Maritzburg College and DHS raring to go at it on Goldstone’s
Goldstone’s will host Maritzburg College and Durban High School (DHS) on Saturday, with the schools resuming a rich rugby rivalry that began in 1910. While College won that first match, the Horseflies won the most recent meeting on Van Heerden’s Field in 2023.
In a bruising early season clash, DHS came away with a hard-earned 14-7 victory, although the visitors were very unfortunate to have a try by captain Sasha Kadira disallowed, which could have levelled the scores.
DHS has made a slightly better start to the 2024 season than College, with their defence being their calling card thus far. Only once have they conceded more than single figures.
Last weekend, though, the seven points they gave up to Northwood were not enough to see them to a win and they had to settle for a 7-7 draw on Reece-Edwards Field.
DHS Director of Rugby Peter Engeldow felt his side’s tactical kicking wasn’t up to scratch, so they will have worked hard on that during the week, especially since College’s fullback Luyanda Kunene is a devastating counterattacking weapon.
In a notable change, the Horseflies have made a big call and moved Allston Cedras to flyhalf, with Aka Boqwana dropping to the bench. Cedras has run out at fullback and wing this season, but his move to no.10 is indicative of School’s struggles at Northwood last weekend and their desire to run the ball better.
There is a trade-off, with Boqwana having served as DHS’s first-choice kicker, but the coaching staff, no doubt, weighed that decision carefully.
One factor that must be considered is College’s home ground advantage. Last season, neither DHS nor College lost at home. In fact, College pushed DHS the hardest on Van Heerden’s Field.
This season, College has powered their way to two big wins on Goldstone’s, most recently 43-15 against Pretoria Boys High. It was tight at half-time, but the Red, Black and White tacked on 22 unanswered points in the second half.
Rambo Kubheka and company appear to be picking up steam. That win was their fourth on the trot since a loss to Boland Landbou at the St John’s Easter Rugby Festival. DHS had won four in succession before last weekend’s draw. In seven matches, they have allowed only 35 points.
Both College and DHS are difficult to stop once they find a rhythm, and College clearly found that in the latter stages of their games against Pretoria Boys High. It will be a tougher test against the rabid DHS defence.
Good offence depends a lot on the quality of the ball the backs receive and the battle up front will be a good one to watch. DHS is not a big team, but they scrum very well.
Their loosehead Unaye Mndau is not the biggest of front-rankers, but he’s performed strongly and will present Sharks’ Craven Week tighthead Aiden Botha with a stiff challenge. On the other side of the scrum, big Teddy Dlamini packs down against SA Schools’ loosehead Rambo Kubheka. It should be a fascinating contest.
It’s a big Saturday for St Charles College. They host Clifton College on Saints’ Old Boys’ Weekend.
Saints is an intriguing team. Their early results suggest they have the firepower to make some noise this season.
A 25-19 victory over Milnerton looks a whole lot better now that Milnerton upset Rondebosch, while a 24-28 loss to Bishops is, maybe, a bit of a letdown, considering Bishops’ early season struggles.
It has been a while since Saints played a game, though. They were last in action on 30 March, when they beat St Alban’s College 22-16. It’s one of those things that could go either way. Sometimes time off helps and sometimes it hurts.
St Charles has brought in Craig Dwyer as their Head of Rugby. He spent the past decade plying his trade in New Zealand, so it will be interesting to see if his charges’ approach differs somewhat from other KZN schools.
Clifton put in a strong shift against Glenwood on the past weekend but were punished when they didn’t take good enough care of the ball.
Getting some parity in terms of ball possession will be crucial if they are to challenge Saints. They’re a hard-working team that is looking for a bit of a spark to ignite their season.
Meadows is a tough place to win for visiting teams, but Northwood has displayed real steel this season and they’ll fancy their chances against Michaelhouse in Balgowan on Saturday.
They will, however, be without their captain and SA Schools A representative Vuyo Gwiji, with Titus Cesonis taking over from him at number eight.
In another big change, Siya Nkosi moves from flyhalf to fullback, with Savio Stevens getting the start in the no. 10 jersey. His matchup opposite Michaelhouse’s accomplished Luke Davidson will be one of the pivotal battles within the war.
