TOP STORY
Kearsney College 1st XV & the Saints in a 67-point 10-try blockbuster
KEARSNEY College first XV and St Stithians of Johannesburg produced a match chock-full of adventurous running studded with moments of individual brilliance and well-worked tries but punctuated with an uncomfortable number of unforced errors.
The touchdowns on The Stott were shared 5 apiece.
Next up for Kearsney is another home game – when they meet Hilton College this Saturday, 2 June 2018 on The Stott.
Kearsney lit up the scoreboard first in the St Stithians match through a penalty goal by the ever-consistent Taine Muirhead (3-0).
The 3-pointer in the 6th set the tone in the next 10 but errors coupled with wrong options kept the Saints within reach.
Kearsney pressure finally turned into a 7-pointer… a move that reflected much work on the training paddock saw fullback Robbie Koenig break the line before forwards/backs contributed to set up winger Gcina Gumede’s flight over the whitewash out left (10-0).
Featured image: Kearsney College fullback Robbie Koenig races away from his St Stithians pursuer during the 36-31 victory on The Stott Saturday.
Photo Tracey van den Aardweg
Momentum shifted… Saints collected a Kearsney outlet-pressure kick to nail a collective 7 points in dazzling fashion out right (10-7).
The hosts recovered fast. From the kick-off, pressure earned a penalty after a dangerous tackle on winger Gumede.
Kearsney opted for a scrum feed. A precision backline move ensued. A marked degree of player-to-player awareness and cohesion – earned through considerable effort at trainings – resulted in the selfsame Gumede touching down on the other side of the park from where Saints had transgressed.
The Muirhead conversion set Kearsney 17-7 at halftime.
The teams changed ends and St Stithians gave evidence that they were far from done. Somewhat against the flow, the visitors capitalised from a spilled ball, making short work of a disorganised defence (17-12).
A Saints touchdown would tip the balance in the visitors’ favour for the first time. It duly happened when Kearsney let themselves down with another soft error and the 7-pointer saw the scoreboard read Kearsney 17 St Stithians 19.
Not for long. A quickly-taken Kearsney penalty and clever punt was followed up by fullback Koenig. As the 15 readied to catch-and-dive for try-time, a Saints tackler committed too early. The consequent penalty try tilted the balance in Kearsney’s favour once again (24-19).
The Kearsney spark blossomed into full-blown flame when, first, lock forward Jordan Morum benefited following structured play off a scrum launch. Then, a quickly-taken Muirhead/Koenig lineout combo stretched Kearsney’s lead to 36-19 with 14 left.
Once again, the Saints signalled they weren’t done. Sustained pressure earned 5 points (36-24).
With the final whistle looming, further mindful attack by the Saints culminated in Kearsney losing a yellow-carded defender.
A converted try confirmed that Saints made maximum of the opportunity.
Final score – Kearsney 36 (17) St Stithians 31 (7)
Kearsney – 5 tries, 4 conversions, 1 penalty
St Stithians – 5 tries, 3 conversions
Kearsney match summation – Positives: ball-in-hand & field-position. Concerns: missed opportunities & at-times poor discipline.
Next up: Kearsney vs Hilton College on The Stott.
Date & kick-off: Saturday, 2 June 2018 at 3pm.
* Kearsney Founders Weekend.
Kearsney character edges St Stithians by 1 goal in 7
KEARSNEY College first hockey team won a 7-goal thriller against St Stithians College under lights in Botha’s Hill Friday 25 May 2018.
The score was 4-3 after Saints had led 2-0 and then 2-1 at the changeover.
Featured image: Kearsney keeper Jethro Strydom is kept on his toes.
Photo Tracey van den Aardweg
The victory is a tribute to the character in the Kearsney team as they chased for much of the game, trailing 1-0 then 2-0 before 2-1, 2-2, then 3-2 behind before 3-3 and the endgame 4-3 win.
It’s set Kearsney head coach Sihle Ntuli’s side up nicely for the Founders Weekend match vs Hilton College come 11h15 Saturday 2 June.
