22 May 2025
A year ago, Durban High School (DHS) dominated the Sharks Craven Week squad, sending nine players to the prestigious national tournament. Now, in 2025, it’s Westville Boys’ High‘s time to shine, with eight of their players earning selection to the 23-player Sharks squad set to compete at Middelburg High School from 7 to 12 July.
Only two of the players selected – Jadrian Afrikaner and Zekhethelo Siyaya, both from Westville – return from last year’s campaign.
Siyaya, in particular, made a statement in 2024 by cracking the SA Schools side and representing the SA U18 team in the International Series, held in the Western Cape, which also featured France, England, Ireland, Georgia, and SA Schools A.
The makeup of this year’s team paints a clear picture of the top-performing schools in KwaZulu-Natal. Only six institutions – Westville, DHS, Northwood, Hilton College, Michaelhouse, and Maritzburg College – are represented in the squad. Kearsney College, who have enjoyed a good season, has four players in the Academy squad, second only to DHS’s 10 players.
For Westville, their representation is split across the park – three forwards and five backs – which highlights their balance as a team. In the engine room, tighthead Bandile Mncwango will anchor the scrum, while Lwandle Mlaba, who offers cover in the second row and on the flank, brings athleticism and versatility. At the back of the pack, Lwandile Simelane, who has worn the number eight jersey for much of the season, adds grunt and dynamism, and could easily shift to the side of the scrum if required.
In the backline, Westville is loaded with talent. Captain and scrumhalf Liam Simpkins has been a steadying presence all season, while flyhalf Jade-Will Koopman, a player with a rich skill set, could easily slot in elsewhere if needed. Sean McGough, at inside centre, is direct and uncompromising, physical on the ball and solid in defence. Outside him, Afrikaner adds speed and finishing flair. He played much of 2024 on the wing and crossed the whitewash regularly.
At the back, Siyaya is one of the most gifted counter-attackers in schools rugby. He has a big boot and a bigger presence, often turning defence into attack with a single touch.
Northwood, who’ve had an outstanding season under coach Jacques Deen, contribute four forwards to the Sharks’ cause. Deen, who will serve as an assistant to head coach Dusty Noble, emphasised at the trials that the foundation of any team is built on the set piece: “If our set pieces work, then we’re 80 percent of the way there. Everything else flows from that.”
His Knights have made it work all season long. Loosehead Sphe Ntshangase, locks Chad Howe and Lian Terblanche, and eighthman Jamie Wimble bring cohesion and power. Terblanche offers cover in the loose trio, while Wimble, in particular, is a standout – explosive, physical, and fearless when carrying into contact.
Hilton College adds further flair to the squad with a quartet of players, all of whom occupy key decision-making positions. Hooker Josh Grant is more than just a solid scrummager. He’s a menace in the loose, often acting as an additional loose-forward. Behind him, Zander Muller, one of four regular number eights in the squad, is a battering ram off the base of the scrum.
Scrumhalf Zander Vorster is no shrinking violet either. Big and imposing for a number nine, he thrives when taking on defenders close to the ruck. His understanding with flyhalf Liyema Nela could prove important. Nela’s kicking game is refined, and while his goal-kicking may be streaky at times, his decision-making and attacking instincts make him a dangerous playmaker.
DHS, who supplied nine players in 2024, have three this time around, but once again they bring top-shelf quality. Hooker Okuhle Mbanjwa follows in the footsteps of former Horseflies Christian Everitt and Mahle Sithole, who earned SA Schools A and SA Schools honours in 2023 and 2024 respectively. Mbanjwa is accurate at lineout time and energetic in the loose, while his front-row partner Joseph Udo Idung, tipping the scales at 122 kilograms, adds serious power.
In the backline, centre Nathan Aneke might not be the biggest player on the park, but he makes up for it with quick feet, vision, and crisp distribution. He’s a creator, one who thrives on exploiting space and putting others through the gap.
Michaelhouse fields two midfielders in the squad – captain William Ridl and Rourke O’Sullivan – and there’s a chance the pair could line up together in the centres. Ridl is a direct runner with the strength to punch holes in defences, while O’Sullivan reads play exceptionally well and often finds himself in the right place at the right time. Together, they offer a physical yet intelligent midfield pairing.
Maritzburg College, meanwhile, contributes two forwards, prop Indiphile Mlotshwa and captain Wasi Vyambwera. Mlotshwa follows in the footsteps of SA Schools front rowers Phiwayinkosi Kubheka and Aiden Botha and has the same mobility and grit that’s become a hallmark of College props. Vyambwera, a workhorse at number eight, is everything you expect from a College loose-forward: combative, tireless, and physical.
