Jeppe and KES have it all to play for in Jozi Derby

Rugby in Gauteng features three big return fixtures this weekend. It’s a chance to level matters for last time’s losers, but it’s also an opportunity for their opposition to exert their dominance this season.

Catch all of the action live on SuperSport Schools. 

In Johannesburg, King Edward VII (KES) will be aiming to go two from two against their long-time rivals Jeppe High School for Boys. Kick-off on the Reds Field is at 13:15.

In their first meeting of the season, KES claimed a 38-28 victory at Jeppe. Since then, however, the Kensington school has been on a roll, winning six matches in succession.

The previous clash, on 27 April, featured a great grapple up front between the packs. Both sides pack a good punch, with KES being led by SA Schools’ captain and hooker Esethu Mnebelele, while flank Kebotile Maake also joined him in the national team. Jeppe had the powerful front-ranker André Poulton included in the SA Schools A side, along with their 8th-man Risima Khosa.

Another one of the matchups to keep an eye out for on Saturday will be that between the scrumhalves, Regan McGurk, of KES, and Talent Sithole, of Jeppe.

Behind the scrums, there is plenty of talent, too. Flyhalf Vusi Moyo was the third member of the Red Army to crack the SA Schools’ nod, while Jeppe’s outside centre Kuthadzo Rasivhaga was also selected for the green and gold.

The high-profile game is in the capable hands of Golden Lions Union referee Christo Erasmus.

In their last outing, last weekend, Jeppe stormed to a fine 16-point win victory over Monument, while KES battled their way to a hard-fought 18-5 win at Pretoria Boys High School.

Parktown Boys’ High School faces a hungry Northcliff, who won 16-15 at Northcliff when the sides met on 6 April. On Saturday, they’ll be motivated to prove that victory was not a once-off.

Northcliff has shown for a while now that they are a side which is willing to compete with the bigger traditional schools and they’ve produced some good results, including a 20-10 win over Dinamika 20-10 last weekend.

Vusi Msibi, from the Golden Lions, takes charge of the contest.

The teams:

King Edward VII: 15 Tristan Maugeri, 14 Mbuso Methula, 13 Sky Segal, 12 Olunje Mehlomakulu, 11 Haniel Monkoti , 10 Vusi Moyo, 9 Regan McGurk, 8 Chinedu Amadi, 7 James Kobrowisky, 6 Kebotile Maake (vc), 5 Michael Bownes, 4 Thomas Beling, 3 Nathan Frank vd Merwe, 2 Esethu Mnebelele (c), 1 Connor White.

 Jeppe High School for Boys: 15 Sanele Simelane, 14 Lindelani Nkambule, 13 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 12 McMillen Mongwana, 11 Leruo Dithagiso, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Talent Sithole, 8 Risima Khosa, 7 Nathan Claasen, 6 Grady Ngui, 5 Luke Cannon, 4 Lagan Leisher, 3 Luca Trevisan, 2 Joseph Zulu, 1 André Poulton.

Parktown Boys’ High School: 15 Muna Imenda, 14 Christian Cele, 13 Benjamin Nettleton, 12 Lisasa Mnukiso, 11 Owami Phambuka, 10 Kelvin Kotey, 9 Tshepiso Tladi, 8 Kingsley Okonkwo, 7 Keith Mncube, 6 Vuyo Ndlovu, 5 Anashe Matuku,  4 Sibu Dyi, 3 Azola Peter, 2 Lethoko Mallane, 1 Manuel Motsi.

Northcliff High School: 15 Dylan Koopman, 14 Bheki Ngwenya, 13 Matthew Pretorius, 12 Matthew Verrydt, 11 Luke Roos, 10 Matthew Hunt, 9 Alerick Rachstein, 8 Mardoche Katanga, 7 Frank Devenish, 6 Vianney Nteugmange, 5 Rhema Nwogwugwu, 4 Declan Diesel, 3 Jensen Geyer, 2 Luke Hammond, 1 Miguel Smith.

FIXTURES

KES vs Jeppe

u14A: 8:45 – KES vs Jeppe (John Hurry 1)
u15A: 09:45 – KES vs Jeppe (John Hurry 2)
u16A: 10:45 – KES vs Jeppe (Reds Field)
u19B: 12:00 – KES vs Jeppe (Reds Field)
u19A: 13:15 – KES vs Jeppe (Reds Field)

Parktown vs Northcliff 

u14A: 0900 – Parktown vs Northcliff (C Field)
u15A: 08:00 – Parktown vs Northcliff (A Field)
u16A: 10:00 – Parktown vs Northcliff (A Field)
u19B: 11:00 – Parktown vs Northcliff (A Field)
u19A: 12:15 – Parktown vs Northcliff (A Field)