Kearsney’s uptick in form makes for an enthralling clash with Michaelhouse
On Saturday, Michaelhouse runs out onto Stott Field to face Kearsney College, with the challenge from the home side appearing to be a lot stiffer than it looked not too long ago.
Catch the action on DStv Channel 216
After a good start to the season, the One-Stripe found themselves on the wrong end of the result eight times in succession. Admittedly, every one of those games was against strong opposition. But both winning and losing can become habits.
Thankfully, for Kearsney, they’ve recently reversed that losing trend. Part of the reason has to do with the fact that have an outstanding leader in Anele Cele, and the fact that the team has not once lost the typical Kearsney fighting spirit despite the deflating nature of defeats.
They returned to winning ways two weeks ago with a particularly meaningful victory over Glenwood, which was their first against the Green Machine since 2013, and they did it in Durban, too. It was an impressive performance, which underlined the fact that scoring points has not been an issue for Kearsney. In fact, in the five games preceding it, their lowest haul had been 19 points, against Michaelhouse.
It was close on Dixon’s, with Kearsney winning 25-22, but it was a game they attacked positively, playing without fear of failure, and they were rewarded.
The following week, against Clifton at the Riverside Sports Club, Anele Cele and company showed what an injection of confidence can do as they ran up a 28-0 halftime lead, on their way to a convincing 48-0 victory.
Kearsney’s impressive performances in the set pieces were what set the One-Stripe up for victory over Clifton, but Michaelhouse is going to be a tougher challenge. Earlier this season, on Meadows, ‘House claimed a 34-19 victory over Kearsney.
Last weekend, in the cauldron of Van Heerden’s Field, on Durban High School’s (DHS) Founders Day, they gave the Horseflies, the best team in KZN so far this season, a very tough game before going down 10-23.
There’s a change to the Michaelhouse line-up for Saturday, though, that catches the eye. They welcome back their captain and Craven Week no. 8, Carlyle Hawkins, who like his opposite number is also the Head of School. He’s a force on both offence and defence, an all-rounder who consistently delivers excellence as a player and as the captain of the side.
His return gives ‘House its regular loose trio of Hawkins, Robert Combrinck and Riley Gehren, and they function superbly as a unit. That’s a real boost for the visitors. Alex Arde, who ran out at flank at DHS, in Hawkins’ absence, takes up position in the second row, alongside Dom Sesink Clee.
There’s also a change in the front row, with Koketso Bopape starting at tighthead.
Maybe the most interesting change takes place at fullback, where Aya Mkokheli, who has spent the season out on the wing, pulls on the no. 15 jersey. He’s a speed merchant with considerable counterattacking prowess, which has brought him some impressive tries this season. Will he be able to provide Michaelhouse with even more punch from the back?
The margins, one imagines, are going to be tighter in this second meeting of the sides in 2024, especially with Kearsney entering the contest with a couple of wins in the bag and playing at home. Michaelhouse, though, is a well-balanced outfit, and they’re never out of a game.
It’s a tough one to call, although the edge, based on the season’s record, belongs to the visitors. However, playing on Stott Field levels the playing field. In 2023, Michaelhouse, who lost only once all season, won by just three in Botha’s Hill, edging the game 23-20.
Kearsney College vs Michaelhouse on Stott Field at 15:00
Kearsney: 15 Daniel Eager, 14 Valentino Lenge, 13 Cameron Veenstra, 12 Doan Nel, 11 Bukho Hlwatika, 10 Roydan Madatt, 9 Murray Weyer, 8 Qhamani Mlalandle, 7 Connor McIntyre, 6 Callum Steer, 5 Ryan Sim, 4 Joseph Roylance, 3 Anele Cele, 2 Blake Kruger, 1 Kuda Kachambwa
Michaelhouse: 15 Aya Mkokheli, 14 Lwandle Nzama, 13 Rourke O’Sullivan, 12 Tom Baguley, 11 Connor McAlpine, 10 Luke Davidson (vc), 9 Jack Hughes, 8 Carlyle Hawkins (c), 7 Robert Combrinck, 6 Riley Gehren, 5 Dom Sesink Clee, 4 Alex Arde, 3 Koketso Bopape, 2 Oliver Davis, 1 Aphiwe Shelembe
