Reds’ Mnebelele out injured, while Westville visits Jeppe

King Edward VII’s SA Schools’ hooker Esethu Mnebelele is out of action with an ankle injury, which he sustained during last weekend’s 59-18 victory over St John’s College.

Dylan Piek replaces him in the front row for the Red Army’s short trip to Parktown Boys’ High on Saturday.

The home side will hope they can take advantage of Mnebelele’s absence in the scrums, but it will take a mammoth effort to slow down the KES forwards, who have produced some dominant performances this season.

Kick-off takes place at 13:15 pm on the A-Field. SuperSport Schools will broadcast the derby matches live.

Last weekend, Parktown narrowly lost 15-16 to Northcliff High School and they will be eager to reverse their fortunes with the benefit of playing at home. A victory, though, would be a big upset.

Keith Ncube has moved to flank for Parktown after previously running out at lock, while winger Christian Cele misses out and is replaced by Benjamin Nettleton.

KES have shone at the breakdowns this season, with their abrasive approach often leading to them turning over possession when it has not seemed likely, so Ncube has an important role to play for the home team.

The visitors’ number 8 Kebotile Maake has been in fine form and continues to go from strength to strength, while his fellow loose-foward, James Kobrowisky, has been on song, too, with both players dotting down twice in their recent win over St John’s.

Westville Boys’ High makes the long trip up from KwaZulu-Natal for a showdown with Jeppe High School for Boys. A good, hard-fought contest is likely.

Coach of the Griffin, Njabulo Zulu, former Springbok Waylon Murray‘s centre partner when they ran out together for the Westville 1st XV, said scrumhalf Ryan Pistor is an exciting player and someone to keep an eye out for.

There’ll be an early start to the derby fixtures, with Westville in for a time-consuming drive back to KZN after the conclusion for the 1st XV match, which kicks off at 13:10 on Collard Field.

Jeppe is fresh off a 47-11 romp against St Stithians College during which the boys in black and white made merry, producing some fantastic passages of play.

Inside centre McMillen Mongwana and his midfield partner Kuthadzo Rasivhaga have gelled well and form a strong attacking combination. Last weekend, they notched up four tries between them.

Should they receive quality ball, Westville will be tested, but they feature two hard-hitting physical centres in Michael Satade and Blake Allbon, who will pose questions of their own on offence.

Last weekend, Westville fell to 9-19 to Durban High School (DHS) in a very wet and somewhat muddy affair, which blunted the dangerous attacking abilities of both sides.

TEAMS

Parktown Boys High School: 15 Kgotso Tumahole, 14 Benjamin Nettleton, 13 Calestin Felkers, 12 Lisasa Mnukiso, 11 Kabelo Jwili, 10 Kelvin Kotey, 9 Thepiso Tladi, 8 Mfunfo Nkosi, 7 Keith Ncube, 6 Reval Meth, 5 Kingsley Okonkwo, 4 Disema Mofokeng, 3 Azola Peter, 2 Lethoko Mallane, 1 Manuel Motsi.

King Edward VII: 15 M Methula, 14 Jarell Mbuyi, 13 Olunje Mehlomakulu, 12 Tristan Maugeri, 11 Haniel Monkoti, 10 Simphiwe Moyo, 9 Regan McGurk, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Sam Bruwer, 6 James Kobrowisky, 5 Chinedu Amadi, 4 Michael Bownes, 3 Nathan Frank VD Merwe, 2 D Piek, 1 Connor White.

Jeppe High School for Boys: 15 Sanele Simelane, 14 Lindelani Nkambule, 13 Kuthadzo Rasivhaga, 12 McMillen Mongwana, 11 Mjij Ndimphiwe, 10 Nehmia Hollenbach, 9 Talent Sithole, 8 Risima Khosa, 7 Nathan Classen, 6 Ndimphiwe Mjiji, 5 Luke Cannon, 4 Lagan Leisher, 3 Luca Trevisan, 2 Bonga Nxumlao, 1 Andre Poulton.

Westville Boys’ High School: 15 Jade-Will Koopman 14 Evan Moolman 13 Michael Satade, 12 Blake Allbon, 11 Jadrian Afrikaner, 10 Unathi Mlotshwa, 9 Ryan Pistor, 8 David Humphreys, 7 Seth Gwyn, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Rhys Mitchell, 4 Oliver Gcina, 3 Bandile Mncwango, 2 Ross Calvert, 1 Akhona Maseko.

Parktown Boys’ High School vs King Edward VII 

u14A: 8:20 am Parktown Boys’ High School vs King Edward VII  (C Field)

u15A: 9:20 am Parktown Boys’ High School vs King Edward VII (B Field)

u16A: 10:20 am Parktown Boys’ High School vs King Edward VII (B Field)

u19B: 12:00 pm Parktown Boys’ High School vs King Edward VII  (A Field)

u19A: 13:15 pm Parktown Boys’ High School vs King Edward VII (A Field)

Jeppe High School for Boys vs Westville Boys’ High School

u14A: 7:30 am Jeppe High School for Boys vs Westville Boys’ High School (White Field)

u15A: 09:30 am Jeppe High School for Boys vs Westville Boys’ High School (White Field)

u16A: 10:30 am Jeppe High School for Boys vs Westville Boys’ High School (Collard Field)

u19B: 11:40 am Jeppe High School for Boys vs Westville Boys’ High School (Collard Field)

u19A: 13:10 pm Jeppe High School for Boys vs Westville Boys’ High School (Collard Field)