It’s been a standout season for Ehlanzeni schools rugby in the Mpumalanga Noordvaal Schools Championship Division 3, with 11 teams across various age groups set to play in the semi-finals on June 21.

Division 3, better known as the medium schools division, includes Hoërskool Bergvlam, Lowveld High School, Hoërskool Barberton and Curro Nelspruit from the Lowveld. Each of these schools has fielded strong sides this season, with all of them now represented in the upcoming semi-finals.

While some teams qualified automatically thanks to their position on the log after the league stage, others had to earn their spot in the semis by facing Highveld schools in last Saturday’s quarter-finals.

Lowveld High School hosted Hoërskool Oosterland, with the U15, U16 and second teams taking to the field. The hosts came out on top in the U15 and second team matches, winning 17-14 and 42-0 respectively. The U16 game ended in a 12-12 draw, but Oosterland advanced after scoring the first try.

Bergvlam hosted Hoërskool Volksrust and Curro Nelspruit in a busy Saturday of fixtures. Curro Nelspruit and Volksrust’s second teams battled it out, with Curro clinching a 16-14 win, thanks to a late penalty. In the first-team match, Bergvlam comfortably beat Volksrust 33-10 to book their place in the semis. Barberton’s U14 side also secured a semi-final spot after beating Volksrust 44-7.

The teams that won their quarter-finals now join those that qualified automatically. Semi-finals will take place this Saturday in Standerton and at Curro Nelspruit.

Curro Nelspruit’s first team will face Barberton on home turf, while their second team will take on Bergvlam. Bergvlam’s U14s and U16s will play against Hoogenhout, and their U15s will face Volksrust – all three matches also taking place at Curro Nelspruit.

Meanwhile in Standerton, Bergvlam’s first team, Lowveld High’s U15s and second teams, and Barberton’s U14s will all be in action and taking on the hosts in their bid to reach the final.