Both the Kearsney and Saints teams started well, with the hosts controlling possession, but St Stithians seemed to have more energy in the early stages and forced Kearsney into mistakes, which they capitalised on to go 2-0 up against the run of play.
Kearsney captain Guy Morgan pulled one back just before half time, through a penalty corner drag flick to bring the score to 2-1 going into the break.
The second half started much better for Kearsney, who had to chase the game if they were going to get a positive result. Once again, through a penalty corner, Ben Proctor got on the end of a variation to level the scores at 2-2.
Straight after, St Stithians hit back and went 3-2 up, but Kearsney’s Liam Maguire went on a solo run to score a great individual goal and level the game 3-3.
Kearsney were then awarded a penalty corner with three seconds left on the clock, Morgan flicked and the ball was run down but found itself on Steven Conway’s stick. He didn’t hesitate to slam it into the bottom corner and clinch a dramatic 4-3 win for Kearsney.
DHS 10 Shakur La Douce @ Glenwood Old Boys Day… & more
THE delightful flyhalf that is Shakur La Douce on tomorrow’s Big Show vs Glenwood on Dixons:
“Thanks for asking me sir; yes we’ve still got that positive vibe since the 40-35 over the Red Black & White (Maritzburg College last Saturday).
“The atmosphere at Van Heerdens during that KZN derby was great. Playing in front of big crowds is something I have aspired to since I was a rugby-crazy little boy.”
Featured image: DHS playmaker Shakur La Douce – watched closely by School kicking coach Lyle Matthysen – has the complete game to keep Glenwood guessing.
- They may not be at Van Heerdens Saturday but that won’t stop the DHS boys from getting behind their team!
“This week’s preparation hasn’t been easy. We have done a lot of running and the coaches have also prepared us mentally to make sure… We are ready to take on Glenwood… we know we are.
“We are 100% mentally ready to beat Glenwood. We have the players and the gameplan. Mr Scott Mathie (DHS head coach) has a plan for Glenwood… ”
- DHS first XV captain & number 8 Mpilo Gumede is on Dixons at Glenwood Saturday.
A final word from a fine young man: “Thanks again sir… It’s going to be a special day for DHS and Glenwood.”
Well said, young man… Whatever the result, the most important thing to remember is that sport is an educational tool… it teaches life skills like no other.
So, what is the philosopher’s stone going to reveal? Yes, it’s the Glenwood/DHS muscle-up on Dixons Saturday? Who among the Glenwood/DHS set will come out on top? Who among these great Durban, KZN and South African schools will stamp their colours on the pages of history?
Green Machine vs Blue & Gold… Kick-off 13h55.
FNB Classic Clash – tune in at 13h50 on SuperSport 10 or search on YouTube.
*****
OK, okay this is my special indulgence…
Shakur La Douce, Sandile Patrick Valentino Dube, Sanele Someleze Nohamba… DHS men surely have the names, the monikers, that take the innocent straight to Hip Hop and House, hey Jackal?
“Before the unknowing (not Jackal) discover that the theatres of KZN10 schoolboy rugby are a better bet if one hopes to nail down these colourful characters in the Blue & Gold family.
Fortunately for you, dear KZN10 supporters, I know you would have been miffed if I’d started the story with my *piffery musings. I was going to ask that you please be patient… Like a meticulously planned pre-match warm-up from your favourite conditioning coach, I was going to say, “Have courage, I’m gradually building up to views a’La Douce…
- Sandile Patrick Valentino Dube… DHS Über Alles… 2017 DHS captain & SA Schools’ Pepsi Buthulezi.
To continue – The name Valentino is an Italian baby name… well, In Italian the meaning of the name Valentino is: Brave & strong. Now that’s more like the Sandile Patrick Valentino Dube I know… one of the most passionate DHS fans and sports coaches you’re ever likely to discover.
- DHS first XV, Sharks U18 Craven Week & SA Schools 9 Sanele Nohamba thrilled KZN10 crowds last year.
THE 2017 DHS, Sharks U18 & SA Schools scrumhalf & Player of the 2017 Craven Week Sanele Nohamba was instrumental in the Hamba la (the polite translation means to “Go Away”) of many teams last year.
