Westville were set to face Glenwood away earlier this season in the first of two scheduled clashes for 2025. Sadly, the tragic passing of a Glenwood student led to the cancellation of that much-anticipated fixture. It would have been an intriguing contest—Westville haven’t won at Glenwood’s fortress, Dixon’s, since 2015, a decade when Glenwood were a dominant force in KZN schoolboy rugby and almost unbeatable on home soil.
Back on their own turf, however, the Griffin has enjoyed better fortunes. They’ve claimed the last two home encounters against Glenwood. The key takeaway is that Westville remains unbeaten this season. With their sights firmly set on a rare first-place finish in KwaZulu-Natal, expect a fired-up Westville side eager to bag another statement win.
Meanwhile, it’s Reunion Day at Maritzburg College, where they take on Kearsney in what promises to be a high-energy affair. Interestingly, Kearsney have had an impressive record against College since 2011—winning more games in that span than in their entire previous history. That said, this year’s One-Stripe outfit has battled to find defensive form in a couple of local interschools matches. There is a chance this might resurface on a packed Goldstones Field. With momentum on their side, College could be poised for a big score, perhaps even a record-breaking one.
Biggest Maritzburg College wins against Kearsney:
1959: Maritzburg College 57-00 Kearsney
1978: Maritzburg College 52-09 Kearsney
2008: Maritzburg College 45-17 Kearsney
1995: Maritzburg College 43-03 Kearsney
1994: Maritzburg College 42-13 Kearsney
1955: Maritzburg College 40-00 Kearsney
Another fixture with plenty of intrigue is Durban High School vs Hilton. DHS experienced a resurgence in the late 2010s, sparked by fresh leadership and a significant financial boost. But around the same time, Hilton also turned their rugby fortunes around after some lean years—also thanks to the support (and wallets) of passionate old boys.
As a result, while DHS turned the tables on many KZN rivals, Hilton remained a stumbling block. School’s last win over Hilton came back in 2016—away from home. Their last victory on Van Heerden’s was in 2011. It’s been a long drought, and they’ll be desperate to end it on their 159th Founder’s Day.
Michaelhouse and St Charles face tough but winnable assignments in Gauteng where they play Pretoria Boys’ High and St Stithians respectively.
@Skywalker (Comment #43)
Not sure what they do with the primary school targets, all I know being on the OB groups is there is just no money to do much at all, it’s all on gees….
@Skywalker (Comment #42)
It’s not but money in coffers usually correlates with success…..DHS proving it. Bottom dogs only 10 years ago, could barely put out 9 teams…to now doing full sweeps of teams with 20+ teams….
@Grasshopper (Comment #41)
Ok, well will be interesting to watch. The thing is they need the players. Hard to convince the good ones to come when they other schools offer such competitive programmes right now. They need to go far and wide. Unless they get on the road and get the boys there for rugby it wont change in a hurry, if at all. Do Glenwood not do what DHS do and secure good primary players and bring them to KZN and host them at those primary schools already, then knowing they will come to their school in Grade 8?
@Grasshopper (Comment #40)
That would be an interesting viewing. Not an exact science though, but may paint a picture.
@Skywalker (Comment #39)
I believe they have a very young side, like 16 year old front row etc. They’ve taken a few pastings this year BUT maybe good learnings for next year. They did of course poach Jose Dos Santos and Heinke Van der Merwe from Glenwood. Maybe it will take a few years to build the style etc BUT they do definitely need to keep their junior players to do so and also get in a few from DPHS, Glenwood Prep and Penzance. If only Glenwood got all the Glenwood Prep Boys, that would be ideal. I’m surprised Glenwood have any coaches left they’ve all been poached by other schools…..they had no reps in the KZN Craven Week sides, maybe because they have no coaches left, it’s OBs, teachers and kids coaching the boys…
@Skywalker (Comment #39)
I would love the information to rank the schools budgets for recruitment/scholarships/bursaries both in grade 8 and beyond. My guess would be as follows;
1) DHS – massive OB chest, thanks Mr Saad!
