4 August 2026
The atmosphere around Van Heerden’s Field was electric on Saturday as Durban High School (DHS) and Northwood renewed one of Durban’s fiercest rugby rivalries.
Earlier this season, Northwood beat DHS for the first time since 2019, claiming a gritty 17-14 win on Reece-Edwards Field, thanks to a heroic late defensive stand. This time, the Knights were chasing an even tougher prize – consecutive wins over the Horseflies and victory on Van Heerden’s Field.
Instead, DHS protected an unbeaten home record that stretches back to 2022, claiming a hard-earned 26-19 victory with a dramatic try-line stand of their own in the closing moments.
The hosts made a flying start, dominating territory and racing into a 14-0 lead inside the opening quarter. Both tries came through SA u18A centre Nathan Aneke, who twice sliced through the Northwood defence by running excellent lines onto flat passes. Cilermo Carolus added the extras.
Northwood gradually wrestled their way back into the contest by playing in the right areas. Their pressure was rewarded in the 28th minute when a powerful rolling maul forced a penalty try, reducing the deficit to 14-7 at the break.
The Knights carried that momentum into the second half. A sustained forward drive ended with SA u18A flank Nala Shabangu crashing over, and Josh Mills converted to level the scores at 14-14.
DHS, however, responded like champions. After patiently building through multiple phases, they shifted the ball wide for SA u18A back Amo Matoboge to finish clinically in the right-hand corner and restore the lead.
The decisive moment soon followed. The Horseflies struck again in the left corner before Dewaldo Bok produced an outstanding touchline conversion to extend the advantage to 26-14.
Northwood refused to go quietly. With just over five minutes remaining, Anesu Kuzonyei showed impressive pace to score in the left corner, narrowing the gap to seven points.
The Knights threw everything at DHS in the closing stages, but the Horseflies produced a determined defensive stand to preserve a deserved victory and extend their remarkable unbeaten run at home.
Over recent seasons, the depth of rugby at DHS has gone from strength to strength. Last weekend, they won 17 of 18 matches against Jeppe, with the 1st XVs playing to a 21-21 draw. On Saturday, they won 13 out of 13 against Northwood.
Results
1st: DHS 26-19 Northwood
2nd: DHS 26-8 Northwood
3rd: DHS 33-12 Northwood
4th: DHS 33-19 Northwood
5th: DHS 22-5 Northwood
16A: DHS 33-7 Northwood
16B: DHS 33-6 Northwood
16C: DHS 50-0 Northwood
15A: DHS 14-12 Northwood
15B: DHS 45-0 Northwood
14A: DHS 55-14 Northwood
14B: DHS 50-0 Northwood
14C: DHS 50-7 Northwood
HOCKEY
The DHS 1st XI started their 2026 hockey campaign on fire, scoring a string of impressive victories. Then, a mid-season slump followed as they went off the boil for a while.
However, since the SASHOC National Weeks, where they produced a huge number of players selected for national teams, the Horseflies have been back to their best. Last weekend, they edged out a strong Jeppe side 3-2. On Saturday, playing at The Coliseum, they beat an excellent Northwood team 2-1.
The open age group games were split 1-1, Northwood won one, and the other U16 match finished in a draw, while DHS picked up two victories in U14 matches.
Results
1st: DHS 2-1 Northwood
2nd: DHS 1-2 Northwood
16A: DHS 0-0 Northwood
16B: DHS 2-4 Northwood
14A: DHS 3-0 Northwood
14B: DHS 2-0 Northwood
FOOTBALL
The Northwood, DHS, and Hilton College 1st XIs were all in action at the Primo Big 10 at Hilton on Saturday and Sunday. To find out how it went, please follow the LINK.
Northwood and Hilton faced off in 18 matches in a football derby, which delivered eight Northwood wins, six wins for Hilton, and four draws. Hilton scored 31 goals, and Hilton netted 39 times.
Results
2nd: Northwood 0-0 Hilton
3rd: Northwood 2-0 Hilton
4th: Northwood 4-0 Hilton
5th: Northwood 3-1 Hilton
6th: Northwood 2-2 Hilton
16A: Northwood 1-2 Hilton
16B: Northwood 0-9 Hilton
16C: Northwood 2-1 Hilton
16D: Northwood 4-3 Hilton
15A: Northwood 3-1 Hilton
15B: Northwood 1-1 Hilton
15C: Northwood 0-2 Hilton
15D: Northwood 4-3 Hilton
14A: Northwood 1-1 Hilton
14B: Northwood 1-3 Hilton
14C: Northwood 2-5 Hilton
14D: Northwood 1-5 Hilton
INDOOR HOCKEY
Both schools were busy throughout the week as the KZN Coastal Indoor Hockey season got underway. Follow the LINK to see the results.