Hilton & Michaelhouse set for another eagerly anticipated battle

KZN’s biggest derby Hilton vs Michaelhouse will be open streamed on demand by SchoolSportLive (100% free of charge). Kickoff is at 3pm Click here for SSL’s match link

Hilton have not lost to KZN opposition in an official interschools Saturday fixture since 2017. The White and Black recorded a double double over their two main rival privates Kearsney and Michaelhouse in 2018 and one has to go back to June 2016 for the last time Michaelhouse beat Hilton. That turned out to be a typical tight “Old Firm” style derby, which House won 21-17 against the odds on Hilton soil to end their season on the highest possible note. So now three seasons on from that last taste of victory and also a couple of head coaches later, incumbent James Fleming’s Michaelhouse 1st XV will travel to Gilfillan amphitheatre on Saturday with a realistic chance of ending Hilton’s amazing KZN local derby unbeaten run. The Balgowan team has the players and the tactics to outdo Hilton’s standout defensive capabilities so well coached up by Brad Macleod-Henderson. But will House have the self-belief or perhaps even the luck of the bounce needed to outscore a confident home-team.

The day is all set to be characterised it’s capacity crowd, the amazing vibe, a class act blazer spelling pregame display and what promises to be yet another gripping match. There are some mouth-watering head-to-heads expected to play out:

In the front-row Chris D’Oliveira (HC)  will engage against Brandon Jewell (MHS) at scrum-time but it’s their respective contributions in open play that are more likely so catch the eye. At the back of the scrum the respective captains in Mark Armstrong (HC) and James Moodie (MHS) are almost certain to be prominent leaders by example who have the presence and influence to shape the outcome of the match. KZN Academy Week flyhalf Ruan Wilmans (HC) is key to his team’s setup but don’t underestimate  House’s Luc Pousson’s chances of becoming KZN’s leading Craven Week contender in that role. The midfield battle will be key. Here accomplished summer sportsman Matthew Booth (HC) starts at inside centre for the first time this season and he’ll be up against a power pack gain-line owner in strong and experienced Thami Zakwe.