Let’s see if who’s going to deliver a polite Hamba la tomorrow.
Oh ye long-suffering KZN10 readers, the sorely-earned instinct borne of avoiding rabid loose forwards tells me I’d better shut up.
So, will the even more evocative Shakur La Douce do the same for DHS should the Sharks U18 Academy Week flyhalf (selected just yesterday) conjure up the intoxicating potion of skill sets he so vividly demonstrated in School’s more-than-impressive 45-30 win over the Red Black White on Van Heerdens last Saturday?
It’s all for the taking.
# Jackal Ntakuseni Tshikosi is a former Michaelhouse first XV player with a great sense of humour.
* The word (lol) “piffery”… Don’t Google – I made it up. Why? Easy answer, dear reader… ‘cos it sounded good…
Clive the Knight vs SCC’s Saint Brak on Northwood Old Boys Day!
JUST 31-24 to Northwood on Old Orchards in Harwin Road. St Charles College first XV want to turn that result on it’s head come 3pm Saturday on Reece-Edwards in Durban North.
It’s Northwood Reunion Weekend & Old Boys’ Day, folks… read Knights’ head coach Torsten Sorensen & Saints’ director of rugby & 1st XV co-coach Petrus du Plessis‘s take on The Big Show that’ll play out on Reece-Edwards… with mascot Clive the Knight and his Saints counterpart Brak willing their heroes on.
In short, it’s Acquit ye like Men Quisque Sibi Verus (to thine own self be true) of Northwood versus Fideli certa merces (to the faithful one a certain reward) of St Charles.
Northwood first XV number 8 Ranger Mfakado and his fellow loosies will be a threat to Saints in all facets.
Here’s Torsten – “Hi Jono, preparations this week have been a challenge with our fields being out of bounds due to preparations for the festivities but we have planned ahead and trained at Crusaders RFC.
“The boys are very excited, it’s been a great week building up… the Knights’ Old Boys have been visiting the school with words of encouragement and sharing some war stories from past years. The school is certainly buzzing a bit more than usual and today’s Old Boys’ Assembly was special.
‘We must ensure that both teams have fun, learn and enjoy’
“Some goose bumps and even a lump in the throat for a few who really enjoyed the war cries and school song. We look forward to a great day of sport against St Charles and look forward to welcoming them to our fine school.
“We’ve had to look after a few players who sustained bumps and bruises from last weekend’s match against Clifton. We are at full strength this weekend and are looking forward to a solid team performance.
Come the 3pm kick-off on Reece-Edwards field in Durban North Saturday, elusive Saints fullback Prince Mazeka will be planning to keep Northwood Knights’ flyhalf JP du Preez at arm’s length. It was Knights 32 Saints 24 in the match-up on Old Orchards.
Photo Martin Ashworth
“St Charles are a resilient team, well coached and mentally tough. Our win margin was close in the first encounter so they will have some confidence coming into this game. We expect a very hard game. We had a hard but honest review of our performance in the first game and we felt we were soft on defence at times, which gifted St Charles a few tries.
“We’ve worked really hard on a few areas of our game since then and have had to change a few things for this game. All we as coaches can ask is that each player plays to his best ability; that they stay true to our team values, protocols and goals, which were cemented in place at the start – and live those things each day.
“We’ve been really proud of the boys up till now. With the added pressure of a very large crowd and the expectation to win, Saturday will be a massive mental challenge. We’re in the business of education first and foremost, and it’s very important that we focus on processes and outcomes in a learning environment without a win at all costs approach.
“Win or lose tomorrow, we must ensure that both teams have fun, learn and enjoy the experience.”
Saints euphoria: The St Charles College boys will be intent on celebrating touchdown time on Northwood Old Boys’ Day.
Photo Martin Ashworth
The Blue & Silvers’ war cries can expect an equally spirited challenge from Brak’s Boys of St Charles, although Saints’ ranks – way smaller in numbers – will be far outweighed by the host school’s complement of 1 200 boys .
