MARITZBURG COLLEGE
It’s Soccer Showdown Friday! Maritzburg College vs Haythorne in ABJ final!
A final is like a piece of paper on which every player leaves a mark…
… In its second year of existence, the PMB High Schools’ Football Association second term league has reached the culmination of its 2018 competition.
“In 2017, Haythorne Secondary were crowned champions of the PMB High Schools’ Football Association second term league. Again, in 2018, they find themselves in the A league final, facing off against Maritzburg College,” chairperson of the PMBHSFA Michael Dibben told KZN10.com Thursday afternoon.
Featured image: The Maritzburg College first soccer team… will head coach Daniel Haswell’s boys in Red Black & White have the tactical nous and make-something-from-nothing to wrest the trophy away from reigning champs Haythorne Secondary? We’ll find out on Friday Final Day at the ABJ…
The 2018 A league ran semi-finals, which featured Haythorne (1) vs Carter (4) and Maritzburg College (2) vs Alex High (3).
Haythorne and Maritzburg College both emerged 4-2 victors on penalties after both games ended 1-1 after full time.
The Maritzburg College vs Haythorne A league final takes place on the AB Jackson soccer fields (opposite the Harry Gwala Stadium in Princess Margaret Drive). Kick-off is at 15:30pm.
Says Daniel Haswell, Maritzburg College first team coach and MC High Performance coach: “The introduction of the second term league has been positive for schools’ football in that it has increased the competitiveness and the standard. Even though it is a precursor to the big games and tournaments coming up, the boys have raised their standard.”
It’s set to be a cracker of a soccer set-to as PMB footy supremacy is at stake…
[… well, ahead of the 3rd term soccer season proper… when the likes of ace Hilton College shot-stopper Costi Christodoulou and Co. from the other schools get into action following the conclusion of their rugby/hockey second term commitments…]
Due to the number of teams that had entered the league in 2018, it was split into an A league and a B league, with the winners of the B league being promoted into the A league, seeing the team that places last in the A league, dropping to the B section for 2019.
The B league ran in a format where each team played each other once, from there the top two teams on points, Newton and St Nicholas, face off in a promotion playoff final, which takes place at AB Jacksons on Friday the 1st of June, at 2pm.
KZN10.com wishes the very best of football wishes to the teams!
KZN hockey showdown this afternoon: Red Army vs Clifton on Pape’s Astro
Keegan has been head of hockey at Clifton for two years while his opposite number Dylan Coombes is in his first year at the helm on Fortress Pape’s.
Both outfits are encouraged to execute an exciting brand of attacking hockey that has at its core a number of similarities:
Calmness under pressure
Skonk, the Crow’s Nest… the Class of ’81 … Toffa’s tales…
“THE Red Black and White stands for family, friendship, tradition, shared values and an undying loyalty. I will never forget those days and still attend Old Boys Reunions from time to time… and re-live that special feeling each time.”
The Toffa Hattingh story is remarkable for many reasons. Coming to Maritzburg College’s Nathan House as a wide-eyed boarder in 1977 – knowing absolutely no-one, must have been the biggest possible shock to the system of a 13 year old. Yet four short years later Toffa left Maritzburg College as a hugely popular and deeply respected head prefect, Natal Schools’ lock forward, shot putt champion and a mean guitar player.
As Toffa’s time in the head prefect’s Crow’s Nest digs perched atop Clark House – and the Class of 81’s year – was nearing its close, the one and only Dave Dell, who was the senior teacher in charge of prefects, said in a meeting with us 1982 prefects-in-waiting that “Hattingh was the best Maritzburg College head prefect in 25 years.”
‘The fact that Skonk remembered my dad was extra motivation’
Featured image the Maritzburg College Foundation logo: Much of what Toffa says in this feature’s opening paragraph speaks of a culture, a community, its aspirations… captured in the success story that is the Maritzburg College Foundation. If you would like to know more, contact the Foundation at 033 345 9660 admin@collegefoundation.co.za or go to http://collegefoundation.co.za/
Toffa and his dad, Boet Hattingh (1951 first XV flyhalf) donated these special pieces of memorabilia to the Maritzburg College Museum, situated in one of the 155-year-old school’s venerable red-brick buildings – a structure that the boys of decades back coined the ‘Crystal Palace’. Insets in the picture frame nearest Toffa feature his head prefect’s badge, a photo of Toffa’s dad, as well as one of his brother-in-law, head of Maritzburg College mathematics Piet Snyman, who coached the Maritzburg College first XV during a four-year period, from 2009 to 2012.
‘One Skonk story was about a lock forward with a bit of a boep called Vanderplank’
Christopher Willem Hattingh… the moniker “Toffa” stuck from toddler years when “Christopher” was a bit of a mouthful for young Hattingh, so in the manner so endearing of little kids young Christopher decided that Toffa was a better bet when introducing himself.
Brought up on his mom and dad’s trading store in deepest Zululand somewhere near-ish to Nongoma, Toffa’s primary school days were spent in an establishment where standards 1 (grade 1) to 5 (grade 7) consisted of a handful of rural children in a single classroom. Toffa’s gran was the teacher, most of the lessons were in Afrikaans. There was no team sport, obviously, so no rugby, no nothing apart from a bit of fun in the back yard with his mom, dad, and considerably older sisters Sally-Anne and Louise.
Toffa was in my standard 6 class. Knowing Toffa had no-one in the KZN capital to visit after the boarders’ compulsory morning church on Sundays, I invited this deeply sensitive, lost soul (okay, that’s a bit of writer’s licence) to come have Sunday lunches with the Cooks. Gradually, step by step, this country boy grew in confidence and blossomed into the esteemed young man who was chosen to lead the Maritzburg College pupil body in a quick-as-a-flash four years’ time.
‘… the ball hit the crossbar and bounded back onto his big belly…’
Now a senior member of the SA Air Force, who started his military career as a Parabat, here’s the (primarily rugby) story I invited Toffa to tell:
“The 1981 Maritzburg College first XV played DHS home and away. We won both. The atmosphere was unbelievable… The game was over in what felt like seconds. The away game was extra special as it was my last game for College, my last game in the Red Black and White. I remember crying my eyes out as I ran onto Van Heerdens…
“I cannot recall any major parts of the games or the people… just know we were always about team effort. Individual performance was secondary. The fact that we did not wear numbers also struck a chord with me. Team first, we are one.”
‘Skonk was the greatest… Best scrum coach ever’
When asked to jog my fog-enshrouded memory as to who were regular members of the unbeaten 1981 Maritzburg College first team, Toffa didn’t hesitate for a second:
”Fullback Clive Cole, right wing Keven Stander, centres Kevin Torlage, Ross Cooper (Mike White), left wing Mike Wessels, flyhalf Henry Coxwell (captain), scrumhalf Brett Walker (vice-captain), front-row Cliffy Torlage, Buster Mackenzie (hooker) and Lance ‘Skove’ Gold, locks (Mike) “Rab” Bode, (Dave “Toti” Waters) and myself, flanks Wayne Glover and Dave Slater-Kinghorn, Boetie Potgieter eighthman.”
Four members of that unbeaten side went on to play Craven Week – the devastating halfbacks Coxwell (vice-capt) and Walker, centre Kevin Torlage, and Toffa at lock. The talk amongst a number of knowledgeable KZN schoolboy rugby observers was that centre Ross Cooper might well have made that 1981 Nat Schools side had it not been for the injury that sadly cut short his season.
Let’s get back to Toffa and what it meant to him to represent the Red Black and White: “To play for a school that many generations of College boys had played for, was particularly special. I was coached by the same guy that coached my dad 30 years before, Skonk. The fact that Skonk remembered my dad was extra motivation.
“Skonk was the greatest. Would talk a lot and use examples from previous teams and players to make a point. Best scrum coach ever. I believe the current Boks could still benefit from his techniques.
“One Skonk story I always remember was about a lock forward with a bit of a boep called Vanderplank…
“Skonk wanted us to remember to follow up on kicks at posts. He said that Vanderplank religiously followed up on every kick and never had any luck … Until one day when the ball hit the crossbar and bounded back onto his big belly. He managed to hold on and fell over under the posts for a try. So Skonk’s lesson: “Always chase after a place-kick.”
Toffa says Skonk always spoke isiZulu and had a knack for spotting talent: “I remember one year (1980) he just disappeared from firsts and seconds practice on Goldstones… went walking down to the 5ths and 6ths practice. He returned with a small player from the 5ths (Louis Oosthuizen) who ended up playing first team flank.
“The Red Black and White stands for family, friendship, tradition, shared values and an undying loyalty. I will never forget those days and still attend Old Boys Reunions from time to time… and re-live that special feeling each time.”
Thanks Toffs – for me personally you brought back memories that were quite emotional in parts.
