Author: captainmorgan

Durban High School vs Michaelhouse

Van Heerden’s Field was rocking on Saturday, Durban High School‘s (DHS) Founders Day, for the visit of Michaelhouse.

While the Horseflies have laid claim to being the top team in KZN in 2024, ‘House has been there or thereabouts, and a good contest awaited the spectators and supporters.

There are many wonderful school venues around the country and Van Heerden’s, especially since the addition of The Pavilion, which boasts a wonderful view of the field, ranks among the best, especially when the venue is packed.

The DHS 1^st XV boasts one of the toughest defences in South Africa, which has given up an average of only seven points a game, but they were stunned early on when Michaelhouse got over for a try in the third minute.

When School was pinged for an infringement at a scrum, ‘House no. 9 Jack Hughes took the tap quickly and the home side didn’t react quickly enough. Hughes went blind, passed to flyhalf Luke Davidson, and he sold a dummy, rode a big hit from Bradley le Grange, and was over in the right-hand corner.

The Craven Week no. 10 tacked on two from the sideline and the visitors led 7-0.

It didn’t take long for DHS to reply. Aka Boqwana, with searing acceleration from a standing start, sliced through the Michaelhouse midfield, taking off from inside his own 10-metre line and rounding the defence before finishing with a happy swallow dive.

Like Davidson, he converted his own try, and the teams were level at 7-7. Then, after 15 minutes, Boqwana edged his team ahead with a penalty kick.

DHS were enjoying the better of the possession and punched the ball up, mostly with their forwards, to keep Michaelhouse on the back foot. To their credit, the boys from Balgowan tackled manfully to keep their relentless hosts at bay.

DHS, though, extended their lead when Michaelhouse missed a throw-in, just outside their 22.

Scrumhalf Marcwin Nero accepted the gift of possession at the back of the lineout and immediately fed his backline. One more pass, from flyhalf Allston Cedras to inside centre Zingce Simka and the Horseflies were in again as Zimke, a very physical midfielder, brushed aside the last defender and emulated Boqwana with a theatrical dive to celebrate his try.

Down by eight, Michaelhouse fought their way deep into DHS territory. From a five-metre scrum, Robert Combrinck, captaining the visitors from 8^th-man in place of their injured skipper, Carlyle Hawkins, made a strong drive at the try line. Three more phases and big Aphiwe Shelembe was over the try line, but he had been held up.

Michaelhouse, however, were awarded a penalty for DHS straying offsides and Davidson made it 15-10 at the break.

Early in the second half, DHS increased their lead. They made ground off a lineout inside the Michaelhouse 22, then kept it tight through eight phases before finally letting the ball out wide to the right, where Cedras skipped two men and found Adriano Jackson, who dotted down in the corner.

Boqwana added three more points in the 52^nd minute from the kicking tee to make it DHS 23-10 Michaelhouse.

Three minutes later, a fantastic breakout from DHS, from deep inside their 22, opened up Michaelhouse on their right touchline. Just past halfway, Zenkosi Mthiyane kicked ahead.

Aka Boqwana was in a foot race for the ball with ‘House flank Riley Gehren. Boqwana had the edge in speed, but Gehren never gave up, forcing the DHS fullback to toe ahead. His touch was too heavy, and the ball went out the back of the goal area. Gehren’s never-say-die effort was hugely impressive and, beyond a shadow of a doubt, prevented a try being scored.

No more points were added, and DHS claimed a closely contested win.

Maritzburg College vs Hilton College

Both Maritzburg College and Hilton College entered their clash on Goldstone’s having tasted defeat last time out, with College going down to Northwood and Hilton losing to Westville.

College, who had expected to be without their Craven Week lock, Jake Jansen, made him a late inclusion in their lineup. Unfortunately for Hilton, their Craven Week no.8 and captain, Hanu Pieterse, was missing.

Hilton, however, simply knuckled down and took the game to College. Their forward-based, bruising approach works well to counter the traditionally robust College game, and it was the visitors who were first onto the scoreboard through flyhalf Xola Bakana, who slotted a penalty in the ninth minute.

College lock Jansen was to the fore with a marauding run off a lineout in the 12^th minute, which set up the Red, Black and White to take the ball through five phases before winning a penalty. Spurning a five-metre lineout, they went for a tap.

Captain Rambo Kubheka, whose ball carrying was ferocious throughout the contest, charged it up. His fellow prop Aiden Botha made further ground. Then, when the ball was moved down the backline to the left, Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein pulled off an outrageously good dummy to wrong foot the Hilton defence and rip through for a try.

Flyhalf James Slevin added the extras to put Maritzburg College ahead for the first time on the day.

College hooker Siya Nkosi crashed over in the 22^nd minute, but he was held up. From the resulting five-metre scrum, the home side’s skipper, Rambo Kubheka, forced his way through two tacklers to ground the ball and extend his team’s lead. Slevin’s sure boot created an 11-point gap.

When Hilton was awarded a penalty inside the College 22, they opted for a lineout instead of the three points that the accurate Bakana almost certainly would have scored. It was a brave decision, but it paid off.

From the driving maul, Josh Grant broke around the side, supported by Emmanuel Dankwah. They were stopped centimetres from the Maritzburg try line, but their stocky scrumhalf Xander Vorster snatched up the ball and launched himself low over the line for five. The conversion, surprisingly, was missed.

A quarter-of-an-hour into the second half, hooker Josh Grant, with a beautiful inside pop pass, found flyhalf Xola Bakana, who was steaming onto the ball. He took it and hit a gap at the same time, surgically bisecting the College defensive line.

Just shy of the try line, he was brought down by Luyanda Kunene, but the predatory Vorster was up in support to snag the ball and dive over the line for his second try. Bakana’s accurate conversion kick put Hilton 15-14 ahead.

Six minutes later, they were six points clear after a wonderful flat ball from Bakana played Khazimla Makali into a gap. He raced clear of the turning defenders, drew the man, and released Ivan Jjuuko, on his outside, to run in a thrilling try.

Maritzburg College dialled up a good response by grinding their way down into the Hilton 22. They won a penalty but, like their opponents early in the game, chose to set up a lineout instead of taking a kick at goal.

A sharp change of direction from the resulting maul put the ball in the hands of Kubheka on the blindside and he shifted it quickly to Siya Nyathi, with the hooker diving over in the left-hand corner. Then, from in front of Basher Ridge, Slevin nailed his kick from the touchline to edge College in front once more, 21-20.

In the final minute, the extraordinary skills of College skipper Rambo Kubheka were again to the fore. Following a sustained assault by the hosts, scrumhalf Rayke Maartens went right to the big prop. With a beautiful hard and flat pass, worthy of any flyhalf, he gave right-wing Ntsika Mkhize a clear run at the try line and Mkhize scampered over in the corner.

Slevin missed a conversion for the first time on the day, but Maritzburg College celebrated a battling 26-20 victory over Hilton.

Clifton College vs Kearsney College

After boosting their confidence with a win at Glenwood a week earlier, Kearsney College had an easier time of it on Saturday at the Riverside Sports Club against Clifton College, running out 48-0 victors.

Almost exactly two years ago – the game was played on 28 May – at the same venue, Clifton won 24-17. This time around, it was one-way traffic as the One-Stripe crossed for eight tries.

They opened their account when Clifton missed a penalty kick at touch. Kearsney moved the ball quickly from the right flank to the left flank, and Sharks’ Craven Week back, Cameron Veenstra, playing at outside centre, ran a good support line to take a short pass from Bukho Hlwatika and go over.

Veenstra converted the try – he would go four for eight on conversion attempts – but it was the start of a fantastic day for the flyer. He added another two tries to finish with a hattrick and a personal haul of 23 points.

Kearsney won the tactical battle, playing most of their rugby camped inside the Clifton half and that, allied with their enthusiastic and hard-hitting defence, paid rich dividends. That’s how they landed their second try, with smothering defence in the Clifton 22 leading to a loose pass. Then, Valentino Lenge, with some fast feet, evaded the scrambling defence to make the dive for five. He dotted down twice on the day.

The visitors were able to build up a rhythm to their attacks, which began to flow nicely, and Blake Kruger, after Kearsney had moved the ball nicely through a number of phases, forcing their way up the field, broke away from a ruck, and scored from 32 metres out with a determined run.

