The second leg of a double-header derby clash between King Edward VII School and Jeppe High School for Boys will take place at Jeppe this Saturday, writes THEO GARRUN.
This is the first time in a number of years the schools have decided to play against each other twice, and with the schools both fielding 23 rugby teams on the day, it provides a rare occasion on which all of the rugby players can be in action against the same opposition.
The last time the schools played each other twice was in 2002, to mark King Edward’s centenary, and before that in 1990 – Jeppe’s centenary year. It ended up one win each in both those years.
Jeppe won the first encounter in April, 24-17, coming back from a 17-7 deficit after playing with 13 men for 10 minutes.
That win meant Jeppe has edged ahead in recent results. Of the last 10 encounters. They have won five, KES four and there has been one draw.
Overall, historically, King Edward are comfortably ahead. Of the 88 games played between the two teams, KES have won 57, Jeppe 25, and there have been six draws.
It’s a true derby game, however, and on quite a few occasions the result has not gone the way that results in the year would have suggested.
On paper, Jeppe are the favourites. Comparative results against opponents like Affies, Pretoria Boys’ High and Waterkloof, show that they are the stronger of the two. Last weekend, Jeppe beat Waterkloof 41-26 and KES beat Pretoria Boys’ High 23-10. Earlier in the season, Jeppe beat Pretoria 36-12, while KES lost to Waterkloof 35-23. Jeppe lost 45-41 to Affies, while KES went down 12-3.
The coaches of the two teams, speaking to SARugbymag.co.za, both say it hasn’t been difficult to raise the intensity of their players for such a big game, despite it coming so late in the season.
‘We have three big games at this time of the year, including this one,’ says King Edward’s Mzwakhe Nkosi. ‘So the boys are fully invested and up for the challenge.’
Jeppe coach Carl Spilhaus agrees.
‘For our boys, playing for the school is a very big deal and this is the biggest game of the year, so motivation hasn’t been a problem.’
Nkosi points out that they had the first encounter well in hand but poor discipline cost them the game in the end.
‘We would definitely like to return the favour on Saturday on their home ground.’
Spilhaus is more cagey.
‘Derby games are tough, anything could happen on the day.’
Jeppe had 10 representatives in the Golden Lions team that had a pretty decent Craven Week, including their captain Muzi Manyike, who made the SA Schools team, and after last weekend’s good win over Waterkloof, they will not be lacking in confidence.
It is a derby, though, so anything can happen.
Kickoff for is 1:20pm.
Results of the last 10 derbies:
2009: KES 65 Jeppe 10
2010: Jeppe 17 KES 3
2011: KES 36 Jeppe 15
2012: Jeppe 28 KES 12
2013: KES 12 Jeppe 15
2014: Jeppe 17 KES 17
2015: KES 24 Jeppe 0
2016: Jeppe 36 KES 17
2017: KES 37 Jeppe 10
2018: KES 21 Jeppe24
Photo: Theo Garrun
