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Vernon Matongo

Head Prefect Introduction Address

Good morning to the Headmaster, Mr Viljoen, staff members and my fellow brothers of the Blue Army.  I stand here today humbled, grateful for the trust you have bestowed on me, mindful of the sacrifices made by the outgoing Knights.

My name is Vernon Matongo.  I grew up in a small neighbourhood back in Zimbabwe called Cranborne, with my older brother, Vincent, my hero.  In 2015 when I got given the opportunity to come to Northwood I was over the moon, it was a step closer to my dreams of becoming a Springbok.  The only issue I had was that I wasn’t willing to leave my hero behind, my brother, but Mr Le Roux assured me that coming to Northwood would be the best decision I would ever make and to this day I agree with him.

When I joined Northwood I became part of a brotherhood that would last a lifetime.  From a young Squire who was scared to leave one brother behind, I have become a Knight with a thousand brothers I’ll never have to leave behind.

I stand here today, honoured by this amazing opportunity to lead this school, not only by being the best school in Durban, but the best school in the country.  Our blood is blue and next year we are painting the whole nation blue.  I know you might be thinking that this guy is crazy, but let me ask you something – who is Northwood?

Look to your left…. look to your right…. look behind you…. now look in front of you… look at the names on the memorial wall…. look at the names on the honours boards…. look at the staff members that sit in front of you…. look at the Old Boys who have walked these corridors before us…. look at the walls that surround us…. lastly, I want you to look at yourself.  You are Northwood.  We are Northwood.

No one will magically come and make the school great.  It is up to you and I to make Northwood phenomenal, not just for you and I, but for generations to come.  And, to some of you, it may seem like we are trying to build a huge wall, but instead of focusing on the wall, focus on the brick you are laying that will contribute to the final wall, making sure that the one brick is perfectly put in place and eventually we will have our fortress.  I have faith and all my trust in my prefect team and the deputies that will help both you and I to build our wall.  Together with the prefects we have set values that we as Northwood gentlemen will all live by, and by all I mean you and I.  The values are:

• To respect the badge;
• To respect all who form a part of Northwood School;
• To protect our Brotherhood with compassion and honesty;
• To be held accountable for our actions;
• To put others first;
• To respect our environment and be active in its survival;
• To uphold integrity and do the right thing even when no-one is watching;
• To leave this school better than how we found it;
• To believe that nothing is beneath us and we are never too big to do the small things;
• To be humble in our attitudes and actions; and
• To Honour our motto – Acquit ye like Men,

With these values put in place, Northwood is no longer about “you broke this rule, you broke that rule.”  As Northwood gentlemen we should have these values instilled within us so that even when no one I s watching we will have the integrity to do the right thing.  Now how can we build this beautiful wall?

If you and I can be just 1% better each day, whether it be in our manners, standing to greet an elder, our attitude, living out our values.  In a hundred days we should be guaranteed 100% improvement and I believe our wall will stand tall and firm.

Where does my belief come from?

I stand here knowing that my story is part of a larger Northwood story and I owe a debt to all those that came before me and in no other school on earth is my story even possible.  I believe we are all connected as one people, one brotherhood.

It is this fundamental belief – “I am my brother’s keeper” that makes this school work.  Hope for the future gives me strength to lay down my one perfect brick today, hoping for the greatest version of Northwood, because at the end of the day, it is “My story, your story, our story, the Northwood Story.”

Thank you!

We are proud to announce our Head Prefect and Deputy Head Prefects for 2020:
Head Prefect: Vernon Matongo, Deputy Head Prefects: Mnqobi Shoba, Dylan Ferreira, Matthew Willson, Matthew Bricknell
Congratulations young men, we look forward to your leadership as role models and young Knights of Northwood.

It was an honour to have 1989 Northlands Head Prefect, ex Springbok, and Current SuperSport presenter, Warren Brosnihan, as our guest speaker at Speech Day. Warren gave a inspirational speech on setting your goals, believing in yourself and putting in the hard work required no matter the setbacks and challenges you face. Thank you for sharing your passion and insights with us, your words will be remembered by many.

