12 May 2025
(Feature photo: Jordan Thackeray drags Dresden Coetzee over the try line for Maritzburg College’s first try, courtesy Justin Waldman Sports Photography).
With the Old Orchards stands packed and buzzing in celebration of St Charles College’s 150th anniversary, Saturday’s derby clash against Maritzburg College delivered the intensity and theatre worthy of such an occasion.
In the end, though, it was the Red, Black, and White who pulled clear in the second half to earn a hard-fought 26–16 victory over a determined Saints outfit.
After a tough outing against Hilton the previous weekend, St Charles looked like a side playing for something more than just a win. Fired up in front of a passionate home crowd, they took the game to College from the outset, camping in the visitors’ 22.
Early pressure was rewarded in the seventh minute when flyhalf AJ Bosman executed a pinpoint cross-kick to right wing Likuthi Mbalana, who juggled, gathered, and finished with a flourish under the uprights. Bosman added the extras.
Saints extended their lead soon after, with Bosman slotting a penalty from the left-hand side to make it 10–0.
[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_shortcode_id=”sdgyabye5″ data_padding_bottom_mobile_v=”0″ data_padding_top_mobile_v=”0″ data_padding_bottom_mobile_h=”0″ data_padding_top_mobile_h=”0″ data_padding_bottom_tablet=”0″ data_padding_top_tablet=”0″ data_padding_bottom_laptop=”0″ data_padding_top_laptop=”0″ data_padding_bottom_large=”0″ data_padding_top_large=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”50″ data_padding_top=”0″ data_bg_parallax_ratio=”0.5″ data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_position=”top center” data_color=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_top_style=”default” data_padding_right=”3″ data_padding_left=”3″ data_width=”boxed”][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/1″ data_shortcode_id=”st7t5a4o3u” data_animation_delay=”0″ data_border_style=”default” data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_position=”top center”]
[cmsmasters_embed shortcode_id=”wis0qqyk1″ link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvF-CtjRRdI&t=10s” width=”660″ height=”415″ animation_delay=”0″]
[/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_shortcode_id=”4f8akvxl09″ data_padding_bottom_mobile_v=”0″ data_padding_top_mobile_v=”0″ data_padding_bottom_mobile_h=”0″ data_padding_top_mobile_h=”0″ data_padding_bottom_tablet=”0″ data_padding_top_tablet=”0″ data_padding_bottom_laptop=”0″ data_padding_top_laptop=”0″ data_padding_bottom_large=”0″ data_padding_top_large=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”50″ data_padding_top=”0″ data_bg_parallax_ratio=”0.5″ data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_position=”top center” data_color=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_top_style=”default” data_padding_right=”3″ data_padding_left=”3″ data_width=”boxed”][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/1″ data_shortcode_id=”kw9nrnyrol” data_animation_delay=”0″ data_border_style=”default” data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_position=”top center”][cmsmasters_text shortcode_id=”nrqzvwnzto” animation_delay=”0″]
But College, with their pedigree and composure, worked their way back. After a turnover deep in their territory, they launched a sweeping counterattack. A well-weighted chip from wing Caleb Scheepers found centre Jordan Thackeray, who, under pressure from Dresden Coetzee, managed to ground the ball for a try. The call could have gone either way, but the referee was decisive. Dom du Toit converted to narrow the gap to 10–7.
St Charles pushed hard before the break, playing with purpose and structure, but College’s defence held firm, and Saints took a slender lead into halftime.
The visitors came out firing in the second half. Playing with more patience and physicality, they edged ahead through Mian Pretorius, who was on the end of a multi-phase attack. Though du Toit missed the conversion, College now led 12–10.
Bosman responded almost immediately with another well-taken penalty, putting Saints back in front. But College’s growing grip on possession told. Sustained pressure led to a penalty, and though St Charles turned them over near the line, poor execution on the exit allowed College back in.
Pretorius was again the man in support, crashing over for his second try. This time, du Toit converted to make it 19–13.
Bosman’s third penalty reduced the gap to just three, but College sealed the win through Owethu Kosani, whose late try capped off a powerful forward effort. Du Toit’s successful conversion pushed the score to 26–16.
Despite the result, St Charles gave a spirited performance in front of their Old Boys, showing pride, resilience, and no shortage of ambition in a pulsating derby clash.
It was a busy day for College, whose rugby teams faced sides from nine schools!
RESULTS
1st: Maritzburg College 26-16 St Charles
2nd: Maritzburg College 61-3 St Charles
3rd: Maritzburg College 34-7 Midlands 1st
4th: Maritzburg College 29-0 Linpark 1st
5th: Maritzburg College 19-10 Ashton 1st
6th: Maritzburg College 39-14 Haythorne 1st
7th: Maritzburg College 15-7 St Charles 4th
8th: Maritzburg College 15-32 Howick 2nd
9th: Maritzburg College 5-29 Linpark 2nd
10th: Maritzburg College 15-37 St Charles 5th
16A: Maritzburg College 47-0 St Charles
16B: Maritzburg College 47-7 Midlands A
16C: Maritzburg College 31-10 Asibemunye
16D: Maritzburg College 14-8 St Charles 16B
16E: Maritzburg College 22-27 Howick 16A
16F: Maritzburg College 7-27 Siyalomula
15A: Maritzburg College 22-14 St Charles
15B: Maritzburg College 40-0 Ashton 15A
15C: Maritzburg College 39-0 St Charles 15B
15D: Maritzburg College 8-14 Howick 15A
14A: Maritzburg College 38-0 St Charles
14B: Maritzburg College 55-5 Linpark 14A
14C: Maritzburg College 39-3 St Charles 14B
14D: Maritzburg College 25-0 Howick 14A
14E: Maritzburg College 17-14 Pretoria Boys High
HOCKEY
College enjoyed the better of the hockey results, but props to St Charles for putting out seven u16 hockey teams. That’s great for the game and very pleasing to see.
The Red Army powered their way to a 5-0 win in a Hyundai Friday Nite Lights clash, while College’s u16A team won 3-0. Their strong u14A side overwhelmed Saints, winning by nine goals.
RESULTS
1st: St Charles 0-5 Maritzburg College
2nd: St Charles 0-6 Maritzburg College
3rd: St Charles 0-0 Maritzburg College
4th: St Charles 0-3 Maritzburg College
5th: St Charles 1-4 Maritzburg College
16A: St Charles 0-3 Maritzburg College
16B: St Charles 1-4 Maritzburg College
16C: St Charles 2-1 Maritzburg College
16D: St Charles 1-3 Maritzburg College
16E: St Charles 2-3 Maritzburg College
16F: St Charles 0-1 Maritzburg College
16G: St Charles 0-6 Maritzburg College
14A: St Charles 1-10 Maritzburg College
14B: St Charles 1-2 Maritzburg College
14C: St Charles 1-0 Maritzburg College
14D: St Charles 1-2 Maritzburg College
14E: St Charles 0-9 Maritzburg College
[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row]
Leave a Reply