Expect a physical battle when Glenwood and Maritzburg College collide in their Mutual & Federal Premier Interschools match on Saturday.
Maritzburg were unstoppable at the St Stithians Easter Festival, beating Grey High 20-16, St Alban's 33-16 and a Schoonspruit Invitational XV 78-0, while Glenwood defeated Framesby 31-0 at the Kearsney Easter Festival before losing 22-11 to Middelburg and 23-19 to Menlopark.
There is a rich history between the two KZN schools, who first met in 1921. Of the 164 matches, Maritzburg have won 109 and Glenwood 38, with 17 draws.
Glenwood achieved the league double over Maritzburg in 2014, winning 27-14 at home and 21-20 away.
Glenwood topped the KZN league last year, finishing unbeaten in eight matches, while Maritzburg won five games and lost two to finish third.
Maritzburg coach Kevin Smith admits Glenwood will be tough to beat on Saturday, but says his loose forwards and backline can crack open the Green Machine's defence.
'No 8 Craig Glover and flank Kelton Thunder are quick and contest well at the breakdown,' he said. 'Yes, our players are small in stature but our backline, with the likes of centre Matthew Kriel [younger brother of Jesse and Dan] can pose a threat with ball in hand and put us on the front foot.'
Glenwood have been the underdogs for much of their rivalry with Maritzburg, but have recently became a provincial and national powerhouse, finishing eighth in last year's Top 20 rankings. They have a young side this year with seven of the starting XV in Grade 11, but have prepared well for Saturday's clash, according to coach Rudi Dames.
'We focused on our body positions at the breakdown, because we are aware of College's superiority here,' he said. 'However, our pack is still our biggest strength. We pride ourselves in the scrum and have a strong driving maul. We also paid special attention on executing our first phase and laying a platform for flyhalf Jerome Bosser, who's a good kicker, to dictate the match.'
In other notable games this weekend, Grey High, who beat Helpmekaar and Pretoria Boys' at the St Stithians Easter Festival, welcome an in-form Paul Roos.
In the Tuks Series, EG Jansen will tackle Eldoraigne, and Monument clash with HTS Middelburg.
In the Mother City, Wynberg Boys' face rivals Rondebosch Boys', Paarl Gym travel to Bishops, while SACS host Boland Landbou.
KwaZulu-Natal
Glenwood vs Maritzburg College
Clifton vs DHS
George Campbell vs St Charles
Port Natal vs Kloof
Eastern Cape
Framesby vs Despatch
Queen’s vs Dale
Cambridge vs Hudson Park
Marlow vs Brandwag
Kirkwood vs Muir
Nico Malan vs Langenhoven Gim
Grey HS vs Paul Roos
Free State/Northern Cape
Grey HS vs Paul Roos
Diamantveld vs Menlopark
Upington vs Menlopark 2nd XV
Grey College vs Fichardtpark
Sentraal vs Louis Botha
Jim Fouche vs Grey Cherries
AHS Kroonstad vs Voortrekker (Bethlehem)
Kroonstad vs Hentie Cilliers
Welkom Gim vs Witteberg
Goudveld vs HTS Welkom
Duineveld vs Landboudal
President Steyn vs St Andrew’s School
North West
Wonderboom vs Middelburg
Wesvalia vs Potch Gim
Die Anker vs Hugenote (Springs)
Potch Volkskool vs Noordheuwel
Zwartkop vs Oosterlig
Driehoek vs Lichtenburg
Bastion vs HTS Witbank
Hoogenhout vs Jeugland
Gauteng
Monument vs HTS Middelburg
Garsfontein vs Pietersburg
Eldoraigne vs EG Jansen
Nelspruit vs Kempton Park
Transvalia vs Rustenburg
Marais Viljoen vs Vereeniging Gim
Klerksdorp vs Centurion
Florida vs Ermelo
Jeppe vs Northwood
Affies vs Westville
Pretoria Boys' vs KES
Oos-Moot vs John Vorster
Western Cape
SACS vs Boland Landbou
Bellville vs De Kuilen
Monument Park vs Drostdy
Milnerton vs Durbanville
Strand vs HTS Bellville
Dirkie Uys vs Hugenote
Paarl Boys' High vs Outeniqua
Bishops vs Paarl Gym
Oudtshoorn vs Pearson
Wynberg vs Rondebosch
Stellenberg vs Tygerberg
Augsburg vs Vredendal Sec
Swartland vs Worcester Gim
Photo: Supplied