Co-coach of the SCC first XV Petrus du Plessis says the Saints’ flagship team’s trainings this week have been short, sharp and solid.
“With half term we only had three practices this week, but we did manage to lift the intensity a bit more. We are at full strength. Our outside centre Mark Tedder, who was out with a finger injury since the Easter festival, returns this week. Mark acquitted himself well for us last year.”
‘We need to be great in the little things’
As to what Petrus expects Northwood to bring to the party in terms of strengths? “They have a very strong wing, who runs hard and fast… we expect them to move the ball to his side quite a bit.”
And what are Petrus and first XV co-coach Nick Jackson asking of the Saints lads? “I’m looking for my boys to work harder in general play to get into position. We need to be great in the little things.
“The Saints boys are excited to play on Northwood Old Boys Day… Very excited! They want to rewrite the books for this game.”
To the Northwood Knights, their Old Boys and the travelling St Charles College contingent, KZN10.com says, “Here’s to a wonderful spectacle of rugby!”
140 Adelaide Tambo Drive here I come!!!
KZN Craven Week, Academy Week, Grant Khomo Week & CD teams named
Graphic denoting KZN TEAMS, PLAYERS AND SCHOOLS appears at the foot of this feature –
Reference: Beet’s School Boy Rugby Blog.
Paarl Boys’ High, celebrating their 150th anniversary, host Craven Week & Academy Week July 8 to 14.
Grant Khomo Week takes place from July 1 to 6 at Hoërskool Diamantveld in Kimberley.
Sharks U18 – Craven Week
12 Glenwood, 4 DHS, 2 Kearsney, 2 Westville & 1 each from Maritzburg College, Hilton & Michaelhouse
Featured image: Michaelhouse centre Dane Fischer is in the Sharks U18 Craven Week team.
Photo Martin Ashworth
Sharks U18 – Academy Week
6 DHS, 6 Hilton, 4 Maritzburg College, 3 Glenwood, 2 Westville, & 1 each from Michaelhouse & Northwood
Sharks U16 – Grant Khomo Week
5 Maritzburg College, 4 Northwood, 4 Westville, 4 Glenwood, 2 Hilton, 2 St Charles, & 1 each from Michaelhouse & Kearsney
Sharks U16 – Selectors XV
3 Glenwood, 3 Kearsney, 3 Hilton, 3 DHS, 2 Northwood, 2 Westville, 2 Michaelhouse, 2 Maritzburg College, 2 St Charles
Sharks U18 – Country Districts
5 Pioneer, 4 Port Shepstone, 3 Richards Bay, 3 Newcastle, & 1 each from Suid-Natal, Eshowe, Development, Ferrum, Curro Mount Richmore, Vryheid Landbou, John Ross College & Sarel Cilliers
Please note
* In the cases of the U18 and U16 teams (not including Country Districts) the “1 of 12”, “3 of 7” and onwards denotes the number of players in each school from both U18 teams (and both U16 teams).
Please note
* 22 players, not 23, were selected for the Sharks U16 Selectors XV.
* The 4 other teams each have the standard 23 players.
THE TEAMS
THE HARD YARDS HAVE PAID OFF!
Conan Lefleur on Saturday’s 1st XV Durban Derby: Glenwood vs DHS
GLENWOOD first XV head coach Derek Heiberg describes his 2017 SA Schools outside centre thus:
“Conan Lefleur? Strong work ethic, strong defensively, linebreak ability on attack, member of our leadership group who are an extension of our management team throughout the week and on game day.”
There’s not much more a coach could ask of his player.
Chatting to Conan, his coach’s assessment comes out in this powerfully built 13’s replies.
“Thank you for taking the time, sir, I really appreciate it.
“I feel very honoured to play on Dixons Saturday because it’s our first home game as a team and we want to make it very special in sharing this day with our proud Old Boys who are traveling from far, as well as the Old Boys closer to home.”
‘Playing in front of such a big crowd is just unbelievable…’
“It’s one of those games we will remember for the rest of our lives’
It’s a big one for Conan and the unbeaten Green Machine – Yes folks, it’s the age-old Durban Derby with the Blue and Gold of Durban High School… On Dixons. On Glenwood Old Boys Day. It’s a 1.55pm kick-off … It’s Saturday, 26 May 2018.
