PREVIEW: FINAL DAY (MONDAY 6)
The players will be challenged by fatigue and the physical battering of two earlier games when the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival (KERF) heads into its final round of matches on Easter Monday on the picturesque Stott Field.
The last two matches on the schedule – Durban High School (DHS) against Helpmekaar Kollege at 14:20, and Kearsney College against Hoërskool Zwartkop at 15:40 – are the pick of the games.
While DHS, Helpmekaar, and Kearsney are familiar to KZN fans, Zwartkop was, to most, an unknown ahead of the festival. The fans know Zwarries now. Assessments of the Pretoria side as a rising power have proved accurate.
DHS will be aiming for a third unbeaten record at KERF on the trot, which is no mean feat. They’ll face another physical showdown when they take on Helpies.
With fatigue a factor, limiting errors, retaining possession, and tidy execution will be the keys for both sides. In many ways, they are mirrors of one another, so the unit that performs the basics with better precision will be in the driver’s seat.
DHS beat Hoërskool Rustenburg 38-7 on Saturday, but were given a good workout by the North West side. Only late in the game were the Horseflies able to break free, which was a testament to their fitness and conditioning.
They also showed that their pack remains a force in the set pieces, putting Rusties under heavy pressure, and they have some exciting players in their backline. Flyhalf Tanwil Onkers controls play confidently, while inside centre Byron Klaasen is a load, and his outside centre, Nathan Aneke, is a slippery customer.
Helpies gave a good account of themselves in a 17-33 defeat to Westville in a rugged match in which they never took a step back. The physical intent they bring to all aspects of their play was impressive.
Much like DHS, they also had their playmakers, with scrumhalf Shaye Lourens and flyhalf Ethan Kruger providing good control, while fullback Xander van Niekerk showed that, given space, he can tear apart any defence.
Kearsney has a shot at an unbeaten record at their home festival, and they will be favoured against Zwartkop. They’ve shown a sharp cutting edge, especially on the counterattack, with captain and 8th-man Nhlanhla Ndlovu, flyhalf Daniel Miskey, and fullback Lwazi Mbebe leading the charge. Centre Thomas Aylward has quietly played an influential role, and he enjoys the smooth services and consistency of Keanu Williamson alongside him.
Something that hasn’t been noted as much, though, is the performance of the Kearsney pack, a workmanlike unit, whose fitness and industry have enabled the team’s exciting runners to play such an exciting game.
Zwarries started many of their substitutes in a 41-32 win over Dr EG Jansen on Saturday. The addition of their starters in the second half showed the quality of those players, with flyhalf Tilon Baron doing an excellent job of distribution, and centre David van Jaarsveld providing a hard-running, direct challenge to the opposition, as well as a physical presence on defence.
Like Kearsney, the Pretoria side’s pack is hard-working, with sound basics, and players who contribute to more than the tight phases alone. The crowds at KERF have quickly come to appreciate the Zwarries’ way, and their position in the last day’s final game is deserved.
Milnerton High tends to prefer a looser type of game, but Westville Boys’ High, aiming for a second successive unbeaten run at KERF, will be licking their lips at the prospect of that happening. They have searing speed and devastating runners in their backline, which they proved in their 83-0 demolition of Framesby, so Millies would do well to keep the contest tighter.
Peterhouse, after reversing last year’s loss to Milnerton on Saturday, will head into their clash with Hoërskool Rustenburg with some confidence, but Rusties, after losses to Kearsney and DHS, will believe they have the firepower to douse the Marondera school’s ambitions.
They played some good rugby in their first two games but were stung by the ability of Kearsney and DHS to turn counterattacks into points. They present a hard-nosed physical challenge, however, and Peterhouse had better be up for a down-and-dirty battle if they hope to come away with a win. It’s the kind of test that should suit their powerful no. 8 Prosper Zimbango.
Transvalia brought a lot to their clash with Kearsney on Saturday, but they were punished when play opened up. They deserve massive credit, though, for their never-say-die attitude.
After trailing 3-26 at halftime, they shaded Kearsney in the second half, winning it 10-7, and outscoring the One-Stripe two tries to one. That underlines Valia’s fighting spirit and ability. They kept the hosts on the defensive for most of the second half of that clash.
They take on Framesby, another side that deserves a hearty pat on the back. After getting crushed by Westville, they took to Stott Field with focused fire and went blow-for-blow with Glenwood on Saturday, eventually claiming a 15-14 win. What a triumph of the spirit!
The Green Machine takes on Dr EG Jansen, with the Durban school still seeking a first victory at KERF. No doubt, given their proud rugby history, Glenwood will feel disappointed to be in that position, but that gives them the motivation to throw the kitchen sink at their last outing.
If there is one player on whom to keep an eye, it is their fullback, Rosco Williams. He’s a highlight reel waiting to happen, so Jansies will be well advised to kick with precision.
To avoid queues, tickets can be purchased online through Quicket; alternatively at the gate. There is ample parking, a fun KidZone for the little ones, as well as numerous food outlets and a field-side refreshment tent to ensure spectators can fully enjoy the weekend’s entertainment.
All matches will be live-streamed on SuperSport Schools app and website. Festival news, team information, results and match reports are available on the Kearsney College Events app.
FIXTURES
STOTT FIELD – BOYS HIGH & GIRLS U16 TEAMS
Day Three, Monday 6 April 5
08:00 Hoërskool Transvalia vs Hoërskool Framesby; 09:20 Glenwood High vs Dr EG Jansen; 10:40 Peterhouse Boys (Zim) vs Hoërskool Rustenburg; 12:00 Ogwini Comprehensive vs Mowat Park High; 12:50 Closing ceremony; 13:00 Westville Boys’ High vs Milnerton High; 14:20 Durban High School vs Helpmekaar Kollege; 15:40 Kearsney College vs Hoërskool Zwartkop
ROBERTS FIELD – BOYS PREP & GIRLS U16 TEAMS
Day Three, Monday 6 April
08:00 Westville v KZN Ibutho; 09:00 Chelsea v Umhlali; 10:00 Northlands v Kloof; 11:00 Atholl Heights v Peterhouse; 12:00 Grosvenor Girls High v Ohlange High; 13:00 Ashton Ballito v Hillcrest; 14h00 Highbury v Winston Park
