Paul Anthony’s Pretoria Boys’ High team kick off their 2025 season with a tough assignment at Jeppe, where many are predicting their first defeat of the year. The odds seem stacked against the underdogs, but there’s a palpable sense of optimism in the Boys’ High camp. With no fewer than 10 starters boasting 1st XV experience from 2024, they’re ready to make a statement.
Jeppe, under the guidance of Drickus Venter, will undoubtedly be a formidable challenge. Venter was a top contender for the 2024 national 1st XV Rookie Coach of the Year award, after leading the Jeppe Boys to an exceptional season. But as with all things in schoolboy rugby, a new year brings new challenges. Fresh faces, new prospects, and high expectations mean the pressure is now on Jeppe to live up to their impressive reputation and continue the dominant brand of rugby they’ve built.
| TEAM | JEPPE | TEAM | PRETORIA BH |
| 1 | Joshua Hamman | 1 | Shiloh Beaton |
| 2 | Ayanda Funeka | 2 | Marnus Wessels |
| 3 | Jack Cannon | 3 | Jeffrey Singo |
| 4 | Lagan Leisher | 4 | Quniten Ncube |
| 5 | Glodi Tshipamba | 5 | Nils Pabst |
| 6 | Kuhle Shitlhangu | 6 | Benele Mashaba |
| 7 | Grady Ngui | 7 | Grant Spencer |
| 8 | Mihle Dyakala | 8 | Akin Akingbola |
| 9 | Talent Sithole (c | 9 | Aldo Serfontein |
| 10 | Nehemia Hollenbach | 10 | Quanda Mabuza |
| 11 | Kamva Mvinjelwa | 11 | Ofentse Matlabane |
| 12 | Phano Letsie | 12 | Tyler Mason |
| 13 | Lindelani Nkambule | 13 | Matheo Dimpe |
| 14 | Ndimphiwe Mjiji | 14 | Calum Nel |
| 15 | Joel Akilo | 15 | Blake Major |
| Coach | DRICKUS VENTER | Coach | PAUL ANTHONY |
JEPPE 27-18 PRETORIA BOYS
Pretoria Boys could have gotten more out of this game, I thought they handled their big moments badly, and began to tire as the game grew old – both probably down to a lack of match readiness, but they honestly look way better than I expected. I heard the commentators say that their kicker is in grade 10 only, yikes, he had a solid game and is as reliable kicking for poles as anyone.
We too have a real sniper at 10, an educated boot both with ball in hand and for poles, from damn near anywhere on the field it would seem, him and the continued stellar performances we get from his partner Talent at 9 are about the only positives I take from this game, it was another frustrating watch. Our SA Schools prop sat this one out with a “knock”, I think it’s a case of let us have him 100% for next weekend, and suffer today rather, and suffer we did in those scrums – again.
Hopefully we can tie the loose ends and be ready for next weekend.