18 November 2025
CRICKET
Michaelhouse rode a superb opening partnership between captain Ethan Muir and William Russon to a composed six-wicket victory over St Charles College in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday, chasing down a target built largely on the shoulders of Saints‘ opener, Christiaan Prinsloo.
Muir called incorrectly at the toss, handing Saints first use of the pitch. The hosts, though, appeared to be in early trouble after losing two quick wickets. But, as he has done a number of times this season, Prinsloo stepped into the breach, settling into his rhythm and providing the stability St Charles needed.
In partnership with Ryan Clarke, he lifted the innings to respectability with an authoritative 89-run stand for the third wicket, compiled in just 83 balls.
Clarke’s bright knock came to an end on 47 when he picked out Muir and gave Rex Wardlaw (feature photo, courtesy Justin Waldman Sports Photography) the first of his three wickets. Clarke had been in superb touch, collecting six boundaries in his 35-ball stay, and when he departed St Charles was well placed on 123/3.
Prinsloo continued unfazed, adding another 38 with André Bosman before Rendani Nonge struck twice in short order. Bosman fell for 14, and only four runs later Connor Simpson followed him back, shifting the momentum back in Michaelhouse’s favour.
Still, Prinsloo remained the prize wicket. He battled through to 84 from 142 balls, striking 15 fours in a knock of real substance, before being caught by Russon off the bowling of Wardlaw
His dismissal on 182/7, which left Saints on 182/7, sparked a terminal slide; Saints lost their last three wickets for just two runs. Muir applied the finishing touches for ‘House, with 2/3 in 1.2 overs, leaving the hosts all out for 184.
Wardlaw led the Michaelhouse attack with an incisive 3/30 from seven overs. Nonge delivered a disciplined spell of 2/22, while Thandanani Zuma‘s 10 overs earned him 2/35 and kept Saints in check during the early stages.
Defending a total that felt competitive, St Charles ran into a wall of determination in the form of Muir and Russon. The pair took their time, respected the good balls, and punished the loose ones, constructing a match-defining partnership worth 146 runs over the course of 176 deliveries. Their stand steadily eroded the required target and, in the process, deflated the Saints’ attack.
Russon was the first to go, bowled by Keegan Vermaak for a well-compiled 52, which included seven crisp fours. Vermaak struck again soon after, removing Ben Heuer for two, and momentum briefly flickered back the way of St Charles way when Rowen Rajah bowled Muir for a commanding 76 off 93 balls, which had included 11 fours.
At 162/4, ‘House still had work to do, but Hayden Hewlett ensured there would be no late drama. His unbeaten 22 guided the visitors home with four overs to spare, supported by Cody Sander on four not out.
St Charles did themselves few favours by conceding 29 extras — 23 of them wides — which proved costly in the final reckoning.
Vermaak’s 3/42 from nine overs stood out for the hosts, while Rajah’s 1/29 from 10 kept Michaelhouse honest. But the day belonged to Muir, Russon, and a partnership that set the tone for a clinical chase.
Scores
St Charles College 184/10 (Christiaan Prinsloo 84, Ryan Clarke 47; Rex Wardlaw 3/30, Ethan Muir 2/3, Rendani Nonge 2/22, Thandanani Zuma 2/35); Michaelhouse 188/4 (Ethan Muir 76, William Russon 52, Hayden Hewlett 22*; Keegan Vermaak 3/42). Michaelhouse won by six wickets.
RESULTS
It was, in general, a good day for Michaelhouse’s teams. The Saints’ 2nd XI won handsomely, though, thanks in no small part to a century from Jayden Saville, who has also done well when he has turned out for the 1st XI.
In a high-scoring u15A match, Michaelhouse scored a convincing 49-run win.
1st XI
St Charles 184/10; Michaelhouse 188/4
Michaelhouse won by six wickets
2nd XI
St Charles 233/7; Michaelhouse 177/10
St Charles won by 56 runs
3rd XI
St Charles 84/10; Michaelhouse 85/1
Michaelhouse won by nine wickets
4th XI
Michaelhouse 186/7; St Charles 103/9
Michaelhouse won by 83 runs
u15A
Michaelhouse 242/7; St Charles 193/7
Michaelhouse won by 49 runs
u15B
St Charles 96/8; Michaelhouse 72/10
St Charles won by 24 runs
u15C
Michaelhouse 185/8; St Charles 144/9
Michaelhouse won by 41 runs
u14A
St Charles 214/9; Michaelhouse 216/3
Michaelhouse won by seven wickets
u14B
Michaelhouse 93/9; St Charles 76/9
Michaelhouse won by 17 runs
BASKETBALL
On the basketball court, Michaelhouse claimed the honours in the showdown of the 1st teams. They won the majority of the open age group games, won both u16 matches, and came out ahead at the u15 level. Saints, meanwhile, posted a clean record in the u14 games.
RESULTS
1st: St Charles 47-54 Michaelhouse
2nd: St Charles 22-31 Michaelhouse
3rd: St Charles 32-22 Michaelhouse
4th: St Charles 14-20 Michaelhouse
16A: St Charles 38-44 Michaelhouse
16B: St Charles 29-32 Michaelhouse
15A: St Charles 25-34 Michaelhouse
15B: St Charles 7-45 Michaelhouse
15C: St Charles 12-17 Michaelhouse
15D: St Charles 15-22 Michaelhouse
15E: St Charles 34-24 Michaelhouse
14A: St Charles 31-19 Michaelhouse
14B: St Charles 43-21 Michaelhouse
14C: St Charles 26-7 Michaelhouse
14D: St Charles 20-16 Michaelhouse
14E: St Charles 27-7 Michaelhouse
WATER POLO
Michaelhouse had the better of their water polo meetings with Saints, whose younger programme is still gaining traction. The Pietermaritzburg school has clearly made progress, but there is still some way to go, especially when measured against ‘House, whose programme is ascending, too.
RESULTS
Michaelhouse 2nd 14-3 St Charles 1st
Michaelhouse 3rd 3-7 St Charles 1st
Michaelhouse 3rd 11-2 St Charles 2nd
Michaelhouse 4th 8-2 St Charles 2nd
Michaelhouse u15B 5-12 St Charles u15A
Michaelhouse u15C 5-7 St Charles u15A
Michaelhouse u14B 16-2 St Charles u14A
Michaelhouse u14C 7-7 St Charles u14A
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