Jeppe sneak home after 13-year break against DHS

In a long-awaited rugby spectacle at Collard Field in Johannesburg, Jeppe High School for Boys faced off against Durban High School for the first time in 13 years, rekindling their traditional rivalry.

The hosts emerged victorious walking away with a 39-36 win.

Rewatch all the action on SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com).

The match started with DHS, applying pressure early on the match, driving forward into the hosts and obtaining a fair amount of possession in Jeppe’s half. This resulted in two tries which ignited the match and put Jeppe on the backfoot early on.

However, as the final minutes of the half approached, Jeppe intensified their offensive efforts. The boys in black and white managed to break through Durban’s defense, scoring a crucial try in the corner to level the scores, on the cusp of the halftime whistle.

By the halfway mark, Durban High School held a narrow lead of 17-12, showcasing their determination to challenge Jeppe.

One of the standout players of the match was Jeppe’s Thulani Shabalala, who proved to be a game-changer for his team. The talented winger delivered a scintillating performance, scoring two pivotal tries and contributing 19 individual points through his impressive placement kicks.

On the opposing side, Durban High School’s flyhalf, Deano Boesak, showcased his skills as an up-and-coming talent in South African rugby, scoring two tries and successfully converting three conversions and a penalty.

Duncan Basson, a substitute player for Durban High School, made his entry onto the field. Basson’s efforts were commendable, as he scored a crucial try that kept DHS in contention until the final moments of the match.

However, Jeppe’s resilience and experience in handling close finishes eventually secured their hard-earned victory. Rugby fans were treated to an intense battle, and the future holds the promise of more such enthralling encounters between these two formidable schools.

Beyond the scoreline, the match basically carried deeper meaning as it symbolized the revival of a historic rivalry between the two schools. The fact that they were able to engage in a full set of fixtures after a prolonged break raised hopes for a regular fixture in the years to come.

Above all as the 2023 season draws to a close, both teams can take pride in their achievements. Jeppe has been a part of several close encounters this season, amassing an impressive 12 wins. Meanwhile, Durban High School is not far behind, ending the season with 11 wins and showcasing their potential as a force to be reckoned with in South African rugby again.

Moreover, Durban High School’s commitment to strengthening their junior structures bodes well for the future of the sport. Durban High School bid farewell to their current Team Manager Morne Janse Van Rensburg, who will be exploring opportunities in the corporate world.

Scorers:

Jeppe High School for Boys 39 (12) – Tries: Thulani Shabalala (2), McMillen Mongwana, Mosiki Ndlaba (2), Sean Mills. Conversions: Thulani Shabalala (3) Penalties: Thulani Shabalala. Durban High School 36 (17) –Tries: Maurice Willemse, Deano Boesak (2), Florensen Ockhuis, Duncan Basson. Conversions: Deano Boesak (3) Penalties: Deano Boesak.

The teams:

Jeppe High School for Boys: 15 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 14 Thulani Shabalala, 13 Exauce Kevani, 12 McMillen Mongwana, 11 Bokamoso Maphisa, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Bryce Samuel, 8 Mosiki Ndlaba, 7 Sean Mills, 6 Ruben Van Rensburg, 5 Luke Cannon, 4 Risima Khosa, 3 Luca Trevisan, 2 Kaleb Burger, 1 Ricardo Brandao.

Durban High School: 15 Bandile Zama, 14 Ntando Mavuso, 13 Amahle Mazibuko, 12 Hlumelo Madikane, 11 Maurice Willemse, 10 Deano Boesak, 9 Florensen Ockhuis , 8 Sibusiso Mahlangu, 7 Siseko Mani, 6 Daniel Ikotela, 5 Weihrich Basson, 4 Sima Hlabisa, 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Christian Everitt, 1 Siyanda Dlamini.

Results:

u19A: Jeppe High School for Boys 39, Durban High School 36

u19B: Jeppe High School for Boys 36, Durban High School 19

u16A: Jeppe High School for Boys 19, Durban High School 19

u15A: Durban High School 21, Jeppe High School for Boys 19

u14A: Durban High School 33, Jeppe High School for Boys 0