Eye-catching match-ups deliver derby-day drama
A triple King Price Derby Series weekend saw heroics mixed with dramatic turnarounds on the biggest of stages
A school in unison on a special day, fresh from a special showcase. Kearsney College.
The past Saturday’s action saw three derbies take place among other high octane school boy clashes. In the KP Derby Series; an all-Makhanda derby saw St. Andrews travel the short distance of just under 2 kilometres to Kingswood, Kearnsey host St. Stithians in the former’s Founders Day and St. Charles and St. David’s battle it out on the Old Orchids.
Beginning in the town of Makhanda, an impressively large crowd entered the Kingswood gates to witness an intense yet engaging battle. Fought between rivals Kingswood and St. Andrews. In 2025’s edition of ‘K-Day’, the away support would see their side start the better of the two. Racing into a well earned 10 point lead at the break, as the scorecard read 17-7 to the traveling hopeful. Backing up the Kingswood’s head coach, Devon Barnard, worries earlier in the week that the home advantage of the City Lords wouldn’t impact St. Andrews much. Mentioning their opposition's “great run of form” a real consideration for the match’s story.
(https://ssschoolsplus.co.za/k-day-clash-in-the-kings-price-derby-series-spotlight/ ) Eluding to strong victories all round the term so far for the blue and white, such that only Michaelhouse and Queen’s had avoided a loss to St. Andrews so far. Despite this strong record and strong first half showing, Kingswood, spurred on by the immense home crowd, saw that this one would not end one sided. A great effort and response, as the clock hit 50, saw 15 points to St. Andrews’ 3 after the restart, meaning the game swung completely as we approached the final 20. Now with Kingswood 22-20 up. Lighting up K-Day’s main event, the home XV were insistent on notching another victory this season. Time trickled as a frantic motions of tap-and-go’s, knock-on’s and tough tackles saw the next twenty minutes disappear. St. Andrews turned down a couple of kickable penalties for all the glory, meaning that the away side would leave it very, very late. Just as the clock ticked precariously close to the seventy mark, a stone wall defensive effort (a mere five metres from their try line) from the Kingwood defense would finally be stretched. Allowing Asante Chivere to dive across the line. Sparking a wave of old boys and the current school support to rush the field to congratulate their heroes. A last minute try, sealing St. Andrews third K-Day triumph since COVID-19.
In their Founders Day, a special day in all schools’ calendars, Kearsney stepped up to host St. Stithians. A special occasion turned into a special match. Just a single point separating the two after the 70. A ‘Founders Fightback’ orchestrated late on by Keanu Williamson’s brace lit up a special day. 25-14 up, with a mere five minutes left, Saints were set for spoiling the day. A perfectly played game from the away side, seeing them lead at the break and seemingly as the game closed. That was, until Williamson wandered into the picture. Twice he struck, clawing back Founders Day celebrations and uniting the school. However, one cannot forget the Doan Nel pressure conversion for Keanu’s second try to snatch the point lead. A dramatic derby, with picturesque scenes of the school uniting in song after the game, giving rugby fans another impressive watch. Four losses on the bounce from Kearnsey previously… Pressure built. Broken down on the most special of occasions for the school. What a story.
Finally, Pietermaritzburg hosted a successful showing from St. Charles against St David’s. Without conceding a five pointer, the hosts dotted down six of their own. Keeping up with the flair witnessed from their earlier victories in the season, the hosts rocked St. David’s to a first loss in close to a month. While on the topic of dominance; other news saw Paarl Gim put 80+ on a scoreboard once again this season, this time away to SACS, Westville scored 50 against Michaelhouse and Pretoria Boys’ eased to a 33-6 win away to St. Johns. Likewise, after a jump to 11th in the country, high-fliers Wynberg pushed Paul Roos all the way in their encounter. The maroon machine edged it 21-17 after all was said and done. Excitement ripe once again throughout South Africa as the KP Derby Series nears a successful first term outing. Next week sees a double derby in the Southern Suburbs (SACS vs Berg and a Bish-Bosch showcase).
