KZN High Schools’ Rugby Day lays on a tasty spread
School rugby fans in KwaZulu-Natal are in for a treat, with Hilton College hosting the KwaZulu-Natal High Schools’ Rugby Day, bringing 10 of the top teams together at one venue.
But there is a catch. The matches take place on Friday, 16 May. Blasting on Saturday, along the N3, will close the highway between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, which has led to the event being brought forward.
If you’re one of the lucky ones, who is able to get away from work early, there are few finer settings than Hilton College in May, and the weather forecast is mild, with the temperature topping out at 25 degrees Celcius. Be aware, though. There is an entry fee.
St Charles College vs Clifton College
The action kicks off at 09:30, with St Charles College facing Clifton College.
After an impressive showing last time out against Maritzburg College, Saints will be favoured to defeat their Durban rivals, who have endured a challenging season.
Coming off the back of a big defeat to Hilton, an inspired performance from Saints against College was a big boost for their morale and cause for optimism about the potential of the team.
There are some changes to the starting fifteen that took on their Pietermaritzburg rivals, mostly interestingly at number eight, where Eben Crafford starts, with Raphael Ajibade moving to the bench. Another change to the loose trio has Lethokuhle Nyawo taking over from Thomas Borgen at seven. With Crafford moving to eighthman, Josh Milne wears the six jumper.
Besides the changes to the loose forwards, St Charles runs out the same team that faced College, and why not? They rose to the occasion of their Old Boys’ Day, in their 150th year, and, even in defeat, gave their supporters plenty to cheer.
Clifton celebrated their Founders Weekend and faced St Alban’s College on the same day. Unfortunately for the Durban boys, they failed to fire, and they’ll look upon Friday’s match as an opportunity to show that they’re capable of better things.
Northwood School vs Michaelhouse
There is one rematch on the card, at 11:00, and it’s between Northwood and Michaelhouse. They met in the opening match of the season, with the Knights snatching a come-from-behind 15-13 victory right at the death in Durban. It’s likely to be another tight clash on Friday.
The Knights are coming off a 24-30 defeat to Jeppe, in Johannesburg. No doubt, despite the close result, they’ll be disappointed by that loss. There were surely some mitigating circumstances, including playing at altitude, but their recent schedule was, more likely, an influence. Their showdown with Jeppe was preceded by matches against DHS, Paarl Gimnasium, and HTS Drostdy. That’s tough sledding.
Coach Jacques Deen leads a team with strong character, however, and they’ll be eager to stitch together a bounce-back performance. What they have on their side, despite the big recent challenges, is a settled line-up, and even with some changes they’ve made for the ‘House match, those players coming into the side have already run out for the Knights in 2025.
There are two changes up front, with Janco Visagie starting at tighthead prop and Omari Mabuza cracking the nod on the left flank. Behind them, Jaydon Smith wears the number 14 jersey.
Special mention needs to be made here of their eighthman Jamie Wimble who showed, when Northwood met Paarl Gim, that he can raise his game to meet the stiffest of challenges. He’s an exciting skilful and physical ball player. Another player who caught the eye in that game was Bongane Khumalo, who matched up with Markus Muller, arguably the player of the season in South African schoolboy rugby thus far. Khumalo held his own, which not many have been able to do.
Michaelhouse played an awful lot of rugby for not much reward when the teams met on Reece-Edwards Field and they made a stuttering start to the season, being competitive in every match, but results didn’t go their way.
They’re a team that’s loaded with quality players, however, and they truly pulled their game together last time out against Kearsney College, racing into an early 19-0 lead before allowing Kearsney to close to within 17-24. ‘House’s response was outstanding, however, and they scored the last 26 points of the contest to run away to a 50-17 victory.
Coach James Fleming has made one change to the backline, bringing in Laird Hamilton-Brown on the right wing, while the pack remains unchanged. That’s good news for the Balgowan boys, who will be raring to have another crack at the formidable Northwood lineup.
Kearsney College vs Durban High School
At 12:30, Kearsney College takes on Durban High School (DHS). Despite the big defeat at Michaelhouse, the One-Stripe has been playing some good rugby, and that have certainly made strides this season. In DHS, though, they face a daunting challenge.
The Horseflies have won nine of their 10 matches, going down only to Paarl Gimnasium, rated by most as the best team in South Africa in 2025. They’ve since had a week’s break, which should serve them well.
School‘s success has been built on their teamwork more than individual brilliance, and that is credit to their coaching and team-first attitude.
They’re a solid unit all-round with their physicality being one of their calling cards. In many instances when facing DHS, it’s a case of knowing what’s coming but not being able to do anything about it.
