18 April 2025
Milnerton High School vs Peterhouse
The 2025 Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival kicked off on Thursday with two newcomers in action and a statement 34-18 win from Milnerton High over Zimbabwe’s Peterhouse, on Stott Field.
From the first whistle, it was clear Milnerton hadn’t travelled from the Cape to ease into things. They brought intensity, precision, and an abrasive edge to the contact zone that left Peterhouse scrambling for answers. The Zimbabweans, though, fronted up well in the tight scrums, at times putting the Milnerton pack into reverse.
Captain and centre Morgan Lodewyk got the scoreboard moving for the Capetonians with a well-struck penalty, and it wasn’t long before the powerful midfielder made an even bigger impact by slicing through for the game’s first try. which he converted, also.
Peterhouse, shaken but not stirred, began to find their rhythm through some patient phase play and they made it onto the scoreboard with a penalty from flyhalf Andrew Maringa.
There was further joy for the Marondera school when lock Mufaro Mawoyo broke through the Milnerton defensive line just before half-time to go over for a try and pull Peterhouse to within two points, just 8-10 down.
Peterhouse carried that momentum into the second half and edged in front via another Maringa penalty, but it would be the last time they led as Milnerton’s physical pressure began to pay dividends.
Lodewyk, cool as a cucumber, picked his way through the Peterhouse defence from close range to score his second try, and from there the momentum clearly shifted Milnerton’s way.
Substitute Nicholas Young announced his arrival with a clinical finish, and when Kgaugelo Mokgobu and Akho Mkaya dotted down – Mkaya’s a dazzling solo effort – it was game over.
A late try from Michael Marimo gave Peterhouse something to smile about, but the day belonged to a well-drilled Milnerton outfit who brought structure, steel, and a touch of flair to launch their campaign in style.
Hoërskool Durbanville vs Dale College
Hoërskool Durbanville, another first-timer at the Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, announced themselves in emphatic fashion by running in 10 tries to dismantle Dale College 66-22 in a display of structured, clinical, and, at times, devastating rugby.
While the final scoreline suggests it was one-way traffic, it was the Dalians who struck first and dominated the early exchanges. Full of intent, they camped in Durbanville’s half and earned just reward when their hooker Lakhanya Mbewu muscled over from close range to give the Eastern Cape side a 5-0 lead.
But that early promise quickly faded. Durbanville’s first real opportunity inside Dale’s 22 came with devastating impact. A powerful maul marched towards the try line, and when it was cynically collapsed, referee Luvo Ceti didn’t hesitate. He awarded a penalty try and showed a yellow card to Liyabona Mayikana. The tide had well and truly turned.
Sensing blood, Durbanville pounced. With Dale still a man down, Jeandré Ungerer dotted down off slick interplay, and not long after, Tiaan Kearns followed suit to stretch the lead to 21-5 by halftime.
The second half brought no relief for the men in red and black. Durbanville’s size advantage served to wear down Dale and Muller Jansen van Rensburg soon had the scoreboard moving again, scoring off a dominant rolling. Xander Muller added another five-pointer minutes later.
Even a yellow card to Eli Pedro for a breakdown infringement didn’t halt the charge for long. Dale fullback Phikolomzi Mtyalela danced through a number of defenders to dot down, providing a brief spark for the Eastern Cape side, but the boys in blue and yellow remained relentless.
Durbanville went through the gears with ruthless precision. Louwrens Rademeyer, Cole Carls, Juan Smit, Muller (with his second), and Milani Madide all crossed the whitewash as the scoreboard swelled.
To their credit, Dale kept fighting and were rewarded with a penalty try and a late score from loose forward Owethu Siswana, but it wasn’t enough to mask the dominance of Durbanville. Their meeting with Durban High School (DHS) on Monday should be a fearsome physical battle.
Durban High School vs Hoërskool Rustenburg
DHS turned in a polished, powerful display, blighted slightly by a dip in their intensity after halftime, to comfortably dispatch Hoërskool Rustenburg 41-7 in the third game of day one.
Rustenburg began with intent, moving the ball with width and attacking the line with energy, but they struggled to turn their promising passages into points.
DHS weathered the early storm and then displayed their clinical edge by striking first through right wing Richard Gyamfi, who finished smartly out wide. That opening blow was soon backed up by flyhalf Jordan van Wyk, who added three more from the kicking tee to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Despite showing flashes on attack, Rustenburg found DHS’s well-drilled and ferocious defence tough to break down. And when Mthiyane Zinkosi pounced on a loose ball and raced in just before the break, it was a bitter pill to swallow for the boys in green, who had looked competitive until that moment.
In the second half, the dam wall burst. Rustenburg enjoyed plentiful possession in the early going, but DHS resolutely kept the team in green in check. Then, they extended their lead to 22-0 after SA Schools A centre Zingce Simka barrelled his way over for their third try.
