KZN 2025 schoolboy rugby gets underway

The 2025 regular season kicks off for two KZN schools, Durban High School and Michaelhouse, on Saturday, 8 March.

Michaelhouse will host Helpmekaar at the Meadows in Balgowan for the fourth consecutive year. Surprisingly, Michaelhouse has yet to claim victory in what has become a traditional season opener for both schools. All three previous encounters have been closely contested, with one ending in a draw. On paper, both teams look strong.

Coach James Fleming has sorted out the questions surrounding where his four players, all close to 2m tall, will be positioned in the second and back rows. What’s missing this year is a recognised No. 8. The last two years saw House blessed with standout talents like Wandile Mlaba (SA Schools) and Carlyle Hawkins (Sharks Craven Week), both powerful ball-carriers. This year, Coach Fleming has had to think outside the box. The supersized Thomas Peach (1.95m, 115kg) has moved from tighthead to lock, while Dom Sessink-Clee, the lineout king of 2024, is expected to slot in at No. 8. While House may lose some ball-carrying power compared to the last two years, they should gain in lineout dominance and overall athleticism.

The 9-10-12-13 combo is something for House supporters to get excited about. At scrumhalf, the underrated, Staffy-like Daniel Aissing was selected for the u17 Rhino Week Team 2024 of the Tournament. There’s arguably no one quicker over 20m, and with the new scrumhalf rules in place, he could prove to be a real handful for the opposition. At flyhalf, the creative general Stefan Moolman is set to relish his move from fullback in 2024 to his preferred position. Expect him to be a leading candidate for provincial honours if he plays to his true potential. The solid midfield combo is that of highly rated William Ridl and one of the finds of 2024, Rourke O’Sullivan, who showed last season that he’s the real deal at 13.

Helpmekaar, coached by RJ Liebenberg of UJ Varsity Cup fame, have nine returning players scattered around the park, making for yet another well-balanced XV for the best-value independent school in the country. The front-row battle is set to be a great one. Experienced Liam Devenier, Gustav Grotius, and Dylan Engelbrecht are formidable, and they’ll go up against the dependable Koketso Bopape, Max Oliva who fills in for standout captain Oliver Davis (knee), and the promising youngster Nicolas Salamousas.

In terms of damage control gone wrong, keep your eyes on Helpies’ X-factor loosie, Zaiden Krige, and flashy centre, Ty Ax. Both players have the potential to open up defences with their individual attributes.

A powerful Durban High School will make the trip up to Bethlehem to face Voortrekker, with two squads of 23 and using the match as final trials ahead of the first big local derby against Maritzburg College. DHS were KZN’s highest-ranked school nationally in 2024 and start 2025 as the favourites to retain that title. It goes without saying that, even without the injured hardworking flank Bradley le Grange, top-rated coach Peter Engledow has a very strong team at his disposal, with useful depth for the demanding season ahead. The reliable go-to regulars expected to start are Brian Kasvosve (lock), Daniel Ikotela (openside), Nero Marcwin (scrumhalf), Jordan van Wyk (flyhalf), and Zenkosi Mthiyane (centre).

The Trekkers are coached by promising youngster Justin Taylor. They have some game-time under their belts, and the home-field advantage will certainly be helpful. They may also take heart from their 2022 shock early-season 36-22 home win against DHS. That said, a recent 0-35 defeat to Maritzburg College in a preseason practice at Winterton suggests they’ll need to improve considerably if they are to challenge the Horseflies.

In other KZN preseason action, Hilton welcomes Secunda to Gilfillan for a preseason workout. Kearsney are still preserving the recently resurfaced Stott Field, so they will be travelling to Glenwood, who had to abort their last workout due to pink-eye. Northwood are involved in an interesting three-way practice scenario against St Charles and Clifton. The big one, however, is at Bowdens, where Westville hosts Maritzburg College in a warm-up that was originally planned to take place as part of the cancelled Vories Festival. Adding to the interest is the fact that both Westville and Maritzburg College have new head coaches in the form of Zander Erasmus and Nico Breedt, respectively. It’s been a year of high head coach turnover in the province. Long-standing Ross Saayman is no longer at Clifton, with former Bok Heinke van der Merwe stepping in, while at Kearsney, Grant Bashford now has the reins, having replaced Neil van Heerden. At College, former dedicated head coach Tim Orchard is still very much part of the furniture, while likeable Jabz Zulu is settling in very well at KES after leaving Westville.

Possible teams: