DHS have provided the reasoning behind their decision to sever all sporting and cultural ties with Glenwood High School.

READ: DHS cut ties with Glenwood

Glenwood confirmed in a letter from the principal, Dr Andri Barnes, that a resolution between the two schools could not be reached and that they had decided to sever all sporting and cultural ties with their fellow Durban school.

A public statement by Paul Spencer, chairman of the Durban High School governing body, gives insight into their reasoning:

‘This was not a decision that the School Governing Body has taken lightly, but is a result of a variety of situations that have been building for some time and which have culminated in recent incidents which we strongly feel cannot be condoned or overlooked.

‘The DHS management team is of the opinion that the relationship and trust between the two schools has deteriorated to such an extent that holding sporting fixtures is no longer in the best interests of the two institutions, or beneficial to current and future learners of DHS.’

The statement added that DHS will continue to endeavour to improve the relationship and would consider reinstating sporting fixtures once they ‘are afforded the respect [they] believe is due to [them].’

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SARugbymag.co.za understands the crux of the matter is the recruitment of DHS schoolboys in Grade 8 and 9 by Glenwood.

The 1st XV derby between the two schools is a traditional fixture on the schoolboys rugby calendar and dates back to 1925. Recent results between the schools’ 1st XV teams have become slightly one-sided, with DHS winning only one match since 2007.

Last year, SARugbymag.co.za reported that Eastern Cape-based schools Dale College and Queen’s College were unhappy that a number of their schoolboys were being targeted by the KwaZulu-Natal schools.

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Photo: Tim Whitfield