Just before half-time, the One-Stripe’s captain, tighthead Anele Cele, was rewarded for his work off the ball, charging up in support of Murray Weyer, after the scrumhalf had made a searing break from a lineout, to take the final pass and crash over for a try.

With Cameron Veenstra making all four of his conversion kicks in the opening stanza, Kearsney led 28-0 at the break. He was less successful in the second half, failing to land any, but Cele and company crossed for another four tries to record their biggest win of the season.

There were two more for Veenstra, Lenge’s second and the last five-pointer from Rogan Strydom.

Successive wins for Kearsney gives their forthcoming outing against Michaelhouse on Stott Field on Saturday, 8 June, an exciting boost.

SCORES

Durban High School 23 (15) – Tries: Aka Boqwana, Zingce Simka, Adriano Jackson; Conversions: Aka Boqwana; Penalties: Aka Boqwana (2); Michaelhouse 10 (10) – Try: Luke Davidson; Conversion: Luke Davidson; Penalty: Luke Davidson

Maritzburg College 26 (14) – Tries: Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein, Rambo Kubheka, Siya Nyathi, Ntsika Mkhize; Conversions: James Slevin (3); Hilton College 20 (8) – Tries: Xander Vorster (2), Ivan Jjuuko; Conversion: Xola Bakana; Penalty: Xola Bakana.

Clifton College 0 (0); Kearsney College 48 (28) – Tries: Cameron Veenstra (3), Valentino Lenge (2), Blake Kruger, Anele Cele, Rogan Strydom; Conversions: Cameron Veenstra (4).

OTHER RESULTS

DHS vs Michaelhouse

u19 – DHS II 31 Michaelhouse II 14; DHS III 29 Michaelhouse III 7; DHS IV 10 Michaelhouse IV 28; DHS V 0 Michaelhouse V 52; DHS VI

u16 – DHS A 32 Michaelhouse A 12; DHS B 12 Michaelhouse B 26; DHS C 14 Michaelhouse C 31; DHS D 0 Michaelhouse D 66

u15 – DHS A 13 Michaelhouse A 0; DHS B 10 Michaelhouse B 0; DHS C 7 Michaelhouse C 13; DHS D 25 Michaelhouse D 14

u14 – DHS A 50 Michaelhouse A 12; DHS B 62 Michaelhouse B 0; DHS C 51 Michaelhouse C 7; DHS D 40 Michaelhouse D 19

Maritzburg College vs Hilton and others

u19 – Maritzburg College II 24 Hilton College II 17: Maritzburg College III 24 Hilton College III 14: Maritzburg College IV 24 Hilton College IV 12; Maritzburg College V 17 Hilton College V 0; Maritzburg College VI 7 Curro Hillcrest I 35; Maritzburg College VII 34 Hilton College VI 5; Maritzburg College VIII 54 Hilton College VII 0; Maritzburg College IX 40 Curro Hillcrest II 19; Maritzburg College X 54 Hilton College VIII 0

u16 – Maritzburg College A 30 Hilton College A 15; Maritzburg College B 52 Hilton College B 0; Maritzburg College C 41 Hilton College C 0; Maritzburg College E 54 Michaelhouse E 12

u15 – Maritzburg College A 31 Hilton College A 6; Maritzburg College B 40 Hilton College B 0; Maritzburg College C 52 Hilton College C 0; Maritzburg College D 36 Curro Hillcrest A 21; Maritzburg College E 54 Hilton College D 0; Maritzburg College F 45 Michaelhouse F 0

u14 – Maritzburg College A 19 Hilton College A 15; Maritzburg College B 53 Hilton College A 12; Maritzburg College C 50 Hilton College C 0; Maritzburg College D 7 Curro Hillcrest A 10; Maritzburg College E 56 Michaelhouse E 0

Clifton College vs Kearsney College

u19 – Clifton College II 0 Kearsney College II 36; Clifton College III 0 Kearsney College VI 31

u16 – Clifton College A 24 Kearsney College A 38; Clifton College B 3 Kearsney College B 50

u15 – Clifton College A 3 Kearsney College A 40; Clifton College B 12 Kearsney College C 52

u14 – Clifton College A 12 Kearsney College A 5; Clifton College B 0 Kearsney College B 32

One of the most interesting KZN rugby clashes this weekend takes place on Bowden’s Field at Westville Boys’ High, where Northwood offers the opposition. The potential for rich entertainment is high.

The Knights, fresh off a 20-10 victory over Maritzburg College, are enjoying an excellent season. Their results also include a 10-7 win at Hilton College, and a 7-7 draw with DHS, which most people would peg as the best team in the province this season.

Number two in KZN, though? On current form, neither Westville nor Northwood would be a wrong answer. Overall, the visitors boast the better record this season, but the Griffin‘s recent form, which has been assisted by a run of games at home – their schedule was mostly away last season – has been eye-catching.

A 36-36 draw with KES was one of the games of the season, with both sides running in six tries, while last weekend Westville showed grit and an exciting running game to overcome an 8-23 deficit to eventually comfortably beat Hilton College 40-26.

The battle up front is going to be interesting. Northwood’s pack is an uncompromising unit, but Westville has consistently owned the honours in the set scrums throughout the season, even when faced with bigger opposition.

Behind the pack, both teams boast exciting runners and flyhalves who make things happen. Siya Nkosi, for Northwood, and Unathi Mlotshwa, for Westville, are both fine all-round no. 10s. If they receive decent ball, they both have the keys to exciting backlines.

No one, though, has been quite as exciting as Westville fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya. Northwood will need to be pinpoint with their tactical kicking and kick chase. If they are not, the Sharks’ Craven Week no. 15 will hurt them. He’s a highlights’ package waiting to happen.

The midfield should present another battle within the battle to keep an eye on. Westville’s combination of Michael Satade and Blake Allbon dovetails wonderfully well together, but Northwood’s Bongane Khumalo and Ramatuku Sikhakhane are an enterprising combo, too.

As always, rucks will be an important area of contestation, and that’s where Westville’s lead-by-example captain Chris Cloete has excelled all season long. Opposing coaches have often cited his excellence over the ball, and it earned him a call-up to the Sharks’ Craven Week side.

Despite all of their success, Northwood had only one player selected for the Craven Week, captain Vuyo Gwiji, but he’s still out of action. His absence is a big loss for the Knights, but they play well as a unit and rugby is a team game.

Northwood has, for the most part, been a very difficult defence to break down, with only Jeppe truly getting on top of it this season. However, if there is a team that passes the eye-test as one with the capability of opening up the Knights’ defences, it is Westville. The visitors will need to bring their A-game to Bowden’s. Then, anything is possible.

St Charles College, meanwhile, visits Glenwood and has, probably, its best opportunity yet to win on the Green Machine‘s hallowed Dixon’s Field.

It has been a bit of a deflating season for Glenwood. However, they have a young team and there have clearly been some signs of growth.

They’ve tended to finish strongly. The issue has been, though, that they have too often found themselves too far down to pull back the opposition. Therefore, a strong start is an absolute necessity.

Coach Derek Heiberg, no doubt, has been seeking a complete game all season long from his charges, and they’ll need that good first half against Saints, who haven’t had any problems starting strongly. They’re an entertaining side, blessed with some wonderfully skilled playmakers, and they’re not confined to the backline.

One of the most exciting talents is lock Raphael Ajibade, who’ll be turning out for the Sharks at the Rhino Week. He has scored some of the season’s most exciting tries, whether utilising his power or a serious turn of pace.

Everything, though, goes through the St Charles scrumhalf, Matthew Fick, who, once again, has cracked the Craven Week nod for the Sharks. He’s a force offensively and defensively, a consistent and excellent contributor.

Glenwood, if they can get quality ball, will be dangerous. However, a number of teams have successfully cut down the Green Machine’s space this season, forcing them to play from deep and turn to the boot. No doubt, Saints’ coach Craig Dwyer, a Glenwood old boy, will have picked that up in analysing his former school.

If they do get good ball, however, Glenwood has, in the halfback pairing of Lian Lochner and Juan Viljoen, players with the ability to create opportunities for those around them, or even do it all themselves, which Lochner, especially, is adept at doing.

