Kearsney host Glenwood

They are at present the top-ranked  KwaZulu-Natal schoolboy sides. On the Top 20, Glenwood is at present ninth, Kearsney 13th. That is not a great difference, given the hundreds of top schools in South Africa.

Both schools, but especially Glenwood, take on the top sides in South Africa.

So far this season Kearsney has lost just two of their 10 matches – to Drostdy, who are ranked eighth, and Michaelhouse who beat them 26-24 last week. Michaelhouse is also on the Top 20.

Glenwood has played just one side on the Top 20 – Paarl Boys High who beat them 30-12 but then are currently ranked second to Grey Bloem.

These are certainly two top teams that will meet at Botha's Hill on a hot Saturday afternoon.

Kearsney have moved thrustful James Sutherland from fullback to outside centre. Their star player is undoubtedly their captain, No.8 Dylan Richardson – so strong on his feet, so difficult to bring down. He hooked for the Sharks at the 2016 Craven Week, a bustling hooker. He certainly is a massive presence as a loose forward.

Glenwood has Craven Week lock JJ van der Mescht back and four players who were at last year's Academy Week, including both their centres, Jacques Conradie and Conan le Fleur, their captain Dylan Kruger and prop Brendon Schwulst.

Teams

Kearsney: 15 Robbie Koenig, 14 Reece Daniel, 13 James Sutherland, 12 Grant Sander, 11 Brendan Albertse, 10 Jacques Odendaal, 9 Taine Muirhead, 8 Dylan Richardson (captain), 7 Sibu Sangweni, 6 Taine Polzi, 5 Torin Tedder, 4 Ross Taylor, 3 Matthew Heard, 2 Daniel Cherry, 1 Ross Parsons.

Replacements: 16 Robert Lawrence, 17 Jason Shroder, 18 Ruben Darby, 19 Dylan Bissett, 23 Nicholas Baines, 21 Matt du Toit, 22 Jayden Proctor, 23 Matt Blair.

Glenwood: tba

Date: Saturday, 6 May 2017

1st XV kick-off: 15.40

Venue: Stott Field, Kearsney College, Botha's Hill

Expected weather conditions: Partly cloudy with a high of 29°C and a low of 14°C

Programme for 6 May 2017

Stott Field

09.30: 5th XV

10.45: 4th XV

12.00: 3rd XV

13.15: Under-16A

14.30: 2nd XV

15.40: 1st XV

Osler Field

09.30: Under-16D

10.45: Under-16C

12.00: Under-16B

13.15: 6th XV

12.15: 7th XV

Matterson Field

09.15: Under-15C

10.15: Under-15C

11.15: Under-15A

12.15: 8th XV

13.15: Under-15D

AH Smith Field

09.15: Under-14B vs Glenwood C

10.15: Under-14A

11.15: Under-14C vs Glenwood E

Kearsney vs Glenwood, last five years

2012: Kearsney won 20-14

2013: Kearsney won 26-25

2014: Glenwood won 85-13

2015: Kearsney won 13-11

2016: Glenwood won 21-7