*Prop forward Bertram Eustace Vanderplank was born in Melmoth (in Zululand terms not too-oooo far from Toffa’s childhood place lol) on 29 April 1894.
Mr Vanderplank of Eshowe Rugby Football Club and Natal (1924) was the fourth member of the 15 young men of the Red Black and White to represent the Springboks…
At the age of 30, Bertram propped the Bok scrum in a pair of Test matches – against the 1924 British Isles (now British &Irish Lions).
Bertram Eustace’s’s Bok debut was on South Africa’s own House of Pain… the Boet Erasmus Stadium in Port Elizabeth on 13 September 1924. His second – and last – Test match in the Green and Gold colours of South Africa was on the gentler turf of Newlands.
Clearly the Vanderplank determination that Skonk spoke of bore its just reward post-school…
In the beginning… Jono’s painful memories of the DHS U13A rugby side
IT was the year circa 1977.
Michael Osz on the left wing – beyond blistering pace – Leighton Higgo on the right – unbelievable strength and explosive power – loose forwards like starving, rabid Rottweilers with an insatiable appetitefor scrumhalves and flyhalves… an absolute stormer of a DHS U13A pack…
DHS Old Boy Andrew ‘Shedders’ Shedlock – Springbok water polo and Shedders Cricket Academy just a couple of his many achievements.
As a 13-year-old second former (grade 8) this is what I saw. And, painfully, felt in the return match on Van Heerdens, lol .
When you’re playing against a side that’s so much better, this is what you can feel – so very, very real to an impressionable young mind.
Thankfully I was injured for that first Maritzburg College vs DHS U13A match in 1977. The venue was Snows, the rugby and cricket field just below Goldstones…
In my Merchiston Prep School standard 5 (grade 7) year I’d never, ever, encountered such beasts. Well, on that welcome-to-the-big-wide-world-of-high-school day on Snows, with tries still 4 points, School U13’s ran riot, especially Mike Osz and Leighton Higgo, all the way to the 40-plus to zilch endgame score and then some.
The return match on Van Heerdens… I was unfortunately fit.
The late Ken Elliott (who went on to become a much-loved and respected Maritzburg College headmaster) was our coach. The MC U13A captain – quickest off the mark and our best tackler by a country mile – was one Henry Gordon Coxwell. With much good sense, Mr Elliott decided that H should move to fullback, primarily – I surmise – to contain the Osz/Higgo threat. Yours truly, right wing that year, though more accustomed to playing flyhalf in Merchiston Prep days, was moved to 10…
Well, it was absolute mayhem… The monstrous DHS U13A pack got plentiful front-foot ball – primarily thanks to (the late) Andrew “Waka” Carl and his front-row cohorts along with fellow tight five cronies Chris Edwards and Steve Meyer… and this time their loosies, Messrs Farrant and Cross, didn’t bother to give their backs a run – numbers 6, 7 and 8 skipped going to the tryline through A (Jimmy Cook), B, C & D on to Osz/Higgo… They wisely decided much better to go from A to Z in one move. The result? The sum of 40-odd points to zero, nada, again.
Does my Maritzburg College age-group tale of woe continue?? “No!” he cried! The next year, on Lamonds, just below College Road, one Arthur Wormington (the multi-talented sportsman who, remarkably, went on to vice-captain the SA Schools’ hockey team just 3 years later, just 2 years after taking up hockey) slotted a drop-goal for College U14A to win by one slender point.
Arthur ‘Worms’ Wormington (right) with Michaelhouse Old Pumpy Lambert at the Boks vs Japan 2015 Rugby World Cup match in Brighton.
And it gets even better… The U13A Maritzburg College vs DHS annus horribilis of 1977 evolved into back-to-back Red Black and White first XV victories for the MC Class of 81.
If my cobweb-covered memory serves me correctly, in that MC U13A side of 77 so ruthlessly vanquished by that DHS mean machine, were a few Red Black & White who went on to play in the Goldstones- and Van Heerdens-victorious Maritzburg College first XV of 1981.
The salad days of matric 1982… the years haven’t been kind to Jono…
There may have been more but definitely among them were Henry Coxwell, Ross Cooper (I think Ross played in at least one of them before injury cut his 81 season), Mike “Rab” Bode and Mike White… and a lock by the name of Toffa Hattingh…
‘It will always be an immense honour to wear the Blue and Gold’
In the aftermath of home side DHS first XV retaining the Skonk Nicholson Cup with a 45-30 win over Maritzburg College on Saturday, 19 May 2018 in an exciting match spiced with high-tempo adventurous running rugby, at-times astonishing combination play, intelligent tactical and clearance kicking plus superb shots at posts with the boot, it’s always a treat to hear the stories of Old Boys who represented the Blue and Gold or Red Black & White in those epic traditional KZN derbies from many (and not so many!) years ago.