“I think it’s going to be one of those games that we will remember for the rest of our lives,” says the midfielder.
“It (last year’s Durban derby) was very special indeed. Unfortunately we couldn’t convert pressure into points and that cost us the game.”
Glenwood 17 DHS 20 it was.
Glenwood centre Conan Lefleur… strong on attack and defence…
Photo: TRACEY VAN AARDWEG
Like this year, the 2017 match was also played on Glenwood Old Boys Day – In honour of the DHS 150th anniversary celebrations 2 years ago. What would have been a Glenwood home game was appropriately transferred to School’s beloved Van Heerdens.
Last year’s match was an absolute cracker of a cracker.- as illustrated by DHS kicking coach Lyle Matthysen, an assistant to head coach Scott Mathie: “Anyone who watched the game will tell you it was one of the best, if not the best, game of schoolboy rugby they have ever seen.”
Back to Conan: “Dixons was packed last year… with a massive crowd full of passion for the game. Playing in front of such a big crowd is just unbelievable… It motivates me to keep on going till the last minute. I love it when I’m doing the best I can – and that’s playing inspirational rugby.
“But what happened last year is over and done with. For us as the Green Machine it’s not about getting revenge for last year, it’s about playing as a family, Stick to our game plan and the scoreboard will give the true reflection.”
The 2018 Glenwood first XV have 13 wins from 13 starts. Last week in Krugersdorp, the Green Machine beat Monnas 49-22.
“I think with the expansive gameplan that we play… it’s very difficult for a team to defend it.
“The build-up towards Saturday has not been easy because there is always room for improvement but, as I say, when the going gets tough the tough get going.”
Well said, Conan.
May Saturday’s muscle-up go down in the annals of KZN schoolboy rugby history as yet another Durban Derby to remember.
KZN hockey showdown this afternoon: Red Army vs Clifton on Pape’s Astro
Keegan has been head of hockey at Clifton for two years while his opposite number Dylan Coombes is in his first year at the helm on Fortress Pape’s.
Both outfits are encouraged to execute an exciting brand of attacking hockey that has at its core a number of similarities:
Calmness under pressure
Skonk, the Crow’s Nest… the Class of ’81 … Toffa’s tales…
“THE Red Black and White stands for family, friendship, tradition, shared values and an undying loyalty. I will never forget those days and still attend Old Boys Reunions from time to time… and re-live that special feeling each time.”
The Toffa Hattingh story is remarkable for many reasons. Coming to Maritzburg College’s Nathan House as a wide-eyed boarder in 1977 – knowing absolutely no-one, must have been the biggest possible shock to the system of a 13 year old. Yet four short years later Toffa left Maritzburg College as a hugely popular and deeply respected head prefect, Natal Schools’ lock forward, shot putt champion and a mean guitar player.
As Toffa’s time in the head prefect’s Crow’s Nest digs perched atop Clark House – and the Class of 81’s year – was nearing its close, the one and only Dave Dell, who was the senior teacher in charge of prefects, said in a meeting with us 1982 prefects-in-waiting that “Hattingh was the best Maritzburg College head prefect in 25 years.”
‘The fact that Skonk remembered my dad was extra motivation’
Featured image the Maritzburg College Foundation logo: Much of what Toffa says in this feature’s opening paragraph speaks of a culture, a community, its aspirations… captured in the success story that is the Maritzburg College Foundation. If you would like to know more, contact the Foundation at 033 345 9660 admin@collegefoundation.co.za or go to http://collegefoundation.co.za/
Toffa and his dad, Boet Hattingh (1951 first XV flyhalf) donated these special pieces of memorabilia to the Maritzburg College Museum, situated in one of the 155-year-old school’s venerable red-brick buildings – a structure that the boys of decades back coined the ‘Crystal Palace’. Insets in the picture frame nearest Toffa feature his head prefect’s badge, a photo of Toffa’s dad, as well as one of his brother-in-law, head of Maritzburg College mathematics Piet Snyman, who coached the Maritzburg College first XV during a four-year period, from 2009 to 2012.