For most of the season, Jordan van Wyk has run out at flyhalf for DHS, but on Friday he’ll be at fullback, with the creative Cilermo Carlos taking over at number 10. Amo Mataboge is in at right-wing, while Marcwin Nero gets the start at scrumhalf.
Dexter Mkhencele plays eighthman, with Bradley La Grange shifting from the back of the scrum to the number seven jersey. Josè Lottering, who wore seven against Paarl Gim, joins Zion Smith in the second row. The props change, too, with Omphile Kola starting at tighthead and Elvino Witbooi at loosehead.
Kearsney’s starting 15 has a familiar look to it. Coach Grant Bashford has shown his belief in his players, even after their loss last Friday. With six wins from nine starts, including victories over Pretoria Boys High and Glenwood, that looks like a sound call.
No doubt, though, the odds are stacked against the One-Stripe.
Maritzburg College vs Westville Boys’ High
At 14:00, Maritzburg College takes on Westville Boys’ High. That could be very interesting. Last year, at the KZN High Schools’ Rugby Day, College charged out of the gate and overwhelmed the Griffin, powering their way to a 41-10 victory. It was one of their better performances of the season, if not their best.
There’ll be a good number of Westville players who were part of last year’s game who will be eager to give the Red, Black, and White a taste of their own medicine, and that’s not beyond the realm of possibility. Westville, now under the guidance of coach Zander Erasmus, has been very impressive this season, and they sport a perfect record of eight wins from eight matches.
Last time out, they won 55-31 against KES, in Johannesburg. With a rugged pack and some exciting backline players, they have all the ingredients necessary to run up the score on an opponent if that team is not on its game.
Fullback Zekhethelo Siyaya has deservedly captured the spotlight, but he’s been far from a lone standout, and the return of flyhalf Jade-Will Koopman has further boosted Westville’s prospects. It all starts up front, however, and they have a strong pack, which lays a sound foundation.
A measure of Westville’s success can be found in their run-on XV, which is unchanged from the side that did duty against KES.
College heads into the clash off the back of a very physical, hard-fought 26-16 victory over St Charles.
They’ve been through an up-and-down season, with some good performances being interspersed with some puzzling showings. Which version of College will we see on Friday? Which version of College will Westville allow?
College showed in their win over St Charles that they have the ability to raise their intensity when the chips are down, but, if they don’t fire from the start, it will be too late against the Griffin.
Like Westville, they’ll have one of their best counterattacking players wearing the fullback’s number 15, with Amahle Hadebe, who played centre earlier in the season, at the back. He’ll have more opportunities to exploit space if Westville’s kicking isn’t on point.
Up front, it’s fantastic to see Rory Stanton playing flank. He suffered a shoulder injury earlier in the season that looked as if it would sideline him for a long time. He has, however, made a remarkable recovery and his availability is a big boost for College.
Hilton College vs Glenwood High
The last game of the day kicks off at 15:30 and it features the hosts, Hilton College, against Glenwood.
Hilton is another of those teams where it is difficult to identify weaknesses. They’re settled – unchanged from a 38-24 win over Pretoria Boys High – well-drilled, and have a bit of flair about them. They’re going to give Glenwood a stern examination.
One of the most impressive aspects of Hilton’s success has been how well their combinations have worked together. From the back three, to the midfield, the halfbacks, the loose trio, the second row, and the front row, it has been a combined effort, and when they’re on song Hilton is a dangerous side, capable of overwhelming the opposition.
Glenwood is a better side in 2025 than in 2024. They’re not the dominant Green Machine that once, not too long ago, ruled KZN rugby, but there is no doubt that their trajectory is up.
They have played some marvellous rugby, yet in the same game have also allowed the opposition back into the contest, and it’s that inconsistency that coach Derek Heiberg will want to see eliminated.
Glenwood’s opening against Milnerton at the Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, which saw them power their way into a 29-0 lead with some breathtaking play was followed by a drop in intensity and accuracy, which allowed Milnerton all the way back into the game. It was at 34-34 before a late penalty by Joshua Kopp won it for the Durban school.
Against Kearsney, they let slip their lead late in the game and went down by a point, and they also lost a squeaker to Nico Malan by only two points at the Absa Wildeklawer tournament, with the Humansdorp boys coming from behind to win with a try late in the game.
Glenwood needs to learn how to close out games. They’ll be hoping for just such an opportunity against a strong opponent on Friday.