Here’s Lyle Matthysen – a School man through and through who is an integral part of the DHS coaching staff – current (2018) captain and number 8 Mpilo Gumede, last year’s dynamic loose forward and captain Pepsi Buthulezi and fellow 2017 playmaker (at 9 or 10) supreme Sanele Nohamba (all 3 SA Schools in 2017) just three of the many Durban High School boys that have benefited in one way or another from the intelligent “Skylo’s” input.
Pepsi’s DHS Team of 2017 played some of the most exhilarating KZN schoolboy rugby you are ever likely to see.
A player who made a deep impression on Lyle: Pepsi Buthulezi, the 2017 DHS captain, loose forward and SA Schools cap.
Photo Neville Bailey
“Thanks Jono, I coached Sanele and Pepsi as U15’s and have been involved with them from the start of there 7’s careers, so it was extra special to be part of them with the 1st team last year.
Another School first XV player who Lyle has a lot of time for is School’s 2017 wizard scrumhalf Sanele Nohambe, who delivered some of the most complete performances seen at KZN & SA schoolboy level last year.
Photo Neville Bailey
“I played DHS 1st team in my matric year. Unfortunately I suffered concussions, therefore I only managed to gain 9 caps; however it was still enough to keep the number 15 fullback jersey.
“I played against College on Van Heerdens and we lost 31-13. We were simply physically out-muscled by a very strong College team. A standout for College was (front-ranker) Nick Schonert who has now played for the English Saxons.”
This special rivalry also creates strong bonds across the school divide
“In my Grade 11 year I played for the 2nd XV and played against College twice. The first game on Van Heerdens was extremely special as it was the first time that our floodlights were turned on. We lost the game, but it was an absolute humdinger with the score ending 8-7. The atmosphere was something I had never experienced before. However the second fixture at Goldstones wasn’t that great for us and we caught a proper smack! I definitely felt the effect of Goldstones that day!”
“A standout player for my first XV in 2009 would be been our captain and inside centre Justin Christoforus. A real no-nonsense, hard-running centre known for his defence!”
Of course, this special rivalry also creates strong bonds across the school divide –
Here’s Lyle to tell it: “Very good College friends of mine would be Ant Pissara and Dean Pengelly. Myself and Dean were both at Durban Prep so our bond continued as we went to high school. Ant was equally passionate about College as I am for DHS, so the banter and camaraderie made us really good friends.”
Ahead of the match today, these were Lyle’s last words: “DHS is the oldest school in Durban. No matter what happens, win or lose, it will always be an immense honour to wear the Blue and Gold. To this day, it is still one of the proudest moments of my life – playing for the 1st XV.”
Mpilo Gumede, the 2018 DHS captain & No.8 who played for SA Schools last year, leads his team out at this year’s Grey High Rugby Festival.
I love Lyle’s last paragraph – it says so much about Lyle the person and so much about the heritage of DHS rugby.
DHS vs Maritzburg College 1st XV epics… 1987-1989… Ivy’s memories
‘The atmosphere is electric… bashers flying every time College score is a sight to behold’
It’s SUPER SATURDAY 19 May 2018… 255 St Thomas Rd, Musgrave, Durban… the age-old Derby…
Durban High School’s (1866) Old Gold and Maritzburg College’s (1863) Red Black & White…
DHS first XV versus Maritzburg College first XV… kick-off at 2.10pm… on Van Heerdens.
Deo Fretus (In God We Trust) hosting Pro Aris et focis (For Hearth & Home).
Ivan Pistorius played for DHS first XV in 1987, 1988 and 1989… Ivy remembers those epics…
Ivy Pistorius… DHS first XV flyhalf/centre 1987 to 1989.
“In 1987 our first fixture was against College at Goldstones and I remember the match very well. Their side was captained by Brenton Catterall who at lock was a beast of a man. They also had the likes of Grant Reid, Udo Goedeke, Andrew Godfrey, Ian Vynne and Warren Wilson. We lost 19-4 … I still remember how hard the field was… Never before had I tackled so much .
“Our ’87 side was captained by prop Hague Thomson and had John Slade as our only Natal Schools player. We had 4 grade 11s in that team – Deon Von Beneke, Nigel Strachan, myself and Grant Sheppard on the wing. The return at DHS was a close game with us losing 7-6.