2) Westville – 80+ bursaries a year and growing BE by buying houses in Jan Hofmeyr Drive.
3) Hilton – Oh daddy please visit via Helicopter
4) House – 2,3….BushHouse
5) Northwood – don’t need a chest, the rich kids are up the road and anyone into their sport won’t go to Crawford, Ashton etc
6) College – don’t need to recruit, biggest BE in KZN and play on the history/Skonk violin, we are the oldest, best and the only school to have traditions
7) Kearsney – the wealthy in the Cotswolds sending boys to Highbury then Kearsney, no war chest
8) Clifton – wealthy but small numbers, school doesn’t have the pull of a House, Hilton or Kearsney, 2nd tier private & hockey/waterpolo school
9) St Charles – like Clifton, 2nd tier private and doesn’t have the pull of the big privates.
10) Glenwood – zilch, nadda, nothing…..very small pot to fund boys, maybe 10 to 15 a year & partial..
Speaking of KZN rugby, what happened to Clifton? Their 1st team beat Kearsney 2 years ago I think. Now really struggling. The key is to build a pipeline. They had a good u14A team last year, but then I hear they lost some of their star players for this team to Mhouse and College. But still, they have their BE now. They have some money, a BE to house boys, surely they could get another good u14A team and start to slowly build, so in 5 years they have A teams at least who can put up a decent showing?
DHS, Northwood, Hilton have all done it over the last 5 or so years. To Grassy’s point, some schools will find this harder to do going forward, but i would think Clifton could really grow. St Charles also. They had a cracker team last year, but again have not quite risen to the heights i had thought over the last few years.
I suppose the reality is the big schools don’t hang around and wait for anyone to catch them. They keep recuiting and even add further stars to already good teams.
@star (Comment #36)
There is no green monster mate, I can’t stop the decline so need to just accept it. Westville are better placed financially and location-wise to thrive going forward, it is what it is. Glenwood could go down the Mansfield route unfortunately. We are certainly not a hockey powerhouse OR swimming or surfing or waterpolo as in the past, got to just let it go now.
@star (Comment #36)
The u16A result was a big one. That Kearsney u16A team has done well this year, but beating them 26:8 is quite comprehensive. DHS getting recognised for the strength of its programme, but Westville overall has clearly recruited and developed really well over the last few years to have the pipeline it does. Should finish unbeaten. Good for KZN rugby to have a change at the top in 2025.
@Bush (Comment #35)
Westville did another clean sweep of the rugby results against Kearsney. I fear that won’t be the case this Saturday against House who always box above their station. I think the last time Westville won there was 2005(subject to correction). They will have to tighten up on their defence and discipline which has been their achiles heel of late. Keep the tackles low and don’t touch the airborn player. All to play for and an unbeaten season beckons.
Don’t upset the green monster
@star (Comment #25)
GW did well with the hockey, must be a hockey school now.
@ForeverHorseFly (Comment #33)
Mate, it’s not the GOBs side, it’s Pinhead and co. I would loved to chat to Pinhead one to one. He’s too scared though
@Grasshopper (Comment #31)
Based on what Beet just said, I guess it’s the Glenwood OBs that need to sign that petition. You need to start putting pressure on Glenwood leadership if you are so keen on this great rivalry coming back.
@ForeverHorseFly (Comment #30)
I’m not sure where they stand.
When I last checked DHS were happy to play Glenwood
Glenwood had reservations about DHS controlling the timing of when rugby relations would or would not be restored.
So the ball was in Glenwood’s court.
Pity.
I remember the first DHS vs Glenwood match I attended was around 1985 when Matt Alexander was the DHS flyhalf. The occasion was larger than life.
@ForeverHorseFly (Comment #30)
The reason is an egotistical & selfish few at the top who think they are bigger than history, taking away the opportunity for both schools to enjoy one of the best things whilst at school, a proper local derby. I mean these games were played unofficially from 1910 with teachers etc, then officially from 1920, over 100 years. Glenwood are no threat to their egos, we are at a low, as was DHS only 10 years ago. We continued to always play. Glenwood don’t have the money to compete with DHS’s coffers & don’t recruit nationally anymore. My dad was a DHS Old Boy, class of 69, the schools are entwined in families……it’s just such a pity. If I was a DHS OB I would sign a petition to stop this madness…..it’s kids sport for goodness sake……not life or death or spite….
