Author: captainmorgan

Hilton College faces a massive challenge on Saturday, taking on a rugged Northwood 1st XV on Reece-Edwards Field in a tasty King Price Derby Series clash on the Durban school’s Old Boys’ Day.

That’s a tough task, but it’s made even tougher because it comes after Hilton faced Durban High School (DHS) on Van Heerden’s Field on the Horseflies’ Founders Day a week ago. That was a huge battle, which DHS led only 19-18 before a last-minute try took them to a hard-fought 26-18 win.

Like DHS, Northwood features a very physical pack. The Knights have four Craven Week players in 2025 and all four – Sphe Ntshangase, Chad Howe, Lian Terblanche, and Jamie Wimble – can be found up front. Hilton, though, is made of stern stuff and it is sure to be trench warfare as the sides trade blows for forward supremacy.

The battle between Howe and Terblanche and their Hilton opposite numbers, Andrew Schnell and André Boshoff, should make for fascinating viewing. All four are sound all-round players – good in the lineouts, the tight scrums, and around the park, all while bringing a physical edge to the game.

It will be interesting, too, to compare the approaches of the number eights, Jamie Wimble, for Northwood, and Zander Muller, for Hilton. They’re both in the Sharks’ Craven Week lineup.

Both backlines have their key playmakers, with flyhalf Liyema Nela pulling the strings for Hilton and centre Bongane Khumalo doing the same for Northwood. Last time out, though, the Knights went with Trevor van Volenstee at flyhalf against Glenwood and he impressed, kicking as well as ever, while also scoring a magical solo try.

It’s going to be a game all about exerting pressure and playing the game in the right areas. Much, too, will depend on how the teams manage the pressure they will, no doubt, be put under.

Michaelhouse vs Maritzburg College

Michaelhouse hosts Maritzburg College on Saturday and, happily, they’ll be in action on Meadows, which was out of service for a while after suffering some damage after heavy rains.

They’re teams that have not performed quite as well as they would have expected in 2025, but both have played far better rugby in recent times.

College, very nearly, ended Westville’s unbeaten season at the Sharks Schools’ Rugby Day and, last weekend, they scored a comfortable 35-20 victory over Kearsney College on Goldstone’s. They’ll be tested away from home, however.

While ‘House‘s record doesn’t sparkle, what does stand out when looking through their results in 2025 is the fact that they have been competitive in every match and, in their more recent outings, they’ve had few problems scoring points.

College, though, in that aforementioned one-point loss to Westville, after giving up points early on, shut down their opposition’s potent attack and made it an attritional battle, played mostly between the forwards. They would be happy to turn to that formula again.

Going on the Craven Week selections, Michaelhouse’s greatest danger will be posed by their centre pair, captain William Ridl and Rourke O’Sullivan, both of whom will represent the Sharks in Middelburg.

College is led by Craven Week number eight, Wasi Vyambwera, while loosehead prop Indiphile Mlotshwa also cracked the senior provincial nod. His battle with Michaelhouse’s mobile tighthead Nicolas Salamousas, who is in the Sharks u17 AFGRI Week squad, should be interesting.

Last week, Maritzburg College did a good job of moving the ball from one side of the field to the other after sucking in Kearsney’s forwards with their driving off of mauls, which brought them a couple of tries. ‘House will need good defensive line speed to prevent that happening.

Both sides are blessed with outstanding kickers – Stefan Moolman, for Michaelhouse, and Dom du Toit, for College – so discipline will be crucial. Giving away penalties within kicking range of the uprights would be asking for trouble.

TEAMS

Northwood vs Hilton College, Reece-Edwards Field, Durban, 15:30

Northwood: TBA

Hilton College: 15 James Peattie, 14 Guy Fender, 13 Khazimla Makali, 12 Tristan Uys, 11 John Grubb, 10 Liyema Nela, 9 Zander Vorster, 8 Zander Muller, 7 Emmanuel Dankwah, 6 Jacques Oliver, 5 Andrew Schnell, 4 André Boshoff, 3 Mholi Khuzwayo, 2 Josh Grant, 1 Khanya Jekwa.

Michaelhouse vs Maritzburg College, Meadows, Balgowan, 14:45

Michaelhouse: 15 Alex Jankowitz, 14 Lwandle Nzama, 13 Rourke O’Sullivan, 12 William Ridl, 11 Jack Carmody, 10 Stefan Moolman, 9 Dan Aissing, 8 Dom Sesink-Clee, 7 Alex Ardé, 6 Oliver Davis, 5 Daniel Carr, 4 Thomas Peach, 3 Nicolas Salamousas, 2 Max Oliva, 1 Koketso Bopape.

Maritzburg College: 15 Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein, 14 Caleb Scheepers, 13 Olwethu Kosani, 12 Jordan Thackwray, 11 Adam Cahill, 10 Liyema Tsoko, 9 Dom du Toit, 8 Wasi Wyambwera, 7 Cyril Cherayi, 6 David Colenbrander, 5 Rory Stanton, 4 Elethu Mabanga, 3 Alande Ngubane, 2 Theo Boshoff, 1 Indiphile Moltshwa.

Westville Boys’ High vs Kearsney College

Unbeaten Westville Boys’ High welcomes their neighbours, Kearsney College, to Bowden’s Field for a King Price Derby Series showdown on their Reunion Weekend.

On paper, the Griffin have already dealt with their toughest KZN challengers – beating Durban High School (DHS) 33-28, Hilton College 23-15, and Northwood 16-14 – but they’ll be eager to avoid a slip-up on Saturday and will want to extend their excellent unbeaten season, which has delivered 11 wins thus far.

They will, obviously, be favoured against Kearsney, but, in the One-Stripe, they face a game opponent. Their record sits at six wins and five defeats. It’s been a little tarnished by a run of three losses in succession – to Michaelhouse, DHS, and Maritzburg College – but the evolution of the Kearsney side during the season is undeniable.

They’re playing some attractive rugby and have usually been good for at least a couple of eye-pleasing tries in every outing. Their record includes a win over Glenwood, who gave Westville a tough game last Saturday, leading 25-21 early in the second half before going down 25-42.

Kearsney’s centre pair of Keanu Williamson and Doan Nel often catches the eye. Williamson, especially, seems to always be around the ball. He’s an industrious livewire and that was recognised with his inclusion in the Sharks Academy Week team.

One of Williamson’s Academy Week teammates, Lux Sonkonokono, has played some outstanding rugby at fullback for Westville, filling in for SA Schools number 15, Zekhethelo Siyaya, who left the field during Westville’s epic 33-28 win over DHS. The Griffin, though, will have the dangerous Siyaya back for the big game in front of their old boys. That’s a huge boost for the side.

With Siyaya sidelined, Jade-Will Koopman has done a terrific job leading the playmaking from flyhalf. He’s oozing confidence and his accurate place kicking has punished opposition indiscretions time after time.

As is often reiterated, especially in South Africa, it all starts up front, and Kearsney will be hard pressed to contain the Westville pack. They’ve shown against Hilton, Northwood, and DHS – three tough units – that they’re up to any task and will fight fire with fire.

One of Westville’s strengths, also, is how mobile their forwards are, with their locks also outstanding in the loose, and their front row strong contributors around the park.

Kearsney, though, has a never-say-die attitude, is willing to let the ball do the work, and would love nothing more than spoiling their neighbours’ Reunion Weekend.

St Charles College vs Clifton College

St Charles College faces Clifton College for a second time this season. They previously scored a 47-14 win over the Durban side at the Sharks Schools’ Rugby Day, at Hilton College.

On Saturday, they’ll have the advantage of playing on their home ground, Old Orchards.

Based on their results, it hasn’t been a fantastic season for Saints. It has been solid. But there’s more to the game than results and, with 90 percent of their team set to return next season, the vibe around St Charles’ rugby is optimistic.

They play a terrific offloading game, with more than a touch of the New Zealand approach about it, which should come as no surprise given coach Craig Dwyer‘s decade of experience coaching the game in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

If Clifton doesn’t shut down space quickly, or doesn’t produce effective tactical kicking, they’ll be in for a long day; Saints are exciting on the counterattack and full of running.

