Michaelhouse meets PBHS on Meadows, College away at Northwood
Michaelhouse welcomes Pretoria Boys High to Meadows for a 13:30 showdown on Saturday. While the hosts should be favoured to win on their home fortress, they head into the clash a little disappointed after a loss to Maritzburg College last time out.
In the cauldron of College’s Old Boys’ Weekend, and playing on Goldstone’s, ‘House allowed College to dictate the early going in the game and after that it was a case of playing catch-up. The disappointment in that result was that it also came following a stirring and well-deserved victory over their arch-rivals, Hilton College, on Gilfillan Field.
James Fleming’s charges will be more than a handful on their home ground, however. They’ll be led, by example, by their 8th-man and captain Carlyle Hawkins, who was one of three Michaelhouse boys to be named in the Sharks’ Craven Week team. Hawkins possesses a fantastic engine and is all action on attack and defence from the first whistle to the last.
Just behind the scrum, Luke Davidson, in the crucial flyhalf position, is one of those players whose class is shown in how much time he appears to have on the ball. His decision-making is usually correct, and he has the full gamut of skills at his disposal, whether using the boot, his feet, or his hands.
The other Sharks’ selection from Michaelhouse was loosehead prop Aphiwe Shelembe. Again, he brings a wonderful all-round skillset to his position. But, make no mistake, he’s a load doing his primary job in the set pieces, first and foremost.
Like Michaelhouse, Pretoria Boys High lost their last game. The difference is, however, that they will feel somewhat encouraged by their previous outing, which ended in a 22-27 defeat to a very good Jeppe team.
Boys High has played one of the tougher schedules to be found anywhere in 2024. But, in typical Candies‘ fashion, they’ve knuckled down and got on with meeting the challenges head-on.
One of the areas in which Boys High has excelled this season is the driving maul. It’s proven to be a fine attacking weapon for the side and caused their opposition many issues defending it. No doubt, Michaelhouse will have done work on preparing for it, but theory and reality are two different things. ‘House will hope they can translate the theory into reality.
Pretoria Boys High made one of the most interesting positional switches of the season when they moved Seth Venter from flank to flyhalf. One of the consequences of that move, has been the problem Venter, with his physicality, has posed to opposing defences. It has certainly made him a regular try scorer.
Where Boys High has been less consistent has been off the kicking tee. They’ll be hoping that doesn’t catch up with them at Michaelhouse.
Northwood at home to Maritzburg College should be a very interesting matchup. The Knights are enjoying a strong season. College has been less consistent, but they have appeared to be in good form in their past two KZN clashes.
While they were well beaten by Paul Roos and Grey College, ranked one and two in the country, at the Absa Wildeklawer Festival, College has impressed in wins over Westville and Michaelhouse. If they get away to a good start, they’re a tough team to haul in.
Northwood, though, is a similarly abrasive outfit. They’re tough up front and dangerous at the back. A big loss against Jeppe is the outlier in their season. Mostly, they’ve been efficient and well drilled.
Unfortunately for the Durban school, they’re still without their skipper Vuyo Gwiji. The 8th-man made the SA Schools A side last year and has been included in the Sharks’ Craven Week team, but he has missed most of the season.
On a positive note, Northwood has depth and versatility in their squad; Titas Cesonis is playing in his third position in their last three matches. On Saturday, he packs down in the second row. Previously, he played at flank and 8th-man.
If the Knights can supply good quality ball to their backline, Siya Nkosi, at flyhalf, is a dangerous playmaker, able to slice through defences or to play his support runners into gaps.
College will be missing some players through illness, which has led to a number of changes and positional switches. One of those includes a move for Jordan Thackeray from flyhalf to inside centre, with James Slevin returning to the starting lineup in the no. 10 jersey. There are new wings for College and a start for Cyril Cherayi at flank.
One of the missing players is College’s Craven Week lock, Jake Jansen, an influential performer in the lineouts and as a ball carrier. Might Northwood be able to take advantage of that?
TEAMS
Maritzburg College
15 Luyanda Kunene, 14 N Mkhize, 13 Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein, 12 Jordan Thackeray, 11 Amahle Hadebe, 10 James Slevin, 9 Rayke Maartens, 8 Wasi Vyambwera, 7 Cyril Cherayi, 6 Struan Oosthuizen, 5 J Smit, 4 Naz Isaacs, 3 Aiden Botha, 2 Siya Nyathi, 1 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka
Northwood
15 Aphiwe Buthelezi, 14 Kwenzo Dlamini, 13 Ramatuku Sikhakhane, 12 Bongane Khumalo, 11 Carlos Lovell, 10 Siya Nkosi, 9 Jed Mun-Gavin, 8 Dewald Mostert, 7 Ethan Macey, 6 Ayavuya Makula, 5 Titas Cesonis, 4 Lian Terblanche, 3 Sphe Ntshangase, 2 Werner van Niewenhuizen, 1 Reuben Vos
- Clifton wins two KZN Top 10 titles, overall honours to Kearsney - 2025-10-28
- Hockly hauls Hilton to win against DHS - 2025-10-26
- White bats Northwood to win, Kearsney victorous at Glenwood - 2025-10-26
