The Noordvaal Cup match between Menlopark and Dr. E.G. Jansen high schools in Pretoria was abandoned early in the second half after a mass brawl broke out on the pitch. Menlopark were leading 36-5 at the time.
Footage shared on TikTok by @die_gebeure_van_pta shows punches being thrown and adults grappling as others attempt to break up the fighting. Parents and pupils appear to be involved in the chaotic scenes.
Alleged trigger
According to South African outlet Caxton Network News, the incident is alleged to have been sparked by a remark from a Menlopark Old Boy, who reportedly told Dr E.G. Jansen players to "look at the scoreboard". Members of the Dr E.G. Jansen team then allegedly leapt over barriers at the end of the pitch and became involved in the brawl.
Springbok demands lifetime bans
Former Springbok lock Kobus Wiese called for those involved to be banned from rugby for life.
"Both schools, should be forced to ban guilty parents, administrators and players for life, if evidence show they were involved or participated in this bizarre incident," Wiese wrote on X. "This is part of the problem in schools, problem parents!"
Investigations launched
Tinus Diedericks, committee chairperson for the Noordvaal Cup, confirmed that the incident is being investigated, with reports sought from both schools.
"What has happened should not happen at rugby matches and there is no place for it," Diedericks told local media, promising officials "will act" once the necessary reports are received.
Menlopark's governing body chairperson, Japie de Wet, also confirmed an internal investigation is under way, condemning the incident.
"This type of conduct on and around sports fields is naturally something we totally condemn and do not condone in any way," de Wet told Caxton Network News.
His counterpart at Dr E.G. Jansen, Riaan van Aswegen, said the school would take "appropriate action" if necessary, adding that time is needed to establish the facts around the "unacceptable" incident.
