Which wins out when DHS hosts Jeppe, offence or defence?
One of the most intriguing and exciting matches of the season takes place on Van Heerden Field in Durban on Saturday, where Durban High School (DHS) tackles Jeppe High School for Boys at 12:20.
There is plenty at stake for both teams and there is a remarkable record on the line for the hosts.
The boys currently in their 1st XV have never lost on Van Heerden Field, right through all the age groups. They’ll be highly motivated to keep that record clean.
In addition, they’ll be keen to avenge a loss on Collard Field last year, where Jeppe won a memorable and thrilling contest 39-36.
Catch this enthralling clash on SuperSport Schools!
Both schools have produced outstanding seasons. Jeppe is on a run of eight wins in succession, and one of those was a recent reversal of a loss to KES earlier in the season. Rugby lovers, of course, remember their stunning upset of Grey College at the NMI Toyota North-South tournament at the end of March.
They’ve lost four times along the way – going down to Garsfontein in their season-opener, and falling to Affies, Paarl Boys’ High and KES – but their current form is strong. Their last loss was in April.
DHS has lost only twice all season, and they will feel they should have won those games. Early on, they went down 7-12 against Rondebosch and then lost 13-15 to Paarl Boys’ High. Northwood, also, held them to a 7-7 draw. In their most recent match, though, they beat the Knights 18-11 to lay claim to being KZN’s best in 2024. They’ve recorded 11 wins.
Look at the aforementioned scores, though, and something stands out. Those were all low-scoring matches. That’s been a hallmark of the Horseflies‘ games. Many of them have not featured many points, and DHS hasn’t needed many because they boast one of the best defensive records in the country.
The most points they’ve conceded in 2024 has been 18 in a win against Maritzburg College on Goldstone’s, and winning there is no mean feat; College is a different animal when playing at home.
DHS has given up only 113 points in 14 matches. That’s an average of only eight a game!
Therein, though, lies the rub and the reason their match against Jeppe promises so much excitement. The Kensington boys have had no difficulty scoring points. In fact, the least they have scored all season, 19 in their loss to Paarl Boys’ High, is one more than the most that DHS has conceded in a game.
Jeppe has tallied 573 points in 18 matches, which averages out at 32 a match. Something has to give!
Jeppe has also conceded 358 points – 20 a game – but that higher number should be expected because of their more attacking approach.
For the record, DHS has scored 372 points this season, an average of 27 a game. That, too, is very solid production.
The visitors will hope to emulate the form they showed when they last visited KwaZulu-Natal for a match against Northwood in May.
After withstanding a fierce onslaught from the Knights in the first half, they struck numerous times from long range to turn the contest on its head and score an eye-opening 40-8 victory. It was the only time in the season that any team managed to truly get on top of Northwood.
The battle in the midfield should be very interesting. Jeppe has an outstanding attacking combination in their captain Kuthhadzo Rasivhaga and McMillen Mongwana, while the DHS duo of Zingce Simka and Duncan Basson is very physical and stout on defence.
The flyhalves, Matthew Coetzee (Jeppe) and Allston Cedras (DHS) are both capable of unlocking the best of defences with their vision and deft skills.
Up front, it should be a brutal battle. These are two teams that understand only one setting and that is all out. The visitors boast a sturdy and mobile pack, but that description could be applied to DHS, too. Those battles within the war should be fascinating and decisive.
Jeppe boasts three players who earned national selections after the Stadio Craven Week, with the captain Rasivhaga being named in the SA Schools squad, while prop André Poulton and 8th-man Risima Khosa were selected for the SA Schools A lineup.
DHS had fullback Aka Boqwana and hooker Mahle Sithole picked for SA Schools and centre Zingce Simka chosen for SA Schools.
Both teams are very well coached and well drilled. Again, though, something has to give. The question is who and what will give? Lock and load and get ready for a thriller!
TEAMS
DHS – 15 Aka Boqwana, 14 Adriano Jackson, 13 Zingce Simka, 12 Duncan Basson (c), 11 Zenkosi Mthiyane, 10 Allston Cedras, 9 Marwin Nero, 8 Khanyisa Stamper, 7 Sibusiso Mahlangu, 6 Daniel Ikotela, 5 Thando Luthuli, 4 Vimbiso Kasvosve, 3 Bongani Dlamini 2 Mahle Sithole, 1 Unaye Mndau
Jeppe – 15 Sanele Simelane, 14 Nkambule Lindelani, 13 Kuthhadzo Rasivhaga (c), 12 McMillen Mongwana, 11 Leruo Dithagiso, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Talent Sithole, 8 Risima Khosa (vc), 7 Owaka Manaka, 6 Grady Ngui, 5 Luke Cannon, 4 Lagan Leisher, 3 Luca Trevisan, 2 Joseph Zulu, 1 André Poulton
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