Diamantveld dominate Classic Clashes, but NC High show grit and growth

The 2025 Classic Clashes between Diamantveld High and Northern Cape High lived up to their fierce legacy, delivering high drama, emotional highs and lows, and a proud display of school spirit.

With bragging rights on the line across rugby, hockey, and netball, Diamantveld emerged as the overall dominant side – but not without strong resistance and signs of growth from their Kimberley rivals.

Played across several venues in Kimberley, this year’s Classic Clashes saw rugby being played at Suzuki Park, a venue that became a battlefield where players from both sides put their bodies on the line in pursuit of school glory.

Rugby: Progress, Pain and Promise

Diamantveld completed a whitewash in all the rugby divisions, underlining their physicality and depth. However, one match that truly stood out was the Under-19A showdown, where Northern Cape High’s first team produced a spirited and much-improved performance, pushing their rivals until the final whistle.

Last year, Diamantveld dismantled NC High by 64 points in this age group. This year, the gap narrowed dramatically to just 10 points, with a 34-24 scoreline.

“We didn’t have any matches for over a month, but our boys kept fit and prepared well,” said Heinrich Stride, Head of Sport and Director of Rugby at NC High. “There are areas to improve, like scrums and general play, but what stood out was the mindset and communication. 

“The trust the boys had in each other made a big difference.”

Stride also acknowledged the resilience shown amidst adversity. “We don’t have much depth yet, so injuries hit us hard. But we’re on the right track, and this performance gives us hope,” he added.

Hockey: A Historic Win and a Bitter Blow

The boys’ hockey section of the tournament delivered one of the most memorable moments of the 2025 Classic Clashes. For the first time in 19 years, the Diamantveld Under-19A boys broke their losing streak against NC High, clinching a 1-0 victory that sent waves through the stands.

“It was a proud moment,” said Erlank Barnard, hockey organiser at Diamantveld. “The boys had good preparation, and competing in tournaments like Wildeklawer helped tremendously.”

Despite the jubilation in the boys’ camp, the Diamantveld hockey girls were outclassed by a dominant NC High lineup. NC High took all three matches, including a dominant 3-1 win in the Under-19A clash.

Barnard was candid in his reflection: “Unfortunately, all our girls lost their matches. But our first team showed improvement. They bought into the coach’s plan, played as a unit, and communicated well on the field.”

From the other camp, NC High's Head of Hockey, Aiden Brooker, described the Classic Clashes as “bittersweet”.

“All six matches were tight – they could have gone either way,” said Brooker. “The boys lacked discipline at crucial moments, and Diamantveld capitalised. But it was not a polished performance from our side, and we know what needs to be fixed.”

Brooker also highlighted NC High’s strong showings at national tournaments. 

“Our girls recently won the first-ever Super Schools Hockey Tournament at Wildeklawer. The boys finished second. That shows our hockey is competitive nationally, and we’re now preparing for the league ahead.”

Netball: A Clean Sweep for Diamantveld

Diamantveld’s dominance extended to the netball courts, where they won all four age-group matches, including a convincing 37-18 victory in the Under-19A match.

Lanie Steenkamp, Head of Netball Coaching at Diamantveld, credited their consistent training and strategic preparation.

“We’re currently playing two Northern Cape League matches per week, and we also compete against the university men’s team, which helps sharpen our skills,” Steenkamp explained.

She added, “We’ve had really good matches at the Wildeklawer Tournament. We’re growing stronger and becoming a force again. During the Classic Clashes, we focused on capitalising on mistakes, and that made the difference.”

However, NC High’s Head of Netball, Shounees Clouts, is not disheartened.

“To be honest, this is just another learning curve,” Clouts said. “Our girls get intimidated by taller players, and that affects their mentality. But we’re training hard and working on game plans daily. 

“The key now is developing the right mindset and using our speed to our advantage.”

Clouts added that the school will continue participating in the Frances Baard League, using it as a platform to build confidence and strategy. 

First team netball coach Colleen Mills told the DFA that there are some fantastic players in her team and that she is very proud of how they are playing. “The girls give it their all on the courts, and more than that I cannot ask for,” she said. 

Looking back, the 2025 Classic Clashes were more than just a tally of wins and losses – they were a showcase of school pride, athletic development, and sportsmanship. While Diamantveld claimed the overall bragging rights, Northern Cape High showed clear growth and potential, setting the stage for even more thrilling contests in the years ahead.

As the teams now shift focus to league competitions and upcoming tournaments, one thing remains certain: this age-old rivalry is alive, well, and only improving with time.

RESULTS SNAPSHOT

RUGBY

• Under-14: Diamantveld 76-5 NC High
• Under-15: Diamantveld 76-0 NC High
• Under-16: Diamantveld 50-12 NC High
• Under-19B: Diamantveld 65-10 NC High
• Under-19A: Diamantveld 34-24 NC High

NETBALL

• Under-14: Diamantveld 31-5 NC High
• Under-15: Diamantveld 21-6 NC High
• Under-16: Diamantveld 18-7 NC High
• Under-19: Diamantveld 37-18 NC High

HOCKEY GIRLS

• Under-16: NC High 1-0 Diamantveld
• Under-19B: NC High 2-0 Diamantveld
• Under-19A: NC High 3-1 Diamantveld

HOCKEY BOYS

• Under-16: Diamantveld 3-2 NC High
• Under-19B: Diamantveld 1-1 NC High
• Under-19A: Diamantveld 1-0 NC High