The Northwood Knights with just three matches under the belt, have quietly gone about their business in recent weeks and are now one of just a handful unbeaten 1st XV’s heading into this weekend’s round of interschools matches.
There biggest win of the three has been the 10-7 away win at Hilton. Unfortunately the AI camera above Gilfillan field isn’t great and therefore offered limited in-depth analysis of the match.
The Knights’ first home game on the Reece-Edwards’ field will be against DHS who are KwaZulu-Natal’s number-1 ranked school at the moment. It goes without saying that this will be the home team’s hardest assignment so far and therefore prove to be a better measure of where Northwood fits into the local league picture.
With the Sharks Day trials matches at Kings Park (27 April 2024) rapidly approaching, it’s reasonable to assume that most u18 Craven Week selectors have a reasonably good idea who the KZN form players are in 2024 and be consequence who the leading candidates/combinations are for a mock youth week XV. That is not to say that these formulated opinions are set in stone. There is good competition for a number of positions and therefore a couple of weeks left for a number of boys to play themselves into or out of contention plus injuries are bound to have an impact on decisions.
So heading into this big match in Durban North, the Knights leading contenders have a big opportunity to step out onto the lush green pitch and continue to produce the type of performances that are bound to make them front page selection news.
Amongst these leading players:
1 – Ruben Vos – with KZN enjoying a second successive season of good prop depth, the highly rated, versatile, second season of 1st XV rugby prop has his work cut out to prove he is a better scrummer and worker with and without the ball than his rivals.
4 – Lian Terblanche – the second row is arguably the Shark’s weakest position this season especially if they are in the market for a lineout option and there an open race with a big reward for whoever can produce the goods. Liam was a strong ball-carrier option for the Sharks Grant Khomo team in 2023.
6 – Ethan Macey – It will take a big effort to displace Westville’s Chris Cloete as the current leading candidate for the opensider role, so dependable Ethan’s battle with DHS’s Daniel Ikotela is potentially one of the best match-ups of the game, as both vie to stay in the running for CW.
8 – Vuyo Gwiji – with national honours to his credit in 2023, big Vuyo is a shoo-in for the Craven Week team
11 – Kwenzo Dlamini – this is definitely a Sharks position that is up for grabs meaning that standout form can elevate Kwenzo. Apart from starting wings, the selectors may want to identify fullbacks to cover this position as well, which increases the compo.
Unfortunately Northwood’s top back, the talented Siyanda Nkosi, who covers any position from 10 to 15 is u19 this year and therefore ruled out of CW selection.
| TEAM | NORTHWOOD | TEAM | DURBAN HS | ||
| 1 | Sphe Ntshangase | 1 | Unaye Mndau | u18 | |
| 2 | Werner van Nieuwenhuizen | 2 | Mahle Sithole | u18 | |
| 3 | Rueben Vos | 3 | Bongani Dlamini | u18 | |
| 4 | Kwezi Kunene | 4 | Sibusiso Mahlangu | u18 | |
| 5 | Lian Terblanche | 5 | Thando Luthuli | u18 | |
| 6 | Ethan Macey | 6 | Daniel Ikotela | u18 | |
| 7 | Titus Cesonis | 7 | Bradley le Grange | u17 | |
| 8 | Vuyo Gwiji | 8 | Khanyisa Stamper | u18 | |
| 9 | Graeham de Swardt | 9 | Marcwin Nero | u18 | |
| 10 | Siyanda Nkosi | 10 | Aka Boqwana | u18 | |
| 11 | Thomas Lindsay | 11 | Hlumelo Madikane | u19 | |
| 12 | Bongane Khumalo | 12 | Duncan Basson | u18 | |
| 13 | Ramatuku Sikhakhane | 13 | Zenkosi Mthiyane | u18 | |
| 14 | Kwenzo Dlamini | 14 | Jordan van Wyk | u17 | |
| 15 | Aphiwe Buthelezi | 15 | Allston Cedras | u19 | |
| Coach | JACQUES DEEN | Coach | PETER ENGLEDOW |
Had a good look at Northwood at KES easter festival where they comfortably beat Hoerskool Brandwag and Hudson Park. They looked really impressive against both those sides but it might be a case of shining against weak opposition? DHS will provide a far sterner challenge. Could be a single score affair.
@Skywalker (Comment #3)
You are spot on, management is key. Look at DHS, 10 years ago or less, a mess. Tony Pinheiro comes in, recruits half of his old staff and Glenwood, gets the Old Boys involved and get the Trusts running with cash again, and voila, DHS are doing well again. Glenwood will do the same, no matter the location. DHS isn’t exactly in a prime safe area anymore. Glenwood have lost good staff to Northwood too. I think Northwood have always had a good rep for academics and average at sport (except lifesving and surfing, for obvious reasons) BUT now Northwood has depth in all sports, but especially hockey and cricket. If I still lived in Ballito my boy with go to the Knights. Glenwood is too far by bus and/or car. If only the Head at Glenwood had thought out the box a decade ago and set-up a satellite offering in Ballito. Seeing DHS doing so well really irritates us Glenwood Old Boys as that was us for 20 years. We will be back!
In terms of the game…I dont see NW winning. DHS still a cut above I think. But I hope they compete well.
@Grasshopper (Comment #2)
You are correct in saying that, BUT it started with leadership, both from new coaches and the new Headmaster who worked hard to lift the standards and win back the community. Even if it was a good location, if the trust had not been restored they would not be where they are. They have always had a good location, yet boys who lived in Durban North were at one stage travelling to DHS or going to board at MBCollege instead of going to the school on their doorstep. GW could still turn things around with good leadership…but takes time and good people working hard.
@Kaya 85 (Comment #1)
Certainly helps when it’s the only decent all boys ex Model C option on the north coast. Location, location, location…
As many SBR commentators have been pointing out over the last few years, this school and rugby programme is on a steady upward trajectory.