TEAMS

Westville Boys’ High vs Northwood at 14:30

Westville: 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Jade-Will Koopman, 13 Michael Satade, 12 Blake Allbon, 11 Jadrian Afrikaner, 10 Unatho Mlotshwa, 9 Ryan Pistor, 8 David Humphreys, 7 Brandon Eke, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Wandile Simelane, 4 Oliver Gcina, 3 Bandile Mncwango, 2 Jeshua Ferreira, 1 Akhona Maseko

Northwood: 15 Aphiwe Buthelezi, 14 Kwenzo Dlamini, 13 Ramatuku Sikhakhane, 12 Bongane Khumalo, 11 Carlos Lovell, 10 Siyanda Nkosi, 9 Jed Mun-Gavin, 8 Dewald Mostert, 9 Ethan Macey, 6 Ayavuya Makula, 5 Titas Cesonis, 4 Lian Terblanche, 3 Sphe Ntshangase, 2 Werner van Nieuwenhuizen, 1 Reuben Vos

Glenwood High vs St Charles at 14:00

Teams TBC

Michaelhouse has been stacking up one tough test after the other, facing Hilton College, Maritzburg College and Pretoria Boys High in their past three outings, and it gets even tougher on Saturday when they take on Durban High School (DHS) on Van Heerden’s Field.

DHS has made a strong case for being the best in KZN in 2024. Any game against them is going to be a very physical challenge.

Their defence ranks among the best in the country this season. They’ve given up only 84 points in 12 matches. If you know your times tables, that’s a miserly seven per game, and their record includes four shutouts.

But James Fleming‘s charges are tough themselves. Sure, they’ve lost four times this season, but the biggest margin of defeat has been only seven points, and they did, at least, manage a two-point win over Northwood, with whom DHS drew, although the Horseflies were not at their best on the day.

Unfortunately for Michaelhouse, they’ll be without their inspirational skipper, Carlyle Hawkins. The Sharks’ 8^th-man is injured and with the Craven Week approaching quickly it was decided not to risk further injury ahead of the big event.

Robert Combrinck moves to number eight and takes over the captaincy in the absence of Hawkins, with Alex Arde slotting in on the flank, where Combrinck usually does duty.

The performance of the pack against DHS is going to be crucial. The Michaelhouse forwards will concede some weight to School, but their scrum is anchored by the impressive Aphiwe Shelembe, who will be packing down against Bongani Dlamini in a battle of Craven Week team-mates.

‘House also has a number of players with something to prove, and one thinks especially of their second row, Dom Sesink Clee and Dan Carr, both u17, who’ve been strong performers all season long without gaining recognition from the provincial selectors.

If there’s one word to describe DHS, it is relentless. Any team hoping to take down the Horseflies had better prepare themselves for a battle from the first whistle to the last. It’s pedal to the metal. If not, DHS has talented ball carriers and runners with the ability to run wild.

Aka Boqwana, at fullback, is a fine goal kicker, while Michaelhouse counters with flyhalf Luke Davidson. His opposite number, Allston Cedras, and DHS scrumhalf Marcwin Nero, are playing excellent rugby and the visitors’ defences will have to be watertight around the edges of the scrums and rucks.

It should be a fantastic game between two well drilled teams.

Goldstone’s hosts Maritzburg College versus Hilton College. At home, the Red, Black and White are extremely difficult to beat but, for the second game in succession, they’ll be without their Craven Week lock Jake Jansen, an important source of lineout ball and a primary ball carrier.

College will be eager to take to Goldstone’s, too, after a 10-20 loss at Northwood last week. There’s no place like home, as the saying goes.

Hilton also went down, losing 26-40 at Westville. They were very good in the first half, well-structured and disciplined, which led to them building up a 23-15 lead at half-time. Unfortunately for coach Brad Mcleod-Henderson’s boys, they were twice undone in the opening stanza by the Griffin‘s superb counterattacking fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya, who has been simply superb in recent outings.

They’ll need to ensure they don’t allow Maritzburg College space because College fullback Luyanda Kunene is cut from the same cloth as Siyaya. He’s a threat to open even the best defences.

Hilton has, however, played College tough in recent years, even on Goldstone’s, and they’ve managed to nullify the Pietermaritzburg school’s weapons to a large degree. Last year on Gilfillan Field, Hilton won 29-14 and they were full value for that win, keeping College off balance the entire contest.

The visitors are also able to run out the same starting XV for a second week in succession, after having had to deal with some injuries. Continuity is always a good thing and that should ensure that College is given a stern examination.

Clifton College hosts Kearsney College at the Riverside Sports Club, with the Greyhounds buoyed by a win at Glenwood last week, which was their first on Dixon’s Field since 2013.

The visitors’ lineup looks familiar, although they have played with the makeup of their backline on a regular basis this season.

Their vice-captain, Cameron Veenstra, the sole player from Kearsney to make the Sharks’ Craven Week side this year, turns out at outside centre. He’s also played flyhalf and fullback this season. It may be that his versatility and his excellence in multiple positions helped him gain selection for the provincial team.

Kearsney played some good running rugby against Glenwood and Clifton’s tackling will have to be sure to stop them.

In their previous match, against DHS, Clifton did well after halftime to stunt the visitors’ attacking ambitions. They’ll need to bring that attitude and execution to Saturday’s game.

Up front, someone who has been consistently impressive for Kearsney is flank Connor McIntyre. He’s an industrious worker with a non-stop engine, who often pops up in potential try-scoring positions.

Clifton, meanwhile, will look to their vice-captain and flyhalf Nkanyiso Ntshangase to give their attack direction.

TEAMS

DHS vs Michaelhouse at 15:00

Durban High School: 15 Aka Boqwana, 14 Adriano Jackson, 13 Hlumelo Madikane, 12 Zingce Simka, 11 Zenkosi Mthiyane, 10 Allston Cedras, 9 Marcwin Nero, 8 Khanyisa Stamper, 7 Bradley le Grange, 6 Daniel Ikotela, 5 Thando Luthuli, 4 Sibusiso Mahlangu, 3 Bongani Dlamini, 2 Mahle Sithole, 1 Unaye Mndau

Michaelhouse: 15 Stefan Moolman, 14 Aya Mkokheli, 13 Rourke O’Sullivan, 12 Tom Baguley, 11 Connor McAlpine, 10 Luke Davidson (vc), 9 Jack Hughes, 8 Robert Combrinck (c), 7 Alex Arde, 6 Riley Gehren, 5 Dom Sesink Clee, 4 Dan Carr, 3 Luthando Buthlezi, 2 Oliver Davis, 1 Aphiwe Shelembe

Maritzburg College vs Hilton College at 14:30

Maritzburg College: 15 Luyanda Kunene, 14 N. Mkhize, 13 Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein, 12 James Thackeray, 11 Reinhardt Jacobsz, 10 James Slevin, 9 Rayke Maartens, 8 Imivuyo Kemka, 7 Wasi Vyambwera, 6 Struan Oosthuizen, 5 Bohlale Maphisa, 4 Naz Isaacs, 3 Aiden Botha, 2 Siya Nkosi, 1 Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka

Hilton College: 15 Ivan Jjuuko, 14 Rukudzo Madinga, 13 Khazimla Makali, 12 Daniel Sweeney, 11 Ricky Adonis, 10 Xola Bakana, 9 Zander Vorster, 8 Emmanuel Dankwah, 7 Meyer Malherbe, 6 Stewart Falconer, 5 Kieran Hunter, 4 Trent Chubb, 3 Ben le Roux, 2 Josh Grant, 1 Oliver Proudfoot

Clifton College vs Kearsney College at 13:45

Clifton College: 15 Adam Selikow, 14 Enzo Marcon, 13 Handré de Bruin, 12 Devan Schwartz, 11 Wandile Ngubane, 10 Nkanyiso Ntshangase (vc), 9 Kyle Akal, 8 Andisa Mthembu, 7 Joshua Howells, 6 Matthew Ropertz, 5 Lukhanyiso Nala, 4 Lwazi Maikizela, 3 Njabulo Dlomo (c), 2 Richard Castle, 1 Simphiwe Ngcobo

Kearsney College: 15 Daniel Eager, 14 Valentino Lenge, 13 Cameron Veenstra (vc), 12 Doan Nel, 11 Bukho Hlwatika, 10 Roydan Madatt, 9 Murray Weyer, 8 Qhamani Mlalandle, 7 Connor McIntyre, 6 Callum Steer, 5 Ryan Sim, 4 Joseph Roylance, 3 Anele Cele (c), 2 Blake Kruger, 1 Kuda Kachambwa

A Tuesday night meeting of the Clifton College and Durban High School (DHS) 1^st XIs appeared, on paper, to be a routine kind of fixture. With seven players in the KZN Coastal u18A side, including their captain Lethabo Bogacwi, who made SA Schools last year, and Lumi Matwele, who made the SA u17 side, expectations were that DHS would roll to a comfortable victory. But that’s not what happened.

