In 2023, Durban High School (DHS) fell just short on Collard Field, in Johannesburg, in a thrilling 36-39 defeat to Jeppe High School for Boys. Fast forward two seasons, and the Horseflies not only flipped the script, but added an exclamation mark to it.
On Saturday, they returned to the same venue and produced a composed and clinical performance to secure a 24-10 victory, completing back-to-back wins over Jeppe after a 24-20 result in Durban last year.
It was a win that spoke volumes about DHS’s growth under coach Peter Engledow. Quietly, and with little fanfare, School has once again compiled a season of substance. They now boast 13 wins in 2025 against just two defeats, – both against unbeaten teams, Paarl Gim and Westville Boys’ High.
That record mirrors their 2024 campaign, and with one match to come, away to Northwood, they have the opportunity to go one better.
Saturday’s win was built on the kind of efficient execution and set-piece dominance that has become a trademark of DHS. They were on the scoreboard early, via a well-rehearsed lineout play. The forwards laid the foundation and then a long, flat pass found inside centre Zingce Simka. Known for his raw power, the DHS midfielder shrugged off three tacklers to crash over.
Soon after, the visitors struck again. A bobbled Jeppe pass was pounced on by Simka, who freed left wing Zenkosi Mthiyane. Turning on the gas, he raced away down the touchline for a scintillating 70-metre try. DHS was 10-0 up inside 10 minutes, with the momentum firmly in their grasp.
Jeppe responded well, using tactical kicking to pin DHS deep. Their captain and scrumhalf, Talent Sithole, was busy and accurate, and eventually wriggled over for a well-deserved try just before the break, converted by Nehemia Hollenbach, to narrow the gap to 10-7 at halftime.
The Zebras enjoyed good territory in the second half, but DHS’s defence was unyielding. Then came a telling moment. Off a rolling maul, two long, crisp passes created space for centre Nathan Aneke. Complementing Simka’s thunder with his lightning speed, Aneke broke from 45 metres out and rounded the defence for a superb solo score. Fullback Cilermo Carolus added the extras to restore a 10-point cushion.
The final blow came in the dying minutes. After pinning Jeppe missed a penalty kick to touch, DHS moved the ball swiftly across the field, from right to left. Richard Gyamfi spotted a half-gap and didn’t hesitate, thrillingly sprinting 47 metres to dot down. Carolus added a tricky conversion to make it 24-7.
Hollenbach mustered a late drop goal for the hosts, but the result was beyond doubt.
In a game of fine margins and tactical battles, it was DHS’s accuracy, physicality, and striking ability from range that proved decisive. As their record now shows, the class of 2025 is very much a side to be reckoned with.
If there was a criticism that one might have levelled at DHS in recent years, it could have been that their depth was a little lacking in the lower teams. That’s no longer the case and credit to a concerted effort from School to uplift their rugby programme at all levels.
RESULTS:
1st: Jeppe 10-24 DHS
2nd: Jeppe 38-33 DHS
3rd: Jeppe 14-41 DHS
4th: Jeppe 7-29 DHS
5th: Jeppe 0-26 DHS
6th: Jeppe 15-22 DHS
16A: Jeppe 35-14 DHS
16B: Jeppe 7-46 DHS
16C: Jeppe 14-24 DHS
16D: Jeppe 10-8 DHS
16E: Jeppe 21-13 DHS
15A: Jeppe 22-26 DHS
15B: Jeppe 27-24 DHS
15C: Jeppe 7-19 DHS
15D: Jeppe 31-20 DHS
15E: Jeppe 40-17 DHS
14A: Jeppe 0-15 DHS
14B: Jeppe 9-36 DHS
14C: Jeppe 8-12 DHS
14D: Jeppe 29-32 DHS
14E: Jeppe 20-24 DHS
HOCKEY
Two top-quality teams met on the Bowden AstroTurf on Saturday, both loaded with highly skilled players. Jeppe, though, headed into the contest with an unbeaten season on the line. In the eyes of most, they’re second only to SACS in South Africa this season. A showdown between the two would be incredible, but there’s nothing scheduled.
In a keenly contested clash, Jeppe built up a 2-0 lead through three chukkas, scoring their first on the cusp of halftime. The final chukka, at last, saw the game open up and both teams struck twice for Jeppe to come away with an entertaining 4-2 win.
In the game of the day, the DHS u16A eclipsed Jeppe 4-3.
RESULTS
1st: Jeppe 4-2 DHS
2nd: Jeppe 6-0 DHS
3rd: Jeppe 2-1 DHS
16A: Jeppe 3-4 DHS
16B: Jeppe 6-1 DHS
16C: Jeppe 5-1 DHS
16D: Jeppe 1-1 DHS
16E: Jeppe 1-3 DHS
14A: Jeppe 4-0 DHS
14B: Jeppe 0-2 DHS
14C: Jeppe 9-0 DHS
14D: Jeppe 2-0 DHS
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