There is an awesome buzz around Northwood at the start of this cricket season, and with good reason.

Our pre-season training has started off well and our first T20 fixtures against Zimbabwe’s age group teams did not disappoint. Our u14 A team started the day off well for Northwood with a convincing 10 wicket victory. It was a fantastic team effort by the boys. The spoils were shared amongst the bowlers and the small run chase finished off well by our two opening batsmen.

The u15A team then took to the field. We started off a bit slow and tentative but upped the rate when captain Ethan Grace arrived at the crease. He batted well for his 34 runs off 31 balls and was well supported by Bradley Bumberry (20) and Thabiso Ndlela (15).

Our u15’s played well as a team with inspired captaincy by Ethan Grace.

Adam Chislett immediately put the touring team under pressure with his early 2 wickets.

David Ohlesson and Sam McCall then closed off the game as the u15 spin twins took 2 wickets each.

Our Knights were then in action,  and were spoiled by the hosting venue, Northlands Primary School, who allowed us to play under lights. This is always a special occasion for boys and creates great excitement.

Captain Jeremy Martins won the toss and without doubt decided that we should take the bat.

In came the star of the show – Ali Hamid. Fresh off a marvellous 62 off 44 balls vs St Charles (current KZN T20 champions) Ali took the attack to the bowlers. It was a showpiece and master class to the young Northwood players who stayed to watch the First Team boys. With balls clearing the boundary with easy and precious placement, Ali stole the show with one of the best T20 batting performances we have witnessed at Northwood. 6 runs short of having his name engraved in our 100’s honours board, Ali went out still with the intent to keep blasting the bowlers. 94 runs off 44 balls.

I truly hope and believe that Ali will reach that 100 run make before his last day at Northwood School.

Kiaron Gopal (33) supported him well during his time at the crease.

Inspired bowling then followed by Travis Graham (3 for 10), James McIlwraith (3 for 21) and Thulani Chiliza (2 for 10)  who finished off the game and ensured victory for the Knights.

Our first fixture will be against St Charles College next week Saturday in 50 over matches away. We will have our work cut out for us against the current KZN T20 champions but as always the Northwood boys can make us proud! 10 of our 20 teams will make the journey up the hill.

FACILITIES

In the true spirit of our Durban North community and parents of Northwood, our First Team cricket change-room and Cricket HQ will be completed by the start of the season. A massive thank you must go to everyone who has contributed their time, effort and funds towards this project.

It has also been decided that the time has arrived to upgrade our top field nets. This will be completed by early next week. This facility will now simulate true pitch conditions and our bowlers will have a consistent area to land when bowling, which will prevent injuries and lead to more consistency.

COACHES

A special thank you goes to Riaan Minnie who will move on from Northwood as he pursues his dream of becoming a professional cricket coach. He has helped to lay a strong foundation with our players and cricket culture.

We are also very pleased to announce that Brinsley Powell will serve as the first team assistant coach and manager. He has a fantastic way with the boys and has the ability to bring out the best in people.

Our coaching staff for this season:

Knights

Divan van Wyk

Brinsley Powell

Brown Caps (u17A)

Daniel Freitag

U15A

Jordan Grobellaar

Mike Wolstenholme

U15B

Daniel Smith

U14A

Eric Grimaldi

Cameron Ryan

U14B

Sandile Dube

We thank all our coaches that offer their time, energy and skill to our cricket boys.

A special thank you in advance to our long serving Master in Charge of Cricket, Brian Gow, who is always one step ahead with his planning.

All the best to all our cricket boys and to a fantastic 2019 / 2020 cricket season.

Divan van Wyk

Director of Cricket

On Saturday 20 July Northwood travelled up to St Charles. St Charles are always a difficult team to beat on their home ground and Saturday was no different. The game started really slowly as the teams searched for weakness in each other. During the first half both goalkeepers were hardly tested as the teams searched for an opening. The first half drew to a close with the score 0 – 0.

