Envirosan Old Boys will meet House of Paint College Rovers in the final of the Captain Morgan Murray Cup knockout competition at the Durban University rugby grounds on Friday evening at 8pm.

Both semifinal matches played last Friday were desperately close affairs with Rovers edging out Thanda Zululand Rhinos 18-13 after Rhinos had led 13-12 in the first half. Rovers were made to fight all the way and were perhaps a little lucky to come away with the win after the 2008 champions had given them some anxious moments. In the other semi, Old Boys eventually emerged victors beating Acer Durban Collegians 22-18 in extra time after the sides were level 15-15 on full time.

The rugby played in both games was nail-bighting stuff which is what we have come to expect from the Premier Division knockout competition. Old Boys flyhalf Wes Dunlop scored 17 of his side's points, kicking five penalties and the conversion of the only try scored on the evening by Ian Adendorff. Old Boys flanker Jaco Otto was named best forward on the match while his team mate Colin Mbongwe was named best back but Collegians no 8 Warren Whitely and young front rowers Brad Mitchell and Francois Hanekom together with Zander de Kock deserve special mention for their efforts in a gruelling, but entertaining contest. In the other game, Rovers took an early 12-3 lead against Rhinos before the Zululand side bounced back, but two well judged penalties by flyhalf Peter Grunow at the end gave the 2009 Moor Cup champions their hard-earned victory. Rovers loose forward Mark Els was named best forward on the night while Rhinos centre Prince Mofokeng was named best back.

Rovers will also meet Old Boys in the Peter Taylor Cup Premier Division reserve league knockout competition after beating Rhinos 57-7 in their semifinal match last weekend. ‘Oldies’ found their way into the final by edging out Collegians 22-18 in the other semifinal. The final will be played at 6.30pm - the early game also scheduled to be played on the Durban Campus on Friday evening.

Vryheid will meet South Coast Warriors from Port Shepstone in the First Division Junior Murray Cup knockout final on Saturday afternoon on the Durban Varsity rugby grounds while the First Division reserve league Keith Parkinson knockout trophy final will see the Pongola 1st XV up against Amanzimtoti 2nd XV. In the Third Division Findlay Cup final Drakensberg from Winterton will meet Matatiele - all games scheduled to be played on the Durban Campus.

- Jos Robson - The Mercury