23 March 2026
Rain made for difficult conditions on Bowden’s Field on Saturday for the visit of Maritzburg College to Westville Boys’ High.
In 2025, at the Sharks Trials Day at Hilton College, Westville endured one of their most uncomfortable outings in an unbeaten season, scraping a tight 22-21 victory. On Saturday, at home, they won more convincingly but were pushed hard by College before triumphing 26-10.
Early pressure, the result of a 50-22 kick, resulted in a penalty try for Westville within the first five minutes when the visitors dragged down a maul with the home side driving towards the try line.
College forced their way into Westville territory and earned a scrum deep in the hosts’ 22. With the try line beckoning, though, they spilled possession, and right-wing, Bukho Sotaka, snatched up possession about five metres from his line, near the right touchline. He pinned his ears back and hit the accelerator. Four players were in pursuit, but Sotaka used a strong hand-off to keep the closest tackler at bay before diving over for a thrilling five-pointer.
A successful conversion put Westville 14-0 up within the first 10 minutes.
Five minutes later, Dom du Toit got the Red, Black, and White onto the scoreboard with a close-range penalty.
They were punished in the 27th minute, though, when they failed to protect their blindside and Westville no. 8, Lwandle Makhanya, broke away to go over for the home side’s third try. Jade-Will Koopman and his trusty boot made it 21-3.
Just before the break, Maritzburg College responded with a try from prop Alanda Ngubane, who crashed over after the visitors won a penalty within five metres of the Westville try line.
The second half brought only five more points, scored by Westville, with fullback Lux Sonkononkono finishing off a flowing backline move in the left-hand corner.
While coach Zander Erasmus‘s boys crossed for four tries, their victory was built on a superior kicking game, which ensured they played the match in the right areas of the field. In the slippery conditions, too, they were able to force College into mistakes and capitalise on those.
Westville claimed the 1st XV, u16A, u15A, and u14A wins, but the competition was tight, and College’s depth shone. On a busy day, the schools played 23 matches. They ended with 11 victories apiece and one draw.
Results
1st: Westville 26-10 Maritzburg College
2nd: Westville 5-12 Maritzburg College
3rd: Westville 0-14 Maritzburg College
4th: Westville 0-40 Maritzburg College
5th: Westville 7-18 Maritzburg College
6th: Westville 0-42 Maritzburg College
7th: Haythorne 1st 7-27 Maritzburg College
7th: Westville 0-17 Maritzburg College 8th
9th: Maritzburg College 14-7 Kearsney 7th
10th: Westville 8th 7-12 Maritzburg College
16A: Westville 22-5 Maritzburg College
16B: Westville 17-3 Maritzburg College
16C: Westville 0-14 Maritzburg College
16D: Westville 14-27 Maritzburg College
16E: Asibemunye 31-17 Maritzburg College
15A: Westville 21-17 Maritzburg College
15B: Westville 26-14 Maritzburg College
15C: Westville 14-10 Maritzburg College
15D: Westville 15-7 Maritzburg College
15E: Westville 19-19 Maritzburg College
14A: Westville 34-14 Maritzburg College
14B: Westville 17-14 Maritzburg College
14C: Westville 22-0 Maritzburg College
14D: Westville 24-12 Maritzburg College
14E: Westville 19-41 Maritzburg College
14F: Westville 0-10 Maritzburg College
HOCKEY
The early momentum belonged to Westville, but the final result favoured Maritzburg College as coach Mark Sanders‘ boys won 3-1 after trailing 0-1 at half-time.
They were able to up the tempo after the break, adjust their structural approach, and bag the win.
Westville owned the u16 age group, with that group of players, who were dominant as u14s, continuing to lead the way in KZN.
College won the u14A clash and narrowly shaded the u14 results.
Results
1st: Westville 1-3 Maritzburg College
2nd: Westville 4-0 Maritzburg College
3rd: Westville 3-2 Maritzburg College
4th: Westville 1-5 Maritzburg College
16A: Westville 3-1 Maritzburg College
16B: Westville 3-1 Maritzburg College
16C: Westville 3-0 Maritzburg College
16D: Westville 0-0 Maritzburg College
16E: Westville 3-1 Maritzburg College
16F: Westville 6-0 Maritzburg College
16G: Westville 2-2 Maritzburg College
14A: Westville 1-2 Maritzburg College
14B: Westville 0-0 Maritzburg College
14C: Westville 3-0 Maritzburg College
14D: Westville 1-6 Maritzburg College
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