After a mid-season hiccup, Durban High School (DHS) is back on track and finished the second term with successive wins over Kearsney (36-24) and an in-form Westville Boys’ High (24-19).
The latter was on their home ground, Van Heerden’s Field, and it remains a rock-solid fortress.
Incredibly, they’ve played only twice at home this season, but they picked up wins over strong opponents in both, also beating Michaelhouse in their opener in March.
Unfortunately, for the home side, they’ll be without their captain, Zion Smith, a Sharks’ Craven Week player, who missed the inter-provincial tournament with injury. He’s a sound lineout option, a dynamo around the park, and an excellent standard-setter whose influence will be missed.
DHS will, however, be buoyed by the achievements of their players at inter-provincial weeks during the mid-year holiday, with Iglesias Bruiners making the South African Schools side, and Priden Sibiya, Nathan Aneke, and Amo Mataboge making SA Schools A. They also provided six players to the Academy Week-winning Sharks u17 side, and five to the Sharks Craven Week team. They’re loaded with high-quality depth.
The visitors to Van Heerden’s on Saturday, Jeppe High School for Boys, have produced a mixed season thus far, winning seven and losing eight. DHS has won the same number of games, but lost half of Jeppe’s number.
In their most recent outing, Jeppe suffered the most puzzling defeat of their campaign, falling 33-37 to a Pretoria Boys High side, which had suffered a 36-point loss to Michaelhouse. Jeppe lost by four to ‘House in April, albeit that they were played out of the game early by Nicolas Salamousas and company, but finished strongly.
Much like DHS, though, they have plenty of quality in their ranks, including five Golden Lions Craven Week players. One of them, Glodi Tshipamba, was selected for the South African Schools side. They had another four players included in the Academy Week squad.
Apart from Michaelhouse, DHS and Jeppe have played four other common opponents, and they sport a similar record in those games: one win and three losses. What those results suggest, though, is that DHS has a better defence than Jeppe.
Compare the results: Jeppe 12 Maritzburg College 35 versus DHS 17 Maritzburg College 18; Jeppe 29 Westville 28 versus DHS 24 Westville 19; Jeppe 6 Northwood 30 versus DHS 14 Northwood 17; and DHS 27 Monument 41 versus Jeppe 29 Monument 47.
The visitors will need to play strong defence against DHS because they have allowed some games to get away from them this season, and running up the score on the Horseflies is unlikely. The Durban side presents a tough physical challenge, and their intensity and performance will be elevated on Van Heerden’s.
Still, if given room, Jeppe plays an inventive and fast game, with some flair in their backline. DHS will work hard to close down space and force Jeppe into poor kicks from which they can launch counterattacks. Jeppe will attempt to do something similar. Of course, everything begins up front, and the team that holds the edge there should exert greater pressure and lay the foundation for success.
Glenwood vs Northwood
It’s only in recent years that Northwood has enjoyed success at Glenwood‘s Dixon’s Field, and the Knights will be favoured to win there again on Saturday.
The Green Machine is still seeking its first big KZN derby win of 2026, and Northwood appears to be an unlikely opportunity to secure that victory. When the sides met at the start of the season on Reece-Edwards Field, the Knights powered their way to a 40-7 win.
Stranger things have happened, but given that margin of victory, the Knights will head into the clash as a hot favourite.
They’re a rugged, hard-nosed outfit, although they’ll be dissatisfied with their last two outings of the second term, where they conceded 34 points in an 11-point win over Kearsney and gave up 43 to Hilton in an 11-point loss.
The biggest challenge facing Glenwood will be creating sufficient space to get the ball out wide. They have some dangerous runners, but they were mostly shut down by Northwood’s smothering defence earlier in the season. However, if Elgenio Oerson, Rosco Williams, Cade Isaacs, and Vincenzo Loutz are afforded room in which to operate, they have the creativity and skills to cause problems.
The Knights’ challenge will be headlined by their captain and eighthman, Jamie Wimble, who was selected for the SA Schools side, and wing Anesu Kuzonyei, who made the SA Schools A side. He has speed to burn and is one of the most dangerous players in the country when contesting cross-kicks in the air.
Another player who impressed during the holiday was flyhalf Sondelani Sheleni, who played a prominent role in helping the Sharks win the Academy Week. He’s a fine all-round player with a trusty boot.
TEAMS
Durban High School vs Jeppe School for Boys, Van Heerden’s Field, Durban, at 12:20.
Durban High School: |15 Tanwill Onkers, 14 Amo Mataboge, 13 Sterling Padi, 12 Nathan Aneke, 11 Richard Gyamfi, 10 Cilermo Carolus, 9 Richaard Kriel, 8 Aobakwe Moeng, 7 Bulelani Cebani, 6 Damien Swart, 5 Jose Lottering, 4 Ambiswe Sipanga, 3 Priden Sibiya, 2 Okuhle Mbanjwa, 1 Likho Konza.
Jeppe (likely): 15 Dalitso Milanzi, 14 Matthew Robbertse, 13 Phano Letsie, 12 Ndimphiwe Mjuji, 11 Lethabo Mashao, 10 Luthando Marangxa, 9 Luxon Zwane, 8 Mihle Dyakala, 7 Ross Schuurman, 6 Hayden Venter, 5 Glodi Tshipamba, 4 Blake Esbend, 3 Kwazi Nyoka, 2 Mehlatse Memeza, 1 Mervedi Nomba.
Glenwood vs Northwood, Dixon’s Field, Durban, at 15:20.
Glenwood: 15 Rosco Williams, 14 Zubenathi Molulo, 13 Cade Isaacs, 12 Elgenio Oerson, 11 Akhukmzi Mjoli, 10 Jonah Chaita, 9 Vincenzo Loutz, 8 Inganathi Pepu, 7 Joshua Edwards, 6 Andile Mbokazi, 5 James Swift, 4 Riley Foxcroft, 3 Zazi Msimango, 2 Tyler Leon, 1 Bona Chibane.
Northwood: 15 Trevor van Volenstee, 14 Jadon Smith, 13 Phinda Nkosi, 12 Sifiso Meyiwa, 11 Anesu Kuzonyei, 10 Sondelani Sheleni, 9 Ludi van der Walt, 8 Jamie Wimble, 7 Tristan Parkinson, 6 Tinayeishe Ruwona, 5 Nala Shabangu, 4 Ruddy Makoni, 3 Janco Visagie, 2 Zak Vrey, 1 Omila Marambana.
