Michaelhouse eye hundredth win over Hilton College

Derby days do not get much bigger than this.

Michaelhouse are on the hunt for their hundredth victory over long standing rivals Hilton College.

This landmark achievement has eluded the prestigious Midlands school when they last tasted victory back in 2016 at Gilliflan Field, winning a close encounter 21-17.  

All eyes will be on Michaelhouse as they take to the field  in front of a home crowd this Saturday with kick-off taking place at 15:15 on Meadows.

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

Over the last seven years, Hilton have dominated the fixtures winning all of the matches since Michaelhouse were left stranded on the ninety-nine mark. Hilton are busy clawing their way closer to the landmark with ninety-five wins. There have only been ten draws between the sides. Some would argue that the pursuit of the hundredth win puts additional pressure on the boys in red and white. 

The first match between the two schools dates back to 1904, almost one hundred and twenty years ago where Hilton won 6-0 for the first time. This historic rivalry between the last two remaining full boarding schools for boys in Kwa-Zulu Natal has showcased some famous matches over the years.

This match marks the 205th occasion that the two sides will face-off, Michaelhouse have notched up 2439 points, while Hilton sits at 2322 points. 

Since 2000, the team have played forty-two times, Hilton winning twenty-one matches compared to the twenty wins by Michaelhouse. The weather had the last laugh back in 2010 where a thunderstorm ensured that no play was possible leaving both teams empty-handed with a no result.

In the current season both teams have shown a level of consistency coming off crucial wins last weekend. Michaelhouse played Glenwood, beating them 36-10 at home. A win this on Saturday will extend their unbeaten run this season to six wins in a row.

The only stumbling block thus far was a close match that ended in a 24-24 draw against Helpmekaar earlier in the season.

Hilton handed St Charles College a tough lesson in a 39-10 victory last weekend. Over the course of this season the side has won six out of their eight matches played so far. The team narrowly lost an exciting match to Jeppe High School for Boys during the Easter Festival which ended 24-20. 

Players to watch from Michaelhouse include vice-captain and fly-half Murray Baker had an impressive run at the St Stithians Easter Festival. He will hope to emulate what has come before him in the number ten jersey, which former Springbok Pat Lambie wore back in 2008.

Full-back Luke Davidson has kicked well for the side and will look to take advantage of any potential conversion and penalty opportunities. 

Hilton have a formidable line-up this year too sporting a strong forward pack with the likes of Jabavu Bunono, Murray Brink and Benn Le Roux. An injury scare for flanker Matt Stewart nearly ruled him out for the fixture but he underwent a recent fitness test and passed.

Eightman Akhona Kunene, had a good time out at the St John’s Easter Festival showing his talent and will make for a fantastic match-up against opposition eightman Wandile Mlaba, who represented the Sharks u18 Craven week team last year.

On paper this match is evenly poised and should go right down to the wire. Will the weight and chase of a century of wins keep the home side at bay or will this inspire them to charge to victory against a rampant Hilton side? Come the full-time whistle on Saturday afternoon and we will have a definitive answer! 

The teams:

Michaelhouse
15 Luke Davidson, 14 Graham Wynne, 13 Campbell Ridl, 12 Tom Baguley, 11 Leo Muziva, 10 Murray Baker, 9 Josh Aissing, 8) Wandile Mlaba, 7 Fortune Mpofu (captain), 6 Tristan Arde, 5 Michael Thornton, 4 Jordyn Kleynhans, 3 Luthando Buthelezi, 2 Thabo Njapha, 1 Aphiwe Shelembe.

Hilton College: 15  Ivan Jjuuko, 14 Rukudzo Madinga, 13 RD Engelbrecht, 12 Ivan Lockem, 11 Tayedza Jaravaza 10 Christopher Horak, 9 Luke Watt, 8 Akhona Kuene, 7 Matt Stewart, 6 Ross Brown, 5 Luke Warren, 4 Hanu Pieterse, 3 Ben Le Roux, 2 Murray Brink, 1 Bunono Jabavu.

Fixtures: 

u14A – 9:30
u15A – 10:30
u16A – 12:30
2nds – 13:45
1sts – 15:15