KZN: Kicks Win Matches… Or Do They?

Two Old Boys’ Days in KwaZulu-Natal drew massive crowds and unfolded in very different fashions, yet they shared three common threads: victories for the home teams, match-winning tries by scrumhalves, and goal-kicking that ultimately shaped the outcome.

At Maritzburg College, the showdown against Hilton to determine KZN’s No. 1 1st XV largely followed the expected script. Two forward-orientated teams, neither renowned for flowing or inventive backline play, settled into a bruising power battle.

The day was ultimately won by College’s never-say-die defence, which stood firm to end Hilton’s unbeaten run and deny a side that had arrived at Goldstones averaging 38 points per game a try for the first time all season. In fact, Hilton were restricted to a single-digit score at 14-9.

College’s tries came either side of halftime. The first was scored by powerhouse prop Alande Ngubane, one of the province’s standout performers this season, whose ability to make hard-earned metres in heavy traffic has been invaluable. In typical Ngubane fashion, he powered over from close range, carrying defenders backwards in the process.

The second came from scrumhalf Dom du Toit, whose alertness proved decisive. A quickly taken tap penalty deep inside the Hilton 22 did not catch the visitors napping as hoped but Du Toit evaded several would-be tacklers in his determined effort that got him over for what proved to be the match-winning score.

The part of the story that will probably be forgotten is Hilton’s kicking record. The visitors earned numerous penalties and, given the tight nature of the contest, repeatedly made the correct decision to take points at goal. They succeeded with three attempts but missed several others, two of which would have secured victory.

At Durban High School, the venue overflowed with enthusiastic supporters. By halftime, however, it appeared the home crowd would be heading home disappointed.

Capitalising on a malfunctioning DHS lineout, Westville seized control and looked every bit the stronger side, scoring three unanswered tries while the hosts appeared flat and devoid of ideas. The Griffin tries came from hot property centre Jadrian Afrikaner, lock captain Lwandile Mlaba and flashy fullback Lux Sonkononkono.

Yet a different Horseflies outfit emerged after the break.

DHS showed tremendous character, playing with far greater purpose both with and without the ball. Westville continued to create opportunities, but the home side were far better organised defensively and managed to neutralise all of the threats.

A crucial difference in approach was penalty decision-making. While Westville opted to kick to touch in search of tries, DHS accepted the points on offer. Trailing 19-6 at the break, two more successful penalties to go with the first half efforts, reduced the deficit to 19-12 and brought the home team back within striking distance.

The game-changer on the day proved to be pacey DHS replacement scrumhalf Richaard Kriel.

First, his pinpoint box kick hung perfectly for powerful wing Amogeleng Mataboge, who timed his run to perfection and plucked the ball from the air uncontested. Once in possession, the steam train had no one in front of him and raced away to score beneath the sticks, levelling the contest.

Then came an unforgettable finish.

With time already up, Westville looked set to have the last shot from a lineout near halfway. Instead, DHS talisman Zion Smith produced a magnificent steal. The turnover appeared to catch the visitors completely off guard and, when Kriel received the ball at second receiver, he ignited the afterburners. Spotting a gap that seemed well guarded, he blitzed through, rounded the final defender, and dived over for a dramatic match-winning try. The final score was 24-19.

Elsewhere, Northwood secured a valuable away victory at Kearsney, scoring a remarkable 45 points in the process. It was a season-high tally against the attack-minded hosts, who, despite a valiant defensive effort against Westville earlier in the campaign, have generally been leaky against quality opposition. It ended 45-34.

Michaelhouse comfortably accounted for struggling Gauteng visitors Pretoria Boys’ High, winning 53-17, while Glenwood recorded a regulation 58-14 victory over Clifton.

The battle of the Saints between St Charles and St Stithians produced one of the weekend’s thrillers, with the Pietermaritzburg school edging home 33-31.