21 April 2026
There’s a reason Jeppe High School for Boys has earned a reputation for grit. On Saturday, on Collard Field, they lived up to it in full, turning what appeared to be a slipping contest into a dramatic, last-gasp 29-28 victory over a highly-rated Westville Boys’ High side.
The Griffins arrived in Johannesburg as favourites. Even factoring in the altitude and the challenge of playing away from home, their form suggested they had the tools to get the job done. For long stretches, it looked as if that script would play out.
Westville made the early running, but had to work hard for their points. Jeppe’s defence was stubborn, denying the visitors easy access to their try line and forcing them to strike from distance.
Their breakthrough came after 15 minutes. From a lineout near halfway, the ball was moved with purpose, and speedster Jadrian Afrikaner needed only the smallest of gaps. Once he found it, he was gone, racing away to open the scoring. Flyhalf Jade-Will Koopman, leading the side in the absence of injured SA Schools’ lock Lwandile Mlaba, added the extras.
The second try followed a similar pattern. Again, it originated well inside Westville’s half. Crisp handling and a sharp incision into the defensive line created the opportunity, and Avu Lisa‘s final pass sent Bukho Sotaka over in the right-hand corner. Koopman was on target once more, and the visitors were 14-0 to the good.
Yet, for all their scoreboard advantage, Jeppe had already shown signs of resistance.
Midway through the half, the Zebras struck back. A five-metre lineout provided the platform, and flank Hayden Venter drove over from close range. It was direct, effective rugby, well-suited to the soft underfoot conditions. Flyhalf Mbhalati Ndzalama‘s excellent conversion cut the deficit in half.
Jeppe tightened their approach, carrying hard around the fringes and asking questions of the Westville defence. Just before the break, they were rewarded again. Venter, once more, proved unstoppable from close quarters, and Ndzalama’s conversion levelled matters at 14-14.
If the first half had been a contest, the second delivered drama.
Jeppe grabbed the initiative in spectacular fashion. Deep inside their own 22, fullback Dalitso Milanzi fielded a high kick and called a mark. Instead of opting for a relieving kick, Milanzi tapped quickly, catching Westville off guard. He sliced through a disorganised defensive line, then surged up to halfway before releasing his support. With one more pass, left wing Lethabo Mashao was away. Ndzalama’s conversion made it 21-14 – Jeppe’s first lead of the day.
Westville, however, is not a side to go quietly.
They worked their way into the Jeppe 22, building phases and applying pressure. Lock Hayden Weihman provided the finish, crashing over to bring the scores level. Koopman’s conversion made it 21-21, setting up a tense final quarter.
With five minutes to play, Afrikaner produced a moment befitting his SA Schools pedigree. With little seemingly on, he beat the first defender with a sharp step, cut back inside, then accelerated into space before veering out again to dot down for his second try. Koopman’s conversion edged Westville ahead 28-21.
It should have been enough. But Jeppe had other ideas.
They restarted with urgency and purpose, driving deep into Westville territory. Phase by phase, they inched closer, their forwards carrying relentlessly. When the moment came, they shifted the ball wide, and Ndzalama himself finished in the corner. The conversion was a tough one, and it drifted wide, leaving Westville clinging to a 28-26 lead.
Still, the hosts pressed on.
With time up on the clock, they forced one final opportunity. A high tackle handed Ndzalama a shot at goal from just outside the 22, slightly left of the uprights. It was no gimme. Under pressure, he delivered, striking it cleanly to nudge Jeppe ahead 29-28.
From the restart, the Zebras kept their composure. Retaining possession, they went through the phases before Ndzalama sent the ball sailing over the deadball line, bringing an end to a pulsating encounter.
For Jeppe, it was another significant scalp, adding to their earlier victory over Hoërskool Garsfontein – a result that continues to gain value as Garsies stack up impressive wins of their own, including over Stellenberg, Paul Roos, and Affies.
For Westville, it was a tough lesson in how quickly momentum can shift. For Jeppe, it was a reminder that, on Collard Field, the fight goes on until the very last whistle.
Overall, Jeppe owned the senior age group, scoring six wins, and won three of four u16 matches, but the A team win went to Westville. Jeppe bagged the u15A honours and just edged the results in that age group. Westville ruled the u14 games, going five for five.
The final record read 12 victories for Jeppe and 10 for Westville.
Scores
Jeppe 29 (14) – Tries: Hayden Venter (2), Lethabo Mashao, Mbhalati Ndzalama. Conversions: Mbhlati Ndzalama (3). Penalty: Mbhlati Ndzalama. Westville 28 (14) – Tries: Jadrian Afrikaner (2), Bukho Sotaka, Hayden Weihman. Conversions: Jade-Will Koopman (4).
Results
1st: Jeppe 29-28 Westville
2nd: Jeppe 35-17 Westville
3rd: Jeppe 22-0 Westville
4th: Jeppe 29-12 Westville
5th: Jeppe 17-12 Westville
6th: Jeppe 19-8 Westville
7th: Jeppe 19-22 Westville
16A: Jeppe 21-34 Westville
16B: Jeppe 41-14 Westville
16C: Jeppe 19-13 Westville
16D: Jeppe 16-7 Westville
15A: Jeppe 31-21 Westville
15B: Jeppe 14-7 Westville
15C: Jeppe 24-17 Westville
15D: Jeppe 17-26 Westville
15E: Jeppe 0-29 Westville
15F: Jeppe 12-10 Westville
14A: Jeppe 10-20 Westville
14B: Jeppe 10-12 Westville
14C: Jeppe 31-38 Westville
14D: Jeppe 7-53 Westville
14E: Jeppe 19-57 Westville
HOCKEY
On the Boden AstroTurf, Westville’s recent winning streak came to an end with a single goal deciding their clash with Jeppe.
Matters were remarkably tight in the senior age group matches, with all five being decided by only one goal, and Jeppe picking up three wins to Westville’s two.
The u16A game was drawn, but Jeppe won three, Westville won two, and another draw occurred in the rest of the age group’s matches. Again, there was little to separate the sides.
Westville won the u14A match and took three victories to Jeppe’s two in the age group.
Overall, Jeppe won eight matches, Westville won seven, and two were drawn. Jeppe tallied 20 goals in 17 matches, and Westville totalled 21, which was boosted by 10 goals from their u14 sides. That’s parity!
Results
1st: Jeppe 1-0 Westville
2nd: Jeppe 0-1 Westville
3rd: Jeppe 1-0 Westville
4th: Jeppe 1-2 Westville
5th: Jeppe 2-1 Westville 4th
16A: Jeppe 1-1 Westville
16B: Jeppe 2-1 Westville
16C: Jeppe 3-1 Westville
16D: Jeppe 1-2 Westville
16E: Jeppe 1-0 Westville
16F: Jeppe 0-0 Westville
16G: Jeppe 1-2 Westville
14A: Jeppe 2-0 Westville
14B: Jeppe 2-3 Westville
14C: Jeppe 0-4 Westville
14D: Jeppe 2-0 Westville
14D: Jeppe u14E 0-3 Westville
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