Clifton, for the record, doesn’t have any players in the Coastal u18A or u18B teams, although, with only four grade 12 boys in their squad, their provincial reps are to be found at the u16 level. Still, it was a tough task that awaited coach Calvin Price‘s charges at the Riverside Sports Club, under lights.

In the first half, DHS edged the possession stakes, but they didn’t do much to challenge Clifton in the final third of the field. The home side kept their defensive structure and also put in sure tackles to blunt the DHS danger.

An injury to Lumi Matwele didn’t help DHS, but Clifton had done a good job of managing him before he left the field with an ankle injury. Afterwards, he said he expected to be able to face Michaelhouse on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Clifton counterattacked at pace – they have some exciting and confident ball-carriers – and they moved the ball swiftly up the field, winning the first two penalty corners of the contest, while creating some other fair chances.

At halftime, though, the sides were level at 0-0.

With four minutes left in the third chukka, Clifton won a penalty corner. As they were about to take it, the floodlights went out. It was, possibly, an issue with a timer. It took about 15 minutes to restore them.

From the PC, Ryde Brisset was just wide of the right-hand post. It was a close escape for DHS, but the break had done them good. Their intensity had increased. Playing with a sense of urgency, they took the game to Clifton.

Early in the fourth chukka, they laid siege to the Clifton goalbox, but goalkeeper Georg Wolhuter stood tall, pulling off two fine stops in quick succession, before, with help from his defenders, eventually clearing the danger. Wolhuter was outstanding throughout, commanding his area well and making sound decisions.

Still, the Horseflies kept setting the pace. At the same time, there was a sense of growing confidence in the Clifton ranks that they could keep DHS at bay.

They did more than keep DHS at bay, they struck with three minutes to play, with another flowing counterattack creating an opportunity for Jason Adams, who made no mistake and buried the chance.

With time running short, DHS launched a series of attacks, but Clifton’s defence was sound. Then, just as the final whistle was about to be blown, Clifton was penalised for hitting the ball away after the whistle, and the umpire indicated a penalty corner.

The DHS players lined the edge of the circle. Out came the push, as the Clifton players on the halfway line raced back to help defend, but they weren’t needed. A low drag flick was deflected high and wide, well clear of Wolhuter’s goalbox, and the boys in black had scored an unexpected but not undeserved victory.

“I’m very chuffed,” declared Clifton’s coach Calvin Price after the game. “That’s a quality side, a very good side. Keegan [Hezlett] has done exceptionally well with them.

He continued: “That’s the character that I want from the start. Getting a victory against a quality side like that, I couldn’t be happier for the boys. It’s all [because of] them. Very chuffed.”

Price said Clifton’s defensive discipline had paid off: “We tried something with our press, and I think we did exceptionally well. It worked out. Patience! And very solid tackling.”

Commenting on the game, his DHS counterpart Keegan Hezlett said: “Credit to Clifton. They defended really well. I think their goalkeeper had an exceptional game, and they were a threat on the counterattack. They also had their chances.”

The way Clifton approached the game was not unexpected, he said, but DHS were not at their best in the first half.

““I think we were poor at using the outside areas, and the T-point zones in the D. We tried to force a lot of ball down the middle of the park and, even if you get past one guy, the next guy picks up the scraps, or gets a touch and the next defender picks it up,” Hezlett said.

“After the little break in the third quarter, I think we were very good for the last part of the game. We used those outside areas, and we moved the ball, and then when you are pushing so hard for a goal, you leave yourself vulnerable to the counterattack.”

Bowden’s delivered another delicious serving of running rugby on Saturday as Westville Boys’ High staged a huge fightback to overcome a 15-point deficit and, eventually, win by 14 against Hilton College.

The visitors enjoyed success with their hit-it-up approach in the first half, with their forwards denting and driving the Westville defence backwards.

It brought them a 23-8 advantage, with Josh Grant and Xander Vorster going over for tries, while Xola Bakana punished the Griffin for their missteps, kicking confidently off the tee.

However, a long-range strike from Westville fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya in the 19^th minute sounded a warning to the visitors.

Right on halftime, Siyaya, again, was over for five, dotting down beneath the uprights to bring Westville to within eight at the break, trailing 15-23.

A smoothly executed lineout variation saw captain Chris Cloete hare his way down the left touchline to score in the corner five minutes into the second stanza, and the comeback was on.

In the 46^th minute, the teams were all square at 23-23. Soon after that, when a maul splintered, Jeshua Ferreira broke away and crashed over to give the home side their first lead of the game, and a conversion from the trusty boot of Unathi Mlotshwa took Westville seven points clear.

Hilton flyhalf Xola Bakana pulled three points back with drop goal, but Jabz Zulu‘s charges finished strongly to secure an impressive victory.

Jade-Will Koopman, out on the right wing, set up another try for the Griffin with some stunningly inventive play. It appeared as if he was boxed in on the right flank, but some sharp stepping and a 360-degree spin opened up space on the inside. With a long pass out to the left, he created a four-on-one overlap. One more pass and centre Michael Satade was over for a fantastic five.

A late penalty by Mlotshwa brought the scoring to an end as Westville’s strong momentum and exhilarating play delivered another win.

At Northwood, the hosts gave their old boys a much-enjoyed gift for their Old Boys’ Weekend with a tightly contested victory over Maritzburg College.

College got onto the scoreboard first, when James Slevin landed a penalty in the 22nd minute. Northwood responded with a penalty of their own right on the half-time whistle to level matters at 3-3.

The Knights took the lead early in the second half, bolstering their total by seven, but a penalty try to Maritzburg College brought the score to 10-10 with 20 minutes to play.

Late in the half, Northwood edged in front with another penalty. Then, a try right at the end sealed a 20-10 triumph for the hosts.

Kearsney College won on Dixon’s for the first time since 2013, when they held off Glenwood for a 25-22 victory.

Despite wet conditions, both teams showed a willingness to run the ball, but it was the visitors who settled down first, building up a 17-0 lead through a penalty from Cameron Veenstra and converted tries from Valentino Lenge and Connor McIntyre.

Lenge’s effort, when he cut back with perfect timing against the cover defence, was memorable as acres of space opened up and he sprinted clear to score.

Glenwood found a response just before half-time, with the forwards forcing their way over after camping on the Kearsney try line.

A penalty by Juan Viljoen took Glenwood to within seven points, but another Veenstra penalty took Kearsney up to 20 points.

A well-executed move from a five-metre penalty then put Glenwood in for another five points, and Viljoen’s conversion made it 20-17 in favour of the One-Stripe. But the gap was soon up to eight points as Kearsney created an overlap on the right and Qhamani Mlalandle burst over for five.

The Green Machine, with a sharp blindside move, made it a three-point game once more, but Kearsney held on for the victory.

It hasn’t been a vintage season for the boys from Botha’s Hill, but the record books will show that in 2024 they beat both Maritzburg College and Glenwood, and that is something worth celebrating.

SCORES

Westville Boys’ High 40 (15) – Tries: Zekhethelo Siyaya (2), Chris Cloete, Jeshua Ferreira, Michael Satade; Conversions: Unathi Mlotshwa (3); Penalties: Unathi Mlotshwa (3); Hilton College 26 (23) – Tries: Josh Grant, Xander Vorster; Conversions: Xola Bakana (2); Penalties: Xola Bakana (4).