They also have, in scrumhalf Thando Nyawo, an exciting play coordinator who will exploit any gaps around the fringes, either with his swift ball distribution or his feet.

Although they were well beaten when the sides met at Hilton, Clifton, for the second part of the first half of that match, played some of their best rugby of the season. They had quickly gone 0-19 down, but they dominated the remainder of the first half, crossing for two converted tries to turn at only five points down. The halftime break broke their momentum.

With two Springboks coaching the team – Heinke van der Merwe and Waylon Murray – they have made progress. Thus far, though, it hasn’t been nearly enough to catch up to their opponents as they, too, improve. Still, there is more to come from Clifton. They won’t be favoured on Saturday, but they will feel rewarded if they deliver a proud performance.

TEAMS

Westville Boys’ High vs Kearsney College, Bowden’s Field, 14:00

Westville Boys’ High: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Ntobeko Sitholo, 13 Jadrian Afrikaner, 12 Sean McGough, 11 Avumile Lisa, 10 Jade-Will Koopman, 9 Liam Simpkins, 8 Sange Nkonki, 7 Lwandile Makhanya, 6 Brandon Eke, 5 Lwandile Mlaba, 4 Moustapher Gcina, 3 Bandile Mncwango, 2 Ross Calvert, 1 Sibusiso Hlongwana.

Kearsney College: 15 Lwazi Mbebe, 14 Valentino Lenge, 13 Doan Nel, 12 Keanu Williamson, 11 Bukho Hlwatika, 10 Jayden Jonsson, 9 Fynn Verbaan, 8 Nhlanhla Ndlovu, 7 Oliver Ludwig, 6 Simanye Mlakalaka, 5 Thomas Francke, 4 Joseph Roylance, 3 Azania Thela, 2 Micah van Wyk, 1 Luke Fauré.

St Charles College vs Clifton College, Old Orchards, 14:30

St Charles College: 15 Phiwe-Junior Dlamini, 14 Likuthi Mbalana, 13 Carl Chekera, 12 Athenkposo Qumo, 11 Mathew Ludick, 10 André Bosman, 9 Thando Nyawo, 8 Raphael Ajibade, 7 Eben Crafford, 6 Joshua Milne, 5 Joshua Harris, 4 Matthew Naude, 3 Silindokuhle Nciza, 2 Dresden Coetzee, 1 Braydon Joese.

Clifton College: TBA

Kearsney College enjoyed more possession, but Maritzburg College‘s defenders put in a committed, disciplined shift as the Red, Black, and White triumphed on Saturday on Goldstone’s.

In front of a huge crowd on their Reunion Weekend, College withstood a spirited challenge from the One-Stripe, claiming a 35-20 victory after leading only 17-13 at halftime.

It was College’s physical defence that made the difference, with the home team turning turnovers into points and forcing Kearsney to work far harder for their tries than they had to for theirs, despite the surfeit of possession the visitors enjoyed.

“It was a tough game,” Maritzburg College captain Wasi Vyambwera told SuperSport Schools Plus afterwards.

“Kearsney came at us with all they’ve got. Thank you to our supporters. It was a big day for Maritzburg College, and it’s also my final year, so I’m grateful for the support.”

Reflecting on Kearsney’s control of the possession stakes, he admitted: “They had a lot of possession, but the College dog came through.”

In their previous match, College had caused unbeaten Westville Boys’ High serious difficulties before succumbing 21-22. It was a loss, but the Red, Black, and White benefitted from that game, Vyambwera said.

“We drew a lot of strength from our performance against Westville, and it gave us a lot of confidence during the week.”

Relieved and proud after the 15-point win, following a strong second-half performance, the College captain said: “It was big, very big to play in front of the Old Boys on Reunion Weekend.”

From the opening whistle, Kearsney did most of the attacking, but when they were forced to clear from a scrum inside their 22, they kicked deep down the left flank.

After receiving the kick, College attacked along the touchline at first before bringing the ball back inside. Some sharp hands, then, took the ball into the middle of the park where Jordan Thackwray took a short pass, sold a dummy and hared through a gap to round the Kearsney defence and go over to the left of the uprights after only four minutes. Dom du Toit‘s dependable right boot made it 7-0.

Kearsney responded well and took play deep into College’s 22 where the home team stopped a One-Stripe attack by tackling the ball carrier into touch. Unfortunately for Maritzburg College, a knock-on after they had won a clean lineout led to one of their players being caught offsides and Lwazi Mbebe scored Kearsney’s first points with a penalty after 10 minutes.

Three minutes later, College’s advantage was back out to seven points after Du Toit slotted a penalty.

Then, from a lineout on the halfway line, Kearsney scored a superb try. After a clean take from the safe hands of Joseph Roylance, the ball was sent to the backline. Eighthman Nhlanhla Ndlovu hit it up directly at the home side’s defence.

It was recycled quickly and a nice loop between flyhalf Jayden Jonsson and inside centre Keanu Williamson created space for Mbebe to run into. He made good ground and passed inside as he was dragged to ground.

Jonsson received the ball, dummied inside, then cut outside, drawing the final defender. Then, he let the pass go inside to Doan Nel who sprinted clear and dived over for a fantastic five-pointer.

A simple conversion kick from Mbebe levelled the scores at 10-10.

College flank David Colenbrander, then, caught Kearsney unawares at a ruck, charging around the left side and leaving two players grasping at air. He powered through a third tackle before being caught by the cover defence right on the try line. His momentum carried him over, however, for a special solo score. Du Toit’s trusty boot added two points to the home side’s tally.

Another Mbebe penalty made it 17-13 to Maritzburg College at halftime.

From the start of the second half, College built up momentum, mostly turning to their pack to knock Kearsney back metre by metre. Then, when they released it down the backline, good hands created space for the home team’s captain Wasi Vyambwera and he crashed over on the right.

Kearsney surged back onto the attack, and when they won a penalty, which would have presented Mbebe with an easy kick at goal, they opted for a tap. A practice ground move worked out perfectly when Keanu Williamson sent the College defence one way with a show of the ball while he headed the other direction, over the try line.

With the conversion, Lwazi Mbebe narrowed the gap to only two points at 22-20 to the hosts.

College pressure at a ruck, and then a high tackle, won them two penalties and Dom du Toit banged both over to extend his side’s advantage to eight points. The Red, Black, and White was playing the game where they wanted to play it – deep inside Kearsney’s half.

On the hour, when Kearsney made it into the Maritzburg College half, hooker Theo Boshoff claimed a loose pass. Scrumhalf Du Toit, subsequently, fed it to the blindside where fullback Amahle Hadebe popped a kick over the top, down the left touchline. The bounce of the ball beat Mbebe but not Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein, who grabbed it and hit the gas to go over to the left of the uprights.

Du Toit’s conversion kick made it 35-20 with 10 minutes to play, and that’s how it ended.

Westville Boys’ High vs Glenwood High

At Westville, on Bowden’s Field, Glenwood gave a good account of themselves but were beaten 42-25.

The visitors trailed by only a point at halftime and led 25-21 six minutes into the second stanza, but Westville Boys’ High turned to their forwards for a couple of Ross Calvert tries from the rolling maul.

Then, an intercept from lock Moustapher Gcina – not for the first time; he reads the game well – completed their scoring as they tacked on 21 points without reply.

The home side went over for six tries in all, with Jade-Will Koopman, who played a fine game, pulling the strings at flyhalf and converting all six. The Green Machine replied with four tries of their own.

Glenwood was well led by their captain Lizwe Mtetwa and their pack did a good job of challenging Westville, giving them a tough examination, but the quality of the Griffin came through in the end.

SCORES

Maritzburg College 35 (17) – Tries: Jordan Thackwray, David Colenbrander, Wasi Vyambwera, Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein. Conversions: Dom du Toit (3). Penalty: Dom du Toit (3); Kearsney College 20 (13) – Tries: Doan Nel, Keanu Williamson. Conversions: Lwazi Mbebe (2). Penalties: Lwazi Mbabe (2)

Westville Boys’ High 42 (21) – Tries: Ross Calvert (2), Lux Sonkonokono, Lwandle Makhanya, Jadrian Afrikaner, Moustapher Gcina. Conversions: Jade-Will Koopman (6).

