Pretoria Boys’ High 125th Rugby Festival – Day 2 match reports

Selborne Grind Down Parktown Resistance

Selborne 26-05 Parktown

For long stretches it felt as if this one might drift to a stalemate, with neither side able to crack the other. That changed when Selborne’s pack began to assert real control, steadily turning pressure into points. The Border school struck first, capitalising on a scrappy red-zone lineout, and from there their forward dominance became increasingly telling.

Parktown’s lone try came via a moment of individual brilliance, their left wing slicing through multiple tackles. It did, however, highlight a potential missed opportunity — the Lions outfit might have found more reward had they shifted the ball wide more often, where Selborne at times looked vulnerable.

Trailing just 7-5 at the break, Parktown can take credit for another competitive first half in a festival where they consistently stayed in the fight early on. The second half, though, belonged entirely to Selborne. Their third try stood out — a passage of continuity, patience, and clever shifts in the point of attack, before the No.20 finally pierced a stretched defensive line.

With a large core of players returning next year, Parktown appear to be building towards a far more complete outfit in 2027.

Clinical College Cap Fine Festival With Convincing Win

Maritzburg College 24-07 SACS

This proved to be an outstanding festival for Maritzburg College. Few would have predicted two wins from two, and even fewer the margins with which those victories were achieved.

SACS, like Parktown, are a side with clear long-term promise, and they began as if determined to underline that. They brought early intensity, physicality, and impressive ball retention, placing College under sustained pressure. Their efforts were rewarded through a well-taken try by promising flyhalf James Sale — a moment that suggested more might follow.

But it didn’t.

College’s defence, reminiscent of the resilience shown in clashes like House versus Affies, absorbed everything thrown at it. While SACS dominated early exchanges, their inability to vary their approach in the red zone proved costly. With better execution, they could easily have built a significant lead.

Instead, the momentum shifted. Wrecking balls in the form of tighthead prop Alande Ngubane and young lock Sean Jansen once again delivered immense physical performances, repeatedly punching holes and dragging College forward. Ngubane crossed twice, while powerful hooker Theo Boshoff added a maul try as the Red, Black and White pack took control.

The only concern for College might be a lack of backline penetration. Centre Olwethu Kosani is yet to find his best form and Lungelo Hadebe has the footwork and pace injection to be utilised better. Unlocking that attacking edge could elevate this side even further.

Affies Respond in Ruthless Fashion

Affies 59-19 Grey High

This encounter produced a gripping first half before turning emphatically in Affies’ favour. Stung by their Saturday defeat, Affies arrived with intent — upping the tempo and sharpening their execution.

They built an early lead, but Grey’s traditionally powerful pack responded with authority, driving over for maul tries to close the gap to 21-19. It was an arm wrestle, with both sides showing strength up front and control through their kicking games.

A pivotal moment arrived just before the break. A massive clearance from scrumhalf Freddy Roberts bounced awkwardly beyond the Grey fullback, leading to a crucial opportunist Witbul try and a 28-19 halftime advantage.

The contest shifted decisively early in the second half when Grey were reduced to thirteen men through yellow cards. Affies showed no hesitation — identifying space, increasing urgency, and striking repeatedly. It was clinical, ruthless rugby that effectively ended the contest.

Big strong wings Joshua Gouws and Dandre Brink stood out, combining power with pace, while Gouws in particular made a significant impact.

For Affies, this was a strong response, though sterner questions await. For Grey, the second half exposed ongoing concerns around backline threat, an area that remains key to their longer-term development.

Michaelhouse Blitz Leaves Jeppe Chasing Shadows

Michaelhouse 40-36 Jeppe

The scoreline suggests a thriller, but the reality was shaped in the opening ten minutes. Michaelhouse surged to a 21-0 lead almost immediately, effectively deciding the contest before Jeppe could settle.

House’s backs operated with cohesion and clarity, blending structure with moments of individual brilliance. In contrast, Jeppe’s star-studded lineup leaned more heavily on individual play, and crucial defensive lapses proved costly.

Beyond that early burst, the game evened out — if anything, Jeppe grew into it. They enjoyed plenty of possession and launched wave after wave of attack, but House remained alert, opportunistic, and always just out of reach. The Boys from Balgowan’s forwards put in a decent shift but their entire backline deserve praise.

Late tries from Jeppe added gloss to the scoreboard, but carried a distinctly consolatory feel.

Individually, Mihle Dyakala showed his usual power, while lock Glodi Tshipamba stood out with an impressive, mobile performance. Ultimately, though, this was a game won through early precision and collective execution by Michaelhouse.

Rondebosch Spoil the Party in Style

Rondebosch 43-20 Pretoria Boys’ High

Set against one of the country’s most picturesque school campuses, this festival had all the ingredients of a celebration — but the fairytale ending eluded the hosts.

Rondebosch played the role of disruptors superbly, delivering a high-tempo, intelligent performance that underlined the quality of their coaching, headed by one of the best in the business – Clinton van Rensburg. The Bosch attack was varied and purposeful, mixing physicality with slick handling and clever running lines.

Livewire Caleb Bell opened the scoring after strong work from big centre Kean van Zyl, and the momentum quickly built. Wing Josh Kirby added another as Bosch’s attacking patterns repeatedly found space.

Pretoria Boys’ High stayed in touch through penalties, but Bosch’s dominance grew. Van Zyl powered over for a deserved try, while their maul — bolstered by the imposing presence of Sebastian Vermeulen who has reached celebrity status for his 206cm 140kg frame — proved a constant weapon. Lots of Bosch forwards stood out. Captain Bertus Versfeld was like a young Vic