Northwood 20 (3); Maritzburg College 10 (3)

Glenwood 22 (7); Kearsney College 25 (17)

Michaelhouse hosted Pretoria Boys High on Meadows on Saturday, running out on their home ground for the first time in almost a month.

In their most recent games, they had scored a stirring victory over Hilton College on Gilfillan Field but had then lost to Maritzburg College on Goldstone’s in the cauldron of College’s Old Boys’ Weekend. They were eager to put that disappointment behind them and they did, just, winning 34-27.

Boys High entered the contest having gone down in their last match, but they would have been encouraged by their showing in a 22-27 defeat against a strong Jeppe High School for Boys outfit. It’s been a tough season for the Candies, playing one of the toughest schedules in the country, but there have been signs of growth for the side.

At Michaelhouse, they made a good start, with the home team doing themselves no favours by conceding a string of penalties in the early going. The visitors made them pay when Tumisho Motswi knocked over an easy penalty.

‘House responded with a try in the 12th minute, scored by Riley Gehren, who put in a dive for five, extending to dot down, after a serious of close-range charges at the PBHS try line had opened up space on the right.

Five minutes later, Michaelhouse was in again. After spreading the visitors’ defensive line by probing out wide on both flanks, Tom Baguley ran onto a pop pass from Aphiwe Shelembe to crash over to the left of the uprights. Luke Davidson added the extras.

Boys High turned to their rolling maul, which has been an excellent weapon for them this season, to draw within two. From a five-metre lineout, they drove over the line, with their hooker Thapelo Mphela claiming the try. Motswi’s conversion made it 12-10.

The fleetfooted fullback then made a searing break from inside his 22 and left Michaelhouse defenders trailing in his wake before a low pass on the home team’s 22 led to a counterattack, bringing about a swing in momentum.

After turning over possession in the visiting team’s 22, thanks to a crunching tackle, Michaelhouse laid siege to the PBHS try line, bashing it up with their big men, and it was Robert Combrinck who made the breakthrough. Davidson’s successful kick gave his side a 19-10 advantage at half-time.

Five minutes into the second stanza, ‘House were in again.

When an attempted Garryowen by Boys High, from deep inside their 22, didn’t gain much ground. Combrinck latched onto the ball and quickly found Davidson on the short side. The flyhalf, summing up the situation in a flash, sprinted towards the try line, drew the final defender and put

Connor McAlpine over in the left-hand corner.

Soon, they had themselves another five points. From a scrum on the centre spot, Michaelhouse went left, where Baguley fed wing Aya Mkokheli, who had looped around. With a show of the ball, he sliced through a gap in the PBHS defence. Then, a wiggle of the hips momentarily wrongfooted the last defender, Itu Baloyi, who made a quick recovery to put in valiant diving tackle, but Mkokheli was in.

Having had a sighter from out wide on the left a few minutes earlier, Davidson beautifully bisected the uprights from the touchline to make it 31-10. Michaelhouse was cruising and Pretoria Boys High looked as if they could be overrun. But the Candies are made of stern stuff, and they came roaring back into the contest.

It began with Jeffrey Singo forcing his way over after breaking off of a rolling maul. Then, the Candies quickly worked their way back into the hosts’ territory. From a lineout, they went through seven phases before the skipper Tshepiso Shikhibana kept his legs driving in a tackle to crash over. Motswi slotted the kick to reduce the gap by seven.

Boys High kept hammering away at ‘House, and they again battered their way over the Michaelhouse try line with a rolling maul, but the referee deemed PBHS to have been held up.

No problem for the Candies. From the resulting scrum, they took the ball to the left. Then, when they brought it back to the right, Mphela received the ball, having built up a head of steam. He brushed aside a would-be tackler and was across the try line on the right.

At 31-27 in favour of the hosts, it was game on.

Once more, Pretoria Boys High attacked from the kick-off. Within three phases they had driven up to the halfway line, but the visitors were, then, pinged for sealing off the ball at a ruck.

Davidson calmed the frenzied action by pointing at the posts. He struck the ball sweetly, drawing it in from the right to convert and stop the visitors’ scoring spree.

A few minutes later, it was Davidson who booted the ball far over the Michaelhouse stands to seal the win. There must have been a sense of relief for the boys in red and white. What had once seemed like a comfortable cruise to victory had turned into a nervous win.

In Pietermaritzburg, St Charles College hosted St Stithians in a derby duel.

The visitors made a good start and were on the board first with a penalty inside the first three minutes, but the hometown Saints soon forced the visiting Saints onto the backfoot with some fine running rugby, which flowed from one sideline to the other.

In the sixth minute, after creating an overlap out wide on the right, St Charles had the right man in space, with their powerful and pacy lock Raphael Ajibade taking a pass on the St Stithians’ 22 before charging over the last defender and in for a try.

They doubled their score after a quarter-of-an-hour when Okuhle Peti beautifully read the opposition’s attack, racing up out of the defensive line to snag an interception and sprinting through to score under the uprights. A second successful conversion from Salmaan Mohammed made it 14-3.

Momentum was with the hosts, and they kept hammering away at the St Stithians’ try line, but it took a deft cross field kick from Mohammed to open up the Joburg school’s defences. He picked out Matthew Ludick with pinpoint accuracy and St Charles enhanced their score by another five points.

Mohammed was equally good from the left-hand corner with the conversion kick, making it 21-3 after 26 minutes.

St Stithians responded almost immediately, driving over the St Charles try line from a lineout for their first try of the contest. It was 21-8 at the break.

It didn’t take long for the visitors to cross the whitewash in the second half, with their speedy right-wing Cullen Bradford going over in the left-hand corner.

He was at it again 15 minutes later, once more looking for work and scoring out wide on the left.

A successful touchline conversion brought St Stithians to within a single point of St Charles, after a run of 17 points without reply.

With four minutes to play, however, the home side struck again, with Athi Qumo diving over on the right after a neat inside ball from Rashied Isaacs opened up a gap for the wing to race through.

Another accurate conversion kick from Salmaan Mohammed made the final score 28-20.

Durban High School (DHS) kicked off the weekend’s action on Friday with a visit to the Riverside Sports Club, the home of Clifton sport. On paper, the Horseflies were heavily favoured. They had nine players selected for the Sharks’ Craven Week team and Clifton had none.

Predictably, DHS won, running in seven tries in their 50-0 victory. At half-time, it was 31-0. Credit, though, to Clifton, who kept fighting hard and it was only on the final whistle that DHS scored their final points of the contest.

Mahle Sithole powered his way over for two tries, while Aka Boqwana, Neo Shakwane, Hlumelo Madikane, Zingce Simka and Okuhle Mbanjwa also dotted down.

Boqwana added five conversions and a penalty, while Jordan van Wyk landed one conversion.

SCORES

Michaelhouse 34 (19) – Tries: Riley Gehren, Tom Baguley, Connor McAlpine, Robert Combrinck, Aya Mkokheli; Conversions: Luke Davidson (3); Penalty: Luke Davidson; Pretoria Boys High 27 (10) – Tries: Thapelo Mphela (2), Jeffrey Singo, Tshepiso Shikhibana; Conversions: Tumisho Motswi (2); Penalty: Tumisho Motswi

St Charles College 28 (21) – Tries: Raphael Ajibade, Okuhle Peti, Matthew Ludick, Athi Qumo; Conversions: Salmaan Mohammed (4); St Stithians College 20 (8) – Tries: Cullen Bradford (2)…

Durban High School: 50 (31) – Tries: Mahle Sithole (2), Aka Boqwana, Neo Shakwane, Hlumelo Madikane, Zingce Simka, Okuhle Mbanjwa; Conversions: Aka Boqwana (5), Jordan van Wyk; Penalty: Aka Boqwana; Clifton College 0 (0)

Michaelhouse welcomes Pretoria Boys High to Meadows for a 13:30 showdown on Saturday. While the hosts should be favoured to win on their home fortress, they head into the clash a little disappointed after a loss to Maritzburg College last time out.

In the cauldron of College’s Old Boys’ Weekend, and playing on Goldstone’s, ‘House allowed College to dictate the early going in the game and after that it was a case of playing catch-up. The disappointment in that result was that it also came following a stirring and well-deserved victory over their arch-rivals, Hilton College, on Gilfillan Field.

