Hilton hosts Candies, derby action in Pietermaritzburg, Clifton faces St Alban’s
Hilton College is, perhaps, a better team than many realise. They’re well-balanced, or, to put it another way, there don’t appear to be any obvious weaknesses in their make-up. They’ll put their skills to the test against Pretoria Boys High, on Saturday, on Gilfillan Field.
Hilton’s pack hunts together and their backline is superbly marshalled by their captain, Liyema Nela, from flyhalf. Alluding to balance again, he possesses a fine all-round game. He can control matters with his boot, with his distribution, and also with his ability to attack the defensive line.
Those are all abilities one would desire to see in the primary decision-maker. He can hurt the opposition in many different ways and much of what Hilton does flows through their skipper.
The KZN side has lost only twice this season, against an outstanding Westville Boys’ High 1st XV in their opening game – and the Griffin remain undefeated through seven matches – and against Grey High School, in a disappointing outing. Mostly, though, coach Brad Macleod-Henderson‘s charges have played some very good rugby and have, at times, been dominant.
Their results include wins over Michaelhouse, Kearsney, St John’s College, and Graeme College, which is the only blemish on the Makhanda school’s record thus far.
It’s been a mixed bag from the Candies in the 2025 season. In nine matches, they’ve won only three times, but those wins include beating Parktown Boys’ High, KES, and Diamantveld, whom they defeated 43-31.
The Diamonds recently beat Maritzburg College 38-31 at the Absa Wildeklawer Festival in Kimberley. College, in turn, beat Boys High 45-28 in Pretoria on 26 April, which serves to show that matches are played on the field and not on a piece of paper.
While their record is not impressive, Boys High has been improving and they gave Grey High School a tough outing in Gqeberha last weekend before going down 27-39. One wonders, though, whether the travelling will catch up with the Pretoria school. It’s not easy spending long hours on a bus and then having a little time to decompress before hitting the field. And Gilfillan is not exactly a happy hunting ground for most visitors.
Both teams feature impressive driving mauls, which have brought many tries to Josh Grant (Hilton) and Jeffrey Singo (Boys High). Nela is a solid goal-kicker, but the Candies, with Blake Mager handling the kicking duties, might have a slight edge there. The fullback seldom misses.
If the game remains tight and structured, it should favour Hilton. If it opens up, Boys High will be in with a shot at victory.
Last year, Hilton won 29-17 in Pretoria. In 2023, when Boys High last visited Hilton, the home side ran out 39-15 winners.
The odds are, thus, against the visitors.
St Charles vs Maritzburg College
St Charles College welcomes Maritzburg College to Old Orchards in a Pietermaritzburg derby on Saturday at 15:00. Both teams have been through their share of ups and downs this season, and both head into the fixture eager to bag a win after going down in their most recent matches.
Kimberley has not been a happy hunting ground for the Red, Black, and White in recent years, and their Absa Wildeklawer results included a 26-37 defeat to Jeppe before the previously mentioned surprise 31-38 setback against Hoërskool Diamantveld. Coach Nico Breedt and his boys will want to cap the slide at two games.
Saints has struggled with injuries and illness this season, leading to wildly fluctuating performances and results. In their most recent match, with their ranks somewhat thinned, they were overwhelmed by Hilton College, suffering a big 14-74 loss. Five days earlier, they had gone down by just five points to St Andrew’s College, who haven’t yet lost in 2025 and have won seven of their nine games.
How much damage did the Hilton loss do? Which Saints team will we see on Saturday? Those are the big questions to be answered.
Something that should boost the St Charles College 1st XI in a big way is the fact that the school, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, is also hosting its Old Boys’ Weekend, so the support is sure to be bigger than ever for coach Craig Dwyer and his boys.
There are many examples of unexpected victories being pulled off when the circumstances are favourable, but College will head into the game as the favourites and will be expected to win.
Clifton College vs St Alban’s College
In Durban, Clifton College tackles St Alban’s College at the Riverside Sports Club on Saturday on their Founders Weekend, with the visitors heading into the contest off the back of their best result of the season, a tight 20-17 win over St Stithians.
Saints won against Michaelhouse in Johannesburg earlier in the season and a Clifton side hit hard by illness and injury went down to the ‘House 2nd XV. It’s, perhaps, not fair to read too much into that result, but it has been a difficult season for the Durban boys so far.
They’re yet to bag their first win and, despite bigger support from their old boys on Saturday, St Stithians will be expected to come away with a win.
TEAMS
Hilton College – 15 James Peattie, 14 Guy Fender, 13 Khazimla Makali, 12 Tristan Uys, 11 Requilme Adonis, 10 Liyema Nela, 9 Zander Vorster, 8 Emmanuel Dankwah, 7 Stewart Falconer, 6 Jacques Olivier, 5 Andrew Schnell, 4 Andre Boschoff, 3 Mholi Khuzwayo, 2 Josh Grant, 1 Khanya Jekwa.
Pretoria Boys High – 15 Blake Mager, 14 Callum Nel, 13 Ofentse Matlebjane, 12 Tyler Mason, 11 Neo Matlaletsa, 10 Reinier Kruger, 9 Michael Fourie, 8 Akin Akingbola, 7 Banele Mashaba, 6 Tristan Heinz, 5 Pieter Lindeboom, 4 Matimu Maluleke, 3 Queenton Mncube, 2 Marnus Wessels, 1 Mufunwa Masibigiri
