A well-rested, well-balanced and unbeaten Durban High School head to Durban North to take on Northwood on Saturday, 18 April 2026.
Northwood are yet to cause an upset this season, but they are certainly no pushovers. On home soil, they will be formidable. They were very good competition for a highly rated Westville side a weekend ago in a 35–29 defeat, so there is no chance the Horseflies, coached by Peter Engledow, will take this assignment lightly. Expect a full-blooded 70-minute battle, with plenty of physicality up front.
However, this is merely the start of what promises to be a demanding run through the back end of a busy April. Next week, DHS will be in action at the prestigious Wildeklawer Rugby Festival in Kimberley — a proving ground against the country’s elite.
They face two formidable challenges. First up is Monument — arguably the most physically imposing pack in schoolboy rugby this season largely thanks to their two locks Matthew van Deventer and Henco van Geelen. Monument’s backline is no afterthought either, boasting a couple of big boys in Ruan Genis on the wing and Juandre Ehlers in midfield. And they have the glue that makes them stick at 9 in the form of Morne Noble.
It’s a classic case of out of the frying pan and into the fire for School. Awaiting them on Monday is Paarl Gimnasium. The Winelanders are set-piece sound, but have evolved into a side that thrives on high-tempo, 15-man, sevens-style rugby. When they find rhythm, even the most organised defences are stretched to breaking point.
DHS, for their part, are typically well-drilled and clear in their approach. They also boast impressive depth. Still, the next three fixtures represent a stern examination — the odds are stacked against them coming through it unbeaten but they have the character and qualities to give a good account of themselves and who knows perhaps even cause an upset.
In the other match in KZN, Maritzburg College hosts Pretoria Boys’ High. College are on a good run of form and will likely try to bully the Boys’ High pack into submission, as this is the strongest point of their game – domination in and around the rucks. The Candies had a great win over SACS a few weeks back and they need to recapture that same form if they are to stand a chance. During that win their backs played really well – their handling, precision, lines, urgency and variation are all top notch and helped pave the way to success.
| TEAM | possible NORTHWOOD | TEAM | DURBAN HS | ||
| 1 | Awande Mthethwa | u17 | 1 | Likho Konza | u18 |
| 2 | Zak Vrey | u18 | 2 | Iglesias Bruiners | u17 |
| 3 | Janco Visagie | u18 | 3 | Priden Sibiya | u18 |
| 4 | Nala Shabangu | u17 | 4 | Ambesiwe Sipanga | u18 |
| 5 | Ruddy Makoni | u18 | 5 | Bulelani Cebani | u17 |
| 6 | Caeleb Mackenzie | u17 | 6 | Okhule Mbanjwa | u19 |
| 7 | Tinayeishe Ruwona | u19 | 7 | Zion Smith | u18 |
| 8 | Kevin van Vollenstee | u17 | 8 | Daniel Kazambo | u19 |
| 9 | Ludi van der Walt | u18 | 9 | Richaard Kriel | u17 |
| 10 | Sondelani Sheleni | u17 | 10 | Tanwill Onkers | u17 |
| 11 | Jadon Smith | u18 | 11 | Richard Gyamfi | u18 |
| 12 | Sifiso Meyiwa | u18 | 12 | Byron Klaasen | u18 |
| 13 | Andile Thwala | u18 | 13 | Nathan Aneke | u18 |
| 14 | Anesu Kuzonyei | u18 | 14 | Amo Mataboge | u18 |
| 15 | Trevor van Vollenstee | u18 | 15 | Cilermo Carolus | u18 |
| 16 | 16 | Jayden Botha | u18 | ||
| 17 | 17 | Triumso Mokoena | u17 | ||
| 18 | 18 | Omphile Kola | u18 | ||
| 19 | 19 | Devine Kabadi | u18 | ||
| 20 | 20 | Aobakwe Moeng | u17 | ||
| 21 | 21 | Hlomela Mbane | u17 | ||
| 22 | 22 | Kyle Lessels | |||
| 23 | 23 | Sterling Padi | |||
| Coach | JACQUES DEEN | Coach | PETER ENGLEDOW | ||