James Fleming’s charges will be more than a handful on their home ground, however. They’ll be led, by example, by their 8^th-man and captain Carlyle Hawkins, who was one of three Michaelhouse boys to be named in the Sharks’ Craven Week team. Hawkins possesses a fantastic engine and is all action on attack and defence from the first whistle to the last.

Just behind the scrum, Luke Davidson, in the crucial flyhalf position, is one of those players whose class is shown in how much time he appears to have on the ball. His decision-making is usually correct, and he has the full gamut of skills at his disposal, whether using the boot, his feet, or his hands.

The other Sharks’ selection from Michaelhouse was loosehead prop Aphiwe Shelembe. Again, he brings a wonderful all-round skillset to his position. But, make no mistake, he’s a load doing his primary job in the set pieces, first and foremost.

Like Michaelhouse, Pretoria Boys High lost their last game. The difference is, however, that they will feel somewhat encouraged by their previous outing, which ended in a 22-27 defeat to a very good Jeppe team.

Boys High has played one of the tougher schedules to be found anywhere in 2024. But, in typical Candies‘ fashion, they’ve knuckled down and got on with meeting the challenges head-on.

One of the areas in which Boys High has excelled this season is the driving maul. It’s proven to be a fine attacking weapon for the side and caused their opposition many issues defending it. No doubt, Michaelhouse will have done work on preparing for it, but theory and reality are two different things. ‘House will hope they can translate the theory into reality.

Pretoria Boys High made one of the most interesting positional switches of the season when they moved Seth Venter from flank to flyhalf. One of the consequences of that move, has been the problem Venter, with his physicality, has posed to opposing defences. It has certainly made him a regular try scorer.

Where Boys High has been less consistent has been off the kicking tee. They’ll be hoping that doesn’t catch up with them at Michaelhouse.

Northwood at home to Maritzburg College should be a very interesting matchup. The Knights are enjoying a strong season. College has been less consistent, but they have appeared to be in good form in their past two KZN clashes.

While they were well beaten by Paul Roos and Grey College, ranked one and two in the country, at the Absa Wildeklawer Festival, College has impressed in wins over Westville and Michaelhouse. If they get away to a good start, they’re a tough team to haul in.

Northwood, though, is a similarly abrasive outfit. They’re tough up front and dangerous at the back. A big loss against Jeppe is the outlier in their season. Mostly, they’ve been efficient and well drilled.

Unfortunately for the Durban school, they’re still without their skipper Vuyo Gwiji. The 8^th-man made the SA Schools A side last year and has been included in the Sharks’ Craven Week team, but he has missed most of the season.

On a positive note, Northwood has depth and versatility in their squad; Titas Cesonis is playing in his third position in their last three matches. On Saturday, he packs down in the second row. Previously, he played at flank and 8^th-man.

If the Knights can supply good quality ball to their backline, Siya Nkosi, at flyhalf, is a dangerous playmaker, able to slice through defences or to play his support runners into gaps.

College will be missing some players through illness, which has led to a number of changes and positional switches. One of those includes a move for Jordan Thackeray from flyhalf to inside centre, with James Slevin returning to the starting lineup in the no. 10 jersey. There are new wings for College and a start for Cyril Cherayi at flank.

One of the missing players is College’s Craven Week lock, Jake Jansen, an influential performer in the lineouts and as a ball carrier. Might Northwood be able to take advantage of that?

TEAMS

Maritzburg College

15 Luyanda Kunene, 14 N Mkhize, 13 Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein, 12 Jordan Thackeray, 11 Amahle Hadebe, 10 James Slevin, 9 Rayke Maartens, 8 Wasi Vyambwera, 7 Cyril Cherayi, 6 Struan Oosthuizen, 5 J Smit, 4 Naz Isaacs, 3 Aiden Botha, 2 Siya Nyathi, 1 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka

Northwood

15 Aphiwe Buthelezi, 14 Kwenzo Dlamini, 13 Ramatuku Sikhakhane, 12 Bongane Khumalo, 11 Carlos Lovell, 10 Siya Nkosi, 9 Jed Mun-Gavin, 8 Dewald Mostert, 7 Ethan Macey, 6 Ayavuya Makula, 5 Titas Cesonis, 4 Lian Terblanche, 3 Sphe Ntshangase, 2 Werner van Niewenhuizen, 1 Reuben Vos

On Saturday, Westville Boys’ High hosts Hilton College on Bowden’s Field. They didn’t meet in 2023, so this weekend’s clash marks their first game since 2022, when Hilton were comfortable winners.

Picking a favourite for Saturday’s showdown is a fool’s game. Hilton has slightly the better record in 2024, but Westville has current form on their side.

Last weekend, the Griffin drew 36-36 with King Edward VII in one of the games of the season. In it, they showed off just how dangerous they can be when they move the ball about the park, matching KES blow-for-blow as the two in-form outfits also matched one another with six tries apiece.

While it was a high-scoring contest, one should not underestimate the defensive physicality of the Griffin. Nor should one underestimate Hilton’s typically aggressive defence. On a couple of occasions this season, they’ve leaked more than they usually would, but when the game opens up, Brad Mcleod-Henderson’s charges have shown they, too, can play that way.

The recently announced Sharks’ Craven Week team includes three players from Westville – Chris Cloete, Zekhethelo Siyaya and Jadrian Afrikaner – and only one from Hilton – Hanu Pieterse – which is an unusually low return for the boys from the KZN midlands, but they’re not about individuals. They’re about a well-drilled team playing to a tried and tested gameplan, which more often than not delivers wins.

Westville plays with more flair, with playmakers like fullback Siyaya, Jade-Will Koopman, on the right wing, and centre Michael Satade, capable of opening up the stiffest of defences. Flair, though, doesn’t always win out.

Up front, Westville’s formidable form in the tight phases will test the Hilton pack. They’re led by their 8^th-man, captain, and Sharks’ rep, Hanu Pieterse, who has been superb since making the move from lock to the back of the scrum this season.

Westville’s skipper, Chris Cloete, is a difference-maker, with his work at ruck time, and his proficiency in turning over possession, a key weapon that helps makes Westville so dangerous on the counterattack.

Having praised Westville’s flair, Hilton’s ability to create tries should not be overlooked. They’ve run in some spectacular scores in 2024, most notably in an unusually high scoring game against Kearsney, which Hilton won 55-37. They have pace, they have skills, and that’s why Saturday’s match in Westville should be can’t-miss watching.

And Hilton is coming off a one-point loss to Michaelhouse, which should certainly rev them up to record another win. That defeat, though, came after six wins on the trot, so expect a good response from the boys in the white kit.

There are plenty of changes to the Hilton lineup, mostly enforced. Ivan Jjuuko shifts from centre to fullback, where he played last season, Rukudzo Madinga takes over on the right wing from Seb Gaboreau, and Daniel Sweeney returns to centre, which allows Xander Vorster to take up his place at scrumhalf again. Stewart Falconer is out, which means Meyer Malherbe steps up at flank, and Ross Brown starts in the number six jersey, with Dylan Neill out.

Westville, for once, this season has a healthy squad, which means that Jade-Will Koopman, who stood out at flyhalf against KES, moves out to the right wing, with Unathi Mlotshwa returning to the no.10 jersey.  Otherwise, the Griffin has a settled starting 15.

In Durban, Glenwood and Kearsney meet on Dixon’s at 15:00. Both teams will be eyeing the match as an opportunity to reverse some rather lengthy slides.

Both have shown glimpses of their potential, but it’s consistency that has been the challenge for them this season. Both, too, have played their best rugby when the result is pretty much decided.

Last weekend, Glenwood fell 0-31 behind Northwood before storming back to go down 24-31.

Kearsney, in their last two matches, against Westville and Northwood, closed with a bang, running in three tries in quick succession at the end of each of those games, but it was what went before that cost the team.

Their last meeting, in 2023, was on Stott Field, where Glenwood scraped a hard-fought 18-13 win. Dixon’s will favour the hosts on Saturday, but they’re a young line-up and it might not be as much of an advantage as it typically is.

The main point, though, as alluded to earlier, is it is an opportunity for one of the sides to arrest a losing record and start a new winning one. For Kearsney to get that right, they’ll need to beat Glenwood for the first time since 2015 and win for the first time on Dixon’s since 2012.

