April 2024
Westville has known a few tunnel under the Durban harbour lows at times in recent seasons but the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival just has a habit of bringing out the best in them. During Monday’s Day-3 game it felt like the boys peaked somewhere close to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Against the pregame odds, Westville defeated a big Monnas team 25-22. It was a special performance filled with guts, hunger, non-stop intensity, alertness, top teamwork and much much more. One for all the boys and Griffins supporters alike to be really proud.
Ville have a glaring Achilles in the form of lineout work but other than that they are definitely a team that has been improving as the season goes on. So for the matches ahead, they really need to galvanise everything that made them so good to watch against Monnas and make it the bar for the season.
Ville’s next game sees them travel to the Berea to face DHS, KZN’s top ranked rugby school to date.
While the Griffins are seeking to answer questions about high level consistency, this characteristic seems to define the blue Horseflies this season. The only thing unpredictable about DHS is their varied playing patterns. There is mature patience and confidence about what they do, to the extent that they don’t panic or force situations. They just seem to be tuned in to an understanding that if they remain focused, stay true to the plan, play smart and retain the ball, a path to the goal-line will eventually open. In this regard, they are not overly dependent on one or two players to make it happen either. Their cohesion is really good. They might not overwhelm an opponent with flashy tempo but their slow poison is a killer.
No purest will ever underestimate the crucial battles that happen up front, be they setpieces, mauls, rucks, drives, jackal at the tackle, linespeed or other defensive duties. This match will be filled with plenty of those. Hopefully the ref’s whistle does not get to dominate proceedings either, as the one-on-one match-ups in the backline have the ability to turn this one into a classic attractive schoolboy rugby derby.
| TEAM | DURBAN HS | TEAM | WESTVILLE | ||
| 1 | Unaye Mndau | u18 | 1 | Akhona Maseko | u18 |
| 2 | Mahle Sithole | u18 | 2 | Jeshua Ferreira | u18 |
| 3 | Bongani Dlamini | u18 | 3 | Bandlie Mncwango | u17 |
| 4 | Sibusiso Mahlangu | u18 | 4 | Moustapher Gcina | u18 |
| 5 | Thando Luthuli | u18 | 5 | Rhys Mitchell | u19 |
| 6 | Daniel Ikotela | u18 | 6 | Chris Cloete | u18 |
| 7 | Bradley le Grange | u17 | 7 | Seth Gwyn | u18 |
| 8 | Khanyisa Stamper | u18 | 8 | David Humphreys | u17 |
| 9 | Marcwin Nero | u18 | 9 | Ryan Pistor | u18 |
| 10 | Aka Boqwana | u18 | 10 | Unathi Mlotshwa | u18 |
| 11 | Allston Cedras | u19 | 11 | Jadrian Afrikaner | u17 |
| 12 | Duncan Basson | u18 | 12 | Blake Allbon | u18 |
| 13 | Zenkosi Mthiyane | u18 | 13 | Michael Satade | u18 |
| 14 | Hlumelo Madikane | u19 | 14 | Evan Moolman | u18 |
| 15 | Jordan van Wyk | u17 | 15 | Jadewill Koopman | u17 |
| Coach | PETER ENGLEDOW | Coach | NJABULO ZULU |
@ForeverHorseFly (Comment #15)
Yeah the weather really ruined the prospect of a match involving good handling.
Nevertheless a chess match in the tricky conditions. I thought DHS adapted better and got the rewards. Maybe could have or should have been closer. The try just before the break was decisive. Appreciation for the sustained pressure that eventually resulted in the try after the starting point was a lineout steal on halfway which DHS tactical kicked ahead, won back and shortly after grubbered towards the right corner.
Sounded a close one, closer than I thought it would be to be honest. Westville coming from a huge high was always going to battle.
Westville has a lot to fix I’m afraid.
Well done to DHS, lots of handling errors but to be expected in that weather. DHS seemed to always be in control of that game though and didn’t look like losing.
