Sharks Craven Week selections evenly spread, Academy Week side loaded
Parity. It’s a word that describes one of the most unpredictable rugby seasons in years.
Among top-tier teams in South Africa, only Hilton College remains undefeated. There are, of course, other sides that many would rate as being better than Hilton, but none of those teams is unbeaten. At their best, Brad Macleod-Henderson‘s charges are a very tough outfit. Remember, they beat Nudgee College a couple of days after the Australians beat Grey College.
Hilton, then, has staked a claim to being KwaZulu-Natal’s best in 2026, but that status is far from clear-cut. Had the ball bounced differently late in their recent derby clash with Michaelhouse, their record might no longer be clean. It bounced favourably, though, and Hilton turned over possession before laying siege to the ‘House try line and then winning a penalty, which Nico Davel landed to win the game for his side.
Some would say Northwood, despite four losses, has a case for being number one. They went down to Michaelhouse early in the season and lost to Westville Boys’ High, too, but they avenged that defeat by beating the Griffins at the Sharks Schools Rugby Day. Their only other defeats were by two points to Paarl Boys’ High and by five to Garsfontein. They’re playing very good rugby.
Maritzburg College, too, is firing on all cylinders, and they downed Durban High School (DHS) on the weekend. Their clash with the Knights on Saturday in Durban should be a humdinger. Michaelhouse has lost three, including their last two, but their record includes a win over Affies in Pretoria.
Kearsney College has some of the most exciting attacking players to be found anywhere, and they edged out Michaelhouse on the weekend. Westville Boys’ High has endured an inconsistent season, but it’s not difficult to see the quality in their side.
Durban High School (DHS), beaten four times, remains a formidable opponent. They lost by three points to Northwood, by one to Maritzburg College, and also fell to Monument and Paarl Gimnasium, undoubtedly two of the better teams in the country this season.
Their coaches, Peter Engledow and Ronnie Uys, have been rewarded for their consistent excellence by being handed the reins to the FNB Craven Week team. They’ll be assisted by Kwanele Ngema (Kearsney), Flash Malinga (Maritzburg College), and Derek Heiberg (DHS). Westville’s Sebenza Mapumulo handles strength and conditioning, and Kearsney’s Divesh Sookdeo is the Manager.
So, getting back to that word, “parity”, their squad features five players from DHS, four each from Northwood and Kearsney, three from both Michaelhouse and Maritzburg College, and two from both Hilton and Westville. That speaks volumes about the spread of talent in the province.
Lwandile Mlaba (lock) and Nathan Aneke (centre) were included in the SA Schools team in 2025. Jamie Wimble and Zander Muller, both no. 8s, were part of the Craven Week team, too.
The Academy Week u17 squad features six players from DHS, four from Northwood, three from Hilton and Michaelhouse, two from Glenwood, Kearsney, and Westville, and one from Maritzburg College.
Fifteen of those players helped the Sharks win the u16 Grant Khomo Week in 2025. Another two, Daniel Miskey and Clement Makalele, have been included in the Craven Week line-up.
Kevin Elder (Maritzburg College) is the Head coach, and will be assisted by Lyle Matthysen (DHS) and Burger Nel (Hilton College). Agreement Sikhosana, from Port Shepstone High, is the Manager.
The teams:
Craven Week: 15 Lux Sonkononkono (Westville Boys’ High), 14 Amo Mataboge (Durban High School), 13 Nathan Aneke (Durban High School), 12 Alex Jankowitz (Michaelhouse), 11 Anesu Kuzonyei (Northwood), 10 Daniel Miskey (Kearsney College), 9 Johannes (Ludi) van der Walt (Northwood), 8 Jamie Wimble (Northwood), 7 Zion Smith (Durban High School), 6 Zander Muller (Hilton College), 5 Andrew Schnell (Hilton College), 4 Wandile Mlaba (Westville Boys’ High), 3 Nicolas Salamousas (Michaelhouse), 2 Theo Boshoff (Maritzburg College), 1 Aphelele Chamane (Michaelhouse). Replacements: 16 Iglesias Bruiners (Durban High School), 17 Clement Makalele (Kearsney College), 18 Priden Sibiya (Durban High School), 19 Tristan Parkinson (Northwood), 20 Nhlanhla Ndlovu (Kearsney College), 21 Dominic du Toit (Maritzburg College), 22 Olwethu Kosani (Maritzburg College), 23 Lwazi Mbebe (Kearsney College).
5 Durban High School | 4 Northwood | 4 Kearsney College | 3 Michaelhouse | 3 Maritzburg College | 2 Westville Boys’ High | 2 Hilton College
Academy Week: 15 Rosco Williams (Glenwood), 14 Fabiano Ferro (Michaelhouse), 13 Sterling Padi (Durban High School), 12 Elgenio Oerson (Glenwood), 11 Lisa Sijadu (Westville Boys’ High), 10 Tanwil Onkers (Durban High School), 9 Richaard Kriel (Durban High School), 8 Jaydon Jubber (Michaelhouse), 7 Akokwe Moeng (Durban High School), 6 Kevin van Volenstee (Northwood), 5 Lwango Ntantala (Hilton College), 4 Bulelani Cebane (Durban High School), 3 Tunga Griffiths (Kearsney College), 2 Rorke Stirk (Westville Boys’ High), 1 Aidan du Plooy (Hilton College). Replacements: 16 Matthew Wilson (Kearsney College), 17 Awande Mthethwa (Northwood), 18 Phokuhle Hlatshwayo (Durban High School), 19 Sean Jansen (Maritzburg College), 20 Nala Shabangu (Northwood), 21 Ben Hughes (Michaelhouse), 22 Sondelanai Sheleni (Northwood), 23 Ruan Mulder (Hilton College).
6 Durban High School | 4 Northwood | 3 Hilton College | 3 Michaelhouse | 2 Hilton College | 2 Glenwood High School | 2 Westville Boys’ High | 1 Maritzburg College
