{"id":42105,"date":"2024-04-19T10:05:26","date_gmt":"2024-04-19T08:05:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=42105"},"modified":"2024-04-19T10:05:26","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T08:05:26","slug":"maritzburg-college-and-dhs-to-go-at-it-on-goldstones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=42105","title":{"rendered":"Maritzburg College and DHS raring to go at it on Goldstone’s"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"On
On the charge, DHS’s big tighthead Teddy Dlamini.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Goldstone’s<\/strong> will host Maritzburg College<\/strong> and Durban High School (DHS)<\/strong> on Saturday, with the schools resuming a rich rugby rivalry that began in 1910. While College won that first match, the Horseflies<\/strong> won the most recent meeting on Van Heerden’s Field<\/strong> in 2023.<\/p>\n

In a bruising early season clash, DHS came away with a hard-earned 14-7 victory, although the visitors were very unfortunate to have a try by captain Sasha Kadira<\/strong> disallowed, which could have levelled the scores.<\/p>\n

DHS has made a slightly better start to the 2024 season than College, with their defence being their calling card thus far. Only once have they conceded more than single figures.<\/p>\n

Last weekend, though, the seven points they gave up to Northwood<\/strong> were not enough to see them to a win and they had to settle for a 7-7 draw on Reece-Edwards Field<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

DHS Director of Rugby Peter Engeldow<\/strong> felt his side’s tactical kicking wasn’t up to scratch, so they will have worked hard on that during the week, especially since College’s fullback Luyanda Kunene<\/strong> is a devastating counterattacking weapon.<\/p>\n

In a notable change, the Horseflies have made a big call and moved Allston Cedras<\/strong> to flyhalf, with Aka Boqwana<\/strong> dropping to the bench. Cedras has run out at fullback and wing this season, but his move to no.10 is indicative of School’s struggles at Northwood last weekend and their desire to run the ball better.<\/p>\n

There is a trade-off, with Boqwana having served as DHS’s first-choice kicker, but the coaching staff, no doubt, weighed that decision carefully.<\/p>\n

One factor that must be considered is College’s home ground advantage. Last season, neither DHS nor College lost at home. In fact, College pushed DHS the hardest on Van Heerden’s Field.<\/p>\n

This season, College has powered their way to two big wins on Goldstone’s, most recently 43-15 against Pretoria Boys High<\/strong>. It was tight at half-time, but the Red, Black and White<\/strong> tacked on 22 unanswered points in the second half.<\/p>\n

Rambo Kubheka<\/strong> and company appear to be picking up steam. That win was their fourth on the trot since a loss to Boland Landbou<\/strong> at the St John’s Easter Rugby Festival<\/strong>. DHS had won four in succession before last weekend’s draw. In seven matches, they have allowed only 35 points.<\/p>\n

Both College and DHS are difficult to stop once they find a rhythm, and College clearly found that in the latter stages of their games against Pretoria Boys High. It will be a tougher test against the rabid DHS defence.<\/p>\n

Good offence depends a lot on the quality of the ball the backs receive and the battle up front will be a good one to watch. DHS is not a big team, but they scrum very well.<\/p>\n

Their loosehead Unaye Mndau<\/strong> is not the biggest of front-rankers, but he’s performed strongly and will present Sharks’ Craven Week tighthead Aiden Botha<\/strong> with a stiff challenge. On the other side of the scrum, big Teddy Dlamini<\/strong> packs down against SA Schools’ loosehead Rambo Kubheka. It should be a fascinating contest.<\/p>\n

\"Maritzburg
Maritzburg College features a powerful pack, with Aiden Botha at tighthead, Siyabonga Nyathi at hooker, and Rambo Kubehka at loosehead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It’s a big Saturday for St Charles College<\/strong>. They host Clifton College<\/strong> on Saints’ Old Boys’ Weekend.<\/p>\n

Saints is an intriguing team. Their early results suggest they have the firepower to make some noise this season.<\/p>\n

A 25-19 victory over Milnerton<\/strong> looks a whole lot better now that Milnerton upset Rondebosch<\/strong>, while a 24-28 loss to Bishops is, maybe, a bit of a letdown, considering Bishops’ early season struggles.<\/p>\n

It has been a while since Saints played a game, though. They were last in action on 30 March, when they beat St Alban’s College<\/strong> 22-16. It’s one of those things that could go either way. Sometimes time off helps and sometimes it hurts.<\/p>\n

St Charles has brought in Craig Dwyer<\/strong> as their Head of Rugby. He spent the past decade plying his trade in New Zealand, so it will be interesting to see if his charges’ approach differs somewhat from other KZN schools.<\/p>\n

Clifton put in a strong shift against Glenwood on the past weekend but were punished when they didn’t take good enough care of the ball.<\/p>\n

Getting some parity in terms of ball possession will be crucial if they are to challenge Saints. They’re a hard-working team that is looking for a bit of a spark to ignite their season.<\/p>\n

Meadows<\/strong> is a tough place to win for visiting teams, but Northwood has displayed real steel this season and they’ll fancy their chances against Michaelhouse<\/strong> in Balgowan on Saturday.<\/p>\n

They will, however, be without their captain and SA Schools A representative Vuyo Gwiji<\/strong>, with Titus Cesonis<\/strong> taking over from him at number eight.<\/p>\n

In another big change, Siya Nkosi<\/strong> moves from flyhalf to fullback, with Savio Stevens<\/strong> getting the start in the no. 10 jersey. His matchup opposite Michaelhouse’s accomplished Luke Davidson<\/strong> will be one of the pivotal battles within the war.<\/p>\n