‘One Skonk story was about a lock forward with a bit of a boep called Vanderplank’
Christopher Willem Hattingh… the moniker “Toffa” stuck from toddler years when “Christopher” was a bit of a mouthful for young Hattingh, so in the manner so endearing of little kids young Christopher decided that Toffa was a better bet when introducing himself.
Brought up on his mom and dad’s trading store in deepest Zululand somewhere near-ish to Nongoma, Toffa’s primary school days were spent in an establishment where standards 1 (grade 1) to 5 (grade 7) consisted of a handful of rural children in a single classroom. Toffa’s gran was the teacher, most of the lessons were in Afrikaans. There was no team sport, obviously, so no rugby, no nothing apart from a bit of fun in the back yard with his mom, dad, and considerably older sisters Sally-Anne and Louise.
Toffa was in my standard 6 class. Knowing Toffa had no-one in the KZN capital to visit after the boarders’ compulsory morning church on Sundays, I invited this deeply sensitive, lost soul (okay, that’s a bit of writer’s licence) to come have Sunday lunches with the Cooks. Gradually, step by step, this country boy grew in confidence and blossomed into the esteemed young man who was chosen to lead the Maritzburg College pupil body in a quick-as-a-flash four years’ time.
‘… the ball hit the crossbar and bounded back onto his big belly…’
Now a senior member of the SA Air Force, who started his military career as a Parabat, here’s the (primarily rugby) story I invited Toffa to tell:
“The 1981 Maritzburg College first XV played DHS home and away. We won both. The atmosphere was unbelievable… The game was over in what felt like seconds. The away game was extra special as it was my last game for College, my last game in the Red Black and White. I remember crying my eyes out as I ran onto Van Heerdens…
“I cannot recall any major parts of the games or the people… just know we were always about team effort. Individual performance was secondary. The fact that we did not wear numbers also struck a chord with me. Team first, we are one.”
‘Skonk was the greatest… Best scrum coach ever’
When asked to jog my fog-enshrouded memory as to who were regular members of the unbeaten 1981 Maritzburg College first team, Toffa didn’t hesitate for a second:
”Fullback Clive Cole, right wing Keven Stander, centres Kevin Torlage, Ross Cooper (Mike White), left wing Mike Wessels, flyhalf Henry Coxwell (captain), scrumhalf Brett Walker (vice-captain), front-row Cliffy Torlage, Buster Mackenzie (hooker) and Lance ‘Skove’ Gold, locks (Mike) “Rab” Bode, (Dave “Toti” Waters) and myself, flanks Wayne Glover and Dave Slater-Kinghorn, Boetie Potgieter eighthman.”
Four members of that unbeaten side went on to play Craven Week – the devastating halfbacks Coxwell (vice-capt) and Walker, centre Kevin Torlage, and Toffa at lock. The talk amongst a number of knowledgeable KZN schoolboy rugby observers was that centre Ross Cooper might well have made that 1981 Nat Schools side had it not been for the injury that sadly cut short his season.
Let’s get back to Toffa and what it meant to him to represent the Red Black and White: “To play for a school that many generations of College boys had played for, was particularly special. I was coached by the same guy that coached my dad 30 years before, Skonk. The fact that Skonk remembered my dad was extra motivation.
“Skonk was the greatest. Would talk a lot and use examples from previous teams and players to make a point. Best scrum coach ever. I believe the current Boks could still benefit from his techniques.
“One Skonk story I always remember was about a lock forward with a bit of a boep called Vanderplank…
“Skonk wanted us to remember to follow up on kicks at posts. He said that Vanderplank religiously followed up on every kick and never had any luck … Until one day when the ball hit the crossbar and bounded back onto his big belly. He managed to hold on and fell over under the posts for a try. So Skonk’s lesson: “Always chase after a place-kick.”
