Schools Spotlight: Midlands giants set for showdown at Hilton
PREVIEW: Unbeaten Hilton will host a much-improved Michaelhouse on Saturday, while the northern teams turn their attention to the Noordvaal Cup.
“Festival season” showcased South African schoolboy rugby at its very best.
It’s clear that the respective provincial coaches will have some difficult decisions to make before announcing their squads ahead of the U18 Craven Week in Gqeberha this July.
For now, the focus will shift back to the regular schools schedule.
Also Read: Schools Rankings – April 28: A showcase of Green-and-Gold diamonds
While some of the leading teams in the Noordvaal, Central and Western Cape regions will take a break this weekend, a number of big derbies will be staged round the country.
Rugby365 looks ahead to some of the biggest match-ups on the long weekend.
HILTON v MICHAELHOUSE
Durban High School and Northwood have dominated rugby in KwaZulu-Natal in recent seasons, and for a while, the big schools in the Midlands appeared to be in trouble.
Fast forward to the present, where Hilton have won six games in a row – a run that includes notable results against Westville, Nudgee College from Australia (who beat Grey College at the St. John’s Easter Festival) and Bishops.
Michaelhouse have also impressed, beating Northwood, Affies and Jeppe. Their only two losses have come against DHS (20-26) and St Andrews (5-41).
This Saturday, the two sides will meet in the first Midlands derby of the season.
The winner will take an important step towards winning the two-match series.
Hilton clinched the series 2-0 last season, winning 29-20 at home and 25-20 at Michaelhouse.
The last time House beat Hilton at Hilton was on 4 May 2024.
The recent loss to St Andrews will be keenly felt, but after what they achieved against Affies this past Easter, Michaelhouse should not be written off.
One of the biggest takeaways from that 29-27 win against the Wit Bulle was the performance of the forwards.
It will be interesting to see whether the visiting pack can dominate proceedings in the same manner when they front Hilton this Saturday.
GARSFONTEIN v HELPMEKAAR
In recent years, Garsontein have bossed the Noordvaal Cup – winning three titles in a row – while falling short in other big matches against local and inter-provincial opposition.
This season, however, “Die Bere” have claimed a series of big scalps.
After hanging on for a 21-20 win against Stellenberg, they went on to shock Paarl Boys High – the No.1 team in the country last season – by 31-28.
Garsies followed up that excellent performance at the North-South with a narrow win against local rivals Affies, before going down 18-21 to Paul Roos at the Wilderklawer Tournament.
They finished that competition in Kimberley on a high, though, when they edged Northwood 33-28.
With that statement made, Garsies will turn their attention back to the Noordvaal Cup – a tournament they clearly enjoy, as the results of the past three years suggest.
They start their campaign this Saturday against Helpmekaar, who have been one of the stronger sides in the region over the past few seasons.
That said, Helpies have blown hot and cold in recent months, winning five of their nine fixtures.
They’ve conceded 30 points or more in their past four matches – but may take heart from the fact that they scored 73 in their recent win against Queens College at the Wildeklawer Tournament.
STELLENBERG v WYNBERG
Who is going to stop Stellenberg?
The Jade Brigade boasts a nine-from-10 record, and have already beaten top dogs such as Paarl Gim, Grey College and Paul Roos.
Apart from the narrow loss to Garsfontein, they have enjoyed a perfect season – and are full value for their No.1 ranking.
The next set of fixtures, however, could test their depth as well as their ability to extend a five-game winning streak.
After facing Wynberg at home this week, Stellenberg will face Oakdale and Paarl Boys.
The latter two fixtures may prove especially challenging, given they will be staged away from home.
How might that influence their approach against Wynberg this Saturday?
Will they treat the match like any other fixture, or manage the squad with the next two games in mind?
Wynberg haven’t been at their best this season.
After losing to Drostdy at home, they claimed two convincing wins at the St Stithians Easter festival before beating southern suburbs rivals Rondebosch.
More recently, they went down 9-20 to Boishaai in Paarl.
It’s worth noting that that fixture at Brugstraat was staged nearly two weeks ago. Wynberg have had a fortnight to prepare for the upcoming clash in Stellenberg.
Meanwhile, the Jade Brigade have played non-stop since their opener against Paarl Gim on March 7, racking up 10 matches in eight weeks.
Stellenberg will start the coming game as favourites – but don’t be surprised if the recent workload takes its toll, and if a relatively fresh Wynberg side pushes them close.
SELECTED FIXTURES MAY 1-2:
NOORDVAAL
EG Jansen v Monument
Garsfontein v Helpmekaar
Middelburg v Menlopark
Rustenburg v Waterkloof
Zwartkop v Heidelberg
CENTRAL
Sentraal v St Johns (NZ)
EASTERN CAPE
Hudson Park v Framesby
Brandwag v Daniel Pienaar
Nico Malan v Punt
Port Rex v Dale
St Andrews v Graeme
KWAZULU-NATAL
Hilton v Michaelhouse
Kearsney v Westville
Maritzburg College v St Charles
WESTERN CAPE
Stellenberg v Wynberg
Photo credit: Michaelhouse Facebook Page
