Report from Durban High School:
DHS were looking to put last year’s upset against “Porties” firmly behind them and turn over a new leaf going into the 2015 season. The pre-season nite-series provided little insight into the ability of both these teams, as they each had a win a piece against each the other. However the game played at Van Heerden’s (DHS beloved main field), proved to be a different story all together, with DHS running out convincing 49-5 winners.
With DHS rugby under the guidance of newly appointed coaching co-ordinator and ex-Sharks scrumhalf, Scott Mathie, DHS have been continuously improving throughout the early season. Coaches Christo Wilkinson and Trompie Nontshinga (Ex Bulls Super Rugby Player) put pressure on the team and themselves to record a big victory and duly delivered with an effective performance on the day. Their only lapse in concentration being the try they conceded.
DHS started the game against “Porties” like a house on fire with a well-worked try from the strong running wing Sithole, who scored two on the day. 8th man and Captain Ntuli led his chargers well, combining nicely with his loose trio partners Ndabandaba and Mkhalipi; their partnership on the day made for some exciting front forward play.
The backline was benefitting from the front forward ball, with newly returned players Noot and Bryan, 10 and 15 respectively adding some impetus to their backline attack.
DHS rained in tries from both sides of the half with a brace from outside centre Mathenjwa. Inside centre Coetzee scored another, whilst Dafel, the bruising lock bundled over for his first of the season, making it an all round seven tries for the Horseflies.
DHS phase play on the day was just too varied and powerful for a “Porties” team who were just unable to deal with the duel running threats throughout the team.
This result will no doubt give them confidence going into the famous rivalry against Maritzburg College this weekend, but will need to see them step it up a notch if they are to start their ascent back to the upper tier of KZN rugby, a place where history tells us, is a more comfortable place for this great school.
| DHS | Port Natal | |
|---|---|---|
| Hero Mpanza | 1 | Sewus Geldenhuys |
| Justin Diedericks | 2 | Zayne Wind |
| Tiaan De Jager | 3 | Juan-Lee Noël |
| Liam Whitfield | 4 | Jaco Visagie |
| Ryan Dafel | 5 | Marko Prinsloo |
| Luyanda Ndabandaba | 6 | Koos Kruger |
| Sibusiso Makhalipi | 7 | Rudi Koekemoer |
| Mthokozisi Ntuli | 8 | Louis de Jager |
| Matthew Everitt | 9 | Wendall Adams |
| Matt Noot | 10 | Daniel Botes |
| Joel Kidgell | 11 | Frans Janse van Niewenhuis |
| Gert Coetzee | 12 | Marchant Geldenhuys |
| Mvumelei Mathenjwa | 13 | Armand Marx |
| Phuzukuvela Sithole | 14 | Andre Vorster |
| Dillon Bryan | 15 | Riwaldo Linnert |
@Grasshopper: hey hopper, you are a font of all knowledge
@BiasedDHSDad: @Playa:
I made that change. Bryan for Mekuto. The team I received was the provisional one from earlier last week.
@Playa: Sorry Playa, that teamsheet it not correct. Dillon Bryan was at fullback on the day.
Symmo was injured (hammie) and then Matt went off injured as well (groin … although the team claims it had something to do with the new physio for the team — she has certainly made an impression with the boys). Matt played very, very well while he was on but will struggle to keep Symmo off the field — he is a quality player and will add to the team when he comes back. Interesting both are sons of good rugby coaches.
Team is looking good, but still has a bit of work to do to challenge the big guns I think.
@Gungets Tuft: Sorry badly worded sentence
@Grasshopper: Interesting; the last time you lost to DHS is the same time that you recorded your only victory over GCB….rugby is a strange game!
So DHS have won 1 of the last 14 games played…..
Glenwood results vs DHS since 2000;
2000 D 13 – 13
2001 L 7 – 24
2002 W 20 – 6, L 22 – 23
2003 L 0 – 23, L 12 – 27
2004 W 17 – 12, W 13 – 6
2005 W 31 – 16, W 10 – 5
2006 L 21 – 28, W 34 – 9
2007 W 13 – 6
2008 W 12 – 6
2009 W 31 – 3
2010 W 31 – 18
2011 W 19 – 15
2012 W 34 – 9
2013 W 46 – 14
2014 W 38-13
@Playa: 2006, DHS won 28-21…
@beet: You mean Matt Everitt, Sean’s son. I know him, he was in my boy’s grade at DPHS – they played in the same hockey side.
@Grasshopper: How long has it been since they last beat GW?
@Gungets Tuft: Simo was injured but nothing serious.
The player who filled in for him is Sean Everitt, the Sharks assistant coach’s son.
Watch out for DHS, flying low under the radar. Is 2015 the year DHS stops the Glenwood run against them?
Where was Gareth Simpson?
He would have made it 5 boys from the DPHS 2010 Grade 7 class.
Nice to see former Dale boy, Mekuto in the mix. Though talented in both, I always felt that he was a better hockey player. Hopefully Dale can be matched up against DHS at one of the festivals next year so he can face off against his old mates