17 May 2024
(Article by Marlowe Bloem)
It’s a quieter weekend for KZN schoolboy rugby but potentially an action packed one. Marlowe Bloem previews the action and takes a stab at predicting the outcomes of the games.
Westville Boys’ High takes on King Edward VII on Bowden’s Field on Saturday at 12:45. With both teams playing fantastic running games and in good form, spectators should be in for a treat.
Previously, when they met in KZN in 2021, Westville recorded a victory by 11 points. But KES has been on an upward trajectory ever since. Last year, they won by 19 over the Griffin in Johannesburg.
With six wins on the trot, including a 10-point win over Jeppe, who beat Westville by seven in Johannesburg, the Red Army is firing on all cylinders.
In their most recent outing, last Saturday, against a St Benedict’s team that has endured a tough season, KES powered their way to a 72-point win, even with six players missing through illness. Westville, meanwhile, won by 12 at Kearsney, with three late tries from the One-Stripe lending the final score some respectability.
KES will be bolstered by the return of their players who missed the St Benedict’s game, including their front row, which features SA Schools’ hooker Esethu Mnebelele.
Considering the way the season has progressed, I predict KES to win by a margin of 15 points.
In a recent interview Westville coach Njabulo “Jabz” Zulu commended the team spirit of KES. He noted that they are brave in defence and have attacking weapons in their back three.
He also believes in his own team’s abilities. He has predicted a tough game, with both sides well-armed with many dangerous players; perhaps that’s an indication that this could be a game with many tries from both sides.
Westville Boys’ High vs King Edward VII (KES) on Bowden’s Field at 12:45
Westville Boys’ High – 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya, 14 Evan Moolman, 13 Michael Satade, 12 Blake Allbon, 11 Jadrian Afrikaner, 10 Jade-Will Koopman, 9 Ryan Pistor, 8 David Humphreys, 7 Brandon Eke, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 Lwandile Simelane, 4 Moustapher Gcina, 3 Bandile Mncwango, 2 Jeshua Ferreira, 1 Akhona Maseko
KES – 15 Indibabale Mboniswa, 14 Junior Shiburi, 13 Olunje Meholmakulu, 12 Tristan Maugeri, 11 Haniel Monkoti, 10 Simphiwe Moyo, 9 Regan McGurk, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Sam Bruwer, 6 James Kobrowisky, 5 Michael Bownes, 4 Thomas Beling, 3 Nathan van der Merwe, 2 Esethu Mnebelele, 1 Connor White
After the Westville game is finished, Northwood hosts Glenwood on Reece-Edwards Field at 15:00 on Saturday.
Last Saturday, the Knights stuttered to a 32-point loss to Jeppe. It was the first time this season that they were well beaten. They’ve enjoyed a strong season, going toe-to-toe with the other top KZN schools, with the highlight thus far being a victory over Hilton College on Gilfillan Field. They also held a potent DHS team to a 7-7 draw.
The Green Machine last played in Kimberley at the Absa Wildeklawer Festival, against Noordheuwel and HTS Drostdy. They went down by 42 points to Nories and by 21 to the Donkeys. With a very young lineup, they’ve not been the kind of successful team that Glenwood supporters are used to. But they still play with plenty of heart.
They’ll be hoping to change their fortunes on Saturday as they beat the Knights by 12 points when they played them at Northwood last year. However, earlier in that season Northwood won by seven at Glenwood.
Considering their recent form, I predict the Knights to win by a margin of 10 points.
Northwood vs Glenwood on Reece-Edwards Field at 15:00
Northwood – 15 Aphiwe Buthelezi, 14 Kwenzo Dlamini, 13 Siya Nkosi, 12 Bongane Khumalo, 11 Nokutenda Gunda, 10 Savio Stevens, 9 Jed Mun-Gavin, 8 Ethan Macey, 7 Titus Cesonis, 6 Ayavuya Makula, 5 Lian Terblanche, 4 Khwezi Kunene, 3 Reuben Vos, 2 Werner van Nieuwenhuizen, 1 Sphe Ntshangase
Glenwood – 15 Lesedi Khumalo, 14 Caleb Reeding, 13 Sisiphiwo Dwayi, 12 Kungawo Ncamazane, 11 Lizwe Mtetwa, 10 Juan Viljoen, 9 Lian Lochner, 8 Mkhululi Mhlongo, 7 Yannick Mwamba, 6 Tyler Conyngham, 5 Tylo Madaat, 4 Michael Ize Iyamu, 3 Uzukhanye Xaba, 2 Martin jnr van Wyngaardt 1 Ronald Petersen
At the Riverside Sports Club, Clifton College welcomes St Alban’s College for a 14:00 showdown.
Both teams were in action at the Saints Sports Festival in Johannesburg earlier this season, where the Pretoria school gave St Charles College a tight game, with the Pietermaritzburg boys winning it 22-16. Last weekend, Saints beat Clifton 36-12 at Riverside. Accordingly, St Alban’s should be considered the slight favourites for Saturday’s clash.
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