Westville have completed an unforgettable 2025 season – unbeaten, untouchable, and unrivalled in KwaZulu-Natal. Thirteen wins on the trot. A remarkable achievement, and one that will be remembered for years to come.
They capped off their campaign in emphatic fashion with a commanding 50-point victory over Michaelhouse – a ground where they hadn’t tasted success since their 34–3 triumph back in 2005. It wasn’t all plain sailing, though. House showed their grit and pulled the score back to 20–24 at one stage, but Ville finished in style with four unanswered tries and 26 points in the closing stages to seal a famous win.
Adding to the significance of the season is the fact that it was Zander Erasmus’ first year at the helm as head coach. He and his coaching team drew the very best out of this group of players. As a unit, they were cohesive, disciplined, and consistently clinical. The squad was packed with talent, but one player stood head and shoulders above the rest – Zekhethelo Siyaya. The mercurial fullback, gifted with rare flair and footwork, looks destined for great things in the sport – provided his body holds up. His potential is enormous.
In this era of social media and digital schoolboy rugby coverage – which, among many other things, gave rise to this very website – we attempt to name a Westville XV of the 2010–2025 era. That only one player from the Class of 2025, Siyaya, features in that discussion is a testament to how much of a collective effort this season truly was. Without a doubt, this 2025 side ranks among the finest teams in Westville’s proud 70-year rugby history.
@Henkies (Comment #8)
That’s great. Rugby must be played in the 3rd term.
@TJ (Comment #9)
Playing a few games after a 6 week rest is not stretching oneself
@Meesh N (Comment #1)
I watched Mambo play in HS and there was so much hype about him. He was a sonny bill type player. I actually questioned his passing skills though as his offload seemed more to negate the fact that he did not pass so well left and right. When his size no longer became a factor later on he seemed to fizzle out. Now with Varsity College I see. Hope he continues to play and get better. They will be in Varisty Cup next year.
Siyaya saved their bacon against NW and MBC. Could have lost both of those. But they navigated these tight matches and seemed to just get better. Mark of a great team. Well done to them. They also have a strong pipeline.
Out of interest I saw Chelsea Prep beat Westville Prep in all 12 matches they played across 4 age groups. They won most by large margins. I assume DPHS and Umhlali would do the same. This surprised me a bit as I assumed many would go to Westville High School, who boast a very impressive pipeline in the rugby programme.
Likhona Finca has to be in for me a cult hero for the 1st XV even in hes brief to years at the griffins
@Coolguy (Comment #7)
Only for the schools who do not want to stretch themselves and have a proper rugby season…
@RuggaFreak (Comment #6)
DHS,Northwood,College and Glenwood are playing in the 3rd term. DHS is facing Jeppe and KES and a return game against Northwood. Some great match match ups still to come. College also facing Glenwood,Affies and Pretoria Boys
@RuggaFreak (Comment #6)
Rugby 7’s and Soccer for KZN schools in term 3
That’s the season done ? No third term rugby ? Wow
Well done Westville, a decent season. Not tested enough outside of KZN but not their fault. 16 to 18 games in a season is the sweet-spot for me.
And yet on the SBR blog Westville is 11TH behind both NW and DHS.
Do they not play any games in Term 3?
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO WILLE
It also opens a few questions. How much did a schedule of 13 games matter in regard to managing the boys and their bodies? What is the ideal number of games and when is a bye weekend perfect? Taking nothing away from Wille but when they played DHS at home the ladder looked tired and worn in a game that could easily have gone both ways.
Morning Beet, I assume are you basing this off just schoolboy rugby & taking no consideration as to what each lad achieved after school? If that’s the case then I would certainly have Mambo Mkhize over Ethan Hooker as schoolboys, I understand Ethan has gone on to do much greater things but as a schoolboy Mambo was just special. If not for covid I’d say Mambo was a shoo in for SA Schools that year, he played for the Baby Boks his first year out of school & that was after almost a year of no rugby. If my memory serves me correct, Ethan Hooker was playing at 8th man in his grade 11 year due to Mambo being the incumbent 12?