The second half picked up with both sides having numerous chances but both goalkeepers keeping their respective sides in the game with very good saves.

Northwood were starting to get on top of the game and Braiden Magurno made that count putting Northwood ahead 1 – 0. The lead did not last very long as a lack of concentration lead to St Charles equalising . The game looked as it was heading for a draw when St Charles went on the attack and Northwood goalkeeper Mathew Wilson pulled off a great save.

With time running out Northwood mounted a last attack Jamie Lucioli was bought down in the box with Northwood been awarded a penalty. Captain Adam Brun took the responsibility to take the penalty and calmly slotted the ball in the bottom left hand corner. Northwood won this hard fought match 2 – 1.

Picture Credit:  Khawulani Thwala – Northwood Press Club

This Saturday saw the most memorable rugby season for the Northwood Knights conclude in spectacular fashion.

Close on 11 000 people attended Old Boys Day at Northwood school which saw Northwood securing a famous 20-12 victory over Kearsney.

The Knights started off well with continuous pressure in the Kearsney 22, it took a lot to finally wear-down the gutsy Kearsney defence and allow winger Sali Mlenzana to go over after some good hands from the backs in the corner.

After a further 20 minutes with their wind at their back the Knights worked well to grind out another try in the form of young loose-head prop Ryan Francis carrying over the line near the poles. The hectic wind witnessed on the day wasn’t able to stop this one from sticking on course and JP Du Preez the number 10 got the first kick over for the day.

Northwood led 12-0 going into the half time break.

With the 2^nd half kick-off and the wind at their backs the Kearsney “one stripe” did well to get a quick try taking the score to 12-7.

The sky quickly turned from sunny to dark grey with rain starting to come down – in what seemed like a doomed setting for the Northwood community Kearsney scored another try with a failed conversion taking the score to 12-12. The atmosphere changed as the crowd suspected a momentum shift in favour of Kearsney but as Northwood were awarded a penalty which JP Du Preez converted, hope was aptly restored all in sync with a rainbow over the field, creating the most beautiful setting for things to come in the closing 10 minutes as Northwood went on to score a well worked try through tight head prop Vernon Matongo going over with a strong carry in the right hand corner.

The final score 20-12 in favour of the Northwood Knights, dedicated to their old boy community as well as the Durban-North community as a whole.

On Saturday the Northwood 1st XI played Kearsney on Northwood’s Old Boys’ Day. The match started with both teams playing within themselves somewhat. However it was Kearsney who drew first blood shortly after they defended a Northwood penalty corner by forcing a PC of their own. Daniel de Kock made no mistake as he blasted home a straight hit. The match continued to be played between the 23m lines with neither team being able to break down each others superb defensive shapes. However, as the half progressed, Northwood started to capitalise on some poor discipline from Kearsney to start creating some excellent chances. After several PC attacks and Nick Wright smashing the upright from close range, Kearsney somehow were able to go into half time with their 1-0 lead in tact.

The second half played out in a much different fashion with Northwood dominating the stats and having the better of the chances. Eventually Northwood walked through the Kearsney defence with an outlet of dreams which lead to Brent ‘Fireball’ Van Der Linde tapping home on far post to level the scores. However their comeback was short lived as Kearsney were awarded a penalty stroke after a messy goal mouth scrap and they regained their lead. From that point on, Northwood got stronger and stronger and the Kearsney boys struggled to keep the waves of attacks at bay and it wasn’t long until Northwood equalised early in the fourth quarter. Nick Wright made up for his first half miss when he crashed a backhand into the Kearnsey backboard to level the match once again.

Northwood finished the stronger of the two teams but a draw was probably a just result with both teams doing enough in the match not to deserve a loss.

Well done gents on a fine season.

