SuperSport Schools Plus | Who will strike first in KES vs Jeppe double-header?

King Edward VII (KES) will lock horns with Jeppe High School for Boys in the first leg of their much-anticipated season’s double-header on Saturday. Winning the first game potentially sets up the victors for a season’s sweep and the bragging rights that would come with that.

Kick-off takes place at 14:00 on Jeppe’s iconic Collard Field.

Both schools’ 1st XVs ranks among South Africa’s elite in 2024 and their clash promises to deliver an afternoon of exhilarating rugby action, lathered in the history and tradition of the fixture.

Catch all the action live on Channel 216 or SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com)

The rivalry dates back to 1935. Since then, Jeppe and KES have met on 97 occasions. Despite playing so many times, the intensity of that rivalry appears to be escalating.

While the Red Army was dominant during the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s, Jeppe has mounted a formidable resurgence and clawed their way back into contention, with the schools splitting the wins evenly over their past 10 meetings.

KES has the upper hand in the overall record, with 63 victories to Jeppe’s 28, and six draws. In last year’s fixtures, KES won the first leg 23-20, in a nail-biting clash, while Jeppe bounced back strongly in the second match to secure a composed 43-31 victory.

Both sides feature players who were part of last season’s squads, which should add a bit of “spice” to Saturday’s encounter. Many of the players would also have shared changing rooms while playing together at various age-group levels for the Golden Lions over the years.

KES is in good form, having won all four of their April outings. Most recently, they beat Pretoria Boys High School 24-14 last weekend and the weekend before that they crushed Parktown Boys’ High 80-0.

Jeppe lost at Affies a week ago. The final result read 26-39. Jeppe made a slow start and trailed by 19 at the break, but they showed in the second half what they’re capable of being, winning it 19-13.

Spectators will need to keep a close eye on the front rows as both sets of forwards carry some formidable weight and a hard-fought battle is expected up front.

Jeppe’s Andre Poulton, Bonga Nxumalo and Luca Trevisan have shown up well this season, but they will be up against some stiff competition from Connor White, Esethu Mnebelele and Nathan van der Merwe.

Another interesting contest within the contest will be that between the flyhalves, Vusi Moyo (KES) and Matthew Coetzee (Jeppe), who have both impressed this season. They present two very different styles of play, which should challenge both players tactically.

Jeppe’s defense will need to be airtight against a rampant KES team which has shown an affinity for an aggressive brand of attacking rugby.

Of course, nobody owns a better win this season than Jeppe’s over Gray College at the NMI Toyota North-South Tournament.

Teams

Jeppe High School for Boys: 15 Sanele Simelane, 14 Mjij Ndimphiwe, 13 Kuthadzo Rasivhaga, 12 McMillen Mongwana, 11 Lindelani Nkambule, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Talent Sithole, 8 Risima Khosa, 7 Nathan Classen, 6 Uwaku Manaka, 5 Luke Cannon, 4 Lagan Leisher, 3 Luca Trevisan, 2 Bonga Nxumalo, 1 Andre Poulton.

King Edward VII: 15 Mbuso Methula, 14 Jarell Mbuyi, 13 Olunje Mehlomakulu, 12 Tristan Maugeri, 11 Haniel Monkoti, 10 Simphiwe Moyo, 9 Regan McGurk, 8 Kebotile Maake, 7 Sam Bruwer, 6 James Kobrowisky, 5 Michael Bownes, 4 Thomas Beiling, 3 Nathan Frank vd Merwe, 2 Esethu Mnebelele, 1 Connor White.

Fixtures

Jeppe High School for Boys v King Edward VII

u14A: 8:00 Jeppe High School for Boys vs King Edward VII (White Field)
u15A: 09:30 Jeppe High School for Boys vs King Edward VII (Collard Field)
u16A: 11:10 Jeppe High School for Boys vs King Edward VII (Collard Field)
u19B: 12:30 Jeppe High School for Boys vs King Edward VII (Collard Field)
u19A: 14:00 Jeppe High School for Boys vs King Edward VII (Collard Field)