Northwood & Westville looking to prove their mettle in Jozi

Both Northwood and Westville will be making the trip up the N3 to Johannesburg this weekend, where they’ll face tough opposition in Jeppe and KES respectively.

There were high expectations for Westville before the season began, despite the uncertainty surrounding their brand new head coach, Zander Erasmus. However, Erasmus has been exceptional, and under his guidance, the Griffins have been nothing short of outstanding — they remain unbeaten to date. Their forward pack is solid, and their backline has shown the ability to make a real impact. There’s talent spread across the field, but the standout is undoubtedly Zek Siyaya. Siyaya is the poster boy for the team: supremely gifted and boasting every attribute a top-tier backline player could ask for — quick hands, blistering pace, sharp vision, and a powerful boot. You name it, he’s got it.

Arguably the biggest turnaround story in KwaZulu-Natal this season has been that of hooker Ross Calvert, whose brother Bryce plays for the senior Sharks team. Ross, a seasoned 1st XV player, spent two seasons battling with his lineout work — even losing the job to his flank and captain, Chris Cloete, in 2024. But in 2025, he’s a different player entirely — now considered one of the most accurate hookers in the province. His rise is a testament to his hard work, resilience, and determination to become a valued asset to the team.

With Craven Week trials on the horizon, a number of Ville players — including the talented Liam Simpkins and fellow back Jadrian Afrikaner as well as Bandile Mncwango (prop)
Brandon Eke (flank), lock/loosie options Lwandile Mlaba and Wandile Simelane — will be eager to bolster their reputations as dependable and impactful players.

The one major frustration for Westville this season has been their fixture list. It has now been cut to just 13 matches following two unavoidable cancellations. Even more concerning, especially in light of Wildeklawer, is how unambitious the schedule looks for a team of Westville’s calibre. While main KZN rivals DHS and Northwood spent last weekend facing off against the country’s top-ranked side, Westville won’t come close to facing opposition of that standard.

That makes this weekend’s match against KES on Reds Field more than just a traditional inter-schools clash — it’s a vital fixture for Westville’s credibility. KES haven’t enjoyed a standout season themselves, but they still have enough firepower to pose a serious threat over the full 70 minutes.

Under the guidance of young head coach Marco Engelbrecht, KES are showing no signs of shying away from big encounters. Engelbrecht firmly believes that the only way to improve is by testing yourselves against the best — a refreshing and commendable approach. While questions have been raised about Westville’s lack of ambition in their fixture list, KES have shown no such hesitation. The Red Army faithful can be proud of their team’s willingness to step up and embrace the challenge.

Engelbrecht is an astute thinker with a sharp rugby mind, and there’s no doubt that he has a bright coaching future ahead of him.

As for this weekend’s clash, expect a high-tempo contest – “a running spectacle”. But KES will have one major weapon in their corner: their home supporters. The Reds faithful are among the best in the country when it comes to lifting their team’s energy levels. If there’s ever a fixture where home ground advantage can make the difference, it’s this one.

Northwood has emerged as one of South Africa’s overachieving 1st XV teams this season. Much of their success can be credited to the exceptional leadership of head coach Jacques Deen, complemented by the sharp rugby intellect of Jeremy McLaren. McLaren needs no introduction in schoolboy rugby circles and is poised to elevate his coaching profile even further when his Varsity College side enters the Varsity Cup — another milestone in a career marked by success at every level.

Their task this weekend, however, could prove even more challenging than Westville’s. Jeppe are good!

Northwood’s forward pack has been immense throughout the season, consistently laying a solid platform up front. Among their standout contributors is the highly-rated lock pairing of Lian Terblanche and Chad Howe, both of whom get through a mountain of work on both sides of the ball. The rising star in their ranks is undoubtedly No. 8 Jamie Wimble. Still only in Grade 11, Wimble has been a revelation — a powerful ball-runner with real pace, currently regarded as one of the best in the country in his position.

Before the ball even gets to the line, Northwood has the benefit of a crafty attacking general in scrumhalf Gavin Mun-Gavin, whose vision and keenest to exploit half-gaps keeps defences guessing and he is good at getting his teammates onto the frontfoot. Out wide, they’ve shown enough quality to capitalise when opportunities arise.

Last season, Jeppe head coach Drickus Venter was arguably the breakout 1st XV coach of the year. His team was outstanding, even managing to pull off a famous win against Grey College in a titanic clash. While they weren’t able to repeat that feat in 2025, Jeppe haven’t lost their trademark identity. They remain one of the most entertaining and dynamic sides in South African schoolboy rugby.

The absence of their injured powerhouse prop, André Poulton, has certainly been felt — his ball-carrying ability and physical presence are difficult to replace. Yet, Jeppe’s pack continues to embody grit and intensity, thriving in the collisions and refusing to back down.

Their backline, though, is where they truly shine. Flyhalf Nehemia Hollenbach is a standout talent, dictating play with poise and creativity. The centre pairing of Phano Letsie and Lindelani Nkambule faced the daunting task of filling the boots of their highly regarded predecessors from the 2023 and 2024 seasons. However, they’ve risen to the challenge with style. The duo brings flair, intelligence, and relentless energy — attacking defences with hard-to-read angles and clear intent.