The 1st XI played a very threatening Michaelhouse 1st XI on Saturday. The match started with Michaelhouse applying maximum pressure from the first whistle. With Michaelhouse pressing high and so many numbers up, they left themselves exposed at the back and this gave Tyler Tomsett far too much freedom up front and within five minutes blasted the first opportunity Northwood had home to take the lead slightly against the ruin of play. This seem to energise Michaelhouse who then came firing even harder and created their best chances just minutes later but Quinn McKenzie made the save of the season to keep the 1-0 lead in tact. from that outlet, Northwood forced a penalty corner which Dylan Ferreira sent flying home to double the lead just before the end of the first quarter. Michaelhouse continued to press high and this left them too vulnerable and just six minutes into the second quarter, Chris Sarafidis burst away and exquisitely chipped the keeper to make it 3-0. A minute later it was Nick Wright’s turn to add to the lead and a minute after that saw the goal of the half from Northwood captain who waltzed his way through the Michaelhouse defence to rocket a shot into the side netting to leave the visitors stunned at 5-0 down at half time.

The second half saw Northwood let up on the intensity they showed in the first half and Michaelhouse soon capitalised by scoring the only goal of the third quarter. They then hit the back of the Northwood net early in the fourth quarter to make it 5-2 and a comeback seemed likely until Tyler Tomsett scored the goal of the season after some sublime skill to create a backhand opportunity that ended in the top corner. This snuffed all hope for Michaelhouse. Both teams went on to score a further goal each but the damage was done. Michaelhouse was completely blown away by the Knights, who were devastatingly accurate and ruthless in front of goal.

What a game! Well done.

Northwood vs Westville 4 May 2019

A physical game that had everyone the edge of their seats, that would be the best way to describe the match that saw Northwood’s 1^st XV beat Westville at home 19-15 for the first time in decades.

The visitors were extremely physical upfront and the young Northwood tight 5 did well to lay a solid platform for the backs. With the ball being kicked away too often by the Northwood backs it gave lots of hope to the Griffons who made good ground on the counter.

Fortunately, a small box chip by scrumhalf Luke Cornelius paid off when captain Sasko Ndlovu collected after the chase to go over for the opening try of the match.

Westville made many metres in mid field where their big number 12, Mbambo, had some strong runs up field getting them on the front foot nicely. Westville had missed a few kicks at goal and this saw momentum swing back into the favour of the Knights. Taps Nyangani, the inside centre of the Knights, broke a few tackles of his own on the day, this led to many opportunities to link with Lina Majola at 13 who missed a few passes out wide where Northwood could’ve found themselves a few more tries ahead.

Westville did well to score at the end of the first half making the half time score 5-5.

With the game able to go either way both teams came out even more physical than before, could both sides showing hunger for the win. Fortunately, Sivu Mpendu the number 6 is always wherever the ball is and collected a great pass from a chip and chase to score under the poles making the score 12-5 to the Knights.

Northwood had found a new gear in Onyi John-Osunkwo who replaced injured Sivu Mpendu, the momentum left the Knights missing out on a few chances that they just didn’t capitalize on.

Westville got back quickly and managed a good try of their own taking the game to 12-12.  Shortly after Westville received a penalty and took the chance at goal getting the score to 12-15 in favour of the Griffons.

With 7 minutes on the clock Taps Nyangani made a strong break off a set piece scrum and linked up well with Ntokozo Makhaza who was proving dangerous at fullback all game long. Northwood got a try that Ciaran Bigwood slotted from in front of the poles. With continued pressure Northwood did well to hold up a ball carrier resulting in a scrum with just seconds on the clock. The ball was subsequently kicked out and the Knights added a W to their score sheet as they gain even more momentum to take on the last 5 games of the season.

Report by:  Mr J Scruby – Northwood Director of Rugby

Picture Credit:  Marius Oosthuizen – Northwood Press Club

On Saturday the 13^th of April the Northwood Knights travelled to DHS to take on the Horseflies on their home turf.

Coming off an extra time narrow loss to Selborne, Northwood knew they would have to dig deep to get one over DHS who had beaten Westville the weekend before.

Northwood got off to the perfect start with an early try inside the first 5 minutes of the game. From there DHS kept fighting back, they were extremely dominant at scrum time to start with but the young Northwood pack found their rhythm and outlasted the tiring DHS front row.