Glenwood High 25 (20) – N/A

Maritzburg College vs Kearsney College

u19 – Maritzburg College I 35 Kearsney I 20; Maritzburg College II 19 Kearsney II 10; Maritzburg College III 45 Kearsney III 5; Maritzburg College IV 50 Kearsney IV 0; Maritzburg College V 50 Kearsney V 0; Maritzburg College VIII 42 Kearsney VI 5; Maritzburg College X 36 Kearsney VII 22

u16 – Maritzburg College A 47 Kearsney A 40; Maritzburg College B 24 Kearsney B 3; Maritzburg College C 57 Kearsney C 5; Maritzburg College E 26 Kearsney D 21; Maritzburg College F 19 Kearsney E 5

u15 – Maritzburg College A 15 Kearsney A 15; Maritzburg College B 28 Kearsney B 0; Maritzburg College C 50 Kearsney C 0

u14 – Maritzburg College A 50 Kearsney A 7; Maritzburg College B 42 Kearsney B 0; Maritzburg College C 50 Kearsney C 0

Westville Boys’ High vs Glenwood High

u19 – Westville I 42 Glenwood I 25; Westville II 18 Glenwood II 10; Westville III 33 Glenwood III 19; Westville IV 24 Glenwood IV 12; Westville V 50 Glenwood V 0; Westville VI 36 Glenwood VI 7

u16 – Westville A 27 Glenwood A 10; Westville B 29 Glenwood B 10; Westville C 52 Glenwood C 0; Westville D 27 Glenwood D 14

u15 – Westville A 7 Glenwood A 0; Westville B 10 Glenwood B 0; Westville C 43 Glenwood C 0; Westville D 27 Glenwood D 5

u14 – Westville A 17 Glenwood A 12; Westville B 27 Glenwood B 0; Westville C 49 Glenwood C 0; Westville D 37 Glenwood D 3; Westville E 37 Glenwood E 3

Hilton College pushed Durban High School (DHS) to the limit on Saturday in Durban, where the home side was cheered on by a lively crowd surrounding Van Heerden’s Field in celebration of Founders Day.

With time up on the clock, School was clinging on to a 19-18 lead with Hilton hammering away inside the home team’s 22.

With a show and go, flyhalf Liyema Nela had dented the DHS defence. Then, Hilton’s powerful scrumhalf Zander Vorster picked up a drove at the line.

DHS centre Nathan Aneke, defending close to the ruck, reached in and ripped the ball out of Vorster’s grasp. Spinning away, he twice stepped off his right foot to wrong foot defenders as he exited the 22.

Then, it became a sprint as Aneke pinned his ears back and raced down the left-hand touchline while the crowd went wild. He had the legs and dived over for a spectacular try to seal a stubborn 26-18 victory after Jordan van Wyk had slotted the conversion.

Last weekend, DHS fell 28-33 to Westville Boys’ High. Hilton had gone down 15-23 to the same opponents at the start of the season, but, apart from a sub-standard outing against Grey High, they had played good rugby since, including in a very impressive 53-15 win over Glenwood last time out.

DHS knew, they were in for a tough test. Hilton knew, too, that victories on Van Heerden’s are few and far between. The eye test suggested that these were two very well matched, very well coached sides. That proved to be accurate.

From the first whistle, the contest was defined by intensity. A searing counter from wing Zenkosi Mthiyane had the local supporters on their feet, but a massive tackle by Hilton captain Liyema Nela, who then won a penalty after Mthiyane held onto the ball, was an indicator of the battle that lay ahead in the loose exchanges.

Hilton was the first to strike in the ninth minute after DHS failed to deal with a well-directed high kick down the right touchline from scrumhalf Vorster. Right wing Joshua Kok got his hands on the ball after the bounce evaded two DHS defenders.

The visitors, then, took three charges at the try line. On the third, Emmanuel Dankwah had the ball stripped, but it came out sideways, not forwards, and Hilton regathered possession. It came back to Nela, who tried to send a long pass wide right over the DHS defence. The hosts, though, got a hand on the ball. Fortunately for Hilton, it fell kindly to fullback James Peattie, and he spun his way over the line for a try in the corner.

DHS forced their way down into Hilton’s 22 after the visitors had conceded a penalty and it looked as if they were over in the 21st minute, but Zingce Simka, after breaking through a couple of attempted tackles, knocked on as he dived over the whitewash.

Five minutes later, Hilton scored again, and it came from a familiar source, hooker Josh Grant, who navigated a maul from five metres out with aplomb before making the dive for five.

Half-an-hour in, Nela came close to breeching School’s defences once more with a searing break after selling a dummy, but, after he had grubbered through into the 22, the bounce of the ball didn’t go his way, and he knocked on.

One word that always applies to DHS, though, is relentless and that quality was to the fore as they scored just before halftime. Their assault from close range was started by captain Daniel Ikotela and, after a number of surges at the line, Ikotela was on hand to force his way over for a try.

Jordan van Wyk made the kick from wide on the left, leaving Hilton College 10-7 ahead at the break.

Brad Macleod-Henderson‘s charges were the first to strike in the second half, with eighthman Zander Muller bursting off a scrum deep inside the DHS 22 and crashing over despite the attention of two tacklers for a try. The conversion was missed, leaving Hilton 0 for 3 in that department.

In the 11th minute of the second half, Hilton was reduced to 14 men when Khazimla Makali was shown red. He’d dragged Nathan Aneke to ground, but in doing so had caused his opposite number to hit the turf headfirst. It wasn’t deliberate, but it met the red card threshold.

From the resulting penalty, DHS kicked out in the Hilton 22, setting up a lineout. The boys in blue got the shove on Hilton and when the maul went to ground the referee signalled a penalty try. With the seven-point play, DHS was within one at 14-15.

Just before the hour-mark, the home team took the lead for the first time. They hit it up with their forwards on the right of the Hilton 22. Then, with players looping around, they moved the ball swiftly left and Zenkosi Mthiyane was able to outflank the visitors’ defence and dive over in the left-hand corner.

Within three minutes, after a strong break from Zander Vorster, Hilton won a penalty almost directly in front of the uprights for DHS going offsides. John Grubb knocked over the kick from 27 metres out.

Seven minutes later came that moment of magic from Nathan Aneke and DHS escaped a furious Hilton challenge.

SCORES

Durban High School 26 (7) – Tries: Daniel Ikotela, Nathan Aneke, Zenkosi Mthiyane, penalty try,
Conversion: Jordan van Wyk (2); Hilton College 18 (10) – Tries: James Peattie, Josh Grant, Zander Muller. Penalty: John Grubb.

u19 – DHS I 26-18 Hilton I; DHS II 18 Hilton II 19; DHS III 24 Hilton III 10; DHS IV 16 Hilton IV 15; DHS V 15 Hilton V 6; DHS VI 19 Hilton VI 14.

u16 – DHS A 36 Hilton A 26; DHS B 26 Hilton B 10; DHS C 38 Hilton C 12; DHS D 50 Hilton D 0.

u15 – DHS A 52 Hilton A 0; DHS B 50 Hilton B 0; DHS C 44 Hilton C 10; DHS D 34 Hilton D 10.

u14 – DHS A 10 Hilton A 13; DHS B 50 Hilton B 0; DHS C 50 Hilton C 0.

Maritzburg College vs Kearsney College

Goldstone’s will be pumping on Saturday when Maritzburg College hosts Kearsney College on the Red, Black, and White‘s Reunion Weekend in a King Price Derby Series clash.

Not only will College be out to make their Old Boys happy, they’ll also be aiming to avenge a 14-16 loss to the One-Stripe early in 2024, which set their campaign back.

It won’t be a simple task. Kearsney has made strong strides this season. College’s form, meanwhile, has been somewhat inconsistent.

Last time out, College almost pulled off a massive upset, going down 21-22 against unbeaten Westville Boys’ High. They were also very good when they travelled upcountry to take on Pretoria Boys High, coming away with a 45-28 win, but it’s difficult to predict what they’re going to produce.

However, the aforementioned Old Boys’ Reunion and Goldstone’s are huge plusses for coach Nico Breedt‘s boys.

