23 May 2024
(Article by Marlowe Bloem)
Clifton College vs Durban High School
The only game taking place on Friday. Clifton hosts DHS at the Riverside Sports Club at 15:55. This will be a first meeting for the school’s 1st XVs. DHS will be heavily favoured. They rank within the top 10 teams in South Africa in 2024. It will be a stiff challenge for Clifton as they continue to grow the rugby culture within the school. I predict DHS to win by a comfortable margin.
St Charles vs St Stithians
It’s Saints vs Saints in Pietermaritzburg, on Old Orchards, on Saturday, and it should be a good game. The home team will fancy their chances. They’re blessed with some outstanding playmakers, including their general and Sharks’ Craven Week scrumhalf Matthew Fick. St Stithians started their season strongly but have been inconsistent since a first loss against Jeppe. The pick is for a Saints’ victory. Just kidding, St Charles by 12.
Michaelhouse vs Pretoria Boys High School
Michaelhouse hosts Pretoria Boys High on Meadows at 13:30. Last year, they played in the nation’s capital, where the Midlands visitors won by 15. Pretoria Boys has had a mixed season. They beat Selborne by five, yet they lost to Maritzburg College by 27. Michaelhouse has had a good season, which has included wins over Hilton and Northwood by one and two points respectively.
I predict Michaelhouse to repeat last year’s result, winning by 15 points.
Westville Boys’ High School vs Hilton College
Westville hosts Hilton on Bowden’s at 14:45. The sides last played in 2022, when Hilton won by 40. However, Westville has been an interesting side this season. They drew with KES last weekend. Earlier in the season, they lost by seven away to Jeppe, who had, famously, beaten Grey College at the NMI Toyota North-South Rugby Tournament.
Despite the Griffin’s glimmers of brilliance, I predict Hilton to win by five.
Glenwood High School vs Kearsney College
Glenwood hosts Kearsney College on Dixon’s at 15;00. In past years, one would have, without having to think deeply about it, listed Glenwood as the clear favourites. Last year, though, the Green Machine won by only five on Stott Field. This season, though, Glenwood has struggled for form, and Kearsney will be eager to take advantage of the wounded green beast.
Based off of their recent performance against Westville, I, controversially, predict the Botha’s Hill side to capture a five-point win on Saturday.
Northwood vs Maritzburg College
Northwood vs Maritzburg College on Reece-Edwards Field at 15:30. These two sides have been in the top five in KZN this season, along with DHS, Michaelhouse and Hilton. Last season they played at Maritzburg, on Goldstone’s. The home side won by a 22-point margin. However, the Knights are a different side this season. They drew at home against DHS and travelled to Hilton, where they won by three.
I believe that they will pull through with a five-point victory.
These games promise an action-packed weekend, one that is intriguing, and I am looking forward to it.
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