K-Day clash in the King Price Derby Series spotlight

A confrontation of epic proportions is brewing in Makhanda where Kingswood College and their cross-town rivals, St Andrew’s College, have been gearing up for a showdown which annually captures the imagination of thousands of supporters.

Popularly known as K-Day, it is actually a week of cultural and sporting challenges between the two private schools, as well as Diocesan School for Girls (DSG), culminating in the King Price Derby Series first XV rugby showdown, this time at Kingswood’s home ground of City Lords, at 15.30, on Saturday.

As the excitement bubbles over among the learners and supporters, St Andrew’s coach Jonny Mallett said one of their priorities was to help the players “to manage the hype of the occasion”.

“The school, as a whole, is excited for the K-Day fixture, and it is a wonderful week of collegiality and friendship, with some healthy competition thrown in the mix,”” he said.

“The College team is at full strength, and we are very aware of the threat that Kingswood will pose, but everyone is excited about the game.

“It is a highlight on the school calendar and there is a lot of hype around the two campuses. All we want is for the boys to enjoy the week without getting caught up in too many ‘sideshows’.

“They know their role is to play rugby on an awesome occasion and there is no need to hype it up any further. We just need to make sure they manage the environment.”

Mallett said their tactical focus in the past two years has been to recapture the attacking brand of rugby for which St Andrew’s is so well-known.

“We have worked hard on that and it’s no secret about how we want to play, but we know we need to develop our skills in order to play that style. Decision-making is key.”

St Andrew’s has reaped the benefits of that approach this year, with only a draw against Michaelhouse and a loss to Queen’s College spoiling a sparkling winning record.

Since losing to Queen’s, they have bounced back with some eye-catching performances, notably defeating Grey High in Gqeberha by a single point.

And yet, they know that past results will go out of the window when two teams enter the cauldron of City Lords on Saturday afternoon.

Kingswood coach Devon Barnard acknowledged the magnitude of the occasion: “It’s always a highlight on the Kingswood calendar and I personally believe just having a conversation with the boys about the occasion is a good place to start.

“We feel that, as a group, we just need to make sure we do the basic rights and that will give us a chance,” he said.

“St Andrew’s are coming into this fixture with a great run of form, so I don’t think playing on our home ground of City Lords will be such a big factor.”

Teams

St Andrew’s College: 15 Will Stevens, 14 Asante Chivere, 13 Ali de Kock, 12 Aphindile Ngcuka, 11 Qhawe Madikizela, 10 Oli Johns, 9 David Chorley, 8 ⁠Joshua van Zyl, 7 ⁠Luca Nigrini, 6 ⁠Coel Trollip, 5 ⁠Matthew Harvey (capt), 4 ⁠William Beamish, 3 ⁠Sivatho Mjali, 2 Amo Habi, 1 Jake Jackson.

Kingswood College: 15 Praise Matsila, 14 James Mackenzie, 13 Likhona Kepe, 12 Matthew Paxton, 11 Kevin Barnes, 10 Matthew McCarthy, 9 James McMahon, 8 Liyema Katikati, 7 Josh Mackenzie, 6 Olunje Jama, 5 Ross Thompson, 4 Sandi Peter, 3 Lyke Ukwekwe, 2 Robbie Miles, 1 Junior Ndlazi.

Last 10 K-Day Results

2024: St Andrew’s 22-22 Kingswood
2023: Kingswood 13-10 St Andrew’s College
2022: St Andrew’s College 22-3 Kingswood
2021: Kingswood 19-35 St Andrew’s College
2019: St Andrew’s College 21-20 Kingswood
2018: Kingswood 5-24 St Andrew’s College
2017: St Andrew’s College 72-5 Kingswood
2016: Kingswood 34-22 St Andrew’s College
2015: St Andrew’s 19-20 Kingswood
2014: Kingswood 28-42 St Andrew’s College