The Goldstone’s impact was on full display in 2024 when College hosted Affies, who went down to unbeaten Paul Roos by only five points, lost to Paarl Gim by one, and Grey College by four. Paul Roos trounced College 46-0 and Grey won 48-0. Yet, Affies only narrowly escaped defeat on Goldstone’s, with a last-minute penalty lifting them to a 39-37 win.

There’s good, young talent coming through the Kearsney ranks, with four of their players included in the Sharks Academy Week team, which is an u17 outfit. College has three, but they also feature front ranker Indiphile Mlotshwa and eighthman Wasi Vyumbwera in the Craven Week side.

If College plays the kind of game they played so successfully against Westville, Kearsney could be in trouble. Twice this season – against Hilton College and Michaelhouse – they’ve come up short against teams that were intent on hitting it up hard off rucks and mauls, and in the channels on either side of them. When those teams were able to build up momentum, they won going away.

Last time out, Kearsney gave a good account of themselves against Durban High School (DHS), who play a similar game to Hilton and Michaelhouse, and the One-Stripe ran in some eye-catching tries. They feature exciting offensive talent, which should bring them points. The big challenge for the visitors will be how effective they are on defence.

Durban High School vs Hilton College

Durban High School‘s (DHS) Van Heerden’s Field will be jam-packed, no doubt, for their Founders Day clash with Hilton College.

It’s going to be a big-hitting, physical battle between two very well coached teams that understand their roles and their game plans, which, in many ways, mirror that of the opponent.

Hilton looked fantastic in their last match, a 53-15 dismantling of Glenwood High at the Sharks Schools’ Rugby Day. When they build up a head of steam, their combinations hunt together, and forwards and backs seamlessly combine. DHS, though, prides itself on its defence and they’re disruptive when stopping the opposition. Building up momentum against School is a huge challenge.

In many ways, this is a battle of two teams in which they each know what is coming. The question is, what are they going to do about it?

DHS heads into the contest off the back of a 28-33 defeat to Westville Boys’ High, who won 23-15 at Hilton in their season-opener. School fell 16 points behind on Bowden’s Field, but they showed their spirit by rattling off 17 points without reply to take a 28-27 lead before two late penalties won it for the Griffin. They’re never out of a contest.

Much will depend on the quality of ball supplied to Hilton flyhalf Liyema Nela, who is able to dictate play with a well-rounded game.

One of the features of schoolboy rugby this season has been the incredible talent in the midfields and there will be no shortage of that in Saturday’s showdown. The clash between DHS’s Zingce Simka and Nathan Aneke and Hilton’s Tristan Uys and Khazimla Makali should be fascinating. Simka brings physicality, Aneka’s a smooth runner, Makali has pace to burn, and Uys owns some underrated subtle skills, among other qualities.

Hilton be without Ricky Adonis, the hattrick hero of their big win over Glenwood. John Grubb wears the number 11 jersey in his place, while there’s also a change on the right wing, where Joshua Kok gets the start.

Up front, two rugged packs will vie for supremacy, and two tough loose trios will play a massive role in the outcome of the contest. Much will depend on who controls the loose exchanges, especially the pace of recycled possession.

Expect a high-quality, tightly contested clash.

Westville Boys’ High vs Glenwood High

Westville Boys’ High has already dealt with those KZN opponents perceived to be their toughest challengers this season, beating Hilton College 23-15, Northwood 16-14, and DHS 33-28, but there are no gimmes, and Glenwood High showed on their Old Boys’ Day last weekend that they can be an awfully tough nut to crack.

In front of their loyal supporters, on Dixon’s Field, Glenwood took it to Northwood, and it was only right at the death that the Knights managed to pull clear with two late tries, which took them to a 30-16 victory. The result, though, had been in the balance until then.

Glenwood’s 2025 team has taken a step forward since a tough 2024 season. Still, though, they exhibit some inconsistency, which has cost them a game or two.

They’re capable of playing outstanding rugby. The manner in which they roared into a 29-0 lead against Milnerton High at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival was awesome. Then, they let it slip and ended up claiming a narrow 37-34 win. That’s the Green Machine this season.

They visit Bowden’s Field on Saturday, the home of Westville Boys’ High, who boast a pristine record of 10 matches played and 10 wins. They also have eight members of the Sharks Craven Week team in their ranks. Glenwood has none.

However, Westville is coming off an emotional 33-28 victory over DHS last week. That opens them up to the possibility of a let-down performance. They’ll know that, and they’ll be focused on their execution on Saturday. Still, if they don’t assert themselves early, Glenwood will be encouraged, and the challenge could become far more testing than it might otherwise appear.

Westville was able to play the game against DHS in the right areas at crucial times in their big win, and their tactical kicking will, again, be extremely important. If they own that contest, they’ll be hard to stop.

Goal-kicking, too, has a role to play, with two of the best kickers around, Jade-Will Koopman (Westville) and Joshua Kopp (Glenwood), handling those duties. Koopman’s perfect return against DHS, which brought him 18 points, was a match-winning contribution.

South African Schools fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya left the field in Westville’s win over DHS, and he won’t be in the starting 15 on Saturday. Lux Sononkonkono, an Academy Week player, who took over from Siyaya and did a masterful job, will again wear the number 15 jersey.

TEAMS

Kearsney College – 15 Lwazi Mbebe, 14 Valentino Lenge, 13 Doan Nel, 12 Keanu Williamson, 11 Bukho Hlwatika, 10 Jayden Jonsson, 9 Fynn Verbaan, 8 Nhlanhla Ndlovu, 7 Oliver Ludwig, 6 Simanya Mlakalaka, 5 Thomas Francke, 4 Joseph Roylance, 3 Azania Thela, 2 Micah van Wyk, 1 Luke Fauré.

Maritzburg College: 15 Amahle Hadebe, 14 Caleb Scheepers, 13 Olwethu Kosani, 12 Jordan Thackwray, 11 Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein, 10 Liyema Tseko, 9 Dom du Toit, 8 Wasi Vyumbwera, 7 Cyril Cherayi, 6 David Colenbrander, 5 Rory Stanton, 4 Mian Pretorius, 3 Alanda Ngubane, 2 Theo Boshoff, 1 Indiphile Mlotshwa.

Durban High School: 15 Jordan van Wyk, 14 Amogeleng Mataboge 13 Nathan Aneke, 12 Zingce Simka, 11 Zenkosi Mthiyane, 10 Cilermo Carolus, 9 Jaydon Roberts, 8 Bradley la Grange, 7 Ambesiwe Sipanga, 6 Daniel Ikotela, 5 Zion Smith, 4 Vimbiso Kasvosve, 3 Omphile Kola, 2 J Botha, 1 Elvino Witbooi.

Hilton College: 15 James Peattie, 14 Joshua Kok, 13 Khazimla Makali, 12 Tristan Uys, 11 John Grubb, 10 Liyema Nela, 9 Zander Vorster, 8 Zander Muller, 7 Emmanuel Dankwah, 6 Jacques Olivier, 5 Andrew Schell, 4 Andre Boshoff, 3 Mholi Khuzwayo, 2 Josh Grant, 1 Khanya Jekwa

Westville Boys’ High: 15 Lux Sononkonkono, 14 Ntobeko Sithole, 13 Jadrian Afrikaner, 12 Sean McGough, 11 Avumile Lisa, 10 Jade-Will Koopman, 9 Liam Simpkins, 8 Lwandile Simelane, 7 Lwandle Makhanya, 6 Brandon Eke, 5 Lwandile Mlaba, 4 Moustapher Gcina, 3 Bandile Mncwango, 2 Ross Calvert, 1 Sibusiso Hlongwa.

Glenwood High: N/A

Bowden’s Field was jam-packed and there was electricity in the air, which served to underline the stakes and the massive interest in the match when unbeaten Westville Boys’ High met one-loss Durban High School on Saturday in a clash to determine KwaZulu-Natal’s top rugby team of 2025.

After an enthralling contest in which fortunes ebbed and flowed, Westville held off a huge onslaught from DHS in the second half to claim a 33-28 victory that richly rewarded the crowd amassed around the field.

“It was up and down, a rollercoaster, but everyone knew it was going to come down to this,” Westville’s coach Zander Erasmus told SuperSport Schools Plus after the game.

“It’s been building up the whole year. It was amazing. We’ve worked hard.”

