Maritzburg College vs Michaelhouse
Match of the day in KZN.
Goldstones is special all on its own but on Reunion Day it is the place to be. Jam packed. An incredible vibe. Rich rugby history.
College want to put the misery of the 94-0 aggregate in two defeats at Absa Wildeklawer well behind them and get back to winning ways.
The pace and intensity of those AWK matches would have rubbed off on the Red, Black, White and they will look to implement what they learnt.
Michaelhouse are unbeaten in KZN interschools derbies.
A Michaelhouse win means they stays in the chase for a back-to-back KZN title, with a potential championship game at Van Heerden’s a week later.
Hard to separate the sides.
Michaelhouse u17s in their pack are the real-deal. Michaelhouse u17s in their backline are the real-deal.
One week on from a good return from injury against Hilton, expect House’s No.8 to be a handful and be noticeable as a potential KZN player of the season candidate.
College has oomph in their tight-five and a bit more of it at no.8 and no.12. What can those on the outside do to transform this match?
Kearsney vs Westville
Long term history favours Kearsney as its proven difficult for the visiting team to win on the road in this Highways Derby.
Short term history favours Kearsney as Westville have fallen apart during May in the last two seasons.
Kearsney will be amped. They are desperate to end their seven game losing streak.
Westville are in a good place and have a better mix of personalities to not repeat the season closing stats of 2022/3.
Westville lineout remains a vulnerable area.
The forward battle should be a great battle.
If the Westville backline pitches up with their A-game and are afforded a bit of time and space, it’s hard to see visualise what Kearsney can to counter this.
Northwood vs Jeppe
Two team of the season candidates so far in 2024.
Jeppe under the guidance of new head coach and fulltime teacher Drickus Venter.
Jeppe are very high profile this season – good forwards and even better backs.
Jeppe play very entertaining rugby.
Jeppe’s hectic schedule means they just returned from a tour to Gqeberha and now have to travel all the way to the Reece-Edwards Field in Durban North. Not ideal!
With Gauteng English medium schoolboy supporters in the stands, expect to be entertained by enthusiastic quality support.
Northwood cannot be underestimated. Nice pack and a need-for-speed type line.
Under recently elevated in overall responsibilities head coach Jacques Deen, The Knights are the third stingiest team in the whole of South Africa, conceding less that 11 points-per-game. For a team with attacking assets, this defence stat is off the charts brilliant.
Some Northwood boys enjoying a good season with a point to prove about Sharks trials selections.
A win will increase the Knights profile significantly.
Clifton v St Charles
Clifton blown out 50-15 in the first fixture will be looking for a big improvement.
Clifton have not played a competitive match in a few weeks.
St Charles back from a successful two-match Grey Festival in old PE.
St Charles seeing opportunity to put together a run of wins starting with this Clifton game.
Pretoria Boys’ High vs Hilton
Another tough season for the Candies. Competitive but wins hard to come by.
Boys High has the team to upset Hilton but do they have the self-belief?
Hilton always composed – one of the best prepared teams for the mental challenges.
Hilton not as accurate as in seasons gone by but still amongst the most consistent school first teams in an industry where schools of their stature are known to be erratic.
A different attacking prospect Hilton in 2024 in that they average 30 points-per-match which is quite high.
Well done College on your win.
Quite incredible the gap between schools. GCB and Paul Roos beat MC comfortably. Then House, that has a very good side lose to MC. We in KZN can produce a team that once in a life time will beat a Top 10 school. Those Top 10 schools produce an unbeatable team every year. You do have to take your hat off to GW who at their prime competed in that Top 10. Hard Work
@Skywalker (Comment #6)
Congratulations MC on your OB day. Goldstones was packed! Graceful in defeat.
Great win for College vs Mhouse. As I mentioned 2 weeks back on the blog, House still had Hilton x2, MBC and DHS to get through before they could talk about being back to back KZN Champs.
Tough game for NW. JEPPE a Top 10 team for a reason. I see captain Gwiji didn’t play for NW, not sure why and after our yellow card I think the floodgates opened. Well done Jeppe. Pity we got one of their best performances of the season as well.
Good wins for our u15A (W 24:7),u16A (W 10:0) and 2nd team (W 17:3)though. Unless Jeppe recruit I look forward to the games over the next 2 – 3 years.
Jeppe win at Northwood in what I believe was our best performance this season so far. The catalyst seemed to be a small scuffle in the first half which thereafter, Jeppe looked possessed and seemed to be taking every tackle they made personal.
I was impressed. Didn’t expect to win this well
@Henkies (Comment #2)
No contest – Maritzburg playing three of historic top 5 means they want to test against the best. Just keep going, results will come.
@Skywalker (Comment #1)
Great season Northwood are having Skywalker. Best of luck against Jeppe tomorrow!
Just looking at the schedule of games that College and Michaelhouse have played and are due to play this season – beyond KZN College will have faced Affies, Grey College, Boland Landbou, Pretoria Boys, SACS, Paul Roos and KES. It would be difficult to pick a more difficult schedule. Michaelhouse will have played Helpmekaar, SACS and St Johns Harare. It would be good to see Michaelhouse playing the EG Jansens, Noordheuwels and others of this world occasionally. I am not sure which approach is better. Michaelhouse’s certainly is if its keeping a good record but then the College boys had the rare experience of a great win at Affies last year.
The MBC vs Michaelhouse game will be massive.
NW will still have a massive challenge vs Jeppe despite their travel. I dont think NW will win, but I hope they put in a good showing. Its only their 2nd home game, so hope they can stay in the game enough.