12 May 2025
With autumn casting a golden hue over the KZN Midlands and the trees lining Gilfillan Field in full seasonal display, Hilton College turned on the style in front of their home crowd, weathering a strong fightback from Pretoria Boys High to record a 38–24 victory on a crisp Saturday afternoon.
Coming off the back of a morale-boosting win over their arch-rivals Michaelhouse, Hilton wasted little time asserting themselves.
From the kickoff, they surged into Boys High territory, looking composed and clinical. A powerful maul from a lineout 10 metres out had hooker Josh Grant barrelling towards the try line, only to be brought down agonisingly short. But sustained pressure saw number eight Zander Muller take a quick tap, and after a sharp switch to the blindside, lock André Boschoff finished off a clever inside ball from flyhalf Liyema Nela to open the scoring.
The home side struck again shortly afterwards when a deft chip from centre Tristan Uys was plucked from the air by left wing Ricky Adonis, who rounded his opposite number and dotted down under the sticks. Nela converted both tries for a commanding 12-0 lead after just 15 minutes.
Hilton continued to dominate territory and possession. Another penalty allowed them to set up camp in Boys High’s 22, and from the resulting phases, Grant powered over to extend the lead. Nela added the extras once more as Hilton surged to a 19-0 advantage.
But Pretoria Boys High showed they weren’t about to roll over. Banele Mashaba broke through in midfield with a surging run that nearly went the distance. The ball was recycled swiftly, and lock Pieter Lindeboom crashed over out wide.
Sensing momentum, the Candies struck again. This time, scrumhalf Michael Fourie‘s sniping run drew in defenders before he released centre Tyler Mason, who finished in the left corner.
At the break, Hilton led 19–10, but their early dominance had been checked by a determined visiting outfit.
Brad Macleod-Henderson‘s charges needed a response, and they made a statement early in the second half. A set move off a scrum saw Adonis ghost through a gap for his second try, converted by Nela. The Hilton captain then forced an error with a well-timed chase, earning a five-metre scrum. Muller capitalised with a pick and drive, and Nela’s boot made it 33–10.
Still, Boys High refused to fold. A well-executed driving maul earned them a penalty try, and Hilton a yellow card after the home side collapsed a maul illegally. But even a man down, Hilton remained composed. Adonis sealed his hat-trick with a clever grubber and dive over in the corner, showcasing both pace and rugby smarts.
The final word went to Boys High, with Callum Nel crossing after sharp interplay down the blindside. Blake Mager nailed a superb touchline conversion, but it was Hilton who claimed the spoils, 38–24, in a match that had all the quality and intensity expected of two storied rugby schools.
The hosts enjoyed the better of the competition in the open age group, but Boys High won the u16A game, with both schools winning two matches at that level. The visitors had the better of the u15 and u14 clashes.
RESULTS
1st: Hilton College 38-24 Pretoria Boys High
2nd: Hilton College 45-0 Pretoria Boys High
3rd: Hilton College 27-7 Pretoria Boys High
4th: Hilton College 22-7 Pretoria Boys High
5th: Hilton College 7-26 Pretoria Boys High
6th: Hilton College 7-24 Pretoria Boys High
7th: Hilton College 19-15 Pretoria Boys High
8th: Hilton College 34-21 Pretoria Boys High
16A: Hilton College 10-33 Pretoria Boys High
16B: Hilton College 17-12 Pretoria Boys High
16C: Hilton College 14-12 Pretoria Boys High
16D: Hilton College 0-60 Pretoria Boys High
15A: Hilton College 23-24 Pretoria Boys High
15B: Hilton College 7-45 Pretoria Boys High
15C: Hilton College 7-24 Pretoria Boys High
15D: Hilton College 7-44 Pretoria Boys High
14A: Hilton College 22-34 Pretoria Boys High
14B: Hilton College 0-38 Pretoria Boys High
14C: Hilton College 0-64 Pretoria Boys High
HOCKEY
Stubborn defence and a superb performance from Pretoria Boys High goalkeeper Owen McMinamin almost kept Hilton at bay in the meeting of the 1st XIs on the Mansergh Astro.
Eventually, though, Hilton’s dominance of possession and territory was rewarded in the fourth chukka when Ben Wilson converted a penalty corner, finding the bottom left corner for the only goal of the game.
The hosts won four of the six open age group matches, but PBHS won three of four at u16 level, including the A-game. The u14A sides drew, but Hilton won the remaining two matches in the age group.
RESULTS
1st: Hilton College 1-0 Pretoria Boys High
2nd: Hilton College 0-2 Pretoria Boys High
3rd: Hilton College 1-0 Pretoria Boys High
4th: Hilton College 3-2 Pretoria Boys High
5th: Hilton College 1-2 Pretoria Boys High
6th: Hilton College 5-2 Pretoria Boys High
16A: Hilton College 1-2 Pretoria Boys High
16B: Hilton College 4-0 Pretoria Boys High
16C: Hilton College 0-1 Pretoria Boys High
16D: Hilton College 1-3 Pretoria Boys High
14A: Hilton College 2-2 Pretoria Boys High
14B: Hilton College 2-1 Pretoria Boys High
14C: Hilton College 5-1 Pretoria Boys High
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