March 2024
There is a bit of a feel good story about how this unique match came to be. The Rondebosch boys’ missed out on the great experience of an overseas tour. It’s difficult to fill that void. Durban High School then played small part in making the missed opportunity a little easier to absorb by arranging a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play in the curtain raiser to a big pro rugby URC match at Kings Park.
So at midday on Saturday, 23 March 2024, it is Durban High School versus Rondebosch Boys’ High School.
“School” are the early season favourites to top the KZN rankings while Bosch are defending Southern Suburbs champs but there is a healthy debate to be had about whether or not they can overcome Wynberg to reclaim that title.
It is going to be an interesting school rugby match tussle at the home of the struggling Sharks. On paper and form there is little to separate the two 1st XVs. Their jerseys are even close in colour so Bosch will wear a white away strip.
Both teams like continuity. “School” enjoys the running prop setups in midfield followed by the backline action. Bosch seem to like the muscle physicality followed by timed linking with support runners.
The best one-on-one may be Khanyisa Stamper versus Alutha Wesi. But perhaps Aka Boqwana against Dylan Miller might top them. For “School” keep an eye on a fitter Bongani Dlamini as a go-to carrier, while Daniel Ikotela has the ability to be an all-round contributor. RBHS can look to the ever reliable Tom Barnard and the experience of WP u18 capped Justin Amos. Of all the players taking the field, its hard to imagine anyone is rated higher nationally than RBHS fullback David Simon.
After the match Rondebosch will stay on tour in KZN. They will make they long awaited debut at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival on Thursday 28 March when the meet locals Westville Boys’ High. DHS will participate in the same festival where they will play Humansdorp’s finest – Hoërskool Nico Malan – in their opening game on the same Thursday.
| TEAM | DURBAN HS | TEAM | RONDEBOSCH | |||
| 1 | Unaye Mndau | u18 | 1 | Matthew vd Merwe | ||
| 2 | Mahle Sithole | u18 | 2 | Justin Amos | ||
| 3 | Bongani Dlamini | u18 | 3 | Abongile Nxazonke | ||
| 4 | Sibusiso Mahlangu | u18 | 4 | Carl Geddie | ||
| 5 | Thando Luthuli | u18 | 5 | Tom Barnard | ||
| 6 | Daniel Ikotela | u18 | 6 | Matthys du Plooy | ||
| 7 | Bradley le Grange | u17 | 7 | Josh Neill | ||
| 8 | Khanyisa Stamper | u18 | 8 | Alutha Wesi | ||
| 9 | Marcwin Nero | u18 | 9 | Caleb Belelie | ||
| 10 | Aka Boqwana | u18 | 10 | Dylan Miller | ||
| 11 | Adriano Jackson | u18 | 11 | Caleb Louw | ||
| 12 | Duncan Basson | u18 | 12 | Harry Soboil | ||
| 13 | Zenkosi Mthiyane | u18 | 13 | Randall Davids | ||
| 14 | Allston Cedras | u19 | 14 | Shakeel Abrahams | ||
| 15 | Jordan van Wyk | u17 | 15 | David Simon | ||
| 16 | Okuhle Mbanjwa | u17 | 16 | Ismaeel Conrad | ||
| 17 | Joseph Udo-idung | u17 | 17 | Bulela Mbala | ||
| 18 | Jean-Roux Jonker | u19 | 18 | Damian Spence | ||
| 19 | Jaydon Roberts | u17 | 19 | Danil Oosthuizen | ||
| 20 | Inathinkosi Mkhencele | u17 | 20 | Connor Arbuthnot | ||
| 21 | Hlumelo Madikane | u19 | 21 | Travis vd Berg | ||
| 22 | Jose Lottering | u17 | 22 | David Kadima | ||
| 23 | Zingce Simka | u18 | 23 | Ewan Lawrie | ||
| Coach | PETER ENGLEDOW | Coach | JOEL CAREW |
@beet (Comment #6)
Sounds like the wind ruined what could have been a great match up. I’ve never understood the over use of the throw to the back of the lineout. Good position to attack from but it goes wrong so often with no wind – nevermind when the wind is blowing a gale.
@beesotter (Comment #5)
Final score Rondebosch 12 Durban High 7
Wind ruined any chance of a good match.
Lineouts were a mare. Not sure why the boys kept looking for the tail ball. The success percentage was close to zero today.
Both teams tried hard to play to the brands of rugby but the wind also made passing an issue.
On defence compliments to both teams. Organised, committed, physical at contact.
On attack DHS style more to try carry it up and then recycle and play the situation and rely on individual ability.
Bosch more of a plan execution in mind even from phase ball. One can see the designs and looks very attractive when it comes off.
Thought Wesi was great for Bosch
Bosch lead was oddly via a LO5 after two penalty kicks to touch. Good work to make the space off the maul on the blind right. 5-0.
Team playing towards Moses Mabhida city end enjoyed possession and territory.
Bosch got reward for this in the second half to lead 12-0 when Barnard got over after good phases in the red zone. Try characterised by good patience and recycling.
DHS then won a bit of kick tennis and the field position was first meaningful opportunity to be opposition half.Unaye Mndua bust through a couple of tackles and showed good toe for a prop to score near the posts. 12-7 and game on.
Try motivated DHS and it became a lot more even a contest in P&Ts from there. DHS had a few moments to turn the tide but the conditions and the RBHS D just seemed to have one up on them.
Game ended on an exciting note with Bosch hoofing it out while facing their own tryline deep in their own 22
Pity about the weather. These two teams were a great match up
Final score please?
Halftime RBHS 5 DHS 0
Lots of lineout ambition with low success rate in tricky wind. Quality of play impacted by the wind. D been good but too many mistakes with BiH.
DHS with much of the P&T in the first half.
@Kaya 85 (Comment #1)
Whahaha. I added it to catch attention
Why couldn’t they tour overseas ?
@Beet, pls disclose if Hollywoodbets sponsored your headline.