‘…1987 I remember how hard Goldstones was. I’d never tackled so much before…’
“In 1988 our team was captained by flanker Deon von Beneke with me being vice-captain. Leading into the College game both of us were unbeaten and we played this match over a long weekend. I remember the crowd was huge and College totally outplaying us to win 28-10. Maritzburg College were captained by Andrew Ralfe and had the likes of Wayne Sharpley, Wayne Huinink, Andrew Godfrey, Brett Emberton, Rick De Villiers and Ian Vynne. I remember the return game well at College where we lost 8-13 in a top game on Goldstones. We had 3 Natal Schools players Bruce Layzell, Costa Mamaliades and Deon Von Beneke.
Van Heerdens 1988… Red Black White 1st XV by 5 tries to 1…
“In 1989 we played College on our DHS Founders Day. Our team was captained by number 8 Thomas Jankovich and we had the likes of Lionel Andreou, Richard Allen at flyhalf, me and Doug Wayt at centre and the talented Andrew Purnell at fullback. College were captained by Bruce Lesur and they had Clinton Rhodes, Ross Veenstra, Duncan Macdonald. We were motivated!!! And on 3rd June 1989 we beat College 13-7 with a try from Lionel Andreou and 3 penalties from Andrew Purnell.
The 1988 DHS first XV… In 1989, on Van Heerdens, the 13-7 win over the Red Black & White – on School’s Founders Day – snapped a 9-year 17-match drought.
‘The whole school doing the war cry on the field… beating College for the 1st time in 9 years’
Inspiration for School’s young men of future generations…
“It was the only game College lost that year and we had 2 Natal Schools players Lionel Andreou and captain Tom Jankovich. In the return game I did not play as I was injured against Hilton two weeks before.”
‘There is something very special about playing against the Red, Black and white of College.’
“The atmosphere is always electric and the sight of the bashers flying up in the air every time College scores is a sight to behold. We use to have approximately 30 teams playing College and as our oldest rivals there was always mutual respect for each other.
DHS first XV players (l-r) Robert Chrystal, Ivan Pistorius, Robin Buchanan and (14 ) Andrew Crawford .
“I was fortunate to play 46 matches for the DHS first rugby team with 35 being consecutive. I missed the St Stithians Festival and the last 2 matches against Northlands and College. If it had not been for the knee surgery I had after cricket season and the injuries in the last 2 games I would have played 50 matches for the DHS first team, which would have been a big milestone for me.
“I hope I have given you some insight into how special it is to have played against College – and to only beat them once in the 5 derby games I played shows what a great rugby school they were and still are.
“Thank you for letting me share my fond memories with you. DHS vs Maritzburg College – as the 2 oldest schools in KwaZulu-Natal – will always be a very special occasion. GO SCHOOL!”
The boys of Durban High School will be giving it all for the Old Gold.
Regards
Ivan Pistorius
DHS (Class of 1989)
Thanks Ivy – You have conjured up special memories… Bring on Super Saturday!
St Charles vs Maritzburg College rugby
St Charles College first XV meet home side Maritzburg College at 3.15pm on Goldstones Saturday. For the first time since 1977.
Here’s some of the history, from Jos Robson.
In 1882 Maritzburg College hosted St. Charles College, which was the first ever official schools rugby fixture in KZN. The Natal Witness reported on the game which was won 3-2 by Maritzburg College.
Earlier in 1870 it was also reported in the Natal Witness that Maritzburg College then Pietermaritzburg High School had played a 15 man game against the German school of Hemansberg, which history tells us that this was in fact the first 15 man rugby match played on African soil. College also won that game 2-0.
So it took 12 years before schools began officially playing against each other with Michaelhouse and Hilton joining in on the great schools rugby journey in the late 1800’s early 1900’s.
It was in the early 1950’s that a young man arrived at St. Charles who would later become a close friend of the legendary Maritzburg College coach Skonk Nicholson. He was Patrick Kennedy who went on to play for Natal Schools in 57 and 58 and became what Skonk always said to me his best ever Natal Schools Captain.
In 58 he was joined by team mate Dudley Crooks in the Natal Schools side and in 57 Paddy was on the flank alongside prop Finton Jungle Jackson, R.V. Vanderplank whose dad Bertrum played for the Springboks in 1924, J.W. Grice, M.H. Mordaunt and H.C. van Rooyen
Interestingly enough in 58 Kelvin McIlrath was the only Nat Schools representative in the class of 58 but he did captain the Schools side the following year.
