May 2026
Hilton were dominant in the first half — so dominant, in fact, that it is tempting to say their effort won the game in this half.
They had forward ascendancy, controlled the lineout battle, and their much-revered territorial kicking game functioned beautifully. Spearheaded by the hang-time and precision Ruan Muller consistently generates, and aided by Michaelhouse being forced to receive into the sun, Hilton turned the aerial contest into a weapon. House even resorted to an innovative lineout-style lift to field one of the not-so-contestable kicks — a clear indication of the preparation concerns around Hilton’s disruptive kicking pressure.
Credit must go to the Hilton forwards, particularly Craven Week hopefuls No 8 Zander Muller, who carried with authority, and lock Andrew Schnell, who was an absolute nuisance at the lineout, not to mention his valuable contribution around the park.
Out wide, the electric Tomupeishe Gurupira finished a well-taken brace, scoring once on either side of half-time after two quality team build-ups.
At 13-0 up at the break, Hilton looked firmly in control.
What was particularly impressive about Hilton’s first-half display was their pragmatism. They took points when they were on offer, built scoreboard pressure, and avoided overplaying in key moments.
But Michaelhouse found a very different gear in the second half, with centre Alex Jankowitz at the heart of the fightback.
Jankowitz has already impressed this season as a superbly rounded player — comfortable distributing, kicking out of hand, and slotting goals — but this match showcased another side of his game. His directness and leg drive through contact were outstanding. It was the type of performance that surely strengthens his case as the frontrunner for the Craven Week No 12 jersey.
A clever training-ground setup off a scrum allowed Michaelhouse to isolate him, running hard and flat at what appeared to be Hilton’s softer defensive options in the backline, as well as their smallest forward. In those collisions, Jankowitz was simply too powerful for all four would-be tacklers.
Hilton did briefly restore breathing room at 20-7 through their second and final try.
Top commentator Andrew Duncan, meanwhile, continued his enduring love affair with all things late 1990s Brumbies. In a moment of mild rugby historical injustice, an outrageously ugly swan dive was credited to Ben Tune rather than its true spiritual owner — the patron saint of theatrical finishes himself, Chris Ashton: the Ash Splash.
Duncan was, however, spot on in highlighting scrumhalf Ben Hughes’ behind-the-back assist to flank Jed Reilly as pure Gregan-to-Finnegan vintage. Hughes later produced a near carbon copy from close range, this time combining with hooker Max Oliva to send Michaelhouse over and into the lead for the first time at 21-20 with under 10 minutes remaining.
Then came the decisive moment with time almost up.
Left wing Liyema Gazi produced the kick-ahead and chase that ultimately shifted the contest. His effort found valuable grass in the middle of the 22, allowing Hilton to regather under pressure they exerted on House. From the ensuing pick-and-go phases, Hilton earned a penalty.
Reserve flyhalf Nico Davel stepped up and held his nerve to slot the winner.
The moment carried two layers of significance.
It sealed Hilton’s 100th victory over Michaelhouse and ensured outgoing coach Brad Macleod-Henderson signed off with one final home Midlands Derby win. Meaningful as that was, there is little doubt the return fixture on Meadows at the end of the season will carry even greater emotional weight.
@Boereworsgordyn (Comment #13)
I’m not sure. I can only speculate. Maybe it’s not their immediate goal. Perhaps they want to first establish themselves as the perennial KZN programme before aiming to become a national powerhouse (Top 10), if that is even a goal. The home-and-away nature of the KZN fixtures also makes it difficult to schedule new opposition without creating a bloated fixture list. I think all schools should be limited in terms of the number of fixtures they can play in a year, but that’s a separate discussion. Hilton has a good programme in terms of A-level sides; they recruit well, and the programme is well run. The size of the school, the range of winter sport options, and the tuition fees will always limit its ceiling. Still, if all goes well, the stars could align, and it could produce a genuine Top 10 team.
@Rolling Subs (Comment #11)
Why is Hilton College not playing more top-10 schools outside KZN? Their ranking might be flattering without consistently facing the strongest opposition nationally. Unless they play Top 5 schools outside KZN, no ways they can be regarded as T10.
@Henkies (Comment #9)
And I’m waiting for the “Just broke 7 ribs” variation….because its coming!
@stent99 (Comment #10)
I agree with the notion that Hilton plays an easier schedule compared to the other top KZN teams. They rarely play a top 10 team (last was HJSP in 2022) outside of KZN. The Westville team of 2025, didn’t play a top 10 team at all. At least College, Northwood, DHS and Westville went to Wildeklawer in search of stronger competition this year, even though they didn’t record a single win, there were some good contests. Hilton needs to look at stronger tests outside of KZN if they want to stand out nationally. Maybe they are content with their current standing.
Hilton play nobody – DHS, Northwood and co play some big schools which can impact injuries and fatigue. BMH plays the same way which is incredibly effective but so boring to watch. Their outside backs get no ball – they are there to chase up and unders! I haven’t seen a flash set piece move from Hilton in years.
@beet (Comment #5) Beet I’ve noticed a lot of variation creeping into the Swan dive in the schoolboy game over the last few years. There’s the dive with an unusual side twist in mid air and then there is ‘The Double’ – the try scorer Swan dives followed by a dive by his teammate following up in support. Not quite as distasteful as Ashton’s but not far off
@Smallies (Comment #7)
Phillip Burger – great trip down memory lane.
But I maintain, Ashton still produced the thing of ultimate ugliness
@beet (Comment #5) Go check out Phillip Burger’s dives
@beet (Comment #5)
so funny…
i prefer a low safe dive over the line.
@SJ (Comment #4)
I can’t remember whether it was footage of Gerrie Germishuys on tour in 1981 or thereabouts, racing clear and, with absolutely no one around him, still deciding to execute one of those gloriously but unnecessary Superman-style dives. It looked slightly out of place because he was under no pressure whatsoever to score.
Back then, players would properly sail through the air — almost vertically at times — much like the modern finishes where a wing about to get tackled into touch, launches himself over the corner flag and touchline, somehow grounding the ball in goal for a try while his entire body is. Pure theatre. Maximum wow factor.
I think Ben Tune belonged in that category of graceful divers.
But the ugly monstrosity — the one that induces the same physical discomfort as fingernails dragged slowly across a chalkboard — is the swan dive. And there was no sight in rugby more aesthetically offensive than watching Chris Ashton perform one. The only thing that comes close is watching any forward trying to do same.
Ben Tune was swan diving into that right hand corner years before Ashton came into the scene.
@Henkies (Comment #2) Yes at Hilton this year. From what I know we have only beaten them once in the last 12 years or so, being 2024 at Hilton. They are alway so well drilled and very hard to play against! Seems again this year. Last year they came to our OBD and beat us, so would love to see us get a win there this year, but we have some very tough games before (Westville again, Maritzburg College, Jeppe and Kearsney), so a lot ot get through still. This KZN league is so even. On the day anyone can win.
@Skywalker (Comment #1)
Knights v Hilton will be a great game Skywalker. I think you must be playing them @Hilton this year ?
Where is BMH going? Why is he leaving? He has done great things with Hilton rugby. Again this year it seems, despite okes thinking DHS and Westville were the front runners, the boys from Hilton are leading the way with an unbleshimed record so far. They are clearly very hard to beat