Battle for KwaZulu-Natal
Maritzburg College, for so long enthroned at the head of KwaZulu-Natal rugby, has worn an uneasy crown of late and, strangely as it may seem to those of yesteryear, is challenged for top spot by Michaelhouse who will descend on Pietermaritzburg from lofty Balgowan. The match may well decide who is the top side in KwaZulu-Natal.
Season so Far
Michaelhouse and Maritzburg College are both on the FNB Top 20. They are close to each other – Michaelhouse 13th and Maritzburg College 15th.
Michaelhouse have played and won 10 matches. College have played 15, winning 11 and losing four. But there is a difference in opposition. Michaelhouse have not played one other side ranked on the Top 20 but they started with surprise win over Glenwood and a big win over Helpmekaar. Glenwood have in fact proved more brittle than usual while Helpmekaar have become giant-slayers.
College have played two other teams in the Top 20 – Grey PE, whom they beat, and Jeppe, who beat them. College had a poor start losing to Hentie Cilliers of Virginia and reached their nadir when Glenwood beat them 57-12 – Glenwood who have lost seven matches this season.
Matches against Common Opponents
Glenwood: College lost 57-12; Michaelhouse won 18-13
Hilton: College won 22-16; Michaelhouse won 24-18
DHS: College won 15-10; Michaelhouse won 54-6
Northwood: College won 17-0; Michaelhouse won 78-3
Kearsney: College lost 23-20; Michaelhouse won 27-24
All of that suggests a close match, tilting slightly in Michaelhouse's favour but College are on their own battlefield – Goldstones where it is so hard to win.
Achievers
The players of both schools are eligible for KwaZulu-Natal's schools teams. At Under-18 that is the Craven Week and the Academy Week sides.
Craven Week
College: Xolisa Guma and Kudzaishe Munangi.
Michaelhouse: Victor Foster, Bader Pretorius, Jordan Sesink-Clee, Matthew Wiseman, Anele Songca and Mulalo Sadiki.
Academy Week
College: Matthew Kriel.
Michaelhouse: Liam Furniss and Lee-Marvin Mazibuko.
Teams
Maritzburg College: 15 Ruben van Blerk, 14 A Duma, 13 Sthembokuhle Mpanza, 12 Charl Frackers, 11 Kudzaishe Munangi, 10 Matthew Kriel, 9 Corey Rattray, 8 Craig Glover, 7 Brad Muil, 6 Kelton Thunder (captain), 5 Daniel Immelman, 4 Bjorn Olivier, 3 Andrew Reintges, 2 Samuel Swanepoel, 1 Tanaka Chikwezvero
Michaelhouse: 15 Victor Foster, 14 Frank Goble, 13 Liam Furniss, 12 Ryan Anderson, 11 Mikael Maingard, 10 Bader-Werner Pretorius (captain), 9 Billy Dean, 8 Jack Walters, 7 Luke Tomlinson, 6 Zander Prinsloo, 5 Jaryd Kleynhans, 4 Jordan Sesink Clee, 3 Siyanda Mazibuko, 2 Matt Wiseman, 1 Anele Songca
Rugby Programme
Goldstones
08.30: 6th XV
09.30: 5th XV
10.30: 4th XV
11.30: Under-16A
12.30: 3rd XV
13.30: 2nd XV
14.30: 1st XV
Snows
08.30: Under-16C vs Michaelhouse B
09.30: Under-14A
10.30: Under-15A
11.30: Under-14B
12.30: 7th XV
Leaches
08.30: Under-14E vs Michaelhouse C
09.30: 9th XV vs Michaelhouse 8th
10.30: Under-16E vs Michaelhouse C
Lamonds
08.30: Under-15B
09.30: Under-15D vs Michaelhouse C
10.30: Under-15E vs Michaelhouse D
