Jeppe extends derby dominance over KES
Jeppe High School for Boys continued their impressive 2025 run by defeating King Edward VII School (KES) 4-1 in a highly anticipated derby clash on the Bowden AstroTurf on Saturday, in Johannesburg.
With the field surrounded by spectators, the sides delivered an intense yet tactical clash.
The win reaffirmed Jeppe’s dominance – they had won nine of their past 10 derby matches against KES.
After 66 matches against their great rivals, the Kensington school has now scored 31 victories, with KES triumphant on 16 occasions, and 19 games ending in draws.
It’s that more recent domination that is telling, however. KES stopped the slide in 2024 when they pulled off a 3-2 victory, but Jeppe, unbeaten this season, recorded a ruthless win on Saturday.
Senior player, Raphael Madzivadondo, spoke with pride after the match, telling SuperSport Schools Plus that scoring another win over the Red Sticks felt great. “We’ve worked so hard, and it’s amazing to see our efforts pay off,” he said. “The energy and excitement in the team is incredible.”
With many of the Jeppe players in their final year of school, the stakes were especially high. Madzivadondo, a matric student himself, acknowledged the deeper significance of each match this season.
“Absolutely, there’s a heightened sense of urgency and determination,” he reckoned. “Being in matric adds a layer of significance, knowing it’s our last chance to compete together at this level. It fuels our commitment to each other and to achieving something special.”
Jeppe’s goals were scored by Juan Martin, who struck twice, while captain Ethan Kapanda added another to his impressive tally, and Ezray Stadt netted, too.
Reflecting on the nature of the contest, Madzivadondo described it as a tough but rewarding challenge.
“The game was intense and a real test of our skills and teamwork. We faced some tough challenges, but we stayed focused, adapted well, and played not only for ourselves but for the school.
“It was a memorable performance, especially since it was my last home game,” he said.
“It’s a great feeling to keep the upper hand against a strong team like KES. It shows the progress we’ve made and the level we’re playing at. It also motivates us to keep pushing and improving.”
When the final whistle blew, there was no doubt about which team had stamped their authority on the day. Coach Siya Sityana and his merry men had added another W to their record, claimed the bragging rights once more, and had held on to their unbeaten record.