Old Orchards will play host to an interesting derby, with St Charles College welcoming St Stithians College for a first time and a 12:00 kick-off. It feels like it will be a good matchup. The hometown Saints, though, will fancy their chances.

They boast some real quality in their 1^st XV, which is best exemplified by their scrumhalf Matthew Fick, who has cracked the nod for the Sharks’ Craven Week team for a second year in succession. He is a complete player and the puppet-master of their game.

Someone who regularly catches the eye is their fullback, Salmaan Mohammed. He’s a dangerous man on the counterattack as Clifton found out when the Pietermaritzburg school was last in action, with Mohammed scoring a thrilling try with a brilliant solo effort from halfway.

St Charles won that match 36-12, while earlier in the season, at the Saints Sports Festival, St Stithians beat Clifton 12-7. Based on that result, it’s advantage St Charles, but that’s not how the game of rugby works.

Last weekend, St Alban’s beat Clifton 39-10. A week earlier, St Alban’s beat Northcliff by two. Clifton beat Northcliff 21-15. The only way to decide matters is on the field.

St Charles, at their best, plays a free-flowing running game that puts the ball in the hands of numbers one to 15. With Director of Rugby Craig Dwyer leaning on over a decade of coaching in New Zealand to direct his approach, it’s an attractive on-field product.

St Stithians, after a promising start to the season, which included a convincing victory over St Andrew’s College, has struggled somewhat since, but they played St David’s Marist Inanda tough in their most recent match, going down 27-28.

TEAMS

Hilton College

15 Ivan Jjuuko, 14 Rukudzo Madinga, 13 Khazimla Makali, 12 Daniel Sweeney, 11 Ricky Adonis, 10 Xola Bakana, 9 Xander Vorster, 8 Emmanuel Dankwah, 7 Mayer Malherbe, 6 Dylan Neill, 5 Kieran Hunter, 4 Trent Chubb, 3 Ben le Roux, 2 Josh Grant, 1 Oliver Proudfoot

Westville Boys’ High School

15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Jade-Will Koopman, 13 Michael Satade, 12 Blake Allbon, 11 Jadrian Afrikaner, 10 Unathi Mlotshwa, 9 Ryan Pistor, 8 David Humphreys, 7 Brandon Eke, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Wandile Simelane, 4 Oliver Gcina, Bandile Mncwango, 2 Jeshua Ferreira, 1 Akhona Maseko

St Charles College

15 Salmaan Mohammed, 14 Athenkosi Qumo, 13 Rashied Isaacs, 12 Okhule Peti, 11 Matthew Ludick, 10 Ukhanyo Ntsangani, 9 Matthew Fick, 8 Stefan Veldsman, 7 Marlow Mbewe, 6 Lazola Makaula, 5 Reece Curtain, 4 Raphael Ajibade, 3 Christian Allardice, 2 Dean Chiwese, 1 Lutho Mrwata

In a breathtakingly outstanding advertisement for schoolboy rugby, Westville Boys’ High and King Edward VII (KES) played to a stunning 36-36 draw on Bowden’s Field on Saturday. The entertainment was rich and enthralling from the first whistle to the last.

While the game was played in KZN, the red of KES was prominent around the field. The Red Army‘s coach Marco Engelbrecht commented after the game: “We are incredibly blessed. I have yet to come across a team of supporters like our parents, who have come down in their numbers. It’s a KZN derby at Westville, and there’s the whole stand, a sea of red. Wherever we go, we are so grateful for them, win or lose. That’s special.” The product on the field was special, too.

In the lead-up to the game, Westville coach Njabulo “Jabz” Zulu had said it was important that his charges get off to a good start against a side that had built up huge momentum with a string of terrific performances. They got it.

KES flyhalf, Simphiwe Moyo, a star performer for the visitors, had an early cross field kick charged down and Westville lock Oliver Gcina brought the home supporters to their feet as he raced through to score under the uprights. Westville no. 10 Jade-Will Koopman added the extras.

But the punch and counterpunch nature of the match revealed itself when KES responded swiftly through their flying left wing, Haniel Monkoti, who used every centimetre of his body to stretch out and dot down on the line in the left-hand corner to score the first try for the Johannesburg side.

In a swirling wind, KES, mainly through Moyo, worked to turn Westville and force them to play from deep by kicking to the corners.

The Griffin, though, as they have done to so many teams this season, turned the screws in the tight scrums. It won them an early tighthead, and later in the first half it won them a penalty five metres from the KES try line. Westville hit it up but were turned over at the ruck and conceded a penalty.

Moyo, taking charge, tapped only five metres from his try line and sent the ball out wide to the left. Monkoti flew up the left flank, but the hosts’ fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya cut him down with a splendid tackle on the Westville 22. Still, it showed the willingness of KES to play the situation as they saw it in front of them.

Right before halftime, Siyaya gathered a bouncing ball inside the Westville 22, escaped heavy pressure from KES lock Michael Bownes and counterattacked. A neat chip and gather put him in the clear. He drew Moyo, the last cover defender, and passed inside to Lwandile Simelane, who matched his second-row partner, Oliver Gcina, by diving over under the posts.

KES, though, claimed a small victory when centre Olunje Meholmakulu pulled off a Cheslin Kolbe move and charged down the conversion attempt. That would prove to be a pivotal moment in the match,

Just before the break, KES responded with a try from a maul, scored by Esethu Mnebelele, the first of three for the Red Army’s captain.

“We struggled a bit with the maul,” Westville coach Jabz Zulu admitted. “We found a solution for that at the end, with the sack. Unfortunately, it took us too long to come up with that solution. But I was proud of the pack. They defended well today.”

Moyo’s conversion attempt from the right, in tricky conditions, was on target and the teams changed ends level at 12-12. It had been a thrilling first half, but the second half delivered even greater thrills.

It looked as if Westville might have undone all of their good work when they conceded two soft tries in quick succession early in the second stanza, but they came roaring back, showing excellent character, to level the scores once more at 24-24 when their bruising centre, Blake Allbon, swallow-dived over the try line.

“You’ll get great character from an Njabulo Zulu team,” reckoned KES coach Engelbrecht. “His players will die for him, I can tell you that for free, and they certainly came out today and showed that. That’s awesome to see, and it’s good to test yourself against that.”

KES turned to their driving maul and hooker Esethu Mnebelele once again to add another five points, and a Moyo conversion put them 31-24 clear, which was incidentally the final score when Jeppe beat Westville in Johannesburg. But that wasn’t the end of the scoring on Saturday.

A loose pass, when KES tried to go wide after Moyo had fielded a Siyaya up-and-under, found Allbon out on the left and he raced over for his second in the left-hand corner. Koopman, with admirable composure, nailed the difficult conversion, drawing a huge roar from the home supporters.

It was exhilarating, end-to-end and heart-in-the mouth stuff.

Throughout the contest, Moyo had tested Westville with chips over the top, well placed kicks that turned into 50/50 balls, and one of those soon paid off in a big way.

He just missed out on putting Monkoti over with a cross kick, but the bounce of the ball didn’t favour the winger. No problem. A few minutes later, Moyo drifted to the blindside, behind a KES ruck, and dinked a ball over the top. This time the bounce favoured the Red Army and the flyhalf’s halfback partner Regan McGurk raced onto the ball, caught it, and dived over in the right-hand corner.

The conversion kick was missed, but KES led 36-31. Just over three minutes remained in the game.

With time almost expired, the Red Army forced Westville back into their 22 with a series of hard-hitting tackles. Still, the Griffin held onto the ball. However, when flyhalf Jade-Will Koopman received it, in the right corner and five metres from his try line, he found two players bearing down on him.

Stepping inside, he avoided them and just escaped a tackle attempt from the workaholic KES no.6 James Kobrowisky. Pinning his ears back, he accelerated towards the opposite sideline and rounded the visitors’ defensive line on the Westville 10m line. Then, using his support runners to draw the attention of covering defenders, he raced through a gap and cut inside before heading towards the sideline once more.

Monkoti hared across from the opposite wing, desperate to kill the danger. He grabbed the Westville flyhalf only metres from the line, but Koopman popped the ball back over his head and Jadrian Afrikaner was up in support to dive over for a sensational score-equalling try. Astonishing!