There’s no shortage of firepower or depth in this Sharks outfit, and with Noble at the helm, assisted by Deen and Kelvin Elder, from Maritzburg College, there’s every reason to believe this squad could make serious waves at Craven Week.
2025 Sharks Craven Week Squad
FNB U18 Craven Week, 7-12 July
Middelburg High School, Mpumalanga
Bandile Mncwango (Westville), Chad Howe (Northwood), Indiphile Mlotshwa (Maritzburg College), Jade-Will Koopman (Westville), Jadrian Afrikaner (Westville), Jamie Wimble (Northwood), Joseph Udo Idung (DHS), Josh Grant (Hilton College), Liam Simpkins (Westville), Lian Terblanche (Northwood), Liyema Nela (Hilton College),
Lwandile Mlaba (Westville), Wasi Vyambwera (Maritzburg College), Nathan Aneke (DHS), Okuhle Mbanjwa (DHS), Rourke O’Sullivan (Michaelhouse), Sean McGough (Westville), Sphephelo Ntshangase (Northwood), Wandile Simelane (Westville), William Ridl (Michaelhouse), Zander Muller (Hilton College), Zander Vorster (Hilton College), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Westville).
Management
Head Coach: Dusty Noble (Westville)
Assistant Coaches: Jacques Deen (Northwood), Kelvin Elder (Maritzburg College)
Manager: Divesh Sookdeo (Kearsney College)
Strength and Conditioning: Zander Erasmus (Westville)
Physiotherapist: Grant Daniels (Kearsney College)
Permanent Rep: Dean Moodley (Kearsney College)
Sharks U17
Academy Week
7-11 July 2025
Middelburg High School, Mpumalanga
Ambesiwe Sipango (DHS), Amogeleng Mataboge (DHS), Andrew Schnell (Hilton College), Cilermo Carolus (DHS), Daniel Fwita (DHS), Duhan Du Plessis (DHS), Iwan Slabbert (DHS), Janco Visagie (Northwood), Johannes van der Walt (Northwood), Keanu Williamson (Kearsney College), Likho Konza (DHS), Luxolo Sonkononkono (Westville), Lwandle Mkhize (Kearsney College), Lwazi Mbebe (Kearsney College), Milisuthando George (DHS), Nhlanhla Ndlovu (Kearsney College), Olwethu Kosani (Maritzburg College), Omphile Kola (DHS), Rory Stanton (Maritzburg College), Sambesiwe Ndamase (Glenwood), Sibusiso Hlongwa (Westville), Theo Boshoff (Maritzburg Collge), Zion Smith (DHS).
KZN Tier 2 U18 Wildebeest
Reitz Week
30 June – 4 July 2025
Reitz, Free State (Reitz High School)
Adriaan de Beer (Sarel Cilliers), Aphelele Chamane (Dundee High), Aphile Gumbi (John Ross College), Bayanda Dlamini (Newcastle High), Bile Ndawa (Kloof High), Dylan Strydom (Suid-Natal), Gerber Diedricks (Pionier), Jared Scheepers (Ashton College), JC Botha (Dundee High), Jurgens Pretorius (Felixton College), Kiean Banjo (Port Shepstone High), Kyden Ward (Curro Salt Rock), Lwandile Magudulela (Newcastle High), Nduduzo Madi (Sarel Cilliers), Nzuzo Lembethe (Sarel Cilliers), Reece Malga (Kloof High), Samkelo Gumede (Pinetown High), Sbonga Dladla (Greytown High), Sibongakonke Nhlengwa (Pinetown Boys’ High), Synjen Quintal (Amanzimtoti High), Xander Dirks (Ferrum), Zenade Majola.
Head Coach: Hennie Pretorius (Hoer Skool Richardsbaai)
Assistant Coach: Romeo Rachidi (Amanzimtoti High School)
Assistant Coach: Siya Mpumlo (Riverwood College)
Manager: Xabiso Bika (Riverwood College)
Permanent Representative: Hennie Pretorius (Hoer Skool Richardsbaai)
Sharks U17 AFGRI Week
AFGRI Week
30 June – 3 July 2025
Bethlehem, Free State (Hoerskool Voortrekker Bethlehem)
Avumile Lisa (Westville Boys’ High), Bonga Cibane (Glenwood), Bukho Sotaka (Westville Boys’ High), Damian Swart (DHS), David Colenbrander (Maritzburg ollege), Divine Kabadi (DHS), Dominic du Toit (Maritzburg College), Jack Carmody (Michaelhouse), Jayden Botha (DHS), John Grubb (Hilton College), Josh Edwards (Glenwood), Joshua Kopp (Glenwood), Kyle Clements (Hilton College), Liyema Tsoko (Maritzburg College), Luke Faure (Kearsney College), Lwandle Bulose (Westville Boys’ High), Nicolas Salamousas (Michaelhouse), Omphiwe Dladla (Westville Boys’ High), Raymond Chikukwa (Maritzburg College), Richard Gyamfi (DHS), Ross Steyn (Hilton College), Thando Nyawo (St Charles College), Tristan Parkinson (Northwood).