@Grasshopper (Comment #29)
We were away at Westville as well but whatever you say. I have no power over whether the game comes back or not, just an Old Boy…but I don’t think being scared of Glenwood is the reason at the moment. Maybe @Beet has more insight into where the talks are at the moment with regards to the game coming back.
@ForeverHorseFly (Comment #28)
No point in wondering, Pinhead is too scared, even with Glenwood at their lowest. Derbies & proper derbies like DHS vs Glenwood give weird results, hardly ever goes to form…just because you won 11 vs Ville doesn’t mean you would vs Glenwood. That was away too, at Glenwood those close losses could be turned. DHS can’t chirp anything until they play the proper Durban derby….
@Grasshopper (Comment #27)
Makes you wonder what it would have been like if DHS vs Glenwood still played considering DHS played 20 games against Westville, won 11, drew 1 and lost 8
@star (Comment #25)
Must be a first and very sad indeed…..money always wins.
SCORES
1st: Westville 42-25 Glenwood
2nd: Westville 18-10 Glenwood
3rd: Westville 33-19 Glenwood
4th: Westville 24-12 Glenwood
5th: Westville 50-0 Glenwood
6th: Westville 37-7 Glenwood
16A: Westville 27-10 Glenwood
16B: Westville 29-10 Glenwood
16C: Westville 52-0 Glenwood
16D: Westville 27-14 Glenwood
15A: Westville 7-0 Glenwood
15B: Westville 10-0 Glenwood
15C: Westville 45-0 Glenwood
15D: Westville 27-5 Glenwood
14A: Westville 17-12 Glenwood
14B: Westville 27-0 Glenwood
14C: Westville 52-0 Glenwood
14D: Westville 26-5 Glenwood
14E: Westville 32-15 Glenwood
@star (Comment #25)
I didn’t see the down the line results, but no surprise if so. We cannot compete with Westville’s money and bursaries/scholarships. I would love to know where the 1st team boys came from in junior school….
@Grasshopper (Comment #22)
I believe Ville did the clean rugby sweep against GW. You are the stats guy. Surely that is the first time in their history
@Bush (Comment #23)
I have no clue who Weber is! Ja like the dodgy goings on in Hilton & House hostels. Glenwood is not in an affluent area & I can’t see them keeping up with the big programs. Sitting at 6th/7th in KZN & top 50 in SA is about right. The occasional great year here or there. I can’t see them invited to Wildeklawer or Noord Suid going forward. House & Hilton will continue to have protected fixtures & lead in KZN
@Grasshopper (Comment #22)
Come on Hopper, you making me feel depressed now and Carte Blanche hasn’t even started. GW will always be there. They will adapted as the OB’s are very supportive.
It seems that the Kergate rubbed off on other teachers. Ffs just read in the News, Weber Braai has been implicated in atrocities at Westville Senior Primary. Kergate taught the okes well. 2 3 GW. Always making headlines 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
@Bush (Comment #18)
Not worried at all, Glenwood just don’t have the moola to compete with the leafies & privates, I don’t expect many wins in the future. Money buys success unfortunately……2,3, House!
@KatzRugga (Comment #19)
Those beautiful pylons add to the view!
@KatzRugga (Comment #19)
Looks like you still at the (bowlimg) club🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣that has to be one of the best rugby trips to do. Cold Quarters and a plate of chips. College a great school with incredible history 🏆🏆🏆🏆
COLLEGE RUGBY AND HOSPITALITY
Noteable how many College OBs showing a keen interest in staying fit after school via Bowls and the local bowlimg club.
@Grasshopper (Comment #17)
Don’t feel so bad Hopper, the Westville Coach is a Toti boy and we are neighbors with the Bluff. Almost like kissing your Suster ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Great to see the KZN Sides really pulling the punches at the local games. It makes it healthy for the Province. I hope none of them are farmers, as we need to start a campaign “Keep them here”
@Griffin (Comment #11)
That is now Glenwood’s biggest loss to Westville in history, previously it was 1993, 5-21, a 16 point margin, today was 17.
