12 May 2026
Upsets and unexpected results have defined the 2026 rugby season, not only in KwaZulu-Natal but throughout South Africa. It has been challenging to identify dominant teams, and the Sharks’ Craven Week selection reflects that.
In 2024, Durban High School (DHS) provided nine players, while last year, Westville Boys’ High had eight players included.
Six schools had players included in the squad in 2025, but there are seven this time around, and the numbers are more evenly spread.
DHS, with five players, has the highest number of players in the 23-man squad. Northwood and Kearsney College have four each. Last year, the One-Stripe had none, but they were a young side with exciting talent, and that talent has come to the fore this season.
Michaelhouse and Maritzburg College have three players each included, and unbeaten Hilton College has just two in the squad, along with Westville Boys’ High.
Among those selected were Michaelhouse captain Nicolas Salamousas and DHS skipper Zion Smith (feature photo). Both missed the Sharks Schools Rugby Day, but they had already made strong cases for inclusion earlier in the season.
Among the standout selections are Lwandile Mlaba and Nathan Aneke, who represented SA Schools in 2025, while powerful loose forwards Jamie Wimble and Zander Muller also return after featuring at the FNB Craven Week last year.
The Academy Week u17 squad tells a similar story of depth and balance. DHS contributes six players, Northwood four, Hilton and Michaelhouse three each, Glenwood, Kearsney, and Westville two apiece, and Maritzburg College one.
Fifteen of those players formed part of the Sharks side that captured the u16 Grant Khomo Week title in 2025, while Kearsney’s Daniel Miskey and Clement Makalele, who were also members of that winning side, have progressed into the Craven Week squad.
Some might look at the recent results of KZN sides during the Absa Wildeklawer and Grey High Rugby Festivals and question their strength. However, they were extremely competitive against leading teams from a selection of other provinces, and they’ve also already scored some eye-catching victories this season. Underestimating either the Sharks’ Craven Week or Academy Week sides would be a mistake.
As Northwood’s coach, Jacques Deen, said after his side’s win over Westville at the Sharks Schools Rugby Day: “There’s nothing wrong with KZN rugby. It’s in a really good place, and I think with Ronnie Uys and Peter Engledow [from DHS] taking the Craven Week team, they hopefully find the right combinations, and go and win it for us.”
Kevin Elder of Maritzburg College will head up the Academy Week side, assisted by Lyle Matthysen from DHS and Burger Nel from Hilton College. Agreement Sikhosana, from Port Shepstone High, takes on the role of manager.
Sharks Craven Week Squad
Aphelele Chamane (Michaelhouse), Theo Boshoff (Maritzburg College), Nicolas Salamousas (Michaelhouse), Wandile Mlaba (Westville), Andrew Schnell (Hilton), Zander Muller (Hilton), Zion Smith (DHS), Jamie Wimble (Northwood), Johannes (Ludi) van der Walt (Northwood), Daniel Miskey (Kearsney), Anesu Kuzonyei (Northwood), Alex Jankowitz (Michaelhouse), Nathan Aneke (DHS), Amo Mataboge (DHS), Lux Sonkononkono (Westville), Iglesias Bruiners (DHS), Clement Makalele (Kearsney), Priden Sibiya (DHS), Tristan Parkinson (Northwood), Nhlanhla Ndlovu (Kearsney), Dominic du Toit (Maritzburg College), Olwethu Kosani (Maritzburg College), Lwazi Mbebe (Kearsney).
Head coach: Peter Engeldow (DHS)
Assistant coaches: Ronnie Uys (DHS), Flash Malinga (Maritzburg College), Derek Heiberg (DHS)
Manager: Divesh Sookdeo (Kearsney)
Strength and Conditioning coach: Sebenza Mapumulo (Westville Boys’ High)
Sharks u17 Academy Week Squad
Aidan du Plooy (Hilton), Rorke Stirk (Westville), Tunga Griffiths (Kearsney), Bulelani Cebane (DHS), Lwango Ntantala (Hilton), Kevin van Volenstee (Northwood), Akokwe Moeng (DHS), Jaydon Jubber (Michaelhouse), Richaard Kriel (DHS), Tanwil Onkers (DHS), Lisa Sijadu (Westville), Elgenio Oerson (Glenwood), Sterling Padi (DHS), Fabiano Ferro (Michaelhouse), Rosco Williams (Glenwood), Matthew Wilson (Kearsney), Awande Mthethwa (Northwood), Phokuhle Hlatshwayo (DHS), Sean Jansen (Maritzburg College), Nala Shabangu (Northwood), Ben Hughes (Michaelhouse), Sondelanai Sheleni (Northwood), Ruan Mulder (Hilton).
Head coach: Kevin Elder (Maritzburg College)
Assistant coaches: Lyle Matthysen (DHS), Burger Nel (Hilton College)
Manager: Agreement Sikhosana (Port Shepstone)
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