Toffa says Skonk always spoke isiZulu and had a knack for spotting talent: “I remember one year (1980) he just disappeared from firsts and seconds practice on Goldstones… went walking down to the 5ths and 6ths practice. He returned with a small player from the 5ths (Louis Oosthuizen) who ended up playing first team flank.
“The Red Black and White stands for family, friendship, tradition, shared values and an undying loyalty. I will never forget those days and still attend Old Boys Reunions from time to time… and re-live that special feeling each time.”
Thanks Toffs – for me personally you brought back memories that were quite emotional in parts.
*Prop forward Bertram Eustace Vanderplank was born in Melmoth (in Zululand terms not too-oooo far from Toffa’s childhood place lol) on 29 April 1894.
Mr Vanderplank of Eshowe Rugby Football Club and Natal (1924) was the fourth member of the 15 young men of the Red Black and White to represent the Springboks…
At the age of 30, Bertram propped the Bok scrum in a pair of Test matches – against the 1924 British Isles (now British &Irish Lions).
Bertram Eustace’s’s Bok debut was on South Africa’s own House of Pain… the Boet Erasmus Stadium in Port Elizabeth on 13 September 1924. His second – and last – Test match in the Green and Gold colours of South Africa was on the gentler turf of Newlands.
Clearly the Vanderplank determination that Skonk spoke of bore its just reward post-school…
In the beginning… Jono’s painful memories of the DHS U13A rugby side
IT was the year circa 1977.
Michael Osz on the left wing – beyond blistering pace – Leighton Higgo on the right – unbelievable strength and explosive power – loose forwards like starving, rabid Rottweilers with an insatiable appetitefor scrumhalves and flyhalves… an absolute stormer of a DHS U13A pack…
DHS Old Boy Andrew ‘Shedders’ Shedlock – Springbok water polo and Shedders Cricket Academy just a couple of his many achievements.
As a 13-year-old second former (grade 8) this is what I saw. And, painfully, felt in the return match on Van Heerdens, lol .
When you’re playing against a side that’s so much better, this is what you can feel – so very, very real to an impressionable young mind.
Thankfully I was injured for that first Maritzburg College vs DHS U13A match in 1977. The venue was Snows, the rugby and cricket field just below Goldstones…
In my Merchiston Prep School standard 5 (grade 7) year I’d never, ever, encountered such beasts. Well, on that welcome-to-the-big-wide-world-of-high-school day on Snows, with tries still 4 points, School U13’s ran riot, especially Mike Osz and Leighton Higgo, all the way to the 40-plus to zilch endgame score and then some.
The return match on Van Heerdens… I was unfortunately fit.
The late Ken Elliott (who went on to become a much-loved and respected Maritzburg College headmaster) was our coach. The MC U13A captain – quickest off the mark and our best tackler by a country mile – was one Henry Gordon Coxwell. With much good sense, Mr Elliott decided that H should move to fullback, primarily – I surmise – to contain the Osz/Higgo threat. Yours truly, right wing that year, though more accustomed to playing flyhalf in Merchiston Prep days, was moved to 10…
Well, it was absolute mayhem… The monstrous DHS U13A pack got plentiful front-foot ball – primarily thanks to (the late) Andrew “Waka” Carl and his front-row cohorts along with fellow tight five cronies Chris Edwards and Steve Meyer… and this time their loosies, Messrs Farrant and Cross, didn’t bother to give their backs a run – numbers 6, 7 and 8 skipped going to the tryline through A (Jimmy Cook), B, C & D on to Osz/Higgo… They wisely decided much better to go from A to Z in one move. The result? The sum of 40-odd points to zero, nada, again.
Does my Maritzburg College age-group tale of woe continue?? “No!” he cried! The next year, on Lamonds, just below College Road, one Arthur Wormington (the multi-talented sportsman who, remarkably, went on to vice-captain the SA Schools’ hockey team just 3 years later, just 2 years after taking up hockey) slotted a drop-goal for College U14A to win by one slender point.
Arthur ‘Worms’ Wormington (right) with Michaelhouse Old Pumpy Lambert at the Boks vs Japan 2015 Rugby World Cup match in Brighton.
