Wynberg Boys’ High Reflects on a Year of Sporting Excellence!
As the curtain begins to close on the 2026 school sports year, Wynberg Boys’ High takes a moment to celebrate an incredible season of achievement, teamwork, and dedication. With so many highlights to mention, a few stand out as a testament to what can be accomplished through determination, discipline, and a strong school sporting culture.
Rugby
Morné Noble, Wynberg’s talented scrum-half, earned his selection for the 2025 SA Rugby Schools team, showcasing his hard work and composure on the field.
Cricket
Michail Tarentaal, incoming Deputy Head Prefect for 2026 and 1st XI all-rounder, has been invited to attend the Cricket South Africa U17 National Camp.
Paul James was selected for the Cricket South Africa U19 Men’s Team, representing his country in the Youth ODI series against Bangladesh and the YODI Triangular series featuring Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in July.
Soccer:
Tristan Miller and Kuhle Besi were named Goalkeeper and Defender of the Nedbank Soccer Tournament, playing key roles in helping their team claim the top spot in the competition.
Hockey:
Zachary Gibbon (SA U18A) and Chad Julius (SA U17A) were part of the U18 WP Hockey Team that secured the IPT Crown for an incredible fifth consecutive year.
Ethan Daniels and Zachary Gibbon played key roles in the victorious U18A WP side, bringing the trophy home for the fifth year running!
World U18 Men’s Surfski
Wynberg’s Samuel Mocke, Grade 10, has done it again! Sam successfully defended his World U18 Men’s Surfski title in Durban during October, crossing the finish line in an impressive 02:15:52—a full two minutes ahead of France’s Gwendal Stephan.
Sam also finished 26th overall in the Men’s Open category, with Wynberg Old Boy Nic Notten (2013) claiming 3rd place, and his brother Dom Notten (Matric 2012) finishing 10th.
SA U17 Touch Rugby:
Alex Lilly and Daniel Van Reenen won bronze medals at the Atlantic Youth Cup in Ireland.
Old Boys Making Their Mark
The Wynberg legacy continues beyond the school gates.
Zachary Porthen (Matric 2022) – former Head Prefect, 1st XV Captain, and Junior Bok skipper – received his first Springbok call-up this year. This remarkable milestone crowns a breakthrough season in which Zachary also made his Vodacom URC debut for the Stormers.
A few words from Mr Justin van Winkel, 1st Team Rugby Coach:
“A proud product of both Wynberg Boys’ Junior and High Schools, Zachary has consistently exemplified humility, dedication, and excellence — both on and off the field. His natural talent, strong work ethic, and leadership have earned him the admiration of his peers and the wider school community. We extend our appreciation to his parents for their unwavering support and positive influence within the Wynberg family. We are immensely proud of Zachary and all that he continues to achieve.”
Brotherhood Beyond the Hawthornden
From Wynberg teammates to franchise rivals, yet always bound by brotherhood — Aden da Costa, Xabiso Mkiva (both Matric 2024), and Yaqeen Ahmed recently reunited after the U19 final between Western Province and the Bulls, embodying the enduring spirit of WynbergRugby.
With some noteworthy accomplishments mentioned, Wynberg Boys’ High look forward to what 2026 will bring. With a strong foundation of excellence, teamwork, and tradition, Wynberg Boys’ High remains committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders both on and off the field.