In the early going, Westville played the game in the DHS half, dominating territory, and that brought them early reward when right-wing, Ntobeko Sithole, took a skip pass on the left-hand touchline and barrelled his way over for the opening score.

Flyhalf Jade-Will Koopman, whose kicking played a vital role in Westville’s win, knocked over the tough conversion.

The teams, then, swopped penalties, with Koopman knocking over two and Jordan van Wyk responding for DHS with two of his own to make it 13-6 in favour of the hosts.

School reduced the gap to only two points when, after laying siege to the home team’s try line, the burly Zingce Simka crashed over for the visitors’ first try.

Trailing only 11-13, DHS was right back in the contest, with less than two minutes remaining until halftime. From the kick off, though, a wild series of events culminated in Westville scoring their second try.

The high kick was knocked back by DHS, but way too hard, and the ball flew deep into the Horseflies‘ 22. Scrumhalf Marcwin Nero gathered it under pressure and flung a pass inside, but there was no one to receive.

Flyhalf Cilermo Carolus sprinted after it and just before the ball went over the dead-ball line swiped it back into the field of play. The ball fell kindly for Westville centre Sean McGough and he gratefully pounced on it to dot down.

Koopman slotted the extras, and Westville turned nine points to the good at 20-11.

Early in the second half, the home team swept back onto the attack, sucking in the DHS defence as the forwards drove the ball up. When it was eventually released to the backline, Koopman found Jadrian Afrikaner in space out wide on the right with a floated pass and Afrikaner was over. Koopman kept his 100 percent kicking record intact to make it 27-11.

DHS needed to respond. If Westville scored next, they would surely go on to dominate from there. DHS, though, plays with immense character and grit, and they took charge by playing the game deep in the home team’s half.

Their captain Daniel Ikotela led the way, breaking away from a maul inside the Westville 22 to dive over for five.

Then, Cilermo Carolus set up a magnificent try. It began from a lineout on the Westville 10m line from which scrumhalf Marcwin Nero ran at the hosts’ defensive line, drawing them in. Then, with a deep pass, he found Carolus sprinting into a gap. The flyhalf pinned his ears back, sold a dummy, and was almost over from 38 metres out. Just as he was brought down, with the try line in front of him, he popped a pass to Nathan Aneke, on his outside, and the number 13 was over.

After Van Wyk converted the try, only four points separated the teams. At 27-23, it was anybody’s game, and just before the hour mark DHS snatched the lead for the first time in the contest. This time, they profited from a Westville error.

The home side won a lineout close to their own try line, but it wasn’t clean, with the ball being tapped back. Westville skipper Liam Simpkins bobbled the ball and when he dropped it behind the whitewash, his opposite number, Nero, snapped up the opportunity, diving onto the ball for a try.

Van Wyk’s conversion attempt was wide of the mark, but DHS led 28-27. Westville was not done, though. Their response was outstanding.

“The message was simple,” Westville coach Zander Erasmus said. “Stay calm. If we play in the right area, we’ll be fine. No need to panic.”

Simpkins and company took the advice on board and, aided by a penalty straight from the kick off, which Koopman steered between the uprights, they hit the front once more, edging ahead 30-28.

They, also, played the game in the DHS half, reversing the momentum that had brought the visitors 17 unanswered points before the Westville number 10 had made the penalty kick.

Keeping it with the forwards, the Griffin bashed away at the DHS try line, taking the ball through phase after phase. School, though, came away with possession, but the referee blew his whistle for DHS using their hands in the ruck.

Again, Koopman, with admirable calm, made the high-pressure kick to boost his personal contribution to Westville’s total to 18 points.

A couple of minutes later, Simpkins was able to kick the ball into touch from a scrum and Westville had claimed a splendid five-point victory.

“For me, to be able to compete against DHS, who have been a powerhouse of KZN rugby for the last five years, being in the same conversation, and now proving our programme is building and we can now compete, not just play, but compete and win these big matches [is important],” Westville’s Zander Erasmus said afterwards.

In 2024, in one of the games of the year, Westville and King Edward VII (KES) drew 36-36 on Bowden’s. With time almost up in that game, and the home team trailing by five points, Jade-Will Koopman had created one of the tries of the season, taking the ball in the right-hand corner and racing out of the Westville 22 on the left. After an electrifying run, with the try line in sight, he was brought down, but he found Jadrian Afrikaner over his left shoulder to level the scores with a try in the corner.

Koopman had made every kick until then, but his conversion attempt, in the wind, from the touchline, was wide. He was inconsolable. He shouldn’t have been. He had been terrific.

On Saturday, against DHS, his trusty boot made the difference. This time, his kicking record was perfect. Erasmus explained how the Westville number 10 trains for the big pressure moments: “When we train, he comes to me and says ‘Coach, shout at me. I create a barrier for myself.’ He goes and he blocks it out. He’s grown from that [KES experience].

“He’s learnt that the game is process-driven and not outcome-driven. He sticks to his process and blocks the noise out. That’s phenomenal growth from him.”

Reflecting on the win, Erasmus admitted: “It’s one of my proudest days as a coach. It must be. It’s up there.”

After the final whistle, the combatants, who had given their all, showed meaningful respect to their opponents as they embraced. It was impressive stuff.

Westville’s Director of Sport, Pam Hayward, hid tears of pride behind a pair of dark sunglasses. The usually implacable DHS Director of Sport, Nathan Pillay, put an arm around her shoulder and congratulated her. It was a classy conclusion to a memorable showdown.

SCORES

Westville Boys’ High 33 (20) – Tries: Ntobeko Sithole, Sean McGough, Jadrian Afrikaner. Conversions: Jade-Will Koopman (3). Penalties: Jade-Will Koopman (4); Durban High School 28 (11) – Tries: Zingce Simka, Daniel Ikotela, Nathan Aneke, Marcwin Nero. Conversions: Jordan van Wyk. Penalties: Jordan van Wyk (2).

RESULTS

Westville vs DHS

u19 – Westville I 33 DHS I 28; Westville II 13 DHS II 13; Westville III 12 DHS III 27; Westville IV 6 DHS IV 16; Westville V 0 DHS V 12; Westville VI 7 DHS VI 12.

u16 – Westville A 24 DHS A 27; Westville B 19 DHS B 21; Westville C 15 DHS C 0; Westville D 0 DHS D 5

u15 – Westville A 3 DHS A 12; Westville B 6 DHS B 22; Westville C 22 DHS C 10; Westville D 40 DHS D 7; Westville E 39 DHS E 14.

u14 – Westville A 18 DHS A 23; Westville B 5 DHS B 43; Westville C 19 DHS C 5; Westville D 15 DHS D 12; Westville E 57 DHS E 7.

Glenwood vs Northwood

u19 – Northwood I 30 Glenwood I 16; Northwood II 15 Glenwood II 17; Northwood III 17 Glenwood III 12; Northwood IV 56 Glenwood IV 0; Northwood V 14 Glenwood V 24; Northwood VI 19 Glenwood VI 29

u16 – Northwood A 19 Glenwood A 26; Northwood B 13 Glenwood B 10; Northwood C 17 Glenwood C 10; Northwood D 29 Glenwood D 5

u15 – Northwood A 21 Glenwood A 19; Northwood B 13 Glenwood B 10; Northwood C 8 Glenwood C 8; Northwood D 17 Glenwood D 18

u14 – Northwood A 5 Glenwood A 7; Northwood B 19 Glenwood B 19; Northwood C 22 Glenwood C 5; Northwood D 17 Glenwood D 18

A year after Durban High School (DHS) provided nine players to the Sharks Craven Week team, Westville Boys’ High has grabbed the spotlight, with eight of their boys cracking the nod for the 2025 Week, which takes place at Middelburg High School, from 7-12 July.

Only two players – Jadrian Afrikaner and Zekhethelo Siyaya – both from Westville, were members of the 2024 Sharks Craven Week squad.

Siyaya was included in the SA Schools team and represented SA u18 in August 2024 in the International Series in the Western Cape, which also featured SA Schools A, France, England, Ireland, and Georgia.

The 23-player Sharks squad features players from only six schools: Westville Boys’ High, Durban High School (DHS), Northwood School, Hilton College, Michaelhouse, and Maritzburg College.