In the early years St. Charles were extremely competitive but never grew in numbers and somehow never had the depth in later years with the two schools last officially meeting in 1977.
College beat St. Charles 42-6 in that last match so here we are 41 years later the two schools that started it all 136 years ago celebrating their moment in history as the two grand old schools prepare to do battle once again this Saturday.
Paddy sent his two boys Ric Kennedy and Bryan Kennedy to Maritzburg College when St. Charles went through a bad patch and almost closed. The Old Boys rallied to the cause and here we are…The Red Black and White up against the mighty Amalachites once again.
There is a full day of rugby at Maritzburg College on Saturday with the hosts taking on St Charles College, Voortrekker and Howick.
Photo supplied
A taste of things to come
Photo Jono Cook : Maritzburg College first XV rugby captain Ntuthuko Mchunu and backline player Nkondlo Radebe.
Edited extract of an informative report off the Glenwood FB page by Beet on the KZN pre-season schoolboy 1st XV rugby 🏉 warm-up mini matches at King’s Park Saturday.
“These were just warm-ups to aid the players’ and coaches’ prep,” said Beet.
Westville 5 Glenwood 5
“I thought Glenwood were fantastic in this match.
“They fielded a 2nd team and the players played out of their skins. They were hungry and created an even contest against Westville.
“Westville scored a lovely try. Flank Dylan Jung had a decisive carry and fed it to big Okkie Barnard who was wearing the no.8 jersey.
“This gave them serious front-foot ball and flyhalf Kyle Forsyth came up with a class chip to the corner which wing Grove Akker did not waste.
“From the kick-off Westville failed to control and Glenwood pounced. The ball was hacked ahead and a loose forward won the race to re-gather and dotted down to level matters.”
Maritzburg College 0 DHS 0
“Surprisingly this game failed to produce a score.
“DHS still have strike players. If everybody does their job by putting in the hard yards, these go-to players can make a difference.
“The top-rated Horsefly Celimpilo Gumede did not play because he was with the SA U18 Sevens team, so that tells you something about the 1,9 metre young man’s mobility and skill-set.
“DHS have a decent front-row. Celimpilo’s brother Mthokozisi Gumede is a useful all-round player and showed it with a good carry during this game.
“Marcel Nel is really big now and Donovan Adams is a livewire hooker with a lot of heart. Asande Mnguni definitely had his moments last season. He can be lethal as ball runner and is a turnover specialist.
“In the backs, flyhalf Shakur la Douce has a big boot and KZN Craven Week centre Lwandile Menze, who was so destructive as a big metres-gaining 12 last year is back, but playing 13 now.
“There are also useful backs in versatile Lwazi Moletshe and determined Malusi Ntuli.
“The Maritzburg College pack could be developed into a major asset this season if they get the self-belief system to the level it needs to be.
“Props Ethan Hodgson and Sphekahle Dube are a part of the reason why impressive no.8 Nthuthuko Mchunu has been so effective off the back of the scrum.
“The Maritzburg College captain has been ticking all the right boxes and is arguably the best individual player in KZN pre-season.
“For Maritzburg College to do well this season all they need is a few others to close the gap on Mchunu and they will be a handful to deal with.
“Maritzburg College may be a bit short on X-factor players this year.
“The College backline still need a lot of work on attack and the coaching staff are going to have to work extra hard on this aspect of play to make them more effective.
Westville 10 College 7
“Maritzburg College didn’t bring a big squad to King’s Park and had to stay on the field for a second successive game so it was interesting to see if this continuity helped or hurt them and how the fewer subs would impact on their day.
“They subbed who they could and struck first blood. MC fullback Matthew Willemse had scored an absolute gem of a solo try against Westville at the Vories Night Series a week earlier and continued to haunt them when his chip-and-chase down the middle had the Westville fullback in a spot of bother and forced a turnover via a scrum.
“A free-kick and quick tap followed and with the ball spun wide it finally resulted in no.18 scoring a try, which Keegan Collyer then turned into 7 with a good kick.
“With consistency, Willemse is the kind of player College could build attacking plays around.
“Westville fullback Nqubeko Mkwanazi looks like he is going to pick up from where he left off last season, as a create-something-out-of-nothing player.
“Mkwanazi played a big part in Westville’s first try thanks to a good run. The try-scorer was scrumhalf Stanley Giani. After that, Mkwanazi combined with wing Akker.
