9 June 2026
A year ago, Westville Boys’ High travelled to Michaelhouse with an unbeaten season on the line. They rose magnificently to the challenge, producing a commanding 50-20 victory on Meadow’s to complete a perfect campaign.
On Saturday, the roles were reversed. Michaelhouse arrived at Bowden’s expecting a fierce contest, and they received exactly that. What they perhaps didn’t anticipate was a reminder of just how dangerous a fully fit Westville side could be.
With their strongest combinations finally available for a fourth consecutive week, the Griffins delivered one of their finest performances of the season, exploding in the second half to overwhelm Michaelhouse 52-19 on Old Boys’ Day.
The scoreline was remarkable not only because of its size but because the contest had been so tightly balanced for more than half of the afternoon. Westville led only 12-7 at the break. Ten minutes into the second half, the teams were locked together at 19-19.
From there, however, the hosts unleashed a devastating assault, scoring 33 unanswered points in the final 25 minutes.
Michaelhouse had suffered only narrow defeats throughout the season, with their biggest previous loss coming by nine points. They had also recorded some impressive victories, including over Northwood and Affies. Yet against a Westville side playing with confidence, continuity, and attacking freedom, they found themselves outplayed.
At the heart of the home side’s success was outside centre Jadrian Afrikaner, who delivered a performance that will long be remembered by those packed around Bowden’s.
The explosive midfielder crossed for four tries, repeatedly slicing through the Michaelhouse defence and showcasing the qualities that have made him one of the country’s most feared attacking weapons.
“He was sensational. That was a phenomenal performance,” Westville coach Zander Erasmus said afterwards.
“He’s been the best rugby player in KZN this season, hands down. He can beat defenders, step, accelerate, and he’s physical in contact. He has a kicking game and an offloading game.”
Erasmus was equally quick to highlight an aspect of Afrikaner’s game that often goes unnoticed. “His work rate off the ball is exceptional. Defensively, tracking back and working hard without possession, that’s probably the thing I’m going to miss most.”
Afrikaner’s brilliance was complemented by his midfield partner, Curtis Fenton, who again provided directness and physicality before being forced from the field through injury. His replacement, Ezra Karolisin, seamlessly slotted into the contest and also crossed for a try.
“He’s become the rock we needed at 12,” Erasmus said of Fenton. “He’s hard, direct, uncompromising, and his passing game has improved tremendously.”
Ironically, Michaelhouse had started both halves in almost identical fashion: camped on the Westville try line, and that brought them try-scoring success on both occasions.
Their early pressure produced the opening score when Alex Jankowitz crashed over and converted his try to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.
Westville eventually broke through in the 17th minute, and the try perfectly illustrated Afrikaner’s unique talents. Riding an initial tackle, he briefly dropped to his knees before springing back to his feet and beating four defenders on his way to the line.
Jade-Will Koopman added the conversion to level matters.
The Griffins were beginning to dominate territory and possession, while their quick ruck ball repeatedly stretched the Michaelhouse defence from touchline to touchline. Their pressure eventually yielded a second try when Avumile Lisa raced down the left flank before sending Afrikaner over for his second score.
Michaelhouse again struck first after halftime. Within three minutes, eighthman Oliver Guy powered over, and although Jankowitz missed the conversion, the scores were tied at 12-12.
The visitors’ hopes of building momentum lasted barely two minutes.
Lisa pounced on a loose pass inside the Michaelhouse in-goal area to restore Westville’s lead, with Guy replying for ‘House, with his second. Shortly after that, the home side produced one of the tries of the match. Lux Sonkonoknono, Afrikaner, and Koopman combined brilliantly from deep inside their own half before the flyhalf completed the movement and converted his own score.
Suddenly, Westville had found another gear.
Bukho Sotaka added another try shortly after the hour mark before Afrikaner struck twice in quick succession to complete his four-try haul and put the result beyond doubt.
His quartet of tries lifted his season tally to an impressive 19 from 15 matches, a remarkable return for an outside centre.
While individual brilliance was a feature of the victory, coach Zander Erasmus believed Westville’s superb performance was the product of many elements working together.
“It was special having our former head coach, Jabz Zulu, do our culture session before the game,” he reflected. “Four years ago, he was instrumental in bringing players like Koopman, Afrikaner, and Lwandle Mlaba to Westville. It was a lekker full-circle moment.”
The occasion itself also played a role. “It was an amazing day. I haven’t seen Bowden’s packed like that in a long time,” Erasmus reflected
On the field, Westville’s tactical approach worked exactly as planned.
“We felt if we could play on one side, get our forwards coming around the corner, and then manipulate space on the other side, we’d create opportunities to play backs against backs.”
That strategy depended heavily on the work of the forwards, who provided the platform for the backs to flourish. Erasmus singled out loosehead prop Sbu Hlongwa for praise after his return strengthened the pack, while captain Lwandle Mlaba once again impressed with his leadership and set-piece excellence.
The coach also credited the conditioning work done behind the scenes, pointing to Westville’s ability to maintain a relentless tempo throughout the contest.
“Our ruck speed comes down to our conditioning,” he said. “Sebenza Maphumulo has been outstanding in keeping the boys fresh, and Dr Keegan Hughes has done excellent work managing them.”
Perhaps most importantly, though, Westville has finally enjoyed a sustained run with key players available. That continuity has allowed combinations to flourish and confidence to grow.
Scrumhalf Sandiswa Mbokazi was another player singled out for praise after dictating the tempo superbly, while Erasmus acknowledged the crucial contributions of assistant coaches Wayno Visagie and Mzamo Majola.
Looking back on an afternoon when everything clicked into place, Erasmus was quick to spread the credit. The timing could hardly have been better, with the 1st XV’s performance delighting a massive crowd, buoyed by the school’s loyal alumni.
While Westville won the 1st XV and 2nd XV matches, Michaelhouse dominated the other five open age-group matches.
The u16A honours were shared, while Westville claimed hard-fought wins in the u15A and u14A clashes.
Results
1st: Westville 52-19 Michaelhouse
2nd: Westville 31-26 Michaelhouse
3rd: Westville 43-7 Michaelhouse
4th: Westville 0-54 Michaelhouse
5th: Westville 0-47 Michaelhouse
6th: Westville 5-36 Michaelhouse
7th: Westville 5-52 Michaelhouse
16A: Westville 19-19 Michaelhouse
16B: Westville 9-0 Michaelhouse
16C: Westville 17-14 Michaelhouse
16D: Westville 22-5 Michaelhouse
15A: Westville 21-19 Michaelhouse
15B: Westville 29-12 Michaelhouse
15C: Westville 15-7 Michaelhouse
15D: Westville 50-7 Michaelhouse
14A: Westville 21-5 Michaelhouse
14B: Westville 38-12 Michaelhouse
14C: Westville 51-0 Michaelhouse
14D: Westville 50-5 Michaelhouse
HOCKEY
The Michaelhouse 1st team’s evolution under coach Nick Bérichon was evident on Friday evening, with the visitors claiming a 2-0 victory, thanks to goals from Henry Yeadon and Ben Heuer, two of the five Michaelhouse boys included in the KZN Inland u18A hockey team.
While the 1st team result went the visitors’ way, Westville picked up victories in the u16A and u14A matches.
Results
1st: Westville 0-2 Michaelhouse
2nd: Westville 2-1 Michaelhouse
3rd: Westville 0-0 Michaelhouse
4th: Westville 0-0 Michaelhouse
16A: Westville 4-1 Michaelhouse
16B: Westville 4-1 Michaelhouse
16C: Westville 6-2 Michaelhouse
16D: Westville 0-4 Michaelhouse
16E: Westville 2-1 Michaelhouse
16F: Westville 3-0 Michaelhouse
14A: Westville 4-1 Michaelhouse
14B: Westville 5-0 Michaelhouse
14C: Westville 4-0 Michaelhouse