Management
Head Coach: Cameron Fraser (Hilton College)
Assistant Coach: Mpumelelo Zondi (Greytown High School)
Assistant Coach: Lyle Mattyssen (Durban High School)
Manager: Siya Mbanga (Ashton Ballito)
Permanent Representative: Siya Mbanga (Ashton Ballito)
SHARKS u16
U16 FNB Grant Khomo Week
30 June – 4 July 2025
Pretoria (St Alban’s College)
Aobakwe Moeng (DHS), Aidan du Plooy (Hilton College), Ben Hughes (Michaelhouse), Bulelani Cebani (DHS), Clements Makalele (Kearsney College), Daniel Miskey (Kearsney College), Elgenio Oerson (Glenwood), Ezra Karolisin (Westville Boys’ High), Fabiano Fierro (Michaelhouse), Jaydon Jubber (Michaelhouse), Jedidha Mbanzaswi (Maritzburg College), Karl Lubbe (Kearsney College), Kevin van Vollenstee (Northwood), Lisa Sijadu (Westville Boys’ High), Lwango Ntantala (Hilton College), Lwanzo Vyambwera (Maritzburg College), Matthew Wilson (Kearsney College), Mojalefa Mogale (Maritzburg College), Nala Shabanga (Northwood), Nyakallo Masiloane (DHS), Rosco Williams (Glenwood), Sterlin Padi (DHS), Tunga Griffiths (Kearsney College).
Management
Head Coach: Naseeb Abrahams (Northwood School)
Assistant Coach: Grant Ball (Michaelhouse)
Assistant Coach: Burger Nel (Hilton College)
Manager: Florian Genade (Durban High School)
S & C Coach: Sebenza Mapumulo (Westville Boys High School)
Physiotherapist: Norvarr Pillay (Durban High School)
Permanent Representative: Naseeb Abrahams (Northwood School)
Sharks U15
AFGRI Week
30 June – 3 July 2025
Bethlehem, Free State (Hoerskool Voortrekker Bethlehem)
Shalom Tshamalenga (DHS), Tiaan van den Heever (DHS), Langa Mthethwa (Glenwood), Ethan Griesel (Hilton), Mitchell Rodgers (Michaelhouse), Xavier Jaftha (Hilton), Zac van der Heever (DHS), Kungawo Goduka (DHS), Eljay Alexander (DHS), Liam Jacobs (DHS), Mhloli Phili (Michaelhouse), Peyton Solomons (St Charles), Tyler Gill (DHS), Worona Modise (DHS), Asanda Mleya (Hilton), Josua Badenhorst (Maritzburg College), Jaco Els (Westville), Qhayiya Mguzulwa (DHS), Roewan Swiegers (DHS), Liam Wilken (Hilton), Anthonie Linde (Maritzburg College), Benitez Mickson (DHS), Lian Bezuidenhout (Maritzburg College)
Management
Head Coach: Heinke van der Merwe (Clifton School)
Assistant Coach: Sibs Ncamani (Michaelhouse)
Assistant Coach: Sibusiso Mkhaliphi (Durban High School)
Manager: Morne Morolong (Maritzburg College)
Permanent Representative: Siya Mbanga (Ashton Ballito)
Sharks U16B
Vs Blue Bulls U16B
Monday 16 June 2025
Hollywoodbets Kings Park
Kyle Howden (Clifton College), Alulutho Mini (MC), Alutha Landzela (NW), Amukele Nkosi (WBHS), Ayanda Mthiyane (Vryheid Landhou), Devaldo Dam (DHS), Hlumelo Mbane (DHS), Inganathi Pepu (GW), James Whatmore (KC), Jaylin Cleophas (DHS), Levi Botha (NW), Luthando Dladla (MC), Oloyolo Lujiza (NW), Phokuhle Hlatswayo (DHS), Raheem Wheatley (SCC), Robert Gelderman (KC), Rorke Stirke (WBHS), Rudolf Badenhorst (MC), Sean Jansen (MC), Sigcobe Magwentshu (HC), Sphelo Mfazwe (MHS), Thando Joja (NW), Zannez Ontong (DHS)
Management
Coach: Wayno Visagie (Westville Boys High School)
Coach: Ruan van Rensburg (Kloof High School)
Coach: Anela Sibhoko (Northwood School)
Sharks U15B
Vs Blue Bulls U15B
Monday, 16 June 2025
Hollywoodbets Kings Park