TEAMS
St Charles College vs Clifton College at 09:30
St Charles College: 15 Phiwe-Junior Dlamini, 14 Likuthi Mbalana, 13 Carl Chekera, 12 Athenkosi Qumo, 11 Mathew Ludick, 10 AJ Bosman, 9 Thandokuhle Nyawo, 8 Eben Crafford, 7 Lethokuhle Zimu, 6 Joshua Milne, 5 Joshua Harris, 4 Matthew Naudé, 3 Silindokuhle Nciza, Dresden Coetzee, 1 Braydon Joese.
Clifton College: 15 Tor Mclean, 14 Troy Rencken, 13 Devan Schwartz, 12 Dhilan Bhoola, 11 Kwadokuhle Sokhela, 10 Adam Selikow, 9 Matthew van Blerk, 8 Danyaal Motala, 7 Nathan Burger, 6 Jack Woollatt, 5 Lukhanyiso Nala, 4 Cole Nienhauser, 3 Trent Bam, 2 Asabonga Jiyane, 1 Kegomoditswe Maseko.
Michaelhouse vs Northwood School at 11:00
Michaelhouse: 15 Alex Jankowitz, 14 Laird Hamilton-Brown, 13 Rourke O’Sullivan, 12 William Ridl, 11 Jack Carmody, 10 Stefan Moolman, 9 Nicholas Baker, 8 Dom Sesink-Clee, 7 Luke Mitchell, 6 Oliver Davis, 5 Daniel Carr, 4 Alex Ardé, 3 Nicolas Salamousas, 2 Max Oliva, 1 Koketso Bopape.
Northwood: 15 Trevor von Volenstee, 14 Jaydon Smith, 13 Bongane Khumalo, 12 Tristan Parkinson, 11 Aphiwe Mapisa, 10 Savio Stevens, 9 Jed Mun-Gavin, 8 Jamie Wimble, 7 Lusanda Mabizela, 6 Omari Mabuza, 5 Chad Howe, 4 Lian Terblanche, 3 Janco Visagie, 2 Ayavuya Makula, 1 Sphephelo Ntshangase.
Durban High School vs Kearsney College at 12:30
Durban High School – 15 Jordan van Wyk, 14 Amo Mataboge, 13 Nathan Aneke, 12 Zingce Simka, 11 Zinkosi Mthiyane, 10 Cilermo Carolus, 9 Marcwin Nero, 8 Dexter Mkhencele, 7 Bradley La Grange, 6 Daniel Ikotela, 5 Zion Smith, 4 José Lottering, 3 Omphile Kola, 2 Okuhle Mbanjwa, 1 Elvino Witbooi.
Kearsney College – 15 Lwazi Mbebe, 14 Valentino Lenge, 13 Doan Nel, 12 Keanu Williamson, 11 Lwandle Mkhize, 10 Jayden Jonsson, 9 Fynn Verbaan, 8 Nhlanhla Ndlovu, 7 Oliver Ludwig, 6 Simanye Mlakalaka, 5 Joseph Roylance, 4 Thomas Francke, 3 Azania Thela, 2 Micah van Wyk, 1 Luke Faure.
Maritzburg College vs Westville Boys’ High at 14:00
Maritzburg College – 15 Amahle Hadebe, 14 Caleb Scheepers, 13 Olwethu Kosani, 12 Jordan Thackeray, 11 Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein, 10 Liyema Tsoko, 9 Dom du Toit, 8 Wasi Vyambwera, 7 Rory Stanton, 6 David Colenbrander, 5 Elethu Mabanga, 4 Mian Pretorius, 3 Alanda Ngubane, 2 Theo Boshoff, 1 Indiphile Mlotshwa.
Westville Boys’ High – 15 – Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Phumula Xulu, 13 Jadrian Afrikaner, 12 Sean McGough, 11 Avumile Lisa, 10 Jade-Will Koopman, 9 Liam Simpkins, 8 Lwandile Simelane, 7 Lwandle Makhanya, 6 Brandon Eke, 5 Lwandile Mlaba, 4 Moustapher Gcina, 3 Bandile Mncwango, 2 Ross Calvert, 1 Sibusiso Hlongwa.
Hilton College vs Glenwood High at 15:30
Hilton College – 15 James Peattie, 14 Guy Fender, 13 Khazimla Makali, 12 Tristan Uys, 11 Ricky Adonis, 10 Liyema Nela, 9 Zander Vorster, 8 Zander Muller, 7 Emmanuel Dankwah, 6 Stewart Falconer, 5 Andrew Schnell, 4 Andre Boschoff, 3 Mholi Khuzwayo, 2 Josh Grant, 1 Khanya Jekwa.
Glenwood High: N/A