With Northwood on the front foot it was always going to equal some great running from the back line. With a missed penalty kick far out by fullback Ntokozo Makhaza it seemed scrumhalf Luke Cornelius was in the mood to attack, thereafter tapping and going many quick penalties in kickable positions. The score could have been a bit better at half time if one was a Northwood supporter but at 17-5 up the Knights definitely had their tails up.

Northwood managed to add some more points in the 2^nd half. DHS were again strong in broken play as one expects, and they capitalised well on little opportunity.

Both teams fighting hard came to an end when a final blow came in the form of Sali Mlenzana scoring in the corner off a failed kick and chase from the horseflies. This seemed to deflate the hope of the home side and made for a smoother finish to the end of the game for the Knights. Final score 34-19 in favour of Northwood.

Photo Credit:  Khawulami Thwala – Northwood Press Club

Toastmasters 2019

The annual Toastmasters graduation dinner was held on Thursday 14^th March in the Jubilee room.

21 grade 11 learners qualified for their internationally recognized Toastmaster’s certificate.

21 graduates- Toastmasters 2019

The winners in the Evaluation section: L to R : Yasheel Pillay; Azhar Khatib; Thomas Buckle (runner up) and category winner Teague Ciaglia (winner).

The winners in the Impromptu speech category are as follows:

L to R: Priyavrata Tolmen; Nikhil Govindsamy; Shaun Roux (winner) and Bradley Bester (runner up).

The winners in the prepared speech category are as follows:

L to R- Caleb Kozlowski  (winner); Leonard Bailey; Aditya Raghunandan (runner up); Evan Teague.

Congratulations to all graduates who put up a sterling performance on the evening. Congratulations to the winners and runner up in the respective categories who go through to the semi-finals.

The KwaZulu-Natal school boy rugby history books were drawn from the archives this past Saturday and rewritten as Northwood school claimed their first ever victory over the traditional rugby giant Maritzburg College away on the notorious Goldstones pitch in a thrilling match that had 8 tries in it, with Northwood taking the end spoils 30-26.

The experienced team comprising 12 boys from the 2018 first team season hit the gates running and scored an early opening try thanks to their expansive style of play started deep by fullback Ntokozo Makhaza running back a missed kick for touch by College and the team countering and linking well to get left wing ,Keane Fourie, into the corner.

College flyhalf Anele Nzimande did well to get a quick try back after the reset off a scrum. Makhaza slotted 2 penalties in a short space of time to make the score 11-7 in Northwood’s favour after 20 minutes.

Northwood flyhalf JP Du Preez controlled the game extremely well with the boot by getting Northwood into good positions on the field at vital times of the match.

Early on in the 2^nd half Northwood hooker Danie Van Huizen gathered a wide intercept and linked up with inside centre Joep Henseljin who managed to put his outside centre, Lina Majola, under the poles. Makhaza, with the easy conversion, put Northwood in a comfortable 23-7 lead.

College worked very hard and managed to swing momentum back into their favour mid-way through the 2^nd half with 2 quick tries. With the scores at 23-21, Northwood had another chance to pounce out wide on a College handling error which saw Makhaza kick the ball and chase from inside his own half where he gathered and passed on to Lina Majola for his 2^nd try of the match. The physical presence of Captain and flanker Sasko Ndlovu as well as the 2 young props Ryan Francis and Vernon Matongo all managed to slow the momentum of College down by holding up their ball carriers for continuous phases towards the end of the game.

College broke away from a quick penalty which saw their young lock Michael King dart into the corner out wide and score the 8^th try of the game.

With 4 minutes to go Northwood backed their experience and fitness and never stopped attacking, winding down the clock with great phase play until they managed to get to the 70-minute mark and kick to touch.

With the 2018 season being characterised by many big games being lost closely towards the end, one will imagine that this would be the perfect start to a season that the Northwood Knights and Durban-North community can all be proud of.

Northwood MIC of Rubgy

Mr J Scruby