@Grasshopper (Comment #15)
Haha indeed Grassy, with you on that one ;)
@Henkies (Comment #14)
I would like to see DHS expand their fixtures & play against the closest school to them & oldest Durban rival 😉
Battle royal at Van Heerdens today. I think DHS were fortunate to come away with a win. Hilton dominated the first half and should have been further ahead than 10-0 at the break. It would have been further had their kicker been successful with the 2 conversions and a penalty. DHS managed to pull back with a maul which led to a Hilton player receiving a yellow for collapsing the maul and later a Hilton player red carded for a high tackle. I felt red was harsh – probably should have been yellow. DHS managed to pull ahead to 18-13. Hilton were very good at setting up their maul from lineouts and mauling long enough for DHS to infringe. Hilton closed the gap to 18-17 and were pressing hard again in the 70th minute for the winning try. When a Hilton player made a surge for the line a DHS player was able to strip the ball and run almost the length of the field for the winning score with some pretty awesome in and out stepping. Would like to have seen Hilton expand their fixture list to play more of the top 15 sides. They have improved markedly since the beginning of the season, are well structured and make very few errors. DHS put in max effort and look like they could do with a week off. A great game !
College vs Kearsney was also a good game to watch. The big crowd got full value. Andy Cap was spot on by IDing the two best players on the park – both u17s David Colenbrander and Keanu Williamson.
Kearsney probably deserved a closer margin than the 35-20 scoreline
@Griffin (Comment #11)
Agreed, but Westville didn’t look like a 10x provincial player team vs zero team. Glenwood could have won that. That is the story of their season, inconsistency! Purple patches with phases of poor play. At Glenwood that would have been a win. Oh well….
@Grasshopper (Comment #10)
Was a very good game. Westville were out the blocks very quickly, but fell asleep a bit in the middle of the first half before finding a gear again. Westville also had a few try scoring opportunities that they spilled, and should have been at least two more tries to the better. Glenwood played very well and exposed Westville a bit, and their results this season dont do justice to how well they can actually play as they seem to be a really good unit with flashes of brilliance.
WESTVILLE HOLD OUT
I believe Westville were a bit exposed through the center and that the GW inside center and captain had a good game. From what I have seen he has consistently led from the front with his performances.
I believe Siyaya is injured. It will be interesting to see how Westville adapt .
@Vleis (Comment #6)
Well done to them, Founders Day and home advantage paying off in the end…
@Grasshopper (Comment #4)
MC u16A beat Kearsney u16A by 47 to 40
GLENWOOD TAKE THE MOFSTOK
@Vleis (Comment #3)
Watch that Kearsney u16 team…..
It looks like a great turnout for MC at Reunion Day. Joel Stransky has just posted a ‘now and then’ photo of the unbeaten 1985 team on Facebook and it looks like the entire team is present at the Reunion from all over the world. It’s going to be a tricky day for Kearsney, to say the least!
GLENWOOD VS VILLE (LEAFY SUBURBS)
Played: 57
Won: 38
Win % = 67%
Lost: 17
Drawn: 2
Biggest win: 45-0 in 2000
Biggest loss: 5-21 in 1993
Longest winning streak – 9 games (1964 to 1972).
First loss: 1976 (22-30)
Since 2010
2010 – Won – 9-6
2011 – Won 28-16
2012 – Lost 9-13
2013 – DNP
2014 – Won 32-15
2015 – Lost 17-18
2016 – Won 26-3
2017 – Won 38-12
2018 – Won 47-7
2019 – Won 22-7
2020 – DNP (COVID)
2021 – Won 13-3
2022 – Lost 7-22
2023 – Won 25-24
2024 – Lost 32-35
Glenwood have 1% chance on the weekend, but 1% is enough….
BRIEF KZN PREDICTIONS
Maybe 1 or 2 home wins this weekend only.