Westville’s contingent features three forwards and five backs, with tighthead Bandile Mncwango packing down in the front row. Lwandle Mlaba offers versatility and can play either in the second row or on the side of the scrum, while Lwandile Simelane has worn the number eight jersey for the Griffin but could also feature at flank.

Their backline players include scrumhalf and Westville captain Liam Simpkins. Jade-Will Koopman has taken charge of the flyhalf position for Westville, but he could be viewed more as a utility player, given his diverse all-round skills’ set.

Sean McGough has manned the inside centre position all season long. He’s physical, runs straight and hard, and is a sound defender. Jadrian Afrikaner has partnered McGough in the midfield, but he, also, played wing in 2024 and ran in a bucketload of tries.

Zekhethelo Siyaya, at fullback, gives the team’s most dangerous playmaker opportunities to impact the game with either his superb counterattacking or his prodigious boot.

Northwood’s contribution is four players, all from the pack. Loosehead Sphe Ntshangase, the second-row duo of Chad Howe and Lian Terblanche, who can also fill a loose-forward role, and Jamie Wimble at 8^th-man, underlines what has driven Northwood’s success in 2025.

Knights‘ coach Jacques Deen, who will serve as an assistant to head coach Dusty Noble, told SuperSport Schools Plus at the Sharks’ trials: “If our set pieces work, then it gets to a point where we’re 80 percent there. If those things work, then everything else falls in place and we’re a successful team.”

He’s a superb forwards’ coach, and his lineout work is especially effective, so the Northwood quartet will, no doubt, seamlessly assimilate into Deen’s approach.

Wimble is an exciting talent, whose physicality and sharp running lines have caught the eye, especially when facing the toughest of challenges.

Hilton College also provides four players, all of them in key playmaking positions: Josh Grant (hooker), Zander Muller (8^th-man), Zander Vorster (scrumhalf), and Liyema Nela (flyhalf).

Grant is a strong scrummager, but he’s at his best when acting as a fourth loose-forward. He has a knack for running good support lines, which create try-scoring opportunities.

Muller, at the back of the scrum, is a strong physical runner. One of the big questions that needs to be addressed by the Sharks’ leadership is who is going to wear the number eight jersey. They’ve included four regular number eights in their lineup.

Hilton’s other Zander, scrumhalf Vorster, provides a steady service, but he’s at his most dangerous when sniping at the line. He’s a big number nine, powerfully built, and mistimed or half-hearted tackles won’t bring him down.

Nela, at flyhalf, possesses a fine all-round game, although his goal-kicking can be streaky at times. His tactical kicking and ball distribution, though, are very good, and he is not afraid to take on the defence himself, either.

DHS, who are enjoying another outstanding season, has three players in the lineup – and 10 in the Academy side – and that, once again, includes a superb hooker. In 2023, DHS captain Christian Everitt was selected for the SA Schools A side. Then, last year, Mahle Sithole, earned selection for SA Schools.

Now, Okuhle Mbanjwa carries the mantle forward for the Horseflies. He’s a well-rounded player – good in the set scrums, accurate at lineout time, and effective around the field. His tighthead partner, Joseph Udo Idung, at 122 kilograms, brings bulk and strong scrumming ability to the front row.

Centre Nathan Aneke also cracked the nod. He’s not a big man, but he’s a smooth player. He has an eye for a gap, a good turn of pace, and distributes the ball well.

Michaelhouse, meanwhile, has two players in the team, and they, too, are both centres – their captain William Ridl and Rourke O’Sullivan. One of the questions that remains to be answered is whether or not the selectors will use them as a combination.

Ridl is big and strong, with the ability to break through slight gaps with his powerful running. O’Sullivan understands support lines and frequently runs himself into positions to inflict further damage on teams after his captain has dented their defensive lines. They work well together.

The Sharks’ squad is completed by two players from Maritzburg College. The first is loosehead prop Indiphile Mlotshwa, which feels like an appropriate selection given that College produced two SA Schools props in 2024, Phiwayinkosi Kubheka and Aiden Botha. Mlotshwa, though, has shown that there is more to his game than set scrums and he gets around the field well.

The other choice from Maritzburg College is their captain and 8th-man, Wasi Vyambwera. He’s a prototypical College loose-forward, the kind of player who gets stuck in and does the dirty work, and who delivers a physical punch.

Craven Week: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya (Westville Boys’ High), 14 Jade-Will Koopman (Westville Boys’ High), 13 Jadrian Afrikaner (Westville Boys’ High), 12 Sean McGough (Westville Boys’ High), 11 Nathan Aneke (Durban High School), 10 Liyema Nela (Hilton College), 9 Liam Simpkins (Westville Boys’ High), 8 Jaime Wimble (Northwood), 7 Lian Terblanche (Northwood), 6 Wandile Simelane (Westville Boys’ High), 5 Chad Howe (Northwood), 4 Lwandile Mlaba (Westville Boys’ High) 3 Bandile Mncwango (Westville Boys’ High), 2 Okuhle Mbanjwa (DHS), 1 Indiphile Mlotshwa (Maritzburg College). Replacements: 16 Josh Grant (Hilton College), 17 Sphephelo Ntshangase (Northwood), 18 Joseph Udo Idung (DHS), 19 Mumbere Vyambwera (Maritzburg College), 20 Zander Muller (Hilton College), 21 Zander Vorster (Hilton College), 22 Rourke O’Sullivan (Michaelhouse), 23 William Ridl (Michaelhouse).

8 Westville Boys’ High | 4 Hilton College | 4 Northwood | 3 Durban High School | 2 Maritzburg College | 2 Michaelhouse 

Academy Week: Ambesiwe Sipango (DHS), Amogeleng Mataboge (DHS), Andrew Schnell (Hilton College), Cilermo Carolus (DHS), Daniel Fwita (DHS), Duhan du Plessis (DHS), Iwan Slabbert (DHS), Janco Visagie (Northwood), Johannes van der Walt (Northwood), Keanu Williamson (Kearsney College), Likho Konza (DHS), Luxolo Sonkononkono (Westville Boys’ High), Lwandle Mkhize (Kearsney College), Lwazi Mbebe (Kearsney College), Milisuthando George (DHS), Nhlanhla Ndlovu (Kearsney College), Olwethu Kosani (Maritzburg College), Omphile Kola (DHS), Rory Stanton (Maritzburg College), Sambesiwe Ndamase (Glenwood High), Sibusiso Hlongwa (Westville Boys’ High), Theo Boshoff (Maritzburg College), Zion Smith (Durban High School).

10 Durban High School | 4 Kearsney College | 3 Maritzburg College | 2 Northwood School | 2 Westville Boys’ High | 1 Glenwood High | 1 Hilton College 

The hosts, Hilton College, took on Glenwood High in the last game of the Sharks High Schools’ Rugby Day, on Gilfillan Field, and they put on a show for their supporters, running away to a 53-15 victory after falling behind 5-8 in the early going.

It was a well-constructed win from coach Brad Macleod-Henderson‘s charges, who played the kind of game that he would have wanted to see, although he didn’t give too much away after the match, saying only that his players need to keep their feet on the ground after their big win. He was all smiles, nonetheless.

Hilton’s victory was all about well-coordinated teamwork, a smooth understanding by the players of their roles, and sound execution of the basics.

Glenwood, though, was the first onto the scoreboard from a counterattack. When Hilton scrumhalf Zander Vorster, who had done well to cover a chip over the top, had the ball knocked loose from his grasp as he went up to field it, number eight, Mkhululi Mhlongo, was up in support to grab the ball out of the air and dive over for five points.

In the eighth minute, a beautiful pop-up by inside centre Tristan Uys, out of the back of his right hand, set left-wing Ricky Adonis up for a try against the grain, and Hilton’s opening points.

Glenwood reclaimed the lead with a penalty from inside the Hilton 22 by Joshua Kopp, but it was a long time before they scored again.

Zander Vorster, a dangerous man from close range, banged his way over after 19 minutes, and Hilton hit the front, never to be hauled in again.

A Liyema Nela penalty increased the lead to 15-8.