| TEAM | MARITZBURG COLL | TEAM | PRETORIA BH | ||
| 1 | Linamandla Mabanga | u18 | 1 | Liam Joao-Palm | |
| 2 | Theo Boshoff | u18 | 2 | Emmanuel Honono | |
| 3 | Alande Ngubane | u19 | 3 | Bakang Ramoshaba | |
| 4 | Sean Jansen | u17 | 4 | Matimu Maluleke | |
| 5 | Josh Thompson | u18 | 5 | Frederik Furstenberg | |
| 6 | Mian Pretorius | u18 | 6 | Kwetsima Dlamini | |
| 7 | Caleb Sweetnam | u18 | 7 | Xavier Martin | |
| 8 | Rory Stanton | u18 | 8 | Mbala Ndima | |
| 9 | Dominic du Toit | u18 | 9 | Mabuto Mashego | |
| 10 | Liyema Tsoko | u18 | 10 | Reinier Kruger | |
| 11 | Lwanzo Vyambwera | u17 | 11 | Ayabonga Mabuza | |
| 12 | Olwethu Kosani | u18 | 12 | Ruan Leonard | |
| 13 | Brent Smith | u17 | 13 | Ofentse Matlebjane | |
| 14 | Caleb Scheepers | u18 | 14 | Kaiden Darvall | |
| 15 | Lungelo Hadebe | u18 | 15 | Blake Mager | |
| Coach | HENDRE MARNITZ | Coach | PAUL ANTHONY |
@Henkies (Comment #25)
I was not there but also didnt see anything. I have not heard of anything either. I wonder what happened if anything?
Well done Skywalker, looks like it was a very tight game. Probably not the greatest game as a spectacle as it seemed like a very stop start game with little flow and a high error count. What events happened after the game ? I didnt see anything unusual in the stream but then it did end very soon after the match
Have just rewatched the game, and Boys High were very narrow in the wider channels, which College exploited with ease. A worrying aspect of the game was how scrappy the College lineout was, something which has to be rectified quickly before facing Stellenberg on Saturday.
@TJ (Comment #22)
I watched the first half. The College backs had the greater influence, winning several 1v1 battles in the outside channels. That edge kept the scoreboard ticking over and changing frequently.
The new improved scoreboard building on Goldstones looks fab.
@Skywalker (Comment #21)
Massive result, I do not think many in attendance expected that performance before the game.
@TJ (Comment #20)
Proper win for College on the weekend I saw. Thought it may be closer but seemed like one way traffic
Judging by all the comments you would swear that it was a ref from the MRSU who reffed this match and not one of the impeachable DRSU fraternity!!
@beet (Comment #15)
Saw that too. I was going to ask what would happen if the NW player or the ball made contact with Ronnie standing right at the post? They should not be standing there, or standing at the back if play is coming towards them like that.
@Westville_Boy (Comment #14) I saw the pic too. He could have been on his way down with the ball still and was then held up. In any case, held up or lost forward, it was no try. Inches away. Very glad we snuffed them out at the end. We blew the 7:7 all draw 2 years ago and the close 1st match last year. Very happy for them.
@beet (Comment #15)
Yea also saw that. Anyway was a good game for the neutral
. I Belief the Dhs director wasnt welcomed to post match not sure if thats a rumor or a fact because of the events that followed after the game. Crazy to think these matches are played as if its a world cup final. Anyways in sport someone has to win or lose thats the beauty about sport. I am sure Dhs will Bounce back.
Watched it again now and the ref blows his whistle before the player grounds it behind him, so that part is null and void.
Held up is the call
@Westville_Boy (Comment #12)
Thanks man. I replayed it several times this morning and that’s the most logical conclusion that I could draw, that the ball was lost forward in the act of trying to score. I agree if its not knocked on, then later in the sequence one sees the player with the ball and suggestions he grounded it.
