Preview – Kearsney College vs. Durban High School
On Saturday at Botha’s Hill, there will be a full programme of rugby matches at Kearsney, culminating in the FNB Classic Clash between Kearsney and DHS.
In many a year this would have been a great, unpredictable battle but this year the signs are that Kearsney will win well.
Kearsney play top opposition and are knocking on the door for a place in the FNB Top 20. Their best result was a 26-25 victory over Glenwood.
The schools each have three opponents in common – Glenwood, Northwood and St Charles. Kearsney beat Glenwood but Glenwood beat DHS 46-14. They both beat St Charles – Kearsney 55-0, DHS 25-10. The fixture between Northwood and DHS was called off because of the weather. But they played in a shortened game in the festival at Kings Park when Northwood won 8-3. Kearsney beat Northwood 30-0.
Kearsney have lost only one match this season – against the powerful Paarl Gim side who beat themn 33-6. DHS lost to Maritzburg College (38-11), Parktown (33-5), Westville (42-3) and Glenwood. Their wins have been over Port Natal (28-25) who lost to Hilton 2nd XV last week, Clifton and St Charles.
The KZN team for Craven Week has six players from Kearsney, DHS one. The Du Preez brothers both played SA Schools last year. They are the sons of Springbok Robert du Preez and in the Craven Week side this year is Matthew Reece-Edwards, the son of Springbok Hugh. The other Kearsney players going to Craven Week are flyhalf Tristan Tedder, eighthman Ayron Schramm and hooker Jordan Meaker. Flyhalf Kurt Webster is the sole DHS player in the Craven Week side.
All of this suggests that Botha’s Hill is a high mountain that DHS have to climb.
Teams
Kearsney: 15 Chris lines, 14 Josh Attenborough, 13 Blaire Cremer, 12 Tyler Smith, 11 Ryan van der Waal, 10 Tristan Tedder, 9 Matt Reece-Edwards, 8 Ayron Schramm, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Jarred Hayes-Hill, 5 Daniel du Preez (captain), 4 Mitch du Toit, 3 Mthokozisi Moloi, 2 Jordan Meaker, 1 Tijde Visser
DHS: 15 Le Roux van Zyl, 14 Mabhutana Peter, 13 Mfihlakalo Tembe, 12 Blessing Buthelezi, 11 Sandile Biyela, 10 Kurt Webster (Captain), 9 Kwandokuhle Ngidi, 8 Pablo Rees, 7 Daniel Kriedemann,6 Aza Tshutsha, 5 Matthew Drew, 4 Dayne Mare, 3 Kyle Philaretou, 2 Dean Roberts, 1 Zwelakhe Mazibuko.
Date: Saturday, 1 June 2013 Kick-off: 15.00 Venue: Stott Field at Kearsney Expected weather conditions: Durban’s winter weather is marvellous. Saturday is expected to be partly cloudy but not cold – with a high of 29°C, dropping to 21°C.
Rugby Programme at Kearsney
Stott Field
09.00: 5th XV: Kearsney vs Glenwood 10.00: 4th XV: Kearsney vs DHS 11.15: 3rd XV: Kearsney vs DHS 12.30: Under-16A: Kearsney vs DHS 13.45: 2nd XV: Kearsney vs DHS 15.00: 1st XV: Kearsney vs DHS
Matterson Field
09.15: Kearsney vs Glenwood 10.15: Under-15B: Kearsney vs DHS 11.15: Under-15A: Kearsney vs DHS 12.15: Under-15C: Kearsney vs DHS
AH Smith Field
09.15: Under-14D: Kearsney vs Glenwood 10.30: Under-14A: Kearsney vs DHS 11.30: Under-14B: Kearsney vs DHS 12.30: Under-14C: Kearsney vs DHS
Osler Field
09.15: Under-16B: Kearsney vs DHS
Hillcrest A
09.30: Hillcrest u16A vs Kearsney Under-16C