Lock André Boshoff showed off his skill and pace when he snatched a high kick away out of the air on Glenwood’s 10m line and charged towards the try line. He was brought down midway into the 22. Six phases of the forwards hitting it up and hooker Josh Grant, a prolific try scorer, was over for a five-pointer. Nela’s conversion made it 22-8 at the break.

Early in the second half, Hilton turned back to the slow and patient poison of their driving pack. With Glenwood’s defenders well and truly sucked in, Vorster fed Nela on the blind side and he quickly zipped a pass to Guy Fender, who dived across the line in the right-hand corner.

In the 52nd minute, the Hilton captain, Nela, set a searing counterattack in motion by fielding a ball inside his half and wrong-footing two chasers with a hard step off his right foot. From wide on the left, a pop pass over the top of a defender picked out the speedy Ricky Adonis. He cut inside and into the 22 before offloading to Emmanuel Dankwah and the powerful flank shrugged off the tackle of Tylo Madaat for a fabulous try.

Nela struck the right upright with the simple conversion, but it ricocheted over the crossbar and the gap had grown to 32-8. Hilton had rhythm and momentum on their side and Glenwood had no answer to the home team’s organisation and slick execution.

Vorster, then, snagged a turnover at a ruck, hit the gas, and was almost over for a try. Hilton, though, had a five-metre scrum right in the middle of the field and when they quickly won another penalty from the set piece, Zander Muller took a quick tap and was over. With another conversion made by Nela, it was 39-8.

With eight minutes to play, Tristan Uys was in from 35 metres out after a sneaky show and go and John Grubb, who had taken over the kicking duties after Nela was substituted, slotted the conversion.

Well beaten but still fighting, Glenwood conjured up a response from a lineout inside Hilton’s 22. The Green Machine hit it up through three phases before a long flat pass from scrumhalf Lian Lochner found Glenwood captain Lizwe Mtetwa coming in on an angled run, which broke two tackles and put him over the try line. Kopp made the conversion kick, making the score 46-15.

Hilton, however, had the final say, with their good ball retention and seamless interplay between backs and forwards eventually being finished off by Kyle-Reese Clements, who charged away from a ruck for the final try of the game.

Of all the teams in action on Friday, the home side produced the most compelling performance, unfortunately for Glenwood.

The Sharks’ Craven Week selectors will have some homework to do. They have plenty of options to consider.

SCORES

Hilton College 53 (22) – Tries: Ricky Adonis, Zander Vorster, Josh Grant, Guy Fender, Emmanuel Dankwah, Zander Muller, Tristan Uys, Kyle-Reese Clements. Conversions: Liyema Nela (4), John Grubb. Penalty: Liyema Nela; Glenwood High 15 (8) – Tries: Mkhululi Mhlongo, Lizwe Mtetwa. Conversion: Joshua Kopp. Penalty: Joshua Kopp.

Kearsney College, a heavy underdog against Durban High School (DHS), gave a good account of themselves in the third game of the Sharks Schools’ Rugby Day on Hilton College’s Weightman-Smith Field, but a storming finish from School took DHS to a 40-20 victory on Friday.

It wasn’t their best performance, but it has been a very busy time for DHS, and their intensity and pressure bore fruit towards the end of the game when they pulled clear of the feisty One-Stripe.

Referencing his side’s slow start, DHS coach Peter Engeldow told SuperSport Schools Plus: “It’s exhaustion, to be honest. We had three games at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival. We finished on the Monday, then, on the Saturday, we played Northwood, a tough local derby. We left on the Tuesday and played on Thursday and Saturday at Wildeklawer, against Stellenberg, and then Paarl Gim, at 20:00, on Saturday night. We got home on Sunday at 19:00, just exhausted.

“We played seven games in 12 or 13 days. Other schools do it as well, but, for us, it has been tough. We trained last Saturday, but with the Friday fixture, we also had to change our schedule. It has been pretty full-on.”

Kearsney suffered a big loss to Michaelhouse last time out, but they’ve undoubtedly made good progress this season, and they eagerly fronted up to the challenge posed by School. It took almost a quarter of an hour for the first points to be scored, but they went the way of DHS, who drove hooker Okuhle Mbanjwa over the line.

Kearsney’s enterprise and imagination were on show when they replied with a wonderful try that began on the halfway line, wide left, where fullback Lwazi Mbebe fielded a clearing kick. The play was switched to the opposite flank but then finished in the left-hand corner, with centre Doan Nel being stopped just shy of the line before popping the ball into Lwandle Mkhize‘s hands for the score.

A successful conversion kick from Mbebe edged Kearsney ahead, but DHS soon took control of the contest, adding further tries from fullback Jordan van Wyk and captain Daniel Ikotela, who broke three tackles before dotting down under the posts. By halftime, they were 22-10 to the good.

It was 25-13 with eight minutes to play, but Cilermo Carolus, from long-range, and Jaydon Roberts, from close-range, went over for tries for DHS, while Keanu Williamson rounded off a sweeping attack down the left flank for Kearsney. With the conversions made, it finished 40-20.

The DHS victory was built on their edge in the set scrums. In open play, they’re well-drilled and force the opposition into having to make numerous tackles. Once they pierce the defensive line, they have the runners to take advantage of that.

He’s not the biggest centre, but the Horseflies‘ Nathan Aneke impressed with his smooth reading of the game and distribution. Opposite him, Keanu Williamson was busy throughout the contest, running good support lines, and his try was a deserved reward. Lwazi Mbebe was a calm presence at fullback for Kearsney and he kicked well from the tee, too.

“Credit to Kearsney. They’re trying to play a specific brand of rugby, which is nice, and they’re improving,” DHS coach Peter Engledow said.

“They took a bit of a hammering against ‘House last Friday. Sometimes that could be, for our guys watching, their mindset is it’s not going to be too tough, and we have Westville in the back of our minds, for next Saturday. There are a number of factors, but, at the end of the day, the history books will say DHS W, Kearsney L.”

The DHS loose trio – Daniel Ikotela, Bradley la Grange, and Dexter Mkhencele – brought a strong physical presence to the contest, as always, while, in the opposing pack, lock Joseph Roylance caught the eye with his outstanding work rate.

Summing up the win, Peter Engledow said: “We said as long as we bring the intensity and we play in the right areas – which we didn’t at times, and which is a bit annoying – we’ll be okay. We’ll go back, learn, and prep for Westville.”

Westville Boys’ High vs Maritzburg College

The action moved to Gilfillian Field for the day’s last two matches, with unbeaten Westville Boys’ High taking on Maritzburg College in the penultimate contest.

Westville claimed a 22-21 win, but they were far from their best, which their coach Zander Erasmus acknowledged: “I think we were very lucky to win today,” he said.

There is a positive to take out of, by far, Westville’s worst performance of the season, and that’s the fact that good teams find ways to win, even when they’re not playing well. A decision early in the second half to have Zekhethelo Siyaya take a long-range kick at goal proved to be pivotal because it edged the Griffin ahead, and they were able to hold on for the win from there.

It appeared as if it was going to be a comfortable day at the office for Westville when they ran in two converted tries in the early going. The first was beautifully set up by Siyaya, who sliced through College’s defence like a scalpel and then put Jadrian Afrikaner in the clear. Then, good hands opened up an opportunity for Avumile Lisa to go over in the left-hand corner. It looked routine, but it didn’t turn out to be.

Westville coach Erasmus explained why: “That first half was just not good enough in terms of easy exits, penalties, allowing them to come back into the game. Their set piece was very good.

“We knew that there is a lot of fight in this Maritzburg College side. They’ve been coached well. They came around the corner and put their bodies on the line. They looked like they wanted it more than us,” he said.

College got themselves back into the game through their forwards, who laid siege to the Westville try line before David Colenbrander dived over for five. The steady boot of Dom du Toit made it a seven-point play.

Westville replied with another try in the left-hand corner, scored by flank Lwandle Makhanya, after some slick passing took them up to the try line, but they lost their way after that.

Twice in one movement, College made a mess of the final pass, which would have put them over the Westville try line, but they came back for a penalty and big Indiphile Mlotshwa barrelled his way over after a quick tap. Du Toit added the extras and the teams turned with College down by five.

