24 June 2025
RUGBY
(Feature photo: Kearsney scrumhalf Fynn Verbaan is taken to ground in the win over St Alban’s, courtesy Anthony Wallis, Kearsney College)
Kearsney College delivered a ruthless second-half performance to overwhelm St Alban’s College 59-9 in Pretoria on Saturday, running in nine tries on Moshate Field.
It was the home side who struck first. St Alban’s looked energised in the early exchanges, and scrumhalf Everett Gosling added to their bright start with a well-taken penalty for a 3-0 lead.
Kearsney’s reply was immediate and clinical. Fullback Lwazi Mbebe injected pace into the backline, drawing defenders before releasing wing Bukho Hlwatika for the first of what would become a personal haul of five tries. The conversion drifted wide, but the visitors had announced their attacking intent.
Gosling punished a late hit by Kearsney captain Simanye Mlakalaka to reclaim the lead at 6-5 and then added a third penalty to stretch the advantage to 9-5 in the 22nd minute. But that would prove to be St Alban’s final score as the One-Stripetook charge.
Mbebe and Hlwatika reignited their combination with two tries in quick succession. Then, a moment of individual brilliance from Lwandle Mkhize followed, with the speedster scorching 60 metres down the field to score and put Kearsney 20-9 ahead at the break.
After halftime, it was one-way traffic.
Eighthman Nhlanhla Ndlovu powered over just two minutes in, and the tries kept coming. Doan Nel glided through for a solo score before Mbebe crossed for one of his own and later turned provider for scrumhalf Fynn Verbaan.
A flashpoint saw Kearsney hooker Micah van Wijk sent to the bin for a high tackle, while St Alban’s fullback Thabiso Simelani saw red for retaliating. The numerical parity made little difference.
Kearsney’s forwards kept the pressure on, and when space opened up out wide, Oliver Ludwig powered over, before Hlwatika completed his five-try masterclass.
The Botha’s Hill boys dominated the rugby matches, although St David’s Marist Inanda’s 6th team, who helped give Kearsney another open age group game. scored a convincing win.
Kearsney’s strong u16A team was especially ruthless.
RESULTS
1st: St Alban’s 9-59 Kearsney
2nd: St Alban’s 12-41 Kearsney
3rd: St Alban’s 0-36 Kearsney
4th: St Alban’s 5-51 Kearsney
5th: St Alban’s 5-47 Kearsney
6th: St David’s Marist Inanda 57-10 Kearsney
16A: St Alban’s 3-78 Kearsney
16B: St Alban’s 0-70 Kearsney
16C: St David’s Marist Inanda 14-47 Kearsney
16C: St David’s Marist Inanda 10-54 Kearsney
15A: St Alban’s 15-57 Kearsney
15B: St Alban’s 3-58 Kearsney
15C: St Alban’s 19-26 Kearsney
14A: St Alban’s 7-60 Kearsney
14B: St Alban’s 7-45 Kearsney
14C: St Alban’s 10-41 Kearsney
HOCKEY
On the Astro, Kearsney, buoyed by a 3-2 win over a top St Stithians‘ team last time out, followed up with a comfortable 3-0 victory over St Alban’s, who have enjoyed a fine season, including going undefeated at the Independent Schools Hockey Festival, played on their home turf in April.
Keegan de Jager starred for Kearsney, slotting three penalty corners.
Competition up and down the age groups was good, with Kearsney claiming five wins, St Alban’s scoring four victories, and three matches ending in draws.
RESULTS
1st: St Alban’s 0-3 Kearsney
2nd: St Alban’s 4-1 Kearsney
3rd: St Alban’s 0-3 Kearsney
4th: St Alban’s 0-0 Kearsney
5th: St Alban’s 2-2 Kearsney
16A: St Alban’s 1-1 Kearsney
16B: St Alban’s 3-3 Kearsney
16C: St Alban’s 4-0 Kearsney
16D: St Alban’s 2-5 Kearsney
16E: St Alban’s 1-0 Kearsney
14A: St Alban’s 1-2 Kearsney
14B: St Alban’s 0-4 Kearsney
14D: St Alban’s 2-1 Kearsney
Leave a Reply