Northwood targets season’s sweep of unpredictable Glenwood

Reece-Edwards Field hosts Northwood against Glenwood on Saturday, with the Knights aiming to pull off a season’s sweep of the Green Machine.
When the teams met earlier in the season on Dixon’s Field, at Glenwood, Northwood led only 18-16 with a minute to play, but they struck twice in quick succession to come away with a 30-16 victory.
If the Knights win, it would be a second successive season’s sweep of the Green Machine after they recorded 31-24 and 29-17 wins in 2024.
They own a superior record to Glenwood, too, this season, with nine wins and five defeats, while Glenwood’s record is five wins, six losses, and a 26-26 draw with Monument.
When they met at Glenwood, Trevor van Volenstee, who had played at fullback, took over at flyhalf for Northwood and delivered an outstanding performance. His goal kicking, though, has been somewhat inconsistent and that could be one of the reasons why he returns to the number 15 jersey, with Savio Stevens and his sure boot taking over at flyhalf.
It was also a game in which centre Tristan Parkinson shone, scoring a try from 55 metres out. His midfield partnership with Bongane Khumalo is a strength of the Northwood team.
The Knights will be without Lian Terblanche, who will be in action for the SA u18A team early in August in the International Series against Ireland, Georgia, and France. One of his teammates there will be Glenwood captain Lizwe Mtetwa, who is an impressive force in the midfield.
While Northwood will be favoured to bag another win in the amphitheatre-like bowl of Reece-Edwards Field, Glenwood has played some tremendous rugby this season, but they’ve lacked consistency, sometimes in the same game.
Their start against Milnerton High in the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival was spectacular and special. Midway through the first half, they led 29-0. Millies, though, pulled it back to 34-34 before a late Joshua Kopp penalty won it for Glenwood. And that’s been the challenge for the Green Machine this season – putting it all together.
Much like their performance against Northwood, Glenwood played themselves into a strong position in their most recent outing, leading Westville Boys’ High 25-21 six minutes into the second half. The unbeaten Griffin, though, tacked on 21 unanswered points to win. Glenwood showed, nonetheless, the ability to go head-to-head with top opposition.
Playing at Northwood, that same Westville team won only 16-14. That underlines the size of the challenge that awaits Glenwood.
If they’re unable to disrupt Northwood’s relentless forward pressure in the set scrums, lineouts, rucks, and mauls, they’re in for a long day. That’s what kept Westville in check. If they do, however, another interesting contest awaits.
Teams:
Northwood vs Glenwood at 13:30 in Durban
Northwood: 15 Trevor von Volenstee, 14 Josh Thondlana, 13 Bongane Khumalo, 12 Tristan Parkinson, 11 Aphiwe Maphisa, 10 Savio Stevens, 9 Jed Mun-Gavin, 8 Jamie Wimble, 7 Omari Mabuza, 6 Lusanda Mabizela, 5 Chad Howe, 4 Asanda Zama, 3 Janco Visagie, 2 Aya Makula, 1 Sphe Ntshangase.
Glenwood: N/A