And it gets even better… The U13A Maritzburg College vs DHS annus horribilis of 1977 evolved into back-to-back Red Black and White first XV victories for the MC Class of 81.
If my cobweb-covered memory serves me correctly, in that MC U13A side of 77 so ruthlessly vanquished by that DHS mean machine, were a few Red Black & White who went on to play in the Goldstones- and Van Heerdens-victorious Maritzburg College first XV of 1981.
The salad days of matric 1982… the years haven’t been kind to Jono…
There may have been more but definitely among them were Henry Coxwell, Ross Cooper (I think Ross played in at least one of them before injury cut his 81 season), Mike “Rab” Bode and Mike White… and a lock by the name of Toffa Hattingh…
‘It will always be an immense honour to wear the Blue and Gold’
In the aftermath of home side DHS first XV retaining the Skonk Nicholson Cup with a 45-30 win over Maritzburg College on Saturday, 19 May 2018 in an exciting match spiced with high-tempo adventurous running rugby, at-times astonishing combination play, intelligent tactical and clearance kicking plus superb shots at posts with the boot, it’s always a treat to hear the stories of Old Boys who represented the Blue and Gold or Red Black & White in those epic traditional KZN derbies from many (and not so many!) years ago.
Here’s Lyle Matthysen – a School man through and through who is an integral part of the DHS coaching staff – current (2018) captain and number 8 Mpilo Gumede, last year’s dynamic loose forward and captain Pepsi Buthulezi and fellow 2017 playmaker (at 9 or 10) supreme Sanele Nohamba (all 3 SA Schools in 2017) just three of the many Durban High School boys that have benefited in one way or another from the intelligent “Skylo’s” input.
Pepsi’s DHS Team of 2017 played some of the most exhilarating KZN schoolboy rugby you are ever likely to see.
A player who made a deep impression on Lyle: Pepsi Buthulezi, the 2017 DHS captain, loose forward and SA Schools cap.
Photo Neville Bailey
“Thanks Jono, I coached Sanele and Pepsi as U15’s and have been involved with them from the start of there 7’s careers, so it was extra special to be part of them with the 1st team last year.
Another School first XV player who Lyle has a lot of time for is School’s 2017 wizard scrumhalf Sanele Nohambe, who delivered some of the most complete performances seen at KZN & SA schoolboy level last year.
Photo Neville Bailey
“I played DHS 1st team in my matric year. Unfortunately I suffered concussions, therefore I only managed to gain 9 caps; however it was still enough to keep the number 15 fullback jersey.
“I played against College on Van Heerdens and we lost 31-13. We were simply physically out-muscled by a very strong College team. A standout for College was (front-ranker) Nick Schonert who has now played for the English Saxons.”
This special rivalry also creates strong bonds across the school divide
“In my Grade 11 year I played for the 2nd XV and played against College twice. The first game on Van Heerdens was extremely special as it was the first time that our floodlights were turned on. We lost the game, but it was an absolute humdinger with the score ending 8-7. The atmosphere was something I had never experienced before. However the second fixture at Goldstones wasn’t that great for us and we caught a proper smack! I definitely felt the effect of Goldstones that day!”
“A standout player for my first XV in 2009 would be been our captain and inside centre Justin Christoforus. A real no-nonsense, hard-running centre known for his defence!”
Of course, this special rivalry also creates strong bonds across the school divide –
Here’s Lyle to tell it: “Very good College friends of mine would be Ant Pissara and Dean Pengelly. Myself and Dean were both at Durban Prep so our bond continued as we went to high school. Ant was equally passionate about College as I am for DHS, so the banter and camaraderie made us really good friends.”
Ahead of the match today, these were Lyle’s last words: “DHS is the oldest school in Durban. No matter what happens, win or lose, it will always be an immense honour to wear the Blue and Gold. To this day, it is still one of the proudest moments of my life – playing for the 1st XV.”
Mpilo Gumede, the 2018 DHS captain & No.8 who played for SA Schools last year, leads his team out at this year’s Grey High Rugby Festival.
I love Lyle’s last paragraph – it says so much about Lyle the person and so much about the heritage of DHS rugby.