Koopman’s conversion kick, to edge his team ahead, struck the left upright to oohs and aahs from the crowd.

Still, the referee hadn’t yet blown the final whistle and the Westville no. 10 had a chance to win it for his team when they were awarded a penalty.

He had a shot at goal, 15 metres in from the right touchline, about 38 metres out. It was a tough kick, given the swirling wind, and it passed narrowly to the right of the posts.

Let off, Jeppe surged back down the field and into the Westville 22. Moyo almost played himself in for a try with a chip and chase, but the home side’s scrumhalf Ryan Pistor beat him to the ball, fielding it on the run, before clearing over the touchline. With that, the final whistle blew. Both coaches looked a little shattered and relieved.

Westville’s flyhalf Jade-Will Koopman, who had brought so much to the game, was distraught. He felt he had let his side down but rugby staff from both sides, in heart-touching moments, took time to comfort him and reassure him he had brought honour upon himself, his side and the game.

“That last try, that’s what he’s capable of doing,” Jabz Zulu commented. “He feels like he’s let the team down, but we wouldn’t be where we are if it wasn’t for him.”

And that reflected the best side of schoolboy rugby. Kudos to the players and coaches of both teams.

“Credit to them. I thought we got lucky. I thought they probably deserved to win on their home ground,” KES coach Marco Engelbrecht magnanimously said.

“I thought we handled them nicely, and I’m proud of our boys, as well.”

Game of the year? Maybe…

Scores

Westville Boys’ High 36 (12) – Tries: Blake Allbon (2), Oliver Gcina, Jadrian Afrikaner, Wandile Simelane, Zekhethelo Siyaya. Conversions: Jade-Will Koopman (3). King Edward VII 36 (12) – Tries: Esethu Mnebelele (3), Regan McGurk (2), Haniel Monkoti. Conversions: Simphiwe Moyo (3).

u19 – Westville II 5 KES II 26; Westville III 14 KES III 21; Westville IV 17 KES IV 31; Westville V 10 KES V 40; Westville VI 15 KES VI 45

u16 – Westville A 28 KES A 33; Westville B 21 KES B 17; Westville C 0 KES C 19; Westville D 12 KES D 0

u15 – Westville A 24 KES A 5; Westville B 3 KES B 15; Westville C 5 KES C 12; Westville D 12 KES D 45; Westville E 5 KES E 45

u14 – Westville A 14 KES A 22; Westville B 7 KES B 7; Westville C 22 KES C 10; Westville D 12 KES D 12; Westville E 12 KES E 55

Westville Boys’ High‘s Bowden’s Field hosts an intriguing clash on Saturday, with the Griffin facing King Edward VII. Both teams have been in entertaining and fine form in recent weeks.

Coach Njabulo “Jabz” Zulu‘s Westville side was one of the standout units at the Standard Bank Grey Rugby Festival, where they comfortably beat Hoërskool Durbanville 41-17 and Dale College 52-12.

Last weekend, away from home, they roared into a 31-point lead before allowing Kearsney College back into their game in the last five minutes. In the end, they won 34-22.

The Red Army, meanwhile, has been on a roll. They last lost on 30 March, when they went down to Paarl Boys’ High, but since then they’ve won six in a row, with their closest games having been a 24-14 win over Pretoria Boys High and a 38-28 victory over highly rated Jeppe High School for Boys.

Twice, they’ve won by more than 70 points. In their other wins, they beat St John’s College by 43 and Bishops by 37. They’re a team on song.

Last weekend, against St Benedict’s, KES was forced into a number of changes after a bug hit the side. Still, they won 75-3, and now their lineup to face Westville has been bolstered by returning players.

At the back, Indibabale Mboniswa wears the no. 15 jersey, while Junior Shiburi takes over on the right wing. Simphiwe Moyo and his big boot returns at flyhalf, while there’s a completely new front row, with the established partnership of Nathan van der Merwe, Esethu Mnebelele and Connor White handling duties up front.

A week off and time to recover from illness will surely have done the KES team a world of good. Westville, though, have had to deal with injury problems all season long.

With a rueful laugh, Westville coach Jabz Zulu said on Thursday: “It has been a juggling act, and it continues because, after the [Sharks] trials [on Wednesday], Lwandile Simelane, our lock, took a knock to the knee, and [8^th-man] David Humphreys took a knock to the head, so he is going to have a concussion test. Then, we still have Seth Gwynn out, we still have Unathi Mlotshwa out, so it’s not ideal.”

Thankfully, for Westville, Zulu confirmed on Friday that Simelane and Humphreys would be fit to go.

They might miss Mlotshwa’s outstanding goal kicking but, in Jade-Will Koopman, they have an experienced option at flyhalf.

At the back, Zekhethelo Siyaya is a dangerous option for the Griffin. After sustaining a knee injury early in the season, he’s becoming ever more influential since his return to action. He has fantastic vision on the counterattack and is blessed with other skilful and pacy backline players around him to make things happen.

The battle of the front rows is going to be interesting. KES returns their rested players, but Westville has been strong up front all season. A decision to convert Jeshua Ferreira from prop to hooker appears to have been an astute move.

With both teams playing an enterprising brand of rugby, there are likely to be a fair number of tries scored.

After a week off, Glenwood returns to action with a game against Northwood on the Reece-Edwards Field.

It has been a challenging season for the Green Machine, who are a young outfit, but they’ve played with typical Glenwood grit, always a physical outfit on defence. They’ve struggled more on the offensive side of things and are still seeking more consistency and incisiveness on attack.

Northwood has enjoyed a strong season, but last weekend they lost their way in the second half against Jeppe and were well beaten at home. That would have hurt, and they’ll be eager to impose themselves on the visitors from the first whistle on Saturday.

Based on what we’ve seen from the Knights this season, that was an anomaly, and they will go into their game against Glenwood as firm favourites.

Clifton College welcomes St Alban’s College to the Riverside Sports Club for a 14:00 showdown of the 1st XVs. It’s an opportunity the KZN side will be eager to embrace. Based on the performances of both teams at the Saints Sports Festival earlier this season, it should be a good contest.

Westville Boys’ High vs King Edward VII (KES) on Bowden’s Field at 12:45

Westville Boys’ High – 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Evan Moolman, 13 Michael Satade, 12 Blake Allbon, 11 Jadrian Afrikaner, 10 Jade-Will Koopman, 9 Ryan Pistor, 8 David Humphreys, 7 Brandon Eke, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Lwandile Simelane, 4 Moustapher Gcina, 3 Bandile Mncwango, 2 Jeshua Ferreira, 1 Akhona Maseko

KES – 15 Indibabale Mboniswa, 14 Junior Shiburi, 13 Olunje Meholmakulu, 12 Tristan Maugeri, 11 Haniel Monkoti, 10 Simphiwe Moyo, 9 Regan McGurk, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Sam Bruwer, 6 James Kobrowisky, 5 Michael Bownes, 4 Thomas Beling, 3 Nathan van der Merwe, 2 Esethu Mnebelele, 1 Connor White

Northwood vs Glenwood on Reece-Edwards Field at 15:00

Northwood – 15 Aphiwe Buthelezi, 14 Kwenzo Dlamini, 13 Siya Nkosi, 12 Bongane Khumalo, 11 Nokutenda Gunda, 10 Savio Stevens, 9 Jed Mun-Gavin, 8 Ethan Macey, 7 Titus Cesonis, 6 Ayavuya Makula, 5 Lian Terblanche, 4 Khwezi Kunene, 3 Reuben Vos, 2 Werner van Nieuwenhuizen, 1 Sphe Ntshangase

Glenwood – 15 Lesedi Khumalo, 14 Caleb Reeding, 13 Sisiphiwo Dwayi, 12 Kungawo Ncamazane, 11 Lizwe Mtetwa, 10 Juan Viljoen, 9 Lian Lochner, 8 Mkhululi Mhlongo, 7 Yannick Mwamba, 6 Tyler Conyngham, 5 Tylo Madaat, 4 Michael Ize Iyamu, 3 Uzukhanye Xaba, 2 Martin jnr van Wyngaardt 1 Ronald Petersen