Ulrich Marx (Northwood), Zimi Ntantiso (Westville), Munashe Mwanjira (Kearsney), Mxolelwe Mtetwa (Westville), Mathew Thompson (Westville), Kyan Mokgwatsane (Michaelhouse), Lethu Ntuli (Glenwood), Finn Mallet (Northwood), Cameron Mcleary (Michaelhouse), Emile Johannes (Glenwood), Bandile Mchunu (Glenwood), Sphesihle Nxumalo (Michaelhouse), Ethan Newman (Glenwood), Phenyo Chisi (Westville), Juan Lindeque (Maritzburg College), Omhle Dwane (DHS), Hudson Strydom (Kearsney), Ambeswa Sataka (Westville), Lincoln Burger (Clifton), Henco Van Loggerenberg (Michaelhouse), S.Mbokazi (Maritzburg Development), Siyabonga Moyo (Hilton), Russel Tembo (Northwood), Munashe Mwanjira (Kearsney)
Management
Coach: Ferdi Oosthuizen (Kingsway High School)
Coach: Sithembiso Gumede (Clifton School)
Coach: Thobani Majola (St Charles College)
Sharks U14 High Performance Squad
Play each other in chukkas
Monday, 16 June 2025
Hollywoodbets Kings Park
Cullen le Grange (Hilton College), Brussouw Fourie (Maritzurg College), Ntsika Ntshikiklana (Kearsney College), Thandwa Cibane (Westville), Mpilwenhle Mayaba (St Charles), Ayabonga Mtetwa (Kearsney College), Jack Hill (Hilton College), Joe Hamushira (DHS), Jack O’Dell (St Charles), N. Lebelo (CD), Swelihle Dube (Westville), Manelisi Khumalo (St Charles), Diwaandry Solomons (DHS), Japhete Motindola (Northwood), Iminam Booi (Hilton College), Dylan Rayson (Northwood), Jonny Stirton (Hilton College), Kgosi Kgatitsoe (Hilton College), Hlalumi Ntongana (Maritzburg College), F. Ridl (Michaelhouse), Noah Brown (Clifton College), Joseph Yobo (Maritzburg College), Wald Rossouw (Maritzburg College), Guy Fyvie (Hilton College), Diego Scrigna (St Charles), R. Slade (Maritzburg College).
Mason Judais (Westville), Banele Nyandeni (Westville), Nkululeko Shongwe (Northwood), Liam Bottcher (Maritzburg College), Luke Barendse (Hilton College), Maliviwe Memani (Glenwood), Dieter Spies (Westville), J. Booysen (CD), Isanam Dayimani (Kearsney College), Marvlon Flemmer (Kearsney College), Alwaba Mkhabile (DHS), Willem Badenhorst (Maritzburg College), Achumile Tolashe (Westville), Mpendulo Maseko (Northwood), Jadewin Botha (DHS), Joy Kanyinda (Maritzburg College), Kgauhelo Moloi (Michaelhouse), N. Gabuza (St Charles), Malachi Dunn (DHS), Wandile Sithole (Glenwood), Nkitha Magwegwe (Kearsney College), Blessing Mndaba (Kearsney College), Max De Charmoy (Hilton College), Asiphile Mlenzana (DHS), Lwandle Dube (Michaelhouse), Luyanda Mgabi (Westville).
Kian Ramsamy (Maritzburg College), Quade Marks (DHS), Kenzo Kappes (Maritzburg College), Alex O’Neill (St Charles), Corbin Janse van Rensburg (Northwood), Maison Strydom (Clifton College), Phakeme Magubane (Westville), Cristian Jooste (Hilton College), Jayden van der Westhuizen (Maritzburg College), Caydon van Wyk (DHS), Tumelo Ntuli (Clifton College), Milarno Redcliffe (Glenwood), Andre Kruger (Hilton College), Spesihle Madonsela (Westville), Cooper Morrison (Michaelhouse), Melokuhle Mabhida (Clifton College), N. Mkhulisi (Lindelani), Aiden Gerber (DHS), Franco Roodt (DHS), Ayabonga Mtetwa (Kearsney College), Lucio Jacobs (DHS), Aqhamile Magxidolo (DHS), Manifest Mulumba (DHS), Simtandile Xulu (Northwood), Itha Stuma (Glenwood), Taine Lawson (Hilton College), Uluyuyo Maya (Kearsney College).
Management
Coach: Luke van As (Glenwood
Coach: Llawdden Roux (Hillcrest)
Coach: Bright Lembede (Northwood School)
Coach: Connor Steedman (Durban High School)
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