It’s a battle between top KZN contenders when Hilton takes on Maritzburg College

Hilton College has dominated the KwaZulu-Natal rugby scene this season, amassing an impressive nine wins over some highly reputable competition.

Included in their list of triumphs is their recent 25-19 defeat of Glenwood High School. Although Glenwood started things off and put the first points on the board, Hilton came back with fury to even the score and surpass the Green Machine.

The Hiltonians had the final say when Chris Horak put a penalty kick between the poles to secure them a comfortable win, ending off a very competitive game of rugby.

Maritzburg will be a worthy contender for Hilton indeed, sitting one victory ahead of Hilton with a total of ten wins so far this season. They say practice makes perfect, and that may be Maritzburg’s winning formula when you look at the sheer number of games they have played this season.

This will be Maritzburg’s fifteenth fixture for 2023. All this time spent on the field has formulated a rock-solid team structure and a tried and tested game plan. Maritzburg’s dedication to the game has led to some massive wins, defeating St Charles College (46-8) in their last match up.

To add even more to the already high stakes of this game, both schools are on a five-game winning streak. And save for a draw, for one of them this will be number six. Additionally, this could place both schools at a total of ten wins for the season so far, or put one of them two games ahead.

These are certainly some top contenders. The tension will be palpable and the level of rugby played will be superb. This is not a game you want to miss. 

The teams: 

Hilton College: 15 Ivan Jjuuko, 14 Rukudzo Madinga, 13 RD Engelbrecht, 12 Ivan Lockem, 11 Michael Capes, 10 Christopher Horak, 9 Luke Watt, 8 Akhona Kunene, 7 Matthew Stewart, 6 Ross Brown, 5 Luke Warren, 4 Hanu Pieterse, 3 Ben le Roux, 2 Murray Brink, 1 Bunono Jabavu. 

Maritzburg College: 15 Luyanda Sbongumusa Kunene, 14 Langelihle Thabang Makhathini, 13 Swelihle Mbatha, 12 Nkululeko Sizwe Sithole, 11 Colm Ryan Reardon, 10 Luc Tristan du Toit, 9 Rhett William Quinn, 8 Sasha Rutendo Kadira, 7 Kevin Rowan Ayliffe, 6 Travis Donald Walton, 5 Jake Zoi Jansen, 4 Bohlale Maphisa, 3 Aiden Botha, 2 Elbie Mouton, 1 Phiwayinkosi Kubheka. 

Fixtures: 

11:45 –  Clifton vs St David’s Marist; 14:00 – Hilton College vs Maritzburg College; 15:00 – Northwood vs Michaelhouse; 15:30 – Kearsney College vs St Charles College.