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:
| TEAM | MICHAELHOUSE | TEAM | HELPMEKAAR | |
| 1 | Koketso Bopape | 1 | Liam Devenier | |
| 2 | Max Oliva | 2 | Gustav Grotius | |
| 3 | Nicolas Salamousas | 3 | Dylan Engelbrecht | |
| 4 | Daniel Carr | 4 | Eugene de Lange | |
| 5 | Thomas Peach | 5 | Jandre Botha | |
| 6 | Oliver Guy | 6 | Lewellyn Vermaak | |
| 7 | Alexander Arde | 7 | Zaiden Krige | |
| 8 | Dominic Sesink-Clee | 8 | Zian Smith | |
| 9 | Daniel Aissing | 9 | Kean Butler | |
| 10 | Stefan Moolman | 10 | Wian Storm | |
| 11 | Laird Hamilton-Brown | 11 | Andreas Badenhorst | |
| 12 | William Ridl | 12 | Clinton Cloete | |
| 13 | Rourke o’Sullivan | 13 | Ty Ax | |
| 14 | Lwandle Nzama | 14 | Francois Tonkin | |
| 15 | Alex Jankowitz | 15 | Ethan Lourens | |
| Coach | JAMES FLEMING | Coach | RJ LIEBENBERG | |
| TEAM | VOORTREKKER (BETH) | TEAM | DURBAN HS | |
| 1 | AJ Myburgh | 1 | Elvino Witbooi | |
| 2 | Wian Muller | 2 | Okuhle Mbanjwa | |
| 3 | Maropa Lepondo | 3 | Josef Udo-Idung | |
| 4 | Theo van Wyk | 4 | Brian Kasvosve | |
| 5 | Berto van Niekerk | 5 | Jose Lottering | |
| 6 | Katleho Xaba | 6 | Daniel Ikotela | |
| 7 | Jayden de Jesus | 7 | Damian Swart | |
| 8 | Attila Ozturk | 8 | Inathinkosi Mkhencele | |
| 9 | Vlag Janse v Rensburg | 9 | Nero Marcwin | |
| 10 | Christiaan v der Sandt | 10 | Jordan van Wyk | |
| 11 | Ompile Pete | 11 | Richard Gyamfi | |
| 12 | Nolen du Plooy | 12 | Nathan Aneke | |
| 13 | Karabo Ralentloane | 13 | Zenkosi Mthiyane | |
| 14 | Sizwe Qwabe | 14 | Amogeng Mataboge | |
| 15 | Siya Mdubo | 15 | Cilermo Carolus | |
| 16 | Wouter Kotze | |||
| 17 | Schalk Jonker | |||
| 18 | Emile Mostert | |||
| Coach | JUSTIN TAYLOR | Coach | PETER ENGLEDOW |
@beet any scores or feedback on the other warm up games played?
I see Helpmekaar edged Mhouse and DHS thumped Voortrekker,but any news on MBC vs Westville or Kearsney vs Glenwood and how NW faired?
I know it’s just warm up matches but some good match ups for these teams.
A GREEN DARK HORSE IN THE PADDOCKS
@beet (Comment #10)
wonder what made the lads decision to not follow his fathers footsteps onto Gilfillan?
KZN COASTAL 'TRI NATIONS'
@beet (Comment #14)
Hi beet. There are four brothers – the eldest matriculated in 2015, the next in 2016, then 2021 and finally 2025.
@beet (Comment #10)
Jankowitz is a really good allround sportsman as well, 1st team Waterpolo and a very useful golfer as well. There are a few names in that squad with some pedigree, besides Jankowitz. Sessink-Clee’s older brother was contracted to the Sharks and Province at one stage and Ridl’s older brother (matric 2023) played for England u20s and scored on debut a week ago – currently contracted to Exeter Chiefs.
@Grasshopper (Comment #11)
Yes I think he’s the third brother.
@Kaya 85 (Comment #12)
In 2015 MHS beat a decent enough Helpies team 52-19 at the Saints Fest, so they deserve some credit some times
Balgowan altitude – 1375m Braamfontein altitude – 1790m
@beet (Comment #10)
A Hilton OB sending his son to Michaelhouse? Maybe the food (and dairy) is better in Balgowan…?
Re Helpmekaar not losing to MH (…yet?) I’m not really surprised by that. I’m surprised you’re surprised. If MH were to reciprocate and visit the Highveld in an early season game v HM at home they might find the going tough, …and conditions – bearing in mind HM’s ground is at a higher altitude than Ellis Park.
@beet (Comment #10)
Nice, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree it seems. Sesink-Clee is another surname that rings with me, like Lister-James of the past. House must always have a double-barrelled name in the squad, or it’s not a real House team..
Hey guys I just found out that the House fullback is the son of the former Hilton SA Schools player of the late 1980’s – Anton Jankowitz. Sounds like he is a decent player like his old man.
@Henkies (Comment #7)
Reason for Glenwood was they needed games for the lower sides plus DHS won’t play them, hence Glenwood will now play Westville, College and Northwood twice (6 games for the D,E & F teams). Those are the three schools that can provide the most teams.
@Henkies (Comment #7)
Yes was a really special year. They got the odd big win in 2022 and 2023, but 2024 it all came together. Wishing them luck for this year.
From what I understand it began soon after COVID when schools began playing again and were needing games. So they began the double header. Not needed anymore now in my opinion. Should go back to a single game, because the roster is now filled and them some. NW always ended their season traditionally on their Old Boys day in early June, or perhaps had 1 final match after. Now they continue playing again in 3rd term. I think they might find the extent of the schedule just too much this year, which wont help results. If they want to do that then they need to back it up with the level of recuitment required to sustain a 30 man squad of near equal quality who can manage a 17 game fixture list.
@Skywalker (Comment #6)
Knights had a fantastic season in 2024 Skywalker. Agree the schedule looks overloaded. Northwood playing DHS twice and Glenwood twice. Not sure what the reasoning is behind the double headers? Boys could do with a rest on those weekends rather than ramping up the season to 17 games.
Really interested to see how the new coaches do this year.
Kearsney, Westville and MB College.
Also keen to see how NW go this year having lost the core of their highly successful team last year. Good coaching can hopefully allow them to still compete, although as i wrote before, their schedule this year seems insane for a team who will be a lot younger and ‘green’ this year.
@TJ (Comment #3)
Who are those 2 out of interest? DHS already had 8 KZN reps of their own. Amazing to still be able to/choose to add to those. Guessing strategic positions?
@KatzRugga (Comment #2)
That would be very interesting. Obv some boys can move on their own accords, so not an exact science, but would be of interest for sure.
I think KZN will produce some strong teams again this year. DHS clearly wanting to remain a top 10 or 20 school in the country, but I think it should be a good contest again.
@KatzRugga (Comment #2)
Well for starters, Tygerberg’s two Grant Khomo stars now find themselves in Musgrave Road…
KZN RUGBY AS EXCITING AS EVER
I wonder, pr team, how many boys are KZN boys and how many has been recruited from grade 10 onwards?
Going to be great. Pity not all teams have fixtures against each other.
DHS AVOIDING THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM