3 June 2025
A steely defensive effort and a ruthless conversion of pressure into points saw Maritzburg College emerge 35-20 victors over Kearsney College on a sunlit Saturday afternoon at Goldstone’s, capping off their Reunion Weekend with a stirring performance in front of a passionate crowd.
Despite Kearsney enjoying the lion’s share of possession, it was the Red, Black, and White who came out on top, thanks to a disciplined, physical rearguard that turned defence into attack and opportunity into points.
“It was a tough game,” admitted Maritzburg College captain Wasi Vyambwera. “Kearsney came at us with all they had. But the College dog came through. We’re very grateful to have had the support of our Old Boys. It’s my final year, so this meant a lot.”
College entered the fixture on the back of a narrow 21-22 loss to the unbeaten Westville Boys’ High and, said Vyambwera, that tight encounter played a vital role in sharpening their resolve: “We took a lot from that game. It gave us belief, and it showed today.”
From the outset, Kearsney looked to assert themselves, probing the fringes and keeping the ball in hand. But it was the home side that struck the first blow, turning a defensive clearance into a sweeping counterattack. After moving the ball inside from the right touchline, centre Jordan Thackwray sliced through the defence (feature photo) with a deft dummy and slick acceleration, dotting down for the opener inside four minutes. Dom du Toit‘s conversion made it 7-0.
Lwazi Mbebe cut into that lead with a penalty for Kearsney shortly after, before Du Toit replied with one of his own. Then came a moment of brilliance from the visitors.
Off a lineout on halfway, eighthman Nhlanhla Ndlovu made the hard yards before the ball was swung wide. A clever wraparound between Jayden Jonsson and Keanu Williamson put Mbebe into space, and he linked neatly with Jonsson again, who drew the last man before sending Doan Nel over for a scintillating try. Mbebe added the extras to level matters at 10-10.
But Maritzburg College responded with typical grit. Flank David Colenbrander took matters into his own hands, bursting around the edge of a ruck, and bulldozing his way through multiple defenders for a solo special. Du Toit added two with a successful conversion, and although Mbebe landed another penalty before the break, it was the hosts who led 17-13 at halftime.
With renewed purpose, College emerged from the tunnel and shifted the contest into a more physical gear. Their forwards began asserting dominance, and when the ball was sent wide, it was captain Vyambwera who powered over on the right for a statement score.
Still, Kearsney refused to go quietly. Turning down a kickable penalty, they tapped and caught the home defence napping. A sharp dummy from Williamson opened the line and he darted in untouched, with Mbebe’s conversion making it a two-point game at 22-20.
That, however, would be as close as the visitors got.
College seized control of territory and tempo. Du Toit, outstanding throughout, calmly slotted back-to-back penalties to stretch the lead to eight. Then came the killer blow.
With Kearsney pressing, a loose pass was snatched up by hooker Theo Boshoff. Scrumhalf Du Toit fed fullback Amahle Hadebe on the blind, and the fullback cleverly chipped down the left. The bounce favoured College and wing Lee-Rynne Sinkfontein showed electric pace to gather and race away for the final try of the afternoon.
Du Toit’s conversion – his fifth successful kick of the day – sealed a 15-point victory.
College’s rugby teams dominated, winning all of the matches excepting the u15A clash, which was drawn. The game of the day, though, came between the u16A sides, with Maritzburg College claiming a 47-40 win in a thrilling contest.
RESULTS
1st: Maritzburg College 35-20 Kearsney
2nd: Maritzburg College 19-10 Kearsney
3rd: Maritzburg College 45-5 Kearsney
4th: Maritzburg College 50-0 Kearsney
5th: Maritzburg College 50-0 Kearsney
8th: Maritzburg College 42-5 Kearsney 6th
10th: Maritzburg College 32-22 Kearsney 7th
16A: Maritzburg College 47-40 Kearsney
16B: Maritzburg College 24-3 Kearsney
16C: Maritzburg College 57-5 Kearsney
16E: Maritzburg College 26-21 Kearsney D
16F: Maritzburg College 19-5 Kearsney E
15A: Maritzburg College 15-15 Kearsney
15B: Maritzburg College 28-0 Kearsney
15C: Maritzburg College 50-0 Kearsney
14A: Maritzburg College 50-7 Kearsney
14B: Maritzburg College 42-0 Kearsney
14C: Maritzburg College 50-0 Kearsney
HOCKEY
On Pape’s Astro, the Maritzburg College 1st team produced a well-structured and controlled performance, which, coupled with some fine goals, took the side to a 4-1 victory.
College coach Mark Sanders was very happy with his charges’ showing: “I am proud of them and the way they are playing hockey, and the maturity they are playing with,” he said after the game.
The encounter also began on a high for four College players – Uyanda Dlamini, Dane Jackson, Siwa Sithembu, and Greg Askew – who were recognised for achieving 50-plus caps for the 1st XI.
Ross van der Vliet opened the College scoring, netting in the 18th minute and Dane Jackson scored their second from a penalty corner, before Keegan de Jager, Kearsney’s best player on the day, responded for the visitors, also from a short corner.
After the teams had turned at 2-1 in College’s favour, Van der Vliet made it 3-1 to the Red, Black, and White, finishing a superbly weighted pass into the circle from Kadin Jenkins.
Rory Schirge then struck in the final minute to seal an impressive 4-1 win.
Maritzburg College ruled the open age group matches, but the u16A match was drawn, and the visitors won the u16B game. College took the u14A win, and they showed up especially well lower down the ranks.
RESULTS
1st: Maritzburg College 4-1 Kearsney
2nd: Maritzburg College 4-0 Kearsney
3rd: Maritzburg College 2-1 Kearsney
4th: Maritzburg College 2-0 Kearsney
5th: Maritzburg College 4-3 Kearsney
16A: Maritzburg College 1-1 Kearsney
16B: Maritzburg College 0-3 Kearsney
16C: Maritzburg College 5-0 Kearsney
16D: Maritzburg College 4-0 Kearsney
16E: Maritzburg College 3-0 Kearsney
14A: Maritzburg College 4-2 Kearsney
14B: Maritzburg College 1-2 Kearsney
14C: Maritzburg College 2-1 Kearsney
14D: Maritzburg College 10-0 Kearsney
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