Year one of a two-year arrangement sees Bishops make the long haul from Cape Town to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, at a cost of to parents of R6,700 per player. The return fixture is set for next year, when Hilton College heads south to Rondebosch.
Calling Bishops the underdogs feels polite. On paper, this could stretch into a 30-point spread.
The visitors are industrious and disciplined around retention, but they lack cutting edge and a genuine change of gears. Their most recent outing — a 22–17 defeat away to SACS — did at least showcase resilience. After trailing 22–3, the Platinum Blues rallied impressively in tough conditions, dominating the second half with the wind from behind to restore some respectability to the scoreline.
Hilton, by contrast, has been idle since their statement Easter victory over St Joseph’s Nudgee College at St John’s College.
Bishops also featured that festival, offering enough game time for live analysis. Bishops head coach Sam Mofokeng also brings valuable institutional knowledge, having spent time at Michaelhouse, including a stint as 1st XV head coach. He will have a fair grasp of what to expect from his opposite number, Brad Macleod-Henderson, as well as the unique conditions of the Gilfillan Field.
Where this contest is likely to be decided is up front. Hilton boast a heavy, confrontational pack primed to dominate collisions and dictate territory through a solid setpiece aided by a superior kicking game executed from the base. Early-season attention centred on captain Andrew Schnell at lock and No.8 Zander Muller, but the campaign has since unearthed further achievers who were not picked for the Sharks u17 Academy Week team of 2025.
“Yster” flank Ross Steyn has emerged as a relentless carrier, with form that has surely forced his way into Craven Week conversation. Hooker Kyle-Reese Clements and tighthead Mholi Khuzwayo are also trending upwards.
Behind the scrum, flyhalf John Grubb has elevated his game, providing control and direction, while the outside backs carry enough punch to consistently win the gainline.
For Bishops, it may come down to weathering the early storm and hoping their fitness and resolve can once again drag them back into the contest. For Hilton, the blueprint is far simpler: apply pressure, win the collisions, and play the game in the right areas. If they do that, the “hefties” tag will feel entirely justified by full-time.
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