Coach Jacques Deen‘s Northwood team is uncompromising. They’ve won three and drawn one, with their signature victory so far being a 10-7 win at Hilton College in their season opener.
At the KES Easter Rugby Festival, they also showed that if they build up a little momentum, they’re a handful. There, they blasted Die Brandwag 50-0 and Hudson Park 40-8.
They’ve surrendered only 22 points in four matches and that kind of defence wins matches.
Michaelhouse, meanwhile, has been up and down in 2024, with wins over Westville and Bishops, but narrow losses to Helpmekaar, SACS and St John’s (Harare) by a combined total of only eight points.
Their only match at home thus far was their opener against Helpmekaar which, unfortunately for ‘House, featured first-match drops and inaccuracy. They’ll expect a lot better on Saturday and will take strength from the fact that they’re running out on Meadows.
Captain and 8th-man Carlyle Hawkins is a lead-from-the-front type who sets the physical tone on attack and defence. He was part of the KZN Academy team last year, which also featured Tom Baguley, Luke Davidson, Aya Mkhokeli and Aphiwe Shelembe.
TEAMS
Maritzburg College vs DHS at 14:30
Maritzburg College
15 Luyanda Kunene, 14 Langelihle Makhathini, 13 Swelihle Mbatha, 12 12 Nkululeko Sithole, 11 Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein, 10 James Slevin, 9 Rayke Maartens, 8 Imivuyo Kemka, 7 Naz Isaacs, 6 Struan Oosthuizen, 5 Jake Jansen, 4 Wasi Vyambwera, 3 Aiden Botha, 2 Siyabonga Nyathi, 1 Phiwayinkhosi Kubheka (c).
Durban High School
15 Jordan van Wyk, 14 Adriano Jackson, 13 Hlumelo Madikane, 12 Duncan Basson, 11 Zenkosi Mthiyane, 10 Allston Cedras, 9 Marcwin Nero, 8 Khanyisa Stamper, 7 Bradley la Grange, 6 Dale Hendrikse, 5 Thando Luthuli, 4 Sibusiso Mahlangu, 3 Bongani Dlamini, 2 Mahle Sithole (c), 1 Unaye Mndau.
St Charles College vs Clifton College at 14:30
St Charles College
15 Salmaan Mohammed, 14 Athenkosi Qumo, 13 Rashied Isaacs, 12 Okuhle Petu, 11 Matthew Ludick, 10 Ukhanyo Ntsangani, 9 Matthew Fick, 8 Stefan Veldsman, 7 Sam Odell, 6 Lazola Makaula, 5 Reece Curtain, 4 Rafael Ajibade, 3 Christian Allardice, 2 Marlon Mbewe, 1 Lutho Mrwata
Clifton College
15 Handré de Bruin, 14 Lwandile Myeni, 13 Nkanyiso Ntshangase, 12 Bryce Beeslaar, 11 Wandile Ngubane, 10 Adam Selikow, 9 Kyle Akal, 8 Andisa Methembu, 7 Jamie Brown, 6 Matt Ropertz, 5 Lukhanyiso Nala, 4 Matt Hammond, 3 Simphiwe Ngcobo, 2 Richard Castle, 1 Njabulo Dlomo (c)
Michaelhouse vs Northwood School at 15:30
Michaelhouse
15 Stefan Moolman, 14 Aya Mkhokeli, 13 Rourke O’Sullivan, 12 Tom Baguley, 11 William Ridl, 10 Luke Davidson, 9 Jack Hughes, 8 Carlyle Hawkins (c), 7 Robert Combrinck, 6 Riley Gehren, 5 Dom Sesink Clee, 4 Alex Arde, 3 Thomas Peach, 2 Oliver Davis, 1 Aphiwe Shelembe
Northwood
15 Siyanda Nkosi, 14 Joshua Thondhlana, 13 Thomas Lindsey, 12 Bongane Khumalo, 11 Aphiwe Buthelezi, 10 Savio Stevens, 9 Graeham de Swardt, 8 Titus Cesonis, 7 Lian Terblanche, 6 Ethan Macey, 5 Chad Howe, 4 Kwezi Kunene, 3 Reuben Vos, 2 Werner van Niewenhuizen, 1 Sphepelo Ntshangase
