets. Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am makes a welcome return to the Sharks team to play Munster in a United Rugby Championship quarterfinal on Saturday and earns his 100th cap in the process. Lukhanyo Am x Makazole Mapimpi 🦈🔥 The Hollywoodbets Sharks finish Cardiff off with an excellent team move 👇 #VURC Openside flank James Venter returns to action after sustaining a neck injury against the Ospreys and takes over from Tino Mavesere. In an important change at flyhalf, Jordan Hendrikse has recovered from a back injury to replace Siya Masuku, who suffered a hamstring injury in the Scarlets match to leave the Sharks thin in the position. Although the Sharks have played in some tight games in the run-in to the knock-outs, captain Eben Etzebeth admits that this has been good preparation for this stage of the tournament. 'We've seen in the past that play-offs can be tight affairs, and winning tight games is something we've done a bit of this year,' he explains. 'Last year when we ended up lower on the log, we lost those tight games, but this year we've turned things around and won them. 'We're used to those kinds of games, but hopefully we don't make it that tight on Saturday.' While his side is filled with Springboks, Munster come to Durban having proved their worth over the years and Etzebeth is under no illusions as to what is coming. 'They're a quality side and it's probably going to come down to discipline on the day and who has the better goal-kicker. It's going to be a very close game.' Sharks team 15 Aphelele Fassi 14 Ethan Hooker 13 Lukhanyo Am 12 Andre Esterhuizen 11 Makazole Mapimpi 10 Jordan Hendrikse 9 Jaden Hendrikse 8 Siya Kolisi 7 Vincent Tshituka 6 James Venter 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain) 3 Vincent Koch 2 Bongi Mbonambi 1 Ox Nche. Bench: 16 Fez Mbatha 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu 18 Hanro Jacobs 19 Emile van Heerden 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Bradley Davids 22 Francois Venter 23 Yaw Penxe.