\"Michaelhouse
Michaelhouse flyhalf Luke Davidson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Coach Jacques Deen<\/strong>‘s Northwood team is uncompromising. They’ve won three and drawn one, with their signature victory so far being a 10-7 win at Hilton College<\/strong> in their season opener.<\/p>\n

At the KES Easter Rugby Festival<\/strong>, they also showed that if they build up a little momentum, they’re a handful. There, they blasted Die Brandwag<\/strong> 50-0 and Hudson Park<\/strong> 40-8.<\/p>\n

They’ve surrendered only 22 points in four matches and that kind of defence wins matches.<\/p>\n

Michaelhouse, meanwhile, has been up and down in 2024, with wins over Westville<\/strong> and Bishops, but narrow losses to Helpmekaar<\/strong>, SACS<\/strong> and St John’s (Harare)<\/strong> by a combined total of only eight points.<\/p>\n

Their only match at home thus far was their opener against Helpmekaar which, unfortunately for ‘House, featured first-match drops and inaccuracy. They’ll expect a lot better on Saturday and will take strength from the fact that they’re running out on Meadows.<\/p>\n

Captain and 8th<\/sup>-man Carlyle Hawkins<\/strong> is a lead-from-the-front type who sets the physical tone on attack and defence. He was part of the KZN Academy team last year, which also featured Tom Baguley<\/strong>, Luke Davidson<\/strong>, Aya Mkhokeli<\/strong> and Aphiwe Shelembe<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

TEAMS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Maritzburg College vs DHS at 14:30<\/strong><\/p>\n

Maritzburg College<\/strong><\/p>\n

15 Luyanda Kunene, 14 Langelihle Makhathini, 13 Swelihle Mbatha, 12 12 Nkululeko Sithole, 11 Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein, 10 James Slevin, 9 Rayke Maartens, 8 Imivuyo Kemka, 7 Naz Isaacs, 6 Struan Oosthuizen, 5 Jake Jansen, 4 Wasi Vyambwera, 3 Aiden Botha, 2 Siyabonga Nyathi, 1 Phiwayinkhosi Kubheka (c).<\/p>\n

Durban High School<\/strong><\/p>\n

15 Jordan van Wyk, 14 Adriano Jackson, 13 Hlumelo Madikane, 12 Duncan Basson, 11 Zenkosi Mthiyane, 10 Allston Cedras, 9 Marcwin Nero, 8 Khanyisa Stamper, 7 Bradley la Grange, 6 Dale Hendrikse, 5 Thando Luthuli, 4 Sibusiso Mahlangu, 3 Bongani Dlamini, 2 Mahle Sithole (c), 1 Unaye Mndau.<\/p>\n

St Charles College vs Clifton College at 14:30<\/strong><\/p>\n

St Charles College<\/strong><\/p>\n

15 Salmaan Mohammed, 14 Athenkosi Qumo, 13 Rashied Isaacs, 12 Okuhle Petu, 11 Matthew Ludick, 10 Ukhanyo Ntsangani, 9 Matthew Fick, 8 Stefan Veldsman, 7 Sam Odell, 6 Lazola Makaula, 5 Reece Curtain, 4 Rafael Ajibade, 3 Christian Allardice, 2 Marlon Mbewe, 1 Lutho Mrwata<\/p>\n

Clifton College<\/strong><\/p>\n

15 Handr\u00e9 de Bruin, 14 Lwandile Myeni, 13 Nkanyiso Ntshangase, 12 Bryce Beeslaar, 11 Wandile Ngubane, 10 Adam Selikow, 9 Kyle Akal, 8 Andisa Methembu, 7 Jamie Brown, 6 Matt Ropertz, 5 Lukhanyiso Nala, 4 Matt Hammond, 3 Simphiwe Ngcobo, 2 Richard Castle, 1 Njabulo Dlomo (c)<\/p>\n

Michaelhouse vs Northwood School at 15:30<\/strong><\/p>\n

Michaelhouse<\/strong><\/p>\n

15 Stefan Moolman, 14 Aya Mkhokeli, 13 Rourke O’Sullivan, 12 Tom Baguley, 11 William Ridl, 10 Luke Davidson, 9 Jack Hughes, 8 Carlyle Hawkins (c), 7 Robert Combrinck, 6 Riley Gehren, 5 Dom Sesink Clee, 4 Alex Arde, 3 Thomas Peach, 2 Oliver Davis, 1 Aphiwe Shelembe<\/p>\n

Northwood<\/strong><\/p>\n

15 Siyanda Nkosi, 14 Joshua Thondhlana, 13 Thomas Lindsey, 12 Bongane Khumalo, 11 Aphiwe Buthelezi, 10 Savio Stevens, 9 Graeham de Swardt, 8 Titus Cesonis, 7 Lian Terblanche, 6 Ethan Macey, 5 Chad Howe, 4 Kwezi Kunene, 3 Reuben Vos, 2 Werner van Niewenhuizen, 1 Sphepelo Ntshangase<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Goldstone’s will host Maritzburg College and Durban High School (DHS) on Saturday, with the schools resuming a rich rugby rivalry that began in 1910. While College won that first match, the Horseflies won the most recent meeting on Van Heerden’s Field in 2023. In a bruising early season clash, DHS came away with a hard-earned […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":42111,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42105","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=42105"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42105\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=42105"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=42105"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=42105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}