@House Rugga (Comment #12)
Over the past 100 years Glenwood is ranked 5th in KZN, College, House, Hilton & DHS ahead on wins, so 2024 at 7th is not a great year…
@Henkies (Comment #11)
Agreed, hopefully the oldest derby in Durban starts again next year…
@KatzRugga (Comment #3)
I agree. I think this DHS side will produce some further massive results. Huge potential going forward. I do think it will be a nail bitter between DHS, Hilton & House.
U17 Sharks Players 2023:
– DHS 6
Michaelhouse 5
Hilton 0
However, a lot can change YOY. I do think it will be closer than expected.
Final predictions for 2024:
1. DHS
2. Michaelhouse
3. Hilton
4. Westville
5. Maritzburg College
6. Northwood
7. Glenwood
8. Kearsney
9. St Charles
10. Clifton
Definitely is a season of very evenly matched teams in KZN this year to the extent that it would not be a real upset if any of the top 8 teams lost to each other. I think that the Westville win against Monnas and Hilton’s win against Boland Landbou is something KZN school rugby needed. DHS came close last season against Affies and Monnas but its great Westville and Hilton could close out those wins this year. Glenwood could always be counted on to run Affies, Paul Roos, Monnas close and get some victories too so it’s a positive those wins are coming from other KZN schools. That Hilton win against BL was pretty epic I have to say. Seeing a smaller pack getting bodies so low and quick to the ball really showed how to play a much bigger team. They might not have won all the collisions but their recycling was so quick and being able to jackal a lot of ball really took the momentum away from BL when they were building good field position. Glenwood may have struggled a bit at the KERF festival but they will be back bigger and better next season. Boys do a lot of growing between 17 and 18. It’s going to be a very close season for KZN teams, no easy wins.
@KatzRugga (Comment #3)
Peter Engledouw working his magic.
@Grasshopper (Comment #4)
To be fair. They seem well coached. The season for KZN could easily be determined by a few injuries or not.
All KZN schools should always play each other. Even the bottom two has the potential to upset the classic powerhouses.
@beet (Comment #5)
Fair point and initially I too was going to cluster most of the team. Cant remember overall a year where KZN teams has been this close in terms of what’s possible.
Certainly not a year to back any predictions with money
There is big rain coming this weekend apparently. I wonder what effect that will have, or if the games will even take place if it gets too bad?
By game time, the field could be a mud bath. If no lightning the may go ahead, but wonder who might manage that batter?.
@beet (Comment #5)
Go Green!! Some upsets please 🙏
@KatzRugga (Comment #3)
I still believe the College pack is a lot to handle.
So I will vary to you
1. DHS
2. MC
3-8. Anyone’s guess as the teams are all better defined by their vulnerabilities rather than their strengths at present
9. SCC
10. CC
@KatzRugga (Comment #3)
I really do hope the Green Machine can prove you wrong and get a few victories as underdogs…not playing DHS is a disgrace….
KZN FINAL RAKING MY BEAT GUESS COME AUGUST
2. Hilton- have found their way.
3. Michaelhouse- Fit and gets better in time
4. College- Once the rust is gone.
5. Westwille- A little thin of the bench.
6. Northwood- looking good as a team.
7. Kearsney- Grit but needs to win set pieces.
8. Glenwood- just not their year.
9. St. Charles- positive rugby but not playing enough KZN teams.
10. Clifton- Watch this space over the next 5 years.
1. DHS
2. Michaelhouse
3. Westville
4. College
5. Glenwood
KZN rankings IMO
The next month is going to be very interesting for the KZN schools as they finally get stuck into each other. Just how good a team is or isnt will start to be revealed.
I think DHS will continue their form. Westville i hope is more consistent. Kearnsey thought they were back on the map and then lost 4 on the bounce. Will be interesting to see how they fight back now. Michaelhouse are a bit unknown for me still. MBC can turn it on, but were rusty against Kearsney, and will want to have a good domestic season now. Hilton have found some good form after NW shocked them at home. NW themselves did well at KES, but the KZN teams will be a step up, and there is no chance of a surprise. Some massive games await…