Rusties, to their credit, responded well and MJ Otto grabbed a well-worked try from a driving maul to offer a glimmer of hope, but DHS quickly snuffed that out. Having been stung by conceding points, they lifted their game and immediately set about shredding the Rustenburg defence.
Simka added a second to his tally with another bruising run, and Milisuthando George bagged a late brace, with both tries showcasing his pace and finishing touch.
That made it six wins on the trot for School in 2025. The scary thing for their future opposition is it is clear that there is more to come from the Horseflies. They’re not yet in top gear, but they’re mighty effective.
Kearsney College vs Dr EG Jansen
In a contest brimming with pace and momentum swings, Dr EG Jansen edged out the hosts, Kearsney College, 29-24 in a gripping clash.
Jansies owned the first half, but the One-Stripe returned from the half-time break a much-improved side and played some wonderfully entertaining rugby to enjoy the better of the second half.
From the outset, it was clear that the boys from Boksburg hadn’t made the long trip to play it safe. They exploded out the gates and punished Kearsney for a series of early errors and lapses in execution with some adventurous running rugby.
Deashean Pietersen and Otlotleng Zulu were the beneficiaries of lightning-quick counterattacks that caught the hosts cold, and when Juan van Aswegen added a third it was suddenly 19-0. Jansies were cruising, and the home side was shell-shocked.
Early in the second half, the home faithful had plenty to cheer, though, when wing Lwandile Mkhize ignited the Kearsney revival with a blistering 80-metre solo effort down the left-hand touchline. Moments later, captain Simanye Mlakalaka powered over from close range, cutting the deficit to just seven.
EG Jansen didn’t panic. They set up camp inside Kearsney’s red zone and methodically turned pressure into points, with left wing Jordan van der Westhuizen dotting down in the corner to steady the ship.
Kearsney hit back when, after a period of sustained pressure through numerous phases, Joseph Roylance crashed over for five (see feature photo). De Wet Muller replied for EG Jansen and Doan Nel, who was outstanding at centre for Kearsney, both on attack and defence, added a further try for the home team.
Ultimately, though, it was the Gauteng outfit’s explosive start that proved decisive.
Glenwood High School vs Hoërskool Monument
In an enthralling clash that ebbed and flowed from the first whistle to the last, Glenwood and Monument delivered a rugby spectacle worthy of the stage on which it was played, eventually settling for a fantastic 26-26 draw, which royally entertained the crowd.
From the outset, it was clear that Glenwood is a more assured and effective outfit than last year’s unit, and they struck early through hooker Nkululeko Khumalo, who peeled off the back of a textbook rolling maul to power his way over and draw first blood.
The response from the Wit Bulle was immediate, with Tasliem Guyan slicing through the midfield traffic to even the scores.
Glenwood’s Lizwe Mtetwa, a wrecking ball of a centre, then bulldozed his way over for the KZN side’s second, only for Jason Joubert to hit back out wide.
Sambesiwe Ndamase‘s try, then, nudged the Green Machine 19-14 ahead just before the break.
The action didn’t let up in the second stanza. Glenwood was the first to strike, with Rorisang Ngwenya adding another five points after a slick buildup, but Monument wasn’t done and Ayden van Zyl went over to bring the scoreline within touching distance.
It was left to the cool head of Jaydon Viljoen, who came off the bench and did a fine job directing the Monnas‘ attack, to provide the final twist. He dotted down and coolly slotted the conversion from wide on the left to secure his side a share of the spoils.
Westville Boys’ High School vs Hoërskool Framesby
In the day’s final fixture, Westville Boys’ High laid down a marker with a commanding 31-0 victory over Hoërskool Framesby. Although they never truly hit their stride, the Griffin exhibited physical dominance and defensive steel.
From the outset, they were strong in the collisions, tidy at the breakdown, and relentless in their pursuit of forward momentum. Framesby battled bravely and, although they enjoyed sufficient possession, they found it an unrewarding task trying to break down the Westville defensive wall.
Hooker Langalihle Mncwango got the scoreboard rolling for Westville with a well-earned try off a rolling maul, before Bandile Mncwango extended the lead to 12-0 at halftime after some slick interplay in the wide channels.
The second half brought flashes of brilliance, with left wing Avumile Lisa lighting up the contest with a brace of blistering tries that showed off his searing pace. Lock Lwandile Simelane joined the party, too, charging over for another as Westville piled on the points.
Despite enjoying a late spell of territory and possession, Framesby couldn’t crack the code. Westville’s set-piece remained on point, and they stole some crucial lineouts to stifle any hopes the Gqeberha school had of a late reward.
Although the margin of victory was convincing, Westville will know they need to tidy up their play. Had they played with greater accuracy they could have added plenty more points.
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