Early in the second half, coach Nico Breedt’s boys grabbed the lead after a clever dink over the top from Jordan Thackeray was caught by his centre partner, Olwethu Kosani, who offloaded quickly and put Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein in for the try. Du Toit converted from the left-hand touchline to make it 21-19 to the Red, Black, and White.

College was playing the kind of game they wanted to play, so when Westville won a penalty on the halfway line they turned to Siyaya to have a shot at goal. He made the vital kick. The Westville number 15 is a complete player, and while Maritzburg College did a good job of limiting his counterattacking opportunities in the second half, Siyaya imposed himself on the game with his long, well-directed kicks.

It became a down-and-dirty arm wrestle, mostly between the packs, but without the addition of points on the scoreboard, and Westville held on for their ninth win of the season.

Maritzburg College had a lot to do with Westville’s lukewarm display. Kudos to them for their work in the trenches, but the Griffin, with three good moves, bagged three tries, two of them converted, and that all-important long-range penalty from Siyaya sneaked a win.

Zander Erasmus, who keeps his cool when the going gets tough, was brutally honest in his assessment of the match: “We weren’t good enough,” he stated plainly. “We didn’t have a plan on attack. We looked flat. We missed a lot of tackles and made stupid decisions. It wasn’t what we wanted, because we planned to play and transition and offload, but we didn’t give ourselves that opportunity.”

The record books, however, will read a win for Westville, and they’ll put their unbeaten record on the line next Saturday against DHS in a high-stakes showdown on Bowden’s Field.

SCORES

Durban High School 40 (22) – Tries: Okuhle Mbanjwa, Jordan van Wyk, Daniel Ikotela, Cilermo Carolus, Jaydon Roberts. Conversions: Jordan van Wyk (4). Penalties: Jordan van Wyk (3); Kearsney College 20 (10) – Tries: Lwandle Mkhize, Keanu Williamson. Conversions: Lwazi Mbebe (2). Penalties: Lwazi Mbebe (2).

Westville Boys’ High 22 (19) – Tries: Jadrian Afrikaner, Avumile Lisa, Lwandle Makhanya. Conversions: Jade-Will Koopman (2). Penalty: Zekhethelo Siyaya. Maritzburg College 21 (14) – Tries: David Colenbrander, Indiphile Mlotshwa, Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein. Conversions:
Dom du Toit (3).

The Sharks High Schools’ Rugby Day didn’t draw big crowds. It was, after all, a Friday, but Hilton College was bathed in ideal conditions for some quality competition as five matches took place, serving, also, as trials for Craven Week selection.

St Charles College vs Clifton College

St Charles College and Clifton College kicked off proceedings on the Weightman-Smith Field just as the day began to warm up, but Saints immediately turned up the heat with a blistering start, racing into a 19-0 lead, thanks to their quick off-loading game.

Within the first two minutes, right-wing Mathew Ludick was put in the clear to open the scoring. Agape Nyawo, after a big bust by Matthew Naudé, sold a dummy before slipping through to go in for five more, and before the 10-minute mark St Charles had their third, with a favourable bounce of the ball and a slip from a Clifton defender enabling Saints to regather a kick, and one pass inside put flyhalf AJ Bosman over.

Clifton, to their credit, after that shaky start, came back strongly. Playing the game down in the St Charles’ half, they went close when Lukhanyiso Nala was held up over the try line, but they bashed their way over from the resulting five-metre scrum through Danyaal Motala.

Nala, then, made good ground down the right flank before being hauled to the ground, but he popped up later in the same movement to power over for a second Clifton try. Adam Selikow slotted his second conversion and it was 19-14 at halftime. Game on!

The second half, though, belonged to St Charles, who stretched their lead to win going away by a 47-14 margin. Carl Chekera, Mathew Ludick, Agape Nyawo, and Raphael Ajibade added tries, with AJ Bosman converting all four to secure a comfortable win.

Ajibade came off the bench to set up one try and to score another. He’s a special athlete, but he was a substitute because he is carrying a shoulder injury. The selectors wanted to see him in action, though, and he gave them something to think about.

Saints’ coach Craig Dwyer was happy with his side’s showing: “The whole bench got a run at the end, which was lekker to see. It was good,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus. “We had a good fast start, which was what we were aiming for. We aimed to put pressure on them early on. In that last 10 minutes of the half, we took our foot off the accelerator a little bit, but it was a much better performance.”

Last time out, St Charles went down 16-26 to Maritzburg College after a hard battle. Dwyer said the team exhibited some pleasing improvements against Clifton. “I think our ball retention was a lot better. We fixed our lineout woes,” he said. “Against College, we had a few blips. Again, we have young players and we were missing Rafa Ajibade at the start of the game, which was huge for us. But the younger players stepped up.

“We were able to build pressure and get them on the back foot and strike when it mattered most.”

Clifton will take heart from a very good period of play after going three tries down. They moved the ball well while playing the game in the St Charles half, with forwards and backs combining well, but the Pietermaritzburg school’s slick handling paid off in the second stanza.

Northwood vs Michaelhouse

The day’s second match was between Northwood and Michaelhouse. When they met at the start of the season, Northwood snatched a 15-13 win on Reece-Edwards Field. This time around, it was a far higher-scoring game and the most entertaining contest of the day, with the Knights coming away with a hard-fought 43-29 victory.

It was a fascinating match. Rourke O’Sullivan opened the scoring with a try for Michaelhouse in the left-hand corner, and then it became a back-and-forth battle. With only five minutes remaining, the Knights led just 33-29, but they finished well, with a superb try from Ludi van der Walt giving them some breathing space.

“Really well done to [Michaelhouse coach] James Fleming and his team,” Northwood’s coach Jacques Deen said after a thrilling game. “I know half of these [Michaelhouse] boys after coaching them at the Grant Khomo Week. They are a really good team. They are physical, they’re strong, they’re well-drilled. That came at us today, but we were the better team. We stuck to what we needed to do.”

Northwood’s scrum edged the battle up front, putting Michaelhouse under heavy pressure, which was exactly what Deen was after. He explained: “If our set pieces work, then it gets to a point where we’re 80 percent there. If those things work, then everything else falls in place and we’re a successful team.”

There was, as there often is, a superb try from Knights’ centre Bongane Khumalo, who reads the game well and has fantastic fast feet, although, arguably, the sweetest individual effort of the day came from Michaelhouse flyhalf, Stefan Moolman, when he danced his way through the Northwood defence.

Jamie Wimble, at number eight for Northwood, impressed. He’s an excellent all-rounder in cricket, and those ball skills and his intelligent reading of play, along with his power, make him a handful.

Northwood’s locks, Chad Howe and Lian Terblanche, sparkled, too, but it was, ultimately, a team effort that got them over the line.

“We are a team. We don’t rely on individuals, even though we’ve got players like Jamie Wimble, Sphe Ntshangase, Bongane Khumalo, Savio Stevens, Tristan Parkinson, and more,” coach Deen said.

“At the end of the day, they can’t do it without the other guys. A lot of other teams are more reliant on individuals, but we’re successful because we’re 15 players.”

‘House skipper William Ridl played his part, scoring a couple of tries, the first of which highlighted the physical challenge he poses.

When the final whistle sounded, though, Northwood had scored six tries to four. Trevor van Volenstee added five conversions and a penalty just four minutes from time. That decision to take the kick and not try for a lineout and drive over the line underlined how close it was until the end.

Stefan Moolman contributed 14 points for Michaelhouse, adding a penalty and three conversions to his sensational try.

SCORES

St Charles 47 (19) – Agape Nyawo (2), Carl Chekera, Likuthi Mbalana, Matthew Ludick, AJ Bosman, Raphael Ajibade. Conversions: AJ Bosman (6). Clifton College 14 (14) – Tries: Lukhanyiso Nala, Danyaal Motala. Conversions: Adam Selikow (2).

Northwood 43 (19) – Tries: Lusanda Mabizela, Bongane Khumalo, Chad Howe, Jamie Wimble, Lian Terblanche, Ludi van der Walt. Conversions: Trevor van Volenstee (5). Penalty: Trevor van Volenstee; Michaelhouse 29 (15) – William Ridl (2), Rourke O’Sullivan, Stefan Moolman. Conversions: Stefan Moolman (3). Penalty: Stefan Moolman.