27 January 2026
Durban High School (DHS) and Clifton College renewed their rivalry on the Theobald Oval on Saturday, with School producing a composed all-round performance to secure a convincing 49-run victory in their 40 overs clash.
After the toss went Clifton’s way, the visitors had no hesitation in inserting DHS, and they struck early when Daniel Rea trapped Suliman Jadwat LBW. That early breakthrough, however, brought together one of the most reliable partnerships in KwaZulu-Natal school cricket.
Ismaeel Omar and Josh van Biljon once again underlined their value to the DHS cause, combining patience with purpose as they steadily rebuilt the innings. Conditions demanded discipline, and the pair were content to work the ball into gaps and wait for scoring opportunities, adding a vital 110 for the second wicket from 154 deliveries.
Clifton captain Shiraz Perumal eventually found a way through when Omar, having compiled a fluent 72 from 98 balls, was caught by Keegan Watson. His innings included five fours and two sixes and laid the foundation for a competitive total. Van Biljon followed soon after for a measured 43, the third wicket to fall, with the score on 132 in the 32nd over.
With a platform in place, DHS looked to press on, and Taine Havermann and Bonga Maphanga did exactly that. The pair lifted the tempo dramatically, adding 64 runs from just 46 balls.
Maphanga was particularly destructive, smashing three fours and a six in a brisk 30 from 21 deliveries before becoming Rea’s second victim, while Havermann carried his bat through to the end with a polished 48 not out. DHS finished on a solid 208/5, a challenging target on the Theobald Oval.
Clifton’s reply began cautiously, but momentum swung sharply in the sixth over when two wickets fell in three balls, including a sharp run-out involving Havermann and Van Biljon. Yusuf Ahmed and Muhammed Malek rebuilt with a steady 55-run third-wicket stand, but once Ahmed was dismissed for 36, the innings unravelled.
Clifton slumped from 70/2 to 75/5 in the space of just over three overs, leaving too much work for their lower order.
Perumal fought bravely, counterattacking with a classy 60 from 50 balls, which included 10 fours, but with wickets continuing to fall around him, the task proved too great. Clifton was eventually dismissed for 159, handing DHS a 49-run win.
The home side’s bowlers shared the spoils, with six of the seven used claiming wickets, led by Maphanga’s 2/21, Matt Potgieter‘s 2/18, and Tristan Quail‘s 2/34.
It was DHS’s day on the cricket fields. Their u14A team enjoyed an especially strong outing, with all of their batsmen contributing towards a big innings.
Results
1st XI
DHS 208/5; Clifton 159/10
DHS won by 49 runs
2nd XI
Clifton 75/10; DHS 80/1
DHS won by nine wickets
3rd XI
DHS 204/4; Clifton 64/10
DHS won by 140 runs
u16B
Clifton 32/5
Match abandoned
u15A
Clifton 84/10; DHS 88/3
DHS won by seven wickets
u15B
DHS 82/3
Match abandoned
u14A
DHS 344/4; Clifton 55/10
DHS won by 289 runs
u14C
Clifton 29/10; DHS 30/0
DHS won by 10 wickets
WATER POLO
The Clifton College first team was in action at the St Andrew’s College Shield in Makhanda, where 12 of South Africa’s best sides met in the first big event of 2026.
Coach Pierre le Roux‘s side was somewhat inconsistent. A loss to St John’s College on the opening day hurt, but they also produced one of the best performances of the tournament to emphatically hand the eventual champion, Bishops, their only loss.
Ultimately, Clifton finished as the best of the KZN teams, taking fifth after a one-goal win over Hilton College.
Clifton at the SAC Shield
Pool A
Clifton 10-12 Rondebosch
Clifton 5-9 St John’s
Clifton 11-7 Bishops
Clifton 11-5 St Andrew’s College
Clifton 9-7 Westville
Clifton 7-9 St Stithians
5th to 8th
Clifton 11-5 Selborne College
5th/6th
Clifton 8-7 Hilton College
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While DHS held the edge on the basketball courts and cricket fields, Clifton, predictably, ruled in the pool, although the DHS 2nd team gave a good account of themselves and pushed Clifton hard.
Results
2nd: DHS 2-18 Clifton
3rd: DHS 5-8 Clifton
14A: DHS 1-5 Clifton
14B: DHS 1-15 Clifton
BASKETBALL
DHS owned the basketball courts against Clifton, and the Horseflies recorded some sound victories, with their 1st team delivering a dominant performance.
The u15A match was very competitive and the Clifton u16B team did well to prevent a DHS clean sweep.
Results
1st: DHS 78-24 Clifton
2nd: DHS 36-20 Clifton
3rd: DHS 33-5 Clifton
4th: DHS 40-19 Clifton
5th: DHS 18-2 Clifton
16A: DHS 35-22 Clifton
16B: DHS 8-11 Clifton
16C: DHS 68-2 Clifton
15A: DHS 28-22 Clifton
15B: DHS 50-7 Clifton
15C: DHS 20-5 Clifton
14A: DHS 26-7 Clifton
14B: DHS 23-5 Clifton
14C: DHS 54-2 Clifton
14D: DHS 20-8 Clifton
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