For the three teams from the Free State, it was a mixed bag of results. Grey College secured back-to-back wins, while Welkom Gimnasium and Voortrekker Bethlehem both suffered further defeats, while the hosts, Diamantveld, recorded a victory.

Grey claimed a 45–29 victory over Hoërskool Garsfontein, having led 24–15 at half-time. The fleet-footed Lamla Mgedezi crossed the line twice for the Bloemfontein powerhouse, while powerful centre Ethan Adams, livewire loose-forward Xander Smit, as well as Darius Erwee and Adam Nieuwoudt, also dotted down. Erwee added six conversions and a penalty to his tally.

For Garsfontein, Junaide Stuart, Drewyn Baron, Morné Coetzer, and Xian Erasmus each scored a try, with Joshua Gouws converting three and slotting a penalty.

On the B field, the Northern Barbarians thumped Voortrekker 50–0 after taking a 24–0 lead into the break. Waylon Oncke scored a hat-trick of tries for the Barbarians, while Reinhardt Herbst added a try and kicked six conversions and a penalty.

Hoërskool Rustenburg, meanwhile, cruised to a 33–0 win over Welkom Gim after leading 7–0 at half-time, claiming back-to-back victories at the tournament. Lorenzo Snyders bagged a brace of tries for the North West side, with Ayden Williams and Ricardo Enos each slotting two conversions.

The hosts, Hoërskool Diamantveld, recorded their first win of the tournament with a 38–31 triumph over Maritzburg College — a morale-boosting result ahead of their upcoming Classic Clash against Noord-Kaap in Kimberley next week.

In another big result, Paarl Gymnasium ended Durban High School’s unbeaten run in 2025 with a 47–20 win. Louis Koen Jr, son of former Springbok and Stormers flyhalf Louis Koen, scored a brace of tries and slotted six conversions for the Paarl side.

Helpmekaar Kollege, who had lost to Grey College earlier in the week, returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 62–7 victory over Framesby from Gqeberha. Glenwood High School from Durban edged Marlow Landbou from Cradock 9–8 in a tight affair.

Northwood also recorded their first win of the tournament, beating HTS Drostdy 19–12 after leading 14–7 at the break.

The South Central Barbarians edged out Nico Malan from Humansdorp 14–6, having taken a slender 7–6 lead into half-time.

Paarl Boys' High made a massive statement by thrashing Hoërskool Monument with a record 85–0 win, while Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) hammered Boland Landbou 74–14. Paul Roos returned to winning form with a 46–17 victory over EG Jansen.

Waterkloof and Stellenberg played to a thrilling 17–17 draw, while Oakdale beat Jeppe 47–25.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport