Southern Suburbs shine in the spotlight
A double header lights up Cape Town while an-all Joburg clash takes place as the
KP Derby Series wraps up its first term
SACS captain Sango Zangqa, closely followed by Daniel Grant, leads his side out in front of the College faithful in derby-day against Wynberg - Photo:
In the final weekend of Term 2 rugby action, the King Price Derby Series campaign traveled to one of Cape Town’s biggest derby weekends. The closing school boy fixture each term sees the Southern Suburbs Four lock horns as BishBosch takes place, coupled with the College vs Berg match-up. This time round the KP Derby Series was there to host both, and the first of two weekend specials between the four this year. While the fireworks went down in the South, the KP Derby Series rounded up its representation on Saturday in Joburg as St. Stithians hosted St. John’s.
A magnificent day dawned upon the mighty Memorial A as SACS hosted Wynberg. The final derby of the term closed off a quite different set of campaigns so far for each side. The hosts, coming off a rough first half of 2025. After a decent start in the various preseason events, College has had it hard since. Yet to win at home or a derby-day, the side was entering this occasion without key players as well in the form of Craven Week star Siphesihle Mbungendlu and WP academy team week representative Thandolwethu Sitole. On the other hand, their challengers have soared these past months. Climbing to the top of the ‘SS4’ tree and firmly knocking on a top 10 rank in the country. Under a rare sighting of blue skies this past week, Newlands soon became a hive of noise. Engulfed within the two sets of school boy support, the XVs entered a crucible of an arena. Spurred on by the fantastic fans, SACS put up an almighty stand against the favorites in the first half. Defying the odds to draw first blood before nearly doubling their lead after Quewinn Lackay scored a break away try that was ruled out as play was brought back. Holding Berg to a single try, College pulled off one of their better halves this season. A defiant defense right at the end saw them grab a 7-7 first half result. Navigating the ‘Berg storm’ well. Wynberg had been properly limited from reaching their flowing gamestyle and stoppages for the odd argy-bargy didn't help. As both schools revved up their respective machines into the second 35, Berg would begin to shovel through the home defense. Scrum time soon became all Berg's, and a try early doors from Tjeripo Karuhumba seemed to be a catalyst for a Berg blowout. However, SACS stuck in it and with a Mikey Skeeles penalty they made it 14-10. Which it stayed for a while, as both sides searched for the momentum. As time ticked, so did the Berg scrum and constant pressure on the College defense. Resulting finally by the crowning moment of another
top display from star Yaqeen Ahmed (eventual MOTM) as he crashed over, seeing Wynberg cross the line in the end. Despite finishing at 21-10, much applause must go the way of SACS. A resilient effort that, with a few penalty calls going their way, may have seen them complete the upset. However, SACS will now be left without a home win going into the June holidays. Looking to hopefully find their feet at home next term against Brackenfell and Bishops.
Across the suburbs under the sun, BishBosch was alive and kicking. Hosted by Bosch, the home side certainly knew how to put on a show. A disappointing derby loss earlier in the month to Wynberg meant Rondebosch would have to settle for second in the ‘SS4’ at the close of a term for the first time in years. Nevertheless, they left no mercy for the Bishops XV. Four separate try scorers ran rampant; namely David Kadima, Daniel Cooke, Ismaeel Conrad and Josh Neill. Their efforts were helped largely by a hundred percent conversion rate from the boot of Sebastian Boshoff. Seeing the side notch 28 points in the encounter. A late try however would give the Bish boys some consolation, though the end result of 28-7 will be sure to hurt going into the June /July break. Dioscen College will have a final say to turn things around however, hosting each team’s final 2025 match in August.
Across the country, the Pink Day Derby flourished as St. Stithians took on St. John’s in the third King Price Derby Series fixture of the weekend. Looking to upset the hosts, St. John’s were coming off an entertaining 2024 Pink Day Derby win 24-20 against Saints. Saints however were keen to avoid defeat this time round and build on a narrow derby
defeat to Kearsney that had just gone by. This desire showed as they piled on the pressure early doors. Eventually leading to a well deserved and dominant 22-0 half-time lead. A seemingly done game, Saints soon learnt how a game is only won at the final whistle. Ill discipline saw the side pick up two yellow cards within five minutes of each other which St John’s took great advantage Scoring three unanswered, including a Lwandile Khupe brace. Creating a situation unforeseeable at the break, where the visitors were now just a point off St. Stithians. With things poised at 22-21, St. John’s pushed to complete a magical comeback after an incredible 21 points in 20 minutes of action. Clinging on by a thread, Saints desperately looked to put the game once again out of reach. Oliver Wilson missing a penalty in the 56th minute didn’t help nerves, but he redeemed things and added three points in the dying embers of the fixture to see out the nervy final moments of the game for the hosts. Finishing at 25-21, the Pink Derby Day delivered once more. A tale of two halves to the tea, as Saints won the first 35 22-0, while a spirited St. John’s won the second 35 21-3. However, St. Stithians would just manage to hold on in the end.
With these three enticing encounters, the 2025 season reaches its midpoint. An exciting first term of rugby action for sure as the KP Derby Series delivered derby-day magic week in, week out. Setting up a huge 2025 term three. Sure to be filled with upsets, last minute drama and derby bragging rights for schools across the country.