“Akker stabbed the ball ahead and dived on it in-goal to push Westville into a 10-7 lead, which could have increased when the no.11 wing came close.
“Then at the death College were denied what would have been a wonderful try.
“Mchunu had one of his now trademark carries. After he was stopped in the 22 the ball was recycled and what looked like a brilliant skip pass by a front-rower out to the left and into the breadbasket of unmarked wing Siphesihle Kekana was judged to be forward by the assistant referee.
Glenwood 3 DHS 3
“DHS showed lots of commitment to hold off a strong Glenwood team.
“Glenwood seem to bring out the best in DHS. Glenwood looked like they were about to get going on several plays but never really got out of the low gears.
“The most interesting of the positional set-ups was that Joe Poen Jonas played fullback. Rynhardt Jonker and La Douce traded penalties.”
DHS 14 Westville 0
“A quick tap-and-go penalty taken by DHS flank Mnguni caught Westville unawares.
“He then drew and passed to scrumhalf Jaydian Cedares, who turned out to be a bit of a pocket rocket. He jet-shoed his way to the tryline from about 40m out.
“The little scrummy wearing 21 also had a part in School’s second try. His box kick was well placed and forced pressure near the touchline in Westville territory.
“DHS then worked the ball well and, aided by some soft hands, no.11 (Moletshe) got in for the try. Both tries were converted by La Douce.
“Westville were not outplayed by any means but just couldn’t come up with any plays to breach the DHS defence.
Sadly, Mkwanazi picked up an injury during this match. Hopefully it’s not serious.”
Glenwood 7 College 0
“The Maritzburg College pack started to get the hang of things during this match and with more effort like that they stand a good chance to dominate others in KZN.
“From a College lineout gone wrong Glenwood sprung into action and gave a taste of the firepower they are capable of producing.
“Centre Jason Conradie did very well and a useful pass by a wing to the flying, powerfully-built centre Conan le Fleur saw him race in. Jaden Hendrikse the scrumhalf succeeded with the difficult conversion.
“Hendrikse also impressed with the hang time on his big base kicks.”
* Thanks Beet and the Glenwood Facebook page for the info.
It’s TIME ⌚!!!! 😁
by Jos Robson & Ryan Lawler
St Charles College vs Maritzburg College – Saturday, 17th March – the wait is finally over.
In 1882, St Charles played against Maritzburg College for the first time. The schools then played each other on regular occasions from the 1930’s up until 1977. During this early period, St Charles got given the nickname “The Amalekites”.
This stems from the colours of St Charles’ blazer but what also contributed to the fact of the spirited school was the small number of boys the 1st Teams could choose from and yet, the spirit of the boys is what kept them together and which saw them “fight, until they can fight no more”.
This has seen a 41 year period where the schools have not played each other in a full set of fixtures.
With just 10 school days to go until the rivalry is once again ignited, we look forward to a healthy, competitive day of winter sport.
The 1st XI hockey are due to start at 10:20am and the 1st XV will kick off at approximately 2:45pm on Goldstones.
Feelings are temporary, beliefs are forever!
Courtney Halle has enjoyed a stellar season by anyone’s measure
The Maritzburg College first team defender played a big part in the team’s ranking by www.saschoolsports.co.za as the number one schoolboy hockey side in the country.
Halle was also selected for KZN Inland U18A, KZN Inland U21, SA U18 and the SA U21 Junior World Cup training squad.
So how has it all happened, what are the key factors in this boom year for the Ladysmith, KZN-based Halle who filled senior positions as a boarder and in the school at College.
“As proud as I am of myself and my achievements, it’s only a result of hard work and dedication plus the support of many people,” says the tall defender.
“There’s no real way to express my feelings about this year as they are overwhelming! This year was my second and last year playing for the college 1st XI. The reason why we are such a successful hockey school is because our hockey staff buy into the idea from the lowest to highest teams. We work extremely hard at practice and look to earn the respect of others by assisting on our off days with the coaching of teams as low as the U14G and F teams who deserve as much respect as the 1st team.”
Halle admits that much what drives him comes from within. “I am a very competitive guy who wants to always raise the bar and be better than what’s expected. I am driven by people who have told me I can’t do it and also to do my parents proud.”
Of the Maritzburg first hockey team Class of 2015, the immediately likeable Halle says the guys bonded as a team and came together to do a job. “We have successfully finished 1st in SA again according to the SA School Sports rankings and had more than the whole first side in the provincial set up.”
