KZN's weekend fixtures
This weekend marks the season starting point for both Hilton and Michaelhouse. Early indications are that both private schools will be a lot more competitive this season than they were back in 2011. The two late starting Midlands schools have to jump straight into the deep end though.
Hilton are home to high-flying Westville, who have earned themselves the title of “team to beat” in 2012 after edging out Glenwood in a thrilling finale last Saturday. For Hilton it’s hoped that home-ground advantage coupled with the arrival of new coach Brad MacLeod-Henderson will count for something. Last year Westville hammered Hilton 37-0.
Westville have named an unchanged starting lineup for the game. Although their backs have been responsible for making the big yards so far this season, this could be the game for Westville’s pack of forwards to come into their own as an attacking threat.
Michaelhouse have the daunting task of travelling down to Durban meet a wounded Glenwood outfit on Dixons field where the term “away win” has not been used by a local visiting team in a long long time. These days Glenwood has outstanding conditioning added to their arsenal as a weapon of attack and defence, so it will be interesting to see how House, in their first proper outing copes with match fitness issues in the last quarter of this game. The two schools did not meet in 2011 because of scheduling difficulties.
Northwood will travel up to the capital as underdogs for their first appointment with Maritzburg College in eight seasons. The fixture was reestablished after Northwood’s results over the past few years became just too good to ignore any longer. Although the Knights are as fired up as ever for the opportunity to play on Goldstones, their lighter weight pack is bound to struggle against bigger teams like College.
Since the College team has experience in most departments, much interest has to be centred on their second-row combination of Kamhoot and Pieterse as well as the new Under-17 halfback pairing of Elder and Booysen. Nevertheless there is a good overall feeling about this well balanced team. Visitors Northwood might just represent the quiet before storm for the Red, Black and White, who some are saying are about to kick-off one of the toughest seasons in College rugby history.
George Campbell returned to Durban this week having recorded a comprehensive 48-5 victory over Bethlehem opponents Witteburg at the Sarel Cilliers Rugby Day. The Campbell XV has made a name for themselves as a strong defensive unit this season. In recent games they prevented both Northwood and Port Natal from crossing the chalk and made Westville work for more than 45-minutes to score a first try. If they can enforce this strong defensive system and control their own set-pieces, they could give their hosts Kearsney a good run for their money.
Kearsney were convincing 49-6 winners against Northwood a week ago. The team is looking particularly strong in and around the rucks. They are also moving the ball through the hands very attractively. The home side may run onto Stott field as favourites to win but with six of their starters having been part of the team that had to hold on for dear life to beat Campbell 18-13 last year, they will be taking nothing for granted this time around.
The strong Sarel Cilliers team from Glencoe will be in action at 13.00 against Greytown as part of the huge Voortrekker Rugby Day happening in Pietermaritzburg.
Elsewhere Kloof hosts Port Natal and DHS makes a trip up to Northern Natal to do battle against Vryheid High School.
Enjoy the rugby.
By Beet
