St Charles ready to challenge Hilton on Gilfillan Field
Saturday’s showdown on Gilfillan Field between Hilton College and St Charles College has become ever more interesting as the season has unfolded. That has more to do with the visitors than the hosts.
Catch the action on DStv Channel 216
Saints opened their season with a visit to the Cape and took down Milnerton in their opener. At first glance, that didn’t appear to be an important result. However, subsequent away wins by Milnerton at Rondebosch Boys’ High and Bishops have changed the way that result has been viewed.
Then, last weekend, the Pietermaritzburg school took down Glenwood for the first time in 82 years. They did it on Dixon’s, and they did it emphatically, winning 32-19.
Under Craig Dwyer, Saints are playing exciting rugby, and while depth could be an issue if they have to deal with injuries, they have remained relatively fit and will present Hilton with a searching examination on Saturday. And they will put the same XV into the field once again.
Hilton has not been so lucky on the injury front, having to deal with absences throughout the season. Most recently, captain and the school’s only Sharks’ Craven Week representative in 2024, Hanu Pieterse, was missing when Maritzburg College came from behind to claim a 26-20 win over Hilton on Goldstone’s.
It was only on the final whistle that College scored in the corner to seal the deal last Saturday, and that should serve to show that Hilton remains a formidable challenge; College has lost only once at home in the past two seasons.
Often, Hilton is viewed as a grind-it-out kind of team, but that’s not fair. They rustled up two outstanding long-range scores against Maritzburg College, and they have plenty of gas in their backline to challenge anybody.
They have been a tad inconsistent this season, but their 2024 results include six wins in succession before Michaelhouse sneaked a 24-23 win on Gilfillan Field on 4 May. And among those victories are defeats of Boland Landbou, Grey High School, and Hoërskool Nelspruit.
The contrast of styles, with Hilton preferring a tighter game, with a greater focus on playing the game in the right areas, should make for a fascinating duel.
If Hilton gets their tactical kicking right, they will be tough to stop. However, if they don’t, St Charles has the runners to make them pay. Fullback Salmaan Mohammed is one of the most exciting and effective counterattacking no. 15s in the game.
One battle within the battle to keep an eye on will be that between the scrumhalves, Xander Vorster, of Hilton College, and Matthew Fick, of St Charles College. Both present strong physical challenges.
Vorster dotted down twice last week against Maritzburg College, thanks to his strong support running and strength, but he will find, in Fick, probably the strongest number nine on defence in the province, and one of the best in the country.
Fick was named in the Sharks’ Craven Week squad for a second year in succession for good reason. He has been outstanding all season long and delivers all round excellence week in and week out.
Sadly, for Hilton, they will be without their captain Hanu Pieterse again. That is a setback. However, it is a rare luxury that they have a player of the calibre of Emmanuel Dankwah to take his place.
The set scrums will be an interesting area of contestation. St Charles dominated up front against Glenwood and, in fact, they opened their scoring from a tighthead deep inside the Green Machine’s 22. Will they be able to gain the upper hand against Hilton, too?
Playing at home, the odds tilt Hilton’s way, but it would not be a surprise if they find their hands full against St Charles on Saturday.
Hilton College vs St Charles College, Gilfillan Field at 14:30
Hilton College
15 Ivan Jjuuko, 14 Rukudzo Madinga, 13 Khazimla Makali, 12 Daniel Sweeney, 11 Ricky Adonis, 10 Xola Bakana, 9 Xander Vorster, 8 Emmanuel Dankwah, 7 Meyer Malherbe, 6 Stewart Falconer, 5 Kieran Hunter, 4 Trent Chubb, 3 Ben le Roux, 2 Dylan Neill, 1 Oliver Proudfoot
St Charles College
15 Salmaan Mohammed, 14 Athenkosi Qumo, 13 Rashied Isaacs, 12 Okuhle Peti, 11 Matthew Ludick, 10 Ukhanyo Ntsangani, 9 Matthew Fick, 8 Stefan Landsman, 7 Sam Odell, 6 Lazola Makaula, 5 Reece Curtain, 4 Raphael Ajibade, 3 Christian Allardice, 2 Marlon Mbewe, 1 Lutho Mrwata
![Charlie Hofmeyr u16 - 2018 [captained by Cameron Hanekom]](https://ssschoolsplus.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/WhatsApp-Image-2024-11-20-at-09.03.03-400x257.jpeg)