Alongside Halle in the SA U21 Junior World Cup training squad are good friends and College team-mates Tyson Dlungwana and MK Letuka as well as Old Collegians and ex-team-mates Tevin Kok, Peabo Lembethe, Onke Letuka and Siya Nolutshungu.
“College boys who represented KZN Inland were myself, Tyson Dlungwana, Andile Ndlovu and Michael Godfrey amongst the defenders; links Landon Campbell and Gareth Herselman, and strikers Michael Forrest as well as Bob Njapha. Our College coach, Devon van der Merwe, was also our provincial coach.”
College boys selected for the SA U18 side were Halle and Dlungwana, with Andile Ndlovu and Sanele Magoso being selected for the SA U17 squad.
Halle is acutely aware of the responsibilities he carries for the team. “Being a defender comes with its pros and its cons. The slightest of mistakes could result in the scoreboard ticking against your favour. So yes, I feel it puts huge strain on you as you have to take the smallest window of opportunity to turn over possession and win back that ball. Dealing with the strain though just means you need to work harder than ever before. Backing your goalkeeper to assist is also a key aspect.”
Penalty corner drag flicking is one of Halle’s favourites. “I thrive on knowing I have to be better than the opposition goalkeeper and that I have the potential to put my team ahead. There’s no better feeling than knowing you contributed a large amount to your teams success in a tight game, winning no more than 1-0.”
It takes time to know your game, develop the necessary mettle and advance your emotional make-up to really blossom and Halle appears to be getting there – and fast.
“Through the years I have matured as a hockey player and learned to deal with certain situations. I have learned to be calm in all situations, as you need to be so as a drag flicker. When we are under pressure to equalize I wouldn’t say I thrive on it but I like to set the pace at the back and get the game moving forward to get that needed goal.”
As for memorable, nail-biting games, there have been plenty stored in the Halle memory bank. “From beating Glenwood in our second last game last year to move into first place in SA, to beating Westville and Jeppe both 1-0 this year with seconds to go as a result of drag flicks.
“Although I think my most memorable game would be College vs Pretoria Boys for our third meeting of the year when we came from 2-0 down on Pape’s Astro at College to win 3-2, scoring two goals inside 90 seconds at the start of the second half.”
As far as individual goal strikes are concerned, the St Albans match stands out for Halle. “Against St Albans at the start of the season I scored a hat-trick and College went on to win the game 4-3. It was a huge milestone to achieve as I began to find my feet as a drag flicker. It is a memory I will not forget.”
Another highlight was last season. “When we played Glenwood at home after previously losing to them in Durban that same season. College won the game 4-1 to have the last say in their last game, and our second last game. We had to win by three goals to take the title of first-ranked team in SA for 2014.”
Halle loves the schoolboy hockey festivals, like the annual Nomads festival. “These festivals are extremely enjoyable as they bring competition that we would not normally play in KZN and allows us to be out of our home environment. It’s an important bonding time for the team as it sets the standard for the rest of the season. It also allows for you to make many friends, who you will see time and time again on and off the field during the year, and the years to come.”
As for his 2016 ambitions, one in particular is crystal clear: “Next year I will be looking to make the SA team that will take part in the Junior World Cup Africa Qualifier.” The winners of that one go through to the Junior World Cup finals in India later in the year.
Varsity Cup hockey also looms large in 2016 and Halle will likely be at Tuks or UJ studying towards a B.Comm with the focus on the entrepreneurial world.
Ultimately he would love to earn senior men’s national colours.
“It’s just unfortunate that we cannot make a career of hockey in South Africa; I think it’s a huge downfall and a burden on our potential success. I would love to look to make a career and play in the Indian and Belgium leagues.”
As to his mentors, Halle doesn’t hesitate for a second. “My parents have always played a huge roll in my success with their continuous support and interest in me. However I can’t forget about my coaches, from day one being my mother! My high school coaches played a huge roll too. Brandon Swart, Kyle Emerson, Devon van der Merwe and Chris Oldnall were always pushing my boundaries and driving me to succeed.
“I must make special mention of Devon van der Merwe. He has coached me the last two years and has had something to add to every aspect of my game, and ensures you are always pushing the limits. I can’t forget though, the part played by Mr Brandon Swart, where my seeds were planted.”
It all started for Halle at Monument Primary School in Ladysmith. “I have always been a fan of hockey since toddler days, although I only really started enjoying it last year. What makes hockey different to any other sport for me is that the game is never won, and can go either way at any moment! It’s all about the team who pitches on the day.”