20 May 2025
The late afternoon sun dipped low over Gilfillan Field as unbeaten Westville Boys’ High faced off against Maritzburg College in a fixture many had circled ahead of time. The Griffin emerged 22-21 winners in the penultimate match of the Sharks Schools’ Rugby Day, but they were made to sweat.
Despite walking away with the win, it was a performance well below the high standards Westville has set this season. “I think we were very lucky to win today,” admitted head coach Zander Erasmus, his honesty as sharp as his side’s attack was blunt.
For all their early sparkle, it quickly became clear this wouldn’t be the typical Westville showcase. That said, the sign of a good side is finding a way when nothing quite clicks, and on Friday, a long-range penalty from Zekhethelo Siyaya early in the second half proved to the game’s winning points.
The opening exchanges suggested business as usual. Siyaya, so often Westville’s spark, knifed through the College defence before sending Jadrian Afrikaner under the posts. Then, Avumile Lisa finished in the left corner after quick hands and sharp execution. At 14-0, the Griffin looked comfortable.
But Maritzburg College, a proud rugby school with grit and pedigree, rolled up their sleeves. “We knew there’s a lot of fight in that College team,” Erasmus said. “They looked like they wanted it more than us.”
And, so, they clawed their way back in. After sustained pressure from the forwards, David Colenbrander crossed from close range, with Dom du Toit‘s conversion narrowing the gap. Westville hit back through Lwandle Makhanya, who dotted down following a sweeping move down the left, but cracks had started to appear.
College struck again when Indiphile Mlotshwa barrelled over after a quick tap penalty, and shortly after the break, they grabbed the lead. A deft chip from flyhalf Jordan Thackeray was gathered by Olwethu Kosani, who released Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein for the try. Du Toit’s third conversion made it 21-19 to College.
Westville’s attacking edge had been blunted, and their transitions smothered. But when a penalty was awarded near halfway, Siyaya stepped up and nailed the crucial kick. From there, it became a slugfest between the packs, with no further score.
“We weren’t good enough,” Erasmus said plainly. “We looked flat, missed too many tackles, and made poor decisions. It’s not what we wanted.”
Still, the Griffin march on. They’re nine from nine on the season. Next up: a mouth-watering Bowden’s Field showdown against DHS, beaten only by Paarl Gim this season.
In the other Sharks Rugby Day matches, the u16A sides drew 31-31, Westville sneaked a 22-20 win in the u15A match, and College took the u14A clash 25-10.
On Saturday, College faced Michaelhouse mostly and notched up 16 wins. Their depth remains outstanding. ‘House bagged four wins, and the 2nd XVs shared a high-scoring 32-32 draw.
RUGBY
1st: Maritzburg College 21-22 Westville
2nd: Maritzburg College 32-32 Michaelhouse
3rd: Maritzburg College 14-10 Michaelhouse
4th: Maritzburg College 28-15 Michaelhouse
5th: Maritzburg College 26-34 Michaelhouse
6th: Maritzburg College 13-12 Michaelhouse
7th: Maritzburg College 3-10 Weston 1st
8th: Maritzburg College 24-14 Michaelhouse 7th
9th: Maritzburg College 22-21 Michaelhouse 8th
10th: Maritzburg College 48-32 Michaelhouse 9th
16A: Maritzburg College 31-31 Westville
16B: Maritzburg College 38-5 Michaelhouse
16C: Maritzburg College 45-7 Michaelhouse
16D: Maritzburg College 48-10 Michaelhouse
16E: Maritzburg College 5-29 Weston 16A
16F: Maritzburg College 12-22 Michaelhouse 16E
15A: Maritzburg College 20-22 Westville
15B: Maritzburg College 21-23 Michaelhouse
15C: Maritzburg College 38-17 Michaelhouse
15D: Maritzburg College 40-7 Michaelhouse
15E: Maritzburg College 10-21 Weston 15A
15F: Maritzburg College 43-7 Michaelhouse 15E
14A: Maritzburg College 25-10 Westville
14B: Maritzburg College 31-5 Michaelhouse
14C: Maritzburg College 45-0 Michaelhouse
14D: Maritzburg College 53-0 Michaelhouse
14E: Maritzburg College 21-12 Weston 14A
14F: Maritzburg College 14-33 Michaelhouse 14E
HOCKEY
Like their rugby counterparts, Maritzburg College’s leading hockey teams faced Westville Boys’ High, with the Red, Black, and White winning the 1st XI and u14A games, while the u16A match was drawn.
Lynton Fitz grabbed the spotlight in the 1st XI game, netting both College goals.
Most of the rest of the fixtures were against Michaelhouse. Again, College did well, racking up six wins. Michaelhouse was unable to pick up a victory, although three matches ended in draws.
RESULTS
1st: Maritzburg College 2-0 Westville
2nd: Maritzburg College 2-2 Michaelhouse
3rd: Maritzburg College 6-1 Michaelhouse
4th: Maritzburg College 4-1 Michaelhouse
5th: Maritzburg College 2-0 Howick 2nd
16A: Maritzburg College 1-1 Westville
16B: Maritzburg College 1-1 Michaelhouse
16C: Maritzburg College 3-2 Michaelhouse
16D: Maritzburg College 6-0 Michaelhouse
16E: Maritzburg College 9-0 Michaelhouse
16F: Maritzburg College 3-1 Howick 16A
14A: Maritzburg College 3-0 Westville
14B: Maritzburg College 1-1 Michaelhouse
14C: Maritzburg College 9-0 Michaelhouse
SQUASH
It was a good weekend for College’s 1st squash team, who laid claim to being the best in the province by winning the KZN Inter-schools Squash Tournament. They played four and won four, beating Westville I 3-2 in the final.
RESULTS
Maritzburg College 5-0 Westville II
Maritzburg College 4-1 Michaelhouse
Maritzburg College 3-2 St Charles College
Maritzburg College 3-2 Westville I
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