‘The atmosphere is electric… bashers flying every time College score is a sight to behold’

It’s SUPER SATURDAY 19 May 2018… 255 St Thomas Rd, Musgrave, Durban… the age-old Derby…

Durban High School’s (1866) Old Gold and Maritzburg College’s (1863) Red Black & White…

DHS first XV versus Maritzburg College first XV… kick-off at 2.10pm… on Van Heerdens.

Deo Fretus (In God We Trust) hosting Pro Aris et focis (For Hearth & Home).

Ivan Pistorius played for DHS first XV in 1987, 1988 and 1989… Ivy remembers those epics…

 

“In 1987 our first fixture was against College at Goldstones and I remember the match very well. Their side was captained by Brenton Catterall who at lock was a beast of a man. They also had the likes of Grant Reid, Udo Goedeke, Andrew Godfrey, Ian Vynne and Warren Wilson. We lost 19-4 … I still remember how hard the field was…  Never before had I tackled so much .

“Our ’87 side was captained by prop Hague Thomson and had John Slade as our only Natal Schools player. We had 4 grade 11s in that team – Deon Von Beneke, Nigel Strachan, myself and Grant Sheppard on the wing. The return at DHS was a close game with us losing 7-6.

‘…1987 I remember how hard Goldstones was. I’d never tackled so much before…’

“In 1988 our team was captained by flanker Deon von Beneke with me being vice-captain. Leading into the College game both of us were unbeaten and we played this match over a long weekend. I remember the crowd was huge and College totally outplaying us to win 28-10. Maritzburg College were captained by Andrew Ralfe and had the likes of Wayne Sharpley, Wayne Huinink, Andrew Godfrey, Brett Emberton, Rick De Villiers and Ian Vynne. I remember the return game well at College where we lost 8-13 in a top game on Goldstones. We had 3 Natal Schools players Bruce Layzell, Costa Mamaliades and Deon Von Beneke.

 

 

“In 1989 we played College on our DHS Founders Day. Our team was captained by number 8 Thomas Jankovich and we had the likes of Lionel Andreou, Richard Allen at flyhalf, me and Doug Wayt at centre and the talented Andrew Purnell at fullback. College were captained by Bruce Lesur and they had Clinton Rhodes, Ross Veenstra, Duncan Macdonald. We were motivated!!! And on 3rd June 1989 we beat College 13-7 with a try from Lionel Andreou and 3 penalties from Andrew Purnell.

‘The whole school doing the war cry on the field… beating College for the 1st time in 9 years’

 

“It was the only game College lost that year and we had 2 Natal Schools players Lionel Andreou and captain Tom Jankovich. In the return game I did not play as I was injured against Hilton two weeks before.”

‘There is something very special about playing against the Red, Black and white of College.’

“The atmosphere is always electric and the sight of the bashers flying up in the air every time College scores is a sight to behold. We use to have approximately 30 teams playing College and as our oldest rivals there was always mutual respect for each other.

“I was fortunate to play 46 matches for the DHS first rugby team with 35 being consecutive. I missed the St Stithians Festival and the last 2 matches against Northlands and College. If it had not been for the knee surgery I had after cricket season and the injuries in the last 2 games I would have played 50 matches for the DHS first team, which would have been a big milestone for me.

“I hope I have given you some insight into how special it is to have played against College – and to only beat them once in the 5 derby games I played shows what a great rugby school they were and still are.

“Thank you for letting me share my fond memories with you. DHS vs Maritzburg College – as the 2 oldest schools in KwaZulu-Natal – will always be a very special occasion. GO SCHOOL!”

Regards

Ivan Pistorius
DHS (Class of 1989)

Thanks Ivy – You have conjured up special memories… Bring on Super Saturday!