12 May 2025
After weeks of close-run results and missed opportunities, the Michaelhouse 1st XV produced the kind of performance they’ve been threatening all season, dispatching a talented Kearsney College outfit 50–17 in front of a lively home crowd.
“It’s a relief,” admitted coach James Fleming afterwards. “We’ve been close in so many games, and the boys have worked incredibly hard. Today, things finally clicked.”
Coming off a narrow 20-25 defeat to Hilton College just six days earlier, Michaelhouse returned to their home ground for a third successive match and delivered a complete performance, blending structure, tempo, and sharp finishing in a convincing eight-try display.
From the opening whistle, the signs were there. Flyhalf Stefan Moolman sliced through for the first try in the right-hand corner after slick interplay from the backline, and soon after, Rourke O’Sullivan was in on the act, finishing wide left after a strong scrum and smart handling.
The pressure kept mounting. Captain William Ridl sparked another sweeping movement down the left, before offloading to O’Sullivan, who went over for his second and Michaelhouse’s third. At 17–0 inside 15 minutes, the hosts looked rampant.
Kearsney, to their credit, didn’t buckle. Centre Keanu Williamson’s deft inside ball sent eighthman Nhlanhla Ndlovu through a gap to open the visitors’ account, and before the break, vice-captain Doan Nel pounced on a grubber from flyhalf Jayden Jonsson to close the gap to 24–12 at halftime.
When the One-Stripe added a third shortly after the restart, with Valentino Lenge diving over in the corner after a powerful carry from Williamson, it was suddenly a one-score game at 24–17. But the response from Michaelhouse was emphatic.
Back to their full complement after a yellow card, the Balgowan boys took charge. O’Sullivan completed a remarkable four-try haul after another classy piece of play from Ridl, and that seemed to flick the switch. With confidence surging, Dom Sesink-Clee, Alex Jankowitz and James Mallett all added tries as the home side ran riot in the final quarter.
The last of those was a long-range gem: Jankowitz fielded a loose pass, slipped it to Jack Carmody, who then found Nicholas Baker in support. Baker drew the cover and sent Mallett over to bring up the half-century, with Moolman adding the extras.
Michaelhouse now turn their attention to a rematch against Northwood at the KZN High Schools Rugby Day, hosted by Hilton College. Having lost narrowly to the Knights in Durban earlier this season, there’s no doubt Ridl and company will be eager to settle the score.
It was an excellent day for Michaelhouse’s rugby teams, who dominated, but Kearsney’s u16A team also grabbed the spotlight with an outstanding showing.
RESULTS
1st: Michaelhouse 50-17 Kearsney
2nd: Michaelhouse 53-10 Kearsney
3rd: Michaelhouse 42-12 Kearsney
4th: Michaelhouse 49-14 Kearsney
5th: Michaelhouse 45-5 Kearsney
6th: Michaelhouse 40-7 Kearsney
7th: Michaelhouse 64-0 Kearsney
16A: Michaelhouse 21-52 Kearsney
16B: Michaelhouse 29-24 Kearsney
16C: Michaelhouse 21-10 Kearsney
16D: Michaelhouse 26-22 Kearsney
16E: Michaelhouse 26-22 Kearsney
15A: Michaelhouse 19-12 Kearsney
15B: Michaelhouse 25-5 Kearsney
15C: Michaelhouse 47-0 Kearsney
14A: Michaelhouse 17-15 Kearsney
14B: Michaelhouse 57-7 Kearsney
14C: Michaelhouse 29-5 Kearsney
HOCKEY
On the Punchbowl Astro, the Michaelhouse 1st XI continued to strengthen its record in 2025. It’s been a very solid season thus far for coach Nick Bérichon and his boys, and a 3-0 win saw them improve to 10 wins, two draws, and only two losses in 2025.
They’ve come on in leaps and bounds over the course of the past two seasons.
‘House raced into a two-goal lead in the opening chukka, which was the opposite of what occurred in 2024, when Kearsney charged into a 3-0 first chukka lead in Balgowan.
Henry Love netted the opener, which was followed by another goal from Gordon Deutscher only two minutes later, and Sithsaba Simukonda made it 3-0 just before half-time.
It was tough on Kearsney, but they have a young side which will take lessons from this season and benefit from them next year. Still, they have plenty to offer in 2024.
RESULTS
1st: Michaelhouse 3-0 Kearsney
2nd: Michaelhouse 3-1 Kearsney
3rd: Michaelhouse 1-2 Kearsney
16A: Michaelhouse 1-2 Kearsney
16B: Michaelhouse 3-2 Kearsney
16C: Michaelhouse 4-1 Kearsney
16D: Michaelhouse 2-0 Kearsney
16E: Michaelhouse 3-0 Kearsney
14A: Michaelhouse 3-2 Kearsney
14B: Michaelhouse 2-2 Kearsney
14C: Michaelhouse 1-2 Kearsney
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