South African schoolboy rugby supporters are so spoilt and we sometimes accept this as a given without thanking all people involved.
The big clash in KZN must be the one between the visiting Monnas and Glenwood. Monnas' season started slowly with a lost against Eldoraigne at Ellis Park 22-27 in their third game. They won six games in a row after that upset, but then again lost against Boland Landbou 22-24 at Wildeklawer. Thereafter Monnas won again four games in a row with last weekend's win against KES the most impressive of them all. In their loss against Boland Landbou and win against KES Monnas has shown that they do not like when their opponents are in their face the whole time BUT against KES Monnas has shown that their defensive structures can cope with everything that is thrown at them. KES with the majority of the ball could only score 1 try against a Monnas team under siege in the second half. Monnas' line-outs should ensure enough ball from 1st phase and on the ground, they can ensure enough quality ball to set loose their explosive runners. However, KES has shown up one serious shortcoming in the Monnas team and that came scrum time where the KES men were in control the whole match.
Glenwood made a late entry in this years schoolboy rugby scene with them only appearing at the Kearsney Festival middle April 2017. They improved with every game as the season continued and smashed Garsfontein in their first match at Wildeklawer 38-12. Big was the surprise that Paarl Boishaai could beat them with ease 30-12 on the second day of the Wildeklawer Festival that may just have shown Monnas how to play and win Glenwood. Big wins followed against Kearsney 59-7 and MenloPark 39-0 and then one of the surprises of the season DHS taking control of the second half and beating Glenwood 20-17 last weekend.
Glenwood's gameplan to splits their forwards in two may prove successful against "weaker" teams but come Saturday Glenwood will have to commit the big men up front where ysters like Pot and Kwagga awaits. Monnas will take them apart minute by minute in defence and attack using their big units up front to boelie Glenwood. JJ and his fellow forwards will know they were in a war on Saturday evening. Glenwood's backline must be one of the more dangerous this year, but Monnas showed that they can defend all day and score from scrappy ball they get. Monnas should be too much for this young Glenwood team of whom a lot is expected in 2018.
DHS will definitely make sure that their last game at home and this season will be one to remember. They host a Westville side who will hope to prove to all that they deserve to be seen as serious competitors in KZN losing to all local teams they played against except for Northwood. DHS must be the favourite. Kearsney is returning from an excellent win against St Stithians winning 41-18 last weekend. They are travelling to a Hilton side that lost last weekend against Maritzburg College 23-8 and will want to revenge their 3rd loss this year.
To view all fixtures and results for the weekend ending 04 June 2017 click here.