{"id":93122,"date":"2026-04-05T13:54:53","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T11:54:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=93122"},"modified":"2026-04-05T13:54:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T11:54:53","slug":"three-teams-eyeing-unbeaten-kerf-records-westville-downs-helpmekaar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=93122","title":{"rendered":"Three teams eyeing unbeaten KERF records; Westville downs Helpmekaar"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Captain
Captain Zion Smith led DHS to a hard-fought win over Ho\u00ebrskool Rustenburg, which has put the Horseflies in position to complete a third unbeaten run at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival in a row. Photo: Kearsney College on Facebook.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Durban High School (DHS)<\/strong> will be aiming for a third unbeaten record at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival<\/strong> (KERF)<\/strong> in succession when the event concludes on Easter Monday.<\/p>\n

Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Westville Boys’ High<\/strong> will have a second straight clean run on their minds, while Kearsney College<\/strong> will have a shot at three out of three, too.<\/p>\n

Westville was given a thorough workout by Helpmekaar Kollege<\/strong> on Saturday on Stott Field <\/strong>in the final match of the day, winning 33-17 after Helpies<\/strong> <\/em>pulled to within 17-19 with a penalty try early in the second half.<\/p>\n

It was an uncompromising clash in which the Johannesburg school forced Westville into some untidy kicking, which allowed fullback Xander van Niekerk<\/strong> to test the Griffins<\/strong> <\/em>with his speed and slippery moves.<\/p>\n

Helpmekaar was also challenged on defence, especially by Jadrian Afrikaner<\/strong>, who scored two long-range tries, taking his tally to five for the festival. He demonstrated why he was selected for SA Schools in 2025<\/strong><\/a>. His balance of speed, power, vision, and moves is exceptional.<\/p>\n

Westville shaded the set scrums, and their big no. 8, Lwandle Makhanya<\/strong>, made some splash players, but the Griffins<\/strong><\/em>‘ pack was made to graft by Helpies, who were at their best when driving the ball up near the goal line. They looked after possession well, and that brought them a try by flyhalf, Ethan Kruger<\/strong>, in the first half.<\/p>\n

Fullback Van Niekerk, meanwhile, set up Zuan Krige<\/strong> for a try four minutes from halftime with a scorching run, which gave Krige a simple finish in the left-hand corner.<\/p>\n

It was welcome payback for Krige, who was cleverly targeted with a pinpoint high-up-and-under by Westville flyhalf, Jade-Will Koopman<\/strong>, which left Krige isolated and up against three Westville attackers. When the ball went loose, Makhanya snaffled it and ran through for a try.<\/p>\n

DHS led only 12-0 at halftime against Ho\u00ebrskool Rustenburg<\/strong> but found traction late in the game to score a 38-7 victory. The Horseflies<\/strong><\/em>‘ late successes were a result of building and maintaining pressure on a stubborn, well-drilled outfit, whose only try, scored by Wicus Arnold<\/strong>, came from a sustained battering of the DHS try line. Eventually, a gap opened for the tall utility forward to race through.<\/p>\n

DHS is outstanding at grinding down their opponents, dragging defenders in before releasing their runners out wide, and that’s what they did against Rusties.<\/p>\n

Fullback Cilermo Carolus<\/strong> was influential, running in two tries while also setting up penetrative counterattacks, while DHS no. 8, Daniel Kazambo<\/strong>, demonstrated his speed off the back of the scrum and added another try to his mounting tally. He and Kearsney captain and 8th-man Nhlanhla Ndlovu<\/strong> are both athletic runners and pose serious questions to opposing defensive lines.<\/p>\n