Who is KZN’s best – DHS or Northwood?
At the start of the 2024 rugby season, not many would have picked it, but Saturday’s showdown on Van Heerden’s Field, between Durban High School (DHS) and Northwood at 13:20, will be a clash of the teams rated one and two in KwaZulu-Natal.
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Interestingly, when they met earlier in the season on Reece-Edwards Field, at Northwood, they shared a 7-7 draw. Both will, therefore, feel they have unfinished business.
The visitors, coached by Jacques Deen, have been underestimated by some, but time and again, throughout the season, they’ve taken on big challenges and come away with victories. Their victims include Hilton College, away; Maritzburg College, at home; and Westville Boys’ High, on Bowden’s Field.
Only once have they come up short in a provincial match and that was a tight 22-24 setback at Michaelhouse.
The Knights‘ pack plays with an abrasive blue-collar attitude, while they possess a sharp cutting edge in their backline.
To their credit, for much of the season they’ve been without their captain Vuyo Gwiji, but that hasn’t held them back. Having the SA Schools’ 8th-man return to action for Saturday’s high stakes game will be a big boost for Northwood.
There is a very settled look to their lineup, and they’ll put their best out on the field against the Horseflies.
Flyhalf Siya Nkosi has been a standout performer for Northwood all season long and one of the keys to the game will be how much DHS will be able to pressure him.
DHS plays an attractive running game, but their calling card all season long has been their smothering defence. It is one of the best in the country and the 18 points they gave up on 20 April on Goldstone’s in a 21-18 win over Maritzburg College is the most any side has scored against them this season. They’re relentless and have pitched four shutouts.
Northwood’s defence was better earlier in the season than in their more recent outings – they gave up only 25 points in their first four matches – but scoring points has, for the most part, not been an issue for them.
DHS is blessed with quality, with nine of their players cracking the nod for The Sharks’ Craven Week team. After a strong showing from the provincial outfit in Krugersdorp, DHS fullback Aka Boqwana and hooker Mahle Sithole were included in the SA Schools side, while their powerful centre Zingce Simka was named in the SA Schools A team.
Saturday’s game will be one they’ve been eyeing ever since their draw at Northwood. Immediately after that game, DHS Director of Rugby, Peter Engeldow, said his side had been caught somewhat unawares by the amount of tactical kicking in the contest, and Northwood had done a better job of it.
Clearly, he felt it was his team’s worst performance of the season, and many of the players felt the same way. They’re seeking redemption. However, they’ll do well to focus on the process to achieve the result, rather than the result itself. A number of teams have, arguably, looked past Northwood this season and lived to regret it.
DHS produced some outstanding rugby in 2023 and recorded some extraordinary victories. However, it was Michaelhouse and Hilton who led the way in KZN. School will be motivated by the opportunity to confirm their status as the province’s best in 2024.
Northwood, though, will relish having a shot at upsetting the apple cart and ensuring 2024 is a season for the ages for the Knights.
Saturday’s showdown will also be a fantastic welcome-to-KZN derby experience for Northwood’s new Headmaster, Garth Shaw, formerly of Dale College, who took over the leadership reins on 1 July.
TEAMS
DHS
15 Aka Boqwana, 14 Adriano Jackson, 13 Zingce Simka, 12 Duncan Basson (c), 11 Zenkosi Mthiyane, 10, Allston Cedras, 9 Marcwin 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
Northwood
15 Aphiwe Buthelezi, 14 Kwenzo Dlamini, 13 Ramatuku Sikhakhane, 12 Bongane Khumalo, 11 Carlos Lovell, 10 Siyanda Nkosi, 9 Jed Mun-Gavin, 8 Vuyo Gwiji (c), 7 Ethan Macey, 6 Avavuya Makula, 5 Titas Cesonis, 4 Lian Terblanche, 3 Sphe Ntshangase, 2 Werner van Nieuwenhuizen, 1 Reuben Vos
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