During the first half you can hear the NW coach yelling to the ref to ref the match properly and repeating that he had missed a knock on earlier in the sequence, so perhaps the sentiments were felt both ways.
Also saw the DHS assistant coach was guilty of ball watching while standing in the in-goal area and almost got in the way of a NW player trying to score during the second half.
@Skywalker (Comment #13)
Like I say I have seen a picture that shows otherwise… impossible its held up
@Westville_Boy (Comment #12)
Yes saw them signal held up on the video. The linesman was right on the corner flag so seemed very well positioned to make the call.
@beet (Comment #11) I think you are wrong unless you were at the game?? If you watch the last sequence the linesman calls held up and signals to the ref… and he calls held up… where is the knock on in this… Everyone needs to get their stories straight because what it seems that it was the wrong call… I wasnt there and it isn’t clear in the videos… but I have seen a photo that states otherwise. Such a high stakes match needs to be effed by neutral and capable refs. The state of school boys refs in Kzn is so average. I feel for Dhs something isn’t adding up though.
Northwood – DHS was a very start-stoppish game. Lots of lineouts and agonisingly slow scrums. DHS boys let themselves down in the passing department but at the same time the NW also made the field feel very narrow. There wasn’t flow. Nailbiting ending with DHS winning a series of penalties in the 5m area with time up. They had several chances to cross for the winning try and came within centimeters a few times only to be denied including the last move where 23 appeared to drop the ball in the act of trying to score near the right corner.
DHS 14’s individualistic try was the top highlight of the match.
Nice to see Jamie Wimble back
@Kaya 85 (Comment #9)
Massive win for the 1st team. They have fought hard and come close over the last year or two against DHS at times. Yes the KZN league after Wildeklawer will be one to watch
Northwood on fire 🔥…. Well done Knights. Very very competitive in KZN this year.
@Henkies (Comment #6)
I know! Not sure who picked these fixtures but jeez the boys have a tough line up! Agree, will be rooting for DHS for their games. Both DHS and NW actually did themlves proud against Paarl Gim last year. Think DHS could do well again this year.
@Couchcoach (Comment #5)
Yes they have played some good rugby and when they can attack off scrums and lineouts they look well drilled. yes the KZN league this year is crazy! Hilton, Mhouse, DHS, Westville, Kearsney, MBCollege all strong! Games could go either way.
@Skywalker (Comment #2)
Skywalker I can’t quite work out who has the tougher matches at Wildeklawer – DHS or the Knights? We definitely aren’t handpicking any easy matchups here. Northwood will have had Westville, DHS, Paarl Boys and Garsies all in row. Best of luck to the Knights (not too much luck this weekend but will be rooting for you at Wildeklawer
@Skywalker (Comment #4) Thanks for the update. Northwood have looked good since the Easter festival – even in their absence, so will be a force in the next 2/3 of the season. The top 7 schools in KZN are all looking really good this year.
@Couchcoach (Comment #3) Just took a look on the matchday programme posted online, and I see both are listed to start for the 2nd team. So first games back from unjury since Glenwood game on 14th March. Hope they come through unscathed. So may come on for the 1st’s in the 2nd half.
@Skywalker (Comment #2)
Any word when Parkinson or Wimble will be fit to play?
It should say no quiet before the storm for NW. They did not get the week off, and now face DHS and then also go to Wildeklawer to face Paarl Boys High and Garsfontein, with still no Parkinson or Wimble. They need some luck for this block coming! Hope they can somehow pull one over the horseflies, but cant see that happening if they could not do it the last 2 years.
It’s going to be fireworks…DHS are powerful all round, and with depth too. Monument look very potent, yeah that pack are menacing… haven’t seen much Northwood this year yet, but if they could run Westville that close, they must have big ability and massive potential. Going to be very exciting. Good luck to all the lads, coaches, parents and schools.