18 August 2025
The KwaZulu-Natal schools’ rugby season concluded on 9 August, with Durban High School (DHS) powering past King Edward VII (KES) and Maritzburg College edging Glenwood in traditional 15s action. On Saturday, the focus shifted back to the south of Durban, where Glenwood hosted their annual Sevens tournament, and it delivered a feast of running rugby.
Northwood was the toast of the u17 competition, clinching a memorable 19-17 victory over Westville Boys’ High in a pulsating final. In the u15 event, DHS was unstoppable, sweeping all before them and signing off with a commanding 33-12 triumph over Maritzburg College in the title decider.
u17 competition
Northwood signalled their intent early in Pool A, edging out Michaelhouse 17-14 in a key contest that set the tone for their campaign. Both sides then ran rampant against the Midlands Marauders, but it was the Knights who topped the pool.
Group B belonged to DHS. They were made to work hard in a 19-13 win over Hilton College but then showcased their attacking firepower in a one-sided 56-0 demolition of Westville 2.
The hosts, Glenwood, looked ominous in Pool C. They put 42 points past Maritzburg College in a free-flowing opener, before shutting down Michaelhouse 2 with a 31-5 victory. Westville, meanwhile, had it relatively straightforward in Pool D, where they faced Glenwood 2 and Northwood 2. Against second-string opposition, the Griffin made no mistake, recording emphatic wins.
In the Cup quarterfinals, Northwood dispatched Hilton 31-21, while Glenwood cruised past Northwood 2 with a 27-0 shutout. Michaelhouse provided the shock of the round, with a superb 22-12 win over DHS. Westville completed the final four with a clinical 22-0 victory over Maritzburg College.
In the semis, Northwood continued their march, holding off a spirited Michaelhouse challenge to edge home 21-15. Westville, meanwhile, found their stride, overpowering Glenwood 34-12. That set up a fitting final between the Knights and the Griffin.
There, Northwood found the composure and belief to deliver when it mattered most, prevailing 19-17 in a tense contest that went down to the wire.
Hilton claimed the Plate with a 20-14 win over Maritzburg College, while Michaelhouse 2 powered to the Bowl title, sweeping aside Westville 2 38-5.
u15 competition
The younger age group produced its own share of thrills. Pool A came down to points’ difference after Michaelhouse and Glenwood shared a 24-24 draw. ‘House had earlier brushed aside Northwood 2 33-0, while Glenwood also saw off the same side 31-10, leaving Michaelhouse narrowly ahead.
DHS, though, looked untouchable in Pool B. They ran in try after try in big wins over Northwood (47-0) and the Midlands Marauders (71-0), asserting themselves as the team to beat.
Hilton topped Pool C with a 22-5 defeat of Maritzburg College, while Westville controlled Pool D thanks to a 28-22 victory against St Charles and a 36-0 thrashing of Michaelhouse 2.
The knockout stages brought a big surprise when Northwood, still smarting from their earlier heavy loss to DHS, bounced back with a gritty 19-17 quarterfinal win over Michaelhouse.
DHS, though, kept rolling, conceding their first points of the day but still routing Glenwood 47-5. Hilton overcame St Charles 19-12, while Maritzburg College stunned Westville 22-7 to snatch the last semi-final berth.
In the last four, DHS once more proved unstoppable, hammering Northwood 40-5 to reach the final. Maritzburg College, who had fallen to Hilton in pool play, turned the tables with a 21-10 semi-final win over the same opposition to book a place opposite DHS in the title game.
The final proved DHS’s championship credentials. Their blend of pace, skill, and physicality proved too much, and they closed out their day with a 33-12 victory to secure the crown.
Michaelhouse lifted the Plate after edging Westville 10-0 in a hard-fought clash, while Westville 2 enjoyed their own success in the Bowl, downing Northwood 2 24-12.
RESULTS
U17
Pool A
Northwood 17-14 Michaelhouse
Northwood 43-0 Midlands Marauders
Michaelhouse 54-0 Midlands Marauders
Pool B
DHS 19-12 Hilton College
Hilton College 24-5 Westville 2
DHS 56-0 Westville 2
Pool C
Glenwood 42-24 Maritzburg College
Glenwood 31-5 Michaelhouse 2
Maritzburg College 43-12 Michaelhouse 2
Pool D
Westville 45-7 Glenwood 2
Westville 36-0 Northwood 2
Northwood 2 21-0 Glenwood 2
Cup quarterfinals
Northwood 31-21 Hilton College
Michaelhouse 22-12 DHS
Glenwood 27-0 Northwood 2
Westville 22-0 Maritzburg College
Cup semi-finals
Northwood 21-15 Michaelhouse
Westville 34-12 Glenwood
Cup final
Northwood 19-17 Westville
Bowl semi-finals
Westville 2 17-14 Midlands Marauders
Michaelhouse 2 17-10 Glenwood 2
Bowl final
Michaelhouse 2 38-5 Westville 2
Plate semi-finals
Hilton College 12-10 DHS
Maritzburg College 24-21 Northwood 2
Plate final
Hilton College 20-14 Maritzburg College
Shield final
Glenwood 2 21-15 Midlands Marauders
U15
Pool A
Michaelhouse 24-24 Glenwood
Michaelhouse 33-0 Northwood 2
Glenwood 31-10 Northwood 2
Pool B
DHS 47-0 Northwood
DHS 71-0 Midlands Marauders
Northwood 43-0 Midlands Marauders
Pool C
Hilton College 22-5 Maritzburg College
Hilton College 43-0 Westville 2
Maritzburg College 24-5 Westville 2
Pool D
Westville 28-22 St Charles
Westville 36-0 Michaelhouse 2
St Charles 24-12 Michaelhouse 2
Cup quarterfinals
Northwood 19-17 Michaelhouse
DHS 47-5 Glenwood
Hilton College 19-12 St Charles
Maritzburg College 22-7 Westville
Cup semi-finals
DHS 40-5 Northwood
Maritzburg College 21-10 Hilton College
Cup final
DHS 33-12 Maritzburg College
Bowl semi-finals
Northwood 2 15-10 Midlands Marauders
Westville 2 24-0 Michaelhouse 2
Bowl final
Westville 2 24-12 Northwood 2
Plate semi-finals
Michaelhouse 29-10 Glenwood
Westville 26-0 St Charles
Plate final
Michaelhouse 10-0 Westville
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