Queens’ quell Dale in season finale while Robertson ravage the Charlies
The penultimate KP Derby Series fixtures took the stage this weekend with a backdrop of ‘SS4’ derby-days
For the final time of 2025, the Queens’ XV took the field against bitter rivals Dale College.
As the class of 25’ nears their time on the school stage, farewells start to sound from the matrics to their beloved schools and 1st team fields. As a vessel for this year’s class and their school peers to shine, the KP Derby Series once again hosted the country’s biggest derby fixtures this past weekend. With just two derbies this time round, the campaign traveled to the Eastern Cape for Queens’ and Dale to fight it out in a season finale and to the Western Cape as Charlie Hofmeyr hosted Robertson in Ceres.
Beginning in the town of Qonce (King Williams’ Town) this past Friday, the Rec Field in Komani was set for a final flourish from Queens' College and their matrics. Sitting just in the top 20 of the country, Queens’ ranks just behind Graeme College in the EC rankings. The home crowd in their thousands were keen for a derby-win as send off from their 1st XV. Their opposition for the afternoon, Dale College, have had quite a contrast of a season. Battling to even enter the top 50, the side was entering the day having won just one in their last twelve after last week’s 16-10 loss to Hudson Park. However, last year’s derby had seen Queens’ only narrowly clinch it 15-13. Keen for a slightly easier run of things, Queens’ came out firing on all cylinders. Ncutu Kepe and Sbabalwe Magwebu scored for the hosts within the first 10 minutes. Mveli Mqulo converted both, as the starlet would begin to stamp his authority on the match. A Sonwabise Dyani penalty just after the 20 minute mark would get Dale on the scoreboard, but would soon be canceled out by a Mqulo penalty minutes later. This would serve as the final scoring action of the half as the first period ended 17-3 in favour of Queens’. A dominant display to begin the day’s events. Just as the game had started, the second half got underway with a bang. Barely a minute in and Ncutu Kepe had scored his second for Queens’. Another Mqulo conversion would see his side possibly put this one to bed as early as the 37th minute. 24-3, the score stood. Despite this early blow, Dale would continue to play their hearts out. Rewarded with a brace of tries in double quick time as the clock neared the 60 minute mark. Phikolomzi Mtyalela and Ebenezer Sarpong each adding five points. With both converted by Dyani, Dale would find themselves back in the game. 24-17, a converted try away from tying things up. Just as nerves began to become a common commodity amongst the Queens’ faithful, Ncutu Kepe would step up once more.
Completing his hat trick with just under 5 on the clock, the SA Schools player delivered on the biggest of stages once more. Clinching a fine victory for his side. A cherry on top of a very good season as Queens’ College claimed the Border Derby 31 points to 17. Sending off their matrics in fine style.
As Saturday entered the fray, the spotlight spun to the Western Cape. Set for national TV screens for the first time this year, Charlie Hofmeyr hosted Robertson. The hosts came into the fixture with hopes sky high after remaining unbeaten against their opponents since 2017. The Charlies were also fresh from a 20-19 victory last weekend against Montagu. On the other side of the coin, travelling to take on Hofmeyr, the Robertson XV had proven their worth a fortnight ago after a well earned 53-28 triumph over Langenhoven. In the end, it was to be the away side who dominated the affair. Turning things into a pretty one-sided clash. Haygen Persent began things for Robertson as he scored just as the first half passed its midpoint, and was joined in the scoring by a penalty from Jaydan van Niekerk minutes into the second 35’. At 8-0, the game wasn’t out of reach just yet for the Charlies. However, two tries in the 41st and 63rd minutes from the away side would seal things. Finalising a score of 20-0, and leaving the traveling support with much to celebrate as they trekked back to the town of Robertson.
While next weekend will see the ‘SS4’ in headline action in the KP Series, the second of three derby weekends this term between the four took place on Saturday. After last week had seen Rondebosch edge past SACS 23-20 and Bishops and Wynberg play out to a 26-all stalemate, this weekend saw the SACS matrics bid farewell to the Memorial A against Bishops while the Tinkie Heyns said farewell to Bosch's class of 25’. In the former of the two, SACS and Bishops would ultimately play out their second stalemate of the season. After a late Bishop's finish earlier in the season saw them steal a 14-14 draw, SACS would return the favor in very muddy and wet conditions. Down 18-6 in the dying minutes of a cagey game, College would force their way over the line to give their masses hope of a 2025 home send off. Still though, as Bishops got things underway as the clock reached zero, SACS would need a further converted try to avoid defeat. Enter Quewinn ‘Happy Feet’ Lackay, with a solo try that began just outside his own twenty-two. Under the stormclouds and atop an undistinguishable Mem. A, Lackay fired the SACS support into utter jubilation. Threatening a pitch invasion from over hundreds of SACS boys, Lackay had saved College from defeat at the very end. An allegorical act of resilience and perseverance that the rest of his side had done that whole afternoon despite the weather. 18-18 it ended after Mikey Skeeles added the extra two. Across the suburb, in what was seen as a decider for the ‘SS4’ 2025 champions, Bosch invited Berg onto the Tinkie Heyns. A ‘final’ that turned out to be total domination from the away side, as Wynberg’s XV stamped their names as the best in the Southern Suburbs. A remarkable 43-0 landslide, as the Berg storm was well and truly alive. A final showing from these four next week will close 2025’s school boy rugby chapter. A chapter full of drama, skill, rivalry and camaraderie. With derby-days ever present and represented through the awesome King Price Derby Series.
